RTHK: Ukraine forced to cede key battleground city Ukrainian forces have been ordered to withdraw from the key battleground city of Severodonetsk after weeks of fierce street fighting in a move that will be seen by Russia as a significant victory. Ukraine officials said there was very little left to defend in the bombed-out eastern city, where hundreds of civilians remain trapped in a chemical plant. The order to withdraw on Friday came four months to the day since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent tens of thousands of troops over the border, unleashing a conflict that has killed thousands, uprooted millions and reduced whole cities to rubble. Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai said troops in Severodonetsk had already received the order to move to new positions. "Remaining in positions smashed to pieces over many months just for the sake of staying there does not make sense," Gaidai said on Ukrainian television. The withdrawal from Severodonetsk would mark the biggest reversal for Ukraine since the loss of the southern port of Mariupol in May. The latest Russian advances appeared to bring the Kremlin closer to taking full control of Luhansk, one of Moscow's stated war objectives, and set the stage for Sievierodonetsk's twin city of Lysychansk to become the next main focus of fighting. Vitaly Kiselev, an official in the Interior Ministry of the separatist Luhansk People's Republic recognised only by Moscow told Russia's TASS news agency that it would take another week and a half to secure full control of Lysychansk. Meanwhile, the general staff of Ukraine's armed forces said its troops had had some success in the southern Kherson region, forcing the Russians back from defensive positions near the village of Olhine. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2022-06-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Policy incentives, digital techs a shot in the arm for China's retail sector Xinhua) 09:05, June 25, 2022 BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- After grappling with lingering COVID-19 for months, China's retail sales sector is gaining steam in its recovery, with fuel added by the government's supportive policies and digital technologies. The country's retail sales of consumer goods went down 6.7 percent from a year ago in May, narrowing by 4.4 percentage points from April, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed. "The recovery of consumption will pick up pace as people's lives return to normal," said NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui, attributing the smaller decline to the improving epidemic situation and business activities, as well as policies to spur consumption. On a brighter note, online consumption continued to shore up retail sales. In the first five months, online sales of physical goods climbed 5.6 percent, with its proportion of retail sales increasing. Analysts believe that the recent arrangements by authorities to tide retailers over difficulties and their own efforts to ride the digitalization wave will further unleash the potential of consumption, providing a solid foundation for high-quality development. POLICIES OFFER HOPE "Thanks to the shopping vouchers released by e-commerce platforms, our online sales have registered an over 250-percent year-on-year growth since June," said Song Huasong, regional president of Lotus supermarkets in central China's Hunan Province. The company's experience offers a glimpse of China's massive voucher giveaway to boost spending when the Omicron outbreak weighed heavily on domestic consumption. Zhengzhou, capital city of Henan Province, plans to distribute vouchers worth 240 million yuan (about 35.82 million U.S. dollars) from late May to the end of August to encourage local spending in various sectors such as automobiles, catering and tourism. Meanwhile, Hainan Province, which is striving to become the country's largest free trade port, granted 20 million yuan of vouchers to boost offshore duty-free shopping. Chengdu city decided to give out 160 million yuan of coupons in the form of digital yuan. Besides issuing consumption vouchers to stimulate consumer demand instantly, China also encouraged local governments to cut taxes and fees for retailers, as well as offer subsidies for enterprises' epidemic prevention and disinfection. "Policy support can improve the consumption capacity and ease burden for enterprises, thus the market can expect a stepped-up rebound," said Chen Lifen, a researcher with the Development Research Center of the State Council, suggesting efforts to accelerate the implementation of preferential policies. DIGITALIZATION INJECTS IMPETUS While enjoying preferential policies, many retailers of physical goods, bearing the brunt of the epidemic, have devised ways of digital transformation to turn the tide against the virus. Intime Department Store saw over 6,000 of its shopping guides become retail livestreamers and the volume of livestreaming sales surged by 2.7 times in May, according to the company. The company has established mini "cloud stores" in more than 20 Chinese cities, usually lower-tier ones. Consumers can select commodities with the help of shopping guides via digital platforms and try samples in the store, which improved their shopping experience. "Efforts should be made to step up the integrated development of online and offline shopping, and nurture new consumption trends like customization and experiential shopping," said Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 resurgence, many e-commerce platforms have pooled their resources along the supply chain, including nationwide warehouse networks and internet traffic, to expand sales for the struggling small and medium-sized firms. Digital capabilities of e-commerce platforms can help free small businesses from constraints in financing, technology, marketing and human resources, thus improving supply quality and promoting consumption upgrade, said Zhao Ping, vice president of the Academy of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) LIBREVILLE, June 25 (Xinhua) -- French-speaking Gabon joins Saturday the Commonwealth, almost all of whose members are the former territories of the British Empire, said the Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba on his social media account. Gabon's entry into the Commonwealth was approved at the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda's capital city Kigali, which runs from June 20 to 25. "Gabon is making history by officially becoming a member of the Commonwealth," tweeted the Gabonese President in English, affirming that Gabon is ready for a "breakthrough with a new chapter" and "opportunities on the economic, diplomatic, and cultural levels". Gabon's willingness to join the Commonwealth is not a decision taken lightly. A small Central African country with a population of more than 2 million, Gabon had long been considered an Eldorado in Central Africa because of its enormous oil revenues between the 1970s and 1980s. In his major announcement in 2021, the Gabonese president said the goal of joining the Commonwealth is to diversify Gabon's economy. His spokesman Jessye Ella Ekogha also said back in 2021 that it was a choice aimed at "sustainable development of the country." "We are going to have a lot from the Commonwealth, from the Commonwealth countries as they are going to share our experiences as well. And I confirm, and I affirm and I continue to say that the Commonwealth is a vibrant community with a future and values shared by Gabon," said Michael Moussa Adamo, the Gabonese foreign minister, in a recent media briefing. Luxembourg's Prime Minister expressed his despair at the US Supreme Court ruling, which saw numerous states ban abortion following Friday's announcement. Bettel took to Twitter on Friday evening, saying "making abortions illegal isnt pro-life. Its anti-choice. Its anti-women." He also issued a plea for solidarity, adding that "reproductive rights are not just womens rights. They are human rights. So lets all stand up for them." Making abortions illegal isnt pro-life. Its anti-choice. Its anti-women. It wont save lives. It will kill women. Its a social & economic injustice. And just so, so wrong. Reproductive rights are not just womens rights. They are human rights. So lets all stand up for them. Xavier Bettel (@Xavier_Bettel) June 24, 2022 Bettel joined other world leaders such as French president Emmanuel Macron and Belgian premier Alexander De Croo in condemning the decision by the Supreme Court to end constitutional protection for abortions in the US. As a result of the ruling, a number of right-leaning states have banned abortions already, with others set to follow over the next month. Macron said "abortion is a fundamental right for all women. It must be protected.", while De Croo stated "banning abortion never leads to fewer abortions, only to more unsafe abortions." Other leaders, including Canada's Justin Trudeau and New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern, also criticised the ruling, with Trudeau referring to the news as "horrific". Ardern, who recently oversaw legislation to decriminalise abortion in New Zealand, called the decision "a loss for women everywhere". Abortion in Luxembourg In Luxembourg, abortion has been legal since 1978 - however, up until 2012, women in need of the procedure could only obtain an abortion if a physician deemed them to be "in distress". The law was reformed in 2012, with further amendments in 2014 ensuring the procedure was removed from the penal code, and abolishing the need for women to provide a written statement of their desire for the procedure. Abortions are permitted up to the twelfth week of pregnancy (14 weeks since the last period), with later term procedures permitted if a danger exists for either the mother or foetus. These can only be signed off by two practising physicians. Women in Luxembourg can have medical abortions up to seven weeks of pregnancy, with surgical procedures required for later pregnancies. By law, they must undergo a three-day waiting period prior to any procedure to confirm they are willing to go ahead. Minors must have parental consent, or that of a legal guardian or trusted adult. As a rule, abortions are free of charge for Luxembourg residents and cross-border workers. In September 2021, the ADR party put out a statement refuting the EU Parliament's decision to consider abortion a human right, arguing it should only be permitted in emergency cases. The statement followed an announcement that Luxembourg's Ministry of Health supported International Safe Abortion Day, a day of action seeking access to legal abortions around the world. After a first case detected on 15 June, the Luxembourg health authorities have confirmed two new monkeypox infections. This brings the number of monkeypox infections in Luxembourg up to three. As in the majority of cases described in Europe, the signs of infection of the patients are essentially cutaneous and localised in the genital region, and the general condition of the persons is good, reassures the Ministry of Health. A recent report by the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the vast majority of people currently affected by the virus are men, particularly men who have had sex with men. There is no link to returnees from endemic areas. As the virus is transmitted through close and intimate contact, the ministry recommends protecting oneself and avoiding risky situations. The risk of becoming infected increases with the number of partners, the ministry adds. The following list are the observed symptoms of the disease, but the ministry stresses they are not generalised to every infected individual: Pimples on the body (on the face, in the mouth, on the palms, soles of the feet, on the genitals and anus, on the chest or limbs); Fever; Swollen and painful lymph nodes under the jaw, in the neck or in the groin; Sore throat; Headaches; Muscle pain; Fatigue. After a few days or weeks, the pimples will dry up and become scabs. These will eventually fall off and heal. A sick person can be infectious as soon as the symptoms appear and until the lesions heal, the ministry writes. In case of a suspected infection, residents are encouraged to contact the national service for infectious diseases (telephone: 4411-3091 (office hours), or 4411-2730 (hospitalisation)). On Saturday, the Youth for Climate collective staged a protest at Place Clairefontaine in Luxembourg City to denounce a plan to classify fossil fuels as "green" energy. On 14 June, two committees of the European Parliament voted against Brussels' plan to include gas and nuclear power among the EU's "green" energies, paving the way for a vote by all MEPs to block the controversial text. The European Commission had presented in December a draft green label ("taxonomy") for nuclear and gas power plants, with the intention of making it easier to finance infrastructure that aids in the battle against climate change much to the dismay of several member states and environmental NGOs. On Saturday in Luxembourg City, Youth for Climate staged a protest on Place Clairefontaine to denounce "greenwashing" and "effective lobbying, supported by an alliance of pro-gas and pro-nuclear countries." According to the climate activists, "it is obvious that considering these energies as 'green', even in a transitory way in the case of gas, cannot lead to an efficient decarbonisation of financial flows." On the contrary, encouraging investments in gas energy, considered "the most important source of energy emissions at EU level," will "only impede a transition that could achieve the EU's and the Paris Agreement's 2030 climate objectives". Domingos Oliveira Domingos Oliveira Domingos Oliveira The photos published on this site are subject to copyright and may not be copied, modified, or sold without the prior permission of the owner of the site in question. In response, Youth for Climate activists dressed up "to embody officials refusing to acknowledge the current nature of the Taxonomy: that of an explicit greenwashing tool". Luxembourg opposes inclusion of nuclear power The text will be considered definitively adopted next month, unless the European Parliament (by an absolute majority, i.e., 353 MEPs) or the Member States (by a qualified majority, i.e., at least 15 States representing 65% of the EU population) veto it by 11 July, in which case Brussels will have to amend or withdraw its proposal. In the European Council, nearly ten states (Germany, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Luxembourg, Portugal, Malta, among others) are opposed to the inclusion of nuclear power, while some others (the Netherlands, among others) refuse to include gas. Jean-Claude Juncker, Luxembourg's former Prime Minister and the former President of the European Commission, was a guest on RTL Radio on Saturday afternoon. In his interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio, Juncker denounced the war in Ukraine and stated that it would set relations with Russia back "into an atmosphere of the Cold War". The fact that the EU has granted Ukraine the status as a candidate is "completely understandable," according to the former President of the European Commission, who added that "any other signal" would have devastated the Ukrainian people. Juncker stressed that no one should, on the other hand, "buy into the delusion" that this will be a quick and simple procedure. Given that Ukraine is still struggling to combat internal corruption and nepotism, Juncker warned that the country's leadership must not make the mistake of assuming that they are already part of the Union, stressing that "they are not and they won't be for many, many years". Ukraine, Juncker added, is "not an exemplary democracy, far from it". He pointed out that negotiations with Serbia and Turkey have been ongoing for years, without any significant progress. "The status of 'candidate', in terms of joining the Union, does not mean anything, it's not an important step," the former President of the European Commission stated. The Housing Crisis: Juncker's 'greatest defeat' When asked about the former Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna's bid to lead the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), Juncker said that he "does not really understand it". He explained that the position "requires a lot of travelling and comes with significant responsibilities" and would thus go completely against the reasons Gramegna cited for stepping down. At the time, Pierre Gramegna stated that he would resign as Minister of Finance in order to spend more time with his family. Regarding the housing crisis, Luxembourg's former Prime Minister stated that solutions from several different angles are required to solve the problem of overvalued land. For one, the property tax should be "substantially increased," and Luxembourgish landowners should stop speculating with their land to inflate selling prices, according to Juncker. The former Prime Minister acknowledged that the housing crisis was his "greatest defeat". He predicted that social cohesion, public finances, and housing would be the dominant topics of the next national elections. Juncker thinks that the last tripartite meetings were convened "too late," which could explain the abrupt end and the refusal of the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) to sign the final agreement. However, the former Prime Minister argued that a "modulation" of the index is "appropriate" to avoid bankruptcies of smaller businesses in particular. 'There is still a need for a people's party' If he had to choose a political party today, he would re-join the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), Juncker said. The CSV, according to Juncker, continues to stand for ideas that he holds dear: a Christian social doctrine devoid of mindless allegiance to the Church. The former Prime Minister acknowledged, however, that the CSV is currently "not in good shape". He welcomes the party's recent rebranding and effort to make a fresh start and believes that it will continue to be relevant in the future. Despite the fact that the CSV "has to find its way back to its core ideas," Juncker believes that there is still a need for a people's party. Jean-Claude Juncker stated that he has "no intention" of returning to active political life. Regarding the 2023 national elections, Juncker thinks that the current political climate favours smaller parties. Finally, Juncker explained that he does not regret the departure of the CSV's former party president Frank Engel, who left the CSV to establish his new party called 'Fokus'. According to Juncker, Frank Engel "gave up too easily," after running into internal problems. Do you think homophobia only affects queer people because it's directed at them? Maybe think again because homophobia is everyone's problem - including straight people. Whenever the topic of homophobia is discussed, we tend to focus on how queer people feel about it. This makes sense because theyre the ones being directly threatened and abused by it. Its their existence thats denied over someone elses opinion. But theyre not the only ones negatively affected by the omnipresent homophobia. For those of you who may not know, queer is an umbrella term for the members of the LGBTQ+ community and is also used to describe those who dont wish to define their sexual preferences or dont really have a specification for it. Homophobia, on the other hand, is defined as dislike or prejudice against queer people. Its a fear of people who dont follow the widely imposed heteronormativity. Its assuming that most people are straight and thats the normal thing to be. Heteronormativity and heterosexuality are not the same things. There is absolutely nothing wrong with finding the opposite sex attractive, everyone should get with who they please. It is the projection of heterosexuality as the default that defines heteronormativity. Its assuming that most people are straight and thats the normal thing to be. To make things worse, heteronormativity is often projected as biological normality that everyone ought to cater to. Even in a country like Luxembourg where gay marriage is legal and the mistreatment on the basis of sexuality is punishable, lets face it - its normal to be straight and its slightly less normal to be gay. Its okay to be gay. But its not the normal thing to be. In contrast to this supposed main viewpoint, I would dare to argue that it is much more normal to be queer than to be heteronormative. As a queer, non-binary person I am probably quite biased. But hear me out. I promise it will make sense. Ever since we all can remember our sexuality has been assigned to us based on our sex. If I have a vagina, I have sex with males and I refer to myself as a girl. If I have a penis, I have sex with females and I refer to myself as a boy. Bim, bam, boom - pretty straight forward. Very simple categorisation that in turn leads us to simple answers. Like this we dont have to rack our brains too much, we can just follow the comfortable rules. What happened throughout all these years when a female was attracted to another female? Or a male to another male? They thought of themselves as weird, abnormal, foreign, almost uncanny. They felt disgust towards themselves, felt like they were sick or like something was wrong with them. Now why did they feel like this? Some of them maybe have had the courage to speak to someone about it. Some of them maybe even have acted upon it, tried to form a relationship with someone. Some of them got caught in the act. Can you guess what happened in most of such cases? At best, they were shushed, shut down, told to act normal, told not to be disgusting. Shamed for being attracted to another human being. At worst, they were killed, jailed, terrorised and unbelievably traumatised. The existence of queer people has been quite literally denied over the opinions of others who arent in favour of their sexual partners. Ever since we all can remember we have been told that being queer is not normal. People dont understand that what they think are just their opinions and that as long as these opinions matter more than peoples lives we participate in a collective hate crime. The existence of queer people has been quite literally denied over the opinions of others who arent in favour of their sexual partners. Now imagine that I think being straight is not normal (which I do think, by the way, considering that straight refers to heteronormativity, not heterosexuality). Why would I go to someone straight and tell them: Hey you, stop making out with that girl, its disgusting. Go make out with some guys instead and dont be stupid. Even if I genuinely did feel so strongly about it, even if it did disgust me, why would I ever voice that, why would I ever put my opinion on this random persons life choices over their well-being? Over respecting them enough as human beings to abstain from my unfavourable opinion toward them. Over letting them have the freedom to decide what they want, which in no way affects me and my personal life. Your thoughts suddenly become more important than my existence. You choose how I can live, not me. When you decide to tell me its not normal to be gay, youre not speaking on a subject that you know anything about. Youre projecting your opinion (often inexperienced and uneducated) onto me and my life. Your thoughts suddenly become more important than my existence. You choose how I can live, not me. Its okay to have opinions that differ from other people. Its okay not to be gay. But its not okay to project that as something normal and sadly thats what has been the case. I think what straight people really cant handle about queer people is their acceptance of ambiguity. Queer people experience first-hand what human ambiguity feels like and looks like because their choice of partners illustrates it. Some of us like to sleep with men and some of us like to sleep with women. Some of us dont even care for such gender-defined labels and sleep with people who dont care about that either. At least when youre queer you are to some extent forced to face it as it is a part of you. In order to live your life and feel fulfilled you need to accept yourself. This can sometimes come at a nerve-racking cost and many people are too scared to get out of the closet, but lets say you have to at least acknowledge youre attracted to someone who is not of your opposite sex. But what about people who arent queer? Who isnt forced through who they are attracted to defy the projected normativity? The problem for straight people is that because of their sexuality being normalised they often dont really question themselves and who they are. They just accept that theyre normal, that theres nothing wrong with them and that they are attracted to the right people. It may not appear as a narrative in their head but subconsciously thats what a lot of us think. They dont look into what drives them to that, what makes them straight. They dont really check in with themselves, they dont question their heterosexuality - if maybe, just maybe, theyre not as straight as they think they are. And its hard to blame them. Society doesnt let you deal with your own ambiguity. Were terrified of it. We like to know things for certain, we prefer to hold on to a few things we know than dive into those we dont. Even if it isnt true, even if it doesnt make us happy - at least were comfortable. But think about it, who's losing here in the long run? Who goes to sleep at night knowing they live authentically, knowing they live as their true selves? Knowing they questioned who they are and were not afraid to pursue a life of authentic happiness? Im sure there are a lot of heterosexual people who find themselves in this group but I think a lot also dont and thats a shame. Its a shame that we still dont encourage people to question themselves and are allowed to find their answers within. Think about all the queer people within the heteronormative demographic who have absolutely no idea that theyre not straight or those who have always known but rejected it to the point that they dont even question it. So whose problem is homophobia really? Maybe its more of an ambiguity-phobia, rather than homophobia. Especially because a whole lot of people who consider themselves homophobic are probably gay anyway. In Wyoming, most of us fuel our cars with gasoline, heat our homes using natural gas and rely on electricity generated from coal. And we depend on state services paid for, in large part, by taxes imposed on the companies extracting that oil, gas and coal industries whose contributions to state coffers have also kept our individual taxes low. The economic importance of energy means price swings often hit Wyoming especially hard. Money drained from the states pockets as oil markets crashed in the early months of the pandemic, then poured back in as markets recovered. Oil prices have been climbing since the start of 2021. In the months since Russia went to war with Ukraine, the price of oil has skyrocketed. Its continued to surge as tensions mount and settle as they subside, but never to levels as low as before the invasion. The price of gasoline went up along with oil and has remained high. For a number of reasons, natural gas followed, giving a boost to its competitor, coal. Heres how energy prices changed last week. Oil Because oil is traded globally, market disruptions rarely stay where they start. Instead, localized shifts ripple from one market to the next, pushing the worlds prices up or down along with their own. The price of U.S. oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) sank again last week as financial markets reacted to growing fears of recession. WTI closed at $104.27 on Thursday, down from $117.59 a week earlier and a three-month high of $122.11 per barrel set the Wednesday before. That closing price was just shy of the eight-year peak $123.70 per barrel reached on March 8. Wyomings drilling rig count, an indicator of industry activity, dropped back to 18 still about half the pre-pandemic rig count last week after rising to 19 the week before. The weekly rig count has held at or above 18 since the start of June, after hovering between 14 and 16 for the previous six months, according to Baker Hughes. The states oil companies say the high oil prices are incentive enough to drill, but other obstacles, including supply chain issues, have slowed them down. Gasoline Oil prices are the primary driver of gasoline prices. Thats why the rising cost of oil was quickly reflected at the pump, and a big part of why gasoline has remained so pricey. The national average price of regular gasoline fell to $4.93 per gallon on Friday, down from $5.00 last Friday and $4.99 per gallon one week earlier, according to AAA. The current national record, just under $5.02 per gallon, was set on June 14. In Wyoming, however, gasoline prices have continued to climb. Regular gasoline set yet another statewide record of nearly $4.89 per gallon on Friday. Thats up from a previous high of $4.83 across Wyoming last Friday an increase of 6 cents, compared with 27 cents the week before. Diesel cost $5.70 per gallon on Friday, up from $5.62 the previous week. Gasoline averaged $4.59 per gallon in Natrona County. Natural gas Unlike oil, most natural gas stays in the region where its produced. Localized disruptions tend to have significant effects on individual markets, but take much longer to impact others. European natural gas prices went up along with oil prices. While U.S. natural gas prices didnt change as much at the start of the war, theyve been on the rise since February, partly because of increased exports to Europe but also due to a confluence of unrelated factors like cold weather, reduced storage and low production. Economists anticipate that if the war continues for an extended period of time six months, a year the U.S. will expand its export infrastructure and companies will ship even more natural gas to Europe, potentially further raising prices here. The estimated weekly Henry Hub spot price averaged $7.11 per million British thermal units, down from the multiyear high of $8.99 set two weeks ago, according to the Energy Information Administration. The daily spot price fell from $7.89 on June 16 to $6.59 on June 22. Coal Demand for Wyomings coal is influenced by the cost of other fuels especially natural gas. Price determines whether utilities generate more electricity at coal-fired or gas-fired power plants. Coal mined in the Powder River Basin becomes competitive when natural gas tops about $3 per million British thermal units. Its currently more than double that. The estimated weekly spot price of Powder River Basin coal jumped, the week before last, to $16.55 per short ton, after declining slowly from $30.70 to $15.45 over the previous seven months. The Energy Information Administration has not updated the most recent spot price due to systems issues. Coals current spot price remains above any weekly price recorded in the decade before utilities, fearful this fall of the sky-high natural gas prices forecast by energy analysts, scrambled to secure more coal before winter set in. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Community members got to hear from Republican candidates for the Wyoming superintendent of public instruction position in an election forum in Casper on Thursday. The forum, hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Central Wyoming and Wyoming PBS, allowed the public and the facilitators to ask the candidates questions and get a better idea of what K-12 education would look like under their leadership. State schools superintendent candidates to participate in public election forum Republican State Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates will participate on Thursday in a public election forum in Casper. The forum will allow community members and facilitators to ask the candidates questions. Wyoming superintendents head the states education department and sit on several state boards. Theyre also non-voting members of the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees, the Wyoming Community College Commission and the School Facilities Commission. Candidates Brian Schroeder, Megan Degenfelder, Jennifer Zerba and Thomas Kelly attended the forum. Another candidate, Robert White, did not come. Schroeder is Wyomings current superintendent. He has worked as a teacher and administrator in private schools in California, Wisconsin, Michigan and Wyoming and as a family and youth counselor. Gov. Mark Gordon appointed him in January after former state superintendent Jillian Balow left the job to take a similar role in Virginia. His unelected term ends in January. Degenfelder, a Casper native, served as the Wyoming Department of Educations chief policy officer under Balow and is currently the government and regulatory affairs manager for Morningstar Partners Oil & Gas. Gov. Mark Gordon appoints Brian Schroeder as state schools superintendent Gov. Mark Gordon selected Brian Schroeder, who heads a private Christian school in Cody, as the new state schools superintendent Thursday. Zerba is a Natrona County School District substitute teacher and cosmetologist. She has degrees in business administration and is currently getting a doctorate of education in learning, design and technology at UW. Kelly chairs the political and military science department at the American Military University and has taught at middle schools, community colleges and universities in the Midwest and Mountain West regions. White is an underground trona miner who lives in Rock Springs. He was formerly an amphibious assault vehicle crew chief and a corporal in the Marine Corps. With deadline approaching, four candidates confirmed for schools superintendent race Three Republicans and one Democrat are vying for the state superintendent of public instruction's post. Former Wyoming PBS Senior Public Affairs Producer Craig Blumenshine and current Wyoming PBS Senior Public Affairs Producer Steve Peck facilitated the forum and fielded questions from the public. Here are the participants answers to some of the questions from the forum: Wyoming has the highest suicide rate in the country. Why is that, and what will your leadership do about it? I understand that the status quo, knee jerk responses is more programs and more funding through the public schools, Kelly said. While this is a serious issue, this is not necessarily for the public schools to take on issues of mental health as the primary mission of public instruction. Zerba said shes personally had students come up to her and say they were considering suicide. As [educators], we get that quite frequently, she said, adding that she directs those students to resources but sometimes doesnt know how much those kids are supported. Zerba said she wants to improve messaging around the mental health resources that are already available in schools so students know they are valued and appreciated. Schroeder worked with troubled and traumatized kids for more than 14 years. It usually always boils down to some severe disconnect, breakdown of the family structure, he said of poor mental health among students. I also think whats feeding into this sense of disconnect, and detachment is the social media phenomenon. Degenfelder said that dealing with the mental health crisis is absolutely the role of the state superintendent. If our kids arent healthy, either physically or mentally, they cannot learn to read and write, we cannot expect increased outcomes and performance in the classroom if theyre struggling. She said she would consider options to address mental health such as increasing suicide prevention training for school staff, looking into virtual mental health care systems for students and partnering with after school programs so kids can get support after school hours. Megan Degenfelder announces bid for schools superintendent A former top official at the Wyoming Department of Education announced Thursday she will run for superintendent of public instruction. What do you think about the Wyoming Teacher Apprenticeship Program? This fall, the Wyoming Department of Education and the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board are launching a pilot teacher apprenticeship program in three school districts. The apprenticeship is based off a program in Tennessee, which allows people to get a teaching license in three years for free through hands-on experience. The apprenticeship is meant to help turn around the states teacher shortage crisis. Schroeder, as the current superintendent, is helping to move along the initiative. He said that the apprenticeship is a response to the needs of our teacher, the cries of our teachers. Degenfelder is in favor of the new program. As with any issue, I am going to consider any option weve got, Degenfelder said. She added that shed like to also get around the state and find out what is keeping some teachers from continuing in the profession and why fewer people are deciding to become teachers. But Zerba and Kelly are not in favor of the new apprenticeship program. Although they agreed with the idea of making it easier to get qualified teachers into the classroom, they both felt it unnecessary to spend money on a whole new program to do that. Zerba has said in a past interview with the Star-Tribune that shed rather leverage resources that Wyoming already has, like community and technical colleges as well as scholarships and grants, to make it easier for people to become teachers. Why are we spending all this time and money on something when we already have it available? Zerba questioned. Superintendent candidate joined race to give voters another option. Here's her view on some key issues. Republican schools superintendent candidate Jennifer Zerba decided to join the race last-minute because she was alarmed to see some of the issues and topics that other candidates were running on. Should we add COVID-19 vaccines to the required list of vaccines for kids in public schools? Degenfelder, Schroeder and Kelly agreed that the decision to have a child get a COVID vaccine should be up to parents. We just dont have enough information on this, Degenfelder said of COVID vaccines. Were not decades and decades into it like some of our vaccines. Zerba noted, however, that parents and guardians can use a waiver to have their child be exempted from a vaccine requirement. I believe that we can exercise that and still be able to implement mandatory vaccines, because the parents will have control, she said. Do you think Riverton Middle Schools cell phone ban was a good idea? Last week, Riverton Middle School banned cell phone use in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms. Students can now only use their phones during recess or lunch, or for an emergency. Kelly and Schroeder said they thought the ban was a good idea, although both noted that such a decision would be up to local school boards. I think any kind of boundaries, strong boundaries, for kids is a good idea, Schroeder said. Ultimately, whats behind that is concern about the kids, and this cell phone, social media world is gobbling them up. Schools chief calls for rejecting federal money over nondiscrimination policies Wyoming's top schools official says the state "will not comply" with federal requirements to change non-discrimination policies and called on the state to reject federal money tied to lunch programs. Degenfelder and Zerba disagreed with the decision. We have to teach our kids best practices and how to deal with the world of technology, because its not going away, Degenfelder said. To just say stay off social media, dont use your cell phone, thats not going to resonate with kids. Zerba said the matter should be something thats talked about with parents rather than mandated by school boards. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. About 50 people stood in a line on the sidewalk in front of True Casper Womens Resource Center in Casper on Friday to protest the Wyomings trigger abortion ban and the Supreme Courts decision to overrule Roe v. Wade. Most made their signs that day after the decision was released in the morning. Signs said things like, We wont back down, My body, my choice, no exceptions, Bans off our bodies and Liberate abortion. Sami Saunders, a junior at Kelly Walsh High School, carried a cardboard sign painted with a coat hanger and the words, Never again! She and her older sister, Tiana, said Wyomings trigger abortion ban could convince them to move out of the state. Theyd both been to other demonstrations in Casper to protest abortion restrictions, and Sami had on the same dress she wore to last months Bans Off Our bodies protest. I hate how the world is going, Sami said. Demonstrators opposed to abortion have protested every Thursday since late April outside a Casper clinic that planned to offer abortions starting this month. An arson at the Second Street clinic has delayed its opening by four to six months, the clinics founder Julie Burkhart said. There did not appear to be any counter-protesters present at the pro-abortion rights demonstration, though a couple of people passing in cars yelled at the gathered crowd. Others honked in support. Its disappointing that Wyoming, the Equality State, the first state to give women rights, is now falling short, a protester named Billie said. Several people, including Carmen Albright, brought their young daughters. It was her daughters first protest. She said she wanted them to come so she could show them how to exercise their right to a peaceful protest. I am worried, Albright said. I have two daughters who may be faced with this decision in the future. I want them to have the option and freedom to decide. Jordan Cobb came with her two daughters for a similar reason. The three held cardboard signs with writing in red and black marker. The signs said things like Dont tread on women and You cant stop us. Cobb livestreamed the protest from her phone. Is this the beginning of something? her daughter Tori Crouch asked. Shianne Endelman-Holmes said shes concerned the ban will mostly harm minorities and lower income people. She and her husband, William Endelman, were already planning to leave the state. This may make that happen sooner, they said. Men at the protest said they were there to show support for women in their lives. Casper resident Hector Arevalo stood under a tree a bit apart from the demonstrators and watched the scene. His wife and one of his daughters protested on the sidewalk. I have three daughters, and thats why Im here, he said. Arevalo also went to the Bans Off Our Bodies protest in Casper last month in the wake of the Roe draft decision leak. That protest drew a crowd of about 200 people. They were also there to fight against the slippery slope of other rights that could be taken away, in Endelmans words. Brent Pickett said hes worried about womens rights today. But looking ahead, hes thinking about how the decision could invite legal challenges to gay marriage, contraceptives and reproductive health in general. People should find this chilling, he said. A couple of teenagers said they heard about the protest from their parents. Theyre angry, sad and upset that women are being forced to carry pregnancies to term. This, combined with limits on hormone therapy and other conservative policies, make them think about leaving Wyoming. This is about who is going to run your life, said Jane Ifland, a Casper resident and member of the Wellspring Health Access Community Advisory board. A lawyer came by and handed out business cards to the protesters. He said they could contact him if they are interested in legally contesting the trigger ban. The purpose of the protest, for most people, was to bring awareness. Some said they hope state legislators take notice and think about reinstating abortion rights in Wyoming. Others werent as optimistic, but said its important to voice dissent anyway. And, protesters said, seeing the crowd gathered on the sidewalk outside True Care made them feel more connected to others fighting the same fight. I was feeling alone today, Cobb said. But the turnout, she said, turned that loneliness to shock and hope. Star-Tribune staff writer Nicole Pollack contributed to this report. Love 3 Funny 11 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Maya Shimizu Harris Follow Maya Shimizu Harris 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 The Steel Seizure Case (1952) raised the critical issue of the constitutional prescription for confronting emergencies. President Harry Truman, facing a nationwide steel strike, which he believed would undermine Americas participation in the Korean War and the rebuilding of Europe, boldly asserted the claim of a presidential emergency power to seize the steel mills to maintain production. The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling, rejected Trumans assertion of inherent executive authority. Justice Felix Frankfurter, in a concurring opinion, stated: The fact that power exists in the Government does not vest it in the President. If the constitutional authority to meet an emergency is not placed in the presidency, then where is it located? The framers of the Constitution chose wisely when they refused to vest an emergency power in the hands of the president. Their deep knowledge of centuries of abuse of executive power, as we have observed, informed their adoption of the doctrine of retroactive authorization. American historical practice, dating to the founding, reflects the wisdom of this approach. Rep. Alexander White, a leader in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, addressed the practice of legislative indemnification retroactive authorization in the First Congress and shared with colleagues an example of its use during the Revolutionary War. White explained that Gov. Nelson of Virginia, facing a shortage of materials, acquired supplies for his army, even though that meant he was exceeding his lawful authority. But the legislature agreed with his action and promptly indemnified him since it agreed that Virginia was the beneficiary of the governors resolute measure. Rep. White referred to the retroactive authorization as the exemplary means of responding to an emergency. The alternative was to leave to the governor the sole discretionary power to judge the emergency and respond to it, which would deprive the legislature of its lawmaking authority. In 1793, Alexander Hamilton, as Secretary of the Treasury, was the subject of a House resolution that charged him with violation of the appropriations laws. Hamilton denied any wrongdoing and the House vindicated his denial. During debate, both sides acknowledged the controlling importance and weight of retroactive authorization. Rep. William Smith of South Carolina observed that a nation might face urgent circumstances that would require immediate action insurrection or invasion but the legislature would decide whether to indemnify the executive, a decision that would hinge on the legislatures perception of the emergency circumstances that might warrant departure from the law and the wisdom of the executives response to them. In 1807, a British warship attacked the Chesapeake. Because Congress was in recess, President Thomas Jefferson spent unappropriated funds in violation of the law. In his defense, Jefferson explained to Congress: To have awaited a previous and special sanction by law would have lost occasions which might not be retrieved. I trust that the Legislature, feeling the same anxiety for the safety of the country, will approve, when done, what they would have seen so important to be done if then assembled. In the debate that preceded retroactive authorization of Jeffersons illegal acts, House members duly acknowledged the illegal nature of Jeffersons acts and focused on the pivotal question underlying every request for ratification. The prominent Federalist, Rep. Samuel Dana of Connecticut, stated the essential question: Would you, had you assembled at this time, with a knowledge of the existing circumstances, would you have authorized these expenses to be incurred. If Congress did not share the presidents perception of emergency, or the acts that he performed to meet it if indeed, the Legislature condemns the procedure, Dana added, then the officers must bear the loss. The loss might include impeachment. By virtue of its status as the nations lawmaking authority, Congress represents, in Jeffersons words, the controlling power which has the capacity to make legal an action which was illegal at the time it was undertaken. A presidential claim to such authority would eviscerate the concept of legal restraint, for the president would be governed by his own compass. In that event, every question of emergency would be a matter of the executives political interest, discretion and will. The most famous example of presidential resort to retroactive ratification occurred during the Civil War, when President Abraham Lincoln explained to Congress in an address on July 4, 1861, why he had taken action to defend the Union in reaction to the Confederacys attack on Fort Sumter, which initiated the war. While Congress was in recess after the attack on April 12, Lincoln issued proclamations calling forth state militias, suspending the writ of habeas corpus and instituting a blockade on the rebellious states. The authority to take those steps is vested by the Constitution in Congress, not the president. Lincoln said that his acts were a response to a popular demand and public necessity, trusting then, as now, that Congress would readily ratify them. Congress did ratify Lincolns acts. It is testimony to Lincolns commitment to constitutional government that while caught in the clutches of Americas gravest crisis, he nevertheless refrained from laying claim to a theory of High Prerogative but, in fact, adhered to the practice and tradition of legislative ratification. If Lincoln had bypassed Congress and asserted authority to judge his acts, he would have become the dictator that southerners claimed he was. Lincoln was no dictator. David Adler, Ph.D., is a noted author who lectures nationally and internationally on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and Presidential power. His scholarly writings have been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and lower courts by both Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress. Adlers column is supported in part through a grant from Wyoming Humanities funded by the Why it Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation initiative, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and funded by Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Adler can be reached at david.adler@alturasinstitute.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. KUNMING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Three Chinese law-enforcement vessels returned to a port in southwest China's Yunnan Province on Friday, concluding the 118th joint Mekong River patrol by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Five vessels from the four countries, with 109 law-enforcement officers on board, sailed over 760 km for four days and three nights with missions to ensure the safety and stability of the river basin, according to the Yunnan provincial public security department. The Mekong River, whose section in China is called the Lancang River, is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping. China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have been conducting joint patrols on the river since December 2011, targeting illegal border crossing, drugs, internet fraud and other cross-border crimes along the river. During the past three years, 29 law enforcement operations have been carried out, with 8,341 cross-border criminal cases cracked, over 47 tonnes of various drugs seized, and 4,432 suspects arrested. Primary schools and non-exam secondary school classes are to remain closed on Tuesday as a r PROMENADE GIVEAWAY: Leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots Watson Duke, right, hands out loaves of bread to members of the public yesterday on the Brian Lara Promenade. Photo: JERMAINE CRUICKSHANK Kiss employee Michael Sylvester, stacks Kiss bread on the shelves at Stackhouse Company Ltd. Pointe-a-Pierre Road, San Fernando, on Thursday. -Photo: DEXTER PHILIP 'Please help me find my van, my livelihood' This year marks the 60th anniversary of Trinidad and Tobagos independence from colonial rule. The question is: how have we fared as an independent nation? Some may argue, this is a subjective question as success or failure can be viewed through the personal experiences of the individual. Others may take the view that 60 years is a relatively young age as far as nationhood goes, therefore, it is still too early to form a plausible opinion. ISLAMABAD, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces have killed two terrorists during a recent operation in the country's northwestern district of Dera Ismail Khan, the military said in a statement. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan army, said on Friday that the fire exchange took place between security forces and the terrorists in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. "During the exchange of fire, two terrorists got killed," said the ISPR, adding that weapons and ammunition were seized from the killed terrorists. Selected reaction to Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and the right of abortion from Arizona leaders, candidates. Gov. Doug Ducey: Roe v. Wade was a poorly reasoned ruling that had no constitutional basis. The Supreme Court has made the right decision by finally overturning it and giving governing power back to the people and the states. Sen. Mark Kelly: Women deserve the right to make their own decisions about abortion. It is just wrong that the next generation of women will have fewer freedoms than my grandmother did. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema: A woman's health-care choices should be between her, her family and her doctor. Today's decision overturning Roe v. Wade endangers the health and well-being of women in Arizona and across America. Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (and Democratic candidate for governor): Republican extremists have plotted for decades to install partisan judges at every level of the judicial system with the goal of ending women's fundamental freedom to choose our own health care. As governor, I will use my veto pen to block any legislation that compromises the right to choose. Attorney General Mark Brnovich (and candidate for U.S. Senate): Attorneys general have a solemn responsibility to defend the most vulnerable among us, and that's exactly what we did today. I look forward to seeing the issue returned to elected representatives where it belongs. Brittany Fonteno, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Arizona: Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to annihilate abortion access throughout the country is devastating and will gravely impact pregnant people and their families in Arizona. Cathy Herrod, president, Center for Arizona Policy: The court made the right call. There's no constitutional right to abortion in the United States Constitution. The prior Arizona law should be enforceable. Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick: The Supreme Court is no longer a legitimate body; it has become another partisan branch putting political party platforms before the American people and legal precedent. This week's SCOTUS rulings highlight this fact: the courts' conservatives have dismantled the separation of church and state. Don't be naive, the overturning of Roe is far more than an attack on abortion health care, this will ignite a slope of legal assaults on women and their privacy. Congressman Raul Grijalva: It takes away the most important and life-changing decision a woman will ever make. It is a fundamental and disguising restructuring of the progress we have made as a country to afford women equity. Jennifer Allen, executive director ACLU of Arizona: With today's decision, the Supreme Court has turned back the clock nearly 50 years on our fundamental rights. However, Arizona voters can change the course of history by electing candidates down the ballot who will defend access to abortion care. +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. PHOENIX Arizona teachers will not face new rules this coming school year on how they can teach about race and ethnicity because a Scottsdale Republican lawmaker was absent Friday on the last day of the legislative session. But Rep. Joseph Chaplik told Capitol Media Services that House leaders knew he would not be there Friday. He said if they were interested in the fate of the measure they would have scheduled the necessary final vote last Wednesday or Thursday. "This is not on me,'' he said. "They didn't want to put it up for a vote.'' House Majority Leader Ben Toma, however, said legislative rules required SB 1412 to get a final reading first in the chamber of origin, which was the Senate. That did not occur until Friday. It remains unclear how much earlier, if at all, the Senate could have acted. Chaplik said he's not buying the argument there was no way to advance the bill. "Leadership is so unorganized with planning and execution,'' he said. Sen. J.D. Meshard, R-Chandler, who sponsored the measure, said the whole thing has left him "frustrated.'' The bottom line is this makes the second year in a row that lawmakers have been unable to enact what has been labeled as a restriction on "critical race theory.'' SB 1412 sought to restrict what some have argued are lessons that promote hate or feelings of shame in students. Both the House and Senate had given previous approval on party-line votes. Only thing is, there were some last-minute changes needed to get final approval. And that meant there needed to be another roll-call vote in both chambers the vote that the Senate did on Friday, the last day of the session, but that did not occur in the House because of Chaplik's absence. That will force Mesnard to try again in 2023 assuming he is reelected and the Republicans maintain their control of both the House and Senate. The legislation has its roots in what has been a talking point by some Republicans on so-called "critical race theory,'' based on the claim that majority students are being taught to hate their own race or made to feel guilty about things those from their own race have done in the past. Critical race theory, however, is actually an academic concept usually taught and discussed at the college level, looking at issues of how racism occurs and how even current attitudes are based on historical practices. Despite politicians, including in Arizona, running for office with a promise to halt it in public schools, there are only scattered reports of anything close to that being taught here. Mesnard's proposal never mentioned critical race theory. Instead, it spelled out rules about teaching certain things, like one race or ethnic group is "inherently morally or intellectually superior to another race or ethnic group.'' It also mentioned lessons about whether an individual, by virtue or ethnicity, is inherently racist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously, as well as that any individual because of race or ethnicity "bears responsibility or blame for actions committed by other members of the same race or ethnic group.'' That caused concern among Democrats who argued the measure effectively would whitewash the teaching of history to the point where students would be presented with facts but fail to understand the context. Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Phoenix, said it could result in teachers, fearing discipline for violating the law, simply choosing not to give certain lessons or to use certain books because that might cross the line and make students feel shame or guilt about their race or their ethnicity. "Are they so fragile that they can't even have a conversation, learn about or read about racism in this country?'' she asked. "This bill will stifle what kids read and learn even though few to no teachers are actually, actively going around trying to make any student feel bad about their race,'' Marsh said. "And they are not so fragile that they can't separate racism that they see in history and in contemporary society from their own identities." Mesnard, however, said foes of the measure are ignoring what he calls the key part of his legislation: It would prohibit instruction that "promotes or advocates'' for any of the concepts. "If, indeed, all of these things, the idea of promoting or advocating these things is offensive, and I believe, personally, contrary to American values, then you should be voting 'yes,'" he said. Mesnard said the legislation even spelled out that nothing within it would preclude identifying and discussing "historical movements, ideologies or instances of racial hatred or discrimination,'' down to the point where it lists things including slavery, Indian removal, the Holocaust and Japanese-American internment. "We were very clear about what is OK and what is not OK,'' he said. Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale, said he feared the legislation would effectively sanitize the teaching of history to the point where students will not understand how and why certain things occurred. "We know that the teacher's role in a classroom should be a lot more than simply telling facts, numbers and dates,'' he said. "The teacher's role in the classroom should be putting all of that information, all of the facts, all of the numbers, all the dates into context and teaching children how to think critically about all of those pieces of information,'' Quezada continued. "When we don't allow them and don't teach them how to think critically, we narrow their world view.'' He said it may be impossible to teach certain subjects without making students uncomfortable, something he said crosses a line he believes the legislation draws. "It should be the normal, human reaction to history to feel some discomfort over some of the things that have happened in our history,'' Quezada said. "There have been horrible, horrible things that have happened in our history: mass destruction of life and liberty, all under America's banner,'' he said. "That stuff has happened in our past." Said Sen. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, D-Tucson: "Sometimes living with a little bit of guilt and feeling really, really sorry is the motivator to not repeat and to seek a different way." Republican lawmakers adopted virtually identical language in 2021. However, they included it in one of their budget bills. That was voided when the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to include provisions that do not deal with state spending. Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on Twitter at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. A man has died after being physically assaulted in an argument on Tucsons east side Wednesday evening, police said. On June 22 just after 4 p.m., officers working off duty at the Eastpointe Market Place, in the 6900 block of East 22nd Street, were advised of an assault that took place in the parking lot. Officers found Christopher Hart, 37, with obvious signs of blunt force trauma, Tucson police said. Hart was taken to St. Josephs Hospital and died June 23 due to his injuries. Detectives learned there was an argument between Hart and a group of men. Later, additional men arrived and reportedly physically assaulted Hart and his friend, police said. The assailants fled the area prior to police arrival. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. A trial run-through of the new voting process for Pima Countys elections experienced some issues Friday morning as voters participated in a mock election using new technology. The mock election served as a test of the new voting system the Pima County Board of Supervisors approved in February, which replaces the paper rosters and series of logs and forms used to manually check in a voter with an e-pollbook that stores the latest voter registration data. In the new process, poll workers check in voters with an iPad, or e-pollbook, that scans voters IDs and confirms their eligibility to vote. The e-pollbook then sends a ballot specific to each voter to a ballot-on-demand printer. Participants of the mock election were given pretend voter identification cards to cast votes on ballots from 2018 as part of the practice run. Most of the first tranche of voters, however, were sent to a table marked special situations to cast provisional ballots as some of the identification cards werent showing up on the e-pollbooks test voter registration list. Staff running the mock election quickly pivoted to have participants use their own IDs to vote, which fixed the problem in most cases. The intent here was never to have real voters use real registrations, it was to use test registrations that we created to use for the system, said Mark Evans, Pima Countys communications director. Since the mock election used data from 2018, some participants had trouble voting using their IDs, as their up-to-date voter registration didnt match data from four years ago. Evans said the county hopes to do a similar trial run as soon as next week. The Aug. 2 primaries are quickly approaching, but the e-pollbook process will be used across 15 vote centers when in-person early voting starts July 6. Thats why we have training exercises. Weve learned a big lesson here, and so were going to redo this again as soon as possible, Evans said. Because there were hiccups today, we need to have full confidence in the electorate that this system works and works well. The new voting model also replaces the precinct-based polling system where voters were required to vote at the location assigned to them based on their residence. Now, all voters can show up at any of 129 vote centers across the county to cast a ballot, regardless of the precinct they live in. While Pima County Elections Director Constance Hargrove previously expressed concerns about the ballot printers not arriving on time, Evans said 245 printers are set to arrive next week. The county has received all of the e-pollbooks and the cradle point wireless devices that provide secure internet service to the iPads. Participants report varying experiences While Fridays mock election saw several technical challenges, participants expressed differing levels of confidence in the new voting system. Brad Cowan said his ballot would not print when the e-pollbook first scanned his ID but was able to get a ballot after help from staff. Do I have a concern with the technology? I do to some extent, he said. Technology is a wonderful thing until it doesnt work right. Bill Beard, who has run in several Pima County elections and previously served as chair of the Pima County Republican Party, said he had issues casting a ballot because he lives in a new precinct that didnt exist in 2018 due to the new district lines the board adopted in May. They had to basically finesse the system in order to get a ballot to print out, Beard said, later adding, I would say they have a problem fundamentally, from a PR standpoint, regardless of whatever inconsistencies are discovered from today. Ben Brookhart experienced a similar challenge in getting his mock election ballot, as he lives in a precinct the 2018 ballot data doesnt account for. Were a little over a week away from the first vote being cast. These systems needed to be in place and tested six months to a year in advance of an election, he said. Yet, these systems are not fully in place. So whats the integrity of that? Several voters, however, reported seamless experiences. Rebecca DuPree said she came to the mock election to see how it works and was able to vote after the e-pollbook scanned her drivers license. Ive always done mail-in balloting. And I prefer that because I dont drive, so its hard for me to get anywhere, she said. But should there come a time when we are not allowed to do that anymore, this is an amazing system to use. Longtime county poll worker Michael Bortle said he wanted to familiarize himself with the new technology hell be using in the upcoming election. He will attend a class on July 18 to get more in-depth training on the new processes. It looks like its gonna make it easier and more efficient, Bortle said. Its also a new system, so there might be a little tweaks, but thats with anything when you make a change. A lot of its going to be easier. According to Dave Wiseley, program specialist for the countys elections department, vote centers will have backup plans in place, such as hard copies of ballots and extra printers if any technical failures occur on Election Day. Furthermore, election day e-pollbooks will be equipped with voter registration data that will correspond to the 2022 ballot. As long as (voters) get the opportunity to mark a ballot, and theyre a legitimate voter, we will count their ballot, Wiseley said. But by doing things like today, and if we do any more, it exposes where our weaknesses are, and we can be better prepared the next time. When we actually get to Election Day, which will be soon, we will be ready. Key 2022 primary election dates July 5: Last day to register to vote in the primary election July 6: Early ballots mailed July 6-29: In-person early voting July 22: Last day to submit a request for a ballot-by-mail July 26: Recommended last day to mail in ballot Aug. 2: Primary Election For more information, visit: bit.ly/3ndpE5p Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Gradually, minority rule has strengthened its grip on Arizona and America. This didnt start with overturning Roe vs. Wade thats just the latest and best example. Its been happening regularly in elections, lawmaking and, yes, court decisions for years. Fridays Supreme Court ruling was just an especially powerful reminder that were an admirably diverse country and state governed increasingly by a minority of politically conservative Christian activists, especially on the court. The result of their rise is that the rest of us not just liberals and Democrats, but everyone outside the conservative Christian fold are, functionally, lesser citizens. Our votes and our opinions count for less. They are the self-described real Americans with full rights; we are lesser Americans with diminished rights. That seems most obvious in the case of Roe vs. Wade. Before Fridays ruling, polls consistently showed that more than 60% of Americans did not want Roe v. Wade to be overturned, and that large majorities support abortion rights in all or most cases. But set aside womens rights to control their own bodies and destinies. Think about a slightly less potent issue school vouchers. This is an idea with origins in the backlash to racial desegregation in the South in the 1950s. After the Supreme Court struck down separate but equal public schooling, Southern states established segregation academies private, segregated schools. White families could leave the newly desegregated public schools and pay for the private schooling with a new system of taxpayer-funded vouchers. Libertarians such as Milton Friedman embraced the idea, and it has been popular among Christian conservatives both Catholics and Protestant fundamentalists for decades. Its a way to fund religious schools with public money and draw more students to their religious instruction. In Arizona, the Republican majority in Arizonas Legislature has been trying to expand our limited voucher program for years. The existing vouchers, called Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, would have eventually been made available to all Arizona students under a law passed in 2017. Public school advocates collected enough signatures to force a referendum on the bill in 2018. And that year, Arizona voters rejected the program by a 65% to 35% margin. Our collective opinion of the idea was clear. Public money for religion GOP legislators have a tiny majority in the current session 31 to 29 in the House and 16 to 14 in the Senate. But that did not stop them from passing an even more sweeping voucher program to close out the legislative session last week. Unlike the 2017 bill, HB 2853 would open up Arizonas voucher program to everyone right away. If signed into law, it could lead to a dismantlement of Arizonas public-education system, by passing unknown millions of dollars from public schools to private religious schools instead. Some legislators excused returning to this rejected idea just four years after the 2018 rejection by saying that the pandemic changed some peoples minds about vouchers. Maybe some, sure, but come on not enough to overcome a 30-point margin. Its another effort at minority rule. And its being supported by this same U.S. Supreme Court. The court ruled Tuesday that Maine may not withhold vouchers from sectarian religious schools. In other words, if states are going to give out vouchers for private schools, they may not exclude schools that promote religious faiths. In its ruling the court favored the Constitutions freedom of religion over the prohibition against establishment of a state religion. The result: not only may Maine fund religious schools with public money, but it must do so. No democracy at all As it stands, Americans who are not Christian conservatives dont count for as much. Were like 4/5 of an American. Conservative Christians count for like 6/5 of an American. You see this in the effort by Donald Trump and his supporters to overturn the results of the 2020 elections. Trump had lost the popular vote in 2016 by 65.8 million to 63 million. But our anti-majoritarian Electoral College system produced his minority rule. Then in 2020, Trump lost by a wider margin, 81.3 million to 74.2 million. In Arizona and around the country, post-election studies have revealed why: Many people who voted for Republicans down the ballot voted against Trump at the top, or didnt vote for president at all. But Trump has found strong support for the pathetic denial of his loss. Some would rather have no democracy at all than a democracy governed by Americans who dont view the world like them. Now, when I talk about democracy and majority rule, some people are quick to retort that Were a republic, not a democracy and Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to eat for dinner. But thats neither our system nor our situation at all. Our Constitution establishes a republic that is also a representative democracy and that rightfully protects minority and individual rights. Combined with ruthless politics, though, it has produced minority rule. How? In the case of the Supreme Court, its really as simple as this: Sen. Mitch McConnell, then the majority leader, blocked any vote on Merrick Garlands nomination to the Supreme Court in the last year of Barack Obamas presidency, 2016, saying the nomination was too close to the election, though it was months away. Then he pushed through the nomination of Trump pick Amy Coney Barrett just eight days before the Nov. 3, 2020 election. The 52 Republican senators who voted to confirm Coney Barrett represented about 16 million fewer Americans than the 47 Democrats and one Republican who voted against her confirmation. The ruthless politics went further. Two of Trumps three nominees to the court, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, apparently lied in their nomination hearings that they considered Roe v. Wade settled precedent. Pack the court Similar ruthlessness has occurred in Arizona. Gov. Doug Ducey and legislative Republicans engineered the expansion and packing of the Arizona Supreme Court, against the wishes of the court itself. Now the court is made up of six Republicans and one libertarian independent, Clint Bolick, who leans Republican. The lesson from the success of this ruling Christian-conservative minority is for the majorities on these issues to pursue our political goals just as single-mindedly and ruthlessly. If Democrats can expand the U.S. Supreme Court, they should, with no apologies needed or offered. If they can codify abortion rights, gay marriage or the right to contraception, they should. In Arizona, we are obligated to fight to reject vouchers through a referendum again, but maybe we could reject universal vouchers in the state constitution through a ballot issue. Its good that our system protects minority rights, but it is untenable when it produces minority rule on these momentous social issues. Contact opinion columnist Tim Steller at tsteller@tucson.com or 520-807-7789. On Twitter: @senyorreporter Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court has stripped away womens constitutional protections for abortion. It's a fundamental and deeply personal change for Americans' lives after nearly a half-century under the court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Friday's new ruling is likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. The ruling by the high court's conservative majority was unthinkable just a few years ago. It was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court that has been fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump. The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito. Biden vows abortion fight, assails 'extreme' court ruling WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden is vowing to try to preserve access to abortion after the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. He's calling for voters to elect more Democrats who would safeguard rights upended by the courts decision. Short of that, his options are limited. Biden assailed the ruling Friday, saying other legal precedents ensuring same-sex marriage and access to birth control could also be at risk. He says, This is an extreme and dangerous path this court is taking us on." Republicans and conservative leaders are celebrating the culmination of a decades-long campaign to undo the nationwide legalization of abortion that began with Roe v. Wade in 1973. Congress sends landmark gun violence compromise to Biden WASHINGTON (AP) The House has sent President Joe Biden the most wide-ranging gun violence bill Congress has passed in decades. The bill that passed the House on Friday is a measured compromise that at once illustrates progress on the long-intractable issue and the deep-seated partisan divide that persists. The Democratic-led chamber approved the election-year legislation with every Democrat and 14 Republicans voting yes. That caps a spurt of action prompted by voters revulsion over last months mass shootings in New York and Texas. The Senate approved it earlier by a bipartisan 65-33 margin, with 15 Republicans joining all Democrats. The White House says Biden will sign the bill Saturday morning. Some US clinics stop doing abortions as ruling takes hold Abortion bans that were put on the books in some states in the event Roe v. Wade was overturned have started automatically going into effect, while clinics elsewhere including Alabama, Texas and West Virginia have stopped performing abortions for fear of prosecution, sending women away in tears. America was convulsed with anger, joy, fear and confusion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe. The canyon-like divide across the U.S. over the right to terminate a pregnancy was on full display, with abortion rights supporters calling it a dark day in history, while abortion foes welcomed the ruling as the answer to their prayers. With Roe over, some fear rollback of LGBTQ and other rights TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The U.S. Supreme Courts decision allowing states to ban abortion is stirring alarm among LGBTQ advocates. They fear that the ruling could someday allow a rollback of legal protections for gay relationships, including the right for same-sex couples to marry. In the majority opinion issued Friday that overturns the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Justice Samuel Alito said the decision applied only to abortion. But critics discounted that statement. In a separate concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should review other precedents, including decisions legalizing same-sex marriage and striking down laws criminalizing gay sex. A protester at a Topeka, Kansas, abortion-rights rally said conservatives would not stop with abortion. How US states have banned, limited or protected abortion The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. Friday's ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. In anticipation of the decision, several states led by Democrats have taken steps to protect abortion access. The decision also sets up the potential for legal fights between the states over whether providers and those who help women obtain abortions can be sued or prosecuted. Ukrainian army leaving battered city for fortified positions KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukrainian officials say their country's forces are withdrawing from a besieged eastern city to move to stronger positions. The industrial city of Sievierodonetsk, the administrative center of the Luhansk region, has faced relentless Russian bombardment. Ukrainian troops fought the Russians in house-to-house battles before retreating to a huge chemical factory on the citys edge, where they holed up in its sprawling underground structures with civilians. Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai said Friday that the Ukrainian troops have been ordered to leave Sievierodonetsk, which has been reduced mostly to rubble and seen its population decline from an estimated 100,000 to 10,000. Juul can keep selling e-cigarettes as court blocks FDA ban A federal court has put a temporary hold on the government's order for Juul to stop selling its electronic cigarettes. Juul filed the emergency motion so it can appeal the sales ban from the Food and Drug Administration. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington granted the request later Friday. A day earlier, the FDA said Juul must stop selling its vaping device and its cartridges. The agency said Juul didn't give it enough information to evaluate the potential health risks of its e-cigarettes. In its court filing, the company disagreed, saying it provided enough. Airlines aim to shift blame for flight problems to FAA DALLAS (AP) With an eye on the upcoming July Fourth weekend, airlines are stepping up their criticism of federal officials over recent widespread flight delays and cancellations. The industry trade group Airlines for America said Friday that understaffing at the Federal Aviation Administration is crippling traffic along the East Coast. The airlines say they are doing everything they can to keep customers happy, including hiring more pilots and customer-service agents. The airlines are pushing back a week after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called them to a virtual meeting and threatened to punish carriers that fail to meet consumer-protection standards. Lightning win Game 5, deny Avs chance to take Stanley Cup DENVER (AP) The Tampa Bay Lightning spoiled Colorados party to stay in the hunt for a third straight Stanley Cup title, beating the Avalanche 3-2 on Friday night in Game 5. Ondrej Palat scored with 6:22 remaining and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 35 shots in front of a raucous crowd hoping to celebrate the Avalanches first championship in 21 years. The Cup was all shined up and in the building, too. Its heading back to Tampa for Game 6 on Sunday night, with the Lightning down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Nikita Kucherov and Jan Rutta also scored for the Lightning. Valeri Nichushkin and Cale Makar had goals for Colorado. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. RENO, Nev. (AP) Counties across Nevada on Friday certified the last outstanding results of the states June 14 primary election after critics questioned the tallies by describing their own experiences at the polls and repeating conspiracy theories that nearly derailed certification in New Mexico last week. Esmeralda County, Nevadas least populated, became the last to certify its countywide results Friday night less than two hours before a midnight deadline. But it wasnt before two county commissioners and a few election workers spent more than seven hours hand-counting all 317 ballots in the courthouse in Goldfield an old mining town halfway between Las Vegas and Reno. Everything matches, Esmeralda County Commissioner Ralph Keyes said when he and Commissioner Timothy Hipp briefly reconvened to formally canvass the vote and approved it 2-0. Nevadas other 16 counties already had certified the primary results and sent their formal canvass report to the secretary state. The largest, Clark in Las Vegas and Washoe in Reno, were among those that provided their stamp of approval earlier Friday despite opposition from members of the public who made unsubstantiated claims about suspicions of fraud and manipulated voting machines. The process of counties certifying election results has historically been a routine and ministerial task, reviewing the work done by local election officials to verify the accuracy of the vote count. But these meetings have become the latest flashpoint in efforts to cast doubt on elections in the U.S. after a rural, Republican-led county in New Mexico last week initially refused to certify citing unspecified concerns about their voting equipment. In Esmeralda County, where a tie in a deadlocked election for the county commission in 2002 was broken by a draw from a deck of cards, some confusion over the tally for Nevada's unique option to vote for None of these candidates contributed to delays Friday night. District Attorney Robert Glennen told the commissioners when they convened Friday after postponing action scheduled Thursday that he found nothing in state law that either specifically permitted or prohibited them from doing a hand recount. Its a gray area. You guys do it if you want to do it, he said. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat seeking re-election in the western battleground state, hadnt decided how the state would proceed if any county refused to certify the results or missed Fridays 11:59 p.m. deadline because it had never happened before, his spokesman John Sadler said on Thursday. Sadler didn't immediately respond to requests for comment late Friday. In Reno, commissioners heard from several residents who said they objected to state law sending mail ballots to every registered voter. Some complained of receiving multiple ballots in their name or for people no longer living at their address, arguing this was proof of fraud and the election was corrupt. But there are multiple checks built into the system, including signature verification and ballot tracking to ensure that one person can only cast one ballot that is counted. Election officials said Friday they do not count more than one ballot. In Clark County, upset voters complained about a lack of transparency when ballots were tallied and problems with the state's voter rolls, including some who said their party affiliations were changed. Others talked about being directed to specific voting machines if they were registered as Republicans. Resident Charles Bossert said he received multiple ballots, but knew it was illegal to cast more than one so he only voted once. He asked commissioners to stand in the gap and do what is right. As a community, it feels like none of the votes count and democracy is dying in a lack of transparency, Bossert said. This is really a pivotal moment. County Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria reported more than half of the 288,683 ballots cast were by mail and only a fraction of 1% involved discrepancies that ranged from voters going to the wrong precinct to people changing their party affiliation after submitting a mail ballot. Helen Oseguera, a Republican candidate for county assessor, called the commissioners liars and cheaters. The audience erupted with boos after the unanimous vote to certify, and people promised court action to challenge the election. Commissioners in Nye County expressed what Chairman Frank Carbone called a little bit of concern about the process but approved the results on a 4-1 vote. Just too many issues, Vice Chairman Leo Blundo said as he cast the no vote. The 2020 election continues to dominate public discourse around voting and elections in the U.S., as Trump supporters and allies repeat claims without evidence that the presidency was stolen from Trump. At one point during the Washoe County debate, a woman in the audience chanted Biden cheated, Biden cheated! as a speaker mentioned former President Donald Trumps claims about a stolen election. One man wore a Biden is NOT my president cap while he urged commissioners not to certify. Nearly two hours after the meeting began, commissioners voted 4-1 to certify results. Even before the November 2020 election, Trump was telling his supporters that fraud was the only way he could lose, pointing mostly and without evidence to the expansion of mail-in voting during the pandemic. In the months since, the claims have been dismissed by dozens of judges, by Trumps attorney general at the time, and by a coalition of federal and state election and cybersecurity officials who called the 2020 vote the most secure in U.S. history. But the false claims prompted commissioners last week in rural Otero County, New Mexico, to initially refuse to certify results from their June 7 primary. After a showdown with the secretary of state and an order by the New Mexico Supreme Court to certify, the commissioners voted 2-1 to sign off on the election and avert a broader crisis. The delay in Nevada's Esmeralda County where Trump won 82% of the vote in 2020 occurred amid distrust by voters fueled by unfounded voting machine conspiracies that have spread in the U.S. over the past two years. Esmeralda County Clerk-Treasurer LaCinda Elgan said called the primary absolutely safe and fair. Election experts say hand-counting of ballots is not only less accurate but extremely labor-intensive, potentially delaying results by weeks if not months in larger counties. They also say its unnecessary because voting equipment is tested before and after elections to ensure ballots are read and tallied correctly. Under Nevada law, if there's a tie after a recount the winner is determined by lot a coin flip, roll of a die, draw of cards or straws. Democrat R.J. Gillum broke his 107-107 deadlock with Republican Delores Dee Honeycutt for Esmeralda County commissioner in November 2002 when each drew a jack from a deck in the courthouse in Goldfield but his was a spade, which trumped Honeycutt's diamond. This story has been corrected to show that Esmeralda County is Nevada's least-populated county, not smallest. Associated Press writers John Locher in Goldfield, Nevada, Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Christina Almeida Cassidy in Atlanta contributed to this report. Stern is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Each year the Supreme Court releases rulings for its biggest cases near the end of its term. It was no different this year as the nations highest court released decisions on cases involving abortion and gun rights. Late Thursday the Senate passed a bipartisan gun bill with the House passing its version Friday. The landmark compromise now goes to President Biden for his signature. That news came as more details from a deadly school shooting in Texas came to light. The House committee investigating the riots of Jan. 6, 2021, continued this past week and focused on pressure placed on the Justice Department. In related news, a former lawmaker was sentenced to prison for his role in the riot. Yellowstone National Park reopened this week and a brand of e-cigarettes was banned by the FDA. Gas prices and the economy remain a concern for many Americans. President Biden called on Congress to suspend the federal gas tax while mortgage rates continue to increase as home sales slow. The nations youngest children began receiving COVID-19 vaccines this week. Meanwhile, in other pandemic news, New York is giving city workers a chance to return to their old jobs. In international news, an earthquake hit Afghanistan, the need for the U.S. in Europe and money was raised from the sale of a Nobel Peace Prize. And finally, in environmental news, the Supreme Court has rejected an appeal tied to a weed killer a giant fish was caught in the waters in Cambodia. Compiled and narrated by Terry Lipshetz from Associated Press reports Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. ISLAMABAD, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Security forces in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province killed four terrorists in an exchange of firing, a military statement said on Saturday. The security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan District on the reported presence of the terrorists, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement. Weapons and ammunition were seized from the killed terrorists, the statement said. "The killed terrorists had remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces," the statement added. Pakistani security forces intensified intelligence-based operations in the country following a resurge in terrorist attacks on law enforcement agencies and the general public. On Friday, two terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Dera Ismail Khan district of the province, the ISPR said. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) (THE CONVERSATION) This article was published on May 5, 2022, before the Supreme Court decision overturning the Roe and Casey precedents on abortion. Abortion rights advocates are looking for alternative ways to protect a womans right to the procedure following the publication of a leaked draft opinion from Justice Samuel Alito indicating that the Supreme Court intends to overturn Roe v. Wade. Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW, tweeted Sen. Bernie Sanders as news broke on May 2, 2022. His plea was echoed a day later by Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and President Joe Biden. But is enshrining abortion rights in legislation feasible? And why has it not been done before? The Conversation put these questions and others to Linda C. McClain, an expert on civil rights law and feminist legal theory at Boston University School of Law. What does it mean to codify Roe v. Wade? In simple terms, to codify something means to enshrine a right or a rule into a formal systematic code. It could be done through an act of Congress in the form of a federal law. Similarly, state legislatures can codify rights by enacting laws. To codify Roe for all Americans, Congress would need to pass a law that would provide the same protections that Roe did so a law that states that women have a right to abortion without excessive government restrictions. It would be binding for all states. But heres the twist: Despite some politicians saying that they want to codify Roe, Congress isnt looking to enshrine Roe in law. Thats because Roe v. Wade hasnt been in place since 1992. The Supreme Courts Planned Parenthood. v. Casey ruling affirmed it, but also modified it in significant ways. In Casey, the court upheld Roes holding that a woman has the right to choose to terminate a pregnancy up to the point of fetal viability and that states could restrict abortion after that point, subject to exceptions to protect the life or health of the pregnant woman. But the Casey court concluded that Roe too severely limited state regulation prior to fetal viability and held that states could impose restrictions on abortion throughout pregnancy to protect potential life as well as to protect maternal health including during the first trimester. Casey also introduced the undue burden test, which prevented states from imposing restrictions that had the purpose or effect of placing unnecessary barriers on women seeking to end a pregnancy prior to viability of the fetus. What is the Womens Health Protection Act? Current efforts to pass federal legislation protecting the right to abortion center on the proposed Womens Health Protection Act, introduced in Congress by Congresswoman Judy Chu and sponsored by Senator Richard Blumenthal in 2021. It was passed in the House, but is blocked in the Senate. The legislation would build on the undue burden principle in Casey by seeking to prevent states from imposing unfair restrictions on abortion providers, such as insisting a clinics doorway is wide enough for surgical gurneys to pass through, or that abortion practitioners need to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. The Womens Health Protection Act uses the language of the Casey ruling in saying that these so-called TRAP (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) laws place an undue burden on people seeking an abortion. It also appeals to Caseys recognition that the ability of women to participate equally in the economic and social life of the Nation has been facilitated by their ability to control their reproductive lives. Has the right to abortion ever been guaranteed by federal legislation? You have to remember that Roe was very controversial from the outset. At the time of the ruling in 1973, most states had restrictive abortion laws. Up to the late 1960s, a majority of Americans opposed abortion. A poll at the time of Roe found the public evenly split over legalization. To pass legislation you have to go through the democratic process. But if the democratic process is hostile to what you are hoping to push through, you are going to run into difficulties. Under the U.S. system, certain liberties are seen as so fundamental that protecting them should not be left to the whims of changing democratic majorities. Consider something like interracial marriage. Before the Supreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia State that banning interracial marriages was unconstitutional, a number of states still banned such unions. Why couldnt they pass a law in Congress protecting the right to marry? It would have been difficult because at the time, the majority of people were against the idea of interracial marriage. When you dont have sufficient public support for something particularly if it is unpopular or affects a non-majority group appealing to the Constitution seems to be the better way to protect a right. That doesnt mean you cant also protect that right through a statute, just that it is harder. Also, there is no guarantee that legislation passed by any one Congress isnt then repealed by lawmakers later on. So generally, rights have more enduring protection if the Supreme Court rules on them? The Supreme Court has the final word on what is and isnt protected by the Constitution. In the past, it has been seen as sufficient to protect a constitutional right to get a ruling from the justices recognizing that right. But this leaked opinion also points out that one limit of that protection is that the Supreme Court may overrule its own precedents. Historically, it is unusual for the Supreme Court to take a right away. Yes, they said the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling which set up the legal basis for separate-but-equal was wrong, and overruled it in Brown v. Board of Education. But Brown recognized rights; it didnt take rights away. If Alitos draft ruling is to be the final word, the Supreme Court will be taking away a right that has been in place since 1973. For what I believe is the first time, the Supreme Court would be overriding precedent to take away a constitutional right from Americans. Moreover, the leaked opinion is dismissive of the idea that women have to rely on constitutional protection. Women are not without electoral or political power, Alito writes, adding: The percentage of women who register to vote and cast ballots is consistently higher than the percentage of men who do so. But this ignores the fact that women rarely make up close to half of the members of most state legislative bodies. So are the promises to get Congress to protect abortion rights realistic? Republicans in the Senate successfully blocked the proposed Womens Health Protection Act. And unless things change dramatically in Congress, there isnt much chance of the bill becoming law. There has been talk of trying to end the filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes in the Senate to pass legislation. But even then, the 50 votes that would be needed might not be there. What we dont know is how this Supreme Court leak will affect the calculus. Maybe some Republican senators will see that the writing is on the wall and vote with Democrats. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation earlier this year that would codify Roe in law, but isnt as expansive as the Womens Health Protection Act. And then we have the midterm elections in November, which might shake up whos in Congress. If the Democrats lose the House or fail to pick up seats in the Senate, the chances of pushing through any legislation protecting abortion rights would appear very slim. Democrats will be hoping that the Supreme Court ruling will mobilize pro-abortion rights voters. What is going on at a state level? Liberal states like Massachusetts have passed laws that codify Roe v. Wade. Now that the Supreme Courts apparent intentions are known, expect similar moves elsewhere. Other states are looking to go a step further by protecting residents who help out-of-state women seeking abortion. Such laws would seemingly counter moves by states like Missouri, which is seeking to push through legislation that would criminalize helping women who go out of state for abortions. Wouldnt any federal law just be challenged at the Supreme Court? Should Congress be able to pass a law enshrining the right to abortion for all Americans, then surely some conservative states will seek to overturn the law, saying that the federal government is exceeding its authority. If it were to go up to the Supreme Court, then conservative justices would presumably look unfavorably on any attempt to limit individual states rights when it comes to abortion. Similarly, any attempt to put in place a federal law that would restrict abortion for all would seemingly conflict with the Supreme Courts position that it should be left to the states to decide. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/what-would-it-mean-to-codify-roe-into-law-and-is-there-any-chance-of-that-happening-182406. Licenced as Creative Commons - attribution, no derivatives. Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use. Error! There was a problem with reporting this article. This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it. Report Abuse Log In to report The former executive director of the Cherokee Nation Foundation who is now living in Poland has gone to federal court to have tribal embezzlement charges dismissed against her. Kimberlie Gilliland, 52, has filed a petition in Tulsa federal court that seeks to void an arrest warrant and related charges brought against her by Cherokee Nation authorities. The petition for a writ of habeas corpus, filed earlier this month, asks a federal judge to find that an arrest warrant issued in connection with an amended complaint naming Gilliland on embezzlement charges represents a sufficiently severe actual restraint on her liberty interests as to warrant habeas corpus review, according to the 426-page complaint. The petition asks a federal judge to determine that a 15-count amended complaint filed against her in 2019 in Cherokee Nation District Court is unconstitutional, illegal and should be dismissed. Former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith, who is now an attorney in private practice, is representing Gilliland. While Cherokee Nation officials contend Gilliland has absconded from the country to avoid prosecution, Smith said his client just wants the charges against her dismissed so she can return to the United States. He said she fears she could be arrested on the Cherokee Nation warrant if she tried to enter the country. After Cherokee Nation officials filed initial charges against Gilliland in 2016, Smith said she lost her new job and was unable to find another one. It pretty much destroyed her life and reputation, Smith said. If you are a professional executive director of a nonprofit and you are charged with embezzlement, you dont work in that industry again, and thats what happened, Smith said. In her petition, Gilliland cites the stigma of the Nations criminal charges as one reason for her familys move to Poland. The petition states that after she resigned from Cherokee Nation Foundation, she was later fired from her job in 2016 as Bacone Colleges foundation director and couldnt find meaningful employment afterward. The petition also states the family moved to Poland so Gillilands husband, a Polish native, could obtain more affordable health care for a health condition. Gilliland served as executive director for what was then called the Cherokee Nation Education Corporation beginning in 2009. Gilliland left the organization in 2013, even staying on for a few months after she intended to leave at the request of the agencys governing board, according to Smith. An independent audit completed in 2014 of the agencys financial condition was followed by the filing of charges. In 2016, Cherokee Nation prosecutors filed a nine-count complaint and information against Gilliland, alleging various fraudulent expenditures on her behalf while executive director. The bulk of the charges stem from travel expenses Gilliland paid for with Cherokee Nation Foundation funds between 2011 and 2013. Regarding the travel charges, Smith said the agencys governing board had authorized them all, never prompting any concerns about impropriety. Asked about expenses charged to the Cherokee Nation Foundation on behalf of family members, Smith said Gillilands family members took part in the programs that Gilliland was touting on behalf of the nonprofit organization. Those family members were part of the programs she was putting on and was approved by the board, Smith said. For example, Smith said two children she traveled with on occasion were participants in the tribes immersion school since they were fluent and literate in Cherokee so they would travel as part of the program and talk about the immersion school. Smith said Gillilands husband was also part of the immersion school and did some work on its behalf while traveling with his wife. So, theres a legitimate business purpose approved by the board for each of those people going, Smith said, adding that they werent extravagant expenses. Gilliland was released on her own recognizance after she appeared in Cherokee Nation District Court following the filing of the charges. Gilliland moved to Poland in 2018, according to court records. In March 2019, Cherokee Nation prosecutors added six more counts against Gilliland, charging her with illegally giving herself salary increases, paying a company owned by her husband with foundation funds and giving scholarships to individuals who did not qualify, or in at least one case, even apply for the scholarship. The lawsuit names as defendants Cherokee Nation District Court Presiding Judge T. Luke Barteaux, Cherokee Nation Attorney General Sara Hill and Cherokee Nation Special Prosecutor Ralph Keen II. The Cherokee Nation, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment on Gillilands petition, citing the pending litigation. The Cherokee Nation, for its part, has maintained in tribal court filings that the charges are proper and legal. Featured video: Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahomas former state auditor and GOP chairman said Friday that new revelations about Epic Charter Schools co-founders extensive efforts to influence political campaigns and state policymaking call for an overhaul of ethics rules. Gary Jones, who was term-limited in 2018 and succeeded by current State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, announced at a press conference that he had just filed a formal ethics complaint against Epic co-founders Ben Harris and David Chaney, Fount Holland, Matt Parker and David Tackett. Speaking at the Oklahoma Republican Party headquarters, Jones faulted members of his own party for the current state of affairs in state politics and campaigns. The Legislature has gutted ethics, Jones said. Im ashamed to say theyre Republicans or people who claim to be Republicans. A court affidavit filed on Thursday alongside the criminal charges revealed that investigators have records that school funds were used to cover the costs of extensive political contributions made with private credit cards. Byrd said recently that she suspects hundreds of thousands spent on independent expenditures on television ads and mailers in support of her reelection campaign opponent, Steve McQuillen, have come from the Epic founders in retaliation for her offices scathing 2020 audit of their handling of public school dollars. According to the Epic charging document and other records, Harris and Chaney have sent many hundreds of thousands of dollars to Prosperity Alliance Inc., a 501(4) used to protect the political donors identities. Prosperity Alliance is connected to American Values First, which appears to be the source of much of the material attacking Byrd. American Values First is also tied to Holland and Parker. Other independent expenditures against Byrd are credited to a separate political action committee associated with operatives within Holland and Parkers circle. You follow the dots, and its a direct line, Jones said at Fridays press conference. Now we know for certain and its not individuals giving money; its our own tax dollars. Jones said that if the Legislature will not restore rules for ethical political campaigns, he would help lead an initiative petition drive to try to persuade Oklahomans to do it themselves and create an independent funding stream so lawmakers cannot undermine the Ethics Commission by reducing state funding. What we will do is go to the people and say you will fund an independent ethics commission, Jones said. He compared McQuillen to former state Sen. Gene Stipe, who ended a half-century political career in federal prison after being convicted of using straw donors to exceed federal contribution limits to support a congressional candidate. Today what were seeing is not straw donors but a straw candidate, said Jones. The Steve McQuillen you see in all the ads does not exist. Hes simply a name on a ballot. Hes the creation of political consultants. Jones said the Epic court documents provide a rare look into dark money by exposing the source. Folks, the work has been done, he said The light has been shined on this its no longer dark money. Were asking for the Ethics Commission to do an immediate investigation. Were asking for law enforcement to look for criminal prosecution. Were in the process of working with lawyers to file civil (suits). This isnt going away. Were not going to let this happen to the individual and her staff who did phenomenal work. Jones said state leaders knew there was something going on (at Epic) in 2013, but no one that could authorize us to do the audit would ask. Featured video: Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Andrea Eger Staff Writer I'm a projects reporter, examining key education topics and other local issues. Since joining the Tulsa World in 1999, I have been a three-time winner of Oklahomas top award for investigative reporting by an individual. Phone: 918-581-8470 Follow Andrea Eger 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 The filing of criminal charges Thursday against the founders and ex-CFO of Epic Charter Schools has prompted Gov. Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister to distance themselves from Epic-connected donations accepted during past campaigns. After a years-long probe by the state, co-founders David Chaney and Ben Harris and their former chief finance officer, Josh Brock, were arrested and charged in Oklahoma County District Court in a felony racketeering case. A court affidavit filed Thursday alongside the criminal charges reveals that investigators have records that school funds were used to cover the costs of extensive political contributions made with private credit cards. Stitt received $10,800 in Epic-connected campaign donations in his successful 2018 bid for governor, while Hofmeister reportedly accepted a total of $52,138 in successful 2014 and 2018 races for state superintendent. Both were Republicans at the time, but Hofmeister recently switched parties to Democrat to challenge Stitt in his current reelection bid for governor. Both cited their joint call in 2019 for a state investigative audit into Epic in their responses to the Tulsa Worlds questions on Friday about donations they received. Stitts campaign told the Tulsa World that in light of the recent charges of Epics founders, the governor will be donating the $10,800 in contributions his campaign received to Crossover Preparatory Academy, a private school in north Tulsa. During Governor Stitts first few months in office, he called for the first-ever audit of Epic Charter Schools that was led by State Auditor Cindy Byrd, said Stitts campaign manager, Donelle Harder. Oklahoma needs more school choice for all our students, and it must come with high standards of transparency and accountability. Crossover Prep has been a darling of Stitts push for expansions in tax-credit incentives for private school scholarship donations. In early 2020, Stitt visited Crossover, then cited it in remarks in his annual State of the State address to the Legislature. In July 2020, Stitts office announced that Crossover would benefit from a $10 million initiative to support private school students whose ability to afford tuition was affected during the pandemic. The initiative was paid for with federal pandemic relief dollars in the states Governors Emergency Education Relief, or GEER, Fund. Hofmeister said Friday that she set in motion steps with the Ethics Commission to legally refund back to public schools any campaign donations that may have come from public funds via Epics founders. Since 2017, the Epic school system has consisted of two separate schools Epic One-on-One virtual school and Epic Blended Learning Centers. Its outrageous Epics founders would use the (Epic student) Learning Fund, meant for children, as their own personal trough for political contributions, Hofmeister said in a written statement. And frankly, if they thought their contribution would ensure favored treatment by me, they were clearly mistaken as I requested this audit, fought to hold them accountable and directed the clawback of $20 million from Epic in misappropriated funds and penalties. Featured video: Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Andrea Eger Staff Writer I'm a projects reporter, examining key education topics and other local issues. Since joining the Tulsa World in 1999, I have been a three-time winner of Oklahomas top award for investigative reporting by an individual. Phone: 918-581-8470 Follow Andrea Eger 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 MADRID (AP) The number of people who were killed after they tried to scale a border fence between Morocco and a Spanish enclave in North Africa rose to 23 Saturday as human rights organizations in Spain and Morocco called on both countries to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Moroccan authorities said the individuals died as a result of a stampede of people who attempted Friday to climb the iron fence that separates the city of Melilla and Morocco. In a statement, Moroccos Interior Ministry said 76 civilians were injured along with 140 Moroccan security officers. The ministry initially reported five deaths. Local authorities cited by Moroccos official Television 2M updated the number to 18 on Saturday and then reported that the death toll had climbed to 23. The Moroccan Human Rights Association reported 27 dead, but the figure could not immediately be confirmed. Two members of Morocco's security forces and 33 migrants who were injured during the border breach were being treated at hospitals in the Moroccan cities of Nador and Oujda, MAP said. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday condemned what he described as a violent assault and an attack on the territorial integrity of Spain. Spanish officials said 49 Civil Guards sustained minor injuries. If there is anyone responsible for everything that appears to have taken place at that border, it is the mafias that traffic in human beings, Sanchez said. His remarks came as the Moroccan Human Rights Association shared videos on social media that appeared to show dozens of migrants lying on the ground, many of them motionless and a few bleeding, as Moroccan security forces stood over them. They were left there without help for hours, which increased the number of deaths, the human rights group said on Twitter. It called for a comprehensive investigation. In another of the associations videos, a Moroccan security officer appeared to use a baton to strike a person lying on the ground. In a statement released late Friday, Amnesty International expressed its deep concern over the events at the border. Although the migrants may have acted violently in their attempt to enter Melilla, when it comes to border control, not everything goes," said Esteban Beltran, the director of Amnesty International Spain. "The human rights of migrants and refugees must be respected and situations like that seen cannot happen again. Five rights organizations in Morocco and APDHA, a human rights group based in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, also called for inquiries. The International Organization for Migration and U.N. refugee agency UNHCR also weighed in with a statement that expressed profound sadness and concern over what happened at the Morocco-Melilla border. IOM and UNHCR urge all authorities to prioritize the safety of migrants and refugees, refrain from the excessive use of force and uphold their human rights, the organizations said. In a statement published Saturday, the Spanish Commission for Refugees, CEAR, decried what it described as the indiscriminate use of violence to manage migration and control borders" and expressed concerns that the violence had prevented people who were eligible for international protection from reaching Spanish soil. The Catholic Church in the southern Spanish city of Malaga also expressed its dismay over the events. Both Morocco and Spain have chosen to eliminate human dignity on our borders, maintaining that the arrival of migrants must be avoided at all costs and forgetting the lives that are torn apart along the way, it said in a statement penned by a delegation of the diocese that focuses on migration in Malaga and Melilla. A spokesperson for the Spanish governments office in Melilla said that around 2,000 people had attempted to make it across the border fence but were stopped by Spanish Civil Guard Police and Moroccan forces on either side of the border fence. A total 133 migrants made it across the border. The mass crossing attempt was the first since Spain and Morocco mended relations after a year-long dispute related to Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1976. The thaw in relations came after Spain backed Moroccos plan to grant more autonomy to the territory, a reversal of its previous support for a U.N.-backed referendum on the status of Western Sahara. El-Barakah reported from Rabat. Follow AP's coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The filing of criminal charges Thursday against the founders and ex-CFO of Epic Charter Schools has prompted Gov. Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister to distance themselves from Epic-connected donations accepted during past campaigns. After a years-long probe by the state, co-founders David Chaney and Ben Harris and their former chief finance officer, Josh Brock, were arrested and charged in Oklahoma County District Court in a felony racketeering case. A court affidavit filed Thursday alongside the criminal charges reveals that investigators have records that school funds were used to cover the costs of extensive political contributions made with private credit cards. Stitt received $10,800 in Epic-connected campaign donations in his successful 2018 bid for governor, while Hofmeister reportedly accepted a total of $52,138 in successful 2014 and 2018 races for state superintendent. Both were Republicans at the time, but Hofmeister recently switched parties to Democrat to challenge Stitt in his current reelection bid for governor. Both cited their joint call in 2019 for a state investigative audit into Epic in their responses to the Tulsa Worlds questions on Friday about donations they received. Stitts campaign told the Tulsa World that in light of the recent charges of Epics founders, the governor will be donating the $10,800 in contributions his campaign received to Crossover Preparatory Academy, a private school in north Tulsa. During Governor Stitts first few months in office, he called for the first-ever audit of Epic Charter Schools that was led by State Auditor Cindy Byrd, said Stitts campaign manager, Donelle Harder. Oklahoma needs more school choice for all our students, and it must come with high standards of transparency and accountability. Crossover Prep has been a darling of Stitts push for expansions in tax-credit incentives for private school scholarship donations. In early 2020, Stitt visited Crossover, then cited it in remarks in his annual State of the State address to the Legislature. In July 2020, Stitts office announced that Crossover would benefit from a $10 million initiative to support private school students whose ability to afford tuition was affected during the pandemic. The initiative was paid for with federal pandemic relief dollars in the states Governors Emergency Education Relief, or GEER, Fund. Hofmeister said Friday that she set in motion steps with the Ethics Commission to legally refund back to public schools any campaign donations that may have come from public funds via Epics founders. Since 2017, the Epic school system has consisted of two separate schools Epic One-on-One virtual school and Epic Blended Learning Centers. Its outrageous Epics founders would use the (Epic student) Learning Fund, meant for children, as their own personal trough for political contributions, Hofmeister said in a written statement. And frankly, if they thought their contribution would ensure favored treatment by me, they were clearly mistaken as I requested this audit, fought to hold them accountable and directed the clawback of $20 million from Epic in misappropriated funds and penalties. Featured video: Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Andrea Eger Staff Writer I'm a projects reporter, examining key education topics and other local issues. Since joining the Tulsa World in 1999, I have been a three-time winner of Oklahomas top award for investigative reporting by an individual. Phone: 918-581-8470 Follow Andrea Eger 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 The constant rise in fuel prices has caused up to 55 percent of 99,000 fishing boats throughout Vietnam to stay ashore to avoid losses, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is calling for financial supports for fishermen. Fuel has become a so huge expense that many fishermen in the country are having trouble making a living. Gasoline and oil demand for fishing activities averages out at 330 million liters per month, according to the agriculture ministry, while the price of diesel 0.05S, the main fuel for fishing vessels, has spiked by 65 percent, or VND11,441 (US$0.49) per litter, since December 2021. In total, fuel costs needed to maintain normal fishing activities have skyrocketed by about VND3.776 trillion ($162.4 million) a month. While fuel costs usually account for 45-60 percent of fishing expenses, the other costs have also increased by 10-15 percent, raising the total expenses by 35-48 percent on average. Meanwhile, the increase in seafood selling prices is not compatible. As a result, about 40 percent to 55 percent of 99,000 fishing boats throughout Vietnam have remained at their ports in recent months, which is attributable to the fact that the longer trips, the heavier losses. On Friday, the agriculture ministry proposed the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs seek the approval from the government on financial supports for fishermen and ship owners, who have suspended their fishing activities for as many as six months. Vietnams seafood production reached 3.92 million metric tons while seafood export turnover hit $3.435 trillion in 2021, according to the agriculture ministry. The fishing industry has created jobs and secured income for more than 600,000 fishermen and nearly four million workers in coastal fisheries services. In addition, fishing vessels play an important role in protecting the countrys sovereignty over the sea and islands. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! OSLO -- Two people were killed and 14 wounded on Saturday in a shooting at a nightclub and in nearby streets in Norway's capital Oslo, police said. A suspect believed to be the sole perpetrator was apprehended, police told reporters. The crime scene extended from the London Pub via a neighbouring club and onwards to a nearby street where the suspect was apprehended a few minutes after the shooting began in the early hours of Saturday, police spokesman Tore Barstad told newspaper Aftenposten. The London Pub is a popular gay bar and nightclub in the centre of Oslo. Task leader Tore Barstad speaks at the site where several people were injured during a shooting outside the London pub in central Oslo, Norway June 25, 2022. Javad Parsa/NTB/via Reuters "I saw a man arrive with a bag, he picked up a gun and started to shoot," journalist Olav Roenneberg of public broadcaster NRK reported. It was not immediately clear what the motive for the attack was. Oslo is due to hold its annual Pride parade later on Saturday, just months after Norway marked 50 years since the abolition of a law that criminalised gay sex. The attack was a "terrible and deeply shocking attack on innocent people," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement to Norwegian news agency NTB. "We don't know yet know what is behind this terrible act, but to the queer people who are afraid and in mourning, I want to say that we stand together with you." A member of the security forces stands at the site where several people were injured during a shooting outside the London pub in central Oslo, Norway June 25, 2022. Javad Parsa/NTB/via Reuters Two people were confirmed dead and some 14 people were taken to hospital, several with severe injuries, police said. Photographs published by newspaper VG, broadcaster NRK and others showed a large gathering of emergency responders outside the London Pub, including police and ambulance workers. Helicopters hovered above central Oslo while ambulance and police car sirens were heard across the city. Oslo's university hospital said it had gone on red alert following the shooting. TASHKENT, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan sent 74 tons of humanitarian aid to neighboring Afghanistan following a deadly earthquake and subsequent floods, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry press service said Saturday. The aid consisted of food, necessities and medicines and was organized following Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's instructions. According to the latest estimations, more than 1,150 people died, and more than 1,500 were injured in the Wednesday morning earthquake. Two Indian naval ships, INS Sahyadri and INS Kadmatt, carrying more than 500 crew members arrived at Nha Rong Wharf on Friday, marking the start of a three-day friendship visit to Ho Chi Minh City. The visit is part of bilateral defense cooperation activities to enhance ties between the two navies and also mark the 50th anniversary of the countries diplomatic relations this year. During their stay, the Indian delegation is set to pay courtesy calls to Ho Chi Minh City leaders, visit the high commands of Military Region 7 and Naval Region 2, pay tribute to Vietnams late President Ho Chi Minh, visit local historical relic sites, and take part in sport exchanges with officers and soldiers of Naval Region 2. The Indian ships will also join the Vietnam Peoples Navy in a joint passage exercise (PASSEX). Indian naval ship INS Kadmatt arrives at Nha Rong Wharf, Ho Chi Minh City, June 24, 2022. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre Addressing a press meeting held on INS Sahyadri, Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Commander of the Indian Navys Eastern Fleet and head of the delegation, said the friendship trip to Ho Chi Minh City holds great significance as it takes place amid the 50th anniversary of India-Vietnam diplomatic ties and the fifth anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Speaking highly of their growing bilateral relations, including defense cooperation, he said the two countries share a common viewpoint on the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Vietnam Sea, along with the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla (C), Commander of the Indian Navys Eastern Fleet, speaks during a press meeting held on INS Sahyadri naval ship at Nha Rong Wharf, Ho Chi Minh City, June 24, 2022. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre The INS Sahyadri is the third ship of the P17 class of stealthy guided missile destroyers, being designed in-house by the Indian Navys Design Institute and built by Mazagaon Dock Co., Ltd., Mumbai. The INS Kadmatt (P29 class) is the second out of four domestically-produced anti-submarine warfare frigates in the Indian Navys Plan 28, which aims to modernize the Navy through manufacturing anti-submarine stealth corvettes. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam and Cambodia have been fostering their security and defense ties and sticking to the principle of not allowing hostile forces to use ones territory to harm the other, Vietnams Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has said. The Vietnamese official was speaking at the ceremony to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Cambodia diplomatic relations held in Hanoi on Friday. In his opening speech, deputy PM Khai, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State leaders and people, extended his greetings to the Cambodian counterparts on the significant day of the two nations. He emphasized that the geographical proximity along with cultural and historical similarities are a firm foundation for Vietnam and Cambodia to build and develop one of the long-lasting traditional relationships in Southeast Asia. The deputy PM reiterated Vietnams consistent policy to support an independent, peaceful, neutral and developing Cambodia. Vietnam always attaches great importance to and gives high priority to their good neighborliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia, he added. Under the motto of good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability, over the past years, the Vietnam - Cambodia relationship has been continuously consolidated and developed in all fields, bringing practical benefits to the two peoples, and making positive contributions to peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world, Khai said. He stressed that the two countries have been strengthening cooperation in security and defense on the basis of not allowing any hostile forces to use ones territory to violate the security of the other. Based on the bilateral treaties and agreements, the two countries authorities and residents in border areas have built a shared border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, Khai said. After signing two documents recognizing the completion of 84 percent of the demarcation and marker planting of their shared border in 2019, the two sides are negotiating to handle the rest, the Vietnam News Agency cited the deputy PM as saying. The two countries trade and investment relations have attained fruitful results, with two-way trade hitting US$9.54 billion in 2021, up 79.1 percent from a year earlier, and amounting to $5.44 billion in the first five months of this year, an increase of 18.7 percent. Vietnamese investors are developing 188 valid investment projects worth $2.8 billion in Cambodia, ranking first in the ASEAN bloc and among the top five in the world in terms of investment in the country. With over 46,000 Vietnamese tourists traveling to Cambodia in the first three months of 2022, Vietnam ranked first in number of foreign visitors to the nation. Vietnam and Cambodia have committed to facilitating ones citizens living in the others territory, in accordance with their laws and the spirit of friendly neighborliness. Both sides have also paid due attention to cooperation in other fields such as education and training, transport, culture, health and telecom, Khai said. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An, who is also Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection, and Chairwoman of the Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Association, expressed her gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State, army and people for their support for Cambodia. Vietnams assistance has contributed to turning Cambodia from a war-torn into a unified country with peace and development in all fields as present. She emphasized that this anniversary reflected the consolidation of the friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the two nations. The basic completion of the border demarcation and border marker planting and joint efforts to build and maintain a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development are aimed to bring benefits to the two peoples, especially those living in the border areas, she said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out the news you should not miss today: Politics -- Two Indian naval ships, INS Sahyadri and INS Kadmatt, arrived at Nha Rong Wharf in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday for a three-day visit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam. Society -- Police in the southern province of Binh Phuoc said on Friday that they are investigating the death of a local official who was found unconscious at his house with a knife in his chest earlier that day. -- Police in the southern province of Long An on Friday have apprehended and initiated legal proceedings against a 30-year-old man for perforating an ATM in order to steal more than VND400 million (US$17,202). -- One person was killed following an explosion at a vermicelli workshop in Vietnams Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre early Friday morning, causing heavy damage to the surrounding area. -- Police in Ho Chi Minh City confirmed on Friday that they are investigating a case where a 58-year-old man was fatally stabbed in front of his villa the same day. -- Four men from Vietnams Mekong Delta have been sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison for assaulting and appropriating properties of drug addicts at a detoxification center. -- Police in the Mekong Delta Province of Tra Vinh on Friday have arrested and initiated legal proceedings against three men for organizing illegal drug use that resulted in the death of a woman in January. -- The management board of Nha Trang Bay declared on Friday that all swimming and diving activities near Hon Mun Nature Reserve will be suspended beginning Monday next week and lasting until further notice. The decision was made after multiple images of degraded coral reefs at the site went viral on social media. Business -- South Korean airline Air Seoul has resumed flights between Seoul and Cam Ranh Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, with the first flight carrying 187 passengers arriving in Vietnam on Friday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in the northern Vietnamese province of Thai Binh announced on Friday the temporary arrest of a male worker of a rehabilitation center in Dong Hung District after he had been caught red-handed selling drugs to addicts at the facility. Nguyen Xuan Bien, a 40-year-old resident of Kien Xuong District in the same province, was working as a contract medical employee at the provincial center for drug addiction treatment and social care when undercover police officers discovered that he stored and sold drugs to some addicts receiving treatment at the Dong Hung District-based facility. Hoang Hoa Tham, director of the rehab center, affirmed Biens arrest shortly after. The Dong Hung District police are working on documentation to handle the case in accordance with the law. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam was recently named amongst the top three Asia-Pacific countries where people have regained their confidence in travel. According to the Travel Confidence Index, a report commissioned by leading online travel company Booking.com, the Vietnamese population is the second most confident in travel, with 85 percent of Vietnamese travelers sharing that they intend to travel at some point in the next 12 months. Numbers one and two on the list were India (86 percent) and China (79 percent). The online survey, which polled 11,000 travelers from 11 countries and territories across Asia and Oceania between April and May 2022, aimed to track the impact of geopolitical and societal diversities in the region, as well as the varied response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on overall confidence levels when it comes to travel. The result indicated that, among Asia-Pacific travelers, Vietnamese are very much willing to put up with and/or overlook travel deterrents, including disruptions and travel costs, in order to hit the road. It also signifies great potential for the domestic tourism industry. A majority approximately 62 percent of the surveyed Vietnamese travelers plan to book one to two trips this year. Overall 45 percent of respondents stated that they planned to take regional trips (trips within eight hours of flying) to popular holiday destinations rather than short trips (less than three hours from home) and long haul trips (over eight hours from home). Another highlight of the index is that 82 percent of Vietnamese respondents are comfortable with Vietnam reopening its borders, and 75 percent of respondents are comfortable with the country welcoming international travelers. Top travel motivators When it comes to travel motivation, the need for a mental wellness retreat (accounting for 55 percent) emerges as the top motivator to travel for Vietnamese consumers, which may not be so surprising given the two years of COVID-19 social distancing that enveloped the country. For as many as 45 percent of respondents, the motivation of their trips is to make up for plans that had to be postponed due to the pandemic. While 32 percent of respondents shared that they would consider booking a trip to visit a specific destination, the exact same percentage indicated that they would travel simply to get away from home, regardless of the destination. Top travel deterrents When asked about their top travel concerns, 53 percent noted that cost was a major issue. However, fears over COVID-19-related measures was also near the top of the list, with 36 percent of respondents noting concerns over a fear of having to undergo quarantine and 32 percent of respondents worried about the possibility of falling ill whilst traveling. Another top concern for Vietnamese travelers (31 percent) is the processes and administrative hassles involved in planning a trip, which has increased in complexity due to COVID-19. Yet, when asked whether travelers accepted disruptions as being part and parcel of travel modern travel, almost half of Vietnamese respondents said yes. Noticeably, as many as 39 percent of Vietnamese respondents are willing to share personal information for public health and safety purposes and 29 percent were willing to share personal information for trip personalization - a key element in most countries COVID-19 management strategies. Sustainable travel remains important and top of mind According to the Booking.com's 2022 Sustainable Travel Report, 81 percent of global travelers affirm that sustainable travel is important, with 50 percent stating that recent news about climate change has influenced them to make more sustainable travel choices. In the Asia Pacific region, Vietnam once again ranked second on the index in terms of travelers intent to travel sustainably, with 83 percent of respondents agreeing on the importance of making sustainable travel decisions. Among them, 73 percent are actually willing to pay more during their travels for sustainability, while 70 percent shared that they are okay with having less options, as long as they are sustainable. In their upcoming travels, it is clear that Vietnamese travelers will be much more mindful about their environmental and societal impacts, with 71 percent emphasizing eating locally-sourced food at their accommodations, followed by 65 percent claiming they want to join tours and activities organized by locals, 52 percent sharing plans to bring reusable bottles with them on their journeys, and 41 percent noting plans to turn off the AC in their hotel rooms. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Cast, critics and fans were roundly disappointed at the poor acknowledgement of Neighbours last week at the Logie Awards. But the AACTA Awards, sponsored by Foxtel, plans to pay their respects to 37 years of television drama. Foxtel Executive Director of Drama told Mediaweek, It was a major disappointment for me particularly because we had the cast of Neighbours in the room. What would it have taken to let them come up on stage and have their moment? After 37 years a show that has generated so much employment in Melbourne for technicians, camera operators, writers, directors, and actors. That show has given so much to the Australian industry over its 37 years. One of the first shows to export successfully to the UK, and it was given a 30 second sizzle reel on TVs night of nights? I was shocked and I know the cast are very upset about the fact that it was just so dismissive. If were going to celebrate success on a night like the Logies then for goodness sake, please let a show thats entertained audiences for 37 years have its moment and take a bow. TV historian Andrew Mercado, who criticised the table seating and one of the laziest clip packages Ive ever seen, said I know for a fact that one of the Best Actress nominees turned to the person next to her during the clip package and said, When the cast of Neighbours walk out on stage were giving them a standing ovation. It was just assumed in the room that they were going to come out and get a curtain call. It was disgraceful the way Neighbours was treated after 37 years. The longest running drama in Australian TV history. Walsh, who was famously a publicist for the soap in the 1980s, added, I completely agree and I can tell you that AACTAs this year will make a point of giving Neighbours the farewell it so richly deserves. That was a huge mistake on Sunday night. (Bloomberg) -- Columbia University professor Jose Antonio Ocampo joined President-elect Gustavo Petros economics team, potentially setting him up for a key role in the next administration. Most Read from Bloomberg The new government takes office Aug. 7 and Ocampo is part of the group managing the handover for the time being, he said, in reply to written questions. The nations stocks, bonds and currency sold off this week, as nervous traders reacted to the June 19 election result and waited to see who Petro will appoint to roles such as finance minister, head of the national planning department and director of public credit. The sell-off was led by oil driller Ecopetrol SA, Colombias largest company, which has lost about a third of its value in dollar terms this month. The incoming finance team will need to maintain investor confidence without dashing the hopes of millions of Petro supporters who voted for increased welfare payments and a greener economic model. Ocampo, 69, is one of Colombias best-known economists, and has co-authored books with Nobel prize-winner Joseph Stiglitz. He has argued for a more active use of the exchange rate and has made the case for a tax on commodities exports. He served as finance minister in the 1990s, as well as agriculture minister and head of the National Planning Department. More recently, he was a co-director of the central bank. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Phil Bennett was described as a great gentleman and a great rugby player as giants of the sport from Wales and beyond united in tribute to him at a remembrance service in Llanelli. Bennett, who died earlier this month after a long illness at the age of 73, captained Wales and the British and Irish Lions. A genial fly-half, whose staggering side-stepping ability brought the dance floor to the rugby field, also played more than 400 times for Llanelli RFC. Tributes were paid to Wales great Phil Bennett (PA Archive) He won 29 Wales caps between 1969 and 1978, winning two Five Nations Grand Slams and three Triple Crowns, skippered the Lions to New Zealand in 1977 and was part of the Lions Test series-winning tour of South Africa three years earlier. He also started the move, playing for the Barbarians against New Zealand in 1973, that delivered a length-of-the-field score and is often described as rugby unions greatest try. Barely three miles from where Bennett helped Llanelli famously beat New Zealand 9-3 at Stradey Park 50 years ago, family, friends, players past and present, coaches and rugby supporters gathered at Parc y Scarlets to honour his legacy. Eulogies were given by Delme Thomas ex-Wales skipper, three-time Lions tourist and captain when Llanelli toppled the All Blacks and journalist Graham Thomas, who ghosted more than 1,000 national newspaper columns with Bennett during a 25-year association. Fans pay their respects during the remembrance service for former Wales fly-half Phil Bennett (David Davies/PA) The funeral cortege arrived to the accompaniment of Rod Stewarts Sailing with a star-studded, 40-strong guard of honour reflecting Bennetts stellar career, while floral tributes included one simply spelt out as Benny, one from the Lions and another designed as the figure 10 as Bennetts coffin was positioned on the halfway line. Members of the revered 1972 Scarlets team paying their respects included Bennetts half-back partner against New Zealand Chico Hopkins, try-scorer Roy Bergiers, prop Barry Llewellyn and flanker Tommy David. They were joined by Bennetts former Wales team-mates Sir Gareth Edwards and Gerald Davies, the Welsh Rugby Union president, ex-Wales and Llanelli captain Ieuan Evans, plus former Lions forward and 1997 Lions tour manager Fran Cotton. Story continues And current Scarlets squad representatives featured the likes of Wales internationals Jonathan Davies, Ken Owens, Scott Williams and Leigh Halfpenny, in addition to head coach Dwayne Peel. Members of the public young and old, many wearing Wales and Scarlets shirts began arriving more than an hour before the service, with highlights of Bennetts finest moments, including many of his spectacular tries, being shown on the stadiums big screen. There was a filmed tribute from New Zealands 1972 captain Ian Kirkpatrick, who said: With his talent, he was something else. He had the skills and ability to produce greatness. We were hugely saddened to hear of his passing. Like Kirkpatrick, Delme Thomas spoke from the heart, before pausing at Bennetts coffin, paying a final moving tribute and receiving a standing ovation as he made his way back to the South Stand. It is very hard to stand here and explain how I feel about this little man, Thomas, 79, said. What can you say about the greatest player Ive ever seen play the game? Er cof am / In memory of Phil Bennett OBE 1948-2022 pic.twitter.com/aCF1K2sJzL Llanelli RFC (@LlanelliRFC) June 24, 2022 Thats a big thing to say because Ive played with some great players a lot of them are sat in the stands today but Phil was something special, a great gentleman and a great rugby player. Our outside-half in 1971 was the great Barry John. He was such a great player that they called him King John. When he came back after the Lions tour in 1971 he dropped a bombshell and announced his retirement. Most people thought that was the end of Welsh rugby, but up stepped the boy from Felinfoel (Bennett), and he never looked back. Who can forget that day at Stradey Park in 1972. I was lucky enough to play in that game, and from that day forward Phil stamped his authority on Welsh rugby. I had never seen a performance like it. After that day, everyone knew who Phil Bennett was. The funeral cortege leaves the stadium after the remembrance service for Phil Bennett, held at the Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli (David Davies/PA) A wonderful friend, Benny, I am sorry, boy, to be standing here in front of you. I refuse to say goodbye. As a Christian, I hope we will meet again. God bless you. Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (Bread of Heaven) and the Welsh folk song Yma O Hyd received rousing renditions, before the cortege left to John Denvers Take Me Home, Country Roads. The remembrance service was followed by a funeral service at Holy Trinity Church in nearby Felinfoel, Bennetts home village where a statue was unveiled in his honour just two months ago. Bennett is survived by his wife Pat and sons Steven and James. Leaders of Natos 30 nations meet in Madrid at the end of June for what the secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has dubbed an historic and transformative summit. The war in Ukraine provides the backdrop, but preparations for the meeting began well before the Russian invasion. The conflict will focus minds all the more. The most substantive item on the agenda is an updating of Natos key Strategic Concept which sets the alliances values and strategic objectives for the next decade. The current version, adopted in 2010, has served Nato well but it was based on premises that no longer apply. Then, the global war on terror and Natos role in expeditionary operations as far afield as Afghanistan were what determined its purpose. Now, according to deputy secretary general Mircea Geoana, speaking at a conference in Copenhagen on June 10, Nato is more preoccupied with a new era of what he referred to as great power competition focusing on Russia and China. It seems certain that a new document will be adopted. Russian belligerence has helped forge agreement, as has a growing appreciation of the systemic challenges posed by China. The multiple challenges of Natos security environment mean the document will pay attention to many other issues. Some will be quite separate from Russia and China climate change, global health and terrorism among them. But others hybrid and asymmetric threats, the militarisation of space, cyber security and the geostrategic importance of the Arctic and the Asia-Pacific will be intimately connected to calculations concerning Moscow and Beijing. Three items of summit business illustrate this prioritisation. Firstly, a decision will be taken at Madrid on the scale and design of [Natos] future posture across the whole spectrum of defence. This was prefigured at a meeting of Nato defence ministers in mid-June and builds upon practical measures taken since February to reinforce the defence of the eastern allies. Expect in parallel, second, some strong language on sustaining national defence budgets. Thirdly, the summit will be attended by leaders from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea a clear signal that Nato is moving (politically, at least) towards coalition-building against China. Story continues Ukraine: partner or ally? The highlight of the Madrid summit will be an address by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Nato is also likely to endorse a comprehensive assistance package to train and equip the Ukrainian armed forces. This is less significant than it sounds, as Nato agreed a similar programme back in 2016. Extending it is clearly beneficial to the war effort, but the package should not be confused with the provision of arms to Ukraine. That is a matter for the allies individually, not Nato. Any coordination which has occurred appears to have been ad hoc. Politically, this has been achieved through the US-led Ukraine Defence Contact Group and, at a technical level, via the International Donors Coordination Cell, located at the American Patch barracks in Stuttgart. The biggest contributions Nato could make to the cause of Ukrainian self-defence are currently off the table. A Nato-enforced no-fly zone over Ukraine (comparable to allied operations in Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990s) has been ruled out in London and Washington for fear of provoking Moscow. A maritime operation to break the Russian blockade of Ukraines ports, meanwhile, would likely be vetoed by Turkey, given its sensitivities on the naval balance of forces in the Black Sea. Offering Ukraine a clear pathway to Nato membership is also not in sight. Russia has used Ukraines Nato aspirations as one pretext for its invasion of the country. The alliance has rightly rejected Russias attempt to impose a geopolitical veto over Ukraines national security choices. But Nato remains divided on exactly how and when Ukraine should be brought in. Poland has long made the argument that Ukraine should be given a Membership Action Plan (MAP). Sceptics such as the French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Schultz oppose the initiative. Tellingly, the idea currently also finds no favour in Washington. Ukraines leadership, meanwhile, has become increasingly disillusioned. The foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba recently said that only a miracle would see Ukraine obtain a clear path to membership at Madrid. Ukraines predicament has not been helped by an argument over another enlargement decision. Finland and Sweden presented their applications for Nato membership in May. A formal invitation to join the alliance looked certain to be issued at the Madrid summit until the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared his opposition on the grounds that the two countries support Kurdish separatism. So Natos open door on enlargement for now remains shut not just for Ukraine, but for Natos Nordic aspirants as well. Future imperfect A year ago, Nato was experiencing one of its periodic existential crises following the ignominious retreat from Afghanistan. But the alliance has seemingly been revived by the war in Ukraine. The allies will be keen to parade a spirit of firmness and resolve at Madrid. But there are limits. Whatever the justness of Ukraines cause, Nato as Stoltenberg has implied is better suited to defending its treaty-based allies than coming to the aid of a non-member such as Ukraine. Deterring Russian encroachments on Natos territory has emerged as the principal mission of the alliance. The urgency of that task means other important issues have not been given the attention they deserve in the run-up to Madrid. With the allies preoccupied with Russia and Ukraine, there has been little discussion of some of NATOs long-standing internal challenges: the sustainability of US leadership, and the pitfalls of consensus decision-making (evidenced in Turkeys stance on Finland and Sweden). Natos tangled and cumbersome command structure and the still-underdeveloped relationship with the European Union also need to be addressed. It seems unlikely that any of these issues will be meaningfully discussed in Madrid. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The Conversation Mark Webber has previously received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, the British Academy, the Leverhulme Trust and NATO's Public Diplomacy Division. From September 2022, he will be a Senior Visiting Fellow at the NATO Defence College in Rome. Ian Maatsen playing for Chelsea Credit: PA Images Chelsea are set to sell Ian Maatsen to Feyenoord despite further interest from within the English system, according to a report. Maatsen has been owned by Chelsea since 2018, when they brought him to their academy from PSVs. A senior debut followed in the Carabao Cup in September 2019, but he has never played for the Blues since. Instead, the left-back spent the 2020-21 season on loan in League One with Charlton Athletic. Then, he stepped up to the Championship for a temporary stint with Coventry City in 2021-22. He made more than 40 appearances last season, leading Coventry to try and keep him for another season. However, it has now emerged that Chelsea are ready to sell him, two years before his contract expires. According to 90min, Maatsen is close to sealing a return to Feyenoord. They previously had him in their academy between 2009 and 2013. He has since developed into a Netherlands under-21 international. Therefore, Feyenoord are now ready to show faith in him. They will be beating Dutch rivals Ajax to his signature; Borussia Dortmund were also tipped to take him to the Bundesliga recently. Feyenoords move for Maatsen comes amid news that they are about to sell Tyrell Malacia to Lyon, despite interest from Manchester United. The report does not reveal how much Chelsea might make from the transfer. However, it will be a permanent exit for the 20-year-old. Hence, he will not be one of their potential solutions at left-back ahead of the new season. In that position, Ben Chilwell is first choice, but Marcos Alonso wants to leave and Emerson Palmieri was out on loan with Malacias prospective employers, Lyon last term. Ian Maatsen not the man to fill potential Chelsea void Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen Credit: PA Images Manager Thomas Tuchel will have to find someone else to rely on in support to Chilwell. A new signing could be one idea, but Chelsea also have other priorities in the transfer window. There is not an endless supply of funds, despite a willingness to spend. Story continues Therefore, perhaps the reintegration of Emerson Palmieri would be Chelseas best option at left-back. They already considered taking him back in January, but couldnt agree an interruption of his Lyon loan. Now, though, he is their property again. Emerson has several other suitors, particularly in Serie A. However, he could be the man Chelsea think about turning to if Alonso leaves. But it appears left-back is a position where there could be plenty of movement at Stamford Bridge. READ MORE: Chelsea tell Barcelona price of landing double raid for Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso The article Chelsea calling time on Ian Maatsen chances, with defender set to join Dutch giants appeared first on Teamtalk.com. Yanni Nikopoulos and Dale Evelyn Jones Facebook A Virginia couple has confirmed they are safe after they were reported missing while sailing to Portugal. The U.S. Coast Guard said in a press release on Friday that Yanni Nikopoulos and Dale Jones reached out to its command center in Virginia to let them know they're safe and on their way back to Hampton. At the time they were 80 miles east of Chincoteague, Virginia. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, Nikopoulos and Jones were struck by lightning while facing harsh weather during their trip. They managed to get a spare sail before turning around. RELATED: Man Who Lost Limbs After Being Hit by Drunk Driver Sets Record with Solo Voyage Around the World "The two mariners are not in distress and have not requested Coast Guard assistance. All concerned parties have been informed of the mariners' safety," the U.S. Coast Guard said. "We are extremely happy to learn Yanni and Dale are found and are safe," added James Cifers, operations unit watchstander in the Fifth District Command Center, per the release. "It is truly wonderful the pair will be reunited with their friends and family soon." RELATED: Church Group Is Rescued During Hike in Phoenix While Filming Reality Series Bad Girls Gone God On Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard announced its search for the couple, who left Hampton, Virginia for Azores, Portugal on June 8. They were supposed to return on Monday, but did not, sparking the Coast Guard's search for them. At the time, no one had heard from them since they contacted Jones' daughter on June 13 and told her they had run into bad weather that damaged their sailboat and planned to turn around. They had traveled roughly 460 miles from the city when they spoke with Jones's daughter. RELATED VIDEO: Coach Rescues Swimmer After Athlete Faints in Pool During World Championships Jones' daughter alerted the Coast Guard Fifth District command center on June 17, stating "that she hadn't received any communication from her mother since they departed and was concerned for their well-being." Jones' daughter said they were expected to return on Monday, per the Coast Guard's initial release. After they went missing two HC-130 Hercules flights via the Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City searched for Jones and Nikopoulos. Nearby boaters also received an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast from the Fifth Coast Guard District Command Center. FILE PHOTO: People walk by a Walgreens, owned by the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., in Manhattan, New York City By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc agreed to pay $105 million to settle a long-running class-action lawsuit accusing it of misleading shareholders about how rising generic drug prices and reimbursement pressures would hurt its pharmacy business. The preliminary all-cash settlement was filed on Thursday in a federal court in Chicago following six months of mediation, and requires a judge's approval. Walgreens denied wrongdoing, but settled to avoid the uncertainty, burden and cost of further litigation, settlement papers show. The company did not immediately respond on Friday to requests for additional comment Shareholders said Walgreens inflated its stock price in 2014 by concealing bad news about drug prices and reimbursement rates, so investors could focus on its then-pending merger with Switzerland's Alliance Boots GmbH. The challenged statements concerned Walgreens' outlook for its 2016 fiscal year, the first full year after the Deerfield, Illinois-based company expected to complete the merger. Walgreen Co, as the company was then known, lowered its forecast for that year on Aug. 6, 2014. The merger closed at the end of 2014, and the lawsuit was filed in April 2015. Thursday's settlement covers Walgreen shareholders from April 17 to Aug. 5, 2014. The lead plaintiff is Industriens Pensionsforsikring A/S, a Danish pension fund. Walgreens' rivals include CVS Health Corp and Rite Aid Corp. A related shareholder lawsuit accusing Walgreen officers and directors of poor oversight has been on hold pending a resolution of the class action. Lawyers for the plaintiffs in that case did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The case is Washtenaw County Employees Retirement System et al v Walgreen Co et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, No. 15-03187. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Day 1 of Event #52: $2,500 Nine Game Mix at the 2022 World Series of Poker is over and Schuyler Thornton is the chip leader after ten levels of play bagging 220,400. The collection of mixed game variants drew 456 runners and generated a prize pool of $1,014,600, from which the winner will receive the top prize of $219,799. The remaining 191 players will return on Saturday at 2 p.m. for Day 2 and the top 69 finishers will take home a min-cash of $4,018. Among those trailing Thornton at the top of the leaderboard are Nick Guagenti with 209,200 in second place, Scott Bohlman with 208,200 in third place, David Williams is a very close fourth with 206,500, and Dane Coltman sits in fifth with 200,400. Thornton is in search of his first WSOP bracelet and has cashed three times at the 2022 WSOP, including a run to 16th in the $2,500 Mixed Big Bet event. Guagenti, Bohlman, and Williams have all won a WSOP bracelet, while Coltman is looking for his first. Top 10 Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Counts 1 Schuyler Thornton United States 220,400 2 Nick Guagenti United States 209,200 3 Scott Bohlman United States 208,200 4 David Williams United States 206,500 5 Dane Coltman Australia 200,400 6 Nicolas Barthe France 198,200 7 Peter Ippolito United States 183,900 8 Joseph Couden United States 182,600 9 Walter Chambers United States 179,200 10 Chance Kornuth United States 176,400 Other players that bagged for Day 2 include Chance Kornuth, Daniel Negreanu, Kimberly Stone, and Yueqi Rich Zhu. Negreanu finished Day 1 with 125,600, and he will return with an opportunity to make a run for his seventh WSOP bracelet. Stone finished 27th in the Ten-Game Mix at the 2015 WSOP and she returns with an eye on making a deep run. Zhu has already cashed seven times at the 2022 WSOP, including a third place finish in the $1,500 Limit Holdem event. Among those not moving on to Day 2 are Allen Kessler and Shaun Deeb. Kessler hit the rail when Phil Hellmuth made a straight to beat his pair of aces. Deeb registered late and was left short early when he surrendered a double to Justin Libertos flush. Players will return at 2 p.m. on Saturday to pick up the action in Level 11 and play ten more 60-minute levels in the yellow section of the Bally's Event Center. The Day 2 survivors will return on Sunday for the Day 3 finale. Be sure to keep it with the PokerNews team all weekend long for updates from all of your favorite events at the 2022 World Series of Poker in its new home at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas. Today begins Event #53: $5,000 Mixed No-Limit Holdem and Pot-Limit Omaha (8-handed) at Bally's and Paris in Las Vegas. This prestigious event sees the best no-limit holdem players and pot-limit omaha players alike come out to take their shot at WSOP glory and this year is expected to be bigger than last year. In 2021, it was Finnish pro Eelis Parssinen who took down the bracelet at a stacked final table that included the likes of Niklas Astedt and David Prociak. A total of 579 players entered this tournament last year and Parssinen took home $545,616 for his victory, as well as his first bracelet. 2021 WSOP $5,000 Mixed No-Limit Hold'em/Pot-Limit Omaha Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Eelis Parssinen Finland $545,616 2 Noah Bronstein United States $337,216 3 Ezra Abu Gazal United States $239,321 4 David Prociak United States $172,332 5 Joni Jouhkimainen Finland $125,940 6 Kyle Arora United States $93,425 7 Niklas Astedt Sweden $70,367 8 Vikranth Anga India $53,824 Parssinen will be looking to defend his title. Other players expected to throw their hats into the ring include defending WSOP POY Josh Arieh, Alex Livingston, Scott Seiver, and many other well known top poker pros. Players begin with 50,000 in starting chips with blinds starting at 100/200 with a 200 big blind ante. Levels will last 30 minutes each with a 15-minute break after every four levels. Late registration will be open until the end of Level 12, which will be at about 9:45, and players will have the option to reenter twice. Twenty levels will be played today, after which the remaining players will bag up for the evening and return Sunday at 2 p.m. to play down to a winner. Stay tuned to PokerNews for all updates regarding the World Series of Poker. ReportLinker The following factors are likely to contribute to the Latin America modular data center market growth during the forecast period: Deployment of edge data centers. Covid-19 boosting the deployment of prefabricated data centers. New York, June 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Latin America Modular Data Center Market - Industry Outlook and Forecast 2022-2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06288154/?utm_source=GNW Implementation of advanced data center technologies Sustainability measures in the modular data center market Increasing demand for big data and IoT Advantages of modular data centers Less money and time are required during the assembly process The quick development of infrastructure due to proper planning Promotes flexibility for data center operators Cost-effective solutions that match the requirements Flexible assembly of cooling, power, and racks The Latin American region has witnessed considerable growth in adopting modern technologies and construction of data centers over the past years. The development of solid fiber connectivity, increasing reliability in power supply, and high demand for data center services from BFSI, IT, and healthcare are major factors driving the development of modular data centers in Latin America. While Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile will remain major demand contributors to the segment, countries like Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru will also witness an increased demand for modular data centers owing to increasing digitalization. Key Highlights of the Latin America Modular Data Center Market: Colocation and telecommunications service providers are the main contributors to the modular data center market in Latin America. The region is also witnessing an increased presence of cloud service providers. In 2021, functional module modular data centers took up 65% of the market, and all-in module modular data centers contributed 35% to the market share among Latin American countries. Brazil is the leading region in the Latin America data center market, with more than 50% of investments in the area. There is growing internet penetration and adoption of cloud-based services by businesses in the country, followed by Chile, Mexico, and Colombia. An increase in demand for edge data centers, the requirement of cloud at the edge, and an increase in adoption of technology such as big data and IoT will continue to grow the modular data center investment from colocation, cloud, internet, and telecommunication providers. In February 2022, AWS announced a list of 26 countries in which it was planning to launch Local Zones for its Edge locations. They include Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, and Chile. Modular data centers can support improved PUE and lower carbon emissions compared to traditional brick-and-mortar facilities, reducing OPEX, thus leading many operators to deploy modular data centers. Increasing modular data center design & deployment Continuous evolution in the design and engineering of a data center facility by key operators and architecture and engineering firms will bring in multiple innovations in the development and operations of a data center. Modular data center build-outs tackle challenges such as a high PUE, high operational costs of traditional data centers, and high environmental impact Modular data center deployment using a templatized plug-and-play method to build modules makes requirement gathering of each material type easier, ensuring that it is very little or no wastage. Countries that have deployed 5G will witness the development of Performance-Optimized Data center (POD) facilities. Increase in the adoption of cloud at Edge, Big Data, and IoT The edge cloud is a modern method for deploying cloud data centers at several locations nearer to customers, boosted by the growth in the deployment of modular data centers Major cloud service providers such as Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft are aiming at cloud edge computing capabilities Several data center operators such as Equinix, Ascenty (Digital Realty), EdgeConneX, and others host cloud on-ramps to access hyperscale cloud service providers directly and privately Big data and IoT are fueling the modular data centers industry as these solutions offer flexibility to support HPC solutions such as IoT and big data The growing adoption of smart devices, the increasing demand for analytics, cloud adoption, and the growth of wireless networking technologies have led several organizations in Latin America to invest in big data and IoT technology Innovative data center technologies and sustainable initiatives to boost the market Data center operators are continuously involved in innovating new techniques to operate sustainable data centers that will reduce the CAPEX and OPEX The adoption of hybrid cloud modules helps organizations to get the benefit of cost-effectiveness and increased data mobility between private and public cloud Liquid immersion cooling is among the top innovations that can benefit operators, as pre-designed and prefabricated data centers can easily be equipped with immersion cooling solutions without the need to create extra space for cooling systems The deployment of modular data centers will lead to a significant reduction in energy costs as the power is supplied to the only module in operation GEOGRAPHY AND VENDOR ANALYSIS Huawei Technologies is among the top vendors, with a significant Latin America modular data center market share. The growth potential in Brazil and Mexico is moderate, whereas countries such as Chile and Colombia have high growth potential. Due to enterprise and on-site data centers, the Caribbean region is also likely to witness more modular data center deployments. The presence of edge data center facilities across the region will boost modular data center deployments. Major Vendors: ABB Atos Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Delta Electronics Eaton Hewlett Packard Huawei IBM Rittal Schneider Electric Stulz Vertiv Other Prominent Vendors Actemium American Portwell Canovate Fiberhome GESAB KEHUA Data (KEHUA Tech) Rahi Silent-Aire ZTE Market Segments by: Infrastructure o All-in-One Functional Module o IT Module o Power Module o Cooling Module Country o Brazil o Mexico o Colombia o Chile o Other Latin American Countries KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED 1. How much is the Latin America Modular Data Center Market Worth? 2. What is the growth rate of the Latin America Modular Data center Market? 3. Who are the Key Players in the Latin America Modular Data center Market? 4. Which functional module generates the highest revenue during the forecast period? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06288154/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Story continues CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 Prince Charles (AFP via Getty Images) Prince Charles is set to give his blessing to Commonwealth countries that want to sever ties with the Royal family, according to reports. The Prince of Wales, 73, has travelled to Rwanda to speak at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Friday. In a speech at the Chogm opening ceremony, his first as the Commonwealths future leader, he will say that each members constitutional arrangement is purely a matter for each member country to decide. In 2021 Barbados became the latest Commonwealth nation to break away from the monarchy and become a republic. It followed other Caribbean nations which have dispensed with the Queen as their head of state and turned to a homegrown representative, with Guyana becoming a republic in 1970, Trinidad and Tobago in 1976, and Dominica two years later. In recent years Jamaica has also signalled it wants an elected head of state, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness saying it is a priority for his government. In a speech at the opening ceremony on Friday morning, the Prince of Wales will say: Our Commonwealth family is and will always remain a free association of independent self-governing nations. We meet and talk as equals, sharing our knowledge and experience for the betterment of all citizens of the Commonwealth and, indeed, the wider world. According to the Telegraph, he will add: The Commonwealth contains within it countries that have had constitutional relationships with my family, some that continue to do so, and increasingly those that have had none. I want to say clearly, as I have said before, that each members constitutional arrangement, as republic or monarchy, is purely a matter for each member country to decide. The benefit of long life brings me the experience that arrangements such as these can change, calmly and without rancour. But as I said in Barbados last November, we should never forget the things which do not change: the close and trusted partnership between Commonwealth members; our common values and shared goals; and, perhaps most importantly, the strong and enduring connections between the peoples of the Commonwealth which strengthen us all. Story continues It comes after Boris Johnson urged Prince Charles to keep an open mind about the Rwanda asylum plan ahead of their meeting on Friday. The Prime Minister said he was ready to defend his policy after Charles was reported to have privately criticised it as appalling. The Prime Ministers official spokesman initially said the pair would have a bilateral discussion but subsequently clarified that it will be informal. Asked on Thursday if he will defend the deportation strategy during the meeting, Mr Johnson said: People need to keep an open mind about the policy, the critics need to keep an open mind about the policy. A lot of people can see its obvious merits. So yeah, of course, if I am seeing the Prince tomorrow, I am going to be making that point. In this week's Torah portion, Sh'lach, Moshe sends twelve scouts to check out the Land of Promise. Ten of them return terrified. The grapes are so big they require two men and a carrying frame. The people are giants. "We looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them." (Numbers 13:33) Caleb and Joshua promise that the land flows with milk and honey. But the other ten are afraid. The people revolt, crying out, "If only we had died in Egypt!" God decides that the generation who knew slavery will not enter the Land of Promise. Their spirits are too crushed by hardship. Their self-doubt becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The European colonists who came to this place knew Torah's stories, of course. George Washington alluded to America as a Land of Promise in 1785. (And you don't have to travel far around here to find a Canaan, or a Goshen, or a Salem all Biblical place-names.) For the many tribes and nations who originally inhabited this land, the arrival of Europeans was catastrophic because of foreign germs, foreign worldviews, and policies like the Indian Removal Act. (Perhaps this is a good time to mention that our beloved synagogue is built on Mohican land -- and that the Mohican people are still around!) Europeans coming to these shores was terrible news for Native Americans. We can hold that truth alongside the truth that many of our forebears emigrated to this nation seeking dignity and equality denied to Jews elsewhere. My mother was one of them. She told me endlessly how fortunate she felt to have found refuge here. America was supposed to be a nation of equality, where it would be safe to be Jewish, where we could strive to better ourselves and our communities alongside everyone else. And yet we know that America's promise of liberty and justice for all wasn't originally "for all" -- only for straight white property-owning men. The week now ending held Juneteenth, a reminder of how long it took for the promise of freedom to reach enslaved Black people in Texas. (Arguably were still working on fulfilling the promise of justice.) The enslaved were brought here by force. But even our forebears who came here willingly, came in search of a promise that is not yet complete. Right now the promise of equal rights and justice may feel further-away than many of us have known it to be. The January 6th hearings reawaken the horror of watching an angry mob storm the United States Capitol... and now we live with the added horror of knowing that a large segment of the country doesn't believe that the insurrection was real, or that it was wrong. The same voices denying the facts of the presidential election and subsequent insurrection are also denying gender-affirming health care to trans kids. Four states have banned that care, and fifteen others are considering following suit. Twenty-six states will ban abortion now that Roe has fallen -- some have already done so. And dont even get me started on the news out of my state of origin this week. None of this is consonant with Jewish teaching or practice. Rabbis and laypeople in every branch of Judaism (from Reform to Orthodox) support gender-affirming care, and teach that everyone across the spectrum of gender and orientation is made in the image of God. Judaism has also long held that life begins at first breath, not at the first merging of two cells. But the Supreme Court has struck down Roe... and is also poised to decide on whether or not to gut the federal government's ability to mitigate climate change. Given what we know about the current makeup of the Court, that outcome isn't looking good either. I empathize with the scouts who looked at the challenges ahead and felt like grasshoppers. So right on time, here come the scouts to remind us that despair is not a good option. Giving in to despair means giving up on hope. Last Rosh Hashanah I offered a teaching from Mariame Kaba who reminds us that hope is a discipline. Hope's not a feeling, it's a practice. It asks us to work. I didnt realize how resonant that teaching would be this year -- or how necessary. Earlier this morning we prayed these words from Michael Walzer: This moment may feel like wilderness. And it's easy to look at the forces arrayed against the environment, against the principles of human dignity and justice, against queer people and trans people, against Black and Indigenous people and people of color, against immigrants and refugees, against anyone with a uterus, against us as Jews, and feel like those forces are giants and we are grasshoppers. But look again closely at that verse in this week's Torah portion. "We looked like grasshoppers in our eyes, and so we were in their eyes." We saw ourselves as tiny, puny, unable to impact the world around us -- and so we became that way. But we can choose to see ourselves differently. We might not get all the way "there." But that doesn't absolve us from trying. My b-mitzvah students may remember that famous line from Pirkei Avot, "It is not incumbent on us to complete the work, but neither are we free to refrain from beginning it." I think of the Land of Promise as a direction, not a destination. Like moshiachtzeit, the messianic age. The work is standing up for those more vulnerable than we -- in Torah's language, the orphan, the widow, and the stranger. Standing up for immmigrants and refugees. For trans kids at risk of losing health care, and for their parents. For everyone with a uterus in states where forced birth is becoming law. For Black neighborhoods at higher risk of flooding, and people in drought-stricken areas at higher risk of fire. For Mother Earth herself -- so fragile and full of life. Rev. Martin Luther King taught that the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice. I think we know now that the arc of the moral universe only bends toward justice if we push it and pull it and bend it with our own hands and hearts. It can bend toward justice; it has to bend toward justice. And it's aleinu -- it's on us -- to make that real. We need to see ourselves not as grasshoppers, but as a community that stands up for those who need us most. This is the d'var Torah I offered at Congregation Beth Israel of the Berkshires on Shabbat morning (cross-posted to my From the Rabbi blog.) Sharlene Reyes got her laptop computer back from Wacos Simply Mac location, but not every customer shares in her good fortune. Reyes saga started back in late April and was apparently kicked off by the business running afoul of its landlord in Waco, and a preview of larger issues to come. More recently, the service provider for Apple products abruptly closed its doors nationwide, affecting more than 50 locations while leaving customers in a lurch and demanding answers from someone. Reyes said she visited the Simply Mac at Second Street and Mary Avenue downtown for repairs to her laptops audio component. She said her laptop was being held hostage as Simply Macs financial status became untenable. Came to pick up my laptop. Landlord shut down this place for failure to pay rent. Simply Mac corporate and the leasing office isnt answering phones, Reyes wrote in a Yelp review April 30. Waco PD said this is a private matter and advised to send a certified letter to business indicating that business has my personal property and if after ten days of their receipt of letter I can file a stolen goods report with Waco PD. Reyes said she viewed and photographed the landlords posting on the door. The landlord, Turner Brothers Commercial, did not return calls seeking comment. Pursuing a solution, Reyes said she called every Simply Mac phone number she could find, only to be shuffled off to voicemail each time. I contacted Apple to see what they could do on my behalf. After all Simply Mac proudly says it is an Apple Premium Partner, Reyes said. She confirmed getting the Waco Police Department involved, saying in an interview with the Tribune-Herald officers told her the situation could escalate to theft. After venting online, Reyes said she called the local shop again. She was relieved to hear a voice on the line saying her laptop could be retrieved. She arrived with steam coming out of my ears, and was told her $150 diagnostic fee would be refunded, but payment would be required if more diagnostic work were performed and if the shop ordered a speaker for her laptop. It was nice on his part to offer something, but it wasnt quite enough to sway me to take down what I put online. I told him Im not coming back, Reyes said. Thats not the experience I expect or demand from a company. The store remains closed, and calls this week were not answered. Jessica Thomas, who manages Billy Bobs Burgers Bar & Grill next door, said at least 10 people have visited the restaurant in search of answers. She and her staff take their names and contact numbers and agree to pass along the information if they see authorized people who enter Simply Mac. Facebook posts related to Simply Macs closing are plentiful. Does anyone know how to file suit? Check on status? I just want my computer back!!! wrote one disgruntled customer. One signee complained Simply Mac is not answering its phone. Another said its website is under construction. Said one person seeking answers, I dropped off 10 Macbooks on Thursday for my work to be serviced and now I am finding out they are permanently closed. I need someone to call me ASAP. One commenter sounded an encouraging note, saying Apple assured it had launched an investigation and would rectify the problem. Another wrote Apples customer relations department kindly took down his complaint, secured personal information and promised a response. In a letter to employees dated June 9, Simply Inc. CEO Rein Voigt said, I am saddened I must deliver to you the bad news that today we are forced (to) shut down our business and terminate all employees effective immediately in anticipation of filing for protection under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. He goes on to say that since acquiring the company from GameStop in 2019, Simply Mac worked hard as a team to grow our company to be North Americas preeminent Apple Partner and provide our customers with transformational experiences that drive long-term loyalty. However, we could not have possibly foreseen that on December 12, 2019, in Wuhan, China, a world-wide pandemic would start and ultimately cause us to layoff half our workforce and close many of our stores, Voigt said. He said Simply Mac survived for a time with help from $5.1 million in (Payroll Protection Program) loans from the federal government during the pandemic. But the companys financial performance never met expectations, and the 2021 holiday season was a disappointment due to funding constraints. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A brush fire of 50 acres threatened homes, buildings and vehicles Friday afternoon, prompting evacuations about 2.5 miles northeast of McLane Stadium, near the 3700 block of Kendall Lane, officials said. The fire was under control by about 5:10 p.m., with at least five vehicles and a metal shop building destroyed but no homes damaged, according to Waco Fire Department tweets. About 20 homes were evacuated as the fire burned, Texas A&M Forest Service spokesperson Kiley Moran said. As of Morans update at about 4:30 p.m., no one had been injured in the fire. The fire was about 90% contained by 7:15 p.m., the forest service reported. Moran said it appeared to him that the fire had consumed some construction equipment, supplies and outbuildings, but no major structures. The state sent two single-engine, fixed-wing air tankers to drop retardant to slow the progress of the fire, he said. A helicopter is on its way to drop water. Several water-tanker trucks with forest service logos could be seen driving toward the fire. Dozers also were in use on one side of the fire, according to a forest service tweet. The Bellmead Fire Department requested outside help by 2 p.m., and Waco Fire Lt. Keith Guillory said he was on his way to help with evacuations at about 2:45 p.m. By 3:30, Guillory reported additional fire departments including Lacy Lakeview and Robinson had joined in mutual aid with 32 firefighters as well as other emergency personnel, including about 8 paramedics from American Medical Response. Other agencies sending trucks and firefighters included the Elk and Downsville fire departments and the forest service, officials said. The state is sending three aircraft as well, Guillory said. Later in the afternoon, the fire had reached a business in the area. Fridays fire was the second brush fire in the Bellmead area in as many weeks that has brought assistance from multiple agencies. All of McLennan County is in drought, ranging from severe in the east to exceptional, the highest intensity level, in the west, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, with data as of Tuesday. The McLennan County Commissioners Court enacted an outdoor burn ban Tuesday, and separately enacted a ban on the sale or use of skyrocket fireworks through the July 4 holiday. The bans could be lifted if drought conditions subside. The National Weather Service gauge at Waco Regional Airport recorded a high of 104 degrees Friday, and a head advisory is in effect until Saturday, when the high is forecast to reach 104 again. Sundays high is forecast at 101, though a slight chance of rain arrives Sunday night and continues into Tuesday. The forecast calls for a high of 91 on Monday and 93 on Tuesday. This article will be updated. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Pro-Life Waco rally Friday kicked off a weekend of local celebrations planned in response to the Supreme Courts decision to overturn the landmark 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade. A large group, many donning anti-abortion paraphernalia, gathered near the gate in front of Wacos Planned Parenthood-Mary Ruth Duncan Health Center, 700 W. Highway 6. The rally opened with a prayer followed by much rejoicing about Fridays ruling, which holds there is no longer a constitutional right to abortion, likely paving the way for abortion bans in about half the states. Many guest speakers approached the small stage to disclose personal experiences with abortion and express their joy at the realization of their work being presented in the courts ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson. Texas State Rep. Charles Doc Anderson opened his speech by proclaiming thankfulness for this monumental day. Its 102 degrees in Waco. Who would have ever thought today would be the day that Roe would burn to the ground, Anderson said. Roe right from the get-go should never have been established. Pro-Life Waco Director John Pisciotta said he was overcome with joy after reading the Supreme Courts decision. Forty-nine years of this provision that has been so impactful and also so unnecessarily divisive for our country, Pisciotta said. Roe has done so much damage and in terms of the battle, which will continue on pro-life and pro-abortion, it will be a different battle. In our national political system, the poison of Roe v. Wade will not be there anymore. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas CEO Ken Lambrecht said in a statement, Todays ruling devastates the fundamental right of individuals to access an abortion. No one should be forced to travel across states to safely access an abortion, forced to give birth, or forced to put their health and life at risk because of politics. This ruling is unconscionable, disproportionately impacts vulnerable underserved and marginalized Texans and we will continue to do everything we can to stand up for our patients and the right to an abortion. Abortion is essential healthcare. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas spokesperson Autumn Keiser said abortion services have been temporarily halted while we consider the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. However, Keiser said the ruling will not affect the other services offered at Planned Parenthood clinics. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling has no effect on reproductive and sexual healthcare such as birth control, breast and cervical cancer screening, STI testing and treatment, annual exams and other essential, preventive care, Keiser said. The Waco Health Center doors are open and will remain open to provide the trusted healthcare Texas has turned to for more than 85 years. The courts 6-3 decision, which was leaked in a mostly complete form in May, gives the states the right to determine abortion laws, and almost half are expected to implement some form of abortion ban. It is anticipated Texas abortion ban, which begins at the moment of fertilization, will be put into place roughly 30 days after the Supreme Courts decision is finalized. Texas offers few exemptions for the ban, limited to when the patients life is in danger or if they are at risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function, according to The Texas Tribune. Abortion rights opponents in Waco reacted quickly when news of the decision broke Friday. Volunteer Jennifer Digiacomo, with 40 days for Life, a grassroots organization formed to end abortion, said she immediately thanked God after hearing the decision. She believes whats next is raise more awareness about the available opportunities for women during pregnancies, Digiacomo said. There are more pregnancy care centers than there are abortions centers and Planned Parenthoods in the country, she said. Getting that information out (is important) and more so that there is more help there than the public has been led to believe. We do support women, during and after their pregnancies. David Arnett, pastor at Bible Way Church, ended the rally with final points and a prayer. Arnett thanked the crowd for their constant participation in the anti-abortion movement. Your well doing has made a difference, Arnett said. Your well doing has exposed the devil and ignorance of foolish and ungodly men and women in this place. Look what the result is, its not just here in Waco, and its all over the United States. Isnt that wonderful, its a group of people that are determined to fight evil wherever they come across it. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Church in the community Church Under the Bridge will meet for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Magnolia Market at the Silos, 601 Webster Ave., then send work teams across the city to serve the community, particularly the underserved. The church will regather at noon for a picnic at Dewey Community Center, 925 N. Ninth St. There will not be a worship service at Magnolia Market on Sunday. TSA PreCheck enrollment The Transportation Security Administration will offer TSA PreCheck enrollment at Waco Regional Airport Monday through Friday. TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program that allows travelers to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep their laptop in its case, and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids and gels bag in a carry-on, in select TSA airport checkpoint screening lanes. To register, go to tsa.gov/precheck and schedule an appointment for the upcoming enrollment event. Applicants must bring proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. The application fee is $85. Summer arts camp A Mission Waco Creative Arts Summer Camp, featuring a choice of theater, dance, art or a mix for youth ages 6-17, will run form 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through July 8 at Mission Waco Jubilee Theatre, 1319 N. 15th St. The cost is $40 per child. To register, go to forms.gle/wEmaeXZx4T8hFpQL8. Genealogical Society program The Central Texas Genealogical Society will host a virtual presentation by author Jonah Barnes, on family history for children, at 7 p.m. Monday in the West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd. The free program is for genealogists, educators and parents who want to interest the younger generation in their family history. For more information, call 254-745-6018. Submit printed or typed items to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco, 76702-2588; or email goingson@wacotrib.com. WASHINGTON (AP) The House Jan. 6 committee launched under deep political skepticism: What more could be said about the deadly insurrection at the Capitol in 2021 that played out for all the world to see? Quite a lot, it turns out. The public hearings this month are showing in vivid and clear detail just how close the United States came to a constitutional crisis when President Donald Trump refused to admit his election defeat. Trump tried to use the powers of the presidency to stop Democrat Joe Biden from being certified the winner. When that didn't work, Trump summoned a mob to the Capitol. Despite the unprecedented Capitol attack, the hearings carry echoes from U.S. history. Like the Watergate hearings 50 years ago, the 1/6 committee has depicted a president detached from reality, as Trump's attorney general, Bill Barr, testified. As happened during the anti-communist McCarthy era, the testimony has provoked counter-reaction a sense of the civic decency coming from civil servants, including many fellow Republicans, who did their jobs, despite grave personal risk, to ensure that the 2020 election was legitimate. The backbone of democracy, as the committee chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., put it. What we know so far from the Jan. 6 public hearings and what's coming next. OVER AND OVER AGAIN Almost everyone around Trump understood he was losing the Nov. 3, 2020, election. From his campaign manager Bill Stepien, who encouraged Trump on election night to not yet claim victory, to Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, who testified she knew it was too early to say he had won. But Trump nevertheless latched onto false claims of voter fraud and declared himself the winner. Over and over again, the defeated president was told there was no evidence of election fraud that could have tipped the outcome to him, said Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., opening the committee's hearings. Trump was told by his own campaign team that the numbers just weren't there for him and by Barr, who told Trump flatly that the claims being made of a fraudulent election were simply bull-. Yet one influential figure had the president's ear. Lawyer Rudy Giuliani made his way to see Trump at the White House election night party and encouraged him to declare victory. Witnesses testified that Giuliani was inebriated and they tried to keep him away all claims Giuliani has since said are untrue. "LEGITIMIZE THE LIES Trump began a relentless campaign, in public and private, to try to stop Biden's victory, according to the committee's investigation. Trump leaned on officials from the highest levels of government to find more votes or reject those electors already affirmed. He filed dozens of legal challenges in closely contested states, hoping to flip his defeat to victory. When one judge after another, many of whom Trump had appointed, rejected or declined to take up the lawsuits, Trump used the power of his presidency to pressure officials to act. Find 11,780 votes, Trump demanded of Brad Raffensperger, the Republican secretary of state in Georgia, a state Trump narrowly lost. Arizona's Republican House speaker testified about a call from Trump in which the president made an unprecedented proposal to reject the slate of electors for Biden, who had won the state. Trump's own Department of Justice was hounded by a president calling at all hours during the Christmas holiday season for investigations into his far-flung theories of fraud, former officials testified. What Im just asking you to do is to say it was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the Republican Congressmen, Trump said, the No. 2 Justice Department official at the time, Richard Donoghue, testified. Said Thompson: He wanted the Justice Department to help legitimize his lies. 'UNSUNG HEROES' With the country enduring years of political divisions, the hearings are laying out another view of the stewards of democracy who kept the election and its aftermath secure, despite great risk. The witnesses, mostly Republicans, are providing gripping testimony of their work. Raffensperger did not produce the 11,780 votes in Georgia Trump demanded. Bowers declined to replace Arizona's elector slate as Trump wanted. Barr resigned rather than stick around for Trump's ideas. The rest of the Justice Department leadership ranks threatened to leave if Trump followed through on his plan to elevate a department official, Jeffrey Clark, to acting attorney general and instruct the states to block the electors. A mother-daughter pair of election workers delivered tearful testimony of the violent harassment and death threats they faced after Trump and Giuliani falsely smeared them as having committed voter fraud. "Nowhere I feel safe," said Ruby Freeman, a temporary election worker. "Do you know how it feels to have the president of the United States target you? Thompson called them the unsung heroes who did their jobs in the face of great. WATERGATE, CIVIC DECENCY AND HISTORY'S ECHOES Trump's desperate actions in the run-up to the Jan. 6 siege at the Capitol are unprecedented in scope, but carry echoes of earlier eras. The defeated Trump tried to muscle his Department of Justice for political ends, much the way President Richard Nixon fired his top ranks in the Saturday Night Massacre before his resignation. At the same time, Trump's false claims of voter fraud have provoked a counter-response from the ranks of the civil servants pushing back against what is seen as executive overreach. I said, Look, youre asking me to do something that is counter to my oath, Bowers testified. Cheney has been compared to Margaret Chase Smith, the Republican senator from Maine who stood up on the chamber floor a half-century ago to warn her party off the political excesses of the McCarthy hearings. TRUMP REGROUPS Far from fully defeated, Trump has been reconsidering another White House run, Trump has decried the Jan. 6 hearings as a witch hunt and has complained about House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy's bad decision to withdraw most Republicans from the committee, leaving the former president without a fulsome defense. The committee cannot bring charges against Trump, but the Justice Department is closely watching the proceedings. Federal authorities this week searched Clarks home and seized records from key Republicans in at least four states linked to Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election. WHAT'S NEXT The committee will resume its work after lawmakers return from a Fourth of July recess. Hearings are expected to show how Trump's big lie of election fraud led directly to deadly Capitol siege, the committee said. When the suits and pressure campaigns failed, Trump summoned supporters to Washington on Jan. 6, when Congress was set to meet in a joint session to tally the Electoral College vote. The committee has already shown how Vice President Mike Pence, who had been presiding over that session, was forced to flee to safety as the mob shouting Hang Mike Pence descended on the Capitol. Rioters came within 40 feet of where Pence was being sequestered. Extremist groups, including the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, are facing rare sedition charges for their roles in the Capitol siege. The committee is expected to wrap its work this summer and present a report of its findings in fall. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. WAHOO From May 23 through June 5, the Saunders County Sheriffs Office participated in a national safety campaign called Click It or Ticket. Overtime for the additional deputies was paid through grant funds provided by the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety. Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz reported that during this grant period, deputies issued 41 citations and 202 written warnings in Saunders County. Out of this total, two arrests were for DWI, two fugitives were apprehended and two citations were for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. In addition, there were numerous other vehicle and minor violations. It was quiet unusually quiet when Sonora Torquati arrived at work Friday morning. Her co-workers were in a funk and "acting weird," she said, which was out of the norm. "Then, about 20 minutes after open, I learned what happened," Torquati said. "Everyone was just kind of upset." On Friday, in a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, erasing the landmark precedent that provided women a right to an abortion. The holding by the court's conservative majority, written by Justice Samuel Alito, triggered abortion bans in 13 states across the country. Nebraska wasn't among them. In April, an attempt by the Legislature to put a ban in place if the 1973 decision was overturned failed to overcome a filibuster. Abortion remains legal, and accessible in the state for now, said Andi Curry Grubb, the state executive director for Planned Parenthood of Nebraska. "Today's decision did absolutely nothing to change that," Curry Grubb said in a Zoom call with reporters Friday afternoon. "Planned Parenthood and the CARE Clinic of Bellevue proudly offer abortion care and will continue to do so." While nothing has changed in Nebraska, Torquati and her niece, Marleigh Manrose, said news of the decision was a gut punch. "I was sitting in my living room and saw it on the news and shed a few tears when I found out," said Manrose, who was among people who gathered at the County-City Building on Friday evening during a protest organized by Planned Parenthood. "I felt like a part of my freedom was taken away today," she added. Protests took place across the country, including in Omaha, where an estimated 1,500 people gathered at Memorial Park. At the Lincoln protest, 300-400 people filled the sidewalks and spilled onto Lincoln Mall across 10th Street as they listened to a handful of speakers. Attendees waved signs, both printed and homemade, that expressed anger at the decision, the Supreme Court and Republican politicians, as well as support for other women. "I personally know people who have had abortions," Manrose said. "It's their body and their choice, and nobody else should have an opinion on it." Speakers at the event encouraged those in attendance to channel their anger and energy into direct action, both in upcoming elections, as well as if the Legislature convenes later this summer in an anticipated special session to enact an abortion ban in Nebraska. "With this decision, the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey and dismantled the federal constitutional protections for abortions that have existed for 50 years," said Scout Richters, reproductive rights counsel for the ACLU of Nebraska. Richters said the ruling "allows anti-abortion politicians across the country to force women and other people who can become pregnant into lives they did not envision." Earlier Friday, Ashlei Spivey, founder and director of I Be Black Girl, said Friday's decision will have a disproportionate impact on women of color and those living in rural areas. "If you want to force people to have pregnancies, we know the mortality rate for people of color is significantly higher," Spivey said. Colette Yellow Robe echoed Spivey during the rally, saying the Supreme Court's decision would have added negative consequences for Indigenous women and women of color. She called Friday's decision "a direct assault" on the sovereignty of women, and called on the protesters to push back on what she described as a calculated effort by abortion opponents. "This cowardice and the declaration of war against all women in this country requires our allies to put words into action," Yellow Robe said. "This is no longer just a woman's issue, this is a human rights issue." Erin Feichtinger, policy director at the Women's Fund of Omaha, called the decision "an unprecedented stripping away of a fundamental right that has existed for five decades." Any ban on abortion, which the Legislature is expected to consider, would also have "a devastating impact" on the economic well-being of women, as well as businesses and communities, she added. Instead, Feichtinger said lawmakers should consider bills to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work, are able to be safely housed and food-secure, and have paid family leave if and when they do choose to become parents. All of the speakers at Friday's virtual news conference said they are prepared to fight any proposed abortion ban that may go before the Legislature in the coming weeks. "We have been doing all the work we need to to prepare for every scenario we could face," Curry Grubb said. "We're going to do the exact same thing we did during the (legislative) session: remind Nebraskans this is now the values they stand for, remind state senators that they serve their constituents. "We're going to turn people out and we're going to defeat anything that they bring," she added. Others who support abortion rights also indicated the fight now moves to the state Capitol and other areas where policy is made. Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of Out Nebraska, called the decision an attack on "every person with a uterus," including those in the LGBTQ community. "We need to be organizing, we need to be getting to the polls," Swatsworth said during the rally. "It is only arm-in-arm, it is only hand-in-hand, it is only stepping up together that we can make a difference in this fight." Richters said recent polling shows a majority of Nebraskans oppose an abortion ban, which demonstrates there is momentum behind the effort to defeat any proposed legislation. "We continue to evaluate all of our options, including litigation, work in the Legislature, and at the ballot box, to use all of the tools we have to fight back against these bans and keep abortion legal," she said. Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS On June 25, 1972, the back then CAF Tora! Tora! Tora! demo team debuted for the first time at the Galveston Texas airshow at Scholes Field (KGLS). Sunday, December 7th, 1941 the sky was clear, the temperature mild, and a light sea breeze was blowing. Breakfast was on the tables in many homes, while activity was slowly commencing at military scattered around the islands. Suddenly, a formation of inbound aircraft arrived from the North and broke the quiet of that peaceful Hawaiian morning. Aboard one of these naval aircraft bearing the symbols of the Empire of Japan, Commander Fuchida Mitsuo transmitted the famous war cry Tora, Tora, Tora, to his leader back in the Imperial Japanese Fleet, Vice Admiral Chuiki Nagumo. Meaning Tiger, Tiger, Tiger in Japanese, the phrase indicated that Mitsuos airborne force had achieved a successful surprise attack. Those words would become the symbol for the outbreak of WWII in the Pacific. Even today, these three simple words remain associated with those tragic moments and are recalled and re-lived during the most important air displays held throughout America thanks to the participation of the TORA! TORA! TORA! display team. This is a group of civilian pilots who, with aircraft modified to resemble the Zeros, Vals, and Kates of the Japanese attacking force, participate each year in more than fifteen air displays across the USA. They attempt to reproduce an eighteen-minute spell of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and its surroundings. The Tora! Tora! Tora! air show originally began in 1972 following the release of the movie by the same name. The CAF has worked with U.S. and Japanese veterans to ensure an accurate and realistic portrayal of the events at Pearl Harbor. It is not intended to glorify war, but rather to help those born after World War II better understand that war does not discriminate in the pain it inflicts on people on both sides. The show has been continually improved over the past four decades and received some of the most prestigious awards bestowed on-air show performers, including the Art Scholl Award for Showmanship from the International Council of Air Shows. At a distance of nearly forty years from their first air display, TORA! TORA! TORA! is today a real event, the pride of every airshow which presents it, thanks to both its popularity and the successes achieved through professionalism, safety, and spectacle. For more information, visit www.toratoratora.com. WAVERLY -- Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 W. Bremer Ave., will host a farewell service with a pork loin lunch for Pastor Tom Barnard starting at 11:15 a.m. Sunday. Friends and community members are encouraged to attend. Pastor Kwang Song being appointed to serve at Trinity United Methodist Church. He was born and raised in Korea where he was a member of the Korean Methodist Church. He was ordained as a pastor in 1997. He has served as a pastor for a small rural church in South Korea, an associate pastor at Kwang-Lim Methodist Church in Seoul, a missionary in Moscow, Russia, and was director and pastor at the Kwang-Lim Moscow Mission Center. In 2021, he moved to Chicago to attend McCormick Theological Seminary. After graduation from McCormick, he was appointed to the Korean United Methodist church in Iowa City, and joined the Iowa Annual Conference in 2007 as a full elder. This will be his fifth appointment. He has been married to Yune Song for 31 years. They have two daughters. His pastrol induction service is at 9:30 a.m. July 3. His first official worship service will be on at 9:30 a.m. July 10. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CEDAR FALLS Local residents gathered in downtown Cedar Falls midday Friday to react to the United States Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. A few dozen demonstrators held signs and chanted to protest the decision, while soliciting support from passing motorists and pedestrians in the 200 block of Main Street. An occasional jeer led the demonstrators chants to grow in volume. This is the day that Roe fell. Reproductive rights are human rights, and this is going to affect every women in our country, said Stacy Glascock, one of the organizers. I told my kids today that they will know someone that this affects in a very horrible way, and thats really unfortunate. Everybodys entitled to bodily autonomy, and this is just another way to keep women suppressed and controlled, and its wrong. The signs had various messages, from Fight for your rights and Roe v. Wade saves lives to Stop the war on women and Smash the patriarchy. And the group had a variety of chants, from Whose choice? Our choice and Abortion is healthcare to They say no choice, we say pro-choice and abortion rights are human rights. Im here for people who cant be here today, said Aspyn Hinders, of Waterloo. Silence is compliance. Erika Thorne, of Minneapolis, was back in Cedar Falls for the 50th reunion of the Cedar Falls High School Class of 1972. Im really glad to see this. We protested the Vietnam War back when I was in school, but we didnt have the chance to do womens rights, she said. There wasnt a national movement at the time. Thank heavens there is now. A number of the demonstrators had gotten abortions, or knew of people who had gotten one. Melissa Gevaert of Waterloo had a friend who needed a dilation and curettage, the most common method of early abortion, or else her friends body would have rejected the fetus and could have killed her. Penny Popp of Cedar Falls had an abortion 40 years ago, and noted it was really important at my age to take advantage of the essential health care, and now Im here to stand with woman who will need it tomorrow. This decision relegates women back to second class citizens, she added. Julia Robinson of Des Moines also had an abortion as a young married woman, when it would have been dangerous for her to have a child because of pre-existing conditions and certain medications she was taking. This is not the governments business, she said. Chris Schwartz, a Black Hawk County supervisor, was among those present along Main Street. Im here to support the health care rights of women, trans and binary people across Iowa and the country, he said. We have been attacked by an extremely radical Supreme Court that is going against widely held American values. Glascock noted the energy was great, but needed people to vote. Please vote for people that support bodily autonomy. That supports our rights to take control of our bodies and our own healthcare, she said. Courier Staff Writer Jeff Reinitz contributed to this report Love 2 Funny 5 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WATERLOO The American Red Cross has been called to assist a Waterloo family whose home suffered smoke damage from a mattress fire early Saturday morning. Capt. Kevin Lee said firefighters were dispatched at 2:17 a.m. to 619 Linden Ave. and upon arrival saw smoke coming out the front door. Parking lots projects going forward at Waterloo Regional Airport WATERLOO Passengers at the Waterloo Regional Airport will see some changes after the City Five children and two adults were home at the time and had escaped safely, he said. According to Lee, the fire was isolated to the lower level. Crews got to it pretty quickly and put it out, but there was smoke damage throughout the home. The cause is still under investigation. Waterloo City Council makes housing regulations more renter friendly In the biggest change, councilors scrapped the crime-free lease addendum, which allowed landlords to evict tenants who committed a crime. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The enemy continues suffering considerable losses. High-precision attacks launched by Russian Aerospace Forces at Megateks zinc plant facilities in Konstantinovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) has resulted in the elimination of up to 80 Polish mercenaries, 20 armoured combat vehicles and 8 Grad multiple rocket-launching systems (MRLS). Over 300 Ukrainian servicemen and foreign mercenaries, as well as 35 units of equipment have been eliminated near Nikolayev. Refusals to fulfil assigned tasks continue to occur in Ukrainian army and territorial defence units. Personnel of 64th Battalion from 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade located in Lvov has refused to redeploy to operations area in Donbass due to being manned by untrained reservists and lack of heavy armament. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine. Operational-tactical and army aviation, missile troops and artillery have neutralised manpower and military equipment in 284 areas, 2 munitions, missiles and artillery armament depots near Volcheyarovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), as well as artillery and mortar units in 43 areas. Within counter-battery warfare towards Donetsk, high-precision attacks launched by Russian Aerospace Forces have neutralised: 8 Uragal MRLS artillery plattoons near Kurakhovo, Ukrainsk, Novosyolovka Vtoraya, Vozdvizhenka and 2 artillery plattoons near Ukrainsk and Yasnobrodovka that had been shelling Donetsk and other settlements of the Donetsk Peoples Republic. Attacks launched by aviation, missile troops and artillery have resulted in the elimination of over 780 nationalists, 8 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 3 Uragan MRLS combat vehicles, 10 field artillery cannons and mortars, 13 special vehicles. Russian air defence means have destroyed 21 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Popasnaya, Kapitanovo (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Andreyevka, Barvenkovo, Bolshiye Prokhody, Velikaya Kamyshevakha, Verbovka, Donetskoye, Dolgenkoye, Izyum, Maliye Prokhody, Malaya Kamyshevakha, Olkhovatka, Chervoniy Shakhtyor (Kharkov region), Pyatikhatka (Dnepropetrovsk region), Bobroviy Kut, Malaya Seideminukha, Molodyozhnoye (Kherson region) and near Snake Island. 1 Tochka-U ballistic missile has been intercepted near Molodyozhnoye (Kherson region) and 16 MRLS projectiles near Brazhkovka, Glinskoye, Dolgenkoye (Kharkov region), Avdeyevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and near Snake Island. In total, 213 airplanes and 132 helicopters, 1,355 unmanned aerial vehicles, 350 anti-aircraft missile systems, 3,797 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 670 combat vehicles equipped with multiple rocket-launching systems, 3,012 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 3,848 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. #MoD #Russia #Ukraine @mod_russia_Enjoy WtR The meetings topic is Foster High-Quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development. President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, President of the Peoples Republic of China Xi Jinping, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa are also taking part in the meeting. The Beijing Declaration of the 14th BRICS Summit formalises the key agreements of the meeting. * * * Speech by the President of the Russian Federation at the BRICS Summit President of Russia Vladimir Putin: President Xi Jinping, President Ramaphosa, President Bolsonaro, Prime Minister Modi, ladies and gentlemen, To begin with, I would like to join the previous speakers in thanking President of the Peoples Republic of China Xi Jinping and all our Chinese friends for their proactive efforts this year to promote our strategic partnership within BRICS. The countries that form this group have been seeking to step up their cooperation on all global and regional matters. The BRICS format has been consistently increasing its prestige and international influence. This is an objective process, since the five BRICS countries, as we all know, have immense political, economic, scientific, technical and human potential. We have everything we need to work together and achieve results for ensuring global stability and security, sustained growth and prosperity, and better well-being for our people. I believe that the topic of todays meeting, Foster High-Quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development, is very relevant. Considering the complexity of the challenges and threats the international community is facing, and the fact that they transcend borders, we need to come up with collective solutions. BRICS can make a meaningful contribution to these efforts. We have repeatedly said that challenges like conflict settlement, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, including the criminal use of new technologies, climate change, and the spread of dangerous infections, can only be addressed through joint efforts. And, of course, it is only on the basis of honest and mutually beneficial cooperation that we can look for ways out of the critical situation that has emerged in the world economy because of the ill-conceived and selfish actions of certain states, which, by using financial mechanisms, are actually shifting their own macroeconomic policy mistakes onto the rest of the world. We are confident that today, as never before, the world needs the BRICS countries leadership in defining a unifying and positive course for forming a truly multipolar system of interstate relations based on the universal norms of international law and the key principles of the UN Charter. In this context, we can count on support from many states in Asia, Africa and Latin America, which are seeking to pursue an independent policy. I am sure that by tradition the present BRICS Summit will be substantive and effective, and that we will manage to hold a frank and detailed exchange of views on all the most important global and regional issues and various aspects of strategic partnership, including in the extended dialogue format of BRICS+. Let me stress: Russia is ready to continue promoting close and versatile interaction with all BRICS partners and contributing to the groups greater role in international affairs. Thank you for your attention. See also http://en.kremlin.ru/supplement/5819 See also http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/68696 WtR Sweetpea and her son went to the new fast food in Russia. It simply is the same as the old and when I asked Sveta what she had? As 90% of the time she ever went to McDs she said, Fish Fillet! Except now it is called Fish Sandwich and she said it tasted exactly the same as before. Then when I asked about the name of the place? That is when I get the same from my Sweetpea as everyone who sees the name? The working name for the new brand has been announced as Vkusno & Tochka Vkusno translates to Tasty and from there I get twenty answers for the next part Tochka translates as the period at the end of the sentence you just wrote (.) dot, point, period, full stop, full point So after talking to my Russian Expert, SweetPea? I get nowhere farther and she just says Tasty and that is it! So I decided to correct this Whatchamacallit issue The old McDonalds is gone and Vkusno & Tochka is now the new name. So Tasty and blah blah does not work for me. nor as a business name. The name as with so much in Russia is backwards and that is that. It is Russia you know? What they are saying is that the new McDonalds called Vkusno & Tochka is Just a Tasty Place to Eat! and that is it period! That should become for being easy to react on the great billboard of life type advertisement, Just Tasty Which easily means that our food is just tasty and delicious, Yummy! Thus, it seems to be being called more often than not, Tasty Period and I guess that works, except that means it is, Just Tasty! It is also called Delicious period, Delicious Dot, Tasty Dot and oh well. That is the key right there. Tasty is okay, but delicious is grand! Tasty is not a word to intermingle with delicious. Delicious is connotative to a much higher level of yummy, than just being tasty. You would not tell mamma her food is just tasty! Mammas food is delicious! My business senses scream when I machine translate and that is exactly what a billion Indians and Chinese will do as they travel to Russia for holidays. Many times it says, Tasty and Dot. Excuse me? I just wanna eat and not have to decipher what kind of food this place is gonna feed me? Is is delicious? Is it good? Why do I have to eat DOTS? The name bothers me from a rational promotional point of view and if I question the name, then there is something wrong with the presentation of the name. I ran corporate food service for years and years and I have owned several very successful restaurants. I do know what I am talking about, even if you dont care about what I am talking about From a Russian perspective? Since Russians are such a introvert society, it all works and they just go with the flow. Though they could have put a punch into the name as it is spoken Tasty Period should be Just Tasty and that does not work as it should. Just Tasty is still not expressive enough for a business. Then I woke this morning and decided to give my two cents worth on this subject. Sorry but the name irritates me. Thus I, whom no one cares to ask, have settled on what they did wrong? Prosto Vkusno ( ) or my finale say in English Simply Delicious and or Just Delicious the beginning is acceptable to have variants, the ending has to be delicious. What ever food they serve is delicious. Not just tasty, not just good, not just food, not just okay, but delicious! That is a solid name for the new fast food in Russia. It brings forth the desire to eat and evokes the good feelings of wholesome foods! It also does not have a mile long list of variations to confuse the peasants. It simply is what it reads as, Prosto Vkusno says, Simply Delicious and the Chinese translating it, get the ideal that the food within is tasty, delicious, yummy and simple and basic. Just what someone traveling needs to understand Instead we have Tasty Whatchamacallit, because everyone has a different ending for the name! And my Sweetpea went to try Vkusno & Tochka and munched! How did it taste?, I asked Like McDonalds, she said WtR Weather Alert ...LAKE WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected. * WHERE...Washoe Lake. * WHEN...From 1 PM this afternoon to 9 PM PDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Check lake conditions before heading out and be prepared for a sudden increase in winds and wave heights. Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind. && Weather Alert ...LAKE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds around 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph expected. * WHERE...Washoe. * WHEN...From 2 PM to 8 PM PDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Check lake conditions before heading out and be prepared for a sudden increase in winds and wave heights. Consider postponing boating activities on the lake until a day with less wind. && Two leak detection companies arrived in the northern New Mexico village of Chama this week to assess a water system failure which has left businesses and more than 1,000 residents without consistent water. Taps in Chama ran dry on June 20, after what village officials think was a break in the main water line that started 10 days earlier. Water service has been sporadic since then. Matthew Gallegos, Chamas mayor pro tem, said that recent rainfall has complicated the situation. You get more mud, dirt and solids in the water that we have to deal with, Gallegos said. In years past we were able to deal with that because we had storage in the tank. We had a safety net. A leaky system interferes with the process of treating water from the Rio Chama. We couldnt make water fast enough to deal with leaks and consumption, Gallegos said. One leak detection company is surveying the system on the ground. Another did aerial flyovers on Friday. Rio Arriba County issued a disaster declaration this week because of the Chama water crisis. The county also requested Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham followed with an executive order on Thursday declaring a state of emergency. The order directs $450,000 to the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. This disaster is of such magnitude as to be beyond local control, the order reads, and the community needs more help. State money can fund housing, health care, food and transportation until the situation becomes stabilized. The village has $800,000 in capital outlay funds for water system improvements. About $130,000 of that money is funding the aerial surveillance work, according to the state Environment Department. KCSI Aerial Patrol, which typically works to stop large leaks in the oil field, is flying over 8,000 acres in Chama. The company is using thermal imagery, satellite data and the flyovers to pinpoint changes in topography or moisture that the leak may have caused. Local and state agencies are delivering emergency water supplies to the village. Some hotels and restaurants have partially reopened. The capital outlay money may also help the village find a long-term fix to its aging water infrastructure. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal State officials launched a criminal investigation into an Albuquerque beauty salon owner after two former clients were diagnosed with HIV in 2018 and 2019. On Friday, the former salon owner pleaded guilty to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license and faces up to 7 years in prison. A prosecutor said Friday that Maria de Lordes Ramos de Ruiz, 61, offered a procedure called vampire facials to both clients in 2017 and 2018. The procedure involves injecting blood into the face. She also offered three other procedures limited to the practice of licensed physicians, said Zach Jones, senior criminal counsel for the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office. Ramos de Ruiz is not a licensed physician, he said. State Department of Health officials who inspected the now-shuttered VIP Beauty Salon and Spa in 2018 said they found unwrapped needles and unlabeled tubes of blood in the business. They also found fake certificates for Botox and vampire facial training hanging on the walls. Jones said the procedure called vampire facials is known in medical practice as platelet-rich plasma injections. The procedure involves injecting a concentrated form of the clients own blood into the skin. Ramos de Ruiz also performed three other procedures limited to the practice by a licensed physician on one or both of the victims, Jones said. Before accepting the plea on Friday, 2nd Judicial District Judge Lucy Solimon said she could sentence Ramos de Ruiz to up to 7 years in prison under the plea agreement. No sentencing hearing has been scheduled. The plea deal also requires Ramos de Ruiz to pay restitution to both victims in amounts to be determined in separate hearings, Solimon said. The Department of Health learned in August 2018 that a person with no apparent risk factors for HIV had contracted the blood-borne illness after getting a vampire facial at the salon. In February 2019, the Department of Health identified a second person who contracted HIV after getting four treatments from Ramos de Ruiz. Both people had the same strain of the HIV virus, the agency said. Both told investigators they believed Ramos de Ruiz was qualified to perform the treatments due to the training certificates she displayed in the salon. Physicians use platelet-rich plasma injections to treat a range of musculoskeletal injuries, according to Johns Hopkins Medicines website. Jones said other procedures Ramos de Ruiz practiced were Botox injections, cryolipolysis or cool sculpting, and a fourth called stem-cell therapy, which apparently didnt use real stem cells. Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal The Archdiocese of Santa Fes most iconic building will be mortgaged to help cover settlements to clergy sexual abuse victims, Archbishop John C. Wester said in a recent letter to parishes. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, known as the mother church of the archdiocese, and any other properties that are mortgaged will not be lost because parishes will chip in to cover the payments on the debt, Wester said in his June 17 letter. Parishes will collectively need to borrow up to $12 million to cover the gap in the archdioceses $75 million share of the bankruptcy settlement, according to the letter. The archdiocese is asking each parish to take on a portion of that debt. I am pleased to see the broad support that we have from our priests for working together to bring the bankruptcy proceedings to an end, compensate victims, allow us to move forward as a church, and to build anew, Wester wrote in the letter. Representatives for clergy sex abuse survivors and the archdiocese announced in mid-May that theyd agreed to a $121.5 million fund to compensate hundreds of people who say they suffered childhood sexual abuse by priests and other clergy dating back to the 1990s. Wester said the archdiocese is working to secure financing from two Catholic lenders the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Notre Dame Federal Credit Union. The archdiocese must pay $65 million by the end of September, and the remaining $10 million by the end of next March. The archdiocese did not respond to requests for comment late Friday afternoon. Editors note: An earlier version of this story included incorrect amounts for how much each parish would have to pay toward the archdioceses debt. The story has been updated. GAYAN, Afghanistan Afghanistans deadly earthquake this week struck one of the poorest corners of a country that has been hollowed out by increasing poverty. Even as more aid arrived Saturday, many residents have no idea how they will rebuild the thousands of homes destroyed in villages strung through the mountains. The quake, which state media says killed at least 1,150 people, hit hardest in a region of high mountains where Paktika and Khost provinces meet by the Pakistani border. There is little fertile land, so residents eke out what they can while largely relying on money sent by relatives who have migrated to Pakistan, Iran or further abroad for jobs. Every one of the nearly two dozen homes in one village, Miradin, were reduced to rubble by Wednesdays quake. In the rainy nights since, its several hundred residents have been sleeping in nearby woods and had still not received the aid that was slowly making its way into quake-hit areas. Miradin residents told the Associated Press they worried whether theyd be able to rebuild before the harsh winter hits, in only a few months. Summer is short in the mountains, nights are already chilly. Its a fear felt across the quake-hit region, where nearly 3,000 homes are believed to have been destroyed. The U.N.s humanitarian coordinating organization OCHA said it had reports of 700-800 families in the area still living out in the open. We are facing many problems. We need all kind of support, and we request the international community and Afghans who can help to come forward and help us, said Dawlat Khan, a resident of Paktikas Gayan District. Five members of his family were injured when his house collapsed. Among the dead from Wednesdays magnitude 6 quake are 121 children and that figure is expected to climb, said the U.N. childrens agency representative in Afghanistan. He said close to 70 children were injured. An aftershock Friday took five more lives. The total toll of 1,150 dead and at least 1,600 injured was reported by the Afghan state news agency Bakhtar. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has put the death toll at 770 people. Either toll would make the quake Afghanistans deadliest in two decades. More aid was piling in on Saturday. At Urgan, the main city in Paktika province, U.N. World Health Organization medical supplies were unloaded at the main hospital. In quake-hit villages, UNICEF delivered blankets, basic supplies and tarps for the homeless to use as tents. In the district of Spera in Khost province on Saturday, UNICEF distributed water purification tablets along with soap and other hygiene materials. Aid groups said they feared cholera could break out after damage to water and hygiene systems. New cargo flights of aid supplies arrived in Afghanistan from Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, officials said. Pakistans government and a Pakistani charity had already sent 13 trucks carrying food, tents, life-saving medicine and other essential items, and Pakistan has opened some border crossings for injured to be brought in for treatment. Overstretched aid agencies said the disaster underscored the need for the international community to rethink its financial cut-off of Afghanistan since Taliban insurgents seized the country 10 months ago. That policy, halting billions in development aid and freezing vital reserves, has helped push the economy into collapse and plunge Afghanistan deeper into humanitarian crises and near famine. The effort to help the victims has been slowed both by geography and by Afghanistans decimated condition. Rutted roads through the mountains, already slow to drive on, were made worse by quake damage and rain. The International Red Cross has five health facilities in the region, but damage to the roads made it difficult for those in the worse-hit areas to reach them, said Lucien Christen, ICRC spokesman in Afghanistan. Aid groups said that while they are rushing to help the quake victims, keeping Afghanistan just above catastrophe through humanitarian programs is not sustainable. We are basically letting 25 million Afghan people to starve, to die, not to be able to earn their own living if we keep on with this financial blockade, said Rossella Miccio, president of the aid organization Emergency that operates a network of healthcare facilities and surgical centers across Afghanistan. Afghanistans economy had been reliant on international donor support even before the Taliban takeover last August as the U.S. and its NATO allies were withdrawing their forces, ending a 20-year war. World governments halted billions in development aid and froze billions more in Afghanistans currency reserves, refusing to recognize the Taliban government and demanding they allow a more inclusive rule and respect human rights. The former insurgents have resisted the pressure, imposing restrictions on the freedoms of women and girls that recall their first time in power in the late 1990s. The cut-off yanked the props out from under the economy. Now nearly half the population of 38 million cannot meet their basic food needs because of poverty. Most civil servants, including doctors, nurses and teachers, have not been paid for months, and salaries remain sporadic. U.N. agencies and other remaining organizations have kept Afghanistan away from the brink of starvation with a humanitarian program that has fed millions and kept the medical system alive. But with international donors lagging, U.N. agencies face a $3 billion funding shortfall this year. ___ Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed and Rahim Faiez contributed to this report. KYIV, Ukraine Russian forces were seeking to swallow up the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the eastern Luhansk region, pressing their momentum after taking full control Saturday of the charred ruins of Sievierodonetsk and the chemical plant where hundreds of Ukrainian troops and civilians had been holed up. Russia also launched dozens of missiles on several areas across the country far from the heart of the eastern battles. Some of the missiles were fired from Russian long-range Tu-22 bombers deployed from Belarus for the first time, Ukraines air command said. The bombardment preceded a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, during which Putin announced that Russia planned to supply Belarus with the Iskander-M missile system. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said late Saturday that Russian and Moscow-backed separatist forces now control Sievierodonetsk and the villages surrounding it. He said the attempt by Ukrainian forces to turn the Azot plant into a stubborn center of resistance had been thwarted. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk province, said Friday that Ukrainian troops were retreating from Sievierodonetsk after weeks of bombardment and house-to-house fighting. He confirmed Saturday that the city had fallen to Russian and separatist fighters, who he said were now trying to blockade Lysychansk from the south. The city lies across the river just to the west of Sievierodonetsk. Capturing Lysychansk would give Russian forces control of every major settlement in the province, a significant step toward Russias aim of capturing the entire Donbas. The Russians and separatists control about half of Donetsk, the second province in the Donbas. Russias Interfax news agency quoted a spokesman for the separatist forces, Andrei Marochko, as saying Russian troops and separatist fighters had entered Lysychansk and that fighting was taking place in the heart of the city. There was no immediate comment on the claim from the Ukrainian side. Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk have been the focal point of a Russian offensive aimed at capturing all of the Donbas and destroying the Ukrainian military defending it the most capable and battle-hardened segment of the countrys armed forces. Russian bombardment has reduced most of Sievierodonetsk to rubble and cut its population from 100,000 to 10,000. The last remaining Ukrainian troops were holed up in underground shelters in the huge Azot chemical plant, along with hundreds of civilians. A separatist representative, Ivan Filiponenko, said earlier Saturday that its forces evacuated 800 civilians from the plant during the night, Interfax reported. Ukrainian military analyst Oleg Zhdanov said some of the troops were heading for Lysychansk. But Russian moves to cut off Lysychansk will give those retreating troops little respite. Some 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) to the west, four Russian cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea hit a military object in Yaroviv, Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said. He did not give further details of the target, but Yaroviv has a sizable military base used for training fighters, including foreigners who have volunteered to fight for Ukraine. Russian missiles struck the Yaroviv base in March, killing 35 people. The Lviv region, although far from the front lines, has come under fire at various points in the the war as Russias military worked to destroy fuel storage sites. About 30 Russian missiles were fired on the Zhytomyr region in central Ukraine on Saturday morning, killing one Ukrainian soldier, regional governor Vitaliy Buchenko said. He said all of the strikes were aimed at military targets. In the northwest, two missiles hit a service station and auto repair center in Sarny, killing three people and wounding four, the Rivne regional governor, Vitaliy Koval, said. He posted a picture of the destruction. Sarny is located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the border with Belarus. In southern Ukraine along the Black Sea coast, nine missiles fired from Crimea hit the port city of Mykolaiv, the Ukrainian military said. In the north, about 20 missiles were fired from Belarus into the Chernihiv region, the Ukrainian military said. Ukraines military intelligence agency said the Russian bombers use of Belarusian airspace for the first time for Saturdays attack was directly connected to attempts by the Kremlin to drag Belarus into the war. Belarus hosts Russian military units and was used as a staging ground before Russia invaded Ukraine, but its own troops have not crossed the border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address that as a war that Moscow expected to last five days moved into its fifth month, Russia felt compelled to stage such a missile show. He said the war was at a difficult stage, when we know that the enemy will not succeed, when we understand that we can defend our country, but we dont know how long it will take, how many more attacks, losses and efforts there will be before we can see that victory is already on our horizon. During his meeting in St. Petersburg with Lukashenko, Putin told him the Iskander-M missile systems would be arriving in the coming months. He noted that they can fire either ballistic or cruise missiles and carry nuclear as well as conventional warheads. Russia has launched several Iskander missiles into Ukraine during the war. Following a botched attempt to capture Kyiv, Ukraines capital, in the early stage of the invasion that started Feb. 24, Russian forces have shifted their focus to the Donbas, where the Ukrainian forces have fought Moscow-backed separatists since 2014. A senior U.S. defense official, speaking in Washington on condition of anonymity, on Friday called the Ukrainians withdrawal from Sievierodonetsk a tactical retrograde to consolidate forces into positions where they can better defend themselves. The move will reinforce Ukraines efforts to keep Russian forces pinned down in a small area, the official said. After repeated Ukrainian requests to its Western allies for heavier weaponry to counter Russias edge in firepower, four medium-range American rocket launchers arrived this week, with four more on the way. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry released a video Saturday showing the first use of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, in Ukraine. The video gave no location or indication of the targets. The rockets can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometers). The senior U.S. defense official said Friday that more Ukrainian forces are training outside Ukraine to use the HIMARS and are expected back in their country with the weapons by mid-July. Also to be sent are 18 U.S. coastal and river patrol boats. The official said there is no evidence Russia has intercepted any of the steady flow of weapons into Ukraine from the U.S. and other nations. Russia has repeatedly threatened to strike, or actually claimed to have hit, such shipments. ___ Follow APs coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine WASHINGTON President Joe Biden on Saturday signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise that seemed unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school. Time is of the essence. Lives will be saved, he said in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Citing the families of shooting victims he has met, the president said, Their message to us was, Do something. How many times did we hear that? Just do something. For Gods sake, just do something. Today we did. The House gave final approval Friday, following Senate passage Thursday, and Biden acted just before leaving Washington for two summits in Europe. Today we say, More than enough,' Biden said. Its time, when it seems impossible to get anything done in Washington, we are doing something consequential. The legislation will toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders and help states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged to be dangerous. The president called it a historic achievement. Most of its $13 billion cost will help bolster mental health programs and aid schools, which have been targeted in Newtown, Connecticut, and Parkland, Florida, and elsewhere in mass shootings. Biden said the compromise hammered out by a bipartisan group of senators from both parties doesnt do everything I want but it does include actions Ive long called for that are going to save lives. I know theres much more work to do, and Im never going to give up, but this is a monumental day, said the president, who was joined by his wife, Jill, a teacher, for the signing. After sitting to sign the bill, Biden sat reflectively for a moment, then murmured, God willing, this is gonna save a lot of lives. He also said they will host an event on July 11 for lawmakers and families affected by gun violence. The president spoke of families who lost their souls to an epidemic of gun violence. They lost their child, their husband, their wife. Nothing is going to fill that void in their hearts. But they led the way so other families will not have the experience and the pain and trauma that they had to live through. Biden signed the measure two days after the Supreme Courts ruling Thursday striking down a New York law that restricted peoples ability to carry concealed weapons. And Saturdays ceremony came less than 24 hours after the high court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which had legalized abortion nationwide for nearly five decades. Yesterday, I spoke about the Supreme Courts shocking decision striking down Roe v. Wade, Biden said. Jill and I know how painful and devastating the decision is for so many Americans. I mean so many Americans. He noted that the abortion ruling leaves enforcement up to the states, some of which have already moved to ban abortion or will soon do so. Biden said his administration will focus on how they administer it and whether or not they violate other laws, like deciding to not allow people to cross state lines to get health services. Asked by reporters about whether the Supreme Court was broken, Biden said, I think the Supreme Court has made some terrible decisions. He walked away without answering more questions, noting, I have a helicopter waiting for me to take off. While the new gun law does not include tougher restrictions long championed by Democrats, such as a ban on assault-style weapons and background checks for all firearm transactions, it is the most impactful gun violence measure produced by Congress since enactment a long-expired assault weapons ban in 1993. Enough congressional Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the steps after recent rampages in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas. It took weeks of closed-door talks but senators emerged with a compromise. Biden signed the bill just before departing Washington for a summit of the Group of Seven leading economic powers the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan in Germany. He will travel later to Spain for a NATO meeting. Nusenda CEO Joe Christian at the companys headquarters in Albuquerque. The credit union ranked No. 1 in the large company category for the Journal's 2022 Top Workplaces program. (Chancey Bush/Journal) Employees at Nusenda Credit Union. The credit union ranked No. 1 in the large company category for the Journal's 2022 Top Workplaces program. (Chancey Bush/Journal) Nusenda Credit Union ranked No. 1 in the large company category for the Journal's 2022 Top Workplaces program. (Chancey Bush/Journal) Offices at Nusenda Credit Union's Albuquerque headquarters. The credit union ranked No. 1 in the large company category for the Journal's 2022 Top Workplaces program. (Chancey Bush/Journal) Nusenda CEO Joe Christian at the companys headquarters in Albuquerque. The credit union ranked No. 1 in the large company category for the Journal's 2022 Top Workplaces program. (Chancey Bush/Journal) Prev 1 of 5 Next Employees at Nusenda Credit Union say they feel they are making a difference in the lives of members. The company, founded in 1936 as a cooperative, employs about 700 people including at 23 locations across the state. This is the 10th consecutive year Nusenda has made the list for Top Workplaces and second year in a row the company placed first in the large workplace category. I enjoy working hard and contributing to the betterment of our members lives, one employee wrote. Said another employee: I am valued for what I bring to Nusenda and am compensated fairly for my education and experience. I have the flexibility to have an excellent work/life balance. Nusenda CEO Joe Christian, who has led the organization since 2019 and been with the company for more than 35 years, said it has been Nusendas mission especially in the last three years to create a work environment for its employees that is caring and that provides the tools for success. He calls it a foundational element to everything Nusenda does and that the care for employees of the company translates to caring for members of the credit union. Its kind of like this ecosystem of focusing on improving opportunities for all of New Mexico, he said, but also our members and our employees. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Christian, whose comments have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. The economy has been challenging lately. Prices have been rising on a bunch of different ends. How has the economy changed how Nusenda operates? It was obvious to us that we needed to raise our starting wage, which is now $18 per hour. And, you know, most employees are compensated much better than that. But what we had to do was sit back and look at the, I would say that baseline salary and benefits that our employees were receiving. The other thing we did is we instituted an employee hardship grant program, which is a program that we have internally that we use to help families have access to resources in the event of an emergency or some kind of a crisis. New Mexico isnt just experiencing the pandemic. Think of the wildfires and think of the impact on people in the state, and some of our employees. It could be a health event for an employee or a spouse. So, weve tried to find ways that we could kind of have a meaningful impact on our employees lives. And if youre going to say you want to be treated like family and you want to treat each other like family you try to help each other in various ways to ensure that everyones thriving to the best of their ability. What things have changed about Nusenda in the last year? Well, what I would say is that its almost as though the future what we saw happening five years in the future, happened a little shorter term. Weve kind of escalated the idea of leveraging technology, so employees can work remotely. We were experimenting with telepresence technology what people use in terms of Zoom; we use WebEx or Teams. We had some of that framework in place. And we were, you know, thinking well, three to five years down the road employees can work from anywhere, so on and so forth. Well, we escalated all that. The world is still trying to figure this out. But what we realized is that our employees prefer a hybrid work experience. And our employees have demonstrated that they can perform at a very high level, no matter where theyre actually physically sitting. What sets you apart from other credit unions in the state? I think what sets us apart is a focus on our employees and a focus on the communities where we serve. Mackenzie Bishop, right, points to building plans during a staff meeting at Abrazo Homes office in northwest Albuquerque about an upcoming condominium. The firm ranked No. 1 in the small company category for the Journal's 2022 Top Workplaces program. (Chancey Bush/Journal) Brian McCarthy, center left, and Mackenzie Bishop, center right, co-owners of Abrazo Homes, hold a staff meeting at their office in northwest Albuquerque on June 16. The firm ranked No. 1 in the small company category for the Journal's 2022 Top Workplaces program. (Chancey Bush/Journal) Abrazo Homes' Albuquerque offices. The firm ranked No. 1 in the small company category for the Journal's 2022 Top Workplaces program. (Chancey Bush/Journal) Mackenzie Bishop, left, and Brian McCarthy, right, are co-owners of Abrazo Homes. The firm ranked No. 1 in the small company category for the Journal's 2022 Top Workplaces program. (Chancey Bush/Journal) Prev 1 of 4 Next Abrazo Homes may be a newer homebuilder for the New Mexico community, but the companys employees say it has already established a great team environment that makes them feel valued. The Albuquerque-based firm placed first in the small category for the Journals list of Top Workplaces. This is the third consecutive year the company has placed in Top Workplaces and the second time they have placed first. I have been able to grow at Abrazo, said one employee, according to surveys conducted by research firm Energage. They are my family and I am grateful to work for such an amazing company. I get to be a part of creating neighborhoods, not just homes, where childhood memories will be made, where families will gather for important life events, and where adults will someday return to show their own children where they grew up! said another employee. Co-owner and co-founder Mackenzie Bishop calls Abrazo Homes a networking company, adding that they bring together a list of partners customers, lenders, subcontractors to build homes and communities they are proud of. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Bishop, whose comments have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. What has Abrazo homes been up to in the past year? I mean, housing has been really, really hot insatiably hot. People cant find a house right now. Sales have not been the bigger challenge, though that is going to change here pretty dramatically; it already is changing with rates going where they are. But its been an operational challenge. One of the things weve really been focused on is going after and putting resources and attention behind the constrained supply in our business. So, whether that be land, lots, appliances, lumber, skilled labor all the different aspects that have been so constrained over the past 18 months. Thats been a really big focus for our organization. Its also been a really big drain on our organization. Sometimes, our people feel as if theyre banging their head against the wall on a daily basis. And so, you know, one of the things thats really been a focus for us in terms of keeping our employees even as theyre incredibly frustrated and, you know, bordering on burnout in certain circumstances is how do we keep those people engaged, keep it light, make them feel appreciated, and keep them coming back? Because our team is how we accomplish all of the things we want to accomplish. How have you overcome some of those challenges? All workplaces have been going through some massive changes and experiments over the past two years. So, the reentry to work environment people are doing that in different ways. Elon Musk is dealing with it one way, certain companies are dealing with it in other ways. Short of requiring people to come to work because we have a very physical business, you know, we need to be on site for the most part, but we do have folks who can work remotely or flexibly. So, weve really tried to not over-legislate those things and give people the flexibility they need because childcare is an issue, and the world is different. So, we have to be realistic with and support people through that, but also accomplish the things that we want to accomplish. Blue Door Patisserie baker Brandan Ruiz, left, and sous-chef Alyssa Saldana make chocolate croissants June 12 at the Downtown bakery. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal) Jove Hubbard, owner of Blue Door Patisserie, stands in front of a selection of pastries at his new storefront location. The bakery now sells goods out of the shop at 900 Park SW, its original location at Sawmill Market and at the Downtown Growers Market on Saturdays. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal) Jove Hubbard, owner of Blue Door Patisserie, takes baguettes and loafs of bread from the oven at his Downtown bakery on June 12. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal) Prev 1 of 3 Next For the past two years, the pastries of Blue Door Patisserie could be found displayed inside glass cases at Albuquerques Sawmill Market near Old Town. But now, customers have another spot to pick up a croissant or a loaf of bread with the opening of the bakerys new 1,200-square-foot storefront location at 900 Park SW in Downtown Albuquerque. Blue Door Patisserie specializes in traditional pastries like croissants and croissant tarts, breads, cookies, doughnuts, jams and other sweet and savory selections. The new Downtown location opened in early June. Owner Jove Hubbard, who spent much of his career working for hotels in Chicago and New Orleans, said he was drawn to pastry while in culinary school due to the precision of the craft. I was always just drawn to the beauty of pastry, he said. Its less of a utility. Its something that brings people pleasure and makes them happy. Hubbard said he has never owned his own business before, and the opening of Blue Door Patisserie just worked out since Sawmill Market was looking for a bakery around the time of his relocation to Albuquerque. Since opening in July of 2020, Hubbard said the bakery has found a home in Albuquerque, with demand increasing so quickly that Blue Door Patisserie soon outgrew the production space at Sawmill Market which prompted the move to the Downtown. We have been so happy with the reception from the people that weve got here and Burquenos love their pastry, he said. They love the bakery and they love supporting small businesses, so its just been a pleasure to open here. Hubbard said the bakery has actually been baking in the Downtown location for nearly a year even though it only recently opened its doors to customers at that location. Blue Door Patisseries Downtown location is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The bakery also sells at the Downtown Growers Market from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information, visit bluedoornm.com. Fidelity Investments is the No. 2 large company in Top Workplaces for 2022. Description: Fidelity Investments was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Fidelity Investments is one of the countrys most diversified financial services firms with $7.8 trillion in assets and 30 million investors. It consists of 40,000 U.S. employees, and 1,147 employees in New Mexico across two branches. This is the sixth year Fidelity Investments has made the Top Workplaces list. From the organization: As a private, purpose-driven company, its our associates who fuel our passion for customers, and in turn, were obsessed with the associate experience to support the total lives of associates so they can thrive in and out of work. That obsession includes the constant pursuit of uncovering and reacting to whats on the hearts and minds of our employees. From the employees: I feel like I work for a company that cares about its employees as much as it does its customers, an employee said. I am free to do the work that is important to me and my team, while being guided instead of micromanaged, another employee said. My leaders trust that I can do the job, and they are there for support and direction. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Fidelity Investments Vice President of Governmental Relations and regional co-site leader Leean Kravitz, whose comments have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. How has your organizations culture helped you succeed during the past year? There has been a real focus last year, and really since the start of the pandemic, on making sure that our employees have a work-life balance. In the past year, that means being really thoughtful about how we reenter the workplace, so were still in a hybrid environment right now. Then, once people are in the building, weve been really focused on making sure the work environment is not only safe, but also comfortable and inviting, and, frankly, enticing. Theres a lot of flexibility in when people come back to the office and, as of right now, its still all voluntary. But, once they do decide to come back, there are lots of incentives, such as free meals when theyre there on site. Weve also introduced a hospitality service where (employees) can pick up whatever they need that they might have forgotten for the day. Weve also enhanced some of our caretaker benefits. So there are some additional benefits and services available to fill in those gaps as we start heading back. As an employer, how has your concept of supporting the work-life balance of your staff changed since the beginning of the pandemic? Weve realized that there are ways for people to be really productive from wherever they are. I dont think that our productivity has been really impacted based on the location of where the work is happening. Its been an interesting realization that the jobs dont have to be where they were historically. So, the jobs are going where the talent is, rather than the talent following the jobs. For Albuquerque, it has been a huge benefit, weve been able to bring all these different types of jobs here that didnt exist before the pandemic. What is the top thing your organization has done to retain its talent? A lot of it goes back to the culture of the firm. We always put our customers first, of course, but our associates are also a huge priority for us, and people really feel that. I try my best to connect with every new hire class that we have and I always ask them what their first impressions of joining the firm have been. And it is overwhelming the number of new associates who talk about how supported they feel and how accommodating the firm has been to them learning their jobs. I think that that creates this huge connection between the associates and the company, as far as feeling supported. Amy Biehl High School staff members during a visit from Pop Fizz for Teacher Appreciation Week in May. (Courtesy of Amy Biehl High School) Aldis Philipbar, development director at Amy Biehl High School. (Courtesy of Amy Biehl High School) Prev 1 of 2 Next Amy Biehl High School is the No. 2 small employer in Top Workplaces for 2022. Description: Amy Biehl High School is a tuition-free school, founded in 1999, that aims to help students graduate as civic-minded, college-bound and career ready scholars. The school places a great emphasis on community service, and to date it has donated roughly 150,000 hours of service. The school has 44 staff members. This is its fourth year on the Top Workplaces list. From the organization: Amy Biehl High Schools unique curriculum focuses on service, college and career preparation, and restorative justice. By studying turning points in history from multiple perspectives and emphasizing depth over breadth students learn to be upstanders in their community. An upstander is someone who recognizes when something is wrong and acts to make it right. Students build upon this idea of being an upstander by volunteering in their community. Students in grades 9th-11th participate in monthly service learning activities and seniors complete a 100-hour service learning project with a local organization as graduation requirement. From the employees: One employee said, Amy Biehl focuses on meeting students needs socially and emotionally, in addition to academically. It is a wonderful place to foster growth in students and a wonderful place to work. Another said, I have enough autonomy and support in my work to feel like I am making a real difference with each student. I know everyone I work with has the best interests of our students in mind, and our active collaboration keeps us all very well supported and constantly growing in our craft. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Amy Biehl High School Development Director Aldis Philipbar, whose comments have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. What pandemic era workplace changes do you guys plan to keep at the school? I think Zoom has been a big one. We already were a digital one-to-one school, so all of our students received computers, which was really helpful when we had to transition to online learning, but weve been looking a lot at digital equity since the pandemic. Because even though our kids had computers a lot of them didnt have internet access. Or maybe they had internet but it just wasnt fast enough for several kids in the household to be on the internet. We did purchase hot spots for both students and even some staff if they need it. So thats something that weve been looking at a lot more is like kind of how do we kind of close that digital equity gap. Whats the best way youve found to boost the staffs moral? Food. No, I mean food always helps, but I think here one thing that I noticed that is different than other places of business is that we really listen to our staff. So if there is a need, you can go to admin and tell them like, I need this, and they will do just about everything in their power to get it done. For example, we have three science classrooms, but one science classroom still had those built in tables that are stuck to the floor. Theyre not movable, and they also dont have legroom, like, its just like this solid desk, all the way down. Our science teacher was just like, this is just not working, its not conducive to the things that we want to do in here. And so they ripped that classroom apart, ripped all those out and put tables in. Ive heard her tell multiple people, when you ask for something here, you pretty much get it. Do you feel like innovation suffered when you had to go online for the students and teachers? Not really. If anything, I think it made us be even more innovative, because we had to figure out ways to support our students in ways that were just not academic. And how to continue clubs and social hours and different things that they needed because they were just so sad. Teenagers especially need that social interaction they miss their friends. So yeah, I guess it forced us to be more innovative in figuring out how to meet their needs but then also in figuring out, how do we get them just the basic things that they need, like internet access, food, stuff like that. EOG staff in front of the Artesia Aquatic Center for a company picnic in July 2021. EOG donated funds in 2019 to construction of the facility, which is Artesias only public pool. (Courtesy of EOG Resources) Ezra Yacob, CEO of EOG Resources. (Courtesy of EOG Resources) Prev 1 of 2 Next EOG Resources is the No. 3 mid-size company in Top Workplaces for 2022. Description: EOG Resources was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Houston. The company has 193 employees across its four New Mexico locations. This is EOG Resources third year in making the Journals Top Workplaces. From the organization: EOGs unique, decentralized organizational structure is comprised of regional, multidisciplinary teams that maximize returns on invested capital while maintaining a commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and community involvement. All employees, regardless of background, are business people first, and they collaborate across the organization to share knowledge, improve well performance and capture cost efficiencies. From the employees: We are able to make decisions on our own, we are held to a high standard work ethic, said one staffer. Another employee described the environment by saying, It pushes me to grow, learn and teach everyday. Being able to troubleshoot and make things run smoother is rewarding to me. The following is an excerpt from an interview with EOG Resources CEO Ezra Yacob, whose comments have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. How has your organizations culture helped you to succeed during the last year? The pandemic was not only new, and a challenge because we had to work remotely, but in our business, you go through a commodity price cycle. Thats really the biggest impact that the pandemic had for us. We encourage each employee to be a businessperson first, we encourage them to think about returns, free cash flow, capital discipline, sustainability and we encourage them to think about the culture also and their role in it and how each of us are leaders. Its a very flat organization and we really tried to encourage people to bring their whole self to work and innovate and really provide value added ideas and thats really what helped us. What is the best thing that your organization does to retain its talent? We collect a lot of data and we encourage the employees to look at this data and to try and innovate. Were looking for them to lead, not through doing whats been done before. But really, were hoping to recruit really critical thinkers that are humble and collaborative. I really do think the most important thing in any company is that the senior leadership focuses on creating, establishing and managing a healthy culture. If you can do that, you know, your workforce is going to be engaged. Theyre going to be driving the business forward and theyre going to have ownership over it all. What ways did the staff step up to meet clients and community needs during the pandemic? In Artesia, we helped build an aquatic center after hearing from and working with the local employees and the local community members there. In 2019, we worked with the (Bureau of Land Management) to construct a campsite out next to the Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns on restored and reclaimed lands that we had. Those are things that, actively working and living in New Mexico, we see as very important to do. And that bleeds over not just for the community service needs, but also as we run our business day-to-day. When we think about our operations in Midland and Artesia, weve worked closely with the state and federal regulators there to try and pilot some new environmental initiatives. The way that we structure some of our community giving too, we offer a two to one (donation) match program for our employees. So our community donations, the biggest piece of it is started with our employees. T-Mobile US is the No. 4 large company in Top Workplaces for 2022. Description: T-Mobile US was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. The wireless companys 53,000 employees nationwide and 1,252 New Mexican employees service 72.6 million customers through its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. It operates 18 locations in New Mexico. This is the tenth consecutive time T-Mobile US has made the Top Workplaces list. From the organization: T-Mobile employees are dynamic, flexible, and always thinking one step ahead. Naturally, we deliver benefits to match. Were committed to rewarding the people who achieve results for our customers with best-in- business benefits. We are proud to say that our products and services help our customers balance all the important things in their lives, and our benefits do the same for our employees. From the employees: I am part of something bigger than myself. I love that I can help other achieve goals they (have) set out to achieve, both professionally and personally, one employee said. I am free to be who I am, everyone is free to be who they are. T-Mobile is a place that not only welcome diversity but knows the benefits of diversity and what we can learn from each other. The following is an excerpt from an interview with T-Mobile US Customer Experience Center Senior Director Karen Viola, whose comments have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. How was your organizations culture helped you succeed during the last year? Diversity and inclusion is just such a big part of our culture, so having that inclusive culture is literally at the heart of everything that we do and everything that we represent. We have a very strong culture, we never stopped prioritizing the things that were important to our employees and our customers. Whether or not were at home or were at the site, we always found creative ways to ensure that our employees felt like they were included and that they were valued, and they were cared for, especially during a time like this. We are a large company that behaves as a small company thats very entrepreneurial, and so we forge strong relationships that are very important to us, and we care for each other as though were family. What were some examples of the creative methods T-Mobile used to make employees feel valued? What we really strive to accomplish is the same sort of feel and culture that employees experience on-site, but in a virtual world. Some of the ways that we did that was we started to use Slack, which is basically an online tool that we have to keep people connected. We went to peoples homes, and I think that that was really, really cool. The leadership team would actually drive out to peoples homes if they were working from home to provide recognition. We went to recognize someone for a pretty significant award in the company and when we got to his house he literally had his whole family there and they all came out to the street, and they were filming him while we were giving this award. Has the hybrid work structure changed company culture? I would say no. And I think a part of that is because (employees) are on site every week for at least a few days a week, and that gives them an opportunity to have team synergy. They have their huddles with their teams, they have their one-on-ones with their leadership team, theyre able to participate in town halls. They have the ability to still stay connected. The other thing that we do is our leadership team is really good about reaching out and personalizing their experience and then they reach out to employees to just check on them. And thats one of the things that we did especially during the pandemic when there were people who were obviously getting sick with COVID, etc. So we really personalize the experience and the managers actually reach out to employees just to check in every week and just ask how theyre doing. We feel like our culture is just stronger than ever. A group of Bohannan Huston Inc. engineers stop for a group shot while visiting the Atrisco Vista job site in Albuquerque in August. (Courtesy of Bohannan Huston Inc.) Bruce Stidworthy, president and CEO of Bohannan Huston Inc. (Courtesy of Bohannan Huston Inc.) Nancy Simutis, vice president of human resources at Bohannan Huston Inc. (Courtesy of Bohannan Huston Inc.) Prev 1 of 3 Next Bohannan Huston Inc. is the No. 4 mid-size company in Top Workplaces for 2022. Description: Bohannan Huston Inc. is an Albuquerque-based engineering firm that specializes in engineering, spatial data and advanced technologies. The company, founded in 1959, has two New Mexico locations and one in Denver with more than 200 employees total. This is BHIs fourth time appearing on the Top Workplaces list. From the organization: Bohannan Huston has established deep roots in the communities we serve. Simply by the nature of our work, our services play an important role in peoples daily lives and contribute long-term value in our communities. From the employees: One employee said they love their job because, Bohannan Huston Inc. has challenged me, assisted me, and allowed me excellent opportunities to grow and advance during my career here. The people are very talented, dedicated and caring. Another employee said, I have the opportunity to help people I respect. I feel good about my day and myself when I know Ive helped make someone elses day be a little less stressful. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Bohannan Huston Inc. president and CEO Bruce Stidworthy and Nancy Simutis, vice president of human resources. Their comments have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. If you could go back to the beginning of the pandemic, what would you do differently as a leader? Stidworthy: I would do even more than I did to communicate and stay in front of the entire staff. And by in front of, I mean, just talking to them. We did periodic what we jokingly called fireside chat, which was essentially just a company-wide Teams meeting where I would kind of give an update on whats going on, how we were dealing with things, what changes we were contemplating and what we were seeing as it related to opportunities and trends and we did those. How has your concept of supporting the staffs work and home life balance changed since the pandemic? Simutis: I think even before the pandemic we provided a great deal of flexibility in terms of both the number and the scheduling of an individuals work hours and afforded people the opportunity to reduce their hours. If they needed to take care of something, be it welcoming a new baby or a new child into their family, or caring for a for a sick parent or relative, going back to school if they want. We work really hard to develop a relationship with our employees. So whether thats at the corporate level or at the group level, and really making sure that we have an understanding of what people need and what we are able to do it really is a discussion and an individualized space of what do you need and how can we help you?' Do you feel like innovation suffered during the pandemic? Stidworthy: I think for the most part it continued during the pandemic. For us innovation is thinking of a different way to do things and then trying it and working out the kinks. Collaboration might have been a little bit more challenging and sort of collaborating to come up with the better way to do things is part of innovation. So it probably took a little bit of a hit, but in general, I think we continued on with that. Organ Mountains (2019), by Robert Shufelt. Limited edition giclee print. (Courtesy of New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum) The Bedroll (2000), by William Matthews. Framed original watercolor. (Courtesy of New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum) Tomlin Onion Farm (2020), by Betty Krebbs. Original pastel on paper. (Courtesy of New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum) Puppy Training (2017), by Charlene Parenteau. Original graphite and charcoal. (Courtesy of New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum) A Face Anyone Could Love (2000), by Linda St. Clair. Oil painting. (Courtesy of New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum) Braceros Series: Lettuce (2012), by Jeri Desrochers. Oil painting. (Courtesy of New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum) Prev 1 of 6 Next Holly Radke looks forward to the days when she can acquire art. Its part of her job as collection manager/registrar at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces. While the museums mission is to connect the present generation to the history of farming and ranching in New Mexico, Radke and the museum staff have been working on growing the museums permanent collection to help inspire a deeper appreciation and understanding of the states rich heritage. The museum recently unveiled six new pieces all of which are recent acquisitions to the public. While Gimme Five usually highlights a handful of hidden gems, I couldnt leave one out. In all, the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces, has a collection around 400 pieces which continues to grow. Acquiring these pieces has been amazing for the museum, Radke says. We have the pieces hanging in the museums central corridor. Radke says the artists will show work at the museum and sometimes its for sale. She will take notice and put it on her list. Some of the pieces are donated, she says. Thats how we add to our art collection. Radke says while the museum doesnt display anything permanently, she expects these pieces to be hanging for at least the next year. She took some time to talk about each piece. 1. Organ Mountains (2019), by Robert Shufelt Limited edition giclee print. The drawing of a rider on horseback near the Organ Mountains is one of the most recent Shufelt works. The Las Cruces artist is world-renowned for his ranch drawings of cowboys, horses and cattle. His work is highly realistic, having accurate details of the animals and equipment. Last July, Shufelt donated over 136 limited edition prints to our collection, Radke says. Were very honored to have Bobs work in the museum. Organ Mountains is one of the most recent pieces hed done. 2. The Bedroll (2000), by William Matthews. Framed original watercolor. Radke says the Colorado-based Matthews has had a long and prolific career, spanning five decades. He has designed albums, painted book covers, traveled the world and documented it all in beautiful watercolor paintings, she says. He is best known for his depictions of the American West. Radke says Matthews paintings and murals appear on the walls on three continents and the halls of Congress. This piece was a donation and it was done through an art appraiser in Santa Fe, she says. We were asked if we would like to have it on our collection. 3. Tomlin Onion Farm (2020), by Betty Krebbs Original pastel on paper. Radke says the inspiration for this painting is an onion farm in the Mesilla Valley. A native New Yorker, Krebbs made New Mexico her home and became deeply connected to its history, culture, and natural beauty. Her art, along with her husbands oil paintings, were featured in a show at the museum last year. I asked Betty if she would donate it because of the subject matter, Radke says. Getting a piece like this helps us diversify our collection. 4. Puppy Training (2017), by Charlene Parenteau Original graphite and charcoal. Radke says this artwork won Best of Show and the Plainsman award at the American Plains Artists Association 32nd Annual Juried Exhibit in 2017 at the Farm & Ranch Museum. The Ontario, Canada artist grew up on a farm, which led to her passion for horses, dogs and wildlife. The drawing is of a child with a herding dog and sheep. This is my favorite, Radke gushes. We purchased this one and its our only international show piece. Even though Charlene is from Ontario, it was so well done that I asked the director if we could purchase it for the collection. Its a slice of life on the farm. 5. A Face Anyone Could Love (2000), by Linda St. Clair Oil painting. Radke says St. Clair set herself apart as an innovator who creates animal portraits that explore the personalities of creatures great and small. This painting of a cow reflects her work that is characterized by the contrast of warm and cool colors, loose brushstrokes, and thin and thick textures, Radke says. 6. Braceros Series: Lettuce (2012), by Jeri Desrochers Oil painting. Radke says the painting of a farm worker in a lettuce field was created as part of a show on the Braceros Program. Desrochers is a Las Cruces artist that grew up on a small, family farm and celebrates the joy of color and texture in her artwork. Jeri chose which painting that she wanted to let us have, Radke says. I was very happy to have pieces that she created. It adds another point of view. Time for a visit The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. More information can be found at nmfarmandranchmuseum.org. The Georgia OKeeffe Museum opened 25 years ago with 94 paintings spanning 5,000 square feet of gallery space. The number of artworks on view climbed to 116, if you include borrowed pieces. Today the Santa Fe tourist magnet owns more than 3,000 works comprising 140 oil paintings, nearly 700 drawings, and hundreds of additional works dating from 1901 to 1984, including sketches, watercolors and 2,000 photographs. In 2025, the museum will expand to the site of an old Safeway at 123 Grant Ave., now its education annex, adding 55,000 to 60,000 square feet at an estimated cost of $65 million. The museum will host a 25th anniversary block party on Sunday, July 17, complete with music, youth poets, dances, face painting and family activities. It all started with Fort Worth, Texas cattle rancher/horse breeder and oil heiress Anne Marion, who traveled to Santa Fe every summer. Anne came up to Santa Fe as a kid, museum director Cody Hartley said in a telephone interview. She always had a home here in Santa Fe. After OKeeffe died in 1986, interest in her work and life blossomed. The New Mexico Museum of Art only housed a few pieces. Original director Edgar Lee Hewett had angered the artist when she had tried to donate a painting to the institution. He said, Why would I want a painting of flowers by that woman? Hartley said. It took her a long time to get over that. Marions mother collected OKeeffes work; she grew up in a home surrounded by the artists paintings. Anne had a small collection, and, of course, the resources, Hartley said. Her husband John was a Sothebys auctioneer. The couple abounded in art world connections. They had the resources and the ability to create something, Hartley added. They bought the current location at 217 Johnson St. just off the Santa Fe Plaza. It had been the site of a Spanish Baptist Church. Architect Richard Gluckman designed the building. He also completed the renovation for SITE Santa Fe. Anne hunted across the country and bought as many (paintings) as she could find, Hartley said. She was very quiet and very private, but she was one of the countrys leading philanthropists. She loaned her own artworks and they borrowed a lot of paintings. They had just enough to fill the walls. The Georgia OKeeffe Foundation formed after the artists 1986 death to preserve and protect her work and her homes in Abiquiu and at Ghost Ranch. The foundation distributed her art to museums across the country. They were given a 20-year lifespan to do all that work, Hartley said. In 2006, they transferred everything, including OKeeffes personal possessions her clothing and her paints to the museum. The Georgia OKeeffe Research Center at 135 Grant Ave. opened in 2001, becoming a hub for research on American Modernism as well as OKeeffe. Nearly 70 scholars have received stipends in its fellowship program. The museum and research center also have published numerous books about the artist, her homes and her life. Anne Marion died in 2020, leaving the museum a significant bequest, Hartley said. Hartley said he was not sure what would become of the building at 217 Johnson once the expanded building is completed. It could be used for exhibition overflow, he said. The new building will be the heart of the experience, he added. We dont really have an adequate facility for educational programs and public talks. A capital campaign has already raised 90% of the needed funding, Hartley said. We went from a collection you could fit in a closet to a collection that fits into vaults. Camping means different things to different people, depending on their experience. For some it could be finding a rugged, out-of-the-way spot with no amenities on state or federal land. For others, it could be using a developed site within a state park. And others might be more interested in private, more-luxurious surroundings akin to glamping. But whatever ones tastes, thedyrt.com not only provides information about all varieties of camping sites across the U.S., but using a decades worth of user reviews, has compiled top-10 spots in the countrys various regions, with three places in New Mexico landing on the 2022 Best Places To Camp in the South/Southwest. Sierra Vista, a dispersed camping site near Las Cruces within the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument; the currently closed Rio Chama Campground near the confluence with Rio Gallina near Abiquiu Lake; and the private Gila Hot Springs Campground near the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument north of Silver City. We looked at the reviews and ratings from our own community since 2012 on what our community thought were the best places to camp, said Sarah Smith, The Dyrt founder. The website and associated app has generated more than 30 million annual camper visits with four million user-generated reviews, photos and tips for U.S. campgrounds. The three New Mexico campsites stood out for various reasons, she said. Sierra Vista actually represents a growing trend related to the virus outfall, Smith said. The absolute beauty of it and I think that the whole idea of dispersed camping has become much more popular among campers in our community, as well, she said. Weve see campgrounds become so busy in the last few years and its getting harder and harder to get reservations. So being able to simply find a spot that looks intriguing and set up camp has become more attractive. In dispersed camping, when you know you can just head out and once you cross into that land, Bureau of Land Management of National Forest Service land, you have the opportunity to find your own place to camp, she said. And thats become much attractive to people now. It actually doubled in our report in just one year from 2020 to 2021. Gila Hot Springs Campground offers the grandeur of the landscape coupled with upscale facilities, Smith said. When I grew up, the idea of going to a private campground would have seemed kind of odd to me, she said. Camping was something you did out in the national forest and state parks, but more and more of these private campgrounds are available and people are doing more glamping. Plus, you cant beat hot springs. Although the drought and severe fire danger has led to the temporary closure of the Rio Chama Campground snuggled up against the river, it certainly is a site to visit when it reopens, Smith said. Its just mystical, she said. Using The Dyrt is lot like scrolling the web for an Airbnb or other vacation site, said Kevin Long, site CEO. When youre getting an AirBnB, you want to see pictures, reviews, you want to see what youre getting, he said. Thats what The Dyrt does with campgrounds. We make it easy for people to find the right camping experience. U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturns landmark decision on abortion rights Xinhua) 09:10, June 25, 2022 Demonstrators attend a rally in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) With Roe falling, more than two dozen states in the United States - primarily in the south and midwest - are expected to tighten abortion access, with "trigger bans" set to take effect automatically. WASHINGTON, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that established a constitutional right to abortion in the nation nearly 50 years ago. "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his majority opinion. "Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences." "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives," the conservative suggested. The court's three liberal justices dissented, saying that with Friday's ruling, "many millions of American women" have lost a fundamental constitutional protection. The ruling came after the Supreme Court had considered an appeal case involving a Mississippi law banning all abortions over 15 weeks gestational age except in certain circumstances. Crowds on both sides of abortion rights are gathering near the U.S. Supreme Court on Capitol Hill with presence of riot police. Abortion advocates and protesters gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court following the leak of a draft opinion on abortion rights in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 3, 2022. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) "Protesters are allowed to peacefully demonstrate, however they must follow the officer's instructions so that everyone stays safe," the Capitol Police tweeted. With Roe falling, more than two dozen states in the United States - primarily in the south and midwest - are expected to tighten abortion access, with "trigger bans" set to take effect automatically. In a response, U.S. President Joe Biden said it's "a sad day" for the nation and the Supreme Court, which is "literally taking America back 150 years." "Now with Roe gone, let's be very clear: the health and life of women in this nation are now at risk," Biden added. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) In a freewheeling chat, Shri Anil Agarwal, Chairman Vedanta discussed Yoga, People, Meditation and the World on International Day for Yoga. Mr Agarwal, who is a strong follower of yoga and meditation sought guidance from Shri Ravi Shankar on exploring the various nuances and benefits of yoga. Shri Shri Ravi Shankar explained how practicing yoga has transformed from being a medieval art of exercising to a way of life in the modern world. Shri Shri further emphasised how yoga has been recognised across the globe with persistent efforts by Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. While stressing the significance of yoga, Shri Shri Ravi Shankar said, yoga has now become a household name and has transpired impacts on all the seven systems of our body; the respiratory system, the endocrine system, the muscular system, the neurological system, the circulatory system. While praising the commitment of Shri Narendra Modi towards yoga, Shri Shri and Shri Anil Agarwal discussed how the bold and courageous move institutionalised 21 st June as International Day for Yoga and 390 countries across the globe honoured the recognition. Lendingkart Technologies Private Limited, Indias leading fintech company today announced the appointment of Mr. Sandeep Sonpatki as Chief Business Officer Platform Head and Mr. Dinesh Padmanabhan as Chief Data Scientist. In his new role, Sandeep will help Lendingkart scale the Platform business - develop offerings, drive partnerships with banks and financial institutions in India and other emerging markets and achieve revenue growth. Mr. Padmanabhan will contribute to strengthening the data team at Lendingkart as he will lead the team and will provide Lendingkart with robust data infrastructure to spearhead the growth at Lendingkart. Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Harshvardhan Lunia, CEO & Founder at Lendingkart said, We are really excited to welcome Mr. Sandeep and Mr. Dinesh onboard and lead the team towards building a strong growth path for the company as well as for our customers. The entrepreneurship culture is booming in the country and our vision is to empower small entrepreneurs with working capital loans, to achieve this vision we have a robust team in place who are making working capital loans available at their fingertips. We believe that with their vast experience and expertise in the industry Mr. Sandeep and Mr. Dinesh are best suited to lead the team toward delivering great services to our customers. Mr. Sandeep Sonpatki, Chief Business Officer Platform Head at Lendingkart said, I am truly elated to have this opportunity and look forward to working with highly skilled professionals at Lendingkart. The industry is evolving and Lendingkart is set to create a great impact in the industry by empowering small businesses and contributing toward building an Aatmnirbhar Bharat. I am delighted to join the company at this exciting phase to fuel Indias MSMEs and small business growth. Sandeep is a seasoned Consultant with more than 21 years of experience across India, US and Africa. As a Consultant, Sandeep has advised large Banks, NBFCs and Payment companies in the areas of business strategy, transformation and new business setup. Prior to joining Lendingkart, Sandeep was a Partner with Deloitte Consulting where he helped grow the financial services practice-led complex engagements, built CXO relationships, mentored teams and published thought leadership articles. Sandeep has completed his post-graduation from IIM Calcutta and engineering from VJTI Mumbai. Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Dinesh Padmanabhan, Chief Data Scientist at Lendingkart said, I am excited to join and lead the data team at Lendingkart. Today Data management and data science have been one of the most important tools for companies and the right use of data is most imperative thing to do and Lendingkart has already streamlined it to develop great products for their customers. In my role at Lendingkart, I will be guiding the team to build a strong data infrastructure and it will assist the teams to deliver the best results for our customers. Dinesh Padmanabhan has over 18 years of experience in Data Sciences & Engineering. Over the years he has built his expertise in the fields of Analytics, Machine Learning and Big Data. In his last assignment with Genpact Digital, he managed teams that developed the AI and Data Platforms for various AI use cases in the Pharma and BFSI domains. Prior to working with Genpact Digital, he has been associated with companies like Truecaller, [24]7.ai, Hewlett Packard and General Motors. He has done his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame Indiana, US. Cannes Lions 2022: Dentsu Creative India is Agency of the Year; also bags a Titanium Dentsu Creative India has ended Cannes Lions 2022 chapter on a high note, being declared Agency of the Year. Dentsu Creative Indias final metals tally at Cannes Lions 2022 includes 3 Grand Prix, 1 Titanium, 1 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze Lions. The agency had secured 24 shortlists. Cannes Lions 2022: Ogilvy India scores high with Mondelezs Shah Rukh Khan My Ad Click here to attend DATAMATIXX 2022 It has been the best year ever at Cannes Lions for India this year. Adding to Indias metals glory is Ogilvy India. The agency took home a total of 6 Lions 1 Titanium, 2 Golds, 2 Silvers and 1 Bronze. The star campaign for Ogilvy India at Cannes Lions 2022 has been Mondelez Indias Shah Rukh Khan My Ad campaign. Cannes Lions Day 1: India bags 7 metals; Grand Prix for Dentsu Creative & VMLY&R India has opened its Cannes Lions 2022 account early on with 7 wins, which include two Grand Prix one each for Dentsu Creative and VMLY&R. The 7 wins also include three Silvers and two Bronzes. Cannes Lions Day 2: Dentsu Creative bags Gold; BYJUS & DDB Mudra win 2 Silvers India continued with the winning momentum set on Day 1 at Cannes Lions 2022, into the second day of the festival as well. India secured 3 metals on Day 2 Dentsu Creative continued its strong run, winning 1 Gold, while BYJUS and DDB Mudra took home 1 Silver each. Cannes Lions 2022 Day 3: India bags 10 more Lions The Indian advertising industry is having a roaring time at the Cannes Lions 2022. In the three days of the advertising festival, India has been taking home Lions across categories on each day. Cannes Lions Day 4 winners; Dentsu Creative wins another Grand Prix Continuing with its remarkable performance at the ongoing Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, the Indian contingent added 19 more Lions across Creative Data, Direct, Media, PR, Social & Influencer categories. dentsu unites creative talent under Dentsu Creative; Ajay Gahlaut gets India charge Dentsu Internationals Global CEO, Wendy Clark, and Global CCO Fred Levron have announced the launch of Dentsu Creative, dentsus global creative network, at Cannes Lions. Designed to unify and accelerate creativity across the business, Dentsu Creative will serve as the sole creative network for dentsu international working with clients around the globe. We want to make our mistakes quickly and learn from them In conversation with Adgully, Amit Wadhwa, CEO India, Dentsu Creative, and Ajay Gahlaut, Group Chief Creative Officer India, Dentsu Creative, speak at length about the idea behind combining all the agencies as one, their approach and offerings for their clients and much more. Ajay Gahlaut on the making of Cannes Lions winner The Unfiltered History Tour In a special interaction with Adgully, Ajay Gahlaut, Group Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Creative Services, elaborated on the making of The Unfiltered History Tour campaign, the creative thought behind the campaign, executing the campaign through the challenging circumstances during the global pandemic and more. Reel has truly started representing the 1st generation creators in Bharat: Paras Sharma Adgully spoke to Paras Sharma, Director, Content & Community Partnerships, Facebook India (Meta) to know more about the 1 Minute Music offering, how the content economy has grown with the help of short format video platforms, the journey and growth of Reels in India, and more. BARC Wk 24: Aaj Tak tops All India; India TV has highest market share in HSM Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) Indias data for Week 24 HSM (Saturday, 11th June 2022 To Friday, 17th June 2022; 24hrs; 15+ audience) for news channel shows India TV as the leading news channel with 13.4% market share. India needs robust implementation mechanism to stem piracy Disney-Star has filed a FIR with the Bengaluru cyber police against piracy platforms such as TamilMV, Tamilrockers, etc. What is the likelihood of a legal conviction in this regard? What are the odds given the pitfalls and lacuna in the current Indian legal framework? Tanu Banerjee, Partner, TMT practice group, Khaitan & Co, and Akriti Sirsewala, Associate, Khaitan & Co, dwell at length on the issue. Paramount+ to launch in India in 2023 by bundling with Viacom18: Robert Bakish Paramount Global-owned streaming platform Paramount+ will be launched in India by next year by bundling it with Viacom18s super service, said Paramount Global CEO Robert Bakish during the Credit Suisse Communications Conference. Demand for vernacular content growing multi-fold with onboarding of Bharat In conversation with Adgully, Anuja Dhawan, Co-Founder, Dubverse, speaks at length about how Dubverse aims to break the language barrier, support end-to-end dubbing, produce ready-to-publish videos in real-time, and more. Are start-ups leveraging PR enough to build their brand and image? IMAGEXX Summit & Awards 2022 saw an interesting panel discussion on Are start-ups leveraging PR enough to build their brand and image? Moderated by Xavier Prabhu, Founder and Managing Director, PRHUB, the panelists included: The importance of purpose-led communication in creating value for companies The 2nd edition of IMAGEXX Summit & Awards 2022, the flagship event of Adgully for the Public Relations industry, held on June 16, 2022, saw a fireside chat on Purpose-led communication, wherein Kavita Doshi, Head - Corporate and Digital Communications, NASSCOM, engaged in a conversation with Bhaskar Chatterjee, Director-General & CEO, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. PR for good why CSR and ESG are important parameters for companies today? IMAGEXX Summit and Awards 2022 witnessed a panel discussion on PR should play an important role in enhancing CSR and ESG, which stressed on why and how CEOs of organisations should actively participate push CSR in a big way. Social chatter & PR - Winning the conversations game IMAGEXX Summit and Awards 2022 witnessed a panel discussion on Social chatter & PR - Winning the conversations game. The panel was chaired by Shivalika Chadha Malik, Associate Director, Corporate Communications, PepsiCo India and she was joined by Abhishek Roy, Head of PR - General Manager, Justdial; Saumya Bhushan, Lead- Corporate Communications, Reckitt India; Amit Arora, Head of Corporate Communications & Public Relations, Housing.com; and Bibhu Mishra, Director of Public Relations, InMobi Group. We're on a journey less travelled: Shailja Kejriwal on the return of Zindagi TV Zindagi TV channel has launched on DTH platforms with the landmark series Zindagi Gulzar Hai. Zindagi, brainchild of Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Creative Officer - Special Projects, ZEE, was launched on TV in 2014 with the Pakistani soap opera Aunn Zara, which ended within 20 episodes. By humanising the brand, we'll be able to bridge trust deficit around data security Speaking to Adgully for their column Talking Insights, Karanpreet Bindra, Chief Marketing Officer, Yubi, speaks at length about the rebranding exercise, how the company will provide a richer and more consistent brand experience to their customers, as well as establishing themselves as an enabler institution to win the trust of the larger business community Pocket FM is aggressively building a universe of entertainment & knowledge content In conversation with Adgully, Ashu Behl, SVP -Content, Pocket FM, speaks about the audience engagement on the platform, the growth of the audio OTT space, content personalisation and much more. Creating a relevant brand advocacy approach is critical for businesses: Tanuja Singh In conversation with Adgully, Tanuja Singh, Head of Corporate Communications, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, speaks about how the communications function has moved away from the traditional business models toward a holistic and integrated approach, the key factors in formulating an effective PR strategy, and more. We are working towards large B2B footprint for expanding further: Puneet Gupta Speaking to Adgully, Puneet Gupta, Digital Business & Marketing Head Personal Wealth, Edelweiss Wealth Management, elaborates on how the company is looking at technology and digital to build their equity and increase their presence by offering a basket of services. Sony YAY! is banking on conversational comedy with new show Ha.Go.La In conversation with Adgully, Ronojoy Chakraborty, Head of Programming Sony YAY! speaks about the inspiration behind the show, Upcoming projects in the year ahead, things to keep in mind while choosing content and more. Josy Paul to host Cannes Lions Meet Up Session on power of Emotional Data What exactly is emotional data, and how can it be used to transform brands and society? Thats what Josy Paul, Chairman and CCO of BBDO India, will discuss in his meet up session, Creativity, Empathy and Emotional Data, on Friday, June 24, at 10.30 am at Palis II during Cannes Lions this year. WARC white paper presents 5 key priorities for delivering effective advertising In 2019 WARC, the global authority on marketing effectiveness launched the highly successful Anatomy of Effectiveness report at Cannes Lions. Three years on, an updated edition is released at this years Festival, to give brand marketers, advertising agencies and media owners a fresh perspective on the five key building blocks of effective marketing. Zee Media Corporation's Abhay Ojha is no more On Sunday morning, 19 June, 2022, the media fraternity woke up to the shocking news of the passing away of Abhay Ojha, Chief Revenue Officer, Zee Media Corporation. He passed away last night due to cardiac arrest. Brands & agencies struggle to build "privacy-compliant" culture: InMobi InMobi, a leading provider of content, monetisation, and marketing technologies that help businesses fuel growth, today released the findings from a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on Future of Mobile Advertising in Tackling Data and Identity Deprecation. Wunderman Thompson launches Inspiration Beach in the metaverse Wunderman Thompson has launched the WT Inspiration Beach, an immersive metaverse activation to celebrate the start of advertisings biggest festival in Cannes. It allows people from all over the world to experience the agencys unique take on creativity, content, and connectivity. World Music Day Special: The music that moves the industry Eons ago, Shakespeare had written in his play Twelfth Night: If music be the food of love, play on. And it is music that moves the world. Music in its myriad forms means different things to different people from providing succour to troubled souls to ushering in mental peace and even rousing people into rebellion against atrocities or simple creating a safe, personal cocoon from the worlds troubles. Any person or organization that supports the anti-Israel boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement is a dupe, stooge, or enabler for Hamas, even if the individual or organization does not condone terrorism. The Russian Federation's threats to use nuclear weapons for purposes other than self-defense, along with Communist China's threats to start a war with Taiwan, show also that BDS supporters are de facto foreign and domestic enemies of the United States. This is because the United States and Israel may well rely on their mutually developed missile defense programs for their very survival, and anything that undermines our relationship with Israel is therefore an existential threat to our own nation, NATO, and our Pacific allies as well as Israel. It is important to mention up front, however, that de facto is not the same as de jure (by law). It is not a crime to be a de facto enemy of the United States. Advocacy of BDS, and even advocacy of Hamas's violent agenda, is not the de jure crime of material support for terrorism because "material" is exactly that; money and/or weapons as opposed to words. One must ask, however, whether some BDS supporters are taking untraceable cryptocurrency from the Russian Federation and/or Communist China under the table to undermine the security of the United States itself. Neither the Russian Federation nor the Chinese Communists want us to acquire or develop the technology necessary to shoot down their nuclear weapons. Vladimir Putin and his supporters have talked openly about using nuclear weapons for purposes other than self-defense. Putin has boasted that his new Sarmat II missile can reach the United Kingdom in three minutes, and that one can wipe out most of England. Here is Dmitry Kiselyov threatening to drown the UK in a nuclear tidal wave. Russia and the former USSR have actually had the means to annihilate England for more than 60 years, but Russia is not going to act on this unless it can also eliminate the Vanguard-class submarine the UK always has on patrol, along with its forty-eight nuclear warheads that can reach Moscow and Saint Petersburg within half an hour. This is the only language the world's aggressors understand. Putin has also bragged about how hypersonic nuclear weapons can evade missile defenses, and even fly over the South Pole to evade the Distant Early Warning System. The latter is not a new concept either because the Fractional Orbital Bombardment System was mentioned decades ago, but this is why NATO needs Israel's Iron Beam and Arrow 3 missile defense technology. Anybody and anything that interferes with US-Israel cooperation is therefore a de facto, albeit not de jure, foreign or domestic enemy of the United States. Arrow 3 (photo credit: US Missile Defense Agency) Israel's Iron Beam is an anti-missile laser that costs only pennies per shot, and directed energy beats hypersonic any day of the week. Its current range is only about four miles, which makes it effective against terrorist rockets but not intercontinental ballistic missiles. If, however, its range can be extended to allow surface-to-space engagements, it will make Putin's and Xi's new missiles obsolete before they are even deployed. The Arrow 3 is even more impressive, although the cost is up to $3 million per unit. The Arrow 3 is itself hypersonic, capable of exo-atmospheric (surface to space) engagements, and also capable of guiding itself to the desired target while ignoring decoys. The ICBM's target does not even have to be known before an Arrow 3 is launched against it, because the defensive missile will effectively figure everything out for itself. Israel, for some reason, intends to deploy only two dozen of these, which are probably far too few given threats by the violent theocrats in Tehran to annihilate Israel and even attack the United States. As Vladimir Putin has more than six thousand warheads, though, the United States can and should buy enough Arrow 3s to deal with them all. $30 billion dollars would, for example, procure 10,000 Arrow 3s, and the cost might come down markedly with mass production. We also need to revisit our old civil defense programs and copy what Israel and Finland are already doing. We must assume that at least some Russian or Communist Chinese warheads will get through any missile defense to reach American cities, and bomb shelters can mitigate their effects enormously. The old "Duck and Cover" video is meanwhile well worth watching because Japanese who acted instinctively on its advice (even though it had yet to be created) survived the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks with few if any injuries while those next to them died or suffered horrific injuries. The fact that dictators in Russia, Communist China, and Iran are talking openly about using nuclear weapons for aggressive purposes makes these discussions necessary and other issues, such as climate change, pale in comparison to what these dictators say openly they intend to do. Civis Americanus is the pen name of a contributor who remembers the lessons of history, and wants to ensure that our country never needs to learn those lessons again the hard way. He or she is remaining anonymous due to the likely prospect of being subjected to "cancel culture" for exposing the Big Lie behind Black Lives Matter. From Madison reading Cato and Cicero when framing the Constitution to the outsized impact both Rome and America had on the world around them, the United States has long been associated with historical Rome. There are great similarities, and there can be much to learnand whats happening now does not reflect well on either historical Rome or America. When most of us think of the worst emperors in Roman history we think of names like Commodus, Nero, Caligula, and Elagabalus. To a man they were vain, self-centered, bloodthirsty hedonists who took what they wanted and tortured and killed many thousands of Romans and provincials. All emperors, including the great ones like Augustus, Trajan, and Aurelian had blood on their hands to one degree or another but most tried to maintain or grow the empire. Commodus et al didnt. Their goal was to satiate their lusts, whether literal lust or gluttony or, sadly, bloodlust. While there were other bad emperors, these four are among the worst. What makes this relevant today is the fact that all four of these men were spoiled, pampered, entitled sadists who were given free rein when they were still essentially children. Commodus was the oldest at 19, while Nero was 17, and both Elagabalus and Caligula were 16. They were overindulged brats who never faced consequences for their behavior. They were given virtually anything they wanted or, just as often, allowed to take what they wanted with impunity. And at those ripe young ages, and with that upbringing, they were literally given the keys to the kingdom and unleashed on the Empireand virtually everyone in it suffered as a result. Every day in America we see modern-day Commoduses or Caligulas wreaking havoc on our streets and in our stores, restaurants, schools, and more. Instead of a single entitled Emperor, America in 2022 is being ravaged by a generation of young menmany of whom have grown up fatherlesswho have been told that they can do and say anything they want and that, regardless of what they do, there will be no consequences for them. Just as Elagabalus et al brought nothing but blood, despair, and dysfunction to the Empire, these 21st-century youth are bringing blood, despair, and destruction to America. A generation of Americans has grown up being given time outs, participation trophies, and grades that have nothing to do with actual academic success, while at the same time theyve been told that all inequality is due to racism, sexism, homophobia, or anything other than individual choices or actions. The consequence of this indoctrination is that far too many young Americans think they can do anything with impunity. If they want something they take it. If theyre mad about something they protest, disrupt the lives of everyone within shouting distance, and frequently riot. They assault, rape and, sometimes, even murder, increasingly with impunity. Pat Moynihan predicted much of this 60 years ago in his The Negro Family: The Case for National Action. In it he described through pages of disquieting charts and graphs, the emergence of a tangle of pathology, including delinquency, joblessness, school failure, crime, and fatherlessness that characterized ghettoor what would come to be called underclassbehavior. While most of the scenes of flash mobs, carjackings, Knock Out Game punches, subway shovings, and daily shootings involve black male youth, this is not a race issue. Yes, the problem is disproportionately black, but White and Hispanic America is increasingly experiencing the same challenges of unwed mothers, school failures, and the lack of responsibility that underpins much of the dysfunction. Whether a California college student getting 6 months for rape, a Texas boy getting no jail time for killing four people in a car crash, or charges being dropped against a South Carolina boy for killing someone in a boat crash, unaccountable America spans across races, wealth, and indeed the country itself. This is nowhere better demonstrated than by the legions of rioters who participated in the peaceful protests of 2020 who found their charges dropped or their bails funded by the glitterati. Image: Nero, alleged murderer, Alleged Antifa rioter. These unrestrained youths highlight the existential threats to America today: The lack of accountability and individual responsibility. To the degree that Americas leaders have spent more than a generation telling the young that theyre nothing more than products of others malevolent thoughts and actions, and are not responsible for their own actions, they shouldnt be surprised at the carnage we see across the country. To the degree that single mothers and schools and, increasingly, DAs across the country are not holding youth accountable for their transgressions, they should not be surprised by the blood on their streets, the boarded-up shops in their neighborhoods, and the flight of families seeking safety and security. Since its beginning, America has been a nation governed by the Rule of Law as opposed to the Rule of Man. Imperfect and sometimes unequal in its application, Americas Constitution has successfully guided the behavior of government (mostly) for more than two centuries and in doing so guaranteed citizens freedom and the prosperity freedom cultivates. But that framework only works when citizens feel confident that justice and the laws are applied equally, or mostly so. When citizens begin to recognize Orwells All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others in their daily lives and on their streets and television screens, the civilizations days are numbered. This is exactly what Americans are seeing today.... Nero, Elagabalus, and the rest of that youthful cohort showcase exactly what happens when young men learn that accountability doesnt apply to them. When people arent held responsible for their actions, many will act accordingly, without restraints, unleashing a torrent of violence, excess, and depravity that tears at the fabric of a civilized society. Which is exactly where America is in 2022. If the country remains on its current path, one of coddling youth and ever-increasing cries of victimhood combined with the acceptance of rampant crime, ubiquitous homelessness, and public drug abuse as the price of addressing inequality, it will lead to an acceleration of the breakdown of civilization. As more citizens feel like they cannot rely on government to provide security and enforce societal norms, they will increasingly take matters into their own hands. They will look for vigilantes like a Charles Bronson character to step into the gap or, more likely, many will choose to arm themselves as they increasingly feel they need to become the next Bernhard Goetz. But 2022 America is not 1994 New York indeed its worse. Thugs are bolder, crimes are more widespread and, most of all, today everyone feels vulnerable because they see videos of horrific crimes every single day, often in the parking lots of stores they frequent, at the gas stations where they fill up, or in the subways they ride every day. Thats a powder keg filled with 100 million armed Americans who are tired and frustrated and feel let down by a government that no longer cares about them. Unlike the citizens of the Roman Empire, who were often stuck with whichever murderous psychopath emerged from the carnage to don the purple, Americans have an opportunity to guide their own society in ways that dont involve assassination, subterfuge, or armies marching against one another. We have the ballot box. We have recall petitions. We have school board meetings and the right to peacefully protest. The political and elite establishment must listen to the voters rather than continuing to turn a blind eye to the calls for a return to a civilized society. Blood has already been spilled and, judging by the calls to burn it all down following Roe v. Wades end, will continue to do. The question is, will we get less of it or more? The ideal is less. But if the answer is more, the question becomes whose will it be? And who will do the spilling? President Donald Trump back in 2018 gave a speech to the U.N. General Assembly wherein, among other things, he was derided for forwarding his America First policies to the world. In general, he did well and took opposition in good stride. The keynotes of his speech were largely about individual nations forging ahead and bettering themselves and how the United States would pursue policies to assist nations doing right by both the United States and themselves. One of the highlights for many in the world, however, was when the president said the following with regard to oil and natural gas: "Relying on a single supplier leaves nations vulnerable to distortion. Poland is building the Baltic pipeline so nations are not dependent on [Russia] anymore for energy needs. Germany will be dependent to [Russia] if it does not change course. We need [independence] from encroachment and we welcome cooperation with countries that wish to do the same." (For some reason, the transcriber misspelled "Russia" and "independence.") The German delegation was focused on how the president noted their dependence on Russian energy. The delegation from Germany smugly leaned over and casually snickered at the man they probably believed was a buffoon, saying outlandish and ridiculous things. Since then, "America's Back" has been a theme trumpeted about Joe Biden and his approach to foreign policy. Biden, in May of 2021, waived sanctions on the company and key individuals behind the construction of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. As reported by Reuters, secretary of state Antony Blinken said: "Today's actions demonstrate the administration's commitment to energy security in Europe, consistent with the President's pledge to rebuild relationships with our allies and partners in Europe." Joe Biden purportedly had his misgivings about the pipeline, feeling that it was a bad deal for Europe, but allowed the Germans and Europe to determine their own course. In February of 2022, the war in Ukraine took a turn when Russian forces on February 23 began their "special military operation," or invasion, as Paul Gottfried preferred to call it, by moving soldiers into the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics. On the 24th of February, a full-scale invasion of the country began. Soon after, the West and key allies took major steps toward placing sanctions on Russia with the aim of crippling its economy. Some people at the time were worried that these sanctions would backfire on the West, and according to some, they already are backfiring. The sanctions against Russia, with regard to Europe, included embargoes against Russian oil. The peculiar thing about these packages, however, was that they always came with deadlines to the tune of by the end of the year, and according to former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, there are no alternative supplies being agreed upon. Currently, Europeans are worried about Russia's recent actions of cutting gas lines. Europe's energy needs were being met by Russia for over a quarter for crude oil and a third for natural gas, and in 2021, Russia supplied 40% of Europe's gas. President Trump sounded the alarm on relying so heavily on Russia four years ago, and the concerns of heightened tensions or a confrontation with Russia had been mounting for some time. Frankly, many of the plans the various European nations are putting forward will not be meaningfully in place any time soon. In response to the sanctions, Russia has started cutting Europe off from its oil. The indignation from European leaders is almost staggering to witness. From Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen: "This is totally not acceptable. ... This is a kind of blackmailing from Putin. We continue to support Ukraine, and we distance ourselves from the crimes that Putin and Russia commit." Germany's economy minister Robert Habeck has recently had to admit that Germany is now indeed in a gas crisis: "Gas is from now on in short supply in Germany." He went on, "Even if you don't feel it yet, we are in a gas crisis." The possibility of rationing is now seriously on the table for Europe's largest economy. Mario Draghi, prime minister of Italy, also has recently been mentioning that commodities such as wheat and gas can be politically exploited. He also assures us that the nation with which his nation and the rest of the West is in a confrontation is lying about the reasons for the shortages, ostensibly due to technical issues brought on by the sanctions. Perhaps if the leaders of Europe had taken President Trump's words more seriously back in 2018, they could have had contingencies in place by now that would have supplemented their dependency on Russian energy. Instead, their energy needs are in the hands of a man they wish to bring down. And yet somehow, Trump was Putin's puppet. Breason Jacak is a pen name. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Maybe San Franciscans aren't as blindly left as they appear to the rest of the country. First, Democrat mayor London Breed had to backtrack on defunding the police when faced with the reality of what happened after the police were defunded. Crime increased...a lot. Then the public recalled members of the school board who were more interested in pushing ideology than keeping schools open. Democrat district attorney Chesa Boudin didn't see or refused to see what was happening in his city. Residents grew tired of his failure to go after criminals and enforce laws. Boudin, a political newcomer, took office in January 2020. He was elected as part of a wave of progressive prosecutors who wanted to find ways not to jail criminals and to go after the police. Since that time, residents had about a 1-in-16 chance of being subject to a property or violent crime in a given year, according to the Hoover Institution. He replaced cash bail with a risk-based system to determine if defendants would be held. Then, when COVID hit, he reduced the jail population by 40 percent. He didn't move them to another jail. He put criminals back out onto the street, which is the opposite of what his job is. By the end of his first year in office, burglaries were up 46 percent. Many of the perpetrators were repeat offenders, according to police chief William Scott. In 2021, he won just three drug-dealing convictions. His defense: Many of the dealers were illegal aliens who would be deported if charged with a crime. It seems as if that would have made his job easier without burdening the prison system. Well, Boudin's day of reckoning came during California's primary elections. The citizens who voted to elect people like Nancy Pelosi decided he needed to go. He was recalled, and not by a small margin. More than 60 percent of votes in the election favored his recall. An attendee at Boudin's Election Night party, Dane, did not support Boudin and was not surprised at the results. He told Fox News, "I think if you talk to most people in the city it was very obvious. Even just looking at the polling coming into this, it's pretty obvious that this is the most likely outcome. People are responding to what they saw was an unsympathetic D.A. confronting what a lot of people thought were serious quality of life crimes in the city." Some critics of the recall tried to dismiss the results as a low-turnout election and a Republican power-grab to undermine Boudin's reforms. The campaign focused on crime, policing and public safety reform, and it divided Democrats in the city. Recall proponents emphasized that he supported criminals more than victims. The recall campaign began in the summer of 2021. It was led by not a Republican, but former San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee chair Mary Jung. It finally seems as though things in San Francisco got so bad that people woke up. They are demanding positive results, not policies that just make things worse. Michael A. Letts is the CEO and Founder of In-VestUSA, a national grassroots non-profit organization helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. Image via Pixabay. Who says crime doesn't pay? When you can cross the border illegally, and not only be allowed to stay here, collect big benefits, and actually be allowed to apply for citizenship as a reward for your lawbreaking, why wouldn't you come without papers instead of come the legal way? You'd be a fool not to. Applying legally and waiting years for entry at great personal expense with no adjacent benefits is a fool's errand, given the Biden administration's current policies. That's the shocking reality revealed in a report from the Washington Examiner showing that the Biden administration is now .... ever so quietly ... dropping charges against tens of thousands of unvetted illegal border crossers and visa overstayers, leaving them with clean records and incredibly, the "right" to apply for green cards and U.S. citizenship. If the current pace of that continues, at least a million are going to be effectively amnestied by 2024, the Examiner reports. Federal prosecutors are quietly dismissing stacks of cases against illegal immigrants [sic] under a Biden administration mandate that could be on pace to effectively pardon 1 million people by 2024, according to leaked information reviewed by the Washington Examiner. Attorneys for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have begun to throw out tens of thousands of the 2 million backlogged cases in immigration court following a political appointee's order not to go after illegal border crossers from before the November 2020 election. "This is a de facto amnesty," said an ICE federal prosecutor who spoke with the Washington Examiner on the condition of anonymity. Nothing like a little queue-jumping to get the job done. Jason Hopkins, who serves as investigations manager at the Immigration Reform Law Institute, who first warned about that memo, has been keeping an eye on this policy and its Biden administration perpetrator who's the top lawyer at ICE. Back in April, Hopkins wrote this piece for AT, summing up Doyle this way: To further understand how unserious this administration is about enforcing immigration law, it's imperative to look at the author of this memo: Kerry Doyle. Appointed in September 2021, Doyle serves as the principal legal adviser of ICE, making her the agency's top prosecutor in all removal proceedings. Before her appointment, Doyle worked for years as an immigration attorney in the Boston area. Doyle adamantly opposed ICE enforcement actions and doggedly supported sanctuary city measures during her career as an immigration attorney. As recently as 2020, she spoke in favor of a Massachusetts bill, the "Safe Communities Act," that would have applied sanctuary city policies statewide and claimed that ICE was an "agency that is currently out of control." Further investigation by my organization, the Immigration Reform Law Institute, found other incendiary remarks by Doyle. Speaking before the Boston City Council in September 2019, Doyle accused ICE of being "a tool of almost terror to the immigrant [sic] community" and wanted the Boston Police Department (BPD) to believe as much. In that same testimony, she adamantly opposed the idea of the BPD sharing intelligence information with federal immigration officials. Now she's at ICE and doing the full Chesa Boudin thing, which is shirking her actual job duties and collecting a big paycheck. According to the Examiner, it's bad the numbers are big: Doyle's mandate to close out cases took effect on April 25. An indicator of how quickly ICE has moved is the number of cases wiped out in those two months. Between 60,000 and 80,000 cases have been closed, according to the ICE attorney. The total case closures since the start of fiscal year 2022 last October is more than 97,000, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a research organization at Syracuse University in New York. Case closures eight months into 2022 are already up fourfold from all of 2021, another sign of how quickly ICE prosecutors are moving to clear the books. If the agency's 1,200 prosecutors keep the current pace of 60,000-80,000 case closures every two months, ICE could hit 360,000 to 480,000 closed cases by next April and 1 million by early summer 2024, months before the presidential election. That kind of underperformance in any job would be a firing offense, but not at Joe Biden's ICE, because Joe wants it that way. The biggest outrage is that the illegals who have had their cases dropped are now completely free to apply for permanent residency and U.S. citizenship, well ahead of the vetted (legal) immigrants still waiting in line to enter the states: The tens of thousands of noncitizens who have been cleared from the immigration court dockets over the past eight weeks may now apply to become permanent legal residents, the prerequisite to becoming a U.S. citizen. An illegal border crosser is barred from applying for legal permanent residency as long as his or her case is pending in court. With no case pending, they may apply. Once approved, they may apply for adjustment of status to citizenship after five years. "All those removable aliens will be able to live and work in the United States indefinitely which, in this context, means forever or at least until they themselves decide to leave. That is the definition of an amnesty," Arthur wrote. Legal permanent residents no longer have to extend their temporary work permits they have permanent approval to work in the country. Once citizens, they are afforded the same ability to apply for any federal, state, or local benefits and assistance. Which rather brings to full circle the Republican charge that Biden is importing Democrat voters as he casts the border wide open. The Doyle memo purportedly only covers illegals who came to the states before November 2020. Does anyone believe that that won't be extended to those who came after 2020? The illegals, who are now surging in in record numbers from more than 100 countries, are reading it that way. And with Joe Biden on track to at least attempt to steal the midterms and perhaps the 2024 election to ensure a permanent blue nation, why wouldn't they be right? Why wouldn't this amnesty go on and on and on, extending every few years? With illegals now big consumers of government benefits, and Biden turning every benefit-doling government agency into a voter registration station, why wouldn't that be all about creating new Democrat voters? Illegals already serve to pad Democrat congressional seats in dead districts where few are entitled to vote and the million that have been allowed in amount to a full thee congressional seats if they all move the same place. Now that they are being put on the fast track to citizenship, they become even more valuable to Democrats, who have only socialism and wokesterism to sell to the rest of the voters, as newly minted voters. Increasingly, it's getting clear what this let-them-all-in Biden immigration policy is about. First thing a Republican-led Congress must do is force these characters into fulfilling their oaths of office to uphold the law is to demand the end to these policies or else impeach these scofflaws out of their jobs. One can only hope that Republicans will be motivated by some decent survival instinct amid this legal travesty. Image: Screen shot from video posted by WKRG on YouTube. Angered that the Supreme Court announced in Dobbs that abortion is not part of the Constitution but is, instead, a matter for the states to decide, a lot of leftists are announcing that they're ready to burn down the entire American system rather than yield to the Supreme Court's ruling. Leading the charge are sitting members of Congress, people such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Maxine Waters. What they are demanding, and an army of activists is agreeing to do, is a classic insurrection. Immediately upon learning about the ruling in Dobbs, Ocasio-Cortez was on the warpath: "This decision: illegitimate," Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez yelled into a megaphone an activist was holding. Following the declaration that the Supreme Court's decision is "illegitimate," AOC called on activists to take to the streets for mass protests, language that has sparked civil unrest throughout the United States in the past. "Into the streets," AOC chanted repeatedly outside the High Court, according to video captured by Hernandez. BREAKING: Congresswoman @AOC has arrived in front of the Supreme Court and is chanting that the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v Wade is illegitimate and calls for people to get into the streets | @TPUSA pic.twitter.com/jNkCYDrLtz Drew Hernandez (@DrewHLive) June 24, 2022 Maxine Waters was also in an inciting kind of mood, with a masked Rep. Al Green's silent approval: This turnout here? You aint seen nothing yet the hell with the Supreme Court! We will defy them. - Rep. Maxine Waters pic.twitter.com/i8fUMDiRhA philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 24, 2022 There are a lot of people who are prepared to heed her call people like Cameron Kasky, who attended Parkland High School on the day of the infamous shooting. He seems to have developed a taste for violence: And Cameron is not the only one: Completely unhinged https://t.co/4S1jmHL207 Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 24, 2022 We need to burn it all down, light it on fire. Unhinged pro-abortion activist openly calls for violence against Supreme Court Justices. @FBI pic.twitter.com/CEZSCRU4EJ Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 24, 2022 All these threats are illegal without a finding that they engaged in an insurrection. And I'm betting that by the time you read this, there will be many more such threats. There are also the demands for violent protests in the streets: They are everywhere on Twitter tonight calling for this.... pic.twitter.com/igAIpGqQ6e DragonSFL (@SflDragon) June 24, 2022 We already know from 2020 that these will not be peaceful protests. They will trash cars, smash windows, loot businesses, and burn things down. The federal code, at 18 USC 2383, defines an insurrection along with the penalty: Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States. To a sane, unemotional observer, walking peacefully through the Capitol on January 6, unarmed, after activists have removed "no trespassing" signs and (along with Capitol police) opened the doors into the Capitol, does not seem to meet the metric of "incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof." The people in and around the Capitol were not trying to overthrow the system or deny the law of the land; they just wanted someone to check for election fraud in a bizarre election strongly affected by admittedly unconstitutional legal changes to state voting processes. This time around, it's a bit different. Ocasio-Cortez has explicitly stated that the law of the United States as articulated by the Supreme Court is "illegitimate" and Waters has told people to defy the Supreme Court. Both have urged people to take to the streets to overthrow the law of the land. That's incitement. Further, even as they say this, both know, or should know, that these street actions will be violent and intended to intimidate or destabilize the government. They also know that 2383 does not have a "congressperson loophole." No matter who you are, if you directly rebel against the laws of the U.S. in a violent way, you're an insurrectionist. It's actually not complicated but here's the twist. (Of course there's a twist.) Attorney General Merrick Garland won't do a damn thing about Ocasio-Cortez. Waters. or anyone else. Although the AG's office exists to enforce the laws of the United States, Garland has shown that such petty considerations do not affect him. Instead, he exists to protect the Democrat party, its values, and its politicians. He does that very well, by the way. The other part of his job description...meh. Not so much. So, while Waters, Ocasio-Cortez, and those who think as they do have begun the first stages of a textbook insurrection, don't expect them to face any consequences for their actions. Being a Democrat means never having to say you're sorry or go to jail. Image: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calling to overthrow the law. Twitter screen grab. The Mediterranean Levant Basin is offshore to Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Cyprus. It could hold 120 trillion cubic feet of gas. This is enough to supply energy for the region and Europe. Israel has two huge gas fields, Leviathan and Tamar, as well as other smaller gas fields, which are part of Israel's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in that basin. The Karish natural field is one of these. Gas was discovered there in 2016, Karish is owned by Energean Israel. In 2017 the Israeli Minister of Energy approved development. United Nations international maritime maps, including maps submitted by Lebanon in 2011, show Karish in Israeli territorial waters. In 2019 it was revealed that Karish has recoverable natural gas resources significantly larger than originally expected. Under pressure from Hezb'allah, Lebanon claims Karish ownership and asserts the maps are wrong. Lebanon demands that drilling be halted until the dispute regarding maritime borders is settled. Energean installed an exploration platform in the Kadish Field, and announced they would begin extracting gas within three months. Hezb'allah was founded in 1982 by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Lebanese voters have given Hezb'allah powerful influence and seats in Lebanon's Parliament. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, secretary general of Hezb'allah, gave a televised speech on June 9 about "Israeli provocations" in the maritime area. He threatens to strike the gas rig that Israel is setting up at Karish. Nasrallah thundered that Lebanon has the right to fight militarily to prevent Israel from extracting oil and gas from the Karish area. Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati invited Biden's State Department energy envoy Amos Hochstein to mediate "negotiations to demarcate the southern maritime border and to work on concluding the issue as fast as possible to prevent any escalation that would not serve the state of stability in the region." Is that a threat from the prime minister? Amos Hochstein served under Obama Administration Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. Neither of these secretaries were known as pro-Israel. In Beirut on June 14, Amos met with Lebanese president Michel Aoun at the Baabda Presidential Palace. It is reported that Hochstein proposed a gas field swap, but Lebanon did not officially agree. No date is set for Hochstein's visit to Israel. Diplomacy proceeds tentatively. Leader of the terrorist Hamas organization, Ismail Haniyeh, went to Lebanon June 23rd for a meeting with Nasrallah. We speculate on what these terrorist haters of Israel might have discussed. Lebanon and Egypt are expected to sign an agreement for gas supply through a pipeline which will pass from Egypt through Jordon and Syria. Lebanon has a severe energy shortage and many parts of the country have electricity only two hours a day. A Catch-22 is that Egypt gets much of its gas from Israel. Israel, Egypt, and the European Union (EU) signed a milestone "memorandum of understanding" in mid-June that Israel will export its natural gas to the EU. The goal is to reduce dependence on Russian gas. Gas will flow from Israel to Egypt through a pipeline and then be transported on tankers to Europe. It is anticipated that this will bring $1 billion shekels to Israel. The importance of gas development to Israel was not always self-evident. Over a decade ago, Israeli cooperative gas development was blocked by Anti-Trust Commissioner David Gilo. Prime Minister Netanyahu declared gas development to be a national security priority and Commissioner Gilo resigned. Houston-based Noble Energy and Israel's Delek Group became consortium partners. Leftist member of the Knesset Zehava Galon launched an attack suggesting that American philanthropist Sheldon Adelson had contacted Netanyahu to influence the natural gas issue. Zehava wanted Netanyahu out of gas negotiations. Adelson responded "I never had any discussions, in writing, in person, or by telephone with the Prime Minister regarding any gas company. I hope that Israel becomes energy independent and an energy exporter, but so does every Israeli and every Jew around the world. I don't even know Noble Energy. This is all a complete fabrication and 100% false." It was determined that the accusations were completely without merit. Adelson died in 2021, but he must be elated because his hope for Israel's energy has come true. Darlene Casella is an internationally published writer, a former English teacher, stockbroker, and owner/president of a small corporation. She is active with Republican Women Federated, the Coachella Valley Lincoln Club, the California Republican Party, PEO, Armed Services YMCA-29 Palms Marine Base. She can be reached at darlenecasella@msn.com Image: Fjmustak. Consider the following social experiment: There is an auditorium with 100 people seated. Only 10 among them have megaphones. Among those who don't, a second group of people is seated at distance from the auditorium such that only the voices emanating from the megaphones are audible A third group is insulated from all noise from the auditorium, and they can only read transcripts of the utterances within the auditorium. The 100 individuals in the auditorium engage in an abortion debate on pro-choice vs. pro-life. In the auditorium, only the 10 fanatical proponents of abortion have megaphones that can be heard. They are also permitted to move around the auditorium. They are privately informed that any violence on their part will be ignored. Of the remaining 90 in the auditorium, most are pro-life and want abortions outlawed in all situations. Some say abortion should only be permitted during the early stages of pregnancy for situations such as rape or incest or the possibility of harm to the mother. Some aren't keen to talk about this very personal matter but were forced to appear. This group has to rely solely on vocal cords to be audible. They must remain seated. They are informed that severe punishment will be meted out if they threaten or even raise a finger against the 10 with the megaphones. As the debate progresses, the 10 pro-choice individuals with the megaphones shout down the pro-lifers. They also indulge in mocking, ridiculing, and deriding the pro-lifers. They pelt objects at the pro-lifers and even knock a few of them down. When the debate concludes, the part of the audience which could only hear voices from the megaphones is polled. A majority claim that most in the auditorium are pro-choice and that they didn't hear a single compelling argument that was pro-life. Now the portion of the audience which could only read the transcript is polled. They read the arguments on both sides and infer that the pro-life contingent emerged on top by a wide margin. This is an exact allegory of the situation after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (1973) which allows the states to decide the legality of abortion. If you have been watching the coverage in the mainstream media, you would be pardoned for thinking that the entire country is enraged by the ruling and wants to demolish the Supreme Court. This is because the Democrats control the media. Their range of coverage began with a miserable Nancy Pelosi sounding like she was bereaved and ended with an angry Maxine Watters using inflammatory language cursing the Supreme Court and threatening to defy the ruling. The pundits and news anchors echo these sentiments. There is also favorable coverage of 'activists' marching for abortion, lots and lots of it. The violence and threats are downplayed or defined as righteous anger. The pro-life groups that support the overturning of Roe v. Wade keep their opinions private. They have jobs and families, hence, they do not have the time to indulge in protests, marches, and demonstrations. They are law-abiding and do not believe in property destruction and violence as a means to express dissent. To sum it up, the pro-choice people are a minority whose voices are amplified while the pro-life people are a majority whose voices are suppressed. The Supreme Court ruling is a resounding victory for President Trump, the GOP, and conservatism. Almost every Democrat that denounced the ruling blamed President Trump and called his appointees extremists. It is almost as if they were kicking off Trump's 2024 campaign for the White House. Nobody is talking about the staged January 6 hearings. The immediate impact is that the margin of victory for the GOP during November just got bigger. The Democrats have refreshed public memory regarding their violence, intolerance, and extremism. Their true colors are once again on display on a much wider canvas. The people will be reminded that these aren't tthe Democrats of the '90s who said that abortions should be "safe, legal, and rare." This isn't even the Democrat party of 2008 when Hillary Clinton said the same thing during a presidential debate. The Democrat party now hysterically celebrates abortions and reacts violently to anyone who doesn't subscribe to this perspective. When the draft that provided the rationale for overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked last month, the far left went on a rampage. There was an assassination plot against Justice Brett Kavanaugh, that was fortunately thwarted. Miscreants vandalized Catholic churches and crisis pregnancy centers. Thugs tossed a Molotov cocktail into the offices of a pro-life group. Threatening and profanity-laced demonstrations were conducted outside the homes of conservative justices and have been going on for more than a month. Two justices are reportedly in isolation now. If the prospect of overturning Roe v. Wade caused such a violent reaction, we can only imagine the reaction now that Roe v. Wade has actually been overturned. Most, people, including moderate Democrats, will be horrified to see the conduct of their fellow Democrats. So how should the GOP react? The biggest mistake that GOP lawmakers could commit is to confuse the cacophonous voices of Democrat troublemakers and the consensus of the silent majority. This conflation was probably among the reasons that some in the GOP capitulated before the Democrats and passed a gun control bill a few days back, that among other things, enables the confiscation of guns merely on the basis of suspicion. If the GOP panics once again because of the noise around them in Washington and works with the Democrats to pass a law that either undoes or dilutes the overturning of Roe v. Wade, it would be suicidal. The Democrats will become saviors of abortion and the GOP will become a double betrayer, first on gun issues and second on the issues of the sanctity of life. This scenario is most unlikely but not impossible. The GOP will now be judged on two levels. Firstly, by how the GOP governors react. This isn't merely issuing statements of condemnation against the violence or being pro-life. GOP governors must use all their powers to protect their citizens against unruly mobs. They must be uncompromising as they enforce the laws with no appeasement of rioters. Citizens have a right to march or protest peacefully, but no one has the right to vandalize, loot, or riot. GOP lawmakers in Washington have a few very easy tasks. They must reiterate their pro-life stance. They must venerate the Supreme Court for being protectors of the Constitution. They must denounce the Democrats for being proponents of barbaric abortion practices and for their anti-democratic stand, their violence, and their intolerance. The GOP must also call out the Democrats for interfering in the workings of the Supreme Court, being anti-Democratic through threatening the Supreme Court, and by being enablers of lawlessness. The GOP can cement its reputation of being the party of law and order. A cherry on the cake would be if the GOP can pass laws to protect citizens and empower law enforcement as the Democrat miscreants and thugs rampage. The GOP must not interrupt the Democrats who are rapidly imploding before everybody's eyes. Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License. The words of Justice Samuel Alito in the Dobbs decision, in which the Supreme Court expressly overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, could not be clearer. "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," he writes. "Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision had damaging consequences." Justice Alito quoted Justice Byron White's characterization of Roe in his 1973 dissenting opinion: an "exercise of raw judicial power." The Court has now pulled back from that unconstitutional exercise of "raw judicial power" and redeemed itself, as it did in 1954, when the Brown decision overruled Plessy v. Ferguson. Justice Alito explained accurately that the "Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision," including the 14th Amendment. He correctly notes that until the late 20th century, the right to an abortion "was entirely unknown in American law," and at the time the 14th Amendment was ratified, "three quarters of the States made abortion a crime at all stages of pregnancy." Stare decisis, which favors affirming past decisions of the Court, Alito writes, "does not compel unending adherence to Roe's abuse of judicial authority." Justice Harry Blackmun, who authored Roe's "abuse of judicial authority," and the justices who joined that infamous opinion should be remembered in history like Chief Justice Roger Taney, the author of the Dred Scott decision, and the justices who joined that infamous opinion, which declared African-Americans to be chattel. Justice Alito uses a historical tour de force to show that abortion had been considered a crime in common law dating back at least to the 13th century, and that there was no common law case or authority "that remotely suggests a positive right to procure an abortion at any stage of pregnancy." In America's colonial period, Alito notes, abortion was a crime. During the 19th century, he continues, "the vast majority of the States enacted statutes criminalizing abortion at all stages of pregnancy." And "many judicial decisions from the late 19th and early 20th centuries" expressed the opinion that "abortion kills a human being." By 1960, "statutes in all but four States and the District of Columbia prohibited abortion ... unless done to save or preserve the life of the mother." This history lesson put the lie to the Roe majority's assertion that abortion was "deeply rooted in the history or tradition of our people." Instead, Alito concludes, our history evidences "an unbroken tradition of prohibiting abortion on pain of criminal punishment ... from the earliest days of the common law until 1973." In perhaps the most compelling paragraph of the opinion, Justice Alito explains how Roe and Casey unconstitutionally substituted the ruling of unelected judges for the democratic processes on matters of policy that belong to the people acting through their elected legislatures: Roe was on a collision course with the Constitution from the day it was decided, Casey perpetuated its errors, and those errors do not concern some arcane corner of the law of little importance to the American people. Rather, wielding nothing but "raw judicial power," Roe, 410 U. S., at 222 (White, J., dissenting), the Court usurped the power to address a question of profound moral and social importance that the Constitution unequivocally leaves for the people. Casey described itself as calling both sides of the national controversy to resolve their debate, but in doing so, Casey necessarily declared a winning side. Those on the losing side those who sought to advance the State's interest in fetal life could no longer seek to persuade their elected representatives to adopt policies consistent with their views. The Court short-circuited the democratic process by closing it to the large number of Americans who dissented in any respect from Roe. "Roe fanned into life an issue that has inflamed our national politics in general, and has obscured with its smoke the selection of Justices to this Court in particular, ever since." Casey, 505 U. S., at 995996 (opinion of Scalia, J.). Together, Roe and Casey represent an error that cannot be allowed to stand. Justice Alito again refers to Justice White's scathing conclusion that in Roe the Court engaged in "unrestrained imposition of its own extraconstitutional value preferences." Those value preferences will now be tested at the ballot box and in the legislative chambers and executive offices of our fifty states. The Court's opinion in Dobbs does not outlaw abortion. Instead, in Justice Alito's words, it returns "that authority to the people and their elected representatives." The Court's opinion in Dobbs confirms what Pennsylvania Democratic governor Robert Casey said nearly thirty years ago: the "right" to abortion was "something created by the Supreme Court in 1973. It's not in our Constitution. It's not in any of our traditions or history." The harm Roe and Casey did to our democratic processes, however, pales in comparison to the harm those decisions inflicted on more than 60 million unborn babies who have been "legally" aborted since Roe was decided in what Father John Powell, S.J. called "the silent holocaust." And the Court's decision in Dobbs should leave little doubt that Donald Trump's most consequential action as president was the nomination of three Supreme Court justices who tipped the balance on the Court in favor of overruling Roe and Casey. Image via Max Pixel. The Steam Deck so far has proven to be a wonderful little machine for playing games, but one thing youll want is at least one microSD card for storage, and we thought wed round up the best ones to consider. Now, if you ended up with the 512GB version of the Steam Deck you may have just enough storage for games you plan to play. 512GB isnt a lot of storage especially for how big games are these days, but if youre the type to juggle your installs when you need to make room for something, then it might suffice. If youre like us and dont want to deal with that kind of hassle, then a microSD card for the Steam Deck is definitely the way to go. Its easier than replacing the internal SSD and if you arent sure how to do it, then chances are you might have to pay to have someone do it for you. Making the microSD option cheaper as well. Advertisement In short, for the majority of users, a microSD card is going to be the best way to get more game storage on the Steam Deck. But, which ones should you be looking at? You shouldnt just use any old microSD card. You can, but you shouldnt, as you want one with optimal speeds for loading games. So heres our list of the best microSD cards for the Steam Deck that will meet those standards. The Best microSD cards for the Steam Deck SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC UHS-I (128GB 1TB) Price: From $24.79 Where To Buy: Amazon Kicking things off were suggesting the SanDisk Extreme Pro card for a few reasons. For starters, it comes from Western Digitals SanDisk brand which has been around forever and is a trusted name in storage products. For another, the Extreme Pro is one of its newer cards and comes in a variety of sizes. Though we wouldnt suggest anything under a 128GB and for our own purposes, wed probably go higher than that. Because as noted above, many AAA games these days are insanely large. Advertisement More importantly though, this card in particular will give you fast read and write speeds. Which is going to help with load times. In general you want to be looking at something that offers a read/write speed of around 100MB/s. This card has a read speed of up to 170MB/s and a write speed of up to 90MB/s. So it fits right in with you should be looking for. The only downside to this card is that the 1TB and even the 512GB are a little expensive. That being said, there are other options on this list that cost less and will give you the same amount of storage. For us though, this has performed really well during our testing so far. Advertisement PNY XLR8 Gaming Class microSDXC UHS-I (128GB 512GB) Price: From $15.99 Where To Buy: Amazon This is actually the first card we started using with the Steam Deck and like the SanDisk Extreme Pro, it has fast read and write speeds. It also comes in up to 512GB in size. We have the 512GB model in our Steam Deck, and its been a real boon for allowing us to install more games. Since we went with the 256GB version of the Steam Deck, storage began to fill up fast with games like Elden Ring and Final Fantasy XIV. So a larger size card was definitely needed. PNY also designed this card specifically to be used for gaming in devices like the Nintendo Switch, mobile devices, and the Steam Deck. That doesnt mean it can only be used for those devices. But it does help that PNY had portable gaming in mind when making this product. Advertisement As for read and write speeds, youre looking at up to 100MB/s for read and up to 90MB/s for write. Putting it mostly on par with the card above. And easily making this one of the best microSD cards for the Steam Deck. PNY XLR8 Gaming 128GB - 512GB Samsung Evo Select microSDXc UHS-I (256Gb & 512GB) Advertisement Price: From $29.99 Where To Buy: Amazon Samsung is another trusted brand in memory and storage so naturally wed suggest the Evo Select card as an option. It has the same read and write speeds as the PNY XLR8 Gaming class card, but youre looking at over twice the price for it right now on Amazon. Normally it retails for $69.99 which is only $10 more than the 512GB PNY card above. But all of the 512GB models seem to be from third-party resellers. Unfortunately, Samsungs website is out of stock on this one so Amazon is probably your best bet if you want this particular card. We would suggest the PNY though since youll spend less. That being said, you can also pick up the Evo Select in a 256GB for $29.99 which is pretty affordable. Advertisement Samsung Evo Select 256GB & 512GB Lexar microSDXC UHS-I 512GB Price: $69.99 Where To Buy: Amazon Another good option is this Lexar card which comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage sizes. Its also a high-speed card with read speeds of up to 100MB/s. The one downside is that the write speeds are a bit slower at up to 30MB/s. So in comparison to any of the other cards so far, it loses out there. Advertisement However, this might not make that much of a difference to you. And if thats the case you cant go wrong here. We still think the PNY is a better value though with higher write speeds and the same amount of storage for a lower price. Nevertheless, this is still one of the best microSD cards for the Steam Deck. Lexar microSDXC 512GB SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I 1TB Price: From $167.71 Where To Buy: Amazon, B&H, Newegg If you really prefer a SanDisk card but dont want to pay as much, then you might want to consider the SanDisk Extreme as opposed to the Extreme Pro. You can pick up this model of microSD card in a 1TB storage size for $167.71 on Amazon at the time of writing. Which is a fraction of the $399.99 price of the Pro model at 1TB. As for read and write speeds, youre looking at up to 160MB/s for read and up to 90MB/s for write. So really, youre not losing much by not getting the Extreme Pro, and you still get a SanDisk card with 1TB of storage for all those games. SanDisk Extreme 1TB Lexar Play microSDXC UHS-I (256GGB 1TB) Another one of the best cards is the Lexar Play card, which can come in up to 1TB and has read speeds up to 150MB/s. And, the 1TB model only costs $133.99 at the time of writing so this is a pretty good deal compared to other 1TB cards on this list. This was also designed with gaming in mind and works great in devices like the Nintendo Switch. So naturally itll be a great option for the Steam Deck too. If you dont need a whole lot of extra space, a 128GB version of this card is only $16.99. Not bad, not bad at all. Lexar Play 256GB - 1TB Lexar Professional 1066x microSDXC UHS-I 512GB Price: $82.99 Where To Buy: Amazon One last option from Lexar is the Professional 1066x card. This comes in up to 512GB in size and for under $100 you get a pretty decent card with some fast read and write speeds. Specifically, read speeds are up to 160MB/s and write speeds are up to 120MB/s. Its not the cheapest 512GB model card on this list but it definitely has faster write speeds than any other option on it. So make of that what you will. Lexar Professional 1066x 512GB Samsung Evo Plus microSDXC UHS-I 512GB Rounding out this list is the Samsung Evo Plus in a 512GB model card. Its available at a slightly cheaper price than the Lexar card above and it comes from Samsung so its a well-known brand. Read and write speeds arent as fast as some of the other options though. Value-wise, wed lean towards one of the earlier options, but this is still one of the best microSD cards for the Steam Deck and it isnt too expensive. Again though, the 512GB card from PNY is the cheapest 512GB option available thats in this list. And for the combination of read and write speeds and price, plus it being a card that was designed for portable gaming devices, we think its a better option. That being said, all the cards listed should work great for the Steam Deck. So it really comes down to what you want. Samsung Evo Plus 512GB Balkans: ISPI analyst, further erosion of EU credibility No candidate status to BiH and negotiations for Skopje, Tirana (by Stefano Giantin) (ANSA) - BELGRADE, JUN 24 - The failure to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina and further delays in opening EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania represent "further erosion of the EU's credibility in the region, which will feel even more abandoned. But the worst consequences will be for the Union: the EU should not be surprised if other global players have filled the vacuum left by its broken promises in a few years." Giorgio Fruscione, political scientist and Balkans expert at the Institute for International Policy Studies (Ispi), took stock of the situation in the Balkans in an interview with ANSA. "Geopolitical choices always have consequences; this was yet another assist to Russia," the analyst adds. Fruscione gives a "negative" assessment of the EU's stance toward the Balkans. "For a long time, we have rightly criticized the lack of progress in reforms at the local level, but for at least three years, Brussels has been making a mockery of the candidates, first and foremost Albania and North Macedonia. As a result, these countries are now completely powerless. They cannot free themselves from the limbo they have fallen into because of the Bulgarian veto and the French president's enlargement reform proposals. It, therefore, seems realistic to say that "the EU has unjustly abandoned the Balkans. At the local level," Fruscione concludes, "the consequence will be an acceleration of the authoritarian drift, particularly in Serbia, and greater influence by third-party actors. For the EU, the inability to reform in a truly collegial sense will make it increasingly hostage to politically motivated vetoes of a single country. And we will likely see this in the coming years, even to the detriment of new candidates Moldova and Ukraine." (ANSA). Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved Sir Paul McCartney has kicked off his Glastonbury headline slot with a rendition of The Beatles hit Cant Buy Me Love. The Pipe Of Peace singer told the Glastonbury crowd that it was good to be here after playing the opening songs of his headline slot. Sir Paul onstage as the crowds look on (Yui Mok/PA) Sir Paul, at 80, is the oldest headline act in the 50 years of the festival, which started just as the constituent parts of The Beatles were beginning solo careers following their break-up. The ex-Beatle had warmed up with a gig in nearby Frome on Friday with surprises apparently in store as audience members were asked to deactivate their phones to prevent any secrets leaking out before he arrived at Glastonbury. Crowds at the festival have enjoyed an entertaining Saturday, with the likes of Noel Gallagher and Yungblud rocking the various stages. Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds performing at the Glastonbury Festival (Ben Birchall/PA) Olivia Rodrigo performing on the Other Stage at Glastonbury (Ben Birchall/PA) Yungblud performing on the John Peel Stage (Ben Birchall/PA) Billy Nomates performing on the Left Field Stage (Ben Birchall/PA) Earlier, a young couple said Love Me Do as former Beatle Sir Paul prepared to take to the Pyramid Stage on Saturday night. Lara and Elliot Dayeh-Bunce had wanted to get married at Glastonbury but had to settle for renewing their recently-taken vows for legal reasons as Worthy Farm is not licensed for weddings. Six weeks into wedlock, they renewed their solemn declaration at the Church at Glastonbury tent after a nights revelry which saw them return to their own canvas home at 4.30am. The festivalgoers in front of their temporary home (Yui Mok/PA) The vicar doubled up as wedding photographer (Yui Mok/PA) The vows are renewed (Yui Mok/PA) The happy couple emerge (Yui Mok/PA) Festivalgoers at Worthy Farm (Ben Birchall/PA) Climate activist Greta Thunberg speaking on the Pyramid Stage (Yui Mok/PA) Festivalgoers listen to Greta Thunberg (Yui Mok/PA) Ukraine was also well represented at the festival, months after it was invaded by neighbour Russia. Crowds watch the Ukrainian group Go_A performing on the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury (Ben Birchall/PA) The Prime Minister has hailed an inspiring and uplifting few days in Rwanda, as the UK announced partnerships to support marginalised groups abroad and help young diplomats tackle global challenges. Boris Johnson said we should all cherish the Commonwealth on the final day of a leaders summit in Kigali, as he prepares to meet with the G7 in Germany. But the PMs trip to Rwanda has been far from smooth-sailing, as he faced fresh questions over the future of his premiership in the wake of two crunch by-election losses for the Tories. Defending his position some 4,000 miles from home, he insisted he would not undergo a psychological transformation, claiming voters were tired of hearing about what he was alleged to have done wrong. Meanwhile, he said he had a good old chinwag with the Prince of Wales during their first talks since Charles reportedly called his controversial asylum policy appalling. The Prince of Wales shakes hands with Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Chris Jackson/PA) Mr Johnson also warned during his trip that pressure would grow to coerce the Ukrainians to a bad peace due to economic stresses sparked by the Russian invasion. Asked at the British high commissioners residence in Kigali what he meant by concerns of Ukraine fatigue, he said: I know it is tough. I know it is tough in the UK. I know the cost of food has gone up. Everybody is looking at this and too many countries are saying this is a European war that is unnecessary. It is an economic problem that we dont need and so the pressure will grow to encourage, coerce maybe the Ukrainians to a bad peace. Pressed on who this was coming from, he said: I think just generally. I just think there is a general sentiment. I think the risk is that people will fail to see that it is vital to stand up against aggression if Putin gets away with aggression in Ukraine, if he gets away with the naked conquest of other peoples territory, then the read across for every single country here is absolutely dramatic. An inspiring and uplifting few days! From bolstering our trade networks to launching programmes to get girls around the world access to quality education this is what @CHOGM2022 is about. We should all cherish the Commonwealth. pic.twitter.com/GDEj8bJvh5 Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) June 25, 2022 The collapse of the international system and failure to stand up for international borders, they get that. And it would be a long term economic disaster. On Saturday, the Foreign Office announced two new initiatives, including a 27 million partnership with the UKs leading overseas volunteering charity, VSO, and a joint diplomatic programme with India. The former will empower people living in low-income countries to take control of their futures, the FCDO said, while the latter will equip young diplomats from all Commonwealth member states with expertise and training on global challenges. The VSO funding will deliver the Active Citizenship Through Inclusive Volunteering and Empowerment (Active) programme, which aims to reach 2.5 million people across 18 countries by mobilising marginalised groups including women, young people and those with disabilities to act on the issues that are most important to them and their communities. Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad said: By unleashing the potential of individuals and communities through voluntary work, while supporting the best locally led organisations to meet the priorities of the people and communities they benefit, we can bring about lasting, inclusive change. Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad (Victoria Jones/PA) Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK and India are helping to build a modern Commonwealth fit for the 21st century and delivering tangible benefits for its members. Thats why we are working together on a new Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy programme, which will equip young diplomats with expertise and training they will need to tackle the global challenges we face, she said. Graduates from the programme will play a crucial role in delivering a rejuvenated Commonwealth united in support of self-determination. It comes after Mr Johnson announced 2.7 million in fresh funding to help LGBT rights activists fight discrimination and violence across Commonwealth countries. The Prime Minister said the values held dear by the nations should apply to everyone in society. Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine will dominate the agenda at two key meetings of world leaders taking place in the coming days. Boris Johnson will join counterparts including US President Joe Biden, Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Olaf Scholz at the G7 and Nato summits in the coming days. What is the G7? The Group of Seven industrialised democracies are the UK, US, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Italy, with the European Union also represented at the talks. The G7 summit is being held in Schloss Elmau, a luxury hotel in the German Alps from Sunday to Tuesday. Whats on the agenda? Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky will address the leaders remotely, and the G7 leaders will consider the response to the war and its impact on the global economy and food supplies. Strong alliances for a sustainable planet that is one of the most important goals of the G7 Summit under German presidency. Germany must become climate neutral by 2045. But what does it mean in concrete terms when temperatures rise? An example from the Alps: pic.twitter.com/c2hhMhi7pt G7 GER (@G7) June 24, 2022 But Germany, which holds the rotating G7 presidency, hopes the groups talks will not be limited to the crisis in eastern Europe. Mr Scholz said the war must not lead the G7 to neglect our responsibility for global challenges such as the climate crisis and the pandemic. He warned that if the G7 democracies do not support poorer countries powers like Russia and China will take advantage. As well as the permanent G7 members, the leaders of Argentina, India, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa have been invited as guests. Whats the Prime Ministers aim? He wants to ensure the G7 is behind president Zelensky and that the group steps up measures to isolate Mr Putin. That could mean showing support for Ukraines aim of driving Russia out of the territory it has occupied since Februarys invasion and imposing further sanctions to weaken the Kremlin regime. The #G7 summit starts in three days. For the second time, the Group of 7 is meeting under German presidency in Schloss Elmau near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. What does this place have that others don't? #G7GER pic.twitter.com/3SMWhe8i1Z G7 GER (@G7) June 23, 2022 What about Nato? The North Atlantic Treaty Organisations role in guaranteeing security in Europe is facing its biggest test since the Cold War due to concerns that Mr Putins territorial ambitions may not be limited to Ukraine. The Prime Minister wants allies to agree to a new phase in military, political and financial support for Ukraine. NATOs multinational battlegroups are a vital part of #NATOs deterrence and defence posture in the eastern part of the Alliance NATO (@NATO) June 23, 2022 Mr Zelensky is also set to address the Nato summit in Madrid. Mr Johnson also wants more defence spending in the alliance, with the commitment to spend 2% of gross domestic product being treated as a floor, rather than a ceiling. What else is on the agenda? Finland and Sweden have applied for Nato membership, and the guarantee of mutual protection it brings, in response to Russias actions. A historic day. Today, Finland and Sweden hand in letters expressing their countries interest to apply for #NATO membership to SG @jensstoltenberg. #FinlandNATO pic.twitter.com/5atdSykRmJ Finland at NATO (@FinMissionNATO) May 18, 2022 Mr Johnson supports the Nordic countries joining, but there has been resistance from Turkey, citing their support for Kurdish separatist groups. Is Russia the only country Nato is worried about? No, the growth of China as a military, political and economic power also concerns the Western alliance. Secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said: For the first time, we will address China and the challenges it poses to our interests, security and values. Both Moscow and Beijing are openly contesting the rules-based international order, he said ahead of the Madrid summit. Boris Johnson believes the United Nations plan to get the grain out of Ukraine is doomed to fail because Vladimir Putin will use famine as a bargaining chip to ease sanctions. The Prime Minister argued leaders need to now consider plan B as he pledged British expertise to help de-mine the Back Sea and provide further weapons. Mr Johnson wants to offer insurance for commercial vessels to go free the 23 million tonnes of grain trapped by the Russian presidents blockade. The UN is trying to alleviate a global food crisis by calling on Nato member Turkey and Russia to agree a safe corridor for exports. (PA Graphics) Mr Johnson told reporters: Now the problem is that Putin is going to use that as a pretext, as a way to try and get sanctions relaxed. And he is going to say Ill let the 23 million tonnes of grain out if youll go easy on this, this and this. I dont think thats a runner. So we have to think about a plan B which would be to find ways of empowering the Ukrainians to control the sea lanes from the shore with various bits of kit. And there are two things in particular which the UK has expertise in. One is de-mining, remote de-mining, and the other is insurance of commercial vessels in contested waters and how to make it possible for people to take on that job. Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Dan Kitwood/PA) He said Britain is in talks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and the Turks to get an agreement. At some stage the world is going to have to move from Plan A which is the UN plan with Russian help, which I think is probably going to be a non-starter, to a plan B, he added. Mr Johnson insisted Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan definitely wants the grain out when asked if he is too close to the Putin regime. The Prime Minister said Ukraine is at a critical point in the war where it appears that the Russians are running out of puff. And you know, just mincing, mincing up the Ukrainians, let me choose a better word, can you strike mincing out, just keep grinding forward, thats a better way of putting it, keep grinding forward, thats a better way of putting it. That is the risk, he added. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA) Mr Johnson was in Rwanda discussing the grain crisis with leaders at a Commonwealth summit and will travel on to G7 and Nato meetings in Europe. He warned allies against becoming exhausted with this thing, arguing it would be a disaster for the world if Mr Putin wins ground. Im going to make it today in the (leaders) retreat, but tomorrow in the G7. I think its just repeating that basic point that a victory for Putin is a disaster, Mr Johnson said. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was also warning against getting tired support for Ukraine, as she warned against a peace deal that would be a concession to Moscow. After holding talks with Turkey in Ankara, she told reporters in Kigali that weve only got a month to do this. My concern is that Russia is currently prevaricating, she said. The immeasurable contribution to the life of the nation made by the Windrush generation is to be recognised by a series of portraits commissioned by the Prince of Wales. Charles will personally choose artists to paint the likenesses of the elderly Britons who travelled from the Caribbean to the UK to bolster the workforce and help the nation recover after the Second World War. Baroness Floella Benjamin is chairwoman of the Windrush Commemoration Committee which will choose those who will sit for the painters some of whom will be from the UKs black community. The prince said: The Windrush vessel arrived at Tilbury in the year I was born, inspiring a generation who made this country home. I have always thought of the United Kingdom as a community of communities whose strength is in our diversity and over the last 75 years this generation has made an immeasurable contribution to the society we share. That is why, in this special anniversary year, I wanted to pay my own heartfelt tribute to the role they have played in our nations story. Next year is the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury docks in 1948, bringing 500 passengers from the Caribbean. Jamaican immigrants welcomed by RAF officials from the Colonial Office after the ex-troopship HMT Empire Windrush landed them at Tilbury (PA) Alongside commissioning the portraits, the prince plans to host and attend events across the country to celebrate the impact of the Windrush generation. On Windrush Day, celebrated this year on Wednesday, the Duke of Cambridge spoke of the wide-ranging areas of British life which have been shaped by the work and skills of the Windrush generation and their descendants including commerce, manufacturing, sport, science, engineering and fashion. They have also provided valuable work for the transport system and the NHS which was founded two weeks after the Empire Windrush docked in England in 1948. William delivered his speech as he and the Duchess of Cambridge attended the unveiling of a national monument at Londons Waterloo Station to celebrate the dreams and courage of the Windrush generation. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by Baroness Floella Benjamin, Windrush passengers Alford Gardner and John Richards and children at the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument at Waterloo Station (John Sibley/PA) The Queen issued a message marking Windrush Day saying: The unveiling at Waterloo Station on Windrush Day serves as a fitting thank you to the Windrush pioneers and their descendants, on recognition of the profound contribution they have made to the United Kingdom over the decades. Baroness Benjamin said: The Prince of Wales has always been a great supporter of Caribbean Communities in the UK. In 1998, the Prince of Wales led the way for national Windrush celebrations with a reception in St Jamess Palace and were delighted his enduring support will ensure the nation celebrates together once again for this 75th anniversary. It is hoped the portraits will be unveiled on Windrush Day next June at the Queens Gallery in central London, with Charles opening the exhibition. The paintings will become part of the Royal Collection and will be offered on loan to institutions selected by the prince in consultation with the committee. The project is the latest in a series, with Charles commissioning, in 2010, 15 portraits of servicemen to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, five years later 12 D-Day veterans were immortalised in paint and in 2020 he paid tribute to seven Holocaust survivors by requesting they be painted. The ex-Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot a woman while responding to her 911 call will be released from prison Monday. Mohamed Noor, 36, gunned down Justine Ruszczyk Damond on July 15, 2017, after Damond called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her southwest Minneapolis home. Mohamed Noor stands up in a Minnesota courtroom in October 2021. Mohamed Noor stands up in a Minnesota courtroom in October 2021. (Elizabeth Flores/) Initially convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to 12 years in prison, Noors sentence was dropped to four years and nine months for manslaughter after the Minnesota Supreme Court tossed the murder charge in September 2021. Noor will be released early and spend the next 1 years on parole. Damond, who was engaged to be married at the time, thought she heard a woman being assaulted in the alley and called the cops. Noor was riding in the passenger seat as his partner pulled their squad car into the alley. Damond ran up to the car when she saw the officers arriving. Noor responded by reaching across his partner and firing a single, fatal gunshot. In 2018, a jury convicted Noor of third-degree murder. In 2019, he was moved to a North Dakota prison for his own safety, according to Minnesotas corrections department. Officers did not say where Noor was located ahead of his impending release. With News Wire Services A man stands among destruction after an earthquake in Paktika province, Afghanistan, on June 23. (Ebrahim Noroozi / Associated Press) Tents, food and medical supplies rolled into the mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan where thousands were left homeless or injured by this weeks powerful earthquake, which state media said killed 1,150 people. A new aftershock Friday took five more lives and deepened the misery. Among the dead from Wednesdays magnitude 6 quake are 121 children, but that figure is expected to climb, said Mohamed Ayoya, UNICEFs representative in Afghanistan. He said close to 70 children were injured. Overstretched aid agencies said the disaster underscored the need for the international community to rethink its financial cutoff of Afghanistan since Taliban insurgents seized the country 10 months ago. That policy, halting billions in development aid and freezing vital reserves, has helped push the economy into collapse and plunge Afghanistan deeper into humanitarian crises and near-famine. The quake struck a remote, deeply impoverished region of small towns and villages tucked among rough mountains near the Pakistani border, collapsing stone and mud-brick homes and in some cases killing entire families. Nearly 3,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged in Paktika and Khost provinces, state media reported. The effort to help the victims has been slowed by geography and Afghanistans decimated infrastructure. Rutted roads through the mountains, already slow to drive on, were made worse by quake damage and rain. The International Red Cross has five hospitals in the region, but damage to the roads made it difficult for those in the worse-hit areas to reach them, said Lucien Christen, a Red Cross spokesman in Afghanistan. Some of the injured had to be taken to a hospital in Ghazni, more than 80 miles away, that the Red Cross has kept running by paying salaries to staff for several months, he said. Many health facilities around the country have shut down, unable to pay personnel or obtain supplies. It shows if you dont have [a] functional health system, people cannot access basic services they need, especially in these sorts of times, Christen said. On Friday, Pakistans Meteorological Department reported a new magnitude 4.2 quake. Afghanistans state-run Bakhtar News Agency said five people were killed and 11 injured in Gayan, a district of Paktika province that is one of the areas worst hit in Wednesdays quake. Bakhtars Taliban director Abdul Wahid Rayan said Friday that the death toll had risen to 1,150 people, with at least 1,600 injured. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has put the death toll at 770 people. Its not clear how death toll counts are being reached, given the access difficulties. Either toll would make the quake Afghanistans deadliest in two decades. At Orgun, the main city in Paktika province, U.N. World Health Organization medical supplies were unloaded at the main hospital. In quake-hit villages, UNICEF delivered blankets, basic supplies and tarps for the homeless to use as tents. Aid groups said they feared cholera could break out after damage to water and hygiene systems. In main villages of Gayan district, residents crowded around trucks delivering aid Friday. People who had spent the previous two nights sleeping outdoors in the rain erected tents in the yards of their wrecked houses. For more than 24 hours after the quake, many had been on their own, digging through the rubble by hand in search of survivors. Still, help was slow to filter across the area. In one tiny hamlet, all 20 houses were flattened, and residents were taking refuge in nearby forests. Trucks of food and other necessities arrived from Pakistan, and planes full of humanitarian aid landed from Iran, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. But it was not clear how long it would take to reach devastated villages. Other countries sending aid have taken pains to make clear it would not go through the Taliban reflecting the widespread reluctance to deal with Afghanistans new rulers. Aid groups said that while they are rushing to help the victims, keeping Afghanistan just above catastrophe through humanitarian programs is not sustainable. Some urged the world to end or find ways around the financial cutoff that has wrecked the economy. We are basically letting 25 million Afghan people to starve, to die, not to be able to earn their own living if we keep on with this financial blockade, said Rossella Miccio, president of the aid organization Emergency, which operates a network of healthcare facilities and surgical centers across Afghanistan. Afghanistans economy had been reliant on international donor support even before the Taliban takeover in August as the U.S. and its NATO allies were withdrawing their forces, ending a 20-year war. World governments halted billions in development aid and froze billions more in Afghanistans currency reserves, refusing to recognize the Taliban government and demanding they allow a more inclusive rule and respect human rights. The former insurgents have resisted the pressure, imposing restrictions on the freedoms of women and girls, recalling their first time in power in the late 1990s. The cutoff yanked the supports out from under the economy. Now nearly half the population of 38 million cannot meet their basic food needs because of poverty. Most civil servants, including doctors, nurses and teachers, have not been paid for months, and salaries remain sporadic. Many aid groups have left the country. U.N. agencies and other remaining organizations have kept Afghanistan away from the brink of starvation with a humanitarian program that has fed millions and kept the medical system alive. But with international donors lagging, U.N. agencies face a $3-billion funding shortfall this year. International sanctions on Afghan banks make it difficult to send funds into the country. Some aid groups have to carry in large bags of cash to pay local staff in an expensive process that incurs fees along the way for transport and security. The International Rescue Agencys vice president for Asia, Adnan Junaid, said the international community must set a road map to resume development and release Afghanistans frozen reserves. Only a bold strategy that addresses the causes of this crisis will put an end to the spiral of misery being faced by its population, Junaid said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit police officers, from left, Nick Luzano, Eric Kelly and Eric Hofstein wear masks while patroling a train. Alameda County is dropping its short-lived mask mandate, but BART riders are still required to wear face coverings. (Jessica Christian / Associated Press) Three weeks after becoming the first California county to reinstitute a mask mandate in most indoor public settings amid climbing coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, Alameda County has rescinded the order citing improving conditions. The move, effective at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, coincides as the San Francisco Bay Areas second most populous county progresses from the high to medium COVID-19 community transmission level as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That agency recommends public indoor masking for counties in the high level, but not for those in medium. In a statement Friday, county officials didn't directly tie the fate of the local mask order to the CDC tiers, but instead said they closely monitored local trends and have determined the mandate can now be lifted. "Conditions have stabilized following the sustained increases in case reports and hospitalizations we saw throughout May," said county Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss. "While we expect continued impacts from COVID-19 in the coming weeks, and masks remain strongly recommended, it is appropriate to step down from the health officer masking order at this time." Over the seven-day period ending Thursday, Alameda County reported an average of 858 new coronavirus cases per day down 9% from two weeks ago, according to data compiled by The Times. As of Thursday, 141 coronavirus-positive patients were hospitalized countywide, including 15 in intensive care. Alameda's renewed mask mandate, which went into effect June 3, marked the first time a California county had reissued such an order since the initial winter Omicron surge faded. Though transmission has remained elevated since then, Alameda County ultimately proved to be an exception, rather than a harbinger. No other sizable county followed its lead. Even with the order soon to be lifted, Alameda County, like California as a whole, continues to strongly recommend public indoor masking. Masks work and are still an important tool to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, especially when rates are high, Moss said. We strongly encourage everyone to continue masking to protect themselves and others from COVID. Health officials in Los Angeles County have said they would reimpose a public indoor mask mandate should the region fall in the high COVID-19 community level for two consecutive weeks. That category, the worst on the CDC's three-tier scale, indicates not only significant community transmission but also that hospital systems may grow strained by coronavirus-positive patients. Based on current hospitalization trends, L.A. County would likely not reach that category until mid-July. However, that projection is "based on that assumption of a continued rate of increase that doesn't change, and that's really impossible to predict," said Dr. Paul Simon, chief science officer for the L.A. County Department of Public Health. "We're cautiously optimistic that we may level off and, in the best of all worlds, we will begin to see a decline in hospital admissions sooner rather than later," he told reporters Thursday. "But it is hard to predict." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. President Biden, with First Lady Jill Biden, delivers remarks before signing into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gun safety bill in a ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington on Saturday. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) President Biden on Saturday signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise that seemed unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school. Time is of the essence. Lives will be saved, he said in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Citing the families of shooting victims he has met, the president said, Their message to us was, Do something. How many times did we hear that? Just do something. For Gods sake, just do something. Today we did. The House gave final approval Friday, following Senate passage Thursday, and Biden acted just before leaving Washington for two summits in Europe. Today we say, More than enough, Biden said. Its time, when it seems impossible to get anything done in Washington, we are doing something consequential. The legislation will toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders and help states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged to be dangerous. The president called it a historic achievement. Most of its $13-billion cost will help bolster mental health programs and aid schools that have been targeted in Newtown, Conn., and Parkland, Fla., and elsewhere in mass shootings. Biden said the compromise worked out by a bipartisan group of senators doesnt do everything I want but it does include actions Ive long called for that are going to save lives. I know theres much more work to do, and Im never going to give up, but this is a monumental day, said the president, who was joined by his wife, Jill, a teacher, for the signing. After sitting to sign the bill, Biden sat reflectively for a moment, then murmured, God willing, this is gonna save a lot of lives. He also said they will host an event July 11 for lawmakers and families affected by gun violence. The president spoke of families who lost their souls to an epidemic of gun violence. They lost their child, their husband, their wife. Nothing is going to fill that void in their hearts. But they led the way so other families will not have the experience and the pain and trauma that they had to live through. Biden signed the measure two days after the Supreme Courts ruling striking down a New York law that restricted peoples ability to carry concealed weapons. And Saturdays ceremony came less than 24 hours after the high court overturned the Roe vs. Wade decision, which had legalized abortion nationwide for nearly five decades. Yesterday, I spoke about the Supreme Courts shocking decision striking down Roe v. Wade, Biden said. Jill and I know how painful and devastating the decision is for so many Americans. I mean so many Americans. He noted that the abortion ruling leaves enforcement up to the states, some of which have already moved to ban abortion or will soon do so. Biden said his administration will focus on how they administer it and whether or not they violate other laws, like deciding to not allow people to cross state lines to get health services. Asked by reporters about whether the Supreme Court was broken, Biden said, I think the Supreme Court has made some terrible decisions. He walked away without answering more questions, noting, I have a helicopter waiting for me to take off. While the new gun law does not include tougher restrictions long championed by Democrats, such as a ban on assault-style weapons and background checks for all firearm transactions, it is the most significant gun violence measure produced by Congress since enactment of a long-expired assault weapons ban in 1993. Enough congressional Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the steps after recent rampages in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas. It took weeks of closed-door talks but senators emerged with a compromise. Biden signed the bill just before departing Washington for a summit of the Group of 7 leading economic powers the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan in Germany. He will travel later to Spain for a meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Gov. Gavin Newsom hugs his wife, Jennifer, at a Sacramento news conference at which he denounced the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) As his wife stood behind him and held back tears, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday called the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade sickening and beckoned women in other states to California, their sanctuary for free abortion care. In Texas, where performing an abortion will soon be a felony, Gov. Greg Abbott celebrated the ruling and promised he will always fight to save every child from the ravages of abortion. The disparate responses from the governors of the two most populous states in the nation highlighted the stark political divide in America, deepened by radically different approaches to healthcare, gun control, the COVID-19 pandemic, LGBTQ rights, immigration and now, once again, reproductive rights. This is a serious moment in American history, Newsom said. This great divergence: Red states versus blue states. Newsom clearly embraces his rise as a dominant, resonating voice for Democratic states nationwide and as a foil of governors such as Abbott and Ron DeSantis of Florida, whom he condemns as disciples of the hard-right, Donald Trump wing of the Republican Party. This month, Newsom joined Trumps fledgling social media network, Truth Social, he said, to call out Republican lies. While launching his own offensive, Newsom also has criticized the national Democratic Party for failing to step up to the fight with conservatives. The governor joined with Govs. Kate Brown of Oregon and Jay Inslee of Washington on Friday in announcing a multistate commitment to defend access to reproductive health services and contraceptives. The states vowed to protect patients from GOP states that have threatened to ban their residents from seeking abortions elsewhere in response to the high court ruling. I want folks to know around the rest of the country, many parts of the globe, that I hope were your antidote to your fear, or anxiety, perhaps to the cynicism that many of you are feeling about the fate and future, Newsom said. The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not protect the right to abortion, leaving that decision up to states. Twenty states, mostly along the West Coast and in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states, have policies designed to protect the right to end a pregnancy. Another 20, primarily in the South and the interior West, are moving quickly to ban or severely restrict that right. In the remaining 10 states, abortion remains hotly contested. The gulf between red and blue states has widened significantly in recent years. That reversed a long trend that started just after World War II of growing uniformity across the country, as legal racial segregation ended in the South and the federal government and courts expanded rights for all American citizens. The split on abortion closely reflects public opinion in the states. In California, Oregon and Washington, for example, roughly 60% of residents said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a 50-state survey by the Public Religion Research Institute in 2018. By contrast, only about 40% of people took that position in the most strongly antiabortion states, including Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Dakota, Utah and Idaho. The responses to the Roe decision also revealed the divide. DeSantis said that Florida, which previously passed a law banning abortions after 15 weeks that will take effect next week, would seek to expand its abortion restrictions. Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker told WBEZ, the public radio station in Chicago, that he planned to call the state Legislature into a special session to consider ways to further protect abortion rights. I think broadly, we need to expand and assist in expanding the number of healthcare providers who can help uphold reproductive rights, perform abortions and other procedures, he said. The state is predicting a large influx of patients from Missouri, Indiana and other nearby states with strict abortion limits. By positioning California as a beacon for abortion rights, Newsom has drawn a sharp contrast with Texas, Californias perennial rival. On abortion, the two states occupy the polar opposites of the spectrum, said Ken Miller, author of Texas vs. California: A History of Their Struggle for the Future of America. Texas passed a trigger law to go into effect 30 days after the Supreme Court overturned Roe. The law bans nearly all abortions at the time of fertilization. That puts Texas among the 13 most restrictive states in the country. California, meanwhile, is as affirming of abortion rights and reproductive rights as any state could be, said Miller, a professor of state and local politics at Claremont McKenna College. Newsom on Friday also touted an effort to enshrine Californias abortion protections in the states Constitution, saying doing so will codify our values. He also used the U.S. Supreme Courts decision as an impetus for signing a bill that protects abortion providers in California from liability when caring for patients traveling from areas where the procedure is now banned or access is narrowed. Newsom said the law counters one passed in Texas last year allowing private citizens to sue anyone who aids or abets an abortion in the state after about six weeks of pregnancy. Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, said that while the right to travel, including to get an abortion, is protected, he expects conservative states will pass laws that try to prohibit women from leaving in order to get an abortion. That should be unconstitutional, but well see what the court does, Chemerinsky said. The two states have also taken wildly divergent paths when it comes to guns and healthcare. The day after the May 24 elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Newsom announced that he would back more than a dozen additional bills to further tighten Californias extensive gun-control laws. They include allowing the state Department of Justice, local governments and gun violence survivors to sue gun industry members for violating a firearm industry standard of conduct. After the Uvalde shooting, Abbott argued that gun laws hadnt stopped shootings in states such as California and said Texas should work on mental health. Theyve become representations of our national political division and polarization, Miller said. California envisions itself as leading the way in representing progressive values in these issues in the same way that Texas sees itself as the defender of the conservative views on the right. Last year, as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic became highly partisan, mask and vaccine mandates became political battlegrounds. California was the first state to announce that it would require all public employees and healthcare workers to show proof of vaccination or be tested weekly. In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law last year banning employers from firing workers who refuse a COVID-19 vaccination if those employees claim a medical or religious exemption. DeSantis fought mask mandates in Florida, submitting a budget this year that initially rewarded schools that did not enact universal mandates for students. Newsom is no stranger to taking political risks, even if it means stepping out in front of his party. In 2004, as the newly elected mayor of San Francisco, he decided to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in defiance of state law. More than 4,000 couples wed before the California Supreme Court put a halt to the issuances; those unions were later nullified. The young mayor instantly became the national face for the gay marriage movement, much to the chagrin of both social conservatives and some gay rights activists, who worried his action would set back their cause. National Democrats chastised Newsom at the time and he was put on the defensive when John Kerry lost the presidential election that year. But with Democrats eventually embracing same-sex marriage, which was made legal nationwide after a 2015 Supreme Court decision, Newsom is now seen as an early leader on that issue. Gavin Newsom is a really bold leader who follows his north star, said Joyce Newstat, who served as Newsoms policy director when he was mayor. He did it back in 2004 with marriage equality, and hes doing it again. Times senior editor David Lauter and staff writer Hannah Wiley contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Dr. Alan Braid, right, informs patients at Alamo Women's Reproductive Services in San Antonio on Friday that he can no longer provide abortion services since the Supreme Court had just overturned Roe vs. Wade. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) There were 27 patients scheduled to receive abortions Friday at Alamo Womens Reproductive Services in San Antonio. Some were already waiting outside when the clinic opened at 9 a.m., doing their best to ignore a group of protesters at the parking lot entrance, shouting at them through a loudspeaker. You dont have to go in! the activists pleaded with the women. They murder babies! The clinics longtime owner, Dr. Alan Braid, was back in his office when his daughter, Andrea Gallegos, the executive administrator, ducked in. Its out. The decisions out, she said. Full overturn. Braid cursed. Then he began to tear up. Dr Alan Braid sits in his office in disbelief after just being informed of the Supreme Court ruling. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) At 77, he is old enough to remember what abortion was like before the Supreme Court decided Roe vs. Wade in 1973. He treated women for infections from illegal abortions, including a 16-year-old who arrived with her vagina stuffed with rags whom he could not save. Now, with the court striking down the right to abortion, Braid feared a return to those days. Ive got to figure out what Im going to do with these patients now, he said before stepping into the hallway. Never thought Id see this day. His staff was confused. So we cant see anybody? a nurse asked Gallegos. I need to speak with lawyers, she responded before disappearing into an office. Texas is one of 13 states that had trigger laws in place to outlaw abortion once Roe was overturned. Its law does not take effect for a month, but the states attorney general released a statement saying that the abortion ban in place before 1973 had been reactivated. Its craziness, said a staffer in a My Body My Choice T-shirt as she sat behind the front desk and wiped away tears. A staff member at Alamo Women's Reproductive Services reacts after hearing the news that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) She looked out at the five women in the waiting room, where the news had yet to break. A television played the Netflix series Stranger Things as the women filled out forms and scrolled on their cellphones. Suddenly the front door whooshed open, and a young woman entered. She could have been mistaken for a staffer except she was gripping a rosary. I just wanted to make an announcement that Roe vs. Wade just got overturned, she said. Abortion is illegal. She had come from the antiabortion group outside and was trespassing. A staffer ran out to chase her away, shouting, Stay off the property! Then the staffer turned to the stunned women. Im sorry, yall. Were at a standstill, she said. Its very disheartening. Were just waiting to see if we can see you. One woman couldnt control her anger. She had traveled from Oklahoma, referred by another clinic that had stopped doing abortions this month after the state passed new restrictions. Jailene, 24, stares out her car window after being turned away at Alamo Women's Reproductive Services on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Some of us, we drove too far for this, she said. Then Braid, who had been conferring with lawyers, stepped into the waiting room. The Supreme Court just overturned Roe vs. Wade. Theyve taken away your right to choose what to do with your body, he explained to the women. There are states it wont affect New Mexico, Illinois, states on the coasts. So if you want to stay, the girls can give you info. The Oklahoma woman, who declined to give her name, grew more upset. So what youre saying is we cant get an abortion today? I just drove eight hours. You can write to Justice Roberts, Braid said. I dont want to write to nobody, she said. Why would they wait until today? Its what everybodys thinking, said another patient, who had driven about 145 miles from Corpus Christi. Unfortunately, my hands are tied, Braid said, explaining the risks of challenging the law. I can go to jail for life and be fined $100,000. Do you all have online where I can get the pills at least? the Oklahoma woman said. A staffer handed out a list of out-of-state clinics and explained that they could also try to order abortion medication by mail from websites such as Aid Access. Sitting in the waiting room, Liz contemplates her choices after being told that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, shutting down abortion series at Alamo Women's Reproductive Services, where she had an appointment Friday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) I wish they would have called me about this last week, the angry patient said. We didnt know, the staffer explained. It caught us by surprise. Thats why everybody is so emotional. Then, one by one, the women left. Andrea, the patient from Corpus Christi, was four weeks pregnant and already has two children, ages 3 and 6. She said she planned to go out of state. If thats what it takes, Im going to travel, the 26-year-old said. Jerrika, 26, another patient who had traveled from Oklahoma, scanned the clinic handout, focusing on an abortion provider in Wichita, Kansas, about two hours from her home in Tulsa. I should have gone there, she said. I didnt know. She said she had two children, ages 3 and 4, the eldest autistic, and it was a lot to manage. She had already taken time off from nursing school to travel to Texas. Now she faced another trip. If no clinic could take her, she said she would have no choice but to keep the baby. As soon as the waiting room emptied, women with later appointments started showing up. A staffer tried to tell one of them to turn around before her Uber pulled away, but it was too late. You cant stay. The law was overturned, she explained. It was just a few minutes ago. The 18-year-old patient was perplexed. She had passed an ultrasound screening at the clinic the day before. She knew that she was five weeks and two days pregnant and that there was no fetal cardiac activity making her eligible for an abortion under a Texas law that took effect last fall. She had just graduated from high school and was living at home while she planned for college. She sat down with a friend who had accompanied her to the clinic. I cant take care of a kid, she said. A staff member is brought to tears as she informs a patient that the clinic could no longer provide abortion services. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) She didnt have a car. Neither did her boyfriend. They hadnt told their families she was pregnant. Traveling out of state was not an option. Im super confused, she said. Another patient, Jailene, 24, arrived in her pickup with her two daughters, ages 6 and 7. She had been scheduled to have a medication abortion. She said she didnt want to travel a days drive out of state for an abortion, and would probably have the baby. Its really messed up for us girls, she said. We dont really have rights. They shouldnt be choosing for women. When another woman arrived at the clinic and heard the news, she collapsed into a chair and began to weep. Then she begged. Please, please, Im in big trouble! said the woman, a mother of three, the youngest 7 months old, all waiting outside in a minivan with her husband. I have to travel in a few days to India. Were going back. Im so sorry, maam its illegal, a staffer said, offering to call other clinics for her but cautioning that I cant guarantee theres an option right away. The woman grabbed her cellphone and called her husband, who appeared in the waiting room moments later. Staffers explained the ruling, and suggested he contact clinics in New Mexico. Is there a place here we can try? he said. Its completely illegal in Texas, a staffer said. Even for the fetal anomaly? he asked. Yes. Thats draconian, he said. As he and his wife left, they passed the antiabortion demonstrators. A police cruiser circled the building. A man who appeared to have accompanied a patient confronted the antiabortion crowd, cursing and taking video with his cellphone. What are you doing here today? he said. Defending the weak, said protester Michael Hernandez, 28, who later said that the ruling left him feeling thrilled and that well be on a better way to a better future. The protesters said they planned to return in the coming days to monitor whether the clinic follows the law. Some said they hoped the ruling would lead Braid to retire. His daughter said they have no immediate plans, but that theyre considering relocating to Colorado, New Mexico or tribal land where they would face few restrictions. Braid also owns a clinic in Tulsa that had to stop doing abortions. By afternoon, the mood of the staff wavered between frustration and resolve. One worker put her head in her hands. They had notified all 27 patients whose appointments had been canceled Friday. Now they would have to call the 45 patients with appointments next week. Antiabortion protesters pray in a circle outside the clinic moments after the Supreme Court ruling. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) Among the last patients to arrive Friday was April Reese, a special education teacher and mother of three. A staffer gave her the handout. So we have to go out of state? said Reese, 41. This is insane. At five weeks and three days pregnant, Reese said she planned to travel. Reese was about to leave when she noticed that the staffer who had helped her was crying. So were some of the other clinic employees behind the front desk. You guys have done so much good work for people. So keep that in your heart, Reese said. Dont give up the fight. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. People react as they lay flowers at the scene of a shooting in central Oslo on Saturday. A gunman opened fire in Oslo's night-life district, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what Norwegian security service called an "Islamist terror act" during the capital's annual Pride festival. (Sergei Grits / Associated Press) A gunman opened fire in Oslos night-life district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an "Islamist terror act" during the capitals annual LGBTQ Pride festival. Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, was arrested after opening fire at three locations in downtown Oslo. Police said two men, one in his 50s and and the other in his 60s, died in the shootings. Ten people were treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be in life-threatening condition. Eleven others had minor injuries. The Norwegian Police Security Service raised its terror alert level from "moderate" to extraordinary the highest level after the attack, which sent panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or trying to hide from the gunman. The service's acting chief, Roger Berg, called the attack an extreme Islamist terror act and said the suspect had a long history of violence and threats, as well as mental health issues. He said the agency, known by its Norwegian acronym PST, first became aware of the suspect in 2015 and later grew concerned he had become radicalized and was part of an unspecified Islamist network. Norwegian media named the suspect as Zaniar Matapour, an Oslo resident who arrived in Norway with his family from a Kurdish part of Iran in the 1990s. The suspects defense lawyer, John Christian Elden, said his client hadnt talked to investigators, and he cautioned against speculation on the motive. He has not given any reason. It is too early to conclude whether this is hate crime or terrorism, Elden said in an email to the Associated Press. Upon the advice of police, organizers canceled a Pride parade that was set for Saturday as the highlight of a weeklong festival. Scores of people marched through the capital anyway, waving rainbow flags. Police attorney Christian Hatlo said it was too early to say whether the gunman specifically targeted members of the LGBTQ community. We have to look closer at that, we dont know yet, he said. Police said civilians assisted them in detaining the man in custody, who was being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, based on the number of people targeted at multiple locations. Investigators seized two weapons after the attack: a handgun and an automatic weapon. Hatlo described both as not modern but did not give details. Not far from Oslos cathedral, crime scene tape cordoned off the bars where the shootings took place, including the London Pub, which is popular with the citys LGBTQ community. Crowds gathered outside and dropped off cards and flowers at impromptu memorials. Martin Ebbestad, 29, had walked by earlier, seen the memorials and returned with flowers. London Pub is our go-to place. My boyfriend left 20 minutes before [it happened]. He was sitting outside in the smoking area, Ebbestad said. We know this place so well. It doesnt feel unsafe, but it does feel very close. Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting, Roenneberg told NRK. First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover. Another witness, Marcus Nybakken, 46, said he saw a lot of people running and screaming and thought it was a fistfight. But then I heard that it was a shooting and that there was someone shooting with a submachine gun, Nybakken told Norwegian broadcaster TV2. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere called the shooting a "cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people. He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. We all stand by you, Gahr Stoere wrote on Facebook. Christian Bredeli, who was at the London Pub, told Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. Many were fearing for their lives, he said. On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened. Norwegian television channel TV2 showed video of people running down Oslo streets in panic as shots rang out in the background. Police said the suspect had a criminal record that included a narcotics offense and a weapons offense for carrying a knife. The Norwegian Police Security Service said it spoke to him in May this year because he had shown a certain interest in statements that were interpreted as insults to Islam. In these conversations, it was assessed that he had no intention of violence, but PST is aware that he has had challenges related to mental health, the agency said in a statement. Inge Alexander Gjestvang, leader of FRI, a Norwegian organization for sexual and gender diversity, said the shooting shook the Nordic countrys LGBTQ community. Well be back later, proud, visible, but right now its not the time for that, he told TV2. Norway's King Harald V offered condolences to the relatives of victims and said the royal family was horrified by the attack. We must stand together to defend our values: freedom, diversity and respect for each other. We must continue to stand up for all people to feel safe, the monarch said. World leaders condemned the attack on their way to a Group of 7 summit in Germany. The summit's host, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, tweeted, The Norwegian people can be sure of our sympathy. The fight against terror unites us. French President Emmanuel Macron offered his condolences in a tweet in Norwegian. John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told reporters while flying with President Biden to the G-7 summit, Our hearts obviously go out to all the families there of the victims, the people of Norway, which is a tremendous ally, and of course the LGBTQI+ community, there and around the world, quite frankly. Norway has a relatively low crime rate but has experienced a series of so-called lone wolf attacks in recent decades, including one of the worst mass shootings in Europe. In 2011, a right-wing extremist killed 69 people on the island of Utoya after setting off a bomb in Oslo that left eight dead. In 2019, another right-wing extremist killed his stepsister and then opened fire in a mosque but was overpowered before anyone there was injured. Last year, a Norwegian man armed with knives and a bow and arrow killed five people in a town in southern Norway. The attacker, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was sentenced Friday to compulsory psychiatric care. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON Reaction came fast and furious Friday after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling guaranteeing a constitutional right to an abortion. Anger and dismay erupted first outside the Supreme Court moments after the decision was announced. Quickly, it spread westward as devastated abortion rights protesters across the country railed against the conservative justices who wiped away a half-century of precedent and made access to abortions all but impossible in many states. Image: Abortion rights demonstrator Nadine Seiler outside the Supreme Court in Washington on June 24, 2022. (Hannah Beier for NBC News) An abortion rights demonstrator protests outside the Supreme Court in Washington, on June 24, 2022. (Hannah Beier for NBC News.) Massive crowds gathered in front of the federal building in downtown Chicago and then marched through the Loop to Grant Park chanting, "My body! My choice!" Protesters also staged noisy demonstrations outside the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta, and across from the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison. And in Flint, Michigan, hundreds blocked the sidewalks in front of the Genesee County Prosecutors Office. Demonstrations continued into the evening. Crowds marched in downtown Seattle, and in Los Angeles, protesters marched on the northbound 110 Freeway downtown, blocking the traffic. In Phoenix on Friday night, state troopers used tear gas after protesters banged on the doors of the Arizona Senate building, and after part of a door was broken, state Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves said. The gas was deployed from the roof of the House of Representatives, he said. There were no arrests. The Senate, which was in session, was interrupted but later resumed. Abortion rights and anti-abortion rights demonstrators protest (Steve Helber / AP) Big demonstrations were reported in Richmond, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; Columbia, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina and Topeka, Kansas. There were also demonstrations outside the U.S. embassies in London and Ottawa, Canada. In New York City, thousands gathered in Union Square and began marching downtown. "Abortion is health care, health care is a right, the crowd chanted. One of the protesters was 16-year-old Anura Bracey, who was carrying a sign that read "Overturn Roe? Hell No." Im enraged," she said. "Im terrified for what this means for birthing people in the country." Bracey said she feels lucky to live in a state where the right to an abortion is still protected but said she fears the Supreme Court could take aim at other rights including marriage equality. "So Im just here to get my rage out," she said. "I want someone to listen to us. I dont know how much this is really going to do, but I just feel very desperate. Zonmund Heok, 51, of Ohio, was in New York City on vacation, but joined the demonstrators. Heok had pre-eclampsia and delivered her now 15-year-old son at just 28 weeks pregnant, and her doctor advised an abortion when she became pregnant shortly afterward. To think that if the same thing happened to me next week in Ohio, I would either have to travel out of state or risk my life, and my son would not have a mother, it infuriates me to no end, she said. Friday night, hundreds of demonstrators were in Union Square when Democratic U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez arrived. The lawmaker, whose district encompasses the Bronx and Queens, earlier called for people to hit the streets in protest, and urged voters to cast ballots in primaries to help change the Democratic Party. In Washington on Friday, a woman who asked to be only identified as Skye wept openly after the decision was announced. It feels like a betrayal, she said. It feels like my country doesnt love me and appreciate my body as a woman. I cant even chant because I cant say anything. It hurts. Amanda Herring, who is 32 and nine months pregnant, showed up with her 1-year-old son, Abraham, and the words "Not Yet a Human" written in ink across her swollen belly. Herring, a Jewish educator who said her due date is Saturday, considers the Supreme Court ruling an infringement on her religion. Image: Abortion rights demonstrator Amanda Herring and her 1-year-old son Abraham outside the Supreme Court on June 24, 2022. (Hannah Beier for NBC News) "I feel like its important for me to be out here and let everyone know my religion says that that life begins with the first breath," she said. "It's in the Torah, and it's in the Old Testament." Hanna Fredeen, who was in high school in 1973 when Roe became law, said she remembers how a classmate had to travel to another country for an abortion. She said poor women in states where the procedure is now banned will be forced to get back-alley abortions or resort to doing it themselves. Nearby, Lauren Handy of the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising was part of a smaller crowd that was celebrating the Supreme Court decision that capped the decadeslong struggle by conservatives to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion. "Its a roller-coaster of emotion," she said. "Complete and utter joy it was finally overturned." Handy then added, "The battle is not over." "The abortion industrial complex is strong in blue states, and we gotta go after them as well," she said. In St. Louis, demonstrators on both sides of the decision gathered at the same site a Planned Parenthood clinic. Mark and Patricia McCloskey, a couple known for waving guns at social justice demonstrators in 2020, celebrated the end of Roe, according to NBC affiliate KSDK. Mark McCloskey is running for U.S. Senate in Missouri as a Republican. U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, a Democrat, discussed the abortion she had after she was raped at age 17. They can strike down Roe v. Wade, but they cant strike down our voices, she told the crowd outside the clinic. Shock about the decision and what it means was not confined to the United States. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it a big step backwards. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was disappointed, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that the news coming out of the United States is horrific. Now that Roe v. Wade is no longer the law of the land, abortion is protected in less than half of the states and in none of the U.S. territories, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. Before the Supreme Court ruling was announced, Republican legislators across the South and the Midwest passed trigger laws that would make abortion illegal the minute Roe was overturned. "Make no mistake, the decision goes beyond abortion," said Elizabeth Meyer, founder of Women's March in New Jersey. "We may be protected in New Jersey, you know, but we're certain that is not going to be the case elsewhere." Maura Barrett and Doha Madani reported from Washington, Elliot Lewis from New Haven, Conn., Daniella Silva and Corky Siemaszko from New York City. Two of the leading Democratic senators in the reproductive rights space are urging President Joe Biden to declare a public health emergency as nearly two dozen states move to ban the procedure following Roe v. Wades official repeal Friday. In an op-ed published by The New York Times Saturday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tina Smith of Minnesota said the emergency declaration would help "protect abortion access for all Americans" and unlock "critical resources and authority that states and the federal government can use to meet the surge in demand for reproductive health services." Ending the constitutional right to abortion has brought the nation to a perilous time that threatens millions of women, Warren and Smith wrote in the op-ed, adding that now "the government not the person who is pregnant will make the critical decision about whether to continue a pregnancy." Both senators also proposed changing the courts composition, reforming Senate filibuster rules and remaking the Electoral College, which they say allowed presidential candidates who lost the popular vote to nominate the five justices who eventually voted to overturn Roe. Simply put: We must restore our democracy so that a radical minority can no longer drown out the will of the people, the senators wrote in the piece. "Roe may be gone, but the protections it once guaranteed are on the ballot." Six in 10 Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a national NBC News poll conducted in May after the leak of a draft opinion striking down Roe and the constitutional right to abortion. In contrast, 37 percent said abortion should be illegal in most or all cases. Abortion rights demonstrators protest along Poplar Ave. in Memphis, Tenn. on June 24, 2022 in response to the news of the Supreme Court decision that will overturn the constitutional protections around abortion access. (Andrea Morales for NBC News) "The public is overwhelmingly on our side," Warren and Smith wrote in the op-ed. "The two of us lived in an America without Roe, and we are not going back. Not now. Not ever." Both senators are among more than 20 Senate Democrats who sent a letter to Biden earlier this month, outlining executive actions he could take to protect reproductive freedom. These included providing federal resources and protection for individuals seeking abortion care. Smith, who used to work for Planned Parenthood as an executive director, has also introduced a bill aimed at codifying abortion pill access. Ukraines largest LGBTQ rights event, KyivPride, went ahead Saturday, although not on its native streets or as a celebration. Due to Russias war in Ukraine, the event normally held in Kyiv took place in conjunction with Warsaws yearly Equality Parade, the largest gay pride event in Central Europe, with Ukrainian organizers using it as a platform to keep international attention focused on their countrys struggle. People take part in the 'Warsaw and Kyiv Pride' marching for freedom in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday. People take part in the 'Warsaw and Kyiv Pride' marching for freedom in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday. (Michal Dyjuk/) About 300 people traveled from Ukraine to the Polish capital, now home to a quarter million Ukrainians who fled the war. Blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags fluttered among a sea of rainbow flags, and some participants chanted Slava Ukraini glory to Ukraine. Unfortunately, we cannot march in Kyiv, Maksym Eristavi, a Ukrainian journalist and a KyivPride board member, said, citing the dangers of bombings in Ukraine. However, its important for us to still march, said Eristavi, who was draped in both the Ukrainian and European Union flags. Its still about pride, but pride in being Ukrainian and surviving through genocide. KyivPrides trucks were given the honor of leading Saturdays parade, one of many ways that Polands people have stepped up to help their embattled Ukrainian neighbors. We want to stand together against war, to walk for Ukraines freedom, for liberation, for equality, tolerance and acceptance, Julia Maciocha, chairperson of Warsaws Equality Parade, said. KyivPride director Lenny Emson said this years event was aimed at calling for political support for Ukraine and basic human rights. It is not a celebration, Emson said. We will wait for victory to celebrate. People take part in the 'Warsaw and Kyiv Pride' march for freedom in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday. People take part in the 'Warsaw and Kyiv Pride' march for freedom in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday. (Michal Dyjuk/) The Ukrainian civilians and soldiers killed by Russian forces during the four-month-old war include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Ukraine has seen a push for the country to recognize same-sex partnerships, not least because couples want to know they would have the right to bury each other, if one of them is killed. Emson said it would be a tragedy for Ukraine as a whole if the country is defeated by Russia, but LGBTQ people would be at risk of getting erased completely - meaning killed, forced to flee or to hide their identities. His organization runs a shelter for LGBTQ people who have fled Ukrainian territory occupied by the Russian forces. One LGBTQ rights activist in occupied Kherson has disappeared. In a manifesto, KyivPride calls on people to realize that the geographical border between democratic Ukraine on one side and autocratic Russia and Belarus on the other is not just a separation line between the states, but also a boundary between the territory of freedom and a zone of oppression. People take part in the 'Warsaw and Kyiv Pride' march for freedom in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday. People take part in the 'Warsaw and Kyiv Pride' march for freedom in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday. (Michal Dyjuk/) Russia passed a law in 2013 that bans the depiction of homosexuality to minors, something human rights groups view as a way to demonize LGBTQ people and discriminate against them. Dubbed the Gay Propaganda law, it came amid a larger crackdown on civil liberties in Russia and inspired the passage of a similar law in Hungary last year. Klementyna Suchanow, the author of a book about global efforts to roll back the rights of women and LGBTQ people, argues that if Ukrainians lose the war, it would mark a defeat for a range of progressive causes, including feminism, LGBTQ rights and the efforts to fight climate change. This is why the war in Ukraine is about everything, said Suchanow, a prominent Polish feminist activist and the author of This is War: Women, Fundamentalists and the new Middle Ages. Polands conservative government has been a strong ally of Ukraine, sending humanitarian aid and weapons and allowing its territory to be used to for other countries to transfer aid of their own. But its stance on LGBTQ rights has also made Poland an unlikely host for a gay rights event. People take part in the 'Warsaw and Kyiv Pride' marching for freedom in Warsaw. People take part in the 'Warsaw and Kyiv Pride' marching for freedom in Warsaw. (Michal Dyjuk/) In recent years the government has depicted the LGBTQ rights movement as an attack on the nations Catholic traditions and as a force that threatens to corrupt the youth, echoing the rhetoric behind the Russian and Hungarian laws. But Polish society as a whole has grown more accepting of LGBTQ people. Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, from a liberal opposition party, joined Saturdays parade march as he does each year, joined by the European Unions commissioner for equality, Hanna Dalli. LGBTQ people in Ukraine still face considerable discrimination, but they have made strides in recent years as the country has sought to tie its fate to the West. The evolution of LGBT rights is underlined by KyivPrides own evolution since it was founded 10 years ago. In 2012, participants were so heavily outnumbered by angry counter-protesters that they didnt dare march. Parade-goers have been beaten, and a large police presence is needed to protect them. Yet the event has continued to grow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose courageous wartime leadership has gained worldwide attention, won the respect of LGBTQ people in Ukraine when a man wearing a cross and spouting homophobic rhetoric heckled him at a news conference in 2019. Zelenskyy shot back with anger: Leave those people alone, for Gods sake. Perhaps more than any other woman, Marjorie Dannenfelser is responsible for the fall of Roe vs. Wade. The president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a nonprofit group that works to end abortion in the United States by electing antiabortion politicians, Dannenfelser has dedicated her adult life to outlawing abortion. In 2016, she played a key role in getting President Trump to commit to appoint U.S. Supreme Court justices who oppose abortion. The Los Angeles Times asked Dannenfelser, 56, about the fall of Roe, her antiabortion journey and her strategy for outlawing abortion nationwide. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser with former President Trump. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) After decades working in antiabortion politics, you are watching Roe vs. Wade fall. In what sense is this a historic moment? Its the culmination of almost 50 years of work. There was no certainty that this moment would come at all. But every single time there's a failure or a setback, this movement has grown. And that is a marker of an authentic human rights movement: It draws more in difficulty than it does in success sometimes. Youve written: No other issue, however worthy, carries a moral weight equal to that of the unborn child in the womb. How did you get from being a pro-choice Republican to believing that abortion is about human rights, not women's rights? I grew up in fairly polite society. You just didn't think or talk about this issue. I think that polite society has kept the harsh reality of that human rights violation away from the public eye and from one individually. So I never thought about it. I knew that I would have [an abortion] if I needed one. I just considered it part of living. But that ability to keep what an abortion is out of your thoughts, out of your mind when I approach the reality of what the object of the abortion is, and then what happens in an abortion, I mean, it is really hard to ignore the reality of a procedure that tears a small human apart limb from limb. It's that imagining the too horrible to imagine that finally set my thoughts in process. In college at Duke, I started pre-med and ended up in philosophy. I had a lot of friends who were very pro-life. They showed a movie on campus, "The Silent Scream" narrated by Dr. Bernard Nathanson, a prolific abortionist who changed his mind to being pro-life. He showed an abortion through a sonogram, and you could see what was happening. I remember I was like, That is just insulting. I am not going to watch that. But I had these conversations with people peppering me with difficult questions: What happens in an abortion? What is the object? Like, if you're getting your appendix out, that's the object. If you're getting your tonsils taken out, that's the object. What is the object in an abortion? Taking stock of the last few decades, how was Roe undone? What were the key turning points? How pivotal was 2016, when you got President Trump to commit to nominating justices who opposed abortion? All of a sudden, in Jan. 22, 1973, there is a need for a huge movement, because every single pro-life law has been wiped off the books by the Supreme Court. So we required some sort of strategy quick, without any grass roots, just a handful of people. So that first wave was figuring out: "Oh, we need a movement and what do we do?" In the second wave, the movement started to grow. It built pregnancy help centers trying to reach women to help them at that moment in their lives. There were all sorts of education campaigns. The organic movement grew and grew, but silently in communities and towns and churches all over the country. Then, in 2012, came the third wave. We decided to very strategically put this at the center of politics: prove the case that this is not only the right thing to do, but the politically smart thing to do, by drawing a contrast between what the other side has achieved, absolute abortion on demand up into the end, paid for by everybody, versus what our candidates were advocating for: some compromise, like a 20-week limit. Such a limit has massive support in every demographic, except for the most hardcore left. We started to ask presidential candidates to make a pledge of action. With the pledge, it became a primary debate among all the Republican primary candidates: Who's the most pro-life? That's exactly what you want. Then when it came to Trump: The commitment from him because there was so much doubt about who he was and what he would do was vital. It really came down to a letter from him to me in the pro-life movement, pledging what he would do concretely if he were the president of the United States. So many people didn't take it seriously, because nobody thought he was gonna win. But he did. You attribute part of your success to compromise promoting 20-week limits but surely your ultimate goal isnt compromise? Its to outlaw abortion across the United States? Youve spoken privately with possible Republican presidential contenders, including Trump, about a federal ban. Now the door is open, so of course we will walk through it. After nearly 50 years, this is an opportunity to allow the people to speak through their laws through their elected representatives. And so every legislature in the country, including Congress, is now entrusted with this really heavy moral weight to get it right. And so we will be as ambitious for life and for mothers in every single state as consensus will allow. We will build broad support for the most protective laws for unborn children and assistance for their mothers in every single state. That's about 30 states where it's in play and 20 where theres very little chance and it would require federal legislation. But its the same approach for the U.S. Congress, which is not Alabama. Its very complicated and it requires a president and a Congress that can utter the word "compromise." What do you say to the many women who will now take to the streets to protest, upset that the government is making a decision for women that violates their bodily autonomy? Peace is going to be found. When we, as a country, serve women as they deserve to be served, we don't make them choose, or we don't influence them to choose one over the other. We serve both woman and child and serving them both is going to require a lot out of us. I believe that we can do it together. We now face abortion outlawed or severely restricted in 26 states, with women traveling to blue states or managing their own abortions. How do you expect the battle to play out in the coming weeks and months? I expect there will be immediate trigger laws or formerly passed laws that will be allowed to go into effect right away. It might take a few days, but there will be certainly quite a number of states thatll have laws on the books that reflect what the state actually voted on. But then there are about eight states where it's going to be far more protracted. In Kansas, theres a constitutional restriction on pro-life laws, so we have a ballot initiative in August asking the question: Will Kansans be allowed to make their own law on this issue? With polls showing about six out of 10 Americans oppose overturning Roe, do you anticipate that there'll be a major backlash for Republicans in November? No, not based on that. That statistic tells you very little because the American public doesnt understand what Roe is. Also, the polls show that people want restrictions that Roe does not allow. During the debates, when these elections center around what the will of the people is, then we win. The majority of Democrats think that abortion should be restricted to just the first trimester. That is absolutely, completely contradictory of Roe v. Wade. There is only one place that the abortion lobby will allow its candidates to go and that is every abortion up until the end, paid for by you and me. That's it. But have you really won the argument with the public? Your critics argue that your victory was achieved by pushing a president, who did not win the popular vote, to appoint Supreme Court justices. Roe was a conversation ended a complete cap on the ability to do something by the Supreme Court. That was not winning over anybody's opinion; that was saying your opinion counts for nothing. Now is a moment when your opinion counts for something. And when you look at what we know about what people think already, we know that most of the argument is already won: abortion after the first trimester is rejected in certainly every battleground state. But your aim is to see abortion banned across America in states such as California and New York? Well, if you think that every abortion is the death of a child like I do you definitely want to save every child. And serve every mother. Among antiabortion groups, is there consensus on the path forward? What are the key debates within your movement? There is more unity in this movement now than I've ever seen. But there used to be one front in this battle, now there are 51, and if you include the territories, even more. And so the wheels of democracy are spinning. In each state, there's a different blueprint. On the national and state level, I have a job to do and that is answering the question: How ambitious can we be here? And what do we need to do to reach that ambition? Do you think states should do more to criminalize abortions, by prosecuting people who help women travel to other states or access medication abortions? What about prosecuting women themselves? Never will I support prosecuting women. Susan B. Anthony talked about the evil that abortion is and that the answer is to get to the root causes. The root causes are the people that are feeding off our misery, the people who exploit our situation for money, and the people who circumvent the law by sending pills in the mail. That is a RICO violation. And those are the people that we will go after. When you conspire to break the law, you deserve to be penalized, you deserve to have your medical license taken away, you deserve to have your corporate privileges suspended. That will never be on the back of the woman who needs and deserves more than she's receiving from this group of people who give her one thing when she's in crisis: a pill and a lonely room with no help, no doctor supervision, no real plan for what will happen if she hemorrhages. Youve done all this work to stop women from getting abortions. What are you doing to help women in red states who get pregnant and may not have the financial resources and support to care for their children? We've been working on a particular program for the last few years [Her Pregnancy and Life Assistance Network, or Her PLAN, which aims to help pregnant women find the medical and material support they need to continue pregnancy]. I've talked to, so far, 22 governors about the need to meet women where they are and make sure that we are comprehensive in how we serve them. What we've done so far with our allies in four states [Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia and West Virginia], and hope to do in 30 in four years, is comprehensive and massive inventories to make sure that women and children in the first two years of the child's life have access to seven different points of care. They include serving her if she is addicted, serving her if she has no housing, serving her and her child if she has no healthcare or childcare. Serving what her particular needs are, without taking the life of her child. Affirming her life and affirming the life of her child by believing in her and helping her build instead of undermining her life. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Ghislaine Maxwell used her femininity to betray us like she was a wolf in sheeps clothing, one of Jeffrey Epsteins victims has said ahead of the British socialites sentencing in New York. The 60-year-old Maxwell was convicted in December of sex trafficking and other crimes after a month-long trial that featured evidence from four women who said they were abused in their teens. Virginia Giuffre was not included in the trial but has become one of the most well-known accusers of Epstein after settling a sexual assault case against the Duke of York. Andrew denies her claims. In a victim impact statement submitted to a Manhattan federal court ahead of Maxwells sentencing on Tuesday, Ms Giuffre said the woman should spend the rest of her life trapped in a cage. I want to be clear about one thing: Without question, Jeffrey Epstein was a terrible paedophile. But I never would have met Jeffrey Epstein if not for you. For me, and for so many others, you opened the door to hell. And then, Ghislaine, like a wolf in sheeps clothing, you used your femininity to betray us, and you led us all through it, Ms Giuffre wrote in the documents obtained by the PA news agency. She added: I worry every single day and night that you will get away with it and evade being punished. I will worry about that until you are brought to justice. And what should that justice look like? Ghislaine, you deserve to spend the rest of your life in a jail cell. You deserve to be trapped in a cage forever, just like you trapped your victims. Maxwell (right) was convicted in December of sex trafficking and other crimes (US Department of Justice/PA) Maxwell victim Annie Farmer in her impact statement called on the sentencing judge to take into account the ongoing suffering of the many women (Maxwell) abused and exploited as we will continue to live with the memories of the ways she harmed us. Ms Farmer also said: I ask you to bear in mind how Maxwells unwillingness to acknowledge her crimes, her lack of remorse, and her repeated lies about her victims created the need for many of us to engage in a long fight for justice that has felt like a black hole sucking in our precious time, energy, and wellbeing for much too long now. These things cannot be replaced. Prosecutors have argued Maxwell should serve between 30 years and 55 years in prison, reflecting the sentencing guidelines. Defence lawyers said in a sentencing submission she should spend no more than five years in prison and should not pay for Epsteins crimes, since he was the mastermind and principal abuser and orchestrated the crimes for his personal gratification. Prosecutors have urged the judge to reject Maxwells pleas for leniency on the grounds that she has suffered in extraordinary ways in jail while awaiting trial and afterward. Defence lawyers said she has faced death threats and harsh conditions that have caused her to lose hair and weight. Maxwells appearance at trial proved those claims were wrong, prosecutors said, adding: The defendant is perfectly healthy, with a full head of hair. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. Contract servicemen of the N military unit of the Defense Army crashed while driving a civilian car. Nikolay Seryozha Sargsyan (born in 1981) died, and four servicemen were taken to a medical institution, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Defense Ministry of Artsakh. Investigation is underway to clarify circumstances. YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the representatives of the Central Board of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party-Ramgavar headed by the Chairman of the of the Central Board Michael Kharapian, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister congratulated on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the party, highlighting its role in the history of the Armenian people. Nikol Pashinyan expressed hope that the Ramgavar Party will continue its activities in the Diaspora and in the Motherland more vigorously in the near future. Michael Kharapian noted that the Democratic Liberal Party-Ramgavar reaffirms its support for the Armenian Government for the benefit of the solution of the problems facing the Motherland and progress. Issues related to the activities of Ramgavar Party and the strengthening of Armenia-Diaspora ties were touched upon during the meeting. The LDF leadership also distanced itself from the attack on Gandhis office Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad district of Kerala was vandalised by activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) on Friday. (Photo: Twitter) THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad district of Kerala was vandalised by activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI), affiliated to the ruling CPM, on Friday. SFI activists were protesting against Gandhi's alleged silence over the recent Supreme Court directive that national parks and wildlife sanctuaries must have an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of minimum one km from the demarcated boundary of a protected forest. Rahul Gandhi is MP from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. However, Gandhi had recently written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urging him to convey to the Centre the concerns of the people of Kerala regarding the SC directive. The SFI activists who barged into Gandhi's parliamentary party office in Kalpetta smashed windows, damaged furniture and beat up workers. The police, which arrived at the spot, used force to disperse the SFI mob. Later, Congress workers led by Congress MLA T. Siddique took out a protest march to Wayanad SP office and demanded immediate arrest of SFI activists responsible for the attack. The Congress leadership alleged that the CPM had planned the attack to gratify Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP central leadership. "We suspect a conspiracy behind the attack, said AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal who also sought Chief Minister Vijayans reaction to the attack. The CM and his party workers want to please the Sangh Parivar, he said. Vijayan condemned the attack as condemnable, in a statement. This is a country where there is freedom to organise protests and express views in a democratic manner. However, such protests taking a violent turn indicates a wrong trend. The government will take strong action against those behind the incident, the Chief Minister said. The LDF leadership also distanced itself from the attack on Gandhis office. There is no need to take out a protest march to Rahul Gandhis office. I have no idea why the march was organised, said LDF convener E.P. Jayarajan. He said Gandhi was being hounded by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). We are against the misuse of ED by the Central government against political leaders from the opposition parties, he said. by Beatrice Guarrera The couple are part of the delegation invited to represent Taiwan. Married for 28 years, two children, they are involved in projects to support nascent or struggling families in China, Malaysia, the Philippines. The issue of blended families and the path aimed at dialogue and formation. Engagement with priests in formation for pastoral care. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - They arrived from Taipei as a couple, to tell their experience on their pastoral accompaniment of spouses: Clare Jiayann Yeh and Joseph Teyu Chou are part of the delegation invited to represent Taiwan at the World Meeting of Families, underway at the Vatican. Together with two other newlyweds from Indonesia, they are the only Asian speakers at the sessions organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life for this important event dedicated to families that ends tomorrow. Married for 28 years and with two children over 20 years old now adults, Clare and Joseph have been involved for years in projects to support newborn or struggling families in China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Chinese communities living in the United States. "I was appointed by the pope as a consultant for the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, and that's why they thought of Joseph and I when it came to choosing," Clare explains, "who to have speak on the topic of continuing formation for spouses. I was born into a non-Christian family and it wasn't until I was 20 years old that I became a Catholic." It was right there in the church that Joseph noticed her, "I come from a Catholic family and I was 24 when we first met. Claire was new to the church and that's how we met. Then we started dating, got married and had two children. I learned so much about church doctrine and theology just from Claire." Today Clare is in fact director of the Marriage and Family Ministry Center of the China Regional Bishops' Conference. In her education, she counts studies in Melbourne at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family, which later led her to teach moral and pastoral theology at St. Robert Bellarmine's Fu-Jen Faculty of Theology. Claire is an expert in marriage preparation for engaged couples and counseling families in difficulty, experience she has brought into her book, "Guidelines on the Pastoral Care of Marriage and the Family in Light of Amoris Laetitia." Flanking and supporting her in every service to the Church has always been her husband Joseph, a university professor of economics/finance and former business executive. "At the World Meeting of Families," Claire says, "we shared our experience and also the differences of pastoral care of the family in different countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, China, Taiwan or other dioceses in Washington or New York. The common challenge in Asia is that many couples do not have deep roots in the Catholic tradition and need constant accompaniment from the Church, to support their Christian family in a non-Christian culture." Claire knows what she is talking about, as her own family is of the Ikuantao religion. Also known as "I Kuan Tao" and "Yi Guan Dao," it is a religion that has millions of followers and originated in China, although it is still banned there today. In Taiwan, however, it was legalized in 1987 and has since become the third most popular faith, after Taoism and Buddhism. "When I was little, my parents enrolled me in a Christian preschool because they believed," he explains, "that it was the best. And when I later became Catholic, they always encouraged me in my path, even though they are not Christians. For example, sometimes they would say to me, "It's Sunday, how come you are home? You should go to church." My family pushed me to do what was useful for me and helped me personally. That's why I always share my personal experience with couples where one spouse is not a Christian." Meeting many families on a daily basis, Claire knows the most diverse stories of integration, such as those of children who attend the parish on Sundays despite having parents of other religions. However, family issues are not always easy to resolve: "In premarital classes," Claire points out, "this is the challenge we encounter: if one is Catholic and the other is not, there might be different difficulties. Maybe the family of the Catholic husband could become much stronger and ask the wife to become Catholic. Or, if the husband is not a Christian, he could force his wife to stop going to church. This is the challenge that the Church of Asia experiences. With our experience, we would like to help couples dialogue and then allow their children to go to Church. Therefore, in our groups we always want couples to share their experience-that way couples help each other. They are not left alone to confront and argue." The Taiwanese delegation, consisting of Claire and Joseph, along with the bishop of the diocese, a priest and three other couples, thus brought the experience of accompanying the Christian family in a non-Christian context. "The theme of this world meeting," he continued, "is a call to the holiness of families: I expect that every culture and nation can make its contribution, to bring us to this holiness. And we personally would like to continue to do more, to help more to address the challenges of families." In addition to families, Claire and Joseph also often meet with many priests to support them in training for pastoral care. "As lay people we need a greater mission in pastoral care, to form spouses and priests. We need," she concludes, "synodality with other couples, in collaboration with the Church and the bishops, to be able to help families do their best for themselves and their children. An Amnesty International report speaks of indiscriminate and insensitive demolitions. Affected at least 558,000 inhabitants, foreigners denied even state-promised reparations. Behind the image of a "progressive and opulent" nation emerge "horrific stories of abuse and violations." Jeddah (AsiaNews) - The indiscriminate and "insensitive" demolitions initiated by Saudi authorities in the development and revitalization plan for the port city of Jeddah, affecting at least 558,000 residents, are "discriminatory" and violate international human rights standards. Making the accusation in a report released in recent days is Amnesty International, which says forced evictions and demolitions to make way for a new modern-style urbanization project have hit foreign migrant workers hard. Between late 2021 and early 2022, top administrative officials kicked hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes. Documents from the Jeddah municipality show that expropriations should be matched by a series of compensations, promised as compensation; however, foreigners and migrants are excluded from this rule, who actually make up 47 percent of the total number of those forced to seek resettlement. Diana Semaan, Amnesty International's acting deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, points out that "behind the progressive and glitzy image that Saudi Arabia is trying to present to the world, there are horrific stories of abuse and violations." "Not only," the activist continues, "have they kicked residents out of their homes without any sensitivity and giving them time to leave or adequate compensation to find an alternative, but they have also discriminated against hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals by excluding them from the compensation scheme. Some Jeddah residents surveyed by Middle East Eye in January said they were caught "by surprise" by the demolitions and had "very little time" to find other accommodation or to say goodbye to neighbors, with whom they have lived with for generations. Some were forced to abandon their furniture in the open, finding shelter under bridges. Research by activist group ALQST published in April confirms that the demolitions have been poorly managed, with more than 71 percent of respondents revealing that they have not received any form of support. Jeddah is the second largest city in the Wahhabi kingdom and home to up to 4.5 million people. It is a major economic center and the gateway to Mecca for millions of Muslim worshippers each year on their way to the Hajj (the major pilgrimage). The neighborhoods so far targeted for demolition are in the south, in an area seen by many as the very heart and soul of the city overlooking the Red Sea. The southern sector has long been relegated to the margins of major development projects, while all plans and investments were concentrated in the north. However, the southern part of Jeddah has peculiarities that make it unique in being socially vibrant and multi-ethnic, due to the flow of migration that has resulted in deep urban intermingling for decades. However, Amnesty's report shows how the Saudi state narrative has repeatedly stigmatized this unique characteristic, attacking the area's inhabitants and linking them to "disease, heinous crimes, drug trafficking and theft." The development plan that resulted in the expulsion of more than half a million people from Jeddah is part of the economically, socially and culturally reformist program called "Vision 2030" and personally desired by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (Mbs.). It is a wide-ranging project that touches different sectors of the country's life, but one that risks relegating the poorest and weakest groups to the margins, as evidenced by the case of the "Neom martyr," a hero of the anti-expropriation struggle killed by security forces. Some of the superyachts that have disappeared as sanctions against Russian oligarchs went into effect have started to re-appear. Madame Gu, which went dark at the beginning of March as it was leaving Dubai, is one of them. 8 photos On a warm summer night back in 2013, Tom Konecny and Pablo Steigleder approached a hang-out popular with Munichs riders. When scrutinizing the modded two-wheelers in attendance, the two found themselves sharing a similar outlook on what they saw before their eyes. Long story short, Tom and Pablo found all those so-called customs to offer very little in the way of originality.Besides following the same cafe racer trends like woefully uninspired copycats, the bikes were merely piles of aftermarket parts as opposed to genuine one-offs. The guys agreed that a breath of fresh air in the local customization scene would be rather welcome, and they began flirting with the idea of establishing their own workshop to make it happen.Sure enough, it wasnt long before these fellows vision became a reality in the form of Diamond Atelier, but no one could predict just how much popularity this firm would go on to gain! Never stopping to rest on their laurels, Konecny and Steigleder have orchestrated some truly incredible builds over the years, including a Ducati Monster 1200 R with gold-plated framework.With such astounding projects in their repertoire, it should go without saying that Diamond is way more than just another run-of-the-mill motorcycle customization garage. Tom and Pablo will, more often than not, seek to strike a harmonious balance between form and function, but theyll occasionally throw the latter straight out the window and create something like this wild Yamaha XSR900.Dubbed on, the project was commissioned by TW Steel, a reputed Dutch watchmaker whose timepieces are just as stylish as Diamond Ateliers bikes. Mind you, this isnt the only occasion where TW have collaborated with top-tier European workshops, and you may want to also check out the imposing BMW R nineT built for them by Britains Sinroja Motorcycles after weve examined the outlandish XSR pictured above, of course.Starting with a brand-new 2017 exemple, the German craftsmen kicked things off by deleting the stock bodywork in its entirety. The same fate had followed for the donors OEM subframe, which was replaced with a tailor-made skeletal module that looks totally surreal. Penned by a regular collaborator named Julian Weber, the ons new outfit shows pinches of inspiration from early Bosozoku trends and the Japanese tuner scene.The task of fabricating this bonkers aluminum attire was assigned to KRT Frameworks Marvin Diehl, and the piece de resistance is the unusual fuel tank found center-stage. Its contour swoops its way southward to seamlessly join that of a custom-made solo saddle, behind which youll spot a minute tail unit.At the front, we find a flip-up panel and one gorgeous TW Steel timepiece where the factory headlamp had once sat. Lighting is now provided by a pair of LED strips mounted on both sides of the radiator, and those are coupled with top-shelf Kellermann turn signals. The XSR900 s 41 mm (1.6-inch) inverted forks were shortened a tad, while its adjustable rear monoshock has been replaced with a higher-spec Wilbers Blackline item.Clip-on handlebars from ABM adorn the cockpit area, complemented by Gilles Tooling foot pegs on the ons flanks. Additionally, the Diamond Atelier duo installed braided stainless-steel brake lines, as well as a grippy pair of Pirelli slicks at both ends. Konecny and Steigleder trimmed away nearly 330 feet (100 meters) of redundant wires, then theyve fitted the bikes electrical system with twin lithium-ion batteries. Yamaha s revered XSR saw its liquid-cooled 847cc inline-three powerplant treated to K&N air filters and handmade three-into-one exhaust pipework, which ends in an SC-Project muffler on the right-hand side of the rear wheel. Lastly, the creatures mind-numbing bodywork was enveloped in a glossy layer of silver paint with orange pinstripes for contrast. The USAFCENT is, in essence, the sky over some 21 countries in Southeast Asia that, for the U.S. Army, create the so-called USCENTCOM. Its a huge area, some 4 million square miles (10,360,000 km) large, and contains, as per the militarys own acknowledgment, the most volatile and contested territory in the world.On the world map, the place translates into countries like Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, among others. All, and some others over there, have been hotbeds for conflict for decades and need a watchful eye to stop things from really going south.This is why in the places it is allowed to, the U.S. Air Force conducts regular patrol flights. That is exactly what we see in the main photo of this piece, a snapshot captured at the beginning of May and recently released by the USAF Four F-16 Fighting Falcons are seen flying formation over the vast deserts of the area (exact location was not disclosed), with the angle of the shot and the closeness of the fighters making it seem like the two on the left are touching their wings.The planes shown here are deployed with the 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, usually stationed at the Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. The unit got the fighters back in 1997, when it broke the mold and became a combat-ready F-16CJ squadron in only 60 days.The four planes were about and about, the military branch says , as a means to deliver airpower and show the U.S. commitment to deterrence and regional stability. Made (relatively) famous by Reddits ugly car mods thread, it has had its picture taken somewhere north of the U.S. border, in Canadas British Columbia, judging by the partially censored license plate.Now, back to the oddities, which do not only include the big front and rear wings, a modification that has sparked a hilarious comment, with one Redditor saying that the owner is spoiled, but an LED light bar up front too.The tires look a bit fat compared to what were used to seeing these days, yet theyre not exactly chunky, and therefore off-road-ready, and the fortwo doesnt feature a jacked-up stance either. Thus, its not like the person whose name is written on the dotted line can take it off the lit path every now and then, as it would get stuck. Its rear-wheel drive construction would not help it either, so maybe the owner drives it on remote roads late at night on a constant basis, and needs all the light (and downforce) that they can get their hands on.Since its not every day that we get to write about a smart fortwo, we cannot end this story here, as we have to remind you of an Eleanor Mustang-wannabe copy that we covered a couple of months ago. That one was rather cute, with its brand new face made to resemble the famous pony car from Gone in 60 Seconds, as well as the new silver finish, black racing stripes, and additional lights. As we said back then, with a little bit of work, it has the potential to become a show-stopper. SUV AMG We all know that Smart Automobile is the new Mercedes-Benz and Geely joint venture that seeks to direct the fortunes of the microcar brand towards greener sales pastures. But let us be frank, aside from doing the right thing by being sustainable, the Smart #1 battery-powered subcompact crossoveris not exactly the most enticing design this automotive world has ever seen.Naturally, one cannot stop from asking the rhetoric question does Mercedes have any remorse for not doing right by the fortwo and forfour series and giving them more chances? Sure, even electrifying them did not work as presumed, but perhaps they did not use the right approach? Maybe they should have just made the cutesy city car the toughest little Mercedes-ever created.Now, thats merely wishful thinking as far as the real world is concerned because the Chinese dice have already been cast. Over across the virtual realm, on the other hand, nothing is forbidden. Especially not when the pixel master only known as superrenderscars on social media is concerned, and not when the CGI expert continues to explore the idea of outrageous CGI mashups with a smart Mercedes-AMG twist.So, as opposed to trying to make a BMW X7 M50i SuperVan with six big doors to finally make that humongous grille look properly sized or playing with the super-SUV trope by way of a Lambo Urus AMG, we are now getting the pocket-sized yet equally tough extreme.Plus, we get to try and name the resulting mix between an unsuspecting smart fortwo and an innocent Mercedes-AMG G 63! Of course, the funniest attempts are always most welcomed Folks, before us is a bicycle dubbed the Revolt 2 , and while that name may sound familiar, this is Giant's most recent version. Before you go on about why I may have brought to light some overly priced two-wheeler, don't as this trinket cruises in for a sweet $1,450 (1,370 at current exchange rates). That's it.However, don't expect some bike that'll fall apart after the first few adventures , Giant Bicycles is a crew that's been on the market since 1972, and those 50 or so years of experience shine through every single bicycle they build, be it $500 or $15,000. And frankly, there's no use in purchasing bicycles with price tags in the tens of thousands unless you're a cyclist bent on bringing home the gold.Now, aside from the price you're being asked to pay for the Revolt, there are countless other reasons why you should take the time to get to know this trinket. For this rate, don't expect to find a carbon fiber frame but an aluminum one. However, let me point out that the Revolt lineup includes carbon fiber demons too, and the geometry, seat stays, and tube shaping is nearly identical throughout the range. The fork we see on the 2 is, on the other hand, a composite fork that also features cargo rack months, helping extend this bike's abilities even further.To help you transfer as much power from your legs into the ground, Giant has called upon timeless Shimano to ensure your riding experience is the peak that it can be for this sort of cash. Shimano Sora shifters control more Sora gear in the form of a front and rear derailleur and the Tektro brakes with 160 mm (6.3 in) rotors. The cassette is a CH-HG400 with 11-34T, and the entire system is tuned to the sounds of 2x9 speeds.What does all that mean for you as a rider? Let's dive into a mental exercise where you just so happened to purchase a Revolt 2. There you are, Saturday morning, with coffee coursing through your veins and breakfast already devoured. As the morning sun peaks over the horizon, you stand in your garage with the liftgate open, just waiting for the first rays of the sun to warm the otherwise cold frame.With the Revolt sitting in the driveway, you close your garage and hop on. With a single push, you're off. From here, it's unsure when you'll be back home, so you managed to pack lunch and some extra liquids to keep you flowing along smoothly. Maybe, just maybe, you decided to explore this bike's ability to carry bikepacking gear and discovered it can take the extra loads. If that's the case, it sounds like the Revolt 2 will leave you with enough case to explore this option too.At the end of the day, it may not be the best machine that Giant has to offer nor the finest components. Still, the fact that this bike is an available and affordable option to get you into the gravel game means that it needs some consideration if you want a new bike to join your buddies on weekend treks. What sort of lifestyle you finally decide to lead is up to you; Giant is just giving you the tools to ride further The U.S. Air Force ( USAF ), now going through a full-blown modernization and streamlining process, plans to cut that number to about 450, but also replace some of the existing hardware it uses for such tasks. As youre reading this, American fighter and transport planes, but also helicopters, get their fill mid-air from the likes of the KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46 Pegasus, the pillars of this fleet.Most of these planes are getting old, though, and the U.S. has plans to replace some of them for the future, shrunken lineup. And the Lockheed Martin - Airbus LMXT seems to be one of the best solutions at hand.Described by the companies making it Americas next strategic tanker, the LMXT is part of the Air Forces KC-Y program. It is in fact a modified Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), it in turn based on the civilian A330. The MRTT is in the service of about 14 countries, with about 60 units ordered thus far.The American LMXT will be the most advanced variant of the European-made flying platform and, most importantly, it will be put together in the U.S. , in Mobile, Alabama, and Marietta, Georgia. The thing that sets it apart from the pack, the fully automatic boom (the air-to-air refueling system), will be made in Arkansas, at a new facility Airbus is planning to erect.The plane is 193 feet (59 meters) long and 57 feet (17 meters) high. From wing tip to wing tip, it measures 198 feet (60 meters), and it comes with a maximum takeoff weight of 533,500 lbs (242,000 kg). Of that, 271,700 lbs (123,240 kg) is fuel for the military aircraft in need of it.All that fuel will be sent to the recipient tanks by something Lockheed Martin and Airbus describe as the worlds first fully automatic boom/air-to-air refueling (A3R) system (check second video below the text), a fly-by-wire system that will allow faster refueling operations at increased range.It was back in 2020 when Airbus announced it achieved the worlds first fully automatic refueling contacts. The missions took place over the Atlantic Ocean, where the MRTT refueled a Portuguese Air Force F-16 What fully automatic means in this case is that the A3R boom, once deployed, keeps the alignment between its tip and the receiver receptacle, on its own, with an accuracy of a couple of centimeters.The system also determines the optimum moment to extend the telescopic beam to achieve the connection with the receiver. Once that happens, the fuel transfer is a go. Once the receiver planes tanks are full, the boom disconnects, gets clear, and retracts.During all of this, the air refueling operator (ARO) is reduced to just an observer, ready to jump in if and only when something goes wrong.At the time of writing, the boom system deployed on the Airbus machine is certified for refueling no less than ten aircraft, namely the F-35A, F-22, F-16, A-10, B1-B, C-17, E-3, E-7, F-15, P-8A.Aside from being a capable refueler, the LMXT is also envisioned as a Joint All Domain Operations node, meaning it will integrate and be integrated with air, land, maritime, cyberspace, and space assets (first video below for more details).More details on the LMXT (but, of course, not all) will be released as work on the project progresses. Presently, the tanker aircraft is scheduled to start rolling off production lines by the end of the decade. SUV It looks decent enough and is mechanically interesting enough to have become in the short time its been on the market a top choice for buyers, but also Mazdas best-selling global model, with over 3.5 million of them finding new owners since 2012. Sure, one could attribute part of that success to the fact that people nowadays would buy any crossover, but it remains an achievement, nonetheless.The models success meant the CX-5 was quickly adopted by the toy industry as well, with the Japanese from Tomica being among the first to jump on the bandwagon. Selling mostly in Japan since 2018, the diecast CX-5 may not look like a suitable candidate for some custom work by specialized crews, but given enough ideas, such a conversion could stick.And thats probably what custom toy car specialist Jakarta Diecast Project (JDP) must have thought when he decided last week to give the toy car a rally-inspired makeover and rename it the CX-5 Speed.The process that takes the CX-5 from stock looks to (miniature) race-ready condition was, of course, documented on film and posted online (and also at the end of this piece), so that anyone could replicate the conversion if they find it interesting enough.Now sitting on much larger (borderline unusable) wheels, with a huge scoop on the hood, an even larger wing at the back, and all the proper livery and make-believe lights, theis a sight to behold, we have to admit, and would probably look amazing in any collection of custom diecasts. The plot thickens around the Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant . Towed out of Aberdeen Port in Hong Kong and en route to an unknown location, it reportedly encountered bad weather when passing Xisha Islands, capsized and sunk at the bottom of the South China Sea. The bad news came straight from owners Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises (ARE), in a statement that said that water flooded the vessel and tipped it over. The water depth at the scene is over 1,000 meters [3,300 feet], making it extremely difficult to carry out salvage works, the statement continued.Its true, the word sunk was never used, but that was the direct implication. As such, reports both in the national and international media said that Jumbo Kingdom Restaurant, once part of the larger structure of Jumbo Kingdom, and the largest, at 260 feet (80 meters) and three decks, had sunk and was a complete loss Not really, no. Prompted by the Hong Kong government to offer an explanation and the exact circumstances of the incident , ARE is now saying that the vessel is not lost. In a statement to CNN , ARE says that both the vessel and the tugboat are still in the waters off the coast of Xisha Islands. The company is refusing to acknowledge the previous statement, but insists that reports that it had sunk are inaccurate.To The Guardian , ARE says that the Jumbo Restaurant is still afloat. Whether its still tied to the tugboat or salvageable is not specified. Neither is its insurance status, with Andrew Brooker, managing director of Hong Kong-based marine insurance firm Latitude Brokers, telling CNN that its incredibly unlikely that it was, since the marine insurance market does not like [to carry the risk of] 50-year-old barges being towed across 1,000 kilometers [540 nautical miles] of open ocean in typhoon season.The Hong Kong government is saying that it found out about the incident via media and that no official report was filed. Talk about muddying the waters.Jumbo Kingdom opened in 1976 and was favored by celebrities, public figures and film directors. It consisted of the Restaurant, an older and smaller barge that also served as restaurant, a separate kitchen and a barge for the seafood tanks, and eight ferries for customers. As of 2013, the structure operated at a loss and accumulated over $13 million in debt, and it closed indefinitely at the start of the 2020 international health crisis.The relocation was meant to help ARE cut down maintenance costs and taxes, with reports suggesting it was headed to a shipyard in Cambodia. SUV HP AMG kWh WLTP kW EV Many have wondered about the use of solar panels on all-electric cars. If they work so well for individual homes, parking lots, and power plants, why wouldnt the photovoltaic marvel be useful for vehicles that we utilize every single day? Thats what the team at Lightyear had in mind when they decided its time someone took this topic seriously. It took them six years to perfect the solution, but now we have seen it and its real. The Lightyear 0 is here to harvest the Suns rays and turn them into useful energy. Its aerodynamic, efficient, and looks futuristic. But there are a couple of problems.If we go back in time, we will find that people were trying all sorts of stuff with cars. Engineers and designers wanted to make the automobile better since its inception. It was (and still is) a reason for many young people to start studying various complicated subjects and for companies to compete in hiring the best there is. Ford was one of the first companies that chose to invest in bright young minds. And its understandable why an automaker would proceed like this. The car is a result of multiple intertwined fields of expertise. If you want to blow the competition out of the water, you need the best minds working on your product.As a matter of fact, thats mostly why today we have so many powertrain options. That, of course, and the fact that we need to lower emissions so our world doesn't dramatically change in next couple of decades. You want a car? Great! Heres one with an internal combustion engine that can run on diesel or gas exclusively. Also look at the mild hybrid option that enables better range because it has a starter-generator that helps exactly when the engine is mostly needed.But theres more! Heres a plug-in hybrid that can act as an electric vehicle on shorter distances with the push of a button and you can plug it in to recharge or use the engine to replenish the battery while on the go. In some markets, they even consider this a green vehicle, and you may receive subsidies and incentives. There are also range extender vehicles (like the famous London black cabs or the BMW i3 REx) that try to use the fossil-fuel-hungry power unit as efficiently as possible by turning it into a mere generator.And now we have completely electric vehicles that can easily beat supercars in a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) race. The world and the car industry have evolved tremendously just in the last decade. We dont even need to touch on the fact that some markets are now testing flying cars as on option to skip traffic.All of this tells us the solar car was inevitable. If Lightyear didnt have the guts to go on this route, somebody else wouldve had. Just look at the now very popular Hyundai Ioniq 5. The company is offering the option to have a solar roof fitted on the crossover that can provide energy for the 12V battery and the high-voltage unit. Granted, the solar panels contribution is small. It can add 1% to the big battery pack if the cars parked for a day out in the sun. Fisker s Ocean is also trying a similar strategy with the all-new Ocean compact, which will go into production later this year. We'll see how that turns out.But solar panels being used on cars is not something contemporary. In fact, this idea is pretty old. General Motors tried it first in 1955 on a small 15-inch test unit. It was basically a toy called the Sunmobile. However, seven years later, a 1912 Model Baker was trialed with 10,640 solar cells on it. It could carry up to four people but didnt see the light of day as a production unit. Some years go by, and in 1980, Israeli researchers built the Freeman solar car that was incredibly ugly and managed to drive only 50 miles (80 kilometers) on a full charge. This, like the others, failed.Until Lightyears production-ready car came to fruition, people had toyed with the solar-powered vehicle. The idea to get the Suns energy and convert it into power was on the mind of almost everyone who wanted to prove it is possible to move away from fossil fuels and to pay absolutely nothing for energy. Researchers wanted to give people this freedom. They tried. Unfortunately, nothing proved to be feasible for the average consumer.People want their cars to be reliable and ready to be driven at a moments notice. They also like not paying too much for the privilege of driving a car. Thats mostly why theres still some stigma surrounding all-electric vehicles in some markets, even though EVs have proved themselves to be quite useful for the everyday user if theres a little bit of planning being done. Just plug in the car when you arrive home, set a charging limit, and thats all theres to it.But Lightyears 0 appeared, and I thought it was going to change everything. I watched the entire presentation and was feeling genuinely happy for the guys and gals behind this momentous occasion. Finally, something new comes out of Europe that can rival with what were doing in America and what the Chinese are doing in Asia. Reality, unfortunately, is often disappointing.For starters, the vehicle is incredibly expensive. It costs 255,000 ($268,360) without the value added tax (VAT) and other charges like shipping or import fares. Looking at the available options for EVs at the moment, you could very comfortably buy a fully optioned 750-Porsche Taycan Turbo S or a 1,020-HP Tesla Model S Plaid or a 1,050-HP Lucid Air Grand Touring or a 649-HP Mercedes-EQS Sedan and youd still be left with some spare change. All these cars can be considered rivals for the Lightyear 0 since the price tag is extravagant.But the worlds first production-ready solar car comes with approximately 172 HP (170 bhp) split between the four independently controlled motors, one for each wheel. Moreover, it can reach 62 mph (100 kph) in 10 seconds and can keep going until it hits the limit at 99 mph (160 kph).The high-voltage batterys size is also unexpectedly small at just 60. This might not be such a bad thing because the weight is kept at a minimum and the low drag coefficient means this car is going to cut through air with ease. But looking at what others are offering for less money Well, its going to be hard to attract customers.Just to put everything better into perspective, the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV comes with a 65-kWh battery pack, has 200 HP, can reach 62 mph (100 kph) in under 7 seconds, and it has a starting price tag of just $28,195 (26,810).So, for now, we know it pales in comparison with its main rivals and with other EVs that are almost 10 times cheaper.But Lightyear promises added solar range thatll help future owners spend less time plugged in. Can this help with saving money? Well, the company says the car can charge on the go and gain up to 70 km (43.5 mi) per day. Furthermore, they say the battery alone can provide 625 km (388 mi) ofrange. In ideal weather and driving conditions, you could travel 695 km (431 mi) before needing to recharge. Lightyear goes even further and says their 0 can go over 1,000 km (621) between two charging moments.For all we know right now, this could be true. The company says the calculations have been done while testing in the Netherlands and Southern Spain summer. Assuming you live in a place where the Sun doesnt shine all through out the day, you could expect less free miles of range coming only from the solar panels. The 1.05-setup is capable of adding 10 km (6.2 mi) of range every hour, but this maximum value wont always be achieved. There are just too many factors involved.Thus, there's no way the price tag could justify potential savings by just using the Sun to power the Lightyear 0.Theres also another issue that needs to be underlined. Solar panels technology has continuously developed in the past two decades, but their efficiency is still sitting at 25%. Lightyears proprietary technology doesnt do any wonders here, but the cars smart energy usage is what helps with making this vehicle an interesting proposition. On average, it consumes half of what a Tesla Model 3 needs to move around. This is what might set Lightyear apart from others trying to achieve success in the all-electric, solar-powered space.Just looking at what we know so far, anyone can safely assume Lightyears 0 is going to be, sadly, a flop. Or, better yet, we could call it an experiment. Maybe the startup is trying to get the word going so their cheaper vehicle wont look like a testing product meant for early adopters that are willing to put up with all kinds of issues. Can another generation of Tesla enthusiasts sprout up in Europe? It's highly unlikely. Not in this economy and geopolitical context, anyway.Therefore, its clear that the 0 wont do anything for the aspiring European auto brand - not at this price point and with these specs.And they must move quickly if they want a piece of the market. Sono Motors has the solar-powered Sion already scheduled for production and it costs only 28,500 ($30,050). Moreover, theyre testing the solar integration with semitrucks and buses. The competition is heating up because our world is too.I still hope Lightyear will pull it off somehow, but I highly doubt people will spend so much money on a product thats incredibly slow and has efficiency as its only upside. Add the poor state of the economy, and you get the recipe for just another startup that wanted to do something great but had the timing and the pricing wrong.At the end of the day, maybe it would be better to have parking lots covered in solar panels and fast chargers that would offerdrivers clean electricity. Palmdale, CA (93550) Today Sunny with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 101F. WSW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low 72F. SW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Email Dan Walters of CalMatters at dan@calmatters.org. CalMatters is a nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias state Capitol works and why it matters. For more columns by Walters, go to calmatters.org/dan-walters. Turkey intent on blocking Nordic bids at NATO summit if security concerns persist 09:12, June 25, 2022 By Burak Akinci ( Xinhua Staff members work at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 24, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) Ankara does not consider next week's summit as a final deadline for resolving its objections to Finland and Sweden's NATO bids. ANKARA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Turkey seems determined to block Sweden and Finland's NATO memberships in the alliance's upcoming summit as long as they do not address Turkey's security concerns, although the NATO chief has vowed "a common way forward" on the issue at stake, experts said. Ankara has said it will not prepare to rush through the NATO accession process of the two Nordic countries unless there are "satisfactory assurances" that they would cut support of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and other groups outlawed by Turkey. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday set out his priorities for the two-day summit starting June 29 in Madrid, said the military alliance's website. Speaking of the accession process and Turkey's security concerns, including in the fight against terrorism, Stoltenberg said his aim is "to find a common way forward so that both countries can join our alliance as soon as possible." However, Ankara does not consider next week's summit as a final deadline for resolving its objections to Finland and Sweden's bids. "We don't feel like we are under any time pressure. What is important here is that Sweden and Finland openly, clearly, and concretely explain how they are going to act on counterterrorism," a Turkish diplomatic source told Xinhua on the condition of anonymity. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at an award ceremony of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey, June 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati) Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told reporters on Monday in Brussels that the upcoming Madrid summit "is not the deadline, so our negotiations will continue." He made the remarks after a round of talks in the Belgian capital where NATO is headquartered with officials from Sweden, Finland and the military bloc over the Nordic countries' admission, indicating outstanding issues yet to be addressed. Last week, Turkey said documents it received from Sweden and NATO in response to the earlier written demands it presented to the two candidates were far from meeting its expectations and any negotiations must first address Turkish concerns. While describing the Monday meetings with the three countries as "constructive," Stoltenberg acknowledged that "Turkey has legitimate security concerns over terrorism that we need to address." Experts said the finalization of the Nordic bids in Madrid now seems unlikely. "After all, a swift membership of Sweden and Finland to NATO could only exacerbate the Russian-Ukraine crisis. It would mean to pour fuel on the fire," Tarik Oguzlu, a professor in international relations at Istanbul's Aydin University, told Xinhua. People protest against Sweden's decision to apply to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Stockholm, Sweden, May 16, 2022. (Photo by Wei Xuechao/Xinhua) Nevertheless, Ankara will in time lift its reservations about the two countries, Oguzlu said. Turkey accuses Sweden and Finland of harboring alleged PKK members and objects to their arms embargoes imposed on Turkey since 2019 as a response to Turkey's military operations in Syria. The two Nordic countries reversed decades of military non-alignment by applying for NATO memberships in May, after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in late February. But any NATO membership deal must be unanimously approved by all the 30 members of the alliance. According to political analyst Selcuk Colakoglu, Turkey wants to seize this opportunity to push for the designation of the People's Protection Units (YPG), the PKK's Syrian arm, as a terrorist group. Photo taken on April 7, 2022 shows the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) "Many countries in NATO consider YPG as an ally in the fight against the Islamic State group (in Syria). So Turkey wants a clear position from its NATO partners as well as Sweden and Finland to designate YPG as an offshoot of the PKK," he told Xinhua. The issue of the YPG militant group in northern Syria, against which Turkey has fought since 2015, has complicated Turkey's relations with its NATO allies. Colakoglu, director of the Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, said Turkey does not categorically rejects the memberships of Sweden and Finland but rather seeks security guarantees concerning these Kurdish groups and their members. "For now we don't know yet how these differences will evolve. We will see in the coming weeks but talks are continuing without interruption," the scholar noted. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) Part II, Manzanita 300-Yr-Old Spanish Galleon Find: Historic Surprises for Oregon Coast Published 06/20/22 at 5:25 AM PST By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Manzanita, Oregon) Part II of this dramatic find on the north Oregon coast. Part 1 delved into what the Spanish galleon Santo Cristo de Burgos was, how it was likely responsible for the gobs of beeswax discovered in the Manzanita area for over two centuries, and how recent misinformation on the discovery has propagated the falsehood the wreck had something to do with a famous movie. See Part I here. (Above: sea caves north of Manzanita. Somewhere around here timbers from the 300-year-old galleon were found) The story picks up where archaeologist Scott Williams from the Maritime Archaeological Society had heard from an old friend, Nehalem Bay resident Craig Andes, that there were shipwreck timbers in a remote sea cave near Manzanita. This was just before the pandemic in 2020. Williams at first did not believe him, but when testing came back from a piece in the cave indicating it was the right kind of wood that galleons from Spain in the 1690s were made from, Williams and his colleagues were hooked. Courtesy Scott Williams: one of the ship pieces measured in the cave Andes had said the timbers looked squared human-cut. And they had holes for the spikes that bind galleons together. In August of 2020, another member of the society joined Andes down below Neahkahnie Mountain and confirmed this to be the case. Carbon dating was done on samples and that came back conclusive for about 1693. Researchers hoped to act fast, as they realized these timbers had only been uncovered in recent years. Andes had not seem them before in those caves, so some form of erosion was quickening here. There was a chance they'd wash away. Mapping of the spot was done, and Williams and crew talked extensively with the state archaeologist and Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The race to get down there began. Williams contacted an old associate, James Delgado from Search, Inc. The underwater archaeologist is known for his work on the Titanic and other wrecks. By February and March of 2021, recovery planning was finally happening. Over that summer, state authorities had finally coordinated with the group and permits were in place. But the bad luck wasn't over. We'd missed all the tidal and weather conditions, Williams said. COVID was ramping up again, so we decided to wait. We sat on the story for a year. Photo Scott Williams: Another piece in the cave Finally, this past Tuesday, Williams, Delgado and the various groups cleared the cave of all the galleon pieces. It also took the help of Nehalem Valley Fire and Rescue and the Clastop County High Angle Rescue Team, in case the treasure hunters got stuck. In the end, this still does not prove 100 percent this is the same galleon, the Santo Cristo de Burgos. The wood dates are right, so if it's not this galleon it's some other unknown prehistoric wreck, Williams said, with prehistoric referring to before the 19th century. Given the size of them, it's possible it's from a Japanese junk, or it's possible it's another Spanish galleon. Williams then releases a remarkable surprise: there are two other galleons known to have wrecked on the north Oregon coast. It's exciting that it's not an 18th century American or British ship, he said. It's definitely 17th century or early 18th. Given where it was found and the size of the pieces, I'm 90 percent sure this is the ship. The shipwreck itself probably had more than a few adventures, too. The galleon stranded in shallow water, probably about 20 feet or so. When galleons run aground, the pieces scatter but the lower hull tends to sink into the sand, and cargo often stays intact. Yet galleons don't break into a million pieces, they usually break into sections because of their size. For a couple decades or so, Oregon coast storms battered it further, and then comes the question of the big tsunami in 1700. It's possible it moved the wreck out into the ocean or even further inland, and maybe scattered chunks in different spots. Which may explain why they found beams in a sea cave after 300 years. Then there's the mysterious wreck sighting from 1890: there is written documentation of a lower hull, upside down, on the Nehalem Spit. Was this the same wreck? That's only one person, Willisams said. They clearly saw something: maybe the lower hull, part of the lower hull or part of the side of the ship. More of this vessel could well be on the spit, or somewhere in the area. Now, the groups are preparing to take sonar and metal detectors out into the near shore, but that will be extremely slow going. The next discovery could be years, even another decade or more away. See Pieces of Legendary Oregon Coast Spanish Galleon Wreck Retrieved Near Manzanita - Part 1 Hotels in Manzanita, Wheeler - Where to eat - Manzanita, Wheeler Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Photo Scott Williams: one of the timbers More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Pieces of Legendary Oregon Coast Spanish Galleon Wreck Retrieved Near Manzanita - Part 1 Published 06/19/22 at 4:45 AM PST By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Manzanita, Oregon) This is part one of the story; it's so large that it must be broken into two parts. The second is available Monday morning. Oregon Coast Beach Connection has some exclusive additions to the story. (Photo: one of the timbers from the galleon, courtesy Scott Williams) It's been 14 years since something archaeologically huge has been discovered on the Oregon coast : 2008 saw the recovery of the rest of the cannon from a 1900s shipwreck that gave Cannon Beach its name. That, however, pales by comparison to what is almost certainly bits of a Spanish galleon that were found at Manzanita three years ago, with the find only now being publicized. It's not just any Spanish galleon, either: it's the legendary 1693 shipwreck that let loose lots of beeswax on these beaches until recent decades. This one's been talked about for generations, with legends passed down from local tribes for hundreds of years, remaining a true mystery. Over the last decade, archaeologists including those from the PBS show History Detectives have determined all that famed beeswax came from the Spanish ship Santo Cristo de Burgos, which ran trade routes from Manilla in the Philippines to Mexico. Somewhere en route that fateful year, it disappeared, and it turns out she met her demise on the Nehalem Spit. Now, it's come to light via the National Geographic Society and the northwest's Maritime Archaeological Society that pieces of the wreck were discovered in a sea cave just north of Manzanita three years ago and just this last week they were removed for study. Caves of the area, courtesy Scott Williams The news has caught worldwide attention although it's somehow spawned the false narrative that the movie The Goonies was inspired by the galleon legends of Nehalem Bay. That is not true: the script was written long before film crews found the north Oregon coast locations for some of the flick. Goofy internet rumors aside, it's a landmark find. Archaeologist Scott Williams is president of the society, but his fulltime gig is Cultural Resources Program Manager for the Washington State Department of Transportation. Williams told Oregon Coast Beach Connection it's a rarity, too. Not just for this continent but for the entire world. Pieces were rather dramatically removed from this remote sea cave on June 13, with an expansive crew that included Williams, various state agencies and an expert that worked on the Titanic. The pieces of 300-year-old galleon timbers are now being studied further and eventually should go on display. These pieces are an important discovery. This would be one of only three Manilla galleon wrecks in the world where wood was preserved, he said. It's the only such wreck in this category on this continent where any wood is left: the other two in Baja, Mexico and central California do not have wood preserved. Two galleons outside of Manilla have some remaining. The beam pieces come in different sizes, but one beam is 7.5 feet long, ten inches around and weighs 300 pounds. This meant researchers needed special help to get these out of the sea cave. How everyone got to this point is an archaeological adventure worthy of Cameron Crowe or Indiana Jones. It all goes back to early 2020, when local Craig Andes gave Williams a call saying he'd found wooden beams in a sea cave that appeared to be from a shipwreck. Williams said he didn't believe that, and then the pandemic hit, slowing down any actions on anyone's part. It's very rare for shipwreck wood to be preserved anywhere, except for maybe mud - that keeps out the oxygen, Williams said. Yet they kept conversing about this over the summer of 2020, and Williams got Andes to grab a sample and send it off for testing. Experts would be looking for an Asian tropical hardwood. That would be a sign it was from the Spaniards. If it was local wood from Oregon, it would be like a giant buzzer going off telling you wrong answer. Sure enough, it came back as hardwood, Williams said. At that point I was like wow. Part two of the story delves into the further twists and turns in the search for the galleon pieces, the scientific research needed, what happened to the rest of the ship, if a major tsunami played a part, and some other unique surprises. Hotels in Manzanita, Wheeler - Where to eat - Manzanita, Wheeler Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Spanish galleon exhibit at the history museum in Manzanita More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Click here to read the full article. Duncan Henderson, an Oscar-nominated producer and longtime member of the Director Guild of Americas national board, died Tuesday in Valencia, Calif. of pancreatic cancer, DGA representatives confirmed to Variety. He was 72. Henderson worked as a unit production manager, assistant director and producer on several notable films, receiving an Oscar nomination for producing Peter Weirs 2004 Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Other films he had production credits on include Dead Poets Society, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Deep Blue Sea, The Perfect Storm, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, G-Force, The Way Back, Battleship, Oblivion, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and Space Jam: A New Legacy. A DGA member for over 40 years, Duncans level of passion, service and commitment was beyond exemplary, DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter said in a statement. It is difficult to overstate how much Duncan meant to the DGA and his fellow members. His love for his Guild and its members shone brightly. Henderson joined the DGA in 1980 after graduating from DGA-Producer Assistant Directors Training Program; he would later become a trustee for the program in 2004. He served 10 terms on the Guilds Western AD/UPM Council starting in 2002, including a term as the council chair. He was elected onto the guilds national board in 2005 and served eight consecutive terms. He served on the DGAs Negotiations Committee for the 2005, 2008, 2014, 2017 and 2020 negotiation cycles, and as a delegate for the DGA Biennial Conventions. In 2020, he was awarded the DGAs Frank Capra Achievement Award, which is given to an assistant director or unit production manager for exemplary service to the guild and achievement in the industry. He also served as an assistant director on films like Halloween II, Big Trouble and Rocky IV. As a DGA trainee, he worked on the films American Gigolo and Heavens Gate. Henderson is survived by his wife Michelle and four children. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WASHINGTON (AP) With the Supreme Court ending the constitutional protections for abortion, four Democratic lawmakers are asking federal regulators to investigate Apple and Google for allegedly deceiving millions of mobile phone users by enabling the collection and sale of their personal data to third parties. The decision Friday by the courts conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade is expected to lead to abortion bans in about half the states. Privacy experts say that could make women vulnerable because their personal data could be used to surveil pregnancies and shared with police or sold to vigilantes. Online searches, period apps, fitness trackers and advice helplines could become rich data sources for such surveillance efforts. The request for an investigation of the two California-based tech giants came Friday in a letter to Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan. It was signed by Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Rep. Sara Jacobs of California. It was sent shortly before the Supreme Court announced its decision overturning the 1973 precedent and noted that the court was likely to do so. Individuals seeking abortions and other reproductive healthcare will become particularly vulnerable to privacy harms, including through the collection and sharing of their location data, the lawmakers said in the letter. Data brokers are already selling, licensing and sharing the location information of people that visit abortion providers to anyone with a credit card." They said prosecutors in states where abortion becomes illegal could soon be able to obtain warrants for location information about anyone who has visited an abortion provider. "Private actors will also be incentivized by state bounty laws to hunt down women who have obtained or are seeking an abortion by accessing location information through shady data brokers, the lawmakers wrote. They asked Khan for an investigation of Apple and Googles practices in mobile phone users data generally. They accused the companies of engaging in unfair and deceptive practices by enabling the collection and sale of hundreds of millions of mobile phone users personal data. The companies knowingly facilitated the harmful practices by building location identifiers used for advertising into their mobile phone operating systems, the lawmakers said. FTC spokesman Peter Kaplan confirmed that the agency had received the letter but said there would be no comment on it. Apple and Google didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. The lawmakers letter noted that Apple and Google now allow consumers to opt out of the data tracking. However, it said that until recently, Apple enabled the tracking identifier by default and required consumers to dig through confusing phone settings to turn it off. Google still enables it by default, and until recently did not even provide consumers with an opt-out, the letter said. Last month, Wyden, Warren and Booker, along with Sens. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., urged the CEOs of Google and Apple to prohibit apps on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store from using data-mining practices that could facilitate the targeting of individuals seeking abortion services. __ This story has been corrected to clarify that the lawmakers are criticizing the companies for enabling sales of users' data by others versus selling it themselves. A burn ban has been put in place for Orange County. "Due to the continued drought conditions, we are experiencing in the area, Orange County Judge John Gothia has instituted a burn ban effective immediately," the alert said shortly after 9:30 a.m. Friday. "We will update as conditions warrant." Orange County joins several across the state with active burn bans, according to the Texas Forest Service. Jefferson and Hardin counties have yet to join the list. However, authorities say they're continuing to monitor the situation. Southeast Texas was under a head advisory for 100-degree weather on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. And it doesn't look like relief is coming soon. For the next couple of days for the Orange County and Southeast Texas area it looks like there is very little chance of rain for Saturday and Sunday, said National Weather Service Lake Charles Forecaster Joe Rua. It will continue the hot temperatures in the mid and upper 90s for highs each day. You have a little bit of a pattern change next week." This upper-level higher pressure that over there will break down so there will be a better chance of rain starting on Monday, he added. It looks like a decent chance of there being some thunderstorms. It is also still too early to tell how much rain will be in the forecast over the next two weeks, Rua said. Photo by Olivia Malick/ The Enterprise Port Arthur ISD is looking for community feedback regarding how it will spend more than $27 million in federal funding. In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law, authorizing the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III grant, which provided independent school districts funding to tackle COVID-19-caused learning loss in students and to safely reopen in-person instruction throughout the districts. 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. Vermont News & Media will host a debate with the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate on July 22 at its Landmark Hill Drive offices. Candidates Isaac Evans-Frantz of Brattleboro, from left, Dr. Niki Thran of Warren and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, the incumbent, are vying for the national seat in Congress. The seat is being vacated by longtime legislator Sen. Patrick Leahy, whos stepping down. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a press conference in Kyiv, Thursday, June 16, 2022. On Friday, June 24, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming a photo of Zelenskyy filming in front of a green screen shows he was never in his own land. Russian forces are seeking to swallow up the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the eastern Luhansk region while pressing their momentum following the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the charred ruins of Sievierodonetsk A version of this review originally appeared in The Boston Globe. Janine Parker can be reached at parkerzab@gmail.com. Business writer Tony Dobrowolski's main focus is on business reporting. He came to The Eagle in 1992 after previously working for newspapers in Connecticut and Montreal. He can be reached at tdobrowolski@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6224. PITTSFIELD Several defendants arrested in connection with a police investigation into a drug trafficking operation in Pittsfield and Springfield have either struck, or are heading toward plea deals with prosecutors. The investigation launched summer 2020 when investigators from the Pittsfield Police Department, the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force, state police and the county Sheriffs Office began probing the operation that was based in Springfield and operated in the Berkshires. Pittsfield police investigator Andrew Couture in spring and summer 2020 started investigating alleged drug sales by Raekwan Jackson, of Springfield, from an address at 10 Daniels Ave. in Pittsfield, according to court documents. As the investigation continued, a Superior Court judge in September 2020 authorized a wiretap that allowed investigators to intercept electronic communications sent over devices used by Jackson and several co-defendants; Ka'Refi Hillery, of Woonsocket, R.I., Bertram Oram, of Springfield, and Devron Howard, of Adams. Using information gleaned through the wiretap, investigators received warrants to search addresses they maintained that were tied to Jackson on Liberty and Orange streets in Springfield. According to court documents, in the Liberty Street address police found "a bundle of heroin, a money counter, and loaded firearms which were not securely stored." In the Orange Street address, where Jackson's girlfriend's mother lived, police found a safe containing several thousand dollars in cash. However, a judge subsequently ruled that investigators, while seeking the search warrant, had failed to establish probable cause that the Liberty Street address was associated with the drug dealing operation, and agreed with a defense motion to suppress evidence collected during the execution of that warrant. On October 20, 2020, investigators saw two suspect vehicles they'd been monitoring in the parking lot behind the Best Western Motel on West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield, according to court documents. They had warrants to search a Dodge Journey minivan with Rhode Island plates that Jackson was operating, as well as a search warrant targeting Hillery, who arrived in the parking lot in a gray Volkswagen with two passengers, Oram and Shawn Sanders, of Dorchester. Authorities said they seized 13,500 hags of heroin amounting to about 270 grams from a shoebox in the trunk of the Volkswagen. Court papers said Hillery had $1,538 cash. Hillery, Jackson, Oram and Sanders were arrested and charged with trafficking more than 200 grams of heroin and conspiracy to violate drug laws. A second group of three defendants who authorities said were tied to the drug dealing operation was arrested three days later, on Oct. 23, 2020. According to court documents, police acted on information picked up from wiretaps of Kendall Hill and Isaac Howard, both of Pittsfield, and Devron Howard that the group would be making a heroin resupply run that day. Authorities tracked a Mazda as it traveled to Springfield and then back to Berkshire County, where police stopped it on Holmes Road in Pittsfield. After stopping the vehicle, about 500 bags of suspected heroin "fell from" Howard's waistband, court papers said, that had a street value of about $3,000. Police said a loaded 45-caliber handgun was found in the spare tire wheel well of the Mazda, and that none of the occupants of the vehicle had a license to carry. The men were charges with possession of heroin with intent to distribute; possession of a loaded firearm without a license; improper storage of a firearm; possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony; possession of a firearm with prior drug or violent crime convictions; and conspiracy to violate the drug laws of the commonwealth. Judge Jane Mulqueen on Tuesday approved a plea deal that Hill and his defense lawyer, Colin Keefe, struck with Assistant District Attorney Heather Valentine. Hill pleaded guilty to the drug distribution and conspiracy charges, and the Berkshire District Attorney's Office agreed to drop the firearms charges. Hill, who has been held in pretrial custody for just under a year-and-a-half, received time served and two years probation. Valentine said Hill, who is on federal probation, played a minor role in the scheme and there was no evidence that he was involved in "trafficking large quantities of heroin." Saying it was unclear whether he wanted drugs to sell them or for his own personal use, Valentine said Hill was "essentially along for the ride." Keefe said his client was seeking narcotics for personal use. Mulqueen said she was "a bit hesitant" to go along with the deal as proposed given Hill's record, which she called "not pretty." But she said Keefe had pleaded his client's case well, and as such, instead of receiving a "significant" term of incarceration, he was able to walk out of the courtroom. "I do hope, sir, that you understand what a gift you've been given here today," the judge said. Hill, a father of seven, faced up to 10 years in state prison. A pair of other defendants also reached plea deals with prosecutors. Sanders and Oram earlier this month pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of possession of heroin with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws, according to court documents. Sanders and Oram received time served, followed by one year probation for Sanders and three years probation for Oram. A plea offer hearing is scheduled for Devron Howard on June 27, court documents show. Jackson has a plea offer hearing on June 30. Isaac Howard failed to appear for a plea offer hearing on June 2, according to court records, leading the court to issue a warrant for his arrest. After he was apprehended by police, Howard's bail was set at $50,000, and has his next hearing on July 1. Hillery's case is open and he is due back in court for a status conference on July 25. PITTSFIELD A lawyer for the man accused of killing Paul Henry said Friday the real shooter was an alleged gang member whose whereabouts are unknown. J.C. Chadwell, 43, is on trial for Henrys murder. Lawyers delivered opening statements in Berkshire Superior Court on Friday afternoon. Sean M. Smith, who is representing Chadwell along with defense lawyer Brian E. Murphy, told jurors it wasnt Chadwell who pulled the trigger the evening of July 4, 2017. It was another man. That other man, who he named, allegedly pushed Chadwell out of the way when he saw Henry approach Chadwell with a heavy bottle in his hand at a block party on John Street near Durant Park. Special Assistant District Attorney Brett Vottero outlined for jurors, in his opening statement, what the commonwealth sees as the motive Chadwell had to commit the shooting. That motive stemmed from a dispute between the two men that began years earlier. The prosecutor said Henry had attacked Chadwell with a machete on John Street about five years before the shooting, in 2012. That incident left Chadwell with a slice wound behind his ear that required 10 staples and additional stitches to close, the prosecutor said. Fast forward to Independence Day of 2017. Vottero said Chadwell spotted Henry on John Street that day, and wanted to get even. When he saw Paul Henry that night, he decided to settle a score, Vottero said. The trial will resume Monday morning, when the prosecution is expected to play for the jury two hours of video. Chadwell may take the stand as early as Tuesday morning. Dueling accounts According to Smith, the defense attorney, Chadwell didnt see Henry coming toward him that day at the block party, but the other man did, pushed Chadwell out of the way, then fired a single shot at Henry that would prove to be fatal. That other man then ran out of the park, out of Pittsfield, and out of this criminal investigation, Smith said. Later in the afternoons trial proceedings, Pittsfield police officer Kipp Steinman testified that the man in question twice declined to speak with investigators, and that the officer does not know where the man is now located. Chadwell did speak to investigators, Smith said, but lied at the time about what happened the night of the shooting. The defense claimed that Chadwell falsely confessed in order to help his sister, who had been arrested for allegedly misleading authorities during the investigation. Smith said that as a result of her arrest, she had been taken away from her two young children, and had become mentally and physically unwell. Chadwell was ready to say whatever needed to be said in order to secure his sisters release from custody, according to Smith. But Chadwell wasnt going to turn on the man that the defense claims was the shooting, of whom he was afraid. He was desperate to protect his sister, so he was willing to lie. He was willing to lie and say he did it, in exchange for the release of his sister, said Smith. The Eagle previously reported that Chadwell agreed to talk to police after they offered to reduce bail for his sister. Thats why he lied, Smith said. To protect his sister. In court papers, the defense said that the other man was gang-affiliated and supplied firearms to the Latin Kings, as well as had motive and opportunity to inflict violence on the night of the murder ... . That other man may have shot Mr. Henry either in an attempt to protect Mr. Chadwell or himself or to further his own criminal inclinations, the defense filing asserts. According to the defense records and a federal indictment, the man is fleeing prosecution from a sweeping federal case against dozens of alleged members of the Latin Kings. That man, the defense lawyer said, killed Mr. Henry, and knew better than to stick around. He can outrun the police, he can outrun the prosecutor, but he cant outrun the truth. [He] is guilty of murdering Paul Henry, Smith said. J.C. Chadwell is innocent. Smith said that though there were about 200 people at the party that night, there will be no witnesses for the prosecution who will say they saw who shot Henry that night. Smith told jurors a murder weapon was not recovered. Vottero, the prosecutor, said video places Chadwell on John Street the night of the shooting. Chadwell told authorities in a recorded interview that he had left the party before the shooting happened and went to New York. Contents of that recording were partially described by Vottero and later played to the jury. However, prosecution witness Laura Truden said she picked Chadwell up in Pittsfield the night of the shooting and drove him to Chicopee, where she put him up in a motel for two nights. Truden said that Chadwell, her longtime friend, seemed upset. In the courtroom sat loved ones of both the shooting victim and the man on trial for his murder. During testimony by the medical examiner who handled this case, Dr. Robert Welton, the prosecution displayed a picture of Henry where he lay lifeless after falling on John Street. Welton testified that the cause of Henrys death was a gunshot that entered the left side of his chest and damaged his lung, heart and stomach. Welton testified that testing showed that Henry had consumed cocaine and cannabis sometime in the hours or days before his death, at the time of which he had a blood-alcohol level of about 0.2. Henry also suffered abrasions, including a deep wound to his face. Vottero said in opening statements that the driver of a car had backed over Henry. Disbelief, anger, frustration and fear. Those were the emotions expressed by Berkshire County residents and elected officials to Friday's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, which eliminated the constitutional right to abortion in the United States. "I'm horrified," said state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield. "I feel like I'm living in a dystopian novel." Former Berkshire United Way President and CEO Kristine Hazzard, who spent many years working to lower Berkshire's County's teen pregnancy rate, which was once one of the highest in the state, expressed similar outrage. "I am shocked. I'm dismayed. I'm disappointed," said Hazzard, who is now a private consultant. "Words are so difficult. I can't believe a 50-year-old precedent was overturned." The decision to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court ruling didn't come as a surprise. A draft copy of the court's decision was made public a few weeks ago. But the reality of that decision Friday didn't make it any easier to accept. "I didn't appreciate the deep emotions that I would have and that the people in my life would have, staff, colleagues, family and friends," Farley-Bouvier said. "It kind of seems like when you expect a loved one to die. You know it's coming, but it's not until it happens that the emotions get released. "Today we need to take care of ourselves and each other," she said, "and tomorrow organize and come out swinging." Janis Broderick, CEO of the Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield, which deals with victims and survivors of sexual abuse, said the landmark ruling left her "deeply sad and deeply enraged." "This is a horrifying rollback on women's fundamental rights and bodily autonomy," she said. "At the Elizabeth Freeman Center we know there are high rates of sexual and domestic violence in our community and throughout the country. This decision, this government abuse of power and control, places survivors of violence at heightened risk." Carole Siegel, who headed the school adjustment counselors and school psychiatrists for the Pittsfield Public Schools for many years, took part in marches for women's rights during the 1980s. "Needless to say, I felt devastated although I suspected it might be coming," said Siegel, who is retired. "I've been trying to stay positive although that's been difficult. "The number of 50-something people I've heard from today, the next generation from me, have been calling me in tears," she added. "Those people were babies when Roe v. Wade was passed." Both candidates for Berkshire district attorney, incumbent Andrea Harrington and challenger Timothy J. Shugrue, condemned the Supreme Court's decision. In a statement, Harrington said she was "outraged" at the court, saying that overturning Roe v. Wade "threatens the health and safety of women nationwide by limiting access to safe reproductive healthcare and undermining the publics trust in law enforcement." She pledged to use the full power of her office to protect abortion rights. "Any effort to enforce abortion bans in Berkshire County courts will stop at my door." In an interview with The Eagle, Harrington termed the court's decision discouraging because she said her office has put so much effort into building trust with the people in the community "who are the most vulnerable to being victimized." In her statement, Harrington said the court's decision was "crafted by a razor-thin majority of right-wing misogynists." Asked why she used such strong language, Harrington replied, "This opinion is an attack on women. Women's empowerment, our right to make personal health care decisions. I can't say that strongly enough." Harrington's challenger, Shugrue, weighed in on Facebook, writing: "Let's just call it for what it is now ... the Extremist Court." "Women around the country are now in danger of losing critical reproductive healthcare," Shugrue wrote. "Luckily we have the Roe Act here in Massachusetts, but make no mistake, they will continue to wage a legislative and legal war to try to ban all abortion in this country. "As DA, I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with reproductive rights advocates just as I have my entire life," he wrote. "Now is the time to get active and fight back. Who's with me?" Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer also posted comments on the court's decision to her personal Facebook page. "Women and girls deserve so much more," she wrote. "Its hard to even imagine that on this day, we are stripped of our right to determine our destiny and have lost control of our health, well-being, and our bodies. I stand with my sisters all across this nation that are trying to comprehend the incomprehensible." Not everyone took the same tone. In a statement, Bishop William Byrne of the Diocese of Springfield said he affirmed the Supreme Court's decision upholding each state's right to defend life. "Here in the commonwealth of Massachusetts we still have much work to do so that all citizens recognize the sanctity of all human life," he said. "We continue to work, advocate and pray that our brothers and sisters will recognize the right to life of the most vulnerable among us. This includes not just the unborn who are so precious to us, but all people who are vulnerable. We will continue to work to affirm this right, the right given by God alone that all life is sacred and intended." Byrne said the diocese will continue to use its many ministries and services to support women and families who are facing a crisis pregnancy, and urged those who oppose the court's decision to react calmly. "I also pray that those who are upset with the decision will raise their voices in a peaceful manner," he said. Protest in Williamstown The court's decision sparked at least one protest in the Berkshires, in Williamstown, where more than 50 people gathered late Friday afternoon in Field Park. "What I hope is that people see this as a call to action," said Wendy Penner, 57, of a member of the Greylock Together leadership team, the group that organized Friday's standout. "This is much bigger than the reversal of Roe v. Wade and an attack on women's bodily autonomy," the Williamstown resident said. "This is an attack on all our rights." When Genevieve Tatro heard the news on Friday, she said she felt sick. "I was devastated," the 30-year-old North Adams resident said at the standout. Tatro was in the Marines for eight years. "After you've fought so hard for this country, it's confusing," she said. "I'm a part of the LGBTQ+ community and it's important to me to be here and let my outrage be heard ... this is a scary time." Another participant, Olivia Kinne, 22, of Pittsfield, said: "It feels like the country I've lived in my whole life wants nothing to do with me." Rachel Barenblat, a rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in North Adams, carried a sign at the standout that read: "Abortion bans are against my religion." "We knew this was coming, and it's still so devastating that a fundamental human right was taken away," said Barenblat, 47, of Williamstown. She was there with her son Drew Zuckerman, a 12-year-old Williamstown Elementary School student. The best way to fight back, Zuckerman said, is "to show we have a voice. Our opinion matters." Molly Sullivan, 17, of Williamstown, came to the standout with several other teenagers. "It's our future," she said. Emma Sandstrom, 18, also of Williamstown, said that young people are told to trust adults. But she added: "It's really hard to do that when they are doing things like this." Dalzell was 23 and working with animals it was her dream job when a beautiful bull terrier kicked her in the stomach. Dalzell went to a hospital with a sharp pain, and the doctors found a mass. I had zero symptoms, she said. The whole story is pretty amazing. STOCKBRIDGE A trailer hauling a jacked up historical Berkshires jewel is making its way up the hill. Rolling inch-by-inch toward restoration and preservation. Passerby and longtime next door neighbors stopped on Cherry Hill Road to watch, incredulous as the former home of Stockbridge legend, Agrippa Hull, headed to its new spot above where it has rested since it was built around 1830. Wooden boards supporting the move over unstable earth dropped into what was once decaying foundation. Later in the day the house would go to its final destination slowly. Its an all-day affair, said Peter Whitehead, a general contractor who is overseeing the entire project. "It's like watching grass grow." Hull was a freeborn Black man who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution and later worked for the prominent Sedgwick family here, saving up and amassing a large portion of land at a time when many whites couldnt acquire land at all. He is known for his battlefield bravery, service to military masterminds, charisma and integrity as a community member. The history here tells so much of the larger American story. It involves the Stockbridge Indians, known now as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community after they were driven out of the area. It involves Elizabeth Freeman, noted for her legal fight for freedom, and who worked alongside Hull for the Sedgwicks. Like Hull, Freeman also had substantial landholdings and was Hull's neighbor. The Greek Revival-style home also was where Arlo Guthrie and Rick Robbins lived for a time when they so famously littered in 1965, and were so famously arrested for it. That story lives on in the song "Alice's Restaurant Massacree." Sign-up for The Berkshire Eagle's free newsletters Sign up And for Helen McCormick, 80, who still lives across the street in the house she grew up in and takes care of all by herself it was the corner nook of the Hull home that is burned into her childhood memory, when the house was owned by the Swann family. They had a telephone in there, and being a little kid, you know, that was such a cozy little place, she said, watching as workers toil around the house. I would call my mother 186M was our telephone number and tell her, you know, I was still here and everything was OK and so forth. But that little corner has always stuck with me. The project to move and restore the home is a labor of love for Hans and Kate Morris, who live up the road and bought this property last year. They arent new to historic restoration. With help, they researched Hull and the history of his landholdings. The Stockbridge Historic Preservation Committee in April granted their blessing to move forward with the project. Hans Morris, a co-owner of The Eagle, told the committee that a respectful restoration will be of significance to our community." Moving the house would save it from a failing foundation. The house is near the road and at the bottom of the hill, making it vulnerable to substantial water runoff." Morris told The Eagle that Hull is not as well known beyond Stockbridge, and hed like to help change that. I do think he deserves a bigger reputation, Morris said, noting that there are still unanswered questions about Hulls life here that would be fascinating to answer. He's also starting to make some connections with those who are interested in Hull and this history. One of Hulls descendants, Wray Gunn, of Sheffield, has also been digging for more information about Hull and the family tree. He didnt know about Hulls land holdings, and hes excited to learn more and take a look at the house, though he was unable to witness its move Friday. Thats a lot of land, Gunn said when told of Hulls various acquisitions between 1784 and 1817 that amounted to 84 acres all of it formerly belonging to the Stockbridge Indians, something that Hull had acknowledged, according to a paper about Hull by historian Lion G. Miles. Gunn, who is board chair of the new Du Bois Freedom Center in Great Barrington, last year traveled to Richmond, Va., when the state Legislature issued a resolution to honor the life and legacy of Hull. In part, it says: "WHEREAS, Agrippa Hull fought bravely in many major battles of the Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Saratoga, the campaign of Valley Forge, the Battle of Monmouth Court House, and the siege of Charleston." Ten years ago, the Massachusetts voting public wasnt ready to support an aid-in-dying ballot referendum measure. Ten years later, it appears that voters are, but the House of Representatives hasnt caught up with the people who put the members in office. Buoyed by a rise in support in Massachusetts, proponents of an aid in dying bill are hopeful for a vote in the Statehouse Backers believe a growing number of rank-and-file lawmakers who have lined up behind the idea of allowing terminally ill patients to request and receive medication to end their lives has pushed the legislation into the realm of possibility. Thats unfortunate, because advocates have addressed concerns and some specious objections in crafting a responsible bill. Worse, House leadership doesnt appear inclined to take a vote, preferring instead to let the clock run out on the session, which ends in July, a too frequently used strategy to avoid tough decisions. The bill, which has passed the Senate, would allow people with fewer than six months to live to request life-ending medication from a physician. People suffering from a terminal illness could self-administer the drugs to end their lives on their own terms. Ten states have such measures and five others besides Massachusetts have them before lawmakers at one stage or another. Speaker Ronald Mariano says the House is divided on the issue, telling The Boston Globe that Theres not a 77 percent affirmative vote right now. The figure is an apparent reference to the 77 percent support for aid-in-dying found in a recent poll of state residents, but Mariano doesnt need 77 percent of the House for passage of the bill. Its also unclear how he knows that the House would reject the measure. The surest way of knowing would be to have a roll call vote. A 2012 voter referendum on aid-in-dying was narrowly defeated, with the states Catholic Church, led by the Archdiocese of Boston, leading the opposition in the final weeks. In exchange for tax-exempt status, churches are supposed to refrain from political activity, but the Catholic Church is routinely involved politically, including by opposing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that has helped so many low-income Americans get health care. Second Thoughts Massachusetts, an advocacy group that opposes the bill, argues that the terminal illness diagnosis that triggers use of a life-ending drug puts patients at the mercy of what could be an inaccurate diagnosis. Geoff Sugarman, an adviser for advocacy group Death With Dignity, observed to the Globe that the terminal diagnosis was selected because it is the same standard for entry into hospice care. Second Thoughts Massachusetts maintains that fully funded palliative care is the ideal end-of-life solution, but it is naive to think that government will ever undertake such a costly program. It would also deprive people of a choice that should be their own. The poll strongly indicates that the views on aid-in-dying have changed in Massachusetts over the past decade. This could be because the Catholic Church in Massachusetts and across the world, mired in clergy abuse scandals and bishop cover-ups, doesnt command the same allegiance it did then. Maybe the pandemic has caused residents to think more about quality-of-life issues when a severe illness strikes. Whatever the reason or reasons, it is apparent that the people are ahead of the lawmakers on this issue, and not for the first time. The legalization of gambling, marijuana and gay marriage are examples of issues where Massachusetts residents led and their government representatives followed. In Texas, Florida and other red states, rights are being systematically taken away voting, reproductive and LGBTQ+. Government should be in the business of giving people deserved rights, not robbing people of them. Massachusetts has an opportunity to provide its citizens a deserved right, and the House should do just that by bringing the aid-in-dying bill to a vote and passing it before the July recess. BOISE - A bipartisan gun safety bill is on its way to President Bidens desk without support from Idahos Republican congressional delegation. The Senate passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Thursday on a 65-33 vote, and the House followed suit Friday, on a 234-193 vote. Supporters have said the bill is the most significant gun legislation to pass Congress in years. The House vote came exactly one month after a mass shooting in an Uvalde, Texas, elementary school left 19 school children and two teachers dead. The bill expands background checks for people under age 21 who are seeking to buy a firearm; the attacker in the Uvalde shooting was 18 years old. The bill also includes $15 billion for mental health and school safety programs, the Washington Post reported. Saying the legislation would help make our schools safer, the Biden administration has singled out the $1 billion that would go toward creating safe and healthy learning environments for all students, including summer and before- and afterschool programs, and $300 million for training and tools to help prevent future school shootings. The bill also sets aside up to $750 million to help states implement so-called red flag laws, designed to keep guns out of the hands of people who a court has deemed a threat to other people, or to themselves. (More details on the bill from CNN and Ballotpedia.) Here, in full, are statements from the Idaho delegation: Sen. Mike Crapo: We need to address the driving factors behind heinous acts of gun violence, which often come down to shortcomings in our mental health system. As ranking member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, I have been working with committee members on policies to improve our mental health system, several of which were incorporated into the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. These policies, which expand access to essential care by supporting telehealth options and creating more sites of service, are the types of bipartisan, targeted solutions that address root causes of gun violence. However, I have serious concerns with federal funds being used to help states establish red flag laws. The Idaho Legislature already pushed back on federal overreach through red-flag laws and other regulatory efforts by passing the Idaho Firearm and Firearm Accessories and Components Protection Act in 2021, which prevents all Idaho government entities from enforcing executive orders, federal laws, treaties, agency orders and rules of the U.S. government involving firearms, firearm components and accessories, or ammunition that conflict with the Idaho Constitution. I support Idahos leadership in upholding the Second Amendment, as I commend those working to address violence in our communities to keep students safe. Sen. Jim Risch: Senseless acts of violence that result in the loss of innocent lives cannot be tolerated. However, infringing on Americans constitutional rights is not the answer to the challenges before us. This bills weak due process protections and its provisions to funnel federal tax dollars towards facilitating state-level gun confiscation orders so-called red flag laws will erode citizens Second Amendment rights. Violent crime has no place in our communities, and we should continue to work toward solutions that keep schools and communities safe while upholding the rights of the American people. Rep. Mike Simpson: Like most Americans, I am shocked and devastated by recent horrific acts of senseless violence. This is not an acceptable status quo, and we must do better for our children. Our country is facing a devastating mental health crisis that is tearing through our schools and communities, and we must do more to meet this moment of despair and isolation. Unfortunately, while the legislation crafted in the Senate includes several provisions I support, such as expanding telehealth access and updating mental health billing guidance for schools, it also includes unacceptable language aimed at chipping away law-abiding citizens Second Amendment rights. I am particularly concerned with the provisions that pave the way towards universal background checks and create waiting periods for some adults to purchase firearms. Ultimately, the answer to solving the root causes of violent crime will not be found in legislation that erodes constitutional rights. Instead, the Senate should immediately take up the bipartisan H.R. 7666, Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act, which passed with my support earlier this week and would provide more Americans with access to life-saving mental health resources. Rep. Russ Fulcher: The Senate Gun Control Act curtails Americans due process rights and singles out law-abiding citizens under 21 for additional restrictions. As the Supreme Court has affirmed time after time, including as recently as (Thursday), we have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. I oppose this legislation and voted NO. Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries SUBSCRIBE Cape town, Claremont, R 6000 - R 8000 per month neg Has it always been your passion to sale Do you wanna own your own business and company one day If yes, this is the call for you At Bantou... Activist Teesta Setalvad at Santacruz police station after being detained by Gujarat police, in Mumbai, Saturday, June 25, 2022. (PTI) Mumbai: The Gujarat anti-terrorist squad (ATS) on Saturday detained activist Teesta Setalvad in Mumbai in connection with an FIR registered against her in Ahmedabad. She was taken to Mumbais Santacruz police station for further procedure. According to reports, later she was taken to Ahmedabad. The FIR named Ms. Setalvad and former police officers R.B. Sreekumar and Sanjiv Bhatt for allegedly forging documents related to 2002 Gujarat riots and producing forged documents in various fora. The Gujarat ATSs action comes a day after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the clean chit given by the SIT to then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and others in the 2002 post-Godhra riots cases. Ms. Setalvads NGO had supported the petitioner Zakia Jafri throughout her legal battle. Ms. Jafris husband Ehsan Jafri was killed during the riots. A police officer from Santacruz police station said Setalvad was picked up by the Gujarat ATS from her Santacruz residence. We provided the assistance sought by them, he added. Setalvad has filed a complaint against the Gujarat ATS, saying they barged into her house and assaulted her. She was prevented from contacting her lawyer, the activist said, adding that she fears for her life. Residents of areas like Kushaiguda and surrounding areas have already made several complaints about getting contaminated water. (Representional image/DC) Hyderabad: Even though the city witnessed only a few spells of rainfall following the advent of monsoon till now, complaints are pouring in about supply of contaminated water in their areas. Residents of areas like Kushaiguda and surrounding areas have already made several complaints about getting contaminated water. Some of them also started sharing pictures of contaminated water in social media platforms like twitter to prove their point, tagging the twitter account of HMWSSB (Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board). This is the colour of drinking water in the Kushaiguda area. The water smells really bad and is not potable. Residents are forced to buy packaged water even after having a drinking water connection. Can you please look into this matter, tweeted Sunny Kiran, a resident of Kushaiguda and also shared the picture of water. This prompted the HMWSSBs official handle to immediately react, which tweeted tagging officials, Cherlapally section manager will be rectifying it soon... M. A. Adnan Mohiuddin at Boudhanagar tweeted on Thursday, Manholes are choked for over a week due to which water is clogged near my home and this is also polluting tap water. Earlier this summer, there were instances of water contamination at Madhapur and Langar Houz. In April, one of the residents of Madhapurs Vaddera Basthi allegedly lost his life due to water contamination, while scores of others from the locality had to undergo treatment in different hospitals. Within days of this incident, residents of Langar Houz raised alarm about drinking water contamination. Hundreds of residents held protests with contaminated potable water. If this was the situation during summers, one can assume how it will be during the rainy season, wondered A. Prabhakar Rao, a resident of Langar Houz. Summer is normally a time when most Manitobans look forward to camping, road-tripping, or even visiting family and friends who live far away. Advertisement Advertise With Us THE CANADIAN PRESS Rural commuters are having to adjust their budgets with food and fuel prices soaring. Summer is normally a time when most Manitobans look forward to camping, road-tripping, or even visiting family and friends who live far away. Rising fuel costs, however, mean its not just vacation plans being interrupted, its livelihoods especially for rural commuters and people who must travel to acquire the necessities of life. Higher oil and gas prices could very well prove to be the new normal, according to Douglas Porter, Bank of Montreal chief economist. Gas prices jumped 12 per cent between April and May. Its been a spring of scrambling to save enough money to simply make it to and from work for some Westman commuters. For Amanda Bradshaw, who drives around 900 kilometres a week for work, it means prioritizing everything from groceries to recreation. The direct service worker with Prairie Mountain Health, who lives in Riding Mountain, said when you add in the fuel she and her husband spend to operate their farm equipment, their wallets are strapped, even with the 45-cent-per-kilometre fuel allowances she gets at work. "I get a good wage, but there are days leading up to payday where I dont know if Im going to have enough money in my bank account to keep filling up my car to go to work." Audrey Vivier is a retired pensioner, but just because shes not commuting to work doesnt mean shes not feeling the strain prompted by the price at the pump. A lot of seniors, the Minnedosa resident said, are in the same boat when it comes to the cost of living. Viviers husband died five years ago. She has two sons one in Portage la Prairie and one in Cypress River who help her out as much as they can, but she doesnt get to see them as often as shed like because of the cost of gas. From isolating for her own safety during the COVID-19 pandemic to being housebound due to the cost of travel has Vivier and other seniors feeling forgotten. "I never thought Id be living like this. The price of food is going up because of transportation, but our income isnt going up. Something has to give. Either we cut back on our food, or we cut back on where we can go and what we can do." Vivier said seniors need to be looked after far better by both the provincial and federal governments. Shed like to see an increase in old-age pension payments, access to old-age pension at an earlier age, and affordable housing for seniors. When she thinks about the future, however, Vivier is not only concerned for seniors but for young people and families just starting out in life. Jordan Kondratiew and Marcus Driedger, an engaged couple who are both 23 years old, share her concerns. Kondratiew and Driedger live outside of Neepawa and both commute around 35 kilometres a day for their jobs. Faced with soaring expenses at the pump, theyre finding it hard to stretch their budget to get by, relying on smarter shopping, growing their own food and hunting, carpooling whenever possible and cutting back on recreation and even visiting family. "I cant even remember the last time weve bought more than $60 worth of groceries at one time," Kondratiew said. "We cant even go and spend time with our families, let alone our friends." Its even worse than what life was like during the pandemic, because now, the couple explained, theyre forced to stay home since even finding enough fuel to get them to work can be a struggle. Add to that the pressure from older generations who dont seem to understand their predicament, and it can be hard to be optimistic, even for a young couple whose wedding is coming up in November. "Were a young couple trying to make our way and save some money, but you cant save money or do anything, youre basically living paycheque to paycheque. Thats not the way you want to spend your youth," Kondratiew said. mleybourne@brandonsun.com The temporary closure of the Souris emergency room next week is just one of the many that doctors in Manitoba are anticipating this summer, with two physicians warning this model isnt sustainable. Advertisement Advertise With Us WINNIPEG FREE PRESS/FILE Manitoba doctors say they expect a number of temporary closures of emergency rooms this summer due to staff shortages. The temporary closure of the Souris emergency room next week is just one of the many that doctors in Manitoba are anticipating this summer, with two physicians warning this model isnt sustainable. Prairie Mountain Health announced the closure will happen from 8 a.m. Monday to 8 a.m. Thursday. The regional health authority stated in a news release the closure was due to "physician resource issues." Ambulances will still be operating in the community, however, and persons in need will be transported to the nearest open emergency room. In addition, anyone needing emergency services is asked to call the Souris Health Centre at 204-483-2121 to determine the nearest open emergency room. Health Links for advice is also available at 1-888-315-9257. This is the latest emergency room suspension to hit the region and Souris-based physician Dr. David Cram said hes never seen anything like this in his 36-year-long career. "Ive been at this a long, long time, and Ive never been as concerned as I am now about the stability of our hospitals and our emergency rooms to provide the care to our patients," said the veteran physician and the Manitoba representative on the Canadian Medical Association board of directors. He and Neepawa physician Dr. Nichelle Desilets spoke at a news conference Friday about their concerns along with Doctors Manitoba president Dr. Candace Bradshaw. Cram said PMH has been working closely with hospital staff to co-ordinate temporary closures and medical staff relocations to ease the blow to medical services. The Souris emergency room closure, he said, is being caused by one of these planned physician relocations. These closures are going to go on for a while longer, and he warned the situation is not sustainable. Staff shortages have become worse during the pandemic and ERs are under constant threat due to any disruption to staffing. "Were just a nursing shift or a doctor shift away for one or two hospitals [ERs] to close, and it certainly has a domino effect," Cram said. Doctors in the communities are always worried whenever there is a disruption, said Desilets, who has been practising in Neepawa since 2015. A major factor in the shortages is changes to rules for working while sick caused by COVID, she said. They need to be more diligent, meaning they are getting more sick calls. "As Dr. Cram said, everythings spread pretty thin," she said. "And when I hear a veteran like Dr. Cram say that hes never seen it like this before, as a newer-to-practice physician, that has me concerned." They must also deal with involuntary patient transfers, which is when a patient in Winnipeg no longer in need of acute care is transferred to a rural hospital for the rest of their care to free up beds. Its rough seeing patients, many of whom are frail and elderly, separated from their families and those families must travel long distances to see them, she said. In some hospitals, these ongoing issues are affecting other services outside the ER. Desilets said these include suspending obstetrics, diagnostics, some surgical services and even closing some in-patient beds. "There are 68 rural and northern hospitals in Manitoba, but only a third of them are expected to be open 24-7 this summer," she said. "Doctors want to be a part of solving this challenge." To address the issue, rural doctors will be working throughout the summer to establish best practices for a long-term recruitment and retention plan, said Desilets, who also serves on the Assiniboine District Medical Society. In the meantime, Doctors Manitoba launched ruralcare.ca to help Manitobans stay informed about what to do if their local hospital is closed in an emergency. It will also list anticipated ER closures by region. The organization, which represents more than 4,000 physicians in the province, plans to update the website weekly throughout the summer. It provided statistics that show 40 per cent of rural ERs are expected to stay open 24-7, but 34 per cent will only be able to operate on reduced hours or temporary closures, while 26 per cent have been closed more than a year and wont reopen this summer. Calls to Prairie Mountain Health for comment were not answered by press time. kmckinley@brandonsun.com Twitter: @karenleighmcki1 The first phase of Brandons first urban reserve was officially unveiled to the public Friday. Advertisement Advertise With Us The first phase of Brandons first urban reserve was officially unveiled to the public Friday. The Western Nations gas bar on 18th Street North had a soft launch in March and has been pumping fuel since then, but dignitaries came out for a ribbon-cutting and barbecue now that the weather has warmed up. Ground broke on the site, which is owned by Gambler First Nation, in 2019. A conceptual drawing released at the time showed the gas bar as being just one aspect planned for the urban reserve on top of offices and retail spaces, a restaurant and a hotel. Western Nations is a brand of stations under the umbrella of Federated Co-operatives Ltd. that partners with Indigenous communities. This station, which Gambler is operating in partnership with Heritage Co-op, is the fourth under the brand in Canada and the first in Manitoba. Its the second First Nations-run gas station in the Brandon area after the Waywayseecappo First Nation gas bar north of the city in the RM of Elton on Highway 10. On a stage set up in front of the stations convenience store, dignitaries such as Chief David LeDoux, Mayor Rick Chrest, FCL chief executive officer Heather Ryan, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk, Assembly of First Nations Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse, delivered remarks on the meaning of this development for Gambler, Brandon and the process of economic reconciliation. The mayor recalled how five or six years ago, Gambler came to the city with an idea for developing the property but needed a municipal services agreement an urban reserve to get it off the ground. Chrest said the citys significant interest surprised the nations lawyer, who said there are usually bigger hurdles in launching a project like this. In an interview with the Sun, Chrest said other First Nations have reached out to Brandon since the partnership with Gambler was announced to inquire about making arrangements of their own. In his remarks, Piwniuk congratulated Gamblers contributions to Manitobas economy, not just for the gas station but also for the communitys involvement in a new potash mine being developed near Russell. "I come from Treaty 2 territory and in 1871, my grandfather Chief Richard Woodhouse signed the original treaty," Woodhouse said. "We still have the original treaty medal today and it shows our people and the newcomers equally on this medallion that was given to us from the Crown. This is what treaty is and this is what treaty means: that were all standing here together, working here together and creating jobs together because we all need each other." LeDoux thanked all the parties involved for not putting up any roadblocks or causing any issues during the creation of the gas station. "I drove around Brandon last night and I just cant believe how beautiful a community this is," he said. "It certainly suits the environment that we want to work in and work with the people in Brandon if people support us here, the more we can do for the community." The chief was not made available for comments after the opening ceremony, but Heritage Co-ops business-to-business operations manager Barry Cooper was authorized to speak on their behalf. Cooper was proud to see the grand opening arrive after receiving an email in April 2018 inquiring about a partnership between Gambler and Heritage Co-op. "When we started, we said we were in a partnership with Gambler and we would both benefit from the operation and we both could grow and be stronger for it," Cooper said. "To me, thats what economic reconciliation is all about." In the early stages of the partnership, Cooper said LeDoux told him he was building the station for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and not himself. "This is about future generations, this is about supporting their community and giving them opportunities for further growth," Cooper said. "Theres a tremendous source of pride in having a facility thats as well-maintained and as modern and as nice as the operation. Secondly, it will create a steady stream of income for years to come." According to him, First Nations groups from across Western Canada have been reaching out to ask about the arrangement in Brandon to learn more. Though the gas station is owned by Gambler First Nation and people with status cards can present them to access their benefits, the business is open to the general public. cslark@brandonsun.com Twitter: @ColinSlark RENO, Nev. (AP) Counties across Nevada on Friday certified the last outstanding results of the states June 14 primary election after critics questioned the tallies by describing their own experiences at the polls and repeating conspiracy theories that nearly derailed certification in New Mexico last week. Washoe County Commission Chairman Vaughn Hartung listens to county Government Affairs Manager Jaime Rodriguez and Assistant Registrar of Voters Heather Carmen speak during a meeting called in Reno, Nev., on Friday, June 24, 2022, to certify the vote of the June 14, 2022, primary. (Jason Bean/Reno Gazette Journal via AP) RENO, Nev. (AP) Counties across Nevada on Friday certified the last outstanding results of the states June 14 primary election after critics questioned the tallies by describing their own experiences at the polls and repeating conspiracy theories that nearly derailed certification in New Mexico last week. Esmeralda County, Nevadas least populated, became the last to certify its countywide results Friday night less than two hours before a midnight deadline. But it wasnt before two county commissioners and a few election workers spent more than seven hours hand-counting all 317 ballots in the courthouse in Goldfield an old mining town halfway between Las Vegas and Reno. Everything matches, Esmeralda County Commissioner Ralph Keyes said when he and Commissioner Timothy Hipp briefly reconvened to formally canvass the vote and approved it 2-0. Nevadas other 16 counties already had certified the primary results and sent their formal canvass report to the secretary state. The largest, Clark in Las Vegas and Washoe in Reno, were among those that provided their stamp of approval earlier Friday despite opposition from members of the public who made unsubstantiated claims about suspicions of fraud and manipulated voting machines. The process of counties certifying election results has historically been a routine and ministerial task, reviewing the work done by local election officials to verify the accuracy of the vote count. But these meetings have become the latest flashpoint in efforts to cast doubt on elections in the U.S. after a rural, Republican-led county in New Mexico last week initially refused to certify citing unspecified concerns about their voting equipment. Esmeralda County Commissioner Tim Hipp rolls up printed voting results during a hand recount of votes, Friday, June 24, 2022, in Goldfield, Nev. Commissioners in tiny Esmeralda County on Friday afternoon began hand-counting all ballots after residents raised concerns at their certification meeting on Thursday. (AP Photo/John Locher) In Esmeralda County, where a tie in a deadlocked election for the county commission in 2002 was broken by a draw from a deck of cards, some confusion over the tally for Nevada's unique option to vote for None of these candidates contributed to delays Friday night. District Attorney Robert Glennen told the commissioners when they convened Friday after postponing action scheduled Thursday that he found nothing in state law that either specifically permitted or prohibited them from doing a hand recount. Its a gray area. You guys do it if you want to do it, he said. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat seeking re-election in the western battleground state, hadnt decided how the state would proceed if any county refused to certify the results or missed Fridays 11:59 p.m. deadline because it had never happened before, his spokesman John Sadler said on Thursday. Sadler didn't immediately respond to requests for comment late Friday. In Reno, commissioners heard from several residents who said they objected to state law sending mail ballots to every registered voter. Some complained of receiving multiple ballots in their name or for people no longer living at their address, arguing this was proof of fraud and the election was corrupt. But there are multiple checks built into the system, including signature verification and ballot tracking to ensure that one person can only cast one ballot that is counted. Election officials said Friday they do not count more than one ballot. In Clark County, upset voters complained about a lack of transparency when ballots were tallied and problems with the state's voter rolls, including some who said their party affiliations were changed. Others talked about being directed to specific voting machines if they were registered as Republicans. Resident Charles Bossert said he received multiple ballots, but knew it was illegal to cast more than one so he only voted once. He asked commissioners to stand in the gap and do what is right. Clark County Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria speaks during a Clark County Commission meeting in Las Vegas, Friday, June 24, 2022, where commissioners voted to certify its primary election results. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) As a community, it feels like none of the votes count and democracy is dying in a lack of transparency, Bossert said. This is really a pivotal moment. County Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria reported more than half of the 288,683 ballots cast were by mail and only a fraction of 1% involved discrepancies that ranged from voters going to the wrong precinct to people changing their party affiliation after submitting a mail ballot. Helen Oseguera, a Republican candidate for county assessor, called the commissioners liars and cheaters. The audience erupted with boos after the unanimous vote to certify, and people promised court action to challenge the election. Commissioners in Nye County expressed what Chairman Frank Carbone called a little bit of concern about the process but approved the results on a 4-1 vote. Just too many issues, Vice Chairman Leo Blundo said as he cast the no vote. The 2020 election continues to dominate public discourse around voting and elections in the U.S., as Trump supporters and allies repeat claims without evidence that the presidency was stolen from Trump. At one point during the Washoe County debate, a woman in the audience chanted Biden cheated, Biden cheated! as a speaker mentioned former President Donald Trumps claims about a stolen election. One man wore a Biden is NOT my president cap while he urged commissioners not to certify. Nearly two hours after the meeting began, commissioners voted 4-1 to certify results. Even before the November 2020 election, Trump was telling his supporters that fraud was the only way he could lose, pointing mostly and without evidence to the expansion of mail-in voting during the pandemic. In the months since, the claims have been dismissed by dozens of judges, by Trumps attorney general at the time, and by a coalition of federal and state election and cybersecurity officials who called the 2020 vote the most secure in U.S. history. But the false claims prompted commissioners last week in rural Otero County, New Mexico, to initially refuse to certify results from their June 7 primary. After a showdown with the secretary of state and an order by the New Mexico Supreme Court to certify, the commissioners voted 2-1 to sign off on the election and avert a broader crisis. The delay in Nevada's Esmeralda County where Trump won 82% of the vote in 2020 occurred amid distrust by voters fueled by unfounded voting machine conspiracies that have spread in the U.S. over the past two years. Esmeralda County Clerk-Treasurer LaCinda Elgan said called the primary absolutely safe and fair. Election experts say hand-counting of ballots is not only less accurate but extremely labor-intensive, potentially delaying results by weeks if not months in larger counties. They also say its unnecessary because voting equipment is tested before and after elections to ensure ballots are read and tallied correctly. Under Nevada law, if there's a tie after a recount the winner is determined by lot a coin flip, roll of a die, draw of cards or straws. Democrat R.J. Gillum broke his 107-107 deadlock with Republican Delores Dee Honeycutt for Esmeralda County commissioner in November 2002 when each drew a jack from a deck in the courthouse in Goldfield but his was a spade, which trumped Honeycutt's diamond. ____ This story has been corrected to show that Esmeralda County is Nevada's least-populated county, not smallest. ____ Associated Press writers John Locher in Goldfield, Nevada, Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Christina Almeida Cassidy in Atlanta contributed to this report. Stern is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Self-managed super funds once the domain of mainly high-income, older investors are becoming increasingly popular with the young, who want to take more control of their retirement savings. The move comes on the back of droves of millennials becoming newbie sharemarket investors during the pandemic, when many were locked down for long periods with the time to research potential investments. More young people are deserting traditional super funds in favour of creating their own SMSF. Credit:Simon Letch Armed with new knowledge and share trading skills, they now wish to become more engaged with their retirement savings for the first time. Big cuts in the costs of setting up and running a do-it-yourself fund is also fuelling their popularity. Figures from the Australian Investment Exchange (AUSIEX), which clears shares trades for financial services providers, together with SMSFs, shows the trend is now firmly established among funds that use its services. It is not surprising, nonetheless, that the Albanese governments reaction to Xiaos modest charm offensive and other signals out of China has been to question whether Beijing is genuine about improving ties or is simply probing Canberras resolve. Under Xi Jinping, China has shown a taste for conflict. Xi has been willing to let diplomatic fires burn around him, especially over his steadfast support for Vladmir Putin over Ukraine. Is Xi really trying to put one out in Australia? Loading Thus far, Albanese and his Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, have not really had to stew over that question. Instead, with the benefit of a mixture of good luck and good judgment, they have filled their time instead by shoring up relationships with friends. The timing of the leaders meeting in Tokyo of the QUAD the grouping of the US, Japan, India and Australia days after the election gave Albanese and Wong immediate exposure to other countries concerns about Beijing. Any sense of isolation was dispelled. Albanese met face-to-face with US President Joe Biden, something that normally takes months or a year to organise. Japan, which always frets about Australia backsliding, was reassured. So too was India, although one of the countrys scholars joked sardonically that they were sick of hearing Australia play the victim on China. In the wake of recent border clashes, he insisted: We are the victim! Still, Samir Saran, the head of the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi think tank, was frank during a visit to Australia this week about the future of China-India relations. India is a young country we have 500 to 600 million people under 30. China has lost them forever, he said at the Lowy Institute. The unprecedented 10-day swing through eight Pacific Island countries by the Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, in late May, was also, somewhat perversely, well-timed for the new Australian government. Wangs trip, and the welcome in the Pacific for Labors climate change policies, handed Wong the platform to launch herself into the region in a way her predecessor, even accounting for COVID travel restraints, never did. Wangs Pacific play was also a useful wake-up for New Zealand, which has shied away from notions of strategic competition in the region and often looked piously askance at Australias more muscular foreign policy. The language used in the meetings with Wong in Wellington was far stronger than it would have been a year ago. On the home front, Labors sharpest criticism of the Coalition before the election on China that Scott Morrison and his defence minister, now Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, were recklessly talking up the threat of war for electoral gain turned out to work a treat politically. The Chinese community in Australia is diverse rich and poor and clustered in the middle class, both newly arrived and well established, and not just from China itself but from multiple other Asian countries with large Chinese communities. A significant number are Christians. They speak multiple languages. While the community doesnt vote as a bloc, it is sensitive to rhetoric about China, or more to the point, about the Chinese, and in Paul Ericksons telling, they judged the Morrison government harshly. In his post-election speech to the Press Club in Canberra last week, Erickson said the Morrison governments public execution of its China policy struck the community at times as an attack on Chinese-Australians ... that licensed racism. Loading Labor went into the election nervous that China and national security could be weaponised against it. But the Coalitions play blew up once Beijing signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands in the middle of the campaign. In the end, Labors decision to dial down the rhetoric on China has turned out to be not only good foreign policy but good domestic politics. Three marginal seats with significant Chinese-Australian populations Reid and Bennelong in Sydney and Chisholm in Melbourne all fell to Labor. Erickson declined to speculate on whether the communitys political allegiance had tilted towards Labor for good. He was right to be cautious, as threading the needle between talking about China and talking to the community in Australia wont get easier. Labor criticised Duttons rhetoric but, privately, few disagree with him that the chances of some sort of military conflict between the US and its allies and China in coming years is possible, if not likely. In the words of Sir Robert Menzies during the Cold War, Australia benefited from the protection of great and powerful friends, namely the US and Britain. In the 21st century, the script has been flipped. Australia is now facing a great and powerful enemy. Ambassador Xiao Qian is a skilled diplomat with an impressive track record for managing crises in the service of his country and its ruling Communist Party. Before Canberra, he spent three years as ambassador in Jakarta, where he had led an all-out effort to shut down a potential wave of damaging criticism in the majority-Muslim country of Chinas policies in Xinjiang. Beijing began building mass internment camps in Xinjiang in 2016, rounding up an estimated million members of the Uighur Muslim minority who live in the region in western China. After first denying they existed, Beijing then portrayed the camps as benevolent vocational training centres designed to fight terrorism, while launching a global diplomatic push in Muslim countries to stop them from joining US-led criticism of the policy. In Jakarta, Xiao was particularly effective in killing the issue, arranging tightly managed visits to the camps for Indonesias religious and civil society leaders, and journalists and academics. At the same time, Chinese diplomats privately assured the Indonesians that they supported its sovereignty over the restive region of West Papua. It was a solemn pledge made with a touch of menace that Beijing could back greater autonomy in the region. All in all, the approach worked. On Xiaos watch, Beijing secured a big win, as Jakarta kept quiet about Xinjiang. Loading Although the dimensions of the two problems are very different, Xiao will find Australia a tougher nut to crack. The problems with China will not go away with the removal of a Coalition government. Labor shares much of the analysis of the outgoing government about China but has very different ideas about how to tackle it. On top of that, the entire system in Canberra has been repurposed to manage the China challenge defence procurement, intelligence services, allied co-operation, Pacific policy and so forth. The new government couldnt unwind such a bureaucratic apparatus overnight, even if it wanted to. And on the evidence so far, it doesnt. At the moment, neither country sees advantage in moving fast, or first, to restore the relationship. The very mention of the word reset causes hairs to stand on end in Canberra. Brisbane City Council is preparing to launch community consultation on the first set of changes to the citys extensive bus network in almost a decade, before the rollout of its flagship Metro project. A review of associated bus network changes, first flagged in 2016 under a 10-point plan to improve the citys public transport system pitched to include an overhaul of route numbering, was expected to start this year. Community consultation on Brisbane bus network changes is due to start later this year. Credit:Chris Hyde The last Brisbane bus network review in 2013 assessed 235 routes, with nine scrapped and 80 further services changes across timetable shifts, route alterations and amalgamations. Responding to questions from this masthead about the status of the new review, council transport chair Ryan Murphy said it was well advanced internally and would soon be ready for community feedback. In an interview with The Age in the councils meeting rooms, looking out across Swanston Street from above town hall, Hanney describes Capp as the public spokesperson for the council, while he says his role is to be seen inside the organisation. Im an absolute believer in good governance, he says. Im really clear in terms of what the Local Government Act allows me to do as a CEO and doesnt, and the importance of ensuring that well beyond my time here at the City of Melbourne that good governance is about decisions that are made in the chamber, not ad hoc out of the chamber. One former City of Melbourne executive, who signed a non-disclosure agreement on her departure, says she was one of several employees fired by Hanney in 2020 as Melbourne went into lockdown. Justin Hanney has implemented a culture of fear and dysfunction, she says. Justin is constantly [making] captains calls. He doesnt delegate, he doesnt let anybody else make decisions, he is really super controlling. A lot of employees have left the City of Melbourne because of some of [Hanneys] captains calls and the way he is managing things, another former employee says. He is the cat who always has to get the rat. The former employee says all decisions have to go through Hanney which slows everything down. One councillor, who wished to remain anonymous, says there was lots of wrangling behind the scenes about improvements to governance that needed to be made if Hanneys contract was to be extended. Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp says decisions had to be made swiftly in lockdowns. Credit:Simon Schluter There is a real power struggle between the CEO and the office of the Lord Mayor, the councillor says. Everyone in the organisation knows the directors are hired and fired at the whim of the CEO, and it is quite a fearful job to hold. The councillor says the result of such high staff turnover was a yes culture where staff answered questions as they thought Hanney wanted them to be answered, rather than truthfully. He has a command, control and dictatorial style, the councillor says. Loading The councillor says the role of council has become increasingly irrelevant in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, when Hanney increased his power. We are still nowhere near to putting the genie back in the bottle and the structure that Justin put in place during Covid with extra layers of hierarchy and the deputy CEO, none of that has been undone, the councillor says. The way decisions are really made is that Justin makes them all and then if council should sign off on them, he just runs them by the Lord Mayor. The Australian Services Union is also alert to concerns about workplace culture at the City of Melbourne, with staff telling the union they are leaving the organisation because of the workplace culture. A lot of employees have left the City of Melbourne because of some of [Hanneys] captains calls and the way he is managing things. A former employee When workers experience a workplace culture where decision-making is arbitrary rather than consultative, high staff turnover is inevitable, acting deputy secretary Tash Wark said. Workers have described to the union a decision-making process at City of Melbourne that is unfair and arrogant. A spokesman for the City of Melbourne says the council had lower staff turnover than other organisations in the local government sector. In 2021, some senior staff changes were made to align with the new council strategy, and in response to a number of retirements or promotions, the spokesman says. A small number of staff were moved on for performance reasons, and we acknowledge that they may feel disappointed. Loading A member of the councils executive team, who also wanted to remain anonymous, says the council is highly functioning and operates smoothly. I would see a stock standard bureaucratic culture where it is a bit hard to get things done, but it is not toxic, he says. The high salaries of Hanney and other members of the council executive are also a bone of contention. Hanney received a $20,000 pay rise this year bringing his salary to between $510,000 and $519,999 more than Premier Daniel Andrews and double that of Capp, who received an allowance of $238,634 for the year, while councillors were paid $53,957 each. Staff complain Hanney has also brought in a swathe of hand-picked highly paid executives who were appointed to jobs rather than the jobs being advertised through a normal process. In 2020 Hanney appointed deputy chief executive Alison Leighton, who is paid $435,000 a year, making the City of Melbourne one of the only councils to have a deputy chief executive, with no equivalent position in the City of Sydney and the much larger Brisbane City Council. Thats a lot of money for a position that hasnt really been justified to the council or publicly, the anonymous councillor says. Hanney says any concentration of power was the result of the coronavirus pandemic, which required swift action from him and Capp. We were pretty much both of us in here [at town hall] close enough to seven days a week through each of the lockdowns and there were daily decisions that had to be made, he said. The cycle of getting into a council room in a fortnight, where there was a business that would have been closed within that fortnight and there was a decision required to provide some support to the businesses, those decisions were made. They werent made in isolation. Loading Capp says during the lockdowns there was a need for agility and to respond quickly to issues, and she is unaware of any concerns about management of the council. I do have a close working relationship with Justin as I expect all mayors do with their chief executive officers, she says. Both Justin and I are action oriented people, looking for outcomes, looking for results. I think thats something we very much share in common. Capp says the high turnover at the City of Melbourne is mainly a result of the impact of the pandemic but says she is focused on increasing the stability of the councils workforce. Its been a full on two years for everybody but City of Melbourne was the most impacted municipality in Australia, you would expect there to be stresses and strains over and above the normal business as usual, she says. Weve also been going through a big cultural review, which I think is really healthy and fantastic and making a huge investment in our people. The school-holiday rush to flee Victorias winter is in full swing, with desperate travellers braving snaking airport queues, last-minute flight cancellations and bag-drop bedlam just to get out. Anxious passengers at Melbourne Airport early on Saturday told of young kids losing it, inopportune rebookings and even an eight-hour odyssey to tropical Cairns but many were just happy to be getting away. It was a busy Saturday morning at Virgin departures in Melbourne Airport. Credit:Simon Schluter When I first walked in I was quite overwhelmed, I knew itd be busy, but Id never seen anything like this, mum Shannon Brown said from the airport. The Brown family made an hours-long drive from Bridgewater, in central Victoria, only to be confronted by airport crowds. Guwahati: Three more Shiv Sena MLAs have joined the rebel group of MLAs led by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde in Guwahati on Thursday morning further deepening the political instability in the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. They reached the Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati, where other MLAs are campaigning. Last night four more MLAs joined Shinde in Guwahati. With this, seven more MLAs have joined the rebel group in the last 24 hours. Moreover, a resolution passed by the Shiv Sena Legislature Party carrying signatures of 34 MLAs that rebel leader Eknath Shinde continues to be the leader, has been sent to the state Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray left his official residence 'Varsha' along with his family members on Wednesday hours after he expressed his readiness to step down if rebel MLAs returned to Mumbai and made such a demand. Shiv Sena workers and supporters showered petals and raised slogans in support of Thackeray when he left with his family from his official residence 'Versha Bungalow', last night amid political instability in the state. Following the political crisis, Shiv Sena had removed Eknath Shinde as the party's legislative party leader. However, the rebels have hit back with the resolution. The resolution said that Shiv Sena's ideology has been compromised in the past two years. They also expressed their dissatisfaction with "corruption in government," referring to Anil Deshmukh and Nawab Malik, who are currently in jail. "Bharat Gogawale has been appointed as the Chief Whip of Shiv Sena Legislative Party. So, the order issued by Sunil Prabhu, regarding the Legislative Party meeting this evening is illegal," Eknath Shinde had said. Earlier, Thackeray addressed the people of the state via Facebook and said he was willing to give his resignation to party MLAs who can take it to Raj Bhavan. Noting that a section of party MLAs was gunning for his ouster, he said instead of going to Surat, they could have conveyed their feelings to him. Thackeray said it is a matter of shame for him if "even a single MLA" was against him. "If any MLA wants me to not continue as the CM, I am ready to take all my belongings from Varsha Bungalow (official residence of the CM) to Matoshri," Thackeray said. "I am ready to give my resignation to the MLAs, they should come here and take my resignation to Raj Bhavan. I am ready to leave the post of Shiv Sena party head also, not on the saying of others but my workers," he added. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut expressed confidence of Shiv Sena sailing through the crisis. "Uddhav Thackeray is Maharashtra Chief Minister and he will remain the CM. If we get the chance, we will prove our majority on the floor of the House," he said. However, the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs have said that there is enormous discontent amongst the party workers for forming the government with NCP and Indian National Congress on account of different ideologies. The Mickleham quarantine centre is likely to remain open as a COVID-19 facility until the end of this year, with $120 million set aside by the state government to meet ongoing running costs. An average of 85 residents per week have stayed at the centre since it opened in February, after the federal government paid more than half a billion dollars to provide 1000 beds for people to isolate from the community. The newly constructed quarantine centre in Mickleham. Credit:Paul Jeffers Due to a lack of demand, the centre will be scaled down to 250 beds from July 1 the same day that the Howard Springs quarantine facility in the Northern Territory will be closed. The Commonwealth owns the facility, however, the state government is responsible for meeting its operation and maintenance costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Police say it could be days, or even weeks, before blood results are finalised to determine whether Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams should be charged over a car crash after she had several glasses of wine. Addressing the media on Saturday, Williams insisted she would continue to serve her community and help with police inquiries after crashing the station wagon she was driving about 9pm on Thursday at the intersection of Queen and Welling streets in Cleveland. Police said the car left the road and hit a tree. Williams, first elected as a councillor in 2004 and elevated to the mayoralty in 2012, had handed down the Brisbane bayside councils 2022-23 budget earlier that day. Campaign to free father who was jailed in Rwanda after saving thousands of lives Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Our network Open Navigation Menu Brisbane Times Subscribe Hamburg: The road to ambitious emission reductions targets might be paved with good intentions, but Europe seemingly didnt factor in Vladimir Putins capacity to completely derail the path. In Germany, which aims to cut carbon emissions by at least 65 per cent by 2030, its coalition government has been mugged by reality as it confronts the threat Russia will further cut off gas flows as it grows increasingly angry to sanctions imposed for its war in Ukraine. Gases rise from the exhaust pipe of a luxury Audi parked with the engine running outside de Chancellery in Berlin. Credit:AP/File European gas prices have soared 50 per cent in the past week and the shortfalls are making it hard to refill gas storage before the northern winter. There is now an open conversation about rationing resources and even paying families to conserve energy. Having pledged to shut down its remaining coal-fired power plants by 2030, Germany will now fire up 10 gigawatts of mothballed plants, adding to its carbon emissions, which have rebounded since 2020. Oslo: Terrified revellers at a gay bar in Oslo hid in a basement and desperately called loved ones as a gunman went on the rampage, killing two people and injuring 21 on the day the city was due to celebrate its annual Pride parade. Authorities said the suspect, a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin, was believed to be a radicalised Islamist with a history of mental illness who had been known to intelligence services since 2015. People comfort each other as they stand at the scene of a shooting in central Oslo on Saturday, June 25. Credit:AP The suspect will be subjected to a psychiatric evaluation in the coming days as part of the investigation, police said. The attack took place in the early hours of Saturday (Norway time), with victims shot inside and outside the London Pub, a longstanding hub of Oslos LGBTQ scene, as well as in the surrounding streets and at one other bar in the centre of the Norwegian capital. State-owned Ltd's board will meet next week to consider a proposal to raise up to Rs 500 crore by issuing debentures. "A meeting of the board of directors of Ltd (HCL) will be held on 30th June 2022 to inter alia, consider and recommend resolutions seeking approval of the shareholders of the company to authorise the board of directors...to offer, issue and allot secured or unsecured non-convertible debentures or bonds on a private placement basis up to Rs 500 crore," the PSU said in a BSE filing. The board will also consider raising funds through a qualified institutional placement method, it added. HCL is a public sector undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of Mines. It has the distinction of being the nation's only vertically integrated copper producing company as it manufactures copper right from the stage of mining to beneficiation, smelting, refining and casting of refined copper metal into downstream saleable products. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nineteen activists of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the students wing of the ruling CPI(M), have been arrested and remanded so far in connection with the attack on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's office here and more arrests are expected on Saturday, police said. All the arrested persons were identified as local SFI activists and they were remanded for two weeks by a local court. "The arrest of 19 people have been recorded so far. Some more persons were taken into custody and more arrests are expected to take place today. At present, the case is investigated by the Mananthavady Deputy Superintendent of Police and it will be handed over to the ADGP-led special investigation team soon," he told PTI. Hours after SFI activists vandalised the Wayanad office of Gandhi, the Left government on Friday night ordered a high-level probe by an ADGP-rank officer and suspended Kalpetta Deputy Superintendent of Police pending enquiry. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress continued to charge that the vandalisation of Gandhi's office and the act of violence was done with the knowledge of the ruling Marxist party and its top leadership Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan visited the vandalised office this morning and reiterated that it was done with the knowledge of Vijayan. He also alleged that a former personal staff of Health Minister Veena George was among those involved in the attack on Gandhi's office here. "Congress and UDF will continue our protest. Goondaism thrives in with Pinarayi Government's active support," he tweeted earlier. A protest march of the SFI against Rahul Gandhi's office here on Friday turned violent as a group of activists entered the Lok Sabha member's office and vandalised it, prompting the Chief Minister to strongly condemn the incident and warn of stern action against the culprits. The incident occurred when the SFI activists held a march to Gandhi's Office alleging his inaction in the issue of buffer zones around forests. While the main opposition party claimed that the attack happened with the knowledge of the Vijayan, the chief minister, in a strongly worded message, said this land ensures space for freedom of expression and democratic protest but it was a wrong practice if it turns into violence. A recent Supreme Court order mandates the maintenance of an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of one kilometre around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, which has led to widespread protest in various parts of . The high range areas of Kerala, particularly in Idukki, Wayanad, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts, had been witnessing hartals by various political and farmers' groups against the apex court order delivered on June 3. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government is preparing a scheme for the apparels segment of the textile sector as a production-linked incentive scheme (PLI) for manmade fabrics and technical garments continues, said commerce and industry and textile minister on Saturday, I am keen to support the apparel manufacturing sector and we are considering to come out with another . The dialogue is going on between textiles, the and NITI Aayog, and in consultation with industry participants, we will be shortly devising a scheme which we will put up to Cabinet for its approval, Goyal said at a textile fair in Coimbatore. He is on a two-day visit to Coimbatore and Tiruppur. The government last year started the to expand manmade fabrics and technical textile segments value chain to help India regain its dominant status in global textiles trade. The countrys share in global exports has declined over the years. The schemes outlay was Rs 10,683 crore, and the textiles ministry approved as many as 61 applications from various companies. The inclusion of more textile categories under the has been a long-standing demand from the industry, prompting the ministry to plan a second edition of the scheme. Goyal said that since prices are easing, there is no need to extend the waiver on of beyond September. It could be extended by a month at most. textile prices have already started easing and is becoming more affordable. I dont think there is a need to extend it beyond September. If at all required, we may extend it by a month or so, said Goyal. Amid a sharp rise in cotton and yarn prices, the government in April exempted all customs duty on the import of cotton till September to lower the price of cotton HYDERABAD: Decisions of Chief Ministers of the two Telugu states K. Chandrashekar Rao and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on the Presidential election, though divergent, have once again exposed the increasingly limited roles that the regional parties could play on the national political stage. Chandrashekar Raos hungama in the run-up to the election, as was seen in his efforts to establish a national alternative to the BJP and the Congress, fell flat and, after being singled out within the Opposition camp, had no other choice but to support its candidate Yashwant Sinha. Jagan Mohan Reddy, in a repeat of 2017, extended unconditional support to Prime Minister Narendra Modis pick of the Presidential candidate, ignoring criticism that he was compromising on the states interests due to personal compulsions. The principal Opposition in Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam, sought an explanation from Jagan Mohan Reddy on why he did not insist on special status as a trade-off. We are clear in our politics (vis-a-vis Centre) from day one we are in office, said a close confidant of Jagan Mohan Reddy who has even scored a few brownie points from the Modi-Shah duo for, what they perceive to be, his no-nonsense and stick-to-the stand attitude. Everyone knows special status is a closed chapter. Instead, we have been using the leverage for getting additional grants and loans, the confidant pointed out. The Telugu Desam was the only party in the erstwhile combined Telugu state that played a decisive role in national politics thrice in 1989, 1996 and 1999. The Vajpayee-led NDA government had to depend on the TDs numbers for the first few years till it mustered support of others and ran on its own. It was possible mainly because the two principal players, the Congress and the BJP, had less than 300 seats between them, leaving scope for regional satraps to call the shots. Fast forward to 2022, and the BJP has 300-plus seats in its kitty and is all set to conquer new regional territories. The Congress reversed the decline of national parties in 2004 and Modi took (the trend) to a new level in 2014. The role of regional parties will further dwindle as the nationalist narrative of the BJP and pan-India image of Modi are intact, said political analyst and former MLC Prof K. Nageshwar. Further, the expansion of the BJP into territories like West Bengal, Odisha and, down south, Telangana, will further weaken the regional players, he added. In West Bengal, the BJP which got 40 per cent vote share in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, managed to retain it at 37 per cent in the Assembly. The 20 per cent vote share it got in Telangana in the last the Lok Sabha polls is all set to consolidate and even improve in the next general elections. Had Modi succeeded in holding simultaneous polls, the adverse impact on regional parties including the ones like the YSR Congress would have been much more, Prof. Nageshwar pointed out. Indias aviation regulator has suspended operations at two flight training schools after it found their facilities in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra were unfit. Chimes Aviation Academy is a partner for the cadet programme of IndiGo, Indias largest airline. In 2021, partnered with Chimes to source its junior flying officers (JFOs). Operations at the school have been stopped till such time the runway is suitable for flying operations. During inspection, it was observed that it had loose gravel and uneven surface and was unsafe for flying, said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a statement. Sources said that Dhanas flying strip in Dhana was hardly used in the last two years as the state government failed to maintain it in the coronavirus. Chimes has decided to do the maintenance work on the air strip itself as the process by the state government will take a lot of time. The facility will be ready for flying in three weeks, said an executive of the flying school. auditors found that three aircraft of SVKM NMIMS Academy of Aviation in Shirpur, Maharashtra, had a dysfunctional fuel gauge indicator. The flying operations at this school have been stopped for three weeks. It will be allowed to operate only when things are in order, said. The regulator is making surprise checks on flying training schools after multiple incidents that in some cases have killed students and trainers. The DGCA, this year, has suspended its approval for one flying training school, issued warning letters to two accountable managers and suspended seven chief flight instructors for three months to one year. An assistant flying instructor and a student were suspended for three months. DGCAs audit beginning March has inspected 30 of Indias 32 flying schools. The audit found non-compliance with requirements on conducting breath analyser tests. False logging was observed. In a few cases dual flight has been logged as solo flight and in other cases aircraft taxi time was calculated towards the flying time of the student pilot, the said. Students are not trained properly on emergencies before being released for solo or cross-country flights. Trainers are changed frequently: a practice that affects the learning of students. It also found that facilities at the airfield/training organization are also not being maintained as per requirements. Civic bodies, Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Development Authority (BDA) have come under scanner as the issue of substandard work during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit is being discussed at the national level. N.R. Ramesh, BJP President for Bengaluru South, told IANS on Saturday that he has sought information about the road works taken up during PM Modi's visit through RTI with authorities. "Once I get the information, I will lodge a complaint against the responsible authorities, officers and other parties involved. We are against corruption," he said. Sources explained that the contractors had allegedly thrown all guidelines to the air while constructing roads ahead of the PM's visit. It is alleged that instead of emulsion, kerosene was used which brings down the costs greatly and bitumen which has to be laid at the 110 to 140 degree temperature, has been laid at below 90 degree temperature. The responsible engineer who should have ensured this, has turned a blind eye, they said. If proper emulsion is used and bitumen is laid on road with appropriate temperature, even if the road work is done amid rains, the roads won't develop cracks or cave in, the sources explained. After the news of newly laid roads in Bengaluru caving in, surfacing of potholes came to light a day after PM Modi's visit, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has sought a clarification from the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Sources in the party confirmed that PM Modi is upset with the news and concerned about the development, as the party is trying to create a clean image in view of the upcoming Assembly polls. The news of substandard road work in Bengaluru dented the image of the party which is trying to come clean out of 40 per cent commission allegations by Congress. Considering the seriousness of the issue, Chief Minister Bommai has instructed BBMP Commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the caving in of a road which was laid just ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit to the city. The road near the Dr B.R. Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE) was laid just a couple of days before Modi's visit to inaugurate the BASE campus. The Chief Minister has instructed the BBMP Commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the shoddy work and take appropriate action against those responsible for it. In yet another setback to the ruling BJP, Karnataka High Court criticised Bengaluru civic agencies saying that the condition of roads will improve if PM and President visit often. The court also questioned if the PM has to travel on different roads each time for agencies to do their duty. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike drew flak from all corners for spending Rs 23 crore for the facelift of 14 kilometers of roads in Bengaluru ahead of the PM's recent visit. The asphalted roads are wearing out at many locations and in some parts the roads are even caving in, exposing the public to danger. People of the surrounding areas of this stretch of roads who were happy feeling that their hiatus with potholes is over are now disappointed. The authorities have developed Kengeri to Kommaghatta (7 km), Mysuru Road (0.15 km), a stretch after Hebbal flyover (2.4 km), Tumakuru Road (0.90 km) and roads in Bengaluru University campus (3.6 km). BBMP also repaired maidans, fixed street lights, painted roads and kerbs. The work was carried out on a war-footing amid rains. However, though the roads could hold till PM Modi's visit, the public started complaining about potholes coming up on these roads and at some points jelly stones surfacing. --IANS mka/shb/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister has said at the virtual summit that member nations should understand security concerns of each other and provide mutual support in the designation of and that this sensitive issue should not be "politicised", according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The comments came days after China blocked a joint proposal by India and the US to designate Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki as an international terrorist under the UN sanctions committee. In a statement, the MEA provided the details of the prime minister's suggestions and comments at the two-day (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) summit that concluded on Friday. "The Prime Minister also noted that as member we should understand security concerns of each other and provide mutual support in designation of terrorists; this sensitive issue should not be politicised," the MEA said. After China blocked the proposal to designate Makki, Indian government sources said the decision runs counter to its claim of combating terrorism and signals its "double standards". Makki has been involved in raising funds, recruiting and radicalising youths to resort to violence and planning attacks in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, they said. At the BRICS summit, the prime minister also highlighted India's development partnership with Africa, Central Asia, South East Asia, and from Pacific to the Caribbean, the MEA said. The BRICS brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo on Saturday informed he has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the third time the minister, who returned from Delhi on Friday night, has contracted the infection. "After returning from Delhi, I got my COVID-19 test done here in which I tested positive for the coronavirus. Right now I am fine and as per suggestions of doctors, I am complying with the home isolation protocols," Singh Deo tweeted. Earlier, Singh Deo had tested positive in January this year and March last year. As on Friday, Chhattisgarh has a COVID-19 caseload of 11,53,552, including 14,036 deaths, while the active tally is 643. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister on Friday said his government is committed to eradicating offences against such as sexual violence, child marriage and child labour. He said it is the state's responsibility to provide protection to besides ensuring their social and educational development and good health. Gehlot was speaking after after flagging off the 'Bal Sanrakshan Sankalp Yatra' at his official residence. He said the initiative aims to explain to the rural masses in detail the programmes being run by the state government for protection of and the yatra' will be taken out in 140 gram panchayats across seven districts. He said the state government is running several ambitious schemes for the education and protection of children, including Chief Minister Corona Sahayata Yojana, Vatsalya Yojana and Utkarsh Yojana. Children's fairs will be organised once every 20 days under the yatra, in which all the departments will participate, he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Dr on Friday (local time) met with the Mauritius Prime Minister in Rwanda and discussed the thriving relations between the two countries. Notably, Jaishankar is on a visit to Kigali, Rwanda to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from June 22-25. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, "Always good to meet PM of Mauritius. Provided an occasion to monitor the steady growth of our relationship." Earlier, Jaishankar in April called on the Mauritius PM, who was on an eight-day visit to India to strengthen bilateral ties, in New Delhi. PM had offered prayers at Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The Mauritius PM had also held a meeting with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Global AYUSH Investment and Innovation Summit at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar in the presence of the Mauritius Prime Minister and Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO). PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Mauritius Prime Minister after the inauguration of the Global Ayush Summit and discussed the ongoing development partnership and cooperation in defence. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that PM Modi and the Mauritius Prime Minister reviewed the progress of the Metro Express Project and the proposal for an AYUSH Centre of Excellence in Mauritius. Earlier in January, PM Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth had jointly inaugurated the India-assisted social housing units project in Mauritius virtually. They also launched the Civil Service College and 8 MW Solar PV Farm project in Mauritius that is being undertaken under India's development support. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Live news updates: The rebel faction of MLAs led by Eknath Shinde met on Saturday to discuss next course of action in Maharashtras rapidly shifting political crisis. They named their group ' Balasaheb', after the partys late founding leader. Deepak Kesarkar, a legislator and the group's spokesperson, MLA, said they are "not leaving the as we have two-third of the majority". Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who heads the party, chaired a national executive meeting in Shiv Sena Bhavan in Mumbai. On Friday, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs in which he said that the rebel MLAs wanted to "break the party". As many as 978 new cases of have been detected in Maharashtra's district, taking the tally of infections to 7,23,782, a health official said on Saturday. With the addition of the latest cases on Friday, the district currently has 5,634 active cases, he said. The toll stood at 11,902, while the count of recoveries has reached, 7,04,869, the official added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Saturday hailed as "the victory of truth" the order upholding the clean chit to in the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat. In a tweet, Adityanath said, "The clean chit given by the Honourable to the prime minister in the is a declaration of the success and victory of truth. The conspirators should tender a public apology to the people of the country." He also referred to the 'Mahabharata' and said "The Shakunis decorated the 'Lakshagriha' against the truth but the truth came out safely." The had on Friday upheld a Special Investigation Team's (SIT) clean chit to then Gujarat chief minister and 63 others in the 2002 riots in the state and dismissed a plea by slain Congress leader Ehsan Jafri's wife Zakia Jafri. A three-judge bench had upheld the magistrate's order rejecting Zakia Jafri's protest petition against the closure report filed by the SIT in 2012. The bench said her plea was devoid of merit. She had alleged a larger conspiracy in the 2002 . Congress leader and former MP Ehsan Jafri was among the 68 people killed at Ahmedabad's Gulberg Society during violence on February 28, 2002, a day after the Godhra train burning. Zakia Jafri had challenged the SIT's clean chit to 64 people, including Modi who was Gujarat chief minister in 2002. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The world of crypto isnt just suffering from a market malaise that has seen the price of Bitcoin drop from $69,000 to around $20,000 today it also faces a troubling number of security risks. There have been dozens of breaches in the past few years showing that cybercriminals are gravitating toward the world of cryptocurrencies. In many cases, we dont know who the attackers are, but one culprit that keeps coming up is the band of state-backed from known as the Lazarus Group. According to a new book by Geoff White, The Lazarus Heist, the regimes have been become increasingly sophisticated over the past decade, managing to steal an estimated $2 billion worth of to date. Crypto investors should expect the gang to continue exploiting blockchain targets, or the the soft underbelly of the financial system, according to White, who believes the $2 billion figure is a vast underestimate. It stands to reason the hacker group would target crypto networks: Lazaruss modus operandi for years has been to generate as much cash as it could to help prop up the North Korean regime and its nuclear weapons program. In the past decade, its schemes have included sophisticated ATM hacks and ransomware, including the infamous WannaCry cyber attack. Now decentralized finance, or DeFi, has become a more lucrative target than banks, thanks to the billions of dollars locked up in its various applications. But the move-fast-and-break-things culture still prevalent in web3 development hasnt helped the security of those networks. Neither does the fact that building web3 apps is unusually hard for programmers, who can create gaping financial vulnerabilities with simple coding errors. Across the board, the amount of money lost through hacks of DeFi projects more than doubled in 2021, with security website CrytpoSec listing 102 reported breaches between Jan. 2020 and June 2022, totaling $3.4 billion lost. Lazarus has gone after several crypto networks, including a Slovakian crypto exchange in 2020 from which it stole virtual currency worth $5.4 million. The went on to launder the funds through the exchange Binance, according a Reuters investigation. They were also behind the more-than-$600 million hack on play-to-earn-game Axie Infinity, which when measured by money stolen could be one of the biggest single hacks of all time. (The U.S. Treasury Department blamed Lazarus as being behind the attack.) I spoke to White in a Twitter Spaces discussion this past week about the group, and some of its strategies for targeting DeFi networks in the future. Below is an edited excerpt from that discussion: Parmy: Do we have any idea of how many people are in the Lazarus group? How are its members selected and trained? Geoff: In terms of how many there are, theres a publicly quoted figure, which is 6,000, which has come from analysis of testimony from defectors whove come out of . To train these people, the North Korean government cant rely on hackers in hoodies in bedrooms, kids who just go on YouTube, because in you cant just pick up a laptop and go on the Internet. All the computer hackers in North Korea have come up through the school system. They've been spotted and groomed by the regime to go into elite universities, to hone their skills. A lot will go into either the nuclear program or government hacking. Parmy: North Korean hackers went after Axie Infinity in March. It seems that unlike other state-backed hackers theyre not targeting any particular country. Who or what do you expect them to go after in the future? Geoff: is absolutely the direction of travel. If youre looking at how much was stolen in one fell swoop, I think the $625 million stolen from Axie Infinity may be the biggest single hack of any amount of money from one company, in one hit, ever If you look at the banks that theyve hacked into, youre talking Vietnam, the Philippines, Chile, Bangladesh. They will go anywhere where the security is weakest. Parmy: They seem opportunistic in terms of scope. Given that blockchain networks have experienced a number of breaches and vulnerabilities, thanks in part to their difficult coding environment, do you expect blockchain to become an attractive target to North Korean hackers in the next few years? Geoff: I think so. There have been reports coming out from alleged North Korean hackers advertising jobs and targeting cryptocurrency workers and saying, Hey, Ive got a great job for you. A perfect job. And then tricking cryptocurrency workers into downloading malware and getting into the cryptocurrencies that way. Bizarrely, it also seems that North Koreas hackers are trying to get jobs at cryptocurrency companies. Theres been an alert put out by the US Treasury warning cryptocurrency firms about North Korean hackers turning up and applying for jobs. Weve interviewed somebody who claims he actually interviewed a North Korean hacker who applied for a job at his company and realized halfway through the interview what was afoot. But when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. If youre inside a cryptocurrency company, you might be able to steal money from them directly. You might be able to get the passwords, and even if you dont, you might be able to introduce a flaw or vulnerability into that companys code, which allows you to extricate money later on. And even if none of that works, if youve got a company email address, you can email other people in the crypto industry and say, Hey, I just started work for company X. Have you seen this exciting news? See attachment to the email. And thats how you get your viruses out. The two-month debate between the state government and the Centre resulted in a complete suspension of the bond auction in April and May. Representational image/File Hyderabad: In a major reprieve to the cash-strapped state government, the Centre on Friday permitted it to raise Rs 3,000 crore through auction of bonds on June 28. The government is battling to raise Rs 7,500 crore for Rythu Bandhu funds disbursal from June 28. With latest permission, the state government will finish the first quarter of this fiscal with `7,000 crore loans against Rs 15,000 crore sought earlier Rs 3,000 crore in April, Rs 8,000 crore in May, and Rs 4,000 crore in June. However, the Centre refused to provide authorisation, citing the government's sizeable off-budget borrowings and its insistence that the off-budget borrowings from the previous two fiscal years be included in the overall debt. The government vehemently opposed this. The two-month debate between the state government and the Centre resulted in a complete suspension of the bond auction in April and May. On June 7, however, the Centre gave the state government permission to raise Rs 4,000 crore through a bond auction. The Centre again rejected the auction of bonds scheduled for June 10 and 17. Dubai's is aware of a media report that its Group Chief Executive Amit Jain has been detained in India, a spokesperson for the company said on Saturday. "Emaar is aware of reports regarding the Group CEO Amit Jain, over an issue relating to the company's work in . The issue has now been resolved and we have no further comments at this time," the spokesperson added. Indian news agency ANI reported Jain has been detained on arrival at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Airport on Friday and handed over to local police. The reason for his detention was unclear. Emaar, builder of the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, is Dubai's largest listed developer. The government owns a minority stake in the developer through its sovereign wealth fund. Dubai's government media office and the UAE foreign ministry did not immediately respond to questions on the ANI report. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Writing by Moataz Mohamed; Editing by Pravin Char) (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former US President on Friday condemned the ending constitutional protection for that had been in place nearly 50 years. Obama said on Twitter that the decision is tantamount to an attack on freedoms for millions of Americans. The court's conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday. The decision is expected to lead to bans in roughly half the states. Three of the court's liberal justices wrote in a joint dissent that the decision would bring sorrow for the many millions of American women who will be losing a fundamental constitutional protection. The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for that had been in place nearly 50 years. The decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take this momentous step. Three of the court's liberal justices wrote in a joint dissent that the decision would bring sorrow for the many millions of American women who will be losing a fundamental constitutional protection. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four Democratic lawmakers have called on the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate tech giants and over selling personal data. According to The Wall Street Journal, the lawmakers alleged the engaged in unfair and deceptive practices by enabling the collection and sale of mobile-phone users' personal information. and "knowingly facilitated these harmful practices by building advertising-specific tracking IDs into their mobile operating systems", the lawmakers wrote in a letter to FTC chair Lina Khan. Both have recently taken steps to limit the collection of user data through these mobile-ad identifiers, a string of numbers and letters built into iOS and Android. Users of both operating systems now have a way to opt-out of having their identifier transmitted to apps. last year introduced a new version of its software that requires each app to ask the user for permission to access the device's identifier, and is planning to adopt new privacy restrictions to curtail tracking across apps on Android smartphones. A Google spokesman said the company never sells user data and said its app store, Google Play, prohibits the sale of data by developers. Meanwhile, Apple did not respond to requests for comment, and the FTC declined to comment --IANS vc/ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President said Friday he would try to preserve access to after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and he called on Americans to elect more Democrats who would safeguard rights upended by the court's decision. This is not over, he declared. Let's be very clear, the health and life of women across this nation are now at risk, he said from the White House on what he called a sad day for the court and the country. Biden added that the court has done what it's never done before expressly taking away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans. Republicans and conservative leaders celebrated the culmination of a decades-long campaign to undo the nationwide legalisation of that began with Roe v. Wade in 1973. Millions of Americans have spent half a century praying, marching, and working toward today's historic victories for the rule of law and for innocent life, said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., an architect of efforts to tilt the Supreme Court to the right. Although Biden has previously expressed conflicted feelings about abortion, he delivered a forceful defence on Friday. Noting that Republican-controlled states now had a clear path to ban even in cases of incest or rape, he said it just stuns me. And he warned that other legal precedents ensuring same sex marriage and access to birth control could also be at risk. This is an extreme and dangerous path this court is taking us on, he said. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was not unexpected a draft of the decision leaked nearly two months ago but it still reverberated throughout Washington in what has suddenly become a new era in the country's battle over abortion. The White House and the Justice Department said they would look for ways to blunt the impact of the ruling, and Biden said his administration would try to ensure that abortion medication is available as widely as possible and women aren't prevented from travelling across state lines to end pregnancies. However, no executive actions were announced on Friday, and Biden conceded that his options were limited. Protesters convened on the Supreme Court, where a crowd of abortion-rights supporters quickly swelled to the hundreds. One chanted into a bullhorn, legal abortion on demand and this decision must not stand. Some shouted the Supreme Court is illegitimate". It's a painful day for those of us who support women's rights, said Laura Free, an Ithaca, New York, resident and women's rights historian who came to Washington to do research. When she learned of the decision, she said, I had to come here. A competing faction demonstrated in favour of the ruling, holding signs saying "the future is anti-abortion? and dismember Roe. Garrett Bess, with Heritage Action for America, a lobbying arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation, said his organisation would be working in states to continue efforts to limit abortion. This has been a long time coming," he said. Biden and other Democrats hope to use outrage over the court decision to rally voters in November's midterm elections. Although nationwide legislation ensuring access to abortion appears out of reach, more Democratic victories at the state level could limit Republican efforts to ban the practice. Congress must act, and with your vote, you can act, Biden said. You can have the final word. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the court's ruling is outrageous and heart-wrenching and fulfils the Republican Party's "dark and extreme goal of ripping away women's right to make their own reproductive health decisions. Many Republican-controlled states are poised to severely restrict abortion, or even ban it outright. In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department will work tirelessly to protect and advance reproductive freedom. He said that in addition to protecting providers and those seeking abortions in states where it remains legal, we stand ready to work with other arms of the federal government that seek to use their lawful authorities to protect and preserve access to reproductive care. He also noted that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of mifepristone, a drug used to end pregnancies. States may not ban mifepristone based on disagreement with the FDA's expert judgment about its safety and efficacy, Garland said. Lawrence Gostin, who runs the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health at Georgetown Law, said before Friday's ruling that he expected the Biden administration to be to be nibbling around the edges, and is not going to do anything really profound. Gostin said he's discussed a variety of options with administration officials but believes they are gun shy given the potential for legal challenges that could lead to more roadblocks from a Supreme Court dominated by conservatives. Some of Gostin's suggestions included having Medicaid cover the cost of travelling across state lines to end pregnancies, as well as expanding access to abortion medication that can be delivered by mail. The Rev. John Dorhauer, the general minister and president of the United Church of Christ, drove from Cleveland to Washington to attend one meeting earlier this month. Another virtual meeting was held this week, featuring Vice President Kamala Harris. It was rather impressive to see the commitment the White House and the vice president's office has had to gather advocates from around the country, Dorhauer said. However, there are also concerns that the administration was not ready. Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, attended a recent virtual meeting with abortion providers and said she expects a true health crisis. I think that we should have been preparing for far longer than we have been, McNicholas said. Do I think that they recognize that this a problem? Yes. Do I think that they're prepared in this moment? No. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Emergency lifesaving aid relief continued to flow into quake-hit eastern on Friday, as UN humanitarians and partners rushed to help the most vulnerable communities. Afghanistan's interim authorities report that most search and rescue operations had been completed already by Wednesday evening, but due to the remoteness of the affected areas and with additional assessments taking place, the number of casualties and damage estimates could rise. Heavy rains have swept the region in recent days, compounding the misery, according to UNHCR. One of the UN teams on the ground transported tons of relief items into the provinces of Khost and Paktika, where several thousand houses were destroyed or damaged by the 5.9 magnitude quake that struck early on Wednesday. The latest tally from Thursday evening indicated that at least 1,036 people have been killed and more than 1,643 injured, in the worst to hit the country in two decades. "At least 121 of these deaths were children and 67 of those injured were also children," said Mohamed Ayoya, Representative for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in . "The total number of people killed or injured is not yet confirmed. Verification is ongoing and we expect these numbers [to be] going up in the hours and days to come." Critically needed items arriving from the capital, Kabul, include hundreds of tents, thousands of blankets, jerry cans, buckets, plastic sheets, kitchen sets and solar lamps - enough to help 4,200 survivors in Giyan, Bermal, Zerok, and Nika districts in Paktika province, and Spera district in Khost province. To ensure distribution to the most needy, UNHCR has set up three supply hubs in Giyan, Bermal and Spera districts so that humanitarian support can be shifted to communities affected by the . Heavy rains have also swept across the region in recent days, compounding the misery, UNHCR warned. UNICEF has also dispatched life-saving supplies, including 500 first aid kits, along with treatment for acute watery diarrhoea to help prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. "Much more support is urgently needed to avert a humanitarian disaster in the affected areas," said UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo, who noted that millions of people in the country face hunger and starvation, after four decades of conflict and instability. "Already some 24 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian assistance due to the hunger and economic crisis, lack of development aid, and the impact of the changeover in government authorities 10 months ago," Ms. Mantoo told journalists in Geneva. Across Afghanistan, some 3.5 million people have been displaced by conflict and violence, and another 1.57 million have had to leave their homes because of climate shocks. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Philip Goldberg, the new US Ambassador to South Korea, will arrive in Seoul on July 10 to begin his term, the American Embassy here said on Saturday. "The entire team at the US Mission to Republic of Korea looks forward to welcoming Ambassador-designate Philip Goldberg to Seoul on July 10th," the Embassy said on its Twitter page. Goldberg will fill the vacancy left by his predecessor, Harry Harris, since January 2021, when President Joe Biden took office. The career diplomat previously served as ambassador to Colombia and worked as a coordinator for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea from 2009-2010. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister has urged the people of Gwadar in Pakistan's restive to ensure security of friendly foreign investors, including from China, who are making huge investments for the development of the impoverished but resource-rich province. Gwadar is known for its strategic seaport developed and operated by China where recently foreigners including Chinese workers were attacked by militants. Shehbaz visited the key area for the second time since coming to power in April and addressed a gathering of fishermen and at the Gwadar Business Centre on Friday. He said that friendly countries wanted to help and it was a responsibility to provide them security, according to a report in the Dawn newspaper. China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Qatar and other countries have been extending financial and diplomatic help and cooperation to for 75 years and bailing the country out in difficult times. If we do not fulfil our responsibility for ensuring security of their investors, engineers and workers, they will go back, he said. The prime minister said that during his visit to Beijing, China's premier Li Keqiang had assured him of financial help and cooperation and an agreement was signed the other day under which China would provide USD 2.3 billion in soft loan to Pakistan, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE also extended help. He said that these countries had not put any conditions for investment in and for developing our agriculture, industry, energy sector. Unfortunately, their engineers, workers and other people, who are helping us in development, are being targeted, he said. Sharif also expressed displeasure over the delay in completing the development projects initiated five years ago in Gwadar. Referring to the demands of fishermen, he said that steps were being taken to resolve the issues of displacement and difficulty in access to the sea that was affecting the fisheries sector. He said the establishment of Gwadar University had been included in the Public Sector Development Programme. Earlier, Sharif witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) and Indus Hospital for the establishment of a 100-bed hospital in Gwadar. Meanwhile, a key local leader organised a protest on the occasion for the rights of the people, especially those who went missing over the years. The Gwadar rights movement, led by Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, and family members of forcibly-disappeared people, staged protest rallies in Gwadar when Prime Minister Sharif was in the port city. Hundreds of people belonging to the Gwadar Ko Haq Do (give rights to Gwadar) movement and different political parties and members of the civil society gathered at the Y-Chowk carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demands. Marching on various roads of the city despite tight security, they chanted slogans against the federal and governments and in support of their demands. Another rally was also taken out by the heirs of missing persons, according to the Dawn report. is a mineral-rich and volatile region of Pakistan where a low-level insurgency has been going on for years. The Baloch nationalists frequently attack the security forces and the Chinese workers, warning Beijing to stop its investment activities. There have been targeted attacks against Chinese citizens in Pakistan in the recent months. Three Chinese teachers were killed when an explosion triggered by a burqa-clad woman suicide bomber from the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) ripped through a van of the Confucius Institute at the prestigious University of Karachi on April 26. Last month, senior Pakistani lawmaker, Senator Mushahid Hussain, said that the Chinese confidence in Pakistan's security system's ability to protect its citizens and projects was seriously shaken after the Karachi University attack. There were reports on social media of Chinese workers leaving Pakistan in large numbers after the attack. China has invested billions of dollars in multiple development projects in its all-weather ally Pakistan. The ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of China's ambitious multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The CPEC is a collection of infrastructure and other projects under construction throughout Pakistan since 2013. Originally valued at USD 46 billion, the projects were worth USD 62 billion as of 2017. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army chief recently visited the ailing former president and army chief Gen (retd) in Dubai, the media reported on Saturday. Gen Bajwa, accompanied by top physicians of the Army, spent some time with Gen Musharraf and his family at their apartment in while the army doctors examined the 78-year-old former military ruler, The Express Tribune newspaper quoted a source, who was also present during the meeting, as saying. The former military ruler was in 2018 in the UAE diagnosed with the life-threatening health condition called Amyloidosis. Amyloidosis is a group of rare and serious conditions that is caused by a build-up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in organs and tissues throughout the body, according to the UK's National Health Service. If left untreated, these protein deposits can lead to organ failure. According to the sources close to the former military ruler's family, Gen Musharraf and his family greeted the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) with great delight. However, there was no official word on the COAS visit to from the military's media wing. The family of Musharraf, who has been living in self-exile in since 2016, has yet not made up their mind to fly him back to . Earlier this week, the family ruled out the possibility citing lack of proper treatment in Pakistan. An uninterrupted supply and administration of experimental drug Daratumumab needed alongside associated treatment of Amyloidosis are currently not available in Pakistan, the family wrote on Musharraf's Twitter handle on June 21. It's not easy to take a call on Musharraf's return from Dubai where he is undergoing treatment. The family also revealed that they had been assured that the Pakistani government and the military establishment would facilitate the septuagenarian general's smooth return. Communications have been received from official and unofficial channels that [Musharraf's] return home will be facilitated. We sincerely appreciate these overtures since Pakistan is home, they said. On June 14, The Express Tribune reported that the exiled general, who seized power in a 1999 coup and was president from 2001 to 2008, had expressed a desire to spend the rest of his life in Pakistan. His close associates subsequently approached the powerful quarters and government officials to make a formal request. The development came on the heels of a Twitter statement from the family in which they stressed that Musharraf's recovery is not possible. The developments triggered a media guessing game on the military's possible reaction, which came through quickly. The chief military spokesperson said the military brass believes Musharraf should be brought back to Pakistan. Musharraf's family has been contacted for this purpose, the army spokesman said. If the family gives its consent, then arrangements would be made to bring him back. Gen (retd) had toppled the government of then prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1998 in a bloodless coup and then sent the Sharif family into exile as a result of a deal brokered by a friendly country. However, Sharif in a tweet said that he was not opposed to Musharraf's coming back to Pakistan. I've no personal feud with . I don't want anyone to go through the same emotional shock and trauma with regard to their loved-ones as I had to endure, he said in a cryptic reference to his tormentor. Sharif, who was sentenced to seven years in jail in a corruption case in December 2018, has been living in London since November 2019 for the treatment of some undiagnosed illness. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the (EU) looks to prepare a draft report on GSP+ status, needs to work in several areas to avoid losing the special incentive arrangements of the EU that it has enjoyed for the last seven years. The GSP is a trade and development policy instrument in place since 1971 which is set to expire on Dec 31, 2023. Pakistan, a major recipient of the GSP+ scheme, benefitted from zero duty on several products. The 27-member-bloc sees the coming months as crucial for extending the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status for 2024. The EU continues monitoring the progress of beneficiary nations towards the implementation of dozens of conventions, the Dawn newspaper reported. Since the beneficiary countries will have to re-apply for the scheme's extension, their record of compliance is given due consideration, the report added. "The time till October is crucial for to show tangible results as a draft report for GSP+ status will be prepared in that month," Head of EU delegation Guido Dolara said while speaking to the business community's representatives at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) on Friday. According to Dolara, still needs to work in various areas where the available potential is still untapped. "As the LCCI can play an important part in helping the SME sector to realise the potential of GSP+, we are close to finalising the monetary report that will be ready in October," he said. According to InsiderOver, facing the EU's enhanced scrutiny over its handling of human rights issues could prove to be a sticking point. Notably, some groups of MEPs in the European Parliament (EP) have started to call out the dubious role played by Pakistani institutions in suppressing/manipulating information about discrimination against minorities. Earlier this year, a group presented a motion for parliamentary resolution highlighting rights abuses in . The group has requested the European Parliament to include the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan. Under enormous pressure, Islamabad has resorted to its old practice of lobbying using various Pakistani stakeholders including diplomats and businessmen. Furthermore, Pakistan embassies in Europe are scrambling to convince host countries for the continuation of the scheme. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The historic reverberations of Donald Trumps one term in the Oval Office were evidenced Friday when the three justices he appointed to the Supreme Court tipped the scales to overturn the constitutional right to an . The landmark decision, which ends the 49-year precedent set in Roe v. Wade, has made the long-held dream of one of Trumps core constituencies -- evangelical Christians and other anti- Republicans -- come true. And it further enshrines the historic and political consequences of the 2016 presidential election outcome. Trump was quick to claim victory, saying in a statement the decision was only made possible because I delivered everything as promised. With significant help from Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and almost every GOP senator, Trump elevated Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett -- all three of whom helped establish a 5-4 majority in the opinion. Yet the high courts newest justices were confirmed after proceedings that shattered norms and only heightened the bitter partisanship surrounding Supreme Court confirmations and the courts increasingly conservative rulings. Trump on Friday embraced the decision, which gives authority to establish abortion law to the states, roughly half of which are seen as certain or very likely to ban abortions. This is following the Constitution, and giving rights back when they should have been given long ago, Trump said on Fox News. He added, I think, in the end, this is something that will work out for everybody. The immediate reaction to the decision, though first telegraphed in May when a draft opinion was leaked, was deeply polarized. Republicans and conservative groups hailed the ruling as protecting the unborn while Democrats vowed to take the matter of womens reproductive choice to voters in the fall. Because of Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, the Republican Party and their super-majority on the Supreme Court, American women today have less freedom than their mothers, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. House Republican leaders issued a joint statement on the decision. Every unborn child is precious, extraordinary, and worthy of protection, they said. We applaud this historic ruling, which will save countless innocent lives. New Normal? For Trumps three justices, the path to confirmation was anything but conventional. McConnell and Senate Republicans prevented President Barack Obama from filling a Supreme Court vacancy after conservative Justice Antonin Scalia died in 2016 -- 11 months before Obamas second term ended. McConnell also permanently changed Senate rules to end filibusters in Supreme Court confirmations, enabling Gorsuch to fill the Scalia court seat after a 54-45 vote. Kavanaugh and Barrett, who also were narrowly confirmed, benefited from the same rule change. In 2018, Kavanaughs confirmation process was marred by allegations of sexual assault, including testimony from Christine Blasey Ford, who said he assaulted her in high school. And in 2020, after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died less than two months before Election Day, McConnell pushed for Barretts speedy confirmation -- an abrupt reversal from his stance four years before. She was elevated to the Supreme Court just eight days before the election, resulting in the courts 6-3 conservative majority. The inconsistency, the hypocrisy, I dont respect that, Pelosi told reporters. Two senators who supported both Gorsuch and Kavanaugh said Friday they were dismayed by the courts abortion decision and felt misled by both justices during their confirmation proceedings, when each said the Roe decision was an established Supreme Court precedent. This decision is inconsistent with what Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh said in their testimony and their meetings with me, where they both were insistent on the importance of supporting long-standing precedents that the country has relied upon, Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, said in a statement. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia also insisted senators were misled. I trusted Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh when they testified under oath that they also believed Roe v. Wade was settled legal precedent and I am alarmed they chose to reject the stability the ruling has provided for two generations of Americans, he said. Gorsuch, during his 2017 hearings, called the abortion-rights ruling a precedent of the United States Supreme Court. It has been reaffirmed. During his own 2018 confirmation hearings, Kavanaugh refused to characterize Roe as settled law. But he did acknowledge it was settled as a precedent of the Supreme Court. In her Senate testimony, Barrett refused to say whether she agreed with Scalia, for whom she once clerked, that Roe was wrongly decided. Barrett said she couldnt pre-commit to how she would approach any case that might come before her. I have an agenda to stick to the rule of law and decide cases as they come, Barrett testified. Lhasa-Nyingchi railway marks first anniversary of operation Xinhua) 09:17, June 25, 2022 Photo taken on June 5, 2021 shows the Shannan Railway Station in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Officially starting operation on June 25 last year, the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway provided southeast Tibet with access to railway services for the first time in history. With a designed speed of 160 km per hour, the 435-km railway marks the launch of the country's first electrified railroad operating in the plateau region. As of May 31 this year, the train service had recorded 1.03 million passenger trips and transported 36,900 tons of cargo. (Xinhua/Chogo) A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 22, 2022. Officially starting operation on June 25 last year, the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway provided southeast Tibet with access to railway services for the first time in history. With a designed speed of 160 km per hour, the 435-km railway marks the launch of the country's first electrified railroad operating in the plateau region. As of May 31 this year, the train service had recorded 1.03 million passenger trips and transported 36,900 tons of cargo. (Xinhua/Chogo) A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway in Nang County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 14, 2022. Officially starting operation on June 25 last year, the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway provided southeast Tibet with access to railway services for the first time in history. With a designed speed of 160 km per hour, the 435-km railway marks the launch of the country's first electrified railroad operating in the plateau region. As of May 31 this year, the train service had recorded 1.03 million passenger trips and transported 36,900 tons of cargo. (Xinhua/Chogo) A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 22, 2022. Officially starting operation on June 25 last year, the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway provided southeast Tibet with access to railway services for the first time in history. With a designed speed of 160 km per hour, the 435-km railway marks the launch of the country's first electrified railroad operating in the plateau region. As of May 31 this year, the train service had recorded 1.03 million passenger trips and transported 36,900 tons of cargo. (Xinhua/Chogo) A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway in Nang County, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 14, 2022. Officially starting operation on June 25 last year, the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway provided southeast Tibet with access to railway services for the first time in history. With a designed speed of 160 km per hour, the 435-km railway marks the launch of the country's first electrified railroad operating in the plateau region. As of May 31 this year, the train service had recorded 1.03 million passenger trips and transported 36,900 tons of cargo. (Xinhua/Chogo) A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway in Shannan, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, June 22, 2022. Officially starting operation on June 25 last year, the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway provided southeast Tibet with access to railway services for the first time in history. With a designed speed of 160 km per hour, the 435-km railway marks the launch of the country's first electrified railroad operating in the plateau region. As of May 31 this year, the train service had recorded 1.03 million passenger trips and transported 36,900 tons of cargo. (Xinhua/Chogo) (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) Expectations are that cotton may be cultivated in 4.10 lakh acres this Kharif season, up from the 3.85 in the last Kharif in Adilabad district. Twitter ADILABAD: With timely rains, many farmers are sowing cotton seeds. The area under its cultivation may increase while that of paddy may decrease this Kharif season in the erstwhile Adilabad in particular and the state in general. Farmers were happy with the price they got in the open market last Kharif though the MSP was only Rs 6,025. This year, the central government announced Rs 6,379 as MSP for cotton, meaning a Rs 354 hike over last year's MSP. Some 160 farmers out of a total of 194 and 50 tenant farmers out of 54 are going to cultivate cotton or soya instead of paddy this season in Penchikalpad village in Kuntala mandal of Nirmal district. Only 5-7 per cent of the farmers are planting paddy in this village. The farmers cultivating paddy with help from motor pumps are shifting to cotton this season due to uncertainty about procurement of their paddy by the state and central governments. This is based on the last years experience and also due to the good price offered for cotton in the market the last season. A 25-30 per cent increase in the area for cotton cultivation this Kharif season is expected in Nirmal district, a paddy belt. Private traders offered a good price of around Rs 8,000 per quintal since there was a huge demand for cotton in the international market. The cotton yield was low due to floods and bad weather conditions. Cotton prices touched Rs 10,000 per quintal when farmers sold all their cotton to traders and nothing was left in their hands. Cotton traders got more profit than the farmers last Kharif. Sangepu Borranna of Rythu Sawarajya Vedika of Adilabad said many farmers are showing interest in cultivation of cotton this Kharif. The area under cotton cultivation is likely to increase this time, he said, and added that the state government is also encouraging cotton cultivation for this Kharif. He said the area under paddy cultivation is likely to come down as farmers had a bad experience and faced hardships during the last season as far as procurement was concerned. Expectations are that cotton may be cultivated in 4.10 lakh acres this Kharif season, up from the 3.85 in the last Kharif in Adilabad district. Cotton farmers feel the prevailing market conditions are favorable for the crop and that they may get a good price. The state government encourages the cultivation of cotton crop in order to avoid a possible tussle between the state and central governments as far as procurement of paddy is concerned, like the last season. The state government feels farmers will get a good price for cotton in open market due to high demand for this in the international market. After weeks of ferocious fighting, Ukrainian forces have begun retreating from a besieged city in the country's east to move to stronger positions, a regional governor said on Friday, the four-month mark in Russia's invasion. The planned withdrawal from Sievierodonetsk, the administrative centre of the Luhansk region, comes after relentless Russian bombardment that has reduced most of the industrial city to rubble and cut its population from 100,0000 to 10,000. Ukrainian troops fought the Russians in house-to-house battles before retreating to the huge Azot chemical factory on the city's edge, where they remain holed up in its sprawling underground structures in which about 500 civilians also found refuge. In recent days, Russian forces have made gains around Sievierodonetsk and the neighbouring city of Lysychansk, on a steep bank across a river, in a bid to encircle Ukrainian forces. Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk have been the focal point of the Russian offensive aimed at capturing all of the Donbas and destroying the Ukrainian military defending it the most capable and battle-hardened segment of the country's armed forces. The two cities and surrounding areas are the last major pockets of Ukrainian resistance in the Luhansk region 95 per cent of which is under Russian and local separatist forces' control. The Russians and separatists also control about half of the Donetsk region, the second province in the Donbas. Russia used its numerical advantages in troops and weapons to pummel Sievierodonetsk in what has become a war of attrition, while clamoured for better and more weapons from its Western allies. Bridges to the city were destroyed, slowing the Ukrainian military's ability to resupply, reinforce and evacuate the wounded and . Much of the city's electricity, water and communications infrastructure has been destroyed. Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai said Ukrainian troops have been ordered to leave Sievierodonetsk to prevent bigger losses and move to better fortified positions. Ukraine's military spokesman declined to confirm the retreat order, saying government policy prevents comments on Ukrainian troop movements. Regrettably, we will have to pull our troops out of Sievierodonetsk, Haidai told The Associated Press. It makes no sense to stay at the destroyed positions, and the number of killed in action has been growing. A senior US defence official, speaking in Washington on condition of anonymity, on Friday called the Ukrainians' move a tactical retrograde to consolidate forces into positions where they can better defend themselves. This will add to Ukraine's effort to keep Russian forces pinned down longer in a small area, the official said. Haidai noted that while the retreat is under way, some Ukrainian troops remain in Sievierodonetsk, facing massive Russian bombardment that has destroyed 80 per cent of buildings. As of today, the resistance in Sievierodonetsk is continuing, Haidai told the AP. The Russians are relentlessly shelling the Ukrainian positions, burning everything out. Haidai said the Russians are also advancing toward Lysychansk from Zolote and Toshkivka, adding that Russian reconnaissance units conducted forays on the city's edges but its defenders drove them out. The governor added that a bridge leading to Lysychansk was badly damaged in a Russian airstrike and is unusable for trucks. Ukrainian military analyst Oleg Zhdanov told the AP that some of the troops moving away from Sievierodonetsk are heading to the fight in Lysychansk. In other battlefield reports, the Russian Defence Ministry declared Friday that four Ukrainian battalions and a unit of foreign mercenaries totaling about 2,000 soldiers have been fully blocked near Hirske and Zolote, south of Lysychansk. The claim couldn't be independently verified. Following a botched attempt to capture Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, in the early stage of the invasion that started February 24, Russian forces have shifted their focus to the Donbas, where the Ukrainian forces have fought Moscow-backed separatists since 2014. After repeated requests to its Western allies for heavier weaponry to counter Russia's edge in firepower, four medium-range American rocket launchers have arrived, with four more on the way. The senior US defence official said Friday that more Ukrainian forces are training outside to use the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, and are expected back in their country with the weapons by mid-July. The rockets can travel about 70 kilometers. Also to be sent are 18 US coastal and river patrol boats. The official said there is no evidence Russia has been successful in intercepting any of what has been a steady flow of military aid into from the US and other nations. Russia has repeatedly threatened to strike, or actually claimed to have hit, such shipments. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN's top human rights body is to hold an urgent debate next week to discuss the erosion of rights of women and girls in since the takeover nearly a year ago. Human Rights Council spokesman Rolando Gomez said on Friday that the Geneva-based rights body was expected hold the debate on July 1 as part of its ongoing summer session, following a request for the discussion by the European Union and France. In a letter seeking the session, the EU and French ambassadors wrote that they were profoundly concerned about the growing erosion of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls by the Taliban" since their return to power last August. They cited restrictions on schooling, employment, freedom of movement and full participation in public life, and called on the 47-member-country rights body to consider adopting a resolution on the matter. A draft resolution would be presented as soon as possible, wrote EU Ambassador Lotte Knudsen and French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont in the letter. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The end of constitutional protection for abortions in the on Friday polarised activists around the world, emboldening opponents even as advocates of rights worried it could threaten recent moves toward legalization in their countries. The US Supreme Court's overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision "shows that these types of rights are always at risk of being steamrolled, said Ruth Zurbriggen, an Argentinian activist and member of the Companion Network of Latin America and the Caribbean, a group favouring rights. But in El Salvador, anti-abortion campaigner Sara Larin expressed hope it will bolster campaigns against the procedure across the globe. I trust that with this ruling it will be possible to abolish abortion in the and throughout the world, said Larn, president of Fundacin Vida SV. In Kenya, Phonsina Archane watched news of Friday's ruling and said she froze for a while in a state of panic. This is being done in America, which should be an example when it comes to the women's rights movement, said Archane, an activist for abortion rights. If this is happening in America, what about me here in Africa? It's a very, very sad day. She worried the ruling will embolden abortion opponents across Africa who have charged into reproductive health clinics or threatened attacks. There is no safe place on the continent, she said. Abortion in sub-Saharan Africa is already more unsafe than in any other region of the world, and the overwhelming majority of women of child-bearing age live in countries where abortion laws are highly or moderately restricted, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a New York-based research organization that supports abortion rights. Archane said civil society groups in Africa will now come together to work out strategies on how to keep themselves and women safe. Just months ago, many saw hope when the World Health Organisation released guidelines on quality abortion care, she said: We had a step ahead, and now we have to go five steps back again. Meanwhile, the decision lit up social media across Argentina, where a law that legalised elective abortion to the 14th week of gestation took effect in January 2021 after years of debate. Anti-abortion activists cheered Friday's ruling, with legislator Amalia Granata tweeting: There is justice again in the world. We are going to achieve this in Argentina too!! Meanwhile, in more conservative countries like El Salvador, where abortions are illegal no matter the circumstance and where some 180 women with obstetric emergencies have been criminally prosecuted in the last two decades, Larin warned that the ruling could inspire yet more efforts to loosen abortion restrictions outside the US. Campaigns promoting abortion may intensify in our countries because funding and abortion clinics in the are going to close as they have been doing in recent years," she said. The UN agency dealing with sexual and reproductive health says that whether or not abortion is legal it happens all too often and global data shows that restricting access makes abortion more deadly. The United Nations Population Fund issued a statement following the Supreme Court's decision noting that its 2022 report revealed that nearly half of all pregnancies worldwide are unintended, and over 60 per cent of those pregnancies may end in abortion. A staggering 45 per cent of all abortions around the world are unsafe, making this a leading cause of maternal death, UNFPA said. The agency said almost all unsafe abortions currently occur in developing countries, and it fears that more unsafe abortions will occur around the world if access to abortion becomes more restricted. In the only part of Latin America directly affected by the ruling, Puerto Rico, the island's Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would prohibit abortions starting at 22 weeks, or when a doctor determines that a fetus is viable, with the sole exception being if a woman's life is in danger. The bill is now before the island's House of Representatives. Dr. Migna Rivera Garca, president of Puerto Rico's Association of Psychologists, said the US Supreme Court's ruling has prompted abortion rights activists to reformulate their strategy. It causes a lot of uncertainty given the environment right now in Puerto Rico, she said. This bill harms poor women and black women the most. ... They don't have access to services like other social groups. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in the nation's capital are bringing in additional officers and mobilising in anticipation of growing protests outside the . The court issued a highly charged decision that ends constitutionally protection to abortion nearly 50 years after Roe v. Wade made abortion legal. US Capitol Police says it has been working closely with other law enforcement agencies in order to prepare for demonstrations. A law enforcement official says the department is mobilising its civil disturbance unit and also bringing on additional officers on Friday. The official could not publicly discuss details of the internal security procedures and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Hundreds of people had already descended outside the court after the ruling was handed down on Friday. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is an abortion rights supporter and this year's chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. He said on Friday, in response to the ruling that sharply limits abortion, that North Carolina women will still be able to obtain reproductive health care in the state. For 50 years, women have relied on their constitutional right to make their own medical decisions, but today that right has been tragically ripped away, Cooper said in a news release. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who in 2019 signed into law a near total ban on abortion, said the state will ask a judge to lift an injunction and clear the way for the state to enforce the ban. At the time, the Alabama law was the nation's most stringent abortion ban, making it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy with no exemption for pregnancies caused by rape and incest. Today is a giant step forward for our country as, after decades, Roe is finally overturned. Folks, after almost 50 years of standing up for unborn babies, our prayers have been answered, Ivey said in a statement, adding now that Roe is overturned, the state will immediately ask the court to strike down any legal barriers to enforcing this law. The state of Missouri is acting quickly to enforce a state law banning abortion in the wake of a pivotal ruling that limits abortion rights for millions of women. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said he was acting immediately to enforce a state law banning abortion except in cases of medical emergency The 2019 Missouri law included a trigger provision making effective upon notification by the attorney general that the US Supreme Court had overruled Roe v. Wade in whole or in part. The court issued a ruling Friday that ended nearly 50 years of constitutional protection for abortion. With this attorney general opinion, my office has effectively ended abortion in Missouri, said Schmitt, a Republican who also is running for US Senate. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ukrainian President expects the Verkhovna Rada, or parliament, to adopt European integration bills as a priority. The President's remark came a day after the European Union's (EU) decisded to grant the candidate status to for the nation's accession to the 27-member bloc In his regular video message to the nation, he said on Friday: "We have a lot of work ahead. Our key to success is the cohesion of all branches of government and society. Despite the war, we continue to implement EU legislation, norms, and rules in all spheres of our life. The government will develop a roadmap. We know our next steps. We have the European Commission recommendations. "We expect the Verkhovna Rada of to adopt European integration bills as a priority. From all of you, high civic consciousness, devotion to our values, and awareness that no one will build us a European except us." Earlier in the day, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna said the Verkhovna Rada was getting ready to vote for more than 30 bills within the framework of Kiev's European integration by the end of the year, reports Ukrayinska Pravda. She also said that Ukraine expects to implement the European Commission recommendations on granting EU candidate status by the end of the year. During a two-day summit in Brussels, the European Council on Thursday accepted Ukraine as a candidate for membership of the bloc. Just four days after Russia launched its invasion of Kiev on February 24, Zelensky had signed an official appeal to the EU asking for the accession of Ukraine via a new special procedure. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As cryptocurrencies reel under the global downturn, Chinese state-run newspaper Economic Daily has warned investors that the price of leading is "heading to zero". The warning came as the market continued to face meltdown with hovering around $21,000 per digital coin on Saturday -- a substantial drop from its record high of $68,000 in November last year. " is nothing more than a string of digital codes, and its returns mainly come from buying low and selling high," the newspaper said. "In the future, once investors' confidence collapses or when sovereign countries declare bitcoin illegal, it will return to its original value, which is utterly worthless," it added, reports South Morning Post. The Chinese government banned Bitcoin mining in July last year. It has plans to launch its central bank (CBDC) called the digital Chinese yuan (e-CNY). The country banned all transactions last September and barred foreign crypto exchanges from operating within the country in 2018. The Economic Daily earlier justified China's ban on cryptocurrency trading by taking examples of the collapse of stablecoins terraUSD and luna whose value reached zero. The price of Bitcoin tumbled to a new low of $17,958 this month, before recovering to over $20,000 this week. According to analysts, Bitcoin may hit a grim $14,000 this year. The likely bottom range at $14,000 would represent a drop of around 80 per cent for Bitcoin from the $68,000 all-time high. According to Coindesk, Bitcoin has historically experienced periods of asymptotic price run-ups followed by steep crashes, "typically played out over several months to two years". Cryptocurrency watchers refer to these periods as "cycles". --IANS na/vd (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On 30 June 2022 The Board of Federal Bank will meet on 30 June 2022 to consider raising of equity capital of the Bank either through rights issue, private placement, Preferential Issue, Further Public Offer, Qualified Institutional Placement, Global Depository Receipts, American Depository Receipts, Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds or through any other permissible mode or a combination thereof. The Board will also consider raising funds in Indian Currency or any other permitted foreign currency by way of issue debt instruments including but not limited to Additional Tier I bonds (AT1 bonds), Tier II bonds, Long Term Bonds (Infrastructure & Affordable Housing), Masala Bonds, Green bonds, non-convertible debentures or such other debt securities as may be permitted by RBI from time to time, in domestic market and/or overseas market, on a private placement basis within the overall borrowing limits of the Bank. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dredging Corporation of India has signed an agreement with the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Govt. of India on 24 June 2022. This agreement will provide big opportunities for the company to venture into long term contracts with States and Centre to develop fishing harbour and maintain it. This is another step for the company towards expansion and diversification into new business vertical which is aiming at a record highest ever turnover of Rs.1000 crore for this financial year 2022-23. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor The Saturday attacked the over the declared 47 years ago, saying it was the "biggest cowardly attack" on the country's and that the day it was imposed will always be remembered as a dark chapter in independent India's history. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said the memories of send a chill down the spine, but he also used the occasion to slam the current government alleging the "danger of an undeclared is hovering over the country" today. The Emergency, declared on this day in 1975 by former prime minister Indira Gandhi, suspended fundamental rights of citizens and brought press censorship. Several opposition leaders were arrested during the Emergency. It was lifted on March 21, 1977. Home Minister Amit Shah said the declared Emergency in its lust for power "and snatched away the Constitutional rights of Indians overnight, and outdid even the foreign rule in terms of brutality". In his tweet, he also paid tributes to those who fought this "dictatorial" mindset. leader and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak hit out at the Congress, saying the country suffered through Emergency due to a "family greedy of power". Addressign a seminar, titled 'Dark Phase of Democracy: Black Day', held at BJP headquarters in Lucknow, he said that during the period citizens were treated worse than they were during the British rule. "And those who opposed it were severely tortured". "In the greed of power, a family imposed Emergency in the country. The Emergency imposed by the 47 years ago was the biggest cowardly attack on the country's democracy, Pathak said. Lakhs of people were imprisoned for no reason, censorship was imposed on courts and the press, he said. BJP leader and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the Congress had "murdered democracy" by forcing the Emergency on the country and putting behind bars anyone who resisted it. Participating in a programme held virtually at the Uttarakhand BJP's Rudrapur district office in the honour of the 'soldiers of democracy' (loktantra ke senani), he said June 25, 1975, will always be remembered as a "dark chapter" in independent India's history. "Whoever stood up and came forward to protest it (emergency) was sent to jail and subjected to atrocities," he said addressing the programme virtually from Delhi. The Rajasthan BJP observed the day as 'Black Day' and held dharnas across district headquarters in the Congress-ruled state. Party workers wore black bands on their arms. BJP state president Satish Poonia addressed a seminar on 'Emergency Imposed by Congress Government on June 25, 1975' at the party office in Jaipur. In a statement issued in Hindi in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav said 47 years have passed since the Emergency was imposed, but the memory of June 25, 1977 "sends a chill down the spine". He, however, also attacked the current BJP government, saying the "threat of an undeclared emergency looms over the country" today. "Intolerance and hatred have destroyed social harmony. Constitutional institutions are being weakened," he said. "The voices of the farmers and youth are being crushed. Unemployment is rising and women and girls are suffering humiliation." Yadav alleged those in power have broken all records of abuse of power and the country stands at a crossroads. Aam Aadmi Party leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann termed the Emergency a "big blot" on the country's . "....Today, there was such a day in India's history, which was a big blot on India's . On this day in 1975, Emergency was imposed in the country when people's voice was suppressed," he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Embattled Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray must be ruing the day he agreed to gift the home ministry to the Nationalist Congress party two years ago during their negotiations on distribution of portfolios. As a result, Mr Thackeray was not privy to inputs from the intelligence agencies which reporting directly to the home minister, NCPs Dilip Walse-Patil. According to a section of leaders in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government Mr Thackeray evinced little interest in getting regular briefings from Mr Walse-Patil as he had cut himself off from his ministerial and party colleagues by cocooning himself in his chief ministerial bungalow. On the other hand, some maintain that intelligence agencies had been negligent as they were in the dark when a large number of Shiv Sena rebels were spirited away from Mumbai to Surat. There is also a view that the home minister did not take the inputs from the agencies seriously and consequently did not inform Mr Thackeray about these developments. Then there are still others who believe that Mr Walse-Patil deliberately withheld this information from Mr Thackeray, a sign of growing tension between the Shiv Sena and the NCP. Whatever the case may be, this entire episode is a sad reflection on the NCP ministers handling of his portfolio and Mr Thackerays standoffish style of functioning. * Ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party named Draupadi Murmu as its presidential candidate, there have been murmurs in the Opposition camp that it might be a good idea if Yashwant Sinha, its nominee for the top post, offers to step aside in her favour. These doubters feel that it would send out a wrong signal if they oppose the election of the countrys first woman tribal President. The numbers were always stacked against the Opposition but it nevertheless decided to field a candidate to make a political statement. But this purpose has been roundly defeated with Ms Murmus candidature. As far as political messaging goes, the BJPs woman tribal candidate has far more to offer in comparison to Mr Sinha whose caste credentials just do not match up. Mr Sinhas wife also admitted in a media interview that the BJP candidate is a good choice while maintaining that the opposition lacked the numbers to get Mr Sinha elected. In fact, Mr Sinha cannot even depend on his son Jayant Sinha for his vote as he is a BJP MP. * The communication and publicity department of the Congress is set to witness wide-ranging changes after former minister Jairam Ramesh replaced Randeep Surjewala as its new boss. The overhaul has already begun with party spokespersons Pawan Khera and Supriya Shrinate being given charge of the publicity and social media departments, respectively. There is also a buzz that Praveen Chakravarty, currently handling data analytics for the Congress, is on his way out and that party spokesperson Gourav Vallabh is being considered for this job. Then there is talk that the number of spokespersons and television panelists, which currently number around 50, on the Congress list is to be pared to make it more manageable. Mediapersons on the Congress beat have already noticed some changes in the functioning of the communication department. Soon after taking over, Mr Ramesh put out a statement providing details of Congress president Sonia Gandhis medical condition. He also released the party chiefs letter seeking more time from the Enforcement Directorate which wants to question her in connection with the National Herald case. Such transparency is unheard of in the Congress. * When Charanjit Singh Channi was appointed Punjab chief minister, Nehru-Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi had announced with grand flourish that he was the states first dalit chief minister. However, the Congresss favourite chief minister has disappeared after the partys shock defeat in the Assembly elections. Worse still, Mr Channi himself lost both his seats. The party has forgotten him while Mr Channi has gone underground. He has tweeted sporadically the last was to condole the killing of Sidhu Moosewala but has maintained a studied silence on the Gandhi family. While every party leader and worker was vying to demonstrate his or her loyalty when Rahul Gandhi was being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate, there was no word from Mr Channi who, according to Rahul, shed tears when he was elevated as chief minister. Last heard, he had gone abroad for the treatment of a neurological ailment. * Dramatic scenes were witnessed at the Congress headquarters on Akbar Road last week when the partys senior leaders and workers were out in full strength to show solidarity with Rahul Gandhi who was questioned for five days by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the National Herald case. There was no dearth of Congress members who battled the cops during that period, making sure that their presence was captured by television cameras. While this tamasha was in full play during the day, the demonstrators would disappear as the afternoon wore on. In fact, not a single Congress member could be spotted on days when Rahul Gandhi left the Enforcement Directorate late at night. Rajasthan Chief Minister on Friday condemned the attack on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's office in Kerala's Wayanad and termed it a cowardly act. Describing it as an act of political vendetta, Gehlot demanded a thorough investigation and action against the culprits. "Strongly condemn the attack on Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad. Such cowardly act is condemnable," Gehlot tweeted. Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, too, condemned the attack. "Vandalising Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad office by SFI goons is highly condemnable, I condemn it," Pilot tweeted. Pilot further said, "Such cowardly acts, motivated by the spirit of political vendetta, are indecent. Strict action should be taken against the culprits of this case." A protest march by the ruling party CPI(M)'s student wing Students Federation of India (SFI) outside the office of Congress MP in Wayanad in turned violent on Friday after some protesters allegedly attacked Gandhi's office and vandalised office. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid the continuing political crisis in due to revolt in the MLAs, Political Crisis The meeting will be held in Bhavan which the Chief Minister will join virtually. Earlier on Friday, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to "break the party". "I have said it earlier also that I don't have anything to do with power. The people who used to say that they would rather die than leave have fled today," the Shiv Sena chief said during his virtual address at the meeting. Thackeray said that he had "suspected" the rebellion and revealed that Eknath Shinde who turned rebel, had raised the issue in front of him of the MLAs willing to go with the BJP. However, he said that such a question "does not even arise". "The rebel MLAs want to break the party. I had never thought in dreams that I would become the chief minister. I have left Varsha Bungalow but not the will to fight," he added. Asking the leaders of his party to tell him if he is "useless and incapable" to run the party, he said he will separate himself from the party. Talking about going back with the BJP, the Shiv Sena chief said, "BJP, that defamed our party, my family, is the one you are talking about going with. Such a question doesn't even arise. If MLAs want to go there they can, all of them can. I won't. If someone wants to go - be it an MLA or someone else - come and tell us and then go." Notably, the Chief Minister had vacated the official residence of the CM on Wednesday night and moved to his family residence 'Matoshree' along with his family. Targeting Shinde, Thackeray said that he did everything for the rebel leader and yet a lot of allegations are levelled against him. "I did everything for Eknath Shinde. I gave him the department which I held. His own son is an MP and comments are being made regarding my son. A lot of allegations are levelled against me," he said. "If they have courage, they should go among people without taking Balasaheb and Shiv Sena's names," he added. Thackeray, who underwent a cervical spine surgery last year, said, "I had pain in my neck and head, I was not able to work properly, I could not open my eyes but I did not care about it. Shivaji Maharaj was defeated but people were always with him." Ajit Pawar said earlier said that the NCP stands with the Chief Minister and will try to "keep the government stable". Meanwhile, the Eknath Shinde faction on Friday gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs. Earlier on Thursday night, Shiv Sena had filed a petition before the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly seeking the cancellation of membership of 12 rebel MLAs including Eknath Shinde for "not attending" the legislative party meeting held on Wednesday. Apart from Shinde, Shiv Sena has sought disqualification of Prakash Surve, Tanaji Sawant, Mahesh Shinde, Abdul Sattar, Sandeep Bhumare, Bharat Gogawale, Sanjay Shirsat, Yamini Yadhav, Anil Babar, Balaji Devdas and Lata Chaudhari. The petition has been filed by Ajay Choudhari, who was appointed "legislative party leader" after Shinde was "removed" from the post by the Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena's Chief Whip Sunil Prabhu had issued a letter to party MLAs, asking them to be present in the meeting. The letter stated that if someone remains absent, it will be considered that the said MLA has decided to quit the party voluntarily. The crisis continued to plague Shiv Sena with rebel leader Eknath Shinde claiming the support of 38 party MLAs. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rebel leader Eknath Shinde has called a meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati on Saturday afternoon to discuss further strategy, said sources. The political crisis in Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in erupted after the party legislators joined a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde who is staying at a hotel in Guwahati. The rebel MLAs who are at the same hotel authorised Shinde to decide on a further course of action. Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel from June 22. On the other hand, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has also called a meeting of the party's national executive committee on Saturday at 1 pm. The meeting will be held in Bhavan which the Chief Minister will join virtually. Earlier on Friday, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to "break the party". "I have said it earlier also that I don't have anything to do with power. The people who used to say that they would rather die than leave have fled today," the Shiv Sena chief said during his virtual address at the meeting. Thackeray said that he had "suspected" the rebellion and revealed that Eknath Shinde who turned rebel, had raised the issue in front of him of the MLAs willing to go with the BJP. However, he said that such a question "does not even arise". "The rebel MLAs want to break the party. I had never thought in dreams that I would become the chief minister. I have left Varsha Bungalow but not the will to fight," he added. Asking the leaders of his party to tell him if he is "useless and incapable" to run the party, he said he will separate himself from the party. Targeting Shinde, Thackeray said that he did everything for the rebel leader and yet a lot of allegations are levelled against him. "I did everything for Eknath Shinde. I gave him the department which I held. His own son is an MP and comments are being made regarding my son. A lot of allegations are levelled against me," he said. "If they have courage, they should go among people without taking Balasaheb and Shiv Sena's names," he added. Meanwhile, the Eknath Shinde faction on Friday gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs. Earlier on Thursday night, Shiv Sena had filed a petition before the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly seeking the cancellation of membership of 12 rebel MLAs including Eknath Shinde for "not attending" the legislative party meeting held on Wednesday. Apart from Shinde, Shiv Sena has sought disqualification of Prakash Surve, Tanaji Sawant, Mahesh Shinde, Abdul Sattar, Sandeep Bhumare, Bharat Gogawale, Sanjay Shirsat, Yamini Yadhav, Anil Babar, Balaji Devdas and Lata Chaudhari. The petition has been filed by Ajay Choudhari, who was appointed "legislative party leader" after Shinde was "removed" from the post by the Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena's Chief Whip Sunil Prabhu had issued a letter to party MLAs, asking them to be present in the meeting. The letter stated that if someone remains absent, it will be considered that the said MLA has decided to quit the party voluntarily. The crisis continued to plague Shiv Sena with rebel leader Eknath Shinde claiming the support of 38 party MLAs. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking dissident Shiv Sena MLAs head on, Chief Minister on Friday accused them of betrayal and challenged them to try and wean away common party workers as he slammed rebel leader Eknath Shinde and also tore into the BJP, saying it wants to "finish off" his outfit and does not want to share its Hindu votebank. As the four-day-old political crisis, triggered due to a revolt by a group of Sena MLAs led by cabinet minister Shinde, showed no signs of heading towards a resolution, Thackeray upped the ante and said those who want to leave can do so and communicated directly with Shiv Sainiks and mid-level functionaries, and also met NCP president Sharad Pawar, whose party is the second largest constituent in the ruling MVA alliance. Thackeray, whose government is also supported by the Congress, dared Shinde and the to try and take away the Shiv Sena cadre and those who vote for the party. In a virtual address to party corporators, he said the common Shiv Sena workers were his "wealth", and as long as they were with him, he did not care about criticism by others. The Shiv Sena has been "betrayed by its own people," he said, as his two-and-a-half-year old coalition government faced a crisis after a majority of Sena MLAs joined Shinde, who is camping in Guwahati. "We gave these rebels tickets to contest assembly elections despite many of you being aspirants for the same. These people are disgruntled after getting elected owing to your hard work, and you are standing by the party in this crucial time. I can't thank you enough," said Thackeray, who is also the Shiv Sena president. "I had told Eknath Shinde to look into complaints regarding alliance partners. He told me that legislators were pressurizing him that the Sena should join hands with the . I told him to bring these MLAs to me, let's discuss this. The treated us badly, didn't honour promises. Many of the rebels have cases filed against them. So if they go with the BJP, they will become clean, if they stayed with us, they will go to jail. Is this a sign of friendship?" Thackeray asked. The CM attacked Shinde without naming him. "If a Shiv Sena worker is going to become a chief minister, you should go (with the BJP). But if you are, after all, going to become a deputy chief minister, you should have told me, I would have made you deputy chief minister," he said, apparently referring to Shinde. If Sena workers felt that he was incapable of running the party, he was ready to resign as party president, Thackeray further said. "The Shiv Sena is an ideology... the BJP wants to finish it off because they don't want to share the Hindu votebank with anyone," he said, adding that late Bal Thackeray had initiated the alliance with the BJP only to avoid a split in Hindu votes. "You (referring to Shinde) have taken away those who got elected. But if you have the courage, try and take away those who got you elected. Those who want to leave are free to go openly.... I will create a new Shiv Sena, Thackeray added. In a separate virtual address to party functionaries earlier in the day, the CM said rebel leader's son is a Lok Sabha MP and should his son Aaditya Thackeray, a Cabinet member, not also grow politically. Thackeray said Shinde was given the key department of urban development which is usually headed by the chief minister of the day and blamed the opposition BJP for the rebellion in the Shiv Sena. "You make take the fruits and flowers of tree. But till the roots (rank and file) are strong, I need not worry. The roots can never be uprooted. Every season, new leaves and fruits blossom. Leaves blighted by disease need to be removed and thrown. Consider the present situation in this context," Thackeray told the party rank and file. "I have given up the temptation by moving out the chief minister's official bungalow (Varsha) but not my determination to fight back," he asserted and made it clear he is not after power. The CM has moved to his family residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra. "The department of urban development, which is currently with Shinde, had been always with the chief minister. Your son (Shrikant Shinde) can be an MP, but should not Aaditya also grow politically?"the CM asked. Shrikant Shinde is the Lok Sabha MP from Kalyan, while the CM's son, Aaditya Thackeray, is a state cabinet minister. Attacking Shinde, Thackeray said, "He was made a minister twice after Balasaheb Thackeray's death (in 2012). Twice we were in power (after 2012). He was given the departments which are normally kept by the chief minister himself. You should keep Thackeray name out of your and see if you can survive. One can never detach the Thackerays from the Shiv Sena." Thackeray said in the last two years, he battled his own ill health and also presided over the state's fight again the COVID-19 pandemic. Maintiaing a defiant posture, Shinde claimed the group led by him was the "real Shiv Sena", and also hit back, saying he and his supporters will not be intimidated by disqualification threats. In a series of tweets posted late Thursday night, Shinde, who is camping in Guwahati along with 37 Sena legislators and 10 independents, said as per the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, a party whip is issued for the legislature proceedings and not for attending a meeting. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut admitted the party's numbers in the Legislative Assembly have dwindled, but expressed confidence that the rebel MLAs will support the MVA combine during a floor test. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena suffered yet another setback as one more party MLA, Dilip Lande, joined the camp of rebel legislators. Meanwhile, the Assam unit of the Congress staged demonstrations near a luxury hotel in Guwahati, where rebel Sena leader Shinde and other MLAs accompanying him are staying demanding that they leave the north-eastern state as it is reeling under a devastating flood. Assam Congress chief Bhupen Bora also wrote a letter to Shinde telling him that their presence at such a critical juncture has "defamed" the BJP-ruled state. Congress leaders were not allowed to enter the hotel and a police official deployed there was requested to hand over the letter to the Sena leader. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Much before the rebellion by a section of MLAs caught the party-led government off guard and became the talk of the town, these legislators had accomplished the task of giving the slip to their security personnel in order to head to Surat in Gujarat and later to Guwahati, where they are camping at present. While what unfolds in the ongoing political drama involving these dissident MLAs led by Sena minister Eknath Shinde remains to be seen, it is beyond doubt that they succeeded in throwing dust in the eyes of their security guards as well as party workers in order to keep their plan of escaping to the neighbouring state a secret, which has now given rise to the talks of intelligence failure. A police official said the legislators gave the slip to their security officials and the police personnel citing personal reasons so that the government machinery remains clueless about their plans. From Tuesday, Maharashtra's ruling alliance - the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) - started battling its worst crisis since coming into existence in 2019 after Shinde rebelled against the party and herded some MLAs, initially to Gujarat and later to Assam, both BJP-ruled states. The crisis, which erupted hours after the Legislative Council polls held on June 20, which saw the opposition BJP managing to get its fifth candidate elected. Shinde had gone incommunicado following the results. He and a group of rebel MLAs first stayed in Gujarat. Since Wednesday, he has been camping in a Guwahati hotel along with at least 38 rebel MLAs of the Sena and 10 independents. Their rebellion became public on June 21 morning. Talking about how these legislators managed to escape, mostly from Mumbai, to Surat, located around 280 kms, a police official said, "Many of the MLAs, who have been provided protection by the state police department, told their security personnel that they had some personal work and asked them to wait until they return. However, they headed to Surat after that without informing them." A Mumbai-based MLA was sitting in his office and sipping coconut water when he told his supporters that he would return in a few minutes and left the place, he added. Another party legislator said that he had to go home for some work. A Yuva Sena office-bearer was travelling in his car, but after some distance the legislator forced him to get off and proceeded further, he said. "Another legislator asked his security personnel to outside a hotel, saying that he had some work inside, but escaped from its another gate, leaving his guards clueless," he said. As the MLA did not turn up, the security officials informed their seniors about it, the official said, adding that it happened in case of some other legislators too. Four of these MLAs had categorised security cover. These leaders are Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister of State for Home Shambhuraj Desai, ministers Abdul Sattar and Sandipan Bhumre has categorised, he said. These four MLAs were guarded by the SPOs (special police officers) and security officials, but their security personnel were not aware of their plans as their personal itinerary was not disclosed to them, he added. "By the time the SPOs informed about the movement to the protectees to their seniors, the MLAs had crossed the state border. All this drama unfolded within a span of a few hours. The police officials, posted for their security did not realise about the escape plan," he said. Senior officials from the home department said there was no intelligence failure, as the state intelligence department had provided inputs about some MLAs being in touch with the leaders of the opposition party leaders since the last few months. "There was nothing on paper as everything was conveyed to the people concerned verbally, but no action was taken on the information," he said. Two days back, NCP chief Sharad Pawar had reportedly expressed his displeasure to state Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil, who is from the NCP, about the escape of Sena MLAs and questioned why the state Home ministry and Intelligence department did not alert the MVA leadership about rebel MLAs leaving for a safe haven in BJP-ruled Gujarat. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The has sent the names of four more rebel MLAs to the Assembly deputy speaker for initiating action of disqualification against them, a senior leader said on Friday evening. The party will also issue notices to 16 MLAs of the rebel faction and ask them to respond by Monday, said Sena MP Arvind Sawant here. The four legislators whose names were forwarded to the deputy speaker were Sanjay Raymulkar, Chiman Patil, Ramesh Bornare and Balaji Kalyankar, he said. Despite issuing a letter to them, none of them attended party meeting on Wednesday evening here in Mumbai," Sawant said. The party has already given names of 12 MLAs to the deputy speaker including leader of the rebel camp Eknath Shinde, seeking their disqualification. Now, only chief minister Uddhav Thackeray can decide about allowing their return to Sena, otherwise party doors are closed for them forever. They have betrayed the saffron flag," Sawant said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister hailed the verdict on the 2002 and said that those who levelled "politically motivated" allegations against the then Gujarat chief minister should apologise for it. In an interview to ANI, Shah said Modi presented an ideal example for all political persons of how to respect the Constitution. "PM Modi has presented an ideal example to all political persons of how the constitution should be respected in a democracy. Modiji was also interrogated, but nobody protested, workers from across the country did not gather in solidarity with Modiji. We cooperated with the law. I was also arrested. We did not protest. When the truth comes out after such a long battle with victory, then it shines brighter than gold. I am feeling good that today those people who leveled allegations against Modiji... if they had an inner conscience then they should apologise to Modiji and BJP," Shah said. The on Friday dismissed the plea filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to then Chief Minister and several others in the 2002 . A bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar dismissed an appeal against the clean chit to Modi in the case filed by Zakia Jafri, the widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri killed in the violence who alleged a "larger conspiracy" in the riots. The bench said that it finds the appeal as "devoid of merit." "What was the allegation? It was said that the allegations were motivated and the state government and the chief minister were also involved. This was the allegation. Nobody is denying that riots did not take place. Riots took place in many parts of the country," Shah said. In a veiled attack on Congress, the Union Home Minister said that the then Central government helped an NGO to target Modi, who was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and frame him in the riots case. Speaking about the SC ruling, Shah said "The state government made all the efforts to control the Gujarat riots and had taken the right decisions at the right time. The court also said that the state government had controlled the situation with less damage. The State government had also applied the witness protection scheme. The judgement consists of around 300 pages in which the explained every point. The court also said that Modiji had held a lot of meetings, and made appeals for peace. Today, truth has won and Modiji has emerged victorious." Ehsan Jafri was among 69 people killed during violence at the Gulbarg Society in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002. His widow Zakia Jafri challenged the SIT's clean chit to 64 people including who was Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time. After 58 pilgrims were burnt alive on the Sabarmati Express train at Gujarat's Godhra Railway Station on February 27, 2002, riots broke out across the state in which more than 1,000 people were killed. The Union Home Minister said that the Supreme Court's verdict highlighted that the state government made all the efforts to control the Gujarat riots and took the right decisions at the right time. The SIT, appointed by the apex court, conducted the investigation into the case and gave a clean chit to then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, other top politicians and bureaucrats. The Gujarat High Court's order dated October 5, 2017, also upheld SIT's clean chit to Modi. Shah said the Gujarat government gave its consent for the SIT as there was nothing to hide. "SIT was not ordered by the court. An NGO demanded SIT and the court, for sake of asking, asked our lawyer and our government said we have nothing to hide. The SIT was subsequently constituted. We did not have any objection to it. The Gujarat government's consent is on the record. The court also said in its judgment that SIT was demanded by an NGO and the Gujarat government gave the consent," he said. Earlier in 2019, the Nanavati-Mehta Commission Report on the post-Godhra riots, which was tabled in the Gujarat assembly, gave a clean chit to then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. The report mentioned that the riots were "not organised". (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has reduced the limit of foreign currency possession by an individual from USD 15,000 to USD 10,000, in a desperate move to shore up its fast-depleting forex reserve required to fund the import of essentials, including food and fuel. is facing a severe forex crisis which forced the island nation to declare a default of its debt in April, becoming the first Asia-Pacific country in decades to default on foreign debt. With the intention of attracting foreign currency in the hands of the public into the formal banking system, Minister of Finance Ranil Wickremesinghe issued the order under the Foreign Exchange Act. Reducing the amount of foreign currency retained in possession by a person in, or resident in, from USD 15,000 to USD 10,000 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies, an official statement said. An amnesty period of 14 working days from June 16, 2022 has been granted to deposit the excess foreign currency or sell to an authorised dealer. The move came over a month after Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Nandalal Weerasinghe said that the apex bank was looking towards bringing the limit of holding foreign currency down to USD 10,000 from USD 15,000. The Governor had said that even with USD 10,000, proof of possession must be presented. Sri Lanka is facing the worst since independence in 1948 which has led to an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and fuel across the country. After Colombo declared a default on loans in April, US bank Hamilton Reserve, a holder of Sri Lankan bonds, filed a lawsuit in the US district court in Manhattan over the breach of contract. Sri Lankans languish in long fuel and cooking gas queues as the government is unable to find dollars to fund imports. Indian credit lines for fuel and essentials have provided lifelines until the ongoing talks with the Monetary Fund (IMF) could lead to a possible bailout. There have been street protests in Sri Lanka against the government since early April due to its mishandling of the . On May 9, the political crisis saw the unleashing of violence with 10 people, including a parliamentarian, being killed. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa had to resign as prime minister amidst the political and economic turmoil. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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 Blog Archive June (53) May (80) April (62) March (75) February (57) January (63) December (78) November (111) October (92) September (92) August (119) July (122) June (81) May (80) April (74) March (94) February (103) January (139) December (122) November (82) October (59) September (62) August (77) July (67) June (89) May (88) April (75) March (87) February (84) January (84) December (68) November (67) October (60) September (60) August (58) July (61) June (49) May (61) April (46) March (57) February (65) January (65) December (66) November (76) October (92) September (71) August (67) July (65) June (58) May (67) April (54) March (58) February (53) January (65) December (59) November (52) October (48) September (37) August (47) July (54) June (55) May (70) April (55) March (43) February (3) December (14) November (46) October (44) September (39) August (27) July (18) June (33) May (44) April (38) March (31) February (34) January (34) December (26) November (57) October (43) September (80) August (66) July (77) June (85) May (70) April (56) March (49) February (32) January (39) December (42) November (24) October (16) September (36) August (34) July (40) June (55) May (45) April (62) March (56) February (57) January (59) December (58) November (50) October (55) September (31) August (77) July (65) June (27) May (52) April (53) March (77) February (75) January (36) December (24) November (31) October (31) September (29) August (30) July (49) June (53) May (61) April (65) March (96) February (35) January (53) December (56) November (52) October (51) September (109) August (94) July (70) June (65) May (85) April (80) March (96) February (74) January (79) December (75) November (104) October (105) September (108) August (86) July (101) June (106) May (100) April (97) March (103) February (91) January (95) December (136) November (122) October (173) September (111) August (178) July (168) June (184) May (193) April (161) March (149) February (121) January (131) December (120) November (97) October (137) September (105) August (133) July (120) June (103) May (111) April (72) March (48) February (58) January (27) At this point, were not entirely sure if this was supposed to be a secret, but thanks to a couple of sales agents, we finally have our firs... Perlimps Feature (Brazil) Director: Ale Abreu Producer: Buriti Filmes, Lais Bodanzky Looking for: distributors The only finished film on our list, Perlimps is the latest from Oscar-nominated The Boy and the World director Ale Abreu, and screened out of competition during the festival. Set in a vibrantly colored rainforest, the film follows secret agents Clae and Bruo, an anthropomorphic wolf and bear who represent the Kingdoms of the Sun and Moon respectively. With top class sound engineering and an often-surprising soundtrack accompanying the films breathtaking visuals and an innovative use of light, Perlimps is a feast for the senses. The film doesnt have a release date yet, but keep an eye out because this one is worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find. They Shot the Piano Player Feature (Spain, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Peru) Directors: Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal Producer: Fernando Trueba PC, They Shot the Piano Player AIE, Les Films Dici Mediterranee, Submarine, Animanostra Cinema, Audiovisual e Multim Looking for: investors, broadcasters Oscar-nominated filmmakers Fernando Trueba (writer, Belle Epoque) and Javier Mariscal (co-directors on Chico & Rita) are back with the story of a New York music journalist who sets out to find the truth behind the tragic disappearance of young Brazilian piano virtuoso Tenorio Jr. Seen during an Annecy work-in-progress session, the film is pitched as a celebration of the Latin music movement bossa nova, and proposes a snapshot of a fleeting period of creative freedom at a turning point in the regions history the 1960s and 70s just before the continent was overrun by totalitarian regimes. Using a digital 2d technique, the film will deliver scenes in a range of styles and palettes depending on narrative tone. For interviews, the art will be clean and colored with everyday hues, while the Rio-set bossa nova scenes will feature more explosive color. Arbor Short (Mexico) Director: Valentino Lasso Producer: n/a Looking for: screenwriters, compositors, distributors, producer/co-producers This six-minute, 2d short turns on two brothers in bird masks who ask the questions: To what extent are trees really alive? And how are we really connected to them? To find an answer, the pair embark on a journey in which their senses are awakened into the mysterious and unknown world of trees. The project impressed during MIFAs pitching sessions and took home the Ciclic Shortway Prize. Petra y el sol (Petra and the Sun) Short (Chile) Director: Stefania Malacchini, Maria Luisa Furche Producer: Yeniffer Fasciani Looking for: producers/co-producers Winner of the pitching sessions Open Workshop Prize, this stop-motion short turns on 66-year-old Petra who lives alone in the mountains. During an unprecedented thaw in the region, she finds the perfectly preserved corpse of a mountaineer and decides to take him home at the insistence of her dog. As the police search for the missing body, she develops romantic feelings for the stiff. Contributed Vancouver Police Department A new video documenting the last known whereabouts of a woman missing for more than seven weeks has been released by Vancouver Police and the family of the missing woman on Saturday. Tatyanna Harrison was last seen on Vancouvers Downtown Eastside in April. Each day that passes without finding Tatyanna increases our concern for her well-being, Constable Tania Visintin said in the press release. Tatyannas family, friends, and the community have been instrumental in helping establish a timeline of her last whereabouts. The VPD and Tatyannas family want to ensure that the entire community remains engaged in the ongoing search for Tatyanna. We are asking everyone to share this video so we can find Tatyanna. Tatyanna had been in regular contact with her family until the end of March, when she last texted her mother, Natasha Harrison, from a new phone number from somewhere in the Downtown Eastside. Police said she was reported missing six weeks later, on May 3. Even with the investigation by police supported by Tatyannas family, friends, and the community there have been no solid leads on her whereabouts. Tatyanna is a very strong and beautiful girl thats a voice for people who suffer, or people who dont have one, Natasha Harrison said in the video. Shes articulate, shes smart, shes an avid reader, shes fearless. Im putting out a plea to the public to help find my daughter. Shes 20 years old and she was last seen on the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Tatyanna had been staying in Surrey until about Feb. 3, when she spoke with Surrey RCMP officers in the area of King George Boulevard and Bolivar Road, and told them she had nowhere to stay. From Feb. 9 to Feb. 22, Tatyanna stayed at a shelter at 875 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver, where she was often seen in the company of a companion. On March 23, Tatyanna visited an RBC bank at Main and East Hastings Street to report her bank card lost. She got a new card, withdrew cash, and was recorded on video with a man who has not yet been identified. The next day, Tatyanna sent her mother a text message from a new phone number. This was the last time she communicated with her mom Natasha. Police said that there have been numerous sightings of Tatyanna in Vancouver, including on April 7 at Robson Park, and on April 22 at the Grand Union Pub near Abbott and West Hastings Street. According to the RCMP, Tatyanna never arrived to collect her social assistance cheque at the end of April, and her current whereabouts remain unknown. It is out of character for Tatyanna to have gone so long without speaking to her friends and family, who tell us her failure to reach out is an indication Tatyanna is in danger, Cnst. Visintin said. Thats why were renewing our appeals for anyone who has information about Tatyannas current location or previous activities to come forward. Tatyanna is a 20-year-old Indigenous woman, described as 51 in height, with brown eyes, and a slim build. When last seen, she had medium-length auburn hair, although her hairstyle and colour may have changed. Police note she often wears prescription glasses and baggy clothes. Tatyannas disappearance is being investigated by VPDs Missing Persons Unit, which is part of the departments Major Crime Section. If youve seen Tatyanna, if you know where she is, or if you have any information that can help locate her, please call VPDs dedicated tip line at 604-717-2530, email [email protected], or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Photo: Contributed Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Kigali, Rwanda, Saturday, June 25, 2022. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is headed to the G7 in Germany Saturday without a consensus from the Commonwealth to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but with a chorus of countries calling for help to overcome the fallout of the war. Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly arrived in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, on Wednesday for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, which has been dominated by the concerns of nations that are suffering from food scarcity. In the final communique from the summit, the 54 Commonwealth countries said they discussed the conflict in Ukraine, " underscored the need to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states," and " emphasized that all countries must seek peaceful resolution to all disputes in accordance with international law." The countries stopped short of condemning Russia, as Trudeau and United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson have done throughout the summit. "I can assure you that the topic of standing up for Ukraine was much discussed," Trudeau said at a press conference following the conclusion of the summit, referencing "strong language" in the communique. Most Commonwealth Nations condemned Russia's actions at a United Nations vote in March, but 10 abstained. Among them is India, whose Prime Minister Narendra Modi opted not to attend the Commonwealth summit and instead spoke virtually with the leaders of Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa. Trudeau said Russian President Vladimir Putin has run a disinformation campaign and has even been "telling outright lies," including blaming the food security crisis on Western sanctions against Russia. He said food shortage stems from Russia's illegal actions, including blockade at key ports, as well as the deliberate targeting of Ukrainian grain storage facilities through cruise missile strikes. "I was very clear with our friends and partners around the table, and not just clear on Russia's responsibility, but on how Canada and the West are stepping up," Trudeau said. Canada will be raising the growing threat of famine at the G7 in Schloss Elmau Germany, Joly said. She said Canada was in "listening mode" at the Commonwealth meetings, where leaders of smaller nations were able to speak without the dominating presence of the United States, Russia and China. "What is clear to us is that Russia is weaponizing food and putting a toll on many countries around the world, and putting 50 million lives at risk," Joly told reporters Friday in Rwanda. Trudeau had attempted to meet with the chair of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, for several days during the Commonwealth summit but the sit-down was repeatedly postponed and eventually cancelled. Shortly after Trudeau arrived in Rwanda, the government announced Canada would dedicate a new ambassador to the African Union, which has suffered from the food shortages inflicted on the continent as a result of the warin Ukraine. Both Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin have met with representatives of the African Union, with Russia blaming sanctions against its government for stopping the flow of grain. At the conclusion of the Commonwealth summit, Trudeau announced $94 million in funding for various education initiatives and $120 million to support gender equality and women's rights in Commonwealth countries. Some of the other voices the prime minister has promised to centre at his international meetings, including the G7 summit, belong to youth leaders who spoke at a Saturday-morning event focused on issues facing young people around the world. Some of the delegates spoke about the devastating effects of climate change, particularly around remote island nations where infrastructure cannot withstand natural disasters and rebuilding efforts take years. The onslaught takes a toll on education and health services, one delegate told the forum. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2022. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions A leader at a rally in Chattanooga protesting the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v Wade said members of the high court "need to be afraid. We know their addresses." The speaker said he is part of a "militant" union group in the Chattanooga area. About 50 mainly young protesters with many carrying signs gathered at Coolidge Park, then walked across the Walnut Street Bridge and on into downtown. Hamilton County Democrats earlier Friday had called for a 6 p.m. protest at Coolidge Park of the volatile Supreme Court action. County Democratic officials said, "The Supreme Court has voted today to overturn Roe v Wade, putting the lives of thousands of women in Tennessee in danger, and revoking their Constitutional Right to their own reproductive health care decisions. " In a remarkable, but expected, decision today, a Conservative majority on the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v Wade, which had enshrined the Constitutional Right for women to make the decisions about their own reproductive health care. "Clearly, this is a blow to Americans everywhere, but in Tennessee, abortion is most at risk due to a trigger law that will outlaw abortion without the federal right. This trigger law now criminalizes any abortion unless necessary to prevent death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. The abortion ban puts millions of Tennesseeans in danger and takes away their bodily autonomy." Rachel Campbell, Hamilton County Democratic Party chair, said, Every Republican elected official and activist knew this day would come, they voted to make it happen, and they are celebrating in the streets. Those craven DC Republicans started somewhere, whether it be the school board or the state house. And local elected Republicans are not immune to the responsibility of this day, nor are the Republicans running for local office, including both the Wamps, who will no doubt use their offices as springboards to state and federal office, so they can strip even more of our rights away. "The decision by the Supreme Court today is in direct contrast to the majority of Americans' belief that women should be trusted to make decisions for their own bodies. Democrats will fight back against these restrictive laws, and will work hard to replace lawmakers who would willingly put the lives of women in danger for their own craven desire for power. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga remains the most affordable university in the UT system, thanks to a zero percent tuition increase approved by the UT Board of Trustees at its annual meeting Friday. UTCs budget recommendations are part of the $2.9-billion systemwide budget approved by the UT Board for fiscal year 2023, which begins July 1. "In addition to offering in-state undergraduates the lowest tuition and fees of any UT campus in the state of Tennessee, UTC also provides substantial regional and border state tuition waivers to students from counties and states adjacent to Tennessee," officials said. An additional benefit making UTC even more affordable is the expansion of HOPE scholarship funding from the Tennessee Education Lottery. Beginning this fall, HOPE Scholarship amounts will increase to $4,500 annually for full-time, eligible freshmen and sophomores and $5,700 annually for juniors and seniors. Scholarship amounts most recently were $3,500 a year for full-time, eligible freshmen and sophomores and $4,500 for juniors and seniors at public four-year institutions. The per-student funding increase is the largest in HOPE Scholarships for students at public four-year universities since the scholarships creation. More information is available at UTC financial aid and scholarships. Two members of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga family, Senior Custodian Carla Mason and Management Professor Frank Butler, Friday were honored with Presidents Awardsthe highest accolade an employee can receive from the UT System.UT System President Randy Boyd recognized Ms. Mason, Mr. Butler and five other award winners from across the UT System at the Board of Trustees annual meeting in Knoxville.The Presidents Awards were established in 2016 to annually consider the exceptional achievements of employees across the statewide UT System.Honorees are chosen from a system-wide pool of candidates nominated by campus and institute leaders.Ms. Mason won the Presidents Award in the Excel in All We Do" category, which honors an individual who commits to continuous improvement and outstanding performance by setting high standards, pursuing learning and growth, and recognizing and celebrating quality.Ms. Mason was nominated for the award by UTC Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Tyler Forrest.Carla is an outstanding team member, Vice Chancellor Forrest said. Her contributions to the University go far beyond the exceptional job she does as a senior custodian. She brings a positive attitude and great outlook to work every day. She is always ready for a good laugh, serious conversation or anything someone wants to discuss. It is truly a pleasure knowing Carla.Mr. Butler, a Frank W. McDonald and UC Foundation professor of management in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, was selected for a Presidents Award in the Bold and Impactful category. The award honors an individual who serves the state by tackling grand challenges, thinking big, making a difference and serving with purpose.Mr. Butler also is faculty director of the Universitys Veterans Entrepreneurship Program.In nominating Mr. Butler, Katherine Karl, head of the Department of Management, praised him for also being very outgoing, friendly and easy to talk to.What really sets Frank apart is that he excels at everything, Ms. Karl said. Not only does he go above and beyond in terms of service, but he is also a great teacher and respected scholar. An Alabama man who has escaped multiple times from authorities got away again while being taken from the Marion County Jail to Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute in Chattanooga. The TBI said a reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of 48-year-old Johnny Lewis Payne. The TBI said, "Payne should be considered armed and dangerous. He has been added to the TBI's Most Wanted List." He was being taken to Moccasin Bend under court order after he threatened to harm himself, it was stated. Payne on June 2 had escaped from a jail in Coffee County, Ala. He was serving a 20-year sentence for receiving stolen property on a conviction out of Jackson County, Ala., in 2012. While on the loose, he picked up new charges of carjacking and receiving stolen property after he stole a city truck in Elba, Ala., and drove it to Talladega. The truck is still missing. Authorities said he then stole a water truck from a construction site at Talladega and drove it to Marion County. He was captured there without incident. He is described as a white male, 59", 170 pounds with blue eyes. The city of Chattanooga has reached agreement to pay the state $385,080 for a portion of Riverfront Parkway that has long been used for parking and special events. The location is near Power Alley and the Olgiati Bridge. The budget of Governor Bill Lee initially included a $725,700 grant for the River City Company to secure access to the riverfront parking for potential development. However, members of the local legislative delegation redirected those funds to be split equally between Clinica Medicos, a nonprofit providing health care to the Hispanic community, and the Tivoli Foundation, which is enlarging the Tivoli to take in the adjacent Fowler Building. Legislators cited concern about loss of space for events such as Head of the Hooch and the Riverbend Festival as well as concerns about who might benefit from a residential development at the site. The property was part of a long stretch of Riverfront Parkway that then-Mayor Bob Corker in 2004 convinced the state to transfer to the city. The city wanted to narrow the lanes on the then-four-lane road to allow better access to the river. The deed included a clause that should the property ever cease to be used for a public purpose that it would revert to the state. Cobra Kai shows how John Kreese (Martin Kove) still terrorizes Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny (William Zabka) as adults. The show has added dimension to the Karate Kid movie villain, but Kove wants more. He described his vision for a more vulnerable Kreese if Cobra Kai lets him. L-R: Ralph Macchio and Martin Kove | Curtis Bonds Baker/Netflix Kove hosts his own podcast, Kicking It with the Koves. In the April 27 episode, Koves son, Jesse, asked him about Kreeses vulnerability. Heres what he would do if he was writing Cobra Kai. Season 5 premieres Sept. 9. Martin Kove: Vulnerable villains are more interesting Cobra Kai has flashed back to Kreeses tour in Vietnam, and found him living in a homeless shelter. Kove thinks the more vulnerable Kreese can be, the more charming hell be. I think the character is more interesting when hes a little more charming, Kove said on Kicking It with the Koves. Any character shows a different side of whats most prominent. So a characters a villain, its quite effective to show you being charming. RELATED: Cobra Kai: John Kreeses Famous Karate Kid Line Almost Wasnt Heard Kove related it to the James Bond movie villains. The villain of Never Say Never Again in particular embodied Koves vision for a charming Kreese. I remember Bond villains, there was an actor named Klaus Maria Brandauer and the villains in Bond movies were so evil, Kove said. But when they showed a side of being charming and loving and textured it with positive emotions, it was very interesting to watch them. But ultimately they were villains and they had their own selfish problems and their own selfish outcomes. Martin Kove wants to do this on Cobra Kai for selfish reasons Kove admitted that he also just likes to play vulnerability. However, it wouldnt be wrong for Cobra Kai necessarily. Happy birthday to a fellow cobra Kai warrior! @tigianpage pic.twitter.com/SbxNVHE1Lb Martin Kove (@MartinKove) March 19, 2022 RELATED: Cobra Kai: John Kreese Actor Martin Kove Won Karate Kid Role by Insulting Director A lot of it is just all about ego because I like to play the softness. I enjoy playing the characters that arent so tough. I really enjoy that and thats just the actor in me. I remember the writers saying they write so that they always want to know why every character in Cobra Kai does what he does. And the why is what each one of these writers asks themselves when theyre writing a character. Why is he doing this? Why is he like this? Why is Billy like this? Why is John Kreese? They focus on that so theyll get to you and explain why you do X and why you do Y. Martin Kove, Kicking It with the Koves, 4/27/22 Cobra Kai could make John Kreese even more formidable if they listen to Martin Kove Kreese keeps getting the upper hand on Cobra Kai. It wouldnt negate that to allow Kove to indulge more of his vulnerability. From an actors standpoint, I think its fun to play the vulnerability and the sadness, Kove said. Its not really weak to me. Its strong when you throw vulnerability into a character and hes willing to expose himself to you. At the same time, hes just a very vindictive human being. Its kind of interesting to see that. Thats kind of a long answer but it appeals to the character to show vulnerability and it also appeals to the actor to be able to do it because its colorful. Its just very colorful. I think people enjoy seeing characters who are more colorful. RELATED: Cobra Kai: Martin Kove Hated Karate Kid Movie Title Jake Gyllenhaal Was With Carey Mulligan When She Fell For Her Husband Jake Gyllenhaal Was with Carey Mulligan When She Fell for Her Husband Promising Young Woman star Carey Mulligan and her husband Marcus Mumford have one of the best love stories in Hollywood. Oddly enough, it involves Mulligans Wildlife co-star, Jake Gyllenhaal, who was with her when she fell for her husband. Carey Mulligan reconnected with her husband Mulligan met Mumford at a Christian holiday camp when they were children in the U.K. A source close to them revealed that Mulligan met Mumford when she was 12 years old, and they sent letters to each other through their churches. However, the pair lost touch, only to reunite in Nashville years many years later as adults. According to Brides, Mumford invited Mulligan to a secret show his band Mumford & Sons played in the basement of a friends house. Mulligan attended the show with her pal Gyllenhaal. As a source explained, the friends extended their hangout late into the night with some pizza and more music. Mumford and Mulligan didnt want things to end there, so they decided to attend a secret Arcade Fire show several days later. Reports noted that the duo seemed cozy, whispering to one another throughout the show. A month after they had started spending time together, various outlets reported that Mulligan and Mumford had begun living together. Things moved even faster when Mumford popped the big question in July, months after they reconnected. The couple established they were a great fit when they worked together on Inside Llewyn Davis, with Mulligan playing Jean Berkey and Mumford serving as the vocal presence of Mike Timlin. The duo walked down the aisle in 2012 at a ceremony including their closest friends including Gyllenhaal, who witnessed them falling in love. Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligans friendship (L-R): Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan attend NYFF56 New York Premiere Of Wildlife at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on September 30, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) Gyllenhaal and Mulligan have been friends for a while. They run in the same circles in Hollywood. In a Vanity Fair interview, Mulligan revealed she and Gyllenhaal met a few years before she reconnected with Mumford. I didnt feel nervous acting with him, she explained. We sat in hotel rooms and read scripts to each other in the past. Mulligan and Gyllenhaal have been very supportive of one another. Their closeness even sparked dating rumors when they spent that time together in 2011. The rumor mill went into overdrive when they attended Gyllenhaals sister Maggie Gyllenhaal in the play Three Sisters and the secret Mumford & Sons concert. However, a source insisted that they werent together and were only friends. Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan worked together years later Gyllenhaal and Mulligan capitalized on their friendship and appeared onscreen as a couple. The pair starred in the 2008 drama Wildlife, which follows a couple who move to Great Falls, Montana, with their son. Tensions between the two rise when Gyllenhaals character Jerry is fired from his job at a country club and slacks around instead of looking for work. Mulligan played Gyllenhaals wife Jeanette in the film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018. The pairs performances received critical acclaim, and the film earned three Independent Spirit Awards nods. RELATED: Carey Mulligan Was Rejected From Every Drama School She Applied to Long Before Her Multiple Oscar Nominations When it comes to real estate, Jennifer Lawrence is more low-key than you might expect. The star isnt exactly lacking in luxury these days, but her more down-to-Earth style is also a long way from the flashy Hollywood lifestyle. Before upgrading to her current Beverly Hills house , Jennifer Lawrence built her career while living in a quaint Santa Monica townhouse. Jennifer Lawrence lived in a somewhat humble house during her rise to fame Actress Jennifer Lawrence attends the The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Premiere during The 8th Rome Film Festival at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on November 14, 2013 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) Roughly a decade after dropping out of high school at 14, Lawrence was circling a life in Hollywood and waiting for her moment to shine (per US Magazine). After some more minor TV work, including a pilot that didnt air, she finally had a breakthrough in 2006 with an appearance on the hit show Monk (via Parade). That same year, Lawrence picked up her first L.A.-area home: a 1,400 square-foot Santa Monica townhouse with very few bells and whistles. Although complete with plenty of privacy, the home wasnt all that close to the beach and had a straightforward design and layout (as detailed by Lonny). Even though an $879K price tag is expensive in most areas of the country, its on the low-brow side for Santa Monica. The two-bed, two-bath townhouse would be Lawrences oasis as her career took off only a few years after she made the purchase. Lawrences Santa Monica pad was still her residence when she was nominated for an Oscar for Winters Bone, the 2010 thriller that largely put her on the map. But by the time she won an Oscar two years later (for Silver Linings Playbook) and was cast as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, it was clear her simple Santa Monica days were ending. In 2014, Jennifer Lawrence picked up a Beverly Hills house with four times the living space, though she kept her place in Santa Monica for a couple more years (per Curbed LA). Jennifer Lawrences Beverly Hills house has been celebrity bait Jennifer Lawrences frank interview style has given us a funny insiders look at her house in Beverly Hills. At the L.A. premiere of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Lawrence dished to Extra about the houses past. Its Ellen [DeGeneres] old house. It was Jessica Simpsons old house, she said. Its like the neighborhood whore. I was outside and some girl said, I grew up in this house. Beat it kid. Everybodys lived in this house. Covered with ivy and plant life, the secluded five-bedroom house looks more like a New England cottage than an L.A. mansion (per House & Home). Instead of a party-friendly backyard, the home has a private lap pool and koi pond to complete the laidback atmosphere. For Lawrence, who lives a frenetic life as a new parent and a movie superstar, privacy and relaxation seem to be the central themes of the space. But even though a 5,500 square-foot Beverly Hills home isnt exactly slumming it, its still very subdued for a top-shelf Hollywood star. No official numbers are available, but most estimates have Lawrence paying Simpson between $7-$8 million for the property. According to LA Curbed, the average price of a Beverly Hills house around that time was well over $4 million. And in just the last year alone, dozens of Beverly Hills homes have sold for more than $15 million (per Redfin). Lawrence has an eye-popping place in New York City But even though her main living space is almost quaint for Beverly Hills, the actor and husband, Cooke Maroney, also have an incredible East Coast getaway. In New York City, Jennifer Lawrence sold an East Side penthouse for almost $10 million in 2020, then upgraded to a stunning home in Manhattans West Village. From the NY Post, Lawrence paid close to $22 million for the property in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city. The four-bedroom townhouse is spacious for New York City and is ideally situated in the heart of Manhattan. Just around the corner in Tribeca, Lawrence also owns a unit in an exclusive building packed with other celebrity owners. Ryan Reynolds, Justin Timberlake, and Jessica Biel are just some of the other stars who have owned units in the same building. When Lawrence isnt using it, she rents it out for as much as $30,000 a month (via Celebrity Net Worth). Lawrence has a nice collection of high-end properties at this point, but the 31-year-old can undoubtedly afford it thanks to her flourishing career. After taking some time off, Lawrence pocketed $25 million in 2021 for her role in Dont Look Up and has a total net worth of about $160 million. Lawrence recently jumped headlong into producing as welldramatically increasing her earning potential. She is both star and producer for the upcoming Elizabeth Holmes biopic Bad Blood, director Adam McKays follow-up to Dont Look Up. After never serving as a producer before 2022, Bad Blood is one of four different projects Lawrence is currently producing (per IMDb). RELATED: Jennifer Lawrence Damaged Her Hair So Badly After Catching Fire She Had to Cut Most of It Off Manifest tells the story of Montego Air Flight 828, a plane that mysteriously disappeared en route from Jamaica to New York in 2013. Its passengers thought they experienced only a few minutes of turbulence. However, when the plane landed, they learned that they had all been missing and presumed dead for five years. The passengers did not age, and they began to experience strange abilities after their return. After three seasons, theres still no explanation for what really happened to the plane. While fans wait to learn more in the upcoming fourth and final season of Manifest, theyve kept themselves busy creating some wild theories about Flight 828. Here are some of the most chaotic ideas. Josh Dallas as Ben Stone and Parveen Kaur as Saanvi Bahl in Manifest Season 3 | Peter Kramer/NBC Aliens abducted the Flight 828 passengers on Manifest If Flight 828s disappearance wasnt a result of man-made science, what about the science of another lifeform? One Reddit user suggested that Manifest could have taken a similar approach to 4400, a show where aliens abducted people for experimentation. Aliens could have taken the Flight 828 passengers for five years and returned them to the present day with special powers, a.k.a. the Callings. Flight 828 traveled through time Vance is back in the game but will we get answers about Flight 828? #Manifest pic.twitter.com/YsE1orOBJC Manifest (@ManifestNFLX) April 20, 2021 Time travel has been a common Flight 828 theory among Manifest fans. A viewer on TV Fanatic theorized that the plane entered a time vortex/time loop where the events in their lives have already happened. Therefore, the Callings are more like warnings to guide the passengers to different decisions. That could align with the ideas of resurrection and second chances, which Ben Stone (Josh Dallas) explored on the show. Adding on to that theory, its possible the death date the passengers will encounter on June 2, 2024, is when time will essentially catch up to them. They might have until that date to make the right choices in their second chance. Theres a multiverse with multiple timelines Some Manifest fans think the show has taken a page from Marvels book with a little multiverse madness. One Reddit user came up with three possible timelines (A, B, and C) set in a multiverse. In the first timeline, the plane lands normally, and the characters go on with their lives as they were meant to, such as Cal Stone (Jack Messina) going to the hospital for cancer treatment and Michaela Stone (Melissa Roxburgh) accepting her marriage proposal. In timeline B, the plane crashes with no survivors. When Flight 828 entered the lightning storm, it created Timeline C, the one seen on Manifest. Events from the other timelines could be leaking into this one. Another multiple-reality theory suggested two realities, one in which the plane crashed and one in which it landed. The passengers must follow their Callings to get closer to one of the two realities. Manifest is all Cals coma dream We have our snacks ready for new #Manifest. pic.twitter.com/OByG4h7nTj Manifest (@ManifestNFLX) June 4, 2021 What if none of it is real? Some Manifest fan theories have suggested that Flight 828s disappearance and everything thereafter is all just a dream of someone in the Stone family. One Reddit user thinks that person could be Cal, who might have entered a coma as a result of his cancer either before the family left Jamaica or after they returned. According to the theory, all of the passengers are people Cal encountered at the hospital patients, doctors, or researchers. Cal could be hearing everyone around him, and these discussions are influencing his dream. Everything that happens in his dream could be a symbol of his journey. That includes the moment where he enters the Afterlife, a.k.a. his disappearance from the lab in season 3. The Redditor also tied in the lifeboat theory, which connects all the passengers actions. This lifeboat theory is a metaphor for Cals lifeforce being diminished by everyones actions around him that are directly tied to his wellness and their own wellness. He keeps saying everything is connected, they wrote. Manifest is a simulation game and the Flight 828 passengers are pawns Going along with the idea that none of this is real, one Manifest fan wrote on Reddit that it could all be a simulation. Someone outside the simulation could be controlling the passengers as some sort of experiment. They could even be giving the passengers the Callings. The Redditor referenced Life on Mars, a TV series in which a police officer time travels from 2008 to 1973 after a car accident. He learned in the end that it was all a computer simulation from a spaceship heading to Mars. This would need a lot of explaining to make sense in Manifest, but it would make for a seriously surprising twist. Manifest Season 4 premieres on Netflix this fall. Stay tuned to Showbiz Cheat Sheet for more updates. RELATED: Manifest Season 4: Michaela Makes a Shocking Discovery in New Teaser Shanna Moakler, ex-wife of musician Travis Barker, has put her gorgeous engagement ring up for auction, starting the bidding at $51,000. Of course, this is a starting bid. The one-time Playboy Playmate hopes to get quite a bit more than that for the sparkling Cartier solitaire engagement ring she calls iconic. Celebrity engagement rings can command a hefty price, not just because of their actual worth but also because of the history. What happened with Shanna Moakler and Travis Barker? Then-couple Shanna Moakler and Travis Barker on MTVs Total Request Live in 2005 | Peter Kramer/Getty Images The couple married on October 30, 2004, in a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed wedding. The couple had two children during their relationship, Alabama and Landon. They also starred in their own TV reality show with MTV documenting their daily lives together as a family. The couple already had their son Landon Asher when they exchanged vows. In 2005, they began filming their reality show on top of raising their children and dealing with Barkers music career. Meet The Barkers aired for two seasons, but MTV pulled the plug on it before continuing with a third season. The last episode focuses on their daughter Alabamas birth. Both Moakler and Barker stated the show negatively affected their marriage. Over the years, the relationship grew progressively more dysfunctional. Barker filed for divorce in August of 2006. However, their relationship continued in an on-and-off fashion until 2008. Major drama ensues From Shanna Moakler to Paris Hilton, read up on #TravisBarker's dating history. https://t.co/BTZhv2GcWV POPSUGAR (@POPSUGAR) March 23, 2021 The marriage struggled with rumors of infidelity, drug, and other problems. In fact, Moakler maintains that in addition to having an affair with Paris Hilton, Barker also had a fling with none other than Kim Kardashian. Yes, the sister of his new bride, Kourtney Kardashian. Barker denied this, but the rumors persist nonetheless. At one point, things got so out of hand that fights were breaking out. In 2006, TMZ reported that Hilton and Moakler both filed charges of assault. Hilton maintained that Moakler punched her; Moakler pressed assault charges against Hiltons ex Stavros Niarchos, who she claimed poured a drink on her and pushed her down the stairs. Another drink-pouring incident, this time involving Moakler and Kim Kardashian, occurred during a party. According to E-News, Kim was the target of an angry outburst from Moakler, no doubt over her concerns that Barker was having a romantic relationship with her. Moakler maintains that Barker was unfaithful multiple times. He similarly accused her of infidelity, along with being a neglectful parent. According to a recent Us article, Moakler denies these allegations, despite her own children publicly stating she isnt very involved with them. Is Shanna Moakler selling the ring because Travis Barker married Kourtney Kardashian? Shanna Moakler, the ex-wife of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, is auctioning her engagement ring just days after Barker married reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian.https://t.co/5DQcpYHC6M CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2022 The four-carat ring was her dream ring, Moakler told Page Six. Barker presented it to her when they got engaged at the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland, a fairy tale beginning before a short-lived union. In addition to the giant solitaire diamond, the band is encrusted with smaller diamonds. It makes for a dramatic and eye-catching piece of jewelry she hopes will net her a hefty return. Moakler claims Barkers newlywed status has nothing to do with it. Im sure people would assume that [its related to the wedding], but I simply wanted to find a proper seller and Worthy.com is the most professional and I know will give this piece the attention it deserves, she explained. The 4.01-carat ring is being auctioned off on Worthy.com, a reputable buyer and seller of fine diamond jewelry. While the bidding is starting at $51,000, she is hoping to auction it off at $120,000. According to Moakler, the ring is worth about $160,000. RELATED: Travis Barkers Ex-Wife Shanna Moakler Denies Commenting On His Engagement To Kourtney Kardashian Two Tickets to Paradise: Cast, Filming Location, and How to Watch the New Hallmark Movie Ryan Paevey and Ashley Williams play two strangers who meet after each is left at the altar in Hallmark Channels new movie Two Tickets to Paradise. It premieres Saturday, June 25, and was filmed on location in Hawaii. Two Tickets to Paradise premieres June 25 Ashley Williams and Ryan Paevey in Two Tickets to Paradise | 2022 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Zack Dougan Two Tickets to Paradise premieres Saturday, June 25 at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel. The movie is part of the networks Summer Nights programming event. In the movie, Hannah Holt and Josh Wyatt meet on what may be the worst day of their lives. Both have just been left at the altar. By chance, they sit down next to each other on the same park bench. After meeting, they encourage each other to take their honeymoon vacations despite their romantic disappointment. They jet off to paradise, where they discover that theyre staying at the same Hawaiian resort. Hannah and Josh keep crossing paths, and he introduces her to his friend Alice, who lives on the island and shares some wisdom with the heartbroken pair. Eventually, Hannah and Josh realize they cant fight fate. They join forces to learn from each other and enjoy their vacations. It stars Ryan Paevey and Ashley Williams RELATED: Sister Swap: Ashley Williams Had a Heavy Hand in Every Aspect of Her New Hallmark Christmas Movies Two Tickets to Paradise stars two Hallmark Channel regulars. Ryan Paevey plays Josh. Hes previously appeared in a dozen other Hallmark movies, including Coyote Creek Christmas, Christmas at the Plaza, and A Little Daytime Drama with Jen Lilley. Ashley Williams plays Hannah. Shes appeared in Hallmark movies such as Love on a Limb, Christmas in Evergreen, and October Kiss. In 2021, she and her sister, Kimberly Williams-Paisley starred in Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday and Sister Swap: Christmas in the City. In addition to Paevey and Williams, Two Tickets to Paradise features Mary Margaret-Hume as Alice, Kimee Balmilero as Kailani, Olivia Hoffman as Cee Cee, and Jhey Castles as Sara. The Hallmark Channel movie was filmed in Hawaii Like several other recent Hallmark movies, Two Tickets to Paradise was filmed on location in Hawaii. That meant that Paevey was able to indulge in one of his passions, surfing. His character in the movie also enjoys the sport. We got to surf on the west side of the island, Paevey said in a live chat with Williams (via YouTube). We went to a surf spot called Makaha first it was super-small and kind of not great, so we got on a boat and boated to this other place and it was super fun. I grew up surfing with my dad, so thats something Ive liked to do for forever that was amazing. Its hard to have a bad time making a movie in Hawaii, he added. For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to Showbiz Cheat Sheets YouTube channel. RELATED: Ryan Paeveys Best Hallmark Movies, According to IMDb An electronic cigarette from Juul Labs is seen on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Pembroke Pines, Fla. Federal health officials on Thursday, June 23, 2022 ordered Juul to pull its electronic cigarettes from the U.S. market, the latest blow to the embattled company widely blamed for sparking a national surge in teen vaping. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File) 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 Emmy Janssen understands the mechanics of nuclear fission. As a physics student at Freie Universitat Berlin, she says the math can be challenging, but she loves the way her studies let her wrestle with what she calls the depth and breadth of Gods created cosmos. But she is not so sure, as a Christian, she understands her ethical responsibilities. She wonders about our role as Gods children, bringing nuclear power into the world in the first place. Janssen is not the only one. Across the country, German evangelicals are weighing the ethics of nuclear power. The government is set to decommission its last three nuclear reactors by the end of 2022. Shutting down Isar 2, Emsland, and Neckarwestheim 2 will complete the countys Atomausstieg, or nuclear power phase-out, and conclude a generation of political debates. But the debates, like radioactive particles, have a half-life, and evangelicals in Germany are still discussing the problems of waste, the risks of catastrophic accidents, and the potential benefits of nuclear power. Deciding on a Christian position is not as easy as turning on the lights. There are indifferent people. There are people who are deeply convinced nuclear energy is dirty and dangerous. There are those who see it as a possibility for protecting the planet and developing cleaner energy, said Matthias Boehning, director of the World Evangelical Alliances Sustainability Center in Bonn. Some of the differences appear to be generational. Older evangelical views have been shaped by both Cold War history, when the US and the USSR planned out nuclear attacks and counterattacks, andof even greater concernby the memory ... 1 You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe now. Subscribers have full digital access. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. Archaeologists find Christian relics inside Islamic State-ravaged church Archeological workers restoring the historic Syriac Orthodox Mar Thomas Church in Iraqs capital Mosul, which was heavily damaged by Islamic State fighters about four years ago, have discovered about a dozen ancient relics and parchments connected to several saints, according to reports. The relics include manuscripts in Syriac and Aramaic as well as six stone containers wrought with Aramaic inscriptions, and some of them relate to Saint Theodore, Saint Simon, Mor Gabriel, Saint Simeon, and other well-known figures, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern said. One of the stone containers carried an inscription relating to Saint Theodore, a Roman soldier born in the province of Corum, Turkey, in the third century CE and beheaded for having converted, The Jerusalem Post said, citing a report by AsiaNews. Some containers are related to Saint Simon the Zealot, a first century apostle of Jesus; Mor Gabriel, bishop of the Tur Abdin hilly region situated in southeast Turkey from 593 to 668 CE, the Post continued. The discovery also include relics of Saint Simeon the Wise from the first century CE, who, according to Christian tradition, welcomed the infant Jesus in the Jewish Temple of Jerusalem; relics of Saint John, one of the first apostles of Jesus, also known by his Hebrew name Yohanan ben Zavdi, and relics of celebrated writer and Syrian Orthodox Regional Primate Saint Gregory Bar Hebraeus, who served in the position from 1264-1286 CE, it added. The discovery of the hidden relics at this church is another encouraging development in the broad effort to restore and protect Christian cultural heritage in Iraq after the damage done by the Islamic State, ICC added. The watchdog noted that the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas, collaborating with the Iraqi government, put $328,000 toward the project, which began last year to repair the damage done by IS in the battle of Mosul. Reviving the Spirit of Mosul, a restoration plan by UNESCO, is also underway, ICC said, adding that it involves more than $100 million. Perhaps workers will uncover more undiscovered pieces of history as they sort through the archeological remains of Christianitys long history in Iraq, ICC commented. In 2017, Iraqi militiamen, who took control of the ancient city of Hatra from Islamic State fighters, found that the terror group had destroyed relics dating back more than 2,000 years. Hatra is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site and considered an archeological jewel of Iraq and capital of the first Arab kingdom. The sculptures and engraved images are destroyed, but the walls and towers of the kingdom of Hatra remain standing, Voice of America quoted Marwa Rashid, a spokeswoman for Iraqs Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces militia, as saying at the time. There are many holes and scratches on the walls of the kingdom due to IS bullets. In a video released by IS after Hatras occupation, its fighters were seen damaging sculptures with sledgehammers and destroying images and artifacts on ancient walls with assault rifles. As per Iraqs 1987 census, there were 1.5 million Christians in Iraq, but their numbers dramatically decreased to 141,000, according to a recent report. God made the decision: Trump responds to Supreme Court abortion ruling Former President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. Supreme Court was able to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision concluding that there is no constitutional right to abortion not just because he appointed three constitutionalist justices to the high court during his presidency but because God made the decision. Fox News asked the former president if he thinks he played a role in the reversal of the landmark 1973 decision because he appointed Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, but Trump responded by saying, God made the decision. Asked what he would like to say to his supporters, Trump said, I think, in the end, this is something that will work out for everybody. He added, This brings everything back to the states where it has always belonged. In a decision released Friday in the case of Thomas Dobbs, et. al. v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the high court ruled 6-3 to uphold Mississippis Gestational Age Act, which bans most abortions after 15 weeks into a pregnancy. Justice Samuel Alito authored the majority opinion and was joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch. Kavanaugh, Thomas and Chief Justice John Roberts all wrote concurring opinions. In a statement issued by his political action committee, Trump said, I did not cave to the Radical Left Democrats, their partners in the Fake News Media, or the RINOs who are likewise the true, but silent, enemy of the people. In its 213-page decision, the court said: Held: The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives, read the syllabus to the majority opinion. Also on Friday, former Vice President Mike Pence called for a national ban on abortion. The decision, Pence told Breitbart in a statement, has given the American people a new beginning for life, and I commend the justices in the majority for having the courage of their convictions. By returning the question of abortion to the states and to the people, this Supreme Court has righted a historic wrong and reaffirmed the right of the American people to govern themselves at the state level in a manner consistent with their values and aspirations, Pence continued. Now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged, and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn and the support for women in crisis pregnancy centers to every state in America. Having been given this second chance for Life, we must not rest and must not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the land, he added. Authoring the majority opinion in the decision, Alito wrote, We hold that Roe and [Planned Parenthood v. Casey] must be overruled. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision. Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan filed a dissenting opinion, claiming that Roe and Casey struck a balance between allowing abortion and allowing laws to regulate it. However, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national grassroots pro-life activist group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, called the decision a historic human rights victory for unborn children and their mothers and a bright pro-life future for our nation. Members of Congress who support abortion were outraged by the ruling. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., made an appearance outside the court Friday afternoon, where she lambasted the Dobbs decision as illegitimate and urged people to march into the streets to demonstrate their opposition to the ruling. Pictures circulating on social media reveal that businesses in the nation's capital and throughout the country are boarding up in anticipation of violence. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., talked to reporters minutes after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in the Capitol Visitors Center where she lamented that it was "not a good morning" for abortion activists. Pelosi criticized the court's decision as "the GOP's dark and extreme goal of ripping away women's right to make their own reproductive health decisions." "Because of Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, the Republican Party and their supermajority on the Supreme Court, American women today have less freedom than their mothers," Pelosi said in a statement. "With Roe now out of their way, radical Republicans are charging ahead with their crusade to criminalize health freedom. In the Congress, Republicans are plotting a nationwide abortion ban. In the states, Republicans want to arrest doctors for offering reproductive care and women for terminating a pregnancy. GOP extremists are even threatening to criminalize contraception, as well as in-vitro fertilization and post-miscarriage care." In a statement shared with The Christian Post, the nonprofit law firm Thomas More Society noted that there is more work to be done. "Today's pro-life victory is still only one more step in our ongoing crusade for the sacred cause we serve. Dobbs will not end abortion. Instead, it will shift our battles to each of the 50 states both red and blue states," the law firm said. "Yes, we have cause to celebrate Dobbs as a landmark event. But we must persevere and even intensify our efforts toward ending this scourge of abortion, once and for all, as it still bloodies our nation and corrupts our culture. Let us renew our pro-life efforts with unstinting determination and the utmost vigor!" ProFiles:Who is Hearthsone player Xiaomeng "Liooon" Li? And just like that, we have reached our 10th feature under the ProFiles series! It has been a lot of fun and our pleasure to feature all these great eSports players, streamers, and YouTubers, and we hope that you have been enjoying reading about them as well. In case this is your first time encountering ProFiles, it is a weekly series that features notable eSports players, streamers, and even gaming YouTubers. For today's feature, we are putting the spotlight one of the professional Hearthstone players. Specifically, we are focusing on the first woman to ever win the Hearthstone Grandmasters Global Finals. She also happens to be the first woman to win a BlizzCon Esports tournament. Her prize for winning? $200,000. Of course, you cannot discount the fact that she has made history along the way. Can you guess who this Hearthstone player is? ProFiles: Hearthstone's Liooon It's 1am, the final between Bunnyhopper and hunterace just finish. Congratulations to @Bunnyhoppor pic.twitter.com/ZuFtUMUrL2 LiooonHS (@lxm1996) November 10, 2019 Like most, if not all, eSports players who are competing internationally, Xiaomeng "Liooon" Li started her Hearthstone journey by first competing in China. An article by Esports describes her as a "consistent player" who "only needed a few days to become well-versed in the meta of different decks." Aside from continuously and consistently playing competitive Hearthstone, Liooon also did content creation as well as casting and streaming. Great success found her in 2019 when she competed in the Hearthstone Grandmasters Global Finals at BlizzCon. Liooon started off strong and was one of only two players from her country who earned a top spot against an open pool of more than 1,000 players. She won the final of the tournament using her Evolve and Soul of the Murloc cards in the first game, the Malygos Druid in her second game, and the Highlander Hunter in the third game. Liooon won $200,000 in the finals. You can watch her actually compete in the finals of the tournament below, but do take note that you will need more than an hour to watch the whole thing: Other Things to Know About Liooon Her road to success had not always been easy, especially when you consider that she is a female player. It goes without saying that female eSports players have faced a lot of sexist remarks and discrimination, and Liooon is no exception. According to the Esports article, she was told back in 2017 that she did not belong in a competition she was lining up for at that time because of the fact that she is a girl. GosuGamers considers the Hunter as Liooon's best Hearthstone class, followed by Shaman and Druid. Druid vs Warrior is considered by the site as her best matchup. Liooon is a player of Victory Key as of press time. Related Article: ProFiles: Get to Know Twitch Streamer Hafu Liooon in Action Wondering just how Liooon is like when she participates in Hearthstone games and competitions? Here are some videos showing her in action that are available on YouTube. Again, do take note that these videos are very long: Read Also: ProFiles: Get to Know Dota 2 Player SumaiL This article is owned by GameNGuide Written by Isabella James Biden admin. must act on Christian persecution in Nigeria Last year, I wrote here about the concerning, rising persecution of Christians in Nigeria. What was true then has become even worse now, and the time is long since passed for the Biden Administration to act. Over 50 Nigerian Catholics were killed while attending Mass this past weekend when a bomb was detonated, and gunmen opened fire on the congregation. This was a coordinated act of terror the gunmen disguised themselves as congregants and positioned themselves inside the church to inflict the maximum amount of death and destruction. Police also found three undetonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in addition to the one that was detonated. While the government is still searching for the terrorists, they are likely members of the same groups who have been committing violence against Christians in southern Nigeria for years Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen. These attacks have been going on for well over a decade in Nigeria. In 2018, 110 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram, who sold the girls into slavery. In 2014, Boko Haram attacked Gamboru Ngala and massacred 310 Nigerians. These stories are tragic and infuriating; their antagonists, barbaric and brutal. While all southern Nigerians are under threat of attack by Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State in West Africa Peninsula (ISWAP), Christians suffer particularly violent persecution. Open Doors notes that 2021 saw a 25% increase in attacks against Christians from the previous year. Roughly 16 Christians are killed on average every day. As Ive written before, the Trump Administration recognized this persecution and took steps to deal with it. In December 2020, we added Nigeria to the Department of States Countries of Particular Concern list. We did this because the Nigerian government was tolerating the systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of the religious freedom of its people, and it was allowing them to suffer at the hands of radical Islamic terror. This designation signaled to the Nigerian government that swift action on their part was needed to put an end to this persecution or else sanctions and further diplomatic pressure would follow. Our actions fit into the broader strategy the Trump Administration employed: to make religious freedom a priority and take seriously violations of religious freedom around the world, which also included declaring the brutal policies of the Chinese Communist Party towards Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang as amounting to genocide. America must not ignore that religious freedom is essential to the strength of the free world. Unfortunately, the tragedy persists and the Biden Administration is doing little to demand the Nigerian government take action. Last November, the Administration removed Nigeria from the Countries of Particular Concern list. Given the rising persecution of Christians and the staggering number killed every year, this is a confusing decision. Apparently, this Administration refuses to see Christians as victims, no matter where they are in the world. This skewed view leads to policy decisions that have resulted in rapidly increasing tragedy. The Nigerian government will not deal with this problem until costs are imposed for not doing so the United States has the means to impose these costs and should do so immediately. The ACLJ is actively engaged in the effort to raise awareness of and demand action regarding the ongoing atrocities committed against Christians in Nigeria. We have filed multiple written submissions and made critical oral interventions at the U.N. Human Rights Council. And just this week, the ACLJ legal team sent a letter directly to Secretary of State Blinken urging that Nigeria be put back on this critical persecution watchlist. Im eager to engage in this work as we seek to stop these ongoing tragedies. Religious liberty is a foundational freedom. No society that denies its people the right to worship according to their beliefs, or which allows that right to come under attack without consequence, can claim to be good in any other way. That is why a foreign policy that takes seriously the issue of ensuring religious freedom elsewhere in the world including the religious freedom of Christians is critical to serving Americas interests. The Biden Administration must demand that Nigeria defend its Christians. Originally published at ACLJ. Christian Reformed Church solidifies opposition to homosexuality as confessional' belief The Christian Reformed Church Synod has declared that its historic stance on sexual ethics, particularly the practice of homosexuality, has "confessional status." According to The Banner, a monthly magazine published by the Christian Reformed Church in North America, 69% of the denomination's representatives voted last week to affirm the definition of "unchastity" in the Heidelberg Catechism to include homosexual acts. The vote occurred at Synod 2022 at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. CRC has over 1,000 congregations across the United States and Canada and over 230,000 members. The Heidelberg Catechism is a Protestant confession of faith in the Reformed tradition that was initially composed in 1563 in Heidelberg, Germany, and was approved by the Synod of Dort in 1619. The CRC vote followed another vote where 74% of Synod 2022 delegates recommended that the human sexuality report to CRC congregations was a "useful summary of biblical teaching" on human sexuality. The report upholds the denomination's traditional stance that homosexual practice is not in keeping with biblical orthodoxy. The synodical vote giving this definition of confessional status carries significant implications, specifically church discipline measures for officers and faculty who teach at church-owned schools should they teach or preach anything that diverges from the confessional creed. "There might be one-third of the people in this room who would be subject to special discipline if this passes," said Anthony Elenbaas, a delegate in attendance from Hamilton, Ontario. "Those of us who are in the minority in this place will have a much harder job to do. Please don't put the walls up any higher. Please allow room for us." Michael LeRoy, the outgoing president of the denomination's flagship university, Calvin University, voiced a similar sentiment. "Since 1973, there have been officebearers who disagree with (the church's stance that homosexual practice is a sin)," he said. "For officebearers who have written or spoken in opposition to this, there would be cause for church discipline. Consider the implication for officers of the church." In 2020, the Calvin student senate elected its first openly LGBT student body president, a bisexual student who questioned if she is a lesbian but calls herself "queer." The theological and spiritual conflict over sexual ethics in the Reformed Church is part of a long-running and much broader pattern across several Christian denominations in recent years. Although nuances abound, the division in each Protestant group appears to mostly center on whether marriage and sexual ethics are first-order doctrinal issues and essential to a scripturally faithful proclamation of the Gospel or secondary or tertiary matters where Christians can peaceably agree to disagree. Earlier this month, the Mennonite Church USA voted to retire denomination-wide membership guidelines that barred pastors from performing same-sex wedding ceremonies. Local Mennonite churches, however, are allowed to maintain the prohibition. Delegates at the Mennonite Church USA's Delegate Assembly also passed a non-binding resolution calling upon the church to repent for the mistreatment of LGBT-identified people. Some groups within the Mennonite Church USA, such as the 70,000-member Lancaster Mennonite Conference, formally split from the denomination in response to the more liberal posture toward these issues. The Methodist Church has also faced divisions along similar lines. In March, a group of theologically conservative Methodists announced the creation of a new denominational structure the Global Methodist Church amid a schism over the issue. The UMC General Conference, where the potential separation plan is set to be debated and may be approved, has been postponed until 2024. Israeli humanitarian delivers 200 pounds of baby formula to Texas churches amid national shortage A New Jersey nonprofit is helping parents in the North Texas area weather a nationwide baby formula shortage with an international effort involving Christians and Orthodox Jews. Jonathan Feldstein, an orthodox Jew and president of the Genesis 123 Foundation, told The Christian Post he launched an effort to deliver 200 pounds of baby formula to New Beginnings Church and First Melissa Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as the global supply chain crisis continues to roil distribution for products like baby formula. "I still think of the U.S. as the land of abundance and, except for a gas crisis in the 70s, I cannot think of any time that there was ever a shortage of anything until now," Feldstein said. "There are lots of things people can live without, but baby formula is essential, nourishing babies whose mother's can't or don't choose to nurse, and before they can eat solid food." Feldstein a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen who grew up in the U.S. said he made it his mission to bring over as much formula from Israel as possible. The result: 119 containers of formula totaling more than $2,200 in value. At first, he planned on bringing a modest amount of formula back from Israel to the U.S., but he soon enlisted the help of a major Israeli grocery chain to increase the amount of product he could take to the U.S. with him. "If I had the ability to bring more, I'd have done it," he added. "It's a blessing to be able to be a blessing to the families of the world, literally." Data on baby formula availability in the U.S. showed out-of-stock numbers hitting as high as 43% for the week ending May 8, compared to up to 8% in 2021. The shortage has prompted harsh criticism of the Biden administration from Republican lawmakers as supermarket shelves remain empty. Initially, the shortage of baby formula last fall was due to supply chain bottlenecks resulting from the pandemic. In February, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shut down the Abbott Labs plant that produces around a quarter of all formula in the country due to contamination concerns. Feldstein said he reached out to pastor Trey Graham of First Melissa Church in Melissa, who is also a Genesis 123 Foundation advisory board member. "The alarming shortage of baby formula in Texas offered Jonathan a chance to deliver formula to Texan parents who are facing this challenge," Graham told The Christian Post via email. A Texas congresswoman launched a website in May to help parents find baby formula, allowing Dallas-area residents to post the addresses of stores with formula and which brands they have in stock. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, said she started DFW Baby Formula in response to what she described as a lack of a proper response by the federal government, claiming the administration is "complacent with hungry children and desperate parents." White House officials told Politico that incomplete data on the retail stocks slowed the response to the plant shutdown and the administration didn't anticipate the severity of the shortages. In the last month, the FDA has urged the importation of infant formula from six countries, a total estimated quantity the equivalent of 365 million eight-ounce bottles. According to an FDA update this week, some of these products have already made it to stores while others will appear in the coming weeks and months. Graham said he sees people helping on a grassroots level, but more can always be done. "The shortage of baby formula is just one example of our troubling current economic situation, so I hope neighbors and congregations will develop processes to share ideas and meet needs," he said. Graham said others can donate to the Genesis 123 Foundation "so that projects like these can happen." Donated funds allow food, blankets, clothing, military supplies or baby formula to be provided to families or soldiers in need of support and encouragement, he added. The U.S.-based nonprofit's mission is to "build bridges between Jews and Christians with Israel in ways that are new, unique, and meaningful." 'The post-Roe generation': Pro-lifers set their eyes on heartbeat bills, chemical abortion bans 'We burst into tears': Activists rejoice after decades of advocacy WASHINGTON Following the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization declaring that the Constitution does not contain a right to an abortion, activists on both sides of the contentious debate gathered outside the Supreme Court to react to the ruling. The Supreme Court handed down the Dobbs decision Friday morning, overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The announcement of the Dobbs decision comes less than two months after Politico published a leaked draft opinion in the case indicating that a majority of justices were poised to overturn Roe. Soon after the release of the Dobbs decision, activists on both sides of the abortion debate gathered outside the Supreme Court to either celebrate or decry the decision, depending on their position on the issue. The sidewalk directly in front of the government building was fenced off due to concerns of violence breaking out in response to the expected ruling on the polarizing issue of abortion. Pro-life activists expressed their support for the ruling by holding signs reading, I am the post-Roe generation, The future is anti-abortion, I am the pro-life generation, Protection at Conception and Equality Begins in the Womb. Students for Life of America was one of the most prominent pro-life groups outside the Supreme Court, with its members wearing T-shirts proclaiming, I am the pro-life generation as they were interviewed by various national media outlets. Brooke Paz, the director of government affairs for the pro-life organization, told The Christian Post that she was amazed and incredibly relieved by the decision. The moment that Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life, read the decision, we just all burst into tears, she recalled. Even though we figured this would happen with the leak, now that its real, its reality, its incredible, it feels amazing. Paz insisted that this is only the beginning for us, adding: Were celebrating today but were going to continue working tomorrow and every day after that. Going forward, Students for Life of America will continue working in the states and on the federal level to pass as many life-affirming legislation as we can. The activist identified bans on chemical abortions and heartbeat bills that ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected at both the state and federal level as the focus of the pro-life movement going forward. Justin, a college student from the Washington, D.C. area, shared Pazs enthusiasm about the Dobbs decision. He described himself as happy, good and great following the ruling, which he characterized as a win for men and women and children, for Americans, for Republicans, for Democrats, for everybody. After reiterating his belief that Dobbs was a win for people, he declared: its a great day. While pro-lifers were understandably elated by the Dobbs decision, pro-choice activists gathered outside the court to express their disgust with the ruling. Opponents of the Dobbs decision chanted phrases such as Not the judge, not the state, women must decide their fate and F--- the courts and the legislatures, women are not incubators! They held signs reading My body, my choice, F--- SCOTUS, were doing it anyway, I will aid and abet abortion and bans off our bodies. Jamie Manson, president of the pro-choice organization Catholics for Choice, discussed her feelings about the Dobbs decision in an interview with CP. It is a gut-wrenching moment for this country, for the 600,000 people who get abortions annually in this country, and especially for the poor and the vulnerable who will suffer the most because of this decision," Manson said. Manson outlined several actions she wanted to see the federal government take to protect access to abortion, adding: We need our elected officials to act. We need Congress to act; we need the president to act. We need the president to declare a public health emergency, we need Congress to pass [the Womens Health Protection Act]. This is the moment, this is a defining moment for them to try to rescue freedom and rights in this country. She concluded the interview by highlighting the results of a poll finding that 68% of Catholics did not want to see Roe overturned before declaring that What we have right now is religious beliefs codified into civil law and its a terrible infringement on religious freedom in this country. Fr. Tim Wezner, a Catholic priest from Detroit, Michigan, who is studying in Washington, D.C., shared his thoughts on the Dobbs decision as he clutched a rosary in his hand: Im very much in favor of it. I think they made a good decision. I think its been a long time coming. Roe v. Wade was bad law," he added. "The decision says that. I think they made the right choice. Wezner also addressed the results of the poll finding that 68% of Catholics supported Roe. He attributed high support for the decision that legalized abortion among Catholics to the influence of the culture as well as bad catechesis sometimes from their pastors or from their church. The reality is just because 68% of Catholics believe in abortion doesnt make it right. 99% of people could believe in abortion. It doesnt change the truth behind it. Wezner maintained that he was outside the Supreme Court to pray for thanksgiving and pray for healing for our country and for all involved, for protection, for safety, for softening of hearts. Catherine, a Catholic from Rhode Island, told CP "I think abortion is a horrible decision to have to make, but I truly think that it should be up to the woman and I really dont like how our rights are being revoked. She classified the Dobbs decision as a huge step backward for humanity while emphasizing that abortion is a horrible, horrible thing. Protests in front of the Supreme Court are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., made an appearance outside the court Friday afternoon, where she lambasted the Dobbs decision as illegitimate and urged people to march into the streets to demonstrate their opposition to the ruling. Pictures circulating on social media reveal that businesses in the nation's capital and throughout the country are boarding up in anticipation of violence. BREAKING: Congresswoman @AOC has arrived in front of the Supreme Court and is chanting that the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v Wade is illegitimate and calls for people to get into the streets | @TPUSApic.twitter.com/jNkCYDrLtz Drew Hernandez (@DrewHLive) June 24, 2022 Theyre worried the 6-3 SCOTUS majority will get violent, surely. https://t.co/im9fxXeP3S Drew Holden (@DrewHolden360) June 24, 2022 Pro-life celebrations of the Dobbs decision will continue into the weekend as well. Students for Life of America is holding Life is Louder events outside state capital buildings in 24 states at 11 a.m. local time Saturday, as the Dobbs decision means that states will now have a say in the legality of abortion. Sixteen states have passed measures codifying the right to abortion into law, meaning that abortion will continue to be legal in those states throughout all or most of pregnancy following the Dobbs decision. An additional 21 states will now have the ability to enact bans or strict restrictions on abortion that were unenforceable with Roe on the books. Ten states will continue to enforce existing abortion laws and/or restrictions while three other states could put abortion law before voters at the ballot box in the near future. Republican lawmakers introduce bill allowing adults to sue doctors who perform 'sex-change' surgeries Two Republican congressmen have introduced legislation that would allow adults who underwent body mutilating gender-transition surgeries as minors to sue the doctors who operated on them. The bill also includes a 30-year statute of limitations. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced the Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act on Wednesday. The legislation subjects medical practitioners who perform a gender-transition procedure on an individual who is less than 18 years of age to liability if the minor who had the cosmetic surgery or multiple surgeries experiences physical, psychological, emotional, or physiological harms from the surgery or related treatment. Minors who believe they were harmed by a gender-transition procedure have 30 years from their 18th birthday to file a civil action against a medical practitioner by seeking declaratory or injunctive relief, compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorneys fees and costs. The bill makes an exception for surgeries performed on individuals with disorders of sexual development, chromosomal anomalies sometimes referred to as intersex conditions. Additionally, the measure calls for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to withhold federal funding from any state requiring medical providers to perform gender-transition procedures. The proposed legislation defines a gender-transition procedure as the prescription or administration of puberty-blocking drugs for the purpose of changing the body of an individual so that it conforms to the subjective sense of identity of the individual, the prescription or administration of cross-sex hormones or a surgery to change the body of an individual for the same purpose. In a statement on Twitter, Cotton warned that Radical doctors in the U.S. are performing dangerous, experimental, and even sterilizing gender-transition procedures on young kids, who cant even provide informed consent, adding: Our bill allows children who grow up to regret these procedures to sue for damages. Banks also commented on the bill, maintaining that Quacks have irreversibly damaged tens of thousands of American children to further the radical lefts agenda. He cited the legislation as evidence that Cotton and himself were serious about holding them accountable. Quacks have irreversibly damaged tens of thousands of American children to further the radical lefts agenda. @SenTomCotton and I are serious about holding them accountable. Read about our bill in @FoxNews. https://t.co/1JzRXEVlGQ Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) June 22, 2022 The Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act comes amid ongoing efforts at the state level as Republican-led legislatures and state agencies adopt measures restricting the medicalized gender transitioning of young people. Last year, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services published a letter characterizing genital mutilation of a child through reassignment surgery as child abuse, subject to all rules and procedures pertaining to child abuse. The state of Florida released a fact sheet in April declaring that no minor child should be prescribed puberty blockers and opposite-sex hormones to treat gender dysphoria. The Florida Department of Health document further stated referencing a 2021 article in the Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy that encouraging mastectomy, ovariectomy, uterine extirpation, penile disablement, tracheal shave, the prescription of hormones which are out of line with the genetic make-up of the child, or puberty blockers, are all clinical practices which run an unacceptably high risk of doing harm. Last year, both chambers of the Arkansas Legislature overrode Gov. Asa Hutchisons veto of the Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act, marking the first time a bill banning gender-transition procedures for minors became law anywhere in the country. Earlier this year, Alabama and Arizona followed suit by enacting similar laws. Internationally, several nations have begun halting the experimental practices to varying degrees. Among those countries reverting from prescribing puberty blockers or performing body mutilating surgeries are Sweden, France, Finland and the United Kingdom. Psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand, likewise, are urging greater caution. Echoing the Republican lawmakers, critics of the experimental practices have long said that lawsuits are likely coming, particularly from young people who recognized as adults that they were incapable of giving adequate informed consent to the drugs and surgeries as children and teenagers. Detransitioners, those who underwent hormonal and surgical gender practices and wound up regretting it and reintegrating with their natal sex, have noted the hurdles that exist regarding taking legal action against the surgeons that performed the irreversible procedures on their bodies. In a February 2020 feature story in The Christian Post, a male detransitioner who went by the pseudonym Marcus Fitz recalled how he endured years of opposite-sex hormone use and had an orchiectomy. He explained that most states, including California, where he lived, have one-year statutes of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits. Theyll say, I want to sue! And my first question to them is: Well, how long has it been? he said, describing his interactions with other detransitioners. It often takes several years to come out of this gaslighting fog of what has happened to us and by then, its far too late. 'Concerning': Over 930,000 abortions in 2020, Guttmacher study finds Pro-life researcher says abortions have risen since 2019 due to increase in chemical abortions Over 930,000 abortions occurred in the United States in 2020, representing an increase from three years earlier, according to a research organization with historic ties to Planned Parenthood. The Guttmacher Institute released its abortion data for 2020 last week, reporting that a little over 930,000 abortions took place in the U.S. in 2020, which represents an 8% increase from 862,320 abortions in 2017. Additionally, Guttmacher found a 7% increase in the abortion rate for women ages 15 to 44, rising from 13.5 per 1,000 women in 2017 to 14.4 per 1,000 women. One in five pregnancies ended in abortion in 2020, a 12% increase, with the abortion ratio increasing from 18.4% in 2017 to 20.6% in 2020. From 2017 to 2020, noted the report, abortions increased by 12% in the West and 10% in the Midwest. Abortions also increased by 8% in the South and 2% in the Northeast, respectively. According to the research institute, this spike in abortions was accompanied by a 6% decline in births between 2017 and 2020, citing February data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guttmacher contended that this suggests fewer women were getting pregnant during this time, and a larger proportion of those who did chose to have an abortion. One reason for the increase, the Institute suggests, is related to the Trump-Pence administrations 2019 Protect Life Rule, which banned abortion businesses such as Planned Parenthood, which provides or refers women for abortions, from receiving federal tax dollars. The Biden administration reversed the rule last October. Guttmacher claims that the Trump administration reduced the capacity of these programs to provide contraceptive care, resulting in more unintended pregnancies and abortions due to a supposed lack of access to low-cost or no-cost contraceptives. However, Michael J. New, a researcher and associate scholar at the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute, noted in a piece for National Review that the abortion rate already started increasing in 2019, before Planned Parenthood withdrew from the Title X program. The CDCs 2019 Abortion Surveillance report showed the total number of abortions increased by 2% compared to 2018, with the abortion ratio and rate of reported abortions increasing by 3% and 2%, respectively. In a statement sent to The Christian Post on Tuesday, New asserted that the Guttmacher report should concern pro-lifers, as the associate scholar believes the rise in the U.S. abortion rate is tied to an increase in chemical abortions. New cited February data from the Guttmacher Institute showing that chemical abortions accounted for 54% of U.S. abortions in 2020. New added that the Food and Drug Administration lifted the in-person dispensing requirement for the abortion pill in December 2021, allowing them to be shipped by mail. The FDA had temporarily lifted abortion pill restrictions during COVID-19, but this move rendered the change permanent. This made chemical abortions easier to access, New said. Another factor, according to New, is that some states have begun making their abortion policies more permissive. He pointed to states like Illinois and Maine that passed laws to cover elective abortions through their state Medicaid programs. Unsurprisingly, the abortion rate increased by 28 percent in Illinois and by 15 percent in Maine, New wrote. Part of the Illinois increase was due to more out-of-state women seeking abortions in Illinois. However, the fact that the state Medicaid program started to fund elective abortions in 2018 certainly played a role in this abortion rate increase, he continued. While the pro-life researcher referred to the uptick as concerning, he stressed that it's important to remember the pro-life movements successes in reducing the U.S. abortion rate. As New reported for the Lozier Institute in September 2019, Guttmacher's data for 2017 showed that the countrys abortion rate has fallen by over 50% since 1980. Furthermore, a favorable ruling in Dobbs will allow pro-lifers to do even more to build on these gains and enact additional protections for preborn children, he said. A leaked draft majority opinion published by Politico last month suggested the court is poised to overrule Roe and uphold Mississippis 15-week abortion ban. In response to the leak, the Supreme Court issued a statement verifying the published drafts authenticity but warned that it does not necessarily reflect the final ruling, which is expected to be released by the end of June. According to the Guttmacher Institute, more than 20 states have trigger laws on the books which would go into effect and ban abortion in the absence of Roe. The significance of overturning Roe Remember where you were on Friday morning, June 24, 2022, a few minutes past 10:00 AM, Eastern time. History was made this morning. The seemingly impossible happened. At last, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. To be sure, this is just the beginning of a new battle to be fought for the unborn, state by state, life by life, heart by heart. But this is also a massive, unprecedented victory, one that, for many years, seemed completely out of reach. After all, Roe became law in 1973. That was almost 50 years ago, and in many ways, American values have become much less conservative since then. To give just one example, more children have been conceived out of wedlock, and that means more abortions. Back in 1996, the Brookings Institute reported that, Since 1970, out-of-wedlock birth rates have soared. In 1965, 24% of black infants and 3.1 percent of white infants were born to single mothers. By 1990 the rates had risen to 64 percent for black infants, 18% for whites. Every year about one million more children are born into fatherless families. This is a staggering increase. By 2016, 28% of all births to non-Hispanic white women (i.e., white) occurred outside of marriage, a figure that is almost twice as high as the 15 percent of births among this demographic that were nonmarital in 1990. In 2016, 52% of all births to Hispanic women occurred outside of marriage, up from 34% in 1990 (a more than 50% increase). The percent of births that occurred outside of marriage also increased for non-Hispanic black women (black) between 1990 and 2016, from 63 to 69% (a 9% increase). These are massive increases in illegitimacy, and the more the family breaks down, the more abortion becomes a way of life. Marriage itself has been redefined by the Supreme Court, and for many conservative, family values, it seems as if the ship has sailed, especially with the Court actually taking Roe further in the 1992 Casey case when it should have done the exact opposite. The battle for abortion in America has been lost, forever at least, thats how it seemed. Whole generations of women have been born into a pro-abortion culture, to the point that it is not just an accepted moral right. It has also become a sacred rite. But pro-lifers, both Catholic and Protestant, never gave up the battle, and for a number of different reasons, the number of abortions has been steadily declining, almost without exception, from the late 1990s until today. (Some would point to declining percentages beginning in the early 1980s.) And now, at last, Roe has been overturned. The Court could easily have ruled in favor of the Dobbs case in Mississippi, further gutting Roe and with Chief Justice Roberts joining in for a 6-3 decision. (See here for the official ruling.) Instead, it went one step further, exposing Roe for the travesty it is. And to think. Just a few years ago, this still seemed impossible. It was only because President Trump (himself an unlikely hero in this story) was able to appoint three new justices to the Court, all of whom voted the right way. And that, in turn, only became possible because of the sudden death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the quick approval of Justice Amy Coney Barrett in Trumps last months in office. Talk about a series of unexpected events, with the narcissistic, bullheaded, former pro-abortion playboy playing a central role. Now, states can pass their pro-life laws without restriction. Now, the murderous, angry spirit of abortion will be further exposed, as violent mobs will attack pro-life centers and pro-life people, and as other states will pass more extreme, pro-abortion (and even pro-infanticide?) laws. This has already happened in New York, Maryland, Virginia, and California. May the light shine all the more clearly in the midst of the darkness. May love overcome hatred. May the Lord make a separation between those who choose life and those who choose death. And may the Church rise up and make an even more compelling case for the humanity of the baby in the womb, also offering even more compassionate care and hope to expectant moms and dads who are contemplating abortion. May life prevail! It is true that the overturning of Roe is decades late, which means tens of millions of slaughtered babies late. It is true that there is much blood guilt on our hands. But it is also true that only in America has a pro-life movement pushed back with such tenacity for so many years. What has happened here is truly unique. In his 2016 book, Why Liberals Win the Culture Wars (Even When They Lose Elections): A History of the Religious Battles That Define America from Jefferson's Heresies to Gay Marriage Today, legal scholar Stephen Prothero argued that our culture wars have always been religious wars, progressing through the same stages of conservative reaction to liberal victory that eventually benefit all Americans. Thats why this victory is all the more significant. A massive trend has been stopped. A destructive tide has been turned. And in the end, this will benefit all Americans. May the Lord see this landmark ruling as an act of repentance from the nation. May He show mercy and restore. May a culture of life sweep our land! The Marxist dream of dethroning God must fail Karl Marx once explained that his object in life is to dethrone God and destroy capitalism. Two weeks ago, Gallup published shocking results of a new poll showing rising Godlessness in America. Though the poll showed the majority of Americans still believe in a supreme being, the percentage of Americans without that belief has dropped a whopping 6 percent since 2017. The current 81 percent of believers stand in stark contrast to the 90+ percent of Americans who believed in God up until 2011. Specifically, the polls showed this unbelief was almost exclusively among liberals and the young: Conservatives and married adults have had essentially no change. The groups with the largest declines are also the groups that are currently least likely to believe in God, including liberals (62%), young adults (68%), and Democrats (72%). Belief in God is highest among political conservatives (94%) and Republicans (92%). This new poll reflects the influence of Marxist ideology on our young through the classrooms, and we can expect this to increase alongside the growing acceptance of socialism. We have little time left to reverse this troubling trend. First, Karl Marx was not solely committed to ending capitalism, but was even more committed to godlessness as the predicate for his utopian socialist system. In summarizing his lifes work, Marx proclaimed that his object was to dethrone God, and destroy capitalism. The notable early Marxists like Lenin were equally vehement opponents of God. After the Bolsheviks took power in Russia and founded the Soviet Union, those Marxist leaders quickly created the League of Militant Atheists (also known as the Society of the Godless) with the motto: Struggle against religion is struggle for socialism. Under Marxs theories, religion was part of the superstructure upholding capitalism and the original sin of private property. As famed author and anti-Soviet dissident Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said of Marxism: The world had never before known a godlessness as organized, militarized, and tenaciously malevolent as that practiced by Marxism. Within the philosophical system of Marx and Lenin, and at the heart of their psychology, hatred of God is the principal driving force, more fundamental than all their political and economic pretensions. Alongside the ungodliness, recent polls also show that among young Americans' support for socialism is rising as well. A June 2021 The Hill article noted: Fifty-four percent of Gen Z adults said they had a negative view of capitalism, while 42 reported having a positive view The number of 18- to 34-year-olds who have a positive view of capitalism also appears to be shrinking. Forty-nine percent said they had a positive view of capitalism and 46% said they viewed it negatively But two years ago, 58% said they viewed it positively, while 38% said they viewed it negatively. These numbers are not surprising, considering that even back in 2016 studies found that openly Marxist professors outnumbered conservative professors by a wide margin. Conservatives, particularly Christians, are most likely to self-censor to avoid persecution in school by a wide margin. A multitude of articles has been written about the overwhelmingly anti-Christian and anti-capitalist environment on college campuses. The 20th century gave the world a chance to see the results of Marxism. Every country that attempted Marxism failed miserably. Not only in Marxisms catastrophic failures with the economy but destruction of life and freedom overall. Over 100 million people are estimated to have died under Marxism. Beyond that, religious citizens were crushed and driven to the sidelines of society, as Solzhenitsyn and many others have made clear. In the few remaining Marxist states, Christians remain a persecuted minority. Its time for Americans, particularly young Americans, to stem the tide. Lets follow the admonition of our Lord from Proverbs 14:34 that Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Teach our young to value righteousness, and condemn Marx and his attempts to dethrone God. "Money Heist" (also known as "La Casa de Papel") thrived on Netflix after a short-lived stint on Spanish TV, and the platform quickly capitalized on the hype with a documentary titled "Money Heist: The Phenomenon." When the show ended its five-season run last year, Netflix put out another documentary, "Money Heist: From Tokyo to Berlin," featuring the actors and crew discussing the end of the beloved series. But that was not truly the end of "Money Heist," which takes on new life, yet again, with the newly released "Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area." "Money Heist: Korea" is more crossover than spinoff: The series stays true to the original plot, in which a mysterious criminal mastermind recruits a band of thieves to help him pull off a daring heist at Spain's national mint. But the latest iteration manages to feel like a different show because it's specific to its setting - and very much a K-drama. Here is everything you need to know about "Money Heist: Korea." - There are a lot of familiar names and faces. Fans of the original "Money Heist" know that the Professor's recruits use international city names to hide their identities from one another during their criminal exploits. The characters in "Money Heist: Korea" use the exact same monikers. As in the original, the Professor (Yoo Ji-tae) first links up with the series narrator Tokyo (Jun Jong-seo) as she tries to elude authorities in the aftermath of a crime. Rounding out the team are Berlin (Park Hae-soo), Moscow (Lee Won-jong), Denver (Kim Ji-hun), Rio (Lee Hyun-woo), Nairobi (Jang Yoon-ju), Helsinki (Kim Ji-hoon) and Oslo (Lee Kyu-ho). The first episode's setup is largely the same: The thieves take over the Mint while high school students - including the daughter of a particularly high-profile figure - are touring the building. And the hostages are forced to dress as their captors to throw off police. The characters also maintain some physical and personality parallels with their "Casa de Papel" counterparts: Tokyo rocks a blunt bob like none other (OK, maybe one other). Moscow, husky and bearded, is often seen trying to calm his hotheaded, handsome son, Denver. Rio is a sweet goofball. Nairobi does whatever she wants. And Berlin - who will be instantly recognizable to "Squid Game" fans - is not to be messed with. Kim Yun-jin takes on the role of Seon Woojin, the police negotiator who tries to figure out what the Professor and his team want, unaware that she is closer to him than she could ever imagine. On top of the audacious crime she hopes to solve, Seon Woojin (like Raquel Murrillo before her) also faces sexism on the job, at which she is decidedly better than all of the men around her. - It's culturally specific. "Money Heist: Korea" is subtitled "Joint Economic Area" because the series takes place in a near-future that finds North Korea and South Korea on the cusp of reunification. The Mint is located in the JEA, giving both Koreas jurisdiction over the crime scene. And because the Professor taps criminals from both sides of the border - Tokyo is among the North Koreans handpicked for the heist - "Money Heist: Korea" joins other K-dramas including "Squid Game" and "Crash Landing on You" in offering a rare window into life in the totalitarian dictatorship. "La Casa de Papel" begins with Tokyo on the lam following a bank robbery. But in this version, Tokyo - a former soldier in the North Korean army - descends into a life of crime after being taken advantage of and forced to defend herself. When the Professor asks his task force to choose nicknames, "Tokyo" doesn't go unnoticed. When Rio asks why she chose "Tokyo of all names," she replies, "because we're going to do a bad thing," an apparent reference to the Japan's colonization of the Korean Peninsula. The inequality theme takes on a deeper significance in this version in alignment with Korean TV and films that are more wont to take on economic disparity. "South Korea has become a global exporter of culture (especially through movies, television and music), a fact to which American consumers are finally catching up," Washington Post TV critic Inkoo Kang wrote after "Squid Game" became last year's unexpected streaming juggernaut. "And Netflix, which has heavily invested in K-dramas in recent years, regularly encourages subscribers to overcome the 'one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles,' as 'Parasite' director Bong Joon-ho memorably called them, with foreign programming and international reality franchises." ("Money Heist: Korea" is available with English subtitles or dubbed in English like the original.) Viewers will also notice that while the thieves wear red jumpsuits like the characters in "Casa de Papel," they don't sport the same Salvador Dali masks. Instead, they wear traditional Hahoe masks. - It's more quick-paced. When Netflix picked up "La Casa de Papel," the streamer made adjustments, cutting the 15-episode first season into 22 installments, split between two seasons. "Money Heist Korea" launched with just six episodes and, as a result, gets to the characters' backstories much more quickly. And unlike in the original "Money Heist," where the Professor purposely bumps into Raquel (Itziar Ituno) in the third episode, the Professor and Seon Woojin know each other from the beginning. - It's likely to be very popular. "Money Heist" has long ranked as one of Netflix's most popular titles. And K-dramas - along with non-English titles, in general - have flourished on Netflix and other streaming services. We won't be surprised to see "Money Heist: Korea - JEA" atop Netflix's global TV chart next week. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Sheryl Griffin, 76, of Jasper, Texas, never thought shed go to college in Illinois and fall in love with a man from New Jersey, but she did. On May 27, 1972 at 2 p.m., she married Ron Blankley of River Vale, New Jersey, two years her junior. And on May 27, 2022 at 2 p.m., they returned to the church where it all started: First United Methodist Church of Jasper. Theres no better place to be than Jasper, Texas, Ron said. It was his idea to return to Jasper, traveling 1,500 miles from New Jersey where theyve lived for roughly 40 years. When they met with a travel agent to plan their trip and gave her the 75951 zip code, she said, Thats deep in the middle of nowhere. Ron said, Thats exactly where were going. Sheryls sister, Lin Griffin, 10 years her junior, had never met anyone from New Jersey before. Still a teenager, shed never left Texas. Neither had most people in Jasper at the time. It was quite the talk of the town that she married a Yankee, she said. She hadnt even met her new brother-in-law until right before the wedding. Prior to heading to Wheaton College, Sheryls father, Jimmy Griffin, told her, My biggest fear is that youll marry a Yankee and never come home. On her wedding day, he drove her very slowly to the church and in a round about way, she said. She just wanted to get to there and couldnt understand why daddy was doing that, she said. Before walking her down the aisle, he told her, Its not too late to change your mind. She just looked at him and said, Ill always love you, daddy. Rons camp counselor from Christian Service Brigade, whom hed known since he was nine, married them. They wrote their own vows with Psalm 34 as their theme. Their parents came from humble beginnings and were of the Greatest Generation. Sheryls parents, Jimmy and Masel Griffin, came from humble beginnings. He was born and raised in a tiny home in Woodville, the fifth of nine children. She was born in Center, and moved to Jasper later on and her family experienced great hardship during the Great Depression. They were married in the house of Masels brother, Lee Alvis, who lived on Peachtree St. After Pearl Harbor, Jimmy enlisted in the Navy and headed off to the Pacific theater. She waited for him to return, living in a room of the home of the local jeweler for whom she worked in town. After Jimmy came home, they moved into their own place across the street from Jasper High School. Several years later, they had Sheryl and moved to a small house on First Street. Rons parents, Warren and Gladys Blankley, who grew up in northern New Jersey, met in high school. His mother would wait four years for Warren to return from the war prior to them being married. He served in the Army in North Africa and Italy. It was only after he died that Ron learned of the commendations his father had been nominated for, which were tucked underneath papers in a box. Warren, who was incredibly humble, never told anyone. Mutual friends introduced Ron and Sheryl at Wheaton College, in Wheaton, Illinois, one night towards the end of her junior year and his freshman year. He said hed never seen anyone with such beautiful long blonde hair. After he told her about his plans for the summer, she replied, Oh bless your heart! Hed never heard that before and was smitten. Theyd date and break up and get back together again, and eventually get engaged in February 1972. She planned the wedding from Minnesota while he was in Philadelphia. Friends and family from the East coast and the Midwest came to the small logging town having never heard of it before. Theyd never even been to Texas. But it was the place to be for a celebration. Fifty years later it was no different. This time, Ron and Sheryl stayed at the Swann Hotel Bed & Breakfast run by new owners, Roy and Sarah Crone. Their gracious and hospitable hosts made the stay feel like a home away from home, so much so that they stayed an extra night. Sixty years ago, the hotel was run by the Swann sisters who hosted the rehearsal dinner of Sheryls older cousin. Lin, her maid of honor 50 years ago, made arrangements at the church including asking Rebel Hood, who owns Bobbys Bouquet, to recreate Sheryls bouquet. Rebel made it look almost identical to the one she held walking down the aisle. Angie Neal of Angie Neal Photography in Jasper captured the moment on camera. They celebrated that evening at Rayburn Country Resort at Lake Sam Rayburn. and had an anniversary cake made by Sharon Miller, also of Jasper. Wherever they went during their visit, people remarked that it wasnt often theyd hear of a 50-year wedding anniversary. Marriage isnt easy, theyve acknowledged. Over five decades theyve shared better and worse times. But the purpose of marriage wasnt solely about them. It was always about God. They felt called to the ministry, first working with Campus Crusade for Christ, then later for evangelical bible teaching churches. They raised children whod later have grandchildren. But through it all, they kept in mind the verse of their vows: Oh magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! (Ps. 34:3) Only in Gods providence would someone from northern New Jersey be in Jasper, Texas, Ron said. But theres no better place to be. He says he cant wait to come back. The Russian Foreign Ministry lashed out at the Biden Administration and its provocative moves to block a humanitarian flight picking up diplomats ordered to leave the US capital. Kremlin officials have commented how the US and its partners have provoked a reaction, also providing weapons to Zelensky used to attack civilians in the Donbas. US Disregards International Law On Wednesday, a statement was released by the ministry's website, written by their spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, reported RT. She warned that the Kremlin views this action by the US government as another infringement on the relations between the two countries; she asks if US officials are aiming for something more ominous in how they act. The source of Russia's anger is that Washington is adamant about not permitting a special fight for Russian diplomats and families to go home; Zakharova called it a hostile act. She added that now the US government is ignoring humanitarian action that should not be treated in such a way. They shouldn't prevent their colleagues from leaving the US as the State Department has told them to leave the Capital before the end of the month, noted Hi India. The Russian spokeswoman stated her government would answer the provocation. The official went on to say that the Russian Foreign Ministry had advised the Biden administration in Washington in advance if the humanitarian flight was not permitted to show up, Moscow might respond, even in an asymmetrical manner. Read Also: Vladimir Putin: 3 Facts You Didn't Know About Russia's President - From His Judo Records to His KGB Pseudonym Many nations, namely in the West, had deported several hundred Russian diplomats as of late February when Russia's operation against Ukraine started. Responding, the Kremlin has informed the representatives of those countries to depart, noted the Thread Times. Worsening relations between Washington and Moscow saw the two countries expel diplomatic staff over the years before this tiff caused by the US support of Ukraine, fighting a US proxy war. US officials have accused Russian officials on several occasions of spying for Moscow; that has been denied. Diplomats Are Leaving The US Department of State decided in August 2021 that required Russian diplomats stationed there for more than three years to leave, which is what led to this most recent instance. According to Washington, the move was not an expulsion but rather a toughening of restrictions to force Moscow to adjust its diplomats on a par with the US embassy in Moscow. To the Kremlin, it was a facade and emulated the imposition of the US three-year limit that led to the request for American diplomatic staff to depart. Sources say the initial 24 Russian consuls left America last year in early September 2021. Next, another 27 diplomats and families departed for home on January 30, 2022. The next batch of 28 staffers from the embassy will be leaving on June 30; from the United States. Russian Foreign Ministry does not take it lightly that the Biden administration is not following the rule set, and worse is the humanitarian flight for getting their people is blocked. The US government is getting arbitrary with everything, as the Zakharova explained. Related Article: Moscow Denies the Geneva Convention Covers the UK Foreign Fighters Sentenced to Death @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) The Alaska Supreme Court on Saturday upheld a lower courts ruling that will keep Republican Tara Sweeney off the ballot for the August special election in Alaskas U.S. House race. In a brief written order, the high court said it affirmed the decision of Superior Court Judge William Morse, who agreed with a decision by Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai to not advance Sweeney, the fifth place finisher in the June 11 special primary, to the special election after the third place finisher suddenly dropped out. The court did not elaborate on its reasoning but said a full opinion will follow at a later date. Morse on Friday ruled in favor of the elections division. The decision was appealed by the plaintiffs in the case. Forty-eight candidates ran in the special primary for Alaskas House seat, which was left vacant by the death in March of Republican Rep. Don Young, who held the seat for 49 years. The special primary was the first election held under a system approved by Alaska voters that ends party primaries and institutes ranked-choice voting in general elections. In this case, the top four vote-getters due to advance to the special election were Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich, independent Al Gross and Democrat Mary Peltola. That changed when Gross abruptly withdrew Tuesday. Fenumiai had said that because Gross withdrew less than 64 days before the scheduled Aug. 16 special election, state law did not permit the division to put the fifth-place candidate on the ballot in his place. On Thursday, three voters sued to have Sweeney put on the ballot, claiming elections officials misinterpreted the law and that the timeline to withdraw did not apply to special elections. Messages sent to three attorneys representing the plaintiffs were not immediately returned to The Associated Press on Saturday. The law was clear, and Im pleased the courts affirmed such. Now, its time to take our campaign to the voters in the general election and earn their support, Begich said in an email to the AP. Peltola said her campaign was focused on our own race. Well let the Republicans sort themselves out, she said in an email to the AP. Sweeney said in a statement that she was disappointed not to be among the four to advance in the special election to serve the remainder of Young's term, but she was still running in an August regular primary and November general election to determine who will serve a new, two-year term, starting in January. Alaska politics has a history of comeback stories, and I look forward to writing the next chapter by fighting to represent Alaska, she said. The Palin campaign did not immediately return a request for comment. The division will finalize the ballot design this week, as scheduled, said Department of Law spokesperson Patty Sullivan. Judges saw that the law allows only the top four candidates to advance unless someone withdraws by the deadline, she said, and Gross simply withdrew too late. Attorneys for the state said in court filings that while the division was sympathetic to the public expectation that under the new system four candidates would advance, it lacks the discretion to relax an unambiguous statutory deadline to effectuate this goal. Morse in his written order said the timeline under which a substitution could occur in this situation could hardly be briefer. But, he wrote, that is the period set by statute and the one the Division must apply. Sweeneys campaign did not sue over the issue, but she had said that she believed she should be moved into fourth place and that voters should have four candidates to choose from. WASHINGTON (AP) Up to 40,000 Army National Guard soldiers across the country or about 13% of the force have not yet gotten the mandated COVID-19 vaccine, and as the deadline for shots looms, at least 14,000 of them have flatly refused and could be forced out of the service. Guard soldiers have until Thursday to get the vaccine. And according to data obtained by The Associated Press, between 20% to 30% of the Guard soldiers in six states are not vaccinated, and more than 10% in 43 other states still need shots. Guard leaders say states are doing all they can to encourage soldiers to get vaccinated by the time limit. And they said they will work with the roughly 7,000 who have sought exemptions, which are almost all for religious reasons. Were going to give every soldier every opportunity to get vaccinated and continue their military career. Every soldier that is pending an exemption, we will continue to support them through their process, said Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard, in an Associated Press interview. Were not giving up on anybody until the separation paperwork is signed and completed. Theres still time. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last year ordered all service members active-duty, National Guard and Reserves to get the vaccine, saying it is critical to maintaining the health and readiness of the force. The military services had varying deadlines for their forces, and the Army National Guard was given the longest amount of time to get the shots, mainly because it's a large force of about 330,000 soldiers who are widely scattered around the country, many in remote locations. The Army Guard's vaccine percentage is the lowest among the U.S. military with all the active duty Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps at 97% or greater and the Air Guard at about 94%. The Army reported Friday that 90% of Army Reserve forces were partially or completely vaccinated. The Pentagon has said that after June 30, Guard members won't be paid by the federal government when they are activated on federal status, which includes their monthly drill weekends and their two-week annual training period. Guard troops mobilized on federal status and assigned to the southern border or on COVID-19 missions in various states also would have to be vaccinated or they would not be allowed to participate or be paid. To make it more complicated, however, Guard soldiers on state activate duty may not have to be vaccinated based on the requirements in their states. As long as they remain in state duty status, they can be paid by the state and used for state missions. At least seven governors formally asked Austin to reconsider or not enforce the vaccine mandate for National Guard members, and some filed or signed on to lawsuits. In letters to the governors, Austin declined, and said that the coronavirus takes our service members out of the fight, temporarily or permanently, and jeopardizes our ability to meet mission requirements. He said Guard troops must either get the vaccine or lose their Guard status. Jensen and Maj. Gen. Jill Faris, director of the Guard's office of the Joint Surgeon General, said they are working with states adjutants general to get progress updates, including on the nearly 20,000 troops who are not flat refusals and haven't submitted any type of exemption request. Some, they said, may just be a lag in self-reporting, while others may still be undecided. "Part of those undefined are our soldiers who say, well, I have until 30 June and so Ill take till 30 June," said Jensen. Others may have promised to bring in vaccine paperwork, and haven't done it yet. Still others are on the books, but haven't yet reported to basic training, so don't have to be vaccinated until they get there. It's not clear how many are in each category. Jensen acknowledged that if the current numbers hold, there are concerns about possible impact on Guard readiness in the states, including whether it will affect any Guard units preparing to deploy. When youre looking at, 40,000 soldiers that potentially are in that unvaccinated category, absolutely theres readiness implications on that and concerns associated with that, said Jensen. Thats a significant chunk. Overall, according to the data obtained by the AP, about 85% of all Army Guard soldiers are fully vaccinated. Officials said that if those with one shot are counted, 87% are at least partially vaccinated. Across the country, in all but one case, Guard soldiers are vaccinated at a higher rate that the general population in their state. Only in New Jersey is the percentage of vaccinated Guard solders very slightly lower than the states overall population, as of earlier this month when the data was collected. The three U.S. territories Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, all have more than 90% of their soldiers fully vaccinated. The highest percentage is in Hawaii, with nearly 97%, while the lowest is Oklahoma, at just under 70%. Guard leaders in the states have run special shot programs, and provided as much information as possible to their forces in order to keep them on the job. In Tennessee, they set up small teams in the east, west and central regions and did monthly events providing vaccines to troops who wanted them. And every Wednesday, Guard members could make appointments for shots in the middle Tennessee region, in Smyrna. In addition, in early June they called in all soldiers who have so far refused the vaccine. We held a big, mass event, said Army Guard Col. Keith Evans. We had all of our medical providers here. So if there were any questions to clear up, any misconceptions, any misinformation, we had all of our our data and were able to provide them all the information. Evans, who is commander of his Army Guard's medical readiness command, said they also had recruiting and other leaders there who could explain what would happen if soldiers chose to not get the shot and ended up leaving the Guard. We wanted to let them know what benefits they had earned because these are soldiers that had had done their time, served their country, said Evans. Officials say they believe the information campaign has been working. Jensen said that about 1,500 soldiers a week around the country are moving into the vaccinated category. We expect, as we approach the deadline, that well see some some larger growth. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As a brand, Asian carp have two big problems: The name strikes many as both racially insensitive and decidedly unpalatable -- a trash fish. How about some "copi" instead? In a marketing event Wednesday, Illinois officials announced the focus-group-approved name for the prolific invasive species. With the fresh consumer brand, they are seeking to gut the fish's numbers and reduce the looming ecological threat it poses to the Great Lakes. Soon, they hope, folks will be noshing on copi sliders and cooking up copi tacos, eating into the invader's population. " 'Copi' rose to the top. It's kind of fresh, maybe kind of Mediterranean," Kevin Irons, assistant fisheries chief at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said of the two-year name search. "Copi sounded like a fish." That's copi as in copious, which from an environmental perspective is the problem with these fish. Introduced from Asia in the 1960s to control weeds and algae, four voracious species -- silver, bighead, grass and black carp -- escaped from ponds in the South and have exploded in numbers along the Mississippi River and its far-reaching tributaries. Mighty American rivers that once teemed with a diversity of species are now roiling with millions of invasive carp, the largest of which, at 110 pounds, can outweigh a person. Videos of the big, silvery fish rocketing out of the water along the Illinois, Missouri and Ohio rivers have been going viral for years. Collectively known as Asian carp, they are now at the doorstep of the Great Lakes, massed in significant numbers less than 50 miles from Lake Michigan. Biologists fear that if the fish get there, they will vacuum up the plankton that form the foundation of the food web, wreaking havoc on an already invaded, disrupted Great Lakes ecosystem that nevertheless supports a $7 billion sport fishing industry. Illinois officials are betting that consumer demand will winnow that carp supply. They tout the fish's mild flavor, its abundance of omega-3 fatty acids and its lower levels of mercury than in most other fish, emphasizing that these species, unlike the common carp, are not bottom feeders. "This is not your grandfather's carp," Irons said. "It is not the one that is rooting around down in the mud. Because they are eating high in the water column, there are lower levels of contaminants." Biologists estimate that the Illinois River holds 20 million to 50 million pounds of the fertile invaders just waiting to be exploited and, they hope, overfished. Building demand for the fish would drive a resurgence of an Illinois River fishing industry that was once one of the nation's most productive, the thinking goes. This would provide jobs to communities that need them, and tap into a protein source that could help relieve food insecurity while reducing the single greatest ecological threat to the Great Lakes, Irons said. "It checks all the boxes," he said. Chicago chef Brian Jupiter, a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist and a winner of the Food Network's "Chopped" competition, revealed the new name Wednesday. In an interview days before the event, Jupiter said he planned to offer the fish at his New Orleans-influenced Ina Mae Tavern, perhaps in a po' boy sandwich made with copi fish cake. "It's a flaky fish that has white flesh; the flavor is good and mild," he said. "It does have a lot of bones, so that makes it challenging." Most past attempts to market the fish have run into trouble when they hit those bones. The carp's skeleton is composed of an intricate lacework of intermuscular bones that branch off in a Y shape deep inside the flesh of the fish, creating a vexing puzzle for a fillet knife. Those who do cut boneless pieces say a 40-pound carp produces less than four pounds of fish strips a few inches long and only about a quarter-inch thick. Because of that, the new marketing push focuses on minced fish, produced by a washing-machine-size contraption that squeezes the white flesh from the bone. Although the result resembles ground turkey, it is technically not ground. Persuading consumers to embrace minced fish may pose a challenge. "There are certain communities that are more amenable to minced fish, but I think this will socialize it," Irons said. "Maybe this will be the advantage of using this as the first fish: Not only are you introducing copi as a great dinner protein, but you also might say, 'I never thought of using minced fish.'" Jupiter said he was at first perplexed when he received samples. "I was like, 'What's that?' " he said. "That was the last thing I was wanting to work with in terms of the cuts they sent. But I did find it very easy to use in the cake format. As kids, we ate fish sticks. It allows you a lot of versatility." His is one of about two dozen restaurants, stores and wholesalers lined up to begin selling copi on Wednesday. Recipes will be available at ChooseCopi.com. A 2018 state report on the commercial potential of the top-feeding invasive carp noted that consumers consider them "trash fish," associating them with the bottom-feeding common carp introduced to the United States in the mid-19th century. Many in the renaming effort quip that carp is a four-letter word. They also cite precedent: orange roughy? It was once known as slimehead. Chilean sea bass? Formerly Patagonian toothfish. Even Asian carp have undergone previous brand makeovers. Colloquially, they have been called river rabbits and Illinois bass. An attempt in 2010 aimed to call them Kentucky tuna. A new carp processing plant on the Illinois River calls its product shiruba (silver in Japanese). And Louisiana chef Philippe Parola trademarked Silverfin and has been working for more than a decade to build a business selling it. Parola, who began cooking invasive rodents in the 1990s by developing recipes for nutria, said he welcomes the push for copi, believing it can reduce ecological harm and win consumers over to his Silverfin as well. But he warned that it will not be easy. "Many have tried," he cautioned. To make "copi" stick, Illinois will trademark the name and is seeking to have it adopted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For now, fish labeled copi must be identified as carp, Irons said. Some previous moves to change the name have focused on racial sensitivity. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stopped using the name last year to "move away from any terms that cast Asian culture and people in a negative light," one official explained. "There seems to be a stigma on multiple levels with this fish," said Jayette Bolinski, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. "The primary reason we are changing the name is because research shows consumers associate Asian carp with a fish that is unappealing, unappetizing. Of course, removing the racial reference in the name is another reason why we are doing this." If a name change does stimulate an appetite for the fish, an industry of workers and infrastructure will be needed to satisfy it. A nascent commercial carp-fishing industry has grown around the Peoria Pool, a 73-mile stretch of the Illinois River where the fish breed prolifically. In 2020, Sorce Feshwater Co. opened a processing plant on the shore of the pool and last year handled about 5 million pounds of invasive carp, said Roy Sorce, the company's president. Sorce charges $5.95 per pound for minced fish and up to $10 per pound for the strips, because they are hand cut. A couple of dozen fishermen have banded together to form the Midwest Fish Co-Op. All agree that the industry has not achieved critical mass and will need more people to catch the fish. Clint Carter, a fisherman whose parents also worked the Illinois, said it requires at least $170,00 to buy the boat, truck and equipment needed to enter the business. "There are a lot of people who look at this as a free protein source, but there are a lot of economics that need to be taken care of to make this thing go," he said. Carter has been offering "Asian carp" at his fish shop in Springfield, Ill. -- three-quarters of a pound of fried boneless strips, pickles and onions on bread for $7.99. He sold four orders on a recent Saturday. "I have probably fed 10,000 people samples over the years, and I have had maybe two people say they don't like it," Carter said. "It is mostly that mental stigma of it being carp." Sorce opened the processing plant because he became convinced that the fish could help alleviate rising food insecurity around the world. That market has not yet adopted it, however. One major hunger relief organization likes his product but cannot take it because its rules prevent using minced fish, he said, something that he thinks must change. For now, he reluctantly has to place some hope in the pet food market, which already uses some of the fish. "I love my dog, but this fish could literally solve a lot of the problems with people in need, for hungry people," Sorce said. In the meantime, the population grows, increasing the threat to the Great Lakes. The lakes are connected to the Mississippi River basin through canals completed in 1900 to reverse the flow of the Chicago River, which sent the city's sewage away from its drinking water source in Lake Michigan. To keep the fish from swimming through the channel, engineers in 2002 switched on the first of several electric underwater barriers about 37 miles from the lake. A more ambitious barrier project is underway at Brandon Road Lock and Dam, near Joliet, Ill., identified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the "critical pinch point" between the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. The $858 million project, now in the design phase, will include yet another electric barrier but will add fish-frightening underwater acoustics and an intimidating curtain of bubbles. Planners say their barriers have a better chance of success if the fish population is first reduced by a thriving fishery. "With commercial fishing, what we want to do is attack the population that is coming up the Illinois River and fish those invasive species out of there and keep the population low or kept as far downstream as possible," said Andrew Leichty, the Brandon Road project manager. Marc Gaden, legislative liaison for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, called the risk from the fish "grave." Rebranding the carp to foster a fishing industry is a helpful step, he said. "Make lemonade if you have lemons," Gaden said, "and maybe fish them out to at least keep a lid on them." WASHINGTON -- More than a thousand abortion rights demonstrators, chanting loudly and waving placards, gathered near the Supreme Court building Saturday for a second day of protests following the court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, adding their voices torenewed outpourings of emotion nationwide over the historic ruling. By late Saturday morning, a throng of protesters had massed on First Street NE, between the Capitol and Supreme Court, in a gathering that was noisy but peaceful -- although some abortion rights advocates engaged in angry exchanges with antiabortion activists, who appeared in much smaller numbers. "Not your uterus, not your choice," they chanted, as a group formed a semicircle in front of the court building and girls and adults stepped forward. One took the megaphone and led the crowd in defiant chants about the ruling. "I Dissent," read one placard. Others demanded a "separation of church and state" and called for Congress to "codify Roe." At one point, a man rode a bicycle through the assembly, disrupting a speech while playing religious music and displaying a "JESUS SAVES" sign. Protesters shouted back at him, "Abort the court!" U.S. Capitol Police said late in the afternoon that two people had been arrested. An officer said he understood the alleged conduct was "destruction of government property," but cautioned that he did not know what the formal charge eventually would be. On First Street, 11-year-old Penelope Hall of Blacksburg, Va., took the megaphone in front of the Supreme Court to deliver her message: "The decision they made doesn't affect them," she said. "But it affects me and my friends and my family." Other protesters cheered loudly as she handed the megaphone to the next speaker. With her father, Nathan Hall, standing next to her, Penelope said she wanted to tell the court that abortion was her right. Nathan Hall, 44, said he was "proud of her confidence and that she was able to articulate her voice. One of her first dream jobs was to be on the Supreme Court to protect women's rights." D.C. police said they had activated the full department -- placing officers on standby in case of violence or vandalism -- through the weekend. On Friday, dozens of police officers surveyed the scene as a peaceful but animated crowd gathered outside the court less than two hours after the decision was announced. Security fencing ringed the court, and officers with long guns watched the crowd from the roof. On Friday, thousands of abortion rights supporters gathered in downtown Washington to assail the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, in which a majority of the justices held that the Constitution does not guarantee the right to an abortion. Other marches to protest the decision unfolded in New York, Chicago, Nashville, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other cities. After the leak of a draft of the opinion last month, few were surprised. But many were still in shock. An abortion rights activist who had been atop the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge since Friday morning came down Saturday afternoon, according to D.C. police. He had been on top of the bridge for more than 24 hours. As Saturday morning wore on, Kate Ireland, of Chevy Chase, Md., bounced her 2-year old daughter, Eleanor, on her lap as the crowd chanted, "My body, my choice!" "Can you say it?" Ireland, 40, asked her daughter, as Eleanor looked around, eyes wide. They came with Kate's sister, Elizabeth McNamee, 33, of the District, who is queer. Both sisters are also concerned about what other rights would be rolled back next, including same-sex marriage. Ireland said she reads books with Eleanor about why people march and chant, and she hopes that the word "protest" is soon part of Eleanor's vocabulary. "We want to keep your body safe," she said, kissing her daughter's head. On Friday, the scene outside the court in the immediate wake of the Dobbs ruling captured Americans' wildly divergent reactions to a watershed moment in one of the nation's bitterest debates. Antiabortion activists brimmed with joy at a long-sought legal victory while supporters of abortion rights voiced fury and despair. Saturday brought a similar outpouring. Antiabortion activist Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue, applauded the court's ruling as he stood outside the building. He likened the justices' decision to the Allies' successful Normandy invasion in the fight against Nazi Germany in World War II, adding that ultimately he wants a federal law banning abortion nationwide. The ruling "was a victory, but it's like D-Day," Terry said. "Our goal is to get to Berlin. Our mission is to make it illegal to kill a human being from conception until birth in all 50 states." Carol Foulke, who is old enough to remember World War II, came to First Street from Northern Virginia in a wheelchair being pushed by her daughter. "Social worker for abortion access," her sign read. It is "very important that as many people who feel as I do to get out here and let the government know we're out here," said Foulke, 93, as protesters, mostly women, approached to have their photos taken with her. "It's going to be harder on the young people because they have lived with Roe v. Wade their whole lives," she said. "They don't know what it's like to not have that." Caitlynn Sawilski, 19, drove from Dover, Del., with a sign she'd made in 2018 for the anti-gun violence March for Our Lives: "So you're only pro-life when a uterus is involved?" The other side of the sign said: "This is from four years ago, why am I still using it?" "It is ridiculous that I have a sign that applies to trying to fight for gun safety and reproductive rights," Sawilski said. Tim Clement, of Oxnard, Calif., arrived in D.C. on Wednesday, anticipating the ruling overturning Roe. He said he was here to celebrate and, like Terry, to prepare for next steps. "Now the fight really begins," said Clement, 49, a teacher and chaplain. "It's about going forward, not backward. The laws of abortion need to change across the country. It's a fight to change people's minds." Mary Tretola-Johnson, 46, held a neon-green sign above her head saying she was a rape victim. She said she was sexually abused for more than a year when she was a teenager. Although she did not get pregnant, she said, she thinks about what might have happened - and what might happen to others. "There will be girls, women, who are impregnated by sexual assault that will not be given a choice, and they have to carry that baby to term. It's a lifetime of victimization that no man should ever have a voice in." Tretola-Johnson, of Upland, Calif., who has a 23-year-old daughter, said she cried and felt numb when the court's ruling was announced. "I can't believe that is what God intended, not the God that I serve," she said. "All I could think was, 'Not in America.' It was overwhelming." She added, "I'm hurt, I'm scared, and I want that to be heard." Elsewhere in the country, hundreds gathered in Willard Park next door to Cleveland City Hall on Saturday, coming from as far as Akron, an hour away, and carrying homemade signs that captured their unambiguous anger and unwillingness to accept Friday's Supreme Court decision. "I refuse to live in a country like this, and I'm not leaving," read one. "Guns have more rights than my uterus," read another. As speakers took the mic to deliver fiery speeches, the crowd chanted, "Never surrender! Abortion forever!" - - - Andrea Simakis in Cleveland and Omari Daniels in Washington contributed to this report. The question of abortion's legality is now for the states to answer after the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade on Friday, upending nearly 50 years of judicial precedent. State Rep. Jack OMalley, R-Lake Ann, said leaving it up to the individual states essentially leaves it up to the voters, which is "probably the way it should be." "Here in Michigan, there's the 1931 (abortion ban) law, but there's a court injunction. ... I know people are emotional on both sides, but in the middle of all that, there is a process they turned it back to the states," O'Malley said. "We've got this 1931 law, but the process also includes the people and a ballot initiative. What I'm assuming is going to happen on that front is no matter what the courts decide, in November the people of Michigan will be deciding whether there will be abortion or not. "In November, we'll let the people decide." O'Malley said he is waiting to see what unfolds in the aftermath of Friday's Supreme Court decision. "There are so many plates spinning right now and balls in the air, I don't think we need another one. ... A lot of people are introducing things and saying things should happen, but there is a process there let's let it play out," he said. "I think it's going to play out rather quickly. I don't think this is something that's going to take eight months to figure out." O'Malley said a lot of people around the country had been anxiously awaiting the Supreme Court's decision. "I know folks have been waiting to hear what was going to happen," he said. "In some ways, it's a surprise that they did it, and in other ways, not a surprise. Just by overall reaction, it's obviously a very controversial decision." The ruling comes more than a month after the leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito made national headlines indicating the court was prepared to take the step to ban abortion at the federal level. The Supreme Court draft opinion becoming public was the first in the modern history of the court to be disclosed publicly while a case was still pending. The decision was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court that has been fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump, according to reporting by The Associated Press. It puts the court at odds with a majority of Americans who favored preserving Roe, according to opinion polls. In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of votes in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as it is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. AP-NORC polling finds that generally, the majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases. Alito, in the final opinion issued Friday, wrote that Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 decision that reaffirmed the right to abortion, were wrong the day they were decided and must be overturned. Authority to regulate abortion rests with the political branches, not the courts, Alito wrote. Joining Alito were Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. The latter three justices are Trump appointees. Thomas first voted to overrule Roe 30 years ago, according to the AP. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan the diminished liberal wing of the court were in dissent. With sorrowfor this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protectionwe dissent, they wrote. The number and rate of U.S. abortions increased from 2017 to 2020 after a long decline. Thats according to new figures released Wednesday by a research group that supports abortion rights. Fridays outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. Michigan women and doctors will not be prosecuted for obtaining or providing an abortion despite Roe v. Wade being overturned, Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement Friday. "I will not use the resources of the Attorney Generals office to enforce an unconstitutional law that will allow the state into our bedrooms and doctors appointments, interfering with our fundamental reproductive rights," Nessel said in the statement. "As long as Im in office, I will not prosecute women, girls or their doctors for seeking or providing abortion services. Nor will my staff seek licensure discipline against medical professionals who safely perform these procedures." Nessel pointed out that Michigan is among the 26 states with a law on the books, dating back to 1931, that criminalizes abortion and makes it a felony to perform one, and has no exceptions for rape or incest. The law could be interpreted so that anyone, from the receptionist who schedules the appointment to a billing administrator, could be charged with "aiding and abetting" the termination of a pregnancy. She added that that would have a chilling effect on all reproductive care in Michigan, putting women at risk of injury and death. In the statement, Nessel also urged voters who want to maintain their reproductive rights to make their voices heard at the ballot box in November. Nessels opponent for attorney general, Republican Matt DePerno, has said repeatedly that he's against abortion even in cases of rape, incest or a dire medical emergency no exceptions, according to Nessel's office. "The impact of todays ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization cannot be overstated," Nessel added. "This opinion is an unraveling of our country as we know it. It claws back the hard-won agency women have over their bodies and lives, and it eliminates settled law relied upon by generations of Americans. It's time to vote like your life depends on it because it does." A sizeable majority of Michiganders agree that abortion is a decision for a woman to make in consultation with a medical professional she trusts. According to a poll from January 2022, 67.3% of Michiganders support Roe, and 65.7% support repealing Michigans 1931 trigger ban on abortion. Over 77%, believe abortion should be a womans decision. The Right to Life of Michigan President, Barbara Listing, said Friday's ruling gives states "the ability to restore legal rights to the unborn hopefully, in turn, ceasing the unjust slaughtering of the innocent in our country." "We urge the public and pro-abortion activists to accept this decision without violence and retaliation," Listing continued in a statement. "The overturning of Roe v. Wade was made possible by working with the legal system and following laws. We know that one day Michigans 1931 abortion law will be enforced again, and the unborn will be protected against ableism, sexism and racism." Republican Rep. Jack Bergman issued a statement on Twitter. "The Supreme Court got it right," he said. "The ruling today on Roe properly returns power to the states and ends decades of bad precedent. Since coming to DC, Ive constantly advocated for Life, and todays ruling is a major step to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us." And Republican Rep. John Moolenaar echoed Bergman's sentiments. "This is one of the most wonderful days in the history of our country and todays ruling will save millions of lives," Moolenaar said in a statement. "Now, the American people and their elected representatives at all levels of government will have the opportunity to make new laws on this critical issue with the benefit of scientific research that has shown us that precious unborn children have a heartbeat at six weeks and major organs after 15 weeks. There is still important work ahead including increasing support for adoption and pregnancy resource centers that help parents in need." Senator Debbie Stabenow released the following statement on the courts decision that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, roughly two months earlier than what has been allowed under Supreme Court precedent dating back to Roe. "In 1973, Roe v. Wade gave American women the fundamental freedom to make our own reproductive health care decisions," Stabenow said. "Now, 50 years later, the Supreme Court has ripped away this basic right. The fundamental question is who gets to make health care decisions for a woman? The woman herself, based on her own faith, with her family and her doctor, or a bunch of judges and politicians?" "This Supreme Court decision will literally put womens lives at risk," she continued. "Twenty-six states are poised to move quickly to ban abortionincluding 13 states with laws that can go into effect right now. It is hard to look past the anger that I and so many women across the country feel right now. From the President to the Congress to our local State Legislatures, elections matter now more than ever." Michigan's Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian issued the following statement. "As a physician, I know that the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn nearly half a century of precedent protecting safe, legal abortion violates the trusted relationship between a patient and their doctor," she said. "This ruling completely supersedes and overrides a woman's ability to dictate her health care in consultation with her physician. And it clears a path for draconian laws like Michigans 1931 criminal abortion ban to take full effect." "I am concerned about how this decision will negatively impact health outcomes for women and children, particularly women and children of color as they have greater disparities in health outcomes in general," Bagdasarian continued. "A woman may choose to have an abortion for a wide variety of reasons none of them are anyones business but hers. If women and doctors are under threat of prosecution and jail time due to Michigans abortion ban, women will have a more difficult time accessing critical health care. And with abortion not legally available, women are more likely to undergo unregulated procedures that can jeopardize their future reproductive health and in some cases be life-threatening." Manistee News Advocate reporter Kyle Kotecki contributed to this report. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Howard Manly, The Conversation (THE CONVERSATION) President Joe Biden signed into law on June 25, 2022, a bipartisan bill that is the first significant change in federal gun legislation in nearly three decades. Known as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the bill was written in response to the shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, and sped through a usually slow-moving Congress. Though the bills limited scope has left many disappointed, it does tighten up gun control in a number of key areas. As the bill was making its way through Congress, The Conversation published a number of articles looking at its provisions and how effective they might be in addressing Americas gun violence crisis. 1. Support for states red flag laws Among the elements of the new law is support for states to pass what are called red flag laws. LaGrange College political science professor John A. Tureswrites that these laws allow police to take guns from people deemed a threat to themselves or others and bar them buying firearms. To determine if red flag laws reduce gun deaths overall, Tures examined states firearm death rates, in light of whether they had a red flag law or not, in each of three years 2018, 2019 and 2020. On average, states with red flag laws in 2019 and 2020 had significantly lower firearm death rates than states without them. In 2018, the average death rates for both groups were closer, but states with red flag laws still had a meaningfully lower rate. In 2020, if there were no red flag laws, I estimate that 52,530 Americans would have died in gun deaths. The number actually recorded was 45,222, indicating red flag laws saved 7,308 American lives that year, Tures writes. 2. What is the boyfriend loophole? One of the sticking points in negotiations over the bill that was eventually resolved was the boyfriend loophole. Under current federal legislation, Michigan State University criminal justice professor April M. Zeoli explains intimate partner relationships are defined only as those in which two people are or were married, live or lived together as a couple, or have a child together. People who were in a dating relationship are largely excluded from this definition. As a result, Zeoli writes, dating partners are exempt from federal laws that prohibit those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanor crimes, or those who are under domestic violence restraining orders, from buying or possessing a firearm. This is what is referred to as the boyfriend loophole. Research suggests that when a violent male partner has access to a gun, the risk of murder to the female partner increases fivefold. With Biden signing the bill into law, the wording extends the ban to those who have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. Though the bill will close the loophole for those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanor crimes, it does not cover restraining order laws. 3. Does the law protect schools? The new law would provide US$1 billion to help schools put in place comprehensive strategies to create safe and healthy learning environments, including $300 million to increase access to mental health services. Part of the strategy involves risk assessment. In the years since the Columbine shooting in 1999, researchers and federal law enforcement agencies have studied school shootings and developed risk assessments to gauge the likelihood of actual violence by a young person identified as a possible risk. As Paul Boxer, a Rutgers University - Newark psychology professor, explains, the assessments are conducted by professionals that include police officers, teachers and mental health counselors. Together, they determine a young persons risk for violence. These teams may not be able to prevent every possible incident, Boxer cautions. Still, this sort of approach is critical to improving the process of identifying and stopping potential shooters overall. Editors note: This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversations archives. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/first-bipartisan-gun-control-bill-in-a-generation-signed-into-law-3-essential-reads-on-what-it-means-185822. Russia fired nearly 50 missiles at areas in western and northern Ukraine early Saturday and launched airstrikes from Belarus for the first time, Ukrainian officials said, as Moscow's war entered a fifth month and President Biden headed to Germany for a summit with Group of Seven leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held their own meeting on Saturday at Putin's summer residence near St. Petersburg, where they discussed increasing weapons shipments to Belarus, including nuclear weapons. The barrage of missiles struck a wide swath of territory as Ukrainian forces struggled to hold on to the eastern city of Lysychansk, Kyiv's last foothold against a Russian onslaught in the Luhansk region. A military base near the western Ukrainian town of Yavoriv was hit by four Russian missiles fired from the Black Sea, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said. He said two other missiles were intercepted. Details of casualties were not immediately known, but at least 35 people were killed in a similar attack on Yavoriv in March. Missile strikes were also reported on Chernihiv and Zhytomyr in the north, with a total of 48 missiles launched, according to Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak. Ukrainian military intelligence said 12 missiles were fired from Russian Tu-22M3 bombers flying over Belarus. It was the first time, the Ukrainians said, that Belarusian airspace has been used for such an attack. A Telegram channel monitoring Belarusian military activity, Belarusian Gayun, also said that missiles were launched from Belarusian territory. Ukraine charged that the strikes from Belarusian airspace reflected a deliberate effort by the Kremlin to "draw Belarus into the war in Ukraine as a direct participant." Belarus's Lukashenko is a long-standing and loyal ally of Putin, and allowed Russian troops and materiel to remain in his country after joint exercises in February. Those troops, tanks and other equipment were then used in Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Putin told Lukashenko that Russia would hand Iskander M missile systems to Belarus in coming months, adding the missile was capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads. "As we agreed with you - you raised this matter - our decision has been made. Over the next few months we will send Belarus the Iskander-M tactical missile systems which can use both ballistic and cruise missiles, both in conventional and nuclear rendition," Putin said according to Interfax. He added that the two countries must ensure their security. Lukashenko urged Putin to also equip Belarusian warplanes to carry nuclear warheads. The Belarusian leader raised the issue of Belarus hosting nuclear weapons late last year. "I am not saying that you will move nuclear munitions there tomorrow," Lukashenko said, but added it was important to be ready in case of a NATO attack. Ukraine claimed late last month that Russia had already deployed Iskander M missiles in Belarus. In eastern Ukraine, Serhiy Haidai, the regional governor of Luhansk, announced the retreat of Ukrainian troops from Severodonetsk amid mounting casualties. The remaining soldiers will be relocated to new, fortified locations, he added. Ukraine's "professional, tactical retrograde" should not be taken as a sign of defeat, a senior U.S. official said, because Russia has made only incremental gains while a large number of its troops have been killed. Five miles south of Severodonetsk, Ukrainian defenders have been digging trenches around Lysychansk this week to seal the city to everyone but military and humanitarian rescue missions. Russian forces have tried to enter Lysychansk from the south, Haidai said in a Telegram post Saturday, injuring at least two children in recent days. As Russian troops threaten to seize control of the entire Luhansk region, Biden is set to confer with leaders of the Group of Seven advanced industrial nations at a summit scheduled to start Sunday in the Bavarian Alps. When the G-7 leaders met in March, there was an unprecedented consensus on an unconditional need to back Ukraine, as well as optimism given Kyiv's unexpected successes on the battlefield. When the latest meeting starts in Germany on Sunday, however, the mood is likely to be more somber, with the fallout of a protracted war, including high prices as well as the food and energy crises caused by the war, causing fractures among Western nations. Top Western diplomats are also working to resolve Russia's Black Sea blockade of Ukrainian grain exports, although a path forward remains elusive. On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at a news briefing that Russia is the sole impediment to Ukrainian grain shipments from ports such as Odessa. He dismissed Moscow's accusations that Ukraine is mining its waters and said it "makes no sense" for Russia to inspect Ukrainian ships leaving these ports. "By what right or by what logic does Russia insist on inspecting Ukrainian sovereign ships leaving Ukrainian ports going to other countries?" Blinken said. He added that it is Kyiv that needs reassurances that Moscow would not use the opening of the ports to launch new attacks. Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union, has taken on the task of processing some of neighboring Ukraine's harvest, with the majority shipped there by barge down the Danube River. The Black Sea port of Constanta, the largest in Romania, has processed nearly 1 million tons of grain since war broke out, according to the Associated Press. But operators there say that strong assistance from the rest of the E.U. is needed for the port to even maintain its current level of output. "If we want to keep helping Ukrainian farmers, we need help to increase our handling capacities," Dan Dolghin, who heads cereal operations at Constanta's main Comvex terminal, told the AP. "No single operator can invest in infrastructure that will become redundant once the war ends." - - - The Washington Post's Missy Ryan contributed to this report from Berlin. The Post's Matt Viser and Ashley Parker contributed from Munich. NEW HAVEN While adults continue the larger fight over the elimination of Kensington Playground, in the meantime, at least the kids in the Dwight neighborhood will get to experience one of the joys of summer missing for the past five years. The playground now has a working splash pad, just as the area is set to experience 90-degree temperatures this weekend. The Friends of Kensington Playground thanked Mayor Justin Elicker and the Parks and Recreation Department for fixing the drainage pipe that had long left the splash pad inoperative. Now the children in this neighborhood can enjoy themselves in our neighborhoods only public playground, Pat Wallace, president of the friends group, said in a statement. With the splash pad now working again the neighborhood kids will have a chance to cool off during the long hot summer, Olivia Martson, resident and member of the Dwight Central Management Team, said. Despite the new recreational option, a lawsuit against the decision of the city to sell the playground site to Community Builders for $1 in exchange for upgraded affordable housing and a small number of additional units continues to advance in the courts. A Superior Court judge recently kept the 2020 case alive by refusing to dismiss the suit, ruling that the environmental issues it raised merit further investigation, specifically the removal of 25 mature trees. The city had alleged that the friends group had not proved sufficiently that the city might have violated the Connecticut Environmental Protection Act, but the judge disagreed. Construed broadly and realistically and in favor of the non-moving party, the plaintiffs allegations support an inference that unreasonable pollution, impairment or destruction of a natural resource will probably result from the challenged activities [of the defendant] unless remedial measures are taken, Judge James W. Abams decision states. City Corporation Counsel Patricia King said the lawsuit was regarding the repurposing of an underused pocket park for new affordable housing. The city held many public meetings and hearings regarding this affordable housing development, which the public including the plaintiffs took advantage of to express their positions on the proposal, King wrote. Nevertheless, the plaintiffs claimed that the city violated the Connecticut Environmental Protection Act by failing to hold a particular type of public hearing. The city is gratified that the court found that no such hearing was necessary, because the city was repurposing its own property, King wrote. While the court denied the citys motion to strike and has allowed the plaintiffs claim to proceed under CEPA, the burden of proof remains on the plaintiffs to prove their claims at trial, she wrote. Unfortunately, New Haven residents now need to wait longer for much-needed affordable housing and for improvements to Day Street Park, which includes a new splash pad for neighborhood children a block away. The friends group pointed to serious air quality issues in the Dwight neighborhood and the high rate of asthma and chronic health conditions that affect both children and adults. The trees in the playground help with air quality problems, Wallace said. Yale New Haven Hospital is about to begin major parking garage construction to concentrate much more staff parking and traffic in the heart of the Dwight neighborhood, Wallace said. This will worsen air pollution. If the hospital wont take care of our health, we need our mature trees to help us. The group expects its lawsuit to be heard within the next year, Wallace said. In the meantime, members will conduct a survey of the neighborhood to find out what features and activities the residents would like to have at their park and playground. NEW YORK (AP) When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down New York's tight restrictions on who can carry a handgun, condemnation erupted from liberal leaders and activists. But some public defenders, often allies of progressive activists, praised the court's ruling, saying gun-permitting rules like New York's have long been a license for racial discrimination. By making it a crime for most people to carry a handgun, New York and a few other states have ended up putting people overwhelmingly people of color behind bars for conduct that would be legal elsewhere, the defense lawyers complain. New Yorks gun licensing regulations have been arbitrarily and discriminatorily applied, disproportionately ensnaring the people we represent, the majority of whom are from communities of color, said The Legal Aid Society, which represents criminal defendants who cant afford their own lawyers. The court's decision Thursday concerned a century-old law that said New Yorkers seeking gun licenses had to show an unusual threat to their safety if they wanted to carry a handgun in public. Simply wanting a gun for personal defense was not enough. And the police departments or judicial magistrates were given wide discretion to decide who needs and deserves to carry a gun. Reasons could include being a retired law enforcement officer or working as an armed guard or in a business that transports valuables. A few other states have similar standards. The Supreme Court, in a majority opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas, said New York's system violated Americans' Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. New York's governor and New York City's mayor, both Democrats, quickly began eying other potential guardrails for carrying guns. Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to convene with state lawmakers at the end of the month to push for new gun safety legislation. Ideas include banning them in certain areas, such as subways, or requiring weapons training to get a permit. The officials argue that it's perilous to make it easier to carry a gun. They envision more arguments turning into deadly confrontations at a time when the nation is already beset by gun violence. Some civil rights leaders agree. The Rev. Al Sharpton called the Supreme Court ruling devastating, and the National Urban League and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund said it was particularly so for Black people. In a friend-of-the-court brief, the two groups pointed to statistics showing that Black Americans, particularly Black male teens and young men, die from gunfire at a higher rate than do whites or the general population. If the Supreme Court actively were seeking out a way to make the nation more volatile and dangerous, it could not have devised a more damaging scenario, league President Marc Morial said after the ruling. But attorneys from nearly a dozen New York public defender agencies and organizations cited other statistics. Black people faced 78% of felony gun possession charges in the state last year, while making up 18% of its population compared to 7% of prosecutions and 70% of the population for non-Hispanic whites, the defenders said in their own friend-of-the-court brief. Over 90% of people arrested in New York City on charges of possessing a loaded firearm are Black and/or Latino, according to the filing, although non-Hispanic whites comprise nearly 1/3 of the city population. The defenders argue that the numbers are rooted in a history of racist anxieties about racial and ethnic minorities having firearms and are furthered by an expensive and onerous discretionary licensing process. According to New York Police Department statistics, about 3,500 civilians in the city of 8.5 million have business carry licenses, and another 2,000 guards have permits to carry guns while working. About 15,000 retired law enforcement officers have a type of license that's specific to them. The department didn't provide a breakdown of licensees by race. While white people throughout the nation amass firearm arsenals even as hobbies, Black and Latinx New Yorkers are arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned for simply possessing a single pistol for self-defense, several of the briefs authors wrote in an October article on Scotusblog, a legal news site. One defendant was a working father and college student who carried a gun to a neighborhood where he'd been slashed in the face; he ended up serving eight months in jail and dropping out of college, according to the defenders. Another man contracted COVID-19 and died last fall while jailed on $100,000 bail in a case alleging he had a gun in his car, which he denied. Another defendant, a military veteran who served in Iraq and legally owned a gun in her home state of Texas, was arrested for having the weapon in her car in New York. She was jailed for weeks before making bail and was subjected to a child-neglect proceeding that kept her away from her two small boys for a year. The criminal case was eventually dismissed. I lost everything: my job, my car, my home and my kids, she said in the court filing. In Chicago, Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell Jr. has become convinced that Illinois' firearms laws which are strict but don't include a New York-style proper cause standard are doing less to keep guns off streets than to put people in prison. A quarter of his caseload involves no other charge but gun possession. We have a gun problem, full stop. But failed policies are part of the problem, Mitchell said in a statement after the Supreme Court ruling in the New York case. These laws facilitate racially targeted enforcement that sends thousands of Black people to prison because they do not have or cannot get the required licenses, not because theyve been accused of harming someone. The high court indicated that states still can require licenses and can impose some conditions, and New York and other states with similar laws will surely look closely at what leeway they still have. But some public defenders suggest lawmakers should take a broader view of gun safety. Regulation and criminalization are not our only options, said Corey Stoughton, a Legal Aid Society attorney who focuses on legislative and regulatory reform. She points to such approaches as violence intervention programs. If we want to reduce guns, we need to make people feel safe, Stoughton said. And we have ways that are positive approaches to invest in our communities and make people feel safer. Scientists conduct a new study about cold-blooded animals on how lifespans are connective to their size, particularly tetrapods that are reptiles and amphibians. Humans live up to 70 years on average, but tortoises can live for one hundred years. Longevity Is Subjective in Different Species This is the most complete study to date mapping how long animals live in the wild; while looking at 114 populations composed of 107 species, reported Science Alert. Several decades of data on how species control body head, external temperature, and their lifestyles were compiled; then examined, and these are their results. There are 30 known vertebrate species capable of living over 100 years or a century and more. Identified are 20 ectotherms; scientists want to know what makes them live longer than humans. Careful examination by the researchers has yielded compelling findings of physical and chemical characteristics. They could be hard armor, spines, poison bites, and slow aging, which can be connected to a greater lifespan, also called protective phenotypes crucial for longevity. Defensive Mechanisms in Animals According to evolutionary biologist Beth Reinke of Northeastern Illinois University, different defensive mechanisms could reduce animal mortality rates within generations. She also asserted that they would live longer, which might alter the selection landscape all over generations for the emergence of delayed aging, noted Scimex. In addition, some species like cold-blooded animals like tetrapods do not age at all or age slowly. However, their likelihood of dying does not evolve when they are past reproduction. Read Also: Blueprint for Life Could Have Started From Asteroids Hitting the Protean Earth Billions of Years Ago Animals are one in a hundred chances of dying by age 10, then one and a hundred they will perish by 90, called negligible aging. In comparison, the average US woman has a chance that one in 2.500 aged 20 and one in 24 at 80 years old. One species in each ectotherm group, including frogs, salamanders, lizards, crocodilians, and turtles, displayed minimal aging. Though the study has revealed a different conclusion based on outer temperatures to control their body heat, like animals that couldn't control their body heat, a lower metabolic rate did not mean a long-lived one. Researchers saw that cold-blooded animals live longer or shorter lifespans compared to warm-blooded animals of the same size. The aging rates of bird was greater in comparison to a mammal as one inference, but slowly aging turtles were distinctive and a focus of scientists. It's the only animal with a slower metabolic rate with longer life, and it is where the strongest protective phenotype exists, noted EurekAlert!. Another evolutionary biologist, Anne Bronikowski of Michigan State University, believes that their modified morphology with hard shells offers security and has played a role in the evolution of their life histories, including negligible aging, no demographic aging, and long lives. The research described in this study is helpful in the long run in the future in several ways, such as looking into human aging patterns or continuing to work on cold-blooded animal conservation programs. This is partly because of the length of time the research stretches. According to Australian ecologist Mike Gardner of Flinders University, many research findings, such as the monogamy and host-parasite relationships in sleepy lizards, are the product of prolonged studies. The study concludes that cold-blooded animals like tetrapods include reptiles and amphibians who were the research subjects. Related Article: Researchers Assume a Nearly Oxygen-Free Environment on Mars Where Some Life Forms Thrive @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Torrington During the COVID-19 pandemic, agencies like Catholic Charities Torrington Family Service Center did their best to keep in touch with clients. Using Zoom, Microsoft Teams or gotomeeting, many businesses and organizations set up an online community for meetings and classes, joining thousands of other organizations and employers that turned to digital technology to bridge the gap of isolation and communication, and to keep things running. But its been slow getting people back in person. And the team at Catholic Charities Torrington office want people to know that they are there for anyone and everyone seeking help with their mental health. And you dont have to be Catholic, either. At the front desk, Susan Lurvey is a client care specialist and administrator; the office manager is Diane Blackwood. Lurvey greets visitors with a friendly hello after buzzing them in through the front door. If someone walks in asking for help, I talk to them first, Lurvey said. Do you have insurance? Do you have a safe place to live? How do you get to work? If theyre in an abusive relationship, I have them talk to a counselor about getting out if it. We have a book of resources to find what else they might need. If theyre homeless, they have to call 211, she said. The process to get help can take so long; there are moms with kids, and Ive found men have a harder time going through it. Its frustrating that we cant do more. What the agency does do is administer therapy to help heal a persons mind and body. Challenges We provide many different therapies for our clients, from individual for adults and children, to group therapy, said Sandra Lerzundy-Price, director of clinical services at the Institute for the Hispanic Family and the Torrington Family Service Center. Our major focus is our clients. Catholic Charities, according to its website, is a leader in providing culturally and linguistically competent behavioral health services to adults, children, adolescents, and families across our region. Through individual or group therapy, our clinicians are able to address problems associated with substance abuse, depression, anxiety, anger management, trauma, grief and loss, and other mental health issues. The agency also has offices in Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury. Judy Balcezak, supervisor of the Behavioral Health Program, and social worker Robert Erwin, have seen a significant drop in people reaching out for services. When we had to shut down, it was pretty dramatic, she said. We started working from home, and we used Zoom and telehealth. Before COVID-19, we had 250 to 300 clients, but many people dont want to come back in person. Transportation for appointments has also become more of a problem for people in Torrington as well as Colebrook, Goshen, New Hartford and Barkhamsted, said Erwin. Its not always reliable, he said. The agency is now serving under 130 people. In spite of the challenges, Lerzundy-Price said the local agency runs numerous programs and offers services to those communities. Catholic Charities has run community and residential programs, behavioral health clinics, outpatient groups and family therapy groups for many years, she said. We work with families with mental health needs. Bob (Erwin) and I also run family violence programs, so if someones arrested, they go to classes for anger management, said Balcezak. We are involved in that. Crime victim advocacy The team also includes Sandra Raver, a caseworker for the VOCA program, or Victims of Crime Act. She divides her time between Torrington and Waterbury. In my role, Im an advocate for any victim of a crime, because theyre entitled to free clinical and group therapy assistance, and I help them get those services, she said. Anyone whos a victim of sexual or domestic violence, a homicide, a robbery in the last year the cases have been primarily domestic violence victims. Under VOCA case management, I can help them navigate the legal system until they go to court. We keep track of their attacker, and notify them of any changes to the inmates status once theyre in jail. Victims can also apply for compensation in some cases, she said. Its an ongoing process. Theres lost wages and medical bills a victim might be dealing with, Raver said. If a person was injured, they can apply for lots of therapies. The VOCA program is something many people dont know about, and therefore dont know what kind of compensation they may be entitled to, Raver said. If someone is killed in a persons home, VOCA helps with funeral expenses, and provides services for any problems, like PTSD, that might occur, she said. Feeling safe For Raver, Balcezak and Erwin, working with people today shows the emotional and social impacts of the pandemic on a large scale. We did a lot on Zoom, and people got used to it, but isolation, after a while, is a comfort zone, Raver said. When youre out sick for a week, going back to work feels weird, so after being out for months and months, its even weirder. We will do virtual meetings, but we really want people to come here in person, she said. I think some people are still very afraid of the virus. This past weekend, I saw more people wearing masks than Id seen in a while. The isolation and fear affect those with a disability and older, retired people, she said. Housing is in crisis, so people are either looking for a place to stay or staying inside, she said. Its harder to go out on a regular basis, so its harder for them to emerge back into the world. More programs being added As the team rebuilds their client connections in the community, new programs are being added. A new outpatient group on mental health and substance abuse begins at 9:30 a.m. on July 5, and a social skills group for teens is also being offered this year. We are working with the state to serve more youth, because its really needed, Balcezak said. As always, the hardest part of making it work is transportation. We need a grant for a van. Financially, the nonprofit agency is spread quite thin, team members said. Its very important for us to find and create new resources, said Lerzundy-Price. We apply for funding, for grants, but it goes very quickly. We always welcome donations. For information on the Torrington Family Service Center, 132 Grove St., Torrington, go to https://www.ccaoh.org/how-we-help/behavioral-health/ or call 860-493-1841. LAS VEGAS (AP) Authorities have identified a psychiatric patient accused of fatally stabbing one man and wounding another inside a Las Vegas hospital. Police say 48-year-old Michael Earl was booked Thursday into Clark County jail on charges related to murder and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. It was not immediately known Friday if Earl had an attorney to comment on his behalf. The stabbings occurred earlier in the day in a secured area of University Medical Center where psychiatric patients are treated. Police say Earl left his room, went to an adjacent one and began arguing with a patient, who was in soft restraints. He was attacked and fatally stabbed. Earl allegedly then went into a hallway and began stabbing another man who was on a gurney. Police say the second victim and a charge nurse were able to flee. Corrections officers who happened to be at the hospital on an unrelated assignment arrested Earl without incident. The stabbings occurred in an area where psychiatric patients receive treatment such as Legal 2000. People are placed on a Legal 2000 hold when they are considered a danger to themselves or others. They can be held for observation for up to 72 hours. MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) Police at the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier say the building was vandalized early Saturday when seven windows were broken and a message painted outside the main door reacting to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that overturned a constitutional right to abortion. Police say the vandalism took place at around 2 a.m. Saturday. The message painted on the granite portico said If abortions arent safe youre not either. Her entire life, Christina Mitchell has lived with Roe as the law of the land. On Friday morning, the 23-year-old was on her way out for a run in Houston. As she was about to walk out the door, her mother delivered the news: The Supreme Court had just overturned the fundamental right to an abortion. "My initial reaction was shock," said Mitchell, a law student at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge. This year, Mitchell, who is Black, had traveled to D.C. to celebrate Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation to the Supreme Court. Among a throng of supporters, she cheered and chanted and held up signs supporting the court's first Black female justice. Now, what Mitchell feels the most is uncertainty in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's HealthOrganization decision. She viewed abortion as the Supreme Court had laid it out in its 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling: a fundamental right giving women the power to exercise control over their bodies. While Mitchell lives in a state where abortion is banned, she doesn't believe that will affect her: She is religious and doesn't foresee getting an abortion herself, she said. But Mitchell is clear about who will be most impacted by Dobbs. "It's going to affect Black women more," she said. All sides of the abortion rights debate have acknowledged that women of color are most likely to be affected by abortion laws. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who wrote a concurring opinion on the Dobbs ruling, has previously compared abortion to a "tool of modern-day eugenics." (Justice Samuel Alito, in the court's majority opinion, wrote in a footnote that it is "beyond dispute" that Roe has had a "demographic effect" -- "a highly disproportionate percentage of aborted fetuses are Black.") Not all states report racial and ethnic data on abortion, but among those who do (29 states and D.C.), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that a disproportionately high share are women of color. In 2019, the abortion rate for Black women was 23.8 per 1,000 women. For Hispanic women, it was 11.7 per 1,000. And for White women, it was 6.6 per 1,000. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization that supports abortion rights, the reasons for these higher rates are systemic, driven by a lack of access to and effective use of contraceptives. As word of the high court's decision spread on Friday, racial justice and women's rights organizations, alongside liberal lawmakers, condemned the decision, pointing to the ways it could harm people of color by restricting access to abortion and potentially criminalizing them for their pregnancy outcomes. "Today is a dark day in our nation's history and this decision is a devastating confirmation of what Black and brown reproductive justice organizers have been sounding the alarms about for years: this Court will stop at nothing to strip away our reproductive freedom and our fundamental human right to bodily autonomy," Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said in a statement. "This is a direct and pernicious assault on people of color, including Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities where the path to abortion care is riddled with language barriers, cultural stigmas, and low rates of insurance coverage among our most vulnerable community members," wrote Isra Pananon Weeks, interim executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum. Lupe M. Rodriguez, executive director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, said her organization was "angry and crushed" by the court's decision to uphold Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban - but not surprised. "The courts have never served our communities," Rodriguez said in a statement. "This decision will directly and disproportionately harm Latinas/xs and all communities of color; this is an attack on racial justice, economic justice, and equality." Tennessee state Sen. London Lamar, D, said she is devastated and angry at the Dobbs ruling. The state legislature in 2019 passed a "trigger" ban, which effectively outlaws abortion in the state. "It is unconscionable that a group of politicians, who mostly neglect families that look like mine, now have the power to endanger women's health and criminalize our doctors for offering appropriate, lifesaving care," said Lamar, who is Black. Many people anticipated that the court would strike down the constitutional protection of abortion after Alito's draft opinion was leaked in May. Among those was Melissa Murray, a New York University law professor and author of "Cases on Reproductive Rights and Justice." Even with Roe as the law of the land, access to abortion has been "very limited" for marginalized groups, who often encounter financial and structural barriers to accessing medical care, Murray said -- not having proper identification or documentation, a lack of sex education or not being able to afford or access contraception, for example. "Women of color, poor women, Black women are often the canary in the coal mine on these issues," Murray said. "Their experience really telegraphs where we are going with this." Friday's decision "will have an immediate impact on these populations," she added. Advocates point out that difficulty accessing care will be compounded for trans people of color, many of whom report facing stigma or discrimination navigating the health-care system. Tammie Lee, who lives in southeast Idaho, can no longer have children. But the Supreme Court decision and its potential aftermath made her worry for those who can. Lee, who is White, first learned about the overturned ruling as she was leaving for her job as a health educator on a Native American reservation. Throughout the day, her co-workers mourned the disproportionate effect the decision will have on Native American women, women of color and poor women, she said. "I'm just so angry, and I feel so bad for the future," Lee said. Indigenous abortion rights advocates note that women and gender-nonconforming people "have long been subjected to a de-facto abortion ban," The Lily reported last year. Because many Indigenous people cannot afford private health insurance, they have to rely on the federal Indian Health Service (IHS), which is subject to the Hyde Amendment, a provision that blocks federal funds from covering abortion services. "The Supreme Court's decision is particularly devastating for the Native community, who will undoubtedly see an increase in violence towards Native women and girls as a result of today's decision," said Crystal Echo Hawk, executive director of IllumiNative, a racial and social justice advocacy group. Of the 22 states that have banned or may now severely limit abortion, many are in the South, which is home to nearly half of the country's Black population. Abortion rights advocates worry how that will impact Black people and other people of color, who are more likely to die from childbirth-related complications. Mississippi, which filed the Dobbs case, has among the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the nation. Those rates are even worse for Black people: In the United States, an average of 18 birthing parents will die for every 100,000 live births. For Black women in Mississippi, that rate is 51.9 per 100,000 live births, the Jackson Free Press reported. The Rev. Heather Bradley, director of African American outreach for the antiabortion organization Democrats for Life of America, welcomed the Dobbs decision. "We have been working for years to see Roe v. Wade overturned. We are definitely concerned about the life of the unborn," she said. But the work is far from over, Bradley added: "It's so important to have legislation that provides health care, especially for the mother." Bradley would like to see more lawmakers push for policies that support working parents, such as an expansion of pre- and postnatal care and paid leave. Bradley, who is based in Norcross, Ga., has also been doing outreach to Black churches so they will be more welcoming and supportive of pregnant parishioners -- particularly those who are unmarried, she said. "There's a saying that it takes a village to raise a child," Bradley said, adding that she is hoping policymakers will work to create more support for those who may have no choice but to give birth after an unintended pregnancy. Murray, the law professor, noted that the "legal landscape literally just changed on a dime" for many parts of the country on Friday. Now, the United States looks like a country where the right to an abortion has been "hollowed out," she said: Terminating a pregnancy will be either illegal or severely restricted in much of the middle and south of the United States. This will affect places where abortion is protected, such as the Northeast and the West coast, as demand for these services surge, Murray said. In this landscape, every person seeking an abortion and other forms of reproductive care will be pushed closer to the margins, Murray predicts. This is true even for people with means -- those who can travel to other states or out of the country or be plugged into networks and services that can help them, she said. "But for women of color, poor women, women who lack the resources to travel, who don't have the time to take off from work, who don't have additional child care for their children, it's going to be really grim." Jay R. Jordan/Chron More than 1,000 people protested Friday night outside the federal courthouse in downtown Houston, where many affected by the Supreme Courts decision to overturn the precedent that gave Americans the constitutional right to an abortion shouted their disdain for the ruling released earlier in the day. At the rally, Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Beto ORourke showed up unexpectedly to listen to the stories being told during an event that went well past sunset. Protesters spoke about how getting an abortion helped them in their time of need, and the majority of speakers called for action from Democrats, who they complained did not do enough to protect abortion rights. Chris Stokes/MySA Hundreds of locals gathered for the San Antonio rally against the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24. Mujeres Marcharan Coalition and other abortion activists called for the emergency protest in response of the ruling. The Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortions that had been in place for almost 50 years by overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday. The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take this momentous step. My brother lives in Seattle. A few weeks ago, his daughter was married there. While we had visited a few times over the years, it had been quite a while, so we decided to go a few days early and see the city. After all, its reputation for culture, art, medicine and architecture are well known. Seattle is known for its innovation and youthful competitive spirit 10 of the Fortune 500 companies are headquartered there. Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Starbucks, REI coop, Boeing and Zillow all started there. It is a thriving, modern city on the move. Upon arrival from the airport, what became clear was something unexpected. Yes, construction was all around. The buildings were artistically creative, innovative and unusual. But one thing stood out more than anything else. In the midst of all this were the homeless population wherever you looked. Perhaps one could get inured to people sleeping on the street, in the alleyways, and on the park grass, but we couldnt. It was shocking and it was heartbreaking. The locals seemed to simply walk around them without notice. Whenever we encountered a local resident, we would ask, With all the creativity and wealth and intelligence here in Seattle, couldnt the community come up with a plan to help the homeless? One day while returning to our hotel, we saw a police car blocking the entrance to an alleyway. The officers were on the car loudspeaker. Come out of there NOW! Three men emerged carrying their ever present bags of belongings. A typical afternoon rain was beginning to fall. My wife and I stopped to see how the police would handle the situation. Move along, came the command as the three simply trudged off, increasingly soaked in the afternoon shower. Thats it? I wondered. How do we allow this in a country with more resources than anywhere else on earth? During World War II, when Jews were driven from their homes and had no place to go, some people offered them safety. In Albania, a nation that is 70% Muslim, the imams, following their religious duty of BESA, the Albanian/Arabic word for house, offered shelter. By wars end, Albania was the only Eastern European country with more Jewish people than before the war. Apparently, faith can matter. A home is not just a place with a roof. It is security, safety, caring, a place where human love can dwell. Upon my return back to Connecticut, the image of the homeless in Seattle stayed with me. But as I began to open my mail, my mood changed. Among the letters was an announcement from the organization Christian Community Action. On Saturday, July 9 at 11 a.m., my dear friend and colleague the Rev. Bonita Grubbs is dedicating their new facility to house up to 18 families at 660 Winchester Ave. in New Haven. After much planning and effort, as well as generous supporters, their work has born fruit. The theme is HOPE higher opportunities, purpose, hope. We are blessed in this community to have CCA and the faithful who work to support all people who find themselves in need. We can only hope and pray that Seattle too will soon find ways of dealing with the folks in need in their community. Faith can indeed matter. The Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization revokes the constitutional right to an abortion and thrusts the issue back to state legislatures, which controlled abortion policy for over a century before the court nationalized abortion rights in Roe v.Wade in 1973. What comes next may be shaped by our understanding of that history. Despite periodic campaigns, draconian abortion laws seemed nearly immune to change from the 19th century to the 1960s. But in the second half of that decade, activists succeeded at decriminalizing abortion or loosening restrictions in 17 states and Washington, D.C. This history shows how effective a diverse political coalition can be when it throws everything it has at a problem - from disruptive civil disobedience, to demonstrations of commitment by people of faith, to tireless lobbying. Most importantly, these past victories teach that grass-roots organizing and political mobilization work. As activism to change abortion laws gained steam, the movement began winning what had earlier seemed like impossible victories. In 1965, a state legislator named Percy Sutton introduced the first bill in New York's modern history to liberalize the state's 1828 abortion law. Judged by later standards, its provisions were moderate - it would have expanded the grounds on which a physician could grant an abortion. The bill reflected the position of the elite American Law Institute and a few doctors. Even so, the legislature never seriously considered it. Just five years later, however, on July 1, 1970, New York began to implement a far more ambitious piece of legislation - the most liberal abortion reform law in the United States and, according to the then head of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the most liberal in the world. What drove this seismic change? In a word: activism. Some of the organizing and mobilizing was deeply anti-establishment. It came from the socialist wing of the feminist movement and from radicals who cut their teeth on in-the-streets battles for Black civil rights and against the war in Vietnam. In February 1969, these feminists protested inside and outside of legislative hearings on abortion. They were dissatisfied with another bill that would merely have liberalized the abortion laws (introduced by White Democrat Al Blumenthal). They demanded that legislators support a far more ambitious proposed law, one that would have removed abortion entirely from the state legal code. Activists, primarily from two New York City-based groups, Redstockings and New York Radical Women, shouted down an "expert" witness at the hearing, which featured 15 invited speakers, 14 men and one woman - a celibate nun. "O.K., folks," one protester said. "Now it's time to hear from the real experts . . . from the people who really know - women." She explained the "psychological and sociological effect" of the law on her: "it's made me angry! It's made me think about things like forcing doctors to operate at gunpoint." One state senator upbraided the demonstrators, "What have you accomplished? There are people here who want to do something for you!" Redstockings founder Ellen Willis recorded one protester's response, in an unsigned piece she published in the New Yorker: "We're tired of being done for! We want to do, for a change!" A month later, in March 1969, Redstockings members countered this hearing with a "speak-out" at a Manhattan church where women shared their own abortion experiences. Doing so embodied the feminist movement's creed that the personal was political. Sharing what was considered strictly private, even shameful, enabled women to see that many had had similar experiences. This realization led to another epiphany: Many of the worst obstacles to seeking an abortion were not one's own faults or bad luck but were structural - products of a system that, in their view, advantaged men and disadvantaged women. As journalist and activist Susan Brownmiller wrote about this first-ever speak-out on abortion: "For three hours," women "testified from their own experiences with unwanted pregnancy and illegal abortion." A woman named Judy Gabree testified that she had gone "to eleven hospitals searching for a therapeutic," or legal, abortion. At the 10th, they offered Gabree a deal: "They'd do it if I agreed to get sterilized. I was twenty years old." These confrontational and pathbreaking tactics helped change minds and garner press that forced lawmakers to take a stand on abortion for the first time. But much of the grass-roots work that changed abortion policy came from feminists who worked within the system of law and governance - working in parallel to radical feminists who were trying to force change from the outside. Members of the National Organization for Women (NOW) like my mother, Beatrice Kornbluh Braun, had a more mainstream strategy and arguably just as big an impact. My mother was the only attorney on the abortion committee of the New York NOW chapter and wrote the first draft of the law that the state legislature ultimately passed. In fact, she outlined the bill that became the favorite of the radicals: It would have removed abortion entirely from state regulation - a standard that, even today, only four states and D.C. have achieved. NOW members, and proponents of abortion decriminalization in both parties with whom they worked closely, protested peaceably, organized information nights at local political clubs, published broadsides about abortion as a fundamental element of women's civic equality with men and threatened their representatives with punishment at the polls if they did not change their positions. They lobbied in the state capitol and in local political offices. They were just as uncompromising in their efforts as the radicals even though their tactics were more mainstream. Upstate New York Assemblywoman Constance Cook - a Republican and vice president of NOW's state chapter - was the abortion bill's biggest champion in Albany. Cook described putting colleagues who didn't want to take a position on abortion "on the pan," where they would inevitably feel the heat from constituents who disagreed with them. She saved this tactic for crucial moments, Cook remembered, but when she really needed the votes, as in the last weeks before the final vote on the abortion bill in 1970, she didn't hold back. The two schools of activists won because they were relentless and worked both in parallel and jointly toward the same end. When radical feminists held headline-grabbing events like an abortion speak-out, for example, they helped make the previously private issue a public matter. Legislators, in turn, began getting questions about their stances on legal abortion for the first time, and many came out for liberalization because they had received countless letters (organized by liberal feminist groups like NOW) from constituents favoring legalization. Together, liberal and radical feminists organized new local and statewide networks, including an effective organization called New Yorkers for Abortion Law Repeal that pushed for my mother's no-compromise version of the law. This group included feminists from across the tactical and ideological spectrum, Democratic and Republican liberals, local activists and clergy and congregational leaders from the faith-based abortion-referral operation, the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion. What happened in New York was extraordinary but hardly unique. By the early 1970s, legal reform campaigns had won victories across the country. Seventeen states and D.C. changed their often more-than-a-century-old restrictive abortion statutes, while three states, in addition to New York, decriminalized abortion to a significant degree. The New York law went the furthest by not including a residency requirement, which provided access to legal abortion for anyone who could travel there. In many places, these law-reform campaigns were nearly conterminous with a rising feminist movement. They made abortion an urgent subject of activism at the same time that it became an object of state legislation. When state legislative efforts hit major roadblocks, activist lawyers began bringing federal court cases that ultimately laid the foundation for Justice Harry Blackmun's majority opinion in Roe. These court cases are what we remember, not the broad and sustained feminist activism at the grass roots that preceded these challenges. But when seven justices of the U.S. Supreme Court made abortion legal under most circumstances in the first two trimesters of a pregnancy, they did so in response to a massive, diverse movement that had spent years organizing and demanding recognition. This activism forced everyone from doctors to governors to state legislators and judges to consider the impact of abortion bans on people's lives. Feminists combined new tactics with tried-and-true ones to change abortion laws. With the issue now returning to the states, this history of activism offers a blueprint for the future - and a reminder that none of us has to accept limits on access to safe, legal abortion. - - - Felicia Kornbluh is professor of history at the University of Vermont and author of "A Woman's Life is a Human Life: My Mother, Our Neighbor, and the Journey from Reproductive Rights to Reproductive Justice" (Grove Atlantic), which is available for pre-order. A Texas House candidate and police officer backed by former President Donald Trump and top Texas Republicans has been indicted on a charge of impersonating a public servant, according to authorities. Dallas police said Friday that Frederick Frazier was placed on administrative leave after the department was notified that a Collin County grand jury indicted him. Impersonating a public servant is a third-degree felony. Frazier turned himself in to the Richardson jail Friday and posted bond, said Teddy Yoshida, a spokesperson for the Richardson Police Department. It is unclear what the specific allegations against Frazier are, and a spokesperson for the Collin County district attorneys office was not immediately available for comment. Responding to the indictment, Fraziers campaign blamed his Republican primary runoff opponent, Paul Chabot, who had suggested Frazier posed as a city code compliance officer to get Chabots campaign signs taken down at a Walmart. In a statement, Fraziers campaign said Chabot, who has run for office multiple times before, is trying to overturn the results of that election by bringing up trumped complaints to law enforcement and testifying before a grand jury. Frederick Frazier is looking forward to having the opportunity to defend himself in court, where we are confident jurors will see through Chabots lies in the same way that voters have five times before, the statement said. John Thomas, Chabots consultant, issued a statement on Fraziers indictment: An independent grand jury was empaneled and determined that Mr. Frazier committed multiple felonies. In fact, it was the Rangers and the McKinney PD who uncovered the felonies. Fraziers lying and deceit knows no limits. He committed crimes and refuses to fess up. He is a disgrace to himself and to those who dawn a badge in law enforcement. Paul Chabot demands Frazier have one shred of decency and immediately drop out of the race as its crucial that both a Republican and candidate with integrity represent the people of the 61st district. Frazier easily won the Republican primary runoff last month for House District 61, an open seat in Collin County that leans Republican. A well-known advocate for law enforcement in Austin, Frazier had the backing of Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state House Speaker Dade Phelan. The Democratic nominee in the race is Sheena King. During the runoff, Chabot spoke out about the alleged theft of dozens of his campaign signs. In one incident, Chabot said a Walmart store manager told him someone claiming to work for city code compliance came in and told the store to take down Chabots signs because they were illegally placed. Chabot said he reported that to the police. The Texas Rangers ultimately looked into his claims. Chabot later obtained a report from the Rangers through a public records request that said the agency investigated Frazier in February for alleged criminal violations of Impersonating a Public Servant and potentially related Theft. At the time, Fraziers campaign consultant, Craig Murphy, said his candidate denied any wrongdoing and called Chabots claims frivolous. Texas Scorecard and Steven Monacelli, a freelance journalist who extensively covered the campaign sign controversy for Rolling Stone, were among the first to report Friday that Frazier had been indicted. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. WFO SEATTLE Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, June 26, 2022 _____ HEAT ADVISORY URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Seattle WA 256 AM PDT Sat Jun 25 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 11 PM PDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...Hot conditions with high temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. Overnight low temperatures will only likely cool into the low 60s for many locations Saturday night into Sunday morning. This will pose a moderate risk of heat-related illness. * WHERE...North Coast and Central Coast. * WHEN...From noon today to 11 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Hot conditions will increase the risk of heat- related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A significant increase in cold- and high- water related incidents is possible. Recent rains and late snowmelt has lead to high, fast and cold flows on area waterways. Cold water shock can lead to life-threatening hypothermia within minutes. Use extreme caution if recreating near water, wear a life jacket, and supervise children closely. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. For sheltering information and other human services in your area, dial 2 1 1 during business hours or visit wa211.org anytime. MONDAY... * WHAT...Hot conditions with high temperatures in the mid to upper 80s on Saturday, and low 90s on Sunday and Monday. Overnight low temperatures will likely only cool into the low 60s for many locations Saturday night and again Sunday night. * WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Washington. * WHEN...From noon today to 11 PM PDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Hot conditions will increase the risk of heat- related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather China's top political advisor underscores CPPCC's cultural, historical work Xinhua) 09:23, June 25, 2022 Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), addresses the closing meeting of a symposium on the CPPCC's cultural and historical work in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. The symposium was held from June 23 to 24. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang on Friday underscored the work of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on collecting, preserving and utilizing cultural and historical materials, calling for renewed efforts in this regard. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, made the remarks when addressing the closing meeting of a symposium on the CPPCC's cultural and historical work. The cultural and historical work of the CPPCC bears the important functions of preserving history, providing a reference point for political work, as well as uniting and educating people, said Wang. He also noted that more efforts ought to be diverted to the study and utilization of cultural and historical materials. Wang called on all political advisors to actively participate in related work, and urged CPPCC committees at all levels to enhance coordination, so as to create synergy in conducting cultural and historical work. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) The American people was divided as a result of the Supreme Court's decision to reverse Roe v. Wade. President Joe Biden addressed the issue in a speech from The White House following the Supreme Court of the United States' decision to overturn abortion laws. The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and make abortions illegal for millions of American women was described as "wrong, extreme, and out of touch" by the President in a speech at the White House. He also added that it was "a sad day for the court and the country." Supreme Court Strikes Down Roe v. Wade Biden declared that the fight for abortion rights "is not over" and that his administration would use all of its resources to fight attempts to prevent women from moving to other states for abortions. He accused the court of "expressly taking away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans," according to Daily Mail. My Administration will protect a woman's access to medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration, like contraception and mifepristone, a FDA-approved drug that safely ends an early pregnancy of up to ten weeks and is commonly used to treat miscarriages. President Biden (@POTUS) June 24, 2022 Justice Clarence Thomas of the Supreme Court has urged other jurists to reject laws that support gay marriage and contraception. By choosing to overrule the important 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and give back control to individual states to determine whether or not to legalize the practice, the Supreme Court has terminated constitutional protections for abortion that have been in existence for almost 50 years. Roe v. Wade protected a womans right to choose, her right to make intensely personal decisions with her doctor. It reaffirmed basic principles of equality. And it reinforced the fundamental right of privacy the right of each of us to choose how to live our lives. President Biden (@POTUS) June 24, 2022 In a separate letter, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that he would have maintained the Mississippi statute but would not have gone so far as to completely overturn the precedent set by Roe. The vote to overturn Roe was 5-4. The Mississippi statute, which prohibits abortions beyond 15 weeks with just a few limited medical exceptions, was upheld by the court in a 6-3 decision at the same time. The court ruled that the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which permitted abortions between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy before a fetus would be viable outside the womb, was incorrect because the US Constitution does not specifically address abortion rights. Read Also: SNAP Benefits 2022: Here's How To Get Extra $95 Each Month! Democrats Outraged With Supreme Court's Decision Per Local News 8, the White House has been preparing for the nation's highest court's decision, which was released early on Friday, and has been preparing its response for months. Biden has been considering a range of options in discussion with policy aides, political advisers, and attorneys, even though there is nothing the President can do through executive action to entirely mitigate the decision. The President stated earlier this month that he thought Roe v. Wade will be overturned by the Supreme Court, sparking a "mini revolution" and inspiring voters to remove numerous Republicans from office in this year's midterm elections. In response to the decision on Friday, Democratic lawmakers and abortion rights organizations voiced outrage. The verdict was called "outrageous and heart wrenching" by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Leaked documents regarding the reopening of Roe v. Wade were the subject of reports that appeared on May 3, 2022. Politico was the first to get the explosive document drafts. Justice Samuel Alito drafted the opinion, which stated: "We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled." Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed that the information in the leaked reports was accurate. On June 24, months after the decision was made, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the abortion rights established by Roe v. Wade. Related Article: Joe Biden Shouldn't Run for 2024 Election as POTUS Is Too Old for Another Term in Office, Says Former Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. "Were on track right now to restore our pre-pandemic service standard by the end of this calendar year for virtually every line of business, said Minister Sean Fraser in a recent interview with CIC News. This article is Part 3 of a special CIC News series summarizing the interview with the minister. Immigration Minister: Applicants can soon expect normal service standards "Were on track right now to restore our pre-pandemic service standard by the end of this calendar year for virtually every line of business, said Minister Sean Fraser in a recent interview with CIC News. This article is Part 3 of a special CIC News series summarizing the interview with the minister. Immigration Minister: Applicants can soon expect normal service standards "Were on track right now to restore our pre-pandemic service standard by the end of this calendar year for virtually every line of business, said Minister Sean Fraser in a recent interview with CIC News. This article is Part 3 of a special CIC News series summarizing the interview with the minister. Immigration Minister: Applicants can soon expect normal service standards "Were on track right now to restore our pre-pandemic service standard by the end of this calendar year for virtually every line of business, said Minister Sean Fraser in a recent interview with CIC News. This article is Part 3 of a special CIC News series summarizing the interview with the minister. Kareem El-Assal Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Canadas Immigration Minister Sean Fraser believes meaningful steps are being taken to get the immigration system back on track. Fraser acknowledged ongoing application processing and client experience challenges when he sat down with CIC News for an exclusive interview in Toronto earlier this week. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Immigration Minister: Applicants can soon expect normal service standards TRANSCRIPT BELOWCanadas Immigration Minister Sean Fraser believes meaningful steps are being taken to get the immigration system back on track.Fraser ac Minister expects things to return to normal by the end of 2022 The COVID-19 pandemic hampered our immigration system in two main ways. It shut down a lot of our offices around the worldwe lost a lot of our horsepower as a department. The second way, he explained, was Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) needed to pivot to transitioning those in Canada to permanent residence since travel restrictions limited the ability of those abroad to enter the country. This was happening as new applications continued to flow in, leading to an accumulation of inventory. Then in August 2021, Canada made the commitment to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees following the Taliban reclaiming power of Afghanistan and since February 2022, Canada has been looking to assist those impacted by Russias invasion of Ukraine. The good news is I see light at the end of the tunnelwere on track right now to restore our pre-pandemic service standard by the end of this calendar year for virtually every line of business. Minister Fraser added the caveat that the service standard for Canadian citizenship applications may continue to lag a bit due to the inventory growing significantly at the start of the pandemic when in-person citizenship ceremonies were not an option. Fraser: Three solutions to improve client experience and address backlogs The minister believes the three solutions to improve the immigration system are resources, policy, and tech. On the resources side, weve added 500 more staff. He also pointed out the additional $85 million and another $385 million allocated in recent federal budget announcements that will go towards improving application processing. Meanwhile, Fraser believes Canada will need even higher levels of immigration to meet growing demand to gain Canadian permanent residence. The number one policy is our Immigration Levels Plan. Were not going to chip away at the number of cases in the inventory if we dont expand the numbers. In February, Fraser announced Canada would welcome over 430,000 immigrants annually beginning this year, by far the highest levels in Canadian history. He is set to announce the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 by November 1st of this year, which may result in another increase in Canadas targets. With respect to the third solution, technology, the minister said that digital platform modernization is going to greatly increase the reliability and pace of our system. These measures are starting to have an impacta couple of weeks ago we passed 200,000 permanent residents landed in Canada. The minister noted this has broken the previous record by 1.5 months. Work permits have almost 250% increased compared to last year. IRCCs backlog has surged to 2.4 million persons during the pandemic and the department has struggled to achieve its own targets on the length of time it aims to process applications. Since the start of this year, it has made major announcements and changes as it seeks to reduce the backlog, processing times, and give its clients more certainty. In late January, minister Fraser held a press conference summarizing IRCCs processing goals including the steps it was taking to increase staff capacity and modernize its processes and technology. One of the benefits has been the reduction in the Express Entry backlog. The minister told CIC News that all-program Express Entry draws are tentatively set to resume on July 6. In addition, IRCC aims to get back to its pre-pandemic service standard of processing Express Entry applications within six months beginning in July. Another benefit is that IRCC has introduced and is in the process of introducing more case trackers to allow applicants to review the status of their files. The minister says 17 lines of business will have case trackers by the end of this summer allowing applicants to digitally monitor their status. While challenges remain, the minister expressed great optimism to CIC News. My sense is by the end of this calendar year, new applications coming in will have the kind of certainty that well be able to meet our service standard and people will be dealing with 60 days or 6 months or 12 months, not an undetermined period of time. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Special interview series with Minister Fraser CIC News sat down with the minister on June 21, 2022 to discuss the future of Canadian immigration. Over the coming weeks, CIC News is releasing a special series of articles elaborating on the interview with Minister Fraser on topics including: Part 1: Express Entry all-program draws tentatively resuming on July 6 Part 2: Immigration Minister Sean Fraser discusses Express Entry reforms Canadian citizenship fees legalizing undocumented workers in Canada the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 creating more immigration pathways for foreign workers and students, and how his life has changed since he became minister Minister Fraser was in Toronto to speak at Collision, one of the worlds largest technology conferences. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. Primeste notificari pe email Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of a potential worldwide hunger crisis amid the global food shortage that was exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war that has left more than 20 million tons of grain stuck in the latter. The UN chief cautioned on Friday that the world faces a "catastrophe" after the war on Ukraine added to disruptions caused by climate change, the coronavirus pandemic, and inequality that have led to an "unprecedented global hunger crisis" already affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Global Food Shortage He said that there was a real risk that multiple famines will be declared this year, noting that 2023 could be even worse. Guterres made his remarks in a video message that was sent to officials from dozens of rich and developing countries gathered in Berlin. The official noted that harvests across Asia, Africa, and the Americas will take a hit as farmers around the world struggle to cope with rising fertilizer and energy prices. Guterres added that food access issues this year will result in next year's global food shortage. The UN chief argued that no country will be immune to the social and economic repercussions of such an incident, as per the Associated Press. The official added that UN negotiators were already working on a deal that would enable Ukraine to export food, including via the Black Sea. They seek to allow Russia to bring food and fertilizer to world markets without restrictions. Read Also: Russia Becomes China's Largest Oil Supplier; Xi Jinping Says Ukraine War Is "Alarm for Humanity" Despite Not Giving Indication To Resolve It Guterres also called for debt relief for poor countries to help keep their economies afloat and for the private sector to help stabilize global food markets. The host of the Berlin meeting, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, said that Moscow's claim that Western sanctions imposed on Russia were to blame for food shortages was "completely untenable." According to Reuters, under the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which is a scale used by UN agencies, regional bodies, and aid groups to determine food insecurity, more than 460,000 people in Somalia, Yemen, and South Sudan are in famine conditions. This process of identification is the step before a declaration of famine in a region. Ukrainian Wheat Export The IPC also noted that millions of people in 34 other countries are already on the brink of famine. Guterres argued that there could be no effective solution to the crisis unless Ukraine and Russia, which are responsible for producing roughly 29% of global wheat exports, find a way to properly resume trade. Shipments from Ukrainian ports have been halted by Russia's invasion of its European neighbor and Moscow wants certain Western sanctions lifted before it allows the resumption of its grain and fertilizer exports. While Ukraine continues to ship out its grain west, through Europe, infrastructure challenges and a raging war mean that it is only a fraction of what it could be otherwise. The managing director of shipping company MSC Ukraine, Rachid Bouda, noted that the company typically shipped about 10,000 containers each month from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, like Odesa and Chornomorsk. But now, with all of the hurdles and Russia's blockade of trade routes, that number has dwindled down to 1,000 or maybe 1,500 containers. What's worse is that these shipments are unable to leave Ukrainian ports, Vox reported. Related Article: Ukraine War: Volodymyr Zelensky's Adviser Reveals Threat of "Tactical Victory" for Russia What Happened? @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On Thursday afternoon, the bodies of a woman and her 6-year-old daughter were discovered near Dayton. Around 11:45 am, officers from the Dayton Police Department arrived in the 300 block of Burleigh Avenue to assess their wellness. In the basement of the Burleigh Avenue house, officers discovered a 31-year-old woman and her 6-year-old daughter dead when they arrived. Suspect Found Dead After Killing Girlfriend, Daughter The suspect in the inquiry was discovered near Falkville, Alabama, and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the Associated Press, the suspect, 32-year-old Dante Rashad Hawes of Dayton, Ohio, was discovered dead inside a car on Thursday afternoon. Falkville, Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn said that the man died by suicide. About 450 miles (724 kilometers) south of Dayton, the car was found just off Interstate 65. According to Chunn, Hawes was suspected of killing his girlfriend and a young daughter. The victims' identities were not released by the authorities right away, and it wasn't known how long they had been deceased, as per myarklamis.com. Hawes was the 31-year-old victim's boyfriend, Dayton police said on Friday. The owner of the residence on Burleigh Avenue, the suspect's father, apparently requested the welfare check. The previous night, a domestic incident was reported at the same residence, according to Dayton police. Soon after the police departed, the woman and her daughter were shot, according to investigators. The Dayton Police Department discovered the unharmed suspect's 9-year-old daughter, who was there throughout the double killing. According to the investigators, a disagreement about a gaming system was the cause for the confrontation between the suspect and the woman. Read Also: Outrage Sparks as 17-Year-Old Atlanta Teen Sentenced to 140 Years in Prison After Shooting Ex-Girlfriend on Valentine's Day Police Discovered Mom, Child Dead After Responding to 911 The homicide squad was asked to investigate because of the situation inside the house, according to Dayton Police Major Jason Hall. A possible dispute may have taken place at the Burleigh Avenue residence on Wednesday night, the 911 caller informed the dispatcher. Police were called to that address, according to the dispatcher. Hall stated that DPD will look into any previous calls or issues at the residence. Although he didn't know the residents of the house well, a neighbor who spoke with a news outlet described them as quiet. According to Dayton Police Maj. Brian Johns, the suspect had been living with his girlfriend for approximately a year and a half. Before leaving the residence at around one in the morning, police had been there for almost an hour. Police didn't make any arrests or submit a complaint at the time, according to Johns. Per The Sun, Johns added that the suspect had no prior convictions for violent crimes. The investigation is only getting started; but according to Hall, authorities think a gun was used. This kind of issue arising from a welfare check is unusual, according to Hall. If you have any information, contact the police at 937-333-2677. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-7867. Related Article: Atlanta Man Arrested After Killing His Mother, Step-Father, and Cousin During Domestic Dispute @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, two Democratic lawmakers said they are moving to enhance abortion protections in Colorado. Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Greenwood Village, said they intend to file legislation to protect Colorado abortion care providers and anyone who seeks abortion care in the state. The title filing the first step toward creating a bill happened on Friday hours after the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision. Were ready to do the work, Gonzales said. Were not going to wait around for anybody. Were going to use the power that we have because we have a Democratic majority in Colorado, and were beginning to draft legislation to continue to protect access for all Coloradans. With Roe v. Wade overturned, regulating abortion becomes a state-by-state issue, with trigger laws set to quickly outlaw all or most abortions in 22 states. In Colorado, policymakers enshrined abortion as a fundamental right under the Reproductive Health Equity Act, which Gov. Jared Polis signed into law in April. The new law is among the most permissive in the country. Passed in March following a record 23-hour debate, it affirmed in state law the right to choose an abortion or carry a pregnancy to term. Fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses do not have independent rights under the law, and it prohibits state and local public entities from denying or restricting a person's right to use or refuse contraception, or to either continue a pregnancy or have an abortion. Abortion-rights advocates pushed the measure before a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion showing that five Republican-appointed justices were poised to overturn Roe was leaked to POLITICO, arguing it would serve as a bulwark against any decision by the conservative court. Anti-abortion activists said they plan to sue over the new law, arguing it is overly broad and raises serious questions about the conscience rights of doctors, nurses and first responders. Gonzales said her bill would seek to expand these protections even further. Though researching and drafting for the bill has just begun, Gonzales said she intends for the bill to address needs that arise as other states outlaw abortion. This could potentially include protecting people from out-of-state who come to Colorado for abortions, expanding capacity so people can access abortions in a timely manner, securing business licenses for abortion providers or helping out-of-state providers transfer to Colorado. Weve been proactive and now that the decision has been rendered overturning Roe v. Wade, its now incumbent upon us to act again, Gonzales said. Colorado has been and will continue to be a safe haven for anyone seeking abortion care. The question is, how do we protect patients? How do we protect providers? This comes as the Democratic domination of the Colorado legislature is at stake, with Republicans potentially positioned to take control of the state Senate during the November election. All Republican legislators voted against the Reproductive Health Equity Act last session, and some sponsored unsuccessful bills that sought to abolish abortion in Colorado. In response to Roe v. Wade being overturned, numerous Republican state lawmakers celebrated the news and called for Colorado to ban abortion. During the last legislative session, the liberal Democrat majority passed the most extreme pro-abortion law in the United States, said House Minority Leader Hugh McKean, R-Loveland, in a statement. "In Colorado, we must work together to improve the lives of all Coloradans those citizens who live and work in our communities now and those yet to be born." Some touted the court's opinion, but quickly pointed out that the ruling doesn't change the status quo in Colorado. "While today is a major victory for the pro-life movement," said Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, "unfortunately, it doesn't change Colorado's law allowing abortions until a pregnancy comes to term." This means the fate of Gonzales bill likely depends on the results of the November election. Regardless of the election's outcome, Gonzales promised to continue fighting to protect abortion access for as long as it takes. The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form 100% Website adamasuniversity.ac.in uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 404615 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 171056 bytes (167.05 kb uncompressed) and 35017 bytes (34.20 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2022-06-25, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. NASA scientists have discovered a half-exploded star that was able to survive its own supernova, the event that signals the death of a star and is a massive explosion and has become even brighter than before. There are different types of supernova explosions according to scientists, including type Ia supernovae, which are also known as thermonuclear supernovae, that occur in binary star systems. In order to trigger a type Ia supernova, one of the two stars must be a white dwarf and the other is often a low-mass star, similar to our Sun. Surviving Star These types of supernovae signal the complete destruction of a white dwarf, leaving nothing behind. But when astronomers observed the site of the supernova (SN) 2012Z using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, they were surprised to discover that the star had survived the massive explosion. Not only that, this cosmic body, instead of dying out and losing its brilliance, was shining even brighter than it had been before. SN 2012Z is a type of thermonuclear explosion that is known as a Type Iax supernova, which are dimmer, weaker cousins of the more traditional type Ia, as per SciNews. The Hubble images that were taken in 2013 were part of a concerted effort to identify which star in the older images corresponded to the star that had exploded. Analysis of the data in 2014 was successful as scientists were able to identify the star at the exact position of SN 2012Z. This was the first time that the progenitor star of a white dwarf supernova had been identified by astronomers. In a statement, a postdoctoral researcher at Las Cumbre Observatory and the University of California, Santa Barbara, Dr. Curtis McCully, said that they were expecting to see one of two things when they got the most recent Hubble data. Read Also: Physicists May Have Observed Elusive Tetraneutrons That Could be Useful in Understanding Nuclear Forces This was either the star would have completely gone away, or maybe it would have still been there, meaning that the star they saw in the pre-explosion images was not the one that blew up. He noted that nobody expected to see a surviving star that was brighter. According to Phys.org, McCully said that the findings of the observations give astronomers new information about the origins of some of the most common yet mysterious explosions in the universe. Type Ia supernovae are important tools that experts use to measure cosmic distances. Coming Back Stronger Observations of these massive explosions began in 1998 and revealed that the universe has been expanding at an ever-accelerating rate. Experts believe that this phenomenon is due to dark energy, the discovery of which won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2011. A professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Andy Howell, said in a statement that the surviving star was a little like "Obi-Wan Kenobi" coming back as a force ghost. He noted that nature itself tried to strike the star down but it came back more powerful than before. Howell, who is the co-author of a paper published in the Astrophysical Journal, was part of the team that documented the discovery of the star. The paper was presented last week at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Pasadena, California, CNET reported. Related Article: Sunspot Pointing at Earth Could Cause Solar Flares: Is Our Planet in Danger? @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tv.onlayn.uz scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 24 Jan 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the tv.onlayn homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if tv.onlayn has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the tv.onlayn homepage on Twitter + the total number of tv.onlayn followers (if tv.onlayn has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the tv.onlayn homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the tv.onlayn homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the tv.onlayn homepage on StumbleUpon. Basic Information PAGE TITLE Onlayn.Uz - TV online DESCRIPTION Onlayn.Uz - TV online KEYWORDS DataLife, Engine, CMS, PHP OTHER KEYWORDS rossiya, onlayn, sport, The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE HTML 5.0 CHARSET AND LANGUAGE Russian WINDOWS-1251Russian DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER nginx/0.7.67 (PHP/5.3.3-7+squeeze3) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Operative System running on the server. Type of server and offered services. The language of tv.onlayn.uz as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Character set and language of the site. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for tv.onlayn.uz by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The URL of the found Facebook page. The type of Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND ESA announced the update of Mars Express' instrument MARSIS 19 years since the orbiter's launch in June 2003. INAF that lead MARSIS' upgrade contrives to boost the quantity and quality of Mars Express' data transmission. MARSIS of Mars Express is Receiving its First Update After 19 Years Humans had been probing Mars for several years to examine its probability of carrying life. One of the European Space Agency's most inexpensive and prosperous missions, the Mars Express, the celebrated Mars orbiter that found signs of liquid water on the Martian planet, is now getting a huge software update. After 19 years, the European Space Agency finally announced this progressive movement. The Mars Express, launched on June 2, 2003, 19 years ago, was the first mission from ESA to explore the Red Planet. The space shuttle has been revolving around the planet for nearly two decades, expanding the human understanding of liquid water on the Martian surface. Its Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding or MARSIS is the instrument that will receive an upgrade. The device works by sending low-frequency radio waves toward the Earth through its 40-meter antenna. Through the software update, MARSIS will now acquire enhanced ease of use. Almost two decades after its launch, the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) mechanism on the Mars Express no longer performs on Microsoft Windows 98 software. Its reported system update will allow the orbiter to do a much more detailed survey of the surfaces of Mars and its moon Phobos. In 2018, MARSIS' first significant scientific finding transpired when it stood instrumental in excavating a subsurface water reservoir on Mars. The water supply was buried 1.5 kilometers underneath ice and dust. By orchestrating low-frequency radio waves toward the planet's surface via its 40-meter-long antenna, MARSIS could travel across and disseminate data on multiple layers of Mars's crust. After such, MARSIS has located three more water sources that disclosed multitudes of information on the planet's structure and geology. Read Also: NASA Shares Perseverance Rover Photo of the Martian Landscape Italian Research Institute-led Software Update Buildout MARSIS's new software will consist of upgrades developed to improve its data resolution and processing. These advancements were designed to boost the amount and quality of data transmitted back to our planet. This new software is developed by the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF) team in Italy. According to Andrea Cicchetti of INAF, who led the upgrade's development, the team relied on an intricate technique that stored a lot of high-resolution data and immediately filled the device's onboard memory. Cicchetti is the MARSIS deputy PI and operation manager at the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF) The deputy PI and operation manager also said that the updated software would enable them to switch the MARSIS on for five times as long and analyze a much more extensive area with each pass by discarding unnecessary data. Through the upgrades, improved signal reception and onboard data processing would grow the quantity and quality of scientific data transmitted. It will also additionally scrap data that isn't required and give researchers more time and space to study the surface in every pass. Since the previous information indicated the existence of liquid water near the south pole of Mars, the software update will have the potential to efficiently process comprehensive data that could verify the actuality of new water sources on the probed planet. Colin Wilson, an ESA Mars Express scientist, expresses that the software upgrade seems like carrying a brand new tool on board Mars Express after almost 20 years since its takeoff. Related Article: ESA's Mars Express Snaps Photo of a Martian Crater That Looks Like an Eyeball NASA Orbiter Will Release One of The Last Rainbow-Colored Maps Soon As scientists get a new look at Mars because of some upgrades, the NASA orbiter will soon release its last rainbow-colored maps. NASA's Planetary Data System will be the one to release the first portions of the map. For 16 years, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has been mapping minerals on Mars with the help of the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars, known as CRISM, which uses detectors to search for the residue of minerals that "form in the presence of water" on the Red Planet. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate EASTON A judge has ruled in favor of residents opposed to a chicken slaughterhouse being built on Tranquility Drive. In a ruling on June 22, Marshall K. Berger, Jr., a judge trial referee in Hartford Superior Court, found the towns zoning rules did not permit a slaughterhouse to be constructed on that site. We are in agreement with (the decision) and pleased with it, Charles Welch, a neighbor who participated in the fight against the slaughterhouse, said. It was what we had said all along, which is that Easton zoning regulations do not permit a slaughterhouse. Last year, four Tranquility Drive residents sued Eastons Zoning Board of Appeals for upholding a permit issued to Andrew Blum of Trumbull that would allow him to operate a chicken slaughterhouse on his Tranquility Drive property. The lawsuit claimed the towns zoning regulations did not allow a commercial poultry business in a residential zoning district. It also claimed the slaughtering, processing and packaging of chickens were not a permitted use of the land, and claimed that a commercial poultry business is not a permitted accessory use to a principal residential use, as well as that a slaughterhouse is not a permitted accessory structure to a residence. Berger agreed with the stance that a slaughterhouse is not a permissible use for the property, saying, In the present case, this court cannot infer that the slaughtering use is implicitly permitted because the zoning regulations specifically carve out an exception for processing and otherwise do not provide for the use. In the ruling, Berger referenced the court case Enfield V. Enfield Shade Tobacco, LLC. In that case, the town of Enfield sued Enfield Shade Tobacco to stop the company from taking off and landing its helicopter, which was used to spray pesticides, in a residential zone. Shade argued the helicopter was farm equipment and that it didnt need to get a special permit from the town to use it. The court found in favor of the town, and that ruling was later upheld by the Connecticut Supreme Court when appealed by Shade. In 2020, Eastons zoning enforcement officer, Philip Doremus, issued a zoning permit for the property to build a two-bedroom modular house and a 10-foot by 10-foot chicken slaughterhouse. Doremus did not respond to a request for comment and officials from the town said he has since retired. The zoning permit for the modular home listed Sueide Salha as an owner and the permit for the slaughterhouse lists both Salha and Andrew Blum as owners. Salha and Blum could not be reached for comment. Residents in the area fought the approval, taking the issue to the Zoning Board of Appeals and citing concerns about odor from the property, their safety and the possible impact on property values. Welch could not file a lawsuit because he was not an abutting property owner, but he said he did financially support the legal team on the appeal. He said more than 80 residents of the immediate area signed a petition against the permit being issued. We were puzzled as to how that could have gotten approved, he said, noting there are no slaughterhouses in Easton. The permits had been granted by the zoning enforcement officer on his own authority. During hearings last year, Welch said, participants from the public were by-and-large opposed to the slaughterhouse. When the ZBA denied the appeal, neighbors Lisa Dortenzio , Solomon Ogrodowski, Daniel and Erin Travis and John and Donna Allan, filed a lawsuit. Welch said he and the other residents were opposed to the slaughterhouse, not the property being host to chickens. We are in agreement with the judges decision, he said. joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate For much of the past year, Jamierose Rawlings has experienced a sort of pandemic purgatory. She and other adults in her life have received their COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, giving them at least some protection against the disease. But with her two young children, 2-year-old Hannah and 3-year-old Leo, still ineligible, she has been hesitant to let her guard down. I felt like I was stuck, kind of in limbo, Rawlings said Wednesday, minutes after Hannah and Leo finally got their first vaccine shots. Everybody else had a reprieve, but we were still in it. Not anymore. With federal regulators having approved vaccines for children between six months and five years old, families like Rawlingss now have access to the same protection as everyone else. Yeah, we may get [COVID], we still have to be careful, but at least I dont have to worry as much about them getting so sick, said Rawlings. Its just kind of a relief. The vaccine clinic at Raymond Library in East Hartford this past week, one of dozens statewide the Department of Public Health is coordinating over the coming weeks, felt much like any other vaccine site with a few small tweaks. A box of toys sat at the registration table for kids to pick from. One young girl sat in the waiting area blaring The Wheels on the Bus from a smartphone. Some children cried when it was time to get their shot, but many also beamed proudly when it was over. I got my toy, and I got my shot, 4-year-old Serena Zemp shouted, waving a toy maraca. While Serena was excited to have gotten her shot, her mother Alyssa Voels said she mostly felt relieved. Ive been waiting for this day for such a long time, Voels said. Im a nurse, and I worked at a hospital through the pandemic and so I knew as soon as it was possible and it was safe I was going to be here just to help make sure she stays healthy and hopefully help move us all forward through this pandemic. Despite relatively tepid demand for COVID-19 vaccines including newly available boosters over recent months, vaccines for young children have been met with significant enthusiasm in Connecticut. At a pop-up clinic Tuesday in Windsor, parents with young children lined up out the door waiting for shots, and Wednesday in East Hartford more than 25 kids were vaccinated in just the first 30 minutes of the three-hour clinic. Dave Reyes, director of state and local outreach for DPH, noted that parents of young children have had to endure several false starts over recent months, as federal regulators weighed whether to authorize vaccines for the youngest Americans. Long lines at vaccine clinics, he said, reflect that pent-up demand. A lot of parents were anxious, Reyes said. Theyre like, finally, its here. I want them to feel safe when they go to daycare, I want them to play. Vaccines for young children in Connecticut are currently available at pharmacies, pediatricians offices and through mobile clinics such as those run by DPH, whose yellow vaccine vans continue to traverse the state. A full list of DPH sites is available online at portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/DPH-van-clinics. Health experts in Connecticut and elsewhere have encouraged parents to vaccinate their kids, even though young children are not as likely as older groups to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms. Dr. Manisha Juthani, Connecticuts public health commissioner, said when parents ask her whether COVID-19 vaccines for children are a good idea, the answer is a resounding yes. Often people wonder, well the infection is less severe in children than it is in older adults, but thats true for every single infectious disease, practically, said Juthani, who was previously an infectious disease specialist at Yale New Haven Health. By [vaccinating young kids] youre protecting your child and youre also protecting the greater herd, and that is true of all vaccines that we administer to children. Among other groups, the American Academy of Family Physicians has strongly recommended that parents get their young children vaccinated against COVID-19. Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in children, who can spread the virus to vulnerable individuals, as well as become seriously ill themselves from COVID-19, the group said in a statement. These newly authorized vaccines safely provide effective protection from serious illness. At the East Hartford vaccine site, parents expressed few reservations about vaccinating their kids. Michael McKiernan, father of 4-year-old Milo, said the decision was simple. Ultimately, we just want to keep our kids safe, he said. We want to get them vaccinated and make sure that they have the best chance at living a healthy, happy life. Another parent, Sharon Romero, said her family has already been hit with COVID twice during the pandemic, leaving her particularly keen to protect her 23-month-old son Lionel. Once Lionel is fully vaccinated, Romero plans to take the whole family to Chuck E. Cheese, something she has been hesitant to do during the pandemic. Now we know that hes going to be protected, she said. Im excited to doing more things with him instead of being stuck inside. alex.putterman@hearstmediact.com MYSTIC Mystic Aquarium said Friday that the deaths of two beluga whales were unpreventable. However, an animal advocacy group that filed a complaint against the aquarium last month cited federal reports that show one beluga whales pool had poor water quality two months before she died. The two beluga whales, Havok and Havana, died months after being transferred from a facility in Canada. The two had undiagnosed health conditions, according to necropsy reports conducted by the Fisheries branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Mystic Aquarium delivers consistent, world-class care to all animals that call Mystic Aquarium home, said Meagan Seacor, the aquariums vice president of external relations. The necropsy reports showed that their causes of death were unpredictable, unpreventable, incurable and undiagnosable until after death through necropsy. The animal care and veterinary teams did everything they could for these animals, Seacor continued. While devastating losses, the necropsy reports validate that there was nothing more that could have been done to prevent their deaths. Stop Animal Exploitation Now, an animal advocacy group out of Ohio that focuses on eliminating animal experimentation, filed a complaint regarding the whale deaths with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on May 25. In the complaint, the organization stated negligence at this facility killed Havana. Reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated Havanas cause of death was storage disease in her brain and spinal cord, while Havoks cause of death was determined to be gastrointestinal disease. NOAA Fisheries is continuing to review the circumstances of the deaths and said it is coordinating closely with the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Since Havoks death in August 2021, NOAA Fisheries has ordered Mystic Aquarium to suspend all research activities until they say otherwise. The USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is looking into SAENs complaint against the aquarium. A spokesperson with the USDA could not confirm nor deny that an investigation is taking place Friday. Michael Budkie, the executive director of SAEN, said that though Mystic Aquarium claims to provide world-class care, reports from the USDA show otherwise. In a Sept. 29 inspection, the USDA issued five violations. One violation noted water quality issues in which there were elevated oxidants in the water from July 31 to Aug. 27. These elevated levels could cause irritation to eyes, skin, and the respiratory system, the USDA said in the inspection. Three of the five violations in the inspection were considered critical. These encompassed veterinary care, animal handling and the facilities. Violations like this are not lightly issued by the USDA, Budkie said in a statement. The federal agency followed up again with another inspection in January that contained repeat water quality violations in Havanas pool, as well as the pool of Jetta, another beluga whale. The inspection stated that, while both whales were under veterinary care, there were many days when the coliform bacteria count in the water far exceeded USDA standards. At the time, Havana was experiencing medical issues, including keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea. One ophthalmologist said that coliform changes may have contributed to the eye issue as elevated levels of coliforms could also cause irritation to a whales eyes, skin and respiratory system, according to the inspection. Evidence documented by the federal regulatory agency charged with enforcing the Animal Welfare Act shows that Mystic Aquariums claims to provide world class care are quite simply false, he added. The USDA inspected the aquariums six remaining beluga whales, along with 24 other animals, in early April and said the aquarium was in compliance at the time, according to a USDA inspection report. Havana, a 6-year-old beluga whale, experienced an emergency and died on Feb. 11, an official from the aquarium told the National Institutes of Healths Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare in a letter. A report from NOAA stated Havanas cause of death was storage disease in her brain and spinal cord. Despite pushback from animal rights groups and a lawsuit, the aquarium imported five beluga whales from a facility in Canada in May 2021. A few months later, in August 2021, 5-year-old Havok died while being treated for gastrointestinal issues. A federal oversight report revealed that staff recorded Havoks abnormal behavior but failed to notify his veterinarian until hours after he died. Havoks cause of death was later determined to be gastrointestinal disease, according to a report from NOAA. Incident reports said both whales deaths were the result of health issues and were unrelated to any research being performed. Beluga whales typically live 30 to 35 years, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature. However, NOAA says these whales can live up to 90 years. Nothing CEO Carl Pei points to stagnation as the main reason why smartphones these days are uninteresting, as each resembles one another. Pei sees to make electronics more amusing. With this, his start-up Nothing's Phone 1 incorporates machine-like quality but extremely human characteristics. Nothings's CEO Calls Other's Smartphones Dull Carl Pei, a Swedish internet entrepreneur, believes there is a problem with the smartphone market. Not that the smartphones now on the market are subpar. Modern smartphones are quicker, smarter, and capture better images than earlier models. As a rising number of tech fans, Pei has begun to believe that new phones aren't as exceptional as the gadgets released five or ten years ago. There is a perfectly rational explanation for why more modern phones lack the same wow appeal. The iPhone was a revelation when it first came out. According to Pei, he remained awake till 4 or 5 in the morning in Sweden to witness the iPhone's debut. However, in recent years, Pei has been less enthusiastic, skipping important keynotes and depending on summaries to keep up with events. He is not the only one who has this feeling. Customers are likewise generally indifferent, according to Pei. He said that when conducting focus groups, consumers contended that smartphone manufacturers deliberately withhold function from keeping something to present for the following iteration, but this is untrue. Regardless, he believes that if customers feel such a way, it simply implies they're relatively disinterested. For Pei, stagnation is the main problem. The smartphone business is dominated by a small number of enormous firms like Apple, Samsung, and Google as big players like LG and HTC have either left the market or become obsolete. Pei, however, believes the strategy produces a lot of resemblances. Read Also: Samsung Unveils Its 200-Megapixel Camera Sensor - the Smallest One With Improved Autofocus? Nothing's Phone 1 Aims to Fix Other Smartphones' Issue With Nothing's future phone, the Phone 1, Pei hopes to fix the said issue, among other things. Pei aims to restore some uniqueness to the mobile technology's design rather than reinventing the wheel or the phone. Some of the Phone 1's more distinctive characteristics, including its design, integrated lighting, and glyph interface, are the consequence of Pei's slogan, "Maybe we can turn down the brain a little bit and turn up the intuition." Pei claims that the team's idea of technical warmth served as the inspiration for the Phone 1's design. It has a machine-like quality, yet it also has odd and extremely human characteristics. Because of this, Nothing employs transparent glass to show internal components like the Phone 1's wireless charging coil and heat pipes, as opposed to the opaque back found on many other phones. It resembles the see-through plastic-encased Game Boys and iMacs we received in many respects in the 1990s and the early 2000s. Pei aims to make electronics more enjoyable, yet Nothing continually returns to the fundamental design principle of form follows function. Nothing can create unusual or distinctive objects, but they must always be helpful. The Phone 1's glyph interface, which employs 900 LEDs spread across the device's back to create a complex notification system unlike anything else now available, is the most outstanding example. The idea is that customers can identify who is calling or messaging without glancing at the screen by allowing owners to assign distinctive combinations of lights and noises to specific contacts. Even the Phone 1's ringtones are reminiscent of dial-up modem noise and vintage analog synthesizers, making them both modern and nostalgic. Additionally, the little strip of LEDs next to the charging port can reveal the phone's power without ever having to look at the screen. The lights shine while the phone is wireless or reverse wireless charging. Therefore, Pei teaches a practical approach even if the Phone 1's design is highly distinctive and eye-catching. Pei wants to expand Nothing's company gradually and ecosystem, starting with its initial earphones and, shortly, its initial phone, rather than making a big splash right away. Related Article: Is Your OnePlus 9 Pro Overheating? Major Reasons and 8 Ways to Fix It This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade has raised concerns that the court could reverse other decisions, including a landmark Connecticut case that affirmed the right to contraception, as well as interracial marriage and the right of same-sex couples to marry. In a separate opinion concurrent with the majority, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas suggested that the courts decision on Roe v. Wade should have implications on same-sex marriage and the right to access contraception. In future cases, we should reconsider all of this courts substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell, Thomas wrote. State Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said the courts Roe decision was probably the first domino to fall when it comes to long-established case law. I view this as the first in a series of ways that Supreme Court will take away rights when it comes to same-sex marriage, voter rights, contraceptives, interracial marriage, gun rights and even the rule of law, which is what our democracy is based on, he said. Almost a decade before Roe, the case Griswold v. Connecticut set the stage for a discussion of reproductive rights. The use of contraceptives was illegal in Connecticut in 1965, until attorney Tom Emerson successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that a couple had the right to use contraception, if they so chose. The courts 2003 ruling in Lawrence v. Texas said that individual states did not have the right to outlaw gay sex. Twelve years later, the court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples are guaranteed the same right to marry by two clauses in the Fourteenth Amendment, due process and equal protection. Loving v. Virginia is another case referenced in the Roe opinion. In that 1967 ruling the court held that states do not have the right to prohibit interracial marriage. In this Supreme Court, which has just overturned a 50-year-old protection for womens fundamental freedom, everything is on the table, Sen. Richard Blumenthal said during a Thursday press conference. Marriage equality, contraception rights, all of them could be on the cutting block. This Supreme Court is purely outcome-driven by an ideological bent that is going to take them down that road. Attorney Gen. William Tong said in a release that we must be clear-eyed and realistic about what this catastrophic decision signals for every single major legal question before the court. And we need to be ready to fight, because its crystal clear that marriage equality, access to birth control, interracial marriage, and the right to privacy and autonomy in so many more personal decisions will be tested, Tong said. State Rep. Steve Meskers, D-Greenwich, said the court has shown itself to be a group of bizarre ideologues. ... Thomas said landmark high court rulings that established gay rights and contraception rights should be reconsidered now that the federal right to abortion has been revoked, he said. Thomas, however, was the outlier among the court. Both the majority opinion, written by Associate Justice Samuel Alito, and a separate concurring opinion written by Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh -- as well as a dissent authored by justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor -- said the courts decision on Roe should not be extended to same-sex marriage or contraception. We have stated unequivocally that Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion, Alito wrote, echoed by Kavanaugh: I emphasize what the court today states: Overruling Roe does not mean the overruling of those precedents, and does not threaten or cast doubt on those precedents. The dissent, though, cast doubts that the court would not use the Roe decision, and the 1992 so-called Casey decision which upheld Roe, as a basis for similar decisions, specifically referring to Griswold. No one should be confident that this majority is done with its work, the dissent says. The right Roe and Casey recognized does not stand alone. To the contrary, the court has linked it for decades to other settled freedoms involving bodily integrity, familial relationships, and procreation. Most obviously, the right to terminate a pregnancy arose straight out of the right to purchase and use contraception. Duff said an expectation that the Roe ruling would not lead to further decisions is naive. I dont think any of us are naive enough to think this isnt an opening of a Pandoras Box of an extreme fundamentalist agenda that theyve had for decades, he said. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, said she was not surprised by the decision and was concerned about what lies ahead. This activist conservative Supreme Court that lambasts decisions it does not like as judicial activism has made a dangerous move, disregarding science and decades of legal precedent to strip away a womans fundamental and constitutional right to make her own health care decisions, DeLauro said. Todd Fernow, a professor emeritus at the UConn School of Law, said he does not expect Griswold to be in danger, calling Thomas argument somewhat prosaic. Alito and some of the majority have gone pretty far to explicitly limit its application to abortion cases, Fernow said. Theres no blood in the water when it comes to contraception. He said Griswold overturned an archaic law when the court ruled in 1965. This is an old debate, Fernow said. Thomas is on the losing side of it. Fernow said the right to same-sex marriage, granted in the Obergefell ruling, is more likely to be overturned. I would worry a little about the more controversial laws like Obergefell, he said. That could be really in jeopardy. Not far behind, theres Loving v. Virginia, he said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The U.S. Supreme Courts decision Friday overturning nearly 50 years of reproductive rights may mean little in the short term for Connecticut, where abortion is codified in state law and the General Assembly this year approved legislation to become a safe harbor for physicians and patients from throughout the country. The high court ruling gives states the power to support or ban abortions. Reproduction rights were written into Connecticut law about 30 years ago, and during this past legislative session, the laws were expanded to protect women seeking abortions from other states - and the medical personnel who treat them - from civil and criminal liability from outside Connecticut. A legal expert, however, warned that the new law, set to take effect on July 1, might not protect nonresidents who journey to Connecticut for abortions. Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media While the decision did not come as a surprise, following the earlier leaking of a draft court opinion, disappointment and vindication depended on where state residents stood on the issue. Opponents of the decision warned that it could be the next step in the conservative court majoritys attacks on a variety of civil liberties, including same-sex marriage. This decision is cruel and unconscionable because it will send doctors to jail for providing life-saving care and it will turn women into felons, said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. Its cruel and unconscionable because it targets poor women, indigenous women and women of color. State Attorney General William Tong said the ruling is likely just the beginning of a systematic right-wing effort to rewrite decades of bedrock legal precedent, the foundation of which is our long-recognized right to privacy in making our most personal decisions. He predicted a forthcoming tsunami of radical litigation and legislation aimed at further eroding rights we have taken for grantedsome for generations with marriage equality, inter-racial marriage, and access to birth control as possible future targets. Bob Child / AP Photo /Bob Child We know already there are plans to push for a nationwide abortion ban should Republicans gain control of both houses of Congress, Tong said. Todd Fernow, professor emeritus at the UConn School of Law specializing in criminal law and procedure said the ruling essentially gives more rights to the unborn. They came very close to declaring a fetus a person, he said in an interview. Thats troubling because it validates what is already on the horizon: making termination of a pregnancy a homicide. Fernow predicted eventual prosecutions for manslaughter or murder. He said that Connecticuts efforts to protect out-of-state residents from prosecution is likely unenforceable and could create a false sense of security. Thats flatly unconstitutional, Fernow said. Thats not going to fly. States will be powerless to prevent anyone from being extradited. You cant prevent an extradition. Thats not a choice, and its specific in the extradition clause of the Constitution. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal rejected the thesis. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media First of all, Connecticut cant extradite people, said the former longtime state attorney general now seeking a third term in the Senate. Its not like a foreign country. Were not the 13 colonies anymore. Point number two, protecting against the use of Connecticuts state process, our legal system, to punish somebody in a way that violates our state constitution and our state laws, is perfectly supportable. The Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference called the decision a new era of opportunity and responsibility to safeguard life and protect the most innocent among us. The conservative clerics welcomed a historic reversal, which affirms the right to life of an unborn child and we pledge to do all that is possible to support pregnant women who face serious challenges. The conference acknowledged that the nation is deeply divided. Acts of violence and other hateful actions will only make it more difficult for constructive discourse, the conference wrote in a statement shortly after the release of the decision. It is time for reconciliation as we support a culture of life together. In that spirit, our parishes and our social programs must be prepared to meet the increasing needs for pro-life pregnancy resource centers and supports for women raising children. Attacks against abortion clinics rose in 2021 and more were linked to the actions of white supremacists, according to a report last month by the National Abortion Foundation. An abortion at 20 years old Lauren Gray, 33, of Shelton, said she felt shattered all day Friday following the decision, recalling her own decision more than a dozen years earlier to terminate her pregnancy. Gray had an abortion when she was 20 and in a bad relationship. Because of her decision, she said, she was able to leave that relationship, meet her eventual husband and have two children. Now, Gray said, many women will be unable to safely make the same choices she did. Honestly, Ive just felt devastated and horrified all day that this is the new reality, she said. Theres so much at stake. I dont think this Supreme Court or Republicans will stop here. Gray echoed the thoughts of many advocates who say that making abortion illegal wont stop people from seeking to end their pregnancies - it will just make the process unsafe. Im happy to live in a state like Connecticut willing to protect reproductive freedoms, and Im going to fight, she said. Dr. Nancy Stanwood, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, the states largest abortion provider, said during an online news conference on Friday that women from Texas have already come to Connecticut seeking abortions. She recalled one recent case that highlights what were going to continue to see in the weeks and months following the Supreme Courts decision. One of Planned Parenthoods clinics recently cared for a patient from Texas, who became pregnant as a result of a rape, had a connection in Connecticut and the means to travel here to get an abortion. These bans in other states, many of them, most of them, will not have exceptions for rape or incest, Stanwood said. The new Connecticut law taking effect July 1 expands the types of medical providers who can perform aspiration abortions, the most common in-clinic procedure. Stanwood said Planned Parenthood is in midst of developing a training program for its advanced practice clinicians who are interested in performing the procedure. She said she expects the training program to start this summer. Amanda Skinner, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, said its hard to estimate the number of women who will come to Connecticut seeking care or the number of providers that will be needed. The current wait time for an abortion at a Planned Parenthood clinic is about two weeks. State lawmakers, knowing that the leaked draft of the Supreme Court decision set the table for the eventual ruling, reacted to the court ruling with outrage. I am anguished and angry beyond words, Blumenthal told reporters in Hartford. And scared. Downright petrified. Blumenthal noted that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has indicated support for a nationwide abortion ban if Republicans gain control over the legislative and executive branches of government. Connecticut will be in danger because Mitch McConnell is going to lead this country to a national ban on abortion, he said. State Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Windham, encouraged pro-choice Connecticut residents to not only vote for pro-choice leaders locally but also to support women in other states seeking abortions. If youre thinking about how privileged you are to live in the state of Connecticut, think about the money some women are going to have to spend, and probably dont have, to travel across state lines to get reproductive health care, she said. A 2022 election issue We are going to protect that right, Lamont said on the north steps of the Capitol, taking a slap at his Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski. I am so sick of these servants for Republicans talking about freedom and liberty and small government. This is the biggest encroachment on our freedoms Ive had in my lifetime and its not going to happen in Connecticut. Stefanowski, in a statement earlier in the day, said the Supreme Court ruling has absolutely no impact on Connecticut residents. He charged that Lamont is extreme in opposing Stefanowskis support for mandatory parental notification for girls under the age of 16 seeking abortions. Earlier in the day, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy warned that the future depends on stopping the GOP from taking control of the Congress and the presidency in two years. This is awful news for women, for families, for health care providers, for every American, Murphy said in Hartford. What we saw is six politicians masquerading as justices, trying to impose their political views on this nation, he said. Earlier this month, Murphy, Blumenthal and other senators called on President Joe Biden to develop a national plan to protect reproductive rights. I wish I was shocked, but I sadly am not, said U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, in a statement shortly after the court announcement. This activist conservative Supreme Court that lambasts decisions it does not like as judicial activism has made a dangerous move, disregarding science and decades of legal precedent to strip away a womans fundamental and constitutional right to make her own health care decisions, DeLauro said. Leora Levy, the Greenwich newcomer, a member of the Republican National Committee who is seeking the nomination to challenge Blumenthal if she wins the partys August primary, praised the high courts ruling. Today the Supreme Court decision has returned America to valuing, respecting and protecting Life, Levy said in a statement. Unfortunately, we cannot turn back time and ensure a chance for life to the 45 million babies who never had one, but we can celebrate the end of progressive pressure to abandon the Constitution and our American values. State Rep. Steve Meskers, D-Greenwich, sharply criticized the court. This week we have witnessed the most outlandish and foolish rulings by our Supreme Court, said Meskers, the second-term vice chairman of the legislative Finance Committee. Freshly off the slaughter of children in Uvalde and a senate finally showing some marginal backbone to the NRA, our Supreme Court has sent a clear message, which is that the lives of our kids dont really matter and that the women in our country dont deserve the right to make reproductive decisions for themselves, he said. The testimony they gave on settled law as they were interviewed for the job of Supreme Court justice has proven to be the worst kind of shameful chicanery. Another Republican, however, Toni Boucher of Wilton, who is seeking to regain the state Senate seat she lost four years ago to Sen. Will Haskell, D-Westport, said the ruling is making women afraid. I understand that this issue is deeply emotional and personal for every person and differing personal views and beliefs must always be respected, Boucher said in a statement. For me personally, I have been on the record for over 20 years as a pro-choice legislator and will continue to be one if returned to office. I have and will always fiercely protect women, their health, and their right to choose." Staff writers Ken Dixon, Alex Putterman, Jordan Fenster, Amanda Cuda, Ken Borsuk and Julia Bergman contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Rallies are already popping up or are planned to take place across Connecticut in response to the Supreme Court of the United States overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade case and other cases that guaranteed a persons constitutional right to abortion. Today, SCOTUS decided that is not the case after all. We therefore hold that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion, Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his decision. Roe and Casey must be overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people and their elected representatives. The courts three liberal justices, Stephen Breyer; Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, responded by saying: With sorrowfor this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protectionwe dissent, The decision puts the right to regulate abortion into the hands of states. At least twelve states have so-called trigger laws, immediately putting into place massive restrictions or total bans on abortion. And other states, like Florida, have recently reduced abortion access with considerations to take those steps further upon the decision. RELATED: Tampon, formula shortages extremely stressful for CT women: 'not looking like a very good year' While the ruling will not change abortion access in Connecticut, where state law already protects the practice, reproductive rights activists and the states Democratic party are rallying in solidarity with those who might have just lost access to safe and legal abortions. Here is where you can find rallies today: Bridgeport A rally will take place at the Federal Courthouse on Lafayette Boulevard at 5 p.m. Hartford Connecticut State Dems are holding a rally on the Capitol steps, 300 Capitol Ave, Hartford, at 2 p.m. Litchfield A rally will take place at the Litchfield Green, 74 West Street, at 5 p.m. Milford A rally will be held Sunday at Milford City Hall, 110 River St., Milford at 4 p.m. New Milford A rally will take place on the south end of the Town Green, 10 Main St, New Milford, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. New Haven A rally will be held at the Federal Courthouse, 141 Church St, New Haven, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Norwalk A rally will be held at The Green, 8, Park St., Norwalk on Saturday at 10 a.m. Stamford A rally will be held at Forest Street and Bedford Street by Latham Park at 5 p.m. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WESTPORT The Westport Country Playhouse has been a staple of the community for more than 90 years, and it all started with a husband and wife duo, Lawrence Langner and Armina Marshall. Now, the couple will be commemorated with a Literary Landmark though the exact location is to be determined as there has been a question about where in town makes the most sense. Literary Landmarks are presented to historic literary sites involving a deceased literary figure or author around the country as part of the American Library Association. Anybody can apply for a landmark, so long as they compile the information needed for one and discuss it with a local organization, such as a library. Langner eventually focused on the writing side of production, which is why he qualifies for one. Some of his best known works include the co-written play The Pursuit of Happiness and the Magic Curtain memoir. He really is the father of modern Broadway when you look at the fact that he built, on Broadway, the Guild Theatre... which is now the August Wilson Theatre, Joel Vig, one of the committee members for the project, said about Langner. In 1919, Langner co-founded the Theatre Guild in New York City, supervising more than 200 productions. History The Playhouse was once an old barn located on an apple orchard, which Langner and Marshall repurposed after purchasing it for $14,000. Originally, the location was called the Woodland Theatre, but was renamed on opening day, June 29, 1931. As founders, Langner and Marshall who were residents of Weston ran the playhouse as a Broadway try-out location and a summer theater. This allowed some big names from Broadway to make their way to Westport. Under the direction of Langner and Marshall, the Playhouses first show in 1931 was The Streets of New York, which eventually made it to Broadway. Langner and Marshall eventually handed off the theater to James B. McKenzie in 1959, and now it is under new direction. Vig, who has helped sanction other Literary Landmarks, originally came up with the idea to apply for the landmark designation. He has been involved in theater for a long time, and even worked with Langners son, Philip. He said while he was at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, he researched and found that there was not a Literary Landmark in Westport. I always refer to Lawrence and Armina as the giants of the American theater, Vig said, because I think that the American theater owes more to Lawrence and Armina in the 20th century than any two other people in the world. I had never met Lawrence but I had met Armina near the end of her life, he said. Each of them had a remarkable life filled with amazing achievements. Vig then got in touch with Ann Sheffer, a longtime resident of Westport who was involved with the Playhouse and Westport Library for many years, and they began working with Bill Harmer, head librarian of the Westport Library. The library ultimately submitted the application. Sheffer said she wanted to be a part of the Literary Landmark project because she loved the Playhouse, which she has been involved with since she was 13. My family, beginning with my grandparents who came to Westport in 1930 and my parents who moved here in 1950, knew the Langners well, and saw many productions at the Playhouse, as well as at the Theatre Guild in NYC, Sheffer said. As someone who loves the history of Westport, Sheffer said, I was delighted when Joel Vig asked me to help him in creating a Literary Landmark for Lawrence Langner and Armina Marshall. Location The original plan was to have the plaque hung at the Westport Country Playhouse as part of its 90th anniversary. However, now over a year into the process, there will most likely be a new location. According to Vig, issues arose between the committee and current members of the Playhouse about what information would go on the plaque, and they could not agree on a statement. Members of the committee wanted the plaque to focus more on Langners accomplishments, rather than the playhouse itself. Due to the disagreement over the plaques content, Sheffer proposed it should be placed in a different location. Sheffer, who paid for the plaque, said she is discussing with First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and the Westport Library to find a new location to house it. Potential locations include a sign near the Playhouse on Post Road East, Winslow Park and the Langner family house in Weston. Were just looking for a place that people will see it and can celebrate Lawrence Langner and Armina Marshall, Sheffer said. Michael Barker, managing director of the Westport Country Playhouse, said it is only right for Langners contributions to theater and literature to be commemorated with a Literary Landmark. The founding of the Westport Country Playhouse is almost unique in the history of surviving American regional theaters, he said. While most regional theaters were started by local members of the community, Langners vision for an oasis of art outside of the commercial pressures of New York sprang from a different noble impulse. Baker also said the Playhouses mission is influenced by Langners work to this day. Eve Langner, granddaughter of Lawrence Langner and Marshall, was appreciative of the work done to get the landmark. It makes me proud to know that their accomplishments and their lifes work is being honored, she said. When I stop to think about what they accomplished in their lifetimes, it is remarkable to me all the things that they experienced, they wrote, and all the people with whom they worked. It is extraordinary. Eve Langner also talked about the potential new locations. I think ultimately the Landmark is a celebration and, in knowing my grandparents love of Westport, I would like it to be placed in a spot where the residents will be able to view it for generations to come, she said. Vig said Marshall may soon also be inducted into the National Womens Hall of Fame, which will be announced on September 24. Looking back, Eve Langner said, I think that my grandparents were visionaries in the world of theater. It was their passion. They committed their lives to that passion and the belief that theater was for everyone to enjoy, be it on Broadway, summer theater stages, on the radio and on television. kayla.mutchler@hearstmediact.com WESTPORT Social-emotional well-being and collaborative problem solving are just two topics that may be implemented within the Westport school district this fall. This is all part of the strategic plan discussed by the Board of Education earlier this month. The goal of the plan is to foster the development of well-adjusted students who can work together to solve complex problems. Action plans beginning in the 2022-2023 school year will be implemented from preschool through high school. Central themes of the plan will prioritize students feeling safe, connected and valued; amplify student voices and allow for joy in learning, high engagement and having fun in school. I think its really, really important that kids have fun in school, Superintendent Thomas Scarice said. That doesnt soften education. Our achievement levels will not drop if we have opportunities for kids to engage in different activities. Scarice said the need for social-emotional well-being is due to the conditions faced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Two categories within social-emotional well-being that will be emphasized are leadership development and a growth mindset. Scarice said that leadership training is typically done at the collegiate level or within independent or private schools. However, he said that the Westport schools have plenty of opportunities for student leaders, and waiting until higher education misses a window to develop those skills. He emphasized viewing leadership as a verb, not a title or position. Scarice also proposed an area of the Westport Public Schools called the Center for Leadership Development. He said there would be training, guest speakers and experts, a library with resources and training materials and age-appropriate training for all students, among other aspects. He said that this center would be a physical location, whether a separate building or on campus, within five years. We have just tons of leaders in our community, Scarice said. Our kids are gonna go off into the world, in general, with great opportunities to be leaders. Why dont we take advantage of that and develop leadership skills while theyre with us for 13 years? he asked. A growth mindset is marked by individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies and feedback from performance and others), according to the meeting memo. Scarice said in the meeting that it is the belief that intelligence can be developed. Students with a growth mindset will understand that they can get smarter through help from others when needed, hard work and use of effective strategies. This is in contrast to a fixed mindset, where people believe that intelligence is fixed at birth. This is really problematic for a generation thats perceived as fragile, Scarice said. That when they meet with failure, how do they push through that how do they develop resiliency? Growth mindset can be achieved through multiple means, such as direct instruction, teaching students that the brain is malleable, teaching effort-based ability and examining current policies the district has in place. Scarice also clarified that these topics are already in place within the Westport School District and are not brand new. Do we have a systemic approach to foster this in kids? he asked. Not quite yet. Collaborative problem solving is another topic that will be implemented in school. According to the meeting memo, it is achieved by fostering critical and creative thinking, and collaborative problem solving through a robust curriculum delivered by engaging and dedicated educators. There are short-term goals 18 months in place within collaborative problem solving, which refers to educators as lead learners. During the meeting, members also proposed some specifics of the action plans, but Scarice said they want to leave it up to the individual school principals and teachers within each school. This is a very exciting endeavor for the district, Scarice said in a statement, with a bold vision for some powerful programs that can position our students to thrive in the years after they graduate for our schools. He said the Board of Education will return in the fall with an update to the community. kayla.mutchler@hearstmediact.com BRIDGEPORT Juliemar Ortiz heard it from her old boss, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. Kate Rivera got a call from one of her friends in tears. Callie Heilmann found out while on a Zoom call regarding American Rescue Plan money for Bridgeport area schools. They all heard the same thing on Friday morning. The constitutional right to an abortion, and therefore, control of their bodies was no longer the law of the land. The three women became interconnected by a Supreme Court ruling hundreds of miles away in Washington D.C. making their daily lives as women more uncertain. The court overturned Roe v. Wade, a ruling that until just a generation ago was considered settled law. Hours later, the three protested along with at least 50 other people in front of the Brien McMahon Federal Courthouse in downtown Bridgeport. They expressed anger, sadness, hopefulness and defiance even if no easy solutions could be found in the moment, the only solace being that others stood with them. Ortiz, a former newspaper reporter and now a Democratic candidate for a state Senate seat for the 23rd District, said she heard from Bysiewicz. Ortiz saw her old boss speaking in a selfie video on social media, something Ortiz said she never saw that before. Then she turned on the captions and read the words. She said she went to Twitter to see if anyone else was talking about the ruling, saying she needed connection and empowerment in the face of it. Even though state and federal officials representing the state previously stated they would protect womens access to an abortion, Ortiz said it isnt settled law here either. I felt powerless. I felt even though were in Connecticut, and this is something thats protected here. I know for a fact that this is something thats going to continue to be attacked here in Connecticut as well, Ortiz said. Ortiz spoke as others in the crowd took turns to speak, sharing their reactions. Kelly Marino, a professor of history at Sacred Heart University, wasnt at the protest but she said the ruling will have life and death consequences for women in Republican controlled states. These are people who will not have the resources to travel out of state for safe abortions. Theres going to be consequences, she said. People are going to lose their lives thats the reality of it, Marino said. Ortiz said she felt helpless. Kate Rivera said she had a different reaction to the ruling. Rage, Rivera said. Rivera is the director of operations and programming for Women Against Mass Incarceration. She spoke at the protest, and said she along with others saw the ruling coming. A draft of the ruling was leaked to the public earlier this year. Rivera said she knew it would happen but it didnt make her any less angry. What was she going to do about it? She said she would fight, starting with organizing a protest to Washington, D.C. Well definitely be organizing to go there and to help out in states where abortion rights no longer exists to create safe states. I do and Ill always have an extra bed for them, Rivera said. The crowd numbered a little over 20 when it started but began to grow within an hour, passersby stopping to listen, while drivers honked in support of the protest. Ethan Larkin from Fairfield came out as gay a while ago. He came by, he said, in solidarity with women. Seeing the crowd lifted his spirits he said. Its pretty depressing. But ... seeing you guys out here today made me feel a little bit better, Larkin said. While people were galvanized to act, Brandi Johnson, who lives in Bridgeport and is Black, said people reacting to the decision are missing out on something major. Women of color, she said, are going to bear the brunt of the decision. Many are impoverished, unable to travel outside their home states which may have laws ready to be enacted if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned. Women of color need to be protected, she said. Thats why its very important for more people of color, Black men and all types of people that are people of color to be very involved in this abortion movement because I dont think people fully realize the implications of whats actually going to happen, Johnson said. Heilmann, co-founder and president of Bridgeport Generation Now, a social justice organization, said the ruling was set in motion by a political party that made a devils bargain with the evangelical right in order to maintain power. The court had revealed itself, she said, to be every bit as partisan as the other two branches of government. What now? We have to expand the court. We just have to. We have to do the work and get people elected to the Senate and end the filibuster, Heilmann said. Ortiz said coming to the protest helped her realize people are on her side. It just builds a sense of hope, seeing other people who are as outraged as me not just scrolling through social media and seeing it but people in my community, my neighbors, people who I work with, or have seen in a coffee shop and saying, Wow, that person really does care about my rights, Ortiz said. But while Ortiz is running for state senate, she said voting isnt a magic bullet. I think people really need to wake up to the fact that voting oftentimes is not enough. And its bizarre for me to say that Im running for state Senate, and I am running against someone who represents us currently in the state Senate who actually voted against the reproductive rights bill that we passed recently in Connecticut. And when you think about that, you say, Yeah, well, we just got to vote him out. But no, we have to hold people accountable, Ortiz said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate With most schools done for the summer, many parents might be looking to enroll their children in camps to keep them occupied during the warm-weather months. But, with COVID-19 still around, other respiratory illnesses throwing themselves into the mix and traditional summer health threats such as mosquitoes and ticks as much an issue as ever, is camp a safe decision? Most health experts said it is, as long as families take the proper precautions. I think, in many ways, getting children ready for camp this year is slowly getting back to getting children ready for camp prior to the pandemic, said Dr. Tom Murray, associate medical director for infection prevention Yale New Haven childrens hospital. Others echoed that sentiment, saying not only is Connecticut starting to return to pre-COVID times when it comes to signing up children for camp, but that enrolling them in these activities is a likely a good idea. We need children to come outside for their own mental health, said Dr. Syed Z. Hussain, the medical director of urgent care and occupational medicine for Hartford Health Cares Fairfield region. But this doesnt mean that families should throw all COVID precautions to the wind. Experts said there are a number of measures families need to take when preparing their children for camp this summer. Chief among these is making sure children are vaccinated before packing them off for summer fun. I think the number one thing folks can do to make sure their kids are safe is to make sure theyre up to date with all their COVID vaccine doses, said Dr. Asha Shah, director of infectious disease at Stamford Hospital. Vaccines are now available for all children six months and older, so experts said its a good idea to get them vaccinated if they havent already been. In addition, all children 5 and older are eligible for a booster dose of their vaccine. I think boosting is very important, Murray said. There is data that you have a much better chance of having only mild disease if you are boosted. I would encourage boosting. Other than vaccines, there are a few ways parents can make their camp-bound kids a little safer. All the experts said hand hygiene is more important than ever. Make sure they have some hand sanitizer with them, Hussain said. As for mask-wearing, thats a bit more complicated. I think that depends a lot on the individual camp and how the kids are interacting, Murray said. Most doctors said masks arent necessary if the camp is largely outdoors and the child isnt at high risk for severe illness from COVID. But parents should use their judgment, Hussain said. If you are in a very closed place where there are a lot of people packed together, a mask is always advisable, he said. Doctors pointed out that COVID isnt the only illness that will be circulating this summer. Murray said there are multiple respiratory illnesses out there, so parents should caution their children to keep their distance from kids who are sick. He and Hussain also advised using bug spray to help protect children from mosquitoes and ticks, both of which can spread disease. In general, most doctors recommended camping with caution over not camping at all. Getting back to normal is important, especially for children, Shah said. I think kids should be provided as much normalcy as possible. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT A man was sentenced to 80 years Friday for shooting and killing a young therapist from Bethel more than three years ago. State Superior Court Judge Alex Hernandez sentenced Brandon Roberts, 29, to 60 years for murder, 15 years for first-degree robbery with a deadly weapon and five years for carrying a pistol without a permit. The sentence will be served concurrent, according to the Fairfield Judicial Districts clerks office. A jury found Roberts guilty in April of killing 25-year-old Emily Todd. Todd, of Bethel, and Roberts met through an online dating app, but after a few days, she broke up with him. On Dec. 8, 2018, he lured her to a boat ramp. The two were walking along a narrow strip of beach near the public boat launch off Seaview Avenue when he shot her once in the back of the head, authorities said. Police said previously that Todd changed her number that day to avoid further contact with Roberts. He then stole her car, cellphone and credit cards and emptied her bank account, according to police and statements made during the trial. Todd was found on the shore of Bridgeport Harbor the next day. Todds family reported her missing on Dec. 9 after she failed to show up for work at Saint John Paul II Center in Danbury, a senior center where she was a therapeutic recreation assistant. Todd was a 2011 graduate of Bethel High School and a 2016 graduate of Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass. On Dec. 10, police found Todds 2018 white Kia in the parking lot of the Quality Inn & Suites on South Avenue in Stratford. Detectives have said in the past that Roberts had been staying in the hotel since Thanksgiving that year with a relative. Police arrested Roberts, a 2012 Ansonia High School graduate, at his fathers home in Shaker Heights, Ohio on Dec. 14. While being questions in the Shaker Heights police station, Roberts confessed to Bridgeport Police Lt. Chris LaMaine that he had killed Todd and shot another woman near Washington Park a year earlier. Just days before the shooting, Todd called Bridgeport police to report that her boyfriend, Roberts, had threatened to shoot himself. She gave dispatchers information about his car and his cell phone number, as well as said he owned a gun. Officers made contact with Roberts while he was driving and a pursuit ensured. The officers ended the chase because of Roberts reckless driving. Those trained to help victims of domestic violence at the Womens Center of Danbury have previously said they would have flagged Roberts threat as a serious warning sign. During the trial, lawyers representing Roberts didnt challenge the fact that he pulled the trigger. They argued that Roberts was under extreme emotional distress at the time due to the death of his mother the previous year, being homeless and his brief relationship with Todd. States Attorney Joseph Corradino called the homicide deliberate, intentional and planned and that Roberts was motivated by money. When Roberts himself took the stand during the trial, he had no explanation for why he shot Todd. Roberts is in custody with the state Department of Correction, the clerks office said Friday. SHELTON Students are not the only ones being honored this month Shelton High has also earned top marks from a top regional educational organization. Shelton High School officials were recently informed that the school has earned full accreditation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. It is great to get this kind of recognition, Shelton High Principal Kathy Riddle told Hearst Connecticut Media, but our work is not done. This report is impressive, and it also helps us to focus on goals we need to reach to get better in the future. The honor comes after 12 years of the school not receiving such accreditation. Superintendent Ken Saranich said the high school is on conditional accreditation. NEASC performs its review every 10 years. Shelton High, last reviewed in 2010, had its most recent review delayed due to the pandemic. This is a major accomplishment, Saranich told Hearst Connecticut Media. It is a validation of all the hard work done by Kathy Riddle and her staff. Saranich said the past review, done 12 years ago, placed Shelton High on conditional accreditation because the school had not met all of the standards set forth by NEASC. Saranich said the districts improvements to its curriculum and placing the Vision of the Graduate standards in the K-12 planning was instrumental in getting the full accreditation. He also praised the city for funding school improvements, such as the sprinkler system, as well as technology and curriculum upgrades that also helped the school meet NEASC standards. The report praised Shelton Highs positive school climate, calling it palpable by all who visit and attend" the school. This was my focus coming in, Riddle, who was named interim principal in 2019 before taking the job on a permanent basis last year, said about changing the schools culture. That was an important part of my school improvement plan. To see that among the commendations I was happy to see that recognition. The schools commitment to professional development to increase collaboration among staff was also noted in the commendations section of the report. Also noted was the districts creation of its Vision of the Graduate program, which consists of six main principles problem solving; creativity and innovation; flexibility and adaptability; initiative and self-direction; collaboration; and empathy that should be demonstrated at different stages of the K-12 experience through various milestones. Saranich was pleased the NEASC team recognized the focus the district has placed on the Vision of the Graduate. The report also praised the schools steps taken with utilization of technology, specifically moving away from a 4:1 device school to a 1:1 device school; fluidity of technological uses in the building; and open access for students to enroll in elective courses that have a strong technological component, specifically those that have partnerships with agencies outside of Shelton High School, like Sikorsky Aircraft and the Project Aviation course; Housatonic Community College and Turner Construction in partnership with CTE and Vocational education courses. Saranich praised the Board of Education and city leaders for their commitment to funding the school district to help maintain staffing and improve the technology offerings throughout the school system. This is validation that the high school and the Shelton Public School system are going in the right direction, Saranich said. Getting this from NEASC proves that what were doing works. Riddle said a major focus going forward will be better data assessment, specifically with the social emotional piece. At present, the district does three student surveys a year, but Riddle said she wants more regular check-ins with students for a more comprehensive look at the students emotional state. Saranich said he would be presenting a full detailing of the NEASC report at the boards next Teaching and Learning Committee meeting. A visiting team of six members was assigned by the Commission on Public Schools to conduct a Decennial Accreditation visit to Shelton High School. Riddle praised NEASC prep co-chairs Erik Martire, the districts K-12 guidance curriculum leader, and Jim Colandrea, high school assistant principal, for their efforts facilitating the process, which began two years ago. NEASCs website states the organization is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization which partners with more than 1,500 public, independent, and international schools in the U.S. and worldwide to assess, support, and promote high quality education for all students through accreditation, professional assistance, and pursuit of best practices. A globally recognized standard of excellence, the website states NEASC Accreditation attests to a schools high quality and integrity. brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com Four democratic congressmen asserted that Apple and Google are enabling the trade of mobile phone users' personal information. Legislators pushed FTC to examine how Apple and Google made it easier to collect Americans' personal information without proper consent continually. Four Legislators Writes Letter to FTC Against Apple, Google's User Data Violations The Federal Trade Commission was requested to look into Apple Inc. (AAPL 1.86%) and Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOG 3.66%) Google after four democratic lawmakers claimed the companies are engaged in unfair and deceptive practices by enabling the collection and sale of mobile phone users' personal information. In a letter delivered on Friday to FTC chair Lina Khan, the legislators said that Apple and Google "knowingly enabled these damaging activities" by incorporating advertising-specific monitoring identifications into their mobile operating systems. These mobile-ad IDs are a string of numbers and characters integrated into iOS and Android. The respective mobile operating systems of Apple and Google use such mobile-ad IDs to gather user data. Recently, both companies have taken measures to minimize this data collecting. There is now an option for users of both operating systems to choose not to give their identity to apps. Last year, Apple released a new version of its software that mandates that every program get permission from the user before accessing the device's identifier. At the same time, Google is preparing to implement new privacy limitations to limit tracking across applications on Android handsets. The letter signed by Senators Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.); Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.); Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.); and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D., Calif.) criticized Google for continuing to use this tracking identity by default and for not even offering users an opt-out until now. It also stated that Apple has still left this tracking ID active by default and needed users to navigate their way through convoluted phone settings to disable it. Continuously, it declared that these IDs had fueled the unregulated data broker sector by generating a single piece of information connected to a device that data brokers and their clients may use to link to additional consumer data. They said that although these IDs appear anonymous, it is simple to identify the owners of the phones they are connected with. The authors noted that in a collection of 'anonymous' location records, it is frequently simple to pinpoint a specific customer by checking where they spend the night. Apple and Google representatives did not immediately fulfill requests for comment from the FTC. Read Also: Why Nothing CEO Carl Pei Thinks 'Other Smartphones are Uninteresting?' Here's an Explanation Khan Leaderships Tightens User Data Regulations, Apple, Google Turned Internet Ad Into a Relentless Surveillance System The FTC has been working to tighten the regulations governing how internet firms get user data since Ms. Khan assumed the organization's leadership almost a year ago. If a company engages in unfair or deceptive tactics, the government may take enforcement action against it. Digital advertisement providers are less able to precisely target their advertising and demonstrate that the ads result in sales due to Apple's decision last year to mandate that applications on its iOS platform ask the user for permission before accessing the device's identifier. Facebook and Instagram's parent company, Meta Platforms Inc., predicted earlier this year that Apple's shift would reduce revenue by almost $10 billion by 2022. Furthermore, according to the legislators' letter, if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, those seeking abortions will be more exposed to privacy damages. In the letter, they wrote that prosecutors in areas where abortion is outlawed would soon have access to warrants that will allow them to learn the exact location of anybody who has visited an abortion facility. State bounty legislation will also encourage private actors to track down women who have had or are considering getting an abortion by giving them access to location data via data brokers, they added. In 2021, a Singapore-based digital-advertising business located in Atlanta, known as Mobilewalla, said in a letter to Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) last week that it had indirectly contributed to some of the data used by DHS, the IRS, and the U.S. military for warrantless surveillance of devices at home and overseas. Mr. Wyden's office, investigating location brokers, sent The Wall Street Journal the letter. Moreover, in the said letter, they argued that the FTC should look into how Apple and Google helped turn internet advertising into a ruthless surveillance system that encourages and makes it easier to collect Americans' personal information continually. Related Article: FTC Investigates PlayStation's $3.6 Billion Bungie Acquisition There are a ton of movies available when you search for animated films on Hulu. See? It's not hard to find an animated movie on a streaming platform! Finding GOOD movies, though, is the real challenge. The good news is that we can guide you in choosing movies worth your time! While Game Rant and Looper listed some titles, we have handpicked the best animated movies that are available on Hulu right now. Here's 7 animated films you can watch on Hulu in 2022! 100% Wolf (2020) This whimsical Australian production is about the werewolf heir who apparently unexpectedly turns into a poodle before setting off on a hilarious journey with other English-speaking dogs. Watch "100% Wolf" on Hulu Astro Boy (2009) The story of Pinocchio and Marvel's Vision are merged in "Astro Boy," an adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's popular manga, as the titular robot youth battles a huge iron foe who is voiced by Samuel L. Jackson. It's just as enjoyable as it sounds. Watch "Astro Boy" on Hulu Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who! (2008) Dr. Seuss' illustrations are a natural fit for digital animation in the hands of the studio that brought "Ice Age" to life in 2008. In addition, Amy Poehler, Jim Carrey, and Steve Carell-all at the height of their careers-are all featured in the cast. Watch "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who!" on Hulu Read More: Not a Fan of Mainstream Films? Here Are 7 Best Underrated Netflix Movies You Can Watch in 2022! Happy Feet (2006) The movie "Happy Feet" depicts the tale of Mumble, an emperor penguin who can tap dance but can't sing. It is a fun film to watch, with smooth animation and a wide voice cast. Despite not quite reaching the same heights as the original film, the sequel is also available on Hulu. Watch "Happy Feet" on Hulu Rio (2011) The last male Spix's macaw on the earth is a domesticated exotic bird named Blu. He represents the only hope for the future of his species. Blu's life would be simple if the plot of "Rio" consisted solely of boarding a plane for Brazil and introducing him to a female macaw with a rebellious attitude. Instead, Blu has to deal with a kidnapping attempt, his own embarrassing inability to fly, and a ton of other mischief. Watch "Rio" on Hulu The Congress (2013) The Congress takes viewers on a very strange journey by fusing live-action and animated scenes. In an alternate universe where Miramount Studios rules, Robin Wright, playing a lousy actress version of herself, sells her image rights so that her computer-animated doppelganger can appear in movies. The Congress is a strange but engrossing movie with an outstanding performance by Wright that is set over several decades. Watch "The Congress" on Hulu The Croods 2: A New Age (2020) This 2020 follow-up to "The Croods," which continued the story of the cave-dwelling family introduced in the 2012 film, received marginally higher reviews than the original and features 100 percent more Peter Dinklage and Kelly Marie Tran. The titular family must navigate fascinating, vibrant CG environs and adapt to increasing modernity. In the meanwhile, depending on the kind and circumstances, prehistoric animals might be amusing or hostile. Watch "The Croods 2: A New Age" on Hulu Related Article: 7 Top Action Films to Watch on Hulu in 2022 Period tracking apps are working on ways to make their users as anonymous as possible, and Flo is one of them. The period-tracking app recently announced it would be launching a new "anonymous mode" to address its privacy concerns and the recent controversial move of the Supreme Court to overturn the Roe v. Wade case. The Supreme Court's ruling on the previously mentioned case allegedly removed American women's constitutional right to abortion, according to the BBC. Flo Period-Tracking App 'Anonymous Mode' Flo Mentioned in its official Twitter account that its users have the right to protect their data, and that its new upcoming feature, an "Anonymous mode," will remove the personal identity from their Flo account, allowing them be anonymous. Flo's announcement didn't come as a surprise, however. According to Engadget, the app itself has a history of failing to protect users' privacy in 2019, when the Wall Street Journal reported that the app was sharing users' sensitive information with Facebook, Google, and other third-parties. The information shared with these companies are said to include details about their menstrual cycles and if they were trying to get pregnant. Although Flo denied it mishandled users' personal data, it did reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commision in 2021 about it, with the company describing the settlement as "not an admission of any wrongdoing." Regardless of Flo's alleged "mishandling" of users' personal data, Flo erasing them sensitive data means that there would no data to be given to government offices to prove if someone may have had an abortion or was thinking of getting one, per Mashable. With the overturn of the Roe v. Wade case, the Supreme Court effectively eliminated the consitutional right to abortion, meaning that women who want to have an abortion will to do so in secret or risk being arrested and prosecuted in court. Read More: Chris Evans is Finally Dropping His iPhone 6s for a Newer Version Apps like Flo have a history of cooperation with criminal investigations in the past, usually in cases against child exploitation. Thus, the removal of users' sensitive data is important as half of the states in the US are expected to introduce new restrictions or bans after the overturn, and that 13 of them have outlawed abortion instantly. Jackie Singh, a former senior cybersecurity staffer on the Biden presidential campaign wxplained to Mashable that every device with a period tracking app could be used as a tracking device due to people not using VPNs for their devices. "While most people tend to leave our Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location services on all the time for convenience, and rarely use a VPN or other privacy-protecting software, people who may be newly prosecuted as criminals no longer have the luxury of behaving as entirely free and lawful citizens," Signh said. Roe V. Wade Case Summary The Roe v. Wade legal case is a landmark case in which a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy was guaranteeed under the consitutional right to privacy, according to Britannica. The case involves a "Jane Roe," a pseudonym to protect the plaintiff's identity, the late Norma McCorvey, and Henry Wade, the district attorney of Dallas county, Texas, where Roe lived. The Supreme Court's ruling of 6-3 in favor of overturning the case sparked outage across the US, with President Biden calling the act "a tragic error." The Supreme Court overturned the case due to the court upholding a Mississipi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, per Reuters. Related Article: Android Users Beware: These Google Play Store Apps Spread Malware Just days before the historic ruling that threatens to tear apart an already fiercely divided America, it emerged that employees at abortion clinics were being taught how to search for bombs and deal with 'active shooters'. Such is the vehemence of the abortion issue in the US that a debate about protecting life as opponents of abortion have always framed it long ago became one about preventing death. At least 11 people, including four doctors and a policeman, have been killed in violence against abortion providers over the decades. A celebration outside the Supreme Court, Friday, June 24, in Washington. The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years a decision by its conservative majority to overturn the court's landmark abortion cases 'America's most senior judges have ensured that this country's deep polarisation will worsen', says Tom Leonard The other side the Pro-Choice movement has also shown it could resort to such methods. Earlier this month, shortly after news first leaked that the conservative-dominated Supreme Court was likely to overturn the landmark Roe vs Wade ruling, a man armed with a gun and a knife was arrested near the home of one of the court's justices, Brett Kavanaugh, after making threats. Prosecutors said the man, Nicholas Roske, was 'upset' and decided to kill one of the conservative judges he held responsible. How many more may now prove similarly 'upset'? For some, this is a war and it is likely to spread. By deciding there is no constitutional right to abortion and that laws can be decided by individual states, America's most senior judges have ensured that this country's deep polarisation will worsen. Not least because the Supreme Court justices have made it clear that yesterday's decision could open the door for courts to overturn a range of hard-won civil rights. 'In future cases, we should reconsider all of this court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence and Obergefell,' wrote Justice Clarence Thomas, referring to decisions on contraception, gay sex and same-sex marriage. Liberal members of the Supreme Court echoed that warning, saying in their dissent that 'no one should be confident that this majority is done with its work'. With barricades going up around the court and protesters demonstrating outside the homes of its conservative members, a secretive group calling itself Jane's Revenge has been distributing menacing flyers around Washington DC. Headed 'DC call to Action Night of Rage', the flyers threated a 'riot' and added: 'To our oppressors, if our abortions aren't safe, you're not either.' Jane's Revenge has claimed responsibility for destructive attacks against pro-Life 'pregnancy-crisis centres' which try to persuade women not to have terminations across the US. Abortion providers across America have been preparing for this moment and for the tens of thousands of women who will now have to travel to clinics where state laws still protect termination procedures. President Joe Biden, whose dismal approval ratings have now dipped below 40 per cent and whose party is expected to fare badly in November's mid-term elections, had seen a ray of hope for the Democrats in the expected Supreme Court decision. 'Even people who are not pro-choice are going to find it really, really off the wall when a woman goes across a state line [to get an abortion] and she gets arrested,' he has said. Referring to Republicans who have backed the abortion clampdown (one of them, ex-Vice President Mike Pence yesterday proclaimed: 'Today, life won'), the President added: 'There are so many things these guys are doing that are out of the mainstream of where the public is.' While there is some truth in that polls have consistently shown most Americans didn't want Roe vs Wade overturned a majority do favour some restriction on access to abortions. 'If abortions aren't safe, neither are you': Earlier this month, shortly after news first leaked that the conservative-dominated Supreme Court was likely to overturn the landmark Roe vs Wade ruling, a man armed with a gun and a knife was arrested near the home of one of the court's justices, Brett Kavanaugh, after making threats. And just as the argument of pro-choice campaigners hinges on the unalienable right of women to choose what to do with their own bodies, many of those opposing abortion see their stance as a non-negotiable article of religious faith. A 2019 poll found 38 per cent of Americans believe life begins at conception, with that proportion rising to 75 per cent among Republican women. So Mr Biden who believes that 'a woman's right to choose is fundamental' is deluded if he thinks that yesterday's decision will trigger a backlash by outraged Republicans. It was Donald Trump who pledged to overturn Roe v Wade before being swept to power in 2016. In fact it was the main reason that many Christian conservatives overcame their distaste for his tawdry personal behaviour and voted for him. And he has delivered. The fact that he was able to appoint three conservative judges during his presidency was key to yesterday's decision. The Democrats have promised to fight the Supreme Court decision tooth and nail but their political options are limited. What happens next is not entirely clear beyond the fact that 13 US states have already passed 'trigger laws' that automatically ban abortion if Roe vs Wade is overturned. Others about half of all US states are expected to quickly do the same. People protest in response to the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, June 24 in Washington, DC. The Court's decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health overturns the landmark 50-year-old Roe v Wade case and erases a federal right to an abortion 'In total, abortion access is expected to be cut off for about 36 million women, according to research from Planned Parenthood', writes Tom Leonard In total, abortion access is expected to be cut off for about 36million women, according to research from Planned Parenthood. Pro-Choice activists have warned that the poorest women will inevitably be hit hardest as they will be least able to travel to another state or take time off work. In response, several Democrat-held states have promised to increase their funding of abortion to become 'abortion sanctuary states'. What is not in doubt is the increasingly febrile nature of this issue. Even after the Roe vs Wade decision guaranteed a woman's right to an abortion in 1973, conservative states limited access to abortion clinics and pushed through laws to restrict access. In Missouri, there is just one abortion clinic and a (female) politician has introduced a new bill to ban the distribution of abortion pills and to allow private lawsuits against anyone who knowingly helps a woman to cross state lines to seek a termination. Texas has similar laws, encouraging citizens to earn a $10,000 bounty by filing a lawsuit against anyone who performs an abortion, assists in one or, indeed, even looks like performing one in the future. More states will follow. There has even been speculation that authorities will start to monitor women's activity online to discover if they are pregnant and seeking abortions illegally. Right to life or right to choose? How Americans choose to see abortion has never been more consequential. My email inbox is becoming a source of great concern to me. I dedicated nearly a quarter of a century to fighting for Britains independence from the EU, yet, six years on from the historic Brexit result, disillusion seems to be creeping into the minds of many who voted for freedom. The Conservative Government is to blame for this and they deserved to suffer two resounding by-election defeats last Thursday. I know that Boris Johnsons administration is battling problems on many fronts and that his parliamentary party is hopelessly split. But following the Tories resounding electoral victory in December 2019, Johnsons MPs would be wise to remember the message that kept them in power: Get Brexit Done. I say this because frustrated members of the electorate keep asking why, two-and-a-half years after Johnsons victory, Brexit has not been completed. Unless these people start to see some tangible benefits to their country and to their lives, lots of them will simply stay at home at the next Election. This is very true of voters in Red Wall seats, and abstention en masse (like we saw last week) would surely cost the Conservatives dear. In the past week, the cross-party Centre for Brexit Policy think tank has tried to shine a light on why so little has been achieved since 2019. Its report, written by politicians and foreign policy specialists including former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, identifies a deep pessimism among Londons Remainer elite about the UKs standing in the world. Duncan Smith used the term declinism when I spoke to him on GB News. Its very hard to disagree with this gloomy analysis. NIGEL FARAGE (pictured): My email inbox is becoming a source of great concern to me. I dedicated nearly a quarter of a century to fighting for Britain's independence from the EU... Ever since the Suez Crisis of 1956, much of the Civil Service, and the Establishment more generally, has operated on the basis that its job is to manage decline. This explains why so many of those employed by the State to implement policy and apply the laws fought so hard against Mrs Thatchers reforms of the 1980s. Thatcher tried her damnedest to extinguish this negative mentality and partially succeeded. But old habits die hard. To this day, as a prominent Brexiteer, I receive abuse in the street if Im around Whitehall during commuting time from those who can be bothered to turn up to the office, at any rate. These people hate Brexit. They want it reversed. Yet while their refusal to accept reality is a big problem, that alone does not excuse this Governments woeful record on Brexit. If the Conservatives are to have a chance of winning the next Election, they must keep their 2019 Brexit voters onside. A radical change of attitude and policy is required. Let me make some positive suggestions. We all remember the hilarious sitcom Yes, Minister about the senior civil servant Sir Humphrey Applebys attempts to derail his Ministers policies. A fan of the programme, Mrs Thatcher memorably said in the House of Commons in 1989 that advisers advise and Ministers decide. That mantra needs to be repeated again and again by Johnsons Cabinet. I know bringing the Civil Service to heel will be tough. When the Home Secretary Priti Patel locked horns with staff she felt were failing in their duties, she was accused of bullying. A media circus ensued. But the time has come to take on the obstructionists. They need to be told. Boris Johnson prefers a quiet life and to avoid conflict. Yet a confrontation is unavoidable. As an American friend of mine would say, the swamp must be drained. Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg made a good start in April by leaving notes on absent civil servants desks in Whitehall encouraging them to come back to work. This was amusing, but Rees-Mogg will need to show considerably more steel. His Brexit brief means he carries a heavy burden on his shoulders. He must be prepared to sack or shuffle high-ranking officials who are standing in the way. And he will need the united support of his Cabinet colleagues if he is to succeed. The Government must begin hacking through the unnecessary EU rules and regulations which stifle enterprise. This will be a hard fight, but it is worth the trouble. For example, Britain could set a zero VAT rate on fuel today, rather than keeping the 5 per cent minimum set by our former bosses in Brussels. Indeed, this was promised to the electorate in 2016. Yet the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, refuses to do this. Instead, he prefers to behave like a socialist: taxing, spending and redistributing. Why he does this and why he is allowed to do it is a mystery, but his approach is madness. Cutting VAT on fuel should be just the start. If Sunak reformed other VAT initiatives as well, he would send a clear signal the UK is serious about capitalising on Brexit. There is one issue that looms larger than all the others, however. It may not be fashionable to discuss it in Westminsters tea rooms, but it is a consistent topic of conversation around the country. Im thinking of illegal immigration, of course. The reason the 2016 referendum turnout was higher than expected, and why the Tories secured an 80-seat majority in 2019, is that people care deeply about Britains borders being controlled. For this reason, scores of anonymous young men coming illegally to these shores from the safety of France, and then suing the British Government just because they want to stay here, is causing great discontent. I can think of no greater insult or humiliation to our sovereignty than a nameless judge in Strasbourg fulfilling the wishes of these uninvited guests by preventing a plane chartered by our Government from taking them to Rwanda for resettlement, as happened this month. In effect, that judge said to the gangs of traffickers who profit from this trade: The UK is open, everything is free, send more people there as soon as you can. At no point did he think about the rights of British voters. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at a news conference during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Lemigo Hotel, in Kigali, Rwanda June 24 Hotels and private rented accommodation all over the country are filling up with illegal immigrants. This alone is estimated to cost taxpayers at least 5 million a day, or almost 2 billion a year. The volume of those crossing the Channel in dinghies over the summer is likely to increase hugely. Unless this situation is addressed forthwith, the public will give up on Boris Johnson and his Government. The claim made by the Justice Secretary, Dominic Raab, that a new Bill of Rights will solve this crisis is risible. There is only one solution that will let us take back control of our borders: we must leave the European Court of Human Rights and complete Brexit. I can already hear the howls of outrage from the Establishment and the Civil Service as they try to convince people such a move would be impossible and would condemn Britain to pariah status on the international stage. I have news for the metropolitan elites who spout this stuff: nobody, except you, holds this opinion. You are in the minority. What people voted for in 2016 was a proper Brexit. They want full sovereignty over our borders. Respecting their wishes will not only achieve this, it will also win Boris Johnson the next Election. As a Prime Minister on the ropes who appears to want to remain in power, he should listen rather carefully to this message. For although advisers advise and Ministers decide, voters have the final say. Few will be surprised to learn that an organisation funded by the British taxpayer once issued a non-discriminatory language guide that urged its staff not to refer to Brits, or use the phrase the Queens English. The reason the latter was problematic, we were told, was that it implies that these varieties of English are more correct or of greater importance than others. What may have come as a shock, though, is that the document which could be called How To Speak Woke-ish was produced by the British Council, whose purpose is to promote Britains values and culture across the world. Not only does it have a budget of 1.2 billion a year and employ 7,000 people, but it received a Royal Charter in 1940 and its patron is Her Majesty the Queen. It seems this public body, like so many others, has succumbed to the anti-patriotic self-loathing that is so prevalent among the Brexit-hating metropolitan elite. Once a vehicle for the projection of soft power, celebrating the pinnacles of British culture like the plays of Shakespeare and the music of Elgar, it has become infected by what the late philosopher Roger Scruton called oikophobia the repudiation of ones own culture and the glorification of others. Now the British Council has published a diversity and inclusion policy that says the UKs record on ethnic conflicts, civil disturbances and genocides puts it on the same footing as Syria, South Sudan and Darfur. Taxpayer-funded quango The British Council has provoked outrage by including the UK on a list of countries blighted by 'extreme and violent' racial tension, civil disturbance and genocide. Pictured are demonstrators pulling down the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol Notably missing from its list of shameful countries is China, for that is one part of the world where the British Council does take its commitment to decolonisation very seriously. It is extremely careful never to breathe a word of criticism about the Chinese Communist Partys brutal suppression of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong that well-known victim of British colonial oppression lest it jeopardise the 219million a year it receives from the Peoples Republic of China. Imagine the BBC, but without the talent is how one disillusioned ex-staffer described the organisation. Whats so depressing about the British Councils fall from grace is that it was once a huge force for good in the world. Other countries have similar bodies Frances Alliance Francaise and Spains Instituto Cervantes but few have the cultural reach and illustrious history of the British Council. In its heyday in the 1940s and 1950s, it was a beacon of light in a world dominated by murderous, totalitarian ideologies, whether Nazism in Germany or Communism in the Soviet Union. It sent poets such as T. S. Eliot on speaking tours and sponsored recordings of works by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Using its unrivalled resources and vast network of offices across the globe, it was able to bang the drum for values such as parliamentary democracy, limited government, free speech, religious tolerance and the rule of law at a time when they were in short supply. Even in the 1990s, it was promoting British fashion designers under the banner of Cool Britannia. I remember a party organised by the British Council in New York in 1997, which was the hottest ticket in town. But what has it done to promote the UK in 2022? What the organisation disparagingly refers to as the Queens English is the lingua franca of the world. The Platinum Jubilee was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remind our friends and neighbours of everything that is great about Britain. Instead, in the run-up to this historic event, it published Promoting Inclusion: A Guide On Sexual Orientation that informed its employees that using the word straight to refer to heterosexual people is offensive because it implies that LGBTQIA+ people are bent. Among the thought crimes this guide instructed its employees to avoid were homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. If you do a search for ism in this document, heterosexism comes up seven times, and tourism only twice. That pretty much says it all. But surely an organisation that exists to celebrate the best Britain has to offer, and with such a lavish budget, still occasionally hires our world-class novelists, poets and screenwriters to wrap themselves in the Union Flag and sing the praises of the home country? Thats the impression you get from the Councils Writers Directory 38 pages listing our most celebrated wordsmiths of the past half century. I reached out to all the people in the directory I vaguely know to ask what theyd done for the Council in the past few years. Without exception they said they hadnt a clue why theyd been included. I have no idea what youre referring to, said broadcaster Jeremy Paxman. Im on their website? Its news to me. I dont know how I ended up on that website, said another. Ive yearned for gigs like that but have never been asked. I cannot imagine why the British Council lists me thus, said a third. I cannot remember ever doing anything for them. So much for enlisting soft power to enhance our standing in the world. Last year, the Government announced it was cutting the British Councils budget by 185million, a move that prompted howls of protest from all the usual suspects. A hundred MPs wrote a despairing letter to Boris Johnson telling him he was endangering global Britain. Perhaps its time to put this propaganda arm of the diversity, equity and inclusion industry out of its misery. Either that, or stick the Minister for Brexit Opportunities, Jacob Rees-Mogg, in charge and tell it to start doing what it says on the tin. British Council sparks outrage by listing UK as country marred by 'extreme and violent' racial tension, civil disturbance and genocide despite being funded by the taxpayer to promote Britain overseas By Chris Hastings, Arts Correspondent for the Mail on Sunday The British Council has provoked outrage by including the UK on a list of countries blighted by extreme and violent racial tension, civil disturbance and genocide. The taxpayer-funded quango, which was created to promote Britain overseas, has ranked the UK alongside countries with appalling human-rights records such as Afghanistan, Libya and Russia. The list appears in an internal guide that also claims that racism permeates British institutions such as the police and Civil Service. Critics last night said that the British Council had been hijacked by woke Leftists. Using Freedom of Information laws, The Mail on Sunday obtained the organisations 44-page race equality guide, which is produced for staff internally. It states: Ethnic conflicts, civil disturbances and genocides have been witnessed in all continents. By some estimates, one or more of these are currently prevalent in around a quarter of countries worldwide. They include but are not restricted to Afghanistan, Australia, Bosnia, Colombia, Darfur, France, Germany, Libya, Russia, South Sudan, Syria, Spain and the UK. They have claimed billions of victims. Missing from the list is China, accused of genocide and crimes against the Uighur minority, as well as authoritarian Iran. The British Councils guide, which is available to staff via its intranet and website, also highlights what it claims is unlawful unjustified discrimination in Britain. It adds: With these come negative economic, social, cultural, and personal consequences, including racial traumas as a result of exposure to racism, racial discrimination and harassment, racial hostility intolerance, and xenophobia. It also claims that racism permeates institutions, laws, policies, procedures and practices and that deeply entrenched stereotypes have led to harsher judgments and treatment. Distinguished historian Andrew Roberts said: To liken the British experience to genuinely genocidal countries is probably politically motivated and certainly factually inaccurate. Author and commentator Douglas Murray said the list provided proof that the organisation had been hijacked by woke Leftists, adding: The British Council has been led for a long time now by incredibly Left-wing people who dont like Britain very much. The organisation, set up in 1934, last year received 189 million of taxpayers funding. The Mail on Sunday revealed in December how it had issued a non-discriminatory guide to staff, advising against terms such as the Queens English. Last night, a British Council spokesman said: The document is a resource for staff that sets out our approach to race equality explaining that no country in the world is immune to instances of racism, including the UK. Further controversy is the last thing the Royal Family needs right now. But, once again, the Prince of Waless willingness to accept large sums of money from controversial foreign businessmen and politicians has plunged the heir to the throne into murky waters. This time, the revelation that he took bags stuffed with 500 banknotes exposes Prince Charles to accusations of appalling bad judgment. Whats much more damaging is that his conduct raises wider concerns. It is no exaggeration to say that his succession to the throne could be in jeopardy. There is no doubt the future success of the Monarchy rests on its probity. Any suspicion of cash for favours involving Prince Charles and his charities raises such issues. The revelation that he took bags stuffed with 500 banknotes exposes Prince Charles to accusations of appalling bad judgment. Of course, this is far from being the first time that largesse from rich foreigners has been poured the way of the heir to the throne. His long-standing and closest aide, Michael Fawcett, offered a Saudi billionaire a knighthood in return for a huge donation to The Princes Foundation. At best, Charles failed to keep a check on what was being done in his name. At worst, he was complicit. Over the past 30 years, the Prince has repeatedly exposed himself to accusations that he has taken cash for access and, worse, used his influence to promote those who donate to his favourite causes. In his defence, the cash has not been to spend on himself, but to be used by his charities. His mistake, though, is that instead of fundraising with complete transparency, he has been privately accepting large sums of money from foreign businessmen some of whom have been accused of dishonesty. Charles was repeatedly warned by his father, Prince Philip, that he had allowed himself to be surrounded by unsuitable and controversial politicians and businessmen. Stubbornly, Charles ignored that advice. He has always said he has never been personally involved himself in the details of fundraising for his charities. In this instance of an alleged receipt of money from a controversial Qatari politician, as usual the Princes aides would not have dared to raise the alarm at being asked to handle carrier bags stuffed with money like a scene from the TV comedy Only Fools And Horses. They know that the Palace reacts to criticism with threats of dismissal. It is also reminiscent of many years ago when he unwisely became involved in a planning row, apparently complaining to the prime minister of Qatar about the redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks. This led the Qatari developer to withdraw its planning application only to be sued by its partners. A High Court judge branded Charless intervention unexpected and unwelcome. This latest revelation about accepting a suitcase containing 1 million in cash inevitably raises questions about what has happened to the police investigation into how Fawcett allegedly offered to help a Saudi billionaire upgrade his honorary CBE to a knighthood and support his application for British citizenship in exchange for generous donations to the foundation. The Prince of Wales must surely also fear that the source of these hugely embarrassing revelations could continue to make more stories public. Over recent years, the Queens advisers have skilfully and wisely navigated the Monarchy through periods of potential crisis. By contrast, Charles has not employed staff whose duty is to warn him not to accept cash in carrier bags. Its hard not to think that Charles, as head of his court, has failed to keep control, and it is an extremely bad look for the future king. Tom Bower is author of Rebel Prince: The Power, Passion And Defiance Of Prince Charles (William Collins Books, 9.99). The asteroid belt is one of the most mysterious parts of our solar system. Hollywood shows that the place is a ring of densely packed zone made out of space rocks, but the truth is that the material within the belt wouldn't even be enough to make a planet, much less the moon, per NASA. However, it does host a dwarf planet and various asteroids large enough to wipe out life on Earth, much like what happened during the time of the dinosaurs. One of these asteroids is Vesta, the second-largest object in the asteroid belt after Ceres, the only dwarf planet in the region. The Asteroid Belt and Vesta Fun Facts The Asteroid belt could be described as the place where leftover materials from when the solar system was being created remain. However, not everything when the region created a new world. The region came into being when the leftover materials were attracted to the gravity of Jupiter, which kept the materials from combining to form planets. While some of these asteroids fall out of orbit, they are mostly swallowed up by Jupiter, while others are flung into the inner solar system, sometimes passing Earth. The last time an asteroid came close to our planet was on May 27, and it was four times the size of the Empire State Building. The asteroids are classified based on their chemical composition, according to Space.com. The most common of the classifications are the C, S, and M-type asteroids. The C-type asteroids are the most common, with them being made up of carbon. S-type asteroids are made up of a metallic nickel-iron mixture, with the S meaning "silicaceous." M-type asteroids are those that are made up of pure nickel-iron. These asteroids also vary in size. Some are as big as Earth's tallest buildings while some are only the size of a man - six feet. The biggest inhabitant of the asteroid belt is Ceres, a dwarf planet similar to Pluto that calls the asteroid-rich region its home. However, the second largest is an asteroid named Vesta. Vesta, the second-largest object in the asteroid belt, was discovered by Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers on March 29, 1807, when he was trying to find fragments of a destroyed planet to prove his theory, per a separate NASA article. Read more: Toyota Recalls More Than 2,500 bZ4X EVs Over Defect That Could Lead to Wheels Separating Thanks to the lack of density of the asteroid belt, NASA was able to send a spacecraft called dawn to study the asteroid, which was launched on September 27, 2007. When the spacecraft safely reached Vesta on July 2011, experts found that the asteroid is almost sheprical and has its own crust, mantle, and core, much like a typical planet. It is also one of the brightest rocky body in the solar system due to the native rocks that make it. Meanwhile, its dark material appeared to be deposited by other asteroids crashing into Vesta in the past. Intetrestingly, pieces of Vesta managed to reach Earth, with the Howardite, Eucrite, and Duogenite groups of meteorites being souced to Vesta. Scientists use the meteorites to understand the "Lunar Cataclysm," an event that destabilized the orbits of asteroids in the early asteroid belt caused by the repositioning of the solar system's gas planets. Dawn Spacecraft Fun Facts The Dawn Spacecraft is one of NASA's greatest achievements. According to the space agency, it is the only spacecraft to orbit two deep-space destinations. The first of which was the asteroid Vesta, and the second is the dwarf planet Ceres. It is also the first mission to visit a dwarf planet. Thanks to the Dawn spacecraft, NASA scientists now know how important location was to the way objects in the early solar system formed and evolved, as well as reinforcing the idea that dwarf planets could have hosted adn still could host oceans in their early history. The space craft was eventually retired in 2018, when the spacecraft ran out of fuel and could no longer transmit data, per The Verge. Related Article: The Largest Asteroid to Make Close Pass by Earth on May 27: How to Watch Covid. Train strikes. Taxes. Death. Will nothing stop the Stones from rolling on and on and on, to infinity and beyond? It seems not. On a cloudy summer night in London, the self-styled greatest rock n roll band in the world turned up, plugged in and switched on the 60,000 fans who had gathered in the gloaming of Hyde Park to hear their heroes one more time. The show began with a one-minute video tribute to Charlie Watts, the bands much-loved drummer who died last year. Then with little fanfare or pause, it was straight down to business. Dressed in a floral jacket and a rhinestone shirt, Mick Jagger led the band through a brisk, shimmying hustle of hits such as Street Fighting Man, 19th Nervous Breakdown and Tumbling Dice and that was just the opening three numbers. A little light rain fell as they dedicated the entire show to Watts, the drummer from Wembley they met in 1962 a lifetime ago. On a cloudy summer night in London, the self-styled greatest rock n roll band in the world turned up, plugged in and switched on the 60,000 fans who had gathered in the gloaming of Hyde Park to hear their heroes one more time Of course, all eyes were on Mick as all minds wrestled with the eternal mystery at the heart of the Stones enigma how does he do it? For nearly two hours the energetic, flirty 78-year-old showed his undimmed skills as a frontman. He wriggled and blew kisses to fans as he danced along on his restless, spidery legs. Sometimes he sounded a little breathless between songs, but even now he still manages to inject a real sense of urgency into the down and dirty proceedings. This is the Sixty tour, a 14-date swing through European stadiums to celebrate the bands six decades together, and with Steve Jordan replacing Watts on drums. After thousands of shows, millions of records and hundreds of songs it seems remarkable that there is no shortage of fans who want to come and see the Stones play live. Many of tonights audience look like they are here on a nostalgia trip; not just to hear the music, but to reconnect to their younger selves; to embrace this living touchstone to the uncomplicated joy of their own youth. Early in the set the Stones surprised fans with Out Of Time, a song from 1966 which they have rarely, if ever, played live. Even though it is practically an heirloom, it sounded freshly minted, glorious. Shes A Rainbow, another gem from the vaults on which Mick played acoustic guitar, was greeted with rapture. Later he played the harmonica and maracas, he came on in a pink silk shirt to sing Honky Tonk Women. He is unstoppable. Its great to be back in London, he shouted at one point, as he thanked fans for coming despite the transport difficulties. Throughout the evening, the spotlights skipped from Stone to Stone. Keith Richards, 78, and Ronnie Wood, 75, alongside Jagger, are the only bona fide band veterans left, and sometimes when they stood together on stage they looked like rock n roll hobbits; shaggy of hair and long of tooth, with the graven lines of life etched on their weathered faces. NOSTALGIA TRIP: Bandmates Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards during the Rolling Stones concert in Hyde Park last night No wonder. They have been through a lot! Mick has had heart valve replacement surgery and recently recovered from Covid, Keith fell out of a coconut tree and needed brain surgery, Ronnie has had two bouts with cancer. But here they are, rock n rolls greatest survivors. It seems like a miracle that they are here at all let alone performing so well; Mick loving every minute, Keith in a striped headscarf, nodding over his strings, Ronnie looking out over the crowds with something approaching joy. You might imagine that they would be worn down by the oppression of just living, but there was almost a zest for life in the air as they cranked out the hits in what was a much better performance than their oddly lacklustre O2 show ten years ago; bluesier, grittier, more fun. This compulsion to carry on touring when they could be mulching their tomatoes or doing jigsaws or just relaxing in the opulence of their gilded, multi-mansioned lives is mind boggling. Do they do it just because they can or because they cant stop? Perhaps they fear their lives would stall without these bracing jolts of live performance, public acclaim and the demand, over and over, for another encore. You cant always get what you want, as Mick sings. But every now and again, you get just what you need. Advertisement Travel influencers posed for wedding pictures on the world's most dangerous 2km-long iron train through the Sahara Desert. Kristijan Ilicic, 35, and his blogger wife Andrea Trgovcevic, 29, from Croatia, had the most extreme post-wedding photoshoot during their unconventional honeymoon to Mauritania in Northwest Africa. The daredevil newlyweds, who wanted their honeymoon to 'be unique', climbed onto the heaviest, longest, and most dangerous freight train, the Train du Desert, for the dirty 20-hour journey through harsh conditions. Wow: Kristijan Ilicic, 35, and his blogger wife Andrea Trgovcevic, 29, from Croatia, had the most extreme post-wedding photoshoot during their unconventional honeymoon to Mauritania in Northwest Africa. In one snap, Andrea hung over the moving train as Kristijan held onto her hand to pull her back Travel influencers Kristijan Ilicic and his blogger wife Andrea Trgovcevic, from Croatia, posed for wedding pictures on the world's most dangerous 2km-long iron train through the Sahara Desert Kristijan and Anna donned wedding finery for their unique photos, despite the fact temperatures can reach 45C during the day Kristijan shared the incredible shots with his 337,000 followers on his Instagram page @kristijanilicic. Speaking to the Mail Online Kristijan said: 'We got married and decided to go on a bit different honeymoon than is expected. 'We wanted our honeymoon to be unique, special, something we would remember for the rest of our lives so it couldn't have been a cliche with white sands, turquoise sea and palm trees. 'I've already visited more than 150 countries in the world, and both of us have seen so many beautiful beaches, from Thailand, Seychelles, Aruba, Curacao, Bahamas, St. Lucia, Mauritius... We really saw a lot. Kristijan and Andrea wanted their honeymoon to 'be unique' as they have already visited the typical honeymoon style destinations 'This time it had to be something completely different. And we found it in... Mauritania.' Mauritanias Train du Desert operates a daily service from the port at Nouadhibou on the Atlantic coast to the iron ore mines in Zouerat to a little port on the Atlantic Sea, Nouadhibou. Passenger cars are sometimes attached to freight trains, but more often than not, Mauritanians choose to dangerously ride on top of the ore filled freight cars, free of charge. However, falls are common and the temperature can reach more than 45C during the day and below zero at night. The daredevil newlyweds, who wanted their honeymoon to 'be unique', climbed onto the heaviest, longest, and most dangerous freight train for the dirty 20-hour journey through the harsh conditions of the desert Kristijan shared the incredible shots with his 337,000 followers on his Instagram page @kristijanilicic They wanted their honeymoon to be special and something they would remember for the rest of their lives The pair didn't want to opt for a cliche honeymoon with white sands, turquoise sea and palm trees The travel blogger said: 'More than 200 cars carry only iron ore, there are no passenger cars, so you simply climb onto it and the more than 700 Kilometers ride can begin. 'The 20-hours ride is really challenging though, the weather conditions are extreme. During the day temperatures hit more than 45 degrees Celsius and when the night falls, it drops down below zero degrees. 'That is the place where we decided to do our post wedding photo shoot!' The couple stayed on the freight train for the full 20-hour journey and they found the conditions during the night the hardest part of the journey. Kristijan said: 'The hardest part was the night, because temperatures were going below zero and it's dusty, with wind and iron ore going onto you through the night.' However the pair admitted that it was worth the harsh night because 'everything else was really exciting and full of adventure.' The pair also posed up a storm in the desert before they hopped on the freight train for the truly unique wedding album shots The sweet couple oozed glamour as they posed for some stunning sunset snaps amount the dunes of sand The couple referred to their honeymoon destination as 'the most underestimated tourist destination' and said it actually has a lot to offer The pair posed up a storm on top of the freight cars for the truly unique wedding album shots which were taken by Kristijan's friend @lucky_m_e on Instagram. In some jaw-dropping images, the bride and groom can be seen posing in their wedding attire and goggles as the train speeds through the desert. In one snap, the Andrea hung over the moving train as Kristijan holds her hand to pull her back. The couple referred to their honeymoon destination as 'the most underestimated tourist destination' and said it actually has a lot to offer. The newlyweds said the 20-hours ride was 'really challenging' as the weather conditions are extreme in the desert Before the journey the pair snapped a selfie during the day where temperatures hit more than 45 degrees Celsius Kristijan even done the viral Gangnam style dance while on top of the train which he shared to his Instagram There are no passenger cars, so the couple had to climb onto the train for the 700 Kilometers journey Kristijan said: 'What we have learned is that Mauritania is the most underestimated tourist destination with no more than 6,000 people visiting each year. 'It really has a lot to offer. And that is not just because it has very well preserved ancient libraries and the famous 'Eye of Sahara' (recently even presumed to be the drowned Atlantis), but even more because the people are very welcoming. The pair even ended up getting married again after villagers surprised them with a traditional ceremony. The couple stayed on the freight train for the full 20-hour journey and they found the conditions during the night the hardest part of the journey The pair said the hardest part was the night, because temperatures went below zero and it was very dusty Andrea was covered in black dust and iron after spending the night on the freight train with her new husband 'In a village we visited, local people managed to surprise us with a wedding ceremony in accordance with their local, traditional rituals. 'Andrea and I were dressed in their traditional wedding clothes, and it was a two hour dancing, drumming, singing experience I'll never forget. And by the way, yes, it seems that Andrea and I got married twice. 'Everything was so touching, surprisingly beautiful, unexpected and pure. 'It was really not a typical honeymoon, but it was also the trip of our lives.' The pair even ended up getting married again after villagers surprised them with a traditional ceremony Despite declaring in the very first episode of McDonald & Dodds in 2020 that shed only be in Bath for two years, ambitious former Met cop DCI Lauren McDonald (Tala Gouveia) is still there. Which means the West Countrys favourite crime-busting duo are back in one of Britains prettiest cities to hunt more killers in a third series. DCI McDonald and DS Dodds are one of televisions best mismatched detective duos shes the smart young cop trying to make her mark, hes the fuddy-duddy with an eye for detail and their tentative friendship is the beating heart of the hit murder mystery series, which returned to ITV last week. The humour comes from the light relationship between them, explains Jason Watkins, 55, who plays Dodds. She ribs me a bit, but theres affection between the two. Their pairing, coupled with convoluted killings and the Georgian lushness of Bath as the backdrop, has proved such a popular combination that more than six million viewers tuned in to series two. DCI McDonald (played by Tala Gouveia) and DS Dodds (played by Jason Watkins) are one of TV's best mismatched detective duos. McDonald & Dodds returns to our screens for a third series on Sunday at 8pm Its nice that the show is finding its audience, says Jason. Were not complacent, we know what our strength is but its a matter of looking after it. The series was created by TV writer Robert Murphy, whos also written for Shetland, Vera and DCI Banks, after he and TV executive Damien Timmer lamented the dearth of cosy pre-watershed murder mysteries. Yet the success of Midsomer Murders and more recently daytime hit Shakespeare & Hathaway suggests theres an appetite for whodunnits with a lighter tone. We were nostalgic for our youth, growing up on shows like Columbo and Jonathan Creek, explains Robert. We liked locked-room mysteries in the Agatha Christie style and were drawn to characters who could bring a smile to your face. McDonald and Dodds, he says, are two Brits who would normally not cross paths, which brings an opportunity for cross-generational misunderstanding and a growing closeness as they get to know each other. He chose Bath because its rarely seen except in Jane Austen adaptations. Its seldom in contemporary shows, says Robert. It seemed like a good fit. Series three delves deeper into the detectives personal lives. Last weeks opening two-hour episode, a murder case in which a glamorous young woman dies on a deck chair in a busy park, allowed us greater insight into Dodds life when he experienced deja vu while visiting suspects at a rambling Georgian pile. Claire Skinner (pictured) has taken over as McDonald and Dodds fearsome new boss Chief Superintendent Ormond, replacing Chief Supt Houseman For a character so private that we dont even know his first name (though Jason says hed like it to be Ken!), it was a rare glimpse into Dodds history. The writers are teasing out secrets about his past, explains Jason. He talked about his mother and his upbringing, which let him be vulnerable. We wanted to make Agatha Christie-style mysteries, with characters who bring a smile to your face This weeks second episode, centred around Formula 1, gives us a glimpse into McDonalds past. Someone from her past comes back into her life and is involved in the case, explains Tala, 38. But McDonalds old friend sets her at odds with Dodds. McDonald and Dodds have a real rhythm of working together and trust their professional partnership, but that gets tested this series, says Tala. The heart of the show is two cops who test each others patience yet hold each other in affection The success of the show has enticed some big-name guests to appear. Previous series have seen Rob Brydon, Cathy Tyson and Rupert Graves pop up, while the opener to the new series starred Alan Davies and Dame Sian Phillips. Outnumbereds Claire Skinner has also taken over as McDonald and Dodds fearsome new boss Chief Superintendent Ormond, replacing Chief Supt Houseman (James Murray). The heart of the show is two cops who test each others patience yet hold each other in affection. Shes more emotionally intelligent and helps him solve his emotional puzzles, says Jason. He tries to help her in a paternal way. It gives great depth to the series, and viewers enjoy that. It says something about Jenny Agutter's evergreen allure that, as she looks ahead to her 70th birthday this year, she still has a note on her website warning fans that any, er, unsuitable photos they send in will be returned, unsigned. You might think she means stills of her naked swimming scene in the 1971 classic film Walkabout, images indelibly inked in the adolescent memory of many, many now middle-aged men. But actually, she doesn't. She gets the occasional cannibalised shot of her head attached to a model in a tame glamour pose here she demonstrates, eyes wide, mouth in a flirtatious pout, well-turned ankles primly pressed together. 'My head on someone else's body, I don't know whose body, not necessarily completely naked, but maybe half-naked and just, no! That's not me. I mean, can't they see it's not me, just my head stuck on?' There's a mini shudder. Jenny Agutter, pictured, is a grandmother in real life and in her latest film turned Roberta 'Bobbie' Waterbury from The Railway Children into a grandmother in The Railway Children Return She's a grandmother in real life and about to turn one of her best-loved characters, Roberta 'Bobbie' Waterbury from The Railway Children, into a grandmother in her latest film, The Railway Children Return. Besides, she's been a nun in the beloved BBC period drama Call The Midwife for the last decade, all winceyette, wimple and owlish glasses. 'As for Walkabout, I don't think anyone who was a fan would send me a photograph from the swimming sequence. I think they would realise that was just not on. I was swimming naked because if you were swimming alone in the desert you wouldn't be in your bra and knickers, would you?' You have to keep living your life until you die- really living, too, every day as it comes at you The role, filmed when she was just 16, turned her into a kind of sex symbol, though she doesn't rue it for a second. 'If it had been a display, if it was me doing a centrefold for Playboy not conceivable then I might have regretted that later. 'But Walkabout is an important film and I consider myself extremely lucky to have been part of it. If anyone perverted wishes to distort things then, well, I am saddened, but no regrets.' She would go on to join the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, to win an Emmy and a BAFTA, but she has never shaken off her swoonable image. She would be toga-clad rebel Jessica 6 in the 1976 sci-fi classic Logan's Run and well-starched Nurse Alex Price in 1981's comedy-horror An American Werewolf In London. Even as cynical spy boss Tessa Phillips in the BBC spy drama Spooks, 30 years after Walkabout, she garnered more male admirers. She still doesn't like the sex symbol tag though. Jenny was first cast as Bobbie in a BBC mini-series in 1968, then rose to stardom playing the same role in the 1970 Lionel Jeffries film, and played the role of Bobbie's mother in an ITV remake in 2000. Pictured: As grandmother Bobbie in The Railway Children Returns 'It is not the way I perceive myself or have ever really perceived myself,' she says. 'I was once asked, 'Do you think of yourself as sexy?' and I said, 'That's not a word I understand. 'Do you mean sexy as in sexual, or are you using it as an adjective to describe a healthy appetite for living, which it could equally be?' And there are so many other words for that: attractive, vibrant, energetic. To be seen in one specific area is not me at all.' Anyway, she's delighted by her current role as the wise and kind Sister Julienne in Call The Midwife, where her character is age appropriate and wears a habit. The dramatic finale to the 11th series in February featured a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance by a little girl called Bobbie. Sexy is not a word I understand. Does it mean sexual? Its not the way I have ever perceived myself She was the daughter of the driver of the 5.19pm train from Chelmsford which crashed close to the convent, Nonnatus House, with Sister Julienne among those on board. Calling this character, this railway child, 'Bobbie' was, of course, a nod to the role that launched Jenny's career, that of Bobbie Waterbury in The Railway Children. And it's The Railway Children we're talking about today since Bobbie is hurrah back on the big screen this summer. Jenny was first cast as Bobbie in a BBC mini-series in 1968, then rose to stardom playing the same role in the 1970 Lionel Jeffries film, and played the role of Bobbie's mother in an ITV remake in 2000. I ask how she would have felt if she'd not been invited to be part of the new film. 'Quite p****d off, frankly,' she says, laughing. Jenny joked that she would have been 'quite p****d off' if she was not asked to be part of the new film. Pictured: Jenny in the 1970 film Bobbie, the Edwardian girl who averts a train crash by ripping up her red petticoats and standing on the tracks, is now a grandmother, taking in a new trio of railway children. We're in Yorkshire again, but this time the children are not escaping the disgrace of a father in prison, wrongly accused of spying, as Bobbie and her brother and sister were. It is now 1944, and Lily, Pattie and Ted are evacuees from Salford and the Luftwaffe's destruction of the mighty industrial northwest. We are reunited with Bobbie, wearing a tweed jacket and mannish trousers, her camel beret a nod to the green tam o'shanter perched on her head for much of the original film. 'Do you remember arriving here?' her daughter Annie, played by Sheridan Smith, asks. 'Like it was yesterday,' smiles Bobbie, as they race towards Oakworth Station for the arrival of the evacuation train. The city children arrive amid warnings they'll be feral, unbathed and nit-infested trouble. But from the moment the grey and brown bombed-out trackside suburbs give way to a village with buttercups in the graveyard, fresh eggs in laying boxes and communal bread-kneading sessions around the kitchen table, we know they will be just fine. This time there is a bold storyline about racial prejudice within the American Army. It's rooted in the real history of black US soldiers, then still segregated from white troops at home, stationed in the UK. 'Most children's writers give enough meat to make people think,' Jenny observes. 'Edith Nesbit included 'a shabby Russian' in the original story for the same reason.' (Nesbit, the author of The Railway Children, published the book in 1906 and the Russian storyline reflected the turmoil of the First Russian Revolution the preceding year.) The 70-year-old said that sometimes people get her mixed up with Bobbie and call her the character's name when they see her There is much more that will be familiar, chiefly the setting in Oakworth on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, and the glory of the age of steam. Both films are a celebration of the English countryside and a childhood spent in nature. Even the stationmaster Richard, played by John Bradley (Samwell Tarly in Game Of Thrones) is the grandson of Perks, Oakworth station's original porter, played more than half a century ago by Bernard Cribbins. Given her familiarity with the character ('I have even played my own mother,' she points out, amused), Jenny was invited to help craft the backstory of Bobbie's life between the Edwardian era and the Second World War. 'We decided she had been a suffragette, probably a magistrate, that she had married Jim [Bobbie's nascent love interest in the 1970 film] and they'd had one child, their daughter Annie. We thought Jim might have been killed in the First World War so Bobbie is back in Oakworth alone, but still busy and present in her own life, still very involved.' It baffles Jenny when people mix her up with Bobbie. 'Somewhere she's a part of me, a friend, but she's not me. If I'm sitting in my car, stuck in traffic, and people behave badly and I do that [she flips the finger] and they go past and see me and say, 'Oh! Roberta!' I do think, 'Aargh, oh, OK.' But her thoughts about the older Bobbie being busy and present in life is very much akin to the actress. 'You have to keep living your life until you die, really living too, every day, as it comes at you.' Jenny, pictured with Sheridan Smith in The Railway Children Returns, says she is not planning on retiring yet She reveals that, far from retiring any time soon, she's considering making her debut as a director. 'I've always been late to things since I was at school being late with my homework. Why can't I be late to being a director? I'd like to do it. 'I'd probably start with radio. Sound is so extraordinary. Call The Midwife won't go on forever. I don't know what happens when it ends.' When she does eventually bow out it will be more to do with her husband, the hotelier John Tham, to whom she's been happily and unstarrily married since 1990. 'It's lovely, very, very grounding. 'One of the things about meeting people and forming relationships as an actor is that others have an idea of who you are before they meet you. That's hard in any relationship, particularly with men. 'When John and I met I did not feel he had any sense of who I was at all, but he wanted to find out, and that made a big difference. I'm still finding out about him 31 years on.' The 70-year-old, pictured filming for The Railway Children Returns, is part of a cast bringing the film to a new generation The couple have one son, Jonathan, who's a GP in London. They divide their time between an apartment in south London and a house on The Lizard peninsula in Cornwall. Jenny's a keen walker and swims frequently, either in the sea or at her local lido, where she toughs it out until the water temperature drops below about 12C. She's sufficiently well-maintained to be seriously thinking about wearing the same gold, pink and blue Zandra Rhodes two-piece she wore for the royal premiere of The Railway Children to the forthcoming premiere of The Railway Children Return. Jenny was born in Somerset but lived in Germany, Singapore and Cyprus because her British Army officer father was posted there. From the age of eight she boarded at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, and was discovered aged 11 by Walt Disney when he cast her as a young dancer in his film Ballerina. She remembers the very outset of her career in the 60s 'The Rolling Stones, the Vietnam War, pop art, miniskirts, my shiny daffodil yellow coat from C&A, going to the King's Road where I knew it was all happening and thinking but where, where is it all happening!' Now she's heading for 70, still in her prime and reprising Bobbie, a teenage girl created in 1906, who has been part of the cultural landscape of Britain since 1970, morphing her into a 1944 grandmother on our screens in 2022. She's delighted to have worked out that with the 12th series of Call The Midwife being set in 1968, the Nonnatus House nuns could watch her on their black-and-white TV playing Bobbie for the very first time in that BBC series. 'I have caught up with myself as a child. Weird!' she snorts. Many people have The Railway Children embedded in their childhood and now it's here for a new generation. Bobbie's railway station still represents all the tear-spattered reunions and partings in our own lives; the children stand once more for hope, resilience and love. Watching them have the gumption to save the day again is as comforting as a mug of tea and a big fat piece of Yorkshire parkin. The Railway Children Return is in cinemas from Friday 15 July. A suicide prevention charity has released the last pictures taken of people who took their own lives as part of a powerful new campaign. The British non-profit Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) shared the pictures to show that there were no tell-tale signs that these people were about to take their own lives. In the snaps, which were launched as part of an open air exhibition in Southbank, the victims are smiling and showing no signs of the heartbreak and sadness they were experiencing. The pictures come with the backstory of the person who took their own life, written by their loved ones, at a time where 125 people die by suicide in the UK every week. The Last Photos exhibition, which will be on show until Sunday 26 June, is part of a new campaign aiming to end stigma and stereotypes that surround suicide and help the country better understand it, in hope that people will be able to help someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts. Emily Owen is one of the people featured in the exhibition. The teen, who took her own life aged 19, was on the autism spectrum and killed herself after Covid-19 restrictions that had been lifted were put back into place during the pandemic The Last Photos exhibition, which will be on show in Southbank, London, until Sunday 26 June, shares the last pictures taken of people who have killed themselves. Adam Semandi-Curtis, pictured, took his own life when he was 18 Strictly star Shirley Ballas at the photo installation by suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably on London's Southbank showing the final photos taken of people before they took their own life The people featured are as young as 17, and include 40 men and eight women. The images are all accompanied by poignant messages written by the family and loved ones of the person. Mike Palmer, the father of one of the 17-year-old victims, Beth, reflected on his daughter's death during lockdown. 'We had no indication that she was struggling with her mental health, other than that shed expressed a sadness and frustration about not being able to see friends or go to college due to lockdown,' he said. 'My belief is that greater education around mental health and suicide is needed. Age appropriate teaching from primary school, through secondary school, equipping our young people with life skills they need to keep themselves and others safe,' he added. Amy Nelson, who lost her husband Paul when he was 39, wrote: 'Paul was the picture perfect poster of someone you would never imagine taking their own life - happily married, a beautiful daughter, a perfect home, successful businesses, a holiday home, financial security.' Giancarlo Gaglione revealed how his brother Lanfranco, 26, had recently completed the London Triathlon before taking his own life. Hayley Moss said it was hard to think about the sadness her sister Elizabeth, who took her own life aged 28, was hiding behind smiles Lanfranco Gaglione, 26, was in a happy relationships, had a successful career and had just completed a London Triathlon when he died by suicide Volunteers and loved ones came to see the exhibition on its launch day today in Southbank. Some highlighted important stats, such as the fact 61 per cent of people would struggle to tell is someone they knew felt suicidal Bethany Parker took her own life aged 17. Her father said she had struggled with lockdown but had given no indication she was struggling with her mental health 'He went against every stereotype of a person you imagine capable of suicide. He hid his emotions so well, that no one suspected that underneath he was suffering,' he said. New research by YouGov for CALM found that 61 per cent of people said they would struggle to tell if someone they knew felt suicidal. Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: 'People tend to think they already know what suicidal looks like - reclusiveness, crying, silence etc. - and if they don't see these traits in someone theyre worried about, they hesitate to intervene. 'In reality, suicidal behaviour takes many forms. People struggling can put on a mask concealing their inner turmoil before taking their own lives. CALM's aim is to highlight this fact and equip people to take collective action. 'If we can all start one conversation with our friends and family about suicide, together we can smash the stigma that surrounds it. If you don't know what to say, or what to do if someone tells you they are struggling, then CALM has the resources to help. It might feel awkward to start with, but by starting a conversation today you really could help save a life.' Will Henry Corin, 46 William Henry Corin, pictured, took his own life aged 46. His son Harry was 12 when it happened and said his father's friend remembered him as a 'kind and caring guy' Will's son Harry said: 'I was 12 years old when I lost my Dad to suicide. Fifteen years have now passed and during that time I have learnt so much about my Dad and suicide. 'It upsets me that he felt that suicide was the only way out of the pain that he was experiencing. Everybody in my hometown knew my dad - he was such a kind and caring guy. 'He experienced some adversity during his life, however suicide was still unexpected to those around him at that time. 'My Dad didnt want to die, he just didnt want to experience the pain he felt any longer. 'He couldnt see an alternative. I live in hope that, one day, everyone in this world knows what the signs of suicidal ideation are and will feel confident enough to ask someone the question if theyre ever worried or concerned.' Joel Ingram, 18 Joel Ingram took his own life when he was 18. His family remembered him as an honest and 'wonderfully complex person' Joel's family said: 'We loved Joel more than words can describe. He was such a unique and wonderfully complex person, full of quirks and idiosyncrasies that made Joel Joel. 'From a very young child right through to a teenager Joels killer combination of humour and intelligence meant there was never a dull moment when he was around. 'All who knew Joel can agree that he was a brilliant conversationalist; insightful, quick-witted, and refreshingly honest. 'When Joel became passionate about something, be it cars, fashion or a strongly held opinion, hed draw everyone in with his infectious enthusiasm. 'Joels unique perspective on the world kept everyone on their toes and the Joel-shaped hole can never be filled. We miss him every day.' Paul Nelson, 39 Paul Nelson died by suicide aged 39 after a family holiday in Spain in the summer of 2021. His wife said he was a poster person for the campaign because no one could have imagined he would take his own life Paul's wife said: 'Paul was the picture perfect poster of someone you would never imagine taking their own life - happily married, a beautiful daughter, a perfect home, successful businesses, a holiday home, financial security. 'But as Paul would say himself you can have everything in the world and feel like you have nothing when it comes to your mental health. 'We miss Paul every day and will continue to raise awareness of this invisible illness - we will love you forever. 'Photo captured in Spain in June 2021 in our "happy place" - just a few weeks later Paul was gone.' Sophie Connor, 21 Sophie Connor took her own life 11 days after her 21st birthday on 17th December 2020. Her family said they hoped her story could save someone else's life Sophie's family said: 'Sophie was kind, caring and would do anything for anyone. She had an infectious laugh and smile, which would light up any room. 'This photo was taken on the 17th December 2020, which was Sophies 21st birthday. 11 days later our world was turned upside down when Sophie took her own life, something we never anticipated happening. 'We chose to share Sophies story with CALM in hope that it raises awareness which could potentially save a life. 'Words cant describe how much we miss Sophie but we will carry her with us forever.' Jess Benjamin Fairweather, 20 Jess Benjamin Fairweather was 20 when he took his own life, and had just gone out with friends Beverley, Jess's mother, said: 'This photo of Jess was taken by his friend Jessica. I love it because it was taken using Apple Live and in the original you can see him move slightly and he's trying not to laugh. He was such a cheeky chappy. 'At the time this picture was taken, he was studying quite hard and wanted to go to university to study law. 'I last spoke to him the night before he died. He was at a quiz and seemed happy.' David Bee, 50 David Bee took his own life aged 50. His daughter Ella said he was outgoing and that his death came as a massive shock Ella, David's daughter said: 'My Dad was very outgoing and his death was a massive shock to everyone that knew him. At the time the picture was taken, he kept saying he was very happy. 'He always made everyone laugh, always going out of his way to help other people. 'He was the life and soul of the party, but internally he was fighting battles that others couldnt see.' Dale Jarvis, 37 Father-of-one Dale Jarvis died by suicide when he was 37. His father Martyn said you could have never guessed Dale was suffering from depression Martyn, Dale's father, said: 'Dale could do it all. He was a confident, clever, witty and popular young man. 'He could speak several languages and was fluent in Mandarin. He could easily do lectures and presentations in front of hundreds of people. You would never know he was suffering from depression. This was taken at our daughters wedding. 'He leaves behind a beautiful daughter Eva and he is loved and missed by so many people. Keith David Parvin, 35 Father-of-one Keith David Parvin took his own life when he was 35. His family remembered him as a dedicated father to his daughter Honey-Rose Keith's family said: 'Keith was an amazing person. He could walk into a room and the sun shone, his laughter was contagious and his sense of humour wickedly funny. 'He loved music festivals and was so artistic with a brilliant imagination. As a child he wrote my favourite place is my imagination because I can go anywhere I want. 'He was also a brilliant chef and made an amazing first birthday cake for his baby daughter - a beautiful pink dinosaur. 'Keith was a real hands-on Daddy and would do anything for his baby daughter and her three older sisters. This photo was taken about four weeks before he grew his angel wings. 'Hed just finished playing playdough with Honey and his brother Daniel, laughing and having fun. Our Keith was and will always be the most loved amazing son, brother and daddy ever. 'We will love you always Keith. Mum, dad, Daniel and Honey-Rose. Sophie Airey, 29 'Gregarious' Sophie Airey took her own life aged 29. Her family said this photograph was taken four months before she died by suicide Sophie's family said: 'Throughout her life Sophie came across as an open, happy person, who was extremely sociable. 'She was gregarious, good fun and was always able to raise a smile. Soph was a beautiful young woman, kind, caring and loved by all who knew her. 'She loved being outdoors. Four days before she died, she had been mountain biking before going to a Christmas party. 'This photograph was taken about 4 months before Sophie took her own life. Her suicide was a complete surprise to all of us, none of us saw it coming. 'If Sophie had told any of us how she was feeling, we would have done everything within our power to help her, but she didnt give us that chance.' If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, you can call The Samaritans' 24/7 helpline on 116 123 for help and support. Actor Amir El-Masry has been announced to play the young billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed in the next series of The Crown. The British-Egyptian actor will star alongside Dominic West as Prince Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana. Acting legend Imelda Staunton will take over from Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II while Lesley Manville will play Princess Margaret. Posting on Instagram, El-Masry, 31, wrote: 'Feeling honoured and beyond grateful to The Crown team for having me onboard season 5 of the series.' British-Egyptian actor Amir El-Masry has announced on Instagram that he has joined the cast of The Crown El-Masry won a Scottish BAFTA for his performance as an asylum seeker in drama Limbo Mohamed Al-Fayed (pictured with Princess Diana at a charity dinner in 1996) owned luxury department store Harrods for 25 years El-Masry starred in high-budget BBC series including The Night Manager and McMafia El-Masry will play the ex-Harrods owner who Diana became friends with when she formed a close bond with his son, Dodi, according to Variety. He will play the younger version of the billionaire in flashback scenes after actor Salim Daw was already announced to play the older Al-Fayed. Mohamed Al-Fayed, who owned the luxury department store for 25 years, sold it for an estimated 1.5 billion in 2010. The actor, who was born in Cairo and raised in London, is best known for roles in The Night Manager alongside Tom Hiddleston as well as McMafia. More recently he won a Scottish BAFTA for his performance as a Syrian asylum seeker who lives on a small Scottish island in drama Limbo. But El-Masry began his career in Egyptian cinema and burst onto the scene in 2008 in a film called Ramadan Mabrouk Abou El-Alamein - which won him an Egyptian Oscar at the age of just 18. After his big win, El-Masry studied drama at the prestigious LAMDA school in London before landing his first UK role in The Night Manager in 2016. Imelda Staunton will be taking over from Olivia Colman to play The Queen in the new series of The Crown After the fourth series of The Crown came to a close at the time Margaret Thatcher stepped down as prime minister and Charles and Diana's marriage was on the rocks, the new series is expected to cover the final years of Diana's life before her tragic death. It is thought to detail Charles and Diana's divorce and their subsequent relationships with other people - including Diana and Dodi Fayed. However some fans are unsure what to expect from the new series after a close friend of Diana's cut ties with the Netflix show in November last year. Jemima Khan pulled out of helping with the script after claiming the events leading up to Diana's death were not being treated 'as respectfully and compassionately' as she had hoped. Diana and Dodi, who both died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, were photographed getting close on a yacht shortly before the accident. Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed were pictured on his father Mohamed Al-Fayed's yacht in St Tropez in 1997 Mohamed Al-Fayed (left) and Diana holidayed in St Tropez in the summer of 1997 shortly before she and Al-Fayed's son Dodi flew to Paris where they both tragically died in a car crash Dodi, a film producer from Egypt, is thought to have met Diana at a polo match in 1986. He established himself as a playboy in the film industry and was often spotted at high-profile parties - and is rumoured to have dated film stars Julia Roberts and Winona Ryder. It wasn't until the late 90s that Dodi and Diana grew close after his father Mohamed invited her to spend time with them on his yacht in the summer of 1997. Following the publication of photos showing the pair getting close on the yacht in St Tropez, the pair ended their holiday and flew to Paris, where they tragically died. Series 5 of The Crown is set for release on Netflix in November 2022. Advertisement A winner has been crowned in the annual World's Ugliest Dog competition - and his owner is thrilled. Jeneda Benally took home the prize money of $1500 after her dog, Mr Happy Face, was announced the winner at this year's ceremony in Petaluma, California. While the 17-year-old Chinese Crested pooch took the top spot, there were several worthy runners up. Ann Lewis's fluffy pup Wild Thing came in at second place while Scotch Haley's dog Monkey came third. The contest, which promotes adoption of animals over buying from a breeder, was held yesterday in the Sonoma County city of Petaluma after a two-year break due to the pandemic. Mr. Happy Face himself was adopted by owner Jeneda, after he was rescued from a hoarder's home. This year's judges included comedians Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart. Jeneda Benally's pup Mr. Happy Face, who looks anytihng but cheerful, was crowned this year's winner of the World's Ugliest Dog competition Ann Lewis's pooch Wild Thing was a worthy runner up in the competition, with his tongue hanging out and ever-so-slightly frizzy hair shooting off in all directions This lovely little pug China Su, who was rescued from China, waited patiently for her turn on stage at the competition Several hopeful pooches attended the awards ceremony with their owners - but many left disappointed after not picking up any awards Mr Happy Face, who was rescued by his owner Jeneda from a hoarder's house, didn't look thrilled about his new title While Mr Happy Face struggled to show any emotion over the occasion, his owner Jeneda was all smiles as she presented the 17-year-old to the judges Jeneda proudly paraded her pup onstage to show him off to the judges, comedians Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart The contestants and their owners had a nervous wait as they waited for the winner of World's Ugliest Dog to be announced Judges Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart had tough decisions to make - but were thrilled to meet the pups Jeneda looked thrilled as she celebrated winning the proze money of $1500 with Mr Happy Face after he was crowned the World's Ugliest Dog Although they were just pipped to the post, Ann Lewis from Oregon proudly displayed her dog Wild Thing for the camera after he was announced the second World's Ugliest Dog Scotch Haley's pooch Monkey came third at the competition after being closely beaten by Mr Happy Face and Wild Thing The top three contestants and their owners posed for photos after the winner was announced This adorable pooch, who looks too cute to enter the competition, waited patiently for the day's events to be over The sweet pug andwas held up in all his ugly but cute glory in front of the judges, who had a tough decision to make A hopeful dog owner sits with her pooch at the awards ceremony, which was held yesterday after a two-year break due to the pandemic Mr Happy Face, who has a protruding tongue and patchy fur, was a worthy winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Crown but had to be covered with a blanket as the weather cooled down - after all, he barely has a natural coat to keep himself warm Kate Middleton echoed Princess Diana as she smiled in a helmet while posing in an army tank to mark Armed Forces Day. The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, shared new photos of herself helping out in an armoured vehicle on a visit to Pirbright Training Academy where she met new recruits last November. The pictures evoke memories of late Princess as they bear an eerie resemblance to when she also donned a helmet as she drove a tank while visiting the Royal Hampshire Regiment at Tidworth in 1998. The pictures come amid speculation that the Duchess may soon take on an honorary military role, which if it happens would also mirror Diana, who was made Colonel-in-Chief of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars a year after her visit to Tidworth. Kate used the Instagram account she shares with Prince William to write a personal message marking the occasion. In a heartfelt message, she wrote: 'Today on Armed Forces Day, William and I would like to pay tribute to the brave men and women, past and present, serving in all of our armed forces, at sea, on land and in the air, here in the UK and around the world. The Duchess of Cambridge sat in an army tank on her visit to the training base at Pirbright Training Academy She mirrored Princess Diana, who also donned a helmet while driving an armoured vehicle with the Royal Hampshire Regiment at Tidworth in 1988 Kate proved she likes to get in on the action as photos showed her getting to know the equipment on the training base Kate was all smiles on her visit as she met with trainers and new recruits The Duchess visited the Pirbright Training Academy to learn about how new recruits are getting trained up Clad in khaki, Kate met with new recruits and trainers during the trip to Pirbright Training Academy last November 'Thank you for all you and your families sacrifice to keep us safe.' She added: 'Last year, I was honoured to spend time with the @BritishArmy to see how they train serving personnel and new recruits. 'It was wonderful to see first-hand the many important and varied roles the military play day in, day out to protect us all, and I look forward to discovering more about the @RoyalNavy and @RoyalAirForceUK in due course.' To show she personally had posted the message, she signed off with a 'C'. The Duchess, who celebrated her husband's 40th birthday earlier this week, flashed a cheeky grin in one photo while donning a helmet, and in others she met with trainee soldiers. Now she has visited Army personnel, plans are in place for Kate a military wife when Prince William was a search-and-rescue pilot in North Wales to spend time with those serving with the Royal Navy and RAF. Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday in June every year, to commemmorate men and women who have previously served or are currently serving in the British armed forces. Kate proved once again that she likes to get in on the action earlier this week as she had a kickabout and sipped on a beer during a visit to Cambridge with Prince William. It is a photo that should shame travel industry bosses. A disabled woman left abandoned in an empty plane cabin. The bleak image, which surfaced this month on Twitter, has since been shared thousands of times and published by most national news websites. I know the woman in the picture well: Victoria Brignell, a well-respected producer at BBC Radio 4 and friend of mine. Victoria, who is paralysed from the neck down and a wheelchair user, had arrived back at Gatwick on a British Airways flight after a holiday in Malta. The specialist staff booked to lift her safely from the plane seat and carry her to her wheelchair at the door failed to appear. The result was an hour and a half spent stuck in her seat. Victoria Brignell, who is paralysed from the neck down and a wheelchair user, was stuck in her seat for an hour and a half before she was helped off the BA jet at Gatwick Victoria, 45, told me: 'The cabin crew told me my wheelchair was ready at the door of the plane, but there was no one to help me into it.' Eventually the crew took it upon themselves to move her something that, strictly speaking, they are not trained to do or insured for. It was a depressing experience for Victoria, but also a familiar one. She added: 'Flying is often unpleasant, if you're a wheelchair user. There are no accessible toilets on most planes. It means I only travel short-haul so I don't have to go to the loo. Friends have had wheelchairs go missing for weeks or get damaged in the hold, leaving them totally stranded at the other end. 'Disabled people are often an after-thought when it comes to travel.' A recent survey found that two-thirds of the seven million Britons with mobility problems avoid flying because it is so difficult. Tanni Grey-Thompson (left, in 2019; and right, in 2007), a frequent traveller, has her own collection of horror stories. 'There was the time I had to crawl from my seat and out of the plane at Berlin's Brandenburg airport because there were no staff or what's known as an aisle chair a buggy-like chair that is narrow enough to get around the plane to help transport me,' she says As a wheelchair user and a frequent traveller, of course I have my own collection of horror stories. There was the time I had to crawl from my seat and out of the plane at Berlin's Brandenburg airport because there were no staff or what's known as an aisle chair a buggy-like chair that is narrow enough to get around the plane to help transport me. Or the time my wheelchair got lost in transit for three months, or when I travelled with my daughter and staff told me I wasn't a responsible adult, so couldn't look after her. I've even had to crawl to the toilet on a plane, when staff have told me they didn't want to get the aisle chair which would transport me to the loo out of storage. Last year, a number of reporters contacted me to ask what I thought about the news of plans to send the first disabled person into space. They clearly wanted me to express excitement, but I recall thinking: I just want to be able to get on a flight to Spain like everyone else. Over the years, the Government has made several pledges to put accessibility at the forefront of the travel agenda but nothing seems to change. I am exhausted by it. Last night, the Minister For Disabled People, Chloe Smith, told The Mail on Sunday that the recent incidences I've described, 'should not be allowed to happen again.' But I want action. So, today, I'm joining forces with The Mail on Sunday to make five key demands of the travel industry. We are calling for: 1 Fines for airports and rail operators that keep disabled passengers waiting longer than 20 minutes on planes, and ten minutes on trains, for special assistance. 2 All wheelchair users can use their own chair all the way to plane door and it will be waiting for them when they arrive at their destination. 3 Storage space for at least one collapsible wheelchair in the cabin of every aircraft, so they don't have to go in the hold. 4 An accessible toilet on every aircraft. 5 A disability champion on board every flight, who is fully trained in the spectrum of accessibility needs and able to assist passengers to move. We want the chief executives of the three major airlines in the UK, British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair Sean Doyle, Johan Lundgren and Michael O'Leary respectively to lead the way with new accessibility drives at their companies. One of the UK's leading disability charities, Scope, is also supporting The Mail on Sunday's campaign, and last night it wrote to MPs, including Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Disability Minister Chloe Smith, to demand a crackdown on transport bosses who fail their disabled passengers. 'Disabled people have been getting stuck on planes and trains for years,' says James Taylor, director of strategy at Scope. 'The Government has set accessibility targets and held consultations, but the industry has repeatedly failed to meet the goals set. The only way to force firms to take it seriously is to make them pay out either by offering compensation to passengers or with heavy fines.' Frustratingly, the challenges could be easily resolved with some simple tweaks to the system. Figures from 2019 showed that 700 disabled people missed flights between 2015 and 2018 because special assistance either failed to show up in time or didn't have the right equipment . Some airports insist passengers' personal wheelchairs go into the aircraft's hold. They would like passengers to check their wheelchairs in along with their bags and then use a standard wheelchair they provide to move about the airport but these are ill-fitting, uncomfortable and, crucially, impossible for the user to move themselves. It means we are forced to rely on a member of staff to push us around, which is degrading. It's a fact Disabled people make a third fewer trips outside their home than non-disabled people, Government figures show. Advertisement Wheelchairs get lost or damaged during transit because some staff don't always understand how important the equipment is, or the cost of it. And even if it is brought to the gate promptly after landing, there may not be enough trained staff to help get you into it. According to UK aviation regulations, most aircraft are supposed to also provide an aisle chair to allow disabled people to move around cabins, but not all do. 'Cabin crew staff can't lift passengers because they are not insured to,' says Leo Visconti from Queen Elizabeth's Foundation For Disabled People, who is drafting accessibility guidance for cabin crews. 'If someone were to get injured, for instance, the airline would be liable. It means people are forced to wait for special assistance staff at the airport, who can take a while to reach the plane if they turn up at all.' The main UK airports outsource special assistance to a few private companies. This is part of the problem. A request for assistance has to be made 48 hours before flying. It's logged with the airline, then passed to the airport and then outsourced to the special assistance company. The more layers of communication there are, the greater the chance that the request won't reach the people it needs to. Staffing shortages only add to this problem. Geraldine Lundy, a consultant in accessible air travel and former executive at Virgin Atlantic, says cost-cutting means that care is being compromised. 'Although the airports negotiate the contracts with the special assistance companies, the airlines, which fly in and out of that airport, pay for it,' she says. 'And airlines are often keen to drive down costs, and ask to pay less for the service, which compromises quality.' In 2018, the Government set out proposals to improve air travel, including for disabled people. But the project was put on hold during the pandemic. The five simple changes we ask for can easily be put into practice and would make a world of difference to disabled Britons. None is expensive or time-consuming to implement. Some have been trialled before or are standard already in other countries. In America, for instance, it has been a legal requirement since 2009 for new planes to have adequate space for at least one collapsible wheelchair in the cabin. Aircraft flying in the US must also have an accessible toilet. There is little reason why aircraft flying between the UK and Europe can't do the same. The cupboard space already exists at the front of most standard short-haul planes. It's just normally used for storing the cabin crew's belongings, and the odd business class passenger's coat. Many disabled people would like to travel in their own wheelchairs for the whole journey. A high-tech chair allowing passengers to do this featuring sophisticated interlocking grips to stop it sliding around has been designed and tested in America, and a UK version is in the offing. Our second proposal to fine airlines for poor service is also something that happens in America. There, airlines have been charged up to 1 million for failing in their duties. If they repeatedly offend, the authorities can stop companies flying altogether. And the third suggestion one staff member with special assistance training on every flight has also proven successful in the past. 'In 2006, new EU legislation made all airports responsible for organising special assistance,' says Geraldine. 'But prior to that, some airlines managed it. 'At Virgin, we had a group of specially trained staff called Care Bears who were part of cabin crew and well versed in the needs of people with a broad range of disabilities. Care Bears could help assist people physically, but there was also the same level of customer service you get with cabin crew. 'It also meant fewer passengers had to wait for special assistance staff to get on and off the plane.' British Airways assured us all their cabin crew receive some accessibility training, and a nominated member of the team is assigned to passengers who need 'additional requirements'. And then there's accessible toilets. Currently, there is no UK legislation to ensure there is a appropriate toilet for everyone on planes. As Victoria said, it means flying long distance is out of the question for most disabled people. In the US, it is mandatory for new aircraft. And what about the railways? The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act promised that, by January 2020, the majority of railway stations would improve access for disabled people with providers taking reasonable steps to offer step-free access to platforms, ramps on trains and special assistance for passengers who need it. More than two years after the deadline, only half of stations are close to achieving this. Many trains have just two designated wheelchair spaces. The Office of Rail and Road, the Government body that regulates all train operators and stations, states that when the train reaches its final destination, 'disabled passengers will be assisted off within five minutes of arrival'. But this doesn't always happen. Recently I booked a trip with special assistance from London's Marylebone to Bicester in Oxfordshire, where I was expected for a meeting the next day. I was assured that the staff at Marylebone would make contact with Bicester to confirm I had got on the train to inform special assistance staff. But they could not get hold of anyone at Bicester. So when I arrived, I was forced to wait for more than an hour for contact to be made. Despite the Department for Transport's recent promise to make all railways accessible by 2030, research by the disability charity Leonard Cheshire estimates that, at the current rate of progress, a more realistic deadline is 2070. But if a disabled person can be sent into space, I am quite sure our travel bosses can ensure that disabled people get on and off trains in a timely manner. BBC Frank Gardner has been trapped four times Last month, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner shared on Twitter the picture of his empty plane cabin, and told his 112,000 followers that he'd been stuck on the runway at Heathrow for half an hour after everyone else had got off. The journalist, who has been paralysed since 2004 when he was shot six times by Al Qaeda gunmen in Saudi Arabia, explained that there were no staff available to get his wheelchair off the aircraft. And for Frank, 60, such events are a regular occurrence. Last month, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner shared on Twitter the picture, above, of his empty plane cabin, and told his 112,000 followers that he'd been stuck on the runway at Heathrow for half an hour after everyone else had got off In 2017, he was stranded on an easyJet flight after Gatwick's special assistance staff failed to show up, and a year later he was left waiting for nearly two hours on a plane at Heathrow when staff lost his wheelchair. He tweeted: 'Odd that I can travel round the Middle East and elsewhere without a hitch. Yet time and time again Heathrow Airport loses my wheelchair on arrival. Just when is UK's premier airport going to stop treating disabled passengers this way?' Just a few months later, he found himself stuck for half an hour at Heathrow again. This time, the crew manning the mechanical lift needed to get him from his seat to the door accidentally locked themselves in a lift. After the latest incident, on a flight from Estonia, he tweeted: 'It's happened again. Stuck on an empty plane at Heathrow Airport long after everyone else is off. No staff to get my wheelchair off the plane. I am SO disappointed.' A new 'blood-boosting' pill is set to spare tens of thousands of chronic kidney disease sufferers from having to inject themselves up to three times a week. Roughly 90 per cent of people with the condition also develop anaemia when blood cells don't deliver enough oxygen to the body's tissues, causing dizziness and exhaustion. Until now, symptoms could be treated only with medicine that patients usually inject themselves, alongside iron infusions in hospital twice a year. But the new tablet, roxadustat, which is taken three times a week at home, has proved to be just as effective. Last week the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) announced the tablet will be made available on the NHS. Professor Jonathan Barratt, a consultant nephrologist at Leicester General Hospital, said: 'The new drug is just as effective at keeping patients' anaemia under control as previous treatments, without the need for all the injections and infusions.' A new 'blood-boosting' pill is set to spare tens of thousands of chronic kidney disease sufferers from having to inject themselves up to three times a week. Roughly 90 per cent of people with the condition also develop anaemia when blood cells don't deliver enough oxygen to the body's tissues, causing dizziness and exhaustion. (File image) The kidneys filter out toxins from the blood, which are then passed to the bladder and flushed out in urine. But for roughly three million Britons with kidney disease, the organs stop working properly. It is commonly caused by long-term conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. There are five stages of kidney disease, ranging from a small reduction in function to complete failure, where patients need dialysis a machine that filters the blood to survive. In many cases, the only chance of a long, healthy life is a transplant. At first, kidney disease symptoms may be mild, such as weight loss and shortness of breath. The condition becomes chronic when the organs are functioning at least 40 per cent below normal levels known as stage three. This is when the damaged kidneys struggle to produce erythropoietin a hormone which triggers the release of red blood cells. The kidneys filter out toxins from the blood, which are then passed to the bladder and flushed out in urine. But for roughly three million Britons with kidney disease, the organs stop working properly This condition, known as anaemia, is commonly thought of as an iron deficiency but in fact it is a deficiency in haemoglobin the compound in blood which transports oxygen around the body of which a major component is iron. Without sufficient iron, the body does not make enough haemoglobin and the body becomes starved of oxygen. Until now, those with kidney disease-related anaemia had to inject themselves up to three times a week with drugs that mimic the role of erythropoietin, which can cause unpleasant side effects including rashes and vomiting. They also needed iron infusions in hospital at least twice a year to top up haemoglobin levels and boost the oxygen in their blood cells. Roxadustat works by mimicking the body's natural response to reduced oxygen in the blood blocking an enzyme that limits the production of new red blood cells while increasing the absorption of iron in the blood. Studies show the drug is just as effective at boosting oxygen levels and alleviating symptoms as the current treatments. Prof Barratt says: 'The drug can keep symptoms at bay for at least two years we haven't yet got data beyond this point.' One patient to benefit is 58-year-old Brent Murray, a retired police officer from Herne Bay, Kent, who has lived with kidney disease for 20 years. Brent first noticed symptoms of anaemia in 2010, shortly after he began dialysis for kidney failure, when he began to struggle with breathlessness. 'I was also very tired all the time, and found I couldn't concentrate on things,' he says. Doctors prescribed erythropoietin, and monthly infusions of iron at East Kent Hospital. He says: 'My wife and I had to undergo training on how to do the injections it's a bit of a business. And when you're feeling awful and ill, the last thing you feel like doing is putting needles in yourself. Because my condition was very severe, I had to go to the hospital a few times a month.' In 2015, Brent enrolled on a trial of roxadustat. For the next two years, he took a tablet every two days. 'It definitely improved my quality of life,' he says. 'I didn't have side effects and it seemed just as effective at improving my energy levels. All I had to do was pop a pill.' After the trial, Brent had to return to self-injections and infusions. But now that the drug has been approved for wider use, he expects to soon return to roxadustat. 'I'd take it again in a heartbeat,' he says. A German man suffered with uncontrollable spasms in his left arm but only while tackling sudoku puzzles Weird science: Spasms triggered by sudoku puzzles A German man suffered with uncontrollable spasms in his left arm but only while tackling sudoku puzzles. It emerged that years before he'd had an accident on a mountain and was trapped in an avalanche. He'd suffered hypoxia, where the body, including the brain, is starved of oxygen, which resulted in twitches in his legs and face. Medication seemed to have successfully treated him until he tried sudoku. Doctors found that the part of his brain activated by the puzzles had been damaged, so the cells misfired when used, triggering the spasms. After giving up sudoku, he made a full recovery. Your amazing body There are tiny blood vessels deep within our bones a fact that was discovered only three years ago. Scientists who were studying mice bones by making them transparent identified a previously unknown web of small vessels, called capillaries. The team followed this up with studies on humans, which revealed a similar, albeit less extensive, system. It was found that these vessels allow blood cells produced in the bone marrow in the centre of the bones to quickly enter the circulation. Xi to attend meeting marking 25th anniversary of HK's return to motherland Xinhua) 09:24, June 25, 2022 BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping will attend a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will also attend the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) Philip Goldberg, the new U.S. ambassador to South Korea, will arrive in Seoul to begin his term July 10, the U.S. Embassy here said Saturday. "The entire team at the U.S. Mission to Republic of Korea looks forward to welcoming Ambassador-designate Philip Goldberg to Seoul on July 10th," the embassy said on its Twitter page. Goldberg will fill the vacancy left by his predecessor, Harry Harris, since January 2021, when U.S. President Joe Biden took office. The career diplomat previously served as ambassador to Colombia and worked as a coordinator for the implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea from 2009-2010. (Yonhap) Last week a patient in her 50s who I know well asked me for HRT. Nothing out of the ordinary about this, except she'd never mentioned suffering from menopausal symptoms that hormone replacement therapy aims to treat. Hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, low mood, muscle pain, sexual discomfort and brain fog are just a few problems that can be linked to plummeting oestrogen levels at this life stage but she'd not been hit by any of these, as far as I knew. 'Has something changed?' I asked. No, she felt fine, perhaps a bit tired. So why did she think she'd benefit from HRT, I persisted? 'Well to be honest, it's because everyone else seems to be on it,' she answered. She'd seen the articles, watched the documentaries, heard all about the 'menopause revolution' and how HRT gives women a new lease of life. More energy. Younger skin. Better sex. 'I've got FOMO,' she admitted. The acronym, if you've not heard it before, stands for fear of missing out. And as I explained to her, it's not a good reason to start a treatment that, like all drugs, has potential side effects. It's now generally accepted that although there are downsides to taking HRT, as there are with every drug, they're vastly outweighed by the benefits. Yes, medics may have been guilty in the past of under-treating the menopause, but the pendulum is now in danger of swinging too far the other way The consultation ended amicably. I reassured her that she had no need for HRT and she went on her way without a prescription, I should add. The whole thing was bizarre. But I can't say I was all that surprised. Over the past few years the conversation around the menopause has exploded. It's gone from something no one really spoke about to being on the front pages of newspapers and in book titles on the bestseller lists. Famous, successful and glamorous women seem to line up to discuss their own menopause experiences and how drug treatment did wonders for them. Broadly speaking, I think this is a good thing. The menopause, which typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 in the UK, is a natural part of every woman's life. It can also happen earlier due to medical treatments such as a hysterectomy. For these women, it can be particularly difficult. We should all feel free to discuss how we feel about the menopause, how it affects us, our careers, families and sex lives. Tackling taboo: Carolyn Harris, an MP speaking out on the menopause, flanked by celebrities Mariella Frostrup, left, and Penny Lancaster And, if warranted due to symptoms, HRT can be an effective and safe option. Surveys suggest women often feel unprepared for the menopause and what it'll do to their bodies, so by talking about it perhaps we'll change that. But I also have concerns namely that, amid the surge in interest, the menopause has become a lucrative business for some. There are scores of private clinics up and down the country claiming to specialise in the menopause. Meanwhile, chemist and supermarket shelves heave with creams and supplements all supposedly designed to boost the wellbeing of menopausal women. The combined message is that the menopause is a disease or deficiency that always needs treating. And that's just not true. I'm not alone in my worries. This month, three highly respected female health experts wrote an article saying similar things in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). They warned that we were in danger of 'over-medicalising' the menopause, which is, after all, a natural life stage and I couldn't agree more. Roughly 15 per cent of women suffer from severe menopause symptoms, lasting four years on average. For this group, the impact on the quality of their lives on physical and mental health, on relationships and on work can be profound. A survey carried out by the Fawcett Society, which involved 4,000 menopausal women, found one in ten had felt forced to give up their jobs due to symptoms. Like all my GP colleagues, I've seen a huge increase in patients coming forward for help with menopausal symptoms, says Dr Ellie Cannon (pictured) This is dreadful. But it's equally important to look at these issues in perspective. Most women do not experience these sorts of life-wrecking difficulties. And as well-meaning as it may be, the focus on the negative experiences is leading to a widespread misconception that the menopause is always hellish and something to be feared, when in most cases it is not. The risk is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Research suggests that women who have negative attitudes toward the menopause and female ageing in general suffer worse symptoms. In recent history, undoubtedly, too few women have been prescribed HRT. Major studies published in the early 2000s that examined potential side effects including the risk of breast cancer led to a huge fall in numbers taking it. It's now generally accepted that although there are downsides to taking HRT, as there are with every drug, they're vastly outweighed by the benefits. Yes, medics may have been guilty in the past of under-treating the menopause, but the pendulum is now in danger of swinging too far the other way. And I fear that the 'HRT for everybody' narrative that's emerged in recent years may be encouraging some women, like my patient last week, to seek drug treatments they don't really need. In 2020, doctors from the University of California conducted in-depth interviews with women over 60 about their use of HRT. Their findings suggested that, for many patients, the main driver of taking HRT was a false belief that it kept them younger for longer, rather than relief from specific menopause symptoms. The researchers also expressed concern about patients who expressed interest in HRT after reading articles written by private doctors who were also advertising specialist menopause clinics. Like all my GP colleagues, I've seen a huge increase in patients coming forward for help with menopausal symptoms. This surge is part of the reason for the much-talked-about HRT shortages demand has doubled, from about 240,000 prescriptions in 2017 to almost 540,000 last year, and manufacturers have struggled to keep up stocks of some types. These drugs, which help top up levels of female hormones oestrogen and progesterone that typically decline from middle-age onward, can be a lifeline. I've often said that there a few medicines we can offer that provide such wide-ranging benefits. But not every woman needs it or wants it. And there are reasons not to take it, too. For instance, if a woman has had certain forms of breast cancer, then HRT might not be the right choice as the drug can raise the risk of cancer returning. This doesn't mean if she has menopause symptoms she just has to put up with it. A good GP will try to find out exactly what is bothering her and look for ways to treat those problems. It may mean alternative drugs, but other approaches cognitive behavioural therapy, keeping a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and regular exercise can have a huge impact too. As menopause symptoms generally do stop within a few years, women don't need to keep taking the drugs indefinitely. Shared experience: TV star Davina McCall has led the conversation about the menopause The longer you take HRT, the longer you expose yourself to the small risks of cancer and blood clots, so if you can stop and switch to non-hormonal treatment, it's probably a good idea. I've pointed these things out in my regular Mail on Sunday columns on a number of occasions and provoked fury from menopause campaigners who accused me of being ill-informed, misleading and even of spreading misinformation. These zealots claim that breast cancer and age should be no barrier to taking HRT but I'm simply echoing the NHS guidance, which is based on the best current medical evidence. The experts behind the BMJ article, University of Melbourne gynaecologist Professor Martha Hickey and her colleagues, psychologists Myra Hunter and Jane Usher, faced similar ire called patronising, regressive and even told they were gaslighting other women in genuine turmoil. One commentator on Twitter even accused the authors of being men. It's a fact Hormone replacement therapy first became available in the UK in 1965 and was made from the urine of pregnant horses. Under the age of 50 there is no extra risk of breast cancer linked to HRT, because it restores hormones to normal mid-age levels. Advertisement But others thanked them. GP Dr Jane Wilcock wrote: 'There will be a very small minority who need help but this is ageing and should not be medicalised and guidelined.' Another GP, Dr Katie Musgrave, replied: 'I feel uncomfortable when pressure groups [are] involved in demanding prescriptions [it] makes one wonder who stands to gain and what conflicts of interest there might be.' The truth is, HRT is not the only solution to the problems menopausal women face, nor is it a panacea. The Fawcett Society survey also revealed that two-thirds weren't offered HRT 'immediately' when their GP discovered they were menopausal. However, I'd argue that in many cases that will have been precisely the right thing to do. GPs face stiff criticism for allegedly dishing out antidepressants indiscriminately, rather than exploring other ways to treat depression and anxiety. A good doctor will take a cautious approach to the menopause, digging to find out what's really bothering a patient and exploring all the options. In some cases it will be drugs. In others, that won't be the first approach. And when it comes to HRT, some women don't want to take it, even if they have symptoms and we offer it which I do. This needs to be respected. A good friend of mine in her late 50s most definitely post-menopausal and not suffering any symptoms says she's endlessly being pressured to take HRT by a menopause doctor she knows, who seems to suggest it's some sort of anti-ageing wonder drug. In their BMJ piece, Prof Hickey and her colleagues highlight studies that show many women in fact relish parts of the menopause: freedom from periods and pain, and the need for contraception. My experience echoes this. Patients often tell me they don't see the menopause as a time of loss far from it, it's a new beginning. Surely we need to hear more about this side of things, too? The recent campaigning has led to some fantastic developments: menopause is now on the school curriculum, and workplaces have developed policies to better support their menopausal employees. But as Prof Hickey writes: 'There is an urgent need to [offer] a more balanced narrative that challenges the stigma around ageing in women and recognises menopause as a natural process with both positives and negatives'. She wants us to celebrate the strength, beauty and achievements of post-menopausal women. I feel the same way. A 2019 poll of more than 1,000 US workers found that 75 per cent of women aged over 60 said their age disadvantaged them professionally, compared with 65 per cent of men of the same age. I can't help but think that if we had a culture that embraced older women in all their natural glory, perhaps fewer would feel they need to pursue hormonal youth. But, cynically, I suppose there's not so much profit to me made from that message. Certainly not for the private menopause doctors I've seen boasting in the media recently of having waiting lists that are thousands long. Nor the drug companies which are set to be making more than 20 billion a year out of HRT within a decade, or the supplement brands and beauty companies peddling 'remedies'. I know what I'm writing will be controversial, although it shouldn't be. What I and other doctors are arguing for is a nuanced, individualistic approach that might include HRT but also might not. I am not menopausal and may not be for a few years if my female relatives are anything to go by (menopause age tends to run in families). But like most women, I notice getting older I'm in my mid-40s now and don't have the energy I once did. I'm not immune to being seduced into buying expensive moisturisers in the hope it'll make my skin more youthful, when I know full well it won't. I also look at my daughter, now 18, and want to provide her with a positive role model: A woman in middle age who is comfortable with changing and not consumed with trying to hold back the clock. When my menopause happens, I'll certainly not miss having to squeeze family planning appointments into my busy schedule. Maybe it will be nightmarish. Whatever the case, I won't be taking HRT. I have a significant family history of breast cancer, and I know I'd just spend my life worrying. So I'll be exploring all the other options and I certainly won't be suffering from FOMO. Or I may just do nothing. And if you feel that way, that's fine too. The coin-operated public phone box is the latest victim of the push to a cashless society with communities told to fight for their survival or lose them forever. Industry regulator Ofcom is scrapping the need for telecoms giant BT to maintain the 21,000 phone boxes in Britain because of dwindling use. Yet the phone kiosk still provides a communications lifeline for an estimated five million people who rely on using cash for day-to-day spending needs. Three million adults also do not have a mobile phone and for everyone, blackspots where mobile reception is patchy or non-existent, a telephone box may be the only option. It is also a potential lifesaver as 150,000 emergency calls are made from kiosks a year averaging one from each phone every seven weeks. Some 2.3 million phone calls were made from phone boxes last year. Lifeline: Phone boxes provide a communications service for millions, and account for 150,000 emergency calls a year The Ofcom criteria for keeping phone boxes open rolled out at the start of this month is that 52 or more calls must have been made from them over the past 12 months. This means that if a phone is used once a week, it should be safe. If installed in a location where there is no mobile phone reception, a high level of accidents or suicides, or if used for making calls to helplines such as Childline, there are also grounds for a kiosk to be saved. It takes just one phone call or email to state your case to BT and the telecoms giant has a duty to take heed of any demand. Contact BT at customer.serv.payphones@bt.com. If a phone is broken, it should also be reported immediately. Call 151 from the kiosk or dial 0800 661610 and provide details of the address and phone number. Colchester Civic Society asked BT to provide details of all the kiosks in the Essex city three years ago, only to be told this information was 'confidential.' Not to be put off, chairwoman Jo Edwards, along with colleagues Sheila Anderton and Bob Mercer, asked locals and paced the streets to discover 42 city phone kiosks of which only about a quarter were still working. Four of the 32 that have now been saved were classic red 'K6' models the iconic red phone box. Sheila says: 'All it took was one phone call to the right person and BT came out to repair the majority of the broken phone boxes. Those that were not being used were removed. Had we not contacted BT, we may have lost them all.' Outside GreyFriars Hotel on Colchester's main high street sits one of the red phone boxes that the community saved. Armed with a handful of coins these days the phones only take 10p, 20p, 50p and 1 coins and require a minimum of 60p it felt liberating to make a call without worrying about mobile reception. It was reassuring to hear the soft burr of the dialling tone as I picked up the handset. A wave of nostalgia swept over me as I recollected nervous phone calls to girls asking them on dates, which they immediately declined. This time as I inserted the coins, they dropped into the 'returned coins tray.' No fancy slot for card payments or wi-fi signal options in this 1930s workhorse. I was not deterred. A message inside the phone box told me to call 151 if there was a fault. After hearing a menu of options, I finally got through to engineer Matthew, who promised to report the problem and get it fixed within days. Jo says: 'These old phones cost money to maintain and it is vital to report faults immediately. So you have done the right thing.' Graduate Jenny Haig, 22, and her fiance, 24-year-old Eddie Matthews, a soldier in the Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, are proud of how locals fought to keep their phone boxes open. Jenny says: 'They are part of our British heritage and we should fight for their survival as a matter of pride. We need to keep as many working as possible. A lot of people still prefer to use coins for making calls and they should not be discriminated against. The phone boxes are also vital in an emergency. For people like me if a mobile handset gets lost, broken or stolen, then these kiosks can prove a real godsend.' Traditional red boxes can also be adopted by communities for a nominal 1 fee. They remain where they are, but the handsets are removed. Already more than 6,000 kiosks have been bought this way and transformed into local amenities. Examples include a mini-library, a defibrillator centre, plant shop, cafe, food bank and art gallery. BT says: 'We take our obligations to provide a public payphone service seriously and will in the future adhere to Ofcom guidelines relating to the removal of any phone boxes.' The 1920s boxes that can sell for 8,500 The red telephone box is not only a lifeline for those who prefer to make their calls using cash or where there is no mobile reception. They can also prove a shrewd investment. In the early 1990s, there were about 92,000 red phone boxes dotted across the country. They then began to be ripped out and sold for about 250. The earliest 1920 Somerville & Company design is known as a 'K1' and had concrete walls and a wooden door. These days, they can sell for 8,500. They were replaced in 1924 by the Giles Gilbert Scott designed 'K2' that can sell for 6,000. A number of other red phone boxes were introduced in subsequent years, but it is the 1935 'K6', also designed by Giles Gilbert Scott, that really captures the imagination of collectors. It was introduced to commemorate the silver jubilee of King George V and continued to be installed until the late 1950s. Fully restored, these kiosks can fetch as much as 5,000. Those interested in investing in a red phone box should be aware that they must also budget perhaps 100 for transport costs. Barclays Bank is drafting in a crack squad of fraudbusters to claw back up to 1billion of Covid loans that have been siphoned off by criminals. The high street lender issued 345,006 loans worth 10.8billion to small firms under the Government's Bounce Back Loan Scheme at the height of the pandemic. These were fully guaranteed by the Treasury so that banks were not exposed to excessive risks. However, this has left taxpayers on the hook for potentially huge losses from borrowers who are either fraudulent or genuinely cannot pay. Concern: Barclays issued 345,006 loans worth 10.8billion to small firms under the Government's Bounce Back Loan Scheme at the height of the pandemic The Treasury encouraged banks to loosen normal checks to ensure financial help could be distributed quickly to prevent otherwise healthy firms going under during lockdown. But there are mounting fears that large numbers of these loans will never be repaid. It is estimated that bogus borrowers may have got their hands on up to about 5billion of the total of 47billion issued by all of the banks that participated in the scheme. Barclays, which has consulted the Government on its plans to hire an outside firm to hunt down the swindlers, needs official approval for the move. The name of the firm it is planning to hire remains shrouded in secrecy to avoid alerting fraudsters that they have investigators on their tails. Its elite team will include experts in insolvency, law and forensic accountancy. The hope is to reduce losses to taxpayers, who are already forking out extra National Insurance contributions and have been hit by a freeze in allowances and thresholds. Based on industry figures, the amount of taxpayer-guaranteed loans that have been channelled through Barclays to scammers is estimated at up to 1billion. City sources told The Mail on Sunday that other banks are likely to be mulling similar plans. Many small companies that genuinely needed the money are now struggling to survive amid the cost-of-living crisis, which could lead to further defaults. The Government's own estimates suggest taxpayers could face a black hole of 17billion from fraud and company collapses linked to Bounce Back loans. Barclays has held talks with the Cabinet Office over its move to outsource the Covid fraud investigation. It is likely to be given a green light by ministers, who are keen to recoup as much of the losses as possible. Lenders are having to rope in their own private armies of crime fighters due to the scarcity of police resources, only 2 per cent of which are focused on fraud. Taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill because the investigators will be paid a slice of the money they recover as a fee. Under the proposals, which are still being discussed, Barclays would trigger insolvency proceedings against suspected criminals who took out loans with no intention of repaying. A liquidator, appointed by the Government's Insolvency Service, would then sell the rights to chase down the debts to a third party, which would pursue the case through courts. The Cabinet Office hopes specialist firms will be more successful at tracking down larger sums than the banks themselves. A pilot scheme is thought to be likely to precede a wider roll-out. Bounce Back loans for sums between 2,000 and 50,000 were issued at speed with very few checks. The Treasury was desperate for banks to get money to struggling businesses to stave off a wave of insolvencies after Covid hit. But the haste has proved controversial and the Government has come under fire for failing to do more to make the scheme fraud-proof. Research by advisory firm Real Business Rescue found cases of company directors appearing to use Covid loans to buy Range Rovers, jet skis, buy-to-let property, flying lessons and even subscriptions to pornographic websites. Treasury Minister Lord Agnew resigned at the start of the year, claiming the Government had 'little interest in the consequences of fraud to our society.' He said Ministers had made 'schoolboy errors' including giving loans to more than 1,000 companies which were not trading when Covid struck. The National Audit Office also criticised the Government for failing to stop criminals exploiting the loans. Barclays declined to comment. A Government spokesman said: 'Taxpayers would expect the Government to take vigorous action against those who fraudulently obtained loans and are failing to repay them.' A new law to help protect mutuals from being sold off to predators has been tabled in Parliament. Following the disastrous attempt to sell insurer LV to private equity firm Bain Capital last year, MPs are drawing up plans to help safeguard mutually owned businesses. The move by MPs comes after a successful campaign by The Mail on Sunday to stop the sale. Since then, more than 1,000 readers have contacted the newspaper to call for a vote of no-confidence in LV's chief executive, Mark Hartigan. Writing on the wall: Following the disastrous attempt to sell insurer LV to private equity firm Bain Capital last year, MPs are drawing up plans to help safeguard mutually owned businesses Just 500 confirmed members would be needed to call a special general meeting to oust Hartigan. The ex-colonel angered policyholders last year when, with then-chairman Alan Cook, he pushed for LV to be sold to Bain, shattering LV's treasured mutual status, which means it is owned by its customers. Many households buy banking or insurance products from mutuals because they are run for customers' benefit, rather than to be a cash cow for profit-seeking investors. MPs are looking to change the law so executives such as Hartigan will no longer be able to use a business's need for money, genuine or not, as an excuse to sell it to a profit-hungry investor. Currently, mutuals such as LV cannot raise capital from an investor without giving up their member-owned status. Labour MP Sir Mark Hendrick has tabled the private member's Co-operatives, Mutuals and Friendly Societies Bill. Another Labour MP, Gareth Thomas, who leads the all-party group on mutuals, said: 'This could give mutuals like LV a huge boost, safeguarding them from ever being sold off unnecessarily and helping them to raise the capital to improve services and fund expansion.' A Tory MP added: 'The need to raise capital was a fig leaf for a contrived, back-door sale that seemed to serve the interest of management, not members. But many mutuals struggle due to needless, complex rules in capital-raising.' Mutuality was a key principle for LV, founded in 1843 as Liverpool Victoria, to help the poor of Liverpool pay for a decent burial. LV said: 'We are supportive of anything that helps mutuals raise capital.' Boys also allowed to 'crawl on floor' making obscene gestures during class time Dad says boy who tried to send d**k pics to his daughter was suspended A fuming father has revealed the disturbing messages his young daughter received at the hands of cruel schoolboys, who he says repeatedly tried to send unsolicited 'd*** pics' to girls. Balwyn High School, in Melbourne's east, has been dogged by claims male students allegedly get away with harassing their female classmates. Some students even allege boys have masturbated in front of them in class while others say they've been threatened with rape as a 'joke'. The school found itself in hot water earlier this month after an anonymous survey from 2021 was made public, that detailed reports of 'sexual assault and misogyny'. Balwyn High School, in Melbourne's east, faces continuing allegations that boys at the school engage in serious sexual misconduct even in class where they 'crawl on the floor' and make obscene gestures But a dad with two children at the school, who did not wish to be named, told Daily Mail Australia little had changed there in the past year. He rejected the high school's claims it has addressed serious sexual misbehaviour and said the toxic culture continues because only 'tokenistic' punishments are handed out. The father said that despite Victoria's education department claiming two weeks ago it had dealt with issues 'appropriately and professionally', sexual misconduct was still rife at the school. 'It's a very toxic environment that is very, very widespread,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'I don't think I have met a single one of my daughter's friends who doesn't have similar stories.' He said his daughter is constantly ambushed with creepy messages on social media, with one teen being particularly persistent. This message was sent to a 13-year-old schoolgirl, who did not accept but found out later it had been organised by a classmate, who only received a week's suspension for the act The dad said his daughter had been mercilessly harassed and bullied while she was in Year 7 and 8, with boys calling her abusive names such as 'sl*t', 'wh**e' and 'b**ch'. He alleged the behaviour went beyond the playground, with boys 'crawling on the floor' during class while shouting and making obscene gestures to his daughter in full view of teachers, who he claimed did nothing. In 2019 his daughter, who was 13 at the time, had to block an anonymous account trying to send her unsolicited d**k pics, which was the culmination of harassment she was receiving from one particular boy. The daughter told Daily Mail Australia she confronted her classmate over the message, who admitted organising it because 'he thought it was very funny'. A father claims that his Balwyn High School daughter was being harassed and threatened with d**k pics, which she blocked When she complained to the school's student support team, she said she was accused of being a 'snitch'. 'Most of the male students made comments to this effect,' she said. Her father described the classmates' furious reaction as 'retaliation' and said the 'mob' reaction was a reason bad behaviour was normalised at the school. Her dad said he repeatedly raised the matter with the school before he was eventually granted a meeting with staff, who handed him a hand-written apology from the boy concerned. '(The teacher) said "he's very contrite, he's very sorry",' the dad said. 'Literally as I was walking out of the office my daughter sends me a message on Instagram that he is bragging about what he was doing.' The boy only received a one-week suspension. Under Victorian law, it is an offence to use a carriage service in 'a menacing, harassing or offensive' manner. When the girl complained about the boy's behaviour, she was accused of being a snitch by classmates Victoria's education department said the matter had been dealt with in an 'appropriate manner'. 'The health and safety of our students is the top priority for all schools and any allegations regarding student wellbeing are taken seriously and managed appropriately,' a department spokesperson said. 'The department is aware of an incident involving Balwyn High School students in 2019. At the time, appropriate disciplinary action was taken to address student behaviour and wellbeing supports were made available.' The father escalated his complaints to Victoria's education department but he said he received only a 'tokenistic' response. Informally, he was told that two detectives spoke to the boy. The girl said most of her male classmates called her a 'snitch' with her father describing it as retaliation that 'normalises' bad behaviour in the school 'I just don't understand how we think this is acceptable in a government school. 'The evidence would suggest the education programs don't do anything. 'When I went to school, any one of those behaviours would have seen me in the principal's office. 'The second time it would be suspension and the third time I would have been expelled from the school. 'All they have to do is basically expel a few. 'Make it very public that their behaviour is not to tolerated and the problem goes away.' A survey handed to Balwyn High School in March 2021 by female students alleged sexual misconduct and harassment was rife from the boys in the school, while staff reportedly looked on. It claimed boys had masturbated in front of girls while in class and threatened to rape female students as a 'joke' while also producing a list ranking them in terms of attractiveness. A Victorian education department spokesman said the school handled things 'appropriately and professionally'. 'Balwyn High School is an outstanding school with strong academic output that is led by one of Victoria's best principals,' the spokesperson said. The department runs programs to teach school children safe and respectful behaviour online such as eSmart. Balwyn High additionally runs consent education sessions for its VCE cohort named Project You. President Joe Biden flies to Europe on Saturday for two major international summits where world leaders will discuss the next steps in helping Ukraine battle the Russian invasion. He is due first in Germany for a G7 summit before flying to Spain for a meeting of NATO leaders. Biden is under pressure to do more to support the government of Volodomyr Zelensky, amid accusations that he has been too slow to deliver aid. And it comes as Ukrainian forces are retreating from the battle in Donbas, outgunned by the Russian war machine. While prime ministers and presidents of France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy have all visited the Ukrainian capital, the 79-year-old U.S. president has stayed away out of security concerns. 'Turning up in Kyiv may not make a huge material difference to the war effort but it is symbolic of the way European leaders think that Biden is doing too much leading from behind,' said a senior diplomat from a European Union state. 'There's a case to be made that the U.S. needs to be leading from the front.' Some diplomats have also chafed at the way they see the U.S. has dragged its feet on supplying long-range weaponry - or fighter jets - for fear that it would anger Moscow. 'We need Biden to be more forthright,' said a diplomat from an allied nation.' It echoes criticism at home by Republicans who see a dithering leader. Rep Mike Waltz, a former Green Beret, said Biden had been 'a day late and a dollar short' throughout the crisis. 'I's been too little too late, and he's been dragged along by and led by our European allies and by Congress,' he said. 'They've had to drag him kicking and screaming but it's often too late.' President Joe Biden heads to Europe on Saturday morning for two summits of world leaders that will be dominated by the Russian war in Ukraine. Ukrainian leaders are appealing for weapons and ammunition that will help them match Russian firepower President Volodomyr Zelensky is expected to address the G7 and NATO summits. He is seen here on a video screen at the Glastonbury Festival. He is expected to demand more weapons After weeks of Russian bombardment, Ukrainian troops are pulling out of the city of Sievierodonetsk. They say they cannot match Russian long-range firepower American officials dispute that assessment, pointing out that Washington announced on Thursday another $450 million in military aid. It included High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, tens of thousands of additional rounds of ammunition and patrol boats to help protect the coastline. It brings the total support to more than $6 billion since Russia launched its invasion. John Kirby, National Security coordinator for strategic communications, said Biden would use a string of meetings to try to further isolate Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his allies. 'Throughout the G7 summit in Germany and NATO summit in Spain, you're going to see clearly how the president's day-one focus on revitalizing alliances and partnerships has allowed us to seize this moment to benefit the American people, support Ukraine, and hold Russia accountable, all while staying focused on the other challenges that define the coming decades, and that includes the challenges posed by China,' he said. Zelensky is expected to address both summits by video link. It comes at a time when his forces in eastern Ukraine are under intense pressure. They have appealed for more ammunition, artillery and rockets to keep pace with Russia in what has become a long-range war of attrition. On Friday, one of Zelensky's top generals told his U.S. counterpart that Ukraine needed 'fire parity' to stabilize the eastern Luhansk region. 'We discussed the operational situation and the delivery flow of international technical assistance,' Ukraine's General Valeriy Zaluzhniy wrote on the Telegram app after a phone call with U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley. It came as Ukrainian forces pulled back from the embattled city of Sievierodonetsk after weeks of bombardment. Waltz said the G7 needed to admit that sanctions were falling short and Putin was still able to fund his war machine. 'i would like to see - I'd be surprised to actually see it - an acknowledgement and then corrective action that this sanctions regime is failing,' he said. 'The much promised toughest, most comprehensive sanctions ok n the history of sanctions frankly isn't working. 'The Russians are reporting they are back to pre-war levels of oil and gas. The Chinese have made up for everything they've lost in Europe and then some.' Chinese and Indian purchases of Russian gas and oil have helped make up for losses elsewhere. Allies said they wanted Biden to bring US leadership to the summits. A spokesperson for the British embassy said: 'During the G7 and NATO, we will be working with the US and all our Allies towards united and sustained commitments to Ukraine - on sanctions, military and economic support - to show Putin that our leadership will not falter in the face of his appalling and illegal invasion.' A senior administration official said Biden will announce measures to increase pressure on Russia at the G7 before taking steps to tackle price rises around the world. 'Third, leaders will also advance a vision of the world grounded in freedom and openness, not coercion, not aggression, not spheres of influence,' said the official. 'They will strengthen our cooperation on economic issues, cyberspace and quantum, and, in particular, the challenges posed by China.' But Ash Jain, of the Atlantic Council, said that argument - Biden's well rehearsed democracy versus autocracy worldview - may prove a hard sell at the G7. 'Other G7 nations, particularly France and Germany, have been less bought into the idea of framing the challenges through this lens of democracy versus autocracy,' he said. 'There are potential downsides in terms of alienating some of the other partners that the US and its allies need and want to continue to work with. 'So one of the questions coming out of the G7 will be whether whether leaders are prepared to embrace this kind of framing of the challenges in its summit statement.' Advertisement Ecuador's president charged Friday that the Indigenous leader heading a nationwide strike is seeking to stage a coup and warned he will use all legal tools to contain the violence unleashed by the demonstrations. In televised remarks, President Guillermo Lasso said Leonidas Iza, leader of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities, intends to 'overthrow the government.' But Lasso added that he was willing to engage in talks on ending protests that were in their 13th day. 'It is proven that the true intention of the violent (people) is to generate a coup and that is why we call on the international community to warn of this attempt to destabilize democracy in Ecuador,' Lasso said. '... Mr. Iza can no longer control the situation. The violence perpetrated by infiltrated criminals has got out of hand.' The demonstrations are part of a national strike that the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities began June 14 to demand that gasoline prices be cut by 45 cents a gallon to $2.10, price controls be imposed on agricultural products and a larger budget be set for education. Protests have been especially violent in six provinces in the north-central part of the South American country. The confederation on Thursday said a demonstrator died of pellet wounds in the chest and abdomen while protesting near the National Assembly in Quito, where about 100 other people suffered a variety of injuries. Police tweeted that officers were also injured by pellets. Marlon Santi, the coordinator of the confederation's political wing known as Pachaktik, demanded in a video on social media that the government meet the Indigenous demands because 'we are convinced this is the spirit of our struggle.' A protester returns a tear gas canister during clashes with police in downtown Quito, Ecuador, Friday, June 24, 2022 A police officer launches tear gas at protesters in downtown Quito, Ecuador, Friday, June 24, 2022 as the protests continued to rip across the country Protesters take cover during clashes with police in downtown Quito, Ecuador, Friday, June 24, 2022. The protesters are part of a national strike that the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities began June 14 to demand that gasoline prices be cut, price controls for agricultural products and a larger budget for education Police take cover during clashes with protesters in downtown Quit. In televised remarks, President Guillermo Lasso said Leonidas Iza, leader of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities, intends to 'overthrow the government.' Protesters take cover behind makeshift shields during clashes with police in downtown Quito. But Lasso added that he was willing to engage in talks on ending protests that were in their 13th day In televised remarks, President Guillermo Lasso (left) said Leonidas Iza (right), leader of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities, intends to 'overthrow the government.' But Lasso added that he was willing to engage in talks on ending protests that were in their 13th day He called on protesters to return to places of peace and safety so as not to 'put their lives in danger. They have the power, the power of arms and economic power; we have the power of reason and dignity.' Lawmakers from the Union por la Esperanza caucus, which is linked to former President Rafael Correa, on Friday began a legislative process seeking Lasso's removal, but it does not have the necessary votes as other caucuses have rejected the move. It would take the votes of at least 92 lawmakers to remove Lasso, while Union has only 47 seats. In Quito, protesters blocking roads have brought the city to a near halt and people are experiencing food and fuel shortages. Production Minister Julio Jose Prado said nearly 600 private vehicles and food-carrying trucks are trapped in Nanegalito, a community about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northwest of Quito. Groups of protesters have roamed the city attacking vehicles and civilians and forcing the closure of businesses, some of which were looted. They have also punctured the tires of buses, forcing passengers to walk. Protesters take cover during clashes with police in downtown Quito. Lawmakers from the Union por la Esperanza caucus, which is linked to former President Rafael Correa, on Friday began a legislative process seeking Lasso's removal, but it does not have the necessary votes as other caucuses have rejected the move. It would take the votes of at least 92 lawmakers to remove Lasso, while Union has only 47 seats Protesters take refuge behind makeshift shields during clashes with police in downtown Quito on Friday amid the carnage In Quito, protesters blocking roads have brought the city to a near halt and people are experiencing food and fuel shortages Production Minister Julio Jose Prado said nearly 600 private vehicles and food-carrying trucks are trapped in Nanegalito, a community about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northwest of Quito A protester returns a tear gas canister during clashes with police in downtown Quito, Ecuador, Friday, June 24, 2022 Lasso urged Indigenous people and peasants 'who have been brought to Quito with deception' to return to their communities for their own safety. He added that human rights groups should scrutinize the situation, which he said has violated the rights of security forces, citizens and journalists Human Rights International said four of its staff members were physically attacked and robbed Thursday while 'carrying out research and verification work on the protests' in Quito Lasso urged Indigenous people and peasants 'who have been brought to Quito with deception' to return to their communities for their own safety. He added that human rights groups should scrutinize the situation, which he said has violated the rights of security forces, citizens and journalists. Human Rights International said four of its staff members were physically attacked and robbed Thursday while 'carrying out research and verification work on the protests' in Quito. 'We reject these actions, and we call for dialogue,' the group tweeted. The situation prompted several embassies, including those of Germany, Britain, Canada and the U.S., to issue a public statement expressing concerns about 'the fundamental rights of all citizens.' It called for the parties to negotiate and reach 'concrete agreements.' The U.S. State Department issued an advisory Wednesday warning travelers about the widespread protests. The situation prompted several embassies, including those of Germany, Britain, Canada and the U.S., to issue a public statement expressing concerns about 'the fundamental rights of all citizens.' It called for the parties to negotiate and reach 'concrete agreements' The U.S. State Department issued an advisory Wednesday warning travelers about the widespread protests Protesters take refuge behind makeshift shields during clashes with police in downtown Quito A protester take cover from tear gas during clashes with police in downtown Quito, Ecuador, Friday, June 24, 2022 A premature baby, who died weeks after being born at a world renowned hospital in Boston, may have been accidentally discarded as bed linens in a shocking revelation. Everleigh Victoria McCarthy was only two pounds when she arrived three months early on July 25, 2020, at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. When the baby developed a brain bleed and was put on a ventilator it seemed unlikely she would survive. The devastated parents, Alana Ross, 37, and Daniel McCarthy, 38, waited and prayed that their baby would come through. Sadly, their daughter died on August 6, 2020, 12 days after being born, family attorney Greg Henning told DailyMail.com. Her devastated parents began to make arrangements and plan for a memorial service for their daughter until they learned the shocking news. The funeral home informed them that their daughter's body was missing and soon their grief turned into a horrific nightmare. First-time parents, Alana Ross, 37, and Daniel McCarthy, 38,waited and prayed that their baby, Everleigh would grow stronger and that they would be able to bring her home, but sadly their daughter did not survive and passed away 12 days after being born The distraught couple called the hospital trying to get answers, but when they were unable to get adequate information they contacted the Boston Police Department, the attorney confirmed. Hospital employees said they could not find the baby's remains, according to a police report obtained by DailyMail.com. According the report, police determined that the baby's body 'was probably mistaken as soiled linen' and discarded. 'It's like she died all over again,' Ross told The New York Times. Ross, who had suffered two prior miscarriages before learning she became pregnant with Everleigh, was traumatized once again. In a statement on Friday, Sunil Eappen, Brigham and Women's Hospital's chief medical officer, issued a statement to DailyMail.com expressing their condolence, but were unable to provide further information. 'We continue to express our deepest sympathies and most sincere apologies to the Ross and McCarthy family for their loss and the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding it,' Eappen said. 'As with any instance in which there is a concern raised related to our standard of care or practice, we readily and transparently shared the details with the patient's family. 'We always evaluate both system and human factors that contribute to errors or potential issues raised by patients, family members or staff and take action' On Thursday, Ross and McCarthy sued the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Suffolk County Superior Court, in Boston. Henning, who has been working with the couple for nearly two years, told DailyMail.com that the lawsuit was being filed now because he said, 'it wasn't going to be resolved any other way.' 'Alana and Daniel have been dealing with a lot of trauma and stress with this and we determined now is the appropriate time to file the suit,' he said. Henning confirmed to DailyMail.com, referring to a 50-page complaint that there is no monetary amount sought. 'My clients look forward to the opportunity to speak to a jury and tell them what happened to Everleigh,' he said. On Thursday, the grief-stricken parents sued the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston In a statement on Friday, Sunil Eappen, Brigham and Women's Hospital's chief medical officer, issued a statement to DailyMail.com expressing their condolence but were unable to provide further information. 'We continue to express our deepest sympathies and most sincere apologies to the Ross and McCarthy family for their loss and the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding it,' Eappen said. 'As with any instance in which there is a concern raised related to our standard of care or practice, we readily and transparently shared the details with the patient's family. 'We always evaluate both system and human factors that contribute to errors or potential issues raised by patients, family members or staff and take action.' Detectives interviewed a hospital pathologist who initially told them that only pathologists were allowed inside the examination room in the hospital's morgue. The hospital pathologist also said that no soiled linens had been removed the day after Everleigh's body was brought there, The New York Times reported. According to the police report, the pathologist later admitted that he had seen linens on a stainless steel tray. He said he disposed of them in a bag meant for soiled materials. Police learned that the linens were taken to a cleaning service with an on-site compactor. Officials also learned a waste management company sends the hospital waste to landfills in South Carolina and New Hampshire, or it is incinerated at another facility, the news outlet reported. During the time of the horrifying incident, officers and employees searched a waste center in the Boston neighborhood of Roxbury twice, according to a police report. Amid dirty hospital gowns, blood-soaked clothes and rags, and soiled linens and towels, they were unable to locate a body, the report stated. Authorities determined that Everleigh's body had not been put in the 'proper area where deceased children' it was supposed to be placed in the morgue cooler. The lawsuit alleges that the remains were most likely sent to one of the landfills or were incinerated, according to the police report. When DailyMail.com asked Henning if there were other locations the hospital may have searched for the baby, Henning replied, 'at this point that is all we know, but obviously that will be an important question going forward.' Police also noted, in the report, that one of the nurses who had brought the baby's body to the morgue had reportedly not returned calls from the hospital. Officials also noted that the hospital failed to give detectives a 'complete video' of what took place. Specifically, the time the baby's body was brought to the morgue and the time hospital employees realized that her remains were missing, The New York Times reported. The hospital is conducting their own investigation, a report said. When DailyMail.com asked the hospital what their procedure is when someone passes away at the hospital, in this case a baby, and where the body is safely kept. The hospital responded: 'Due to pending litigation, we are unable to comment further on this case. She a green skirt with a black shirt and sweater, paired with simple lace-up boots, while her husband wore a black suit with a blue shirt The former princess gave up her royal title to marry her college sweetheart last October in a small civil ceremony, and they have been living in New York City The princess was later seen shopping at the Amish Market grocery store The couple held hands as they cut causal figures in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday before splitting ways Former Japanese Princess Mako Komuro, 30, was spotted out and about with her commoner husband, Kei Komuro, also 30, in New York City Advertisement Former Japanese Princess Mako Komuro of Akishino was spotted out and about with her commoner husband, Kei Komuro, in New York City. The happy couple walked hand-in-hand down in Midtown on Thursday. Mako, 30, cut a causal figure in a green skirt with a black shirt and sweater, paired with simple lace-up boots. She tied her long, brown hair up in a loose ponytail and left her bangs messy. Her dashing husband, also 30, cut a dapper figure in a black suit and blue shirt. He accessorized with a black belt and shoes and carried a light gray handled laptop bag. He also tied his hair up in a ponytail. The pair eventually went their separate ways and Mako made her way to the Amish Market, a grocery store she frequents. The low-key couple moved to Manhattan after she gave up her royal title to marry her college sweetheart last October in a small civil ceremony. Mako and Komuro have kept a low profile while living in a luxury one-bedroom apartment in the city, and they are believed to be financially independent. Former Japanese Princess Mako Komuro of Akishino was spotted out and about with her commoner husband, Kei Komuro, in New York City on Thursday The pair strolled hand-in-hand through Midtown as the former princess cut a causal figure in a green skirt and a black sweat The former princess was entitled to a $1.3 million payout from the Japanese government after giving up her noble status, but she turned it down. Mako, the niece of reigning Emperor Naruhito, has reportedly been making use of her background in art history by reportedly serving as an unpaid volunteer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 'She has specifically been involved in preparing an exhibition of paintings inspired by the life of a 13th-century monk who traveled throughout Japan as he introduced Buddhism,' according to the Japan Times. Mako has a degree in art and cultural heritage from International Christian University in Japan, where she met her husband. Her husband wore a black suit with a blue shirt and carry a laptop case Both pulled their hair up into ponytails as they traversed the Big Apple together. The pair have been living here since they got married She went on to study art history at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland before receiving her master's in art museum and gallery studies from the University of Leicester in England. 'She's qualified and probably handling pieces in the collection. In general, it's work which requires a great deal of preparation and often means spending a lot of time in the library,' a former curator at the Met told People. While she is pursuing a career in the art world, her husband has been struggling to pass the New York State Bar. The aspiring lawyer first sat for the New York State Bar exam last July, three months before his wedding to Mako, but it was revealed in November that he had failed. According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, he phoned Okuno Yoshihiko the head of a law firm in Japan where he previously worked to tell him he didn't pass. Komuro sat for the exam for the second time in February, but when the results were published online in April, his name was not included among those who had passed. New York does not place a limit or restriction on the number of times a person may attempt to pass the exam, meaning he can take it as many times as he wants. The next time the bar is offered is in late July. Komuro previously worked at a bank and at a French restaurant in Japan before relocating to New York for law school. His father died when he was in elementary school, and he was raised by his widowed mother, Kayo. He met Mako in 2013 when they were both studying at the International Christian University outside Tokyo. The couple got 'unofficially engaged' in 2017 and had planned on tying the knot in November 2018. Initially, the news was greeted with delight in Japan, but then a scandal grew up when it was discovered that his mother, Kayo, had not repaid a 4 million yen ($35,000) loan from a former fiance, partly to pay his tuition. The controversy led critics to suggest Komuro was only marrying the then-princess for money or fame. She was later seen heading toward Amish Market, where she also carried a matching bag too The former princess was seen walking by a wall of colorful flowers Komuro issued a 24-page statement about the money, claiming his mother believed it was a gift, not a loan. Eventually, he said he would repay it, though it is not known whether it has ever been returned. Despite the turmoil, Komuro and Mako's love endured, and she announced that she was moving forward with the marriage in 2020. 'We are irreplaceable to each other someone to rely on during both happy and unhappy times,' she said. 'So a marriage is a necessary choice for us to live while cherishing and protecting our feelings.' Only male members of the Japanese imperial family are allowed to marry commoners, and Mako had to give up more than just her royal title to wed Komuro. She has a surname for the first time in her life following their marriage and is now known as Mako Komuro. She also had to get a passport to travel, something she didn't need as a royal. Mako can no longer live in the Imperial Palace, and if she and Komuro have sons, they will not be in the line of succession for the male-only emperorship. She can never return to the dynasty, even if her marriage ends in divorce. Only three of Mako's relatives can succeed Emperor Naruhito, 62, under the current Imperial Household Law, including his 86-year-old uncle Masahito, Prince Hitachi. The others are Mako's 56-year-old father, Prince Fumihito, who is the emperor's brother, and her 15-year-old brother, Prince Hisahito. Anthony Albanese has cut staffing allocations for independent and minor party MPs in a move that's been described as damaging for relations with the crossbench. The prime minister sent a letter on Friday informing the 16 lower house and 18 crossbench senators they would only be able to employ one adviser as part of their staffing allocation in the new parliamentary term. Under the previous coalition government, crossbench MPs and senators were allowed to have two advisers and two assistant advisers. Lower house independent MP Zali Steggall labelled the move 'disappointing' claiming Mr Albanese had broken his promise to treat the crossbench with respect. Anthony Albanese has cut staffing allocations for independent and minor party MPs in a move that's been described as damaging for relations with the crossbench Lower house independent MP Zali Steggall labelled the move 'disappointing' claiming Mr Albanese had broken his promise to treat the crossbench with respect 'I think it really doesn't bode well. It's basically saying, I don't respect the work the crossbench has done in the last Parliament or can do in this coming Parliament,' Ms Steggall told the Today Show on Saturday. 'And I would remind the prime minister that most of the policy work when it's come to anti- corruption and integrity and holding the government to account and moving the government on climate change and net-zero commitments has come from the crossbench. 'All of that work would not have been possible without advisors.' The prime minister told crossbenchers in the letter that parliament department officers would be made available for advice on procedure as well as help in drafting private member's bills. 'I propose to allocate you one additional full-time staff member at the adviser classification, in addition to your four electorate staff,' the letter read. 'My government intends to increase resourcing to the parliamentary library to reflect the support role that it plays to parliamentarians, particularly those on the crossbench.' In a joint statement, crossbench senators Jacqui Lambie, Tammy Tyrrell, David Pocock, Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts said the decision was an attack on democracy. 'This act, at the beginning of this new parliament and new government, has significantly damaged relationships with the crossbench,' the statement said. 'I think it really doesn't bode well. It's basically saying, I don't respect the work the crossbench has done in the last Parliament or can do in this coming Parliament,' Ms Steggall said In a joint statement, crossbench senators Jacqui Lambie, Tammy Tyrrell, David Pocock, Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts said the decision was an attack on democracy 'It flies in the face of earlier remarks from the prime minister that he was hoping for a more collaborative term of parliament, where members and senators from across party lines could come together to genuinely improve conditions for Australians.' Pauline Hanson's One Nation had threatened to reject government legislation on the basis of the decision, NewsCorp reported. The Greens also chipped in after pointing out it had substantially increased its parliamentary representation at the last election. 'It is unbelievable and so short sighted that the government would cut crossbench staff when the public has just delivered the biggest crossbench representation ever,' a spokesperson said. 'The Greens have experienced a staffing cut in real terms with no increase in overall staffing despite a major increase in numbers of Greens Parliamentarians.' 'The Greens have experienced a staffing cut in real terms with no increase in overall staffing despite a major increase in numbers of Greens Parliamentarians,' the party said in a statement Senator Pocock later added the cutbacks would impact on the ability of the crossbench to properly scrutinise legislation. 'Cutting three-quarters of our parliamentary staffing resource removes transparency, hinders the democratic process and reduces our ability to participate fully in the parliamentary process,' he told The Australian. 'This includes by properly scrutinising, amending and introducing legislation, undertaking committee work and inquiries, participating in Senate estimates and best representing our communities.' In a separate statement independent MP Monique Ryan, the member for Kooyong, said previous staffing levels recognised the workload of independent MPs was significantly greater than that of party backbenchers. 'This measure is an attack on the crossbench, on its ability to function effectively and independently, to improve legislation, and to hold the government to account,' she said. Senator Pocock later added the cutbacks would impact on the ability of the crossbench to properly scrutinise legislation A Labor spokeswoman said staffing numbers were reviewed and reallocated after every election. The new parliament, which sits from late July, will have 12 independent or minor party MPs in the House of Representatives, while there will be six in the Senate. The joint statement from the five crossbench senators urged for the prime minister to reconsider the decision. 'This cut will only further deteriorate conditions in parliament, and make it impossible for crossbench senators to carefully interrogate legislation, hold the government to account and ensure we are supporting laws that are in the best interests of our communities and our nation,' the statement said. 'We reject comments that senators could draw on electorate staff to help with parliamentary duties. This takes away from the ability of senators to properly represent their communities and engage with people on issues in parliament.' Visitors look at a sculpture at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, June 25, the 72nd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. Yonhap Prime Minister Han Duck-soo vowed a stern response to any North Korean provocation, Saturday, as the nation observed the 72nd anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War. In a speech during a ceremony marking the anniversary, he said the North's recent missile launches and nuclear weapon test preparations have escalated tensions beyond the Korean Peninsula and are posing a threat to international peace. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo delivers a speech during a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War in Seoul, June 25. Yonhap Liberal Twitter users have taken to the platform to blast the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg following the court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday. While a number of journalist lay the blame at former President Trump who got to appoint three conservative justices during his time in the White House, things took a surprising turn when attention shifted to RBG. Several users saw it fit to blame the late Supreme Court Justice for the court's landmark decision on abortion with some suggesting that had she decided to step down sooner while President Obama was in office, she would have been replaced in turn with a liberal justice. When Ginsburg died in September of 2020 at the age of 87 her vacancy allowed Trump to nominate conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett to take her place. Some liberal journalists blamed the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's failure to step as partly to blame for the overturning of Roe v. Wade Writers took to Twitter to throw shade at LBG who is normally seen as liberal icon questioning why she didn't step down while President Obama was in office Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg sat on the court from 1993 until her death in 2020 whereupon she was replaced by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett Scott Feinberg, a columnist for the Hollywood Reporter described Ginsburg as 'hero' whose decision not to retire 'helped lead to the destruction' of Roe v. Wade. 'RBG was a hero for many reasons. But the terrible irony is that her decision to stay too long at the party helped lead to the destruction of one of the things she cared about the most. Sadly, this will be a big part of her legacy,' he tweeted. Podcaster and comedian Katie Halper saw fit to mock RBG with a sarcastic tweet. 'So glad RBG kept planking instead of retiring from the Supreme Court,' she wrote together with a picture of Justice Ginsburg planking. Rebecca Fishbein who writes for Vice as a freelancer went on to suggest Ginsburg and former President Obama were responsible for the court's decision. 'Hm well maybe someone could have convinced rbg to retire,' she wrote in response to a statement by Obama criticizing the court's ruling. A number of writers appeared to link RBG's refusal to step down from the Supreme Court to the overturning of Roe v. Wade on Friday One conservative writer cheered RBG's decision not to retire while Obama was in office 'But at least RBG got to die in office,' wrote Independent journalist Skylar Baker-Jordan. It was a sentiment agreed by journalist Eoin Higgins. 'Thanks especially to RBG today for making this possible', he wrote. 'Also thanks to Obama for not recess appointing Garland or whoever to replace Scalia, your inaction and failed presidency helped make this moment a reality,' he continued. Protesters gather outside the Supreme Court following its ruling on Friday morning Calls for Ginsburg to retire and for a safe-replacement to be installed on the court came before the 2012 elections. Ginsburg, by this point had endured bouts of colon and pancreatic cancer. Calls for her to retire were met with Ginsburg's stubborn refusal to heed such calls. 'This is so multilayered because she cared so passionately about advancing equality for everybody. She figured out a way to get women to be part of the constitution. And yet, what she has helped to give us is a court that for a long, long time is going to be undoing the equality rulings that she was part of,' said Dorothy Samuels to Politico, who sat on the New York Times editorial board. 'It was an extraordinarily self-centered thing to do.' 'She gambled,' said outspoken Stanford law professor Michele Dauber. 'She didn't just gamble with herself. She gambled with the rights of my daughter and my granddaughter. And unfortunately, that's her legacy. I think it's tragic.' Advertisement Boris Johnson has condemned the US Supreme Court 's decision to scrap the right to abortion in America as a 'big step backwards'. The US Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that have been in place for nearly 50 years by deciding to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade ruling, in a move set to make terminations illegal for millions of American women. More than 100 demonstrators gathered outside the US Embassy in London to protest the decision, as the PM told reporters in Rwanda: 'I've always believed in a woman's right to choose'. One protester arrived wearing a costume from the dystopian novel and TV series, The Handmaid's Tale, in which society is ruled by a fundamentalist regime that treats women as property. UK politicians from across the spectrum spoke out against the decision, including the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon, who said it will embolden anti-abortion and anti-women forces in other countries too. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: 'Today's devastating Supreme Court decision is a massive setback for women's rights in the United States of America. The right of women to make their own decisions about their own bodies is a fundamental human right.' Boris Johnson has condemned the US Supreme Court's Roe v Wade landmark ruling to scrap the right to abortion in around half of states in America as a 'big step backwards' Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called it 'devastating', and co-leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, said it is a 'truly barbaric ruling, and heartbreaking news for women everywhere'. Some UK groups have been quick to hit out at the ruling, with the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, the UK's leading abortion provider, saying it is 'appalled'. Wen-Wen Lindroth, UK chairwoman of Democrats Abroad, the official organisation of the Democrat party for US citizens living overseas, said it was a 'momentous and sad day for the United States'. Speaking at the protest, she said: 'I'm about the same age as Roe v Wade and, you know, I think a lot of women of my generation, we just took it for granted that the struggle for women's rights, you know, had come a very long way - maybe not all the way - but this was certainly one of the fundamental decisions that, you know, underlies our sense of equality in the US. 'So to have it taken way is very meaningful and it will impact women, you know, of older generations, of younger generations certainly, and it's just something that we're going to need to address politically and find a way to turn back.' Chief executive Clare Murphy said: 'Banning abortion does not remove women's need to end a pregnancy. It simply makes it more difficult and more dangerous. 'We are calling on the UK Government to publicly condemn this assault on women's human rights, and make clear on the international stage that removing women's access to swift, safe abortion services has absolutely no place in any society that calls itself civilised in the 21st century. 'For our politicians to watch silently as women's rights are rolled back would be unforgiveable. We urge the government to show leadership as a matter of urgency.' The charity Christian Action Research and Education welcomed the decision, saying 'the most compassionate societies esteem and protect' both mothers and babies. Chief executive Ross Hendry said: 'Limiting access to abortion must be accompanied by appropriate support for women experiencing crisis pregnancies, and families raising children. This is what a true pro-life ethic looks like.' The US Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that have been in place for nearly 50 years by deciding to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade ruling. It is expected to lead to abortion bans in around half of US states. Demonstrators pictured outside the US Embassy in London More than 100 demonstrators have gathered outside the United States embassy in London to protest against the decision to scrap the constitutional right to abortion (pictured) Spokeswoman for the Right To Life UK group, Catherine Robinson, said the ruling overturns 'an unjust law' and is the 'beginning of the legislative battle over abortion, certainly not the end'. Nimco Ali, the Government's independent adviser on tackling violence against women and girls, called the decision 'an assault on women's human rights, their lives and their families'. She tweeted: 'The UK Government and other G7 cannot remain silent as women's human rights are breached.' The Women's Equality Party tweeted: 'Make no mistake. Women will die because of this ruling, and tens of thousands more will be criminalised or forced to continue with pregnancies they did not choose. 'It is barbaric, inhumane and utterly heartbreaking. Solidarity with our sisters.' The party and the campaign group Abortion Rights were calling for people to join them in protest at the decision outside the US embassy in Vauxhall, south London, on Friday evening. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan posted on Twitter: 'London stands with the women of America whose most basic rights and freedoms are threatened by this ruling. A dark day for a great country.' Judith Orr, vice chair of campaign group Abortion Rights, which claims to have organised the demonstration, said protesters were 'full of rage and anger' about the decision and warned the consequences would be 'dire'. She said: 'You can't exaggerate really the impact it's going to have, women will die, rural women, women who can't access care online, African American women, women of colour, poor, working class women, these are the people who are going to suffer the most from this.' She added: 'We stand with you. We will fight until you win your rights back and we're full of emotion this evening for those women. 'I find it hard to fathom, in the 21st century, that they're doing this, that they're pushing people to risk their lives to control their own fertility. It's absolutely appalling and devastating this evening.' The crowd stood listening to speakers condemn the ruling of the US Supreme Court while holding signs, many reading 'our bodies, our choice'. Speaking at the protest, Wen-Wen Lindroth, UK chairwoman of Democrats Abroad, the official organisation of the Democrat party for US citizens living overseas, said it was a 'momentous and sad day for the United States' (protester is pictured holding a sign against the ruling) Some UK groups have been quick to hit out at the ruling, with the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, the UK's leading abortion provider, saying it is 'appalled'. Protesters are pictured outside the US Embassy in London on Friday Esme Trevelyan, 25, said while demonstrating outside the US Embassy, in Nine Elms, London: 'Obviously we're in London, there's not lots we can do but being here outside the American embassy is just a message of solidarity, I guess, towards American women... 'Because, although it seems like it's not a problem here, America is the most powerful country in the world, one of the most rich countries in the world, if it can happen there, surely it can happen anywhere.' Freya Shaw, 20, said: 'I think were just here to prove to them that they have a voice and that we have a voice and that we hear them and that we're here to help and support them and get their voices heard and amplify it as much as possible because I think that feeling of anger is felt everywhere.' Jessica Cappi, 25, said: 'At 4:15pm today we all got the notification on our phones and thought 'this is the end of something' and we wanted to come out and fight for it and to make our voices heard I just feel so angry for women everywhere that we could regress. Billie Eilish said it was a 'really dark day' for women in the US while performing at Glastonbury, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade - the landmark 1973 decision that legalised abortion nationwide. Pictured are demonstrators at the US Embassy in London on Friday 'I saw a statistic today that was the US was one of four countries that are actually going backwards on abortion rights. So I hopped on the train and 45 minutes later, here I am.' Billie Eilish said it was a 'really dark day' for women in the US while performing at Glastonbury, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade - the landmark 1973 decision that legalised abortion nationwide. As she introduced her song titled Your Power she said the song is about the concept of power. She said: 'The song we're about to do is I think one of the favourites that we've written and it's about the concept of power and how we need to always remember how not to abuse it. 'And today is a really, really dark day for women in the US. I'm just going to say that as I cannot bear to think about it any longer in this moment.' The moment a sting netted an alleged child sex predator who drove 800km to meet a young girl he groomed online has been shown in police footage. The man, 66, from Yallourn North in eastern Victoria, emerged from his station wagon wearing tracksuit pants and ugg boots in a carpark in western Sydney on Friday morning, only to be grabbed by NSW Police. Police say he drove from Victoria after believing he had arranged sex with a girl, aged under 10, with the girl's mother in online conversations going on for nearly two months. The moment a sting netted an alleged child sex predator who drove 800km to meet a young girl he groomed online has been shown in police footage Police video shows an officer locking the dazed predator inside a paddy wagon as detectives stand by at Liverpool on Friday morning Instead the man was speaking to detectives from Strike Force Trawler, in the NSW Police's child sex crimes unit. Police video shows an officer locking the dazed predator inside a paddy wagon as detectives stand by at Liverpool on Friday morning. He was taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with use carriage service to procure a person under the age of 16 years for sexual activity. He was refused bail and was due to appear in court on Saturday. 'In May 2022, investigators from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squads Strike Force Trawler began engaging online with a man from Yallourn North in Victoria,' a NSW Police statement said. 'Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with the mother of a girl aged under 10 and engaged in sexually explicit conversations about acts he wished to perform on the child. 'It will be further alleged that the man arranged to meet the mother and girl and had driven from Victoria for the purpose of a sexual encounter in NSW.' The man, 66, from Yallourn North in eastern Victoria, emerged from his station wagon wearing tracksuit pants and ugg boots in a carpark in western Sydney on Friday morning, only to be grabbed by NSW Police The CEIUs detective chief inspector, Chris Goddard urged parents to talk openly to their children about the dangers posed by predators online. 'For young people, engaging with people who they do not know on any online platform can put them at risk,' Mr Goddard said. Our priority is protecting children from any type of harm, and we will always utilise every resource at our disposal to locate anyone who uses the internet for criminal activity.' Bodycam footage shows the moment a black man was arrested under a warrant for a white man with the same name after police said: 'I'm pretty sure it's going to be you.' Shane Lee Brown, 25, was arrested on a bench warrant and spent six days in jail after being pulled over for a traffic violation on January 8, 2020, despite telling police repeatedly that he was the 'wrong guy.' He did not have identification at the time, but told the men his social security number - which can include a middle name. When law enforcement ran it, a bench warrant popped up for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Shane Neal Brown, then-49, was busted for a gun charge in 2019, but failed to appear in court in November of that year. A judge put out a bench warrant for his arrest at the time, ordering no bail if he was found. Shane Neal Brown's rap sheet dates back to a felony in 1994 and he was charged five times in 2019 alone. He's described as being an older white man with brown hair and blue eyes, has a beard and stands at 5-feet-11-inches tall. Shane Lee Brown, who was 23 at the time, is a 5-foot-7 black man who told police he had only been arrested for traffic violations. Scroll down for video Shane Lee Brown (left), a black man, 25, was wrongfully arrested after being mistaken for then-49-year-old white man, Shane Neal Brown (right) on January 8, 2020. The young man told multiple officers that he was not the right man, but authorities failed to review reports, keeping him in jail for six days Bodycam footage shows the moment an officer told Shane Lee Brown: 'I'm pretty sure it's going to be you,' despite Lee Brown insistently asking for them to run it again Shane Lee Brown was pulled over for a traffic violation on January 8, 2020. Henderson police still say he was 'lawfully' arrested for traffic violation and driving under a suspended license Despite telling 'numerous unknown Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers and supervisors' that he was not the same Shane Brown they were looking for, officers failed to properly verify their suspect and filed paperwork on January 10, 2020, saying they had 'Shane Neal Brown' in custody. New bodycam footage, obtained by News 8 Now, shows Shane Lee Brown being pulled over around 4:44pm for not having 'any headlights on at all.' Brown tells them his license is 'suspended' and he is going to court the next day to take care of it. Later on, the footage shows Brown sitting on the curb while two officers discuss arresting him. One officer can be heard saying: 'If he has court tomorrow, we don't want to arrest him. That would be dumb.' His SCOPE number, a system used throughout Nevada police and courts, shows the man was born in 1971 and white with blue eyes and brown hair Several mug shots for Shane Neil Brown are filed under his SCOPE number, including two before the 2020 arrest Minutes later, the officers approach and tell him they need to 'figure some stuff out.' 'You got arrested for something with a weapon,' he said. 'Not ringing a bell?' 'No, wrong guy,' Shane Lee Brown responded. 'I've never been arrested for weapons charges.' But the officers tell him the warrant came back 'totally matching you.' 'Not much else we can do,' one of them said. He reportedly pleaded with officers to double-check his identity, but the officer instead its registering under this social security number. They discuss further what to do and decide to tell the jail that he has 'a weapons charge.' They handcuff Shane Lee Brown, who reportedly asked them if 'good to go' as long as the felony wasn't him, but the officer told him he's 'almost 100 percent' sure the Brown they were arresting was the correct one. 'I'm pretty sure it's going to be you,' he replied, according to News 8 Now. However, under Shane Neil Brown's SCOPE number, a special data shared by police and courts in Nevada, showed two mug shots prior to Shane Lee Brown's arrest. Shane Lee Brown spent six days in Henderson and Clark County jails while the real Brown they wanted was already being held in custody in San Bernardino County, California, Authorities discovered this on January 22, 2020. A public defender (left) showed the court at the bench warrant hearing the two mug shots of the man and the judge immediately released Shane Lee Brown on January 14, 2020 Where were the Shanes during the mix-up January 8, 2020: Shane Lee Brown is arrested in Henderson, Nevada, after authorities ran his name and found a bench warrant under 'Shane Brown.' The warrant actually belonged to Shane Neal Brown January 8-10: Shane Lee Brown was housed in Henderson Detention Center January 10-14: Shane Lee Brown was transferred to Clark County January 14: His public defender showed a judge the two men's mug shots at a bench warrant hearing. Shane Lee Brown was immediately released January 22: Las Vegas authorities found out that Shane Neal Brown was being housed at San Bernardino County in California Advertisement After being arrested on January 8, Shane Lee Brown was taken to Henderson Detention Center, where he spent two days. On January 10, authorities transferred the young man to the Clark County Detention Center, where he stayed until he was released four days later. They also filed paperwork saying that Shane Neil Brown was in custody. Shane Lee Brown would not get out of jail until January 14, 2020, when he attended a bench warrant hearing and his public defender told the court they had the wrong guy. He was immediately released by Judge Joe Hardy after an unidentified public defender showed a side-by-side photo comparison of the two men. Shane Neal Brown would appear in court later that month and accepted a plea deal. The younger Brown is suing the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) for $550,000 for the mix-up, seeking $500,000 under federal law and $50,000 under state law. The Atlanta Black Star reported that he filed the suit on January 7. 'Had any of the LVMPD police or corrections officers performed any due diligence, such as comparing Shane Lee Brown's booking photo against the existing mug shot belonging to the world, white ''Shane Brown'' named in the warrant, they would have easily determined that Shane Lee Brown has been misidentified as the subject of the warrant,' the lawsuit states. 'It started with being pulled over simple traffic violation, and then it escalated into something polar opposite, More or less a nightmare,' Shane Lee Brown told News 8 Now in January. However, Henderson police' told New 8 Now that Shane Lee Brown was 'correctly arrested' for 'driving with a suspended license and for a contempt of court, failure to pay warrant issued by Henderson Municipal Court.' 'While his arrest was lawful, we regret that he was misidentified in our system and have put measures in place and improved training procedures to prevent this from happening in the future,' a police spokesperson told News 8 Now. Lisa Wilkinson is expected to remain off air until later next week and miss one of her biggest interviews of the year as the fallout continues from her Logies speech. The Channel 10 star will not be returning to her co-hosting duties on The Project on Monday when Hollywood A-lister Chris Hemsworth will make an appearance. Her absence will mark the fourth time in five days she has not appeared on air following blowback from her Logies' acceptance speech on Sunday night. Wilkinson mentioned alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins after winning the Outstanding News Coverage Logie award for her one-on-one interview with the former ministerial staffer in 2021. The acceptance speech forced the rape trial which was due to start next week to be rescheduled until October and could result in Wilkinson being charged with contempt of court. Lisa Wilkinson is expected to remain off air until next week and miss one of her biggest interviews of the year as the fallout continues from her Logies speech The Channel 10 star will not be returning to her co-hosting duties on The Project on Monday when Hollywood A-lister Chris Hemsworth will make an appearance Network Ten claimed Wilkinson would remain off-air and return to the popular news program sometime next week, Daily Telegraph reported. 'Lisa will most likely return later next week,' a spokesperson said. Wilkinson was noticeably absent from her hosting gig on The Project on Thursday night, despite being scheduled to appear. She was instead replaced by co-host Georgie Tunny who appeared alongside fellow Logies winner Tony Armstrong, but there was no mention of the awards at all during the show. She was supposed to co-host on Friday and Sunday nights too but those appearances were also cancelled. A spokesman for Ten Network said they 'fully support Lisa in her ongoing and full commitment to doing the right thing as a witness in the trial'. Wilkinson mentioned alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins after winning the Outstanding News Coverage Logie award for her one-of-one interview with the former ministerial staffer in 2021 (pictured, Wilkinson at the Logies) The network also hit back at the 'unfair' criticism of Wilkinson, and said it would not rule out taking legal action, The Australian reported. 'This reporting is now causing significant harm and we ask these organisations to cease this harassment to allow Lisa the best opportunity to give her evidence in court and to enable the trial to go ahead in a fair and timely manner,' a spokesperson for the network said. 'We are closely monitoring all coverage of this issue and Lisa and Network 10 reserve their rights in respect of any future defamation claims.' Wilkinson's speech contributed to delaying Higgins's trial against former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann by prejudicing potential jurors. Lehrmann is accused of raping Ms Higgins in Parliament House in 2019 and has pleaded not guilty. He denies these claims and stated in a police interview that he did not have sex with Ms Higgins. On Thursday the ACT Supreme Court set a new date of October 4 for the trial. Chief Justice Lucy McCallum decided on Tuesday to delay the trial 'regrettably and with gritted teeth' because 'somewhere in this debate, the distinction between an untested allegation and the fact of guilt has been lost'. Wilkinson's speech contributed to delaying Higgins's trial against former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) by prejudicing potential jurors She noted public interest in the case needed to die down before Lehrmann would have access to a fair jury. On Thursday morning Lehrmann's defence barrister Steve Whybrow applied for the trial to be delayed further, until the beginning of next year. 'My application would be, to the extent that the bush fire is still burning in effect, that the trial commence early next year because we would like there to be no further issues and delays,' he told the court. 'We can foresee the possibility that there may be collateral matters that need to be investigated relating to the circumstances that have led to the trial being vacated.' Justice McCallum denied his application and said: 'The publicity this week has focused sharply on the very fact that was being overlooked, that a man is facing trial and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.' Wilkinson (left) has been criticised for her acceptance speech for the Outstanding News Coverage Logie award for her one-of-one interview with the former ministerial staffer Brittany Higgins (right) Higgins's Crown prosecutor Shane Drumgold agreed with Justice McCallum's decision, noting the 102-day delay was more generous than that given in similar cases. Mr Drumgold also announced on Thursday he was seeking written undertakings by the end of the day from Network 10, Wilkinson and the owners of Sydney radio station WSFM that they would no longer commentate on the trial. The written agreement would also see the three parties agree that any future comments could be in the contempt of court. Mr Drumgold said if the undertaking were not made by Network 10, Wilkinson and WSFM then he would seek an injunction to stop future public comment. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is unable to confirm whether the undertakings were made. Mr Drumgold also said five books currently being written - from authors including Sydney Morning Herald columnist Niki Savva, News Corp journalist Samantha Maiden and Ten's political editor Peter van Onselen - may comment on the case. Network 10 announced on Wednesday it hired high-profile lawyer Matthew Collins on behalf of the Network and Wilkinson Ms Higgins (above) will face Bruce Lehrmann in court on October 4 after accusing him of raping her in Parliament House in 2019 Justice McCallum said publishers should remember Lehrmann is yet to be proven guilty in a court of law. 'Even a discussion of workplace culture has to dance a delicate dance,' she said. 'If the issue is the treatment of an allegation, it's very difficult to have that debate without commenting on appropriate treatment on the assumed premise that the allegation is true.' Network 10 announced on Wednesday it hired high-profile lawyer Matthew Collins on behalf of the Network and Wilkinson just hours after Dr Collins criticised Wilkinson's speech on rival Chanel Seven's Sunrise morning show. 'It's certainly possible that the authorities will be looking at the speech she made to the Logies and assessing (whether) that speech went against the standard which applies in this branch of the law,' Dr Collins said. 'That standard is, did anything that she did have a tendency to interfere with the administration of justice?' It is unclear if Wilkinson will be charged with contempt of court but it is understood that she should have been made aware of any consequences by the close of business on Thursday. Network Ten it 'fully supports Lisa Wilkinson'. Boris Johnson wanted to build a 150,000 treehouse fitted with bulletproof glass for his son at Chequers but was forced to scrap the plan after 'police raised security fears', it has emerged. The Prime Minister reportedly wanted to use money from Conservative donor Lord Brownlow to build the luxurious playhouse for his son Wilf. Even though No 10 aides warned Johnson it would cost more than buying a house in some parts of the country, the project was only scrapped when the PM's close protection officers suggested it could be a security risk as the treehouse might be visible from the road. Boris and Carrie Johnson (pictured on Friday in Rwanda) wanted to build a 150,000 treehouse for their son Wilf at Chequers but were forced to scrap the plan after 'police raised security fears' Chequers, bequeathed to the nation in 1917 by Lord and Lady Lee of Fareham, is part-funded with a grant from the Cabinet Office Plans were drawn up for the 150,000 treehouse for Wilf, which would have been fitted with bulletproof glass (File image) Sources said Johnson and his wife Carrie wanted to build the treehouse in the autumn of 2020, according to The Times. There were also reportedly worries about whether such a large donation would be seen as a conflict of interest, especially considering Brownlow's involvement in the scandal of Johnson's Downing St flat refurbishment. Lord Brownlow provided more than 52,000 to cover some of the costs of Boris Johnson's lavish renovations to his Downing Street residence, according to party accounts. The refurbishments to the flat in No 11 sparked sustained scrutiny of Mr Johnson's finances, with the works vastly exceeding the 30,000 annual limit afforded to the Prime Minister. Conservative Party accounts published today said its central office provided a 'bridging loan' of 52,802 to cover the works after being invoiced by the Cabinet Office in June 2020. The party was 'reimbursed in full' in October by Lord Brownlow, a former vice-chairman of the party who has made more than 3million in donations over the years. Boris and Carrie Johnson at the PM's country residence, Chequers, in Buckinghamshire Conservative Party accounts show that Lord Brownlow, a former vice-chairman of the party who has made more than 3million in donations over the years, provided more than 52,000 to cover some of the costs of Boris Johnson's lavish Downing Street renovations Mr Johnson then 'settled the costs' incurred by the Conservative peer in March. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Lord Brownlow. After the electoral commission said the Tories had broken the law by not disclosing all of the donation the Party was fined and Johnson paid back the money. MailOnline has contacted the Prime Minister and Lord Brownlow for comment. Two people have been killed and several seriously wounded in a shooting at a nightclub in Norway, police have confirmed. Video on social media shows emergency services outside London Pub, a gay nightclub in Oslo at 1.15am on Saturday morning. Police have arrested a suspect at the scene. He was said to have been apprehended nearby. There is no word on a motive at the moment. Local media has reported that the number of those affected in the incident are two dead, 10 taken to hospital and 12 treated at the scene. Three of those taken to hospital are said to be in critical condition. Oslo is due to hold its annual Pride parade later on Saturday. Video on social media shows emergency services outside London Pub, a gay nightclub in Oslo at 1.15am on Saturday morning. Police have arrested a suspect at the scene (pictured) Two people have been killed and several seriously injured in a shooting at a nightclub in Norway, police have confirmed (pictured is the scene outside the nightclub) The chaotic scene in Oslo is pictured, with emergency services on the pavement treating the wounded. Police have made an arrest Oslo Police District said: 'Two people have been confirmed dead in the shooting episode. There are several seriously injured. 'The police defined the mission as a PLIVO incident.' National newspaper in Norway, VG, reported that 'witnesses said people ran from the scene in panic'. Oslo's university hospital said it had gone on red alert following the shooting. A witness told local media: 'I saw a man come in with a bag, he took out a weapon and started shooting.' Images online have showed nightclubbers with blood on their faces receiving treatment from emergency service responders. Footage shared on social media, which has not been officially verified, is believed to show a man with a serious head wound. A 'PLIVO' incident stands for ongoing life-threatening violence. Video on social media shows emergency services outside London Pub, a gay nightclub in Oslo (pictured, file photo) at 1.15am on Saturday morning National newspaper in Norway, VG, reported that 'witnesses said people ran from the scene in panic'. The London Pub nightclub is pictured (red pin point) Oslo Police District also said that a person has been arrested near the scene shortly after the incident (pictured) It has been reported that 'up to 20 shots' were fired in the nightclub. Norwegian Police also said that a person has been arrested near the scene shortly after the incident. Norway's BNN Newsroom tweeted: 'The police ask people in the area to move away, to make room for ambulances.' A large police response is underway, with a number of ambulances in the area treating the wounded. Photographs published by newspaper VG, broadcaster NRK and others showed a large gathering of emergency responders outside the London Pub, including police and ambulance workers. Helicopters hovered above central Oslo while ambulance and police car sirens were heard across the city. U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Susan Collins slammed Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch for their votes in overturning Roe v Wade on Friday. The senators had voted to confirm the Donald Trump appointed justices despite fears that they would overtrun the landmark abortion ruling, with the senators saying at the time that they trusted Kavanaugh and Gorsuch to uphold the law. Now Collins, a Republican, and Manchin, a Democrat, are accusing the justices of misleading them as they criticized the court's 5-4 ruling to end women's federal right to an abortion. 'This decision is inconsistent with what Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh said in their testimony and their meetings with me, where they both were insistent on the importance of supporting long-standing precedents that the country has relied upon,' Collins said in a statement. Manchin echoed the outrage, saying: 'I trusted Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh when they testified under oath that they also believed Roe v. Wade was settled legal precedent and I am alarmed they chose to reject the stability the ruling has provided for two generations of Americans.' U.S. Senators Susan Collins (left) and Joe Manchin (right) criticized Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch for their votes in overturning Roe V. Wade after previously claiming it was settled law during their confirmation hearings Kavanaugh (left) and Neil Gorsuch (right) were among the five conservative justices to vote to end American's fedreal right to abortions on Friday During his confirmation hearings in 2018, many believed Kavanaugh would oppose Roe V. Wade, but the justice said he stood behind the decision, which he repeated to Collins in a one-on-one meeting about his stances and beliefs (pictured) The fate of Roe V. Wade had long-been on the nation's mind when Trump appointed Gorsuch in 2017 and Kavanaugh a year later. Liberals feared that the conservative-leaning justices would act to overturn Roe v. Wade if given a chance, but both men said in their confirmation hearings that the landmark ruling was settled law. 'Roe v. Wade, decided in 1973, is a precedent of the U.S. Supreme Court,' Gorsuch told senators in 2017. 'It has been reaffirmed. 'So a good judge will consider it as precedent of the U.S. Supreme Court worthy as treatment of precedent like any other.' Kavanaugh failed to publicly answer if he beleived Roe v. Wade was 'correct law,' but doubled down that it was not only settled, but reinforced by the court's 1992 Casey V. Planned Parenthood, which upheld the federal right to an abortion. 'So Casey now becomes a precedent on precedent,' Kavanaugh said in 2018. 'It is not as if it is just a run-of-the-mill case that was decided and never been reconsidered, but Casey specifically reconsidered it, applied the stare decisis factors, and decided to reaffirm it.' Collins said Kavanaugh echoed his statements to her in a one-on-one interview in 2018. 'We talked about whether he considered Roe to be settled law,' Collins said back then. 'He said he agreed with what Justice [John] Roberts said in his nomination hearing, in which he said that it was settled law. 'We had a very good, thorough discussion about that issue and many others.' Last month, both Collins and Manchin voted to reject legislation that would have codified Roe V. Wade protections. Pictured: Collins confirming to reporters that Kavanaugh told her Roe V. Wade was 'settled law' after they met during his confirmation hearings Joining the senators in slamming Gorsuch and Kavanaugh was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called the Supreme Court's decision a 'slap in the face of women.' 'How about those justices coming before the senators and saying that they respected stare decisis, the precedent of the court,' Pelosi said in a statement. 'That they respected the right of privacy in the Constitution of the United States. Did you hear that? Were they not telling the truth then?' The conservative majority's ruling has sent waves across the nation, sparking both protests and celebrations while state leaders rushed to implement abortion bans while others sought to expand pro-choice legislation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also slammed the two justices for 'lying' to the senators Abortion was automatically outlawed in 18 US states as soon as Roe v. Wade was overturned, thanks to specially-devised 'trigger laws' and historic bans that were automatically reenacted after Friday's ruling. Thirteen states prepared trigger laws which would automatically outlaw terminations in the event of a ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, which was widely-anticipated. They are: Arkansas; Idaho; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; Missouri; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah and Wyoming. Abortion bans in those states will now become law within 30 days. Five other states have also now banned terminations, after historic laws superseded by the 1973 Roe ruling automatically came back into place. Among those five are two Democrat-governed states - Michigan and Wisconsin. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers have both sought to overturn those bans in the court. But they remain in place for now, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced Friday afternoon that it was suspending terminations while awaiting clarification on the law. Other states with newly-re-enacted historic bans are Alabama, Arizona and West Virginia. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has announced the historic ban will be superseded by a recent law banning terminations after 15 weeks. But that edict hasn't been enshrined in state law, and pro-lifers could end up battling Ducey to keep the historic ban on all terminations, leaving abortion providers uncertain of whether they can operate in the meantime. Eight other states are also set to enact new anti-abortion laws. Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina all attempted to ban abortion after the six week mark. Those laws were branded unconstitutional, but will likely be revisited now Roe has ended. And Florida, Indiana, Montana as well as Nebraska are all working on plans to ban or restrict terminations. Hours after Roe v. Wade was announced, GOP Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced he'd asked four Republican lawmakers to begin drawing up legislation banning abortion after 15 weeks. But Youngkin's party faces a very slim majority in both state house and senate, with many of his fellow Republicans likely to be undecided on whether to back an abortion ban. And Kansas - which hasn't enforced any sort of abortion crackdown - will hold a referendum in August on whether to ban abortion there. More than half of all US states have some kind of abortion ban law that will likely now take effect following Friday's news that Roe v Wade has been overturned by the United States Supreme Court. Australian-run software juggernaut Atlassian has vowed to help pay for its American employees to get a safe abortion, saying it 'stands firmly against' the US Supreme Court's ruling. The Supreme Court controversially elected to strike down Roe v. Wade, a nearly 50 year-old decision that granted women the constitutional right to abortion, sparking widespread protests. But while it was a federal ruling, women can travel to a state that allows abortion if they have the means. Atlassian will immediately pay 'travel and accommodation' costs for US-based employees - and 'a companion' - so they can get a safe abortion (Pictured co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes who tweeted the policy on Saturday morning, with wife Anne Cannon-Brookes) The Supreme Court controversially elected to strike down Roe v. Wade, a nearly 50 year-old decision that granted women the constitutional right to abortion, sparking widespread protests NEW YORK CITY: The pro-choice protesters marched from Union Square in Manhattan to Washington Square, and then up Park Avenue Atlassian made it clear on Saturday morning it would immediately pay 'travel and accommodation' costs for US-based employees - and 'a companion' - so they can get a safe abortion. Abortion remains legal in most states including California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Nevada and Florida. It is banned in five states including Texas, and a further 11 are expected to follow. The Australian company is among several to have quickly offered such benefits - despite being threatened not to do so by Republican senators. Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Starbucks, Tesla, Meta (Facebook), Uber, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup have all pledged material support for staff wanting abortions. Atlassian's billionaire co-founder and joint-CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes tweeted his company's 'dismayed' reaction on Saturday morning with a defiant statement. The Australian company is among several to have quickly offered such benefits - despite being threatened not to do so by Republican senators (Pictured Atlassian's co-founders and joint CEOs Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar) Mike Brookes-Cannon was quick to alert social media on Saturday to his company's official position on the US Supreme Court decision on abortion 'Starting today US employees living in states that have restricted or banned abortions will be offered reimbursement for travel and accommodations for themselves and a companion should they seek care outside their state,' the statement said. 'Today's decision by the Supreme Court not only strips away rights from women and pregnant people but puts their health and safety at risk. 'At Atlassian we are dismayed at this decision and stand firmly against the restriction and removal of rights.' Atlassian's billionaire co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes tweeted his company's 'dismayed' reaction on Saturday morning and a defiant statement. It also said the health and safety of employees was a 'priority', including their 'right to access safe and legal reproductive healthcare'. Australian social media users praised Cannon-Brookes for Atlassian's stand. He and Scott Farquhar, who is the co-CEO, founded Atlassian in 2002 and are believed to live next to each other in Point Piper mansions. Cannon-Brookes is married to fashion designer Anne Brookes-Cannon and in 2018 they bought Australia's most expensive house for $100million at Point Piper. Atlassian has over 3,000 US employees and the company has previously said about a quarter of its employees are women, but that it's trying to 'do better' on diversity. NEW YORK CITY: A crowd gathered on Friday evening in Washington Square Park to protest the Supreme Court's reversal on Roe v. Wade US polls show Americans favor legislation that would legalise abortion nationwide by over 20 per cent. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill to the US senate designed to prohibit employers from deducting expenses related to their employees abortion travel costs. The No Tax Breaks for Radical Corporate Activism Act would also ban them from claiming expenses for 'gender affirming care' for young children of employees. 'Our tax code should be pro-family and promote a culture of life.' Daily Mail Australia also approached Canva for comment. A teenage boy has died following a stabbing at a home in northern NSW overnight. Emergency services were called to a home on McDougall Street, Casino, after reports of a stabbing at about 1.20am on Saturday morning. Police found a boy, 17, suffering stab wounds at the house. He was treated by police and NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene. The boy is yet to be formally identified. Police found a boy, 17, suffering stab wounds at a house in Casino, NSW, and despite being treated by police and NSW Ambulance paramedics, he died at the scene Officers attached to Richmond Police District established a crime scene, which will undergo forensic examination. NSW police said its Initial inquiries suggested the incident is targeted. Investigators conducted a search of the surrounding area aided by the Dog Unit and local police. Detectives have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teenagers death, assisted by the State Crime Commands Homicide Squad. LS C&S employees pick up litter on Hansom Beach in Gangwon Province, May 30. Courtesy of LS C&S By Kim Jae-heun LS Cable & System (LS C&S) is strengthening its environment, social and corporate governance (ESG) management through various social contribution activities such as marine purification. After declaring its vision for ESG management last June, LS C&S has been developing eco-friendly products while establishing a dedicated team for the task. On May 30, the company cleaned Mukho Port in Gangwon Province together with the Korea Coast Guard Special Rescue Unit, Navy 1st Fleet and the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, to mark the 30th Marine Day. About 200 people participated. They picked up garbage from the street by Mukho Port and Hansom Beach and collected submerged fishing gear and abandoned tires. In April, the company donated 100 million won ($77,190) to support education fees and mental health treatment expenses for children of socially disadvantaged families living in Donghae, Gangwon Province. Through the donation, LS C&S has been supporting psychotherapy as well as a child abuse prevention program in collaboration with the Southern Gangwon Child Protection Agency. "We have been paying private education institute fees for elementary school students since 2020 to help those who were affected by COVID-19," an LS C&S official said. The company also built a submarine cable manufacturing facility in Gangwon Province in 2009, as well as setting up scholarships, funding tourism businesses in the region and restoring areas damaged by forest fires. (Advertorial) Priti Patel is being touted to replace Oliver Dowden as Tory party chairman amid the fallout from Thursday's double by-election catastrophe. Allies of Boris Johnson say the Prime Minister is considering moving the Home Secretary to the party chairman post, in what is likely to be regarded as a sideways move or even demotion. Ms Patel is one of the Cabinet's least popular ministers among Tory grassroots supporters, and her flagship Rwanda migrant policy has so far failed to get off the ground. However, her friends insisted that the move is unlikely to happen and has been wrongly mooted before reshuffles in the past. The move would remove her from one of the so-called 'Great Offices of States' and into an altogether less public role. Some even described the calls as a 'backhanded compliment'. It comes after the controversy over the Rwanda migration plan - which saw its first planned flight grounded after legal interventions which embarrassed Ms Patel's flagship plan. A Cabinet source told the Telegraph that a reshuffle was risky for Boris Johnson because senior figures might refuse to move and quit the Government. The Home Secretary is being lined up by officials in the Government whips' office - but friends of Ms Patel say the move is unlikely to happen The Cabinet source said: 'How the hell can he do anything resembling a meaningful reshuffle without it being really difficult because there will be bodies everywhere?' Ms Patel is being touted for the role again after being linked with it ahead of previous reshuffles. The insider added: 'People regularly say she is going to be made party chairman at every reshuffle and that is never going to happen.' In the by-election double header, the Conservatives gave up the previously ultra-safe, Brexit-backing seat of Tiverton and Honiton to the Liberal Democrats Victorious candidate Richard Foord won by more than 6,000 votes in a seat where the party came third in 2019. It is believed to be the largest majority ever overturned in a by-election. Oliver Dowden dramatically quit in the wake of the party's double by-election pummelling Some 270 miles to the north east, Mr Johnson's party had moments earlier ceded Wakefield to Labour after holding the Red Wall seat for just three years, with Simon Lightwood winning a near-5,000 majority in a vote called after the previous Tory MP, Imran Ahmad Khan, was jailed for child sex offences. Oliver Dowden dramatically quit in the wake of the party's double by-election pummelling. Mr Dowden delivered what appeared to be a coded attack on the PM, saying the party cannot continue with 'business as usual'. Rather than stating his continuing loyalty to the premier in his resignation letter, Mr Dowden said he 'remains loyal to the Conservative Party'. Aides did not respond to questions about whether he still supports Mr Johnson as leader. Tory former leader Lord Howard has also joined calls for the premier to fall on his sword, telling the BBC 'the party and more importantly the country would be better off under new leadership'. No10 made clear Mr Johnson will not be cutting short his nine-day foreign tour, which is also slated to include G7 meetings in Germany and a Nato gathering in Spain, to deal with the crisis Senior figures mobilised to limit the damage this morning, with deputy PM Dominic Raab insisting the party must 'relentlessly focus' on policy and Priti Patel saying the government is 'cracking on with the task'. Rishi Sunak tweeted saying he was 'sad' about the Cabinet departure, but 'determined to continue working'. No10 made clear Mr Johnson will not be cutting short his nine-day foreign tour, which is also slated to include G7 meetings in Germany and a Nato gathering in Spain, to deal with the crisis. But Mr Dowden's exit - which came just minutes before he was due to start broadcast interviews and at the least paves the way for a reshuffle - ratchets up pressure following the bombshell results in West Yorkshire and Devon. The contests were lost by large margins after months of sleaze and economic woe that have bedevilled Mr Johnson's premiership. A limo driver who became public enemy number one when he was blamed for sending Sydney into lockdown during the pandemic has opened up on how he was 'treated like a criminal'. Limo driver Michael Podgoetsky, 63, was hounded for months after sparking the Delta outbreak that led to a five-month lockdown that paralysed NSW. He caught the Delta strain after picking up Fed Ex flight crew from Sydney Airport in June without being vaccinated or wearing a mask and drove them to their hotel. The driver then spent several days off-duty in the community, going to cafes and shops, spreading the virus through the city's eastern suburbs. He also took it to the movies, then Belle Cafe in Vaucluse and Westfield Bondi Junction. Podgoetsky finally realised he was infected when he returned to work and a routine test came back positive. Now, he has opened up on his experience, revealing how he believes he has been cheated. Limo driver Michael Podgoetsky, (pictured) who seeded the Delta spread across Sydney, was hounded for months after sparking the five-month lockdown that paralysed NSW The Eastern Suburbs went into immediate lockdown after his positive test and, within days, the rest of the city followed, sparking months of misery The lockdown caused months of chaos in NSW as the region fought against the outbreak 'My wife was distraught,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'We couldn't cope with the stress. 'Looking back, I believe Ive been cheated and was treated like a criminal.' The Eastern Suburbs went into immediate lockdown after his positive test and, within days, the rest of the city followed, sparking months of misery. Despite a public outcry, police later admitted he had not breached any law and was not required to wear a mask or be vaccinated at that time, despite the risks involved. Podgoetsky faced further criticism months later when he was snapped without a mask and he was fined $500. He was also accused of being an anti-vaxxer - something he denied. He says he was vilified in the aftermath with someone ramming his car and a neighbour telling him he had 'destroyed NSW' and that he would tell everyone his name. 'I dont want to be known for Covid-19,' he insisted to 7News at the time he was identified. 'Its in my head like I did something wrong. 'The bio-weapon was introduced to our state and Im blamed for it. I feel terrible. I feel terrible for whats happening now in the state. 'I dont know where I picked it up but I followed the rules.' Despite a public outcry, police later admitted he had not breached any law and was not required to wear a mask or be vaccinated at that time, despite the risks involved Away from Podgoetsky, several other people were hounded for spreading Covid in Australia. Wealthy finance boss Tom Pizzey, 59, made worldwide news when his weekend trip to BBQ stores and a butcher's shop unknowingly sparked a massive Covid scare in May. Seven months later, the part-time guitarist poked fun at his notoriety with his 80s cover band The Distractions who released the song BBQ Man. The managing director of an international private equity finance firm became Covid famous when he left a trail of potential Delta hotspots across Sydney. Despite not having been overseas or in contact with a known case, Mr Pizzey later tested positive - but not before he had a big weekend criss-crossing the city. The Sydney millionaire who forced a lockdown of Byron Bay at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Zoran Radovanovic is pictured with his son Kristian eight years ago Starting with coffee in the CBD on Friday morning, he had his eyes checked in the city before lunch at an Italian restaurant in Paddington, then an early movie at Bondi Junction followed by dinner at another upmarket Italian at Kings Cross. Serbian millionaire Zoran Radovanovic, 52, was thrust into the spotlight when he and his son sneaked out of Sydney on a mysterious trip to Byron Bay during lockdown. Now he is believed to have skipped the country with his son to jet off back to Serbia and faces arrest the second he returns to Australia. The pair visited a string of locations on the NSW north coast without checking in until both ended up in a Lismore hospital with Covid, and sparked a week-long lockdown in the Byron Bay area. Zoran's shady past later came back to haunt him as it was revealed he had previous drug and theft convictions, had faked leaving Australia while overstaying his visa and had to beg Australia for citizenship. Son Kristian was also revealed to have been caught drink driving twice in three days in 2020, and was called a 'habitual traffic offender' in court. Advertisement A pickup truck has plowed into pro-choice protesters in Iowa as demonstrations turned violent after the Supreme Court's bombshell Roe v Wade ruling. The black vehicle drove through the group of activists in Cedar Rapids despite them screaming at it to stop and hammering the hood and window. One appeared to get caught in front of it and narrowly avoided being run over before the driver sped off during the shocking exchange on Friday night. Another had her foot run over and was left howling in pain. And a third was flung to the floor as he drove away, suffering bruises and scrapes. It comes as tens of thousands descended on streets across the US amid mixed reactions at the Supreme Court tearing up Roe v Wade and handing the rights to abortions back to states after nearly 50 years. Furious pro-choice demonstrators took to the streets in cities including Washington DC, Phoenix, New York City and Los Angeles as they begged the Biden administration to find a way to overrule the decision. A group was spotted burning the flag of the United States in the capital while others gathered outside Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' home. In Arizona, cops were forced to fire tear gas at protestors after they appeared to breach the State Senate building in Phoenix, with staff evacuated but no one reported to have been injured. And at least 25 were arrested in New York City after around 17,000 descended on Washington Square Park before marching through the streets to Grand Central Station, Times Square, and Bryant Park. They also stopped outside News Corp headquarters - home to Fox News and The New York Post - and yelled 'Burn it down! Burn it down! Fk Tucker Carlson!' Vandals also sprayed 'F*** Fox' on the side of the building. Meanwhile pro-life protesters also amassed nationwide, some breaking down in tears as they celebrated the immediate end of abortions in 18 states. The Supreme Court on Friday struck down the right to abortion in a seismic ruling that shredded five decades of constitutional protections. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade decision enshrining a woman's right to an abortion, saying individual states can restrict or ban the procedure themselves. The black pickup truck was captured on social media in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday evening shunting the crowd Two people appeared to be in front of the black pickup as it continued driving through the crowd, despite screams. One of the women, in the white t-shirt and jeans, told DailyMail.com about wrestling with the driver and yelling at him to stop As two protesters were shunted by the vehicle, the woman, Alexis Russell, screamed through the window for the driver to stop The driver continued accelerating, despite the protesters all around him and in front The driver then sped off. Cedar Rapids police say they are investigating Russell, in the white t-shirt and jeans, can be seen tussling with the driver of the pickup truck The driver pushed two people along the road at the front of his vehicle, while Russell yelled at him to stop by his window Russell is seen marching through Cedar Rapids on Friday with her fellow protesters, shortly before the crowd was rammed by the pickup truck WATCH: Truck pushes into protesters at pro-choice rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; at least 1 injured pic.twitter.com/4keGgXGCBv BNN Newsroom (@BNNBreaking) June 25, 2022 Alexis Russell, 30, saw the man driving his pickup into the crowd, and ran over to urge him to stop. 'I was standing on a sidewalk facing the road,' she told DailyMail.com. 'So as soon as I saw it I didn't even hesitate.' In the footage, Russell, in her white t-shirt and jeans, with long black hair, can be seen trying desperately to get the driver to stop, as two people are shunted along the road on the hood of his car. 'I ran over there, tried to grab the steering wheel,' she said. 'I was like - what the hell are you doing? You are literally hurting these people. 'They are doing nothing. 'He grabbed my sign through the window and ripped it. I reached in for the steering wheel, and he grabbed my sign, but didn't hold onto it so I have both pieces.' Up until that point, Russell said the march of 300-400 people had been peaceful - although many other motorists in staunchly-Republican Iowa had 'flipped us off' as they drove past. Stacey Walker, 34, a local politician who sits on the board of Linn County Board of Supervisors, told DailyMail.com that the march had been 'pretty uneventful' as it wound through the city past main landmarks, and drew to a close. He said there had been some hecklers, but nothing out of the ordinary. He then became aware of the commotion, and saw an aide from his office being pushed along the road - one of two people being shunted by the pickup truck. Walker sprinted to the car, and in social media videos can be seen yelling at the driver. It was pretty evident the driver didn't intend to stop,' Walker said. 'I'm guessing this gentleman did not agree with what we were doing. Russell, 30, is seen on Friday at the rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She said there were around 300-400 people at the march, which was largely peaceful, with some heckling and insults thrown their way 'All I could think about was getting her out the way. It looks like there were two people in front.' Both Walker and Russell said there was definitely an adult in the passenger seat. Walker said he believes there was a younger person - a child or teenager - in the back of the pickup. As Russell jogged alongside the pickup truck, tussling with the driver, he refused to slow down. 'He was yelling at me, but I don't recall what,' she said. 'He looked at me, and kept going. He was trying to swat me away. It was a bit of a slap fight. He didn't hit me in the face or anything. 'The people by then in front of the car had their arms stretched out, running backwards, and I could jog-walk alongside. 'When the two people in front moved out the way he sped up, and I fell away.' Russell, who works in the grocery industry, said that she thinks he intended to hurt her as he sped off. She described him as 'a gray-haired white male dude, probably in his 50s or 60s.' 'I think me being there - a woman, standing up for my rights, agitated him more,' she said. 'I think he wanted to hurt me when he sped off.' Russell said she was 'kind of beat up, but it's not bad.' She added: 'I landed on my butt, and it really hurts, and my lower back. My inner thighs, and hamstring. 'There was another girl alongside of me - I didn't know her - her foot got run over. She was traumatized. 'She declined an ambulance. But she couldn't put weight on it, she was balling. Someone - her boyfriend or husband I think - came over and they got into a car.' Walker said he believes that four people in total were injured - Russell, the woman whose foot was run over, and two more. 'One of them was pretty banged up,' he said. 'But worried the cost of accessing medical attention, so she just went home.' Russell said he appeared out of nowhere, and Walker agreed that he had not seen the vehicle before. 'I didn't recognize him from flipping us off - but then, there were so many people flipping us off,' she said. 'Others drove really slow and close to us. But then we had supporters honking and cheering. What was the catalyst that made him go crazy and drive into two or three protesters? I don't know.' Asked what she would say to him if she came face to face, she replied: 'Where did you have to be that was so important to drive through a crowd of innocent pedestrians walking at a crosswalk? Who's pro-life now?' She said she wants him to be identified and denounced. 'I think that being shamed in public would be better than any prosecution. 'You should be ashamed of yourself. Because someone has a different opinion than you, you think it's OK to run someone over? It's crazy.' As night fell, peaceful protests were becoming more tense, with standoffs in Washington DC, Arizona and Los Angeles. Protesters surround a group of police officers and yell at them to go home and throw liquids on them. Police use batons and chase protesters down. pic.twitter.com/4GdP5XhGxG Samuel Braslow (@SamBraslow) June 25, 2022 LOS ANGELES: A pro-choice demonstrator lights a flare on a freeway during a protest on Friday night NEW YORK CITY: Activists march through the streets of Manhattan as night falls on Friday NEW YORK CITY: Activists tape their mouths shut in protest at the Supreme Court decision DENVER: Protesters in Colorado make their anger known outside the state capitol NEW YORK CITY: Protesters march from Washington Square Park to vent their anger at the repeal of Roe v. Wade NEW YORK CITY: Abortion-rights activists and demonstrator Alessandra Bolger is seen crossing the Brooklyn Bridge NEW YORK CITY: Demonstrators are seen on Friday night in Manhattan LOS ANGELES: Protesters take to the streets of Hollywood on Friday night WASHINGTON DC: Activists call for an end to the Republican party on Friday night NEW YORK CITY: Protesters march up Park Avenue on Friday night WASHINGTON DC: Capitol Police officers in riot protection clothing stand guard in front of the Capitol PHOENIX: Riot police surround the state capitol after protesters reached the front of the Senate building and tried to break the glass PHOENIX: A woman who was tear gassed is helped rinse her eyes in Phoenix, Arizona PHOENIX: Tear gas can be seen wafting along the road in Phoenix on Friday night PHOENIX: Police are seen outside the state capitol in Arizona PHOENIX: Police stand guard outside the Arizona state capitol on Friday night PHOENIX: Troopers in riot gear stand outside the state capital, after protesters attempted to break glass PHOENIX: A heavy police presence surrounded the capitol in Arizona on Friday night In Arizona, police used teargas to disperse protesters outside the state capitol in Phoenix. The rally began at 7pm, and at around 8:45pm, protesters were banging on the windows of the Arizona Senate and trying to break the glass, Arizona's Department of Public Safety (DPS) said. Tear gas was deployed and the crowd dispersed. Some witnesses have said the tear gas was used without warning, but the DPS said the gas was deployed again at Wesley Bolin plaza after the crowd vandalized a monument. In Los Angeles, protests turned ugly after protesters attempted to block the freeway. Fireworks were let off in downtown Los Angeles, sending people scurrying from the police front line. The rally had begun at Pershing Square, but the crowd flowed onto the 101 freeway, drawing a large police response. Police told anyone remaining on the freeway that they would be arrested. They then ordered the crowd to disperse, but the crowd surrounded the officers, throwing liquids on them and hurling trash. Several reporters were flung to the ground in the melee. NEW YORK CITY: Washington Square Park, in lower Manhattan, was packed with protesters on Friday evening NEW YORK CITY: Demonstrators came from across the city to the square in Manhattan to express their outrage NEW YORK CITY: The pro-choice protesters marched from Union Square in Manhattan to Washington Square, and then up Park Avenue NEW YORK CITY: A crowd gathered on Friday evening in Washington Square Park NEW YORK CITY: Women bearing placards converged on Washington Square Park in Manhattan NEW YORK CITY: Protesters on Friday night are pictured in Washington Square Park FIRMS PAYING WORKERS' ABORTION EXPENSES Disney said it will cover the cost of travel for 'family planning' for any worker who cannot access care where they live, including 'pregnancy-related decisions' Buzzfeed will provide a stipend to employees to travel out of state to access legal abortion services Dick's Sporting Goods is reimbursing employees $4,000 in travel expenses Amazon will provide $4,000 for travel expenses outside of 100 miles of an employee's home Starbucks will reimburse all abortion travel expenses not available within 100 miles Yelp will reimburse travel costs for employees who can't access services in their home state Microsoft will reimburse employees for travel expenses related to an abortion Apple will cover all travel expenses Netflix will pay up to $10,000 for travel reimbursement for abortions Tesla pays for travel and lodging for employees who get an abortion outside their home state Levi Strauss & Co. said it would reimburse workers who travel out of state to get an abortion JPMorgan Chase said it would expand its health plan to cover travel expenses for employees getting an abortion Starbucks will reimburse travel expenses for an abortion or gender-affirming procedure that is not available within 100 miles of an employee's home Citigroup will provide abortion travel benefits Mastercard will pay for travel and lodging for employees who need to travel out of state for abortion services Lyft will cover travel costs for employees enrolled in the company health care plan who need to travel more than 100 miles for an abortion Zillow will reimburse employees up to $7,500 to travel significant distances for reproductive services, gender-affirming care and other procedures Advertisement In Virginia, protesters sang and chanted outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Friday night, after he revealed he now has laws protecting gay marriage, gay sexual activity and contraception in his sights, after axing Roe v. Wade. In New York City, a crowd thousands strong massed in Union Square and Washington Square Park, and then marched up Park Avenue. In Washington DC, Union Square was the site of demonstrations, while protesters from Boston to Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit and Los Angeles marched in fury. Outside Thomas's Virginia home, a crowd of several dozen people waved placards, drummed and waved flags. 'My body, my choice!' they yelled, holding aloft posters labelling Thomas a 'treasonous turd' and proclaiming: 'Reproductive rights = human rights.' One woman wore the rainbow-colored tabard of abortion clinic workers, who protect the women seeking treatment and being threatened by pro-life activists outside. There was no visible police presence, but it was likely there: on June 16, Joe Biden signed into law the Supreme Court Police Parity Act, providing security for the immediate families of the nine justices and other officers of the court. An armed man was arrested on June 8 outside the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and charged with attempted murder. Following Friday's landmark decision, Thomas became a particular lightning rod for activists, after he called on his fellow jurists to overturn previous rulings that followed similar legal precedent. The prospective law changes, released in a concurring opinion of the decision penned by Thomas, would see limits put on gay marriage, same-sex sexual activity, and citizens' access to birth control. Protesters in Washington, D.C., shared arrangements to carpool together on Friday evening to Thomas's house. 'Enraged? Devastated? Pissed the f*** off? So are we,' tweeted Our Rights DC. Pro-choice extremist group Jane's Revenge promised a 'night of rage'. Eric Adams, the mayor of New York, spoke from the steps of City Hall on Friday and proclaimed that his city was ready to welcome those women who needed an abortion, but were unable to get one in their home state. He also revealed that, when he was 15, his then-girlfriend needed and got an abortion. He said he was just back from jail - he was arrested for trespassing because he entered a house to take possessions, feeling he hadn't been compensated for odd jobs - when his girlfriend told him. 'Linda came to me and said, 'Eric, I'm pregnant and look at your life,' Adams said. 'She said Eric, you're arrested, you're not going to school, what future is this baby going to have.' 'She made the decision that was smart for both of us, she made the right call because she was empowered, she was in control.' Seven of Adams's top deputies all women took to the microphone to condemn the Supreme Court's decision. Three of them said they had had an abortion. 'Being a mother is the best job I've ever had, and I've loved it so much,' said Anne Williams-Isom, the deputy mayor, who oversees public health and social services. 'But when I was 18 years old, I was not ready to be a mom. If I did not have access to a safe affordable abortion, I would not be here with you all today. 'I wouldn't have the life that I wanted to have. I wouldn't be the mother that I wanted to be.' New York officials have long been preparing to welcome women seeking abortions. Kathy Hochul, governor of New York, on Friday declared her state a 'safe harbor' for those seeking abortions. Hochul, a Democrat and the state's first female governor, announced an advertising campaign and a new website that would inform women in New York and around the country about their rights to an abortion in the state and potential resources available to them. 'This is repulsive at every level,' Hochul said on Friday, speaking at a groundbreaking for the Stonewall National Monument's visitor center in Manhattan. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas called on fellow jurists to overturn previous landmark rulings after the court nixed Roe v. Wade on Friday Protesters plan to target the street where Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife Ginni live WASHINGTON DC: Capitol Police dressed in riot gear stand outside the Capitol on Friday evening as protests erupted WASHINGTON DC: Capitol Police are seen on duty on Friday evening in Washington DC, as protests spread BOSTON: Protesters march through Boston, Massachusetts on Friday evening to express their anger at the decision NEW YORK CITY: Protesters in New York City gather at Union Square in Manhattan to show their anger at the decision BOSTON: A protester in Boston on Friday holds out a coat hanger - a symbol of the brutal measures that women used to take to abort their unwanted babies On Friday, multiple blue chip firms including Disney, JP Morgan and Meta announced they will pay the expenses of staff forced to travel out-of-state for an abortion. Other firms including Netflix, Vogue publisher Conde Naste and Yelp have also signaled they'll cover expenses in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision. Disney said on Friday that it would cover the cost of employees who need to travel to another location to access care, including abortions, in light of the Supreme Court's decision. The company employs 195,000 worldwide, including roughly 80,000 in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks of gestation. Disney told employees on Friday that it recognizes the impact of the abortion ruling, but remains committed to providing comprehensive access to quality healthcare, including for abortions, according to a Disney spokesperson. 'We recognize the impact of the ruling and that we remain committed to providing comprehensive access to quality and affordable care for all of our employees, cast members and their families, including family planning and reproductive care, no matter where they live,' Disney said in a statement. Yelp co-founder and Chief Executive Jeremy Stoppelman on Friday said the ruling 'puts women's health in jeopardy, denies them their human rights, and threatens to dismantle the progress we've made toward gender equality in the workplace since Roe.' Meta will reimburse travel expenses for employees seeking out-of-state reproductive care, but the company was also 'assessing how best to do so given the legal complexities involved,' according to a spokesperson. Netflix added travel reimbursement for abortions and gender-affirming care to its health care plan. The policy, which also covers cancer treatment and transplants, pays up to $10,000 per service for each employee. Tensions over abortion have spiraled ever since a draft opinion was leaked last month, signaling that the court was about to overturn protections. The Department of Homeland Security, in a memo on Friday obtained by ABC News, said it expects violence could last 'for weeks' from domestic violent extremists (DVEs). 'We expect violence could occur for weeks following the release, particularly as DVEs may be mobilized to respond to changes in state laws and ballot measures on abortion stemming from the decision,' the bulletin said. 'We base this assessment on an observed increase in violent incidents across the United States following the unauthorized disclosure in May of a draft majority opinion on the case.' As he condemned the court's decision on Friday, President Joe Biden urged protesters to remain peaceful. 'I call on everyone no matter how deeply they care about this decision to keep all protests peaceful, peaceful, peaceful, peaceful,' he said. 'No intimidation. Violence is never acceptable. 'Threats and intimidation are not speech. We must stand against violence in any form, regardless of your rationale.' ATLANTA: Protesters in Georgia gathered in front of the state capitol in Atlanta ATLANTA: A woman and a man in Georgia wear stickers proclaiming: 'Forced motherhood is female enslavement' ATLANTA: Protesters gather downtown to express their anger at Friday's decision ATLANTA: Activists hold up signs saying 'Abortions save lives' and 'Abortion = healthcare' ATLANTA: Demonstrators are seen outside the Georgia State Capitol LOS ANGELES: Protesters gather outside the First Street United States Courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon WASHINGTON DC: Abortion rights activists show their anger outside the Supreme Court in Washington DC on Friday WASHINGTON DC: Demonstrators in Washington DC took to the streets on Friday after the decision was announced LOS ANGELES: Cari Schaffer (L) and Hailey Valdez hold signs as protesters gather outside the First Street United States Courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday WASHINGTON DC: A woman cries outside the Supreme Court on Friday morning after the court rules that the 'Constitution does not confer a right to abortion' WASHINGTON DC: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared outside the Supreme Court among the crowds in the aftermath of the Supreme Court releasing the Dobbs decision that ends abortion protections WASHINGTON DC: Pro-life activists cheer outside the Supreme Court Friday morning after learning that the high court had overturned Roe v. Wade WASHINGTON DC: Democratic members of Congress march out of the Capitol Building toward the Supreme Court to join pro-choice protesters outside the Supreme Court Friday morning BOSTON: Senator Elizabeth Warren joins the crowd in front of the Massachusetts State House after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade Protesters on Friday afternoon gathered in Union Square in Washington DC, with members of Congress addressing the crowd of several hundred. 'In almost half of this country, states are ready to ban abortion,' said Ilhan Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota. 'Outright ban abortion. That means if you are sick, if you are raped, there is incest, you are forced to have that baby or die.' The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in the capital was briefly closed after a man climbed the 1,445ft structure to protest the decision. In his separate opinion also released on Friday, Thomas - the court's longest-serving justice - welcomed the guidance, but noted how it falls short of addressing citizens rights' apart from abortion. The 74-year-old justice, an appointee of President George H.W. Bush, went on to declare the court should reconsider other cases that fall under previous due process precedents. Thomas' argument was entrenched in the belief that since the Constitution's Due Process Clause was found not to secure a right to an abortion in Friday's ruling, the court should apply that same logic to other landmark cases. He cited three in particular - including 1965's Griswold v. Connecticut, which allowed for married couples to buy and use contraception, and 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges, which allowed same-sex couples to legally marry. Thomas' argument was entrenched in the belief that since the Constitution's Due Process Clause was found not to secure a right to an abortion in Friday's ruling, the court should apply that same logic to other landmark cases Thomas cited three in particular - including 1965's Griswold v. Connecticut, which allowed for married couples to buy and use contraception, and 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges, which allowed same-sex couples (pictured) to legally marry President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the White House's Cross Hall on Friday calling it 'a very solemn moment' and a 'sad day for the court and the country.' He also warned: 'If the rationale of the decision as released were to be sustained, a whole range of rights are in question. A whole range of rights' Perhaps most shockingly, though, the jurist suggested the court also reexamine Lawrence v. Texas, a 2003 judgement that ruled that nixed some states' century-old criminal sanctions on citizens who committed sodomy. All have to do with Americans' fundamental privacy, due process, and equal protection rights - tenets also central to Fridays decision, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. 'For that reason,' Thomas, 74, wrote, 'in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.' The justice, a known conservative, went on to declare that 'we have a duty to 'correct the error' established in those precedents. Notably absent from the prior cases in Thomas' concurring opinion was the 1967 case Loving v. Virginia, which barred the state from prohibiting interracial marriage. Thomas is in an interracial marriage, as the justice is black and his wife Ginni Thomas - a conservative activist who absorbed Trump's 'big lie' - is white. The assertion from Thomas comes as members of the left had warned that such a ruling could lead to the reversal of other landmark cases, following Politico's leak of an initial draft of the court's decision in May. Justice Clarence Thomas is pictured with his wife, Ginni - a controversial conservative activist, who was in touch with a key Trump adviser during the January 6 insurrection Retiring liberal Justice Stephen Breyer warned in the dissenting opinion that the current court could also go after rulings that came before and after Roe that are based on the same legal reasoning including Griswold v. Connecticut and the landmark Obergefell, which legalized same-sex marriage Biden - who called Friday's 5-4 vote to nix the 1973 decision 'a tragic error' - said of the draft opinion in May: 'If the rationale of the decision as released were to be sustained, a whole range of rights are in question. A whole range of rights.' 'The idea [that] we're letting the states make those decisions, localities make those decisions, would be a fundamental shift in what we've done,' the president added. On Friday, Biden also pointed out that three justices appointed by previous Trump - Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett - were central to the overturning of Roe. 'It was three justices named by one president - Donald Trump - who were at the core of today's decision to upend the scales of justice and eliminate a fundamental right for women in this country,' Biden said. 'This fall, Roe is on the ballot.' Kamala Harris, the vice president, declared that voters will have 'the final word'. 'This is not over,' Harris said on Friday, speaking at a conference in Plainfield, Illinois. 'You have the power to elect leaders who will defend and protect your rights.' Harris continued: 'Millions of women in America will go to bed tonight without access to the health care and reproductive care that they had this morning. 'Without access to the same health care or reproductive health care that their mothers and grandmothers had for 50 years.' Retiring liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, who penned the dissent signed on by Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, also predicted that the demise of Roe could have broader implications. 'And no one should be confident that this majority is done with its work,' Breyer wrote, after laying out how the decision suggests that a 'woman has not rights to speak of.' 'The right Roe and Casey recognized does not stand alone. To the contrary, the Court has linked it for decades to other settled freedoms involving bodily integrity, familial relationships, and procreation,' Breyer noted. Breyer, like Thomas, points to Griswold v. Connecticut - which permitted married couples to use contraception without government interference - and then to Obergefell, the landmark same-sex marriage decision. 'They are all part of the same constitutional fabric, protecting autonomous decisionmaking over the most personal of life decisions,' Breyer said. The majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, said the decision only pertained to abortion arguing that it was not 'deeply rooted in history.' Breyer argued that's not possible. 'So one of two things must be true. Either the majority does not really believe in its own reasoning. Or if it does, all rights that have no history stretching back to the mid 19th century are insecure,' Breyer wrote. 'Either the mass of the majority's opinion is hypocrisy, or additional constitutional rights are under threat. 'It is one or the other.' There are 18 states that have near-total bans on their books, while four more have time-limit band and four others are likely to pass new bans if Roe is overturned Abortion was automatically outlawed in 18 US states as soon as Roe v. Wade was overturned, thanks to specially-devised 'trigger laws' and historic bans that were automatically reenacted after Friday's ruling. Thirteen states prepared trigger laws which would automatically outlaw terminations in the event of a ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, which was widely-anticipated. They are: Arkansas; Idaho; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; Missouri; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah and Wyoming. Abortion bans in those states will now become law within 30 days. Five other states have also now banned terminations, after historic laws superseded by the 1973 Roe ruling automatically came back into place. Among those five are two Democrat-governed states - Michigan and Wisconsin. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers have both sought to overturn those bans in the court. But they remain in place for now, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced Friday afternoon that it was suspending terminations while awaiting clarification on the law. Other states with newly-re-enacted historic bans are Alabama, Arizona and West Virginia. Eight other states are also set to enact new anti-abortion laws. Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina all attempted to ban abortion after the six-week mark. Those laws were branded unconstitutional, but will likely be revisited now Roe has ended. And Florida, Indiana, Montana as well as Nebraska are all working on plans to ban or restrict terminations. 'This is a horrifying decision': 'Heartbroken' Michelle Obama leads furious criticism of SCOTUS overturning of Roe v. Wade - as Amy Schumer blasts justices for following 'intentions of slave-owning rapists who've been dead for hundreds for years' Michelle Obama and Amy Schumer are leading the furious public criticism of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade today - with the former First Lady slamming the move as 'horrifying' while warning that it will have 'devastating consequences' for women across the US. Dozens of celebrities have spoken out to share their horror over the landmark decision, including Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, Busy Philipps, Bette Midler, Hailey Bieber, and Sophie Turner - with many of them choosing to share Obama's statement as well as their own thoughts on the issue. 58-year-old Obama was one of the first high-profile people to react to the decision, taking to Instagram to post a lengthy statement slamming the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the minutes after it was announced, describing herself as 'heartbroken' while blasting the Supreme Court for ridding women of their 'fundamental right to make informed decisions about their own bodies'. 'I am heartbroken that we may now be destined to learn the painful lessons of a time before Roe was made law of the land - a time when women risked losing their lives getting illegal abortions,' she wrote. 'A time when the government denied women control over their reproductive functions, forced them to move forward with pregnancies they didn't want, and then abandoned them once their babies were born. 'That is what our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers lived through, and now we are here again.' Michelle Obama and Amy Schumer led the furious public criticism of SCOTUS' decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday Obama branded the decision 'horrifying' and warning that it will have 'devastating consequences for women across the US' She urged pro-choice supporters to 'channel their frustration and anger into action by getting involved', before highlighting organizations like Planned Parenthood and The United State of Women Obama was one of dozens of high-profile figures to speak out against the decision on Friday - with Schumer, 41, accusing the Supreme Court of determining women's rights by following the 'intentions of a bunch of slave-owning rapists who've been dead for hundreds of years'. She then appeared to take aim at Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who in 2018 and 2019 was accused of sexual assault by several women, writing on her Instagram Stories: 'And women's bodily autonomy should not be determined by men who've been accused of sexual assault.' Both Obama and Schumer then urged pro-choice supporters to take action by fighting back against the decision, with former president Barack Obama's wife urging her followers to 'channel their frustration and anger into action' by supporting organizations like Planned Parenthood and The United State of Women. 'This moment is difficult, but our story does not end here,' the mother-of-two said. 'It may not feel like we are able to do much right now, but we can. And we must. 'If you're like me and you want to get started right now, I encourage you to channel your frustration and anger into action by getting involved. Organizations like Planned Parenthood and The United State of Women, among many others, have resources you can look to if you want to help others or if you need help yourself. 'Our hearts may be broken today, but tomorrow, we've got to get up and find the courage to keep working towards creating the more just America we all deserve. We have so much left to push for, to rally for, to speak for - and I know we can do this together.' Schumer said that the decision equated to SCOTUS determining women's rights by 'interpreting the intentions of a bunch of slave-owning rapists who've been dead for hundreds of years' The comedian posted in support of Bans Off Our Bodies (left), urged pro-choice supporters to join a rally in New York on Friday (center), and then made a stark comparison between gun laws and abortion rights in the US (right) Kim Kardashian joined the many people pointing out the contrasts between gun control laws and abortion rights, posting on her Instagram Stories that 'guns have more rights than women' Kim's younger sister Kendall Jenner branded the decision 'disturbing, disappointing, and devastating' Bette Midler unleashed a furious tirade against Donald Trump, accusing the former President - who nominated three Supreme Court Justices - of 'undoubtedly paying for a hundred [abortions] himself' She also accused Justice Samuel Alito of 'leaking' the draft of the decision to overturn Roe Schumer meanwhile, who is a mother-of-one, urged her followers to support Bans Off Our Bodies, a 'national campaign led by abortion rights supporters' which 'collectively mobilizes against abortion bans'. She also shared information about a planned 'All out for abortion rights' rally, which is taking place in New York City's Washington Square Park on Friday evening. The comedian went on to highlight the stark contrast between the lack of gun control laws in the US and the rules governing abortion rights, writing on Instagram that 'late term abortions via school shootings are still available', while re-posting a tweet about SCOTUS eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. British actress Jameela Jamil - who is now based in the US - also drew comparisons between abortion rights and gun control laws, while branding the Supreme Court Justices who voted in favor of overruling Roe v. Wade 'f***ing evil bastards' and accusing pro-life supporters of using dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale as a 'manifesto'. 'Oh my god. Roe v. Wade is gone. My heart is completely broken. What happened to this country?' she wrote in an Instagram image, adding in the caption: 'The past six years has been terrifying and somehow keeps getting worse. These f***ing evil bastards know that this never ends abortion, it only ends safe abortion. We need to VOTE. No wonder they are banning Handmaid's Tale in Texas. They are using it as a manifesto 'PRO LIFE, but only saying abortion has to be decided state by state, but gun laws are protected nationwide f***ing hundreds of mass shootings this year and it's only June.' In a second post, she highlighted the economic ramifications of the decision, questioning who will 'pay for all these unwanted babies', and asking: 'Who is going to better fund the adoption system?' 'Who is giving out free healthcare to people forced to follow through on pregnancies?' she continued. 'Who is going to pay for the food, shelter and educations of these forced children? Or the therapy of the rape victims and children forced to carry pregnancies to term? Jameela Jamil (left), Busy Philipps (center), and Hailey Bieber (right) were also among the celebrities who spoke out to slam the overturning of Roe v. Wade British actress Jameela Jamil - who now lives in the US - raised questions about the economic ramifications of the decision, asking: 'Who is gonna pay for all these unwanted babies?' Hailey Bieber, 25, said she was 'speechless' over the decision, describing it as 'really really scary' Busy Philipps urged her followers to attend a rally in New York on Friday, while furiously blasting the Supreme Court, adding: 'I have no words. This is total devastation' Taylor Swift (left), Cynthia Nixon (center), and Padma Lakshmi (right) voiced their upset and outrage over the landmark decision on Friday Many celebrities - including Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks - noted the 'devastation' that this will cause for so many women and families across the US, with many also contrasting abortion rights with gun control laws 'Can't even f***ing feed, treat or shelter the people already here. AmeriCAN'T. These f***ing dinosaurs will be dead before they see the devastating impact on our society.' Taylor Swift, 32, said the move has left her 'terrified' about the state of the country, writing on her Twitter account: 'I'm absolutely terrified that this is where we are - after so many decades of people fighting for women's rights to their own bodies, today's decision has stripped us of that.' Model Hailey Bieber, 25, described the landmark decision as 'really really scary' in her own post about it, writing: 'Wow... I'm speechless. What an extreme loss and disappointment. This is really really scary.' Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner shared her horror over the decision in an Instagram Stories video, in which she insisted that overturning Roe v. Wade 'is not about saving lives, it's about controlling a woman's body' Actress and TV host Busy Philipps joined Schumer in encouraging her followers to attend the Washington Square rally, sharing a flyer for the event on her Instagram, while writing: 'I have no words. This is total devastation. See you tonight New York and I hope you show the f**k up wherever you live.' She added on Twitter: 'It doesn't end here. F**k this sham. F**k these people. If you're a single issue voter and your issue is your taxes, f**k you too. This Supreme Court is on you.' Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner - who is currently pregnant with her second child with husband Joe Jonas - shared her thoughts on Roe being overturned in an Instagram Stories video, in which she stated that the decision will likely 'set us back by 50 years'. 'Overturning Roe v. Wade is setting us back 50 years,' she said. 'This isn't going to save any lives. It's going to kill and endanger millions of women who are going to end up getting dangerous backstreet abortions and end up dying from it. 'If this was actually about saving lives, if anyone cared about saving lives, then after any of the mass shootings that have happened here in the United States, we would have gun control. It's not about saving lives, it's about controlling a woman's body and controlling a woman's right to choose and it's absolutely f***ing disgusting.' Actress and former politician Cynthia Nixon, 56 - who wed her wife Christine Marinoni in 2012 - called attention to the 'devastating' timing of the decision being announced during Pride Month - particularly because the ruling issued by the Supreme Court also casts doubt over the future of other legislation, which protects the the rights of those within the LGBTQ community, including the right to same-sex marriages. She posted the concurring judgement of Justice Clarence Thomas, in which he wrote: 'For that reason, in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell'. 'This ruling today at the height of Pride Month is particularly devastating,' Nixon wrote on Twitter. 'The foundation upon which Roe rested is the same that has protected so many of our rights as LGBTQ+ people. Clarence Thomas says as much. We're all in this together.' Riverdale stars Camila Mendes (left) and Lili Reinhart (right) both shared horrified reactions to Roe v. Wade being overturned Thomas was also the subject of a tweet posted by Kathy Griffin, who looked back on the sexual harassment allegations made against him by Anita Hill back in 1991. 'Thinking about Anita Hill today. Thinking about what she went through. Believe women. Please,' Griffin, 61, tweeted. Hill quietly accused Thomas of sexual harassment in a private interview with the FBI - however the resulting report was publicly leaked in 1991 when Thomas was nominated to the Supreme Court by then-President George H. W. Bush, resulting in his confirmation hearings being reopened - with Hill called to publicly testify about her allegations. She told Congress that Thomas had repeatedly harassed her while she was working as his advisor on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming that he asked her out on a number of occasions - and then began making lude comments when she refused his advances. Despite her testimony - which was backed up by a polygraph test - Thomas was ultimately confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice. The Supreme Court overruled the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision Friday morning by upholding Mississippi's restrictive 15-week abortion ban. 'The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives,' the decision said. Tensions over the future of abortion rights in the country have been running high since a draft opinion of Dobbs was leaked - and showed that the high court's conservative majority was poised to push whether abortion was legal back to the states. The 6-3 conservative majority made good on what the draft said, with liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer dissenting. Chief Justice John Roberts concurred. Conservative Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas also filed concurring opinion. 'Guided by the history and tradition that map the essential components of the Nation's concept of ordered liberty, the Court finds the Fourteenth Amendment clearly does not protect the right to an abortion,' the decision, penned by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, said. Elected prosecutors across 29 states have signed a statement suggesting they will refuse to prosecute people who seek, assist and provide those who have abortions following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the 50-year law that guaranteed access to the procedure in every state. Those signing the statement include officials from states including Mississippi, Missouri and Wisconsin that have enacted bans or about to introduce bans following Roe v. Wade's reversal. 'Not all of us agree on a personal or moral level on the issue of abortion, but we stand together in our firm belief that prosecutors have a responsibility to refrain from using limited criminal legal system resources to criminalize personal medical decisions. Texas Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza is one of those who has signed the pledge despite serving in a state with a 'trigger law' People protest in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in response to the court's decision to overturnsthe landmark 50-year-old Roe v Wade case and erases a federal right to an abortion Pro-choice demonstrators participate in a march and rally outside the Republican-led Georgia State Capitol after the US Supreme Court's decision 'As such, we decline to use our offices' resources to criminalize reproductive health decisions and commit to exercise our well-settled discretion and refrain from prosecuting those who seek, provide, or support abortions,' read the statement which has been signed by 84 prosecutors. The group includes district attorneys and state attorneys general, according to NBC. The prosecutors added further detail explaining how enforcing abortion bans would 'hinder our ability to hold perpetrators accountable, take resources away from the enforcement of serious crime, and inevitably lead to the retraumatization and criminalization of victims of sexual violence.' One district attorney from Texas, Joe Gonzalez, whose jurisdiction includes the city of San Antonio, said 'using limited resources to prosecute personal healthcare decisions would be a violation' of his oath. Texas is among 13 states that would automatically ban abortion in the first and second trimesters within 30 days of the Supreme Court's decision. 'Outlawing abortion will not end abortion; it will simply end safe abortions and prevent people from seeking the care and help they need for fear of criminal prosecution. I refuse to subject members of my community to that risk,' Gonzalez said in a statement. Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza in Texas, urged women to continue to seek medical help. 'While I am aware that our state's 'trigger law' goes into effect in 30 days, making performing an abortion a felony, I will not force women into the shadows, especially when they need life-saving medical care,' Garza said in a statement. 'No matter what the law says, I implore you: please, seek medical help if you need it. A prosecutor's job is to protect public safety, and to enforce this law will not only fail to promote or protect public safety but will also lead to more harm.' Six prosecutors in Michigan Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon, Marquette County Prosecutor Matthew Wiese, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeffrey Getting and Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton also signed the pledge. 'Michigan's anti-abortion statutes were written and passed in 1931,' the Michigan prosecutors said in a joint statement. 'There were no women serving in the Michigan legislature. Those archaic statutes are unconstitutionally and dangerously vague, leaving open the potential for criminalizing doctors, nurses, anesthetists, health care providers, office receptionists virtually anyone who either performs or assists in performing these medical procedures. Even the patient herself could face criminal liability under these statutes. 'We believe those laws conflict with the oath we took to support the United States and Michigan Constitutions, and to act in the best interest of the health and safety of our communities. We cannot and will not support criminalizing reproductive freedom or creating unsafe, untenable situations for health care providers and those who seek abortions in our communities.' Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald was one of six signers from the state of Michigan who signed the pledge Across the country, demonstrators were taking to the streets to express their anger at the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the 50-year law that guaranteed access to abortion in every state Other states have moved to quickly to enforce the ban. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt triggered' a house bill and became the first state in the country to effectively end abortion. 13 other trigger states have laws in place to immediately ban abortion. 'My Office has been fighting to uphold the sanctity of life since I became attorney general, culminating in today's momentous court ruling and attorney general opinion,' Schmitt said in a statement. 'I will continue the fight to protect all life, born and unborn.' Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt triggered' a house bill and became the first state in the country to effectively end abortion On Friday night protesters sang and chanted outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas after he revealed he now has laws protecting gay marriage, gay sexual activity and contraception in his sights. Across the country, demonstrators were taking to the streets to express their anger at the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the 50-year law that guaranteed access to abortion in every state. In New York City, a crowd thousands strong massed in Union Square and Washington Square Park, and then marched up Park Avenue. In Washington DC, Union Square was the site of demonstrations, while protesters from Boston to Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit and Los Angeles marched in fury. Outside Thomas's Virginia home, a crowd of several dozen people waved placards, drummed and waved flags. People demonstrate on Friday night outside the Supreme Court in Washington D.C. 'My body, my choice!' they yelled, holding aloft posters labelling Thomas a 'treasonous turd' and proclaiming: 'Reproductive rights = human rights.' One woman wore the rainbow-colored tabard of abortion clinic workers, who protect the women seeking treatment and being threatened by pro-life activists outside. There was no visible police presence, but it was likely there: on June 16, Joe Biden signed into law the Supreme Court Police Parity Act, providing security for the immediate families of the nine justices and other officers of the court. Protesters in Washington, D.C., shared arrangements to carpool together on Friday evening to Thomas's house. 'Enraged? Devastated? Pissed the f*** off? So are we,' tweeted Our Rights DC. Pro-choice extremist group Jane's Revenge promised a 'night of rage'. NEW YORK CITY: Washington Square Park, in lower Manhattan, was packed with protesters on Friday evening NEW YORK CITY: A crowd gathered on Friday evening in Washington Square Park NEW YORK CITY: Women bearing placards converged on Washington Square Park in Manhattan NEW YORK CITY: Protesters on Friday night are pictured in Washington Square Park Eric Adams, the mayor of New York, spoke from the steps of City Hall on Friday and proclaimed that his city was ready to welcome those women who needed an abortion, but were unable to get one in their home state. He also revealed that, when he was 15, his then-girlfriend needed and got an abortion. He said he was just back from jail - he was arrested for trespassing because he entered a house to take possessions, feeling he hadn't been compensated for odd jobs - when his girlfriend told him. 'Linda came to me and said, 'Eric, I'm pregnant and look at your life,' Adams said. 'She said Eric, you're arrested, you're not going to school, what future is this baby going to have.' 'She made the decision that was smart for both of us, she made the right call because she was empowered, she was in control.' Seven of Adams's top deputies all women took to the microphone to condemn the Supreme Court's decision. Three of them said they had had an abortion. 'Being a mother is the best job I've ever had, and I've loved it so much,' said Anne Williams-Isom, the deputy mayor, who oversees public health and social services. 'But when I was 18 years old, I was not ready to be a mom. 'If I did not have access to a safe affordable abortion, I would not be here with you all today. 'I wouldn't have the life that I wanted to have. I wouldn't be the mother that I wanted to be.' New York officials have long been preparing to welcome women seeking abortions. Kathy Hochul, governor of New York, on Friday declared her state a 'safe harbor' for those seeking abortions. Hochul, a Democrat and the state's first female governor, announced an advertising campaign and a new website that would inform women in New York and around the country about their rights to an abortion in the state and potential resources available to them. 'This is repulsive at every level,' Hochul said on Friday, speaking at a groundbreaking for the Stonewall National Monument's visitor center in Manhattan. On Friday, multiple blue chip firms including Disney, JP Morgan and Meta announced they will pay the expenses of staff forced to travel out-of-state for an abortion. Other firms including Netflix, Vogue publisher Conde Naste and Yelp have also signaled they'll cover expenses in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision. Disney said on Friday that it would cover the cost of employees who need to travel to another location to access care, including abortions, in light of the Supreme Court's decision. The company employs 195,000 worldwide, including roughly 80,000 in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks of gestation. Disney told employees on Friday that it recognizes the impact of the abortion ruling, but remains committed to providing comprehensive access to quality healthcare, including for abortions, according to a Disney spokesperson. 'We recognize the impact of the ruling and that we remain committed to providing comprehensive access to quality and affordable care for all of our employees, cast members and their families, including family planning and reproductive care, no matter where they live,' Disney said in a statement. Yelp co-founder and Chief Executive Jeremy Stoppelman on Friday said the ruling 'puts women's health in jeopardy, denies them their human rights, and threatens to dismantle the progress we've made toward gender equality in the workplace since Roe.' Meta will reimburse travel expenses for employees seeking out-of-state reproductive care, but the company was also 'assessing how best to do so given the legal complexities involved,' according to a spokesperson. Netflix added travel reimbursement for abortions and gender-affirming care to its health care plan. The policy, which also covers cancer treatment and transplants, pays up to $10,000 per service for each employee. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas called on fellow jurists to overturn previous landmark rulings after the court nixed Roe v. Wade on Friday Protesters plan to target the street where Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife Ginni live WASHINGTON DC: Capitol Police dressed in riot gear stand outside the Capitol on Friday evening as protests erupted WASHINGTON DC: Capitol Police are seen on duty on Friday evening in Washington DC, as protests spread BOSTON: Protesters march through Boston, Massachusetts on Friday evening to express their anger at the decision NEW YORK CITY: Protesters in New York City gather at Union Square in Manhattan to show their anger at the decision BOSTON: A protester in Boston on Friday holds out a coat hanger - a symbol of the brutal measures that women used to take to abort their unwanted babies Tensions over abortion have spiraled ever since a draft opinion was leaked last month, signaling that the court was about to overturn protections. The Department of Homeland Security, in a memo on Friday obtained by ABC News, said it expects violence could last 'for weeks' from domestic violent extremists (DVEs). 'We expect violence could occur for weeks following the release, particularly as DVEs may be mobilized to respond to changes in state laws and ballot measures on abortion stemming from the decision,' the bulletin said. 'We base this assessment on an observed increase in violent incidents across the United States following the unauthorized disclosure in May of a draft majority opinion on the case.' As he condemned the court's decision on Friday, President Joe Biden urged protesters to remain peaceful. 'I call on everyone no matter how deeply they care about this decision to keep all protests peaceful, peaceful, peaceful, peaceful,' he said. 'No intimidation. Violence is never acceptable. 'Threats and intimidation are not speech. We must stand against violence in any form, regardless of your rationale.' ATLANTA: Protesters in Georgia gathered in front of the state capitol in Atlanta ATLANTA: A woman and a man in Georgia wear stickers proclaiming: 'Forced motherhood is female enslavement' ATLANTA: Protesters gather downtown to express their anger at Friday's decision ATLANTA: Activists hold up signs saying 'Abortions save lives' and 'Abortion = healthcare' ATLANTA: Demonstrators are seen outside the Georgia State Capitol LOS ANGELES: Protesters gather outside the First Street United States Courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon WASHINGTON DC: Abortion rights activists show their anger outside the Supreme Court in Washington DC on Friday WASHINGTON DC: Demonstrators in Washington DC took to the streets on Friday after the decision was announced LOS ANGELES: Cari Schaffer (L) and Hailey Valdez hold signs as protesters gather outside the First Street United States Courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday WASHINGTON DC: A woman cries outside the Supreme Court on Friday morning after the court rules that the 'Constitution does not confer a right to abortion' WASHINGTON DC: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared outside the Supreme Court among the crowds in the aftermath of the Supreme Court releasing the Dobbs decision that ends abortion protections WASHINGTON DC: Pro-life activists cheer outside the Supreme Court Friday morning after learning that the high court had overturned Roe v. Wade WASHINGTON DC: Democratic members of Congress march out of the Capitol Building toward the Supreme Court to join pro-choice protesters outside the Supreme Court Friday morning BOSTON: Senator Elizabeth Warren joins the crowd in front of the Massachusetts State House after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade Protesters on Friday afternoon gathered in Union Square in Washington DC, with members of Congress addressing the crowd of several hundred. 'In almost half of this country, states are ready to ban abortion,' said Ilhan Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota. 'Outright ban abortion. That means if you are sick, if you are raped, there is incest, you are forced to have that baby or die.' The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in the capital was briefly closed after a man climbed the 1,445ft structure to protest the decision. In his separate opinion also released on Friday, Thomas - the court's longest-serving justice - welcomed the guidance, but noted how it falls short of addressing citizens rights' apart from abortion. The 74-year-old justice, an appointee of President George H.W. Bush, went on to declare the court should reconsider other cases that fall under previous due process precedents. Thomas' argument was entrenched in the belief that since the Constitution's Due Process Clause was found not to secure a right to an abortion in Friday's ruling, the court should apply that same logic to other landmark cases. He cited three in particular - including 1965's Griswold v. Connecticut, which allowed for married couples to buy and use contraception, and 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges, which allowed same-sex couples to legally marry. Thomas' argument was entrenched in the belief that since the Constitution's Due Process Clause was found not to secure a right to an abortion in Friday's ruling, the court should apply that same logic to other landmark cases Thomas cited three in particular - including 1965's Griswold v. Connecticut, which allowed for married couples to buy and use contraception, and 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges, which allowed same-sex couples (pictured) to legally marry President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the White House's Cross Hall on Friday calling it 'a very solemn moment' and a 'sad day for the court and the country.' He also warned: 'If the rationale of the decision as released were to be sustained, a whole range of rights are in question. A whole range of rights' Perhaps most shockingly, though, the jurist suggested the court also reexamine Lawrence v. Texas, a 2003 judgement that ruled that nixed some states' century-old criminal sanctions on citizens who committed sodomy. All have to do with Americans' fundamental privacy, due process, and equal protection rights - tenets also central to Fridays decision, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. 'For that reason,' Thomas, 74, wrote, 'in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.' The justice, a known conservative, went on to declare that 'we have a duty to 'correct the error' established in those precedents. Notably absent from the prior cases in Thomas' concurring opinion was the 1967 case Loving v. Virginia, which barred the state from prohibiting interracial marriage. Thomas is in an interracial marriage, as the justice is black and his wife Ginni Thomas - a conservative activist who absorbed Trump's 'big lie' - is white. The assertion from Thomas comes as members of the left had warned that such a ruling could lead to the reversal of other landmark cases, following Politico's leak of an initial draft of the court's decision in May. Justice Clarence Thomas is pictured with his wife, Ginni - a controversial conservative activist, who was in touch with a key Trump adviser during the January 6 insurrection Retiring liberal Justice Stephen Breyer warned in the dissenting opinion that the current court could also go after rulings that came before and after Roe that are based on the same legal reasoning including Griswold v. Connecticut and the landmark Obergefell, which legalized same-sex marriage Biden - who called Friday's 5-4 vote to nix the 1973 decision 'a tragic error' - said of the draft opinion in May: 'If the rationale of the decision as released were to be sustained, a whole range of rights are in question. A whole range of rights.' 'The idea [that] we're letting the states make those decisions, localities make those decisions, would be a fundamental shift in what we've done,' the president added. On Friday, Biden also pointed out that three justices appointed by previous Trump - Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett - were central to the overturning of Roe. 'It was three justices named by one president - Donald Trump - who were at the core of today's decision to upend the scales of justice and eliminate a fundamental right for women in this country,' Biden said. 'This fall, Roe is on the ballot.' Kamala Harris, the vice president, declared that voters will have 'the final word'. 'This is not over,' Harris said on Friday, speaking at a conference in Plainfield, Illinois. 'You have the power to elect leaders who will defend and protect your rights.' Harris continued: 'Millions of women in America will go to bed tonight without access to the health care and reproductive care that they had this morning. 'Without access to the same health care or reproductive health care that their mothers and grandmothers had for 50 years.' Retiring liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, who penned the dissent signed on by Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, also predicted that the demise of Roe could have broader implications. 'And no one should be confident that this majority is done with its work,' Breyer wrote, after laying out how the decision suggests that a 'woman has not rights to speak of.' 'The right Roe and Casey recognized does not stand alone. To the contrary, the Court has linked it for decades to other settled freedoms involving bodily integrity, familial relationships, and procreation,' Breyer noted. Breyer, like Thomas, points to Griswold v. Connecticut - which permitted married couples to use contraception without government interference - and then to Obergefell, the landmark same-sex marriage decision. 'They are all part of the same constitutional fabric, protecting autonomous decisionmaking over the most personal of life decisions,' Breyer said. The majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, said the decision only pertained to abortion arguing that it was not 'deeply rooted in history.' Breyer argued that's not possible. 'So one of two things must be true. Either the majority does not really believe in its own reasoning. Or if it does, all rights that have no history stretching back to the mid 19th century are insecure,' Breyer wrote. 'Either the mass of the majority's opinion is hypocrisy, or additional constitutional rights are under threat. 'It is one or the other.' There are 18 states that have near-total bans on their books, while four more have time-limit band and four others are likely to pass new bans if Roe is overturned Abortion was automatically outlawed in 18 US states as soon as Roe v. Wade was overturned, thanks to specially-devised 'trigger laws' and historic bans that were automatically reenacted after Friday's ruling. Thirteen states prepared trigger laws which would automatically outlaw terminations in the event of a ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, which was widely-anticipated. They are: Arkansas; Idaho; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; Missouri; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah and Wyoming. Abortion bans in those states will now become law within 30 days. Five other states have also now banned terminations, after historic laws superseded by the 1973 Roe ruling automatically came back into place. Among those five are two Democrat-governed states - Michigan and Wisconsin. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers have both sought to overturn those bans in the court. But they remain in place for now, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced Friday afternoon that it was suspending terminations while awaiting clarification on the law. Other states with newly-re-enacted historic bans are Alabama, Arizona and West Virginia. Eight other states are also set to enact new anti-abortion laws. Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina all attempted to ban abortion after the six-week mark. Those laws were branded unconstitutional, but will likely be revisited now Roe has ended. And Florida, Indiana, Montana as well as Nebraska are all working on plans to ban or restrict terminations. Tucker Carlson hailed the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v Wade on Friday as a win for Americans and an end to a 'political document' that was 'poison.' The Fox News host said the landmark 1973 case that secured women's federal right to abortions should have never gone through as it undermined the high court and was merely 'political.' 'Roe was a political document,' Carlson said. 'It was not a legal opinion. 'And for that reason, it degraded and undermined the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, one of our country's central institutions. It was poison.' He also condemned the protests going on in the Capitol and around the country following the ruling as states scrambled to pass abortion restrictions or expand abortion rights for residents. Tucker Carlson called the Supreme Court's original Roe v. Wade ruling 'poison' and 'political,' and hailed the overturn vote on Friday as a win for America's institutions Carlson said the end of Roe V. Wade reflected the will of the people. Pictured: anti-abortion demonstrators celebrating the court's decision in Washington D.C. Carlson said those protesting the ruling were standing against democracy and should simply vote for representatives who are willing to pass abortion laws Carlson said he was confused by the pro-choice protestors, arguing that the Supreme Court's decision was simply democracy at play. 'This particular ruling dramatically reduces the power of unelected judges to dictate the details of the lives of millions of Americans and returns that power to voters,' Carlson said. 'Voters get to decide how they want to live. 'That's an extreme ideology that upsets the balance of power somehow? We thought that was the whole premise of our system. We thought that was democracy.' He continued to scoff at the protesters and said that if they didn't like the ruling, they should simply vote for representatives that would pass pro-abortion laws. The Fox host also drew parallels between the outrage from the abortion ruling to that of the deadly January 6 Capitol riots, mocking liberals who claimed democracy was in danger who are now condeming one of the three branches of government. 'The very people who have been lecturing us for years about democracy 'It's the end of democracy' are horrified by the return of democracy,' Carlson said. 'They're telling us the legitimacy of our institutions is at risk. And yet they cannot allow voters to have a say in how they live.' He specifically called our U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, of California, who called on Americans to defy the Supreme Court and fight the ruling. 'Women are going to control their bodies no matter how they try and stop us,' Waters said as she joined protesters outside the Supreme Court. The hell with the Supreme Court. 'We will defy them. Women will be in control of their bodies. And if they think Black women are intimidated or afraid, they got another thought coming.' Carlson also took aim at U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, of California, who called on Americans to defy the Supreme Court and fight the ruling The end of the landmark case has spurred thousands to demonstrate across the nation. Pictured: Pro-choice protesters outside the Georgia State Capitol on Friday Republican appointed-Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett (circled) all voted to strike down Roe along with Samuel Alito Republican-appointed justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett voted with Samuel Alito to end women's federal right to abortions. Abortion was automatically outlawed in 18 US states as soon as Roe v. Wade was overturned, thanks to specially-devised 'trigger laws' and historic bans that were automatically reenacted after Friday's ruling. Thirteen states prepared trigger laws which would automatically outlaw terminations in the event of a ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, which was widely-anticipated. They are: Arkansas; Idaho; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; Missouri; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah and Wyoming. Abortion bans in those states will now become law within 30 days. Five other states have also now banned terminations, after historic laws superseded by the 1973 Roe ruling automatically came back into place. Among those five are two Democrat-governed states - Michigan and Wisconsin. Eight other states are also set to enact new anti-abortion laws. Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina all attempted to ban abortion after the six week mark. Those laws were branded unconstitutional, but will likely be revisited now Roe has ended. And Florida, Indiana, Montana as well as Nebraska are all working on plans to ban or restrict terminations. A theory has emerged that Rupert Murdoch ended his six-year marriage to model Jerry Hall because he disapproved of his fourth wife's smoking habit. The media tycoon was not a fan of his model wife's fondness for tobacco and would often be spotted standing at a distance as Ms Hall took a drag on a cigarette. The couple's split was revealed publicly when Ms Hall and her side of the family failed to attend her husband's annual summer party in London this week. Rumours have swirled around the reason for the shock break-up but Murdoch's strong dislike for Ms Hall's smoking is a persistent theory, Private Sydney reported. Rupert Murdoch ended his marriage with Jerry Hall after spending the past six years disapproving of his fourth wife's smoking habit Rumours have swirled around the reason for the sudden breakup as it was revealed Murdoch had a strong dislike for Ms Hall's smoking (pictured, Hall in Perth in 2010) The Texan model has been publicly open about her love for smoking and previously boasted about looking 'pretty good' for her age despite her habit. 'But I smoke, I drink, I like wine, I love sun tanning, I drink coffee. I am doing all sorts of things I shouldn't do,' she told Good Housekeeping in 2014. 'I did think it was odd that she wasn't there. She's a social butterfly and would generally be at these sort of functions,' one of those present at the Serpentine Gallery in London on Monday evening said of Hall's absence from the event. 'I also noticed that none of her side of the family was there, nor her friends.' Murdoch and Hall were last seen together in public in London in August 2021, when they were pictured arriving separately for a dinner. They are understood to have left together in a shared car. They ended their relationship recently, surprising friends, two people with knowledge of the situation told the New York Times. Hall made no attempt to hide her habit and was spotted smoking in the back of a limousine as she travelled with Murdoch around Australia in 2017. Murdoch and Hall attended the belated Christmas party of then-Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, and later visited Melbourne via a private jet. At the time the loved-up couple were all smiles as they walked arm-in-arm through the gates of Kirribilli House to meet political, media, and business elite. Hall wore a striking crimson wiggle dress and matching cardigan draped across her shoulders, completing her look with a $5,000 red Bvlgari handbag, sunglasses and a statement pearl bangle. Murdoch, 91, and Hall, 65, attended the belated Christmas party of then-Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in January 2017, all smiles as they walked arm-in-arm through the gates of Kirribilli House Hall wore a striking crimson wiggle dress and matching cardigan draped across her shoulders, completing her look with a $5,000 red Bvlgari handbag, sunglasses and a statement pearl bangle Murdoch and Hall paid a visit to Melbourne a couple of weeks later on the News Corp boss' Gulfstream 650 private jet. Hall, 60, cut a slim figure in a glamorous all-white ensemble as she enjoyed a cigarette in the back of a limousine, while Murdoch, 85, looked dapper in a classic navy suit with matching tie and white shirt. The powerhouse couple were joined by Murdoch's eldest son Lachlan, who is part-heir to the $62 billion media empire, and his wife, British-born Australian model Sarah Murdoch. Murdoch and Hall paid a visit to Melbourne a couple of weeks later where Hall, 60, cut a slim figure in a glamorous all-white ensemble as she enjoyed a cigarette in the back of a limousine, while Mr Murdoch, 85, looked dapper in a classic navy suit Murdoch, who is worth $17.7 billion, has six children in total: daughter Prudence MacLeod, now 64, with his first wife Patricia Booker, daughter Elisabeth, now 53, and sons Lachlan, now 50, and James, now 49, with his second wife Anna Mann, and daughter Grace, now 21, and Chloe, now 19, who he shares with his third wife Wendi Deng. Hall was previously in a long-term relationship with Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger, with whom she shares four children - Elizabeth, 38, James, 36, Georgia May, 30, and Gabriel, 24 - however the two never officially wed during their 22-year relationship. The couple tied the knot in London in March 2016 in a very low-key ceremony at Spencer House, which overlooks Green Park, after a whirlwind five-month romance. The Patagonia clothing company has said it would pay bail for employees who are arrested protesting the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. The California-based company, which has more than 2,600 employees, said on Friday that it was committed to supporting their employees, and to that end, would pay bail for those 'who peacefully protest for reproductive justice.' Patagonia spokesman J.J. Huggins said the bail policy had been in place for years and that the company was sticking with its employee's rights. 'The company will post bail for an employee who has previously taken a non-violent civil disobedience class and is subsequently arrested while peacefully protesting,' he told Axios. Patagonia said on Friday that it was committed to paying bail for employees 'who peacefully protest for reproductive justice' The California-based clothing company, which has more than 2,600 employees in stores across the nation, said it would also pay for travel expenses for workers seeking abortions It comes as thousands protested outside the Supreme Court (pictured) and across the nation over the end of women's federal right to an abortion Pro-choice protestors are active across the nation following Friday's ruling. Pictured, demonstrator gathering at Washington Square Park in New York City FIRMS PAYING WORKERS' ABORTION EXPENSES Disney said it will cover the cost of travel for 'family planning' for any worker who cannot access care where they live, including 'pregnancy-related decisions' Buzzfeed will provide a stipend to employees to travel out of state to access legal abortion services Dick's Sporting Goods is reimbursing employees $4,000 in travel expenses Amazon will provide $4,000 for travel expenses outside of 100 miles of an employee's home Starbucks will reimburse all abortion travel expenses not available within 100 miles Yelp will reimburse travel costs for employees who can't access services in their home state Microsoft will reimburse employees for travel expenses related to an abortion Apple will cover all travel expenses Netflix will pay up to $10,000 for travel reimbursement for abortions Tesla pays for travel and lodging for employees who get an abortion outside their home state Levi Strauss & Co. said it would reimburse workers who travel out of state to get an abortion JPMorgan Chase said it would expand its health plan to cover travel expenses for employees getting an abortion Starbucks will reimburse travel expenses for an abortion or gender-affirming procedure that is not available within 100 miles of an employee's home Citigroup will provide abortion travel benefits Mastercard will pay for travel and lodging for employees who need to travel out of state for abortion services Lyft will cover travel costs for employees enrolled in the company health care plan who need to travel more than 100 miles for an abortion Zillow will reimburse employees up to $7,500 to travel significant distances for reproductive services, gender-affirming care and other procedures Advertisement In its' full statement published on LinkedIn, thePatagonia said: 'Caring for employees extends beyond basic health insurance, so we take a more holistic approach to coverage and support overall wellness to which every human has a right. 'That means offering employees the dignity of access to reproductive health care. It means supporting employees' choices around if or when they have a child.' The company also said that U.S. employees are covered for abortion care, and where abortions are restricted, travel, lodging and food expenses would be covered. It comes as multiple blue chip firms including Disney, JP Morgan and Meta have announced they'll also pay the expenses of staff forced to travel out-of-state for an abortion. Other firms including Netflix, Vogue publisher Conde Naste and Yelp have also signaled they'll cover expenses in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed American women the right to an abortion. Up to 26 states states are expected to further restrict or ban abortions following the ruling, making it difficult for female employees to terminate pregnancies unless they travel to states where the procedure is allowed. Disney said on Friday that it would cover the cost of employees who need to travel to another location to access care, including abortions, in light of the Supreme Court's decision. The company employs 195,000 worldwide, including roughly 80,000 in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks of gestation. Disney told employees on Friday that it recognizes the impact of the abortion ruling, but remains committed to providing comprehensive access to quality healthcare, including for abortions, according to a Disney spokesperson. 'We recognize the impact of the ruling and that we remain committed to providing comprehensive access to quality and affordable care for all of our employees, cast members and their families, including family planning and reproductive care, no matter where they live,' Disney said in a statement. Yelp co-founder and Chief Executive Jeremy Stoppelman on Friday said the ruling 'puts women's health in jeopardy, denies them their human rights, and threatens to dismantle the progress we've made toward gender equality in the workplace since Roe.' Meta will reimburse travel expenses for employees seeking out-of-state reproductive care, but the company was also 'assessing how best to do so given the legal complexities involved,' according to a spokesperson. Netflix added travel reimbursement for abortions and gender-affirming care to its health care plan. The policy, which also covers cancer treatment and transplants, pays up to $10,000 per service for each employee. Alaska Air Group, parent of Alaska Airlines, said on Friday it is 'reimbursing travel for certain medical procedures and treatments if they are not available where you live. Today's Supreme Court decision does not change that.' Zillow said Friday that it will reimburse employees up to $7,500 to travel significant distances for reproductive services, gender-affirming care and other procedures. The expanded benefits went into effect June 1, the Hill reported. 'We strongly support our employees' right to make health care choices that are right for them, and we will continue to do so,' Zillow said in a statement. Disney said on Friday that it would cover the cost of employees who need to travel to another location to access care, including abortions, in light of the Supreme Court's decision America's largest bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co, has also joined the growing list of major companies that will cover expenses for U.S.-based employees who need to travel to get a legal abortion Buzzfeed will provide a stipend to employees to travel out of state to access legal abortion services, CEO Jonah Peretti said Friday. 'The decision is so regressive and horrific for women that it compels us to step up as a company to ensure that any of our employees who are impacted have funding and access to safe abortions as needed,' Peretti said. Lyft announced in April that it would cover travel costs for employees enrolled in the company health care plan who need to travel more than 100 miles for an abortion. Starbucks said in April that it would reimburse travel expenses for an abortion or gender-affirming procedure that is not available within 100 miles of an employee's home. 'Regardless of what the Supreme Court ends up deciding, we will always ensure our partners have access to quality healthcare,' Starbucks executive Sara Kelly told employees. 'And when actions impact your access to healthcare, we will work on a way to make sure you feel supported.' Other companies offering the benefit include online dating sites OkCupid and Bumble Inc. 'OkCupid is horrified by the news of Roe being overturned. This is an issue of gender equality and an issue of human rights,' said. OkCupid Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Hobey. Companies that offer reimbursements for abortion-related travel could be vulnerable to lawsuits by pro-life groups and Republican-led states, and even potential criminal penalties. Lawyers and other experts said employers could face claims that their policies violate state laws banning, facilitating or aiding and abetting abortions. The saga of who will bury ex-Bandido Ricky Chapman has ended with his ex-girlfriend successful after judges said further delaying his funeral was an 'affront' to the dead man's dignity. Ricky Chapman died nine weeks ago, on April 20, after suffering a medical episode while working at Rio Tinto's port in Cape Lambert, 1,500km north of Perth. His death sparked a series of bitter legal battles over who would bury Chapman, 32, between his mother, Suzy Britt and his ex-partner Stacey Schoppe, who represented herself throughout. The saga of who will bury ex-Bandido Ricky Chapman has ended with his ex-girlfriend, Stacey Schoppe (pictured), successful after judges said further delaying his funeral was an 'affront' to the dead man's dignity Chapman (above) died while working at Rio Tinto's port in Cape Lambert, 1,500km north of Perth with his girlfriend telling the court he had experienced several seizures in the lead-up Chapman was diagnosed with epilepsy and was working closely with doctors to treat his condition just days before his sudden death, the court heard. Chapman died 16 months after he survived being hit by the same assassin's bullet that killed Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin's at Perth Motorplex in December 2020. Ms Schoppe, from Perth, pre-paid for Chapman's funeral and claimed her plans for his burial were in line with Chapman's wishes. Ms Schoppe has been granted final permission to hold a funeral for her ex partner, Ricky Chapman His death sparked a series of bitter legal battles over who would bury Chapman, 32, between his mother, Suzy Britt (pictured) and his ex-partner Schoppe Ms Britt, from Adelaide, fought two previous court rulings granting Ms Schoppe permission to conduct Chapman's funeral and took the matter to the WA Court of Appeal. Part of her appeal was that Chapman's cultural roots should be taken into account in deciding on his funeral. Ms Britt's family are Aboriginal people from the Kaurna nation in South Australia. She lost that appeal before three judges on Friday - but did make one final attempt to stay the decision while her legal team weighed up an appeal to the High Court of Australia. The court of appeal ruled there was no sufficient reason that Ms Schoppe should not have administration of Chapmans estate or make the funeral arrangements. Earlier Ms Britt's team produced text messages which they claimed showed Ms Schoppe and Chapman were not in a relationship when he died. She disputed this saying although they had separated they had also reunited and were in a long-term relationship. 'We just want to be able to set him free the way that he wanted,' Ms Schoppe said. It was noted Ms Schoppe had also offered to share Chapman's remains with his mother Ms Schoppe said she and Chapman began a de facto relationship in 2019 and that she was pregnant to him It was noted Ms Schoppe had also offered to share Chapman's remains with his mother. After justices Graeme Murphy, Robert Mitchell and Andrew Beech delivered their ruling they rejected Ms Britt's last-minute application saying the delay had already been too long and a further wait was 'an affront' to his dignity. While they acknowledged Chapman's indigenous roots' they found 'he has no continuing connection with South Australia and wished for his remains to be disposed of in the manner proposed by Ms Schoppe'. While the WA Court of Appeal acknowledged Chapman's indigenous roots they found he had no continuing connection with South Australia, where his mother's family was from The WA Court of Appeal heard testimony from Ms Schoppe that she was the only person to visit him in jail after he breached parole for associating with bikies. Ms Schoppe was granted the right to take Chapman's remains after he died but Ms Britt appealed. Justice Curthoys ruled in the younger woman's favour accepting she was in a de facto relationship since 2019 with Chapman as she was pregnant with his child. She eventually miscarried. Kickboxer and former Mongols bikie Sam Abdulrahim is fighting for life after being shot while attending a funeral. Abdulrahim, 32, was shot at least three times and his Mercedes G-Class 4WD sprayed with bullets at Fawkner Cemetery, in Melbourne's northern suburbs, on Saturday. The shots were fired by occupants of a grey Mazda SUV that fled the scene before crashing into a fire hydrant at the Sydney and Box Forest roads intersection. The occupants then carjacked a Ford Territory from a mother and her child before speeding off in the vehicle. Abdulrahim drove himself to the local police station before an ambulance arrived and took him to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition, The Age reported. #BREAKING The gunmen crash just after shooting former Mongols bikie Sam The Punisher Abdulrahim in Fawkner at noon. Two men ran from the car. See the full CCTV as one gunman carjacks a nearby car at 6pm on @7NewsMelbourne pic.twitter.com/6fK7GTQVG9 Paul Dowsley (@paul_dowsley) June 25, 2022 Heavyweight boxer and former Mongols bikie Sam Abdulrahim is fighting for life after being shot while attending his cousin's funeral Abdulrahim, 32, was shot at least three times and his Mercedes G-Class 4WD sprayed with bullets at Fawkner Cemetery, in Melbourne 's northern suburbs, on Saturday (forensic officers are seen analysing the car) The shots were fired by occupants of a Mazda SUV that fled the scene before crashing into a fire hydrant at the Sydney and Box Forest roads intersection He was shot in the lung and kidney, Herald Sun reported. A black Mercedes-Benz G-Class four-wheel-drive parked outside the police station has been surrounded with tape. Police believe the Mazda SUV had 'cloned' number plates attached to it. The mother and the child who had their car stolen were unharmed but the Ford remains missing. Ambulance Victoria said paramedics had responded to an incident in Hadfield. 'Paramedics treated one person at the scene who has been taken to hospital in a critical condition,' Ambulance Victoria said in a statement. Police have closed off Box Forrest Road at the northern entrance of Fawkner Memorial Park as investigations continue. Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Boris Buick urged any witnesses to come forward. 'Obviously it was a terrifying experience, an incident like this is terrifying for the public and for the people involved,' he said. The shooting comes months after Abdulrahim, sergeant-at-arms Mark Balsillie and Toby Mitchell were ordered to hand in their colours. Balsillie and Abdulrahim were summoned to an urgent meeting with the gang's new Queensland hierarchy on the Gold Coast where they were told they were out, the Herald Sun reported. Mitchell, also a former Bandidos boss, Balsillie and Abdulrahim were widely regarded as three of the most influential Mongols in the club's ranks last year. The Mazda is seen after it crashed into a pole in Fawkner, Melbourne after a former bikie was shot Police allege the Mazda SUV had 'cloned' number plates Investigations are continuing into the incident which occurred on Saturday afternoon The shooting comes months after Abdulrahim, sergeant-at-arms Mark Balsillie and Toby Mitchell (pictured) were ordered to hand in their colours Balsillie was involved in patching Russian Comancheros across to the Mongols, while Abdulrahim is thought to be well connected in Melbourne's middle eastern crime circles. Abdulrahim is also known in kickboxing circles as The Punisher and owns boxing management company Punisher Promotions. He was jailed for a minimum of two years after crashing his Ferrari 360 Spider into several cars killing 88-year-old great-grandmother Muriel Hulett in 2015. Abdulrahim was involved in a brawl at Melbourne Magistrates Court in the same year and was found guilty of assault and fined $2,000. Abdulrahim is also known in kickboxing circles as The Punisher and owns boxing management company Punisher Promotions Disgraced ex-congressman Anthony Weiner returned to Twitter for the first time in nine years to ask for advice on how to stage a comeback. Weiner, 57, whose sexting with a 15-year-old girl led to a conviction as as sex offender, put out a poll on Twitter about the best way to announce his return as he seeks to promote his radio shows on 77 WABC. 'Advice for returning to Twitter,' Weiner wrote, giving voters three choices: 'Update your bio and run, act like nothing happened, and just don't.' With more than 10,000 votes as of Saturday, nearly 65 percent of people advised the man who once called himself 'Carlos Danger' to stay off Twitter. Anthony Weiner (pictured), who resigned as a congressman following a series of sexting scandals, returned to Twitter for the first time in nine years The disgraced Democrat asked for advice on how best to stage a comeback, but nearly 65 percent of the more than 10,000 people who voted so far said he should stay out Weiner had shocked the world with his constant sexting scandals, with one photo he shared depicting his crotch while lying next to his sleeping, then-four-year-old son. The scandal-plagued Democrat admitted that social media was not the best place for him, but he thought he'd give it a shot to promote his shows, 'The Middle with Anthony Weiner,' and 'The Left Versus The Right,' which he co-hosts with Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa. 'Social media is not a comfortable place for me and I am deeply ambivalent about its place in my life and the role it has had on society,' Weiner told Fox News, 'but if you want people to know about a radio show you are doing, it is helpful.' But if the poll and comments are any clear indicator, Twitter is not ready to welcome back Weiner, who resigned in 2010 after he accidentally tweeted a picture of himself in his underwear. The former congressman had initially blamed the photo on a hack before admitting he sent the pic, and after running for mayor of New York City in 2013, Weiner admitted to sharing illicit photos with at least three women. Many were shocked - including his ex-wife, former Hilary Clinton aide Huma Abedin - to see that among the messages he sent to other women included a picture of his crotch while lying next to his sleeping, then-four-year-old son. Then in 2016, a 15-year-old girl told DailyMail.com that Weiner had been sending sexually explicit messages to her for months. Federal investigators confirmed he had been sexting the minor and watching her strip via Skype and Snapchat, leading to a conviction of 21 months in prison in 2017. The saga of Weiner's downfall was heavily covered by the media, so many were quick to remember his story when they advised him to stay off Twitter. Weiner (left) said he wanted to get a feel for how to best promote his radio shows The Middle with Anthony Weiner,' and 'The Left Versus The Right,' which he co-hosts with Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa (right) Many on social media said Twitter was not the best place for Weiner to be, as his accidentally tweeting of a shirtless photo of him cascaded into his sexting scandal One Twitter user with the handle Zacherie Smith pointed out the obvious, writing, 'Isn't Twitter how you got in trouble?' Another user with the name Sky echoed many of the comments and simply wrote, 'Buddy this is a terrible idea.' A Twitter user with the handle John reminded Weiner that his last attempt at a Twitter comeback in 2012 was unsuccessful and mocked by former President Donald Trump. 'Bruh. Just don't,' John tweeted. 'It didn't work out well for you last time you returned either.' Trump had taken a jab at the disgraced Democrat when Weiner announced his return to Twitter in 2012, writing, 'Pervert alert. @RepWeiner is back on twitter. All girls under the age of 18, block him immediately.' Others on the social media platform urged Weiner to stay on Twitter, not to stage a comeback, but to see yet another scandal. 'I love a good train wreck,' twitter user Rachael Vance wrote. People protest in New York City, New York, June 24, the Supreme Court decision to overturn the Roe vs. Wade ruling on abortion. Reuters-Yonhap The end of constitutional protection for abortions in the United States, Friday, emboldened abortion opponents around the world, while advocates for abortion rights worried it could threaten recent moves toward legalization in their countries. The U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision ''shows that these types of rights are always at risk of being steamrolled,'' said Ruth Zurbriggen, an Argentinian activist and member of the Companion Network of Latin America and the Caribbean, a group favoring abortion rights. But in El Salvador, anti-abortion campaigner Sara Larin expressed hope the ruling will bolster campaigns against the procedure around the globe. ''I trust that with this ruling it will be possible to abolish abortion in the United States and throughout the world,'' said Larin, president of Fundacion Vida SV. In Kenya, Phonsina Archane watched news of Friday's ruling and said she froze for a while in a state of panic. ''This is being done in America, which should be an example when it comes to the women's rights movement,'' said Archane, an activist for abortion rights. ''If this is happening in America, what about me here in Africa? It's a very, very sad day.'' She worried the ruling will embolden abortion opponents across Africa who have charged into reproductive health clinics or threatened attacks. ''There is no safe place on the continent,'' she said. Abortion rights activists rally outside the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in protest of the overturning of Roe vs. Wade by the US Supreme Court, in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 24. AFP-Yonhap Abortion in sub-Saharan Africa is already more unsafe than in any other region of the world, and the overwhelming majority of women of child-bearing age live in countries where abortion laws are highly or moderately restricted, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a New York-based research organization that supports abortion rights. Archane said civil society groups in Africa will have to come together to work out strategies on how to keep themselves and women safe. Just months ago, many saw hope when the World Health Organization released guidelines on quality abortion care, she said. ''We had a step ahead, and now we have to go five steps back again.'' The decision, which leaves it up to lawmakers in individual U.S. states to decide whether to allow or ban abortions, lit up social media across Argentina, where a law that legalized elective abortion up to the 14th week of gestation took effect in January 2021 after years of debate. Anti-abortion activists cheered the ruling, with legislator Amalia Granata tweeting: ''There is justice again in the world. We are going to achieve this in Argentina too!!'' In more conservative countries like El Salvador, where abortions are illegal no matter the circumstance and where some 180 women with obstetric emergencies have been criminally prosecuted in the last two decades, Larin warned that the ruling could inspire yet more efforts to loosen abortion restrictions outside the U.S. People march past the Colorado State Capitol in Denver as they gather in protest of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, June 24. AFP-Yonhap ''Campaigns promoting abortion may intensify in our countries because funding and abortion clinics in the United States are going to close as they have been doing in recent years,'' she said. At the Vatican, the head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, joined U.S. bishops in saying it was a time for reflection, healing wounds and civil dialogue. ''The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world.'' the academy said. In Mexico, lawyer and activist Veronica Cruz said the ruling could give a boost to anti-abortion groups, but added it likely won't have any impact in Mexico where 10 of the country's 32 states have legalized abortion up to 12 weeks gestation in recent years. She noted the ruling could lead to an increase in calls for help from U.S. women seeking abortions. So far this year, local activists have helped some 1,500 U.S. women the get abortion pills, Cruz said. Ricardo Cano, with the anti-abortion group National Front for Life, also doubts the ruling would have any impact in Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America, given the advance of leftist ideologies in the region. Protesters march to the Capitol building to protest the Supreme Court's decision in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health case, in Atlanta, Georgia, June 24. AFP-Yonhap Colombia, which became in February the latest Latin American country to expand access to abortion, also will not be affected by the ruling, said Catalina Martinez Coral, director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Center for Reproductive Rights. Ahead of U.S. President Joe Biden's trip overseas, the heads of at least two Group of Seven members called the decision ''horrific.'' ''No government, politician or man should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body,'' said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, adding that he ''can't imagine the fear and anger'' women in the U.S. must be experiencing in the wake of the ruling. The French Foreign Ministry urged U.S. federal authorities ''to do everything possible'' to ensure American women have continued access to abortions, calling it a ''health and survival issue.'' France's president, Emmanuel Macron, added in a tweet that ''abortion is a fundamental right of all women.'' New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: ''Watching the removal of a woman's fundamental right to make decisions over their own body is incredibly upsetting. Here in New Zealand we recently legislated to decriminalize abortion and treat it as a health rather than criminal issue. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organiztion, said on Twitter that he was ''concerned and disappointed'' by the ruling, saying it reduces both ''women's rights and access to health care.'' Abortion-rights activist Julianne D'Eredita, 21, of Austin, Texas, right, speaks following Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade in Washington, June 24. AP-Yonhap A jar of coffee has been priced at a whopping $74 in a remote Northern Territory town as the prices for fuel and freight skyrocket. Residents in Ramingining, a small town 558km east of Darwin, have been left stumped by the prices at the local Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation store. One kilogram of Nescafe instant coffee was seen costing $74.25 while small pots of cream cost almost $8 and powdered milk are at $10.25. The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation store in Ramingining, NT, has been forced to charge $74 for one kilo of instant coffee (above) amid rising fuel and transport costs A sign at the store said the 'significant cost increases' in fuel and freight were to blame for the price hikes. 'Over the past two years we have done our best to absorb these increases in an effort to keep prices down ... however, this is no longer sustainable,' it read. A spokeswoman for the ALAC said the corporation is not only facing drastically increased fuel and transport costs but also labour costs due to Fairwork's recent minimum wage increase. 'Fairwork Australia's decision, whilst understandable and fair, will add over $1,000,000 to our employment costs across our activities and businesses,' she told ABC. Urapunga's community store said it is selling barely any meat (above) because residents cannot keep up with inflated prices The organisation is paying an extra $250,000 a quarter in freight charges, compared to the same period last year. She said the corporation has seen customers 'having to take products out of their shopping baskets to make their dollars stretch' and is doing its best to limit the costs passed on to customers. Hefty prices have also been seen in Wadeye's Murrinhpatha Nimmipa Store - the only shop open in a 400km radius. Corned beef is priced at $15 but the store's manager Jake Clarke said fruit and veges were being sold cheaper to ensure residents had access to healthy food. He added it was the first time in a decade he'd been forced to raise the margin on food items. Weather, lack of supply, rising fuel and energy costs were all to blame, he said. 'We are getting to the point where we are just covering our costs. It's not because I want to, it's because I have to,' he told the publication. Foodbank South Australia and Central Australia chief executive Greg Pattison said Alice Springs residents were also turning to charity amid the rising food cost crisis. Remote Northern Territory communities are facing a growing food crisis with transport costs sending basic grocery costs through the roof (pictured, Urapunga) 'We're starting to see people come in who aren't necessarily people you would think would require welfare assistance. They are people for whom the cost of living has meant they can't feed their families,' he said. He said the running cost of the charity has increased by about $50,000 per month. Urapunga, 613km southeast of Darwin, community store worker Mandy Jeffs said residents don't buy much meat because 'it has become too expensive'. She said she noticed the 'incredible' price jumps after returning from a two-week break. At least 18 African migrants died when a huge crowd tried to cross into the Spanish enclave of Melilla in northern Morocco, according to an update from Moroccan authorities. Some 2,000 migrants made approached the EU's only land border with Africa at dawn on Friday and over 500 managed to enter a border control area after cutting a fence with shears, the Spanish government's local delegation said in a statement. Of these 130 sub-Saharan African migrants, 'all of them men and apparently adults', managed to enter the EU territory of Melilla, it added. Moroccan officials said late Friday that 13 migrants had died of injuries sustained in the incursion, in addition to five who were confirmed dead earlier in the day. A Moroccan official from the nearby border town of Nador said 'five deaths were recorded after they stormed the border and some fell from the top of the barrier' separating the two sides. He said 140 security personnel and 76 migrants were injured during the attempt to cross, the first such mass incursion since Spain and Morocco mended diplomatic relations last month. The Spanish government's local delegation said only that 140 Spanish police officers were lightly injured while 76 migrants suffered injuries of varying degrees, including three who were hospitalised. There are fears that drought in Africa and surging food prices - even before the war made shipping Ukrainian grain to Somalia, Egypt and other developing nations impossible - could drive up the number of migrants fleeing to Europe. The border of the Spanish enclave and the neighbouring Moroccan city of Nador were calm early Saturday, without police deployment, reporters on the ground said. Morocco had deployed a 'large' number of forces to try to repel the assault on the border, who 'cooperated actively' with Spain's security forces, it said earlier in a statement. Images on Spanish media showed exhausted migrants laying on the sidewalk in Melilla after successfully breaking through, some with bloodied hands and torn clothes. Speaking in Brussels, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the 'violent assault' which he blamed on 'mafias who traffic in human beings'. Video showed the migrants cheering and raising their arms in celebration as they ran through the streets of Melilla after storming the fence. Migrants climb the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in Melilla, Spain, on Friday Migrants run on Spanish soil after crossing the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in Melilla, as border guards can be seen in the background trying to stop the migrants from entering Some 2,000 migrants made their way to the border at dawn and over 500 managed to enter the border control area after cutting a fence with shears, the Spanish government's local delegation said A migrant, left, is detained by a police officer on Spanish soil after crossing the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in Melilla on Friday Video showed the migrants - the vast majority of them being men - cheering and raising their arms in celebration as they ran through the streets of Melilla after storming the fence At least 130 migrants managed to enter Melilla, the Spanish government's local delegation said Melilla and Ceuta, Spain's other tiny North African enclave, have the European Union's only land borders with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants AMDH Nador, a Moroccan human rights watchdog, said the incursion came a day after migrants clashed with Moroccan security personnel attempting to clear camps they had set up in a forest near Melilla. The watchdog's head, Omar Naji, told Reuters that clash was part of an 'intense crackdown' on migrants since Spanish and Moroccan forces resumed joint patrols and reinforced security measures in the area around the enclave. He called for called for the opening of 'a serious investigation to determine the circumstances of this very heavy toll' which shows that 'the migration policies followed are deadly with borders and barriers that kill'. Morocco deployed a 'large' amount of forces to try to repel the assault on the border on Friday, who 'cooperated actively' with Spain's security forces, the local delegation said earlier in a separate statement. But a 'significant number' managed to get in to Melilla, it said, adding that the migrants were 'perfectly organised and violent'. Images on Spanish media showed exhausted migrants laying on the sidewalk in Melilla, some with bloodied hands and torn clothes. Those who succeeded in crossing went to a local migrant centre, where authorities were evaluating their circumstances. A spokesperson for the Spanish government's office in Melilla, who could not be identified by name in keeping with government rules, said several hundred people remained gathered on the Moroccan side. People fleeing poverty and violence sometimes make mass attempts to reach Melilla and the other Spanish territory on the North African coast, Ceuta, as a springboard to continental Europe. Spain normally relies on Morocco to keep migrants away from the border. At the beginning of March, more than 3,500 people tried to scale the 20-foot (6-metre) barrier that perimeters Melilla, and nearly 1,000 making it across, according to Spanish authorities. Friday's crossings were the first attempt since relations between Spain and Morocco improved in March after a year-long dispute centered on the Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1976. After ending the year-long diplomatic crisis, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez then visited Rabat, and the two governments hailed a 'new stage' in relations. The row began when Madrid allowed Brahim Ghali, leader of Western Sahara's pro-independence Polisario Front, to be treated for Covid-19 in a Spanish hospital in April 2021. Thousands of migrants can be seen facing a smaller group of border guards after they crossed the fence separating Melilla from Morocco Migrants climb the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in Melilla on Friday A migrant is detained by police officers on Spanish soil after crossing the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in Melilla A police officer is seen leaning over after migrants stormed the fence and entered Melilla on Friday A migrant runs on Spanish soil after crossing the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco A group of 2,000 migrants stormed the border fence at 8:40 am Friday and a 'significant number' managed to get in Migrants on their way to a Centre for Temporary Residence of Immigrants (CETI) in Melilla, Spanish enclave in northern Africa, on Friday after storming the border An injured migrant, who managed to storm the border fence, is helped by his friends as he walks towards a migrant centre in Melilla The row began when Madrid allowed Brahim Ghali, leader of Western Sahrara's pro-independence Polisario Front, to be treated for Covid-19 in a Spanish hospital in April 2021. A month later, some 10,000 migrants surged across the Moroccan border into Spain's Ceuta enclave as border guards looked the other way, in what was widely seen as a punitive gesture by Rabat. Rabat calls for the Western Sahara to have an autonomous status under Moroccan sovereignty but the Polisario wants a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination as agreed in a 1991 ceasefire agreement. In the days just before Morocco and Spain patched up their ties, there were several attempted mass crossings of migrants in Melilla, including one involving 2,500 people, the largest such attempt on record. Nearly 500 made it across. Patching up relationship with Morocco, the departure point for many migrants, has meant a drop in arrivals, notably in Spain's Atlantic Canary Islands. The number of migrants who reached the Canary Islands in April was 70 percent lower than in February, government figures show. Riot police officers, left, cordon off the area after migrants arrived on Spanish soil in Melilla on Friday Morocco deployed a 'large' amount of forces to try to repel the assault on the border, who 'cooperated actively' with Spain's security forces, the delegation said A few migrants broke free from the riot police and ran across the sparse grassland in Melilla on Friday Sanchez earlier this month warned that 'Spain will not tolerate any use of the tragedy of illegal immigration as a means of pressure.' Spain will seek to have 'irregular migration' listed as one of the security threats on the NATO's southern flank when the alliance gathers for a summit in Madrid on June 29-30. Over the years, thousands of migrants have attempted to cross the 12-kilometre (7.5-mile) border between Melilla and Morocco, or Ceuta's eight-kilometre border, by climbing the fences, swimming along the coast or hiding in vehicles. The two territories are protected by fences fortified with barbed wire, video cameras and watchtowers. The attempts include violent clashes between those crossing and the agents charged to stop them. Migrants sometimes use hooks and sticks to try to climb the border fence, and throw stones at police. Claimed by Morocco, the two cities have long been a flashpoint in diplomatic relations between Rabat and Madrid, which insists both are integral parts of Spain. Earlier this month, five European Union nations on the Mediterranean who fear possible waves of refugees driven by hunger out of Africa called Saturday for an end to the EU's 'voluntary' solidarity on migrants and a better way to redistribute the burden of caring for them. The Interior ministers from Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Spain wrapped up two days of talks in Venice amid worries that the blockade of Ukraine grain exports due to Russia's invasion could see huge numbers of refugees from Africa flooding southern Europe. Cypriot Interior Minister Nicos Nouris told reporters that robust, common EU policy is needed on migration. 'Solidarity is not a slogan, nor can it be void of substance,' Nouris said. Past EU policies in which member countries could offer to receive some of the hundreds of thousands of migrants landing in Italy, Greece and other southern shores proved grossly inadequate. Many EU countries didn't step forward. Others, even with they did pledge to receive modest numbers of some of the hundreds of thousands of migrants rescued from smugglers' unseaworthy boats, didn't follow through. 'Solidarity in our mind cannot be voluntary, Nouris said. He noted that after several years of Cyprus taking in migrants, now 5% of the eastern Mediterranean island nation's population consists of asylum-seekers. The meeting did not address the millions of Ukrainian refugees who recently flooded into northern EU nations like Poland, Hungary and Romania. How Europe handles large numbers of migrants takes on particular urgency now, amid fears that drought in Africa and surging food prices even before the war made shipping Ukrainian grain to Somalia, Egypt and other poor nations impossible could drive up the already alarmingly numbers of hungry people. In the Sahel, the part of Africa just below the Sahara desert, an estimated 18 million people are facing severe hunger as farmers endure their worst production season in more than a decade. Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese cited the blocking of grain in Ukraine as just another reason for the EU to develop a 'adequate mechanism of distributing migrants' among its members. She also pressed for more repatriation agreements with countries whose people are seeking a better life in Europe but had their asylum bids rejected since they are fleeing poverty, not war or persecution. Oxford Street is at risk of becoming 'extinct' retail giant Marks & Spencer has warned in a growing row with Michael Gove over the redevelopment of the retailer's flagship store. Stuart Machin, Chief Executive at M&S claims the shopping stretch in London is on 'its knees' amid a 'growing proliferation of tacky candy stores'. He has called on Housing Secretary Mr Gove to allow M&S to demolish its Marble Arch store and replace it with a 10-storey retail and office block. The plans were supported last November by Westminster City Council, the Greater London Authority and Sadiq Khan. Slide me M&S wants to replace the 1930s Art Deco-style Orchard House with a modern 10-storey mixed-use building But Mr Gove has intervened with the planning application over concerns about the environmental impact. Campaigners have fought against the proposals, saying they are concerned about the amount of carbon released during the construction process. Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud and comedian Griff Rhys Jones joined leading figures in calling for a public inquiry into proposals. The high-profile public figures are among 27 people from the worlds of heritage, architecture and sustainability who have signed an open letter Mr Gove. In the two-page letter, which was organised by campaigning group Save Britain's Heritage, they call for Mr Gove to launch a probe into plans that they claim would 'pump nearly 40,000 tonnes of C02 into the atmosphere'. They call the proposals 'wrong' and 'environmentally wasteful' and say they would destroy and 'elegant and important interwar building'. It is believed it will take around 16 years for the building to make up for the damage to the environment. But Mr Machin has said the proposed store will use less than a quarter of the energy the current building uses. Stuart Machin (pictured with co-chief executive Katie Bickerstaffe) claims Oxford Street is on 'its knees' amid a 'growing proliferation of tacky candy stores'. Michael Gove (pictured) has been accused of 'preferring stores hawking counterfeit goods' over the plans to redesign Marks & Spencer's on Oxford Street M&S wants to replace the 1930s Art Deco-style Orchard House with a modern 10-storey mixed-use building containing a new M&S store, along with cafe and restaurant areas, as well as prime office gym space and a new pedestrian arcade. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Machin hit out at the Department for Levelling Up saying there are 'clear sustainability benefits to our plans.' 'We need to back innovation, not breed a dinosaur district destined for extinction. 'We know Westminster Council is making attempts to arrest its decline and the New West End Company is leading calls for the Government to get behind investment to restore Oxford Street as a global shopping destination.' He added that London's most famous retail street is in desperate need of investment in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. 'When I walk down Oxford Street today, I see a stark reality staring back at me,' he wrote. 'One in five shops sit vacant, there is a growing proliferation of tacky candy stores and near 600,000 of counterfeit goods have been seized from hawkers this year. 'The effects of Covid have brought a street that was once the jewel of UK shopping to its knees. 'Footfall remains 30pc down on already dwindling prepandemic levels, with recovery in Oxford Street trailing its near cousins in Bond Street and Regent Street, both of which have benefited from significant redevelopment and investment.' M&S wants to replace the 1930s Art Deco-style Orchard House with a modern 10-storey mixed-use building It comes after Mr Gove issued an Article 31 order, which has forced developers to put the project on hold until it is referred to a public inquiry. The process is expected to take at least six months. A spokesman for the Levelling Up Department said: 'This is a disappointing response from M&S. 'Call-in decisions are made in line with established policy. It is right that a project of such significance should be considered by the independent planning inspectorate and ministers.' It comes after the high street firm said it was 'bewildered and disappointed' with the 'baseless' decision, claiming Mr Gove prefers the 'proliferation of stores hawking counterfeit goods' over the redevelopment plans. Sacha Berendji, group property, store development and technology director at M&S, said: 'After two years of working with Westminster City Council, the GLA and the local business and resident community which has supported the development at every stage, we are bewildered and disappointed at Michael Gove's baseless decision to call in the proposed redevelopment of our Marble Arch site. 'The Secretary of State has blocked the only retail-led regeneration in the whole of Oxford Street in a building which was refused listed status due to its low design quality and, while safe, cannot be modernised through refitting as it's three separate buildings containing asbestos. Campaigners have fought against the proposals, saying they are concerned about the amount of carbon released during the construction process 'Twenty percent of units on Oxford Street lay vacant and the Secretary of State appears to prefer a proliferation of stores hawking counterfeit goods to a gold-standard retail-led regeneration of the nation's favourite high street.' The comments come at a time when US sweet shops lacing the iconic London street have come under fire for selling counterfeit products. Earlier this month, Westminster City Council seized a haul of counterfeit products totalling 100,000 from three unnamed stores on London's Oxford Street. Trading standards officers from Westminster Council have raided some of the deluge of US-themed sweet and souvenir shops that have been taking over high streets. There are now at least ten candy stores between Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road stations alone - equating to roughly one every 200 yards - with some offering other services like foreign currency exchange. A spokesman for the New West End Company added that 'high levels of investment and development' are needed in order for Oxford Street to prosper. Dee Corsi, chief operating officer at New West End Company, said: 'Securing a bright and prosperous future for Oxford Street requires high levels of investment and development. 'It is vital that the council and businesses redouble efforts to work together to deliver the long-awaited public realm investment, and ensure progressive planning and licencing policies are in place to enable businesses to respond to changing customer trends, by delivering innovative and future proof buildings that are fit for purpose for a revived, dynamic high street.' A mayor who drank 'several' glasses of wine before smashing her car into a tree had spoken to the families of victims killed by drunk drivers just one hour before the crash. Redlands City Council Mayor Karen Williams struck the tree after veering off a road in Cleveland, east of Brisbane at about 9pm on Thursday. Less than an hour before, Cr Williams held a Zoom meeting with the families of Matt Field and Hayley Russell - both who were killed at the hands of drunk drivers in separate incidents in Queensland. The mayor has apologised for her 'error in judgement', but Ms Russell's mother and road safety advocate Judy Lindsay now says she wants nothing to do with her. Karen Williams, Mayor of Redlands city council in Brisbane's south east, said she had a lapse in judgement when she crashed her car on Thursday night after drinking 'several glasses of wine' Judy Lindsay (pictured left) has been campaigning for road safety since her own daughter was killed by a drunken driver on Redland Road in 2009 'She rang me on Friday night, a day after the crash, crying and saying she was so sorry for what she had done but I told her there was no excuse for her actions,' Ms Lindsay told The Courier Mail. 'I was so disgusted, I told her I could not ever be connected with her again and called for her to resign as mayor.' Cr Williams had approached Ms Lindsay to help raise awareness for safer roads, and congratulated her on her own petition and road safety program. Ms Lindsay said the mayor had told her she wanted to 'clean up Redlands' with harsher penalties for drink drivers. 'She said to me during the zoom meeting she was so sorry about my daughter's death and then within an hour she had crashed her car and admitted drinking,' she added. Ms Lindsay's daughter, Hayley, died at the age of 20 after she was hit by a drunken driver in 2009. Fighting back tears as she fronted media, Cr Williams said she would continue to try work with the families and others in the community to make roads safer. She was pressed on whether the meeting with the families of those drink driving victims had 'meant nothing to her' on Saturday. Mayor Williams has apologised for her actions and said there are 'no excuses' 'I am absolutely committed to making our community safer. I appreciate that those people have gone through difficult times and I will remain committed to working with anyone that wants to make this community safer,' the mayor said in response. Cr Williams however said she'd continue in her role as mayor. 'I will continue to serve my community in the way that I have for the last 18 years to make this a better place,' she said. 'There are no excuses for my actions. State Labor MP Don Brown (pictured) called on Cr Williams to resign after news broke she'd driven into a tree 'I am deeply sorry and I will deal with the consequences of that as I move forward and I will continue to assist the police with their inquiries. 'I made a promise to those families that I would continue to work with them to make sure the Youth Justice Act reflects what's required and expected by our community.' State Labor MP Don Brown for the overlapping seat of Capalaba called for the mayor to resign, adding to comments from Police Minister Mark Ryan for Cr Williams to face consequences. 'Karen Williams must resign today. You can't be hard on youth drunk drivers and then be soft on yourself,' Mr Brown said on social media. Responding to early reports Mr Brown had said: 'If (the reports are) true, she must go. Especially after campaigning against a drunk driver killing Matt, Kate and Miles'. Mr Ryan said the police investigation was continuing but people needed to 'walk the walk and talk the talk'. 'So for people who you know espouse to be advocates for road safety they also have to be road safety responsible people themselves,' he said. On Friday, the mayor admitted she had drunk 'several' glasses of wine before she smashed her car into a tree just hours after releasing her council's budget. In a sorrowful statement, the mayor said: 'Last night I made a serious error in judgement and drove after drinking several glasses of wine. 'I am deeply sorry for my actions and am incredibly thankful no one else was involved or injured. 'I will be seeking counselling and will continue to assist police in their inquiries.' Charges have not been laid as investigations continue. Cr Williams had been in the media earlier in June after launching a petition for safer roads following a 'lenient' sentence for a drink-driving teen who killed a couple and their unborn son. Cr Williams had been in the media earlier in June after launching a petition for safer roads following a 'lenient' sentence for a drink-driving teen who killed Kate Leadbetter, Matt Field and their unborn son. The 18-year-old was convicted of manslaughter this year for the horror 2021 Australia Day deaths of Matthew Field, Kate Leadbetter and their unborn son Miles. The driver, who was 17 at the time, was affected by drugs and alcohol when he got behind the wheel and crashed into the couple who were walking their dogs in Alexandra Hills. The teenager who can't be named because he was convicted as a juvenile was handed a 10-year prison sentence on a dozen charges. The judge, however, has ordered for his release after serving six years considering his 'genuine remorse', early guilty plea, and steps toward rehabilitation. Cr Williams was the principal petitioner calling for his sentence to be appealed. The petition labelled a six-year sentence 'manifestly inadequate' for the teen and calls for the Queensland Legislative Assembly to 'request the Attorney General lodge an appeal against this sentence' and 'enact legislative changes to curb juvenile crime, including reinstating breach of bail as an offense.' The petition was posted on June 10 and has 54,000 signatures. Grace Tame said she had her period just four times before she was raped by her high school teacher as she weighed in on the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn abortion rights. The former Australian of the Year shared the devastating detail about her abuse on Saturday night, adding the abortion ruling had meant women were no longer free. 'A part of democracy died today. Women's sense of freedom too. Worldwide,' she tweeted. 'I'd had maybe 4 periods before I lost my virginity to a 58 year-old paedophile who raped me, sometimes without protection. 'For some our womanhood is taken from us before we even have it. And that is not a choice.' The sexual abuse survivor's revelation came after the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that cemented women's constitutional right to abortion by legalising the procedure nationwide. Grace Tame has revealed that before she was raped by her high school teacher she'd had her period just four times - as she condemned the US Supreme Court's anti-abortion ruling Ms Tame wrote that 'For some our womanhood is taken from us before we even had it' in an emotional tweet (above) about the US Supreme Court overturning the Roe vs Wade ruling On Friday the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalised abortion nationwide (pictured, protesters in Denver, Colorado) The ruling means states will have the power to decide whether to outlaw abortions. A total of 13 states - Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming - have created 'trigger laws' that will ban abortion virtually immediately following the US Supreme Court's ruling. It's expected that 26 states all up are 'certain or likely' to ban the procedure. This means women with unwanted pregnancies will now be forced to either travel to another state where abortion is legal, buy abortion pills online or seek dangerous illegal treatments to terminate their pregnancy. Research shows younger women, poorer women and African-American women will likely be most disproportionately affected by an abortion ban. Rachel Jones, a senior researcher at pro-choice research group the Guttmacher Institute told BBC News: 'The typical abortion patient is in their 20s, doesn't have a lot of money and has one or more children.' Protesters in Los Angeles (above) took to the streets with flags and signs to protest the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling US President Joe Biden (above) said the fight over abortion rights 'is not over' and declared he would work to protect women's right to cross state borders to seek a legal abortion Some 75 per cent of women in the US having an abortion are deemed low income or poor, based on the country's official poverty definitions. This means they would likely be unable to travel to seek safe pregnancy termination procedures. Reported abortion procedures in the US have significantly decreased in the last decade, likely due to increased access to contraception and lower sexual activity. US President Joe Biden slammed the Supreme Court's ruling as 'un-American' and said Friday was 'a sad day for the court and the country'. The overturned Roe v. Wade ruling means the power to criminalise abortions will lie within individual states' jurisdictions (pictured, a protester's sign) Protesters in Los Angeles (above) marched to protest the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling He called the overturned ruling 'wrong, extreme and out of touch'. He accused the court of 'expressly taking away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans' and vowed the fight over abortion rights 'is not over'. Biden also said he would fight to protect a woman's right to seek an abortion across state borders. Ms Tame is an outspoken advocate for victims of sexual assault. She was raped and sexually assaulted by her former maths teacher Nicolaas Bester, aged 58 at the time, when she was just 15. Civil servants should let people who identify as transgender use whichever single-sex toilet they want, new guidance has said. Government officials were given a 'Gender Identity and Intersex HR' handbook which provides advice for those who identify as transgender, non-binary or intersex and their managers. The guide, written in collaboration with a trans rights group, says 'all individuals have the right to express their identity at work and present in their gender.' The new rules aim to be inclusive for members of these communities, but some female civil servants have raised objections to the plans. One member of the civil service and did not want to be identified, told The Times: 'Women get accused of being prudish about who uses their toilets, but they are intimate places and this adds to a feeling of a lack of privacy.' The Equality and Human Rights Commission ruled in April that trans people could be excluded from single-sex services if the reasons for doing so were 'justifiable and proportionate'. Civil servants were told about the rules in a handbook, and also received training on the issue The guide said 'Some transgender, non-binary and intersex individuals may feel most comfortable using gender-neutral facilities where present but this is a matter of personal choice' The Times reported that British civil servants were told in training that it was impossible to define what a woman was and that saying 'adult human female' could be transphobic to say. A trainer also told civil servants 'transphobia is increasingly presented as feminism' and that gender identity was on a sliding scale of 'woman-ness' and 'man-ness'. They added: 'You weren't thinking you were going to dial in today to find out you were gender fluid I think you probably are.' The civil servant handbook, released after a Freedom of Information request, said employees could have 'flexible' gender identities which 'differed from day to day'. It added they could use 'any appropriate single-sex toilets and other facilities' in a section called 'gender expression at work.' The guide also said: 'It is assumed that the individual knows which facilities are the best match for their gender identity and expression. 'Some transgender, non-binary and intersex individuals may feel most comfortable using gender-neutral facilities where present but this is a matter of personal choice.' A government spokesperson said: 'We recognise that when people want to make a transition in their lives, they should be treated with the maximum possible generosity and respect. 'However, we are clear that it is the important principle that spaces reserved for women and girls are maintained, in line with the Equality Act. This guidance is from 2019 and we keep all internal guidance under regular review.' A gay sex scene shot at Greece's ancient Parthenon has prompted outraged authorities to install a sprawling CCTV system at the UNESCO World Heritage Site to put a stop to such escapades. The 36-minute short film, called 'Xeparthenon' - or 'deflowering' in Greek - reportedly depicts two men in face coverings having sex at the Erechtheion, a small temple in the Acropolis complex, in full view of the public and surrounded by tourists. 'It was a lewd, terribly lewd act,' Ioannis Mavrikopoulos, the head guard at the Acropolis said. 'It marked the most disgraceful affront to the sanctity of the site.' The 2,500 year old temple, situated in an ancient citadel on a rock overlooking the Greek capital, will get a new, hi-tech security system of over 150 cameras for real-time monitoring of the area, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said. In a meeting on Tuesday, the Central Archaeological Council authorised the security system on the Acropolis and the monuments of the southern and northern slopes. The cameras will be monitored from a control room on a 24-hour basis so that specially trained security staff will be able to watch out for undesirable future shenanigans. A woman takes a picture of The Erechtheion temple in the Acropolis of Athens, the site where two men filmed themselves having sex last year The ancient Parthenon Temple atop the Acropolis hill archaeological site. Greek authorities were outraged by the lewd act, that it ''It marked the most disgraceful affront to the sanctity of the site' 'It's not just the dangers that the monuments on the site face from vandalism and other activities, but the improper activities that take hold that call for extra security,' Mavrikopoulos said. 'It is an important move in the right direction,' Mavrikopoulos told The Times. Mavrikopoulos further urged the authorities to 'take similar protection across the country'. 'We first have to invest in the protection of our cultural heritage. It is a sign of civilisation, not an affront to it.' The lurid sex scene, shot in December, caused outrage in Greece when it came to light after it was released online, sparking an investigation by the Ministry of Culture. The film was first shown at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in mid-December but did not come to the attention of indignant authorities until January. The film shows two gay men with their faces covered having sex at the Acropolis archaeological site while it is open to the public and full of tourists. The other participants of the film have made a circle around the protagonists for cover, pretending to take photographs of the monument. Visitors to the archaeological site can be seen walking close by. The filmmakers - who have chosen to remain anonymous - have described themselves as LGBT+ activists in a statement and said they chose the Parthenon for its 'symbol of nationalism and carrier of hetero-normal messages.' They said: 'Some of us are subject to physical and verbal violence for our choices and expressions of sexuality we will live our love and sexuality as we wish and we will defend the existence in public, but also the coexistence, of all sexualities that do not violate the self-disposition of our bodies.' They also described the sex scene between two men at the world famous site as a 'political act'. The Ministry of Culture was predictably outraged by the stunt, stating that the film was made without its consent or permission. 'The archaeological site of the Acropolis is not suitable for any kind of activism or other activity which would cause offence and displays disrespect for the monument,' the ministry said in a statement. The Acropolis of Athens, Greece, with the Parthenon Temple on top of the hill during a summer sunset It added that it is looking to 'find as soon as possible those responsible for this illegal shoot'. It also launched an investigation into whether any employees of the UNESCO listed site were party to the production. Spyros Bibilas, president of the Greek Actors Association, said that the short film with sex scenes on the Acropolis was sent to him anonymously and described it as 'shameful.' 'No one can use the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis for so-called activist actions and revolutionary acts, which are in fact both stupid and immoral,' he said on Antenna television. 'You can not do anything you want in the name of activism. In fact, I don't consider this to be activism As a Greek, I feel ashamed.' The Parthenon receives about 7.2million tourists a year, with entry tickets costing in the region of 20. Dedicated to the goddess Athena, the patron of Athens, it was built between 447 and 438 BC, although decoration of the building continued until 432 BC. UNESCO describes the Acropolis and its monuments as 'universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilisation and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world.' It added that the Athenians 'carried out an ambitious building programme' in the 5th century BC after being 'empowered from their victory over the Persians'. This building project consisted of several monuments including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia and the temple of Athena Nike. Two people were killed and 21 injured after a suspected terrorist gunned down clubbers at an LGBT+ hotspot in Oslo last night. An Iranian Norwegian suspect, 42, has been charged with murder, attempted murder and terrorism. He was known to police, having previously faced charges of drugs possession and carrying a knife. The unidentified man was detained by cops on the scene with the help of revellers at London Pub, one of two clubs targeted in the attack. Police attend the scene in Oslo in the early hours this morning immediately after the shooting The other site hit during the attack around 1.15am today was next door's Herr Nilsen Jazz Club, where revellers described being hit with flying shards of glass. One woman was forced to play dead to escape the gunman's fire. She told VG Norway: 'There was a woman who pulled me down and told me I had to play dead.' The man then shot the table directly behind her. She escaped London Pub unharmed. Police lawyer Christian Hatlo said: 'Our overall assessment is that there are grounds to believe that he wanted to cause grave fear in the population. 'We need to go through his medical history, if he has any. It's not something that we're aware of now.' Oslo was due to hold its annual gay pride parade later on Saturday, but organisers cancelled the event amid fears of potential follow up attacks. Norwegians paid their respects at the scene this morning, hours after the deadly terror attack Video on social media shows emergency services outside London Pub, a gay nightclub in Oslo at 1.15am on Saturday morning. Police have arrested a suspect at the scene (pictured) Two people have been killed and several seriously injured in a shooting at a nightclub in Norway, police have confirmed (pictured is the scene outside the nightclub) Organisers Oslo Pride wrote on Facebook this morning: 'Oslo Pride has received clear advice and a recommendation that the parade, Pride Park, and any other event in relation to Oslo Pride be cancelled. 'We will follow the police's recommendation and take care of each other', lead organiser Inger Kristin Haugsevje added. Oslo Police District confirmed last night: 'Two people have been confirmed dead in the shooting episode. There are several seriously injured.' National newspaper in Norway, VG, reported that 'witnesses said people ran from the scene in panic'. Oslo's university hospital said it had gone on red alert following the shooting. The chaotic scene in Oslo is pictured, with emergency services on the pavement treating the wounded. Police have made an arrest Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. 'I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting,' Mr Roenneberg told NRK. 'First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover.' Police inspector Tore Soldal said two of the shooting victims died and 10 people were being treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be life-threatening. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a Facebook post that 'the shooting outside London Pub in Oslo tonight was a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people'. He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. Video on social media shows emergency services outside London Pub, a gay nightclub in Oslo (pictured, file photo) at 1.15am on Saturday morning. Two were killed in the terror attack The London Pub gay nightclub in central Oslo is pictured on a map of the Norwegian capital 'We all stand by you,' Mr Gahr Stoere wrote. Christian Bredeli, who was at the bar, told Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. 'Many were fearing for their lives,' he said. 'On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened.' Images online have showed nightclubbers with blood on their faces receiving treatment from emergency service responders. Footage shared on social media, which has not been officially verified, appeared to show one man with a serious head wound. Oslo Police District also said that a person has been arrested near the scene shortly after the incident (pictured) It was reported that 'up to 20 shots' were fired in the nightclub. Norway's BNN Newsroom tweeted: 'The police ask people in the area to move away, to make room for ambulances.' A large police response was underway, with a number of ambulances in the area treating the wounded. Helicopters hovered above central Oslo while ambulance and police car sirens were heard across the city. London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted this morning: 'London stands with Oslo. Our thoughts and solidarity are with the victims, their families and all those affected by this horrific attack, hours before Oslo's #Pride was due to take place. #LoveIsLove and hate will never win.' A former weather presenter has opened up about the moment she watched her father viciously attack her mother with a corkscrew and slash his own throat. Melody Horrill, 55, an environmental journalist from Adelaide, has only now shared the heart-wrenching story of how her childhood was riddled with domestic violence at the hands of her dad in her book A Dolphin Called Jock. She said her father had shown up at her home in April, 1986 after she and her mother had tried to escape him, only for him to launch at her and grind the corkscrew into his wife's face. As she raced to call police, Ms Horrill then saw her father run a carving knife across his throat and fall down into a pool of blood. Ms Horrill went on to become one of the top weather presenters on Channel 7, her calm facade hiding the years of trauma she suffered. In her book, she credits the incredibly close bond she shared with Jock, a timid but playful dolphin living in Port River, as the one thing that allowed her to heal. 'The bond I forged with him obliterated the walls I'd built around my heart. He taught me that my life didn't have to be ruled by fear and mistrust,' she wrote in an extract from her book. Former South Australian news presenter Melody Horrill (pictured) has revealed her dark upbringing and told how a dolphin turned her life around In a tell-all book, Ms Horrill (pictured) has revealed how she overcame the trauma of her youth to become one of the country's top environmental journalists Ms Horrill grew up in Adelaide with her brother, mother and father with both siblings subjected to the cruelty of their dad. Police visited the family home often with violent fights between Ms Horrill's parents a common occurrence. 'Yes, it was difficult. But I think I realised I had to be brave,' she told The Advertiser. After a particularly horrific flare up between the pair, her mother slipped out of the front door, giving the future presenter a gift to remember her by a scented handkerchief in what looked to be a final goodbye. She then returned to the home days later as if nothing had transpired. In her later years of youth, Ms Horrill moved with her mother to a flat in an attempt to escape her father but he instead stalked them, sometimes showing up in bizarre disguises. Ms Horrill was saved by an unlikely companion who inspired years of in-depth environmental coverage (pictured) The resilient presenter recalled in her book how she would obsess over the locks and watch the street through her windows, at the same time hiding behind her curtains. Ms Horrill's mother said it was herself her ex-partner was obsessed with and moved out of the flat on the advice of the police, into a place with her new boyfriend. The young Ms Horrill was joined in the flat by a close friend but the family violence came to boiling point when Ms Horrill's mother visited a few months later to drop off some laundry. It was then that Ms Horrill's father ambushed the two of them, lurching for Ms Horrill's mother with the corkscrew, narrowly missing her eyes. Authorities arrived to find the young woman crouched in a corner of her home held there by fear and trauma. Her father survived his own injuries, and abused Ms Horrill as she gave evidence against him in the courtroom. The case ultimately ended in his imprisonment where he spent 18 months behind bars. He was released from jail and six months later and just one week before Ms Horrill was due to sit her final high school exams, her father took his own life in the family home. 'There was just a turning point in my life where I realised I had to drag myself out of these dark patches,' she said, adding she was determined to complete her exams. Through persistence and determination Ms Horrill then entered a degree in communications, majoring in psychology, but was traumatised by the experiences in her teenage years. Her father's voice telling her she would 'never amount to anything' echoed in her mind. Ms Horrill's story is expounded in its entirety in her now-released book - A Dolphin Called Jock But a class with a psychology professor passionate about man's reconnection to nature led her to researching Port River dolphins, and falling in love with the species. One dolphin captured the future presenter's heart, Jock an animal scarred and mangled by fishing equipment, and too scared to swim with the other dolphins in the main river. 'He appeared not only so physically damaged but his behaviour was so different, he seemed so lonely. It seemed so very sad and I felt this massive empathy for him and a connection to him,' she said. In her book, Ms Horrill writes of how the trust displayed by the mammal 'blew her mind' and helped 'fill a gaping hole in my heart'. She and her professor Mike Bossley would visit Jock over various research projects spanning three years, with the dolphin always happy to greet them. Ms Horrill said she felt herself changing and healing from her time with the dolphins, and later went on to set up the Australian Dolphin Research Foundation with Mr Bossley. In her unfolding career she found herself reflecting on her experiences with Jock, at one point pitching a documentary on the Port River Dolphins, picked up by Channel 10 nationally and CNN in the United States. She admitted it was hard to let go of the trauma from her past, but credited the acceptance 'of a dolphin and his mates' as her 'salvation'. A Dolphin Called Jock by Melody Horrill is out now. LIFELINE 13 11 14 1800RESPECT James Packer is looking forward to jumping in the ocean at Bondi Beach and seeing the finished Sydney Crown casino when he returns to Australia for the first time in two years. The billionaire said he is now the 'happiest' he's been in years, after shedding 25kg in 75 days and ditching the seven mood-altering drugs he was taking to help with his mental health. The 54-year-old former executive chair of Crown Resorts will return to Sydney next March with his ex-wife Erica and their three kids Indigo, 13, Jackson, 12 and Emmanuelle, nine. It will be the first time Mr Packer is in Australia since January, 2020. 'I'm roughly 130kg now and want to be back to 100kg by the end of 2022. I want to swim with my kids at Bondi when we're all in Sydney together next year and be 100kg,' he told The Weekend Australian from his home in in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The businessman said he quit the antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs he was prescribed in March, and is now looking to 'rehabilitate' his reputation in Australia. James Packer is looking forward to jumping in the ocean at Bondi Beach and seeing the finished Sydney Crown casino when he returns to Australia for the first time in two years 'I am very much looking forward to seeing Crown Sydney it hasn't been appropriate for me to be in Australia for the last few years,' he said. Mr Packer sold Crown to private investment company Blackstone for $8.9billion in a deal that was finalised last week, with the businessman pocketing $3.3billion. The sale marked the end of a major chapter in his life which at times was mired by controversy amid inquiries into the company and allegations of money laundering. Despite the investigations, the billionaire credited his casinos in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney for changing the cities 'for the better'. The father-of-three said he is now excited to begin his 'third act' and plans to ease back into public life in Australia. Mr Packer, pictured last year, is now hoping to embrace a life of health and wellbeing after shedding 25kg in just over two months Mr Packer's ex-wife Erica and their three children are seen in Bondi beach. The family will stay at the Crown Sydney next March When he arrives in Sydney next year, he will stay in his former company's new luxury skyscraper overlooking the harbour with his family. Erica will renovate the $72million apartment which will serve as a home for whenever members of the family are in the NSW capital. The last time Mr Packer saw the monumental building was in January 2020, and he was last seen publicly just eight months later where he appeared on video link from his $250million yacht during the inquiry investigating Crown's casino licence in NSW. Packer said he will be visiting Crown Sydney (above) for the first time next March in his first Australian trip since January 2020 Mr Packer is seen with former flame Mariah Carey in 2016 Mr Packer said he was enjoying life more than he ever had, and was prioritising family and his wellbeing. 'The sale of Crown is the end of my Act 2 and the beginning of my Act 3. I want to learn from my mistakes and I'm hoping for a meaningful and successful Act 3,' he said. He also wants to become involved in public debate in Australia including on topics like China, mental health and artificial intelligence. Mr Packer acknowledged he'd been 'incredibly lucky' in his life with a current estimated net worth of $5.72 billion, and is now hoping to help those 'a lot less fortunate than me'. Police work at a site of a shooting at a nightclub in central Oslo, Norway June 25. Reuters-Yonhap A gunman opened fire in Oslo's night-life district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving 10 seriously wounded in what police are investigating as a possible terrorist attack during the Norwegian capital's annual Pride festival. Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, was arrested after opening fire at three locations in downtown Oslo. While the motive was unclear, organizers of Oslo Pride canceled a parade that was set for Saturday as the highlight of a weeklong festival. One of the shootings happened outside the London Pub, a bar popular with the city's LGBTQ community, just hours before the parade was set to begin. Police attorney Christian Hatlo said the suspect was being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, based on the number of people targeted at multiple locations. ''Our overall assessment is that there are grounds to believe that he wanted to cause grave fear in the population,'' Hatlo said. Hatlo said the suspect's mental health was also being investigated. A rainbow flag and flowers are placed as a tribute on a sidewalk following a shooting at a nightclub in central Oslo, Norway June 25. Reuters-Yonhap ''We need to go through his medical history, if he has any. It's not something that we're aware of now,'' he said. The shootings happened around 1 a.m. local time, sending panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or trying to hide from the gunman. Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. ''I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting,'' Roenneberg told NRK. ''First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover.'' Police inspector Tore Soldal said two of the shooting victims died and 10 people were being treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be life-threatening. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said on Facebook that ''the shooting outside London Pub in Oslo tonight was a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people.'' He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. ''We all stand by you,'' Gahr Stoere wrote. Christian Bredeli, who was at the bar, told Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. ''Many were fearing for their lives,'' he said. ''On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened.'' Norwegian broadcaster TV2 showed footage of people running down Oslo streets in panic as shots rang out in the background. Investigators said the suspect was known to police, as well as to Norway's security police, but not for any major violent crimes. His criminal record included a narcotics offense and a weapons offense for carrying a knife, Hatlo said. Hatlo said police seized two weapons after the attack: a handgun and an automatic weapon, both of which he described as ''not modern'' without giving details. He said the suspect had not made any statement to the police and was in contact with a defense lawyer. Police prosecutor Christian Hatlo addresses a news conference following a shooting at a nightclub in central Oslo, Norway June 25. Reuters-Yonhap Advertisement Arizona's Capitol building was besieged by pro-abortion protesters Friday night, forcing riot cops to fire tear gas to disperse the angry crowd in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Lawmakers working to complete their 2022 session said they were effectively held-hostage inside, and eventually huddled to a safe location, as SWAT team operatives worked to disperse the gathered crowds. KPHO-TV reported the officers opened fire when several anti-abortion protesters started banging on glass doors of the building. Arizona is one of eight states where abortion clinics stopped performing procedures after the decision was released Friday. That is because a pre-Roe law banning all terminations was automatically re-enacted after Friday's Supreme Court ruling. Arizona's Republican Governor Doug Ducey insists a bill he previously passed, banning abortions after 15 weeks, still stands. But Ducey's assertion can only be settled in the state's courts - and some hardline Republicans are already suggesting the original ban on all terminations should remain in place. Authorities said there were no injuries or arrests. The incident sent Senate lawmakers into the basement of the building for about 20 minutes, said Democratic Sen. Martin Quezada. Tear gas coming from officers firing out of the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix is visible as pro choice protesters march outside Arizona is one of eight states where abortion clinics stopped performing procedures after the decision was released Friday Arizona's Capitol building was besieged by pro-abortion protesters Friday night, forcing riot cops to fire tear gas to disperse the angry crowd in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned Lawmakers working to complete their 2022 session said they were effectively held-hostage inside, and eventually huddled to a safe location, as SWAT team operatives worked to disperse the gathered crowds Officers opened fire when several anti-abortion protesters started banging on glass doors of the building Arizona protesters start to move away as the state police begins tear gassing people Riot police surround the Arizona Capitol after protesters reached the front of the Arizona Sentate building With tear gas in the air, a large number of police surround the Arizona Capitol after protesters reached the front of the AZ Senate building after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision Friday KPHO-TV reported the officers opened fire when several anti-abortion protesters started banging on glass doors of the building Abortion rights protesters banged on the walls of the capitol building in Arizona while holding signs Stinging tear gas wafted through the Capitol afterward, forcing the Senate to move its proceedings to a hearing room instead of the Senate chamber. Thousands of spirited demonstrators took to the streets Friday in cities nationwide to protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Most carried signs, chanted slogans and listened to speeches. In New York, at least 25 people have been arrested after demonstrations across the city Friday, according to the New York Post. A police officer estimated that about 17,000 people showed up to a march at Washington Square Park in Lower Manhattan. Similar arrests were made in Los Angeles, according to KTLA, while protests in Chicago, Washington and other huge cities also took place. Thousands also marched in Grant Park in Chicago, shutting down several streets according to NBC5 Chicago. Illinois' billionaire Governor JB Pritzker was in attendance. Marchers were also arrested after clashes with police turned violent One activist sets off a smoke flare amid abortion rights protest on the 110 Freeway in Downtown Los Angeles People in Washington, Chicago and other cities also marched Friday evening It comes as tens of thousands descended on streets across the US amid mixed reactions at the Supreme Court tearing up Roe v Wade and handing the rights to abortions back to states after nearly 50 years. NEW YORK CITY Furious pro-choice demonstrators took to the streets in cities including Washington DC, Phoenix, New York City and Los Angeles as they begged the Biden administration to find a way to overrule the decision. A group was spotted burning the flag of the United States in the capital while others gathered outside Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' home. In Arizona, cops were forced to fire tear gas at protestors after they appeared to breach the State Senate building in Phoenix, with staff evacuated but no one reported to have been injured. And at least 25 were arrested in New York City after around 17,000 descended on Washington Square Park before marching through the streets to Grand Central Station, Times Square, and Bryant Park. They also stopped outside News Corp headquarters - home to Fox News and The New York Post - and yelled 'Burn it down! Burn it down! Fk Tucker Carlson!' Vandals also sprayed 'F*** Fox' on the side of the building. Thousands marched through Manhattan in New York City on Friday, even ending up at News Corp headquarters, home of the New York Post and Fox News In New York, at least 25 people have been arrested after demonstrations across the city Friday Abortion rights activists march from Washington Square Park to Bryant Park in Lower Manhattan in protest LOS ANGELES The LAPD reported protesters throwing bottles of water and rocks were being thrown at officers during demonstrations. ABC7 reported that there were protesters throwing what appeared to be fireworks at police. They also spotted a man briefly being dragged away from the demonstrations. At one point, authorities declared an unlawful assembly just after 9 p.m., meaning protesters were forced to leave or be put under arrest, with officers not allowing reporters to witness what happened, according to the LA Times. Earlier in the afternoon, the crowd marched onto the northbound 110 Freeway, temporarily shutting down traffic. Protests in Los Angeles made it all the way out to the city's freeway, momentarily shutting down traffic CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA A pickup truck plowed into pro-choice protesters in Iowa as demonstrations turned violent. The black vehicle drove through the group of activists in Cedar Rapids despite them screaming at it to stop and hammering the hood and window. One appeared to get caught in front of it and narrowly avoided being run over before the driver sped off during the shocking exchange on Friday night. Another had her foot run over and was left howling in pain. And a third was flung to the floor as he drove away, suffering bruises and scrapes. The black pickup truck was captured on social media in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday evening shunting the crowd Two people appeared to be in front of the black pickup as it continued driving through the crowd, despite screams. One of the women, in the white t-shirt and jeans, told DailyMail.com about wrestling with the driver and yelling at him to stop As two protesters were shunted by the vehicle, the woman, Alexis Russell, screamed through the window for the driver to stop The driver continued accelerating, despite the protesters all around him and in front The driver then sped off. Cedar Rapids police say they are investigating Russell, in the white t-shirt and jeans, can be seen tussling with the driver of the pickup truck The driver pushed two people along the road at the front of his vehicle, while Russell yelled at him to stop by his window Russell is seen marching through Cedar Rapids on Friday with her fellow protesters, shortly before the crowd was rammed by the pickup truck WATCH: Truck pushes into protesters at pro-choice rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; at least 1 injured pic.twitter.com/4keGgXGCBv BNN Newsroom (@BNNBreaking) June 25, 2022 Alexis Russell, 30, saw the man driving his pickup into the crowd, and ran over to urge him to stop. 'I was standing on a sidewalk facing the road,' she told DailyMail.com. 'So as soon as I saw it I didn't even hesitate.' In the footage, Russell, in her white t-shirt and jeans, with long black hair, can be seen trying desperately to get the driver to stop, as two people are shunted along the road on the hood of his car. 'I ran over there, tried to grab the steering wheel,' she said. 'I was like - what the hell are you doing? You are literally hurting these people. 'They are doing nothing. 'He grabbed my sign through the window and ripped it. I reached in for the steering wheel, and he grabbed my sign, but didn't hold onto it so I have both pieces.' Up until that point, Russell said the march of 300-400 people had been peaceful - although many other motorists in staunchly-Republican Iowa had 'flipped us off' as they drove past. A protester lights a cigarette on a burning American Flag while marching with abortion-rights activists Abortion rights activists wear tape on their mouth with the words 'Second Class Citizen' while protesting Abortion rights activists rally outside of the US Supreme Court in Washington Stacey Walker, 34, a local politician who sits on the board of Linn County Board of Supervisors, told DailyMail.com that the march had been 'pretty uneventful' as it wound through the city past main landmarks, and drew to a close. He said there had been some hecklers, but nothing out of the ordinary. He then became aware of the commotion, and saw an aide from his office being pushed along the road - one of two people being shunted by the pickup truck. Walker sprinted to the car, and in social media videos can be seen yelling at the driver. It was pretty evident the driver didn't intend to stop,' Walker said. 'I'm guessing this gentleman did not agree with what we were doing. The Supreme Court on Friday struck down the right to abortion in a seismic ruling that shredded five decades of constitutional protections. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade decision enshrining a woman's right to an abortion, saying individual states can restrict or ban the procedure themselves. An exiled Russian celebrity author who has been referred to as her nation's Nigella Lawson has had her homes seized for her opposition to the war in Ukraine. Bestselling author and influencer Belotserkovskaya, 52, has been one of Russia's loudest critics of the war in Ukraine Veronika Belotserkovskaya, 52, also faces jail under draconian censorship laws banning criticism of the country's armed forces. 'Chef Belonika' has fled to France. A Russian court took the assets, homes in Moscow and St Petersburg worth around 1million, in her absence. The celebrity is on Russia's international wanted list for social media posts containing 'deliberately false information about the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation to destroy cities and the civilian population of Ukraine, including children'. Her posts were based on 'political hatred or enmity', the Kremlin alleged. The seizure of her assets in a decision by Basmanny court in Moscow relates to the posts. She was earlier arrested in absentia - and could face up to ten years in jail if extradited to Russia. 'Chef Belonika' previously accused Putin of hiding away in his 'warm bunker, close to hell' Belonika had accused Vladimir Putin of turning 'boys aged 18-to-20 into the mincemeat of [his] imperial ambitions'. Born in Odesa, Ukraine, but a self-described 'proud Russian', Belotserkovskaya has posted a series of fiery anti-war statements in a country where the word 'war' itself is banned. In Russia, the invasion of Ukraine must be described as a 'special military operation'. Now living in France, she was the first Russian to be hauled through the courts for criticising Putin over Ukraine. Among her posts to her 955,000 followers she accused Putin of waging 'an aggressive WAR against a sovereign state'. She said: 'I do not consider the Ukrainian People my enemy. I consider them brothers and sisters.' And she wrote: 'I am absolutely horrified by how many mothers from both sides will not wait for their boys to come home.' Belotserkovskaya poses with a horse for an Instagram post. She has become a fiery Putin critic In passionate attacks, she also posted: 'I am totally shocked by the economic consequences that we will all have to deal with for many, many years to come. 'I'm afraid for my children. 'I want them to live in a world without this monstrous hatred, which every day, this unnecessary f***ing war breeds. Which NO ONE wanted! 'Because only insane nonhumans can want war. 'Hatred not only of Ukrainians, but of the whole world. We all turn into outcasts. 'I'm not ashamed to be RUSSIAN. I am ashamed now, as a person of the world who cannot change and fix anything. Ashamed of my helplessness.' Odessa-born Belonika says she is a 'proud Russian' (pictured, an airstrike on nearby Mykolaiv) 'Most of all, to be honest, I am afraid of the RED BUTTON,' she posted. 'The 'special operation', which for all of us, for all mankind, can become the final one. 'Even in my Soviet pioneer childhood, at the height of the Cold War, I was not so afraid.' Putin's war had caused her to 'sob and sob and sob'. She wrote: 'My dear Ukrainian brothers and sisters, I embrace you with all my heart. 'Strength and courage to you.' She admitted that 'most likely never be able to go home [to Russia] again. 'For the first time in my life, I have encountered absolute and unadulterated evil. 'This FEAR overlaps all my previous scares.' She described Putin, 69, as a 'tired of life man, bored with the absolute power that saw his obedient people carried in his beak for 22 years'. She said: 'I tried to understand what was in his head. 'With a very simple goal - can he really press the 'turn off humanity' button? 'I have watched a lot of interviews with him. The most recent ones are creepy.' He 'is not afraid of anything. He feels good and warm in his bunker, so close to hell. 'And he, indeed, with his hatred of freedom and obsession with imperial ideas, believes that Ukraine is not a state, but just a rough stretch of road on the way to eternity. 'And it can be erased with one of his imperial breaths. 'He, however, does not understand that it is impossible to destroy Ukraine. 'THE WHOLE WORLD NOW BECAME UKRAINE.' Sarcastically, she said the property seizure in Russia was a 52nd birthday present from the Putin authorities for her today (25 June). 'Thank you not very dear state,' she posted before again voicing her support for Ukrainians. A family who have been fighting to bring their 24-year-old son's body home after he died in Vietnam claim he was repeatedly 'lost' on route. Denver Barfield, from Leicester, was killed after he and his friend crashed into a power pole whilst riding on a motorbike in the early hours of May 16. Denver and fellow Briton Beth Thompson, who was studying a Masters degree at the University of Leicester, died on impact following the crash in the Vietnamese city of Hoi An. His family said they have received little to no support from the Foreign Office or British Embassy in their fight to bring him back to the UK. Denver Barfield, from Leicester, was killed after he and his friend crashed into a power pole whilst riding on a motorbike His mother Debsy Clayton said the family received very few updates after finding out their son had died, and struggled to get the answers they needed. The 50-year-old said she was initially pestered by a man posing as a coroner in a cruel hoax. He demanded $12,500 (10,000) to repatriate him and send graphic images of Denver's body at the crash site to the family. The heartbroken mother said that the man, who typed in broken English, sent her a stream of messages saying that she needed to pay for her son's body to be transported back to the UK or risk him being cremated. The family eventually received a 12,000 bill from a legitimate funeral home to fly Denver home. But given their previous experience, they were cautious and wanted to double check at the embassy in Vietnam. Denver's sister, Charley Clayton, told Sky News: 'I spoke to the British police and we were told they did not know where Denver's body was. 'The embassy in Vietnam later told us his body was in one place and was safe. But then my mum was then told this was not true, and they did not know where Denver's body was.' 'I rang the embassy and one woman told me, 'You're going to have to ring back tomorrow and chase this because my shift has just ended''. Denver's body was put on a flight, which the family was told would be direct to the UK, on May 27. But the passenger plane had a nine-hour layover in Istanbul. Denver Barfield (pictured), from Leicester, and fellow Briton Beth Thompson, who was studying a Masters degree at the University of Leicester, died on impact following the crash in the Vietnamese city of Hoi An When Ms Clayton called the local hospital the following day, where the family believed Denver would be bright, they were told they did not know where he was. They contacted the police and were told it was not a police matter. Charley claims a member of control room staff told her mother to 'pull herself together'. Two days after the flight touched down in the UK, the family were informed Denver had arrived at their chosen funeral home, only to find out his paperwork was still missing. He arrived in the clothes he was wearing at the time of the crash, which the family were told smelled of faeces and bodily fluids - and wrapped in a rug Vietnamese authorities had used to cover him. His expensive designer shoes were missing. The family were also told he was 'badly discoloured' and had not been embalmed. 'The funeral directors told me they had never seen anything like it with how discoloured he was and the condition he was in,' Charley said. She added that she had a panic attack when she went to identify her brother. 'For me, to walk into that room and to see him, I then knew he wasn't coming home.' The family is now awaiting the results of a post-mortem carried out in the UK. An inquest into his death has also been opened. The family have criticised the Foreign Office and embassy for their lack of support and said they were 'totally on [their] own'. Debsy, who describes her son as 'kind' and an 'inspiration', said: 'I am living a nightmare not knowing what is happening to my Denver' 'The Foreign Office just emailed me over a leaflet, which was supposed to help, but even that didn't have a step-by-step guide for what we should do to help get Denver home,' Charley said. Debsy, who describes her son as 'kind' and an 'inspiration', said: 'I'm so angry about how I've been treated. 'The coroner has a lot to answer for you dont send pictures or demand money like that. Its so wrong. Im sitting on tender hooks not knowing what is happening to my baby. 'He was quirky kind warm and caring and boy could he tell you a story. 'He was brought up with good morals and manners I made sure of that I nagged him and pushed him to do well and he listened he did it. 'He truly was an inspiration for any young person to look up to. I idolised him as I do all my children and my heart hurts.' A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: 'Our staff are supporting the families of a British man and woman who died following a road traffic accident in Vietnam.' Hundreds of people have since paid tribute to the 24-year-old, who was about to start a graduate job as a business manager in London after gaining a masters degree Leicestershire Police confirmed that it had received a complaint from the family. 'During the force's initial response at the time of Mr Barfield's death, the complaint handler found that officers acted in good faith and sought to provide assistance and support to the family of Mr Barfield, including working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and subsequently with the Coroner's Office,' it said in a statement. 'We have apologised to the family of Mr Barfield following an initial breakdown in communication regarding the roles and responsibilities of Leicestershire Police. 'We have and continue to provide full support to the family of Mr Barfield during this extremely difficult time and a neighbourhood officer remains in place as a dedicated point of contact for the family. 'The complaint handler has reviewed a call made to the force's control room and found that the call handler managed the call in a courteous and professional manner.' Tensions between Russia and NATO member Poland have been cranking up to boiling point in recent days amid Russian claims that it has killed 'up to 80 Polish mercenaries' in missile strikes. The reported losses come on the same day that Russia confirmed it has removed a Polish flag from a memorial commemorating the murder of thousands of Poles by the Soviet Union in 1940. To the north, Moscow has been furious over Lithuania's blocking of EU-sanctioned goods from reaching the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, sandwiched between the Baltic state and Poland. This has prompted Poland to call on NATO to further bolster its security presence in the Suwalki Gap, the narrow corridor of territory that connects the three Baltic states to the rest of their NATO allies and separates Kaliningrad from Russian ally Belarus. 'We are going to seek the reinforcement of this corridor... in our talks with our partners from NATO,' Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference in Brussels after a European Union summit. Kaliningrad and the Suwalki Gap, on Polish territory, would be ground zero for any military conflict between NATO and Russia, as Vladimir Putin would immediately move to cut the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia off from the rest of NATO and shore up the isolated exclave from inevitable NATO strikes. The Suwalki Gap - named after the town of Suwalki that sits between the Russian territory of Kaliningrad and the Belarus border - is a strategic choke point that Poland has called on NATO to reinforce in order to strengthen Lithuanian security The aftermath of a Russian missile strike on a warehouse building in Druzhkivka, just a few miles away from the Megatex zinc factory in Konstantinovka, where Russia has claimed a 'precision strike' killed 80 Polish fighters Freight cars stand on the railroad tracks of the freight station in Kaliningrad on Tuesday after Lithuania enforced a blockade against EU-sanctioned goods crossing its territory from Belarus to Kaliningrad Estonia's military said in a statement that the Russian MI-8 helicopter (pictured flying over St Petersburg) entered the country's airspace in southeastern Estonia and simulated missile strikes This week Moscow warned of 'very tough actions' against Lithuania after deliveries of coal, metals, construction materials and advanced technology were stopped passing through its territory on the way to Kaliningrad. The Lithuanian charge d'affaires in Moscow was told that unless cargo transit was resumed in the near future, Russia reserves the right to act to protect its national interests. Such talk has prompted Poland to request additional NATO fortifications around the town of Suwalki in order to safeguard Lithuania's security from Russian incursions. Russian claims of wiping out 80 Polish fighters will only add to the tensions. 'Up to 80 Polish mercenaries, 20 armoured combat vehicles and eight Grad multiple rocket launchers were destroyed in precision strikes on the Megatex zinc factory in Konstantinovka' in the Donetsk region, the Russian defence ministry said in a statement which could not be independently verified. It is a common Russian tactic to accuse Western volunteers fighting within the Ukrainian armed forces of being paid mercenaries and thus exempt from the Geneva Convention rules on the treatment of prisoners of war. The irony not being lost on those in Ukraine that Russia employs genuine mercenaries of the Wagner Group, which it pays a far higher pay packet than its own troops. Poland fully endorsed Lithuania's blockade of Russian materials to its Baltic exclave and it has been reported that Russian Railways has temporarily suspended some cargo transit from Belarus to Poland. Russia is framing this as a routine disruption but the timing of it gives the appearance of a tit-for-tat retaliation. And Estonia's military said in a statement Tuesday that a Russian MI-8 helicopter entered the country's airspace in southeastern Estonia in the Koidula area - not far from the Russian city of Pskov - without permission on Saturday evening and simulated missile attacks. The helicopter was in Estonia's airspace for almost two minutes, Estonia's military said, adding that it hadn't presented a flight plan, had its transponder switched off and failed to maintain radio contact with Estonian Air Navigation Services. The alleged intrusion was one of multiple violations of Estonia's airspace this year and comes less than a week before a scheduled NATO summit in Madrid. And to escalate tensions between the two historical enemies even further, Russian authorities have removed a Polish flag from a memorial commemorating the murder of thousands of Poles by the Soviet Union. Russian Prime Minister (at the time) Vladimir Putin takes part in a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial to Polish prisoners of war killed by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's secret police in 1940, in Katyn near Smolensk, some 360 kms (224 miles) southwest of Moscow, Wednesday, April 7, 2010. The names of the people killed on a wall in the Katyn Memorial near Smolensk, Russia, 02 August 2013. During WWII, more than 4,000 Polish intelligence officers and their relatives were executed in Katyn. In total, about 24,000 Polish people were killed Members of a Polish Historic Group participate in the Katyn Shadow March reconstruction at the Monument To Those Who Fell or Were Murdered in the East in Warsaw, Poland, 14 April 2013 A Polish girl scout carries a candle she accepted from mourners to lay it outside the Presidential Palace in memory of late Polish President Lech Kaczynski on April 12, 2010 in Warsaw Pictured: An outpouring of grief at the gate of the Presidential Palace in Warsaw on April 10 2010, after news spread of the tragic crash of the presidential plane near Smolensk airport earlier in the day Historians and visitors to the Katyn memorial in western Russia's Smolensk region noted the flag's disappearance on social media on Friday. The mayor of Smolensk city confirmed the removal on Friday evening, publishing a photo showing the Russian flag flying alone at the memorial's entrance. 'There cannot be Polish flags on Russian monuments. Even less so after the frankly anti-Russian comments by Polish political leaders,' Andrei Borisov said on social media platform VKontakte. 'The culture ministry of the Russian Federation made the right decision by removing the Polish flag. Katyn is a Russian memorial.' The Katyn memorial was erected in memory of the 25,000 Poles, mostly army officers deemed anti-communist, massacred by the Soviet Union's political police in a forest near Smolensk in 1940 on the orders of Joseph Stalin. The Soviet Union had long denied responsibility for the killings, accusing the Nazis of the crime, before admitting the truth in 1990. The episode poisoned already hostile relations between Russia and Poland. In 2010, a Smolensk-bound plane carrying the Polish president crashed on the way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, killing all its 96 passengers including most of the Polish government. The investigation into the incident sparked a plethora of conspiracy theories and became another source of tension after the countries tried to improve their ties. President Joe Biden on Saturday signed into law a legislation that marks some of the biggest changes to federal gun law in decades. 'Lives will be saved,' Biden said during the signing ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. 'From Columbine to Sandy Hook to Charleston, Orlando, Las Vegas, Parkland, El Paso, Atlanta, Buffalo, Uvalde, and for the shootings that happen every day in the streets that are mass shootings, we don't even hear about the number of people killed every day in the streets. Their message to us was to just something,' the president said. 'Today we did,' he noted. The new law comes in the wake of a spat of mass shootings including one at a grocery store in Buffalo where 10 black people were killed and one at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, where 17 children and two teachers died. Biden conceded the legislation doesn't have everything he wanted but 'it does include actions I've long called for that are going to save lives.' The president praised the bipartisan work on the issue. 'It's time when this seems impossible get anything done in Washington. We are doing something consequential,' he said. President Joe Biden on Saturday signed into law a legislation that marks some of the biggest changes to federal gun law in decades. First lady Jill Biden joined President Joe Biden when he signed the gun bill into law Jill Biden kissed Joe Biden after he signed the new gun law And he said both parties should come together to do more. 'We can reach compromise on guns, we want to be able to reach compromise and other critical issues from veterans health care to cutting edge American innovation and so much more. I know there's much more work to do. And I'm never going to give up. But this is a monumental day,' Biden said. Jill Biden was at his side for the signing. Biden said he and the first lady will hold a bigger event at the White House on July 11. 'God willing, it's going to save a lot of lives,' Biden said after he finished signing the bill. Jill Biden gave him a kiss. Biden signed the landmark legislation ahead of his departure for Europe, where he will attend the G7 and NATO summits, where he will focus keeping Western allies in lockstep in their support for the Ukraine and overcoming Turkey's opposition to NATO membership for Finland and Sweden. The signing came the day after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that made abortion legal in the country. The bill was crafted by senators from both parties. The legislation, which received bipartisan support in the House and Senate, will toughen background checks for younger gun buyers, bolster background check requirements and beef up penalties for gun traffickers. The bill would also prohibit romantic partners convicted of domestic abuse who are not married to their victims from getting firearms. Convicted abusers who are married to, live with or had children with their victims are already barred from having guns. Additionally, $750million would be provided to the 19 states that have 'red flag' laws making it easier to temporarily take firearms from people adjudged dangerous, and to other states with violence prevention programs. States with 'red flag' laws that receive the funds would have to have legal processes for the gun owner to fight the firearm's removal. The bill would disburse money to states and communities to improve school safety and mental health initiatives. In a vote of 234 to 193, with the help of 14 Republicans, the House followed the Senate's lead in green-lighting the bipartisan gun control package The Senate voted 65 to 34 to end a Republican-led filibuster on the gun reform package, clearing another important hurdle. The Senate passed the bill later Thursday night The House approved the legislation on Friday by a 234-193 vote with 14 Republicans supporting it: Reps. Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Tom Rice, John Katko, Maria Salazr, Chris Jacobs, Brian Fitzpatrick, Peter Meijer, Fred Upton, Steve Chabot, Mike Turner, David Joyce, Athony Gonzalez of Ohio and Tony Gonzalez. The Senate passed it Thursday by bipartisan 65-33 margin. Republican senators voting in favor were Senators John Cornyn, Pat Toomey, Roy Blunt, Richard Burr, Shelley Moore Capito, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Joni Ernst, Lindsey Graham, Lisa Murkowski, Rob Portman, Mitt Romney, Thom Tillis and Todd Young. It did not have several items supported by President Biden and Democrats, including a ban on assault-type weapons and background checks for all gun transactions. But it is the biggest gun measure passed by Congress since the now-expired assault weapons ban in 1993. Bill Maher blasted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her progressive ilk for losing the debate on abortion thanks to the use of woke slang including 'pregnant people.' Speaking on his show Real Time with Bill Maher Friday - hours after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade - Maher told viewers that abortion is a 'difficult issue for the Democrats to lose on, but they're trying. He also warned that the party could no longer blithely count on traditional support from minority groups, warning that Latin-Americans' voting-preference was just as 'fluid' as AOC claims gender is. 'For decades, liberals have said, 'If only men could get pregnant, this wouldn't even be an issue,' and 'abortion rights are Women's Rights.' Well, that's wrong now. 'When the wokey end of the progressive spectrum talks about abortion now, they shy away from the word 'women' and prefer terms like 'birthing people' or 'people who menstruate' because somewhere there's a trans man who's pregnant and I say good for him - and I'll be looking for his story somewhere in a future issue of Ripley's Believe it or Not.' 'Oh Democrats, let's take the first f****** word a human animal understands: 'mama' - and replace it with something bet understood by four Trotskyites at Berkeley,' he continued, referring to hard-left students at the august California college. In Friday's episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, host Bill Maher said Democrats are losing the abortion debate with their woke terms like 'birthing people' and 'people who menstruate' Maher claimed in the monologue that many different groups are using the Democratic Party as their own personal lawmakers, and as a result the party is having to focus on too many different clients. He noted that Democrats recently lost a special election in a majority Hispanic neighborhood in Texas for the first time in over 150 years. 'Their message to you was, 'I'm an American now. I'm here. Be my lawyer, not the lawyer for the migrant showing up in my backyard.' He then tore into woke Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has defended using the term 'latinx' even though polling shows that it is widely unpopular with Hispanics. 'AOC keeps saying 'Gender is fluid. Language is fluid.' Yes, and Latino voters are fluid.' He also accused people of using the Democratic Party as their own personal lawyer Maher also noted that Asian Americans are becoming more Republican, blaming it on Democrat-proposed policies of eliminating advanced education programs 'in the name of achieving equity,' and prolonged school shutdowns during the COVID pandemic. He also hit back at President Joe Biden's efforts to eliminate billions of dollars in student loan debt. 'The poorer two-thirds of American kids who don't get a college degree are gonna say, 'Why should the people who didn't go to college and make less money subsidize the people who did go and want more. 'You want me to chip in so some liberal arts college can build a bigger rock wall? You're not my lawyer.'' Maher went on to mock a pilot universal basic income program in West Hollywood, that was deemed unconstitutional because all the money was given to members of the LGBTQ community. 'Why?' Maher asked. 'Because they need more money than any other people? Because no one in West Hollywood will hire a gay person.' Additionally, Maher called out woke Sen. Bernie Sanders who campaigned on the legalization of marijuana - something Maher has publicly said he supports - but vowed to give money back to racial minorities by the drug war. He claimed that idea is what is holding up support from Republicans. 'As with all these issues, the wavering voter is saying to her lawyer, the Democratic Party, 'Hey, so happy for you that you have so many other clients and that you care so much about their problems, and all the pro bono work you do, but you're supposed to be my lawyer,' he said. 'The Democrats have to be like the lawyers you see on billboards: 'You hurt? We fight!' 'Injured, get the Gorilla,' 'Minsy makes them pay!' and my favorite 'Just because you did it doesn't mean you're guilty.' 'It doesn't? I think it does,' Maher said. 'But that's the thing about a lawyer: Their clients don't are if they shade the truth. They care about winning. 'You know what I want the Democratic Party do do? Win on the Trump issue. Finish what you started with the January 6 hearings, and make sure the guy who absolutely will try to steal the next election can't run in it. 'That's what I want my lawyer to do,' he concluded. The episode came just hours after the United States Supreme Court voted to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade decision sparking major protests in Washington DC, which woke Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attended Ocasio-Cortez spoke with the abortion rights activists outside the Supreme Court on Friday She joined in the massive protests outside the Supreme Court, gesturing with the crowd Ocasio-Cortez also spoke with abortion rights supporter Julianne D'Eredita, 21, following the ruling overturning abortion rights across the country Maher's speech came just hours after the the Supreme Court struck down the right to abortion in a seismic ruling that shredded five decades of constitutional protections. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade decision enshrining a woman's right to an abortion, saying individual states can restrict or ban the procedure themselves. In the aftermath, furious pro-choice demonstrators took to the streets in cities like Washington DC, Phoenix, New York City and Los Angeles as they begged the Biden administration to find a way to overrule the decision. A group was spotted burning the flag of the United States in the capital while others gathered outside Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' home after he called on his fellow jurists to overturn previous rulings that followed similar legal precedent - like the Supreme Court case legalizing gay marriage nationwide. In Arizona, meanwhile, cops were forced to fire tear gas at protestors after they appeared to breach the State Senate building in Phoenix, with staff evacuated but no one reported to have been injured. In Iowa, a pickup truck plowed into pro-choice protesters in despite them screaming at it to stop and hammering the hood and window. One appeared to get caught in front of it and narrowly avoided being run over before the driver sped off during the shocking exchange in Cedar Rapids on Friday night and another had her foot run over and was left howling in pain. A third was flung to the floor as he drove away, suffering bruises and scrapes. And at least 25 were arrested in New York City after around 17,000 descended on Washington Square Park before marching through the streets to Grand Central Station, Times Square, and Bryant Park. They also stopped outside News Corp headquarters - home to Fox News and The New York Post - and yelled 'Burn it down! Burn it down! Fk Tucker Carlson!' Vandals also sprayed 'F*** Fox' on the side of the building. Following the Supreme Court's decision on Friday, thousands of abortion rights protesters descended on the Supreme Court building It was just one of several protests going on throughout the country on Friday The protests lasted well into the night on Friday, with protesters holding signs outside the Supreme Court Protesters, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, chanted and yelled at the Supreme Court, where the conservative justices voted to overturn Roe v Wade Meanwhile, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Susan Collins slammed Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch for their votes in overturning Roe v Wade on Friday. The senators had voted to confirm the Donald Trump appointed justices despite fears that they would overturn the landmark abortion ruling, with the senators saying at the time that they trusted Kavanaugh and Gorsuch to uphold the law. Now Collins, a Republican, and Manchin, a Democrat, are accusing the justices of misleading them as they criticized the court's 5-4 ruling to end women's federal right to an abortion. 'This decision is inconsistent with what Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh said in their testimony and their meetings with me, where they both were insistent on the importance of supporting long-standing precedents that the country has relied upon,' Collins said in a statement. Manchin echoed the outrage, saying: 'I trusted Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh when they testified under oath that they also believed Roe v. Wade was settled legal precedent and I am alarmed they chose to reject the stability the ruling has provided for two generations of Americans.' The fate of Roe V. Wade had long-been on the nation's mind when Trump appointed Gorsuch in 2017 and Kavanaugh a year later. Liberals feared that the conservative-leaning justices would act to overturn Roe v. Wade if given a chance, but both men said in their confirmation hearings that the landmark ruling was settled law. 'Roe v. Wade, decided in 1973, is a precedent of the U.S. Supreme Court,' Gorsuch told senators in 2017. 'It has been reaffirmed. 'So a good judge will consider it as precedent of the U.S. Supreme Court worthy as treatment of precedent like any other.' Kavanaugh failed to publicly answer if he believed Roe v. Wade was 'correct law,' but doubled down that it was not only settled, but reinforced by the court's 1992 Casey V. Planned Parenthood, which upheld the federal right to an abortion. 'So Casey now becomes a precedent on precedent,' Kavanaugh said in 2018. 'It is not as if it is just a run-of-the-mill case that was decided and never been reconsidered, but Casey specifically reconsidered it, applied the stare decisis factors, and decided to reaffirm it.' Collins said Kavanaugh echoed his statements to her in a one-on-one interview in 2018. 'We talked about whether he considered Roe to be settled law,' Collins said back then. 'He said he agreed with what Justice [John] Roberts said in his nomination hearing, in which he said that it was settled law. 'We had a very good, thorough discussion about that issue and many others.' U.S. Senators Susan Collins (left) and Joe Manchin (right) criticized Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch for their votes in overturning Roe V. Wade after previously claiming it was settled law during their confirmation hearings Kavanaugh (left) and Neil Gorsuch (right) were among the five conservative justices to vote to end American's federal right to abortions on Friday As a result of their ruling on Friday, abortion was automatically outlawed in 18 states, thanks to specially-devised 'trigger laws' and historic bans that were automatically reenacted after Friday's ruling. Thirteen states prepared trigger laws which would automatically outlaw terminations in the event of a ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, which was widely-anticipated. They are: Arkansas; Idaho; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; Missouri; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah and Wyoming. Abortion bans in those states will now become law within 30 days. Five other states have also now banned terminations, after historic laws superseded by the 1973 Roe ruling automatically came back into place. Among those five are two Democrat-governed states - Michigan and Wisconsin. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers have both sought to overturn those bans in the court. But they remain in place for now, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced Friday afternoon that it was suspending terminations while awaiting clarification on the law. Other states with newly-re-enacted historic bans are Alabama, Arizona and West Virginia. Eight other states are also set to enact new anti-abortion laws. Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina all attempted to ban abortion after the six-week mark. Those laws were branded unconstitutional, but will likely be revisited now Roe has ended. And Florida, Indiana, Montana as well as Nebraska are all working on plans to ban or restrict terminations. There are 18 states that have near-total bans on their books, while four more have time-limit band and four others are likely to pass new bans if Roe is overturned Still, Vice President Kamala Harris told supporters that the fight is not over, declaring that voters will have 'the final word'. 'This is not over,' Harris said on Friday, speaking at a conference in Plainfield, Illinois. 'You have the power to elect leaders who will defend and protect your rights.' Harris continued: 'Millions of women in America will go to bed tonight without access to the health care and reproductive care that they had this morning. 'Without access to the same health care or reproductive health care that their mothers and grandmothers had for 50 years.' The parents of three kids who were tragically run over and killed have described how forgiving the drug driver responsible for their deaths meant they could move forward. Danny and Leila Abdallah delivered a powerful speech about forgiveness at the Vatican in Rome on Saturday, supported by their children Liana, 12, Alex, seven, Michael, six, and three-month-old Selina. Their three children Sienna, 8, Angelina, 12, Antony, 13, and niece Veronique Sakr, 11, were killed by Samuel William Davidson who was intoxicated while behind the wheel on February 1, 2020. The four children along with three other siblings and cousins were walking on the footpath on Bettington Road in Oatlands, Sydney, when the driver mounted the curb and struck the children from behind. In what would have been Antony's 16th birthday, the Pope invited his parents to speak at the Catholic Church's World Meeting of Families. Danny and Leila Abdallah, accompanied by their four children, spoke at the Vatican on Saturday (pictured, the Abdallah family) Their daughters, Sienna, 8, (second from left) and Angelina, 12, (right) their son Anthony, 13, (second from right) and niece Veronique Sakr, 11,(left) were on their way to buy ice-cream when a drunk driver ran them over and killed them in February 2020 'It was a perfect summer's day when seven precious, adorable children walked to get some ice cream for my niece's birthday,' Mr Abdallah said. 'What should have been an enjoyable outing for the young kids turned into one of the worst road tragedies Australia has ever seen. 'From far away I saw the police cover Antony, Selina, Angelina and Veronique with white sheets.' Mr Abdallah said despite 'unbearable pain and sleepless nights' he chose to forgive Davidson so his family could find peace. 'We would either be stuck in the valley of pain and grief or I could lead them to the high ground,' he said. Samuel William Davidson, 31, was sentenced to last year to a maximum of 28-year prison sentence with a minimum 21 year sentence which does not expire until 2041 On February 1, 2020, Mr and Mrs Abdallah's three children Sienna, 8, Angelina, 12, Antony, 13, and niece Veronique Sakr, 11, were killed by an intoxicated driver (pictured, the car after the crash) 'I choose to forgive myself for telling my kids to go for a walk. If my children were here today they would say ''Dad forgive him''.' Mrs Abdallah, just two days after losing her children, remarkably said she forgave the driver, later adding her response to the tragedy saved her marriage and her family. Her son Alex said he couldn't understand why. The family said forgiving the man responsible for their heartache was the only way they could move forward The family were invited to speak on what would have been Antony's 16th birthday 'When I heard my brother and sisters died, my mum and dad told me they forgave the driver, but I wasn't that happy because I was like, ''too quick'',' he told Catholic News Service. The seven-year-old said that now within his heart, he too has forgiven Davidson. Mrs Abdallah also took the chance to wish her son Antony a 'happy, heavenly 16th birthday'. She said she now feels closest to her lost children when she is at mass and feels at peace knowing they are in heaven. Davidson was sentenced last year to a maximum of 28-year prison sentence with a minimum 21 year sentence which does not expire until 2041. Witnesses saw him speeding through a red light, swerving anti-clockwise around a round-about, and driving at a maximum speed of 133km/h in a 50km/h zone before the crash. Despite losing three children, when Ms Abdallah, 37, is asked how many kids she has, she always says seven - 'three in heaven and four here'. A documentary crew captured the moment Mike Pence reportedly learned of Congress' plans to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove former President Trump from office after the January 6 Capitol riots, and replace him with the vice president. In the clip, shot on January 12, 2021, Pence could be seen reading an email on his phone, clearing his throat nervously and exclaiming 'Yeah, excellent,' before segueing back into political platitudes. Documentary maker Alex Holder insists the awkward moment came as Pence read an email calling for Trump's removal, and says the time stamp on his footage matches that of the time the email was sent. Pence denies this. The footage of the unreleased interview, captured less than a week after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol, comes from a documentary by Holder that was recently subpoenaed by a Congress committee investigating the attack. The interview was held the day the House passed a resolution that called for Pence to replace Trump by way of the amendment. The 25th Amendment gives the vice president, as well as most of the Cabinet, the power to declare the president unfit for office - a move that would have put Pence, 63, in charge of the country. Congress approved the resolution, but Pence promptly shot it down - saying that it would 'set a terrible precedent' to invoke the law. Footage from the interview obtained by CNN shows Pence first learning of Congress' plans, as he is handed a phone with an email of a draft of the resolution by an aide. Footage from the interview shows Pence first learning of Congress' plans to oust Donald Trump from office in the days after the January 6 attacks, as he is handed a phone with an email of a draft of the resolution by an aide 'Yeah, excellent,' Pence says upon perusing the document, visibly uncomfortable. The then vice president then flashes a seemingly forced smirk, and jokingly asks his aide to 'tell Zach to print me off a hard copy for the trip home.' Pence then proceeds with the rest of the interview, with the former Indiana governor later saying, 'I am always hopeful about America,' as a backdrop of crews erecting security fencing around the Capitol looms behind him. The makers of the documentary, which chronicles Trumps ill-fated 2020 reelection run, assert Pence was shown a draft of the House resolution in the clip. However, a Pence spokesman said Friday that characterization was false, and that the politician was actually reacting to a confirmation that his letter turning down the prospective coup. 'In the documentary, Vice President Pence was reacting to a confirmation that his letter was sent to Speaker Pelosi rejecting her ploy to invoke 25th amendment," the Pence spokesman said. The footage, captured less than a week after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol, comes from a documentary by filmmaker Alex Holder (pictured) who was recently subpoenaed by a Congress committee investigating the attack Pence notes the time of the email - 7:48 PM - in the clip, which is the exact time that the White House sent Pence's letter to Pelosi, according to a timestamp on the email. At the time, news of the letter was widely reported in the coming days. Pence wrote in his letter: 'Last week, I did not yield to pressure to exert power beyond my constitutional authority to determine the outcome of the election.' 'I will not now yield to efforts in the House of Representatives to play political games at a time so serious in the life of our nation.' The amendment was ratified by the states after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, so he could be replaced by then-VP Lyndon B. Johnson. The House voted to impeach Trump for inciting the Capitol insurrection the day after the footage was filmed. However, Trump was soon to be found not guilty for spurring the insurrection by the Senate, following a highly publicized trial. A majority of senators voted to convict the then president, but failed to garner the required two-thirds majority. Holder's three-part documentary series, called 'Unprecedented,' offers a unique perspective on the innerworkings of the White House at these time, with his team conducting interviews with Trump, Pence, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and more. Holder's three-part documentary series, called 'Unprecedented,' offers a unique perspective on the innerworkings of the White House at these time, with his team conducting interviews with Trump, Pence, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and more Holder appeared for a private deposition before the January 6 select committee on Thursday after complying with the panel's subpoena for his raw footage of anything related to the Capitol attack as well as his interviews with Trump, his adult children and Pence. The filmmaker captured dozens of hours of footage during his time following the president and his team, and CBS confirmed that there are at least 11 hours of straight-to-camera interviews with Trump and his family. Footage includes what Holder and his team captured on the Capitol grounds in the midst of the attack on January 6, 2021. Further proving the extent of access is an image obtained and published Thursday by Politico Playbook of a name place card for Holder on Air Force One, which every guest receives when they fly aboard the president's plane. Trump world was rocked by the existence of the footage, with one former top 2020 official for Trump exclaiming 'What the f*** is this?' in a text message to Rolling Stone, according to a Tuesday article. Holder appeared for a private deposition before the January 6 select committee on Thursday after complying with the panel's subpoena for his raw footage of anything related to the Capitol attack as well as his interviews with Trump, his adult children and Pence Holder is pictured interviewing Trump's daughter and former White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump for his documentary on the final months of the ex-president's reelection campaign Ahead of tomorrows fifth Jan. 6 committee hearing, CBS News has learned that the committee has gained access to footage from inside the Trump White House, both before and after the attack on the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/xNz3KJ8d20 CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) June 22, 2022 Many top Trump aides for the campaign and administration told the publication they were completely unaware that a documentary was being created or that there was a crew following around the president in the final months of his time in office. Revelations of the footage also sparked the January 6 panel to add more hearings to the docket in July to delve into the new information. The subpoena also demands footage of Mike Pence and 'any raw footage pertaining to discussions of election fraud or election integrity surrounding the November 2020 presidential election' Thursday afternoon the panel will hold its fifth hearing after kicking off a series of at least eight earlier this month. But the number of public and televised hearings will now increase with the hours of documentary footage and testimony from Holder. Holder's project on Trump's 2020 reelection campaign and the final weeks of his presidency will be released on a popular streaming service this summer in a three-part series. The select committee subpoenaed the raw footage from Holder's team of anything related to the attack that day as well as interviews with the former president, former vice president, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr . Holder released a statement Tuesday saying that he fully cooperated with the subpoena and handed over the footage he is also meeting with the panel for an interview on Thursday. Holder was invited on board Air Force One for an interview with Trump, which was ultimately canceled, but helps exhibit the extent of his access. A pictured provided by Holder's production company AJH Films shows his welcome name card during his flight One former senior Trump official said that revelations on Tuesday of the subpoena was the first time several members of the ex-president's campaign leadership even heard of the documentary project including two officials who were still working in the administration after the January 6 attack. Another former official told Rolling Stone that the whole documentary is a 'terrible idea' and said they were unaware of the film and shocked to learn of its existence. Despite the ignorance to the documentary, the panel probing the former administration's actions related to the Capitol riot is now using it as evidence and the three-part project is set to be released on a streaming service this summer. The committee is holding its fifth hearing on Thursday afternoon and will feature testimony from at least three former Justice Department officials Richard Donoghue, Steve Engel and Jeff Rosen. Donoghue was Trump's acting deputy attorney general, Engel was an attorney for Trump's DOJ and Rosen was the former president's acting attorney general all were serving over a time period that included January 6, 2021. Holder was granted extensive access to Trump and his closest allies including his family members and the vice president and now the committee probing the January 6 attack wants to see what he captured. The panel sent a subpoena to Holder on June 15, Politico first reported on Tuesday. The subpoena demanded three things the first being any footage Holder and his colleagues took in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021. Secondly, the panel told him to turn over any raw footage of interviews Holder had with Trump, his sons Eric and Don Jr., his daughter and senior adviser Ivanka, his senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner and his No. 2 Mike Pence. The committee also asked Holder to hand over 'any raw footage pertaining to discussions of election fraud or election integrity surrounding the November 2020 presidential election.' The January 6 select committee subpoenaed raw footage of interviews with the former president and his inner circle including family members. The film crew had extensive access and recorded interviews before and after the January 6 Capitol riot Existence of the footage has previously gone unreported. The terror suspect charged with killing two people and injuring 21 more at an Oslo gay bar last night has been named as a 42-year-old ex-plumber born in Iran. Zaniar Matapour was born in Iranian Kurdistan before coming to Bergen, Norway as a refugee at the age of 12. He was charged early this morning with two murders, attempted murder and terrorism after the homophobic terror attack at city centre LGBT+ haunt London Pub. The suspect filmed as he was pinned down after the shooting is named as Zaniar Matapour Matapour, filmed by a nearby eyewitness in footage posted to Snapchat, has been charged Multiple police officers leaned on the 42-year-old to detain him after the mass shooting The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) investigated Matapour just a month ago, but decided he was 'not an imminent threat', Norwegian national broadcaster VG reported. PST chief Roger Berg told a press conference this afternoon: 'In May, the PST conducted interviews with the [suspected] perpetrator in connection with the fact he had shown interest in statements that are perceived as a violation of Islam. Footage posted by eyewitnesses showed cops arresting Matapour in the early hours 'It was not considered in these conversations that the [suspected] perpetrator had any intention of violence.' Security services have raised the terror threat from Level 3, described as 'ordinary'. to 'extraordinary' Level 5. The PST stated that Level 5 warning entails no special requirements among the population beyond added 'vigilance' and 'a low threshold to contact the police'. Videos shared to social media showed hundreds of Pride marchers gathering in Oslo nonetheless, seemingly spurred on by last night's alleged hate crime. A secondary school dropout with a long history of mental health issues, Matapour was sentenced to ten months in prison as a teen after he was tied to a stabbing at a school prom. He was acquitted by the Court of Appeal, according to court documents reviewed by Norwegian outlet NettaVisen. Horror footage shows terrified nightclub-goers flee the scene as rapid gunfire is heard A mourner cries as they lay flowers at the makeshift memorial for the London Pub victims Despite the 'extraordinary' terror threat, defiant LGBT+ Norwegians and allies gathered today Matapour's involvement in serious crime did not end there, with the Oslo terror suspect charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm in 2019. He was again released after a court appeal. The victims in Matapour's alleged attack last night have not yet been identified. Matapour's first mental health diagnosis was made in the 1990s, with his listed conditions including paranoid schizophrenia, PTSD and 'delusions', the website added. His lawyer, high-profile Norwegian John Christian Elden, insisted that the suspect's mental health conditions are taken into account by investigators. Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Stre said this afternoon: 'I know that many Muslims are scared and despairing. Then it is our responsibility that no one other than the person behind the attack is responsible. 'Let there be no doubt, we are one community, we are a diverse community.' Prime Minister Stre urged Norwegians not to blame the country's Muslim community, stating: 'It is our responsibility that no one other than the person behind the attack is responsible' Pride marchers walked the city centre streets and left flowers at the site to remember the dead Despite police pleas to be vigilant - and the cancellation of official events - marches took place French President Emmanuel Macron slammed the 'barbarism of the Islamist terrorist' in a tribute tweet posted at lunchtime today. After the deadly melee in central Oslo last night, a man was filmed being wrestled to the ground by police with the help of revellers. One woman described having to play dead to avoid the shooter's gunfire. The other site hit during the attack around 1.15am today was next door's Herr Nilsen Jazz Club, where revellers described being hit with flying shards of glass. She said : 'There was a woman who pulled me down and told me I had to play dead.' The man then shot the table directly behind her. She escaped London Pub unharmed. Police lawyer Christian Hatlo said: 'Our overall assessment is that there are grounds to believe that he wanted to cause grave fear in the population. Police attend the scene in Oslo in the early hours this morning immediately after the shooting The London Pub gay nightclub in central Oslo is pictured on a map of the Norwegian capital 'We need to go through his medical history, if he has any. It's not something that we're aware of now.' Oslo was due to hold its annual gay pride parade later on Saturday, but organisers cancelled the event amid fears of potential 'copycat' attacks. Planners Oslo Pride wrote on Facebook this morning: 'Oslo Pride has received clear advice and a recommendation that the parade, Pride Park, and any other event in relation to Oslo Pride be cancelled. 'We will follow the police's recommendation and take care of each other', lead organiser Inger Kristin Haugsevje added. Oslo Police District confirmed last night: 'Two people have been confirmed dead in the shooting episode. There are several seriously injured.' National newspaper in Norway, VG, reported that 'witnesses said people ran from the scene in panic'. Oslo's university hospital said it had gone on red alert following the shooting. Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. Video on social media shows emergency services outside London Pub, a gay nightclub in Oslo (pictured, file photo) at 1.15am on Saturday morning. Two were killed in the terror attack 'I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting,' Mr Roenneberg told NRK. 'First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover.' Oslo Police District also said that a person has been arrested near the scene shortly after the incident (pictured) Police inspector Tore Soldal said two of the shooting victims died and 10 people were being treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be life-threatening. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a Facebook post that 'the shooting outside London Pub in Oslo tonight was a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people'. He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. 'We all stand by you,' Mr Gahr Stoere wrote. Christian Bredeli, who was at the bar, told VG he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. 'Many were fearing for their lives,' he said. 'On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened.' Norwegians paid their respects at the scene this morning, hours after the deadly terror attack Video on social media shows emergency services outside London Pub, a gay nightclub in Oslo at 1.15am on Saturday morning. Police have arrested a suspect at the scene (pictured) Images online have showed nightclubbers with blood on their faces receiving treatment from emergency service responders. Two people have been killed and several seriously injured in a shooting at a nightclub in Norway, police have confirmed (pictured is the scene outside the nightclub) Footage shared on social media, which has not been officially verified, appeared to show one man with a serious head wound. It was reported that 'up to 20 shots' were fired in the nightclub. Norway's BNN Newsroom tweeted: 'The police ask people in the area to move away, to make room for ambulances.' A large police response was underway, with a number of ambulances in the area treating the wounded. Helicopters hovered above central Oslo while ambulance and police car sirens were heard across the city. London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted this morning: 'London stands with Oslo. Our thoughts and solidarity are with the victims, their families and all those affected by this horrific attack, hours before Oslo's #Pride was due to take place. #LoveIsLove and hate will never win.' Advertisement Florida Senator Marco Rubio has insisted that abortion has not been banned, despite the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and accused Democrats of exaggerating the seriousness of Friday's Supreme Court ruling. The GOP lawmaker reiterated during a Fox News interview Friday night that the Supreme Court's latest ruling doesn't ban abortion nationwide, but instead gives states the rights to make their own laws regarding the procedure. 'There were still abortions today. Tragically, there'll be abortions tomorrow because abortion is not banned,' Rubio said. His home state of Florida is one of several states working on plans to ban or restrict terminations. It appears Rubio was referring to mistaken claims that terminations have now been outlawed across the US. The end of Roe means American women are no longer federally entitled to an abortion. But Democrat-led states say they'll maintain existing rules on offering abortion - with many GOP areas now enacting time limits, or banning the procedures altogether. Thirteen states had prepared so-called trigger laws designed to automatically outlaw terminations in the event of a ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, which was widely-anticipated. Five other states banned terminations after historic laws superseded by the 1973 Roe ruling automatically came back into place. Analysts at pro-reproductive rights group The Guttmacher Institute expect a total of 26 U.S. states to ban abortions once the new SCOTUS ruling is officially adopted. Sen. Marco Rubio insists that abortion 'nothing has been banned' with the overturning of Roe v. Wade and blamed the 'left-wing meltdown' on Democrats' fury over having to defend the original ruling that guaranteed abortion rights. Rubio slammed liberals and the media for allegedly twisting the truth about the current state of abortion in the U.S. 'What we've seen over the last few hours is how, unfortunately, American political coverage has become childish and unserious,' he told political commentator and Fox host Sean Hannity on Friday. 'And that's exactly what they're telling people: They make you think if you watch some of these tweets and reporting, you think abortion's been banned nothing's been banned.' He argued the vote to strike down Roe instead puts regulatory power over abortions in the hands of state legislators, as prescribed by the 10th Amendment, which states 'powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.' They want people to be outraged that the Supreme Court has returned the power to the people pic.twitter.com/5VQNsx0VRh Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 25, 2022 The ruling gives Americans the right to 'decide through their elected representatives in each individual state whether they want to allow abortion prohibited or and how they want to regulate it,' he said. 'The reason why they're having this left-wing meltdown is that as long as they had Roe v Wade, they didn't have to worry about having that debate.' The Republican claims Roe made it so Democrats never had to defend their positions on abortion or taxpayer funding for the procedure because the 1973 ruling posed as a national standard. '[Critics] weren't able to do anything about it. They loved that situation' Rubio also accused liberals of twisting the situation to gain more votes in the upcoming elections, alleging they believe the believe the SCOTUS ruling will pull voters in their favor. However, he argued Democrats can't win on a campaign of state's being in charge of abortion laws, so instead they allege abortion has been outlawed. '[Liberals] can't run on that. So they have to lie to people and say there was just a ruling that almost bans that that's what they're telling people,' said Rubio. Abortion was automatically outlawed in 18 US states as soon as Roe v. Wade was overturned, thanks to specially-devised 'trigger laws' and historic bans that were automatically reenacted after Friday's ruling Republican appointed-Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett (circled) all voted to strike down Roe along with Samuel Alito THE 26 STATES TO OUTLAW ABORTION NOW THAT ROE V. WADE HAS BEEN FORMALLY OVERTURNED Alabama Arizona Arkansas Idaho Kentucky Louisiana Michigan Mississippi Missouri North Dakota South Dakota Oklahoma Tennessee Texas Utah West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Georgia Iowa Ohio South Carolina Advertisement Roe was overturned Friday after SCOTUS, in a 6-3 ruling powered by its conservative majority, upheld a Republican-backed Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The vote was 5-4 to overturn Roe, with conservative Chief Justice John Roberts writing separately to say he would have upheld the Mississippi law without taking the additional step of erasing the Roe precedent altogether. The ruling restored the ability of states to ban abortion. Twenty-six states are either certain or considered likely to ban abortion. Mississippi is among 13 states with so-called trigger laws to ban abortion with Roe overturned. The justices, in the ruling written by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, held that the Roe decision that allowed abortions performed before a fetus would be viable outside the womb - which occurs between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy - was wrongly decided because the U.S. Constitution makes no specific mention of abortion rights. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a concurring opinion, appeared to nix an idea advocated by some anti-abortion advocates that the next step is for the court to declare that the Constitution outlaws abortion. 'The Constitution neither outlaws abortion nor legalizes abortion,' Kavanaugh wrote. He also said that the ruling does not let states bar residents from traveling to another state to obtain an abortion, or retroactively punish people for prior abortions. Previous legislation and so-called trigger laws automatically outlawed abortion in 18 U.S. states after Roe was overturned. The thirteen states who prepared trigger laws that would automatically outlaw terminations include: Arkansas; Idaho; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; Missouri; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah and Wyoming. Abortion bans in those states will now become law within 30 days. In states with trigger laws, clinics are already in the process of halting abortions. Even in advance of the Roe decision, a statewide ban in Oklahoma forced clinics to stop taking appointments for the procedure. Clinics run by Planned Parenthood in Utah, another trigger law state, said they will stay open as long as possible, hoping to use the legal system to delay or overturn bans passed by lawmakers. Abortion-rights supporters are pictured holding signs at a rally outside the South Carolina Statehouse on Friday People march together to protest the Supreme Court's decision in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health case on June 24, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Florida, Indiana, Montana as well as Nebraska are all working on plans to ban or restrict terminations Pro-choice demonstrators protest in Los Angeles, California on Friday following the decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling Five other states have also now banned terminations, after historic laws superseded by the 1973 Roe ruling automatically came back into place. Among those five are two Democrat-governed states - Michigan and Wisconsin. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers have both sought to overturn those bans in the court. But they remain in place for now, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced Friday afternoon that it was suspending terminations while awaiting clarification on the law. Other states with newly-re-enacted historic bans are Alabama, Arizona and West Virginia. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has announced the historic ban will be superseded by a recent law banning terminations after 15 weeks. But that edict hasn't been enshrined in state law, and pro-lifers could end up battling Ducey to keep the historic ban on all terminations, leaving abortion providers uncertain of whether they can operate in the meantime. Protesters assemble in Miami, Florida on Friday in wake of SCOTUS' decision in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health case overturns the landmark 50-year-old Roe v Wade case, removing a federal right to an abortion Eight other states are also set to enact new anti-abortion laws. Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina all attempted to ban abortion after the six week mark. Protesters are pictured outside the South Carolina Statehouse on Friday Eight other states are also set to enact new anti-abortion laws. Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina all attempted to ban abortion after the six week mark. Those laws were branded unconstitutional, but will likely be revisited now Roe has ended. And Florida, Indiana, Montana as well as Nebraska are all working on plans to ban or restrict terminations. Hours after Roe v. Wade was announced, GOP Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced he'd asked four Republican lawmakers to begin drawing up legislation banning abortion after 15 weeks. But Youngkin's party faces a very slim majority in both state house and senate, with many of his fellow Republicans likely to be undecided on whether to back an abortion ban. And Kansas - which hasn't enforced any sort of abortion crackdown - will hold a referendum in August on whether to ban abortion there. More than half of all U.S. states have some kind of abortion ban law that will likely now take effect following Friday's news that Roe was overturned. President Joe Biden on Saturday took another swipe at the Supreme Court, saying it has made some 'terrible decisions.' 'The Supreme Court has made some terrible decisions,' Biden said at an event where he signed an historic gun bill into law. But his White House ruled out expanding the number of justices on the bench, a move some progressives in the Democratic Party has called for in the wake of Friday's decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that made abortion legal in the country. 'That is something that the president does not agree with. That is not something that he wants to do,' White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a briefing with reporters on Air Force One in route to the G7. She also said it was up to Congress to ensure abortion rights. Some advocates have called on Biden to use his executive power as president but Jean-Pierre said that power has it limits. 'What I'm trying to say about the executive actions is that nothing could make it fill the hole that this decision has made with Roe,' she said. 'The only way to make that whole again is for Congress to act is Congress - to restore Roe and make a law of the land. That is actually the best way to do that.' The White House has blasted the court for its decision, saying it's out of date and doesn't reflect the mood of the country. Six of the nine justices on the court have been appointed by Republican presidents. An NBC News poll conducted before Friday's decision was announced showed 60% of Americans said abortion should be legal in some form. 'We are going to see some nightmare scenario sadly because of this decision. I mean, this is a 50, almost 50 year, almost five decades decision that has been overturned and appended,' Jean-Pierre said. President Joe Biden slammed the Supreme Court again on Saturday and said it has made some 'terrible decisions' On Saturday morning, Biden started his bill signing ceremony by blasting the Supreme Court for its Friday decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. The decision sparked outrage and joy with protests and celebrates sparking up around the country as pro-choice advocates expressed outrage and pro-life supporters were joyful. Several right-leaning states -13 in total - imposed immediate bans on abortion after the court decision on Friday. In 20 states and the District of Columbia, abortion has been legal and is likely to be protected. Democrats have shown their fury in the wake of the decision and Biden is under heavy pressure to use his executive powers to do something. His administration also has urged Congress to codify abortion rights into law. Biden said his administration would focus on fighting for reproductive rights on a state level. 'I know how painful a devastating that decision is for so many Americans. I mean so many Americans. The decision is implemented by states. My administration is going to focus on how they administer it and whether or not they violate other laws, like deciding while people across state lines to get public health services. And then we're going to take action to protect women's rights and reproductive health.' State attorney generals will likely be the front line of defense as the abortion battle continues across the country. They are the top legal officers in their states and could bring additional lawsuits regarding reproductive rights. Large crowd of protesters fills Washington Square Park to protest the Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe V Wade Vice President Kamala Harris met with state attorneys general last week ahead of the Supreme Court decision as the administration prepared for the expected ruling. 'I have asked these attorneys general to meet with us knowing that they have a pivotal role to play in defending women's reproductive freedom and their rights to make decisions about their own body,' Harris said at the top of the meeting. She said the attorneys general may have to challenge any Supreme Court ruling. 'As reproductive rights are being restricted around our country and potentially by the Supreme Court soon I think we believe and we've started prelimianry discussions about how Attorneys General have the power, may have the power at the very least, to issue guidance to ensure that the people of their state know their rights, that they have the power to assess and potentially challenged the constitutionality of laws that are being passed in their states,' she said. Harris has taken the lead for President Joe Biden's administration on defending abortion and reproductive rights. Inside the White House, there was debate on the legal actions the administration could take and officials sought guidance from the Justice Department, CNN reported, on how far they are able to go in helping women access abortion services. There are legal questions on how far the federal government can go in helping women access abortions out of state, and whether using federal resources to fund travel across state lines could violate the Hyde Amendment, a rule that prevents federal insurance dollars from going toward abortions except in cases of rape, incest or when the woman's life is in danger. Biden, on Friday after the ruling was dropped, called it 'a very solemn moment' and a 'sad day for the court and the country.' 'The court literally taking America back 150 years,' Biden said. 'It just stuns me,' he uttered. The president called on Congress to restore the rights that were in Roe - and told supporters of abortion-rights to vote in the midterms on candidates that share that belief. Biden also vowed that his government would ensure women aren't barred from traveling to states that still allow abortion - and would have access to medication that terminate pregnancies. 'I call on everyone, no matter how deeply they care about this decision to keep all protests peaceful, peaceful, peaceful - no intimidation,' Biden said. 'This decision must not be the final word,' the president also said. 'This is not over.' Tensions over the future of abortion rights in the country have been running high since a draft opinion of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization was leaked last month and showed that the high court's conservative majority was poised to push whether abortion was legal back to the states. The 6-3 conservative majority made good on what the draft said, with liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer dissenting. Chief Justice John Roberts concurred. Conservative Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas also filed concurring opinion. Demonstrators march during a protest against the Supreme Court's overturning of the Roe vs. Wade abortion-rights ruling in New York Over a thousand protestors gathered outside the federal courthouse in Houston, Texas on Friday to protest the Supreme Court decision Arizona state troopers deploy tear gas as they confront abortion rights protesters during a protest at the Arizona Capitol 'Guided by the history and tradition that map the essential components of the Nation's concept of ordered liberty, the Court finds the Fourteenth Amendment clearly does not protect the right to an abortion,' the decision, penned by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, said. The decision reflects the stunning change in the court's direction after Donald Trump's four-year term. The court switched from a 5-4 majority where Roberts was often the swing vote, to a 6-3 conservative court with the addition of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was confirmed by the GOP Senate following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The decision also savaged the Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling, which preserved abortion rights with its prohibition on laws that impose an 'undue burden' on the mother. 'The decision provided no clear guidance about the difference between a 'due' and an 'undue' burden. But the three Justices who authored the controlling opinion 'call[ed] the contending sides of a national controversy to end their national division' by treating the Court's decision as the final settlement of the question of the constitutional right to abortion,' Alito wrote. Alito wrote: 'Roe's failure even to note the overwhelming consensus of state laws in effect in 1868 is striking, and what it said about the common law was simply wrong. Then, after surveying history, the opinion spent many paragraphs conducting the sort of fact finding that might be undertaken by a legislative committee, and did not explain why the sources on which it relied shed light on the meaning of the Constitution.' A black schoolboy was scared for his life after he was forced onto the ground by police in a mistaken stop and search. De-Shaun Joseph, 14, was handcuffed and pinned on the ground by Metropolitan Police as he walked home from school in Croydon, South London. Officers said he matched the description of a robbery suspect - a young black man in a blue hoodie. De-Shaun was wearing his school uniform with a grey top over it when he was stopped outside Blackhorse Road Station. He said officers forced him up against a wall, handcuffed him and took his phone without explanation before pinning him to the ground. Police held De-Shaun - who is asthmatic - face-down with his hands behind his back as they kneeled on top of him, he claimed. He told ITV News: 'I thought I was going to die.' De-Shaun managed to shout his mother's mobile number to a bystander, who was able to contact her and tell her what was happening. Janet Joseph raced over to where police were holding De-Shaun and was in tears about the incident. Janet feared her son would be the next George Floyd, and said what De-Shaun went through was 'every parent's worst nightmare.' She said: 'It's the same old story - every black boy fits the description. 'I thought I was going to die' Black schoolboy, forced to ground in mistaken stop and search. The schoolboy's mother told me she feared her son would be the next George Floyd- her son suffers from asthma & was walking home from school. Here's my exclusive @itvnews report RT pic.twitter.com/bvMGIsnT7P Antoine Allen (@AntoineSpeaker) June 25, 2022 De-Shaun Joseph, 14, was forced to the ground by police without - he said they gave him no explanation 'There's no excuse for what they did to my son and the excessive force they used on a 14-year-old black boy.' The Met later released De-Shaun without arrest and admitted they had detained the wrong person. A spokesperson for Met Police said: 'Police were called at 5.17pm on Thursday, 23 June, after a primary schoolboy had been robbed of his mobile phone by a group of teenagers who intimated they had a knife in Woodside Green, Croydon. 'Officers responded and conducted an area search. 'A teenage boy was stopped in Blackhorse Road at 5.27pm after officers saw his clothing matched the description given of one male within the suspect group. 'He was detained for the purposes of a search, at which point he verbally abused officers and became obstructive. Once he was eliminated as a possible suspect, he was given a written record of the stop and search and allowed on his way.' Police held De-Shaun - who is asthmatic - face-down with his hands behind his back while officers kneeled on top of him. He told ITV News (pictured): 'I thought I was going to die.' De-Shaun was wearing his black and yellow school uniform with a grey top at the time Chief Inspector Richard Berns of the violent crime taskforce said 'no misconduct is apparent', but added there would be an investigation following a complaint. He said: 'Our officers patrol each day to prevent violence and seek out those who would do others harm. 'Officers were responding to reports of a robbery involving a young victim and had to conduct their 'on the street' investigation under very challenging circumstances after some onlookers began directing verbal abuse at them. 'All officers understand that their actions are subject to scrutiny. An initial review of the incident, including body-worn video, has been conducted by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards and no misconduct is apparent. 'However, a public complaint has been made and will be investigated thoroughly by the professional standards unit.' A man wielding a 30cm-long knife stormed a deli and stole up to $800 worth of cigarettes as terrified staff ran for their lives. Two female workers at the Ducks Deli Lunch Bar in Hamilton Hill, Perth, fled the store at about 9.20am on Thursday after the man clad in a hoodie ran behind the counter. One of the staff, Lily, said the man pointed the knife at her and her boss. 'I saw a man with a hoodie tied tight around his head so you could barely see his face, and a surgical mask, come inside and I thought he was a customer, so I was about to serve him and then he got a knife out pointed it at us,' she told The West. 'He held it up in one hand and held a bag up in the other and said ''rob''. That's all he said and then he ran past us and opened the cupboard with the cigarette behind the counter.' Two female workers at the Ducks Deli Lunch Bar in Hamilton Hill, Perth, fled the store at about 9.20am on Thursday after the man clad in a hoodie and holding a knife ran behind the counter Lily and her boss were able to flee once the man turned his back. 'We didn't know what he was going to do next so we decided to run. I was so scared,' she said. The thief fled the store and police were called but the man remains on the run. Detectives are urging anyone with information into the man's identity to come forward. The man is seen holding the large knife and fled the store with up to $800 worth of cigarettes The man is described as light-skinned and of large build. He was wearing a red hoodie, a black jacket with a white sleeve and a light blue sleeve, black tracksuit pants and black and white shoes at the time. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Jacinda Ardern has tried her hand at baking for her daughter Neve's fourth birthday - using a cheeky shortcut to whip up a cute ladybug cake. The New Zealand Prime Minister said the entire cake was edible, except for the eyes which she created out of two lollipops with black circles drawn on with a Sharpie. 'This year was my turn on the birthday cake (or what I've come to know as the 'stress bomb'),' she wrote. For daughter Neve's fourth birthday the New Zealand prime minister made a ladybug cake Jacinda Ardern (pictured with partner Clarke Gayford and daughter Neve) was the first world leader to give birth while in office in nearly 30 years when she had Neve 'Neve requested a Ladybug, and after several disasters underneath A LOT of icing, this was the result. All edible aside from the eyes (I resorted to sharpie on lollipops).' Her husband Clarke Gayford had impressed with his television cake last year for their daughter. The cake was accompanied by a projector casting the then-3-year-old Neve's favourite cartoons onto the icing. At the time Ms Ardern joked her partner did such a good job he could do it again in 2022, telling local news Mr Gayford spent more time baking the cake than planning their wedding. The PM has played down her cooking skills in previous cake announcements, admitting Neve's second birthday cake a chocolate piano needed the support of a can of lentils to stand up. Ms Ardern has been raising her daughter Neve (pictured together) while running the country for the past four years To celebrate her daughter's second birthday, Jacinda Ardern made a piano cake (pictured) from the Australian Women's Weekly Birthday Cake Book Recognise anyone in the video? Reach out to tips@dailymail.com This is the shocking moment a furious traveller attacks two airport workers as tempers continue to flare amid Britain's ongoing travel chaos. Do you know any of the people in the video? If so, reach out to tips@dailymail.com Advertisement The drama erupted as the man and a woman who appears to be his girlfriend were waiting to board an easyJet flight from Bristol to Alicante. Somerset and Avon Police said an intoxicated man, 39, and woman, 37, were arrested on suspicion of assault and given conditional cautions after interviews. Footage shows the woman shouting and raising her arms at staff members wearing hi-vis jackets. The man then shoves his own partner out the way and races towards the two workers as onlookers gasp in horror. He punches one and knocks the other over immediately after, leaving them both on the floor. One of the employees quickly manages to separate the passenger from his colleague and appears to call security. The man is seen throwing his own partner out of the way before racing to punch the workers. Right: The two workers soon get up and try to face off against the man, but the partner stands in their way But the row between the holidaymaker and the worker continues as they carry on shouting each other, with another man in a t-shirt appearing to hold back the staff member. The clip has been viewed some 90,000 times since being posted on Twitter. A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police told Bristol Live: 'At around 9.30pm on Friday 17 June, officers based at Bristol Airport responded to a report that members of security staff had been assaulted after two people were stopped from boarding a flight, due to being intoxicated. The pair are thought to have been arrested and quizzed by cops for the outbreak of violence 'A 39-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of assault. They were both interviewed and given conditional cautions.' A spokesperson for Bristol Airport told The Sun: 'Anti-social, violent, or threatening behaviour will not be accepted by Bristol Airport or airlines. 'Whilst such incidents are rare, we take them very seriously and will fully support any police investigation.' 'British people don't WANT to be baggage handlers': Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary says UK workers won't plug post-Covid staff shortages blamed for airport chaos - as thousands MORE BA staff threaten to strike this summer By Charlotte Mclaughlin and Mark Duell for MailOnline and David Churchill For The Daily Mail British people do not want to be baggage handlers, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has said amid staff shortages and planned strikes at Heathrow Airport. The low budget airline has been 'completely unaffected' by airport chaos this summer which has seen others British airlines cancel thousands of flights due in part to staff shortages. In contrast, Mr O'Leary said Ryanair was prepared for the return of pre-Covid levels of travel because it could see the 'recovery coming' and got its staff back to work early. He also claimed unlike his competitors, his Irish company can take advantage of the European Labour market and not be faced with British workers who do not want to 'pick fruit or work in hospitality, security and baggage handling at airports'. His comments come as thousands of British Airways staff including cabin crew and engineers have threatened to plunge airports and airlines into yet more chaos during the school holidays. Unions are asking over 16,000 workers if they want to join the more than 700 BA staff who have already committed to a walk-out over pay at Heathrow Airport during the summer. Ryanair is also contending with its own strike action in Europe as staff walked-out in Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain this weekend. Passengers have had months enduring check-in delays, flight cancellations and baggage issues at UK airports. And today furious passengers landed in Heathrow to see baggage left throughout arrivals while holidaymakers at Manchester were told that they face 12 hours to board a delayed flight. British people do not want to be baggage handlers, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary (pictured) has said The low budget airline has been 'completely unaffected' by airport chaos this summer which has seen others British airlines cancel 1,000s of flights. Pictured: Hundreds of suitcases continue to mount up at Heathrow Terminal 2 Mr O'Leary's comments come as over 16,000 of British Airways staff including cabin crew and engineers have threatened to plunge airports and airlines into yet more chaos. Pictured: Stock of BA flight taking off MANCHESTER AIRPORT: Today people are seen lying down on floor as they saw flight delays at Terminal 2 MANCHESTER AIRPORT: One woman sits on a suitcase as passengers are delayed going to Palma HEATHROW AIRPORT: One passenger said they saw baggage piled everywhere while they waited for theirs to arrive HEATHROW AIRPORT: TV's Nick Dixon, correspondent at Good Morning Britain, arrived from Amsterdam at Terminal 3 in Heathrow to see piles of baggage at arrivals CBC's Ashley Burke said 'there are bags scattered everywhere' as she landed at Heathrow HEATHROW AIRPORT: More bags piled everywhere on trolleys at arrivals MANCHESTER AIRPORT: Passengers have had months enduring check-in delays, flight cancellations and baggage issues at UK airports with today seeing another day of queues at Manchester Yesterday passengers also had to endure long queues at Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Airports. Many airports experts have pointed to recruitment post-Covid as the underlining issue. However, Ryanair - largely based in London Stanstead and Dublin Airports - appears to have escaped largely unscathed from the mess, according to the Telegraph. Between May 7 and June 6, the low cost airline had three cancellations out of its 13,099 flights (0.02%) compared with 142 out of 13,010 (1.09%) British Airways flights. While easyJet had 16,425 flights with 636 (3.87%) cancelled. Ryanair - which is based in Dublin, Ireland - has 19,000 staff which it recruits from across Europe. It's boss has largely blamed Europe's inflexible Labour market for other airlines like BA and easyJet having to cancel flights. Mr O'Leary told the Telegraph that Ryanair has been 'completely unaffected' as unlike some airlines it saw the recovery coming 'early'. MANCHESTER AIRPORT: A Tui rep is seen telling passengers that their flight to Palma has been delayed for 12 hours MANCHESTER AIRPORT: Passengers sit out the wait on the floor today MANCHESTER AIRPORT: Queues for bag and check in today were very long MANCHESTER AIRPORT: The long queues seen while customers try to drop off bags HEATHROW AIRPORT: Luggage is left on trolleys at the airport and on the ground He added: 'I'm not re-campaigning on Brexit, but the UK is going to have to find a way to open up the Labour market between the UK and Europe, to get people in here to do the jobs which frankly British people don't want to do. 'They don't want to pick fruit, they don't want to do agricultural labour, they don't want to do hospitality or security or baggage handling at airports.' John Grant, chief analyst at global travel data provider OAG, said unlike BA, Ryanair is not 'reliant' on UK labour. He added: 'EasyJet has access to a wider range of labour, but most of its bases are in major Western European countries which are facing similar resource issues to the UK. 'Ryanair has a much broader range of bases across the whole of Europe and during the pandemic retained a larger proportion of its staff in some of those bases, particularly in Eastern Europe.' Gilbert Ott, creator of flight tips website God Save the Points, said Ryanair is also an 'uncomplicated' airline with one aircraft, the Boeing 737, and short-haul European services. He said: I think many people don't realise how many weeks it takes to get staff through the safety checks required to fly again, particularly pilots. 'Furthermore, European countries were the first to signal a big summer of restriction-free travel, which gave Ryanair ample opportunity to scale up and be aggressive.' HEATHROW AIRPORT: Another pile of baggage left in piles near trolleys HEATHROW AIRPORT: Baggage left at the airport in piles on and off trolleys in no real order Mr O'Leary also said that his cabin crew staff - who need to be retrained for eight weeks if their working hours lapse - and pilots - who need to fly every month to not lose their licence - were in the sky ' well ahead of the expected recovery' Mr O'Leary said that his cabin crew staff - who need to be retrained for eight weeks if their working hours lapse - and pilots - who need to fly every month to not lose their licence - were in the sky 'well ahead of the expected recovery'. He added: 'We made sure, even if we had flights with no passengers, we sent up pilots and cabin crew. 'We sent everybody flying at least once a month. We didn't dump them all at home and say, "We'll call you in 18 months when this is all over'' Those returning to Britain also faced possible disruption as Ryanair cabin crew staff began a three-day walkout in Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain yesterday. The biggest impact was felt in Belgium, where the work stoppage led Europe's biggest budget airline to cancel 127 flights to and from Charleroi airport near Brussels between Friday and Sunday. Ryanair could only guarantee 30 to 40 per cent of its scheduled flights at the airport, said a spokesman for Brussels South Charleroi Airport. In response Mr O'Leary said cabin crew with annual salaries of 24,000 and 45,000 are 'delighted' to be back in their jobs and 'working post-Covid'. He added: 'Everyone can afford to pay their rent. This idea that people are on minimum wage or they don't get paid when they don't fly it's complete rubbish. 'He dismisses the potential disruption as affecting 'less than one per cent' of the company's operations across Europe.' A TUI rep was seen today telling passengers that their flight to Palma has been delayed for 12 hours. Customers were then seen sitting on floors at Manchester Airport to wait out the delay in another airline issue while more beleaguered passengers waited to check in and drop off their bags at other airlines including Pegasus and TUI. LONDON STANSTED AIRPORT - A busy London Stansted in Essex yesterday morning as people queue to leave the airport ITV's Nick Dixon, correspondent at Good Morning Britain, arrived from Amsterdam at Terminal 3 in Heathrow to see piles of baggage at arrivals. Mr Dixon said: '[I'm] trying to locate my lost bag and staff just said sorry, the whole industry in a mess."' Another passenger who was at Heathrow saw baggage piled everywhere, lying at various points of baggage reclaim and passengers waiting in hope at conveyer belts while they waited for their luggage to arrive. Ashley Burke, a reporter at CBCs Parliamentary Bureau, also said on Twitter when she arrived there was a 10 min delay on the plan but quick walk through security of about 15 mins. She didn't check a bag but said she saw 'scattered [luggage] everywhere in the baggage claim area'. More than 700 Heathrow check-in and ground-handling staff voted for industrial action in a row over pay. The GMB and Unite unions are expected to set strike dates for around July 22, when the school break begins. MANCHESTER AIRPORT - Passengers queue for check-in at Manchester Airport's Terminal 2 yesterday as airport chaos continues According to aviation data firm Cirium, nearly 1.8 million BA customers are set to fly out from Heathrow during July. Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: 'With grim predictability, holidaymakers face massive disruption thanks to the pig-headedness of British Airways. 'BA have tried to offer our members crumbs from the table in the form of a 10 per cent one-off bonus payment, but this doesn't cut the mustard. 'Our members need to be reinstated the 10 per cent they had stolen from them last year with full back pay and the 10 per cent bonus which other colleagues have been paid. 'GMB members at Heathrow have suffered untold abuse as they deal with the travel chaos caused by staff shortages and IT failures.' And Unite is looking to add another 16,000 BA workers, made up of cabin crew to engineers, to the strike action. The BA dispute is over a 10 per cent pay cut that check-in and ground-handling staff took during Covid as airlines tried to stay afloat. Unions want full pay reinstated amid cost of living pressure and surging passenger numbers. A spokesman for Unite said, according to the Sun, 'British Airways' management now can no longer ignore the universal discontent across their own workforce, in the way they have ignored the needs of their own customers. 'BA customers know first-hand that the airline is in chaos and that service levels are suffering as a direct result of its own previous disastrous 'fire and rehire' policies. 'Staff are simply no longer willing to excuse, or pay the price for, poor management decisions.' The GMB also said it has started a consultative ballot with thousands more BA workers, including engineers and call-centre workers. A formal ballot for strike action will begin in a few weeks if enough support is registered. GMB general secretary Gary Smith told BBC Breakfast: 'I don't think this is going to stop with customer check-in staff. There are many of our members across the BA business who are sick to death of the cuts within the company. 'They've seen the company being run into the ground over many years, they are very angry about the cynical exploitation of the pandemic by the people at the top of BA and people want to see the pay and conditions restored.' It raises the prospect of summer disruption on an even bigger scale, as it includes workers at Gatwick airport as well as Heathrow. LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT - Heathrow Airport's Terminal Two was very busy yesterday morning as Britons try to fly abroad GMB and Unite vowed only to call off the action if BA meets their demands within a week or so. If the BA walkouts go ahead, families could be forced to delay or cancel holidays and face being stuck abroad if flights home are axed. Unions only have to give two weeks' notice of strikes. Customers whose flights are grounded will be entitled to receive a refund or be rebooked on an alternative flight on their day of departure, even if it is with a rival carrier. But with airlines cutting their schedules due to staff shortages and airport flight caps, it is unclear whether there would be enough seats. It will inflict a huge financial blow on BA, which lost billions of pounds in the pandemic. Some 550 BA flights a day take off and land at Heathrow, but this is expected to rise in the summer - and the airline is now drawing up emergency plans to keep as many flights as possible on strike days. Around half of these are short haul and the other half longer distance - and the action threatens to ground hundreds of flights in total. Changing law over agency workers during strikes 'will not work', says recruitment expert Changing the law to allow firms to hire agency workers to replace staff on strike during industrial disputes will not work, the head of the UK's recruitment body has warned. Neil Carberry, chief executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), said changes announced by the Government on Thursday were being made with no consultation with agencies and agency workers. 'It is not something agencies want, and will not achieve the goals the Government claims,' he said. Ministers pointed out that under current trade union laws, employment businesses are restricted from supplying temporary agency workers to cover for strikers, saying it can have a 'disproportionate impact'. The legislation will repeal the 'burdensome' legal restrictions, giving businesses impacted by strike action the freedom to tap into the services of employment businesses that can provide skilled, temporary agency staff at short notice, said the Government. Mr Carberry said: 'This is a fundamental change to the regulations that govern recruitment businesses, and the industry is strongly opposed to it - it is not a pro-business move. We urge Government to drop their plans and think again. In practice, this change in legislation will not work. Inserting agency workers into strikes will only lengthen disputes. 'It will also not provide the workers that Government wants, and it puts agencies and agency workers in a very difficult position, with potential health and safety and reputational risks to consider. Agency workers are in high demand, and most will not choose a job that forces them to cross a picket line over another where they do not have to.' Unions and opposition parties have strongly criticised the announcement. Joanne Galbraith-Marten, director of employment relations and legal services at the Royal College of Nursing, said: 'This change would be undemocratic and unsafe. Any industrial action by our members is very carefully planned to keep patients safe already - bringing in less qualified or agency workers instead could put patients at risk. 'Health professionals face the most draconian anti-trade union laws. The Government curtails their right to be heard because it knows it is failing them. Silencing health workers silences the patient voice too. Any attempts to further limit workers' rights to challenge their unfair treatment will be strongly resisted.' The announcement was made as thousands of rail workers staged their second strike of the week in a bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions, which led to four out of five trains being cancelled. Subject to parliamentary approval, the changes are made through statutory instruments and are set to come into force over the coming weeks and will apply across England, Scotland and Wales. One statutory instrument on maximum damages courts can be awarded if strikes are found to have been unlawful will be laid on Friday, while a second regarding agency workers will be laid on Monday, according to Downing Street. A No 10 spokesman said: 'The SI that we're laying on Monday ... we're hoping will come in force, if Parliament agree it, within weeks, so it wouldn't have an impact on this week's action.' Advertisement Downing Street said strike action would add to passengers' 'misery' at airports and called for BA to put contingency measures in place. A No 10 spokesman said: 'This is obviously a matter for British Airways and the unions and we would strongly encourage both to come together to find a settlement. 'We don't want to see any further disruption for passengers and strike action would only add to the misery being faced by passengers at airports. 'DfT (Department for Transport) will obviously work closely to look at what contingency measures BA could put in place and we expect BA to put in place contingency measures to ensure that as little disruption is caused, and that where there is disruption that passengers can be refunded'. A BA statement said: 'We're extremely disappointed with the result and that the unions have chosen to take this course of action. 'Despite the extremely challenging environment and losses of more than 4billion, we made an offer of a 10 per cent payment which was accepted by the majority of other colleagues. 'We are fully committed to work together to find a solution, because to deliver for our customers and rebuild our business we have to work as a team. 'We will of course keep our customers updated about what this means for them as the situation evolves.' EasyJet's operations in Spain also face a nine-day strike next month. Britain could see a summer of strikes as unions representing other professions also flex their muscles in pursuit of inflation-busting pay rises. The National Education Union has warned that schools could be next in line for strike action unless ministers stump up 'inflation-plus pay increases for all teachers'. Unions representing doctors, nurses, civil servants and postal workers are also threatening industrial action over pay. Some have even demanded settlements of 5 per cent above inflation - which this week hit 9.1 per cent. A Government aide said the official independent pay review bodies were expected to recommend rises for public sector workers of up to 5 per cent 'in at least some cases', the Financial Times reported. These pay increases will have to come from existing budgets. It came as the boss of the TSSA rail union, Manuel Cortes, said his union could team up with the militant RMT during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next month to ensure 'there'll be no trains running at all'. Yesterday Mr Cortes said his union, which is balloting staff at Network Rail and nine train operators, could plot walkouts with the RMT to hit the Commonwealth Games, which begins on July 28. Asked if the 10-day event, which England last hosted in 2002, will be targeted, he said: 'That's clearly a possibility, I rule absolutely nothing out. 'It's not inconceivable we will walk out at the same time. And I'm absolutely certain that if our members strike along with the RMT, there'll be no trains running at all. 'We're probably heading towards the biggest strike wave on the railways since 1926.' Like the RMT, the union is in dispute with Network Rail and train companies over pay and job security. RMT workers will walk out again for 24 hours tomorrow having already gone on strike yesterday and Tuesday. There are fears the union could call another round of strikes as early as July 9. Meanwhile an organiser of Edinburgh Pride said it is 'really quite sad' that thousands are expected to miss the annual event due to tomorrow's planned rail strikes. Passengers across the UK will face more disruption this weekend as ongoing train strikes promise to halt thousands of services for a third day. Jamie Love, marketing director for Edinburgh Pride, said his team are expecting around 5,000 from in and around Scotland's capital to attend, compared with more than 12,000 people in 2019. An airline which ejected at least 25 passengers from a Heathrow-bound plane without telling them why has admitted that some were 'mistakenly removed'. Air Canada has confirmed that some passengers had done nothing wrong before its staff accompanied by armed police ordered them off the plane. Officials have been contacting the innocent passengers to apologise for the blunder and are believed to be discussing possible compensation with them. But the airline is continuing to claim that others were thrown off the flight for 'disruptive behaviour' which included a failure to wear masks under anti-Covid rules. It refused to confirm how many were wrongly ordered off as the plane sat on the tarmac at Montreal airport late on Monday night before leaving for Heathrow. MailOnline revealed on Wednesday how passengers sitting quietly in their seats were told they had to leave without being given any explanation. Those affected included support staff from Formula One teams who were in Montreal for the Grand Prix as well as a retired British couple who had been on holiday. Officials have been contacting the innocent passengers to apologise for the blunder and are believed to be discussing possible compensation with them But the airline is continuing to claim that others were thrown off the flight for 'disruptive behaviour' which included a failure to wear masks under anti-Covid rules All the passengers insisted that they had done nothing wrong, and had been following rules by wearing masks. Others on the plane also confirmed that they had not seen anyone breaking the rules or behaving in a rowdy or a drunken way. Air Canada had initially claimed that 'a group of 25 customers' were removed 'due to disruptive behaviour' and that it was investigating allegations that other 'unrelated individuals' were also deplaned during the process. But in a statement released to MailOnline, the airline confirmed that the issue centred around the wearing of masks, and that some of the passenger should not have been thrown off. The statement said: 'Our general policy is to not discuss incidents of disruptive behavior onboard our aircraft, but we can confirm the deplaning of passengers from flight AC866 on June 20 was related to non-compliance with Canadian government mask regulations, Canadian Aviation Regulations, as well as directives of our crew. 'The actions taken were for the safety and benefit of the other 266 passengers on the flight. 'We regret that some customers who were not involved were unfortunately deplaned. We have since reached out those we have identified as mistakenly removed to apologize and address their concerns.' A spokesperson for the Williams F1 team said: 'We confirm that four of our members of staff were removed from an Air Canada flight on Monday evening that was due to fly from Montreal to London, including a pregnant member of our workforce. 'A total of 28 people were removed from the flight, and we are currently awaiting an explanation from Air Canada as we do not believe that there was any justification for the removal of our employees. 'As Williams Racing, we ensured our staff had transport and accommodation while they waited to be rebooked onto another flight. We confirm they are all now safely back in the UK and we await a response from Air Canada.' Retired surveyor Richard Brailey, 71, and his wife Patricia, 66, from Hertfordshire were left baffled after they were ordered off the flight on their way home from a four week camper van holiday around Canada. Air Canada had initially claimed that 'a group of 25 customers' were removed 'due to disruptive behaviour' and that it was investigating allegations that other 'unrelated individuals' were also deplaned during the process The couple's son Patrick Brailey confirmed to MailOnline today that Air Canada staff had been in touch with his parents to apologise. He added: 'Discussions regarding an explanation and compensation remain ongoing'. Mr and Mrs Brailey were given no reason for their ejection at the time, but were later told by airline staff in the terminal that they may have been thrown off for being drunk or not wearing masks. They were left mystified because they had not been drinking and had been wearing masks constantly in their seats as they waited for the plane to take off. Mr Brailey insisted that he had not seen any other passengers misbehaving or failing to follow instructions from cabin staff on the plane. He and his wife were forced to spend the night in the airport as they could not find a room in a hotel, and were eventually given Air Canada flights back to Heathrow via New York on Tuesday. The couple from Hertfordshire were initially told that Air Canada was not responsible for them and that they could not get on another of the airline's flights for at least 24 hours. Their other son spent 1,300 on booking an alternative flight home for them on another airline before Air Canada came up with the new flights. The couple are demanding compensation for their ordeal and for the money that their son spent. Those affected included support staff from Formula One teams who were in Montreal for the Grand Prix (pictured) as well as a retired British couple who had been on holiday A spokesperson for the Williams F1 team said: 'We confirm that four of our members of staff were removed from an Air Canada flight on Monday evening that was due to fly from Montreal to London, including a pregnant member of our workforce' Four members of the Aston Martin F1 team are also believed to have been thrown off the flight as well as a member of the Red Bull team who was not allowed to collect his bag containing his passport, wallet or phone from the overhead locker Four members of the Aston Martin F1 team are also believed to have been thrown off the flight as well as a member of the Red Bull team who was not allowed to collect his bag containing his passport, wallet or phone from the overhead locker. An Aston Martin F1 Team spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We are pleased to confirm that all our staff have now returned safely from Canada. 'They were given no information as to why they were removed from the flight. We are in dialogue with Air Canada and awaiting further feedback.' Jordan Conlan, 28, who works for a company installing garage walling for the Williams team told MailOnline on Thursday how he was among those thrown off. He said: 'Everyone on the plane was behaving properly and it was very quiet. 'People were as quiet as anything and going to sleep as they waited to get underway. There was no rowdy behaviour and everyone seemed to be wearing masks. 'We had been sitting on the runway for an hour when a member of security staff from the airport who was in a stab vest began walking up and down the plane. 'There was nothing going on whatsoever. Then all of a sudden a long line of five or seven police officers came on the flight. 'They were with a bald guy who had been checking tickets and passports as people got on board. He had a piece of paper with a list of seat numbers of people who were being thrown off.' Jordan said the first person ordered off was a Williams team member in Business Class who had his leg in a brace after breaking his ankle in Canada. Then the police threw off a pregnant member of the Williams team and another woman colleague, sitting near him in economy. Mr Brailey said he and his wife would now be demanding compensation for their ordeal and the money spent on the alternative flights which could not be refunded. Pictured is their camper van which they enjoyed before their dream Canada holiday ended in a nightmare Jordan said the mystified pair 'were completely fast asleep' when they got tapped on their shoulders by armed police and told to leave. He said: 'They were both crying and very upset. They just could not understand it. 'The bald guy was just going along, saying 'This person, this person' and saying they had to get off. Then it was my turn to be ordered off. I asked why, but he would not tell me. 'I previously had my head phones on with my shoes off and my mask on, and I was falling asleep with my eyes closed. 'I had been for a meal with a colleague about two hours previously, and we had just one beer each. He stayed on the flight, and I got taken off. It was scary stuff. It was a bizarre situation. 'I was with the Williams team, so I was obviously expected to behave properly. The last thing I would have been doing was getting drunk. 'Two Canadian residents next to me were also taken off. The guy had a full face mask and an eye mask, and was fast asleep. 'They were not telling us where we were going and just said we needed to get off. 'The gantry walkway back to the terminal was lined with armed police officers on both sides and we had to walk between them.' He added: 'They just said to follow police to Customs and there would be people waiting for us. Some of us tried to head back to the plane and we got told off. 'We were told we had to go back through Customs to enter Canada. I was worried about doing it, but in the end everyone went through. 'We landed up in the baggage hall where we spoke to a female representative from Air Canada. She was not saying exactly why we got ordered off. 'She just said that the police had grounds to take us off because we were not following mask rules, were drunk or aggressive. 'She did not specify who had done what, but we were all under that remit. 'We were waiting for our luggage to come off the plane, and she was blaming Customs for not taking our bags off. 'The Customs guys were shouting back at her that it was not their fault. In the end, the plane left with our bags still on board. 'I was arguing that it was a horrendous breach of aviation laws because travellers have to be flying on planes carrying their luggage. 'The Air Canada lady told us all that Air Canada would not be giving us new flights because of our behaviour. Nobody could understand it because we had done nothing wrong.' Jordan who lives in Warwickshire said he had been left wondering whether a 'grumpy' air stewardess on the flight was anything to do with the decision to eject passengers. He said: 'She was quite rude to two of my colleagues and said, 'Can you sit down please?' when they were putting bags in overhead lockers. 'I just wonder whether she had a bad day and wanted to get revenge.' Jordan said he and his colleagues were put up in a downtown hotel in Montreal for the night and were booked by Williams representatives on to a British Airways flight back to Heathrow on Tuesday night. Two of America's top medical examiners have called into question Brian Laundrie's newly-unearthed claims that he killed his fiancee, Gabby Petito, out of mercy. In images of eight water-logged pages of his notebook, handed to DailyMail.com by the Laundrie family's attorney Steve Bertolino on Friday, Laundrie, 23, admits that he killed his 22-year-old fiancee after she fell into a creek and inured herself at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on their country-wide road trip last summer. He claims in the notebook that he battled to comfort Gabby, but she was rapidly deteriorating, crying in pain and shivering from the constant cold when he decided to kill her. Petito's death was later ruled a homicide by manual strangulation. But following the revelations on Friday, Medical Examiners Michael Baden and Cyril Wecht told FOX News that they had doubts about this version of events. Wecht, who has previously been involved in the investigations of former President John F Kennedy's and JonBenet Ramsey's deaths, noted that while signs of hypothermia are difficult to detect on a corpse, violent shaking like Laundrie described is not a symptom. 'Hypothermia, at the beginning, you'll be cold as hell,' he explained. 'But then when the hypothermia becomes significant, you don't shiver, you don't move. In fact in surgery, that's why they bring patients down to a hypothermic state.' And Baden - who previously served as New York City's medical examiner was involved in the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's death - said that while Petito's autopsy did show some signs of hemorrhaging as a result of severe hypothermia, it remains unlikely she was suffering from the condition. 'In general, hypothermia does not cause injuries that are easily found at autopsy,' he explained, adding: 'There is some information that there can be small hemorrhages in the stomach in the very severe cold depths - but that's in the weeds. 'That's the weeds of forensic pathology.' John Kelly, a criminal profiler and psychotherapist, and Jason Jensen, a private investigator, also called Laundrie's version of events 'farcical.' And, even if he did kill Petito out of mercy: 'Euthanasia is not legal in any state, anywhere. Euthanasia is murder.' In newly-unearthed notebook passages, Brian Laundrie, 23, admitted to killing his fiancee Gabby Petito, 22, right, when they were on a cross-country van trip Laundrie's notebook contained a letter written to the late Petito before he killed himself following a large manhunt for him, The notes revealed a confession from Laundrie, who claimed he killed Petito out of mercy after an accident during their cross-country trip Medical Examiners Drs Cyril Wecht, left, and Michael Baden, right, called into question the veracity of Laundrie's claims in the notebook Kelly also told FOX News that he was frustrated that Laundrie 'tiptoed around the confession. 'He wanted to serve it up as a mercy killing. 'That's the thing that's bugging me more than anything,' Kelly said. 'He found her breathing heavily and gasping for breath, so he decided to choke her out?' He continued to say that it made no sense that he would strangle Petito on the spot rather than drag her back to their van to get some help. 'I don't believe in all this accident stuff, because how can you say you love somebody so much, you can't go on without her, you love her so much you're willing to commit suicide like a Romeo and Juliet? 'She's hurt, and will not go and get help for her. 'And not only will you not go the extra mile,' he said, 'you will not even report her missing.' Laundrie had been the main suspect in Petito's disappearance and murder after he arrived back home, alone, in North Port, Florida on September 1 from a cross-country road trip he embarked on with Gabby in her white 2012 Ford Transit van. Jensen also said he found Laundrie's story suspect, saying: 'He writes this farcical tale about her falling down and getting injured while crossing Spread Creek, and describes how he couldn't leave here behind.' He called the notebook passage 'an attempt to rewrite history.' 'The truth is he killed her because he was a domestic abuser,' Jensen said,. 'He strangled her, and had done so before.' The couple was previously seen on police body camera footage from Moab, Utah after fellow travelers said Laundrie hit her. He also reportedly got into a fight with wait staff at a restaurant in Jackson shortly before Petito's death, which Kelly says shows signs of extremely narcissistic personality disorder and sociopathic disorder. 'The only thing I give him credit for, in any way, is he decided to get eaten up by animals himself,' Kelly said. 'In the end, it rang true he wanted to disappear. He felt he was a nobody.' Petito and Laundrie were on a cross-country van trip when Laundrie said she fell into a shallow creek and got hypothermia An autopsy later revealed that Petito's cause of death was homicide by manual strangulation Laundrie's notebook was found in a dry bag beside his body on October 20 last year after he fled to the alligator-infested Carlton Reserve near his home in North Port, Florida. He'd shot himself in the head. In a desperate bid to explain his version of events, he writes: 'I am sorry to my family, this is a shock to them as well as a terrible greif (sic). 'Please do not make this harder for them, this occurred as an unexpected tragedy.' The couple were at the national park after visiting Utah on their trip west in Gabby's 2012 white Ford Transit. They were cataloguing the trip on social media. Laundrie writes in his notebook: 'Rushing back to our car, trying to cross the steam of spread creek before it got too dark to see, to (sic) cold. I hear a splash and a scream. I could barely see, I couldn't finder her for a moment, shouted her name. 'I found her breathing barely, gasping, any (indistinct as the ink is waterlogged) she was freezing cold, we had just come from the blazing hot national parks in Utah. 'The temperature had dropped to freezing and she was soaking wet. I carried her as far as I could down the stream towards the car, stumbling, exhausted in shock, when my (indistinct) and I knew I couldn't safely carry her.' He continues in an occasionally confusing monologue: 'I started a fire and spooned her as close to the heat, she was so thin, had already been freezing too long. I couldn't at the time realize that I should've started a fire first but I wanted her out of the cold back to the car. From where I started the fire I had no idea where the car might be. Only knew it was across the creek. 'When I pulled Gabby out of the water she couldn't tell me what hurt. She had a small bump on her forehead that eventually got larger. Her feet hurt, her wrist hurt, but she was freezing, shaking violently, while carrying her she continually made sounds of pain.' Then he begins his excuse for murdering his fiancee. He writes: 'Laying next to her she said little, lapsing between violent shakes, gasping in pain, begging for an end to her pain. She would fall asleep and I would shake her awake fearing she shouldn't close her eyes if she had a concussion. 'She would wake in pain, start her whole painful cycle again, furious that I was the one waking her. She wouldn't let me try to cross the creek, thought like me that the fire would go out in her sleep.' It is then that he explains that he killed her out of mercy, writing: 'I don't know the extent of Gabby's injuries, only that she was in extreme pain. 'I ended her life. I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistake that I made. I panicked. I was in shock. But from the moment I decided, took away her pain.' Police and FBI officials retrieved items belonging to Brian Laundrie, including a notebook, near where his body was found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in October Laudrie wrote in his notebook that Petito's condition was worsening in the Utah wilderness and was begging 'for an end to her pain' After killing his fiance, Laundrie said he rushed home and had thought about getting his friends to kill him to end his own pain Laundrie's remains were found north of the entrance to Myakkahatchee Creek, in the Big Slough Preserve, off an unpaved trail near a bridge where Brian's parents said he liked to visit. It is four miles north of their home in North Port, Florida He adds: 'I knew I couldn't go on without her. 'I rushed home to spend any time I had left with my family. 'I wanted to drive north and let James or TJ kill me, but I wouldn't want them to spend time in jail over my mistake, even though I'm sure they would have liked to.' Of his own fate in the 25,000-acre swampland on Florida's west coast, he writes: 'I'm ending my life not because of fear of punishment, but rather because I can't stand to live another day without her. 'I've lost our whole entire future together, every moment we could have cherished. I'm sorry for everyone's loss. Please don't make life hard for my family, they lost a son and a daughter. The most wonderful (?) girl in the world I'm sorry. 'I have killed myself by this creek in the hope that animals may tear me apart that it might make some of her family happy.' As an apparent after thought, and in larger writing, he finishes with the words: 'Please pick up all of my things. Gabby hated people who litter.' Laundrie began the notebook with the personal message to Gabby, writing: 'I wish I could be at your side, I wish I could be talking to you right now. I'd be going through every memory getting even more xxx for the future. But we've lost our future. 'I can't be without you. I've lost every day we (indistinct) spent together I'll never get to play with (indistinct) again. Never go hiking with T.I can't bear to look at our photos, to recall great times because it is why I cannot go on. 'When I close my eyes I will think of laughing on the roof of the van, falling asleep to the sight of a (indistinct) at the crystal geyser. I will always love you.' Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito were engaged to be married prior to their deaths The pair had been travelling on a cross-country trip together since July 2, when they left New York. Petito was reported missing on September 11 Attorney Bertolino passed on to the images from his notebook to DailyMail.com after he and the Petitos' attorney Patrick Reilly met with the FBI in Tampa, Florida, on Friday to take possession of Brian and Gabby's personal items. The meeting came three days after Gabby's distraught mom cried in a courtroom listening to her lawyer blast the actions of killer Laundrie's parents as 'callous and shameful'. Nicole Schmidt, 41, also toyed nervously with a necklace as she sat with former husband Joseph Petito, 42, the father of the van-life girl. The devastated mother and father are suing Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, alleging they knew their son had murdered Gabby after he returned to their Florida home alone - and tried to help him flee authorities. They claim the Laundries are guilty of 'inflicting intentional emotional distress' and that a statement issued by their lawyer hopeful of a successful end to the search for then-missing Gabby was 'outrageous' because they allegedly already knew she was dead. Their attorney Reilly told Sarasota County Court, Florida: 'This is case not simply about the silence of Robert and Christopher Laundrie who knew their son had brutally murdered Gabby Petito.' He said it also wasn't about their 'callous refusal despite pleas from the Petito family' to speak out about whether not Gabby was alive or if she wasn't the location of her body. 'It's about a course of conduct that they committed from when they learned on August 28, 2021 that their son had brutally murdered Gabby Petito,' he said. Reilly said this included the statement that was made by the attorney advising them at the time, Steve Bertolino, regarding their wish for a successful end to the search. The Laundries were not in court, but were spotted the following day by DailyMail.com near their home in North Port. Judge Hunter W. Carroll asked what duty did Christopher, 63, and Roberta, 56, have to do 'anything to help' Gabby's parents. 'It's about what they did with the information that they had,' Reilly replied. 'Not just not disclosing what they knew.' He added the Laundries could have made an anonymous phone call to reveal the location of Gabby's body. The lawyer said they knew Gabby's parents were 'desperately searching' for information. The hearing was to consider the Laundries' motion to dismiss the case. After hearing pleas from both sides, Judge Carroll said he hoped to issue a written decision in two weeks. If he dismisses the motion, the Laundries could face a jury trial next year. It was the first time Gabby's parents had an opportunity to be in a court over the tragic death of their daughter. Laundrie shot himself after fleeing to a Florida swamp, denying them legal justice. However, the hearing continued the couple's pain as they had to listen to arguments. Both sets of parents had been friendly before Gabby went missing, the court was told. A Ukrainian refugee who ran away with her taken UK sponsor while staying with his family has again defended her actions, saying that she 'didn't steal anyone' and that their relationship is 'real and wonderful'. Sofiia Karkadym, 22, fled Lviv and moved in with Tony Garnett, 29, his wife Lorna and their two children in Bradford at the start of May. But Mr Garnett quickly fell for his new guest and left his partner for her after just ten days, moving with her into his parents' home. Mr Garnett said he has fallen in love with Miss Karkadym and wants to spend the rest of his life with her. In a post to her Instagram page, Miss Karkadym laid out what she took to be a few facts of the matter. On Mr Garnett leaving his wife, she it was the 'conscious and considered decision of a 29-year-old man who has the right to fall in love.' She again denied that she 'stole' anyone and attacked the press coverage of the story which was 'clearly exaggerated and written in such a way as to be as dramatic as possible.' 'Finally, I decided to write a post about world-famous recent events,' the Ukrainian IT manager wrote. 'The first thing I want to say is that I did not steal anyone from the family. It was his conscious and considered decision, the decision of a 29-year-old man who has the right to fall in love, has the right to be happy and has the right to choose who to be with.' In a post to her Instagram page detailing her latest thoughts, Miss Karkadym accompanied it with a picture of her kissing Tony Garnett on the cheek with the London Eye and River Thames behind them on a trip to London from Bradford 'The second thing I want to cover is the concept of the 'yellow press'. Do you really think that someone can be abducted from a happy family in 10 days? 'Why so much attention to my story, if it is clearly exaggerated and written in such a way as to be as dramatic as possible? 'Anthony and I are fine. 'Therefore, those who supported me from the very beginning and knew that behind any of my actions there is something real and wonderful - thank you. The rest - you will be disappointed in your judgements ;)' Tony Garnett, 29, said he has fallen in love with his family's guest, 22-year-old refugee Sofiia Karkadym, who admitted she 'fancied' her host as soon as she saw him Jilted mother Lorna Garnett (pictured with ex-partner Tony) shared her anger after she let the Ukrainian woman into her home Miss Karkadym had previously insisted she was not to blame for the breakdown of her sponsors' relationship, telling The Sun: 'That never crossed my mind. I liked the family. I spent a lot of time with Lorna and I tried to help her. But she was two-faced. 'Her constant suspicions, the tension, it just pushed me and Tony closer together. 'She created this situation by constantly suggesting something was going on when it wasn't. So this is her fault.' Jilted mother Lorna Garnett said she was left heartbroken after her husband decided to leave her for their guest. Speaking to the Sun on Sunday, Mrs Garnett said she believes Miss Karkadym 'set her sights on Anthony from the start, decided she wanted him and she took him'. She added: 'She didn't care about the devastation that was left behind. Everything I knew has been turned on its head in the space of two weeks.' Mrs Garnett told the newspaper she had reservations about the scheme but felt it was the right thing to do after seeing the 'terrifying' situation in Ukraine on the news. Sofiia Karkadym (pictured) arrived in the UK at the start of May after fleeing the war in Ukraine She said: 'I decided it was the right thing to do to put a roof over someone's head and help them when they were in desperate need. 'And this is how Sofiia has repaid me for giving her a home.' The family had taken Miss Karkadym in in an effort to do their bit to help Ukrainian's fleeing the Russian invasion, with Tony telling The Sun he 'wanted to do the right thing' and that she was the first person to get in touch on a Facebook page where he offered to house a refugee under the Government's scheme. Miss Karkadym, who works as an IT manager, flew into Manchester on May 4 after waiting for weeks in Berlin for her UK visa to be approved. Mr Garnett said he and his guest quickly developed a connection, and while his six-year-old and three-year-old daughters also took a liking to her, his partner of 10 years did not. Just 10 days after moving in with the Garnett family, Sofiia (pictured) and lover Tony moved out Sofiia, who is an IT manager, fled the western Ukrainian city of Lviv to escape the war. Pictured: are refugees waiting to board a train at the main railway station in the city of Lviv in February Mr Garnett, who speaks Slovakian, would talk with his future lover while she spoke Ukrainian, as the two languages are mutually intelligible. However, this left his wife not understanding what they were talking about. 'We were getting on brilliantly but at that time it was no more than that although I can see why Lorna started to feel jealous and resentful of her,' Mr Garnett said. As the days passed Miss Karkadym would join Mr Garnett at the gym and they would talk in his car, while at home they grew physically closer. 'At home I realised we were finding excuses to touch and brush against each other, it was very flirtatious but nothing more than that happened at that stage,' he said. 'Although it was fairly innocent it was causing arguments. I can understand that. When I got in at night Sofiia would be the one who had made a meal for me to try.' Sofiia Karkadym said she 'fancied' Tony as soon as she saw him and they are living their own 'love story' The IT manager (pictured) moved in with Mr Garnett and his parents while they find their own place As the pair got closer and closer, his wife became 'very jealous' Mr Garnett says, and began to question why Miss Karkadym was following him around all the time. 'The atmosphere was getting really bad and Sofiia told me she didn't know whether she could continue to live with us under these circumstances,' he said. 'Lorna was never that enthusiastic about having a refugee in our home because it meant the girls had to move into one room.' Things came to a head after an explosive row between the women left Miss Karkadym in tears and saying she no longer felt like she could live in the same house. Mr Garnett said 'something inside me clicked' and he told his wife 'If she's going, I'm going'. The pair then packed their bags and moved in with his mother and father, although they are looking at properties to move into. After their relationship of 10 years ended in the space of just 10 days, Tony says he feels bad and that Lorna is not to blame. 'I am so sorry for what Lorna is going through, this was not her fault and it was not about anything she did wrong. 'We never set out to do this, it wasn't planned and we didn't mean to hurt anyone.' Troubled First Son Hunter Biden allegedly met with a Russian oligarch and Putin ally who is now wanted for the murder of two business rivals. Biden, 52, is believed to have met with Telman Ismailov, 65, on February 17, 2012 at the Moscow headquarters of Ismailov's AST Group holding company, according to the New York Post. His father was Vice President of the United States at the time of the meeting, which saw the seedy first son push Ismailov to invest cash in a firm he ran. The Baku-born businessman was accused of paying $2million in 2017 to have shopping mall owner Vladimir Savkin and auto scion Yury Briley killed on the Novorizhskoye highway in Moscow. The men were believed to be in a business argument with Ismailov according to Russia's investigative committee. Ismailov, who has been granted asylum in Montenegro since February, told Radio Free Europe the charges were 'a result of political and economic persecution by the Russian Federation.' Troubled First Son Hunter Biden allegedly met with a Russian oligarch and Putin ally who is now wanted for murder Biden, 52, is believed to have met with Telman Ismailov, 65 (pictured), on February 17, 2012 at the Moscow headquarters of Ismailov's AST Group holding company Ismailov formerly owned and operated a publisher, as well as companies that provided tours and telecoms. Biden apparently spent two days with Ismailov and other members of the wealthy Russian aristocracy, allegedly as part of discussions involving Biden's Rosemont Realty investment company. Hunter met with his father, then Vice President Joe Biden, on February 22, 2012, less than a week after meeting Ismailov and at least three other Putin-aligned oligarchs. Experts suggest that the likes of Ismailov wanted Hunter Biden to peddle influence for them with his powerful father in exchange for needed funds. 'The only reason someone - other than a crack dealer or a hooker - would want to meet Hunter Biden is to get to his dad,' Jim Hanson, president of the Security Studies Group, told The Post. 'They were selling access, it was their business model. The Biden family was involved in capitalizing on Joe's political career.' Biden apparently spent two days with Ismailov and other members of the wealthy Russian aristocracy, allegedly as part of discussions involving Biden's Rosemont Realty investment company Experts suggest that the likes of Ismailov wanted Hunter Biden to peddle influence for them with his powerful father in exchange for needed funds The Baku-born businessman was accused of paying $2million in 2017 to have shopping mall owner Vladimir Savkin and auto scion Yury Briley killed on the Novorizhskoye highway in Moscow. He is pictured with actress Monica Belucci at the launch of a luxury Turkish holiday resort in 2009 It's far from the first time Biden's son has been accused of corruption. Hunter's firm raked in $11million over a matter of five years from his work as an attorney and a board member of Ukrainian energy firm Burisma and his work with a Chinese businessman now accused of fraud. The findings raise questions of national security and corruption and also possible legal issues, as some wonder why the president's son was accepting work with energy firms despite no experience in the field. Documents indicate that Biden blew through the money even faster than it was coming in-- expenditures found on his hard drive show that the president's son was spending an eye-popping $200,000 per month on things like luxury hotel rooms, Porsche payments, dental work and cash withdrawals from February 2017 to October 2018, according to an analysis of Hunter Biden's abandoned hard drive by NBC News. In a February 2017 divorce filing, Biden's ex-wife Kathleen Buhle's attorney called the couple's outstanding debts 'shocking and overwhelming' and divulged that they owed $313,000 in back taxes. According to the filing, the couple had bounced checks to their housekeeper and owed money to doctors and therapists. In his memoir Beautiful Things, Hunter admits that the Burisma money bankrolled his bad habits. He writes the extra cash 'turned into a major enabler during my steepest skid into addiction' and 'hounded me to spend recklessly, dangerously, destructively. Humiliatingly. So I did.' According to a report last week Hunter Biden hired Hollywood attorney Kevin Morris to help him pay off a $2 million tax bill -- more than double what was previously reported -- as he's being investigated for tax fraud by a Delaware grand jury. Hunter Biden and his firm raked in $11 million over a matter of five years from his work as an attorney and a board member of Ukrainian energy firm Burisma and his work with a Chinese businessman now accused of fraud The investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes began when his father was still serving as Vice President during the Obama administration. But in 2018 the inquiry was opened up to include potential tax fraud, money laundering and violations of lobbying laws, after it transpired the 52-year-old may have used political leverage to influence business deals. Then in October 2020, the New York Post revealed the existence of the now infamous Hunter Biden laptop - a damaged MacBook Pro the President's son took to a repair shop in Wilmington, Delaware, but never retrieved. More than 20,000 emails have since been recovered from the laptop's hard drive, which has been obtained by DailyMail.com, that are thought to provide extensive evidence of Hunter Biden's shady business dealings. Former Justice Department official Chuck Rosenberg told NBC that Biden's paying what he owes could be seen as an admission of guilt. Rosenberg said that not paying taxes for many years, rather than one or two, helps establish intent. Biden has denied any criminal wrongdoing and told CBS News that he is 'cooperating completely' with the Delaware investigation. 'And I'm absolutely certain, 100 percent certain,' he said, 'that at the end of the investigation, I will be cleared of any wrongdoing.' A Senate report from September 2020 revealed that Hunter Biden raked in $6 million over nine months from his Chinese business dealings including a $5m payment from a Chinese energy company with ties to the Communist party and $1m for work with an associate who was later jailed for bribery. Advertisement A male cop running for Rhode Island Senate as a Republican has been accused of punching his Democrat female rival, a pro-choice advocate, during a Roe v. Wade protest. Video shared on Twitter shows the shocking moment Republican cop Jeann Lugo allegedly struck Rhode Island Political Cooperative Chairwoman Jennifer Rourke in the face twice on Friday night. Rourke, a Democrat, claims Lugo 'violently attacked' her after she spoke out at a Roe v. Wade rally in Providence. Lugo was off-duty at the time of the alleged incident. 'This is what it is to be a Black woman running for office. I won't give up,' she wrote. An off-duty officer's behavior at the rally is under investigation, Providence police have confirmed. The department said the officer was placed on paid administrated Saturday morning pending a criminal investigation and administrative review. Police did not disclose the name of the arrested officer but said the individual has served with the department for three years. Lugo joined the force in 2019, according to the department's 69th training academy commencement booklet. Rhode Island Political Cooperative Chairwoman Jennifer Rourke has accused her opponent in the state Senate District 29 race, Providence cop Jeann Lugo, of punching her twice during a protest outside the statehouse Friday night Hundreds of protesters assembled outside the Rhode Island Statehouse in Providence Friday in wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion in the U.S. While much of the protest took place without incident, local news outlets allege conflict ensued after a group of counter-protesters entered the area. Rourke claimed her challenger in the state Senate District 29 race, which is Lugo, punched her in the face at least twice once chaos broke out. She reportedly filed a police report and is looking to press charges. The off-duty cop did not deny the assault allegation but did claim Rourke had become physical with him. She denied Lugo's accusation. 'I'm not going to deny,' Lugo told The Providence Journal on Saturday. 'It was very chaotic, so I can't really tell you right now. Everything happened very fast.' 'To me, this feels like an act of political violence similar to the acts of violence that we have seen across the U.S.,' Rourke hit back. 'I'm a black woman running for office. There was no need, no need for any of this. I'm not going to give up.' Neither Rourke nor Lugo immediately responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment. The newspaper also reported at least two other arrests during Friday night's rally, including a woman and a man who was tackled by a K-9 officer. It is unclear what the individuals were charged with. Lugo has not denied the allegations and instead said: 'It was very chaotic, so I can't really tell you right now. Everything happened very fast.' Rourke intends to press charges against the off-duty cop The alleged assault against Rourke came amid a night of chaos-filled protests across the nation. Thousands of spirited demonstrators took to the streets Friday in cities nationwide to protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Demonstrators are pictured outside the Supreme Court building in Washington DC on Friday The alleged assault against Rourke came amid a night of chaos-filled protests across the nation. Thousands of spirited demonstrators took to the streets Friday in cities nationwide to protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The landmark 1973 decision was overturned Friday after SCOTUS, in a 6-3 ruling powered by its conservative majority, upheld a Republican-backed Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The vote was 5-4 to overturn Roe, with conservative Chief Justice John Roberts writing separately to say he would have upheld the Mississippi law without taking the additional step of erasing the Roe precedent altogether. The ruling restored the ability of states to ban abortion. Twenty-six states are either certain or considered likely to ban abortion. Abortion became illegal in 13 U.S. states as soon as Roe was overturned, thanks to specially-devised 'trigger laws' designed to automatically outlaw terminations in the event of a ruling to overturn Roe. Five other states banned terminations after historic laws superseded by the 1973 Roe ruling automatically came back into place on Friday. The ruling, which many Democrats claim leaves American women with 'fewer rights than their grandmothers,' prompted outcry across the nation. Abortion was automatically outlawed in 18 US states as soon as Roe v. Wade was overturned, thanks to specially-devised 'trigger laws' and historic bans that were automatically reenacted after Friday's ruling Republican appointed-Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett (circled) all voted to strike down Roe along with Samuel Alito Pro-choice activists were tear gassed in clashes at Arizona Capitol building and dozens were arrested in New York City and Los Angeles. The Arizona Capitol building was besieged by pro-abortion protesters Friday night, forcing riot cops to fire tear gas to disperse the angry crowd in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Lawmakers working to complete their 2022 session said they were effectively held-hostage inside, and eventually huddled to a safe location, as SWAT team operatives worked to disperse the gathered crowds. KPHO-TV reported the officers opened fire when several anti-abortion protesters started banging on glass doors of the building. Arizona is one of eight states where abortion clinics stopped performing procedures after the decision was released Friday. Arizona's Republican Governor Doug Ducey insists a bill he previously passed, banning abortions after 15 weeks, still stands. But Ducey's assertion can only be settled in the state's courts - and some hardline Republicans are already suggesting the original ban on all terminations should remain in place. The incident sent Senate lawmakers into the basement of the building for about 20 minutes, said Democratic Sen. Martin Quezada. Stinging tear gas wafted through the Capitol afterward, forcing the Senate to move its proceedings to a hearing room instead of the Senate chamber. Authorities said there were no injuries or arrests. Tear gas coming from officers firing out of the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix is visible as pro choice protesters march outside Arizona is one of eight states where abortion clinics stopped performing procedures after the decision was released Friday Arizona's Capitol building was besieged by pro-abortion protesters Friday night, forcing riot cops to fire tear gas to disperse the angry crowd in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned Lawmakers working to complete their 2022 session said they were effectively held-hostage inside, and eventually huddled to a safe location, as SWAT team operatives worked to disperse the gathered crowds Officers opened fire when several anti-abortion protesters started banging on glass doors of the building Arizona protesters start to move away as the state police begins tear gassing people Riot police surround the Arizona Capitol after protesters reached the front of the Arizona Sentate building With tear gas in the air, a large number of police surround the Arizona Capitol after protesters reached the front of the AZ Senate building after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision Friday KPHO-TV reported the officers opened fire when several anti-abortion protesters started banging on glass doors of the building Abortion rights protesters banged on the walls of the capitol building in Arizona while holding signs In New York, at least 25 people were arrested on Friday after around 17,000 descended on Washington Square Park before marching through the streets to Grand Central Station, Times Square, and Bryant Park. They also stopped outside News Corp headquarters - home to Fox News and the The New York Post - and yelled 'Burn it down! Burn it down! F*** Tucker Carlson!' Vandals also sprayed 'F*** Fox' on the side of the building. Similar arrests were made in Los Angeles, where police reported protesters throwing bottles of water and rocks at officers during demonstrations. ABC7 reported that there were protesters throwing what appeared to be fireworks at police. They also spotted a man briefly being dragged away from the demonstrations. At one point, authorities declared an unlawful assembly just after 9 p.m., meaning protesters were forced to leave or be put under arrest, with officers not allowing reporters to witness what happened, according to the LA Times. Earlier in the afternoon, a crowd had marched onto the northbound 110 Freeway and temporarily shut down traffic. Thousands marched through Manhattan in New York City on Friday, even ending up at News Corp headquarters, home of the New York Post and Fox News In New York, at least 25 people have been arrested after demonstrations across the city Friday Abortion rights activists march from Washington Square Park to Bryant Park in Lower Manhattan in protest Similar arrests were made in Los Angeles, where police reported protesters throwing bottles of water and rocks at officers during demonstrations on Friday One activist sets off a smoke flare amid abortion rights protest on the 110 Freeway in Downtown Los Angeles Protests in Los Angeles made it all the way out to the city's freeway, momentarily shutting down traffic Hundreds of angry protesters assembled outside the Supreme Court building in D.C. Friday just moments after SCOTUS ruled to overturn Roe. Cops, many outfitted in riot gear, were called in to protect the barricaded federal building as protesters chanted: 'F*** Clarence Thomas!' Thomas was among the justices who voted to strike down the ruling. Several members of Congress, including Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, joined the rally to address the crowd in wake of what AOC called an 'illegitimate decision.' 'In almost half of this country, states are ready to ban abortion,' said Ilhan Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota. 'Outright ban abortion. That means if you are sick, if you are raped, there is incest, you are forced to have that baby or die.' A group was also spotted burning the American flag in the capital while others gathered outside Supreme Court Justice Thomas' home. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared outside the Supreme Court on Friday among the crowds in the aftermath of the Supreme Court releasing the Dobbs decision that ends abortion protections A protester lights a cigarette on a burning American Flag while marching with abortion-rights activists in DC on Friday Capitol Police dressed in riot gear stand outside the Capitol on Friday evening as protests erupted Capitol Police are seen on duty on Friday evening in Washington DC, as protests spread Abortion rights activists show their anger outside the Supreme Court in Washington DC on Friday Jacinda Ardern has called out the 'incredibly upsetting' decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn abortion rights. The New Zealand Prime Minister said the world needed to progress and not 'move backwards', after constitutional protections for abortions were scrapped in the United States. 'Watching the removal of a woman's fundamental right to make decisions over their own body is incredibly upsetting,' she said in a statement on Saturday. 'Here in New Zealand we recently legislated to decriminalise abortion and treat it as a health rather than criminal issue. Jacinda Ardern has called out the 'incredibly upsetting' decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn abortion rights 'That change was grounded in the fundamental belief that it's a woman's right to choose. 'To see that principle now lost in the United States feels like a loss for women everywhere.' Grace Tame had also weighed in on the debate, sharing a devastating detail about the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands her high school teacher. 'A part of democracy died today. Women's sense of freedom too. Worldwide,' she tweeted. 'I'd had maybe 4 periods before I lost my virginity to a 58 year-old paedophile who raped me, sometimes without protection. 'For some our womanhood is taken from us before we even have it. And that is not a choice.' The sexual abuse survivor's revelation came after the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that cemented women's constitutional right to abortion by legalising the procedure nationwide. Grace Tame has revealed that before she was raped by her high school teacher she'd had her period just four times - as she condemned the US Supreme Court's anti-abortion ruling Ms Tame wrote that 'For some our womanhood is taken from us before we even had it' in an emotional tweet (above) about the US Supreme Court overturning the Roe vs Wade ruling On Friday the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalised abortion nationwide (pictured, protesters in Denver, Colorado) The ruling means states will have the power to decide whether to outlaw abortions. A total of 13 states - Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming - have created 'trigger laws' that will ban abortion virtually immediately following the US Supreme Court's ruling. It's expected that 26 states all up are 'certain or likely' to ban the procedure. This means women with unwanted pregnancies will now be forced to either travel to another state where abortion is legal, buy abortion pills online or seek dangerous illegal treatments to terminate their pregnancy. Research shows younger women, poorer women and African-American women will likely be most disproportionately affected by an abortion ban. Rachel Jones, a senior researcher at pro-choice research group the Guttmacher Institute told BBC News: 'The typical abortion patient is in their 20s, doesn't have a lot of money and has one or more children.' Protesters in Los Angeles (above) took to the streets with flags and signs to protest the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling US President Joe Biden (above) said the fight over abortion rights 'is not over' and declared he would work to protect women's right to cross state borders to seek a legal abortion Some 75 per cent of women in the US having an abortion are deemed low income or poor, based on the country's official poverty definitions. This means they would likely be unable to travel to seek safe pregnancy termination procedures. Reported abortion procedures in the US have significantly decreased in the last decade, likely due to increased access to contraception and lower sexual activity. US President Joe Biden slammed the Supreme Court's ruling as 'un-American' and said Friday was 'a sad day for the court and the country'. The overturned Roe v. Wade ruling means the power to criminalise abortions will lie within individual states' jurisdictions (pictured, a protester's sign) Protesters in Los Angeles (above) marched to protest the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling He called the overturned ruling 'wrong, extreme and out of touch'. He accused the court of 'expressly taking away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans' and vowed the fight over abortion rights 'is not over'. Biden also said he would fight to protect a woman's right to seek an abortion across state borders. Ms Tame is an outspoken advocate for victims of sexual assault. She was raped and sexually assaulted by her former maths teacher Nicolaas Bester, aged 58 at the time, when she was just 15. Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone has said sexual assault allegations against colleague Paul Haggis are possibly a result of the #MeToo movement. The Scarface writer, 75, told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that he believed the movement against sexual violence towards women and girls means that it is difficult for a man and a women to talk privately. It comes after Haggis, the director of 2006 Oscar-winning film Crash, was arrested and held in southern Italy after a 28-year-old woman accused him of repeatedly assaulted her over two days at a bed and breakfast. The Scarface writer, 75, told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that he believed the movement against sexual violence towards women and girls means that it is difficult for a man and a women to talk privately Stone told the daily: 'This news couldn't have happened at a worst possible time. 'The truth is that in the MeToo era sensitivities around this have risen meaning any accusation, anything. 'Now it's difficult for a man and woman to talk in a private, intimate space. 'You never know what will happen next. It's always better if there are three of you.' Haggis told a judge that his alleged victim visited him in Ostuni in the Puglia region, where he was attending at a film festival, and had consensual sex with him. The woman said she was forcibly penetrated by Haggis twice and forced to submit to oral sex once during a three-day ordeal before he left her at a local airport The woman said she was forcibly penetrated by Haggis twice and forced to submit to oral sex once during a three-day ordeal before he left her at a local airport. The judge said the alleged victim had expressed a 'clear and explicit unwillingness to have sex'. Haggis was said to have an 'absolute incapacity to control his instincts' by the court. Haggis and the woman will be questioned in coming days. Stone also bizarrely compared the situation that Haggis is in with the plight of Amanda Knox during the interview. In a segue, he said that he hoped that Haggis would not suffer the fate of Amanda Knox, 34, who was served four years in prison for the murder of Meredith Kercher, 21, in Italy in 2009, before being released and acquitted on appeal. Advertisement The Norwegian royal family today paid their respects to the victims of the shooting at a gay nightclub in Oslo last night which killed two and wounded 21. Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway arrived in the Norwegian capital to read tributes at a makeshift memorial on Saturday, where hundreds of flowers and pride flags covered the street corner. The terror suspect charged with killing two people and injuring 21 more at an Oslo gay bar last night has been named as a 42-year-old ex-plumber born in Iran. Zaniar Matapour was born in Iranian Kurdistan before coming to Bergen, Norway as a refugee at the age of 12. He was charged early this morning with two murders, attempted murder and terrorism after the homophobic terror attack at city centre LGBT+ haunt London Pub. The shootings happened just hours before the annual Oslo gay pride parade was to take place. Flowers and flags were laid outside a restaurant, Eilefs Landhandleri, just 70 yards away from the scene of the attack at London Pub on Rosenkrantz Gate road last night. The royal husband and wife looked solemn as they paid their respects to those who lost their lives or were injured. Crown Prince Haakon was seen hugging a person draped in a colourful flag. They also were joined by their 16-year-old son, Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway, at the makeshift memorial. The King of Norway was not in attendance alongside the Crown Princess and Prince, but instead published a statement following the fatal attack in the early hours of Saturday morning. It read: 'My family and I are horrified after last nights shooting in Oslo city Center. 'We empathize with those affected and sending warm thoughts to those scared, restless and grieving.' Alongside the royals were political leaders of Norway, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, the Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Engel Mehl, and the leader of FRI The Association for Gender and Sexuality Diversity, Inge Alexander Gjestvang. Oslo was due to hold its annual gay pride parade later on Saturday, but organisers cancelled the event amid fears of potential 'copycat' attacks. Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway paid their respects to the victims of the shooting at a gay nightclub in Oslo last night which killed two and wounded 21 The Norwegian royal family today parrived in the Norwegian capital to read tributes at a makeshift memorial on Saturday, where hundreds of flowers and pride flags covered the street corner The royal husband and wife looked solemn as they paid their respects to those who lost their lives or were injured. Crown Prince Haakon was seen hugging a person draped in a colourful flag From left, pictured is Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, and Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum The shootings happened just hours before the annual Oslo gay pride parade was to take place. Flowers and flags were laid outside a restaurant, Eilefs Landhandleri, just 70 yards away from the scene of the attack at London Pub on Rosenkrantz Gate road last night. The Norwegian Prime Minister is pictured reading tributes Alongside the royals were political leaders of Norway, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, the Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Engel Mehl, and the leader of FRI The Association for Gender and Sexuality Diversity, Inge Alexander Gjestvang. Pictured is Crown Prince Haakon talking to the press Oslo was due to hold its annual gay pride parade later on Saturday, but organisers cancelled the event amid fears of potential 'copycat' attacks - but people still turned out in their thousands for a protest march Planners Oslo Pride wrote on Facebook this morning: 'Oslo Pride has received clear advice and a recommendation that the parade, Pride Park, and any other event in relation to Oslo Pride be cancelled. 'We will follow the police's recommendation and take care of each other', lead organiser Inger Kristin Haugsevje added. The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) investigated Matapour just a month ago, but decided he was 'not an imminent threat', Norwegian national broadcaster VG reported. PST chief Roger Berg told a press conference this afternoon: 'In May, the PST conducted interviews with the [suspected] perpetrator in connection with the fact he had shown interest in statements that are perceived as a violation of Islam. 'It was not considered in these conversations that the [suspected] perpetrator had any intention of violence.' Security services have raised the terror threat from Level 3, described as 'ordinary'. to 'extraordinary' Level 5. The suspect filmed as he was pinned down after the shooting is named as Zaniar Matapour Matapour, filmed by a nearby eyewitness in footage posted to Snapchat, has been charged Multiple police officers leaned on the 42-year-old to detain him after the mass shooting The PST stated that Level 5 warning entails no special requirements among the population beyond added 'vigilance' and 'a low threshold to contact the police'. Videos shared to social media showed hundreds of Pride marchers gathering in Oslo nonetheless, seemingly spurred on by last night's alleged hate crime. A secondary school dropout with a long history of mental health issues, Matapour was sentenced to ten months in prison as a teen after he was tied to a stabbing at a school prom. He was acquitted by the Court of Appeal, according to court documents reviewed by Norwegian outlet NettaVisen. Horror footage shows terrified nightclub-goers flee the scene as rapid gunfire is heard A mourner cries as they lay flowers at the makeshift memorial for the London Pub victims Despite the 'extraordinary' terror threat, defiant LGBT+ Norwegians and allies gathered today Matapour's involvement in serious crime did not end there, with the Oslo terror suspect charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm in 2019. He was again released after a court appeal. The victims in Matapour's alleged attack last night have not yet been identified. Matapour's first mental health diagnosis was made in the 1990s, with his listed conditions including paranoid schizophrenia, PTSD and 'delusions', the website added. His lawyer, high-profile Norwegian John Christian Elden, insisted that the suspect's mental health conditions are taken into account by investigators. Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Stre said this afternoon: 'I know that many Muslims are scared and despairing. Then it is our responsibility that no one other than the person behind the attack is responsible. 'Let there be no doubt, we are one community, we are a diverse community.' Prime Minister Stre urged Norwegians not to blame the country's Muslim community, stating: 'It is our responsibility that no one other than the person behind the attack is responsible' Pride marchers walked the city centre streets and left flowers at the site to remember the dead Despite police pleas to be vigilant - and the cancellation of official events - marches took place French President Emmanuel Macron slammed the 'barbarism of the Islamist terrorist' in a tribute tweet posted at lunchtime today. After the deadly melee in central Oslo last night, a man was filmed being wrestled to the ground by police with the help of revellers. One woman described having to play dead to avoid the shooter's gunfire. The other site hit during the attack around 1.15am today was next door's Herr Nilsen Jazz Club, where revellers described being hit with flying shards of glass. She said : 'There was a woman who pulled me down and told me I had to play dead.' The man then shot the table directly behind her. She escaped London Pub unharmed. Police lawyer Christian Hatlo said: 'Our overall assessment is that there are grounds to believe that he wanted to cause grave fear in the population. Police attend the scene in Oslo in the early hours this morning immediately after the shooting The London Pub gay nightclub in central Oslo is pictured on a map of the Norwegian capital 'We need to go through his medical history, if he has any. It's not something that we're aware of now.' Oslo Police District confirmed last night: 'Two people have been confirmed dead in the shooting episode. There are several seriously injured.' National newspaper in Norway, VG, reported that 'witnesses said people ran from the scene in panic'. Oslo's university hospital said it had gone on red alert following the shooting. Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. Video on social media shows emergency services outside London Pub, a gay nightclub in Oslo (pictured, file photo) at 1.15am on Saturday morning. Two were killed in the terror attack 'I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting,' Mr Roenneberg told NRK. 'First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover.' Police inspector Tore Soldal said two of the shooting victims died and 10 people were being treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be life-threatening. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a Facebook post that 'the shooting outside London Pub in Oslo tonight was a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people'. He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. 'We all stand by you,' Mr Gahr Stoere wrote. Christian Bredeli, who was at the bar, told VG he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. 'Many were fearing for their lives,' he said. 'On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened.' Norwegians paid their respects at the scene this morning, hours after the deadly terror attack Video on social media shows emergency services outside London Pub, a gay nightclub in Oslo at 1.15am on Saturday morning. Police have arrested a suspect at the scene (pictured) Images online have showed nightclubbers with blood on their faces receiving treatment from emergency service responders. Footage shared on social media, which has not been officially verified, appeared to show one man with a serious head wound. It was reported that 'up to 20 shots' were fired in the nightclub. Norway's BNN Newsroom tweeted: 'The police ask people in the area to move away, to make room for ambulances.' A large police response was underway, with a number of ambulances in the area treating the wounded. Helicopters hovered above central Oslo while ambulance and police car sirens were heard across the city. London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted this morning: 'London stands with Oslo. Our thoughts and solidarity are with the victims, their families and all those affected by this horrific attack, hours before Oslo's #Pride was due to take place. #LoveIsLove and hate will never win.' Some 9,000 people in Britain are now taking cannabis legally for medical conditions, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Four years after Ministers legalised medicinal use of the Class B drug, NHS doctors remain reluctant to prescribe it because of a lack of strong evidence that it helps sufferers of most illnesses. But a growing number of private medicinal cannabis clinics have sprung up, serving people with problems such as chronic pain, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Users believe that smoking or inhaling vaporised cannabis can help to reduce symptoms, even though reliable evidence from well-run clinical trials is scant. Pierre Van Weperen, of Grow Pharma, which distributes imported cannabis to patients with prescriptions, said: There are probably 8,000 or 9,000 active cannabis patients in the UK, coming back every month for a prescription. When I started in this industry in the UK two-and-a-half years ago, there were only 80 patients [being prescribed cannabis] in the whole of the country. So the growth curve looks quite impressive. A growing number of private medicinal cannabis clinics have sprung up in the UK, serving people with problems such as chronic pain, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder With each patient paying 150 to 200 a month for their cannabis prescriptions, it is now a significant market worth about 20 million a year, he added. Two-thirds of the market is for whole flower cannabis, the herbal type commonly sold on the street. The remaining third is made up of cannabis oils and other products such as tinctures. Most prescribed cannabis is high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the naturally occurring psychoactive compound that gives users a high. If consumed regularly, THC-rich cannabis can raise the chance of a person developing psychosis five-fold. Despite this, and the lack of solid evidence supporting the effectiveness of cannabis, the medicinal market has boomed, partly because cannabis can now be prescribed for any medical condition if a doctor has good reason to believe it will help. While regulations allow only specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis a stipulation rigidly adhered to in the NHS sources say that private clinics sometimes interpret the term more liberally. Some private centres now have dozens of doctors on their books willing to prescribe it after a brief consultation costing as little as 30. Insiders say it can now sometimes be cheaper to source cannabis legally than from a street dealer. The rapid rise in legal cannabis use follows a decision by Ministers in 2018 to reschedule the drug after a review found reasonable evidence that it helped some conditions. The Beeches Consulting Centre in Manchester was the UK's first medical cannabis clinic The review followed a public outcry over the cases of two boys with rare forms of epilepsy. The mother of Billy Caldwell was forced to break the law by importing THC-rich cannabis oil to try to reduce her sons seizures; while the mother of Alfie Dingley temporarily moved to Holland to access it. Critics fear the powerful cannabis industry is pushing for wider medicinal use to weaken opposition to legalising the drug for recreational use. But Cathy Barton, 35, who in November 2018 became the first person in Britain to be prescribed herbal cannabis, welcomed its increased use. After suffering a stroke, aged 24, Ms Barton, from Brighton, began using cannabis, initially bought from an illegal dealer but later prescribed privately, when the addictive opioid painkillers prescribed by her doctors completely ruined her life. She said 50,000 people had now signed up to CanCard, an ID system she set up 18 months ago which allows people with a certified medical condition to escape arrest if stopped by police with the drug. Gerry Adams is being sued in the High Court for his alleged role in masterminding three IRA bombings, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Three victims of the 1996 terror attacks in Manchester and Docklands and the Old Bailey car bombing in 1973 are seeking nominal damages of 1 in a landmark case that could see long-standing accusations against Mr Adams tested in court for the first time. The former Sinn Fein leader, 73, has always denied membership of the IRA or any involvement in its terror campaign in Northern Ireland and on the mainland. Yesterday, a spokesman for Mr Adams said: Mr Adams rejects the claims made in the notice of legal action. His solicitor will deal with it. In 2014 he was questioned for four days by police investigating the murder of Jean McConville, a 37-year-old widow and mother of ten who was abducted from her Belfast home in 1972, shot and secretly buried. Mr Adams was released without charge. Twice in the 1970s he was held on suspicion of IRA membership but has never been prosecuted. Last week, lawyers acting for victims served him with notice of the High Court claim. The claimants are fighting, as they see it, to bring Mr Adams to justice and will accuse him of being one of the guiding minds behind the IRAs bombing campaign. STAUNCH REPUBLICAN: Adams, right, carrying the coffin of a former IRA chief of staff with Martin McGuinness in Belfast, in July 2004 Jon Ganesh, a security guard injured in the 1996 Docklands attack, told The Mail on Sunday: We have to make a stand and get justice for the victims. Not just my friends who died at Canary Wharf, or the three of us, but all victims of the IRAs despicable campaign. Its not about any money, which is why were only claiming for 1 its about the principle. Its a historic moment. And Gerry Adams will have a chance to defend himself in court and answer the allegations. Breaking a 17-month ceasefire, the 3,000 lb Docklands truck bomb ripped through South Quay near Canary Wharf in February 1996 killing two, injuring more than 100 and causing 150 million damage. The other claimants bringing the extraordinary legal case against Mr Adams are Barry Laycock, a rail worker injured by the 3,300 lb truck bomb detonated in Manchester in June 1996. It had three times the explosive power of the Canary Wharf bomb, injured more than 250 people and caused 700 million worth of damage. The third claimant, John Clark, a former police officer, was injured in the Old Bailey bombing operation that launched the IRAs mainland campaign. A 60-year-old man died and more than 200 people were injured. Both the Manchester and Docklands attacks were carried out by the IRAs South Armagh Brigade on the orders of the groups central army council. In 1997 an SAS unit captured an IRA sniper team in South Armagh that included James McArdle. His thumbprints matched those the Docklands bomb investigators obtained and he was found to have driven the truck bomb from Northern Ireland to London. In 1998 McArdle was jailed for 25 years over the attacks, as well as given 50 years for his role as an IRA sniper, but was released in 2000 under the the Good Friday Agreement. Gerry Adams is pictured, right, an IRA funeral of an IRA commander in 1971, marching in a 'Guard of Honour' Mr Adams has repeatedly denied accusations that from the 1970s he was a senior member of the IRA and part of its army council until the 2000s. He served as president of Sinn Fein from 1983, when he was also the MP for Belfast West but did not sit in the House of Commons due to his partys boycott. The claimants lawyers have three months to serve the evidence behind their claim before a High Court judge rules on the case. Their work will involve painstaking research, including the examination of thousands of documents. It is being funded through CrowdJustice, an online fundraising platform specifically designed for legal action, and are campaigning to raise an initial 100,000 from the public. Law firm McCue Jury & Partners, who are representing the three claimants, successfully sued IRA man John Downey in 2019 over his role in the Hyde Park bomb attack in 1982 which left 11 military personnel dead. They also successfully sued four men over the 1998 Omagh bombing, two of whom were later retried and found responsible for the attack that killed 29. Matthew Jury, of McCue Jury & Partners, said: All the claimants are seeking is the truth, for them and on behalf of all the IRAs victims. Its an opportunity for Mr Adams to give his full and honest account of his part in The Troubles. If not, then it will be for the court to decide what role he played. Gerry Adams: A pallbearer to an era of hatred and bloodshed that is now thankfully dead and buried By Ian Gallagher and Jake Ryan While on the run from the law in 1972, a then clean-shaven Gerry Adams grew a beard as a disguise. In the event it didnt help much as Mr Adams, 23 at the time and suspected of being an IRA commander, was soon arrested and interned without trial. But evidently he was rather taken with it, because by the time he entered politics some years later, convinced that Irish independence could not be won by armed struggle alone, the whiskers had become a permanent fixture his signature, in fact, along with heavy black-framed spectacles. It was the beginning of a personal transformation that would later become key to peace in Northern Ireland. In 1983 Mr Adams was elected president of Sinn Fein, the IRAs political wing, and a member of the British Parliament, and as befitting a politician, he swapped the Aran sweater of the Belfast revolutionary for a suit and tie. Escaping his past, though, has not proved nearly as simple as altering his appearance. Ever since The Troubles began in the late 1960s, Mr Adams has been unable to shake the allegation that he was a member of the IRA. Indeed, not just a member, but its Chief of Staff and mastermind of some of the worst violence seen in Belfast during the 1970s. He appeared at IRA funerals in a black beret and once wrote a pseudonymous piece for the Sinn Fein newspaper, An Phoblacht, that proclaimed: Rightly or wrongly, I am an IRA volunteer. The article also defended violence as a tactic. Once, at a 1995 rally outside Belfast City Hall, a man shouted, Bring back the IRA! Grinning, Mr Adams replied: They havent gone away, you know. THE THREE ATROCITIES IN LANDMARK CASE OLD BAILEY, 1973 Old Bailey bombing in 1973 Having decided to mount attacks on the mainland, the IRA detonates two devices in London on March 8, one outside the Central Criminal Court the Old Bailey and the other close to the Ministry of Agriculture near Whitehall. One man dies of a heart attack and more than 200 are injured, including police officer John Clark. He is left with shrapnel lodged in his bones when the bomb detonates ten minutes earlier than the time given in an earlier IRA telephone warning. DOCKLANDS, 1996 London Docklands bombing in 1996 A 17-month ceasefire comes to a bloody end on Friday, February 9, when the IRA carry out a truck bomb attack at South Quay. The 3,000lb bomb detonates just after 7pm, killing two shopkeepers John Jeffries, 31, and Inam Bashir, 29. Security guard Jon Ganesh, a friend of the two murdered men, is thrown across the road by the force of the explosion as more than 100 people are injured. MANCHESTER, 1996 Manchester bombing 1996 As the IRA steps up its campaign, another truck bomb is parked in Manchesters busy shopping district on Saturday, June 15. The bomb reportedly the biggest detonated in Britain since the Second World War explodes at 11.17am, creating a 1,000ft cloud of smoke and causing around 700million worth of damage. More than 250 people are injured, including rail worker Barry Laycock. Advertisement Despite all this, whenever the issue surfaces the wily republican swats it away. Typical was this response from 2013: Im very, very clear about my denial of IRA membership. But I dont disassociate myself from the IRA. By contrast, the late Martin McGuinness, who was Mr Adamss friend and fellow Sinn Fein veteran, freely admitted to being a former IRA commander. Mr Adams was arrested several times, but has never gone on trial. In 1978 he was charged with IRA membership, having been detained the day after the IRA killed 12 Protestants in a hotel bomb attack outside Belfast. But the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland ruled there was insufficient evidence to merit a trial. In 2014 Mr Adams was arrested and held for four days over the IRA murder of Jean McConville, a 37-year-old widow and mother-of-ten who was abducted from her Belfast home in 1972, shot and secretly buried. Her body was found on a beach in County Louth in 2003. Again he was released without charge. If the civil case revealed today by The Mail on Sunday goes before a judge, it will be the first time the central allegation of IRA membership against Mr Adams has been tested by a court of law. Not that it will lead to his incarceration. But those bringing the action victims of IRA attacks will see it as a justice of sorts. The eldest of ten children, Mr Adams came from a staunchly republican family in the Falls Road of Belfast. His father, Gerry Adams Sr, was an IRA man, wounded by the RUC in 1942 and sentenced to eight years in prison for attempted murder. According to his account, Mr Adams sold firewood on the streets to buy stale cakes from a local bakery and carried them home at dawn in a pillow slip. Aged 11 he announced that he wanted to be a monk, drawing a scathing response from his father: What use is it to be a Christian brother and fade into oblivion? By the age of 16 he was a member of Sinn Fein and destined for a life in the spotlight. He attributes his political awakening to an incident he witnessed in which an Irish tricolour was torn down by police, prompting a riot that lasted four days. Brendan Hughes, a former IRA Belfast Brigade commander, was once Mr Adamss best friend. I loved him. Id have taken a bullet for Gerry, he said, sickened by what he perceived as hypocrisy and Mr Adamss insistence he had never even been in the IRA. Mr Hughes died six years ago, but in a taped interview with oral history researchers from Boston College, he disputed Adamss narrative. I never carried out a major operation without the OK or the order from Gerry, he alleged, though all his claims have been consistently denied by Mr Adams and have never been conclusively proved. But Mr Hughess claims have been supported by Dolours Price who, along with her sister Marian, bombed the Old Bailey in 1973. Price died in 2013 but in a taped interview before her death she admitted to driving Jean McConville from Belfast to her fate across the Irish border and alleged that she took her orders from Gerry Adams. Four years ago, when he stepped down as Sinn Fein president, Mr Adams said he did not care how history judges him. Reflecting upon the thousands of people killed and injured in The Troubles, he said: I regret the fact anyone was killed, particularly those who were killed by the IRA. Of course I do. All victims deserve truth and justice and their families deserve that. People will judge me whatever way they want to judge me, and I accept that. Prince Andrew has been spotted looking very cheery as he rode his horses at Windsor on Saturday - despite fears he may be stripped of his Duke of York title. Alongside a female and male groom, the Queen's second son smiled as he trotted through the grounds of Windsor Estate, where he has been seen multiple times in recent months enjoying a riding session. And on some occasions he has looked particularly downcast during his rides, but the smiling Prince, who wore a raspberry pink shirt under a navy fleece and black helmet, was grinning from ear to ear this afternoon. He appeared to enjoy the horse ride - despite fears he may be stripped of his Duke of York Title and string of woes which have seen him disgraced by the British public. This week it emerged he could no longer be considered the Duke of York after '80 per cent' of people living in York want their association with the disgraced royal officially 'broken'. Prince Andrew has been spotted looking very cheery as he rode his horses at Windsor on Saturday (pictured) - despite fears he may be stripped of his Duke of York title The Queen gifted her second son the title on his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson in 1986, but residents in the historic city want it removed following the multi-million-pound out-of-court settlement with his accuser Virginia Giuffre earlier this year. There is currently no mechanism for such a title to be removed, but Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, is seeking to address the gap in the law via her Removal of Titles Bill. It aims to give the monarch new powers to remove titles or a committee of Parliament to determine that a title should be taken away. Ms Maskell said her constituents made it clear to her that they wanted the Duke of York's title to be removed, particularly given York's recognition as a Human Rights City. Alongside a male and female groom (pictured), the Queen's second son smiled as he trotted through the grounds of Windsor Estate, where he has been seen multiple times in recent months enjoying a riding session And on some occasions he has looked particularly downcast during his rides, but the smiling Prince, who wore a raspberry pink shirt under a navy fleece and black helmet, was grinning from ear to ear this afternoon Dignitaries in the city had previously called for him to be stripped of the title for causing 'deep hurt and embarrassment' to residents due to his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Before the case was settled in February, the Queen, 96, decided to strip her son of his remaining military affiliations and patronages and forced him to stop using the His Royal Highness title in any official capacity. It comes after councillors voted unanimously to removed his Freedom of the City of York in April and branded him 'an utter disgrace' during the extraordinary meeting to debate his Freedom of the City honour, which was awarded to him in 1987. Prince Andrew's recent string of woes don't end there - as only last week it was announced that government buildings had effectively barred the Union Jack being flown in his honour for his birthday. The Queen and Prince Charles became the only royals to keep the privilege. He appeared to enjoy the horse ride - despite fears he may be stripped of his Duke of York Title and string of woes which have seen him disgraced by the British public The flag flying days for 2022 which appear to have been changed on February 11 this year also stripped royals William, Kate, Anne, Edward, Camilla and Sophie of the privilege. It came as the shamed royal faced further woes after lawyers for an alleged victim of Jeffrey Epstein threatened to serve him with legal papers. Representatives for Caroline Kaufman say Andrew was visiting Epstein's home in New York on the night she claims she was raped by the paedophile financier in December 2010. They want the Duke of York to provide a statement as a potential witness to events in the Upper East Side townhouse during his visit when he was pictured inside the building. The British Council has provoked outrage by including the UK on a list of countries blighted by extreme and violent racial tension, civil disturbance and genocide. The taxpayer-funded quango, which was created to promote Britain overseas, has ranked the UK alongside countries with appalling human-rights records such as Afghanistan, Libya and Russia. The list appears in an internal guide that also claims that racism permeates British institutions such as the police and Civil Service. Critics last night said that the British Council had been hijacked by woke Leftists. Using Freedom of Information laws, The Mail on Sunday obtained the organisations 44-page race equality guide, which is produced for staff internally. It states: Ethnic conflicts, civil disturbances and genocides have been witnessed in all continents. By some estimates, one or more of these are currently prevalent in around a quarter of countries worldwide. They include but are not restricted to Afghanistan, Australia, Bosnia, Colombia, Darfur, France, Germany, Libya, Russia, South Sudan, Syria, Spain and the UK. They have claimed billions of victims. Missing from the list is China, accused of genocide and crimes against the Uighur minority, as well as authoritarian Iran. The British Councils guide, which is available to staff via its intranet and website, also highlights what it claims is unlawful unjustified discrimination in Britain. It adds: With these come negative economic, social, cultural, and personal consequences, including racial traumas as a result of exposure to racism, racial discrimination and harassment, racial hostility intolerance, and xenophobia. It also claims that racism permeates institutions, laws, policies, procedures and practices and that deeply entrenched stereotypes have led to harsher judgments and treatment. Taxpayer-funded quango The British Council has provoked outrage by including the UK on a list of countries blighted by 'extreme and violent' racial tension, civil disturbance and genocide. Pictured are demonstrators pulling down the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol Distinguished historian Andrew Roberts said: To liken the British experience to genuinely genocidal countries is probably politically motivated and certainly factually inaccurate. Author and commentator Douglas Murray said the list provided proof that the organisation had been hijacked by woke Leftists, adding: The British Council has been led for a long time now by incredibly Left-wing people who dont like Britain very much. The organisation, set up in 1934, last year received 179 million of taxpayers funding. The Mail on Sunday revealed in December how it had issued a non-discriminatory guide to staff, advising against terms such as the Queens English. Last night, a British Council spokesman said: The document is a resource for staff that sets out our approach to race equality explaining that no country in the world is immune to instances of racism, including the UK. TOBY YOUNG: How sad to see a former champion of British values succumb to anti-patriotic self-loathing By Toby Young Few will be surprised to learn that an organisation funded by the British taxpayer once issued a non-discriminatory language guide that urged its staff not to refer to Brits, or use the phrase the Queens English. The reason the latter was problematic, we were told, was that it implies that these varieties of English are more correct or of greater importance than others. What may have come as a shock, though, is that the document which could be called How To Speak Woke-ish was produced by the British Council, whose purpose is to promote Britains values and culture across the world. Not only does it have a budget of 1.2 billion a year and employ 7,000 people, but it received a Royal Charter in 1940 and its patron is Her Majesty the Queen. It seems this public body, like so many others, has succumbed to the anti-patriotic self-loathing that is so prevalent among the Brexit-hating metropolitan elite. Once a vehicle for the projection of soft power, celebrating the pinnacles of British culture like the plays of Shakespeare and the music of Elgar, it has become infected by what the late philosopher Roger Scruton called oikophobia the repudiation of ones own culture and the glorification of others. Now the British Council has published a diversity and inclusion policy that says the UKs record on ethnic conflicts, civil disturbances and genocides puts it on the same footing as Syria, South Sudan and Darfur. Notably missing from its list of shameful countries is China, for that is one part of the world where the British Council does take its commitment to decolonisation very seriously. It is extremely careful never to breathe a word of criticism about the Chinese Communist Partys brutal suppression of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong that well-known victim of British colonial oppression lest it jeopardise the 219million a year it receives from the Peoples Republic of China. Imagine the BBC, but without the talent is how one disillusioned ex-staffer described the organisation. Whats so depressing about the British Councils fall from grace is that it was once a huge force for good in the world. Other countries have similar bodies Frances Alliance Francaise and Spains Instituto Cervantes but few have the cultural reach and illustrious history of the British Council. In its heyday in the 1940s and 1950s, it was a beacon of light in a world dominated by murderous, totalitarian ideologies, whether Nazism in Germany or Communism in the Soviet Union. It sent poets such as T. S. Eliot on speaking tours and sponsored recordings of works by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Using its unrivalled resources and vast network of offices across the globe, it was able to bang the drum for values such as parliamentary democracy, limited government, free speech, religious tolerance and the rule of law at a time when they were in short supply. Even in the 1990s, it was promoting British fashion designers under the banner of Cool Britannia. I remember a party organised by the British Council in New York in 1997, which was the hottest ticket in town. But what has it done to promote the UK in 2022? What the organisation disparagingly refers to as the Queens English is the lingua franca of the world. The Platinum Jubilee was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remind our friends and neighbours of everything that is great about Britain. Instead, in the run-up to this historic event, it published Promoting Inclusion: A Guide On Sexual Orientation that informed its employees that using the word straight to refer to heterosexual people is offensive because it implies that LGBTQIA+ people are bent. Among the thought crimes this guide instructed its employees to avoid were homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. If you do a search for ism in this document, heterosexism comes up seven times, and tourism only twice. That pretty much says it all. But surely an organisation that exists to celebrate the best Britain has to offer, and with such a lavish budget, still occasionally hires our world-class novelists, poets and screenwriters to wrap themselves in the Union Flag and sing the praises of the home country? Thats the impression you get from the Councils Writers Directory 38 pages listing our most celebrated wordsmiths of the past half century. I reached out to all the people in the directory I vaguely know to ask what theyd done for the Council in the past few years. Without exception they said they hadnt a clue why theyd been included. I have no idea what youre referring to, said broadcaster Jeremy Paxman. Im on their website? Its news to me. I dont know how I ended up on that website, said another. Ive yearned for gigs like that but have never been asked. I cannot imagine why the British Council lists me thus, said a third. I cannot remember ever doing anything for them. So much for enlisting soft power to enhance our standing in the world. Last year, the Government announced it was cutting the British Councils budget by 185million, a move that prompted howls of protest from all the usual suspects. A hundred MPs wrote a despairing letter to Boris Johnson telling him he was endangering global Britain. Perhaps its time to put this propaganda arm of the diversity, equity and inclusion industry out of its misery. Either that, or stick the Minister for Brexit Opportunities, Jacob Rees-Mogg, in charge and tell it to start doing what it says on the tin. Advertisement Abortion was a hot-button issue on Friday night's episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, with the HBO host saying Americans are 'living in two different countries' after the Supreme Court voted to overturn its landmark decision granting Americans the right to an abortion. Bill Maher began his panel discussion with Andrew Sullivan, a blogger for The Weekly Dish, and Katie Herzog, cohost of the podcast Blocked and Reported, by insisting that Republicans 'played the long game' to get Roe v Wade overturned. 'They play the long game,' he said. 'They knew this from the beginning, they put six Catholics on the Supreme Court.' But Sullivan disagreed, saying things could have been different in Hillary Clinton won the presidential election in 2016 or if Ruth Bader Ginsberg resigned and allowed a Democrat to appoint a judge. 'It was luck, to some extent,' he argued. 'This is about Trump adding three people.' Still, Maher said: 'If it wasn't this time, it would have been next time. 'So what are we going to do now that we're basically living in two different countries?' Maher asked his panelists, noting that some states are now likely to overturn abortion rights, while others will keep it legal. Late night talk show host Bill Maher declared on Friday that Americans are 'basically living in two different countries' following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade Maher claimed Republicans have been playing the 'long game' to get Roe v Wade overturned, but his panelists Andrew Sullivan, a blogger for The Weekly Dish, and Katie Herzog, cohost of the podcast Blocked and Reported, disagreed. Sullivan argued that things could have been different if Hillary Clinton won the 2016 election and Ruth Bader Ginsberg resigned, while Herzog blamed a lack of a center in American politics 'I mean there are countries like this, Israel certainly comes to mind,' Maher said. 'We're going to be living in that kind of country.' Sullivan, though, went on to argue that the United States has always been divided, pointing out that people in Alabama and Oregon have different ideals. 'It doesn't have to be one consistent national opinion,' Sullivan said, while Herzog seemed to blame the lack of a center in politics. 'The pendulum swings further and further to the left and right,' she said. 'There's no center.' The panel discussion ultimately ended with Sullivan saying: 'The country is not in favor of banning all abortion.' He then implored abortion rights activists to go out and persuade others. 'Make the argument, build the coalitions, win the elections and get prochoice back. Make sure these women will have access. 'There are things you can do,' he said. In his final monologue on Real Time with Bill Maher, he said Democrats are losing the abortion debate with their woke terms like 'birthing people' and 'people who menstruate' Earlier in the episode, Maher also mentioned that in Justice Clarence Thomas' opinion, he signaled that the decision could lead the door to reversals on the right to gay marriage and birth control protections. He joked that drug dealers will now have to start peddling the Morning After pill, and said, 'Be careful where you get stoned and where you get boned,' claiming that abortion will now be like marijuana where it is available in some states and not other. And in his closing monologue, Maher blasted woke Democrats for losing the debate on abortion thank to the use of the progressive terms like 'birthing people' or 'people who menstruate.' He said that abortion is a 'difficult issue for the Democrats to lose on, but they're trying. 'For decades, liberals have said, 'If only men could get pregnant, this wouldn't even be an issue,' and 'abortion rights are women's rights.' Well, that's wrong now. 'When the wokey end of the progressive spectrum talks about abortion now, they shy away from the word 'women' and prefer terms like 'birthing people' or 'people who menstruate' because somewhere there's a trans man who's pregnant and I say good for him - and I'll be looking for his story somewhere in a future issue of Ripley's Believe it or Not.' A protester shouted in front of the United States Supreme Court on Saturday, after the conservative majority voted to overturn the landmark decision that guaranteed abortion rights across the country The protests continued for a second straight day outside the Supreme Court on Saturday Friday's ruling struck down over 50 years of a woman's constitutional right to an abortion - and leaves abortion rights up to the states The episode came just hours after the seismic Supreme Court ruling tearing down over 50 years of a woman's constitutional right to an abortion. The conservative majority voted that each individual state could now decide whether to legalize abortion. And as a result of the ruling, abortion was automatically outlawed in 18 states, thanks to specially-devised 'trigger laws' and historic bans that were automatically reenacted after Friday's ruling. Thirteen states prepared trigger laws which would automatically outlaw terminations in the event of a ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, which was widely-anticipated. They are: Arkansas; Idaho; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; Missouri; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah and Wyoming. Abortion bans in those states will now become law within 30 days. Five other states have also now banned terminations, after historic laws superseded by the 1973 Roe ruling automatically came back into place. Among those five are two Democrat-governed states - Michigan and Wisconsin. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers have both sought to overturn those bans in the court. But they remain in place for now, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced Friday afternoon that it was suspending terminations while awaiting clarification on the law. Other states with newly-re-enacted historic bans are Alabama, Arizona and West Virginia. Eight other states are also set to enact new anti-abortion laws. Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina all attempted to ban abortion after the six-week mark. Those laws were branded unconstitutional, but will likely be revisited now Roe has ended. And Florida, Indiana, Montana as well as Nebraska are all working on plans to ban or restrict terminations. Still, Vice President Kamala Harris told supporters on Friday that the fight is not over, declaring that voters will have 'the final word'. 'This is not over,' Harris said on Friday, speaking at a conference in Plainfield, Illinois. 'You have the power to elect leaders who will defend and protect your rights.' Harris continued: 'Millions of women in America will go to bed tonight without access to the health care and reproductive care that they had this morning. 'Without access to the same health care or reproductive health care that their mothers and grandmothers had for 50 years.' A pro-abortion protester who shut down a bridge in Washington D.C. after scaling one of its huge 70-foot arches without a safety harness has been arrested. Guido Reichstadter, 42, stationed himself on top the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge for nearly 28 hours in protest of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The Miami, Florida native was seen flying a green banner in support of reproductive rights and and waving a yellow flag that read: 'Don't tread on my uterus.' Reichstadter began his protest Friday morning, just moments before the 6-3 ruling powered by the high court's conservative majority overturned the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed abortion rights in the U.S. The father-of-two said he decided to climb the bridge after having 'a very, very, very strong emotional reaction' to the ruling and how it impacts the future of rights for women, specifically his 12-year-old daughter. Reichstadter was also arrested during a protest on June 6 after he locked himself by the neck to the fence outside the Supreme Court building. A pro-abortion protester who shut down a bridge in Washington D.C. after scaling one of its huge 70-foot arches without a safety harness has been arrested Guido Reichstadter, 42, stationed himself on top the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge for nearly 28 hours in protest of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade Reichstadter scaled the arch shortly after 9.30am Friday, prompting police to close the 1,445-foot long bridge and inflate a large air cushion in the roadway in case he fell. The Frederick Douglass bridge remained closed until nearly 2pm Saturday. 'I will get out of jail as soon as I can,' he told his Instagram followers before starting his descent down the bridge. 'This is not the end. This is just the beginning.' Reichstadter was arrested around 1.20pm for unlawful entry, crowding, obstructing or incommoding and failure to obey, police confirmed to DailyMail.com. He received treatment from D.C. fire and EMS and was then transported to the first district police station for processing. Before he surrendered to police, a move that was prompted after a phone call with a friend, Reichstadter promised to keep fighting for abortion rights. 'The Supreme Court has declared war on the people of this country and we have to stand up and fight for our rights. So, as soon as I get out of jail, that's what I am going to be doing,' he sad. 'I am starting up an organization for non-violent civil resistance to win back abortion rights across this country and we're going to make abortion the law of the land in every state - red states and blue states. We're not going to leave anyone behind.' The Florida native was seen flying a green banner in support of reproductive rights and and waving a yellow flag that read: 'Don't tread on my uterus' The father-of-two said he decided to climb the bridge after having 'a very, very, very strong emotional reaction' to the ruling Reichstadter scaled the arch shortly after 9.30am Friday, prompting police to close the 1,445-foot long bridge and inflate a large air cushion in the roadway in case he fell Reichstadter chose to climb the bridge, located a mile away from the Supreme Court building, in an effort to take a bold stand against the ruling. However, it appears the decision to scale the building was quite rash. 'The arches were designed in such a way that any reasonably fit person could climb them,' he told Insider. 'It seems the designers just took it for granted that people would have the good sense not to climb up them. Of course, the moment I saw them, I knew they had to be climbed.' While his ascent up the arch may have been easy, the rest of his journey was anything but seamless. Reichstadter had brought a water bottle with him, but shortly after he reached the top, it rolled off the bridge. He told claimed that police refused to return it to him. The Florida dad, documenting his journey on Twitter, also shared how he slept on top the arch, using his green banner as a tent. At another point during his almost 28-hour protest, he wrapped himself in the banner in an attempt to stay warm. He also asked his followers to bring him snacks and ice tea, but that request did not appear to have been fulfilled. The Florida dad, documenting his journey on Twitter, also shared how he slept on top the arch, using his green banner as a tent At another point during his almost 28-hour protest, he wrapped himself in the banner in an attempt to stay warm He was charged Saturday with for unlawful entry, crowding, obstructing or incommoding and failure to obey, police confirmed to DailyMail.com Reichstader said he was 'physically fairly safe' throughout his climb, noting that the top of the arch was flat, but argued how no one was truly safe 'as long as the Supreme Court is in power.' 'I wasn't safe before I climbed up to the bridge. None of us are as long as the Supreme Court is in power,' he said. 'There's never been a point in US history where the rights of the population have been so egregiously attacked and rolled back.' 'The only way we're going to get to the point of safety is to move through this and stand up for ourselves in harm's way to fight back non-violently.' He added: 'Tens of millions of women are waking up without the right to control their bodies and that's why I'm on top of this bridge. I've got to do what I have to do to call the population into action.' Reichstader claims he has woken up 'gasping for air' since May the draft the SCOTUS opinion pushing to overturn Roe was leaked. In the beginning of June, he camped outside the courthouse and even locked himself to the barricade that was built in an apparent effort to protect the justices. He was arrested for his act of protest on June 6 and spent one night in jail. Reichstadter was also arrested during a protest on June 6 after he locked himself by the neck to the fence outside the Supreme Court building A man was brutally stabbed to death outside a London Wetherspoons pub in the early hours of this morning. The Metropolitan Police has launched a murder inquiry after the 31-year-old was found seriously injured in the centre of Hounslow shortly after midnight today. The victim died at the scene despite the best efforts of medics from London Ambulance Service after receiving stab wounds. Police set up a cordon and a forensics tent outside the Moon Under Water Wetherspoons pub in Staines Road, which remained in place today. The force says the man's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, with formal identification and a post-mortem examination yet to take place. No-one has been arrested as of yet, and police are appealing for information. Police have launched a murder probe after a 31-year-old man was killed after being stabbed outside a pub in west London A police cordon and forensics tent was set up outside the Moon Under Water Wetherspoons pub in Staines Road, Hounslow One local told MyLondon that the pub had a 'bad mix' of young and old people attending it. Roman Baggot said: 'I feel bad for him I think a lot of people saw him in Hounslow. Seeing police here is normal. Many stabbings and death.' Other residents said the pub can be 'dodgy' and the area has become 'unsafe, very scary after dark'. Metropolitan Police officers were called at 12.30am on Saturday to reports of a man who had been seriously injured in Staines Road, Hounslow, west London. The force has asked anyone who was in the area with information to come forward, including those who took photos, video, or dashcam footage at the time. Detective Chief Inspector James Shirley said: 'An urgent investigation is under way to establish what happened in the early hours of this morning and to identify who was responsible for this terrible attack. 'Our investigation will be extensive and painstaking, including a full forensic examination of the area, which is ongoing, and detailed inquiries to obtain all available CCTV. 'I am appealing for anyone who was in the area and has yet to speak with police to get in touch. Even if you do not believe you saw anything of particular significance, please make contact with detectives. 'I also want to hear from anyone who took photos or captured footage on their phone or other device, and from any drivers with dashcam footage from the local area at the time.' The Metropolitan Police says the man's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers Police say no-one has been arrested in connection with the brutal stabbing as of yet, and is appealing for information from the public Chief Inspector Karl Spour, of the Met's West Area Basic Command Unit, said: 'My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who lost his life in this tragic incident. 'I know they will be given a great deal of support by Met officers as they try to come to terms with what has happened. 'Local people will see more officers in and around Staines Road and Hounslow town centre in the coming days. 'Our commitment to arresting and charging those who commit violent crime and further reducing the number of people killed or injured on our streets is total.' Anyone with information or any witnesses yet to speak with police are asked to call 101, quoting reference 189/25jun, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 Ukraine's strategic city of Severodonetsk is now 'fully occupied' by the Russian army, its mayor said on Saturday. After weeks of fighting over the key eastern city, mayor Oleksandr Striuk said: 'The city has been fully occupied by the Russians.' Later on Saturday, the Russian defence ministry's spokesman, Igor Konashenkov, announced the 'total liberation' of Severodonetsk as well as the nearby villages of Borivske, Voronove and Syrotyne. 'All territory on the left bank of the Donets river within the limits of the Lugansk region is under control' of Russian and pro-Russian forces, he said. The Ukrainian army on Friday said it would withdraw its forces from the city - of around 100,000 inhabitants before the war - to better defend the neighbouring city of Lysychansk. Both lie in the wider Lugansk region. Ukrainian servicemen ride a bus to their positions near the city of Severodonetsk of Luhansk area A man stands by a barricade made with destroyed police cars in Lysychansk A Ukrainian serviceman inspects the situation through a hole of splinter at a position in the city of Severodonetsk Striuk said civilians had started to evacuate the Azot chemical plant, where several hundred people had been hiding from Russian shelling. 'These people have spent almost three months of their lives in basements, shelters. That's tough emotionally and physically,' he said, adding they would now need medical and psychological support. Pro-Moscow separatists said Russian and pro-Russian forces had taken control of the Azot factory and 'evacuated' more than 800 civilians sheltering there. The forces have 'taken full control of the Azot plant industrial zone', a separatist representative called Andrei Marochko said on Telegram. Another separatist spokesman, Ivan Filiponenko, said that around 800 civilians who had taken refuge in the plant during weeks of fighting had been 'evacuated'. If the Russians also take Lysychansk, it would effectively give them control of the wider Lugansk region and allow them to push further into the wider Donbas. Ukrainian police officers help Elena from Lysychansk to board a train to Dnipro and Lviv during an evacuation of civilians from war-affected areas of eastern Ukraine Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk were the last major Ukrainian bastions in Luhansk. Pictured: People sit in a train to Dnipro and Lviv during an evacuation of civilians The Ukrainian army on Friday said it would withdraw its forces from the city - of around 100,000 inhabitants before the war Ukrainian troop members stand on a tank on a road of the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas In the Ukrainian-held Donbas town of Pokrovsk, Elena, an elderly woman in a wheelchair from Lysychansk, was among dozens of evacuees who arrived by bus from frontline areas. 'Lysychansk, it was a horror, the last week. Yesterday we could not take it any more,' she said. 'I already told my husband if I die, please bury me behind the house.' As Europe's biggest land conflict since World War Two entered its fifth month, Russian missiles also rained down on western, northern and southern parts of the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent tens of thousands of troops over the border on Feb. 24, unleashing a conflict that has killed thousands and uprooted millions. It has also stoked an energy and food crisis which is shaking the global economy. Since Russia's forces were defeated in an assault on the capital Kyiv in March, it has shifted focus to the Donbas, an eastern territory made up of Luhansk and Donetsk provinces. Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk were the last major Ukrainian bastions in Luhansk. Locals look at destroyed buildings in Lysychansk after heavy fighting in the Luhansk area A picture taken on June 21, 2022, from the town of Lysychansk shows a large plume of smoke rising on the horizon behind the town of Severodonetsk Ukrainian police officers help Alla from Kostyantynivka to board a train to Dnipro and Lviv People arrive at a train station amid Russia's invasion of the country in Pokrovsk The Russians crossed the river in force in recent days and have been advancing towards Lysychansk, threatening to encircle Ukrainians in the area. The capture of Sievierodonetsk is likely to seen by Russia as vindication for its switch from its early, failed attempt at 'lightning warfare' to a relentless, grinding offensive using massive artillery in the east. Moscow says Luhansk and Donetsk, where it has backed uprisings since 2014, are independent countries. It demands Ukraine cede the entire territory of the two provinces to separatist administrations. Ukrainian officials had never held out much hope of holding Sievierodonetsk indefinitely, but have hoped to exact a high enough price to exhaust the Russian army. Ukraine's top general Valeriy Zaluzhnyi wrote on the Telegram app that newly arrived, U.S.-supplied advanced HIMARS rocket systems were now deployed and hitting targets in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. Asked about a potential counterattack in the south, Budanov, the Ukrainian military intelligence chief, said that Ukraine should begin to see results 'from August'. Britain's top rail boss dramatically accused militant RMT union barons last night of putting lives at risk by blocking the introduction of vital safety equipment. Andrew Haines, the chief executive of Network Rail, lambasted the far-Left union for opposing new technology that he said would slash the risk of rail workers being hit by trains and prevent a repeat of a train crash in which three people died. With the rail network crippled yesterday by a third day of strikes, an exasperated Mr Haines accused intransigent union bosses of trying to drag Britain back to the 1970s, and warned that negotiations over pay and jobs were running out of road. Andrew Haines, the chief executive of Network Rail, lambasted the far-Left union for opposing new technology that he said would slash the risk of rail workers being hit by trains In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, Mr Haines: Revealed that Network Rail will offer workers a bigger pay rise this week than that given to NHS staff last year, and will guarantee no compulsory job losses but only if they overhaul inefficient working practices; Accused RMT bosses, including firebrand General Secretary Mick Lynch, of spending more time giving TV interviews than trying to resolve the hugely damaging dispute; Threatened to deploy the Exocet option of cutting union barons out of talks within days and putting the proposed new deal directly to staff; Branded union bosses deeply dishonest for claiming the industrial dispute is part of an assault on the working class; Burnished his own humble background as the son of a South Wales factory worker, and declared: I can match Mick Lynch inch for inch for working-class credentials. The 58-year-old, who began his career as a left-luggage clerk at Londons Victoria Station, accused RMT negotiators of seeking to weaponise every single element of change on the railways including the introduction of safety technology. For almost two years, Network Rail which manages 20,000 miles of track and infrastructure has been trying to introduce remote sensors to warn engineers if massive embankments or soil cuttings are in danger of collapse during heavy rainfall. This follows the Stonehaven disaster in August 2020 when a passenger train from Aberdeen to Glasgow derailed after hitting debris washed on to the track. The driver, a conductor and a passenger died. Mr Haines said the sensors were ready to be used across Britain but the RMT had blocked their deployment. They are not making the risk worse, but what they are doing is stopping us making it better, he said. The RMT is also accused of stopping Network Rail from using drones and trackside sensors to detect faults or damage rather than sending workers on to potentially dangerous railway lines. Highlighting the death of Tyler Byrne, 30, a Network Rail employee killed by a train travelling at 76mph in February 2021 as he inspected a track in South West London, Mr Haines said: He didnt need to be there. What he was doing was looking at how the track performs when there are trains going over it. A drone could do that as well, if not better, than the human eye. Asked if the RMT was effectively putting the lives of railway workers at risk, he replied: Absolutely. I could give you three or four examples where it has been obstructing for several years technology which has the sole purpose of protecting their members or the users of the railway. He also claimed dashboard cameras had been fitted inside Network Rails huge fleet of repair vans but, farcically, the RMT will not allow them to be turned on. A colleague died in a road traffic accident in February while driving a Network Rail vehicle, he added. We have no camera footage to share with his family or the coroner to help explain that cause of death because the RMT blocks turning the cameras on. Talks between Network Rail and the RMT will resume tomorrow, and Mr Haines revealed he has permission from the Government to offer railway workers a bigger pay rise than the three per cent handed to NHS staff last year. Crucially, the package must be funded from cash saved by overhauling Network Rails inefficient working practices. Menial tasks such as changing a plug socket can take a team of nine workers, and RMT members refuse to share vans with colleagues from outside their own team. The Government spent 16 billion bailing out the railways when passenger numbers collapsed during the pandemic. They are still at only 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, leaving the network with a 2 billion funding black hole and a desperate need to find savings. The railway faces a massive financial crisis, said Mr Haines. It would be a gross act of negligence if we didnt make the railway more affordable as a result of this. In his office perched above Waterloo Station, he described last weeks failed talks as hugely frustrating and claimed his negotiators had very, very little face time with RMT officials In his office perched above Waterloo Station, he described last weeks failed talks as hugely frustrating and claimed his negotiators had very, very little face time with RMT officials On Thursday the second day of strikes Mr Lynch spent hours travelling on congested roads to Warwickshire to appear on BBCs Question Time. If you were to accumulate the number of hours their representatives have been on the TV, it is an order of magnitude more than they have spent talking to us, said Mr Haines. He said his negotiators havent seen Mick much, adding: I think thats partly because hes also having to deal with train operators and partly because, dare I say it, if you choose to do Question Time on a Thursday evening, then it will take you several hours to get there and several hours to do it and you are not available. In fact, Mr Haines has reached the conclusion that the RMT is not looking to resolve this dispute, adding: It felt like we were getting close on Sunday, again on Monday, and then they walked out on largely spurious pretences. On Monday we lost them for about five hours and when they came back we had them for about half an hour. I dont think the RMT could point to anything they did on Wednesday that showed any appetite to resolve the dispute. They kept us waiting for hours. With patience wearing thin, Network Rail is threatening to press on with its modernisation plans and make a pay offer directly to staff. Mr Haines accepted that its always an Exocet to try and bypass the trade unions but that in the face of RMT intransigence, there may be no other way of breaking the deadlock. We want to make sure that weve run out of road in negotiations before we do that, but its looking like we are pretty close to that point, he added. Normally unflappable, Mr Haines became angry when asked about Mr Lynchs assertion that rail workers are fighting a class struggle. I can match Mick Lynch inch for inch for working-class credentials, said Mr Haines, the son of a Hoover washing machine factory worker father and WHSmith cashier mother who grew up in a terraced house in Merthyr Tydfil. This is not about class war. This is about whether or not we want to go back to the 1970s, which the RMT have said they expressly want to. On the wall is a huge timetable of the train service from Merthyr Tydfil train station in 1952, a present from Network Rails chairman Peter Hendy. I was the only one of my family to go to university, said Mr Haines. My brother is a PC in the valleys of South Wales. To portray this as some sort of fight against the working man is just deeply dishonest and fundamentally wrong. I am very, very proud of my background. I am very proud of my parents working ethos. Dare I say it, they are Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday readers. They worked hard. They were still factory workers and shop workers when they retired. Mr Lynch has previously declared that he is nostalgic for the 1970s, when militant union barons could topple governments. The comment mystifies Mr Haines. There is absolutely a role for trade unions and trade unionists, but its not in the way that they had the stranglehold in the 1970s, he said. Give me a single example of a flourishing industry or sector of our economy that has grown because the trade unions had a stranglehold over it. There isnt one. We grow by actually having sensible constructive relationships and an appropriate balance of power, not by strike action to hold a gun against peoples heads. Train chaos hits holiday spots hard as services to popular coastal resorts such as Bournemouth and Blackpool were axed Services to British holiday destinations have been cancelled by rail strikes The strikes also caused havoc to those attending Elton John and Ed Sheeran gigs The union is demanding pay rises and opposes modernisation plans By Georgia Edkins, Whitehall Correspondent for the Mail on Sunday The RMT yesterday dashed the hopes of those who like to be beside the seaside as a third day of strikes paralysed services to Britains top coastal resorts. Services to Bournemouth, Blackpool, Margate, Llandudno and Skegness were axed and trains were cancelled in Cornwall. Just a fifth of services ran in England, Wales and Scotland. The strike also caused headaches for thousands of people travelling to a Rolling Stones concert in Hyde Park and to see Ed Sheerans at Wembley, as well as those attending Armed Forces Day events and the Test in Leeds. The union headed by Mick Lynch is demanding pay rises of around seven per cent and is opposing modernisation plans The fresh disruption came amid claims that the strikes last Tuesday and Thursday had been less effective than the RMT hoped because many commuters can now work from home. The union is demanding pay rises of around seven per cent and is opposing modernisation plans, but in a tweet Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there was a need to banish outdated working practices. As RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch played down speculation of an imminent deal, the Treasury warned cuts would be needed if public sector workers are offered deals of more than three per cent. The Government is braced for a summer of discontent with more than 1,200 Heathrow staff set to strike next month, bringing chaos to families heading off on holiday. The NEU teaching union is set to ballot members over potential strikes, and pupils could face delays getting their GCSE and A-level results because staff at the AQA exam board are being balloted by their union, Unison. A planned four-week rolling strike over pay by barristers, starting tomorrow, could disrupt 8,000 court cases. Shocking video footage has been released showing migrants piled up on the floor surrounded by police in riot gear at a Moroccan border fence after an attempted mass crossing into a Spanish enclave left 23 people dead. Moroccan authorities said 2,000 migrants tried to burst into Mililla, a Spanish territory in North Africa which is the one of the only EU land borders on the continent, on Friday. Authorities said some people trying to cross died in the crush, with others were seriously hurt as they fell while trying to scale fences at the border. Around 100 made it across the frontier, with the Spanish Government saying around 140 Spanish police officers were injured, as were 76 migrants. Now video released by the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) shows what appears to be dozens of migrants, many motionless and apparently lifeless, piled up at the Barrio Chino Border Checkpoint. Omar Naji, local head of the AMDH said those in the pile had been left there for hours without medical treatment, leading to a higher death toll - which it claims is 29, higher than the total of 23 given by Moroccan authorities. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the attempt to storm the border 'an attack on the territorial integrity of our country', and blamed it on people traffickers. Video shows dozens of African migrants lying on the floor and surrounding by Moroccan police at the Barrio Chino Border Checkpoint Migrants climb the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in Melilla, Spain, on Friday Morocco deployed a 'large' amount of forces to try to repel the assault on the border, who 'cooperated actively' with Spain's security forces, the delegation said Some 2,000 migrants made their way to the border at dawn and over 500 managed to enter the border control area after cutting a fence with shears, the Spanish government's local delegation said However, Melilla regional president Eduardo de Castro said the images were difficult to explain and accused Moroccan security forces of a disproportionate response. A Moroccan official said security personnel had not used undue force. One AMDH video showed dozens of African migrants piled together, many motionless and a few making feeble movements as Moroccan officers in riot gear looked on. The same clip showed security forces pulling two bleeding and dazed-looking migrants past those lying on the ground. Another showed a Moroccan security officer striking a person who lay prone. The raid was the first attempted from Morocco into one of Spain's two North African enclaves since the countries agreed this year to bolster cooperation on border control. That deal, which ended months of frosty relations, came after Spain backed Morocco's stance over Western Sahara, a disputed territory that Rabat says is its own, but where an independence movement is fighting for a separate state. There are fears that drought in Africa and surging food prices - even before the war made shipping Ukrainian grain to Somalia, Egypt and other developing nations impossible - could drive up the number of migrants fleeing to Europe. Friday's incident followed days of rising tension in the area around Melilla, according to Ousmane Ba, a Senegalese migrant in nearby Nador who runs a community group to help other migrants. Ba, who neither took part in Friday's incident nor witnessed it, said migrants living nearby had clashed several times with Moroccan security forces while trying to cross the fence earlier this week. A migrant is detained by police officers on Spanish soil after crossing the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco in Melilla A police officer is seen leaning over after migrants stormed the fence and entered Melilla on Friday A migrant runs on Spanish soil after crossing the fences separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco Thousands of migrants can be seen facing a smaller group of border guards after they crossed the fence separating Melilla from Morocco Melilla and Ceuta, Spain's other tiny North African enclave, have the European Union's only land borders with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants Many of them are living rough in countryside nearby and were desperate, he said. 'I have never seen migrants attacking this violently. We deplore the deaths near the fence,' he said. A Spanish police source said the migrants who stormed the fence had used sticks, knives and acid against security forces and had changed tactics to try crossing at one perceived weak spot en masse, rather than in separate attempts along the fence. Images posted on Twitter by Spain's Civil Guard union - whose veracity Reuters was unable to verify - showed a large column of mostly young male migrants streaming through streets near the border. Some appeared to be carrying sticks and throwing projectiles as puffs of smoke marked the air around them. Video showed the migrants cheering and raising their arms in celebration as they ran through the streets of Melilla after storming the fence. At least 130 migrants managed to enter Melilla, the Spanish government's local delegation said A group of 2,000 migrants stormed the border fence at 8:40 am Friday and a 'significant number' managed to get in Video showed the migrants - the vast majority of them being men - cheering and raising their arms in celebration as they ran through the streets of Melilla after storming the fence Footage posted on the Facebook page of Segnan Live, a local TV station, showed migrants grappling at a small section of border fence in a large group as sirens sounded nearby and tear gas canisters released plumes of smoke. An image of the aftermath published by AMDH showed a large concentration of people lying at what appeared to be a frontier gate, in an enclosed corner where two high metal fences met, with ambulances standing nearby. The AMDH and Spanish rights groups issued a statement calling for formal investigations into the disaster and for authorities to not bury those killed until afterwards. 'This is the most serious incident (on the border between Spain and Morocco) since 2014 when 15 people died,' said Esteban Beltran, director of Amnesty International in Spain. In an undignified scene, the RMTs president sits on a former colleague following a brawl outside the unions HQ. These images show Alex Gordon grappling with ex-RMT member Mark Harding, who has been protesting for months with former colleague Petrit Mihaj at Unity House in central London. Footage filmed by Mr Mihaj on Wednesday shows Mr Gordon kicking a placard before trying to take it. Mr Harding, a London Tube driver, and Mr Mihaj grab him and a scuffle ensues. The union chief ends up on top of Mr Harding while telling RMT officials to seize the placard, saying: Take that in! Now give me a hand. Police spoke to both men but made no arrests. Mr Harding, 59, told The Mail on Sunday: For a trade union leader to do that is appalling. There was no provocation on our part. It was very upsetting. I didnt expect that on my own trade unions premises, even though I am not a member any more. I havent seen anything like this since the miners strike. In an undignified scene, the RMTs president Alex Gordon sits on a former colleague following a brawl outside the unions HQ These images show Alex Gordon grappling with ex-RMT member Mark Harding, who has been protesting for months with former colleague Petrit Mihaj at Unity House in central London Footage filmed by Mr Mihaj on Wednesday shows Mr Gordon kicking a placard before trying to take it. Mr Harding, a London Tube driver, and Mr Mihaj grab him and a scuffle ensues The MoS revealed last month that the RMT was gripped by a bitter internal row caused by the dismissal of Mr Mihaj, a former RMT education officer. Mr Harding said he was expelled after supporting him. They have urged the unions bosses not to cross a picket line, but the union says it is not official. Scuffles broke out this month when union officials tried to remove their posters. Mr Gordon, 55, a Marxist who was elected president in December, has backed pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine and is a Communist Party official. The RMT said: There has been a systematic campaign of harassment against RMT staff by a small group of protesters who film and abuse people as they go into work each day. The scene was an elite private members' club in Mayfair with a well-established reputation for anti-Boris plotting. Cocooned in an upstairs room at 5 Hertford Street were Oliver Dowden, then the Chairman of the Tory Party, and his friend, the former Prime Minister David Cameron. It was the week after the Conservatives had sustained heavy losses in the local elections, and a fortnight before the Prime Minister would narrowly defeat a vote of confidence against him. Friends of the men say the meeting was innocent. Former Tory prime minister David Cameron met with then-party chair Oliver Dowden after the party's crushing losses in the local elections. Mr Dowden resigned as chairman in the early hours of Thursday morning following further defeats in the Wakefield and Tiverton by-elections 'DC did meet with Oliver Dowden last month. He routinely sees Oliver from time to time, like he does many former colleagues and friends, but he had absolutely no prior knowledge of, or involvement in, Oliver Dowden's resignation,' says a source close to Mr Cameron. But word soon reached allies of Mr Johnson. So when Mr Dowden resigned in the early hours of Thursday morning, in the wake of the double by-election defeats in Wakefield and in Tiverton, it was seen as a 'Cameroon plot'. Mr Dowden worked for Mr Cameron as an adviser and deputy chief of staff. The sighting of Mr Dowden with Mr Cameron at the 2,850-a-year club has fuelled concerns within No 10 that a Cameroon clique, including former Chancellor George Osborne, and backed by allies of his successor in Downing Street, Theresa May, is plotting to 'destabilise' the Prime Minister. The Mayfair club is where Ministers and young royals rub shoulders with Hollywood actors. Prince Harry and Meghan had their first date there and the club has also been used by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to host 'Biz for Liz' events with potential financial backers for her expected leadership bid. A senior Government source said of Dowden: 'He's on the Cameroon side of the party, and he's got his revenge in early.' And one Cabinet Minister questioned the former Culture Secretary's loyalty, saying: 'He never wanted to be party chairman, he wasn't any good at being party chairman, he was annoyed about being sacked from DCMS for Nadine [Dorries]. He only backed Boris after a lot of soul-searching and always harboured significant reservations about him.' Another Minister said: 'I'm sure they [the Cameroons] have all been sitting around a dinner table in Chipping Norton pontificating.' The source close to Mr Cameron insists the former Prime Minister was not trying to 'destabilise' Mr Johnson. Oliver Dowden's resignation as Tory Party chair was said to have 'blindsided' Boris Johnson Oliver Dowden met with David Cameron at an elite Mayfair private members club on 5 Hertford Street shortly after defeats in the local elections The Prime Minister was said to have been 'blindsided' by Mr Dowden's resignation, but that was not true of many of the former chairman's friends. They knew that he was determined to 'control the narrative' by leaving the Government rather than be 'scapegoated' by No 10 for the thumping anti-Tory swings in the seats. The countdown to Mr Dowden's departure started in earnest a week after the meeting with Mr Cameron, on the opening day of the Chelsea Flower Show: there, Tory donors and Boris loyalists discussed the outlines of a summer reshuffle, with the chairman top of the hit list. Mr Dowden was appointed co-chairman in September after a year and a half as Culture Secretary, with his time in the job marred by a by-election and local election losses. Friends say that after Mr Dowden read about the discussions to sack him in the following weekend's Mail on Sunday, he started hatching secret plans to quit whilst projecting an air of 'business as usual'. One of the candidates to succeed Mr Johnson told The Mail on Sunday yesterday that Mr Dowden's move had made an imminent leadership bid much more likely. 'We are talking weeks or even days, not months,' the rival said. 'Olive's going has turned it.' Mr Dowden is known as 'Olive' to his Westminster friends. Mr Johnson is technically protected from a further leadership challenge for a year after winning a confidence vote earlier this month, but the scale of the losses has increased the tempo of the plotting by Ministers, backbenchers and donors alike. One Cabinet Minister has told colleagues that the 'tipping point' for Mr Johnson would come if the Commons Privileges Committee concludes that the Prime Minister misled MPs when he told the Commons that no Covid rules had been breached in No 10. 'That would be of a different order no PM can survive that,' the Cabinet Minister and potential successor said. The committee is expected to report by the autumn. MPs and Tory donors are starting to coalesce in earnest behind Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi and Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Health Secretary Sajid Javid and his predecessor Jeremy Hunt are also expected to run. Meanwhile, formerly loyal donors criticised Mr Johnson following the double by-election loss. One told The Mail on Sunday the Prime Minister is 'no longer Teflon' after Tiverton and Honiton. Another said: 'I fear he's nearing the end.' Reshuffle demotions and sackings are also being discussed for Ministers and Government aides who did not pledge public allegiance and are seen as 'disloyal'. Business Minister George Freeman, who was publicly critical over Partygate, and Prisons Minister Victoria Atkins, have been singled out as among those likely to be punished. Both Cabinet Ministers and Tory backbench MPs have pointed the finger at a 'Cameroon plot' behind the challengers circling Mr Johnson. No 10 fears former Chancellor Osborne has been advising Mr Hunt on his leadership bid. MPs, meanwhile, said Treasury Minister Jesse Norman's excoriating letter attacking the Government on the day of the confidence vote echoed arguments recently made by friends of Mr Cameron, including criticism of the Government's Rwanda policy. A Cabinet Minister said of Mr Norman's intervention: 'It's all the Cameroons', while another dismissed it as a 'silly, puerile Old Etonian-type letter'. Other MPs have described Mr Norman as part of the 'Old Etonian' set around Mr Cameron, which also includes Rory Stewart. Former Tory Minister Stewart, who lost to Mr Johnson in the 2019 leadership contest, has been a vocal critic on Twitter and the airwaves. An MP told The Mail on Sunday: 'That Cameron faction is trying to make out we are going in a fascist direction which is utter nonsense.' A senior Government source last night mocked suggestions Mr Hunt should be Prime Minister. 'Boris might resonate both negatively and positively with people, but Hunt doesn't resonate at all. He's useless.' The founder of 5 Hertford Street, Robin Birley, who donated 20,000 to Mr Johnson in 2019, said last year that he would 'definitely not' give the Tories any more money. Boris Johnson is planning to shore up support by hosting a series of barbecues and drinks events at Chequers this summer By Anna Mikhailova for the Mail on Sunday Boris Johnson is planning a series of barbecues and drinks at Chequers for party loyalists to shore up support this summer. Several barbecues have been lined up at the Prime Ministers grace-and-favour residence as a reward for loyal supporters. Insiders said the invitation list has been drawn up specifically to include MPs who publicly said they would vote for the Prime Minister in a confidence vote. Mr Johnsons summer sausage offensive is planned as several events in the second half of July, insiders said. It comes after a bruising few weeks for the Prime Minister, which have included 148 of his MPs voting that they have no confidence in his leadership, the publication of Sue Grays report into lockdown breaking in Downing Street and by-election losses in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton. Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Levi Roots as he hosts a BBQ with NHS staff in the garden of No10 Downing Street to mark National Thank You Day The Prime Minister yesterday dismissed calls for his resignation, saying voters are tired of hearing about what he is alleged to have done wrong. He said every government is buffeted by bad by-election results and tried to focus the narrative on his Governments agenda. However, one MP last night mocked the barbecue plans, saying that Mr Johnson should focus instead on wooing MPs who are wavering instead of those who tweet their loyalty. Meanwhile, a rebel MP said Mr Johnsons attempts to woo MPs comes too late for a Prime Minister who has spent too little time in the tea room referring to the members-only zone in Parliament. A Downing Street source said: This is simply an example of the PM spending time with a range of colleagues to listen to their ideas. Mr Johnson is known to put a high price on loyalty and promoting die-hard supporters. Chequers country home of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Buckinghamshire A planned summer reshuffle is expected to feature demotions or sackings for those who did not pledge public allegiance ahead of the confidence vote, as well as those broadly seen as disloyal. Business Minister George Freeman, who was publicly critical over Partygate, Prisons Minister Victoria Atkins, and Treasury Minister John Glen are seen as those who are most likely to be punished. Meanwhile, it has emerged Mr Johnson planned a 150,000 treehouse in the grounds of Chequers for his two-year-old son Wilf but abandoned the idea after police raised security concerns. The Prime Minister and his wife Carrie Johnson wanted to build the structure, which included bulletproof glass, in 2020. According to The Times, there were discussions about having Tory donor Lord Brownlow pay for the project. Asked if a penny of taxpayer or donor money was spent on plans to build a Chequers treehouse, the PM said: Im not going to comment on non-existent objects or non-existent jobs to do with my family. Senior rebel Tory MPs step up push for vote on party rule change that would allow a second confidence vote in Prime Minister Boris Johnson after double by-election loss Members of 1922 executive committee want ballot on a second confidence vote Calls come after Tories suffered by-election losses in Wakefield and Tiverton Similar vote was held under May but she resigned before the threshold was met By Anna Mikhailova for The Mail on Sunday Senior rebel Tory MPs are pushing to hold a secret ballot on whether party rules should be changed to allow another confidence vote in the Prime Minister. Spurred on by last weeks double by-election loss, members of the partys 1922 executive committee, which sets the rules, want a vote on whether to hold another attempt to unseat Boris Johnson. Mr Johnson is safe from another confidence vote for a year after he won one narrowly this month. But this rule can be changed by the 18-strong ruling executive of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers. Executive members told The Mail on Sunday they supported having a secret ballot on the rule change immediately, the outcome of which would only be revealed by chairman Sir Graham Brady if 54 MPs sent letters of no confidence in the Prime Minister. The count for letters calling for the PM to go is reset after each confidence vote. After last week's double by-election loss, rebel Tory MPs are pushing to hold a secret ballot on whether party rules should be changed to allow another confidence vote in the Prime Minister A similar secret vote was held by senior 1922 figures under Theresa May. However sources said Sir Graham never revealed its decision because she resigned before the threshold of letters was met. There are also efforts to flood the 1922 executive committee with anti-Boris MPs, as revealed by the MoS last week. Vocal critics including Steve Baker and Andrew Bridgen have said they will run for seats on the committee, which is due to hold elections shortly. The timing of the election to senior posts is due to be determined this week. Insiders said there was support for a secret ballot on changing the rules by the current committee to avoid losing time. The new executive committee could then hold its own secret ballot, a source said. Tory whips expect new letters to start piling in after this weekend, when MPs evaluate the losses of Wakefield to Labour and Tiverton and Honiton to the Lib Dems. Even formerly loyal party donors criticised Mr Johnson following the double by-election loss. One told the MoS that the Prime Minister was no longer Teflon following the Tiverton and Honiton result. Vocal critics including Steve Baker and Andrew Bridgen (pictured above) have said they will run for seats on the committee, which is due to hold elections shortly Another said: I fear hes nearing the end. Meanwhile, a leading rebel said: We need to move fast. Theres a real prospect Boris will try to call an October election as the only way of trying to save himself. If he came back with a majority of just five or six, hed settle for that. The rebel added that another proposal involves allowing a contest at any time rather than a year after the last vote but with the threshold of no-confidence letters needed to trigger it doubling each time. The source said: Wed need 108, and wed be certain to get that. A wider consensus is to hold a confidence vote within six months, following the Commons Privileges Committees report into whether Mr Johnson misled Parliament. Several 1922 executive members oppose change, however, with one saying it would be Maoist. Labour's chaos over the rail strikes has opened a damaging new rift between Sir Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner. Party insiders say the Labour leader was furious at Ms Rayners decision to give her open backing to last weeks rail shutdown. One Starmer ally told The Mail on Sunday: Keir is livid Angela has undermined his leadership and the partys position on the strikes. Sir Keir also came under fire from critics who argue that he was undermining his own position by failing to discipline several frontbenchers who joined the strikers picket lines last week. Labour Party deputy leader Angela Rayner, takes part in a TUC national demonstration in central London to demand action on the cost of living Even one Starmer loyalist admitted last night that the partys picket-line ban had backfired badly. Relations between Sir Keir and his famously outspoken deputy have been strained ever since his botched attempt to demote Ms Rayner last year. However, those tensions deepened when Ms Rayner signalled her backing for last weeks rail strikes mounted by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT). The former trade union official declared that workers have been left with no choice adding that no one takes strike action lightly. The stance is understood to have enraged Sir Keirs office, given that they had already told party frontbenchers that we do not want these strikes to go ahead with the resulting disruption to the public. The same message told Labours top team to show leadership and reminded them that frontbenchers... should not be on picket lines. Labour Party MP Diane Abbott speaks during a rally in solidarity with striking railway workers outside King's Cross Station on the third day of the biggest national rail strike But the order plunged Sir Keirs authority into doubt after at least five frontbenchers did appear alongside striking RMT workers but with, as yet, no punishment meted out to them. One Labour MP said last night: It was a mistake for Keir to issue the picket-line ban in the first place. But if he doesnt now sack frontbenchers who defied him or punish them in some other way, he will simply look very weak. The criticism comes amid anger from Left-wing MPs that Sir Keir who during the party leadership contest in 2020 boasted that he was a proud trade unionist was now trying to distance himself from the union movement. John McDonnell speaks to the media at a rally outside Kings Cross station, London, as train services continue to be disrupted following the nationwide strike It also comes after Labour took aim at respected election expert Sir John Curtice for playing down the significance of the partys by-election victory in the Red Wall seat of Wakefield last week Labour took the seat back on a swing of over 12 per cent from the Tories and a jubilant Sir Keir hailed Wakefield as the birthplace of the next Labour government. But after Sir John warned that the Wakefield result does not suggest any great enthusiasm for the Labour Party, a source said Labour was furious with the Strathclyde University politics professor. The source accused the poll guru of also downplaying the partys performance in the local elections. Diane Abbott, pictured centre left holding the smaller flag, is pictured at the picket line at the Seven Sisters depot However, even one Shadow Cabinet Minister confessed last night that the Wakefield result was good but not spectacular. Last night, Labour said Keir and Angela are at one on the dispute. Keir wants this strike to be brought to an end so everyone can get back to work, a spokesman said. The frontbenchers who appeared on the rail picket lines would be spoken to, with sources saying Chief Whip Alan Campbell will deal with the offending MPs today. A bystander caught the moment 11 thugs smashed their way into a Los Angeles-area jewelry store and made off with handfuls of loot. According to a statement from the Manhattan Beach Police Department, the robbery took place around 7:00 pm at Pasha Fine Jewelry on Manhattan Beach Boulevard in wealthy, laid back beach community on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Authorities referred to the crime as a 'smash and grab' robbery. As the video begins, you can see at least two of the robbers rifling through the store's window display. In the background, you can see the other robbers frantically running through the store, smashing display cases with hammers. After 12 seconds, the robbers, clad in ski masks and predominantly wearing dark clothing, begin to make their exit one-by-one. The group sprints across the street and in to three waiting cars. One of the group appears to drop something and stops to pick it up before getting to his car. The thugs then speed away heading southbound away from the scene. The cars are a gold-colored Infiniti sedan, a black Volkswagen sedan and a dark-colored Toyota Camry. The robbery occurred here at Pasha Fine Jewelry on Manhattan Beach Boulevard in the affluent A witness who was waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant told The Daily Breeze: 'We saw like eight people running out of the store with bags full of jewelry and then a man and woman chasing out after asking someone to call the police.' The witness also said: 'We saw like eight people running out of the store with bags full of jewelry and then a man and woman chasing out after asking someone to call the police. It was crazy because the sun was out and there were so many people nearby that saw it happen.' Police confirmed that the thieves used hammers during the robbery. At least three of the group were armed with handguns but no shots was fired during the heist. Detective Ian Mikelson of the Manhattan Beach Police Department confirmed to DailyMail.com that no arrests have been made in the case. The detective said that value of the goods that were stolen is still being assessed by the store. According to Mikelson, the smash-and-grab nature of the robbery fits a pattern of recent crimes in southern Los Angeles but it's the first of its kind in Manhattan Beach. As the video begins, members of the group can be seen rifling through the window display Other members of the group can be seen frantically running through the store smashing display cases The group makes their exit in almost single-file, sprinting across the street to waiting cars At least three of the suspects were armed with handguns but no shots were fired during the robbery Detective Ian Mikelson of the Manhattan Beach Police Department confirmed to DailyMail.com that no arrests have been made in the case Detective Mikelson said that value of the goods that were stolen is still being assessed by the store A Toyota Camry used by the suspects in the course of the robbery The other cars used in the getaway were a Infiniti sedan and a black Volkswagen sedan Manhattan Beach Mayor Steve Napolitano said following the robbery: 'This was not just a crime against a person or a business. This was a crime against our entire community. ' He continued: 'An armed robbery in broad daylight in our downtown could have resulted in serious injury and death. To those who did it, please know MBPD is devoting every resource to catch, prosecute, and jail you.' The mayor added: 'We're going to add additional patrols in our downtown and throughout our commercial and residential areas. I want to assure the community that public safety is always your City Councils number one priority and the MBPD has our full support.' Pasha Fine Jewelry operates two stores, one in Manhattan Beach and one in Santa Monica According to the store's website, Pasha Fine Jewelry specializes in wedding and engagement rings Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon tweeted about the robbery Saturday saying: 'These smash and grab burglaries are unacceptable and harm not only local businesses but the entire community Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon tweeted about the robbery Saturday saying: 'These smash and grab burglaries are unacceptable and harm not only local businesses but the entire community.' Gascon in the midst of fighting a recall attempt amid allegations that he is soft on crime, reports the Los Angeles Times. Manhattan Beach is more typically associated with celebrity residents and expensive real estate. Among those who call the area home are Vince Vaughn, Zooey Deschanel and 'The Wolf of Street' aka Jordan Belfort. The average income of residents is $139,000. According to a Dataquick study, more homes were sold in the area with a price tag of over $1 million than any other city in California. Pasha Fine Jewelry founder Albert Takalak started his business in Turkey in 1979. Takalak operates two stores in Los Angeles County. The other store is in Santa Monica. The Manhattan Beach location opened in 2011. According to the store's website, Pasha Fine Jewelry specializes in wedding and engagement rings. Boris Johnson last night goaded his Tory critics by vowing to seek a third term as Prime Minister and lead his party into the mid-2030s. As plotting by Ministers, MPs and party donors intensified in the wake of the PMs drubbing in two by-elections on Thursday, Mr Johnson said he was thinking actively about a third term in office potentially taking him past Margaret Thatchers 11 years in Downing Street. His defiance came as one of the candidates to succeed him told The Mail on Sunday that they expected the PM to face a challenge within weeks or even days. Mr Johnson insisted to reporters at a Commonwealth summit in Kigali, Rwanda, that questions of his leadership were settled after he won a vote of confidence earlier this month, and pledged he would not undergo any psychological transformation in order to win over unsupportive MPs. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie Johnson arrive for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Dinner, hosted by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, at the Marriott Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda Mr Johnsons remarks came as: Rebel MPs stepped up the efforts, revealed in last weeks MoS, to flood the backbench 1922 executive committee with allies and then force another confidence vote; A Cabinet minister warned that they and their colleagues were likely to move against Mr Johnson if the Commons Privileges Committee concluded that he had misled Parliament over breaches of lockdown rules in No 10; Supporters of the PM accused Oliver Dowden, who resigned as Party Chairman in the wake of Thursdays results, of being part of a plot by former Prime Minister David Cameron to destabilise Mr Johnson. Mr Dowden and Mr Cameron were spotted together last month at 5 Hertford Street, a private members club long associated with Tory plotting; Mr Johnson planned a series of Chequers barbecues and drinks for MPs to shore up support; Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faced his own leadership struggles as his split with his deputy leader Angela Rayner widened over her support for striking train drivers. Sir Keir could also find himself being hit with a fine by Durham police for his Beergate gathering in late April 2021 which he has said would lead to his resignation: The Mail on Sunday has established through a Freedom of Information request that, contrary to earlier claims, the force does issue retrospective fines and for smaller gatherings than the one attended by the Labour leader. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer meets with new Wakefield MP Simon Lightwood (right), as the party reclaimed the West Yorkshire seat from the Conservatives in the Wakefield by-election The Prime Ministers pledge to carry on into the next decade will infuriate those MPs scheming to remove him from office after he lost both Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton to Labour and the Liberal Democrats respectively. If the next General Election is held, as expected, in 2024, Mr Johnson would be seeking a third term in 2028 or 2029, taking him theoretically to 2034. In reality, most Tory MPs are wondering whether he can remain in power until the Commons summer recess at the end of July. One of the candidates considering a run for leader if Mr Johnson is toppled told this newspaper that a contest was likely to come soon. We are talking weeks or even days, not months, the rival said. Olives going has turned it. Olive is Westminster shorthand for Oliver Dowden. The sighting of Mr Cameron and Mr Dowden, his former deputy chief of staff, at 5 Hertford Street has fuelled concerns in No 10 that a Cameroon clique is plotting against the Prime Minister. Supporters of the PM accused Oliver Dowden, who resigned as Party Chairman in the wake of Thursdays results, of being part of a plot by former Prime Minister David Cameron to destabilise Mr Johnson The clique is thought to include former Chancellor George Osborne and allies of Mr Camerons successor in Downing Street, Theresa May. The 2,850-a-year club in Londons Mayfair is a favourite with politicians, Tory donors and royals, although the significance of the meeting is played down by a source close to Mr Cameron, who describes it as one of regular routine meetings between the pair. He [Cameron] had absolutely no prior knowledge of, or involvement in, Oliver Dowdens resignation, says the source. One Cabinet Minister has told colleagues that the tipping point for Mr Johnson would come if the Commons Privileges Committee concludes that the Prime Minister misled MPs when he told the Commons that no Covid rules had been breached in No 10. That would be of a different order, no PM can survive that, the Minister and potential successor said. The committee is expected to report by the autumn. Mr Dowden and Mr Cameron were spotted together last month at 5 Hertford Street, a private members club long associated with Tory plotting The 2,850-a-year club in Londons Mayfair is a favourite with politicians, Tory donors and royals, although the significance of the meeting is played down by a source close to Mr Cameron MPs and donors are starting to coalesce in earnest behind Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi and Foreign Affairs Commitee Chairman Tom Tugendhat. Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Health Secretary Sajid Javid and his predecessor Jeremy Hunt are also expected to run. Asked yesterday if he would like to serve a full second term, the PM said: At the moment, I am thinking actively about the third and what could happen then. But I will review that when I get to it. He then clarified this would mean remaining in his job until the mid-2030s to enable him to complete his levelling-up agenda. Weve embarked on a massive project to change the constitution of the country, the way we run our legal system, the way we manage our borders, our economy, said Mr Johnson. We also, at the same time, are embarked on a colossal project to unite and level up. And I happen to believe in that incredibly strongly. It wont be easily accomplished. And people will say it hasnt worked, its not working yet, people in this constituency arent feeling the benefits. Its going to take time. And I want to keep driving it forward. Asked if he thought the question of whether he should continue as PM was settled, he said: Yes. The BBC has been criticised for using the phrase pregnant people in its coverage of the US ruling against abortions. Sophie Long used the gender-neutral term on Radio 4s The World Tonight during a visit to a clinic in Arkansas, a state that has enacted a near-total ban on terminations. Her report, which aired on Friday night just hours after the Supreme Court decision, included interviews with pro-choice campaigners at a family planning clinic in Little Rock. Introducing the segment, Ms Long said: The clinical director and chair of the National Abortion Federation, Lori Williams, said knowing how many women and pregnant people would now not be able to get care was devastating. The same phrase was used in an article on the BBC website explaining the repercussions of the decision to overturn a ruling that had allowed women the right to terminations. It said: In 1973, the court had ruled in Roe vs Wade that pregnant people were entitled to an abortion during the first three months of their pregnancy. The BBC has been criticised for using the phrase pregnant people in its coverage of the US ruling against abortions. Sophie Long (pictured) used the gender-neutral term on Radio 4's The World Tonight Last night, Helen Joyce, director of advocacy for campaign group Sex Matters, said use of the word women was particularly important when covering the ruling. Irrespective of where you stand on the abortion issue, we need clear, polite, unapologetic language about the reality of human existence and thats man, woman, male and female, she said. The BBC said last night: We made clear in all our reporting that the overturning of Roe vs Wade ends the constitutional right to abortion for women in America. Sophie Long was quoting the language used by the chair of the National Abortion Federation. We have amended an online article. Some of Ghislaine Maxwells victims will be in court this week to watch when she faces a 55-year sentence for child sex trafficking as it emerged there is a $1million prison bounty on her head. Several of the women, who were teenagers when Maxwell lured them into the clutches of billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, have written victim impact statements to be read out at the sentencing hearing. But at least two are expected to be in the New York courtroom on Tuesday as the British former socialite faces decades in jail. Maxwell, 60, is currently being held in the general population area of New Yorks notorious Metropolitan Detention Center, where an inmate recently threatened to kill her. A source told The Mail on Sunday: One woman was going around openly bragging that she was going to murder Ghislaine for $1 million. Some of Ghislaine Maxwells victims will be in court this week to watch when she faces a 55-year sentence for child sex trafficking There are violent felons in there who would do it just for the notoriety of killing a high-profile prisoner, but others believe they will receive money if they kill her. They have been told there is a bounty on her head. Three prisoners reported the threats and the woman who was making the threats has been moved away into a special unit. Ghislaine is sleeping with one eye open. Maxwell was found guilty in December of five federal sex-trafficking charges relating to her role in recruiting and grooming teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein, who took his own life while in prison in 2019. The Bureau of Prisons could not keep Epstein safe. They are badly understaffed. Ghislaine is in a unit with 40 other women, many from violent gangs. She is constantly looking over her shoulder, the source said. While Maxwell could be jailed for up to 55 years, it is believed she is hoping to receive a sentence of less than 15 years because it would allow her to serve her time in a lower-security prison. Anything above 15 years means a federal maximum security prison and, because of her age, will be effectively a life sentence, the source said. Whatever the sentence handed down, Maxwells legal team will immediately file an appeal. Although she is entitled to make a one-minute speech in court, sources think it unlikely that shell do so as any comment could be used against her later. Several of the women, who were teenagers when Maxwell lured them into the clutches of billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, have written victim impact statements to be read out at the sentencing hearing Despite threats to her life, Maxwell who was on suicide watch in solitary confinement for 22 months has been offering inmates classes in spoken English, English literature and yoga. Most of the women are Spanish-speaking and she speaks fluent Spanish, the source said. She enjoys teaching and it keeps her busy and productive. In pre-sentencing court documents filed last week, prosecutors condemned her utter lack of remorse and urged the judge to impose a sentence of between 30 and 55 years. However, despite revulsion at the nature of her crimes, sources say some fellow inmates have warmed to the Oxbridge-educated daughter of multi-millionaire media tycoon Robert Maxwell. While there are elements who want to kill her, and she is an obvious target, she has also made friends people who look out for her, one source said. She has been helping multiple women with spoken English and English literature. She is helping them study for their high school diploma. She has been teaching yoga and wellness classes. They have realised shes not the monster she has been made out to be. Maxwell was found guilty in December of five federal sex-trafficking charges relating to her role in recruiting and grooming teenage girls One of the prisoners came up to her and said shed expected her to be stuck up, to be a bitch, and that she was surprised she was so normal. While she is in prison she intends to use her time wisely and do everything she can to help other women in there. Teaching helps her maintain her sanity. Maxwell already speaks fluent French, Italian and Spanish, but is now teaching herself another language using a series of CDs. She is learning Russian. She wants to keep her mind active. Teaching other prisoners helps her keep her mind focused, the source added. Maxwell will apply to serve out her prison term in the UK to be closer to her family in Oxfordshire, but she will not be eligible for such a move until she has spent at least three years in a US jail. Ghislaine has maintained her innocence from the start, the source said. Whatever happens on Tuesday she will continue to maintain her innocence to the end. She was a five-star general who ran Epstein's dungeon hell': Victim likens child sex ring run by Ghislaine Maxwell to Hotel California and says once you checked in you could never leave By Caroline Graham The child sex ring run by Ghislaine Maxwell was described by one of its victims as like Hotel California you could blindly check into the Epstein-Maxwell dungeon of sexual hell, but you could never leave. Sarah Ransome, 33, is one of several women who have submitted victim impact statements that will be read out at Tuesdays sentencing. She describes how she was recruited in a New York nightclub, and once almost jumped into shark-infested waters to escape Epsteins Caribbean island. She calls Maxwell the five-star general of this enormous, decades-running sex-trafficking conspiracy . . . that snared hundreds if not thousands of vulnerable girls. Virginia Giuffre, 38, who claimed she was sexually abused by Prince Andrew after being introduced to him by Maxwell, has also written a damning open letter to her tormentor. The Duke vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Victims of Jeffrey Epstein, from left, Sarah Ransome, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, and Marijke Chartouni find support in each other She wrote: For me, and for so many others, you opened the door to hell. And then, Ghislaine, like a wolf in sheeps clothing, you used your femininity to betray us and you led us all through it. Ghislaine, you deserve to spend the rest of your life in a jail cell. You deserve to be trapped in a cage forever, just like you trapped your victims. In her submission, Annie Farmer, 42, says she physically shook when she saw the photo of Andrew with Ms Giuffre and Maxwell, which was first published in The Mail on Sunday. She added: I remember sitting at my desk in a Houston hospital physically shaking after seeing the photo because it became clear to me how their scheme had continued. Australia's most expensive boat shed is set for a makeover. The $38.5 million dwelling in Sydney's upmarket Point Piper, was bought last year by Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch. The vintage boat shed and the residential apartment above it is set to be renovated with a timber deck added above it, Woollahra Council records show. Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch file development application to make $698,000 worth of renovations to Australia's most expensive boat shed after purchasing it for $38.5M The vintage boat shed and the residential apartment above it is set to be renovated with a timber deck added above it, Woollahra Council records show At least $698,000 worth of 'alterations and additions' are expected to take place on the 200sqm estate with plans drawn up by A-list architect Kelvin Ho, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. The couple, who have been married for 23 years, bought a $30million superyacht in April called Istros. The boat now sits in Sydney Harbour, and is docked close to the Murdoch family's $100million Bellevue Hill estate, called Le Manoir. The 43-metre vessel is too big to sit at Point Piper berth, however, there is enough room for the ship's tender, with the residential quarters ideal for crew accommodation, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. The rebuilt 42-metre 1954 classic Istros was once once by the Pappadakis shipping dynasty. It won the grand prize for the best restored vessel at the Monaco Yacht Club Prada Classic Yacht Show in 2001. But it fell into disrepair and was little more than a rusting hulk when it was rescued from a Maltese port in 2015, salvaged and rebuilt. The interiors were redesigned in 'chic Scandinavian style by Van Geest Design', the Robb Report said. Roomy: The boat (pictured) will sit in Sydney Harbour, where it will be docked close to the Murdoch family's $100 million Bellevue Hill estate, called Le Manoir The news comes amid reports Lachlan and his wife Sarah, 49, along with their three children - sons Kalan Alexander, 17, Aidan Patrick, 16, and daughter Aerin Elisabeth, 12, - are in Australia to stay. In April, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Murdochs will be in Australia 'for years, not months, as initially believed'. The family, who are based in their Bellevue Hill compound, have settled in to life in Sydney after Sarah was seen at the Royal Easter Show in Olympic Park with their children. In town: The new comes amid reports Lachlan and his wife Sarah, 49, (right) along with their three children are in Australia to stay The publication also confirmed that the Murdoch kids are enrolled in Sydney schools. While no reason was given for the family's return to Australia, a report claimed that it was the political climate in the US that helped make the decision for the family to leave LA in favour of their Sydney home. A source said: 'The school communities here are very close knit, and it extends in to the wider families and the circles and parties they all go to. 'That Hollywood set is very pro-Democratic. 'They are mostly big fundraisers for Biden, so you can imagine how well it went down when one of their classmates' dads is at the helm of the biggest anti-Biden machine in the country.' Despite having their life based in Los Angeles for years, where Lachlan is Executive Chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation, the couple has always maintained their Bellevue Hill abode. Rebel Wilson and her girlfriend Ramona Agruma have been enjoying an idyllic European getaway. And on Friday, Rebel shared some snaps of the loved-up couple going on a romantic helicopter ride in Iceland. The 42-year-old took to Instagram to post a picture of the pair 'trying to look cool whilst freezing'. Rebel Wilson and her girlfriend Ramona Agruma have been enjoying an idyllic European getaway. The 42-year-old shared a snap to Instagram of the pair 'trying to look cool whilst freezing' The Pitch Perfect start allowed her 11 million followers a sneak peak to the inside of the helicopter and showed off the spectacular Icelandic views The Pitch Perfect start allowed her 11 million followers a sneak peak to the inside of the helicopter and showed off the spectacular Icelandic views. The couple looked incredibly cosy in matching baby blue puffer jackets. Ramona paired her look with a white beanie. Rebel Wilson and her girlfriend Ramona Agruma have been enjoying an idyllic European getaway, and on Wednesday the couple took their romance to new heights in Iceland Earlier this week, the couple had been driving around in a red Lamborghini in Paris before going to a dinner date with a female friend. Rebel shared a series of images of the pair enjoying their vacation to her Instagram. Before France, the couple had been holidaying in Italy. Earlier this week, the couple had been driving around in a red Lamborghini in Paris before going to a dinner date with a female friend Rebel also shared photos of her driving around in a red Lamborghini In one gorgeous photo shared to her official page, Rebel showed off her cleavage and slim waist in a yellow floral sun dress as she walked hand-in-hand with Ramona. Her beauty look included wavy blonde tresses and glamorous makeup, and she simply couldn't wipe the smile off her face. Meanwhile, Ramona cut a chic figure in a white crop top with a black Prada blazer and matching pants, paired with metallic sandals and a Christian Dior book tote bag. 'Ciao bellas,' Rebel simply captioned the post. The Pitch Perfect star shared shared a series of images of the pair enjoying their vacation in Italy In one gorgeous photo shared to her official page, Rebel showed off her cleavage and slim waist in a yellow floral sun dress as she walked hand-in-hand with Ramona Rebel publicly announced her romance with Ramona in an Instagram post on June 10, sharing a photo of the pair cosying up to one another. 'I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince... but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess,' she wrote. The pair have been seen together since early this year, and they even walked the red carpet together at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in March. Rebel still hasn't shared many details about her new love, who is an LA-based fashion designer and the owner of the sustainable fashion brand Lemon Ve Limon. Rebel publicly announced her romance with Ramona in an Instagram post on June 10, sharing this photo of the pair cosying up to one another. 'I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince... but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess,' she wrote Shortly after her Instagram post, it was revealed that Rebel went public about her relationship and her sexuality in order to get ahead of a story from the Sydney Morning Herald after the Australian paper threatened to 'out' her. Shortly after she posted her photo, the paper's gossip columnist Andrew Hornery accused the actress of 'gazumping' his scoop by speaking out on her own terms. 'Thanks for your comments, it was a very hard situation but trying to handle it with grace,' she later wrote in a reply to a Twitter post by Channel 10's Kate Doak. In his original piece, Hornery wrote that he gave the Bridesmaids star two days to respond to questioning, effectively forcing the actress' hand, yet became angry when the star chose to take control of the narrative herself. The pair have been spotted together since early this year, and they even walked the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in March together (pictured) 'It was with an abundance of caution and respect that this media outlet emailed Rebel Wilson's representatives on Thursday morning, giving her two days to comment on her new relationship with LA leisure wear designer Ramona Agruma, before publishing a single word,' he wrote. 'Big mistake. Wilson opted to gazump the story, posting about her new 'Disney Princess' on Instagram early Friday morning, the same platform she had previously used to brag about her handsome ex-boyfriend, wealthy American beer baron Jacob Busch. 'Considering how bitterly Wilson had complained about poor journalism standards... her choice ignore our discreet genuine and honest queries was underwhelming.' Shortly after her Instagram post, it was revealed that Rebel went public about her relationship and her sexuality in order to get ahead of a story from the Sydney Morning Herald after the Australian paper threatened to 'out' her The article prompted a major backlash on social media with users bowled over by the newspaper's insensitivity, prompting editor Bevan Shields to pen a lengthy statement denying any wrongdoing and wishing the couple well. Hornery subsequently apologised for his 'tone' in the article, and he claimed he never meant to 'inflict pain' when he approached the star about her relationship. 'I genuinely regret that Rebel has found this hard,' Hornery said in a column that replaced Sunday's article. 'That was never my intention. But I see she has handled it all with extraordinary grace.' He added that, 'As a gay man I'm well aware of how deeply discrimination hurts. The last thing I would ever want to do is inflict that pain on someone else.' Rebel did reveal last month that she was dating someone, although she kept their identity under wraps, telling People that she had been set up with her partner - thought to be Ramona - 'through a friend', before spending weeks 'getting to know each other' on the phone. 'We spoke on the phone for weeks before meeting,' she revealed at the time. 'And that was a really good way to get to know each other. It was a bit old-school in that sense very romantic.' She also shared how 'the process of finding more self-worth' had 'elevated' her standards in terms of what she was looking for in a partner, describing her romance with her new girlfriend as 'equal' and 'healthy'. As well as their under-the-radar public appearances together, Ramona has also been a fixture on Rebel's Instagram in recent months, though she wasn't presented as anything other than a friend. Lisa Curry shared a heartfelt tribute for her late daughter, Jaimi, on what would have been her 35th birthday. Jaimi tragically died in 2020 after a long battle with alcohol addiction and anorexia spanning 18 years of her life. On Saturday, the 60-year-old posted a stunning photo of Jaimi on Instagram alongside an incredibly emotional caption. Lisa Curry shared a heartfelt tribute for her late daughter, Jaimi, on what would have been her 35th birthday Jaimi tragically died in 2020 after a long battle with alcohol addiction and anorexia spanning 18 years of her life The Olympic swimmer expressed her want to continue living without feeling guilty, she said: 'I am starting to try and laugh without feeling guilty, to remember that it's ok to continue living a good life, as I know that's what Jaimi would have wanted. 'It never stops the tears, but the smile is starting to return a little more'. Lisa wished her daughter a happy birthday and told her followers that she will not be forgotten. On Saturday, the 60-year-old posted a stunning photo of Jaimi on Instagram alongside an incredibly emotional caption 'Happy Birthday to our angel You came into this world at 9.03am 35 years ago. Our first little bundle of joy. 'Forever young and beautiful We miss you everyday. Life is different without you. 'Life is quiet without you. 'Life is not the same without you 'We love and miss you baby girl and you will never be forgotten. So precious to so many people'. 'Happy Birthday to our angel You came into this world at 9.03am 35 years ago. Our first little bundle of joy' Lisa has recently released a truly personal memoir that touches on Jaimi's journey, called Lisa: A Memoir - 60 Years of Life, Love and Loss. She told The Australian Women's Weekly on Thursday: 'Jaimi wanted to write a book to help others, but it was too late. We left it too late.' She added: 'But I hope that, by being honest and knowing that Jaimi wanted to help others, we can help in some way, in some small way.' Lisa married fellow athlete Grant Kenny in 1984 and they separated in 2009. During their marriage, they welcomed three children together: son Jett, 28, and daughters Morgan, 31, and Jaimi. Almost a decade after her divorce from the Ironman great, Lisa wed Elvis impersonator Mark Tabone in 2018. Jaimi died at Sunshine Coast University Hospital on September 14, 2020, surrounded by her family. She was 33. Richard Wilkins has come out to defend his son Christian after the 26-year-old was trolled online for wearing a backless dress to the Logie Awards last week. In an emotional post on Instagram, the 68-year-old fired back at critics and said that he was proud of his progressive son. 'So to anyone who dares to suggest that I am in any way "ashamed" of my son Christian .. for whatever reason You are wrong!' he raged. Richard Wilkins has come out to defend his son Christian after the 26-year-old was trolled online for wearing a backless dress to the Logie Awards last week 'I could not be more proud!! He is an exceptional human being who will leave his stamp on the world long after his detractors have disappeared. I love you unconditionally.' Richard wasn't the only one to defend Christian, with his Today show co-star Karl Stefanovic also voicing his support for the blond socialite. 'Beyond exceptional. He is a light. A beautiful human light. Who comes from beautiful humans. And light,' Karl commented. 'Anyone who thinks otherwise ain't worth knowing or paying attention to you. I love you guys so much. Soar higher,' he added. The 26-year-old received backlash from a few trolls on social media after donning a gown to the Logie Awards Christian also hit back at a Twitter troll who criticised his flamboyant wardrobe. The anonymous user @SaraVic333 tweeted on Tuesday 'it's not normal' for men to wear women's clothes, before adding: 'STOP normalising this bulls**t!!!' Christian, 26, responded to this criticism on Wednesday by mocking the way some people react hysterically to men who like to wear dresses. 'What is happening to the world!!!! Masculinity is ending!!! Burn everything!!' he tweeted to rapturous support from his Twitter followers. Many fans praised the Filthy Rich and Homeless star for embracing a feminine look instead of the traditional tuxedo favoured by men on the red carpet. 'So to anyone who dares to suggest that I am in any way "ashamed" of my son Christian .. for whatever reason You are wrong!' Richard raged in an emotional Instagram post 'She's so mad you're prettier than her and can pull off a dress which she'd most definitely be unable to... jealously IS a disease,' one Twitter user wrote. 'I think you're a fabulous role model,' another added. Christian put his best fashion foot forward on Sunday when he arrived on the Logies red carpet in a sheer backless dress. He wore his long blond hair loosely, opted for a pair of quirky hoof-style heels, and accessorised with a dramatic necklace that draped down his back. Richard wasn't the only one to defend Christian, with his Today show co-star Karl Stefanovic (pictured) also voicing his support for the blond socialite Christian made sure the cameras caught him at every angle as he showcased his modelesque features, including his chiselled jawline. He spoke about his experimental style in an interview with Body + Soul last year. 'I remember when I used to work at Channel Nine just doing marketing and some days I'd just go in with pink glitter all over my eyes. And they'd be like, "Why are you wearing pink glitter?"' he said. 'I would say, "Because woke up and I was a bit sad today, and I just felt like it was a pink glitter eye shadow day." I've always gone into makeup with that ethos. 'If you want to wear it, if you want to do eyes and lips, who is telling you that you can only do one? Do it! Do whatever makes you feel good.' Lizzo announced she will be donating $500K of her upcoming tour proceeds to Planned Parenthood and Abortion Funds hours after Roe v. Wade was overturned. The singer, 34, made the announcement on her Instagram Story on Friday, where she revealed that entertainment company Live Nation has agreed to match her generous donation making it a grand total of $1million. Lizzo wrote: 'I'm pledging $500k from my upcoming tour to Planned Parenthood and Abortion Rights. Live Nation agreed to match to make it 1 MILLION dollars. Taking a stand: Lizzo (seen in June 2019 at Glastonbury Festival in England) announced that she will be donating $500K of her upcoming tour proceeds to Planned Parenthood and Abortion Funds just hours after Roe v. Wade was overturned 'The most important thing is action & loud voices. @plannedparenthood @abortionfunds & organizations like them will need funding to continue offering services to people who are most harmed by this ban. 'Black women & women of color have historically had disproportionately less access to family planning resources this is a great loss but not a new one.' Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit organization that provides reproductive health care in the United States and globally. The National Network of Abortion Funds builds power with members to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by centering people who have abortions and organizing at the intersections of racial, economic, and reproductive justice. On Friday, the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization by a vote of 5-4. 'I'm pledging $500k from my upcoming tour to Planned Parenthood and Abortion Rights': The 34-year-old Detroit, Minnesota native - born Melissa Viviane Jefferson - made the announcement on her Instagram Story on Friday 'Black women & women of color have historically had disproportionately less access to family planning resources this is a great loss but not a new one': She also revealed that Live Nation has agreed to match her generous donation making it a grand total of $1million Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit organization that provides reproductive health care in the United States and globally Abortion was automatically outlawed in 18 US states as soon as Roe v. Wade was overturned, thanks to specially-devised 'trigger laws' and historic bans that were automatically reenacted after Friday's ruling. Thirteen states prepared trigger laws which would automatically outlaw terminations in the event of a ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, which was widely-anticipated. They are: Arkansas; Idaho; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; Missouri; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah and Wyoming. Abortion bans in those states will now become law within 30 days. Five other states have also now banned terminations, after historic laws superseded by the 1973 Roe ruling automatically came back into place. On Friday, the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization by a vote of 5-4 leading to many demonstrations including this one in Washington DC Among those five are two Democrat-governed states - Michigan and Wisconsin. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers have both sought to overturn those bans in the court. But they remain in place for now, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced Friday afternoon that it was suspending terminations while awaiting clarification on the law. Other states with newly-re-enacted historic bans are Alabama, Arizona and West Virginia. Eight other states are also set to enact new anti-abortion laws. Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina all attempted to ban abortion after the six-week mark. Those laws were branded unconstitutional, but will likely be revisited now Roe has ended. And Florida, Indiana, Montana as well as Nebraska are all working on plans to ban or restrict terminations. Sami Sheen was seen shopping for lingerie just days after finally getting support from her celebrity father Charlie Sheen over her OnlyFans content. The 18-year-old daughter of the Two And A Half Men actor, 56, and Denise Richards, 51, headed to a Victoria's Secret in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon. Sami donned a gym ready ensemble consisting of a black cropped tank top and clinging Nike shorts. On the go: Sami Sheen was seen shopping for lingerie just days after finally getting support from her celebrity father Charlie Sheen over her OnlyFans content New content? The 18-year-old daughter of the Two And A Half Men actor, 56, and Denise Richards, 51, headed to a Victoria's Secret in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon She also sported a pair of white Nike Air Force 1 Mids with matching crew socks. Sami accessorized with large gold hoop earrings and a small shiny black crocodile leather designer bag. Her platinum blonde locks were pulled back in a long braid as she sported natural, complementary make-up. Out and about: Sami donned a gym ready ensemble consisting of a black cropped tank top and clinging Nike shorts Earlier this week she set pulses racing on Monday as she teased her latest OnlyFans content on her Instagram Stories. Sami captivated her rapidly growing audience with a sultry white bra selfie, as she gazed into the camera. The rising star also celebrated hitting 100k followers on Instagram by inviting them to join her on the X-rated platform, adding a link to her seductive snap. Sizzling: Earlier this week she set pulses racing on Monday as she teased her latest OnlyFans content on her Instagram Stories The budding entrepreneur wore her platinum blonde tresses in light waves, cascading down her shoulders. The young model also rocked picture perfect makeup for the occasion, with pitch black winged liner and a bright red lipstick on her pout. Charlie's daughter announced that she would be joining the X-rated service earlier this month, prompting her father to initially express his disapproval. Model: The young model announced that she would be joining the X-rated service earlier this month, prompting her father, 56, to initially express his disapproval However, the Platoon star experienced a change of heart thanks to his ex-wife, who is supportive of their daughter's new venture. 'Denise has illuminated a variety of salient points, that in my haste, I overlooked and dismissed,' the Two and a Half Men alum told Us Weekly in a statement. 'Now more than ever, its essential that Sami have a united parental front to rely upon, as she embarks on this new adventure. From this moment forward, shell have it abundantly,' he stated. He's come around: However, the actor now says he approves of the venture after her mother, Denise Richards, 51, 'illuminated' him on the matter; Pictured 2019 in Miami, Florida United front: 'Now more than ever, its essential that Sami have a united parental front to rely upon, as she embarks on this new adventure. From this moment forward, shell have it abundantly,' he stated; Pictured 2019 Richards has been on board, and even defended her daughter on social media on Friday. The actress even hinted she may join the teen on the adult content subscription service herself. Despite Charlie's early disapproval and protests for her to stop, Sami shared a nearly naked image of herself laying on a bed to the X-rated service on Friday. Savvy: Sami currently has around 2,800 followers on the adult site, and is charging subscribers $19.99 a month to have access to her content; (Pictured above on her Instagram) Denise posted a lengthy Instagram post the same day, defending her daughter's right to 'monetize' her racy pictures - and said she would consider opening her own OnlyFans account. The Wild Things actress wrote: 'Lots of negative comments on my social this past week. I have to say, I wish I had the confidence my 18 yr old daughter has. And I also can't be judgmental of her choices. I did Wild Things & Playboy, quite frankly her father shouldn't be either.' She continued: 'And to be able to ignore the negativity at her age? It took me many years & I still sometimes struggle. I'm in awe of her ability to be able to shut out the noise. Because it can destroy you. I recently learned about @onlyfans in the last few months.' Back with mom: The rising star - who's had a rocky relationship with Richards in the past - is reportedly making her content at her mother's home, after briefly living with her father 'The judgement because of women & men of the adult film industry are on there. I imagine they're on Instagram & Twitter as well. If there really a difference posting a picture of ourself [sic] in a bikini on Only Fans? I'm pretty sure IG & Twitter & Facebook do quite well off of all of us. Is it so bad to control it & monetize it too?' She concluded her post: 'I'm sorry, but s***t if I can get paid and at my age? to see me in a bikini?!? God bless you. Perhaps I should open my own account.. Oh & those of you that are so judgmental ... sounds like you might already subscribe to an @onlyfans account. Have a great weekend.' In an image shared on Friday, Sami can be seen lying on bed, covering her breasts with her hands, along with a caption that reads, 'kiss me.' Might even join: Richards has defended her daughter on social media on Friday and even hinted she may join the teen on the adult content subscription service herself Good idea? 'I'm sorry, but s***t if I can get paid and at my age? to see me in a bikini?!? God bless you. Perhaps I should open my own account' Sami currently has around 2,800 followers on the adult site, and has so far uploaded just three images - she is charging subscribers $19.99 a month to follow and have access to her content. The young beauty - who's had a rocky relationship with Richards in the past - is reportedly making her content at her mother's home, after briefly living with her father. Richards and Sheen divorced in 2006, after four years of marriage. The Two and a Half Men alum and the actress also share another daughter named Lola Rose, 17, together. She's half of one of the Bachelor's most successful couples. And Laura Byrne celebrated the next step towards the aisle as she picked up her wedding dress on Saturday. The former Bachelor star, 37, is set to tie the knot with fellow reality TV contestant Matty J, 34. Laura Byrne celebrated the next step towards the aisle as she picked up her wedding dress on Saturday. The former Bachelor star, 37, is set to tie the knot with fellow reality TV contestant Matty J, 34 As well as the solo shot she shared a snap with her friends who had clearly helped her pick out the number Sharing a series of snaps to her Instagram to mark the occasion, Laura posed in front of the KYHA boutique in Sydney in dark green co-ords. Showing her joy, she threw her hands up in the air and kicked one leg back, showing off box fresh white trainers in the process. Laura wore her brown hair down and let out a huge smile in the pictures. While she didn't share a snap of the dress itself, the star did tease her fans by posting a picture of a selection of items the shop has on offer As well as the solo shot she shared a snap with her friends who had clearly helped her pick out the number. While she didn't share a snap of the dress itself, the star did tease her fans by posting a picture of a selection of items the shop has on offer. 'I posted this on my stories but feel like it deserves a permanent spot on the grid,' she captioned the shot. Matty starred on Georgia Love's season of The Bachelorette in 2016, before becoming The Bachelor himself a year later where he met Laura Happy family: Matty, Laura, and their children, one-year-old Lola Ellis (left) and two-year-old Marlie Mae - the couple have recently bought a $1.87million property near Byron Bay 'Ya girl doesn't mess around! I've finally chosen a dress, and after 3.5 years of being engaged (plus two kids) it all feels very real now.' Adding a sweet message to her husband to-be she finished the caption: '@matthewdavidjohnson I can't wait to marry the shiznay out of you!' Matty starred on Georgia Love's season of The Bachelorette in 2016, before becoming The Bachelor himself a year later where he met Laura. Matty and Laura share daughters Marlie-Mae, two, and Lola, one, together. They got engaged while on holiday in Fiji in April 2018. Laura co-hosts the popular podcast Life Uncut for ARN, and Matty hosts a financial podcast called The Penny Drops. Rita Moreno spoke out this Friday about the botched illicit abortion she had during her romance with Marlon Brando, years before Roe v. Wade. Her remarks came the day the US Supreme Court overturned Roe, the landmark 1973 ruling that guaranteed abortion rights throughout the country. The 90-year-old told Variety she had her pregnancy terminated by 'a real doctor - Marlon paid him $500 - as opposed to something in a back alley.' Looking back: Rita Moreno spoke out this Friday about the botched illicit abortion she had during her romance with Marlon Brando, years before Roe v. Wade Rita and Marlon met in 1954 and began a tempestuous eight-year affair that was scarred by his womanizing and eventually drove her to attempt suicide. During the time that he was with Rita, Marlon married his first two wives and produced children with both of them. Rita wrote in her memoirs that when she herself became pregnant: 'To my shock and horror, Marlon immediately arranged for an abortion.' She claimed that Marlon would not even pick her up after the illicit procedure himself, enlisting one of his friends for the task instead. The way they were: Rita and Marlon met in 1954 on the set of Desiree, where they are pictured, and began a tempestuous eight-year affair In her new Variety interview, she remembered that 'Marlon found a doctor through some friends' to perform the abortion. 'Marlon took me to the hospital. I had what they told me was a 'disturbed pregnancy.' The doctor didn't do anything really, except make me bleed. In other words, he didn't do it right,' she shared. 'I didn't know it then, but I could have died. What a mess. What a dreadful mess.' In her memoirs she laid out the medical problem in further detail, explaining that as a consequence of the bungled procedure she still had a dead fetus in her body and had to dash to the hospital to have it excised. Her boyfriend's response was to be furious that the abortionist had 'taken' him, Rita recalled. 'Marlon wanted his money back!' 'What a dreadful mess': Rita, who is pictured in 1955 during her romance with Marlon, revealed in a new Variety interview that she 'could have died' from her bungled abortion She told Variety this Friday that she was 'jubilant' when Roe v Wade was issued and has been left 'depressed' by the decision to overturn it. The power to set abortion laws has now reverted to the states, 13 of which already had 'trigger' abortion bans on the books ready to take effect when Roe was gone. In a concurring opinion to the new ruling, Justice Clarence Thomas urged the Supreme Court to reevaluate other past liberal rulings that federally guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage, homosexual activity and contraception. However the rest of the six conservative members of the Supreme Court did not join in Justice Thomas' concurrence. Iconic moment: Rita is pictured with George Chakiris in West Side Story, the movie that garnered her an Academy Award shortly after her split from Marlon Protests broke out this Friday in cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix, as well as Washington, DC, where the Telegraph reports that riot police have sealed the Supreme Court's perimeter. US President Joe Biden denounced the ruling as a 'tragic error' while pleading with the demonstrators to remain 'peaceful, peaceful, peaceful.' Referring to her own botched abortion, Rita told Variety: 'I can see that thing happening now and going back to back alleys. I'm really nervous and frightened and horrified that this is taking place. I can't believe that some of those people are telling us what to do with our bodies.' She declared: 'Hillary Clinton warned everybody about this. I'm not shocked because I saw it coming but I'm stunned.' Her view: She told Variety this Friday that she was 'jubilant' when Roe v Wade was issued and has been left 'depressed' by the decision to overturn it; pictured this March Rita said: 'I think about the young girls. Taking it to the most extreme, girls who get pregnant because of rape or incest. Unfair isn't a strong enough word, but it's unfair.' She added: 'I'm sorry I'm not the most articulate today but I'm just shocked.' She went on: 'We loud mouths are going to have to get busy. There are many of us. I'm thinking what are we going to do about this? If anything, this has reactivated us.' After Rita's abortion, Marlon struck up an affair with his Mutiny On The Bounty co-star Tarita Teriipaia, who became his third and final wife. Rita was so distraught she overdosed on Marlon's sleeping pills in what she described as not 'a revenge suicide, but a consolation, an escape-from-pain death.' Demonstration: Protests broke out this Friday in cities including New York (pictured), Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix, as well as Washington, DC Marlon's assistant came upon Rita in the nick of time and she survived the suicide attempt after getting her stomach pumped in the hospital. She and Marlon finally stopped having contact with each other at the urging of Rita's therapist, and shortly thereafter she won her Oscar for West Side Story. 'We were really addicted to each other,' Rita told the Wall Street Journal decades later. 'And you know, addictions are very, very difficult to get rid of, very.' Married At First Sight's Olivia Frazer has raced to the top of the OnlyFans rankings as one of the adult platform's top stars. On Saturday, the reality TV star revealed she is now in the 0.01 percent of creators on the site. 'Top 0.01 percent. I'm freaking out! Thank you so much everyone,' the 27-year-old wrote on an Instagram Stories post that showed proof of her rank. Married At First Sight's Olivia Frazer (pictured) has raced to the top of the OnlyFans rankings as one of the adult platform's top stars Olivia also hit back at a follower who slammed her for sharing explicit content. 'Not some chick getting up in my DMs for posting nudes on my OF (OnlyFans). That's the point babe,' she wrote. The reality TV villain is having the last laugh thanks to her astronomical earnings on the racy subscription-based platform. 'Top 0.01 percent. I'm freaking out! Thank you so much everyone,' the 27-year-old wrote on an Instagram Stories post that showed proof of her rank Olivia also hit back at a follower who slammed her for sharing explicit content During an Instagram Q&A on Wednesday, Olivia revealed she was at that time in the top 0.2 per cent of all creators. When asked what she thought of a petition to have her removed from the adult website, Olivia replied: 'I'm a good investment for OnlyFans.' She then posted a screenshot from her statistics page as proof she is in fact in the top 0.2 per cent of creators. It comes after Olivia told Daily Mail Australia last month she'd earned a whopping $10,000 in her first 12 hours on OnlyFans. During an Instagram Q&A on Wednesday, Olivia revealed she was at that time in the top 0.2 per cent of all creators r Olivia told Daily Mail Australia last month she'd earned a whopping $10,000 in her first 12 hours on OnlyFans In addition to her income from subscribers, the busty blonde is open to personal requests and has been sending nudes to fans privately. Olivia is charging subscribers $14.99 per month, which is on the pricey side for OnlyFans. Twelve-month packages can be purchased for $126. The former teaching assistant recently boasted about her earnings on OnlyFans, saying she makes even more than Married At First Sight star Jessika Power. 'I won't say a figure, but I'll just say that I've already made more than Jess Power's best month,' Olivia told the So Dramatic podcast. Olivia is charging subscribers $14.99 per month, which is on the pricey side for OnlyFans Olivia said she believes Jessika's 'best month' on the platform was $200,000. Last week, Jessika boasted about her OnlyFans earnings by saying she makes more money than the average businessman does. Sharing a satisfied selfie to Instagram, Jessika wrote: 'Sitting on a train down to London surrounded by men in business suits knowing full well I make the most money from capitalising on my reality TV fame.' Spandau Ballet singer Martin Kemp took to the stage on Friday after his ex bandmate Ross William Wild appeared in court accused of committing a string of sex attacks. The actor and singer, 60, performed at Chester 7s sports and music festival which was held at Winnington Park Rugby Club hours after Wild appeared in court. The performance comes as it's reported that Ross, 34, allegedly committed 17 offences including rape and sexual assault at his home in north London, a hotel in Shrewsbury and in Cannes, France between 2013 and 2018. High spirits: Spandau Ballet singer Martin Kemp took to the stage on Friday after his ex bandmate Ross William Wild appeared in court accused of committing a string of sex attacks The Scots musician is accused of raping a woman, blackmailing her and disclosing a private sexual picture of her. He is also accused of filming himself molesting six other women while they were asleep. Wild, who replaced Tony Hadley as the 1980s band's singer in 2018, was arrested at his parents' home in Aberdeen on Thursday after prosecutors gave the green light for police to charge him earlier this week. Socking: His performance comes as his ex bandmate, former Spandau Ballet singer Ross William Wild, 34 [centre], appeared in court accused of committing a string of sex attacks [pictured L-R Spandau Ballet's Martin, Ross and Steve Norman performing in 2018] Amazing: The actor, 60, entertained the audience as he hyped them up and mixed together classic anthems for the event held at Winnington Park Rugby Club Looking good: Martin had his summer wardrobe at the ready as he flaunted his golden tan in an all-white ensemble for the performance Stylish: He channeled Ibiza DJ vibes as he paired a white linen shirt with some matching jeans and Nike trainers while he entertained the crowds The singer wore a plain black T-shirt with his black hair slicked to one side as he appeared at Carlisle Magistrates' Court. He cried as his lawyer Chris Toms told the court: 'He is a professional musical performer.' Of the rape charge, Mr Toms made no formal plea on behalf of wild, but said: 'That is firmly denied. He wants his day in court.' Incredible: Martin seemed in high spirits as he played song after song on the decks wearing large black headphones around his neck Selfie: The star was spotted taking photos with fans ahead of his set in Cheshire He is remanded in custody to appear at London's Wood Green Crown Court on June 22. Meanwhile, former EastEnders star Martin has been touring the country to bring throwback tunes to the masses with his set Back To The 80s DJ Set. The musician has had quite the career, starring in EastEnders as Steve Owen and creating several classic hits from Gold to True with Spandau Ballet. Accused: It's reported that Ross [pictured with Spandau Ballet in 2018] allegedly committed 17 offences including rape and sexual assault at his home in north London, a hotel in Shrewsbury and in Cannes, France between 2013 and 2018 Lisa Wilkinson has been swept up in a tide of bad blood from within the ranks of TV veterans, past and present, after her controversial Logies speech last Sunday. Amidst all the flak has reemerged an old rumour that Wilkinson, 62, got into a feud with Channel 10 newsreader Sandra Sully, 57, over a car space at the station's Pyrmont studios in 2020. Ten security staff, 'had placed a traffic cone in the spot to preserve it for Sully, apparently to no avail' the The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Saturday, Lisa Wilkinson (left) has been swept up in a tide of bad blood after her controversial Logies speech last Sunday in support of alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins (right) The rumours of a car park feud were first reported by Woman's Day in 2020, with the magazine claiming Wilkinson was 'commandeering' Sully's parking space. 'It's started to put noses out of joint because everyone loves Sandra, and I know she's getting annoyed big time' an alleged source told the magazine at the time. 'It's just a petty little issue, but it's become hot gossip at Ten. It's not like it's even a prime car space'. Amidst all the flak has reemerged an old rumour that Wilkinson got into a feud with Channel 10 newsreader Sandra Sully (pictured) over a car space at the station's Pyrmont studios in 2020 The allegation resurfaced after Sully liked a tweet from showbusiness reporter Peter Ford blasting Wilkinson's speech, as reported by Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday. That message said: 'Such serious consequences from Lisa Wilkinson... if only she'd stuck to silly stories like the paparazzi who stalked her in Chapel St.' In another tweet on Friday he referred to 'past grievances like car park spaces etc'. Long-time 10 weather presenter Tim Bailey also ripped into Wilkinson in a brutal tweet on Tuesday, calling her a 'big head'. According to the Sydney Morning Herald report, 'Ten security staff had placed a traffic cone in the spot to preserve it for Sully, apparently to no avail'. Lisa is pictured at the Logies 'Hey Lisa, pull ya head in,' Bailey said in a now-deleted message. 'I know this might be difficult, because it is a very big head. But please try.' He added: '#LisaWilkinson #Logies2022 #carparkthief'. Sully refused to comment on the story when approached by the Sydney Morning Herald. Daily Mail has reached out to Channel Ten for additional comment. The rumours of a car park feud were first reported by Woman's Day in 2020, with the magazine claiming Wilkinson was 'commandeering' Sully's parking space The allegation resurfaced after Sully liked a tweet from showbusiness reporter Peter Ford (pictured) blasting Wilkinson's speech, as reported by Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday Wilkinson has come under heavy fire after she mentioned alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins in a speech moments after winning the Outstanding News Coverage Logie award for her one-on-one interview with the former ministerial staffer in 2021. The acceptance speech has forced the rape trial, which was due to start next week, to be rescheduled until October and could result in Wilkinson being charged with contempt of court. Wilkinson, meanwhile, has cancelled her appearances on The Project for the week as Network Ten threatens defamation action against other media outlets following the fallout of her controversial Logies speech. Cheryl Burke has spoken for the first time about an abortion she had at 18 years old after the Roe V. Wade ruling was overturned on Friday. The Dancing With The Stars professional, 38, told how she 'wouldn't be sitting here' without the procedure as she shared the emotional Tik Tok post. Following the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade on Friday, the landmark 1973 ruling that guaranteed abortion rights throughout the country, she urged 'we need to continue to fight'. Opening up: Cheryl Burke has spoken for the first time about an abortion she had at 18 years old after the Roe V. Wade ruling was overturned on Friday Opening up about her own story in the three minute video, the dancer solemnly explained: 'I am saddened by the news this morning and it weighs heavy in my heart because I had an abortion when I was 18. 'If it wasn't for places like planned parenthood, I would be a mother. And I wouldn't have been a great mother and I definitely wouldn't be sitting here with you today.' Cheryl explained that she fell pregnant as a teenager despite using birth control, and opted to have an abortion when she was two weeks pregnant. Teenage: The Dancing With The Stars professional, 38, told how she 'wouldn't be sitting here' without the procedure as she shared the emotional Tik Tok post Saddened: Opening up about her own story in the three minute video, the dancer solemnly explained: 'I am saddened by the news this morning and it weighs heavy in my heart because I had an abortion when I was 18' Noting the 'traumatic' experience, she explained that when going for the abortion, she was met with protesters outside the venue. The dancer described the Supreme Court's decision as 'taking away women's rights', continuing: 'Our bodies, our freedom, our bodies have nothing to do with anybody else, right? This is a decision that we have to make'. 'The fact that you're making it illegal for us women to make a decision about our own bodies, is absolutely insanity. What world do we live in today? It is nobody's business.' Emotional: In the caption, she referenced the Roe v. Wade decision - admitting she was saddened Shocked: 'The fact that you're making it illegal for us women to make a decision about our own bodies, is absolutely insanity. What world do we live in today? It is nobody's business' Continuing that she was happy with her decision, Cheryl said she had 'no regrets' and 'no shame behind it'. 'What if you get raped? What if you get molested? What if it's unwanted in general? Now that women has to live with all that trauma? This is ridiculous. I'm so upset, i'm so saddened and I feel like this is a personal attack because of my experience,' she explained. Reaching out to 'all the women out there', she said: 'We need to continue to fight, we shouldn't stop fighting for our rights as women'. Keep fighting: Reaching out to 'all the women out there', she said: 'We need to continue to fight, we shouldn't stop fighting for our rights as women' Shift in law: The power to set abortion laws has now reverted to the states, 13 of which already had 'trigger' abortion bans on the books ready to take effect when Roe was gone Fighting back: And protests across the country have taken place, with protesters gathering at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles to show their thoughts The power to set abortion laws has now reverted to the states, 13 of which already had 'trigger' abortion bans on the books ready to take effect when Roe was gone. According to the BBC, an abortion clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas shut it's doors as soon as the court's decision was announced - as Arkansas is a state with a trigger law allowing an instant ban. 'No matter how hard we prepare for bad news, when it finally hits, it hits hard. Having to call these patients and tell them Roe v Wade was overturned is heartbreaking,' nurse Ashli Hunt told the outlet. President Joe Biden described the ruling as 'a tragic error', as protests have broken out across the country over the news. The reality hit The Real Housewives of Melbourne may be facing the axe. The Foxtel series about monied socialites copped some hard criticism from fans when it finished up its fifth season last year reports The Herald Sun. Asked during the Logies ceremony last Sunday whether the show would return, an alleged source told the paper, 'No, those girls f***ed it up.' An industry insider has claimed that reality hit The Real Housewives of Melbourne may be facing the axe. Pictured: RHOM regular Gamble Breaux According to those in the know, new cast members Anjali Rao, Cherry Dipietrantonio, Kyla Kirkpatrick, and Simone Elliott did not charm fans this season. Meanwhile, there is some speculation that if the franchise does not return to Foxtel it could find a home on another streamer or broadcaster. The news comes after longtime cast member Gamble Breaux opened up recently about the future of the popular series. Asked during the Logies ceremony last Sunday whether the show would return, an alleged source told The Herald Sun, 'No, those girls f***ed it up.' Pictured: The cast of season 5 of The Real Housewives of Melbourne from 2021 The 49-year-old indicated that a sixth season had yet to be confirmed, but if it is she wants to see some cast changes. 'I'd love to do a new season with Lydia [Schiavello], Gina [Liano], Janet [Roach], Pettifleur [Berenger], Chyka [Keebaugh], Jackie [Gillies],' she told the Herald Sun, . Gamble also said that she wants to see season five newcomer Simone Elliott return, along with Simone's sister. But she admitted that she isn't too keen to see the show's other newbies back, including Kyla Kirkpatrick and Anjali Rao. Meanwhile, there is some speculation that if the franchise does not return to Foxtel it could find a home on another streamer or broadcaster. Pictured: Gamble Breaux and original cast members Jackie Gillies (center) and Janet Roach (right) When asked about Anjali, a curt Gamble responded: 'Who?' Anjali was a lighting rod during the last season of the series and ended up quitting the show midway through filming. Although she didn't say goodbye to her fellow Housewives directly, she did verbally eviscerate them to producers on her way out. The news comes after longtime cast member Gamble Breaux opened up recently about the future of the popular series The former news anchor fired off a string of insults at Janet and Gamble, although she did it behind their backs during a final sit-down with Kyla Kirkpatrick and Cherry Dipietrantonio. As Kyla and Cherry begged her to reconsider and stay on the show, the acid-tongued Anjali unleashed on the other women. She started by saying Janet was 'more toxic than Chernobyl', before stating that 'Gamble has more characters than the Chinese alphabet' She has been in Manchester for the past few weeks, shooting for a new ITV drama. And Helena Bonham Carter donned an auburn wig as she transformed into Crossroads icon Noele Gordon to continue filming Nolly in Manchester on Friday. The actress, 56, donned a floral maxi dress which she covered over with an eye catching red jacket which featured a fur out line. Wow: Helena Bonham Carter donned an auburn wig as she transformed into Crossroads icon Noele Gordon to continue filming Nolly in Manchester on Friday The star added some height to her frame in a pair of black heeled dolly shoes and accessorised with a large silver necklace. Later in the day Helena changed costumes into a red two piece which had gold detail stitching around the edge. She seemed in high spirits as she was spotted carrying a leather handbag with a white fluffy toy dog inside. In character: The actress, 56, donned a floral maxi dress which she covered over with an eye catching red jacket which featured a fur out line She was joined on set by Silent Witness actor Richard Lintern who looked dapper in a navy double breasted blazer which he teamed with grey trousers. He opted for a blue shirt and striped tie as he spoke to the production team in between takes. Three part drama Nolly, penned by Russell T Davies, will explore the all-powerful reign and fall from grace of the inimitable Noele Gordon, who died in 1985. Smart: She was joined on set by Silent Witness actor Richard Lintern who looked dapper in a navy double breasted blazer which he teamed with grey trousers Noele was declared the 'Queen of the Midlands' thanks to iconic role as Meg Mortimer in Crossroads and was the darling of the establishment until it turned on her. As flame-haired widow Meg in the long-running soap opera Crossroads, Noele became one of the most famous people in Britain. Then in 1981, at the height of the show's success and the peak of her fame, she was axed without ceremony, without warning and with no explanation, with the soap eventually ending two years later. With the boss's words 'all good things must come to an end' ringing in her ears, Noele found herself thrown out of the show that was her life for over 18 years. A love letter to a legend of television, and to the madcap soap she starred in, Nolly will be an entertaining ride through Noele's most tumultuous years, and a sharp, affectionate and heart-breaking portrait of a forgotten icon. Amazing: Three part drama Nolly starring Helena, penned by Russell T Davies, will explore the all-powerful reign and fall from grace of the inimitable Noele Gordon, who died in 1985 Of the role, Helena said: 'Noele Gordon was a fascinating, complex, brilliant and gutsy woman none of which I knew before I read Russell T Davies' script. 'I'm so thrilled to help tell Nolly's long overdue and largely forgotten story. 'Russell's screenplay is a work of brilliance and I hope I'll do him and Nolly justice. I can't wait to start.' Nolly has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill, who commented: 'Russell's scripts are magnificent and a great tribute to Noele Gordon, but also to our national love of soaps and a celebration of the incredible women they create. 'Helena Bonham Carter is going to be amazing as Nolly and we can't wait for her to step into those shoes.' Throwback: Noele was declared the 'Queen of the Midlands' thanks to iconic role as Meg Mortimer in Crossroads and was the darling of the establishment until it turned on her (pictured in 1981) Russell said: 'One of my very first jobs in TV was a trial script for Crossroads, and I've wanted to write the story of behind the scenes on that show for 40 years. At last, the truth can be told!' Noele, who had previously had multiple roles in the theatre before landing her part in Crossroads, played Meg from 1964 to 1981, and later returned for a two-episode stint in 1983. After she was dropped from the show, Noele's ill health prevented her from accepting many more roles, and she died in 1985 at the age of 66. However the casting of Helena in the titular role hasn't gone down well with everyone. Angela Webb, 64, who played Iris Scott in the drama from 1980 to 1985, told The Express: 'This is really bizarre. Someone writing a biopic of her who didn't know or experience her I do worry.' 'She wouldn't be my first choice. Nolly was statuesque and strong, Celticlike, with piercing blue eyes. Helena is tiny, dark-haired, dark-eyed. I hope she's met people who knew Noele and gets advice about the presence that she had. I'd be hugely up for that.' Blac Chyna and her daughter Dream soaked up the sun during a beach day in Malibu on Saturday. The 34-year-old actress donned a tight one-piece bathing suit with a flowing skirt covering much of her powerful legs. She donned a black and white bucket hat, pulled low over her eyes, and her curly black hair fell in waves down the sides of her face. Soaking up the sun: Blac Chyna and her daughter Dream soaked up the sun during a beach day in Malibu on Saturday She held her five-year-old daughter's hand as the two splashed around in the cool ocean waves. Chyna's appearance out came as she prepares for the release of her new movie Secret Society 2. The actress will play a publicist in the Amazon Prime movie Secret Society 2: Never Enough. Her character, named Vicki, specializes in crisis management for celebrities, and she will do anything for her clients. Showing off her curves: The 34-year-old actress donned a tight one-piece bathing suit with a flowing skirt covering much of her powerful legs Holding on tight; She held her five-year-old daughter's hand as the two splashed around in the cool ocean waves New role: Blac Chyna is no stranger to public opinion, and she seems to have used that knowledge in her new film (pictured 2021) In the movie, she takes a particular interest in two characters named Celess and Si Si, rising stars with dark secrets. The Rob & Chyna star will act alongside All Eyez on Me actress Erica Pinkett, Vivica A. Fox of Set It Off Fame and model Jeremy Meeks. TMZ reported that three of Blac Chyna's songs will be used in the upcoming movie as well. 'Blac Chyna is definitely no stranger to headlines and publicity, so naturally she nailed her part as a publicist!' Executive Producer Miasha Coleman told the outlet. 'We are also excited to showcase her music in Secret Society 2. They fit the vibe of the movie perfectly.' Secret Society 2: Never Enough is due out on Amazon Prime on July 29. The film's premiere will come after a year fraught with lawsuits for the Washington D.C. native, two of which came against one of America's biggest families. Chyna recently accepted a cash settlement in the revenge porn case against her ex-partner Rob Kardashian. Crisis management: The 34-year-old actress will play a publicist in the Amazon Prime movie Secret Society 2: Never Enough (pictured May 2022) Soundtrack: TMZ reported that three of Blac Chyna's songs will be used in the upcoming movie as well Just how much Rob - Chyna's co-star in the reality show Rob and Chyna and father of her five-year-old daughter Dream - agreed to pay Chyna hasn't been disclosed and will likely remain 'confidential.' But the settlement averts a jury trial that was scheduled to start last week at Los Angeles Superior Court. As prospective jurors gathered outside the courtroom, neither Chyna nor Rob showed up - and nor did their attorneys - for what was supposed to be the process to select 12 men and women for a jury. Instead, Judge Gregory Alarcon's clerk announced that a settlement had been reached between the former couple. Judge Alarcon scheduled a hearing, on August 12, in which he'll formally dismiss Chyna's revenge porn lawsuit against Rob, which she filed almost five years ago. The settlement came four days after a motion from Rob claiming the two had already agreed a settlement was thrown out by the judge. Lawsuits: The film's premiere will come after a year fraught with lawsuits for the Washington D.C. native, two of which came against one of America's biggest families (pictured with Rob Kardashian, 2016) Settled: Chyna recently accepted a cash settlement in the revenge porn case against her ex-partner Rob Kardashian Chyna had insisted that she'd never signed any such agreement. And, after hearing arguments from lawyers on both sides, Judge Alarcon denied Rob's motion to enforce the settlement he insisted they had reached. In the settlement Rob claimed he and Chyna brokered, she supposedly agreed to drop the revenge porn lawsuit if he got her removed from another unrelated lawsuit brought against both of them by her former friend, Pilot Jones, who accused them of falsely outing him as gay. His attorney, Eagan, argued Thursday that the settlement Chyna denied signing, was actually agreed on May 23 via email by her attorney Lynne Ciani. And, he added, Rob lived up to his side of the bargain by getting Chyna removed from the Jones lawsuit. Motion denied: The settlement came four days after a motion from Rob claiming the two had already agreed a settlement was thrown out by the judge (pictured 2016) Strong rhetoric: Chyna's attorney called Eagan's motion to enforce the settlement he claimed Rob had, 'absurd' and 'preposterous' (pictured 2021) 'We performed the request..And we got the dismissal (of the Jones case), signed by Mr. Jones.' But he said, Ciani was trying to renege on the agreement and push for the revenge porn trial anyway. 'She is trying to re-trade after we performed our part of the agreement,' said Eagan. 'It's a classic bait and switch with them saying now, 'We want hundreds and thousands of dollars.' Ciani called Eagan's motion to enforce the settlement he claimed Rob had, 'absurd' and 'preposterous.' 'There is no binding agreement to enforce,' she told the court Thursday. 'They are trying to enforce an unenforceable agreement.' She said that Chyna never agreed to give up her claim to financial damages for the revenge porn lawsuit if the Jones case was dismissed. All about the money: 'What X amount of dollars would get this settled,' Ciani said. 'If we came up with an amount to agree on, we would not be here today' Coming off a loss: Thursday's ruling sending the case to trial was a major victory for Chyna who is still smarting over her loss to the Kardashian women in April 'We have a legal right to go to trial.' Ciani added that the revenge porn case comes down to money. 'What X amount of dollars would get this settled,' she said. 'If we came up with an amount to agree on, we would not be here today.' Eagan proposed sending the case to a settlement judge for a 'negotiated resolution.' 'The parties do want to settle this case,' he said. 'Mr. Kardashian thought he had an agreement. 'He doesn't want his daughter in five or 10 years to read about a fight between her parents involving sexually explicit images.' Ciani countered, saying that Chyna 'wants her daughter to know that it is not OK to have nude photos posted against your will. 'Revenge porn is serious - it's a crime.' Thursday's ruling sending the case to trial was a major victory for Chyna who is still smarting over her loss to the Kardashian women in April when the jury in her $108 million defamation lawsuit against the billionaire family awarded her zero in damages. Fighting back: 'In this case, a Los Angeles jury reached a verdict that defendant Kris Jenner falsely claimed that "Chyna beat the s*** out of Rob's face" and that defendant Kylie Jenner falsely claimed that Chyna would "proceed with using and physically abusing my brother' Last week, Chyna's lawyer, Lynne Ciani, told DailyMail.com that Jenner the grandmother of Chyna's daughter is trying to 'financially ruin' her client. At a two-week trial in April, Chyna accused Kim Kardashian, her sisters Khloe and Kylie Jenner and their mom, Kris, of defaming her and plotting to get her reality series axed. While the jury did not completely exonerate the billionaire clan from blame, they did not feel Chyna deserved any damages and awarded her zero. It was a massive defeat for the one-time model and now rubbing salt into her her wounds the Kardashians are demanding that she pay the $391,000 they say they spent fighting her lawsuit. And that doesn't include their lawyers' fees. Attorney Ciani hit back Wednesday, telling DailyMail.com, 'Kris Jenner's attempt to financially ruin Angela White, the mother of her granddaughter Dream Kardashian, will not work.' Partying: The four Kardashian defendants - Kylie, Kris, Khloe and Kim - attended nearly the entire trial, but when the verdict was read all were in New York at the Met Gala last month Dream's father is Kris' son Rob Kardashian, Chyna's former fiance and her co-star on Rob & Chyna. 'Under California law, costs are awarded to defendants only when they are without fault. 'In this case, a Los Angeles jury reached a verdict that defendant Kris Jenner falsely claimed that 'Chyna beat the s*** out of Rob's face' and that defendant Kylie Jenner falsely claimed that Chyna would 'proceed with using and physically abusing my brother.' 'The same Los Angeles jury reached a verdict that defendants Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner did not act reasonably and in good faith to protect their own economic interests in the Rob & Chyna show. 'Angela White's objectives in the litigation were to prove that Kris and Kylie Jenner's statements were false and that all four defendants did not act reasonably and in good faith regarding Season 2 of Rob & Chyna. 'Because Ms. White achieved these litigation objectives, defendants cannot be considered 'prevailing parties' under California law and they cannot recover their exorbitant litigation costs of $391,000 from Ms. White.' According to a list of the purported expenses obtained by TMZ, the KardashianJenner clan says Chyna owes enormous sums for a variety of trial costs including more than $9,000 for service of process, over $7,000 to host electronic documents, nearly $20,000 to pay the court reporter and $63,000 to cover depositions. The single largest item was nearly $185,000 for 'models, enlargements, and photocopies of exhibits.' The family didn't even bother listing a purpose for a final charge for almost $97,000, which they merely labeled as 'Other.' In addition to those expense, Chyna will be on the hook for the KardashianJenners' attorney fees. According to the outlet, the judge who oversaw the lawsuit will have to sign off on the charges before Chyna will be required to cough up the money. In response to the fees, the reality star's mother Tokyo Toni is attempting to fundraise $400,000 to cover them. Chyna had accused Kris and her daughters Kim, Khloe and Kylie of making statements to ruin or defame her reputation, along with trying to get her reality series canceled. Though the jury ruled that the KardashianJenners were at fault in some instances, Chyna was not awarded any damages. Rob Kardashian's ex was in the courtroom and showed off a seemingly emotionless face as the verdict was read, but the defendants, who had attended nearly all of the court sessions, skipped it to attend the Met Gala in New York City. Although the jury did find that the Kardashians were not justified in telling Rob & Chyna producers that she had abused Rob, they didn't believe that contributed to the cancellation of the series. Kim was out of danger even before the verdict was reached, as the judge threw her out of the suit during deliberations. Chyna has vowed to file an appeal. Gordon Ramsay and daughter Holly arrived in style to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex on Saturday, rocking up in a 1963 Aston Martin DB4. The celebrity chef, 55, was in great spirits as he sat behind the wheel of the retro blue car alongside his influencer daughter, 22, in pictures and videos shared to her Instagram. Holly was seen beaming at the camera as she sat comfortably in the passenger seat of the car, thought to be worth up to 1.5milion, captioning her post: 'We Fast Cars.' Vroom vroom! Gordon Ramsay and daughter Holly arrived in style to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex on Saturday, rocking up in a 1963 Aston Martin DB4 The beauty looked smart in a structured black blazer as she enjoyed a drive with her famous father who was clad in a plain white T-shirt. In a video shared on her page, Gordon burned some serious rubber as he sped off in the car as Holly delightfully filmed the action on her phone. The duo were certainly looked the part in the stunning car at the event which sees historic motors take place in an annual hill climb in the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex. Here he is: The celebrity chef, 55, was in great spirits as he sat behind the wheel of the retro blue car alongside his influencer daughter, 22, in pictures and videos shared to her Instagram This is the second time in as many days that the duo have travelled in style as they hopped on a helicopter on Thursday to travel out of London amid the road and rail chaos. Gordon dressed to impress in a navy blazer and trousers, teamed with a white t-shirt and trainers. He looked effortlessly cool in a pair of sunglasses as he stepped out onto the helipad with his influencer daughter to avoid Britain's biggest rail strike in a generation. Fun times: Holly was seen beaming at the camera as she sat comfortably in the passenger seat of the car, thought to be worth up to 1.5milion, captioning her post: 'We Fast Cars' Petrolheads: In a video shared on her page, Gordon burned some serious rubber as he sped off in the car as Holly delightfully filmed the action on her phone. The Hells Kitchen star is estimated to be worth 157 million, taking home 42 million each year from his restaurants and TV work. Meanwhile, Holly looked effortlessly chic as she also opted for a blazer and paired the look with leather trousers and boots. It comes after Gordon teased that his daughter Holly was joining this year's cast of Love Island in the comments of a bikini snap she shared to Instagram. Holly, who was previously rumoured to be entering the villa, left little to the imagination in an orange floral two-piece. Alright for some! This is the second time in as many days that the duo have travelled in style as they hopped on a helicopter on Thursday to travel out of London amid the road and rail chaos Style: Gordon dressed to impress in a navy blazer and trousers, teamed with a white t-shirt and trainers, while Holly looked effortlessly chic as she also opted for a blazer and paired the look with leather trousers and boots Leaning on the edge of an infinity pool, her bleached blonde locks cascaded down her back and she wore a smoky eye make-up look. Tagging her location as Rock in Cornwall, where her family own a sprawling property, Holly wrote alongside, 'Pool party for 1,' followed by a string of emojis. Unable to resist a dig, her famous father wrote, 'I thought you were off to Love Island ? @hollyramsayy.' Ahead of last year's series, rumours began to swirl that she would star in the then-upcoming installment. Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson was spotted arriving in Athens on Saturday, just a week since she was defended by her actor husband, after being knocked over by a fan in New York. The actress, 65, touched down in Greece for an event hosted by songwriter Desmond's Child, sporting a casual all-black look and a wide-brimmed straw hat. Last week footage emerged of Tom furiously telling a fan to 'back off' after Rita was knocked over by a fan while they left a restaurant in Manhattan. Out and about: Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson, 65, cut a stylish figure in all-black as she arrived in Athens for a music event on Saturday Rita cut a casual figure in a simple black top and loose-fitting trousers as she arrived in Greece for Desmond's star-studded event at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. She was seen heading to a waiting car with her things in a studded tote bag. It comes after Rita's husband Tom was seen in a furious exchange with a fan after she was knocked over by an overzealous crowd. Stepping out: The actress touched down in Greece for an event hosted by songwriter Desmond's Child, sporting a casual all-black look and a wide-brimmed straw hat In the aforementioned exchange, Hanks and Wilson were leaving a restaurant when a person bumped into Wilson, almost causing her to lose her balance. After Wilson was heard yelling, 'Stop it,' Hanks was heard saying, 'Back the f*** off ... knocking over my wife?' before the couple headed to a waiting vehicle. Hanks had been on the promotional trail for his new film Elvis, in which he plays Colonel Tom Parker. The film, from director Baz Luhrmann, stars Austin Butler in the titular role and Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley. Intense It comes after Rita's husband Tom was seen in a furious exchange with a fan after she was knocked over by an overzealous crowd in New York last week It also comes after Tom sparked health concerns with his gaunt appearance and trembling. Fears were sparked when he seemed unable to control shaking in his arm during a promotional junket for his new film, Elvis. He appeared at a screening in Brisbane alongside director Baz Luhrmann and co-star Austin Butler earlier this month and his arm visibly shook as he spoke. 'There is no better place in the world to make a motion picture than right here on the Gold Coast,' he said, microphone in his right hand, and left hand in his pocket. The actor has famously shed the pounds for movies in the past, including his role as a desert island dweller in Castaway, and dying AIDS sufferer in Philadelphia. Hanks is known for his grueling preparations for his films, and it was unclear whether the recent weight loss was for a new role. Black Ink Crew's Ceaser Emanuel is being investigated by local law enforcement and Fulton County Animal Services under suspicion of allegedly abusing dogs. This comes after disturbing footage of the star, 43, showed him kicking and hitting his dog with a folding chair, shot on a Ring doorbell camera, recently emerged online. Emanuel, who explained his 'crazy' behavior in the video was his attempt to break up a violent fight between his dogs, was 'questioned' by police over the incident, his rep told TMZ. Sparking outrage: Black Inks Ceaser Emanuel is being investigated by Fulton County Animal Services and local law enforcement officers under suspicion of allegedly abusing dogs The tattoo artist's rep noted authorities found his dogs were 'safe, healthy and show no signs of abuse.' 'Although his actions were not appropriate at all, [Ceasar] is sincerely apologetic and feels extremely bad. He is dealing with death threats which is causing him fear and depression,' the rep told the outlet. He continued: 'His only goal was to build an empire to help build jobs and bring the Black community in the tattoo industry successful given that the community is limited there.' Not okay: This comes after disturbing footage of the star, 43, showed him kicking and hitting his dog with a folding chair, shot on a Ring doorbell camera, recently emerged online During an interview with TMZ earlier this week, Emanuel said it was a 'moment in time' he wishes he 'could take back' before explaining he 'came home' and saw his dogs 'attacking each other.' 'I don't mean like the regular just play fighting, I mean, they was going for each other's necks, basically trying to kill each other,' the reality star recalled. As he tried to deescalate the dogs fighting, he confessed to being 'nervous' and 'scared' and tried to 'back the dog down.' 'Not one time was I trying to abuse this dog,' he stated. 'All I was trying to do was getting him back in the cage.' Under investigation: Emanuel, who explained his 'crazy' behavior in the video was his attempt to break up a violent fight between his dogs, was 'questioned' by police over the incident, his rep told TMZ In addition to revealing he gave one of the dogs away to a friend, he pointed out that he is aware that what he 'did was a mistake.' On Thursday, Emanuel was fired from the VH1 series Black Ink Crew over the recording. 'We have made the decision to cut ties with Ceaser Emanuel from Black Ink Crew New York,' a spokesperson for the network told TMZ. 'Since next season was close to finishing production, this decision will not impact the upcoming season.' Insiders with the series said that while production is in the final stages, the situation will be addressed in the series. Cutting ties: On Thursday, Emanuel was fired from the VH1 series Black Ink Crew in the wake of a clip in which he was allegedly seen abusing canines Producers on the show were appalled by the clip, a source told the outlet. In the clip, which was circulating online Wednesday, Emanuel was purportedly seen being physically abusive with canines. The show's Donna Lombardi posted the clip, writing, 'I don't even get into the life of this man, but this video made me so upset.' She added, 'I pray the people see you, @ceaserblackink, as the monster you are.' Insiders with the series said that while production is in the final stages, the situation regarding Emanuel will be addressed in the series Lombardi said, If you can treat a dog like this, it shows how sick of a person you truly are. She added that CHARGES NEED TO BE PRESSED and CANCELLATIONS NEED TO BE MADE in connection with the clip. Lombardi added: EVERYONE MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! CANT CHANGE THIS NARRATIVE! Emanuel's attorney Walter Mosley told TMZ that 'there is no police involvement' in the case, as 'the video is old' and 'was shot at his residence in Atlanta during COVID' lockdown. Emanuel had been featured on the series since its 2013 debut, as it chronicled business at his Harlem-based shop Black Ink Tattoo. Emanuel has also been seen on the shows Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and Love and Hip Hop: New York. The show's Donna Lombardi said that CHARGES NEED TO BE PRESSED and CANCELLATIONS NEED TO BE MADE in connection with the clip Is Anya Taylor-Joy waving goodbye to life as a singleton? The actress sparked speculation that she may have agreed to marry her musician boyfriend Malcolm McRae after she was spotted wearing a dazzling gem on her ring finger as she arrived in Australia last week. A celebrity gossip page on Instagram set tongues wagging four days ago when it carried an unsourced article claiming that the Peaky Blinders star has recently become engaged. The Mail on Sundays exclusive photographs are likely to increase speculation that the 26-year-old, who played the scheming Gina Gray in the BBC series, is set on marriage. The actress sparked speculation that she may have agreed to marry her musician boyfriend Malcolm McRae after she was spotted wearing a dazzling gem on her ring finger as she arrived in Australia last week Wearing a checked overcoat, purple top and matching trousers, and clutching a packet of crisps, she was spotted disembarking from a private jet at a Sydney airport. An onlooker said: She bounded off the plane and then seemed to flash the ring at her driver before getting in the car' An onlooker said: She bounded off the plane and then seemed to flash the ring at her driver before getting in the car. She was either showing off the ring or doing a dance move. Either way, she looked ecstatic. However, the ring and a gold pendant necklace were not the only valuables being carried by the actress. With her was her new pet cat, Kitsune, peering out of a pod-like backpack. The actress introduced her beloved feline to her nine million Instagram followers last month, with a video of McRae, who she is thought to have been dating for more than a year, carrying the cat and the caption: Were in love. However, the ring and a gold pendant necklace were not the only valuables being carried by the actress. With her was her new pet cat, Kitsune, peering out of a pod-like backpack Anya, who won a clutch of awards for her portrayal of chess prodigy Beth Harmon in The Queens Gambit, has spent the past month with her 27-year-old boyfriend in the Australian outback filming the Mad Max prequel Furiosa. The couple made their red carpet debut at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in February, but they claim to prefer a quieter life. Ive finally found someone who will happily sit in silence with me reading, Anya told a magazine earlier this year. Were basically 80 years old and seven at the same time and it works really well. G20 aims to collect 1.5 bln USD to prevent, prepare for future pandemics Xinhua) 09:58, June 25, 2022 Photo taken in Brussels, Belgium on May 24, 2021 shows the live stream of the 74th World Health Assembly held at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) The Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) agreed upon by health ministers of G20 members aims to build infrastructures to prevent and prepare for potential pandemics in the future. JAKARTA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Group of 20 (G20) expects to collect no less than 1.5 billion U.S. dollars by the end of this year to build infrastructures to prevent and prepare for potential pandemics in the future, said Budi Gunadi Sadikin, health minister of Indonesia and the current G20 host, on Thursday. The commitment to establishing the fund, called the Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF), was agreed upon by the health ministers of G20 members, along with the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), at the first Health Ministerial Meeting (HWG) held on June 20 to 21 in Indonesia's Yogyakarta. Sadikin told a Thursday press briefing that as of now, several countries and a few charity foundations had pledged to donate a total of 1.1 billion dollars. The fund will be housed by the World Bank, while the WHO will advise the implementation and allocation of the money. Sadikin elaborated several allocation plans for the fund, including building and improving access to emergency medical countermeasures, establishing a global network of genomic surveillance labs, and building global research and manufacturing hubs. People walk past a mural depicting health workers fighting against COVID-19 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 16, 2021. (Photo by Zulkarnain/Xinhua) Sadikin said the money will be used to produce emergency tools needed for timely and equitable responses to future pandemics, including vaccines, therapeutics, medicines, personal protective equipment (PPE), and testing kits, that will be equally distributed to all countries once another pandemic strikes. The minister said the G20 members agreed that they needed some connected sequence laboratories to identify and share genome sequence data from pathogens that can cause outbreaks. "By having such connected labs we can anticipate or overcome an outbreak better. We will be able to get information faster with stronger data sharing mechanisms, then diagnose faster, then we can produce vaccines faster." The minister said the G20 forum agreed to build several additional global research and manufacturing hubs in Southern countries for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Most of the countries in the Global South are underdeveloped and developing countries, which faced more difficulties in facing the pandemic and obtaining access to vaccines. Sadikin said that the ideal countries to build the hubs were those with large populations. Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati (2nd L, front) attends the opening ceremony of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 17, 2022. (Indonesian Finance Ministry/Handout via Xinhua) "So, the Global South countries can develop and supply vaccines to their populations in a more timely and equitable way." Local media reported that WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus directly attended the HWG, and he estimated that the financial need for strengthening global health security reached 31 billion dollars per year. "WHO and the World Bank have estimated that we need 31 billion dollars every year to strengthen global health security. Two-thirds of that amount could come from existing resources, but that leaves a gap of 10 billion per year," he said. Ghebreyesus suggested that the FIF be supervised by a council and an advisory panel that would be supported by the joint Secretariat of the World Bank and WHO, which is based in Washington. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) X Factor could be set to return to our screens once more, according to a new report. The much-loved ITV singing talent show fronted by music mogul Simon Cowell, 62, hasn't been broadcast for five years. But now The Star reports that Simon is planning to revive the series in 2023 and 'recapture the magic' of the show - but it is not clear yet if it will remain at it's ITV home. Exciting: X Factor could be set to return to our screens once more, according to a new report (Simon Cowell, 62, Pictured in 2017) A source told the publication: 'It has been decided that the time is right to bring it back. It's really exciting. 'Everyone who will be working on the new series can't wait to get started. 'Things are in the early stages at the moment. But the wheels are definitely in motion. It is hoped that production will begin at the end of the year.' The insider added that Simon has been having secret conversations with a production company about his plans and has reportedly 'struck a big-money deal'. Break: The much-loved ITV singing talent show fronted by music mogul Simon Cowell, 62, hasn't been broadcast for five years (pictured in 2005 with judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh) He is reportedly set to continue with a series of meeting with industry bosses in the coming months. ITV and Simon were contacted by MailOnline for further comment. ITV declined to comment. X Factor first aired in 2004 and ran fo 15 series, with an array of changing judges including Gary Barlow, Cheryl Cole, Nicole Scherzinger and Tulisa. The final instalment aired in 2018, but there were two spin-off series in 2019 including a celebrity version won by Megan McKenna. On the rise and fall: The X Factor ratings saw a dramatic rise and fall, with the show enjoying dizzying success and over 14million viewers on average in 2010 It comes after last July it was reported that Simon had pulled the plug on the ITV talent show - which launched in 2004 and last aired in 2018 - because he didn't want the programme to 'become a bit of a joke.' The X Factor format was still successful around the globe yet it seemed Simon had accepted in the UK 'the show had become slightly stale' and so reportedly decided to 'shelve it' for five years, with sources at the time claiming it was 'unlikely' to ever return. A show insider told The Sun at the time: 'Globally, it is still a phenomenon and rakes in millions every year. But in the UK, there is no question it has become slightly stale. 'Simon remains at the top of his game and knows how to make a hit. He owns the rights to the show, and it's his call not ITV's whether or not he drops it. Businessman: The Star reports that Simon is planning to revive the series in 2023 and 'recapture the magic' of the show - but it is not clear yet if it will remain at it's ITV home (Pictured in 2019) 'Clearly the last thing he wants is for X Factor to fizzle out with a whimper and become a bit of a joke especially in contrast to the show in its pomp.' The source explained there was the option for Simon to return the talent show in 2023. An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline last July: 'There are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor at this stage.' In March 2021, Dermot O'Leary, 48, told new! magazine of the X Factor: 'I can't see it coming back this year. If it does come back, it'll be 2022 - maybe 2023.' Iconic: Simon launched X Factor in in 2004 and last aired in 2018 The presenter admitted he was missing filming the show, which launched in 2004, adding: 'You do miss it, definitely. You work with people for the best part of 10 years and you become a really tight team. 'And you do miss the buzz of a Saturday night show. There's something great about it.' The father-of-one has hosted the show since 2007, taking over from former host Kate Thornton, who was at the helm from 20042006. Dermot has hosted every series since, aside from in 2015 where he was replaced with former contestant Olly Murs and the late Love Island presenter Caroline Flack. Original series: Its last traditional series to air on ITV was back in 2018, where Louis Tomlinson (R) won the series with his act Dalton Harris Winner: Simon brought one-off series The X Factor: Celebrity to screens in 2019, which was won by Megan McKenna who then landed a record contract with Simon's music label Syco Its last traditional series of X Factor aired back in 2018, with judges Simon, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field on the judging panel. Dalton Harris, mentored by former One Direction star Louis, won the series, with Scarlett finishing in second place and Anthony Russell taking third. Simon then brought one-off series The X Factor: Celebrity to screens in 2019, which saw famous faces showcase their vocal talents. Megan McKenna was crowned the winner of the show and landed a record contract with Simon's major music label, Syco. The X Factor was then halted in 2020 when coronavirus hit, rendering it impossible to produce the show, which involves mass gatherings for open public auditions. Jennifer Lawrence and her husband Cooke Maroney went to look at a mansion in Bel-Air on Saturday. The 31-year old actress and her 37-year-old husband went to see a mansion formerly owned by famed director Ernst Lubitsch. They arrived in a black car with darkly tinted windows as they looked both ways as they headed to the house. Looking for a new home: Jennifer Lawrence and her husband Cooke Maroney went to look at a mansion in Bel-Air on Saturday The couple were later seen walking around Bel-Air in relaxed outfits. Lawrence wore a short sleeve white shirt and navy blue shorts that stopped just above her knees. She walked in brown sandals, a tan handbag on her right shoulder and her dirty blonde hair was tied back behind her head in a long ponytail. According to an article from the Los Angeles Times, the house is reportedly on the market for nearly $20 million. Her better half kept it simple in a white t-shirt, dark blue slacks and matching blue and white sneakers. It is a Spanish-style mansion built in 1934 for the superstar director who helmed Trouble in Paradise and To Be or Not to Be. The mansion is 9,300 square feet with hardwood floors and Saltillo tile all over the common room floors. Famous locale: The 31-year old actress and her 37-year-old husband went to see a mansion formerly owned by famed director Ernst Lubitsch Looking relaxed: The couple were later seen walking around Bel-Air in relaxed outfits. Lawrence wore a short sleeve white shirt and navy blue shorts that stopped just above her knees Accessorizing: She walked in brown sandals, a tan handbag on her right shoulder and her dirty blonde hair was tied back behind her head in a long ponytail Happy: Lawrence and Maroney, who welcomed their first child this year, were first romantically linked in 2018 (pictured in May 2021) The house is a five bedroom, eight bathroom house with eight fireplaces. It is a two-story home with a huge cantina for owners to entertain their guests, and their is a separate casita near the main home. News of Lawrence and Maroney's relationship broke in 2018, a few months after she broke things off director Darren Aronofsky. A rep confirmed the two were engaged the following year, and they married in October of that year. New parents: A rep confirmed the two were engaged the following year, and they married in October of that year (pictured 2018) Lawrence and Maroney had a child together in February of this year, but decided to keep the child's life as private as possible. While they are busy finding a new home and raising a child together, the Don't Look Up star has a number of projects coming out soon. Her movie Red, White and Water is in post-production, and she has two films, No Hard Feelings and Bad Blood, in pre-production. It has also been announced that she has a role in the movie Mob Girl. The film follows a mother in New York City who becomes an informant in the mafia. The movie is based on the 1992 book Mob Girl: A Womans Life in the Underworld by Teresa Carpenter, which centered on Arlyne Brickman, a mob mistress who turned informant in the 1950s. Supreme Court rules theres no right to abortion, setting up Texas ban The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional protection for abortion and allowing states to set their own laws regulating the procedure. This represents one of the most significant judicial reversals in generations and is expected to have far-reaching consequences for all Texans. Texas will ban all abortions from the moment of fertilization, starting 30 days after the ruling, with narrow exceptions only to save the life of a pregnant patient or prevent substantial impairment of major bodily function. The law that will go into effect in 30 days criminalizes the person who performs the abortion, not the person who undergoes the procedure. Like the infamous decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, Roe was also egregiously wrong and on a collision course with the Constitution from the day it was decided, Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the opinion. Justices Elana Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor issued a dissent with sorrow for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection. This ruling will radically change the reproductive health care landscape in Texas and the entire nation, where more than half of all states are expected to essentially ban abortion in the coming months. Most of Texas neighboring states are also expected to outlaw abortion as a result of this ruling, with one exception: New Mexico. As the sole outlier in the region, New Mexico is expected to become a haven for Texans seeking abortions. The state currently has no significant restrictions and no plans to limit access to the procedure. Fridays ruling represents a victory nearly five decades in the making for Texas anti-abortion advocates, who have played an outsized role in the national effort to overturn Roe v. Wade. It also represents a crushing blow to the states abortion providers, who have fought to maintain abortion access in Texas amid a nearly endless parade of restrictions, limitations and political attacks. Roe v. Wades Texas roots Before it became one of the most well-known Supreme Court cases in the country, Roe v. Wade was just a Texas lawsuit. More than five decades ago, a woman identified in the legal filings as Jane Roe, later revealed to be Norma McCorvey, wanted an abortion. But under Texas laws at the time, it was a crime to perform or furnish the means for procuring an abortion. Two young female lawyers, Linda Coffee and Sarah Weddington, saw an opportunity to use McCorveys case to challenge Texas abortion law more broadly. They filed a suit against Dallas County prosecutor Henry Wade, who would be the one responsible for bringing charges against anyone who violated the abortion law. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where in 1973 Justice Harry Blackmun shocked the nation with a ruling that blocked not just Texas abortion laws from being enforced, but all state laws that banned abortion early in pregnancy. Blackmun agreed with Coffee and Weddingtons argument that the right to privacy in the U.S. Constitution extended to a womans right to choose to have an abortion. That right to privacy must be balanced with the states interest in the potentiality of human life, a balance that shifted in the states favor the further along a woman was into her pregnancy. This ruling did little to settle the abortion debate in the United States, instead kicking off nearly five decades of anti-abortion activism and legal challenges seeking to overturn the decision. Texas, the birthplace of Roe v. Wade, has led many of those legal challenges, including a landmark 2016 U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld Roe v. Wade and the 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. But the Supreme Court has become much more conservative in recent years, thanks to three appointments by former President Donald J. Trump. In late 2021, the court declined to block a Texas law that banned abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy through a novel enforcement mechanism that empowers private citizens to sue anyone who aids or abets in an abortion. That law remains in effect and will not be immediately impacted by Fridays ruling. In December, the court heard arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson, a challenge to Mississippis law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Rather than considering just the law itself, the court agreed to consider the question of whether Roe v. Wade should be overturned and todays ruling gave the answer. Ongoing legal questions But if Roe v. Wade did little to end the debate about abortion in the United States, Dobbs v. Jackson is not expected to settle the question either. Health care providers are worrying about how these laws will impact their ability to provide care for high-risk pregnancies or people experiencing miscarriages. Some local district attorneys have said that they wont prosecute abortion cases in their jurisdictions. Republican lawmakers have made it clear that they plan to use every tool in their arsenal to ensure that the states laws are being enforced, likely sparking legal challenges as they do so. One such challenge is already looming, as state Rep. Briscoe Cain, a Republican from Deer Park, has made it clear he intends to target nonprofit advocacy groups that help pregnant patients pay for abortions. Under the current law banning abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, these abortion funds have helped hundreds of pregnant people leave the state to get an abortion. Theyve paid for travel, lodging, child care and the procedure itself, and theyre preparing for a surge in demand now that abortion is further restricted. But Cain, an anti-abortion legislator, has issued cease-and-desist letters to these groups, warning that their work may be criminalized under the state laws that were on the books before 1973. That argument didnt carry much weight when Roe v. Wade was in effect. Now, legal experts say this may represent the first of many legal questions that will need to be sorted out by the courts as the state begins to navigate an entirely new reproductive health care landscape. TIRUPATI: The state cabinet has given its approval for alienation of a 5.5-acres of government land in Venkatachalam near Nellore to the Central Institute of Indian Languages for constructing a permanent building for the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Telugu, free of cost. Minister Kakani Govardhan sought the cabinet nod to allot the land to the Central Institute of Indian Languages free of cost, saying that it will carry out activities like research, documentation, propagation and teaching of Classical Telugu. The cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Jaganmohan Reddy on Friday amended its previous resolution passed in the favour of the Central Institute that had asked it to pay the market price for the allotted 5.5-acre land at the rate of Rs 25 lakhs per acre. The centre functioning under the Union HRD Ministry and based in Mysore was shifted to Nellore based on a plea from Vice President Venkaiah Naidu during his visit to Mysore in 2019. After hearing the petition filed by medical students, the High Court directed the NMC and the state government to file affidavits within two weeks explaining how they were going to relocate the PG medical students into other government and private medical colleges. (Representational image: iStock) WARANGAL: The National Medical Commission (NMC) filed an affidavit in the Telangana High Court giving approval of supernumerary seats in government medical colleges to accommodate medical students who lost admissions following its decision to cancel recognition of three medical colleges in the state. The NMC recently cancelled the recognition of three medical colleges MNR Medical College and Hospital in Sangareddy district, Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences, Vikarabad, and TRR Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad - for not complying with norms, following which around 47 PG medical students filed a petition in the High Court questioning about their future. However, after hearing the petition filed by medical students, the High Court directed the NMC and the state government to file affidavits within two weeks explaining how they were going to relocate the PG medical students into other government and private medical colleges. In response to the orders issued by the High Court, the NMC filed an affidavit explaining that after cancelling the recognition of three medical colleges, it sent clear guidelines on May 18 to the state government and to the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, asking them to reallocate the students into other medical colleges depending on their merit and availability of seats. In case, if the colleges in which the students are proposed to be reallocated have no seats vacant in the concerned courses there, as a one-time measure, the seats in the concerned medical courses shall be increased in order to accommodate the students by considering the pre-existing infrastructure in that respective medical colleges where the students shall be proposed to be transferred. It is the responsibility of the state government and the university to implement the orders that were issued by the NMC and relocate the PG medical students in whichever course they were pursuing, the affidavit said. Meanwhile, health minister T. Harish Rao, speaking to Deccan Chronicle, said the state government and KNR University of Health Sciences wrote a letter to the NMC asking it to adjust seats in other government and private medical colleges for the students who lost admissions. The NMC must have conducted a surprise inspection before the counselling process of admission began and must have issued cancellation orders immediately so that the university officials would have allotted seats to other medical colleges, he said. Or, it must have implemented its order in the next academic year keeping in view the future of the students who already took admissions by directing three medical colleges to improve facilities in the teaching hospitals apart from providing all required infrastructure at the earliest, he observed. Hyderabad: Private medical colleges in the city are having difficulty teaching anatomy due to a shortage of cadavers. The availability of cadavers in medical institutions for teaching has been plagued by long-standing allegations of corruption and a lack of clearly defined procedures to secure unclaimed bodies from morgues. Since the Medical Council of India now the National Medical Commission mandated that each class receive one cadaver for study, the demand for cadavers has risen. Some private medical institutes have to pay large sums for a cadaver in the city. According to Dr Mahender Reddy, head of the forensic department at Kamineni Hospital, private hospitals have to pay an outrageous sum of `60,000 to secure a body held at the mortuaries of Gandhi and Osmania Hospitals. Since most private hospitals rely on NGOs to arrange for bodies from rural areas, many cadavares that could have been used are being wasted at the morgues. Prof. M. Srinivas, dean of the ESIC Medical College, saud that when he assumed the position in 2016, he attempted to obtain cadavers for the hospital by contacting the forensics and police departments, but was unable to do so. "I then realised that certain people were receiving bodies at a higher cost. They entirely ceased providing bodies once this corruption was made public, he claimed. Prof. Srinivas ultimately needed to obtain a cadaver from New Delhi. Currently, the state government does not have any regulations requiring that unclaimed bodies be given to medical colleges. Municipal corporations cremate unclaimed bodies after completing due procedure. "We are trying to devise some way of liberalising the practice so that bodies which are not examples of mysterious deaths can be used for dissection," said Dr K. Ramesh Reddy, director of medical education. Right now, the only way to obtain corpses is through donations, he stated. President of Telangana state JUDA unit Dr N. Karthik said the GO pertaining to acquiring cadavers was being amended to make the process simpler. Many medical colleges are coming up in the state now, and all of them will need cadavers, he said. Pilgrims of one of the batches sent from the state said that there is one washing machine and one fridge for 200 people at their hotel. (PTI) Hyderabad: A section of Haj pilgrims from the state took to social media to hit out at authorities over an array of issues, ranging from inconveniences during flights to lack of amenities at the hotel they are being accommodated in. Pilgrims of one of the batches sent from the state said that there is one washing machine and one fridge for 200 people at their hotel. By Saturday, close to 1500 Haj pilgrims had left for Saudi Arabia in four batches. Our phone is not functioning, as the SIM provided is yet to be activated. They have taken all the information, including fingerprints, but what is the use when these SIMs are not working? said one Ghouse, who is staying at a hotel provided by the Haj Committee. An elderly pilgrim in his 70s was also worried about not being able to make or receive calls. We recharged the phone after being provided with a new SIM, but its not working, he said in a video on social media. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Osman Al-Hajri, a social activist who is getting updates from Saudi Arabia said that promised facilities failed to reach pilgrims. The Khadim-ul-Hujjaj (Haj officers), who are accompanying these batches, are not experienced and unable to deal with the situation. I request the boards chairman to personally visit Saudi Arabia to ensure they dont face inconvenience. Most of them are elderly and they have spent lots of money to complete the Haj smoothly, he said. Osman said that some NRIs who met the pilgrims also told him that there was no proper sanitation and only a single refrigerator and washing machine, each, for over 200 people. However, board chairman Md. Saleem refuted the claims, saying they were politically motivated. We have ensured that facilities are provided to them. Now that they have reached safely, local authorities will be taking care of some of the responsibilities. Khadim-ul-Hujjaj are also taking care of them. There may be one or two individuals who may be doing this intentionally. Otherwise, everything is going on smoothly, he said. Narasapuram MP Raghurama Raju approached the court (in picture) over the ban on Chintamani Natakam that is based on the 100-years-old Chintamani Padya Natakam. The Arya Vysya community sought the government ban on the stage play, saying it was degrading to their community. DC file image VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday refused to issue a stay on the ban imposed by the state government on Chintamani Natakam. Narasapuram MP Raghurama Raju approached the court over the ban on Chintamani Natakam that is based on the 100-years-old Chintamani Padya Natakam. The Arya Vysya community sought the government ban on the stage play, saying it was degrading to their community. Counsel for petitioner, Umesh, argued that banning the Chintamani Natakam was a violation of freedom of speech. Many had lost their livelihood due to the ban of the Natakam , he said, adding that though it spoke against the Devadasi system, there was no need to ban the play. He urged the high court to issue a stay on the decision of the AP government. The high court rejected the request and did not agree to issue interim orders. It ordered submission of a translated version of the original book of the play. The case was adjourned to August 17. ARSON IN KONASEEMA In another case, AP high court dismissed a petition against arson in Konaseema district. The court got angry at the petitioner while holding a hearing with a sitting bench judge, on the arson. The HC pointed out that the petitions were provocative in nature and that this was unacceptable. The petitioner apologized to the court after the court said it would impose a fine of Rs 50 lakh for filing such petitions. South Africas Home Affairs department has dismissed claims by lobby group, Afriforum, that it is patrolling the border between the neighbouring country and Zimbabwe at Musina in Limpopo. The department said it would be illegal for AfriForum to conduct patrols. AfriForum said members of the group are at the border to guard their farms neighbouring the borderline. The responsibility of patrolling the border has not been handed over to any citizen or group of citizens. The department wishes to also state that in line with the commitments made by minister Aaron Motsoaledi in his budget vote speech for 2022/23, the Border Management Authority is proceeding with speed and has finalised the appointment of the first cohort of border guards who will be deployed along the vulnerable segments of the borderline. The appointment of the border guards is another significant milestone in the implementation of the Border Management Authority, said the department in a statement. AfriForum announced earlier this month it had deployed sniffer dogs and guards in response to concerns around SAs porous borders. It claimed its efforts resulted in the group seizing smuggled goods valued at R12m. Between June and September of last year alone AfriForums neighbourhood watch in Musina helped to seize smuggled goods with a total value of more than R12m. This has a substantial impact on the illegal activities and, according to information we have received, some of these smugglers have thrown in the towel because of the resilience of our volunteers. This is an enormous success, said the groups campaign manager Jacques Broodryk. TimesLive More than hundred years ago, a blind woman called Kondala Perumal approached this place, which used to be a small shrine, and prayed for her eyesight, said the priest. DC Image HYDERABAD: The Ujjaini Mahankali temple at Lal Bazaar, Trimulgherry, celebrates Bonalu on Wednesday and Thursday, unlike other temples in the city on Saturday and Sundays, according to Ravi Sastry, the priest at the temple. More than hundred years ago, a blind woman called Kondala Perumal approached this place, which used to be a small shrine, and prayed for her eyesight, said the priest. It is believed that she was blessed with eyesight by Ujjaini Mahankali and that she built this temple. We see devotees coming from districts to the city and visiting our temple here. The huge ground in front of the temple is packed during festivals, he said. Ashok Kumar, who used to reside in Malkajgiri, said even though he shifted to Warangal, he made sure that he attended the festivities here. Mainly during Bonalu, I spend my weekends at Mahankali temple in Secunderabad and extend my leaves to visit the Lal Bazaar temple on Wednesday and Thursday. My family has never missed the festival ever since I was a kid. I was told that the Goddess answers prayers and it has been true for me, he shared. Amit Kumar Jha, a software employee from Kondapur, recalled his years growing up in the Army quarters and visiting the temple during his childhood. Growing up in military quarters, we rarely got to leave the Cantonment area. One of the few times we used to leave our home was to visit the temple here at Lal Bazar as it is located right outside the Army area. I have fond memories of visiting the temple and going to the jatara with my family and neighbours. I will be visiting the place this year as well, he shared. The famous Ujjaini Mahankali Temple at Lal Bazaar is known for its rich culture and heritage. We make sure that we celebrate Ashada Mahankali jatara here with our family and extended family. People from all over Telangana and Andhra Pradesh visit the temple here for blessings and prosperity, said Raghunandan Rao, a private employee from Alwal. The temple has a huge number of devotees thronging the temple during Ashada and is the second most important temple in the city after the Secunderabad Mahankali temple. The celebration starts from Tuesday, followed by Bonalu on Wednesday and the famous jatara on Thursday, wherein people from all age groups come here from faraway places. People from districts call us and check about the timings. The whole area here gets a festive vibe with people participating in the celebrations, said the temple heads. BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh along with Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar addresses a press conference at the state BJP office on the national executive meetings to be held in Hyderabad in which Prime Minister Narender Modi and other BJP leaders are scheduled to participate. (S. Surender Reddy/DC) HYDERABAD: Ahead of its national executive meeting in the city, the BJP stepped up its offensive against Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao by launching a Kalvakuntla Countdown Clock, claiming that Rao and his family have just 529 days left in power. Saying that it was time to wave KCR a goodbye, BJPs Telanganas party affairs in-charge Tarun Chugh told reporters that on the 530th day, the BJP will form a new government in Telangana that will work for the people. He said that the BJP is ready for the polls even if they are called suddenly if the government chooses to dissolve the House. The BJP is ready for polls anytime. KCR can try anything to save his sinking boat, Chugh said. Chugh said that the KCR government has betrayed the people of the state by promising Bangaru Telangana and instead focussed on making his family a Bangaru family. The BJP is upping its attack ahead of the executive meeting, where resolutions and poll strategies on the upcoming elections are expected to be passed. Senior leaders, including PM Modi and home minister Amit Shah, will be in the city on July 2 and 3. Chugh said Telangana tops Indian states for corruption, and the state government failed to keep a single promise, be it jobs for youth, three acres for Dalits, 2-bedroom houses for the poor, or waiving farm loans. Indicating that there is interest among TRS leaders to jump ship to the BJP, Chugh said: I keep getting calls from TRS leaders who complain that they are stifled in the party. Those who truly worked for a separate state have been ignored while KCR sits in the lap of those who opposed statehood. He must also tell the people where his children were when the youth of the state were on the streets during the statehood agitation. It is time for people to wave bye bye to KCR, he said, adding that the Kalvakuntla countdown clock would be set up at each BJP office. Chugh dares KCR to debate policies The BJP on Saturday challenged Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to an open debate on the accomplishments of the state government and the policies of the Central government. The TRS keeps claiming that the Central government did nothing for the state. KCR can pick a time, and place of his choice for a debate on this. We will depute our state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar for the debate, BJPs Telangana party affairs in-charge Tarun Chugh said. Lucknow: The BSP on Saturday extended its support to the BJP-led NDA's presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu, who is likely to be the first tribal leader and the second woman to occupy the post. Murmu on Friday filed her nomination papers for the July 18 presidential election, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi handing over the set of papers to Returning Officer P C Mody. "The BSP has decided to extend support to Droupadi Murmu in the coming presidential elections keeping in mind that the Adivasi samaj is an important part of the party's movement," BSP supremo Mayawati said here. "This decision was taken not to support the BJP or NDA nor to go against the opposition UPA. It was done keeping in mind our party and its movement for making a capable and dedicated Adivasi woman the president of the country," she said. The BSP president while criticising the opposition parties for keeping her out of consultation while deciding on the presidential candidate, stressed that her party is free to decide on the presidential election. "The Bengal chief minister by unilaterally and arbitrarily inviting only selected parties to the meeting of the opposition on June 15 and then Sharad Pawar (of NCP) not calling the BSP for a similar meeting on June 21 makes their casteist intentions clear," Mayawati alleged. Since the opposition is continuing with its "casteist" mindset against the BSP, Mayawati said her party was independent to take its own decision on the presidential elections. "In such a situation, the efforts of opposition unity the presidential and vice-president elections are not serious and people see it only as a pretence," she said. Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha has been declared the joint candidate by many opposition parties, including the Congress, the TMC and the NCP. Mayawati said, "The BSP is neither a follower of NDA nor of UPA or their constituents. It is also not a party that is a slave to big capitalists. The BSP is fearless in making decisions in the interests of the country, especially the poor, labourers, unemployed, Dalits, Adivasis, minorities and other marginalized sections." "If any opposition party or its government takes proper decisions in the interest of these sections then our party supports it without any hesitation, pressure or fear... no matter how much loss we have to bear because of it," she stressed. The BSP chief also accused the "casteist" parties of demeaning her party. "Those with casteist mentality never leave any chance to demean the BSP or its leadership. The party in power at the Centre and in the state is constantly engaged in weakening the movement of our party by adopting all possible tactics. "The Congress and the BJP do not have the slightest desire to implement the Constitution in the country as it was originally intended by Bhim Rao Ambedkar," she said. The BSP has one member in the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly and 10 MPs in the Lok Sabha from the state who are eligible to vote in the Presidential election. Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde with Minister of Agriculture of Maharashtra Dadaji Dagadu Bhuse and other rebel MLAs at a hotel, in Guwahati, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (PTI Photo) Mumbai: Dissident Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Saturday alleged that the Maharashtra government has withdrawn the security cover provided at the residences of 16 rebel legislators, including himself, and dubbed the action as "political vendetta". Shinde, who is currently camping in Guwahati with the rebel legislators, tweeted a letter signed by the 16 MLAs that is addressed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil. In the letter, the legislators said CM Thackeray and the leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance will be responsible if any harm is caused to their family members. In his tweet, Shinde alleged that the security cover of the 16 rebel Sena legislators was withdrawn on the orders of Thackeray and Walse Patil due to "political vendetta". "The government is responsible for the security of these legislators," he added. In the letter, the legislators demanded that their security cover be reinstated. "If our family members are harmed, then the chief minister, leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government like Sharad Pawar, Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray will be responsible," the letter said. The security cover, which is provided at their residence as well as to their family members as per the protocol, has been withdrawn illegally and unlawfully as an act of revenge, it said. The MVA government has been facing a crisis of survival after a majority of Sena MLAs shifted their loyalty to Shinde and are camping in Guwahati. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has met his counterparts from Tanzania and the Solomon Islands here and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors. Jaishankar arrived here on Wednesday on a four-day visit to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). He will be representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the summit. "Met FM Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands at @CHOGM2022. Discussed cooperation in energy, IT, and agriculture," Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting on Friday. Met FM Jeremiah Manele of Solomon Islands at @CHOGM2022. Discussed cooperation in energy, IT, and agriculture. pic.twitter.com/b0d80VgVof Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 24, 2022 He also had a "warm meeting" with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Liberata Mulamula. "Discussed our development partnership that has transformed so many lives. Its results in water, agriculture & education are so visible. Also noted our growing defence & security relationship," he tweeted. A warm meeting with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Liberata Mulamula. Discussed our development partnership that has transformed so many lives. It's results in water, agriculture & education are so visible. Also noted our growing defence & security relationship. pic.twitter.com/B3Nu2zEnL5 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 24, 2022 Jaishankar also met Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on the sidelines of the summit. "Always good to meet PM Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius. Provided an occasion to monitor the steady growth of our relationship," he said. Always good to meet PM Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius. Provided an occasion to monitor the steady growth of our relationship. pic.twitter.com/3UhAe1Rvxg Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 24, 2022 Jaishankar earlier also called on the Presidents of Maldives and Uganda - Ibrahim Solih and Yoweri Museveni - and discussed the broad-based bilateral cooperation with the two leaders. He also called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and met President of the United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid. He also met his counterparts from the UK, Namibia, Jamaica, Sierra Leone and Cyprus and discussed a range of regional and global issues with them. The theme of the 26th CHOGM Summit is: "Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming. The Leaders of the Commonwealth Member States are scheduled to deliberate on issues of contemporary relevance, including global challenges like climate change, food security and health issues. They are likely to adopt the following four Outcome Documents: CHOGM Communique; Kigali Declaration on Child Care and Protection Reform; Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation and Commonwealth Living Lands Charter: A Commonwealth Call to Action on Living Lands (CALL), the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday. India is also one of the largest contributors to the Commonwealth and has assisted the organisation with technical assistance and capacity building. In 2018, India announced the creation of a Commonwealth Window, dedicating $50 million for development projects and assistance to developing countries of the Commonwealth. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the deadly terror attack on a gurdwara in Afghanistan's capital Kabul that killed two persons, including one Sikh community member, calling it "an act of support" for the Prophet. Several blasts tore through Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul's Bagh-e Bala neighbourhood on Saturday while Afghan security personnel thwarted a bigger tragedy by stopping an explosive-laden vehicle from reaching the place of worship of the minority community. In a statement posted on its Amaq propaganda site late Saturday, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), an affiliate of the Islamic State militant group, said the attack targeted Hindus and Sikhs and the "apostates" who protected them in "an act of support for the Messenger of Allah". The terror group said one of its fighters "penetrated a temple for Hindu and Sikh polytheists" in Kabul, after killing the guard, and opened fire on the worshippers inside with his machine gun and hand grenades. It was the latest targeted assault on a place of worship of the Sikh community in Afghanistan. The three attackers were killed by the Taliban forces. Read | Afghan Sikh among 2 killed in terror strike on gurdwara in Kabul; 3 attackers dead The terror attack on the gurdwara came days after the ISKP in a video message warned of an attack against Hindus to avenge the remarks against Prophet Mohammad by two former BJP functionaries. In the past too, the ISKP had claimed responsibility for attacks on places of worship of Hindus, Sikhs and Shia Muslims in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the attack on the gurdwara in Kabul drew severe criticism from Afghan leaders and the UN. Afghanistan's former president Hamid Karzai condemned the attack and called it a "terrorist incident." Abdullah Abdullah, former chairman of the Afghan High Council National Reconciliation, also condemned the attack. I strongly condemn...heinous and cowardly terrorist attack on our Sikh community Gurdwara in Karta-e Parwan, Abdullah Abdullah was quoted as saying by Tolo news. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Twitter said it strongly condemns today's attack on a Sikh temple in Kabul." "Attacks on civilians must cease immediately," the UNAMA said and called for the protection of all minorities in Afghanistan. Afghanistan was once home to tens of thousands of Sikhs and Hindus, but decades of conflict have seen the number dwindle to a tiny handful. In recent years, those who have remained have been repeatedly targeted by the local branch of the Islamic State (IS) militant group. In March 2020, at least 25 worshippers were killed and eight others injured when a heavily armed suicide bomber stormed his way into a prominent gurdwara in the heart of Kabul, in one of the deadliest attacks on the Sikh community in the strife-torn country. In 2018, a suicide bomber struck a gathering in the eastern city of Jalalabad, whilst another gurdwara was attacked in 2020. "At the time of the attack in Jalalabad, there were around 1,500 Sikhs, after that people thought, 'We can't live here'," Sukhbir Singh Khalsa told BBC. More left after the attack in 2020, he added, and by the time the Taliban took power last year, there were less than 300 Sikhs. Now there are just around 150. "All our historical gurdwaras have been martyred already, and now the only one that was left has been, too," he said. Since the Taliban took power in August last year, Afghanistan has seen continuing attacks by rival Sunni Muslim militant group Islamic State. Mali's strongman ruler on Friday signed into law election legislation adopted by parliament a week ago, paving the way for polls and a return of civilian rule, according to a presidential decree. The text, which leaves the door open to junta members seeking election, was adopted on June 17 by the National Transitional Council, the legislative body set up by Mali's ruling military junta, led by Colonel Assimi Goita. It notably sets up a single election management body in place of a contested three-party system. The Malian government has said that once the electoral law is adopted, it could quickly present it to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc for approval. It would set out the steps that would lead to elections before the return of power to civilians. "The president of the transition, head of state, enacts the law" voted on June 17 by the NTC, said a presidential decree published Friday in the official gazette. The NTC had in its review revised the text against the wishes of the government. It adopted 92 amendments to the draft proposed by the government, out of 219 articles. Among them, the structure of the single body, called the Independent Electoral Management Authority, was significantly altered in favour of civilian representation. But the new electoral law opens the door for members of the military to run in a presidential election. Article 155 of the new text states that "any member of the army or security forces who wishes to be a candidate for the office of president of the republic must resign or ask to retire at least six months before the end of the current mandate of the president of the republic". The provision does not explicitly refer to Goita, the transitional president. It does say however that "for elections during the transition" would-be military contenders must stand-down from post "at least four months" before polls marking the end of the transition. The adoption of the bill comes amid fraught negotiations between Mali and ECOWAS, whose mediator, former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, arrived in Bamako on Thursday before leaving on Friday. Jonathan began his mission nine days ahead of an ECOWAS summit in Accra due on July 3. ECOWAS is expected to decide whether to maintain or lift the tough trade and financial sanctions imposed on Mali on January 9 in the wake of a military takeover. Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Hong Kong to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the city's handover to China, state media Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday. Xi will also attend the inauguration of the next Hong Kong administration, Xinhua said, in a trip that will mark his first time leaving the Chinese mainland since the pandemic began. What did France look like in the 1970s? An ongoing photography exhibition in Bengaluru is offering a throwback. Titled A trip to France, 1970, the show features the works of Parmanand Dalwadi, a professor of photography in Gujarat. It is a travelling exhibition organised by Alliance Francaise Bangalore and the India Photo Festival. It reached the city early this month. Fifty photos are on display and these capture the humour and tenderness of everyday French life but also the protests that rocked it back in the day. Parmanand had clicked these on his Nikon F camera as he walked around the French capital during a trip in the 70s. Dalwadi looks back on the nine months he spent there: I met my wife there, in an Indian hostel. When I came back (to India), I went to Calcutta and married her. His wife, Radium Bhattacharya, is seen in a few of these photos. Paris is like no other place. Theres love in the air and I have tried to capture these moments, he shares. In another photo, you see a woman applying make-up in a restaurant but you also catch a glimpse of the interior design prevalent in those days. Though his personal favourite is the photo of a couple standing in front of Notre Dame, the iconic Gothic cathedral, he points out. Dalwadi says photography has the ability to elevate the ordinary into the extraordinary and preserve them for posterity. In those days, people in Paris were not appreciative about being photographed as they saw this life every day (sic). But when I came back to India, one of my friends said, These photos are incredible. All the French people must see these, recalls Dalwadi, who is a guest faculty at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Dalwadi is inspired by the work of French humanist photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson, who is hailed as the master of candid photography. He had assisted Henri on the latters photography trip to India. Henri then asked Dalwadi to join him in Paris and work with Pierre Gassmann, another legendary French lensman. Thats how A trip to France, 1970 happened. The show is on view at Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, Vasanth Nagar, till June 30, 9.30 am-5.30 pm. India on Saturday sent a fresh shipment of 3,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan via the Pakistani land route as part of its humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. With the new consignment, India has completed sending 33,500 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). "India sent next shipment of 3000 MTs of wheat today to Afghanistan. Our commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people remains steadfast," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. "As on date, India has successfully completed shipment of 33,500 MTs of wheat to Afghanistan in partnership with WFP," he a India sent the first consignment of 2,500 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through Pakistan on February 22 and it reached the Afghan city of Jalalabad on February 26. Fifty trucks carried the consignment. India had sent a proposal to Pakistan on October 7 seeking the land transit facility to send 50,000 tonnes of wheat to the people of Afghanistan and it received a positive response from Islamabad on November 24. Following the Pakistani response, both sides finalised the modalities for the transportation of the shipments. Read | Taliban says India reopened embassy as security 'established' India has been pitching for providing unimpeded humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the country following the capture of power by the Taliban. India has not recognised the new regime in Afghanistan and has been pitching for the formation of a truly inclusive government in Kabul besides insisting that Afghan soil must not be used for any terrorist activities against any country. On Thursday, India re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul by deploying a "technical team" in its embassy in the Afghan capital. India withdrew its officials from the embassy after the Taliban seized power last August. Chinese companies operating in Zimbabwe that are accused of abusing local workers have resorted to targeting their critics in an elaborate smear campaign that involves the state-controlled media, it has emerged. A number of companies from China, especially in the mining sector, have in the past been exposed for under-paying or ill-treating their employees. In May this year The Standard published a story about an assault case involving Kudakwashe Nengomasha, who was allegedly assaulted by his former Chinese supervisor at Zhong Jian coal mine in Hwange. The expose was part of an investigation supported by the Information for Development Trust (IDT), a non-profit organisation helping journalists probe corruption and bad governance in Zimbabwe and southern Africa. It has since emerged that after the publication of the story unidentified individuals descended on the Zhong Jian mine to interview workers about Nengomashas alleged assault in the presence of their Chinese supervisors. Zhong Jian workers said they were interviewed by three people they believed were from a state security agency, who asked them whether it was true that some of them were assaulted by Chinese supervisors. The questions were direct and people feared for their lives because the same supervisors that could be the perpetrators would immediately fire them, one of the employees said. He said there were several cases of assault at the mine, some which involved drivers that were dismissed for retaliating against Chinese supervisors that attacked them. On June 20, an obscure publication known as Review&Mail run by former acting editor of the Herald Tichaona Zindoga ran a story titled, Investigation debunks abuse allegations of employees by Chinese mining companies in Zimbabwe, which sought to rubbish the story by The Standard. The publication quoted Nengomasha claiming that his supervisor only sprinkled water on him and he was not assaulted as he tried to recant the story he gave to The Standard detailing the alleged assault and attempts to cover it up. It is not clear why Nengomasha is now changing the story. He was allegedly assaulted on two different occasions by the same supervisor and a report was made to the police after he received treatment at a local hospital. Matabeleland North police refused to comment on the matter, describing it as sensitive since it involved a foreign national. Zindonga is a public relations consultant for some Chinese companies and regularly uses his publication to vigorously defend Chinese interests in Zimbabwe. On the day the purported investigation was published, a reporter from the Herald who identified himself as Gibson Nyakadzino contacted local media organisations such as the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe National Editors Forum and the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) trying to cajole them into condemning The Standard for exposing the alleged abuse of workers at Zhong Jian. The following day The Herald ran a story titled Unethical journalism practices on Chinese firm flagged. It accused The Standard of lying about Nengomashas case and based its claims on the alleged interviews with Zhong Jian employees. Nyakadzinos story, which did not carry a byline, quoted ZUJ acting president Michael Chideme saying his organisation was working with the Zimbabwe-China Friendship Association to go and verify matters over the alleged abuse at the Hwange coal mines. Both stories were subsequently used by the Chinese embassy in Harare to attack The Standard for allegedly publishing fake stories in what appeared to be a choreographed operation involving Zindogas publication, the Herald, state security agencies Zhong Jian and the embassy. This publication has recordings of Nengomasha and other Zhong Jian workers narrating their alleged abuse at the hands of Chinese supervisors at the mine. Nengomasha said he was now employed by Tutu Coking Coal, another Chinese owned firm operating in the Hwange area after he lost his job at Zhong Jian following the assault case. Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe secretary general Li Wenjie said their organisation did not support unethical conduct by its members and revealed that investigations were underway to expose those flouting local laws. We are doing investigations, Li said. We are going to invite people in the relevant government departments to come and do proper investigations. If its true, there will be consequences. There are laws in Zimbabwe and if they abuse the workers, the Labour Court will deal with that. We are not trying to cover up anything for them, no. We are in Zimbabwe and if you are a company operating in Zimbabwe, there are rules and laws that (need to be followed). Prince Mpunzi, the Solidarity Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe secretary general, said complaints of labour rights abuses at some Chinese owned mines were genuine and must be addressed. As a trade union, we dont just bring some stories from nowhere, Mpunzi said. We speak about things we see on the ground. We go on the ground and we hear the grievances from the employees. In Hwange, there is (a Chinese owned mine) where employees are underpaid and are being forced to sign contracts with no figures of what they are going to earn and after they have signed, the employer will come and say now you are earning $58 000 instead of $93 000 as per the National Employment Council. The United States dollar is not even included, which is an unfair labour practice. Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions secretary general Japhet Moyo said attempts by the Chinese embassy to deflect attention over alleged transgressions by companies from that country were deeply worrying. Every time when you speak about the Chinese abusing workers, their Foreign Affairs ministry is the first to respond, Moyo said. So they dont regard labour issues as labour issues, but as a foreign affairs issue, which is wrong. They spin issues. The Chinese are wrong and there are massive gaps that need to be filled. Zimbabwe Diamond Allied and Minerals Workers Union general secretary Justice Chinhema expressed similar sentiments, saying abuse of workers was rampant at some of the Chinese owned mines. Standard Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said India will not cede even an inch of its land to China and hoped that the remaining issues relating to the eastern Ladakh border standoff between the two countries will be resolved through dialogue. Singh also said that India will give a befitting reply to anyone threatening its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity as it no longer remained a "weak" country. "Our political opponents keep raising certain questions without fully knowing the facts," he said referring to the opposition's criticism of the government on the eastern Ladakh standoff. "I do not want to go into what happened during the 1962 Sino-India war. But I want to assure the country as its defence minister that not an inch of land can go to China's occupation when we are there (in the government)," Singh said at an event organised by the Zee News. He said the NDA government will never compromise on the country's pride and reputation at any cost. Read | Committed to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity of all States: BRICS The defence minister also said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has shown that if war takes place in any part of the world, it will have to be fought between the parties engaged and no third country would get involved easily. The eastern Ladakh border standoff began in early May 2020 following violent clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Pangong Tso area. As a result of a series of military talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area. However, the face-off continues in certain friction points. The defence minister said friction between troops of the two sides takes place largely because of China's perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "Discussions have taken place on certain issues and we have succeeded on some of them. Discussions are underway on one or two issues. I am confident that we will achieve success on them as well. There is no need to get disappointed as yet," he said. Singh said India is now a powerful country and will deal with those who threaten its sovereignty and territorial integrity "India has not remained a weak country like before. It has become a powerful country. India has neither attacked any country in the world nor it has captured an inch of land of others...But I can say, India will give a befitting reply if anyone attempts to threaten its unity, integrity and sovereignty," he said. India has been insisting on the restoration of the status quo ante prior to the standoff in eastern Ladakh. India has been consistently maintaining that peace and tranquility along the LAC were key for the overall development of the bilateral ties. About the ceasefire with Pakistan along the Line of Control, Singh said it has been in force for over a year. "Earlier, Pakistan used to violate ceasefire after entering into it earlier. It has been over a year since the ceasefire came into force but Pakistan has not been able to muster the courage to violate it. It is working," Singh said while talking about India's stature. The defence minister also said that the Left-wing extremism is in its lowest level now. The cycle of violence has almost come to an end in the Northeastern region as well. The ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra resulted in the rebel Shiv Sena leaders under Eknath Shinde camping at the five-star Radisson Blu Hotel at Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam. Seventy rooms were booked for the leaders for seven days, the cost of which is estimated at around Rs. 56 lakh, according to an NDTV report. An additional cost of Rs. 8 lakh per day will be incurred on food and other services, sources told NDTV. Barring pre-booked corporate deals, the management is not accepting further bookings at the 196-room hotel. Read | BJP wants to finish off Shiv Sena as it does not want to share Hindu vote bank: Uddhav Thackeray Besides hotel charges, the costs of chartered flights and other transport arrangements will be included in the amount spent on these leaders. The price of a chartered plane like the Embraer ERJ-135LR, capable of carrying over 30 people, from Surat to Guwahati is pegged at around Rs. 50 lakh, according to an Indian Express report. The price of three luxury buses to transport the rebel leaders between the airport and the hotel in Surat would also not have been cheap. Shinde, who has been in Guwahati since Wednesday, is reportedly demanding that the Shiv Sena high command walk out of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition and join hands with the BJP. Pre-booking of the hotel for a week indicates that the leaders are planning for the long haul and that the crisis may not end soon. The Shiv Sena, for their part, said that the demands of the rebels would be considered if they returned within 24 hours and engaged in in-person discussions with Uddhav Thackeray. "We are ready to walk out of the MVA government in Maharashtra but the party rebels should return to Mumbai (from Guwahati) in 24 hours," senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had said earlier. The two descendants of legendary Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have spoken out on the current political scenario in Maharashtra involving the split in the Shiv Sena which has put the Maha Vikas Aghadi dispensation at risk. Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale of Satara royal seat and Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati of Kolhapur royal family - both 13th descendants of Shivaji Maharaj - were very clear in their comments. Udayanraje, a former three-time Lok Sabha MP from Satara and currently a Rajya Sabha MP, met Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai where they discussed the political situation. It was a completely unnatural alliance and today or tomorrow, it was going to collapse, he said. Sambhajiraje, a former President-nominated Rajya Sabha MP, was keen to contest as an Independent in the polls to Upper House of Parliament. However, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, put a condition before him to join the party, forcing him to opt out of the race. If I would have been given a nomination this perhaps would not have happened, he said. Reports of violence and protests against rebel legislators came in from a dozen places across Maharashtra over the last few days as Shiv Sena workers vented their ire against the Eknath Shinde group. On Saturday, a group of irate Shiv Sainiks damaged the board of a party office Shindes son and Kalyan MP Dr Shrikant Shinde. We are silent only because of Eknath Shinde or else we also know how to retaliate, the Kalyan MP said, staging a massive show of strength in his family bastion of Thane city, which adjoins Mumbai. Reports of vandalisation of offices and blackening of posters came from Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur and Parbhani. Track live updates on Maharashtra Crisis here In Mumbai, when Shiv Sena President and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray arrived at the Shiv Sena Bhavan, party workers demanded action against Shinde and the rebels and raised slogans against them. Offices of legislator Dilip Lande and Tanaji Sawant were vandalised in Mumbai and Pune respectively. A board containing a photo of Mangesh Kudalkar was damaged. Mumbai Police extended Section 144 CrPC (prohibitory orders) in the wake of the developing political situation. In the wake of the violent incidents, Shinde-camp spokesperson Deepak Kesarkar urged Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to intervene. This must stop. This is my appeal to the Chief Minister who is a sensitive person, he said. Earlier in the day, 16 rebels shot off a letter to Thackeray complaining about the security of their families being withdrawn, a charge vehemently denied by states Home Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil. In the letter, the Shinde group has referred to the killing of Punjabi rapper and Congressman Sidhu Moose Wala. It will not be out of place to mention that recently the same scenario had happened in the state of Punjab also where security of several high profile persona was removed by the state government. Due to this, high profile people became targets of gangsters/goons in the state and the withdrawal of security from MLAs is likely to create a similar impact in the state of Maharashtra as well, the letter states. As the political cross in Maharashtra deepened, Sharad Pawar-led NCP on Saturday asked who was footing the bill of rebel Shiv Sena legislators currently camping in a hotel in Guwahati. Rebel MLAs, led by Eknath Shinde, stayed for a day in the Le Meridian Hotel in Surat and took a chartered flight to Guwahati, where they are now in Radisson Blu. The NCP asked the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate to find out the source of these funds and the black money involved. "Who is footing the bills of hotels in Surat and Guwahati as well as the chartered flight? Is it true that the horsetrading rate is Rs 50 crore? If ED and IT get activated, the source of the black money will be exposed, NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said. NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto asked, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says BJP is supporting (rebel Shiv Sena MLAs) in Maharashtra. Therefore, is this statement an answer to the following questions? Who took MLAs to Surat? Who flew them to Assam? Who is paying their hotel bills in Guwahati? The problem with political jokes is that they get elected, or so goes an age-old adage. But worse is that they do so at your cost. The irony of election economics is not lost. Colossal sums are spent on holding elections, and the popular mandate is subverted through the backdoor by 'cheating' political parties. Watch Maharashtra-wards. According to the Centre for Media Studies(CMS), a not-for-profit research think-tank, Rs 55,000 to 60,000 crore was spent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The report, Poll Expenditure: The 2019 Elections, terms it as the most expensive ever anywhere, with an estimated Rs 100 crore spent in each constituency which comes to about Rs 700 per vote. The BJP spent about 45 per cent of the total amount as against just 20 per cent it had done in 1998. The Congress, which had spent 40 per cent of the total expenditure in 2009 when it was in power, spent between 15-20 per cent in 2019. The total spend in 1998 was Rs 9000 crore. The expenditure permitted by the Election Commission per constituency per candidate in larger states is Rs 70 lakhs. An analysis of the audit reports submitted by political parties to the Election Commission of India reveals that 18 political parties, including seven national ones, spent Rs 6500 crore on elections between 2015 and 2020 and 52.3 per cent or Rs 3400 crore of this amount was spent on publicity alone. The BJP spent 56 per cent (over Rs 3600 crore) of the total election outlay of the 18 parties and the Congress 21.41 per cent (over Rs 1400 crore), the two together accounting for 77 per cent of the total five-year poll spend. Of this amount, the BJP's spending on advertisement and publicity was Rs 2000 crore and the Congress Rs 560 crore. However, the CMS study puts the total expenditure by all political parties and their candidates in the 2018 state Assembly elections to the five states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram at Rs 14,000 crore alone. "As the poll expenditure rises, so will the corruption in governance as well," its chairman N Bhaskara Rao is quoted saying. And therein lies the rub, for the law is skewed in favour of the party in power at the Centre. This is quite simply because it has more central agencies at its command to weaponise and subjugate the "target" to its will and against opposition parties. Take the case of electoral bonds introduced by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government in 2017, ostensibly to bring about transparency in electoral funding. According to the annual audit report of the BJP submitted to the Election Commission of India(ECI), the party got Rs 210 crore in electoral bonds in 2017-18, which, as per the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report released on February 9, 2021, constituted nearly 95 per cent of all the electoral bonds purchased in the period in question. For the financial year 2018-19, the BJP received Rs 1,450.89 crore and the Indian National Congress (INC) Rs 383.26 crore worth. Thus for the two periods taken together, political parties received Rs 2760.20 crore from electoral bonds, of which "a whopping 60.17 per cent, or Rs 1660.89 crore, was received by a single party which is the ruling political party, the report said. It added that over 52 per cent of the total income of the national parties and 53.83 per cent of the total income of regional parties analysed by ADR for 2018-19 came from donations received through electoral bonds. The ECI data for 2019-20 continues on the same lines, with the BJP getting over 75 per cent of the total electoral bonds sold and the Congress about 9 per cent of the total amount of Rs 3,435 crores. According to a written reply in Parliament by the Union minister of state for finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, bonds worth Rs 9208.23 crore have been sold since 2018 when they became effectively available, of which Rs 9187.55 crore worth have been encashed by political parties. The then Union finance minister Arun Jaitley is on record articulating that one of the aims of the 2016 demonetisation was to curb the use of black money in poll funding. "The invisible political funding process needs cleaning," he added. But if figures of the 2019 parliamentary polls are any indicator, the reverse seems to have happened, with the amount almost doubling (CMS findings). According to the study, there were over 70 seats where the poll expenditure crossed Rs 40 crore. While the Modi government came to power promising greater transparency in election funding, the fact is that it is more opaque now than ever before. Subsequent disclosures brought out that both the Election Commission and the Reserve Bank of India had voiced their reservations about the electoral bonds scheme, but the objections were overruled, and the scheme was passed in the Lok Sabha as part of the Finance Bill, thus doing away with the need to get it passed by the Rajya Sabha. The Opposition parties have been vocal on the issue, terming it as a back channel to black money induction in elections. However, most have been beneficiaries of the scheme, even if to a lesser extent. Former Union minister P Chidambaram had termed electoral bonds the "biggest scam of the decade" and pointed out that the donor who did not donate to the BJP will be known to the party, and if anyone would be completely in the dark, it would be the people of India. A HuffPost expose on electoral bonds, carried out in 2020 and based on RTI sourced document, brought out the irregularities on how this controversial source of political financing was given effect. Interestingly, nearly three years after an appeal was filed with the Central Information Commission(CIC), the highest authority to adjudicate RTI matters, last December came its dismissal. The appeal had sought disclosure of reports submitted by the State bank of India (SBI) regarding the sale and encashment of electoral bonds in 2018, which were withheld by the SBI on the ground of personal information held in a fiduciary capacity. Noted Suresh Chandra, Information Commissioner, there appears to be "no public interest" in further prolonging the matter as there is no substance in the appeal calling for intervention by the Commission. Eminent citizens had in December last year written to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, N V Ramana, seeking early listing of some important cases, including the one relating to electoral bonds, which remains pending for four years though numerous elections have taken place in the interregnum. The ADR had filed a PIL in 2017 on the alleged issue of corruption and subversion of democracy through illicit and foreign funding of political parties and an interim application before the West Bengal and Assam applications for a stay on the sale of electoral bonds, but the same was denied by a bench headed by the then chief justice of the apex court S A Bobde. Meanwhile, a request for an urgent hearing on the matter before a Supreme court bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana by advocate Prashant Bhushan in April this year has elicited an acknowledging response that the issue was critical and needed an urgent hearing leading to hopes of early resolution. Justice delayed is justice denied, and every poll has a 'price'. (R K Misra is a senior journalist based in Ahmedabad) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. As the World Trade Organisations 12th Ministerial Conference wound up in Geneva last week, delegations began heading home, exhausted after a week of hectic parleys. The Indian delegation, however, made a stopover in Brussels. Led by the Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, the purpose of this visit was to provide political direction and impetus to talk for an India-EU trade agreement. Formal rounds of negotiations between the two sides will resume this week after nearly a decade-long hiatus. Apart from Brussels, New Delhi is in different stages of talks with London, Ottawa and Tel Aviv, among others, to seal trade pacts. This is the result of a marked difference in Indias approach towards trade liberalisation on a bilateral basis, which has been particularly evident since at least 2020. India sealed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement with Mauritius in 2021, which came exactly a decade after India last entered into a bilateral trade deal (a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement between India and Malaysia was the last such deal signed in 2011). This summer, there were back-to-back deals with the UAE (a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) and with Australia (an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement). Also Read | Dash for deals: India on FTA-signing spree Despite different nomenclatures, all these are essentially free or preferential trade deals, where the terms of trade between trading partners are better than those for trade with non-partners. All these agreements focus on trade liberalisation the reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers to ease trade flows between the partner countries. However, these agreements vary in terms of their scope, coverage and extent of tariff and non-tariff cuts. While some may be goods-only agreements, others (particularly CEPAs and CECAs) are broader agreements covering goods, services and other areas. What are the factors which have led to this rethink on FTAs? While a deep dive into the reasons is beyond the scope of this column, a few factors are noteworthy. Burgeoning merchandise and services exports from India are contributing to a virtuous cycle and a conducive ecosystem to take forward trade agreements. India is adopting a whole-of-government approach towards enhancing its export prospects, including by engaging all levels of government from districts to foreign Missions in order to capitalise on export opportunities. Parallely, it is also pursuing economic policies geared towards ensuring greater self-reliance in areas such as manufacturing. Also Read | 'Mad rush to sign FTAs not in interests of farmers' FTAs are important instruments for both these goals, as they can help leverage market access for export-oriented economic growth, as well as advance domestic policy priorities, as long as trade agreements are structured in alignment with industrial policy. In the pact with the UAE, for instance, a notable development is a separate chapter on bilateral cooperation in pharmaceutical exports, aimed at enhancing regulatory cooperation between the two countries. Integration into Global Value Chains (GVCs) is another trade policy goal which FTAs may help advance. While it is unclear exactly how far a web of FTAs can be of aid towards this end. It is a fact that India is currently not a part of the mega-regional trading blocs such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Indias recent breakthroughs in FTA negotiations are also partly driven by strategic reasons. In the prevailing geopolitical environment, both India, as well as its important trading partners like the EU and Australia, are seeking to leverage trade ties with each other in efforts to reduce economic dependence and over-reliance on China. However, simply entering into trade pacts does not by itself translate into economic benefit. There are many challenges that emerge only after such agreements come into force. Indian industry, particularly MSMEs, has to be ready and equipped to utilise the preferential arrangements under the FTA. Further, a complete exclusion of entire sectors seen as sensitive in the domestic economy from the negotiations substantially reduces the scope for trade-offs and concessions in areas where India has strong export interests. In the pre-negotiation stage, more extensive consultations and the setting up of a standing body with due representation from industry stakeholders and consumers must be prioritised. Indias Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) last underwent an overhaul in 2015 and has been extended multiple times, most recently till September 30, 2022. As Commerce Ministry mandarins move into their new premises in Vanijya Bhawan in Delhi, the FTPs new avatar should include a framework calling on the government to lay down its negotiating position and objectives for each trade negotiation it undertakes. (The writer is the Secretary-General of CUTS International. Advaiyot Sharma of CUTS contributed.) Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday attacked the BJPs detractors for accusing the saffron party of imposing an undeclared emergency on the country. He was speaking at an event organised by the BJP to observe the imposition of Emergency in 1975 as Black Day. People say theres an undeclared emergency. But, the very fact that people can talk whimsically is proof that we have the highest democracy, he said. The CM said there is no democracy without dissent. The Emergency posed a big question to our democracy as personal liberties, equality, fraternity and other Constitutional ideals were distorted, he said. Hailing the Constitution as most sacred, he said it has the power to protect democracy. We see that in Pakistan, democracy comes and goes like a film trailer. Its the same in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Forget the Middle East. Look at America, Britain, France, Germany, Italy...India is the strongest and successful democracy with 130 crore people, he said. Aerial imagery of the former hospital site in Derry is set to be considered in an inquest into the shooting of two men almost 40 years ago. William Fleming, 19, from the Waterside area of Derry and Daniel Doherty, 23, from Creggan were shot dead in the grounds of Gransha Hospital on December 6 1984. It has been claimed they were shot by the SAS. A pre-inquest review hearing at Belfast Coroners Court was told on Friday that work was under way on disclosure of material. It also heard that some new aerial photos of the hospital site had been identified by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Coroner Mr Justice Ian Huddleston heard issues around military witnesses possibly having the potential to cause delay in progressing the inquest, and that there were difficulties in identifying representatives for each of the witnesses. He urged counsel for the MoD to use the time over the summer to sort the issues out. Mark Robinson, counsel for the PSNI, said work was under way on sensitive material for the inquest which they hoped would be completed by the end of the summer recess. The course thereafter is it goes before the chief constable and then the Secretary of State, he said. The inquest has been provisionally booked to take place at Banbridge Courthouse for six weeks from April 17 2023. Fridays hearing was told inquiries were ongoing around the possibility of moving the inquest to be heard in Belfast. Mr Justice Huddleston said there were constraints on court accommodation at present, adding comfort should be taken from the fact that a venue had been booked for the inquest. Investigations will continue but it is looking increasingly likely it will be in Banbridge, he said. Another pre-inquest review is set to take place on September 16. Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD has led the tributes following the announcement of the passing of Jim Fitzpatrick, who for decades steered the fortunes of the 'Irish News' and played an important role in the embryonic peace process. Deceased, who was 92, died after a short illness. Locally, the Irish News Group were one time owners of the Rivermedia portfilio of papers which included the Derry News, County Derry Post and Inish Times, before they were purchased some years back by the Iconic Media Group. Irish News editor Noel Doran described him as a "giant of the newspaper industry" and a "key figure in the search for peace and reconciliation in Ireland". Taoiseach Micheal Martin was also wholesome in his praise for the role of Mr Fitzpatrick in the early days of the embryonic peace process: I would like to express my deep sadness and sympathy at the passing of Jim Fitzpatrick. I had the great privilege of knowing and interacting with Jim over many years. He was, in every respect, a true gentleman. In his decades-long stewardship of The Irish News, he was a profoundly important advocate for an end to violence in the North. His role in the earliest days of the embryonic peace process is not widely known, but it was crucial. In his support for and leadership of the Chamber of Commerce in Belfast, he brought together people from all backgrounds in common constructive cause and was an example of true civic leadership. In his quiet and ceaseless philanthropy over a lifetime, his generosity has left its stamp all across Belfast and further afield. Jim had a deep and true faith, which he carried with kindness and humility, and which sustained him following the sad death of his beloved wife Alice in 2013. Jims eight children and wider family circle will feel his loss acutely, but I hope that they can also take comfort and some pride in the knowledge that their father made a genuinely positive contribution to Belfast and to Ireland over the course of his life. To Anne, Brid, Bernard, Eileen, Dominic, Clare, Jim Jnr and Andrew, to the wider family circle, to his colleagues in The Irish News, and to his many friends I offer my heartfelt condolences." Dominic Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of The Irish News, paid tribute on behalf of the family on the paper's online news site. "As a family we were blessed with incredible parents," he said. "Dad was an inspiration to so many people. His desire to be involved in The Irish News was driven by a belief that society needed a newspaper that could stand for truth and justice, particularly at such a turbulent time in history. "Under his direction the paper has been transformed into the success it is today." He said his father also spent much of his life "helping in the search for peace in Ireland, working quietly but effectively in the background". "He was involved in community work, continually trying to bring people together and improve society. "Dad really cared about people. He loved his work and was still coming to the office until a few weeks ago. "He had a morning prayer which he said every day and it pretty much summed up his attitude to life. He saw every day in life as an opportunity to be seized, a gift from God not to be wasted. A day where he would be thoughtful, generous and helpful to others and lived without regret." GOVERNMENT yesterday snubbed the much-awaited salary talks with its restive workers under the auspices of the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC), a development likely to fuel mistrust and escalate tension in the public service. The last NJNC meeting between government and the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Unions (ZCPSTU), formerly Apex Council, ended in a deadlock last Friday after the workers rejected a 100% salary increase, insisting on United States dollar-indexed earnings. Both parties had agreed to meet again this week for further negotiations, but ZCPSTU said government was in no show. We were supposed to have the NJNC meeting this week, most probably today (yesterday) but government did not come through, ZCPSTU secretary-general David Dzatsunga told NewsDay Weekender. Dzatsunga said governments failure to attend the bipartite negotiating meeting proved that it was not sincere. We are disturbed by the lack of urgency on the part of government given the situation on the ground, so that is as it stands and we are in the process of engaging our members to say, where do we go from here because the employer has demonstrated a certain level of rather an apathy towards our situation? It is now clear that the employer is not in a hurry to address our issues, but we are hungry, we are impatient and we are restless, he said. Public Service Commission secretary Jonathan Wutaunashe and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Paul Mavima were not picking calls on their mobile phones. When asked if there has been any latest salary offer to health workers, Health Service Board executive director Angelbert Mbengwa said nothing has changed. Yesterday marked day five since health workers and teachers embarked on strike demanding United States dollar salaries and improved working conditions. Government has issued mixed signals on the US dollar salary demands. Patients were being turned away from public hospitals amid reports that a full-blown civil service strike bringing in other sectors will kick in next week. Health and Child Care minister, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has remained mum on the health sector strike. Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said the face-off between government and the ZCPTU was necessary to escalate the fight for better salaries in the face of the high cost of living. Now that government has shown them the middle finger, they must then come and tell us who exactly they represent, Majongwe said. I think the civil servants are going to increase the pressure on the government because we dont have any other option. The time for everyone to act is now. Zimbabwe National Teachers Union chief executive Manuel Nyawo said there was need for civil servants to speak with one voice to force government to act. Our continued suffering must jolt us into action and action is the only panacea to what we are going through, Nyawo said. If we choose not to act, we are stupidly betraying ourselves, our children, our parents, our careers and our collective future. We cannot work in vain for all these years. The police that are being used against us are worse off and we shudder to think that they have the temerity to beat up protesting nurses who are fighting for their own cause as well. Are the police not civil servants, are they not struggling like we are doing? Why would they beat up their own? Newsday Where to Watch / Stream True Believer Online Theatrical release - Not available on any OTT Platform right now. Advertisements True Believer : Release Date, Trailer, Cast & Songs About True Believer True Believer was released on Jun 26, 2022 and was directed by Alana Purcell .This movie is 1 hr 29 min in duration and is available in English language. Ferelith Young, Vincent Jefferds, Nick Mancini, Adrianne Duncan, Aidan Milsted, Steffen Myers, Jacqui Grilli, Kelly Wahl, Sandra Grass, Afton Mancini, Zachary Steinberg, Taylor Nation and Marcus Niehaus are playing as the star cast in this movie. True Believer is available in Comedy and Drama genres. Image Gallery Disclaimer: All content and media has been sourced from original content streaming platforms, such as Disney Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. Digit Binge is an aggregator of content and does not claim any rights on the content. The copyrights of all the content belongs to their respective original owners and streaming service providers. All content has been linked to respective service provider platforms.This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by Advertisements 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. Ukraine returned medical students and their parents have been protesting across India demanding that the government provide them admission to medical colleges in the country. Many Indian students had to flee the war-torn country ever since Russia escalated its invasion of the East-European country. More than 100 MBBS students and their parents staged a protest in front of the National Medical Council (NMC) in Delhi on Friday, June 25, and urged them to provide students with admission to institutions in the country to prevent further academic loss. However, they were met with a rude response from the officials, said Sonia Lumba, a parent who was involved in the protest. The officials asked us did you ask us and go that now you expect us to take you back, said a student from Madhya Pradesh in a video shared by the Parent's Association of Ukraine MBBS Students on Facebook. Students also said that they want accommodation only in India as seeking a transfer to universities in other European countries is not safe. Our parents will not allow us to go there and they have already gone through enough mental trauma while we were coming back, said Shalini Chauhan, who completed her third-year MBBS this month. Additionally, students said that seeking a transfer would prove to be expensive for them. If I could afford a transfer then I would rather take admission in private colleges in India itself. We went to Ukraine because it is affordable but we couldnt help the situation so we left from there, said Trisha Sagar, a second-year MBBS student. Officials from the NMC told students that they cannot accommodate these students in Indian medical colleges. Reports have also suggested that the medical colleges in the country do not have adequate infrastructural facilities and faculties to train medical students from outside, as stated by the NMCs Undergraduate Medical Board (UGMEB). If our own country is not accepting us then why will other countries accept us? asked Shalini. The NMC has actively been considering relief by allowing final year students who returned from Ukraine and China to complete their education from their parent universities online and then take the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE) here, according to a report in The New Indian Express. However, parents say that this relief is only for sixth-year students. What about students from first to fifth year? asked Sonia. The Supreme Court had on April 29, 2022 directed the NMC to frame necessary provisions for accommodating students who have returned from Ukraine. The decision is expected to be announced on June 29 but students continue to protest. We only protested yesterday because until now decisions have not been taken in our favour and we cant change the decision after it comes, said Trisha. The students said that if their demands are not accepted in the final decision, they will then head to the Supreme Court as the next step. Manx Youth Orchestra to mark 50th anniversary with special concert The Manx Youth Orchestra (MYO) will be joined on stage by more than 70 former players and conductors in Douglas next week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first concert. The orchestra has given thousands of talented young musicians a platform to perform, improve and travel since its first performance at Park Road School in 1972. The musical extravaganza will get under way at the Villa Marina at 7.30pm on Tuesday and include classical and modern pieces, as well as crowd pleasers from the last five decades. Ex-members, many of whom have gone on to have careers in music, were sent a rallying call earlier this year, with scores agreeing to dust off their instruments and get involved. Georgina McChesney, who played oboe in the orchestra in the 1980s and now lives in Northern Ireland, said: Its a huge honour to travel back to my home and take part in this mammoth reunion concert. It feels like Im 17 again. Violist Simon Bradley, who is traveling from London, added: It will be a very special night. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture run orchestra is made up of around 200 young musicians, aged six to 19, who have all achieved grades on their instrument. Juan Wright, the Music Services Musical Director, will conduct the orchestra on Tuesday, said: This is a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate the past 50 years through what we love best, music. Over the last 50 years the orchestra has inspired so many young musicians to gain valuable playing experience, which has enabled them to enjoy the challenge and camaraderie of music making into their adult lives, often professionally or with local groups. Julie Edge MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said: The MYO has given hundreds of young musicians a place to perform, make friends and travel, through a shared love of music and I am delighted that so many are returning for this special occasion. The MYO was established after inspirational performances by the National Youth Orchestra and the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra on the Island and has represented the Isle of Man around the world on concert tours and festivals in places. Consultation launched into Draft Area Plan for the North and West Engagement is being sought on the Draft Area Plan for the North and West. A consultation has been launched by the Cabinet Office alongside its publication, and marks the latest stage in a process aimed at delivering clear planning policies in relation to housing, economic development, the environment and infrastructure. The exercise seeks views on the written statement and maps that make up the Draft Area Plan for the North and West, in addition to a number of items of supporting evidence. Once approved, the plan will represent an important document for Ramsey and Peel, the district of Michael and the parishes of German, Patrick, Jurby, Andreas, Bride, Ballaugh, Lezayre and Garff (Maughold ward only), setting out ways of managing and guiding development to satisfy social, economic and environmental needs. It will serve as a practical resource for decision makers and will be taken into account when planning applications are determined. Preliminary publicity took place last year to inform the creation of the plan, and included consultation on more than 250 sites put forward for possible development. Community involvement is now being strongly encouraged once more to help resolve any outstanding or unforeseen issues, correct errors and refine proposals ahead of a forthcoming Public Inquiry the next step in the process in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1999. A series of drop-in sessions will be held next month to promote as much engagement as possible, and planning officers will be available to discuss the Draft Area Plan for the North and West in detail as well as helping anyone who wishes to take part in the consultation: Peel House of Manannan Wednesday-Friday 13-15 July: 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday 16 July: 9.30am to 2pm Ramsey Town Hall Wednesday 20 July: 9.30am to 7pm Thursday-Friday 21-22 July: 9.30am to 5pm Saturday 23 July: 9.30am to 2pm Details of when and where the Public Inquiry will take place will be publicised later in the year. Apple will reportedly not challenge the recent vote by employees at its Towson Town Center retail location in Maryland to unionize. Citing a person familiar with the companys plans, Reuters reports the tech giant will participate in the bargaining process in good faith. Apple declined to comment on the report. On June 19th, workers at the Towson Town Center Apple Store voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Of the approximately 110 employees who were eligible to participate in the election, 65 voted yes. Towson Town Center was the first Apple retail location in the US to vote on unionization after organizers at a store in Georgia called off an election over intimidation claims. Google will allow employees to move between states in response to the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In an email obtained by The Verge, the companys chief people officer, Fiona Cicconi, said workers could apply for relocation without justification, and that those managing the requests would be aware of the situation. Cicconi also reminded workers Googles employee benefits plan covers medical procedures that arent available in the state where they live and work. This is a profound change for the country that deeply affects so many of us, especially women, Cicconi says in the email. Everyone will respond in their own way, whether thats wanting space and time to process, speaking up, volunteering outside of work, not wanting to discuss it at all, or something else entirely. The Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as part of its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. According to an analysis published by The New York Times in May, as many as 28 states could either ban or severely restrict access to abortions in the days and weeks ahead. Some states like Texas had so-called trigger laws in place that went into effect immediately following Fridays decision. The effects of such a monumental shift in American politics have been felt across tech. Mere hours after the Supreme Court announced its decision, Flo, one of the most widely used period tracking apps, said it would introduce a new anonymous mode in response to privacy concerns following the ruling. Some companies like Meta have also reportedly told employees not to openly discuss the ruling. Update 4:57PM ET: Google confirmed the authenticity of the email and told Engadget it has not changed its relocation policy since the Supreme Court's ruling. Pinterest must now face a lawsuit from a former friend of one of its founders who claims she helped create the platform. Bloomberg reported that Alameda County Superior Court Judge Richard Seabolt on Thursday denied the companys motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Christine Martinez, the plaintiff, claims she was asked by co-founder Ben Silbermann to help revive the app. The digital market strategist claims to have developed features tied to Pinterests Boards and created a marketing plan to enlist bloggers to promote the platform, among other contributions. Martinez filed a lawsuit against the company in September, and Pinterest filed the motion to dismiss in December. The company argued that Martinezs claims are too old to fall within the statute of limitations. Seabolt disagreed with this and said Martinez sufficiently alleges that she and the Pinterest founders agreed to deferred compensation. Pinterest went public in 2019, an event that Seabolt deemed transformative and in his view sealed the company's obligation to pay Martinez. In a statement to Engadget, Pinterest's chief communications officer LeMia Jenkins Thompson noted that the court dismissed several of Martinez's claims. Thompson also stated that, "as the facts come out, we are confident the evidence will confirm that Plaintiffs claims are meritless and that the rest of this baseless lawsuit should be dismissed." According to the New York Times, Martinez was never formally employed at nor did she ever sign a written contract with the San Francisco-based company. Instead, Martinez argues that the agreement was implied, based on her discussions with Sciarra and Silbermann. Martinez, who is a former lifestyle blogger and founder of an eccomerce startup, told the Times she was eager to help friends. [...The Pinterest co-founders] had no marketing background or expertise in creating a product for women. The growth of Russias presence across Africa over the last decade has generated significant international concern, further exacerbated after Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Russias engagement can affect the interests and policies of the European Union and its member states in Africa. How should European policymakers understand these developments and respond to them? Looking at Russias engagement in Africa, we can reach three main conclusions. First, Moscows engagement with Africa has so far remained limited as compared to that of other global players, particularly in the economic domain. The current level of (media) attention devoted to Russias role in Africa is thus not supported by sufficient evidence of its actual engagement in the continent. At the same time, however, the growth of Russias presence is a real trend. Second, Russian actors are guided by a rather loose strategy when it comes to Africa. The Russian state has some interests that act as a broad framework. However, the actual engagement is carried out not only by state actors, but also by state-backed conglomerates and politically connected private businesses. These latter actors have their own specific interests, which are not always fully aligned with those of the Russian state. While state actors are often driven by geopolitical considerations, Russian companies are more interested in economic opportunities. Third, Russias engagement in African countries is significantly shaped by the different national contexts and by the interests of African governments. For instance, in a strong state like Ethiopia, Russias engagement takes place exclusively at the governmental level. By contrast, in Sudan and Mali (contexts with weaker state structures), other Russian actors like PMCs and private businesses are involved. Yet, in all three cases, Moscows presence tends to grow when relations between African governments and their international partners (especially in the West) deteriorate, often in the wake of authoritarian turns. This shows the opportunistic nature of Russias engagement, as well as the complex trade-offs faced by EU/MS governments when engaging with African governments. This has significant consequences for the policy response of the EU and its member states. First, rather than trying to respond reactively to Russias presence, the EU and its member states should focus on strengthening their own relations with relevant African partners. Addressing some of the political and economic imbalances in the Europe-Africa partnership may be an effective way to strengthen such relations, and by doing so to reduce the chances of an increase in Russias influence. Second, in countries where this preventive strategy is difficult to implement (e.g. when facing authoritarian governments), decisions on whether/how to engage should go beyond debates about Russias (potential) presence, and be based instead on a comprehensive understanding of the EU and its member states interests and norms. Partnerships with non-governmental actors (e.g. the private sector, traditional authorities) may allow the EU and individual governments to remain engaged despite souring ties with the government. Third, in countries where Russias presence is already established, evidence-based and context-specific assessments of this presence should inform the EU and its member states policy response. This can allow them to avoid overreacting to Russias influence, while also not underestimating its dangers. Fourth, to pursue their interests in an increasingly multipolar world, the EU and individual European governments should try to strengthen their leverage vis-a-vis Russia (as well as other actors). To do so, EU policymakers should leverage more strategically the engagement of European businesses across Africa. Overall, intelligent and thoughtful engagement based on EU/MS interests and norms may well be the best antidote against the influence of Russia, as well as that of any other geopolitical actor. Are the Russians Really Coming? Russias Growing Presence in Africa and Its Implication for European Policy Policy Paper by Guido Lanfranchi and Kars de Bruijne Clingendael / The Netherlands Institute of International Relations. The Policy Paper can be downloaded here This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) PHOENIX Police fired tear gas from the windows of the Arizona Capitol building to disperse hundreds of people demonstrating outside, as lawmakers briefly huddled in a basement. The lawmakers were working to complete their 2022 session as thousands of protesters gathered on the Capitol grounds in Phoenix on Friday night, divided into groups condemning and supporting the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade decision. SWAT team members with the Department of Public Safety fired tear gas from the building to disperse the protesters. KPHO-TV reported the officers opened fire when several anti-abortion protesters started banging on glass doors of the building. It wasnt immediately known if there were injuries or arrests. The incident sent Senate lawmakers into the basement of the building for about 20 minutes, said Democratic Sen. Martin Quezada. Stinging tear gas wafted through the Capitol afterward, forcing the Senate to move its proceedings to a hearing room instead of the Senate chamber. Thousands of spirited demonstrators took to the streets Friday in cities nationwide to protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Most carried signs, chanted slogans and listened to speeches. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS: The U.S. Supreme Court ends nearly 50 years o f constitutional protection for abortion. Biden vows to fight for abortion rights, criticizes extreme court. Many states have already taken steps to curtail abortion. Fears are voiced over possible rollback of LGBTQ and other rights. Follow APs coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on abortions: https://apnews.com/hub/abortion ___ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa __ A truck hit at least two protesters Friday night following an abortion rights rally in Iowa. Lyz Lenz, a local journalist and author, told The Associated Press that she saw the driver swerve around another car and hit two women on a crosswalk in downtown Cedar Rapids around 7:15 p.m. She said the truck drove over the foot of one of the protesters, and police took the woman to the hospital. There was a moment where I said, I think Im going to see my friends die, said Lenz, who has written about numerous subjects including the white supremacist who drove his car into counterprotesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. Lenz said the women struck Friday were chanting disparaging things about Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. She said it was hard to know whether the truck driver was motivated by the chants or being blocked by protesters. Cedar Rapids police had no immediate comment but planned to release a statement. Thousands of spirited demonstrators took to the streets in cities nationwide to protest Fridays Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Most carried signs, chanted slogans and listened to speeches. In Seattle, hundreds of people blocked a downtown intersection, while in Los Angeles, others briefly walked onto a freeway. ___ SALT LAKE CITY Utahs abortion ban has gone into effect, triggered by the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The move came Friday evening after the Legislatures general counsel certified that the states 2020 trigger law met legal requirements. The ban contains narrow exceptions for rape and incest if those crimes are reported to law enforcement, and for serious risk to the life or health of the mother, as well as confirmed lethal birth defects. Legislative leaders said they had no plans to expand restrictions on abortion until they better understood the effects of Utahs law. State Sen. Dan McKay, the Republican who sponsored the trigger law, said it would be wrong for Utah women to pursue abortions in neighboring states but he had no immediate plans to press for limits on their ability to travel there. ___ COLUMBUS, Ohio A ban on most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat became the law in Ohio on Friday following the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Enforcement of Ohios 2019 heartbeat ban had been on hold for nearly three years under a federal court injunction. The state attorney general, Republican Dave Yost, asked for that to be dissolved because of the high courts ruling, and a federal judge agreed hours later. Critics had argued that the measure essentially prohibits abortions because the first detectable fetal heartbeat can occur as early as six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. ___ GENEVA The head of the World Health Organization says hes concerned and disappointed about the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on Twitter that the ruling was both reducing womens rights and access to health care. He said there was irrefutable evidence that restricting legal abortions can drive women and girls to unsafe and sometimes deadly procedures. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that abortion is a fundamental right for all women that must be protected. The French Foreign Ministry urged U.S. federal authorities to do everything possible to ensure American women can have continued access to abortion, calling it a health and survival issue for young girls and women. ___ PHOENIX, Ariz. Abortion providers across Arizona halted procedures Friday as they try to determine whether a law dating to pre-statehood days means their personnel could face prison time after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The possibility of prosecutions was just too risky, said Brittany Forteno, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona. She said the states largest abortion provider is working with its attorneys to understand Arizonas tangled web of conflicting laws. At least two other large providers in Tucson and Phoenix followed suit. At issue is a law that dates to at least 1901, 11 years before Arizona became a state. It subjects anyone who provides abortion care to a possible two to five years in prison. Republicans in the state Senate believe the pre-Roe law is enforceable. ___ MONTGOMERY, Ala. Abortions swiftly came to a stop in Alabama as a 2019 state abortion ban took effect making it a felony to perform an abortion at any state of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape or incest victims. All three clinics in the state stopped providing services Friday morning after a federal judge granted the states request to lift an injunction and allow the state to enforce the ban, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The only exception to the state's abortion ban is for the sake of the mothers health. Gov. Kay Ivey praised the Supreme Court decision. I could not be more proud as a governor, a Christian and a woman to see this misguided and detrimental decision overturned, Ivey said. Alabama will continue standing up for our unborn babies, our mothers and our families. ___ LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The Arkansas Department of Health on Friday notified the states two abortion providers that its ban on the procedure had taken effect under a law triggered by the Supreme Court ruling. The law bans abortions except to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency. The notices advise the facilities that performing an abortion in violation of the law is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Planned Parenthood said it would no longer be able to offer abortions at its Little Rock facility. ___ AUSTIN, Texas - Jeffrey Hons of Planned Parenthood South Texas said the groups abortion services in Texas have been paused statewide as they await guidance from their attorneys. The announcement comes Friday, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right established in Roe v. Wade to terminate a pregnancy. The issue reverts to the states, many of which have taken steps to curtail or ban abortions. A website affiliated with Planned Parenthood is advising that it is legal to travel out of state to get an abortion. ___ WASHINGTON - Mayor Muriel Bowser declared Friday that abortion remains legal in the nations capital despite the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. We are a pro-choice city, she said at news conference held at the local branch of Planned Parenthood. Nothing has changed in Washington, D.C. But Bowser cautioned that the district is vulnerable because it is not a state and Congress retains oversight over it. She pledged to continue fighting to make sure we remain a safe city for abortion care and a legal city for abortion care. ___ SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Democratic governors of California, Washington and Oregon on Friday vowed to protect reproductive rights and help women who travel to the West Coast seeking abortions following the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The three states issued a joint multi-state commitment saying they will work together to defend patients and medical professionals providing reproductive health care. They also pledged to protect against judicial and local law enforcement cooperation with out of-state investigations, inquiries, and arrests regarding abortions performed in their states. The liberal West Coast states anticipate an influx of people seeking abortions, especially as neighboring conservative states move to outlaw or greatly restrict the procedure. ___ NEW YORK Former President Donald Trump is taking credit for the Supreme Courts decision that overturned a landmark case making abortion legal throughout the United States nearly 50 years ago. In a statement, Trump called the ruling the biggest WIN for LIFE in a generation. He says the rulings and others were only made possible because I delivered everything as promised, including nominating and getting three highly respected and strong Constitutionalists confirmed to the United States Supreme Court. It was my great honor to do so! Three Trump appointees voted Friday to scrap Roe v. Wade: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden says people should be peaceful when protesting the Supreme Court opinion Friday that would allow states to ban abortion. Biden says he knows many Americans are frustrated and disillusioned by the court decision. But violence is never acceptable." Threats and intimidation are not speech. We must stand against violence in any form, regardless of your rationale, he said. Earlier this month, after a draft of the court opinion was leaked, a man carrying a gun, a knife and zip ties was arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaughs house in Maryland after threatening to kill the justice. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is warning that the Supreme Court opinion overturning access to abortion could undermine contraception and gay marriage rights. The president objects to a concurring opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas, who explicitly called on his colleagues to put the Supreme Courts same-sex marriage, gay sex and even contraception cases on the table. Biden says, This is an extreme and dangerous path the court is now taking us on. Thomas was part of the majority overturning Roe v Wade. ___ SANTA FE, N.M. A top public prosecutor in New Mexico, where abortion is available with little or no restriction, is urging lawmakers to approve legislation that would protect women who travel to the state for abortion procedures. Albuquerque-based District Attorney and Democratic nominee for attorney general Raul Torrez in a statement Friday urged lawmakers to take further steps to protect women and their access to abortions and reproductive health care, including visitors from other states. Last year, New Mexico state lawmakers repealed a dormant 1969 statute that outlawed most abortion procedures. Democrats who control the New Mexico Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. ___ CHARLESTON, W. Va. The only abortion clinic in West Virginia is no longer performing abortions as of Friday. The state has a law on the books that makes providing abortions a felony carrying three to 10 years of prison time. Its unclear how the state will proceed on enforcement in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. Roe has never been enough, but in states like West Virginia, it was the only thing protecting abortion access, said Katie Quinonez, executive director of Womens Health Center of West Virginia. She says West Virginians will be forced to travel hundreds or thousands of miles away from home to access health care and that marginalized communities will be hurt the most. ___ WASHINGTON U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department will work to protect and advance reproductive freedom. Merrick said in a statement that the agency would protect providers and those seeking abortions in states where it is legal. He also said he would stand by the approved use by the Food and Drug Administration of the drug Mifepristone for medication abortions. More than 90% of abortions take place in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, and more than half are now done with pills, not surgery, according to data compiled by the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. __ BOSTON Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on abortion that he said is intended to protect access to reproductive health care services in Massachusetts. The order prohibits state agencies from assisting another states investigation into a person or business for receiving or delivering reproductive health services that are legal in Massachusetts. Friday's outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in about half the states. The order also protects Massachusetts providers who deliver reproductive health care services from losing their professional licenses or receiving other professional discipline based on potential out-of-state charges. ___ RALEIGH, N.C. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is an abortion rights supporter and this years chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. He said Friday, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that sharply limits abortion, that North Carolina women will still be able to obtain reproductive health care in the state. For 50 years, women have relied on their constitutional right to make their own medical decisions, but today that right has been tragically ripped away, Cooper said in a news release. The North Carolina legislature is controlled by Republicans, but they lack veto-proof majorities should they attempt to pass additional abortion restrictions now. Cooper put out a fundraising appeal Friday citing the decision in urging assistance to prevent the GOP from obtaining veto-proof majorities in November. ___ JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The state of Missouri is acting quickly to enforce a state law banning abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that effectively limits abortion rights for millions of women. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said he was acting immediately to enforce a state law banning abortion except in cases of medical emergency. The 2019 Missouri law included a trigger provision making effective upon notification by the attorney general that the Supreme Court had overruled Roe v. Wade. ___ Former President Barack Obama has condemned the U.S. Supreme Court ending constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years. Obama said on Twitter that the decision is tantamount to an attack on freedoms for millions of Americans. The decision is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. At least two people were killed and 10 seriously injured early Saturday in a shooting attack on an LGBTQ nightclub in Oslo. Norwegian authorities raised the country's terror threat to its highest level Saturday. Police charged a 42-year-old man with murder, attempted murder and terrorist acts, as a stunned nation reeled from the attack, which came hours before Oslo's Pride parade was scheduled to take place. Authorities did not immediately release his name Saturday. The attack is being viewed as an act of "extreme Islamist terror," the head of the country's domestic intelligence and security service, Roger Berg, said in a news conference. Berg said the suspect, a Norwegian citizen who was born in Iran, has suffered from mental health problems. Police said the man was known to them from previous, relatively minor run-ins with the law. He had previously been accused of violence toward people close to him, the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten reported. Norwegian news media reported that the suspect immigrated from Iran with his family in the 1990s when he was 12. The gunman opened fire at around 1 a.m. local time at the London Pub, which calls itself Oslo's "gay headquarters since 1979," and at a second bar and a fast-food restaurant, Norwegian media reported. "I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag," said Olav Ronneberg, a journalist for NRK. "He picked up a weapon and started shooting." The suspect was arrested a short time later. Police said they believe he acted alone. Oslo Pride leaders said Saturday they had canceled the parade and all related events on police advice and implored people who planned to participate to stay away. But a spontaneous march formed in the afternoon as crowds holding rainbow flags took to the city's streets to pay tribute to the victims. The two men who were killed were in their 50s and 60s, Police said Saturday. Ten people were seriously wounded; 11 others suffered minor injuries. A spokeswoman for Oslo University Hospital told The Washington Post that the facility received seven patients, and one other person was sent to a hospital outside the Norwegian capital. Authorities said police arrested the suspect near the scene of the attack and seized two weapons, including an automatic gun. "There is reason to think that this may be a hate crime," police said, according to Reuters. "We are investigating whether the Pride was a target in itself or whether there are other motives." Police attorney Christian Hatlo said the terrorism charge was based on the number of casualties and the gunman's apparent intention to create "serious fear." Berg said the suspect had been known since 2015 to the country's security service, which grew concerned he was "associated with an extremely Islamist environment," Aftenposten reported. The security service was last in touch with him in May, Berg said. "In these conversations, it was assessed that he had no intention of violence, but [the service] is aware that he has had challenges related to mental health," the service said in a statement. The suspect's lawyer, John Christian Elden, told the Associated Press that his client "hasn't denied" carrying out the attack but has not provided a motive. "It is too early to conclude whether this is hate crime or terrorism," he said. Norwegian police, who do not routinely carry firearms, will now be given arms temporarily, Police Security Service head Benedicte Bjornland said. The service said it was investigating whether further attacks were planned, but added: "For now, we have no indication of that." Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store condemned the shooting. He described it as "a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people." The London Pub called the attack "pure evil." Norway's King Harald said he and his family were "horrified" by the shooting and extended condolences to the victims and their families. "We must stand together to defend our values: freedom, diversity and respect for each other," he said. Crown Prince Haakon and his family joined the prime minister Saturday to lay roses near the site of the attack. John Kirby, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told reporters traveling on Air Force One Saturday that the Biden administration had offered condolences and support to Norway, Reuters reported. "We're all horrified by the mass shooting in Oslo today targeting the LGBTQI+ community there and our hearts obviously go out to the all the families of the victims, the people of Norway, which is a tremendous ally, and of course the LGBTQI+ community there and around the world," he said. Sadiq Khan, mayor of the city whose name the pub bears, also offered his condolences. "London stands with Oslo," he wrote on Twitter. "#LoveIsLove and hate will never win." London Pub is located in the vicinity of the Storting, Norway's legislature. It has hosted Pride-related celebrations for years and on Thursday held a drag show and a Pride-themed bingo session. Norway has some of Europe's more gay-friendly laws. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store this year marked the 50th anniversary of the country's decriminalization of male same-sex relations by formally apologizing for its past treatment of the LGBTQ community. "I apologize for the fact that the Norwegian authorities conveyed, through legislation, and also a range of other discriminatory practices, that gay love was not acceptable," he said. In July 2011, a Norwegian man killed 77 people by setting off a bomb outside the prime minister's office in Oslo and opening fire at a youth summer camp organized by the left-leaning Labor Party. Norwegian lawmakers have since banned semiautomatic weapons such as the type of firearm used in that rampage. A survivor of the 2011 massacre found himself fleeing bullets again early Saturday. Eivind Rindal told Norway's TV2 that he had been standing at the outdoor terrace of a neighboring bar when he heard the first shots and saw a person pointing a weapon. He escaped from the area with a friend. The experience revived memories of the mass shooting more than a decade earlier, Rindal said. But he added: "I will not let the fear of terror or violence define my life and freedom." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The family of Andre AJ Joseph Hernandez Jr., a 13-year-old killed in a police shooting at the beginning of the month, said a final goodbye Friday. Lynda Espinoza, the boys mother, was joined in the chapel of San Antonio Mortuary by a small group of family and a large presence of friends, mostly youth, as well as local Black rights activists. They wore either black, white or blue T-shirts with a messages reading Justice for AJ or I love you AJ. Bouquets of blue and white flowers were set up around Andres casket as relatives took turns paying their respects. Stephanie Martinez, his aunt, shared parts of the funeral via Zoom to her four youngest nieces, all of whom remain in the custody of the Department of Family and Protective Services. They were allowed an hour to say farewell to Andre during visitation the night before. The children were taken from their mothers custody June 7, a few days after Andre was killed. Pastor Robert Flores, of Mercy Church, led the mourners in prayer. The theme was Jesus Christs death at the cross. It was Flores second time in recent weeks helping the family memorialize a loved one. One of Andres older sisters, Nevaeh Martinez, 16, was killed May 10 in the 5100 block of War Horse Drive. A suspect in the case has yet to be named as of Friday. On June 3, police had driven up on either side of Andre as he was driving a stolen red Toyota Corolla in the 5100 block of War Cloud Drive. Police have said Andre drove into the drivers-side door of a police Chevrolet Tahoe as an officer was attempting to step out, putting his life in danger. But family members and an attorney have disputed the speed at which Andre drove into the door, saying he was not a threat to the officer. He was wounded fatally from single shot fired by officer Stephen Ramos after the car hit the door. In his sermon, Flores compared the familys turmoil to being on a roller coaster in the dark. Lifes twists, turns and drops all concealed from the rider. I know this is a horrible twist, he said, but God will still give you your daily bread. At the podium, Espinoza said her son loved to laugh, play jokes and had a wonderful sense of humor. Read more on ExpressNews.com: San Antonio police officer who killed 13-year-old also fatally shot man last year A memory in his aunts heart is how Andre loved Easter, when he would place flour or sugar in a cascaron instead of the usual confetti as a prank. My son was not the criminal they have tried to make him out to be, his mother said. We will not forget his life. We will continue to honor his memory and fight for justice for his senseless murder. Activist Pharaoh Clark also addressed the audience, saying that he and the others present, including Ananda Tomas with ACT 4 SA, and Lloyd Kuykendoll of Texas Organizing Project, would continue fighting for police transparency. You are not alone in this fight, he said, lamenting the loss of Andre at a young age. Deborah Jones Bush aunt of Marquise Jones, who was killed by police in 2014 was present and moved to tears. This is the aftermath, and this is something the family has to deal with for the rest of their lives, she said. Im hurt, and Im angry. Weve got to come to the table and figure out what we need to do to stop this. After the speeches, Andres mother leaned over him. She pressed her lips on his forehead one last time, quivering and crying. I love you, AJ, she cried. His brothers and other relatives huddled shoulder to shoulder as they also said a final goodbye. The procession drove past the spot where Andre was wounded fatally, stopping for a moment. At First Memorial Park Cemetery, they buried Andre under a large red oak tree, on the same plot as his sister. Four doves were released, one signifying Andres soul, and the other three representing the Holy Trinity guiding his spirit to heaven. The family was able to cover costs for the funeral via GoFundMe and other fundraisers. They still hope to reach a goal of $20,000 to help Espinoza leave the neighborhood. The paths from her home bear the reminder of a slain child. It just hurts that he was only 13 years old and his life was cut short by an officer who chose to kill him instead of use a different type of method to detain him, his aunt said. Its a very hard day for us. jbeltran@express-news.net Shortly after 9 p.m. Friday, 288 seniors from Uvalde High School performed a rite of passage that had almost eluded them: tossing their mortarboards into the air. The speeches that had come before the traditional cap toss at the schools 2022 graduation ceremony at Honey Bowl Stadium dealt with loss and the ability to carry on. I know our lives will never be the same, but I also know we must move forward together, Hal Harrell, Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District superintendent, said in his address. Class of 2022, our community will need the qualities that you possess the unity, the leadership, the resiliency in difference-makers. After spending their last two years overcoming the many hurdles that the COVID-19 pandemic threw their way, these seniors have had to face the loss of 19 of their youngest classmates and two teachers in the May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, just three days before their graduation was set to take place. The massacre would have been more than enough reason to throw out tradition, to scrap the ceremony altogether this year. But one month after the tragedy, students, administrators and families came together for a proper send-off into life after high school. For everything, there is a season, said Randy Harris, the principal of Uvalde High School. There is a time to cry and a time to laugh. There is a time to tear down and a time to build up. Theres a time to embrace and a time to heal. Everything is beautiful in its own time. Students, clad in dark red caps and gowns, and administrators who spoke at the graduation paid homage to the lives lost at Robb Elementary. Valedictorian Abigail Kone read the names of the 19 students and made them honorary members of the 2022 graduating class. She also lauded the two fourth-grade teachers who died in the attack Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles as heroes. Please count your blessings and hug your family a little tighter, Kone said. Dont let go of their memory, because it is now our job, as we enter society to shape it, it is our job to show sympathy to others and to change the world because we know what is needed. Blaine Bennett, 71, a former educator and counselor, attended the graduation ceremony along with eight or nine family members, all there to cheer on his 17-year-old grandson, Miller Carnes. The graduate will attend Texas Tech University this summer, joining the agricultural sciences and natural resources program. Bennett said his grandsons wish has always been to return home to Uvalde after college graduation to become a farmer like his father. In the days after the shooting, Bennett said, it was obvious the graduation ceremony would be put on hold, and maybe even canceled. Everybody knew there was no way. The heart of the town was just ripped out, and it wouldnt be right on so many levels, Bennett said. His grandsons class was given a chance to decide whether to press on with graduation. The majority rejected the idea of canceling the ceremony. They wanted to walk the stage at a later date. Miller, my grandson, who sometimes is wise beyond his years, said, I think I need this for closure, and I think that is insightful of him, Bennett said. His family supported him, even if they were nervous about attending a large gathering. Bennett said his grandson was part of the traditional Senior Elementary School Walk at Robb Elementary the day before the shooting. Graduating seniors paraded through the hallways, high-fiving their youngest classmates. Its such a wonderful event that helps those little kids understand I want to do that one day, Bennett said. Miller and his seniors were at Robb campus doing that, and there is no doubt he high-fived those 19 kids that we lost. That is a memory in his head that hell carry with him for a lifetime. Around every corner and turn, there is some connection, he added. Bennett knows that memories of the senior walk and the horror that unfolded the next day will weigh on his grandson and his fellow classmates, just as it will on the Uvalde community at large. He hopes the graduates will comfort each other. They are a special group of kids, Bennett said about his grandsons graduating class. My wish is that they are able to go off and grow up and experience the world. And the legacy goes on. Uvalde is a loving, tight-knit community, and those kids are going to carry the tradition forward, he said. Before the students moved their tassels from the right side of their caps to the left, many of them cried. Our class also asks for change change that will prevent any other tragedy, whether it is at a school, grocery store or concert, senior Lynd Diangzan said in her farewell address. Im so proud of my class. No one can fully understand what our class went through, except for us. And we hope no one will ever experience what we went through. danya.perez@express-news.net | @danyaph Eight-year-old Kalina Bilbe watched over the crowd of hundreds of protesters from her perch on the shoulders of her father, James Bilbe. She softly chanted My choice as they made their way through downtown. Her mother, Angela, 33, and brother Kathan, 12, marched alongside them. Billy Calzada, Staff photographer / San Antonio Express-News The family went downtown Friday night to protest the Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. Im frustrated, Angela Bilbe said. Im pissed. I feel so helpless. How are you going to take away my choice? How are you going to tell me that Im not competent enough to decide if I can have a child or not? James Bilbe, 34, said he hoped electing new leaders could help restore access to abortion. The couple had thought about going to Austin to protest but decided to stay in town when they heard about the protest here. Our hearts are broken, he said. Weve been upset all day. On ExpressNews.com: Bexar DA vows to protect women, LGBTQ community in wake of SCOTUS abortion ruling Now Playing: Mayor Ron Nirenberg talks about Roe v. Wade being overturned and the protests taking place in downtown San Antonio. Video: San Antonio Express-News Protesters kicked off the event at the federal courthouse on West Nueva Street before marching more than a mile through the inner city. They looped back to the courthouse to hear speeches from organizers and attendees, some of whom talked about their experiences having abortions. The Mujeres Marcharan Coalition and other abortion-rights allies coordinated the march. The groups had planned for almost two weeks to protest on the day the Supreme Court decision came down. We need to get together, we need to act together, we need to basically show that we are mad and were not going to take it anymore, said Rachell Tucker, an organizer with the Mujeres Marcharan Coalition. It is not just through the voting box. It is through solidarity and the streets. We cant go back home and be silent. On ExpressNews.com: Texas trigger law: Will abortion be prosecuted after Roe v. Wade? At the protest, Michelle Reyes, 55, reflected on an abortion she had when she was in her 20s. She recalled people shouting at her as she walked into the clinic. During her visit, staff members reassured her that she was safe, even after people broke through the clinics front doors. Getting an abortion was already scary, Reyes said. The pro-life protesters at the clinic that day made it worse. Reyes, a college student at the time, already had a son when she had her abortion. Shes now a mother of two adult children one in her 20s and the other in his 30s. She said she is fighting for them. Most of the afternoon I was at home alone, and I knew people felt the same as I did, she said. But it does feel good to come together and know that we all have a common in some ways, a common enemy but a common purpose and goal. Billy Calzada, Staff photographer / San Antonio Express-News Physician Lindsey Neill carried a sign that said, Pregnant. Pro-Choice. Proud. The 36-year-old said she was 20 weeks along in her pregnancy and felt lucky to have been able to choose to have her baby. Knowing that this was coming didnt soften the blow at all, Neill said of the ruling. Once it became a reality, it just hit you much deeper. I immediately thought about this child and what world I am bringing them into. My only hope is to raise them to stand their ground and support the lives and rights of everybody on this planet regardless of their race or gender or choices. On ExpressNews.com: Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade, ending constitutional protection of abortion rights The Mujeres Marcharan Coalition Spanish for women will march has planned the local International Womens Day March for the past three decades. Tucker said the coalition is made up of representatives from almost 15 organizations. Fridays protest, she said, was planned by several groups, including Veterans for Peace, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Autonomous Brown Berets De San Anto, the Bexar County Young Democrats and Planned Parenthood. It drew local politicians including Mayor Ron Nirenberg and District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo. A coat hanger was taped between the hot pink words NEVER AGAIN on Lili Biglaris sign. The 17-year-old from Alamo Heights said the courts ruling was extremely upsetting. Biglari was worried that the decision could open the door to the high court overturning the right to same-sex marriage. With this happening, we dont know what the Supreme Court could do next, she said. Another protester, Mary Beth Hawkins, 60, also was concerned about what the ruling could mean for other rights. Im 60 years old, and I grew up with this right although, when I was young in high school, it was still difficult for women, especially young girls, to get abortions, she said. I saw many of my friends struggle. I understand what it means to lose this right. I understand how its going to affect other peoples rights. Hawkins walked quickly during the march, carrying a Private Property/No Trespassing yard sign with the words My Body!! Hands Off! written across the bottom. When Naja Garrette, 23, heard about the Supreme Courts 6-3 decision, she immediately started looking for protests to attend. The graphic designer said she wanted to stand up for women who may need abortions. I would want someone to advocate for me, Garrette said. megan.rodriguez@express-news.net On the morning of one of the most consequential decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, overturning Roe vs. Wade, Elaine Coronado touched down in San Antonio from Washington, D.C. San Antonio is her second home and where her parents were waiting with tacos. The long-time, top-notch event planner is also co-founder of a network of Latinas called Leonas. Spanish for lionesses, the groups 800 members nationwide advocate for equity and inclusion, especially in Washington, especially in the White House, especially in the West Wing. In spite of everything going on including damning revelations about the insurrection coming out of the Jan. 6 select committee hearings Leonas have remained steadfast. Its members, who raised money for Bidens presidential campaign, are still unsatisfied with the number of his Latina appointments. A year ago, when I first talked to Coronado and Leonas other co-founder, Maria Rita Jaramillo, they felt ghosted by the Biden White House and described his Latina appointments as Spanx slim. Today, theyre celebrating the elevation of Julie Chavez Rodriguez, 44, to senior adviser and assistant to the president. Her promotion was announced last week. Shell hold on to her current post as director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. She comes from a family with a civil rights legacy. Her grandfather was labor leader Cesar Chavez, who founded the union that became the United Farm Workers. As with so many national events, theres often a local connection. Chavez Rodriguez is the daughter of native San Antonian Arturo Rodriguez, former UFW president, and the late Linda Chavez, another powerful figure in her life. Rodriguez, now UFW president emeritus, continues to advocate for farm workers rights. Hes a graduate of St. Marys University and the long-shuttered Catholic boys school, La Salle High, on the citys South Side. He lives in San Antonio with his second wife, Sonia Rodriguez, a past president of Communities Organized for Public Service, now COPS/Metro Alliance, for which she continues to do advocacy work. Chavez Rodriguezs parents met in 1973 during the UFWs grape boycott in Detroit, Michigan. It was a tense time. Two farm workers had been killed during labor strikes in California. Teamsters had sided with growers. Less than a year later, her parents decided to get married. His girlfriend said yes, but hed have to ask her father Cesar Chavez for her hand. Can you imagine that? Sonia Rodriguez said, both of them laughing. Chavez Rodriguez grew up within the UFW union. At 5, she knocked on doors in La Paz, UFWs headquarters. At about 8, she got a first-hand look at the judicial system after being arrested with her father during a boycott. She heard death threats against her Tata first-hand, her father said. At 10, she was at her grandfathers side during his last fast, a water-only fast. It lasted 36 days. She and sister Olivia measured how much he drank, reporting it to his doctors. Chavez Rodriguez is among the first few Latinas ever to serve in the West Wing. Its great news, Coronado said. Leonas has been advocating for a Latina in the presidents circle. We need more Julie Chavez Rodriguezes in this administration, Coronado said, pointing to data not well-known. In 2060, one-third of all females in this country will be Latinas. Chavez Rodriguez will meet with the president alongside White House chief of staff Ron Klain, deputy chief of staff Jennifer OMalley Dillon and communications director Kate Bedingfield. Theyll sit in the Oval Office, where a bronze bust of her grandfather sits behind the presidents desk just one generation between them. Its the kind of goose-bump story that makes you believe in the promise of democratic ideals. Its what gave me hope amid the devastating news from Washington on Friday. When Julie told us about her promotion, I wasnt surprised, Sonia Rodriguez said, tearing up. She has become such a role model for Latinas. To pass her over would have been horrible. Leonas would take that a little further. Given what the administration faces in November, it had better do a lot more. eayala@express-news.net Communicating with the public after a catastrophe is scary for many organizations. Its also a powerful and necessary act that can unite or divide, build or destroy trust, answer or create questions, clarify or obscure, create lawsuits or spark change, and reveal people as heroes or villains. Most call it crisis communications, and its how people in charge try to mitigate the damages of terrible news. After the Uvalde massacre, state and local engagement with the public has been fragmented, delayed, incomplete and sometimes incorrect. The flawed communication response echoes the failed police response, and its another layer of pain for those already suffering. A few years ago, I heard a lecture from crisis communication expert and professor Helio Fred Garcia during a seminar at the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Md. He presented a case study on the communication failures of BP in the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. His findings boiled down to a simple idea: Entities ask the wrong questions in crises. On ExpressNews.com: At a cemetery in Uvalde, an everlasting grief The wrong question leaders worry about, he said, is, What should we say? The better question is, What would reasonable people appropriately expect a responsible organization to do in this circumstance? The modifiers make it sound complicated, but they knock off extreme views. The core question is, What would people expect us to do? Its a commonsense approach, and the reframed thought process, Garcia said, helps leaders get at the emotional reality of a situation. It also helps people think outside themselves and their political survival. Local and state officials could have used this advice in the aftermath of the May 24 massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde that left 19 students and two teachers dead, and 17 others wounded. Before May 24, reasonable people expected the systems, people and safeguards protecting our children to work. On ExpressNews.com: For NRA conventioneers, Uvalde a world away After Uvalde, reasonable people expected and deserved honesty and transparency as much as families and friends of those involved warranted sympathy, support and protection. We expected a unified voice and timely responses from the responsible organizations state and local politicians, the Texas Department of Public Safety, local police departments and the school district. We expected their answers to be true and accurate. We expected them to respect press freedoms. We expected our politicians to put the welfare and will of all constituents over their own political survival or irrational allegiance to lax gun laws. We expected tangible change to address gun violence in addition to more mental health and school security resources. We expected accountability. On ExpressNews.com: Voices of vets join chorus for gun safety Our responsible organizations have failed to meet most of these reasonable expectations. On Wednesday, Garcia and I spoke about Uvalde. We discussed the danger of ignoring small mistakes and how the risk of catastrophe skyrockets. In Uvalde, the cascading failures led to tragedy. And unlike natural disasters, the conversation after a tragedy involving firearms will always be skewed in America. Its impossible to separate the aftermath of Uvalde from the national disagreement about firearms, he said. This isnt a Texas thing. It isnt a Uvalde thing on its own. It is in the context of this massive problem of gun violence that coincides with this massive division in American political life. From his office in New York, Garcia hasnt been inundated with Uvalde news, but hes been suspicious of the DPS response since its first press conference. They got themselves caught in some form of miscommunication or misinformation, and then they withdrew and said nothing for a while, and now they seem to be pointing fingers, he said. Its easy to point fingers at the less robust, less experienced police departments when theres been a massive failure like this. Garcia said agencies often focus on the short-term benefits of releasing or not releasing information versus long-term credibility. The slow trickle of facts, shifting narratives, obfuscation and blame may help these agencies in the short term, but its causing more pain for the people of Uvalde. The credibility and trust these agencies have lost since May 24 will take years, maybe decades, to rebuild. Much of it will never return. brandon.lingle@express-news.net Abuse of epidemic controls criticized China Daily) 10:04, June 25, 2022 A customer shows his health code to a waitress before entering a restaurant in a shopping mall in Chaoyang district of Beijing, capital of China, June 6, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] Health official says virus containment measures still play an important role China's top epidemic control authority on Friday reiterated its adamant stance on prohibiting excessive virus containment measures and abuse of related tools. The State Council's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism stressed that local authorities should not impose excessive travel restrictions on people traveling from low-risk regions, using digital health codes for non-epidemic purposes or rigidly turning away logistics workers. "Wrongdoing such as simplification of antivirus policies, adopting a one-size-fits-all approach and implementing additional curbs should be resolutely prevented,"Lei Zhenglong, deputy director of the National Health Commission's bureau of disease prevention and control, said at a news briefing. He also exposed a handful of typical cases. In one instance, four cities in Hebei province were found to have blindly placed all people traveling from Shanghai and Beijing under control. Another high-profile case recently involves the improper use of COVID-19 health codes. Earlier this month, some depositors of several banks in Henan province alleged that their health codes were intentionally changed from green to red, which blocked their ability to withdraw savings. Five local officials were punished for abuse of power following an investigation. Lei said that health codes have played an important role in helping identify and manage those at risk of infection, cutting off the transmission chain and ensuring orderly movement since the virus emerged. "The mechanism has made it clear that designation of health code status should be precise and based on virus levels in different regions," he said. "The function of health codes is definite and its use should not be expanded without lawful authorization," Lei said. "Changing health codes for reasons unrelated to the epidemic is strictly prohibited." Regarding complaints filed by truck drivers about disrupted logistics, Han Jinghua, deputy director of the Ministry of Transport's department of transport services, said that authorities have set up hotlines to receive such problems and aim at addressing them in as little as two hours. "Areas found to delay solving problems or commit similar mistakes over and over again will be publicly reported, so as to ensure smooth transport nationwide," he said. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) The serial of the possible signing of Robert Lewandowski by the FC Barcelona follows adding new chapters. After Hasan Salihamidzic, sportive director of the Bavarian club, ensured that "right now the possibility that it remain is of 100%", the ex president Uli Hoeness pronounced , once again, on the future of the forward and launched a hard attack to the Barca, remembering the important debt that has the Barcelona entity. "It supposes that the Barcelona wants to fichar to Lewandowski when had a debt of 1.300 millions six months ago. They have to be some artists. In Germany already had had to declare in failure, but are doing millionaire offers by a player of the Bayern", said Hoeness in statements to the channels 'NTV' and 'RTL', for afterwards deepen in that the arrival of Mane is not tied to the course of Lewandowski. "Our position is clear: Robert has agreement until the summer 2023. Fichamos To Sadio to increase the competition in our team. We want to reinforce the fight by the places in our team. The signing of Mane will do to stir the letters of all the players in attack", explained the German. The ex mandator of the Bavarian club took out breast also on the planning that are used to to have. "Never we think in leaving to a player when fichamos to Sadio", added. Already in the recent past had pronounced a pair of times ensuring that they had Lewandowski for the next campaign. Lewa, wait Waiting for novelties on his future, the Polish forward follows enjoying of his holidays in family in Mallorca and is supported by the idea to leave the Bayern and fichar by the Barca. Every time it subtracts less for the start of the pre-seasons of the European football, by what probably the first day in the Bayern indicate if Lewandowski will yield or no. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 24, 2022) - Centurion Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CTN) (the "Company") is pleased to update shareholders on progress regarding previously announced plans that include: distributing shares to its shareholders in a wholly owned subsidiary (" SpinCo ") created to complete the previously announced, "HAI Beverage/CannaEden Group" cannabis transaction; and, completing the required steps to enable the Company to resume trading in the near term, continuing as a mineral exploration issuer, and providing near term liquidity for shareholders. The Company has entered into an arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") with SpinCo pursuant to which the parties intend to complete a spinout transaction by way of a court approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Arrangement"). Additionally, on June 24, 2022, the Company received an Interim Order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") regarding approval of the Arrangement. The Interim Order sets out the conditions that must be met to apply for a final order of the Court ("Final Order") approving the Arrangement and includes the holding of the Annual General and Special meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders of the Company ("Shareholders") to approve the Arrangement. Spin Out and Arrangement Details The purpose of the Arrangement is to reorganize the Company and its assets and operations into two separate companies: the Company and SpinCo. The board of directors of the Company (the "Board") believes this will provide Shareholders with additional investment choices, and enhanced value as the Company and SpinCo will be solely focused on the pursuit and development of their respective business operations and assets. Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, and in accordance with the plan of arrangement (the "Plan of Arrangement"), among other things: The Company's cannabis agreements and $182,135.71 of cannabis related liabilities will be transferred to SpinCo, all as more fully set forth in the Circular (defined below); In consideration of the foregoing, SpinCo will transfer to the Company, the respective number of: (i) common shares in the capital of SpinCo equal to the number of common shares of the Company ("CTN Shares") outstanding at the Record Date (defined below) of the Arrangement. The Company will retain its remaining assets and working capital and continue as a mineral exploration company; and The authorized share structure of the Company will be reorganized and altered by (i) renaming and redesignating all of the issued and unissued CTN Shares as "Class A Shares"; and (ii) creating a new class of "common shares without par value" (the "New CTN Shares"). Thereafter, each Class A Share outstanding as at August 17, 2022 (the "Share Distribution Date") (excluding any Class A Shares held by Shareholders dissenting to the Arrangement), will be exchanged for: (i) one New CTN Share; and (ii) one common share of SpinCo (a "SpinCo Share"). Upon the Arrangement becoming effective, SpinCo will cease to be a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the Shareholders, as of the Share Distribution Date, will hold 100% of the outstanding SpinCo Shares. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan of Arrangement which will be filed on SEDAR. The Arrangement is subject to approval of the Court, the Shareholders and the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") and there can be no assurance that such approvals will be obtained or that the Arrangement will be completed on the terms contemplated, or at all. Further information regarding the Arrangement will be contained in a management information circular (the "Circular") that the Company will prepare, file and mail to the Shareholders in connection with the Meeting. All securityholders of the Company are urged to read the Circular once available as it will contain additional important information concerning the Arrangement. The securities to be issued under the Arrangement have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or applicable exemption from registration requirements. It is anticipated that any securities to be issued under the Arrangement will be offered and issued in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities. Meeting Details The Meeting will be held on August 12, 2022, at 10:00 am (Vancouver time) at 10th Floor, 595 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2T5. In addition to consideration of the Arrangement, Shareholders will be asked to (i) fix the number of directors for the ensuing year at four; (ii) elect directors for the ensuing year; (iii) appoint Manning Elliott LLP, Chartered Accountants, as the Company's auditors for the ensuing fiscal year at a remuneration to be fixed by the Board; and (iv) approve the Company's new long-term incentive plan. Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 28, 2022 (the "Record Date"), will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. The Arrangement is subject to shareholder approval of not less than 66 2/3 % of the votes cast at the Meeting. Board of Director's Recommendation The Board approved the Arrangement, concluding that it is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders and recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement at the Meeting. In reaching this conclusion, the Board considered, among other things, the benefits to the Company and its Shareholders, as well as the financial position, opportunities and outlook for the future potential and operating performance of the Company and SpinCo respectively. Final Order The Arrangement is subject to receipt of the Final Order of the Court, which the Company will seek after the Meeting and subject to receipt of the requisite Shareholder approval for the Arrangement. The hearing in respect of the Final Order is currently scheduled to take place on August 17, 2022. Share Consolidation Centurion is in the process of applying to the TSX-V for approval to consolidate the Company's issued and outstanding share capital on 2:1 basis (for every 2 common shares presently held, Shareholders will receive 1 post-consolidated common share) (the "Consolidation"). The Company's name and trading symbol will remain the same. The Company currently has 33,639,473 common shares outstanding which will, on a post-Consolidation basis, result in approximately 16,819,736 common shares outstanding. The Company's new CUSIP # is: 15643T404 and the ISIN # is: CA 15643T4046. A Letter of Transmittal will be mailed to shareholders holding physical certificates by the Company's transfer agent (Endeavor Trust Company, see below), advising that the Consolidation has taken effect and Shareholders should surrender their existing (pre-consolidation) common share certificates, for new (post-consolidation) common share certificates. No fractional common shares of the Company shall be issued in connection with the Consolidation and the number of common shares to be received by a Shareholder shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of common shares. Centurion will apply to the TSX-V for a resumption of trading as a mineral exploration issuer following the August 12, 2022, Meeting. Change of Transfer Agent Effective June 24, 2022, the Company has replaced Computershare Trust Company of Canada as the registrar and transfer agent of the Company's common shares with Endeavor Trust Corporation. Shareholders do not need to take any action with respect to the change in registrar and transfer agent services. All inquiries and correspondence relating to the shareholder records, transfer of shares, loss certificates or change of address should now be directed to Endeavor Trust Corporation, through their office in Vancouver. ABOUT CENTURION Centurion Minerals Ltd. is a Canadian-based company with a focus on mineral asset development in the Americas. The Company's lead investment has been its interest in the Ana Sofia Agri-Gypsum Fertilizer Project. "David G. Tafel" President and CEO For Further Information Contact: David Tafel 604-484-2161 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding, the completion of the Arrangement, the Meeting, the Final Order hearing of the Court, the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement, the Company's plan to develop its business and provide Shareholders with additional investment choices and enhanced value, the Company's plans to complete the Consolidation and the Company's plans to apply to the TSX-V for a resumption of trading as a mineral exploration issuer following the Meeting are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators, and assumptions made with regard to: the Company's ability to complete the proposed Arrangement on the terms and conditions contemplated, or at all; the Companies' ability to secure the necessary shareholder, Court and regulatory approvals required to complete the Arrangement; the estimated costs associated with the Arrangement; the timing of the Meeting, the Final Order hearing and the Arrangement, and the general stability of the economy and the industry in which the Company operates . Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company expectations include risks associated with the business of the Company; risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions to the closing of the Arrangement; non-completion of the Arrangement; risks related to the Company failing to obtain the requisite shareholder approval required for the Arrangement; risks relating the number of dissenting shareholders requiring fair value for their securities in connection with the Arrangement; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Company projects; business and economic conditions in the mining and cannabis industries generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties, or cannabis-related assets, and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in the Company filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/129002 Prime Trust, a Las Vegas, Nevada-based provider of financial infrastructure for fintech and digital asset innovators, raised over $100m in its Series B funding round. Backers included FIS Impact Ventures, Fin Capital, Mercato Partners, Kraken Ventures, Commerce Ventures, William Blair & Company, Decasonic, University Growth Fund, Gaingels, GateCap Ventures, and Seven Peaks Ventures. The company, which has raised more than $170m in total funding to date, intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts to: Launch new products like the Crypto IRA, Wealth and Staking products Enhance their ability to support tokenized products Increase investment in the stability and security of the Prime Trust Platform Led by Tom Pageler, CEO, Prime Trust provides fintech and digital asset innovators with financial infrastructure. Through a full suite of APIs, the company enables clients to launch, and scale securely. Regulated by the State of Nevada, it processes hundreds of millions of API calls per month serving nearly 700 fintech and digital asset clients. FinSMEs 25/06/2022 On June 7, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Uzbek Acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov on the sidelines of the third "China+Central Asia" (C+C5) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Nur-Sultan. Wang Yi said, President Xi Jinping and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev have established high-level mutual trust and profound friendship, providing important strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Uzbekistan to take the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership to seek greater synergy between the two countries' development strategies, enhance mutual understanding and support, deepen the experience-sharing on state governance, and make joint efforts to constantly elevate bilateral relations to new heights. Wang Yi said, China-Uzbekistan cooperation in various fields is progressing smoothly. In the first quarter of this year, bilateral trade volume has increased substantially, showing broad potential. More highly marketable Uzbek products are welcome to enter the Chinese market, and China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Uzbekistan, so as to help the country accelerate industrialization and enhance its capacity for self-driven development. The two sides should ensure sound implementation of the five-year plan for inter-governmental economic, trade and investment cooperation, give full play to the role of the working group on investment cooperation, and select a batch of major cooperation projects with strategic significance. Efforts should be made to strengthen cooperation in traditional energy, jointly ensure the safe and stable operation of the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline, and expand cooperation in civilian nuclear energy, solar energy and wind energy, and other new energy sources. Norov said, this year is of great significance for Uzbekistan-China relations. Thanks to the profound friendship and guidance of the two heads of state, bilateral relations have reached an unprecedented high level. Uzbekistan cherishes the friendship between the two countries and will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, strengthen Belt and Road cooperation, advance mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, trade, investment, energy, production capacity, green agriculture and other fields, and work for setting a model of state-to-state relations. The two sides will improve connectivity, facilitate customs clearance, strengthen cooperation on road-rail combined transport, and explore ways to speed up the diversified construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway and other transportation channels. The two sides will ensure sound implementation of the memorandum of understanding on poverty alleviation cooperation, and share development experience; advance all-round cooperation on vaccines, support the establishment of a regional vaccine research and development center in Uzbekistan, and deepen cooperation on traditional Chinese medicine and telemedicine; strengthen cooperation in people-to-people and cultural affairs and tourism, as well as at sub-national levels; step up joint efforts to build a China-Central Asia Agricultural Cooperation Center. The two sides will deepen cooperation in combating three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and in counter-terrorism, defense and cyber security, among others. The two sides spoke highly of the role of the C+C5 cooperation mechanism. Norov appreciated China's important and constructive role in regional cooperation, saying that the development and revitalization of Central Asia are closely related to China, and Uzbekistan will actively participate in and push for positive outcomes of the third C+C5 Foreign Ministers' meeting. The two sides will strengthen communication and coordination in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Wang Yi said, China supports Uzbekistan in hosting the SCO Samarkand Summit successfully. The two sides also exchanged views on the Afghan issue. Norov spoke highly of China's important role in Afghanistan's reconstruction and expressed readiness to jointly promote harmony, stability, peace and development in Afghanistan. On June 7, 2022 local time, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with visiting State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Nur-Sultan. Wang Yi first conveyed cordial greetings from President Xi Jinping, congratulating Kazakhstan on the successful holding of a nationwide referendum on amendments to its constitution. Wang Yi said, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kazakhstan, and is of great significance for both sides to pass on the tradition and forge ahead with the ties. Bilateral relations so far have gone through many storms, made hard-won achievements and realized leapfrog development, demonstrating strong vitality. China, as a friendly neighbor and permanent comprehensive strategic partner for Kazakhstan, firmly supports Kazakhstan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and in implementing the "New Kazakhstan" development strategy. He believes that Kazakhstan will realize lasting peace and prosperity and open up bright prospects for national development. Wang Yi said, the strategic guidance of the heads of state is the political strength and distinctive feature of China-Kazakhstan relations. China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to well implement important consensuses reached by the two heads of state, steadfastly guided by the vision of everlasting friendship, take great care of bilateral relations, and promote cooperation in various fields, so as to push the China-Kazakhstan permanent comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels. Tokayev recalled with pleasure his important and successful meeting with President Xi Jinping in February this year, and asked Wang Yi to convey sincere greetings and best wishes to President Xi Jinping, wishing the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a complete success. Tokayev said, since the establishment of Kazakhstan-China diplomatic ties 30 years ago, bilateral relations have maintained positive momentum, and close exchanges have been made between various departments at different levels. China's support and cooperation play a vital role in Kazakhstan's political security, national stability and economic development. Kazakhstan gives priority to its relations with China in its foreign policy and is committed to constantly enriching the dimensions of bilateral relations. Kazakhstan is willing to strengthen the Belt and Road cooperation, push economic and trade investment to a higher level, and expand cooperation in agriculture, transportation, logistics, energy, tourism, people-to-people exchanges and other fields, so as to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results. Tokayev said that Kazakhstan and China share the same stance and common language on major international issues. Kazakhstan speaks highly of China's important influence and constructive role in international affairs and fully agrees with and supports the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. These initiatives, which are very important and timely, will be conducive to bridging the deficit in global peace, governance, trust and development. Kazakhstan also appreciates China's initiative to build four partnerships of solidarity, development, security and civilization with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and is willing to take an active part in it. Wang Yi said, China and Kazakhstan take the lead in the Belt and Road cooperation, which has scored fruitful results. China is ready to strengthen strategic synergy with Kazakhstan, expand cooperation areas, establish a new batch of quality cooperation projects that benefit the two peoples, chart the medium and long-term development plan for economic and trade cooperation, negotiate a new version of the investment protection agreement, increase the throughput of goods at ports, diversify transportation routes, speed up the feasibility study of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges to consolidate public and social support for the friendship between the two countries. The two sides also exchanged views on Central Asia cooperation and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) cooperation. Wang Yi appreciated the important role Kazakhstan has been playing in preparing for the third China+Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting, adding that China is ready to jointly build an efficient regional cooperation platform and enhance unity and cooperation between China and Central Asian neighbors. China also supports the Kazakh side in playing its role as CICA chair and successfully hosting the sixth summit of the CICA. Both sides expressed deep concerns about the serious spillover impacts of the Ukraine crisis. Wang Yi stressed, China has played a constructive role in promoting peace talks. Under the current circumstances, the region should be on guard against attempts by forces outside the region to draw regional countries into major power conflicts and force them to take sides. China hopes that Central Asian countries will stand firm, eliminate interference, strengthen coordination, cooperate in good faith and safeguard regional peace and stability. China has never sought geopolitical interests in Central Asia, and never allows non-regional forces to stir up trouble in the region. Tokayev appreciated China's just position, and expressed the willingness to maintain close and timely communication and stay committed to the settlement of disputes through peaceful means. On the same day, Wang Yi held talks with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and jointly met the press. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. High near 90F. NNW winds shifting to E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low near 80F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Spiritual sojourners/pilgrims can learn much in solitude and hermitage. However, its also through relationships that we can grow in surprising ways. Theres a grand opportunity if we are courageous enough to open our hearts on an intimate level. A spiritual teacher of mine once said intimacy means into-me-see. The bestselling The Four Agreements: a Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz teaches not to take anything personally, because egoic defenses project unconscious programming onto others, blinding us to our own inner truth. The blessing is to catch a glimpse of this character this false self to first know it and then become liberated from it. Seeing relationships as a magic mirror allows us to untie energetic knots, getting to know them like a dear friend, releasing the weight of unresolved conflict with others. How we relate to others reveals where we are in this process of bonding/uniting with our Divinity. When acting from the egoic mind, we lose the present moment, the true beauty of life. Many spiritual masters have said this is how we lose our true essence, becoming a human doing, which decreases our joy and unconditional happiness. Lower energies are fear-based reacting, focusing on the other rather than looking inward. Greed, anger, lust, vanity, deceit, gluttony, sloth the seven deadly sins separate us from our inner Divinity. Benevolent attributes generosity, honesty, humility, forgiveness, goodness, peace, patience, perseverance are fruits of unity consciousness. Love dwells in our true nature, and doesnt harm or seek its own pleasure at the expense of others. How does one transform lower energies into God/Oneness consciousness? Our wisdom traditions provide exceptional tools: meditating (emptying the mind), chanting (replacing egoic chatter), praying (asking our guides for help), sitting silently, walking in nature (connecting with all life forms). Buddhists intently study the mind, carefully watching its activity. Sitting with anger, grief, jealousy, disappointment, sorrow releases these disquieting energies. Liberation from negative emotions requires concerted effort, using multiple tools, completely dedicating ourselves to higher truth. Where does the magic mirror come in? Being with likeminded others, we can assist/support one another with our inner journey. Facing the truth requires tremendous courage and humility. Older ones can mentor younger, mirroring areas not readily seen. Humility comes from the root humus, earth, on the ground, meek, modest. One is teachable when humble and meek, willing to learn from wiser souls while listening to the inner truth hidden in the heart. Sri Bhagavan from Southern India says, To see is to be free. Seeing is awareness, neutral, objective, nonattached to a particular outcome or being right. Seeing just sees, watching, listening outside usual ways of reacting. Some dedicated monks take vows of silence, quieting the ego, amplifying the inner world, magnifying reality, disengaging from unnecessary drama. Time in solitude, inspirational study, quiet walks, breath work, chanting provide opportunity to experience a higher vantage point. Journaling is its own magic mirror, uncovering meanings of dreams, memories, insights. Through writing, higher consciousness can be channeled. Whats magical about writing is that what surfaces can be totally astonishing. Surprisingly, even fiction writing allows us to explore deeper realms of the unconscious where spiritual insights show up unexpectedly as we create characters/events drawn from our own reality or childhood, offering an opportunity to step outside our mental programs, where authenticity can stream through. Journaling releases old hurts/resentments that liberate our consciousness. Ram Dass once said, We are all just walking each other home, and as intimate friends often do, we support/listen carefully, becoming sounding boards for clarity. The most dear, intimate friend is our True Being, neutral, open, awake. Inner freedom is the most precious gift worthy of our highest priority. Karyn Chambers earned a masters degree in composition, rhetoric and literature from Oregon State University, and a masters of divinity from Marylhurst University in Portland. She has taught world religions and philosophy along with English composition at community colleges for 25 years. She also teaches Kundalini yoga and has a meditation group that meets in her Brownsville home. Her email address is karynchambers598@gmail.com if you would like more information. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Dublin, June 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Biodiesel - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Biodiesel Market to Reach US$40.2 Billion by the Year 2026 Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Biodiesel estimated at US$30.7 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$40.2 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% over the analysis period. The global biodiesel market is driven by the increasing need for clean and renewable fuel sources. There is rising environmental consciousness leading to a preference for environment-friendly fuel. The soaring prices of non-renewable sources of energy such as due to their limited resources are driving focus onto alternative fuels. The main factor which influences growth is the rising concern over gas emissions by fossil fuels. Government policies favoring the promotion of sustainable projects that save energy and protect the environment are important drivers of growth in the biodiesel market. Advanced biofuels and ethanol are being promoted by the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) through mandates and regulations. There is a growing demand for biodiesel for use in commercial cars to reduce usage of crude oil. Fuel oil blended biodiesel fuel blends are being researched to reduce dependence on petroleum in the transportation sector. Also favoring market growth is the continuous focus on research activities aimed at developing biodiesel products that can replace crude oil. Vegetable Oils, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 4.7% CAGR to reach US$33 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Animal Fats segment is readjusted to a revised 4.3% CAGR for the next 7-year period. Vegetable oils are easily available, renewable, biodegradable, easy to transport, and provide high heat content. Most of the companies use vegetable oils to produce biodiesel on account of its higher yield and renewability. The U.S. Market is Estimated at $5.2 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $2.2 Billion by 2026 The Biodiesel market in the U.S. is estimated at US$5.2 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 16.2% share in the global market. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$2.2 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 5.9% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Canada and Europe, each forecast to grow at 4.2% and 3.9% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 4% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Europe represents the leading region in the global biodiesel market. The region`s large share is due to the several government initiatives and regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Biodiesel fuel consumption is on the rise in Europe on account of the government laws and programs and energy taxation regimes. The US is among the major producers and consumers of biodiesel. Increasing use of biodiesel in the United States is mainly driven by the presence of favorable legislations. Asia-Pacific region represents a promising market for biodiesel. Due to rapid industrialization and increase in demand for liquid fuel in power and transport sectors in emerging countries such as Indonesia, China, India, Thailand, and Malaysia, Asia Pacific will witness high growth in the coming years. Transportation Fuel (Application) Segment to Reach $20.6 Billion by 2026 Biodiesel is increasingly playing a role as a fuel in automobiles, railways, agriculture, and maritime operations. Biodiesel has improved efficiency compared to gasoline and is useful for compression-ignition engines. Biodiesel is used in its pure form i.e. B100 or in the form of a blend with conventional petroleum diesel. Some of the blends of biodiesel include B2, B5 and B20, referring to 2%, 5% and 20% of biodiesel content, respectively. In the global Transportation Fuel (Application) segment, USA, Canada, China and Europe will drive the 4.9% CAGR estimated for this segment. T Key Topics Covered: I. METHODOLOGY II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. MARKET OVERVIEW Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on Clean Technologies COVID-19 Outbreak Dampens Biofuel Consumption Biofuel Production Unlikely to Stay on Subsistent Levels and Bounce Back Quickly COVID-19 Impact on the Biodiesel Market Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2022 (E) An Introduction to Biodiesel Characteristic Features of Biodiesel Biodiesel Blend Biodiesel Production Process Raw Materials Used in Biodiesel Production Benefits & Drawbacks of Biodiesel Consumption Global Market Prospects & Outlook Vegetable Oil: The Most Widely Used Feedstock for Biodiesel Production Transportation Fuel Emerges as the Leading Application Category Europe Leads the Biodiesel Market Biodiesel Production Trends: An Overview Global Biofuel Production Breakdown by Bioethanol and Biodiesel & HVOs for 2000 and 2020 Competition Recent Market Activity 2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS (Total 152 Featured) Albemarle Corporation British Plastics Federation Buckman Laboratories International, Inc. BWA Water Additives Champion Technology Services, Inc. Chevron Oronite Company LLC Dow Inc. Ecolab, Inc. Kemira Oyj Lanxess AG MilliporeSigma Neste Oyj Nouryon RB Fuels Renewable Energy Group, Inc. Suez SA TUBI THOR SPA 3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Pressing Need for Alternative/Renewable Fuels Drives Focus onto Biofuels Future Trends in Biofuel Industry to Impact Growth of Biodiesel Market Depleting Fossil Fuel Resources and Shift Towards Renewable Energy Presents Opportunities for Biodiesel Market Amidst Concerns over Rising Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Demand for Clean & Eco-Friendly Fuels Drives Growth in Biodiesel Market Growing Importance of Biodiesel as a Substitute Fuel in Automotive Industry Increasing Use of Biodiesel to Supplement Existing Engine Designs in Vehicles to Boost Market Growth Power Generation: Potential for Biodiesel as Alternative to Conventional Fossil Fuels China and India Lead the Global Rise in Demand for Electricity Need to Reduce GHG Emissions & Ensure Compliance with IMO Specifications Drives Marine Sector to Use Biofuels/Blends Aviation Biofuels to Widen Growth Prospects Technology Innovations Promise Further Opportunities for Biodiesel as Transportation Fuel Emergence of New Feedstocks to Propel Biodiesel Production Favorable Biofuel Blend Mandates & Blend Targets Offer Opportunities Vegetable Oils-Based Biodiesel: Easy Modification of Existing Diesel Engines Fuels Adoption Major Feedstock Use in Biodiesel Production by Region/Country Oil Price Volatility and Shift towards EVs Presents Challenges for Biodiesel Market Prices of Petroleum Derived Feedstock: A Critical Factor Impacting Biodiesel Demand Major Challenges Facing Biodiesel Market 4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE III. REGIONAL MARKET ANALYSIS IV. COMPETITION For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2jyn62 Attachment Washington, June 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America's 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden's cabinet, issued the following statement on todays U.S. Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Today's Supreme Court ruling turns back the clock on the progress we have made as a nation, jeopardizing the civil liberties of millions of women to make decisions about their health and reproductive care, and creating ripple effects across communities and our economy. Every person deserves the opportunity to live up to their full potential - and deciding when to start a family is critically important to preserve that right, particularly for women entrepreneurs pursuing the American dream of business ownership. Ensuring women have a chance and a choice to pursue opportunity advances the prosperity and stability of our nation. It is why, under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, equitable access to opportunities is a cornerstone of everything we do at the U.S. Small Business Administration, and why we will remain committed to doing everything we can to support women - including millions of women entrepreneurs - and their right to make critical choices for their families and their economic futures. We stand with all Americans impacted by today's events and this decision. ### About the U.S. Small Business Administration NEW YORK, June 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized stockholder rights law firm, has launched an investigation into whether the officers or directors of RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. (RADA) breached their fiduciary duties or violated the federal securities laws in connection with the companys acquisition by Leonardo DRS (Leonardo DRS). Click here to learn more and participate in the action. On June 21, 2022, RADA announced that it had entered into an agreement to be acquired by Leonardo DRS in an all stock deal. Pursuant to the merger agreement, RADA shareholders will collectively receive 19.5% equity ownership of the new merged company under Leonardo DRS. The deal is scheduled to close in the fourth quarter of 2022. Bragar Eagel & Squire is concerned that RADAs board of directors oversaw an unfair process and ultimately agreed to an inadequate merger agreement. Accordingly, the firm is investigating all relevant aspects of the deal and is committed to securing the best result possible for RADAs stockholders. If you own shares of RADA and are concerned about the proposed merger, or you are interested in learning more about the investigation or your legal rights and remedies, please contact Melissa Fortunato by email at mergers@bespc.com or telephone at (646) 860-9157, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you. About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, California, and South Carolina. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Several Formula One teams have had to deal with porpoising this season. It has caused Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, among others, to make comments about their physical condition, but David Coulthard has no sympathy for the two drivers. Article continues under ad As a former Formula 1 driver, Coulthard knows better than anyone what it takes to be active in the motor racing class. According to the analyst, sport can be physically demanding, but it is not appropriate to complain about it. He said in an interview with Channel 4. "I think we have to keep in perspective that sport doesnt come with princesses and the pea mattresses," Coulthard judged harshly. "This is where certain teams are, and therell be evolution, but for the most part just get on with it." Porpoising remains major problem for Mercedes Just last week, the FIA issued a directive to reduce porpoising in Formula One. The organisation pointed out that the phenomenon in motor racing would cause unsafe situations, so it had to intervene to prevent risky situations. Hamilton announced after his third place in Canada that he still suffers from porpoising and therefore believes that more should be done to solve the problem. However, he also pointed out that his team also has a responsibility to work hard on this. Read more How Red Bull calculated the best pit strategy in Abu Dhabi 2021 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HARTFORD Throughout national discussions about abortion, Connecticut leaders have repeatedly reassured their pro-choice constituents that the state is a safe harbor for abortions. The U.S. Supreme Court announced Friday that Roe v. Wade would be overturned and the feeling of safety that many abortions-rights advocates have long felt in Connecticut is slipping away. I dont think anyone is safe, said Sherry Ferguson, a longtime Connecticut resident. How can we say that any state is guaranteed? Ferguson was among about 40 people who gathered on the steps of the state Capitol Friday afternoon following the Supreme Courts announcement. They heard from local and state Democrats who expressed pride to live in Connecticut, but some of the same doubts about the future. The high court ruling gives states the power to support or ban abortions. Reproduction rights were written into Connecticut law about 30 years ago, and during this past legislative session, the laws were expanded to protect women seeking abortions from other states and the medical personnel who treat them from civil and criminal liability from outside Connecticut. However, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., cautioned that a future motion from Republicans in the U.S. Senate could mean a federal law banning abortions. If that happens, forget about Connecticut and its safe harbor, Blumenthal said at the Hartford rally, which was organized by Connecticut Democrats. Federal law trumps state law. Federal law overrides Connecticut safe harbor. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz called the Supreme Courts ruling cruel and unconscionable. Gov. (Ned) Lamont and I want you to know that Connecticut is and will remain a safe harbor, Bysiewicz said. But as we know, our rights are fragile and must be protected every time. And so, we say today that we are the team that can be trusted to protect the rights of women in Connecticut, because this difference couldn't be more clear between our team and the other team. Bysiewicz pointed out that Lamonts rival Bob Stefanowski hasnt publicly said he would stand up against attacks on Roe v. Wade. On Twitter, Stefanowski wrote, Todays Supreme Court ruling has absolutely no impact on Connecticut residents. I will continue to support Connecticuts state law, which has codified a womans right to choose, with an appropriate ban on late-term abortion. Across the country in states that do not have abortion rights legislation, the limit to safe medical abortions could be absolute. The Washington Post reported that 13 states will soon ban abortions. There are young girls in this country who were raped by their uncles and their fathers who are forced to carry those pregnancies that resulted from those rapes to term because of this Supreme Court decision, said state Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Killingly. Besides voting, Flexer pushed residents to consider the privilege they had to live in a state that allows abortion and asked them to donate to people who might need to travel to Connecticut to get an abortion. If you are a person who has that money, take that money today and donate it to the incredible organizations that are galvanized right now, to make sure those scenarios I was talking about earlier, don't have to happen. Many speakers and attendees of the rally said they discussed with their families the impact the decision will have on the future of the country. They should freak out, Ferguson said of her grandchildren and nieces. They should never miss an opportunity to vote because I dont really know what other power we have. VERNON Hate crime charges against an Enfield man accused of drawing Nazi symbols on buildings at the University of Connecticut will be dismissed if he stays out of trouble for two years and gives $500 to a local synagogue. Kristopher Pieper, 22, appeared in Rockville Superior Court Friday before Judge Kathleen McNamara, where he applied for a form of accelerated rehabilitation, a pretrial probation program. He was arrested last April on charges, including intimidation based on bigotry or bias and criminal mischief after police said he spray-painted a swastika and Nazi SS bolts on a building across the street from the universitys Hillel chapter at the start of Passover. Deputy Assistant States Attorney Ashely Sgro told the judge it would be very difficult for her to support Piepers request. She said that despite initially denying involvement, a police search warrant revealed Pieper admitted drawing the symbols, and tearing down a Menorah on a bulletin board and making other disturbing comments. Surveillance footage also implicated Pieper, the prosecutor said. Pieper did not speak during the hearing. His lawyer, Trent LaLima, said his clients behavior was attributable to alcohol abuse, immaturity and insensitivity. In the 15 months since this incident, Mr. Pieper has made remarkable progress on each of those things, he said. LaLima said Pieper was discharged from a substance abuse and mental health treatment program after 13 sessions. He was put on probation at UConn, LaLima said, and remains on academic supervision, with a 3.7 GPA while working 15 hours a week at a warehouse job. He also wrote a letter of apology and paid restitution. He asked the judge to grant a form of the accelerated rehabilitation program for defendants accused of hate crimes because of Piepers age, subsequent treatment and the nonviolent nature of the offenses. He's worked very hard these 15 months to stay out of trouble, LaLima said. The judge granted the program, ordering the case to be dismissed in two years if Pieper donates $500 to a local synagogue, after lamenting that our society seems to have too much hate for everybody. Pieper nodded along as the judge spoke. Do not repeat this behavior, McNamara said. Any slip-up at all and youll be back. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Juul can continue to sell its electronic cigarettes, at least for now, after a federal appeals court on Friday temporarily blocked a government ban. Juul filed an emergency motion earlier Friday, seeking the temporary hold while it appeals the sales ban. The e-cigarette maker had asked the court to pause what it called an extraordinary and unlawful action by the Food and Drug Administration that would have required it to immediately halt its business. The FDA said Thursday that Juul must stop selling its vaping device and its tobacco and menthol flavored cartridges. The action was part of a sweeping effort by the agency to bring scientific scrutiny to the multibillion-dollar vaping industry after years of regulatory delays. To stay on the market, companies must show that their e-cigarettes benefit public health. In practice, that means proving that adult smokers who use them are likely to quit or reduce their smoking, while teens are unlikely to get hooked on them. The FDA said Juuls application left regulators with significant questions and didnt include enough information to evaluate any potential health risks. Juul said it submitted enough information and data to address all issues raised. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted Juul's request for a hold while the court reviews the case. While Juul remains a top seller, its share of the U.S. e-cigarette market has dipped to about half. The company was widely blamed for a surge in underage vaping a few years ago, but a recent federal survey showed a drop in the teen vaping rate and a shift away from Juul's products. The devices heat a nicotine solution into a vapor thats inhaled, bypassing many of the toxic chemicals produced by burning tobacco. The company said in its Friday court filing that it submitted a 125,000-page application to the FDA nearly two years ago. It said the application included several studies to evaluate the health risks among Juul users. Juul said that the FDA cannot argue that there was a critical and urgent public interest in immediately removing its products from the market when the agency allowed them to be sold during its review. The company noted that the FDA denied its application while authorizing those submitted by competitors with similar products. The FDA has OK'd e-cigarettes from R.J. Reynolds, Logic and other companies, while rejecting many others. In 2019, Juul was pressured into halting all advertising and eliminating its fruit and dessert flavors after they became popular among middle and high school students. The next year, the FDA limited flavors in small vaping devices to just tobacco and menthol. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GREENWICH Pointing to the towns vulnerability to coastal floods and the dangers of escalating temperatures and fuel prices, a group of young activists presented a resolution to the Board of Selectmen this week that would declare climate change a global emergency in town and require Greenwich to do something about it. Our entire generations future hangs in the balance of decisions like this one we are asking you to make, said Isabelle Harper, who graduated from Greenwich High School on Thursday. The selectmen praised the petitioners but took no action since the item was considered a first read. Members of the board raised some concern that the wording of the document was too restrictive. With revisions, the board could likely vote on the document in July. In Greenwich we take this seriously, First Selectman Fred Camillo told the petitioners. He pointed to efforts to purchase electrical vehicles for the towns fleet, the establishment of the towns Energy Management Advisory Committee and Sustainability Committee, having electrical vehicle charging stations at Town Hall and other steps happening little by little. With gas prices as high as they are now, Camillo said he did not want to see anything that would hurt vulnerable people economically. He stressed his support for the goals and said he was available to work with the group next week about changes to the language before the boards vote. In asking the board to sign the petition, its supporters laid out their arguments both internationally and locally. Climate change could have a severe impact on beloved local natural resources like Tods Point, Harper told the three-member board. She said she was representing the dozens and dozens of her peers who supported the declaration. Approving the resolution they presented is desperately needed, town resident Nicole Freitas, a policy intern at Save the Sound, argued as she spoke about Greenwich being a coastal town at risk with rising sea levels. Climate change is the biggest problem to face youth and families in our known history, Freitas said. The impacts of climate change are already resulting in floods, storms, loss of resources and the growing cost of access to energy. Our shoreline exposes thousands of residents to flood risks and in Tropical Storms Irene and Sandy, Greenwich experienced devastating flooding and power outages. Declaring an emergency in town has been a priority of the Greenwich Environmental Advocacy Group, a largely student-run organization open to membership from anyone. The group held a rally at Town Hall last July to push for the town to declare a global emergency. The resolution members laid before the board calls for the town to formally declare the existence of a climate emergency that threatens the natural world and that the town should make this emergency the foundation for future priorities, policies, plans, budgets, and actions for a more resilient coastline and other steps. Additionally, it called for the town to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and for the selectmen to collaborate with the Board of Estimate and Taxation and Representative Town Meeting to collaborate on an emergency mobilization effort to meet those emission reduction goals. In the coming decades, scientists have predicted increasingly destructive models of how the global climate is going to change if we continue with the status quo, Harper, a member of GEAG, said. More severe and frequent natural disasters, droughts and heat waves to name a few. The tipping point, they have stated, is going to be 2030 to 2035, after which changes to our global climate will be irreversible. This future is a scary future for people my age and that is why we need to fight for our lives, to stop suffocating ourselves from our own pollution, she said. Alex Rodriguez, from Save the Sound, said his organization is working to have municipalities throughout Connecticut declare a climate emergency to try and put enough pressure on the state to pour resources into climate action adaptation and resiliency. While Camillo praised the effort as great and said he couldnt agree more with the overall goal, he said he worried that the petition as written was too limited. The resolution lists Black, Indigenous, other communities of color and low-income and minority communities as having suffered the gravest consequences from climate disruption and environmental hazards. If were talking about communities that are affected by it disproportionally, if you start naming communities were also going to leave communities out, Camillo said. My view is we need to probably focus more on (the) socio-economic (aspect) which incorporates everybody because youre always going to hear someone say, what about so and so? And what about this? We know for a fact communities all over and people who are very different all suffer from economic circumstances, sometimes beyond their control. I would try and be more inclusive with that, he told the petitioners. Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, a new grandmother, told the petitioners, My grandson is going to be 6 months old so I totally understand the world that we need to leave for our children and our grandchildren. Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan, co-chair of the towns Sustainability Committee, said that the committee had enthusiastically endorsed the resolution and called it really impressive work. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com OnePlus launched the OnePlus TV Y Series Y1S Pro in April with a 43" screen, and it will follow up with the 50" model soon since the promo pages for the OnePlus TV Y Series 50 Y1S Pro have gone live on Amazon.in and OnePlus' Indian websites. The OnePlus TV Y Series 50 Y1S Pro looks identical to the 43" version and will come with a 4K screen with 10-bit color depth. It will also feature MEMC technology and HDR10 decoding and pack 24W speakers with Dolby Audio support. OnePlus TV Y Series 50 Y1S Pro's confirmed features The 50" Y1S Pro will offer seamless connectivity with other OnePlus devices, and you'll also be able to adjust the TV's volume with the OnePlus Watch using the Smart Volume Control. Additionally, the smart TV will have Sleep Detection, meaning it will automatically go to sleep when you do. OnePlus TV Y Series 50 Y1S Pro will offer seamless connectivity with other OnePlus devices The images shared on OnePlus India and Amazon's websites suggest the 50" Y1S Pro will have 8GB of storage onboard - the same as the 43" model. OnePlus hasn't revealed when the OnePlus TV Y Series 50 Y1S Pro will be fully unveiled, but we believe the smart TV will launch alongside the Nord 2T in India, rumored to debut in the country on June 27. Source 1, Source 2 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Guahan Academy Charter School June and July schedule: Monday-Friday: Summer school. PUBLIC SCHOOLS Daniel L. Perez Elementary School Summer school 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Call 671-635-2177/0404. Orientation at 10 a.m. at the cafeteria: Aug. 2: Kindergarten students. Aug. 3: second- and third-grade students. Aug. 4: fourth- and fifth-grade students. Faneyakan Sinipok program CHamoru Immersion Program is open to all kindergarten students 5 years old by July 31, 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. at P.C. Lujan Elementary. Transportation must be provided by parent or guardian. Fill out an application and provide necessary documents at rb.gy/8uubxk, followed by interview. Families will need to commit to: Active participation. Parents and family members must take CHamoru immersion classes. Provide eight hours of in-kind service to the program per month. Contact 671-300-2498 or 671-300-1367 or email jsteria@gdoe.net. SCHOLARSHIPS Dave J. Santos scholarship The Guam Chamber of Commerces Dave J. Santos scholarship is open to full-time juniors or seniors at the UOG School of Business and Public Administration. Must have a 3.0 GPA, be a graduate of a Guam high school or resident of Guam for at least two years and have a genuine interest in promoting entrepreneurship. Awardee gets $1,000 per semester, paid internship with Chamber. Apply until Aug. 12. Contact UOG Financial Aid office at 671-735-2288 or Guam Chamber at 671-472-6311/8001 or email info@GuamChamber.com.gu. COLLEGES University of Guam Applications for Fanuchanan semester accepted until Aug. 8. Classes begin Aug. 17; most classes are in person. Residents ages 50 and older eligible for tuition waiver program. Call Office of Admissions and Records at 671-735-2210/1 by Aug. 12. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions and Records at 671-735-2202 or email admitme@trition.uog.edu. Guam Community College Apply for fall semester until Aug. 12. Classes begin Aug. 17. Register in person or online at www.guamcc.edu/apply. Call 671-735-5531 or email gcc.registrar@guamcc.edu. Students are encouraged to complete and submit a Free Application for Student Aid form. Call 671-735-5543/5544 or email financialaid@guamcc.edu. WORKSHOPS Environmental Education The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Center for Learning with Nature and other partners will host Fanihi & Friends: Place-based Environmental Education for upper elementary to secondary science teachers 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 29-July 2. Contact Marybelle Quinata at 671-355-5096 or email marybelle_quinata@fws.gov. Pyriel "Ross" Jao, 20, with advice on how to respond if someone in your life comes out to you as gender-fluid or otherwise non-cisgendered on May 26, 2022. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A man charged last month with assault and DWI was charged with aggravated assault Saturday after a visiting Navy sailor was left bleeding and unconscious in front of a Tumon nightclub, according to police and charging documents. Chad Anthony Juanico, 31, was charged with aggravated assault as a third-degree felony, driving while impaired as a misdemeanor and resisting arrest as a misdemeanor. Police were called to Viking Gentlemans Club at 2:20 a.m. Friday, where they found a crewmember from the USS Ronald Reagan on the ground, unconscious but breathing, and bleeding from his nose with a scrape on his neck, according to a magistrates report filed in Superior Court. Police reviewed surveillance footage where they saw Juanico and the man yelling at one another. Juanico walked up the stairs, threw 10 punches and used his knee to attack the man, who never retaliated, the complaint stated. A witness identified Juanico, and at 2:27 a.m., officers saw a car that matched a description of his vehicle. As they were placing him under arrest, Juanico stiffened his body and three officers were needed to get him in the police car, the complaint stated. Juanico was speaking incoherently, had bloodshot eyes and smelled like alcohol, according to the complaint. He refused to take a field sobriety test. May 26 On May 26, Juanico was charged with assault, driving while impaired and reckless driving while impaired, after a disturbance was reported in Dededo. According to the magistrates complaint in that case, police found a man bleeding from his face, and a witness said Juanico hit the man when he was on the ground. Juanico said he was a little bit under the influence, and told police he was rendering aid to the injured man. Abortion opponents on Guam praised the Supreme Court for overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, but others, including the governor, spoke out against the courts ruling. Like many states, Guam already has a law on the books banning abortion. In 1990, Gov. Joseph F. Ada signed Public Law 20-134, which was unanimously passed by members of the 20th Guam Legislature. The measure criminalizes abortion in all cases except when the life of a mother is endangered. The law was struck down after a six-year legal battle, but the new ruling allows states and territories to ban abortions. In testimony before the Legislature in May, Assistant Attorney General James Canto told lawmakers that if Roe v. Wade were overturned, almost all forms of abortion would be rendered illegal on Guam. Clinics in at least eight states Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia stopped performing abortions after Fridays decision, according to The Associated Press. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero issued a statement Saturday criticizing the ruling, while the Republican gubernatorial team of Felix Camacho and Tony Ada applauded the decision. Womens rights Leon Guerrero said the Supreme Court has set back womens rights by 50 years and demoted women to second-class citizenship with their decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. She said younger generations dont remember a time before women had access to abortions. I will never forget my experience as a 22-year-old nursing student doing my senior year clinical rotations in a southern California hospital when I tended to a young woman who almost bled to death because of a botched back alley abortion, she said. If a woman cannot control what happens within her own body, then she is not an equal citizen under our U.S. Constitution or Guams Organic Act. Victory for life The Camacho Ada 2022 Campaign said the ruling was a victory for life. Our community must always be committed to defending the unborn and continue to support and endorse measures that protect babies in the womb. Todays ruling puts this decision in our hands. Not in hands of the federal government, according to the statement. On Guam, the Archdiocese of Agana has been active and vocal in the fight against abortion. It issued a statement Saturday saying the battle will continue, because individual states and jurisdictions will decide whether restrict or allow abortion. On Guam, we pray that prior legislation restricting abortion on island now regains its legal foothold or that new, proposed legislation such as the Guam Heartbeat Act of 2022 becomes law, according to the statement. Reaction After following the news of the decision all morning, Yeashin Huang, 38 from Maite, said the ruling came as a surprise. Im actually pretty shocked. Im still shocked, she said. Huang said she supports a womans right to choose what happens to her body. Others residents were happy about the decision. Its for the protection of unborn fetuses and Im glad the Supreme Court made their decision, and I think this should be local law too, said Maria Quinata, 68, from Santa Rita. She said she supports adoption in the community and is looking into becoming a foster parent. The Guam law states every person who provides, supplies, or administers to any woman, or procures any woman to take any medicine, drug, or substance, or uses or employs any instrument or other means whatever, with intent thereby to cause an abortion is guilty of a third-degree felony. At the time the law was touted as one of the most restrictive in the country, prohibiting people from advising women on where to get an abortion. Not a solution Although the island has not had a surgical abortion provider since 2018, the Bureau of Womens Affairs had been working to recruit one. On Saturday, Director Jayne Flores said criminalizing abortions wont solve the problem of unwanted pregnancies. As history has shown us, abortion cannot be prevented by passing laws that criminalize it. Women will find ways to terminate pregnancy even at great cost to their health and safety, as they have for thousands of years, Flores said. The way Guam can eliminate the need for abortion is to reduce instances of unintended pregnancy. She recommends that lawmakers introduce legislation that supports: The Guam Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in searching for four people wanted for questioning in a burglary investigation. Detectives from GPDs Criminal Investigation Division are searching for Nellie Ann Alvarez, 48, Louis Julian San Nicolas, 35, Jeremi Topasna Mapote, 36, and Jerald Joseph Alvarez, 30. San Nicolas, Mapote and Jerald Joseph Alvarez are considered to be armed and dangerous, according to a media release sent by GPD spokesperson Officer Berlyn Savella. According to a wanted flyer, Nellie Ann Alvarez was described to be 4-foot-8 with black hair, brown eyes and light complected. She was last seen driving a 2009 silver Subaru Forester with Guam license plate TL688, the report stated. San Nicolas and Mapote were described to be 5-foot-5 with black hair, brown eyes and light complected. Jerald Joseph Alvarez was described to be CHamoru, 5-foot-7, and last seen wearing a purple shirt and black shorts. Anyone with information regarding the four people can call police at 671-472-6911 or 671-475-8615-7. WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Friday stripped away the nation's constitutional protections for abortion that had stood for nearly a half-century. The decision by the court's conservative majority overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling and is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. The ruling, unthinkable just a few years ago, was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump. Both sides predicted the fight over abortion would continue, in state capitals, in Washington and at the ballot box. Justice Clarence Thomas, part of Friday's majority, urged colleagues to overturn other high court rulings protecting same-sex marriage, gay sex and the use of contraceptives. Pregnant women considering abortions already had been dealing with a near-complete ban in Oklahoma and a prohibition after roughly six weeks in Texas. Clinics in at least five other states Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin and West Virginia stopped performing abortions after Friday's decision. Abortion foes cheered the ruling, but abortion-rights supporters, including President Joe Biden, expressed dismay and pledged to fight to restore the rights. It's a sad day for the court and for the country, Biden said at the White House. He urged voters to make it a defining issue in the November elections, declaring, This decision must not be the final word. Outside the White House, Ansley Cole, a college student from Atlanta, said she was "scared because what are they going to come after next? ... The next election cycle is going to be brutal, like its terrifying. And if theyre going to do this, again, whats next? Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, agreed about the political stakes. We are ready to go on offense for life in every single one of those legislative bodies, in each statehouse and the White House, Dannenfelser said in a statement. Trump praised the ruling, telling Fox News that it will work out for everybody. The decision is expected to disproportionately affect minority women who already face limited access to health care, according to statistics analyzed by The Associated Press. It also puts the court at odds with a majority of Americans who favored preserving Roe, according to opinion polls. Surveys conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and others have shown a majority in favor of abortion being legal in all or most circumstances. But many also support restrictions especially later in pregnancy. Surveys consistently show that about 1 in 10 Americans want abortion to be illegal in all cases. The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take this momentous step. Alito, in the final opinion issued Friday, wrote that Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 decision that reaffirmed the right to abortion, were wrong had to be be overturned. We therefore hold that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Roe and Casey must be overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people and their elected representatives, Alito wrote, in an opinion that was very similar to the leaked draft. Joining Alito were Thomas and Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett. The latter three justices are Trump appointees. Thomas first voted to overrule Roe 30 years ago. Four justices would have left Roe and Casey in place. The vote was 6-3 to uphold the Mississippi law, but Chief Justice John Roberts didn't join his conservative colleagues in overturning Roe. He wrote that there was no need to overturn the broad precedents to rule in Mississippi's favor. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan the diminished liberal wing of the court were in dissent. With sorrowfor this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protectionwe dissent, they wrote, warning that abortion opponents now could pursue a nationwide ban from the moment of conception and without exceptions for rape or incest. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that the Justice Department will protect providers and those seeking abortions in states where it is legal and also "work with other arms of the federal government that seek to use their lawful authorities to protect and preserve access to reproductive care. In particular, Garland said that the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Mifepristone for medication abortions. More than 90% of abortions take place in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, and more than half are now done with pills, not surgery, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Mississippis only abortion clinic, which was at the center of Friday's case, continued to see patients Friday. Outside, men used a bullhorn to tell people inside that they would burn in hell. Clinic escorts wearing colorful vests used large speakers to blast Tom Pettys I Wont Back Down at the protesters. Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri are among 13 states, mainly in the South and Midwest, that already have laws on the books to ban abortion in the event Roe was overturned. Another half-dozen states have near-total bans or prohibitions after 6 weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. In roughly a half-dozen other states, including West Virginia and Wisconsin, the fight will be over dormant abortion bans that were enacted before Roe was decided in 1973 or new proposals to sharply limit when abortions can be performed, according to Guttmacher. Outside the barricaded Supreme Court, a crowd of mostly young women grew into the hundreds within hours of the decision. Some shouted, The Supreme Court is illegitimate, while waves of others, wearing red shirts with The Pro-Life Generation Votes, celebrated, danced and thrust their arms into the air. The Biden administration and other defenders of abortion rights have warned that a decision overturning Roe also would threaten other high court decisions in favor of gay rights and even potentially contraception. The liberal justices made the same point in their joint dissent: The majority eliminates a 50-year-old constitutional right that safeguards womens freedom and equal station. It breaches a core rule-of-law principle, designed to promote constancy in the law. In doing all of that, it places in jeopardy other rights, from contraception to same-sex intimacy and marriage. And finally, it undermines the Courts legitimacy. And Thomas, the member of the court most open to jettisoning prior decisions, wrote a separate opinion in which he explicitly called on his colleagues to put the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage, gay sex and contraception cases on the table. But Alito contended that his analysis addresses abortion only. Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion, he wrote. Whatever the intentions of the person who leaked Alitos draft opinion, the conservatives held firm in overturning Roe and Casey. In his opinion, Alito dismissed the arguments in favor of retaining the two decisions, including that multiple generations of American women have partly relied on the right to abortion to gain economic and political power. Changing the makeup of the court has been central to the anti-abortion sides strategy, as the dissenters archly noted. The Court reverses course today for one reason and one reason only: because the composition of this Court has changed, the liberal justices wrote. Mississippi and its allies made increasingly aggressive arguments as the case developed, and two high-court defenders of abortion rights retired or died. The state initially argued that its law could be upheld without overruling the courts abortion precedents. Justice Anthony Kennedy retired shortly after the Mississippi law took effect in 2018 and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died in September 2020. Both had been members of a five-justice majority that was mainly protective of abortion rights. In their Senate hearings, Trumps three high-court picks carefully skirted questions about how they would vote in any cases, including about abortion. Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko, Fatima Hussein, Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston, Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Mississippi, Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, and Leah Willingham in Charleston, West Virginia, contributed to this report. For APs full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion Haiti - FLASH : Impacts of armed violence on schools in Port-au-Prince (survey) A survey carried out from April 18 to May 10, 2022, supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in disadvantaged and hard-to-reach neighborhoods in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince, including Cite Soleil, Croix-des-Bouquets, Delmas, Ganthier, Petion-ville and Tabarre, whose results were presented on Friday, June 24, reveals that out of a total of 3,000 schools targeted, 290 (9.6%) were attacked directly by armed groups and 174 of them (60%) were victims of acts of vandalism : loss of teaching materials, archives, furniture, etc... The damage also affected the boundary walls and school buildings, 7 of which were completely destroyed, 54 schools, have been forced to close their doors for several months while 239 schools are disrupted in their operation. Among these 239 closed or dysfunctional schools, 8% are occupied either by armed groups, or by refugees or displaced persons, or by other people. Three factors explain the closure or dysfunction of these schools: Rivalries between armed groups; clashes between armed groups and the police; difficulties for teachers to access their places of work (roads blocked by armed groups: roadblocks erected by the police or the town hall). According to the analysis of the data collected: 55,000 children have not returned to school since last April, affecting the work of nearly 2,000 teachers. According to Nesmy Manigat, the Minister of National Education, it was important to have this data in order to have a (partial) idea closer to the school situation in these areas plagued by armed violence. He is convinced of the need to continue the community dialogue in order to strengthen the initiatives that have enabled the resumption of activities at the Lycee National de la Saline, the Lycee Daniel Fignole, the Lycee de Cite-Soleil, the National School of Boston (Cite-Soleil), at the national school of Application of Martissant and at the national school Republic of Peru (Martissant). During the presentation of the results of this survey, Bruno Maes, the resident representative of UNICEF in Haiti declared to have a special thought for the children, the parents, the pedagogical and administrative staff of the schools who are deeply afflicted by these acts of violence. Some were kidnapped, others were forced to abandon their homes, and many had to take refuge in precarious displacement sites... He wanted to remind the protagonists of this blind violence responsible for this climate of terror, the importance of establishing a humanitarian corridor to allow children to complete the 2021-2022 school year and return to school next September. safely concluding "It is a right that all of society is called upon to guarantee and a duty that it cannot neglect". HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : The Dominican army ready for any threat from Haiti Reacting to the publication by the National Police of Haiti (PNH) of confessions obtained during an interrogation of a Dominican individual named "Molai Ortiz Mieses" member of a gang in Haiti, who affirmed that many of his compatriots were involved in Haitian gangs, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36975-haiti-flash-dominicans-recruited-into-the-ranks-of-haitian-gangs.html the Dominican authorities have confirmed the identity of Mieses and underlined that this individual had been declared a fugitive by the Dominican justice in 2013 accused of complicity in the kidnapping of a merchant... In a note Jesus Vazquez Martinez, the Minister of the Interior and Police informed that the Dominican National Police (PND) was deepening the investigations to verify if there was participation of Dominicans in the criminal gangs that operate in Haiti and has assured that the Dominican Government will adopt all the rigorous measures to prevent the passage of these criminals on the Dominican territory "you can be sure, that the Government of President Luis Abinader will not allow the members of these criminal gangs to pass on this side, whether they are Haitians, Dominicans or of any other nationality." https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34653-icihaiti-security-dominican-president-abinader-warns-haitian-gangs-not-to-cross-the-border.html Jesus Vazquez Martinez, clarified that so far the reports of the Intelligence agencies had not identified other Dominicans as gang members on Haitian territory and that nothing confirms the statements of Molai Ortiz Mieses Friday, June 24, the Commanders of the army and the police confirmed that all the security agencies were ready to face any threat coming from Haiti, which would harm the Dominican Republic. Daniel Pou, the Director of the Analysis Center of the Ministry of the Interior and the Police, assured that all potential Haitian threats were under surveillance and will be countered if necessary with the corresponding intensity. Given the situation, Vice Admiral Lee Ballester, Director of the Center for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cybersecurity and Intelligence (C5i), said that the armed forces and the Dominican army would be at the forefront of any attack that would occur on the national territory. Recall that more than 12,000 soldiers (nearly 18% of all military personnel in active service in the Dominican Republic (ref. 2020) are deployed and monitor the Dominican border from Manzanillo, Montecristi to Pedernales and have all the means of mobility, d armament and necessary technological surveillance tools. Helicopter, planes, armored vehicules https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32988-haiti-flash-fearing-the-worst-in-haiti-the-dominicans-deploy-armored-vehicles-at-the-border.html and the navy has also increased its presence and surveillance, several armored vehicles are visible in some places on the border https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35147-haiti-flash-the-international-ignores-haiti-and-the-dr-militarily-strengthens-its-border.html See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35147-haiti-flash-the-international-ignores-haiti-and-the-dr-militarily-strengthens-its-border.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-34653-icihaiti-security-dominican-president-abinader-warns-haitian-gangs-not-to-cross-the-border.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32988-haiti-flash-fearing-the-worst-in-haiti-the-dominicans-deploy-armored-vehicles-at-the-border.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32914-haiti-flash-nearly-1-000-cameras-monitor-the-dominican-border.html SL/ HaitiLibre China ramps up efforts in intellectual property protection for better innovation 10:39, June 25, 2022 By Gu Yekai ( People's Daily Pirated and illegal publications are destroyed by law enforcement officers in Duchang county, Jiujiang city, east China's Jiangxi province, April 26, 2022. (Photo by Fu Jianbin/People's Daily Online) As the global center of innovation is shifting to Asia, China has established itself as a leader in global innovation, said Liu Hua, Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization Office in China. According to statistics, China's R&D spending grew from 1.03 trillion yuan ($153.76 billion) in 2012 to 2.79 trillion yuan in 2021, ranking second in the world. The R&D intensity increased from 1.91 percent to 2.44 percent during the same period. The country is the only middle-income economy in the world that has made it into the top 15 on the Global Innovation Index ranking, moving its position from 34th place in 2012 to 12th in 2021. At present, China is the world's second-largest digital economy, and it's also a forerunner in solar photovoltaic, wind power, new display, semiconductor lighting and advanced energy storage industries. The power of innovation is driving every sector of the country. The achievement of Chinese tech giant Huawei is a miniature of China making major breakthroughs in technological development and innovation in recent years. Technicians are testing equipment in an automated welding workshop at a network-linked vehicle production base in a high-tech industrial park in Shapingba district, southwest China's Chongqing municipality, Feb. 14, 2022. (Photo by Sun Kaifang/People's Daily Online) At the latest Broadening the Innovation Landscape 2022 forum, the company released a batch of its latest self-developed technologies in areas such as autopilot, industrial Internet, communication network and smartphone. These technologies feature higher performance and lower energy consumption. Some of them have been commercialized, and others will be introduced to the market soon. Huawei has also achieved stellar performance as an innovative global player. Last year, it had more granted patents than any other Chinese company, filed the most patent applications with the European Patent Office, and ranked fifth in terms of new patents granted in the U.S. In 2021, Huawei published 6,952 PCT applications, up nearly 1,500 from a year ago, which made it the top filer globally for five consecutive years. As of the end of 2021, the company held more than 110,000 active patents across over 45,000 patent families, over 90 percent of which were invention patents. The strong innovation vitality couldn't have been achieved without the firm steps taken by China in intellectual property rights (IPR) protection. In 2021, China cracked down upon 50,100 cases of patent and trademark infringement, handled 49,800 cases of administrative adjudications on patent infringement and disputes, and launched mediation for 64,800 IPR disputes. In addition, the country also investigated 2,957 counterfeiting crimes and deleted nearly 1.2 million copyright-infringing links. According to an investigation report, the public's satisfaction with IPR protection in China grew to 80.61 points. Last year, the number of invention patents granted on applicants from foreign countries reached 110,000, up 23 percent from the previous year, and over 194,000 trademarks were registered by foreign applicants, up 5.2 percent year on year. An officer from the intellectual property bureau of Haigang district, Qinhuangdao city, north China's Hebei province explains knowledge related to intellectual property to a merchant, April 20, 2022. (Photo by Cao Jianxiong/People's Daily Online) The number of patents granted to applicants from the U.S. rose by 32.1 percent, and the number of trademarks registered by U.S. applicants went up by 17.3 percent. According to the Business Confidence Survey 2021 released by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, over half of the respondents considered Chinese IPR law enforcement "good enough" and "very good," which was unprecedented in previous surveys. China needs to advance international cooperation on intellectual property to better serve the development of an open economy, said a plan on the protection and utilization of IPR during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) issued by the State Council. In this period, China will be more active in the global intellectual property governance, and work with the rest of the world to improve the quality of international cooperation on intellectual property. Intellectual property is a bridge linking innovation and the market, as well as a bond that connects technology and the economy. Thanks to the improved IPR protection and business environment, China has witnessed 100 million new market entities in the recent 10 years. The country will keep promoting innovation and IPR protection to drive technological progress, industrial upgrading and sustainable development, despite the rising uncertainties in the global economic recovery. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) Fourth of July features parade, concert and fireworks The city's Independence Day parade takes place starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 4, followed by the Fourth of July celebration downtown with music, food and activites culminating in the fireworks show. The parade, from Caswell Street to Sixth Avenue, runs south to north, opposite the direction of the Apple Festival and Christmas parades. No parking will be permitted along the parade route after 6 a.m. Main Street from its southern intersection at King Street to Sixth Avenue will close at approximately 9 a.m. Traffic will still be able to traverse the avenues until approximately 10:15 a.m. when they will close in preparation for the 10:30 a.m. parade start. The avenues and Main Street from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue will reopen as the last entry progresses along the route. The Main Street blocks from Caswell to Third Avenue will remain closed in preparation for the 4th of July Concert and Fireworks hosted by the Tourism Development Authority and Henderson County Parks and Recreation. The fireworks launch site is off South Grove Street and a large balloon will be launched the morning of the Fourth to signify where the fireworks will be seen. The fireworks display will take place between 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Motorists should avoid the launch site area (South Grove Street between the bridges) before and during the fireworks display. It is recommended that attendees leave pets safely and comfortably at home. Sparks family announces winners of HHS scholarship Cayden Coggins and Kiauna Benniefield pose with Brenda Sparks McCleerey and Jim Sparks. Kiauna Benniefield is the winner of four-year scholarship worth $20,000 and Cayden Coggins the winner of a $5,000 grant, the Sparks Family and Connie & Ricky Sparks Scholarship Foundation announced. The four-year and two-year awards go to Hendersonville High School graduates. Kiauna Benniefield will enroll at UNC-Charlotte in the fall while Coggins plans to attend Blue Ridge Community College. The Connie & Ricky Sparks Memorial Scholarship was created after the tragic loss of their beloved mother, Connie Sparks and their cherished brother, Ricky Sparks to honor and celebrate their lives. This is the 15th year the family has presented the Connie & Ricky Sparks Memorial Scholarship, which has totaled $260,000 received by truly outstanding deserving HHS graduates. Two previous scholarship recipients helped present the awards Tamaron Hill, class of 2016, and David Orihuela-Rio, class of 2021. TWO people from Henley are collecting medical supplies and 4x4 vehicles to help the Ukrainian war effort. Liz Ledaca and David Eggleton have teamed up with Paul Liczbinski, from Reading, to supply aid as well as Land-Rovers to be repurposed as ambulances. It follows a mission in April where Mr Liczbinski and three other former military men drove to the Polish border with Ukraine with medical equipment and tourniquets which had been donated by hospitals and pharmacies. They spent four-and-a-half days driving 2,886 miles there and back with little sleep and paid for their own petrol. Mr Liczbinski, who was in the military for 29 years, said: Its difficult now to get help with donations. When the invasion started it was news and everyone wanted to help and now its old news and some people even go, Oh, thats still going on? People on eBay have even upped the prices for protective army equipment because theyre taking advantage of the situation. I find that unbelievable. He added: The Russians are not just fighting its systematic extermination. They arent aiming bombs, they are just sending them anywhere. Its what they did in Syria. Mrs Ledaca, who organised a free information event in Henley about helping Ukrainian refugees in March, connected with Ukrainian voluntary defender Roman Shulyar through LinkedIn. She was sent photos of a campervan that had been repurposed as an ambulance and a soldier using a bicycle to get to the front line. Mr Shulyar will collect the supplies and help distribute them to the front line. Mrs Ledaca, of Park Road, said: Its humbling because were just sitting here drinking coffee in safety while they are there dying. People here are so complacent and theyre not helping. Individuals have done one-off trips but we need to make it sustainable and regular. We have such a short window to get funds in they are desperate and so are we. If that soldier on the bicycle goes to the front line again without the proper protection or vehicle, who knows if hell make it. Mr Shulyar has also appealed for roll-up stretchers, military first aid kits, tourniquets, personal field dressings, broad-spectrum antibiotics, pain relief pens, binoculars and VHF radios. Mrs Ledaca said he had been in tears on the phone to the Brits apologising for asking so much. He says that many injured soldiers are left to die as there isnt the equipment to help them. Mr Shulyar. who is married with a small child, left his job as a lawyer to fight in the war before it became compulsory for men below 60 to fight. He has teamed up with Mariia Taras, who was chief executive of the law firm he worked for and is now co-ordinating the logistics of the aid effort. Mrs Ledaca said: I cant wait to be in Kyiv with Roman and Mariia and their families, in safety, to celebrate. To make a donation, visit https://bit.ly/3tPJVBZ Undrafted rookie Eli Brooks is signing an Exhibit 10 deal with the Pacers, his father tells Andrew Kahn of MLive.com. Brooks will also compete in Summer League for Indiana, Kahn adds. Brooks, a 61 guard, appeared in 34 games (36 MPG) as a fifth-year senior last season, averaging 12.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.9 APG and 1.2 SPG on .444/.394/.877 shooting. According to Kahn, Brooks is the Wolverines all-time leader in wins and was team captain in his final two seasons. Exhibit 10 deals, which are non-guaranteed, can be converted into two-way contracts before the regular season begins and also make a player eligible for a bonus of up to $50K if hes waived and then joins his teams G League affiliate. Undrafted Seton Hall wing Jared Rhoden is signing a summer league contract with the Kings and it could turn into something more substantial, according to Adam Zagoria of NJ Advance Media. Rhoden might be offered a two-way contract, where he would split time between the big club and its G League affiliate, a league source told Zagoria. Rhoden had 15 workouts with 14 teams prior to the draft, including a pair with the Kings. He averaged 15.5 PPG and 6.7 RPG last season and earned All-Big East First Team honors. Rhoden impressed at the G League Elite Camp, which earned him an invitation to the draft combine. The Kings have already committed a two-way slot to Alabama guard Keon Ellis, so Rhoden presumably is in play for the remaining spot. Center Neemias Queta occupied one of those spots at the end of last season. Williamsburg, VA Wayne West III, President and COO of Newport Hospitality Group, Inc., (NHG) is pleased to announce the addition of this 90-room avid hotel by IHG in Glen Allen, Virginia to their portfolio of managed hotels. NHG is a leading hotel management company specializing in select and full-service hotels, ranked among the top hotel management companies by Hotel Business, 2021. avid hotel Richmond North Ashland offers a grab-and-go breakfast, 24/7 gym, and indoor heated pool. Conveniently located off I-95 at Exit 86B north of Richmond city center, close to a variety of dining options, Virginia Center Commons shopping and 20 minutes from Richmond International Airport. The hotel is ideal for interstate and destination travelers. The avid hotel is a high-quality midscale hotel brand launched in 2017 by IHG, appealing to the self-reliant and practical traveler. We are excited to add the avid hotel concept to our current list of managed hotels. The area draws leisure demand from Kings Dominion Theme Park, Richmond Convention Center and Richmond Coliseum. If youre here on business, the avid is central to Siemens, Tyson Foods, John Deere, McKesson to name a few, said Warren Coore, Vice President of Operations, Newport Hospitality Group. To learn more about the avid hotel Richmond North Ashland, please visit the hotels website. Newport Hospitality Group, Inc. Founded in 1991, Newport Hospitality Group, Inc. (NHG) is a leading hotel management company specializing in select and full-service hotels. They operate more than 50 hotels across the United States. Their diverse portfolio includes independent boutique hotels and top brands such as Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Wyndham, Choice, and IHG. NHG takes pride in delivering superior owner returns, exceptional guest experiences, and rewarding hospitality careers. Services include new hotel development and acquisitions, local market sales, revenue management, purchasing and capital renovation. For more information, please visit nhghotels.com. Contact Wayne West III, President and COO Newport Hospitality Group Phone: +1 757 221 0100 Send email Visit website View source Demand for electricity throughout Thursday morning rose quickly, a clear sign that Texas would again break an all-time record for power use this month. Officials had expected that demand to keep rising at a clip of more than 1,500 megawatts an hour through at least 4 p.m., reaching a high of 77,687 megawatts by 5 p.m. Instead, demand began to flatten around 3 p.m., sliding more than 1,000 megawatts below what officials previously anticipated. Christy Penders, a spokeswoman for the states grid manager, ERCOT, said that flat-lining demand boiled down to both residential and industrial consumers using less power. But for industrial users, cutting back meant not only saving money when wholesale prices surged Thursday due to the record demand, but also saving throughout the coming year. As much as half of industrial users annual bills are tied to transmission and distribution costs. Those costs are calculated based on how much power they use during a 15-minute period four days out of the year. Those days are the days of highest demand on the grid during the months of June, July, August and September. Its known as the Four Coincident Peaks program, and Doug Lewin, president of power consultant Stoic Energy, said the savings industrial users realize means they have to pay few if any - fees for power transmission and distribution. On HoustonChronicle.com: ERCOT breaks all-time power demand record for the fourth time this month While theyre able to roll back demand during tight grid conditions, creating a buffer, and reduce wholesale prices overall during those times, the costs they avoided are shifted onto residential customers, Lewin said. If youre a manufacturer, you could shut down a couple days a month between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., and your transmission distribution bill could get very close to zero, he said. ERCOTs independent market monitor recommended in as 2021 State of the Market Report that the nonprofit grid manager should consider abandoning the Four Coincident Peak method. Christy Penders, a spokeswoman for ERCOT, said she was not aware of any conversations about changing the model, and such a decision on that would likely be up to the Public Utility Commission, the states electricity regulaor. The Four Coincident Peaks program is one of the many signals, including real-time prices, that help ERCOT effectively and reliably manage the grid, she said. While industrial users were powering down, retail electricity providers Reliant and Green Mountain Energy, both owned by Houston power company NRG Energy, sent emails to their customers asking them to conserve power in the early afternoon through early evenings of Thursday and Friday. Given the current high electricity demand, we wanted to proactively encourage customers to take an active role in managing their energy use and costs, said Megan Talley, a spokeswoman for NRGs retail electricity companies. With a few simple changes, all Texans can do their part and conserve in times of extreme heat. Penders said the agency is still collecting data from Thursday to determine whether the drop in demand was due more to industrial users or residential customers. shelby.webb@chron.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A 22-year-old Willis man received a life sentence without the possibility of parole on Friday after being convicted of capital murder for killing two men during a 2020 marijuana deal at a Conroe strip mall. After less than two hours of deliberation following four days of trial in presiding Judge Patty Magginis 435th District Court, the jury rejected Waymon Nicholas Nick Jordan Jr.s defense that he was fearful for his life as he was being robbed. On the early evening of Feb. 12, 2020, Devin Lee Rash, 20, and Ryan Scott York, 19, both of Conroe, were shot to death at the River Bend Station shopping center parking lot on the 11000 block of Interstate 45 South near Crighton Road. A third man in his 20s, Bryce Smith, was shot in the head by Jordan but survived with a bullet stuck in his head. On a video during an interrogation by Conroe Police headquarters, Jordan spent two hours and 40 minutes blaming the shootings on a third person who was not present. Jordan admitted to police he shot the three men with his stepfathers .22 caliber while inside one of their cars. They tried to rob me. I shot them, Jordan was seen saying on video. I really do apologize. Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Kelly Blackburn described the shootings as planned, patient, premeditated. Blackburn argued the victims walked into an ambush as Jordan was motivated to rob them of the large quantity of marijuana to try to impress his girlfriend of three months on Valentines Day. This was an execution, he said, pointing to the exit wounds on one of the victims showing the back of the head had been fired at by the gun. Blackburn and Assistant District Attorney Adam McLane asserted Jordan had chosen to not drive his own car and instead took his stepdads Ford F-250 because he intended to kill Rash and York. Jordans plans to join the U.S. Air Force a couple of weeks later, prosecutors argued, showed he was intending on disappearing into anonymity after the shootings. Video from the interrogation showed Jordan expressing concern about the death penalty before admitting he shot the two men. The defendant wiped away tears in the courtroom as he watched himself admit to the shootings. Jordan could be seen in the video calmly gesturing with his hands on how he shot the men. Family members of the men who were shot walked out of the courtroom in tears during this portion of the trial. Defense attorney Bob Loper called into question the description of the late Rash, saying the prosecution was selling a bill of goods by depicting him as a choir boy despite the drug deal. He alleged Rash was likely motivated to steal from Jordan. Loper tried casting doubt on the survivors testimony and argued one of the victims exit wounds showed the shooting was in self defense. The families of those on both sides of the case could be heard weeping after the verdict. The defendant was expressionless moments after learning his fate. jose.gonzalez@chron.com twitter.com/jrgzztx CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) A judge sentenced a Lake County man to 180 years in prison Friday for killing a woman and two teenage boys found bludgeoned to death in 1998 in a house in northwest Indiana. James H. Higgason III, 52, of Whiting, was sentenced to three terms of 60 years each, to be served consecutively. OnScene.Tv Two men were killed and another two injured early Saturday morning in a quadruple shooting at a Cloverland home, according to police. Officers responded around 1:30 a.m. to the 4200 block of Madden Lane near Leitrim Way and found two men dead at the residence, HPD said. The two injured men were taken to a local hospital with one in critical condition and the other expected to survive. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Whenever Helen Lowry drove past the Planned Parenthood Family Planning Health Center off Gulf Freeway, she would bemoan with negativity the building and surrounding area. For years, my husband and I would pass this building and I would declare and decree over and I would speak death to death and life to life, Lowry said in front of a group of 60 anti-abortion demonstrators Saturday. And I thank God that weve spoken death to the spirit of death over this area. We praise God for that. Lowry was among those who attended a Roe is Gone Celebration outside the center, where anti-abortion proponents gathered to rollick in Fridays U.S. Supreme Court decision and to remember the lives of woman and children affected by abortion. Among a cheering crowd, Myah Abraham director of Montgomery-based teen anti-abortion group Great Life Teens, who organized the event said the courts ruling was the biggest day of her life. Today is an amazing day for our generation, Abraham said. Today is the first day in Texas where babies are not dying. Christian Collins, founder of the Texas Youth Summit and former aide to Sen. Ted Cruz, believes Texas now becomes one of the main battlegrounds for the abortion debate with the midterm election in November. We have to keep Texas red because this has been handed back to the states and we do not want to end up like California or like New York. We want to be Texas. We have to keep Texas, Texas. Collins, a candidate for the 8th Congressional District who lost to Morgan Luttrell in the March primary, urged conservatives to not lean on the milquetoast conservatism of the past but to take a page out of Donald Trumps playbook and bring true conservatism back by creating other policy changes in Texas. Our policy goals are accomplishable. We can eliminate property taxes in Texas. We can continue to fight to build President Trumps wall, end illegal immigration and start deportations. We can do everything that we want to do from a policy standpoint because this day has shown that this is possible. For Emily Cook of Texas Right to Life, the fight to make sure compliance happens with Texas abortion laws now begins. We have to make sure that while our pro-life laws on the books are making abortion illegal in Texas they are enforced. That lives are truly being saved during this new phase of the pro-life movement in Texas, Cook said. Weve got to make sure our neighbors the surrounding states that we do what we can to help them make sure that babies are protected there and that Texas babies are protected in neighboring states. Social media influencer and Turning Point USA ambassador Lily Kate Cole of The Woodlands spoke and thanked the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg for not retiring. You know what that did? Cole asked. That gave President Trump a space to fill with Miss Amy Coney Barrett a Catholic mom who has adopted children. So thank you, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for being such a narcissist that you didnt want to retire. You have made this happen. joel.umanzor@chron.com National Weather Service A storm system could form over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico on Monday, increasing chances for much-needed rain in the Houston area early this week, forecasters say. A cold front moving through Texas is expected to meet warmer weather early Monday and stall over coastal waters, according to the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office. That could lead to a low-pressure system that the National Hurricane Center is monitoring for cyclone formation. Until Friday, abortion was a constitutional right. Then, in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the Supreme Court took it away. Americans everywhere have been left wondering what overturning Roe v. Wade will mean for them. The basic takeaway is clear: Without Roe, people in nearly half the states will lose abortion access almost overnight. Abortion facilities will close, and a vast expanse of abortion deserts will form throughout the South, Midwest and Mountain states. And abortion will soon become a crime. What does this mean for Texans for the people who seek abortion, for friends and family supporting them, and for health care providers? As law and policy scholars, we have looked at the current statutes and the history of enforcement to provide some idea of what may happen. Here are five things Texans should expect when abortion becomes banned. Trigger targets health care The first thing for Texans to understand is the slate of laws that will soon criminalize abortion, with no exemption for rape or incest. As in 12 other states, Texas has a trigger ban on abortions at any stage of pregnancy. The law, passed in 2021, is officially known as the Human Life Protection Act. Texas law springs into effect 30 days after the Supreme Court issues a judgment overturning Roe, which should come within a few weeks of Fridays opinion in Dobbs. Anyone who performs or induces an abortion on a pregnant person risks becoming a felon. Even if a county prosecutor does not go after a doctor or nurse, the state attorney general may seek civil fines of no less than $100,000 and the licensing organizations are required to strip them of their licenses. And once abortion becomes illegal, prosecutors can also use other criminal laws. For example, Texas homicide statute extends to causing the death of an unborn child at every stage of gestation from fertilization until birth. Legal abortions including dispensing drugs that cause abortion had been exempted from its reach. But when virtually all abortions are illegal, potential homicide charges could be brought against anyone who provides abortion pills or performs an abortion or even helps a pregnant person trying to get one. Attorney General Ken Paxton and others argue that Texas abortion laws that the Supreme Court struck down in 1973 are still on the books and apply immediately. These provisions reached both performing an abortion and furnishing the means for an abortion and so could be used against people who help a pregnant person access abortion. But their status is contested. In 2004, a federal appellate court held that these older abortion bans had been repealed. So, although an enterprising prosecutor might bring charges under the pre-Roe law, they would rest on shaky legal ground. Pregnant people may face charges Before Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, criminal laws in Texas and other states tightly restricted abortion. Americans still managed to end their pregnancies, often relying on back alley abortions or the notorious coat hanger. These procedures were risky, and every major hospital had a septic abortion ward for patients suffering infections from illegal abortion. Criminal charges against the pregnant person were rare, but not unheard of. Despite this, anti-abortion activists often downplay concerns about the criminalization of women. And while its true that our states abortion-specific criminal laws expressly exempt pregnant people who have had an abortion, other laws could be invoked. Even before Dobbs, prosecutors brought criminal charges against women who had miscarriages or stillbirths. In other states, women have been accused of child endangerment or distribution of drugs to a minor. This year, an Oklahoma woman was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison after suffering a miscarriage at 15 to 17 weeks pregnant, well before fetal viability. Prosecutors argued the miscarriage stemmed from her use of methamphetamine. And despite there not being a law that prohibits someone from ending their own pregnancy, Texas recently arrested and jailed a South Texas woman, Lizelle Herrera, for just this reason, and the charges were only dropped after a national outcry. Difficult to detect Today, too, criminal law will not stop people from getting abortions. 2022 is not 1972. Coat hangers will likely be a thing of the past. Today, people early in their pregnancy can safely self-manage their abortion by obtaining medication abortion pills online or from Mexico. And in the face of increasing abortion restrictions, many Texans have already done so. Last year, the Legislature also specifically criminalized providing medication to induce abortion after seven weeks of pregnancy and the trigger law will ban them at conception. Sending abortion pills through the mail or delivering them to Texas residents is now a crime. Detecting these crimes will be difficult, however. Still, friends, partners and family may face jail time for helping a pregnant person access abortion as Texans did before Roe. Once abortion is a crime, conspiracy charges could be brought. These laws are exceptionally broad. Conspiracy could apply if a group of friends agrees to help a pregnant friend find abortion pills in the state, and one makes an appointment for her. Even if no abortion occurs, they might be charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. Civil liability also is a serious risk. Under TexasSenate Bill 8, also called the Texas Heartbeat Act, civil lawsuits can be filed against people suspected of aiding and abetting an abortion after cardiac activity can be detected. And any neighbor, acquaintance or family member can file suit. Phones and surveillance People are vulnerable to prosecution in 2022 that would have been unimaginable 50 years ago. Criminal law enforcement is much more powerful than it was then. The state can engage in electronic surveillance. Many people use apps to track their menstrual cycles that could now serve as evidence of pregnancy and its termination. Most of us carry around cell phones that record our movements, our searches and our communications leaving evidence that could later be used to investigate or prosecute someone who mailed medication across state lines or helped another person look for where to get an abortion. Black, Latino and immigrant communities, which are already heavily policed, will bear the brunt of enforcement. Todays criminal laws also carry much steeper penalties. People breaking the pre-Roe abortion ban faced two to five years in prison. In 2022, the trigger ban imposes five years to life in prison. Under the homicide law, capital punishment could even apply. Ripple across health care There is no exemption in Texas abortion bans for severe or life-limiting fetal anomalies. After a diagnosis of, for example, anencephaly that involves incomplete development of the brain and is not compatible with life, a person will have to continue the pregnancy, labor and deliver unless they can leave the state. Criminalizing abortion will not only affect people who want to end their pregnancy. It will ripple across pregnancy care. People experiencing serious pregnancy complications or miscarriage will find physicians worried about the prospects of committing a crime and unwilling to treat them. Texas does allow abortion if a physician documents that there is a medical emergency and that the pregnant person is in danger of death without an abortion. And some ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages where there is no longer cardiac activity can be treated. Faced with the risk of criminal prosecution, however, physicians may be unwilling to provide care until the pregnancy becomes life-threatening or fetal cardiac activity can no longer be detected. This means that people with serious pregnancy complications, such as rupture of membranes or preeclampsia may have to wait until their life is at stake unless they can travel to another state. Physicians may hesitate until their patients show signs of sepsis, start hemorrhaging or experience dangerous seizures. These delays will increase maternal morbidity and mortality rates and exacerbate existing racial disparities. Our research at the Texas Policy Evaluation Project has also shown that physicians and hospitals disagree over what amounts to enough risk of death for someone to get an abortion. Some physicians, knowing the inevitable outcome of a pregnancy related complication, have been willing to provide an abortion. Others have seen patients with heart problems made worse by pregnancy who had to wait until they were admitted to the intensive care unit before a physician would perform an abortion. As one maternal-fetal medicine specialist told researchers, People have to be on deaths door to qualify. A new legal phase The Supreme Court stripped Americans of a fundamental constitutional right. But it did not end abortion or remove the courts from the abortion debate. It instead paved the way for intense monitoring of peoples pregnancies and pregnancy outcomes that further compromises rights to bodily autonomy and equality. And it opened the door to a wave of criminal allegations. With Dobbs, the legal battle over abortion has entered a new phase, and few will be left unaffected. Elizabeth Sepper is a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Kari White is also at UT, where she is an associate professor in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and the lead investigator of the Texas Policy Evaluation Project. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Even before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, local prosecutors in several of the largest Texas counties vowed not to file criminal charges in abortion-related cases, seemingly offering hope for those seeking a way around the states impending abortion ban. But those counties are unlikely to serve as abortion safe havens in post-Roe Texas, legal experts and abortion rights advocates say, largely because clinics still face the threat of legal retribution even in counties with sympathetic district attorneys. And the penalty for those who continue offering the procedure is steep up to life in prison and at least $100,000 in fines under Texas so-called trigger law, which will soon outlaw nearly all abortions, starting at fertilization. While Attorney General Ken Paxton cannot unilaterally prosecute criminal cases unless authorized by a local prosecutor, he is free to do so for civil matters anywhere in Texas. That means district attorneys may shield clinics and physicians from the trigger laws criminal penalty of a first- or second-degree felony, but Paxton could still target them for six-figure civil fines, said Sandra Guerra Thompson, a law professor at the University of Houston. She also noted that abortion providers could be found criminally liable if an incumbent district attorney reconsiders or is replaced by a successor who wants to pursue abortion-related charges. RELATED: As Supreme Court overturns abortion rights, could same-sex marriage be next to go? Paxton, a Republican who fiercely opposes abortion, said he would strictly enforce the ban and help any local prosecutor who pursues criminal charges. He also noted the trigger law requires state regulators to revoke the license or permit of a health care professional who performs or attempts an abortion, another deterrent. Some district attorneys said they are compelled to prosecute abortion cases because they pledged to preserve, protect and defend state laws in their oath of office. We do not choose which laws we follow, said Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson, a Republican. We followed Roe v. Wade when it was the law and we will follow Texas state law now. Every case referred to her office will be reviewed and, if the facts warrant it, presented to a grand jury for possible charges, she said. REACTIONS: Top Texas political leaders react to Roe v. Wade reversal The trigger law, which takes effect 30 days after a Supreme Court judgment overturning Roe v. Wade, makes no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, nor for severe fetal abnormalities. It carries narrow exemptions for abortion patients placed at risk of death or substantial impairment of a major bodily function. Still, some prosecutors could begin pursuing criminal charges immediately based on Texas statutes that pre-dated Roe but were never repealed by the Legislature, Paxton said Friday. Those laws prohibit all abortions except for the purpose of saving the life of the mother. In any case, its unlikely that abortion providers will take the risk. They are already bound by the states six-week abortion ban, which allows people anywhere in the country to sue providers or those who help someone access the procedure in Texas after fetal cardiac activity is detected. Successful litigants win damages of at least $10,000 under the law. A mockery of justice Within hours of the release of the Supreme Court opinion Friday, leaders of the states largest abortion provider, Whole Womans Health, and Planned Parenthood announced they would no longer offer the service as they review the law. Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, one of at least five local prosecutors who have stated unequivocally they will not pursue charges against abortion providers, reiterated his stance Friday after the Supreme Court decision was released. Absent of aggravating circumstances, my plan is to not go forward with those types of cases, Gonzales said at a news conference. Personal health care decisions should not be punished. Officials in Dallas, Fort Bend, Nueces and Travis counties have made similar pledges. They joined Gonzales in signing onto a Friday statement from 86 elected prosecutors nationwide who agreed not to pursue charges against those who seek, provide or support abortions. Our legislatures may decide to criminalize personal healthcare decisions, but we remain obligated to prosecute only those cases that serve the interests of justice and the people, they wrote. Criminalizing and prosecuting individuals who seek or provide abortion care makes a mockery of justice; prosecutors should not be part of that. Rob Henneke, executive director and general counsel at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, says those statements amount to little more than virtue signaling, given that abortions are now virtually nonexistent in Texas. He agreed that Paxton can only pursue criminal cases when enlisted by the local prosecutor, though he added that district attorneys are breaking the law if they explicitly decline to enforce a certain law or prosecute a type of crime. That would be an intentional choice that would subject that official to removal from office, Henneke said, citing state law that allows for the removal of local elected officials who intentionally fail or refuse to perform a duty imposed on their office by law. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg also slammed the Supreme Court decision, arguing that the criminalization of reproductive health will cause great harm to women in America. While she added that prosecutors and police have no role in matters between doctors and patients, she stopped short of a blanket vow to not prosecute alleged violations of state abortion laws. As in every case, we will evaluate the facts and make decisions on a case-by-case basis, said Ogg, a Democrat. State Sen. Bryan Hughes, the Mineola Republican who authored the states six-week abortion ban last year, said district attorneys who decline to prosecute abortion cases are lawless. When state legislators return to Austin in January, they will build on existing law and allow the public to sue anyone who helps a patient obtain an abortion from the moment of fertilization, he said. Until the last few years, weve never seen this wholesale refusal by district attorneys to enforce entire classes of law, he said. This is new. We are a nation of laws and not of men, and the system will not work if this is allowed. ... So, if the DA will not enforce the law, the people of Texas can. Republicans are considering other legislative remedies, too. State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, said he plans to file legislation next year authorizing district attorneys to prosecute abortion-related cases in neighboring counties when the local DA fails or refuses to do so. Cain first announced those plans earlier this year, initially targeting companies and nonprofit abortion funds that cover the travel costs and other expenses of those seeking abortions out of state. He said Friday he still plans to file the legislation next time lawmakers reconvene, with the bill covering Texas abortion trigger law and all other state laws restricting abortion. jasper.scherer@chron.com cayla.harris@express-news.net taylor.goldenstein@chron.com Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. iciHaiti - Obituaries : The Ministry of the Interior salutes the memory of General JB Roland Chavannes Liszt Quitel, the Minister of the Interior and Territorial Communities (MICT), learned with emotion of the death of retired Brigadier General Jean Baptiste Roland Chavannes who died around 4:30 a.m. on June 23, 2022, in his private residence at the age of 83 due to complications from his medical condition. This departure for the beyond plunges the Ministry into deep sadness and great consternation. In this sad circumstance, the Minister Quitel, allies to his Director General Amos Zephirin, to address in their own names and that of all the staff of the Ministry, their sympathies to the wife of the General, but also to his children, grand-children and their allies. The condolences of the MICT also extend to the relatives of the deceased, his friends and his immediate collaborators of the last days as well as to those who are more senior in the General Directorate of the MICT, the UTADG, the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) and the Arc-en-Ciel Agency he had founded. The Minister also expresses his sincere and deep sympathy to the Brothers in arms of the deceased, in particular the 1959-1961 promotion of the Armed Forces of Haiti, among other people affected by this mourning. Find out more about General Jean Baptiste Roland Chavannes : Charge de Mission at the MICT, at the rank of Director, Chavannes was attached to the Technical Support Unit for General Management. He was also Director of Immigration and Emigration (DIE). We still remember his efficiency and the new blood he injected, particularly in the production of passports, during his time at the head of this Department, from 2004 to 2012. Previously he had twice headed the Vehicle Traffic Department. He then held the rank of Major, before being promoted to Colonel and subsequently Brigadier General and Chief of Staff G1 of the Armed Forces of Haiti. Decorated in October 2019 by the Human Resources Department of the MICT, he will have lived his last years still in service and at work both in terms of his personal activities and his position at the Ministry. Humble, welcoming, respectful and courteous, General CHAVANNES always had the words to relax the working atmosphere and motivate his colleagues. A highly appreciated mentor, he always cared for each person he met and invited them to strengthen their professional capacity and serve others with selflessness and conscience. IH/ iciHaiti The world is heading for a massive food crisis. That warning comes from Ryan Petersen, founder and CEO of freight forwarder Flexport. Petersen gained notoriety late last year at the height of the supply-chain slowdown. While business leaders everywhere were wringing their hands over badly delayed shipments and unavailable supplies, Petersen did something that was both simple and brilliant: He hired someone with a small boat to take him and a trucking partner on a tour of the Long Beach/Los Angeles port complex so he could see for himself exactly what the problem was. He observed that the most pressing issue was too many containers and no place to put them while they awaited their return to China, and that a local rule forbidding stacks of more than two containers was making things worse than they needed to be. He explained all this in a series of tweets, suggesting that the prohibition on stacking containers more than two high should be temporarily suspended. Long Beach officials were among the millions who read the tweets. They took Petersen's advice, and he was hailed as "The CEO who saved Christmas." It cemented his reputation as one of the world's most knowledgeable experts in logistics. These days, Petersen is warning of a much graver problem that the whole world must come together to solve, he explained during a Q&A event at the Collision conference in Toronto this week. When an attendee from Syria asked Petersen if he was doing anything in the area of food shipping, he responded, "I wish we were doing a lot more in that space than we do." Flexport manages containerized freight and air freight, he explained, which doesn't apply to most food shipping. Some food is shipped in refrigerated containers and what he called "the most important food" is shipped in bulk. But, he added, "Probably the most important problem in the world right now for us to work on is food shipping." The reason, he said, is because of the war in Ukraine. "Russia and Ukraine are the first and fifth largest grain exporters in the world. Something like 30 percent of the world's wheat exports come from those two countries, and most of that's not going to reach the market." No one can ship anything out of (or into) the ports in the Black Sea because the area is now a war zone, he explained. While some of that could be replaced by rail or truck shipping, he said there are not enough trains and trucks in all of Europe to carry the massive amounts of grain that were previously shipped out by sea. "And so, the simple reality is you won't be able to get enough grain out of those countries." The result will be a food crisis in the developing world, he said. "Food crises almost always lead to revolutions and war. It's a horrifying problem." Petersen said he was trying to learn as much as he could about food shipping, and that it was a problem he planned to work hard on over the coming year--even though it wasn't a problem Flexport was currently equipped to address. "I don't think we're going to be the ones that solve this problem for humanity." Shipping costs should come down--unless there's a longshore strike. Aside from the looming food crisis, Petersen noted that shipping times from China to the United States had improved in recent months, and shipping prices that had risen to astronomical highs were starting to come down. He warned, however, that the contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the West Coast ports will run out July 1 and that a new contract hasn't been signed so far, raising the threat of a strike that could stop shipping in its tracks. Meanwhile, he said, many American companies are moving manufacturing to Mexico because shipping from there is less expensive and easier than shipping from China, and labor costs are now lower as well. Asked how he got interested in logistics, Petersen explained that he and his brother had started a business purchasing motorcycles in Asia and selling them in the United States. "That's when I discovered that international shipping is messed up," he said. The shipping companies that the Petersens worked with weren't customer focused and used little or no technology, he said. He sensed that there was an opportunity not only to solve a difficult problem but also to make a difference in the world. US President Joe Biden said Friday that its a sad day for the court and the country after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalised abortion nationwide. Now with Roe gone, lets be very clear, the health and life of women across this nation are now at risk, he said from the White House. AFP He added that the court has done what its never done before --expressly taking away a constitution right that is so fundamental to so many Americans, he said. State laws banning abortion are taking effect today some of them so extreme that women can be punished for protecting their own health, even in cases of rape and incest. The health and lives of millions of women are at risk. pic.twitter.com/wRGtHGgoWp President Biden (@POTUS) June 24, 2022 He also urged Congress to restore abortion protections as federal law and said Roe will be "on the ballot" in November's midterm elections. US Supreme Court overturns constitutional right to abortion The strong words from the US president came after, in a not-so-surprising move the conservative-majority Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, which was in place for nearly 70 years. AFP The writing was on the wall for a long time and in May, in an unprecedented move, the draft of the SC order was leaked to the media, making it clear where the country was heading to. The court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v. Wade" decision enshrining a woman's right to an abortion, saying individual states can restrict or ban the procedure themselves. "The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion," the court said in a 6-3 ruling on one of America's most bitterly divisive issues. "The authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives." AFP Abortion laws come into force in many states Just hours after the ruling, Missouri banned abortion -- making no exception for rape or incest -- and so did South Dakota, except where the life of the mother is at risk. As of Friday evening, at least seven states had banned abortion -- Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. Altogether about two dozen states are expected to severely restrict or outright ban and criminalize abortions, forcing women to travel long distances to states that still permit the procedure. AFP Democrats, activists won't give up the fight It is not just the US President who has come out against the SC ruling. Across the US, many democrats and abortion rights activists have also hit the streets vowing to fight back. Democratic governors of California, Washington and Oregon issued a joint multi-state commitment, saying they will work together to defend patients and care providers. No matter who you are or where you come from, Oregon doesn't turn away anyone seeking health care, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said. In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper, also a Democrat, emphasized the importance of the November election in the state where the GOP controls the General Assembly but lacks veto-proof majorities to severely restrict or outlaw abortion. Democratic governors are the last line of defence against these types of extreme bills, he said. AFP The governors also pledged to protect against judicial and local law enforcement cooperation with out-of-state investigations, inquiries and arrests regarding abortions performed in their states. Seattle-based Starbucks said it will reimburse abortion travel expenses for employees enrolled in its health care plan if a legal provider isn't available in their home state or within 100 miles of their home. Abortion has been legal in Washington state since a 1970 statewide ballot referendum. Another ballot measure approved by voters in 1991 affirmed a woman's right to choose physician-performed abortion prior to fetal viability and further expanded and protected access to abortion in the state if Roe v. Wade was overturned. For more on news, sports and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Scientists have got their hands on one of the most detailed images of a dying star, that too of probably the largest one in our galaxy -- VY Canis Majoris, as per a report by The Independent. NASA/ESA/Hubble Also read: Watch James Webb Telescope Flying Through Space Like A Tiny Star To the unaware, VY Canis Majoris is a red hypergiant that can stretch almost 10,000 times the distance between our planet and the sun in diameter. However, not much is known about the death of such red hypergiants. Scientists believe that instead of blowing up into a big red sphere like most of this category, hypergiants are known to grow into irregular arcs and protrusions in a series of phases, releasing considerable amounts of mass. However, recently, researchers from the University of Arizona managed to trace these protrusions, resulting in the capturing of the clearest image of a hypergiant star till date. This was done thanks to the Atacama Large Millimeter Array radio telescope in Chile, where astronomers traced specific molecules in the matter ejected from the gargantuan star. Also read: Magnetar Star Erupted Releasing Energy Of A Billion Suns In 3.5 Milliseconds Wikipedia Then they mapped these traces to the images of the star previously taken by the Hubble Space Telescope to create maps of sulfur oxide, silicon oxide, phosphorus oxide and sodium chloride in the material that the star released. The image was first revealed on June 13th, at the 240th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Pasadena, California. What makes this discovery even more special is that hypergiants in the galaxy are already rare and we dont have much knowledge about the second brightest stars in the constellation Orion, Betelgeuse. And VY Canis Majoris, situated around 3,000 light years away from our planet in the Southern constellation Canis Major, however, is the largest of them all. University of Arizona professor of chemistry Lucy Ziurys explained, With these observations, we can now put these on maps in the sky. Until now, only small portions of this enormous structure had been studied, but you cant understand the mass loss and how these big stars die unless you look at the entire region. Thats why we wanted to create a complete image." For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com A showroom in Mangalore was reduced to flames after a fire mishap. A day after videos of a Tata Nexon EV catching fire in Mumbai surfaced, a fire broke out in an Okinawa showroom. Several electric scooters were destroyed after a fire accident in Mangalore on Friday. Electric two-wheeler maker Okinawa Auto Tech claims the fire incident at its showroom in Mangalore was due to an electric "short circuit." In March this year, Okinawa Autotechs EV caught fire in Tamil Nadus Vellore. The accident claimed the lives of two people, including a 13-year-old girl. After the mishap, Niti Aayog call for a voluntary recall of scooters related to fire incidents. Okinawa Autotech recalled 3,215 units of its Praise Pro Scooters in April to fix battery-related issues. Agencies "We are aware of an unfortunate fire incident at one of our showrooms in Mangalore this morning. As stated by the dealer, the fire was caused by an electric short circuit, Okinawa Autotech said in a statement on Friday. "We are in touch with the dealership and extending all the necessary support," the company said. "Safety is at the core of Okinawa Autotech, and we want to assure you that the highest standards of safety are maintained in our dealerships across the country," it added. The government subsequently ordered an independent probe into the incident, which the company is also investigating. Agencies This is the second such incident occurring at the Gurugram-headquartered EV maker's showroom in the recent past, as earlier this year, one of its outlets in Tamil Nadu was engulfed in flames. At that time, the company had clarified that the fire was due to a short circuit. Besides Okinawa and Tata Motors, incidents of fire in the EVs of other manufacturers such as Ola Electric and PureEV have also occurred recently. Following multiple incidents of electric vehicles (EVs) catching fire and resulting in death and severe injuries to people earlier this year, the government set up an expert panel to investigate these incidents and make recommendations on remedial steps. The panel is expected to submit its report by this month-end. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, on April 21, also assured that any company found to be negligent would be penalized. (With PTI inputs) For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. News Global graphite dangerous market trend 2022-2029 Why is graphite dangerous? by Newsintegra927 Australian alumina ban disrupts Rusal graphite dangerous prices for chemicals. Patel said. "One possible outcome could be Chinese buyers buying alumina and reselling it through eastern Russian ports." Rusal has a 20% stake in the Queensland Alumina Refinery, which has a capacity of 3.95 million tonnes a year, thus providing Rusal with 790,000 tonnes a year, Patel said. In addition, Rusal's Nikolaev refinery in Ukraine, which has an annual capacity of 1.75 million tonnes, has been suspended due to the conflict, he added. WoodMac said Rusal was also experiencing supply chain problems at its 2 million tonne a year Aughinish refinery in Ireland. In your neighbourhood, you may encounter many such questions, such as whether graphite is toxic, whether it causes poisoning, its effects on human health and so on. While such questions are often asked, it is vital to understand the answers and the reasons behind them. People need to know if graphite is toxic to humans and its potential effects on our health so that they can take immediate action if needed. To answer all the frequently asked questions about graphite and lead poisoning from pencils, I will share detailed information in this blog. Is graphite toxic? Graphite is mainly made up of carbon and therefore cannot be absorbed by the body. It is not as toxic as carbon, but it can have some harmful effects on our health, just like over-consumption of other things. Graphite is one of the least toxic elements and it can damage your health. A single accidental dose in some way or form may not harm you, but swallowing Graphite from time to time can have some serious consequences. Graphite does, however, appear on the list of irritants, so people should not intentionally consume this element. Some reports also suggest that it may have some side effects if consumed regularly. So it is best to stay away from consuming it. Are pencil leads dangerous? In a word, no; pencil lead is not dangerous. Many of you will be surprised to discover that there is actually no lead in pencil lead. Shocking, isn't it? Many manufacturers use a mixture of graphite and clay and some additives to make pencil lead. Lead, or "Pb" as it is also called on the periodic table, is toxic to humans and can cause serious problems. However, it is not advisable to swallow pencil lead and it should not be consumed. In addition to the side effects, the elements used to make pencil lead, including wood, rubber, paint and even clay, are not suitable for our digestive system. So graphite, along with all these elements, can cause some unease. There have been reports of children choking from pencil fragments, but in a normal pencil, lead does not cause lead poisoning, but it can harm your intestines if you continue to consume it. High-quality graphite supplier Luoyang Moon & Star New Energy Technology Co., LTD, founded on October 17, 2008, is a high-tech enterprise committed to developing, producing, processing, selling, and technical services of lithium-ion battery anode materials. After more than 10 years of development, the company has gradually developed into a diversified product structure with natural graphite, artificial graphite, composite graphite, intermediate phase, and other negative materials (silicon-carbon materials, etc.). The products are widely used in high-end lithium-ion digital power and energy storage batteries. If you are looking for graphite material, click on the needed products and send us an inquirysales@graphite-corp.com According to Reuters, U.S. Treasury officials said they would discuss with G7 leaders pricing caps and tariffs on Russian oil as an alternative to the embargo, which would keep the market supplied, limit price spikes, and reduce Russian revenues. The EU foreign ministers' meeting was held in Brussels. The meeting failed to agree on the sixth round of sanctions, including an oil embargo on Russia, because of objections from Hungary. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said at a press conference after the meeting, that the meeting failed to reach an agreement on the final adoption of the sixth round of sanctions, the permanent representatives of member states to the EU will continue to discuss. The foreign ministers faced similar difficulties trying to reach an agreement on an oil ban. He said Hungary's position was based on economic rather than political concerns. Hungary is highly dependent on Russia for energy, getting more than 60 percent of its oil and 85 percent of its natural gas from Russia. A few days ago, the European Commission submitted the sixth round of proposed sanctions against Russia, including a total ban on Russian oil imports by the end of this year. Hungary immediately objected and said it wanted substantial compensation from the EU to offset its loss from giving up Russian oil. The graphite dangerous price is predicted to increase in the next few days, due to geopolitical factors. Inquery us News Global synthetic graphite market trend 2024-2030 How do you know synthetic graphite? by Newsintegra927 The U.S. and its allies plan to impose sanctions on more Russian industries and supply chains. The US government representatives recently visited Europe to consult with allies on strengthening and enforcing sanctions to punish Russia. They also plan to take action to disrupt their critical supply chains. The US government claims that the sanctions imposed on Russia since the invasion began on February 24 have proved extremely effective, plunging Russia into a financial crisis. The sanctions include a freeze on the Russian central bank's foreign exchange assets, a ban on hard currency transactions by major Russian banks and wealthy individuals, and export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and other technologies. The sanctions have weakened the Russian economy and left the Kremlin with fewer resources. The volatile international political situations will continue to affect the markets and prices of many commodities like the synthetic graphite. In a broad sense, all graphite materials obtained by organic carbonization and then graphitization at high temperature can be called artificial graphite, such as carbon fiber, pyrolytic carbon, foamed graphite, etc. In a narrow sense, artificial graphite usually refers to a blocky solid material obtained through the processes of batching, kneading, molding, carbonization and graphitization, using carbonaceous raw materials with low impurity content as aggregates, coal tar pitch, etc. as binders. Such as graphite electrodes, isostatic graphite, etc. Manufacturing method There are many ways to manufacture artificial graphite. The common method is to use powdered high-quality calcined petroleum coke as the main raw material, add asphalt as a binder, and then add a small amount of other auxiliary materials. After the various raw materials are mixed together, they are pressed and formed, and then treated in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at 2500-3000 C to make them graphitized. main features Crystal structure Natural graphite: The crystal development is relatively complete, the degree of graphitization of flake graphite is more than 98%, and the degree of graphitization of natural microcrystalline graphite is usually below 93%. Artificial graphite: The degree of crystal development depends on the raw material and the heat treatment temperature. Generally speaking, the higher the heat treatment temperature, the higher the degree of graphitization. The degree of graphitization of industrially produced artificial graphite is usually less than 90%. organizational structure Natural flake graphite: It is a single crystal with a relatively simple structure and only has crystallographic defects (such as point defects, dislocations, stacking faults, etc.), and exhibits anisotropic characteristics on the macroscopic level. The grains of natural microcrystalline graphite are small, the grains are disorderly arranged, and there are pores after the impurities are removed, showing isotropy on the macroscopic level. Artificial graphite: It can be regarded as a multi-phase material, including graphite phase transformed from carbonaceous particles such as petroleum coke or pitch coke, graphite phase transformed from coal tar binder surrounding the particles, particle accumulation or coal tar pitch. The pores formed by the binder after heat treatment, etc. physical form Natural graphite: usually exists in the form of powder and can be used alone, but it is usually used in combination with other materials. Artificial graphite: There are many forms, including powder, fiber and block, while artificial graphite in the narrow sense is usually block, which needs to be processed into a certain shape when used. Physical and chemical properties In terms of physical and chemical properties, natural graphite and artificial graphite have both commonalities and differences in performance. For example, both natural graphite and artificial graphite are good conductors of heat and electricity, but for graphite powders of the same purity and particle size, natural flake graphite has the best heat transfer performance and electrical conductivity, followed by natural microcrystalline graphite and artificial graphite. lowest. Graphite has good lubricity and certain plasticity. The crystal development of natural flake graphite is relatively complete, the friction coefficient is small, the lubricity is the best, and the plasticity is the highest, followed by dense crystalline graphite and cryptocrystalline graphite, followed by artificial graphite. High-quality synthetic graphite supplier Luoyang Moon & Star New Energy Technology Co., LTD, founded on October 17, 2008, is a high-tech enterprise committed to developing, producing, processing, selling, and technical services of lithium-ion battery anode materials. After more than 10 years of development, the company has gradually developed into a diversified product structure with natural graphite, artificial graphite, composite graphite, intermediate phase, and other negative materials (silicon-carbon materials, etc.). The products are widely used in high-end lithium-ion digital power and energy storage batteries. If you are looking for synthetic graphite material, click on the needed products and send us an inquirysales@graphite-corp.com Due to the limited total amount of traditional energy, people have a huge demand for cleaner and greener new energy alternatives. Now, the emergence of graphene is unlocking the possibility of its application in the energy field, which can create a greener, more efficient, and sustainable future. Here Francesco Bonaccorso, Deputy Director of Innovation at the Graphene Flagship Program, explains how his researchers have developed a series of initiatives to bring graphene from the lab to the commercial market. Graphene has become a research hotspot for new materials in the 21st century. Graphene has been adopted by many industries, the most notable of which are healthcare and key material applications. The development of graphene has brought huge fluctuations in the demand for synthetic graphite, and the demand for synthetic graphite will continue to grow in the future. You can contact us for the latest news on synthetic graphite. Inquery us They were there to say they mean the world to each other so Cork couple Hansey Sexton and Gary Power could not have wished for a better wedding backdrop. Gaia is the name of the seven-metre wide rotating sculpture of Planet Earth suspended from the vaulted ceiling of Cobhs St Colmans Cathedral as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival. It was in St Colmans that Hansey, from Glanmire, and Gary, from Blackrock, exchanged wedding vows, on Friday, June 17, having had to postpone the event due to the pandemic. Our wedding was originally meant to be June 2020 and we have had three previous wedding dates so finally on the fourth attempt we did it! says Hansey. Hansey Sexton and Gary Power. Pictures: Into The Light We were also blessed with a little girl six months ago and her name is Gia very similar name to the installation in the church, Gaia. The bride says she had no idea until a few weeks before the wedding that the art installation would be in place.I didnt know what to make of it at first, she says. I was thinking, 'Now theres going to be a globe in the middle of the aisle?' Then, when I actually saw it in real life, it blew my mind. It is magnificent. Taking her dads arm just two days before Fathers Day was also special. As we entered the cathedral, my father looked up at the sculpture of the globe and said, 'Id like to give you the world, thats how much I love you', says Hansey. Hansey Sexton and her bridal party And the father-of-the-bride, Derry Sexton, also had words of wisdom for en route in the car: He told me not to be nervous and take in every single moment as Id been looking forward to it for so long and he was so right! she says. He also joked halfway up the aisle that this was my last chance to run! It was a special moment with him walking up the aisle and one I will cherish forever. Hansey and Gary met on a night out in Cork city eight years ago. We had friends in similar circles so we had lots in common and hit it off from the get-go. Cork is a small place, after all. Gary has worked abroad a lot in Amsterdam over the last number of years but made the permanent move home to Cork in March 2020, says the bride. Hansey Sexton and Gary Power held their wedding reception in the Fota Island Resort Hotel The couple got engaged four years ago on the beach, in Mojacar, in Spain, where Hanseys family holiday every summer. Their original vision was to enjoy a classic, traditional church wedding, says the bride. With the addition of the globe it was almost cinematic and looked like something from a movie, says Hansey. Another special aspect of the wedding was the bridal veil, a gift from her aunt, also called Hansey. It was a gift from my aunt who had it custom-made, but she, unfortunately, passed away in 2020 and was sadly missed on the day, says Hansey. We got engaged in 2018, the year Meghan Markle was married. Meghan had a fantastic long veil and my aunt said, Ill get you a veil like that. I felt like she was there with me in spirit. They were married by a relative of the groom, Fr Liam Power, and held their reception in the Fota Island Resort Hotel. Toasting to their future happiness were both sets of parents, Mary and Derry Sexton; and Bertilla and David Power; and the grooms grandmother, Freda Lombard. Hansey Sexton is a teacher at St Columba's Girls National School in Douglas and Gary Power is an electrical engineer Hansey had the support of her bridesmaids, Hansey Brosnan, Colleen Kelleher, Michelle Scanlon, Edel Flatley and Barbara Neville, while by Garys side as groomsmen were Gerard Kelly, William OLeary, Ivan Sexton, Brendan Spillane and Adrian OShea. Gia, Julia and Sofia Power were the flowergirls and Jack O'Leary Sexton was the pageboy Gia, Julia and Sofia Power were the flowergirls and Hansey's nephew Jack O'Leary Sexton was the pageboy. Into the light photography captured the big day on camera, while DG Video was the videographer; and Ina McCarthy, Midleton, created the floral arrangements. The newlyweds and their daughter will honeymoon in Mojacar, in Hanseys family home, for two weeks. Hansey is a primary school teacher in St Columbas Girls National School in Douglas and Gary is an electrical engineer. We settled in Glanmire, not far from my family home, and have been living there for the past two years, says the bride. Hansey Sexton with her dad Derry Sexton A cancer survivor, who was diagnosed while 30 weeks pregnant, is calling for a change in legislation after she was unable to defer her maternity leave while she was recovering. Erica Tierney from Kildare received a breast cancer diagnosis while 30 weeks pregnant. She says she will not be able to recoup the time she lost with her child, having spent all but one week of her maternity leave receiving treatment, but wants to see the legislation changed for the women who will go through the same experience in the coming years. The 36-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer while pregnant with her daughter, Roise. So, unfortunately, it was necessary for me to have a mastectomy while I was 33 weeks pregnant, said Erica. "And then because we needed to start chemotherapy as soon as possible, her delivery was brought forward a little bit. And Roise was born at 38 weeks in November 2019." Erica, who is a scientist with a large multinational pharmaceutical company, says she is now cancer-free. However, the draining process of overcoming cancer meant she missed out on key time to bond with her baby. Having learnt that it was not possible to bank her maternity leave, Erica contacted the Irish Cancer Society and, through further research, it was estimated that around 60 women a year in Ireland will be affected by the unfair legislative anomaly. Erica also learned that if her husband had fallen ill, he would have been able to defer his paternity leave. "I just feel so strongly about it, in a case of such a serious illness like this where I, and a lot of women like me, don't know if we're actually even going to survive treatment, said Erica. The other reason why it's so important is very often when you've had chemotherapy and a lot of the drugs that we've had to take to kill cancer. It leaves us infertile. "So it just means that our maternity leave becomes even more important because very often it's the last or potentially the only one you'll ever have. Leave our Leave campaign Off the back of Ericas story, and the stories of others like her, the Irish Cancer Society has brought forward a new Leave our Leave campaign, which was launched outside Leinster House on Thursday. Campaign supporters Emma McGuinness and Mary Canavan with advocacy champion Erica Tierney, and her daughter Roise, 2, at the launch of the Irish Cancer Societys campaign. It is calling on the Government to change current legislation that prevents women from deferring their maternity leave while they are being treated and recovering from cancer. Rachel Morrogh from the Irish Cancer Society said they had written to Children's Minister Roderic OGorman, whose department this issue comes under, and appealed to him to make the necessary legislative amendments to ensure maternity leave does not expire while a woman is undergoing life-saving treatment. The women affected are vulnerable and traumatised by such happy and sad life events coinciding," she said. "Being able to keep their maternity leave until the end of their treatment would go some way to being able to claw back special bonding time. In response to the concerns raised by the Irish Cancer Society, a spokesperson from the Department of Children said they will examine the issues raised by the Irish Cancer Society. All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure they are effective in supporting families and children, a spokesperson said. If Julian Assange is extradited to the USA, history will not be kind to western media or politics. Eight days ago, the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel gave the go-ahead for the Australian journalist to be extradited. He is wanted in the USA on spying charges, arising from the publication of Wikileaks in 2010, which exposed multiple war crimes by US armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the time, Vanity Fair described the stories as one of the greatest journalistic scoops of the last 30 yearsthey have changed the way people think about how the world is run. By any standard, this was public interest journalism, yet Assange, an Australian citizen, is being accused of spying. He received the material from intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, whose 35-year sentence was commuted by Barack Obama before he left office in 2017 following public pressure. Despite that, the US government persists in hounding Assange. When the war crimes were exposed, Assange was hailed for his journalism. Today, most people just look away. If he is extradited, his trial will be held in Elizabeth, Virginia, which is overwhelmingly populated by US military and intelligence personnel. Think of putting an alleged burglar on trial before a jury drawn from the neighbourhood where the homes were robbed. The outcome is, to the greatest extent, predetermined. After a cursory trial, he will in all likelihood be sent to some hellhole of a super-max prison for decades for the rest of his natural life. There, as with the maximum-security Belmarsh prison in the UK where he has been held for the last three years, he will be in the company of the most dangerous and violent offenders in the system, as if he presents a danger to society and the way we live. That is the scale of the potential human injustice that is unfolding. So why no outcry? By all accounts, Assange is not a personable individual. Editors and journalists who worked with him describe him as difficult. He fell out with many collaborators despite their admiration for his tenacity. He is reported to have been arrogant and dismissive of anybody who did not do as he said. In 2011, he took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London after Sweden requested his extradition on sexual assault charges. He vehemently denied the charges and claimed it was a ruse to get him to Sweden from where it would be easier to extradite him to the USA. Since then, the charges have been dropped and Assanges claim of duplicity certainly appears to have major credence. He was ejected from the embassy in 2019, having fallen out with his hosts. In a media and political age when the personal story will trump principles or policy, character flaws are a major drawback in any campaign based around an individual. Conversely, such flaws elevate the importance of the principle at issue in the Assange case. Standing with somebody on whom the crown of victim sits uneasily is vital because it lends weight to the notion that justice should be blind. There are other complications in efforts to rally political and public support. His most vocal advocates in this country are Mick Wallace and Clare Daly, both of whom have invested huge time on his behalf in recent years. While they are obviously passionate in defence of Assanges work, neither has advocated in any major way for press freedom in general. In fact, both are big cheeses on the media operated by totalitarian states in places like Russia, Syria, and China. So it would be a stretch to accept that their defence of Assange is based on press freedom rather than antipathy towards the USA. The other quarter in this country from which has emerged vocal support is elements within Sinn Fein. In recent years, various politicians and activists in the party have called for restrictions on press freedom. And the party is vocal in its admiration for Cuba, a country where journalists speak for power rather than to it and end up in prisons even worse than Belmarsh if they dont toe the government line. With such vocal advocates, it may well be that a wider audience would prefer to give the whole Assange case a miss. That would be a major mistake. 'Julian must be freed.... Your rights depend on it.' Press freedom is under attack across the world with the rise in nationalism, populism, and the drift towards totalitarian rule. There is no more stark example of this than the Assange case as it involves the USA, which nominally values the role of watchdog higher than possibly any other democracy. This is the country where one of its founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, once declared that he if had to choose a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. Yet now Jeffersons successors hound a journalist whose work went to the heart of holding power to account. America plumbing such depths is bad enough, but another self-declared bastion of democracy, the UK, is colluding in the stitch-up. Read More Wife of Julian Assange hopeful Australia will intervene in extradition It would be perfectly open to the home secretary to refuse the extradition but Patel and her boss, Boris Johnson, have bigger fish to fry. Having religiously pursued the hardest possible Brexit, the country is now desperately seeking trade deals, and nowhere more so than with the USA. With such priorities, the dispatch of a troublesome journalist must be considered a small price to pay if theres any chance of extracting some business from the Yanks. Against such a background, there has been muted protest at the treatment of Assange and what it heralds. At national or EU level, the case receives little more than a shrug of the shoulders. Apparently, there are no votes or positive media coverage to be garnered from Assange so any principle attaching is quietly ignored. Stella Assange, the wife of Julian Assange, said: What has long been understood to be a bedrock principle of democracy, press freedom, will disappear in one fell swoop." Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA In wider society, the case has not caught the imagination, possibly because the figure at the centre of it does not make for a natural cause celebre. This is classically how rights are eroded, long-standing principles quietly shelved, while everybody looks the other way. Assanges wife, Stella, the mother of their two small children, set out in the London Independent that which is unfolding before our eyes. What has long been understood to be a bedrock principle of democracy, press freedom, will disappear in one fell swoop. As it stands, no journalist is going to risk having what Julian is being subjected to happen to them. Julian must be freed before it is too late. His life depends on it. Your rights depend on it. The short version of how Americans lost their right to terminate a pregnancy might be summed up in one name: Trump. The real estate tycoon and reality-TV star first shocked the world by winning the US presidency, then rewarded his base by confirming three supreme court justices to a nine-member bench, thus rebalancing the court to lean conservative for a generation to come. That short road led to Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, an opinion released this week in which supreme court justices voted to overturn the landmark case Roe v Wade, which in 1973 granted a constitutional right to abortion. The end of federal protection for abortion is expected to lead to 26 states to ban the procedure immediately or as soon as practicable, impacting tens of millions of US women and people who can become pregnant. The anti-abortion movement The decision comes even though about 85% of Americans favour legal abortion in at least some circumstances. Why, and how, a decision opposed by a majority of Americans came about has everything to do with political power, experts said. The anti-abortion movement is the best-organized faction in American politics, said Fred Clarkson, an expert on the Christian right and an associate at Political Research Associates. They understand theyre a minority of the population, of the electorate, and certainly a minority set of views on reproductive rights issues, he said. But because they know that, theyve found effective ways of maximizing their political clout by being better organized than numerically greater factions who are less well organized. Put another way, he said, the anti-abortion movement mastered the tools of democracy to achieve undemocratic outcomes. 'Slow erosion' The currents that led to the Dobbs decision are among the most powerful in American politics today. Over decades, a religious movement prevailed by harnessing the forces of polarization, the erosion of constitutional norms and the manipulation of US democracy, scholars said. Its not like weve had this slow erosion of abortion rights, said Niel Siegel, an expert in constitutional law and professor at Duke University who clerked for former liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Instead, justices issued an opinion that is utterly dismissive of what has been constitutional law for literally five decades, and was repeatedly affirmed by justices appointed by both parties. The conservative-leaning court will shatter one more constitutional norm, issuing a once-in-a-lifetime reversal, after another event without modern precedent: the leak of a supreme court draft opinion. Even before Dobbs was released, the leak spelt out the doom of Roe v Wade. The court is not the institution I served, said Siegel. Today, abortion is among the most partisan issues in the US, with Republicans and the anti-abortion movement so closely aligned there is little daylight between them. In the 1970s, however, abortion was seen as a Catholic issue, with both pro-choice Republicans and anti-abortion Democrats in Congress. The supreme court voted in favour of Roe v Wade by a 7-2 margin. New alliances Some of this transformation reflects deliberate changes by the anti-abortion movement, some of it is structural changes to US democracy, and some of it is just luck, said Mary Ziegler, visiting professor at Harvard and a professor of constitutional law at the University of California Davis. Contrary to popular belief, there was no immediate political backlash to Roe v Wade. In the years that followed, important bills banned the federal government from paying for abortions, but a constitutional amendment to outright ban the procedure failed. It wasnt until the late 1970s that Republican strategists, such as Paul Weyrich, saw abortion as an issue that might unlock the votes of millions of white evangelical Christians, alongside opposition to womens rights and to desegregation court rulings. The plan worked: Catholics and white evangelical Protestants were brought into uneasy alliance with Republicans. Anti-abortion activists Maggie Donica, 21, right, and Grace Rykaczewski, 21, left, pray following the Supreme Court's decision. Photo: AP/Jacquelyn Martin Back in the 70s and 80s, when the anti-abortion movement was maturing, I remember events where you would see one Catholic bishop sitting on stage uncomfortably with evangelicals, said Clarkson. It would be decades before evangelical Christians and Catholics entirely fused their modern agenda, with abortion, gay marriage and religious freedom as top issues. Nevertheless, the new alliance soon produced a moral majority that buoyed Ronald Reagans campaign. Like Trump, Reagan initially supported liberalized abortion law, before he later promised to oppose abortion as president. Abortion and race This political realignment was helped along by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which constitutional scholars argued forced segregationist southern Democrats into real competition with Republicans for the first time. You dont understand reproductive politics in this country if you dont understand racial politics in this country, said Loretta Ross, founder of the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective, a reproductive rights organizer in Georgia. I believe the current restrictions on abortion, birth control and sex education are all designed to compel white women to have more babies, said Ross. Im not convinced they want more brown or Black babies, even though brown and Black women would be disproportionately impacted by abortion bans, she said. 'Minority rule' This political realignment also brought Republicans distinct structural advantages based on the architecture of the US constitution a force Siegel describes as rural favouritism. The two-chamber Congress is made up of the House of Representatives, whose seats are based on population, and the Senate, which grants each state two votes no matter the population. The constitution has always disproportionately favoured rural voters, but it didnt always favour one party, said Siegel. As Republican senators began to represent more white, Christian and rural voters, however, they also gained the advantage of a feature baked into the US constitution. Today, Republicans collectively represent 41.5 million fewer Americans than Democrats, even though the Senate is evenly split. As a result, the new conservative-leaning court was confirmed by a body which represents a minority of voters. That is reflective of minority rule, said Siegel. Read More US can no longer call itself free if the abortion ban returns Republican strategists appeal to socially conservative voters also began to substantially redefine what it meant to be Republican. The party professionals and establishment Republicans thought they could control them, said Clarkson. They were wrong: they became the party. The new anti-abortion arrivals pushed for more power, working to exercise more influence over the composition of the GOP to ensure the nominees would be ideologically pure enough, Clarkson said. Demography added urgency to the anti-abortion cause, Siegel said. The Republican party is overwhelmingly white and Christian, but the size of its base is threatened by rapidly changing US demographics as America grows more racially diverse and less religious. White Americans are predicted to be a minority by 2045. That has pushed Republicans to practice existential politics, made each election cycle feel more critical than the last and forced the parties further apart, said Siegel. At the same time, partisan redistricting, known as gerrymandering, has allowed more extreme candidates to win uncompetitive districts, exacerbating polarization. Power and luck In the case of Dobbs, power and luck collided when the base elected Trump, a man who once professed to be pro-choice, won the election even as he lost the popular vote and was then offered the rare opportunity to confirm three new justices to the court. The forces behind Dobbs also show how especially American values autonomy, liberty and self-determination will be redefined in a new supreme court era. Theres mutual animosity between members of the two parties, but there is more of an asymmetry in terms of how far to the right the Republican party has moved, and willingness to break norms for short-term partisan advantage, said Siegel. Or, in the case of the supreme court, for long-term partisan advantage. The Guardian Junta Watch Junta Watch: No Rest for Military Veterans; Rewriting the Election Rules, and More Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and Sein Win attend the conference of the Myanmar War Veterans Organization in November 2021. Veterans retirement interrupted It was an ill omen for military veterans when Myanmar War Veterans Organization chairman Lieutenant General Sein Win, who served as defense minister in the National League for Democracy government, told them to prepare to take any duty assigned to them. Speaking to the veterans at the organizations annual meeting on Tuesday, Sein Win called for constant implementation of junta chief Min Aung Hlaings guidance that they continue to take part in national defense and security. More than a year since the coup, Myanmars military has been seriously depleted by desertions and casualties amid daily clashes with resistance forces, and is unable to attract new recruits because of its atrocities against civilians. This has forced the regime to recall military veterans to paid active duty. As reservists, they lead militia groups, serve at military checkpoints in towns, take part in pro-military rallies and also fight on the front line. Groundwork laid for electoral system switch U Thein Soe, the chairman of the junta-appointed Union Election Commissionwho also headed the election body during the 2010 general election, which was widely considered riggedvisited townships in Yangon and Rakhine State from June 18-21, telling locals that the proportional representation (PR) electoral system will be used in the general election the regime plans to hold next year. The regime is planning to replace the current first-past-the-post system with PR because the NLD won landslide victories in the general elections in 1990, 2015 and 2020the only exception being the 2010 poll, which it boycotted. PR effectively prevents major popular parties like the NLD and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy from winning by huge margins, while making it easier for parties such as the militarys proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party and others that lost in previous elections to achieve greater representation in Parliament. Given that 25 percent of parliamentary seats are reserved for armed forces personnel under the military-drafted 2008 Constitution, introducing PR would give junta chief Min Aung Hlaing a good chance of becoming president after next years election. While there is no doubt that U Thein Soe, who was himself a major general in the Myanmar military, will oversee the election as per instructions from Min Aung Hlaing, the juntas English-language newspaper The Global New Light of Myanmar claimed in its June 11 report about a meeting between US academic Karl D. Jackson, an expert on South Asia, and US-sanctioned U Thein Soe that Jackson was impressed by the UECs efforts and preparations and will send a message back to the international community. (The paper mistakenly identified the distinguished professor of Southeast Asia Studies at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University as Cardi Jackson.) US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet has cast doubt over the juntas pledge to hold new elections in August 2023. I think theres no chance it could be free and fair, and it can be an attempt to just manipulate the region, the international community, he said on June 11. Russian investment in electricity sought Five ministers of the Myanmar regime attended the 25th International Economic Forum held in St. Petersburg, Russia and sought help from Moscow on Myanmars fuel and electricity crisis. Food prices and the costs of living have soared in Myanmar as rising fuel prices and power outages take a toll on the lives of Myanmar people. Junta Foreign Economic Relations Minister U Aung Naing Oo invited a Russian energy company to invest in the countrys energy sector, and Electricity and Energy Minister U Thaung Han held talks with Russian government officials and businessmen on setting up electricity production ventures in Myanmar. Central Bank of Myanmar Vice Governor Daw Than Than Swe discussed monetary cooperation with Russian bank officials, according to junta media reports. Many foreign countries have exited military-ruled Myanmar since the coup. In the early days of the coup, the regime focused on military cooperation with Russia, but lately it has also sought economic cooperation with Moscow. It is not clear how much Russian investment will come into Myanmar, whose economy is spiraling downward. Meanwhile, the World Bank has declined to issue growth forecasts for the country beyond fiscal 2021 because of the high degree of uncertainty. Junta guarantees even more sympathy for its No. 1 enemy Eager to impose the most punitive restrictions possible against his political nemesis, Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing moved the countrys detained democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to solitary confinement in a prison on Wednesday, after keeping her under house arrest at an unknown location for more than a year. The 77-year-old will have to attend a special court in Naypyitaw Prison, where she is now detained, to face the more than a dozen charges the junta has slapped her with. If found guilty on all counts, she will receive a combined sentence of more than 100 years in prison in what is widely regarded as a politically motivated plan to remove her from the countrys political scene once and for all by letting her die behind bars. Human Rights Watchs Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for the watchdog, said the junta was obviously trying to intimidate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters. It is unlikely to succeed however, as the juntas most immediate issue remains the unwavering popular armed resistance being mounted against it by her supporters and others who are determined to topple it. In fact, as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is the elected leader of Myanmar, keeping her in solitary confinement will not only fail to diminish her popularity, but simply generate more support and sympathy for her from even more quarters than ever before. Sending Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to prison simply demonstrates all the more clearly the regimes stupidity by stoking the peoples hatred of it. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Continue in Kayah State Hell Hounds Are Loose in Myanmar; Who Can Stop Them? Myanmars Min Aung Hlaing, Russias Putin and Their Ilk Must Not Prevail Myanmar in Revolt as People Choose to Fight the Brutal Regime It feels like everyone these days is going off on adventures to some tropical climate or another, but more often than not it seems that their destinations are Costa Rica. Nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, the country is the most popular tourist destination in Central America. There are many reasons for Costa Ricas popularity, but a prominent one is the abundant biodiversity, vast protected areas and emphasis on education as a damage prevention tool. In a world that has become exponentially more aware of possible damages that travel can do to the countries theyre visiting, Costa Rica is not just a pioneer of ecotourism but an industry leader. But their national environmental care dont end there. Way back in 2019, the government made a plan to decarbonize the economy by 2050, with tourism factored in. Just last year, the size of protected marine reserve of Coco National Park was multiplied by 27. The subsequent reputation has attracted not only those who are looking for a magnificent tropical backdrop for some Instagram pictures, but those who travel while conscious of the environment. This being said, the reasons to visit Costa Rica do not end with the environment. Theres so much to do! For the adventurous of nature, Costa Rica is home to the longest zipline in South America, as well as various active volcanoes to hike around. The list never ends, a day there could be filled with anything from surfing to scuba diving, to simply enjoying the ambiance of the great outdoors. Heaven knows we need it after two years stuck inside. Another thing that sets Costa Rica apart is how incorporated the natives are in the economy, specifically the tourism. Too many times with these tropical paradises, Native residents are brushed under the rug as unsightly with no place in the new culture of tourism in their lands. But Costa Rica does not make that mistake. They offer craft workshops, and their villages are open for benign visitors to observe and be incorporated in their culture for a bit. There is much to learn from the Natives themselves as well as Costa Rica for facilitating an environment where they can be so involved. The cherry on top of an already perfect destination for a leisurely trip to Central America, is how acknowledging they are of new developments in the global white collar workforce. The impact of COVID-19 on our lives is endless, but one thing it did was set a new precedent for work. People can perform to a satisfactory degree from anywhere, and COVID forced us to learn this. This has changed travel in the sense that now work is not something you leave behind but part of the trip. And that doesnt have to be a bad thing! In 2021 Costa Rica launched a digital nomad visa, a visa specialized for those working remotely and digitally that lasts longer than regular visas. The country as a whole has begun to make more places specialized in facilitating remote working, from more advanced hotel amenities to entire mini-village/communities dedicated just for remote workers who want to hole up in a residential community that balances productivity and well being. So what are you waiting for? Time your trip so that you can minimize flights British Airways operates direct flights between November and May and make the most of public transport when you arrive. Costa Rica waits for you! For more information, please refer to Timeout. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. U.S. torn by Supreme Court's decision to strike down landmark ruling on abortion rights Xinhua) 11:10, June 25, 2022 Demonstrators attend a rally in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) WASHINGTON, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that established a constitutional right to abortion in the nation nearly half a century ago. "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion. "Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences." "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives," the conservative suggested. The court's three liberal justices dissented, saying that "many millions of American women" have lost a fundamental constitutional protection. The announcement came after the Supreme Court had considered an appeal case involving a Mississippi law banning all abortions over 15 weeks gestational age except in certain circumstances. Chief Justice John Roberts did not join the majority, arguing in a concurring opinion that he would not have overturned Roe but instead would have only upheld Mississippi's law. Crowds on both sides of abortion rights are demonstrating near the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. throughout Friday, with the presence of police in riot gear. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security intelligence branch reportedly notified law enforcement, first responders, and private sector partners across the nation on Friday of potential domestic violence extremist activity in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling on abortion rights. With Roe falling, more than two dozen states in the United States -- primarily in the south and midwest and controlled by Republicans -- are expected to tighten abortion access, including 13 states with "trigger bans" that would immediately outlaw abortion if Roe v. Wade were overturned. Governor Mike Parson tweeted Friday that Missouri "has become the first state in the nation to effectively end abortions," activating a bill ending elective abortions in the state. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge later signed a certification that prohibits abortions in the state. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, on Friday signed a new law strengthening abortion rights in the state, saying he was feeling "pissed, resolved, and angry." "Women are treated as second-class citizens in this country," Newsom said. "Women are not as free as men. That's pretty damn sick." In response to the Supreme Court's ruling, U.S. President Joe Biden said Friday that the court "expressly took away a constitutional right from the American people that it had already recognized," calling it "a sad day for the Court and for the country." "The Court literally taking America back 150 years," Biden said. "Now, with Roe gone, let's be very clear: The health and life of women in this nation are now at risk." Republicans and religious conservatives celebrated what they see a victory. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose three Supreme Court picks helped solidify a conservative majority, praised its decision to overturn Roe, telling Fox News that "this is following the Constitution, and giving rights back when they should have been given long ago." The issue also caused international concern. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said "the news coming out of the United States is horrific." "My heart goes out to the millions of American women who are now set to lose their legal right to an abortion. I can't imagine the fear and anger you are feeling right now," Trudeau said. "No government, politician, or man should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body." United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that access to safe, legal, and effective abortion is firmly rooted in international human right law and is at the core of women and girls' autonomy, and ability to make their own choices about their bodies and lives, free of discrimination, violence, and coercion. "This decision strips such autonomy from millions of women in the U.S., in particular those with low incomes and those belonging to racial and ethnic minorities, to the detriment of their fundamental rights," Bachelet warned. The Supreme Court is the final appellate court of the U.S. judicial system, with the power to review and overturn lower court decisions, and is also generally the final interpreter of federal law, including the nation's constitution. The court -- in which conservatives now have a 6-3 majority over liberals on the bench -- has recently released a series of rulings as it nears the end of the current term. Americans' confidence in the Supreme Court has dropped sharply over the past year and reached a new low in Gallup's nearly 50-year trend. Only 25 percent of adults across the United States say they have "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, down from 36 percent a year ago and five percentage points lower than the previous low recorded in 2014. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Abortion-rights activists react following Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in Washington, Friday, June 24, 2022. The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years, a decision by its conservative majority to overturn the court's landmark abortion cases. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Washington, DC, US (PANA) - Five Western governments have called on the Libyan Parliament, High State Council and their leaders to urgently finalize the legal basis for a credible, transparent and inclusive presidential and parliamentary election to be held as soon as possible Are you guys excited? The highly loved mystery fantasy series "Missing: The Other Side" teases fans and raises excitement as the production unit confirms the release of a new season with Lee Jung Eun, Heo Jun Ho, and more! Keep on reading for all the details! 'Missing: The Other Side' To Launch Season 2 This 2022 "Missing: The Other Side," which was loved by many viewers, confirmed the production of a new season. The drama follows the mystery enclosed in a tight-knit community where the dead and people whose bodies were never found lived. It was well-received by the public during its broadcast in 2020, thanks to its exquisite storyline and the gripping theme of the afterlife. On Friday, June 24, the production unit of "Missing: The Other Side" announced that the launch of a new season was on the table. Season 1 cast members Go Soo, Heo Jun Ho, and Ha Jun are confirmed to reprise their roles as veterans. In addition, Lee Jung Eun, Kim Dong Hwi, and Ha Jun will join the series to create a more solid drama lineup. Go Soo takes on the main role of Kim Wook, a con artist who gets entangled with Jang Pan Seok (Heo Jun Ho), the gatekeeper of a mysterious village. Together, they search for the missing people and help them solve the puzzle piece that is their death. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Yoon Kye Sang Stressed Out While Filming 'Kiss Sixth Sense' Because of THIS Ahn So Hee transforms into Kim Wook and Jang Pan Seok's partner Lee Jong Ah, a civil servant who's also a hacker. In the previous season, the three showed perfect synchronization and chemistry as a trio. As a result, excitement is amplified as fans can't wait to see what the three sterling stars have in store for the new season. Lee Jung Eun, Ha Jun, More Strengthen 'Missing' Season 2 Lineup To further strengthen the drama lineup, stellar actors Lee Jung Eun, Ha jun, and Kim Dong Hwi confirm their participation. Lee Jung Eun, who recently showcased her top notch skills in "Our Blues," transforms into Kang Eun Sil. She is a resident in the village who was with the village chief for the past 30 years, but is now filled with an ominous aura. Ha Jun joins the series as the competitive detective Shin Joon Ho who's determined to unravel the secrets in the village, especially after his fiancee goes missing. In addition to that, Kim Dong Hwi also joins the second season as Oh Il Yong, a village resident who struggles to track down his own death and missing body. Focus is given to what kind of performance the final lineup of the series will bring to the table with their solid acting skills and unique presence. The production unit of the drama guarantees a richer story filled with unknown secrets, deaths, and more with "Missing" Season 2. 'Missing' Season 2 To Begin Filming This Summer As for the principal filming, the production unit of "Missing: The Other Side" confirms the beginning of its filming this July. "Viewers can look forward to the new drama as it returns with a more emotional and exciting storyline," a representative of the production unit said. Furthermore, "Missing" Season 2 is expected to be released in the second half of 2022. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THIS: Ju Ji Hoon To Return With New Drama? Here's What We Know KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Regan Russell is shown protesting outside Fearmans Pork in Burlington, Ont., in this undated handout photo. On Father's Day, Mark Powell donated a bench to honour his late wife, Regan Russell, at an animal sanctuary north of Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Regan Russell family, *MANDATORY CREDIT* Despite a rainy morning, Civil War reenactors of the First Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Light Artillery Battery A reenactment group demonstrated cannon firings and other historic elements of warfare at the Civil War Museum Saturday. The demonstration, which was part of the Kenosha Civil War Museums Civil War Technology Living History Day, included one cannon firing every hour and cannon firing drills. Were excited were working with the civil war museum, said Paul Hoffman, a reenactor with the group. This is our first event coordinated with the museum, so were excited about that. Some reenactors said that although it was raining they were happy it was not a scorching day. That opinion was not shared universally among the uniformed troops, some of who would have been happy to do without the rain. In addition to the cannon firing demonstrations, the First Michigan Engineers demonstrated gun firing drills. One of the appeals of doing this, whether weve served (in the armed forces) or not, this gives us a chance to experience the kind of camaraderie that people that do serve in the armed forces have, said Steve Fratt, a former history professor and reenactor. For those of us who havent had that (experience), this is similar to that. Members of the reenactment group explained there are different colors on the uniforms to signify the role of those troops in battle; red for artillery, blue for infantry and yellow for cavalry. Mary Levall, a Kenosha resident, said she has always had an interest in the Civil War. I like things like this that make it feel real, Levall said. I love the rain too. First Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Light Artillery Battery A travels to other states to provide demonstrations and educate the public on the technology used at the time. Explaining a very old war Fratt said part of the education effort is explaining to people why the war was fought in ways that do not make sense to people today. Why are they fighting elbow-to-elbow? Fratt said. The most important reason why is rate of fire. They could only fire two shots a minute. The Illinois-themed troopers aim to preserve the Civil Wars history through participation in parades, battle reenactments and demonstrations of living history. The group is dedicated to educating the public and has a mission to honor veterans with ceremonies held on holidays such as Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Fourth of July. The Civil War is such a tragic part of our story, and it seems so unbelievable and so far away, Levall said. Its hard to believe it all happened. Punx on the run Although the rain could not dampen the Civil War reenactors, it did tamp down other events around the area. A car show at Holy Rosary Church was cancelled due to rain. And, the always loud and bombastic Punx on the Pier was moved to a private location due to rain. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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 A second gunman has not been located. They were last seen running north on Fifth Street, according to CPD. Ukraine to withdraw from key city of Severodonetsk as Russia's advance grinds on A monitor installed at a terminal of Incheon International Airport warns passengers about the monkeypox virus, Thursday. Yonhap Explosive spread of monkeypox unlikely: experts By Lee Hyo-jin After Korea identified its first case of the monkeypox virus, health experts say that it is unlikely to cause an explosive spread as the country experienced with the coronavirus, considering the differences between the two viruses. But at the same time, they called on the government to implement preemptive measures such as the swift introduction of third-generation vaccines and the enhancement of detection capacity. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) confirmed the first case of monkeypox, Wednesday, involving a 30-something individual who entered Korea from Germany on the previous day. Without providing further details of the individual, the authorities said the patient is receiving treatment at an isolation ward at Incheon Medical Center. The agency raised the alert level for the infectious disease to "caution," the second level in the government's four-tier system. "There are still many uncertainties about the virus, but based on what we know so far, there's little reason to panic about the new outbreak," Song Chang-seon, head of the Korean Society for Zoonoses, told The Korea Times. "Unlike the coronavirus which is easily transmitted through respiratory droplets, monkeypox spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. So I don't expect the number of infections to go up rapidly as it did with COVID-19," he said. He also said that although there are no vaccines and treatments specifically for monkeypox, antiviral drugs and vaccines developed against smallpox, a genetically similar disease, can be used to prevent the spread of monkeypox. According to the KDCA, Korea has 35 million doses of smallpox vaccine developed by local manufacturer HK inno.N, which are classified as second-generation vaccines. The authorities are planning to introduce Jynneos, a third-generation vaccine developed by Danish company Bavarian Nordic. A medical worker enters a negative pressure isolation ward at Incheon Medical Center, Wednesday. Yonhap Hungarian ambassador to Korea Mozes Csoma speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the country's embassy in Yongsan District, Seoul, June 8. Csoma is a Korean Studies scholar who has expertise in the relations between the Korean peninsula and Hungary. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk By Kwon Mee-yoo Hungarian Ambassador to Korea Mozes Csoma has a unique background as an ambassador. He is a prominent Korean studies scholar, who established the first Korean studies department at a university in Hungary. He has frequently travelled to Korea, visiting almost every year for the past two decades for study and research even before being appointed as an ambassador, so he was already familiar with the country. "When I was appointed as Hungary's ambassador to Korea in 2018, I had an opportunity to utilize everything I learned about Korea from language and history to culture in developing Hungary-Korea relations," the ambassador said during an interview with The Korea Times wrapping up his four years as an ambassador at the Hungarian Embassy in Yongsan District, Seoul. He speaks Korean fluently and the interview was conducted in Korean. Even though he is not a career diplomat, Csoma "knew exactly what to do as an ambassador" when he was appointed. "As a Korean Studies scholar, I have researched diplomatic documents between South Korea and Hungary, as well as North Korea and Hungary from the National Archives of Hungary. I knew what an ambassador has to do and how to get a good result as a diplomat," he said. Sandor Simics, first from left, the first-ever Hungarian envoy in North Korea in the spring of 1950 / Courtesy of Mozes Csoma History of Hungary-Korea relations The ambassador noted that despite the geographical distance, the relations between Korea and Hungary began much earlier than people think. "At the end of the 19th century, when Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, ruled by the Habsburg monarchy, (the Joseon Kingdom and) Austria-Hungary signed a friendship treaty in 1892 and that is the official beginning of the Hungary-Korea relations. There was a Hungarian Bishop, Peter Vay, who was the first Hungarian to have an audience with King Gojong in 1902," he said. Csoma also played a role in organizing "Korea in 1908 through the eyes of a Hungarian medical doctor, Dezso Bozoky," an exhibition at the Seoul Museum of History in 2019 to commemorate 30 years of diplomatic ties between Hungary and Korea. "In 1908, an Austro-Hungarian warship, SMS Kaiser Franz Joseph I, visited Korea and a Hungarian navy surgeon took many photos of Korea Jemulpo (Incheon), Seoul, Port Hamilton (Geomun Island) and Busan. I wanted to share the pictures of Korean taken by a Hungarian some 110 years ago with Koreans and organized the exhibit, which later toured Incheon and Busan," he explained. Hungary has unique relations with the Korean peninsula. The Japanese colonial rule of Korea put an end to the relations between Austria-Hungary and Korea. After the liberation of Korea, Hungary recognized North Korea as having sole sovereignty over the peninsula. Hungary was the first to set up a modern hospital in North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War and accepted North Korean orphans and students after the war. Hungary formally recognized and establish diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1989, the same year communism ended in the European country. As a scholar, Csoma looked into this complicated relationship between Hungary and the Korean peninsula closely. "Just before the Korean War in April 1950, the first Hungarian envoy, Sandor Simics, arrived in Pyongyang. I have read all diplomatic documents from Simics' arrival in North Korea till the establishment of diplomatic ties with South Korea in the national archive," he said. Csoma has written a handful of books on Hungary-Korea relations in English and Korean and "From North Korea to Budapest" narrates the tales of North Korean students during the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. "There were around 1,000 North Korean orphans and students in Hungary in the 1950s and I looked into the lives of these students in Budapest. When the Hungarian Revolution against the Soviet Union broke out in 1956, North Korean students who had experience with weapons helped their classmates. I interviewed some students, who were in Hungary then but took refuge in a third country after the revolution failed, for the book," he said. Park Chul-eon, second from left, special envoy of President Roh Tae-woo in Budapest in 1988 / Courtesy of Mozes Csoma However, after the Hungarian Revolution, Hungary and North Korea took a different path. Hungary went to what some say was a "lighter" kind of communism, cooperating economically with and travelling freely to countries in Western Europe since the 1970s, while North Korea became more reclusive. "In this atmosphere, Budapest was the first among the socialist nations to approach Seoul to establish diplomatic relations. Hungary had a temporary representative in Seoul before participating in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and it was promoted to an embassy when Hungary-Korea diplomatic ties were established in February 1989." Since then, Hungary-South Korea relations developed rapidly, while Hungary's ties with North Korea deteriorated. Hungary closed its embassy in Pyongyang in 1999 and the ambassadorial duties for North Korea were first transferred to the Hungarian ambassador in Beijing and then to Seoul. Currently, Csoma doubles as Hungary's envoy to North Korea. In April 2019, Csoma went to Pyongyang to present his credentials. "I presented my credentials to Kim Yong-nam, North Korea's ceremonial leader who led the delegation at the PyeongChang Olympics. He retired due to old age soon after receiving my credentials," he said, showing a newspaper clip from the Rodong Sinmun and a photo taken during the ceremony in Pyongyang. In relation to inter-Korean relations, Ambassador Csoma said Hungary is in accord with other European Union member states, opposing North Korea's nuclear weapons development and missile tests. Hungarian ambassador to Korea Mozes Csoma poses in front of the entrance of the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Cente in Myeong-dong, central Seoul. Courtesy of Embassy of Hungary in Korea Potential for cooperation What he learned from history is to find the right, important people with which to cooperate on diplomatic issues. "I have found many great partners both in Korea and Hungary in the last four years and I think I am a lucky ambassador," Csoma said. "One of them is Park Chul-eon, former minister and chief negotiator of the 1988 Hungary-South Korea secret talks. Ahead of the establishment of official diplomatic relations, Park visited Hungary in the late 1980s as a special envoy of then-President Roh Tae-woo who pursued the Northern Policy. "As I knew well of the history of Hungary-Korea relations, former minister Park was the first person I paid a visit upon arrival in Korea as an ambassador. We've been on intimate terms since then and he gave me a lot of good advice and ideas." Ambassador Csoma said one of his achievements during his term in Korea was the opening of the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Center Seoul in 2019. "There has been a Korean Cultural Center in Budapest since 2012, but there was no counterpart in Korea. So I endeavored to open the Hungarian Cultural Center to introduce Hungary's traditional culture, history, literature, cuisine, wine and more to Koreans," he said. During his term, the first direct flight route between Seoul and Budapest was also established as well. "The direct flight is operated by LOT Polish Airlines, which is an example of cooperation between the four Visegrad Group countries," Csoma said. The Visegrad Group, also known as V4, is an alliance of four central European countries the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. "The V4 countries are geographically similar to the Korean Peninsula, located among big powers. Korea is heavily influenced by China, Japan, Russia and the United States, while the V4 countries are wedged between powerful countries Germany, France, Russia and more," Csoma said. "The Visegrad countries have a long history of cooperation. The alliance between the Central European countries began in the 14th century, meeting in the Hungarian castle of Visegrad. The present version was established in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union." Hungarian ambassador to Korea Mozes Csoma, fourth from left in first row, attends the ceremony for the establishment of the first-ever regular direct flight between Seoul and Budapest in 2019. Courtesy of Embassy of Hungary in Korea Companies expected to speed up investments in small modular reactors By Lee Kyung-min Korea's leading firms are fortifying investments in their nuclear power businesses, propelled by the rapidly elevated standing of the long-shunned power source at the recent Korea-U.S. summit, according to market watchers, Wednesday. During their three-day summit, Presidents Yoon Suk-yeol and Joe Biden reaffirmed their commitment to the development and advancement of a cheaper, affordable and stable source of energy, alongside strengthened overall cooperation in semiconductor and battery manufacturing. The new priority of the joint economic alliance underscores the rare momentum for both countries, a sign many firms characterize as a stable corporate growth opportunity to overcome years of setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also anchoring the optimism are new energy policy directives by the Yoon administration to scrap the nuclear phase-out policy of the previous Moon Jae-in administration, which has been criticized largely for lacking viable alternatives. Small modular reactors Chief among the recipients of major, long-term investments will be the small modular reactor (SMR) industry. SMRs are widely viewed as the next generation of nuclear reactors. Although they are lower in power generation capacity and size compared to existing large nuclear power plants, they make up for that in terms of safety, simplicity of design and construction method. Hyundai Engineering, a construction affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, said May 23 that it had established an organization dedicated to advancing nuclear power projects. Employees of the organization will expand SMR businesses, propped up by the production of the small reactors and hydrogen, as well as decommissioning nuclear power plants and conducting research on nuclear cycle projects and nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities. "SMRs have emerged as a key vehicle for promoting carbon neutrality, as recognized by global market players," a Hyundai Engineering official said. "The SMR business will grow significantly, backed by recently reiterated commitments of leaders in Korea and the U.S." Joint investments Similarly, SK Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), May 17, with TerraPower, a U.S. SMR design firm set up by Bill Gates in 2008. The U.S. firm is best known for sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) technology expected to be fully commercialized as early as 2028, an area of cooperation with SK affiliates including SK Innovation in joint research and development projects. "Local and overseas expansion will be expedited by the industry's overall vigor which will be strengthened," SK Inc. said in a statement. Samsung Heavy Industries, a plant construction and energy affiliate of Samsung Group, signed an MOU with Seaborg, a Danish next-generation nuclear reactor developer, April 7, to develop floating nuclear power plant barges. The project will be enabled by close integration of the Samsung affiliate's shipbuilding capabilities and Compact Molten Salt Reactor (CMSR) technology by the Danish firm. The Seaborg-developed CMSR uses highly efficient fission energy to generate electricity without producing greenhouse gases. The reactor far smaller in size is suited for broader use with fewer limitations compared to existing large nuclear power plants. Doosan Enerbility, an energy affiliate of Doosan Group, said Wednesday that it will invest 5 trillion won ($3.9 billion) in SMR, gas- and hydrogen turbines and hydrogen fuel cell batteries over the next five years. The announcement was the latest development after the U.S. president's visit to Korea, on top of its ongoing cooperation with NuScale Power, a leading U.S. firm specializing in SMR technology. They plan to begin the production of key SMR products in the second half of 2023, buoyed by the increase in investments to revitalize the ecosystem of the nuclear energy market. Optimism The collective move is encouraging, according to Lee Jong-ho, a senior researcher at the Nuclear Research Institute for Future Technology Policy (NIFTEP) affiliated with Seoul National University. "The nuclear energy industry was close to collapsing altogether, but recent investments show signs of hope," he said. The rapid upturn in corporate investments offers much-awaited economic growth momentum, Seoul National University economist Lee In-ho said. "Businesses have long remained reluctant to make investments, leading to a slowdown in the economy. Jobs created by new investments will help lift vibrancy," Lee said. Park Ho-jeong, a professor of Resources and Energy Economics at Korea University said corporate activities will be bolstered, as indicated by the recent shift in priorities by the Yoon administration's newly-appointed energy authorities. Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang said at his inauguration on May 13 that the government will reorient energy policies to give more weight to the use of nuclear power. Second Vice Industry Minister Park Il-jun made a visit to a nuclear power equipment manufacturing plant of Doosan Enerbility in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, May 20. He attended a meeting joined by industry workers as one of his first official schedules as the energy authority. Park said he would review ways to simplify approval procedures for nuclear power facility construction. Government assistance in nuclear system exports will be strengthened to bring more work for local firms, he added. Hong Kong: President Xis attendance welcomed President Xi Jinping will attend a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Chief Executive-elect John Lee extended their welcome and deepest gratitude for President Xi's attendance. Mrs Lam said with President Xi's warm regards and the Central Authorities' full support, the Hong Kong SAR has been steadfastly implementing the one country, two systems principle over the past five years. She added that President Xi's attendance this year, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, fully shows the importance the Central Authorities attach to the city as well as their support for Hong Kong. The Chief Executive expressed her heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Hong Kong SAR. Chief Executive-elect John Lee said the successful implementation of one country, two systems has proved to be the best institutional safeguard ever for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong since its return to the motherland. Noting that Hong Kong is at the crucial stage of advancing from chaos to governance, and gradually towards prosperity, Mr Lee is delighted by the President's attendance. He thanked President Xi for his caring and support for Hong Kong. This story has been published on: 2022-06-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. PLA monitors US spy aircraft flyover in Taiwan Straits, vows to safeguard national sovereignty (Global Times) 15:10, June 25, 2022 Two Su-35 fighter jets and a H-6K bomber fly in formation on May 11, 2018. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force conducted patrol training over China's island of Taiwan on Friday. Su-35 fighter jets flew over the Bashi Channel in formation with the H-6Ks for the first time, which marks a new breakthrough in island patrol patterns, said Shen Jinke, spokesperson for the PLA air force.(Photo: Xinhua) The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) monitored the flyover of a US spy aircraft over the Taiwan Straits on Friday, vowing to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity amid large-scale military drills in the region in response to repeated provocations by the "Taiwan independence" secessionists and US, Japanese interference forces. US' move is particularly provocative as it is the first US military activity in the region after China made it clear that there are no "international waters" in the Taiwan Straits, observers said. The US sent a P-8A anti-submarine aircraft which flew over the Taiwan Straits on Friday and publicly hyped this move. The PLA Eastern Theater Command organized aerial and ground forces and tracked and monitored its movement throughout its entire course on high alert, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement on Saturday. Shi slammed US' move as intentional to disrupt the regional situation and endanger the cross-Straits peace and stability. "We firmly oppose this," she said. The PLA Eastern Theater Command is on high vigilance all the time and will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Shi said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made it clear earlier this month that there is no such thing as "international waters" on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and that China has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Straits. The US provocatively sends warships through the Taiwan Straits on a monthly basis, but it has not sent one in June as of yet, and instead has sent a military aircraft. This could be a US "salami-slicing" tactic to test China's determination, and while no warships were sent, the move is very provocative right after China's remarks on the status of the Taiwan Straits, a Beijing-based military expert told the Global Times on Saturday, requesting anonymity. By organizing aerial and ground forces to track and monitor the US spy aircraft activity, the PLA likely sortied warplanes and deployed radars of surface-to-air missile systems, the expert said. The PLA must still remain high alert for a US warship transit in the Taiwan Straits, the expert said. In an apparent response to recent repeated provocations by the "Taiwan independence" secessionists and US, Japanese interference forces, the PLA reportedly held large-scale military drills around the island of Taiwan this week, sending dozens of warplanes, including fighter jets, bombers and early warning aircraft, and a number of warships, including destroyers and frigates, to the southwest and east of the island of Taiwan, and east and south to Japan. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. ENHYPEN is now the fastest K-pop group to rack up a total of one billion streams on Spotify across all credits. They are also the fastest K-pop artist overall to achieve the feat. Keep reading to learn how many days the boy group took to hit the mark. ENHYPEN Now the Fastest K-pop Group to Reach 1 Billion Streams on Spotify On June 25 at approximately 3 a.m. KST, the number of streams of ENHYPEN on Spotify surpassed one billion. The total was at 998 million streams as of the 24th, meaning two million streams were accumulated in just one day. ENHYPEN made their debut back on November 30, 2020, and since then, they have been garnering millions of streams on Spotify with their songs. To date, the fourth-generation boy group has four albums, two Japanese singles, and three collaboration songs released on the global music streaming platform. They have a total of 32 tracks in Korean and Japanese. Given that they debuted on November 30, 2020, it took ENHYPEN only 571 days to reach one billion streams on Spotify. With that, they broke the records for the fastest K-pop group and fastest K-pop artist overall to obtain the milestone. TWICE previously held both records, attaining the one-billion mark in 579 days. Additionally, ENHYPEN joins TWICE as the only K-pop act to accumulate one billion streams on Spotify in less than 600 days. The third and fourth fastest K-pop artists, who are TXT and BLACKPINK, respectively, attained the feat after more than 900 days. This is a huge achievement for a K-pop group that is just less than two years in the K-pop industry. Hence, ENGENEs (ENHYPEN's fan club) are celebrating on Twitter by trending "#ENHYPEN_Fastest_Kpop_Act_to1B." The hashtag was used in more than 24,000 tweets as of writing. Congratulations to ENHYPEN on their historic achievement on Spotify! ENHYPEN to Return With Third EP "MANIFESTO: DAY 1" In other news, ENHYPEN is currently releasing teasers for their third EP titled "MANIFESTO: DAY 1," which is due out next month. The mini-album will come after their Japanese digital single "Always," which was released this past Feb. 22. Notably, "Always" is the group's first Japanese album to sell more than 300,000 copies on the Oricon Chart, making them the fifth K-pop artist in history to record this sales figure within one week of release. Moreover, "MANIFESTO: DAY 1" will mark ENHYPEN's first Korean comeback in six months since releasing "DIMENSION: ANSWER" in January. Like their previous albums, "DIMENSION: ANSWER" was also a commercial success, debuting high on Billboard charts, as well as on Gaon and Oricon charts. In particular, ENHYPEN's "DIMENSION: ANSWER" achieved the group's third top 20 entry on Billboard 200 and third consecutive No. 1 on Billboard World Albums Chart. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: ENHYPEN Becomes First K-Pop Artist to Achieve THIS in Japan Other than that, "DIMENSION: ANSWER" is the K-pop album released in 2022 with the second-highest number of streams on Spotify, bested only by BTS's "Proof." It has more than 336 million streams as of June 23. Meanwhile, ENHYPEN's latest teasers for "MANIFESTO: DAY 1" were released on June 24. They dropped another set of teaser photos for the "M version" of the mini-album. Prior to the M version, they have previously revealed teasers for the D version and J version. "MANIFESTO: DAY 1" is set for release on July 4 at 6 p.m. KST. For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article Written by Maria Scott TOWN OF LYONS Grand Geneva Resort & Spa recently appointed Eric Grimm as resort manager and Thor Holm as director of spa. We are excited to welcome Eric Grimm and Thor Holm to the Grand Geneva management team, said Skip Harless, managing director, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. Their expertise and extensive industry backgrounds and knowledge position them to successfully lead our resort and spa teams to continue to deliver exceptional guest and staff experiences. Prior to joining the management team at Grand Geneva, Grimm was the general manager of the Sheraton Detroit. Before his hospitality career relocated him to Detroit, Grimm was director of operations for Marcus Hotels & Resorts for over four years at what is now the St. Kate Hotel and Mason Street Grill in Milwaukee. In his new role, Grimm has returned to Wisconsin to manage and oversee Grand Geneva Resort & Spa and its award-winning accommodations, restaurants, bars, lounges, and facilities. Holm a veteran of spa, wellness, and fitness management has over 33 years of industry experience in spa and recreation management and operations. He has held general manager roles for the Beale Group, Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, and was director of spa at the Hammock Beach Resort & Spa. He currently serves as president of the Green Spa Network Board of Directors. Holm will manage Grand Genevas WELL SPA + Salon as well as the resorts expansive fitness center and activities. Grand Geneva is situated on 1,300 acres in the woodlands outside Lake Geneva. Tears streamed down the face of Victoria Gutierrez as she stood on the Capitol lawn and held a banner alongside a union colleague that read "Labor for abortion rights." Gutierrez and hundreds of others had gathered in the heat of an early summer evening to protest the U.S. Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade Friday, a watershed moment in the country's battle over abortion rights. "It's not over," said Gutierrez, 55. "It's not just about abortion rights. It's about women having agency to start their families. It's about childcare." A crowd of over 1,000 people had swelled at the top of State Street Friday night to protest the high court's decision. Speakers from community groups like Freedom Inc. gave impassioned speeches on the steps of the Capitol for over an hour on Friday, leading demonstrators in repeated chants of "Shame!" and "Abort the court!" Freedom Inc.'s Crystal Ellis likened the Supreme Court decision to an attack on people of color, women and marginalized groups, calling it a "gender-based violence issue." "It's just another example of state violence against our most marginalized communities," Ellis said. The protest disbanded around 6:30 p.m. to march around the Capitol. The Roe ruling by the Supreme Court's conservative majority strikes down nearly 50 years of federal abortion protections. The fall of the court's landmark 1973 decision paves the way for state abortion law to govern reproductive rights. In Wisconsin, a 173-year-old near-total abortion ban has taken effect. Because the 1849 law is still in place, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin halted all abortion services as of Friday due to the Supreme Court ruling, until the organization receives clarification from a court regarding the enforceability of the 19th century law. At the Capitol, protestor Gracie McGovern, 26, held a sign that said "not your body, not your choice." Other demonstrators held signs that read "keep your religion out of politics" and "Abortion saves lives." "I'm mad," McGovern remarked. "I'm very, very mad. We shouldn't be in this situation in 2022." While some brought signs and musical instruments to Friday's protest, some brought guns. Lilith Kievskaya arrived to the demonstration with an off-brand AK-47 and a pistol with the stated purpose of deterring right-wing groups or agitators who might arrive. Kievskaya said she was part of America United, a Madison-based organization focused on "anti-racist community defense." Madison police have said they are collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to respond to demonstrations over the weekend, said spokesperson Stephanie Fryer. The department is not granting leave requests for Friday and Saturday, and extra patrols will be outside "organizations and businesses that may generate interest" because of the Supreme Court's decision, Fryer said. State Journal reporter Lucas Robinson contributed to this report. Lake Geneva motorists soon will have better notice that they are suppose to stop or at least slow down at two intersections on Geneva Street. Members of the Lake Geneva City Council unanimously approved, June 13, to install solar-powered, illuminated stop signs at the intersection of Geneva Street and Center Street and the intersection of Geneva Street and Broad Street, with the cost not to exceed $9,440. The city councils public works committee unanimously approved purchasing the illuminated stop signs, May 23, and the finance, licensing & regulation committee unanimously recommended the purchase, June 7. City officials have said they want to install illuminated stop signs at those intersections to help reduce traffic accidents in those areas and to make people more aware that those areas are stop intersections. Alderwoman Shari Straube indicated that she is pleased that the illuminated traffic signs have been approved and that they have been needed for awhile. Finally, yeah, Straube said during the city council meeting. Mayor Charlene Klein said the signs will help reduce traffic incidents in those areas of Geneva Street. It will help solve a traffic issue in our city, Klein said. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Holy Communion Episcopal Church, 320 Broad St. in Lake Geneva, will host a tolling of the bell memorial service 4 p.m., June 26. As part of the service, participants may submit a name of a friend, family member or loved one who has passed away who they would like to honor. The persons name will be read, a bell will be rung and then the attendees light candles light a candle in their honor. The service also will include organ music performed by Roy Clare. A champagne gathering will be held after the service. Names can be submitted before the event by sending an email message to mfrent8042@aol.com. Thanks in part to a grant from a celerity cook, the Williams Bay High Schools culinary program is getting some attention of its own as well as financial support. The Washington, D.C.-based National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) announced June 1 that Williams Bay High School is one of 38 high schools from across the country selected to receive a $5,000 grant to support its ProStart culinary and restaurant management program through the Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant Program. I am very happy to see Christies hard work pay off, Williams Bay High School Brent Mansky said of ProStart teacher Christina Torres. She has done a great job to grow the program and this grant will allow her to continue to offer new opportunities to our students within the ProStart courses. ProStart is a two-year technical education program found at more than 1,750 high schools and career and technical educational centers nationwide, teaching culinary techniques and restaurant management skills that build a lifetime foundation and support future careers in the restaurant industry. With 145,000 students enrolled across all states, the District of Columbia and Guam, the program teaches students through a combination of classroom and industry instruction. Other Wisconsin schools receiving grant awards were Sun Prairie East High School in Dane County in metro Madison, and Eagle River Middle and High School in Vilas County in northern Wisconsin. American celebrity cook Host of the syndicated daily talk and lifestyle program Rachael Ray and the Food Network series 30 Minute Meals, Ray, 53, is an American celebrity cook, television personality, businesswoman, and author. Ray is the winner of three Daytime Emmy Awards. Earlier this year, the Rachael Ray Foundation contributed $225,000 to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation in support of ProStart Grow Grants. Schools with existing ProStart programs, or those looking to become part of the ProStart program, were invited to apply, with winning schools demonstrating how the ProStart program positively impacts, or could impact, their students and the community. At Williams Bay High School, Torres is developing plans for using the grant funds and establishing program goals to continue to increase the number of students taking ProStart courses. Williams Bay School District is extremely excited to be a recipient of the Rachael Ray Grow Grant, Torres said. Over the last three years, the program has grown in not only its content but student enrollment. We are eager to use this grant money to add new equipment to the classroom that will give the students a more hands-on experience. We cannot wait to see where this grant money takes our students in the future. To date, the Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant Program has provided $590,000 to schools demonstrating a strong need to engage and educate high school students interested in exploring restaurant and foodservice careers. ProStart programs, and the educators who support them, provide high school students across the country with skills they need to be successful throughout life, said award-winning television personality and philanthropist Rachael Ray. We (The Rachael Ray Foundation) are proud to support the dreams, passion and hard work that these Grow Grant recipients display in their classrooms and schools as they cultivate the next generation of restaurant and foodservice professionals. To learn more about ProStart at ChooseRestaurants.org/ProStart. For more information about NRAEF, the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, visit ChooseRestaurants.org. Established in 2016, the Rachael Ray Foundation is a private foundation. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers shared his response to the US Supreme Courts decision to overturn the Roe v Wade ruling on abortion Friday, while at a press conference in La Crosse. Evers, who is in the area ahead of the 2022 Wisconsin Democratic Convention, said he would do everything in his power to fight the ruling through legislative, executive or judicial action. This could even include pardoning individuals charged in Wisconsin for providing or receiving abortions, he said. The ruling handed down Friday morning by the Supreme Court means individual states can determine whether abortions are lawful or not. In Wisconsin, a 1849 ban on most abortions is now likely to take effect, making it unlawful for doctors to perform an abortion except when necessary to save the mothers life. Based on his understanding of the law, Evers said the 1849 law is currently in effect in Wisconsin. For almost 50 years, women in the state of Wisconsin have had these reproductive health decisions, the right to make those, Evers said at the news conference. Theres nothing, in my opinion, more dangerous than having politicians making health care decisions. Given failed efforts to repeal the abortion ban law earlier this week, Evers said he didnt anticipate any help from Republicans in Wisconsin. Evers also spoke to his supporters in attendance about his campaign for re-election this fall, touching on his efforts to improve road conditions, bring broadband internet to more people, increase funding for public schools and decrease unemployment rates. Near the end of the conference, Evers spoke about Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who recently received attention for his effort to give former Vice President Mike Pence false elector paperwork ahead of the certification of the 2020 election. Senator Johnson showed his true colors over the last couple of days in case anybody was wondering, Evers said. Every single election, whether its a primary or big election or a small election, we have great people working in our municipalities and city government that make sure that each election is fair and safe. And Ron Johnson slapped them in the face this last week. Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 25 (ANI): India's foreign exchange (forex) reserves slumped by $5.87 billion to $590.588 billion for the week ended June 17 as foreign portfolio investors pulled money out of the Indian equities amid mounting concerns of global recession, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data showed. The country's forex reserves had dropped for the third consecutive week. It has slumped by $10.785 billion in the past three weeks under review. The forex reserves had declined by $4.59 billion in the week ended June 10, 2022. Also Read | Mohamed Salah Transfer News: Egyptian Star Could Reportedly End Up Leaving Liverpool This Summer. According to the Reserve Bank of India's weekly statistical supplement, India's foreign currency assets, which are the biggest component of the forex reserves, slumped by $5.362 billion to $526.882 billion during the week ended June 17. The foreign currency assets had dipped by $4.53 billion in the previous week. Expressed in US dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-dollar currencies like Euro, UK's Pound Sterling and Japanese Yen held in the foreign exchange reserves. Also Read | George Michael Birth Anniversary: 7 Inspiring Quotes by the British Pop Icon. All components of the country's foreign exchange reserves declined during the week under review. The value of gold reserves fell by $258 million to $40.584 billion during the week ended June 17. The value of India's Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund fell by $233 million to $18.155 billion during the week under review, the RBI data showed. India's reserve position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dropped by $17 million to $4.968 billion during the week ended June 17, as per the RBI Weekly Statistical Supplement. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Foreign Ministers of the UK and India have today announced the establishment of a joint India- UK Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy programme. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: In an increasingly geopolitical world, we must champion the Commonwealth values of democracy and sovereignty. The UK and India are helping to build a modern Commonwealth fit for the 21st century and delivering tangible benefits for its members. Thats why we are working together on a new Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy programme, which will equip young diplomats with expertise and training they will need to tackle the global challenges we face. Graduates from the programme will play a crucial role in delivering a rejuvenated Commonwealth united in support of self-determination. Joint statement by the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, the RT Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, and External Affairs Minister of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the establishment of an India- UK Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy programme: Reflecting their shared commitment to the Commonwealth, Foreign Secretary Truss and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met in Kigali this week and welcomed a successful Commonwealth Heads of Government summit. Foreign Secretary Truss and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar underlined the value they place on a strong and revitalised Commonwealth family, fit for the 21st century and delivering clear value and tangible benefits for all members. Both Ministers are pleased to announce that a joint India- UK Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy programme is to be hosted in New Delhi, India. The Academy programme will equip young diplomats from all Commonwealth Member States with expertise and training on global challenges. New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) Ten people, all women, were arrested after a clash broke out between a group of women protesting the opening of a liquor shop in south Delhi's Tigri area and the shop's staff, police said on Saturday. The incident happened Thursday around 8.30 am before the shop was opened. Also Read | Secunderabad Violence: Mastermind Avula Subba Rao Remanded to Judicial Custody for 2 Weeks. The quarrel started with a protest staged by a group of local women, who were apparently against the opening of the liquor shop in the area, police said. Officials said that the police was already brought in at the spot, as they had got to know about the protest, besides the female staff, who were deployed by the owner of the shop. Also Read | Coal India Recruitment 2022: Apply for 1050 MT Posts At coalindia.in Till July 22; Check Details Here. As their demonstration got heated, the protesters got into a fight with the women staff of the shop, roughing up a male police too. Head Constable Ranjeet, the beat officer of the area, got caught in the fight and his uniform was also torn by those in the crowd, the officer said. The situation in the area was brought under control and medical of the injured staff was conducted at AIIMS Trauma Centre, the officer added. According to police, a case under several sections, including 146 for rioting, was filed against the 10 offenders booked. "Ten accused have been arrested in this case. The situation in the area is under control and staff in sufficient number has been deployed to avoid further tension," said Benita Mary Jaiker, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South). (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) The Delhi government aims to provide "dignified education spaces" to all children in government schools, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Saturday and instructed principals to set minimum benchmarks regarding infrastructure, cleanliness and environment. Sisodia, who is also Delhi's education minister, was speaking during an interaction with the principals of government schools in Delhi. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi To Discuss Environment, Climate, Health, Counter-Terrorism & Other Topical Issues at 'G7 Summit' in Germany. Over 200 school principals from all across Delhi attended the event. The interaction between Sisodia and the principals was centred around academic priorities of the Delhi government schools, cleanliness and maintenance of classrooms and developing a positive classroom culture, an official statement said. Also Read | Kerala: Electricity Charges Revised in State, To Go Up by 6.6%, No Tariff Hike for Consumers Who Use Up to 50 Units in Month. "Sisodia instructed the school principals to set minimum benchmarks in their school regarding the school infrastructure, cleanliness, and school environment," the statement said. In the last seven years, the government has done a lot of work on schools and has given a great model of education," the minister said. Sisodia said it's now the responsibility of principals to ensure that no student is left behind, when we move ahead with the next session after summer vacation. "The aim of the Delhi government is to provide dignified education spaces to all children coming to government schools and not paying attention to the same will be an injustice to children who have chosen our schools over others," he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) Aam Aadmi Party MLA Ajay Dutt received extortion calls and death threats on his phone days after its Burari legislator Sanjeev Jha got similar calls, the party said on Saturday and demanded swift action by the Delhi Police. Addressing a joint press conference with the two MLAs, AAP national spokesperson Sanjay Singh said law and order has "completely collapsed" in Delhi and sought Union Home Minister Amit Shah's intervention for the protection of the common citizens. Also Read | Kerala: Electricity Charges Revised in State, To Go Up by 6.6%, No Tariff Hike for Consumers Who Use Up to 50 Units in Month. Calls to both Dutt and Jha were made by the same person, the Rajya Sabha MP claimed. "After our MLA Sanjeev Jha received a threat call on June 20, we lodged an FIR on June 21 and the case was handed over to the Delhi Police's Special Cell. Despite this, Jha has received as many as 24 extortion calls so far. Now, MLA Ajay Dutt has received extortion calls and death threats. Look at the audacity of the mafia," Singh said. Also Read | Secunderabad Violence: Mastermind Avula Subba Rao Remanded to Judicial Custody for 2 Weeks. "This is the situation in Delhi. Law and order has completely collapsed in the national capital," he charged. At the press conference, Singh also played an audio recording of the extortion call received by Jha on June 22 in which the caller is heard demanding Rs 10 lakh from the MLA. The caller, who identified himself as Vicky Cobra, an associate of gangster Neeraj Bawana, also threatened to kill Jha and all his family members in case he refuses to pay the protection money. Bawana is currently cooling his heels in Delhi's Tihar jail. "While speaking to Sanjeev Jha, the caller identified himself as Vicky Cobra. He identified himself as Vicky Brar during his call to demand protection money from Ajay Dutt. Both of the threat calls have been made by the same person," Singh said. Slamming the Centre over the issue, he asked what will happen to the common citizens when the MLAs are not safe in Delhi. He demanded that the Delhi Police take swift action to trace and nab the culprit. Singh said separate FIRs have been lodged in connection with the threat calls received by Dutt and Jha but the police are yet to make any breakthrough. "After lodging a complaint regarding the threat calls received by Jha, we had met the Delhi Police commissioner. We will meet him once again to demand speedy action in Ajay Dutt's case as well," he added. The AAP leader sought Shah's intervention for the restoration of law and order in Delhi and the protection of the common citizens. Addressing the press conference, Dutt said he received the call on June 22. "Calling me on WhatsApp, (the caller) demanded that I pay Rs 5 lakh as protection money else he would shoot me dead. He later also sent me a video showing how bullets will be loaded in the pistol to kill me," the Ambedkar Nagar MLA said. "I am not scared. All I want is that law and order is restored in the city and protection be provided to the common citizens from criminals," he said. No action is being taken by the police when public representatives are receiving such threat calls. One can imagine what happens with the common citizens in the city, he added. Jha also put up a brave face and said he is not scared. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, Jun 25 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Police has so far arrested 1,562 people in connection with the violence over the Agnipath military recruitment scheme, a senior officer said on Saturday. Another 424 people have been arrested in connection with the violence over the controversial remark against Prophet Mohammad, he said. Also Read | Delhi: AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha and MLA Ajay Dutt Get Extortion Calls, Police Lodge FIR. In a statement issued here on Saturday, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said, "As many as 1,562 persons have been arrested in the state in connection with the 'Agnipath' violence. Of these, 535 arrests were made in Jaunpur, 222 in Ballia, and 210 in Chandauli. Eighty two cases were registered in this regard in 29 districts." On June 17, youngsters aspiring to join the armed forces staged violent protests at various places, including Ballia, Varanasi, Agra and Aligarh among other districts. Also Read | IAS Sanjay Popli Corruption Case: 12 kg Gold, 3 kg Silver, Four iPhones Recovered in Raid by Vigilance Bureau at Arrested IAS Officer's House in Chandigarh. In connection with the violence that erupted on June 3 and June 10 over the remark made by now-removed BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on the Prophet, 424 people have been arrested from 10 districts -- Kanpur, Firozabad, Aligarh, Hathras, Moradabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Kheri, Jalaun, Saharanpur and Prayagraj. Twenty cases cases have been registered so far, he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 25 (ANI): Arrested Punjab IAS officer Sanjay Popli's son allegedly died by suicide by shooting himself on Saturday. This came days after the Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested IAS officer Sanjay Popli and his accomplice on corruption charges. Also Read | BPSC Paper Leak: JD-U in Spot As BPSC Question Leak Mastermind Shakti Kumar Is Party Leader. The boy allegedly shot himself in the head with his father's licensed pistol. "Son of Punjab IAS officer allegedly shoots self. Vigilance team reached here (IAS Sanjay Popli's house) for enquiry and heard a gunshot. After verification, they realized that his son had shot himself with his licensed gun. He was shifted to hospital," said SSP Kuldeep Chahal. Also Read | Delhi Shocker: Constable Commits Suicide Inside Police Barrack in National Capital. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau had last week arrested Popli and one other under allegations of corruption. He was sent to a four-day police remand. The vigilance team had reached his residence for another inquiry as his remand was ending today. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Itanagar, Jun 25 (PTI) In a major drug haul, Arunachal Pradesh police seized cannabis (ganja), worth over Rs 50 lakh, from a house in Naharlagun, near here and arrested a woman, a senior police officer said here on Saturday. On receipt of intelligence inputs about involvement of a couple in supplying narcotics in the Capital Complex region, a special team of police was constituted by the Capital police and a raid was conducted in the house located in Gollonallah area in Naharlagun on Friday evening, Capital SP Jimmy Chiram told reporters here. Also Read | Kerala: Electricity Charges Revised in State, To Go Up by 6.6%, No Tariff Hike for Consumers Who Use Up to 50 Units in Month. During the search of the house, the police team found 525.97 kg of ganja hidden in the house, the SP said. The team also seized one .32 pistol besides, cash worth Rs 50,000. The police seized the materials along with an SUV vehicle, suspected to be proceeds of drug trade, Chiram disclosed. Also Read | Secunderabad Violence: Mastermind Avula Subba Rao Remanded to Judicial Custody for 2 Weeks. While the husband is absconding, his wife was arrested. The woman was also earlier arrested by Naharlagun police in July last year under NDPS Act and was out on bail. Efforts are on to establish the source of drug and to identify and arrest all the peddlers and buyers associated with the couple, the SP said, adding that a case has been filed at Naharlagun police station. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati, Jun 25 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday claimed that before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked him to concentrate on state politics for the sake of development of the entire North-eastern region. The state BJP had suggested that Sarma, then a Cabinet minister in Assam, contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls but Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah dissuaded him, he said. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi To Discuss Environment, Climate, Health, Counter-Terrorism & Other Topical Issues at 'G7 Summit' in Germany. At that time, the chief minister was Sarbananda Sonowal. After the 2021 Assembly election, Sarma became the CM and Sonowal was elected to the Rajya Sabha and later made a Union minister. Launching a book on Modi, Sarma said, It was the time for ticket distribution for the Lok Sabha elections (of 2019). Our state committee suggested that I contest the polls. Also Read | Kerala: Electricity Charges Revised in State, To Go Up by 6.6%, No Tariff Hike for Consumers Who Use Up to 50 Units in Month. That night, Sarma said, he conferred privately with Modi and Shah during which the prime minister asked him to continue in Assam politics. . At that time, Modi was seeking a second term as prime minister. Modi ji said that Lok Sabha seat-wise North East is not so important. It is not vital for electoral politics, but for the development of the country, the progress of North East is essential. For taking North East to the top level of development, he wanted us not to leave the region and continue working here, the CM said. Sarma's name was suggested by the BJP state election committee for the Tezpur Lok Sabha constituency in 2019. Launching the book, Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery' which chronicles Modi's journey from a Gujarat chief minister to the country's prime minister, Sarma said that the North-eastern region holds a special place for him. It was just yesterday that Karnataka Chief Minister (Basavraj) Bommai told me that Modi ji was enquiring from him about students from the North East during a programme at a university in Bengaluru a few days back. Modi ji did not ask about students from Uttar Pradesh or Gujarat. But his concern was for students from here. That is his level of attachment for the region, Sarma said. He requested the publisher of the book, which contains articles by eminent personalities who have worked with or known Modi closely, to translate it into Assamese for its wider reach in the state. Later, in a series of Tweets, Sarma said, Modi ji has made significant contribution to the rise of BJP. In 2013, BJP had 4 CMs of its own & 1 CM of NDA alliance. Today, BJP has 12 CMs on its own & 6 CMs of allied parties. It offers a yardstick of how Modi ji's leadership has expanded BJP's social & geographical landscape. What brought Modi to power is a matter of relentless pursuit for political analysts, the chief minister said. There are many factors. It was because of a message taken to every street by millions of non-political volunteers besides BJP's karyakartas. It was due to the substance of Modi ji's message, he wrote in a Twitter post. Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Lovlina Borgohain, sportspersons Hima Das and Amlan Borgohain and other dignitaries were present at the programme. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhopal/ Rewa, Jun 25 (PTI) Three girls were killed and 12 others injured, three of them critically, in lightning strikes that occurred at five places in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district on Saturday, an official said. Also Read | Maharashtra Political Crisis: 'Will Set Up Separate Block of Shiv Sena, Not Merging With Any Other Party As We Respect Uddhav Thackeray, Says Rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, warning of thunderstorms with cloud to earth strikes in the state for four more days. Also Read | Media Has Right To Report FIRs, Court Cases, Without Attracting Libel, Says Bombay High Court. Three teenage girls were killed and 12 others injured in lightning strikes reported at five different places in Mauganj tehsil, about 65 km from Rewa district, he said. Rewa received 5.0 mm rainfall from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, while Dhar district received 21 mm showers, senior meteorologist P K Saha of the IMD's Bhopal office said. According to the IMD's forecast, thunderstorms with lightning are very likely to occur at isolated places of the state for the next four days. Heavy rainfall is expected to accompany thunderstorms with lightning at the isolated place in the eastern part of the state from June 27, it said. Earlier this week, five persons were killed and four injured, three of them critically, in lightning strikes at different places in Chhindwara and Seoni districts of Madhya Pradesh. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Raipur, Jun 25 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo on Saturday informed he has tested positive for COVID-19. Also Read | Museum Night by National Gallery of Modern Art Receives Commendable Response From Art Lovers. This is the third time the minister, who returned from Delhi on Friday night, has contracted the infection. Also Read | Maharashtra Political Crisis: Mumbai Police Enforces Prohibitory Orders. "After returning from Delhi, I got my COVID-19 test done here in which I tested positive for the coronavirus. Right now I am fine and as per suggestions of doctors, I am complying with the home isolation protocols," Singh Deo tweeted. Earlier, Singh Deo had tested positive in January this year and March last year. As on Friday, Chhattisgarh has a COVID-19 caseload of 11,53,552, including 14,036 deaths, while the active tally is 643. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday attacked Congress over the Emergency, which was declared 47 years ago, and said that the grand old party snatched the Constitutional rights of every Indian overnight for power. On the midnight of June 25, 1975, an Emergency was declared due to the prevailing "internal disturbance". Taking to Twitter, the Home Minister saluted all the patriots who sacrificed everything to re-establish democracy and defeat the dictatorial mindset. Also Read | Maharashtra Political Crisis Live Updates: CM Uddhav Thackeray Dares Rebel MLAs To 'Win Elections Sans Shiv Sena, Thackeray Name'. "On this day in 1975, the Congress snatched the Constitutional rights of every Indian overnight for power, imposed an Emergency and left the foreign rule behind in terms of brutality. I salute all the patriots who sacrificed everything to re-establish democracy and defeat the dictatorial mindset," Shah said in a tweet. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed the 1975 emergency as a "dark chapter" in the history of the country, which can never be forgotten and asked all Indians to take a pledge to maintain the dignity of the Constitution and institutions. Also Read | Rajnath Singh Terms 1975 Emergency Dark Chapter in Indias History. "The imposition of emergency in India 47 years ago is such a dark chapter in the history of this country, which can never be forgotten. On this day, all Indians should not only dedicate themselves to the defence of democracy but should also take a pledge to maintain the dignity of the constitution and institutions," Singh said in a tweet. Emergency was declared for a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Officially issued by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Constitution due to the prevailing "internal disturbance", the Emergency was in effect from June 25, 1975, until its withdrawal on March 21, 1977. The order vested upon the Prime Minister the authority to rule by decree, allowing elections to be suspended and civil liberties to be curbed. The final decision to impose an Emergency was proposed by Indira Gandhi, agreed upon by the President, and thereafter ratified by the Cabinet and the Parliament (from July to August 1975), based on the rationale that there were imminent internal and external threats to the Indian state. The Emergency is considered to be one of the most controversial periods of independent India's history. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) This visit underscores our ongoing commitment to the security and prosperity of the Sri Lankan people A high-level delegation representing the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of State will visit Sri Lanka from June 26 29. Members of the delegation include Robert Kaproth, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Asia, and Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia. The visitors will meet with a wide range of political representatives, economists, and international organizations. In all their meetings, they will explore the most effective ways for the U.S. to support Sri Lankans in need, Sri Lankans working to resolve the current economic crisis, and Sri Lankans planning for a sustainable and inclusive economy for the future. This visit underscores our ongoing commitment to the security and prosperity of the Sri Lankan people, said U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung. As Sri Lankans endure some of the greatest economic challenges in their history, our efforts to support economic growth and strengthen democratic institutions have never been more critical. Over the past two weeks, the U.S. has announced $120 million in new financing for Sri Lankan small and medium-sized businesses, a $27 million contribution to Sri Lankas dairy industry and $5.75 million in humanitarian assistance to help those hit hardest by the economic crisis. The United States also committed $6 million in new grants to provide livelihood assistance to vulnerable populations, and technical assistance on financial reform that will help stabilize the economy. In the coming months, the U.S. will continue to support Sri Lankans as they revive their economy, combat food insecurity, and promote public health and education. The United States also strongly supports Sri Lankas decision to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund, which can provide the most durable resolution to the present crisis. Mumbai, Jun 25 (PTI) A court here acquitted BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha and four others booked for violating COVID-19 induced prohibitory orders in September last year, ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove their guilt beyond all reasonable doubt. Also Read | BPSC Paper Leak: JD-U in Spot As BPSC Question Leak Mastermind Shakti Kumar Is Party Leader. Metropolitan magistrate (Girgaum court) Nadeem A Patel had acquitted Lodha, Minal Patel, Jyostna Mehta, Vinal Antarkar and Sarita Patil on June 23, and the detailed order was available on Friday. Also Read | Delhi Shocker: Constable Commits Suicide Inside Police Barrack in National Capital. Offences committed under section 143 (unlawful assembly) and other relevant provisions of the IPC had been registered against Lodha and four others. The prosecution had told the court that Lodha and the others were raising slogans against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) outside the civic body's D-ward office in south Mumbai when the coronavirus restrictions were in place. Gatherings of more than five persons were prohibited at the time and they continued with the protest despite being made aware of the order, it had stated. During the course of trial, the prosecution had examined five witnesses, all policemen. The court, in its order, noted that it is a fact that the incident occurred, as claimed by the prosecution, at a public place. The incident would have been noticed by many people. However, no independent witnesses were examined. The video recording of the incident was also not produced and proved by the prosecution, and the specific word used while raising the slogan against the BMC was also not deposed by the witnesses, it said. The order of which breach was committed by the accused was also not proved by the prosecution. This creates doubt in the story of the prosecution. Therefore, the accused are entitled for acquittal as the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond all reasonable doubt, the magistrate said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, June 25: Amit Jain, group CEO of Dubai-based real estate developer Emaar Properties, was briefly detained at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Friday evening, soon after landing from Dubai on an Emirates flight. "One passenger namely Amit Jain, Indian National arrived at IGIA by flight no. EK-516 from Dubai is detained at immigration," a senior Punjab police official told ANI. Hyderabad Shocker: Youth Dies After Electric Wire Falls on Him in Bholakpur Area. The Emaar Group issued a statement and stated that he was later released after brief questioning at the airport. "Mr Amit Jain had a brief interaction with the authorities concerned. Further, he is not involved in day-to-day management and control of Emaar India affairs," an Emaar India spokesperson told ANI. Maharashtra Political Crisis: Shiv Sena Workers Vandalise Rebel MLA Tanaji Sawants Office in Pune; Say Every Traitor Will Be Targeted. Earlier, the Punjab Police had issued a LookOut Circular (LOC) against Emaar in a case where the Group CEO was booked in an FIR registered in November 2019 on the basis of a personal complaint regarding a delay in delivery of the plot purchased by the complainant. "Amit Jain is wanted in FIR no. 200/2019 u/s 420/406/120B IPC at Police station City Rupnagar (Punjab) vide LOC no. 2022412989 originated by SP (INV) Rupnagar, Punjab with text as Detain and handover to local police and inform," a senior Punjab official told ANI. "Punjab Police had written to the immigration authority on June 17 regarding the FIR registered against Amt Jain," sources said. Emaar Properties or Emaar Developments is an Emirati multinational real estate development company based in the United Arab Emirates. It is a public joint-stock company, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, and has a valuation of USD15.5 billion as of June 2021. The company provides property development and management services internationally. With six business segments and 60 active companies, Emaar has a collective presence in 36 markets across the Middle East, and North Africa. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at five locations in Mizoram in connection with the recovery of 2,421.12 kgs of explosives, including 1,000 detonators, and other things from a vehicle in the state in January this year, the agency said on Saturday. The raids were carried out in the Aizwal, Champai and Kolasib districts of Mizoram on Friday. Also Read | Explosive Seizure Case: NIA Conducts Raids at 5 Places in Mizoram Read @ANI Story | Latest Tweet by ANI Digital. The case is related to the recovery of 2,421.12 kgs of explosives including 1,000 detonators, 4,500 metres of detonating fuse, and Indian and Myanmarese currency from a vehicle in the Zawngling area under the Tipa Police Station area in Mizoram. The said consignment was meant for a Myanmar-based outfit Chin National Front (CNF), which was in the process of accumulating arms and ammunition for resisting the government of Myanmar. Also Read | COVID-19: India Witnesses Decline in Fresh Cases, 15,940 Infected, 20 Deaths in Past 24 Hours. The case was initially registered on January 21 at Tipa Police Station in Mizoram's Saiha district and was re-registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 21. The NIA has claimed to seize digital devices and incriminating documents during the searches. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kochi (Kerala) [India], June 25 (ANI): Alleging attacks on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's office in the state by SFI-CPI(M), Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, on Saturday said that "Goondaism thrives in Kerala with Pinarayi Government's active support". Taking to Twitter, he said, "On the way to Wayanad where SFI-CPI(M) goons attacked Rahul Gandhi's MP office. Congress and UDF will continue our protest. Goondaism thrives in Kerala with Pinarayi Government's active support." Also Read | GST Compensation Cess Levy Extended Till March 2026. Earlier on Friday, over 100 Students of Federation of India (SFI) workers marched into the office of Gandhi at Kalpetta, headquarters of Wayanad district. The protests by the SFI workers turned violent. The protestors assaulted office staff and damaged the office furniture. Also Read | Karnataka Hospitals Sealed After 7 Foetuses Packed in Boxes, Found Floating in Gutter. Indian Youth Congress, in a tweet, alleged that "the goons held the flags of SFI" as they climbed the wall of Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad office and vandalised it. The student organization were protesting against the Supreme Court directive that made it mandatory for every protected forest tract and wildlife sanctuary to have an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of one kilometre from its boundaries. If such a buffer zone is implemented, a large tract of Wayanad district would fall within that zone. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the attack on Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad. Late at night, the Chief Minister ordered the Additional DGP at the state police headquarters to probe the incident and suspend the Kalpetta Deputy Superintendent of Police. The CM also directed the Home Secretary to submit a report within a week. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ahmedabad, Jun 25 (PTI) Activist Teesta Setalvad was on Saturday detained by the Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) from Mumbai in connection with an FIR registered against her at the Ahmedabad city crime branch, sources said. Also Read | Kerala: Electricity Charges Revised in State, To Go Up by 6.6%, No Tariff Hike for Consumers Who Use Up to 50 Units in Month. Also Read | Secunderabad Violence: Mastermind Avula Subba Rao Remanded to Judicial Custody for 2 Weeks. "Teesta Setalvad has been picked up by the Gujarat ATS from Mumbai in connection with an FIR registered by the Ahmedabad crime branch," a source in the Gujarat ATS said. A day earlier the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition challenging the clean chit given by the SIT to then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and others in the 2002 post-Godhra riots cases. Setalvad's NGO had supported Zakia Jafri throughout her legal battle. Jafri's husband Ehsan Jafri was killed during the riots. A Mumbai Police officer said Setalvad was picked up by the Gujarat Police from her Santacruz residence. We provided the assistance sought by them, he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) India on Saturday sent a fresh shipment of 3,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan via the Pakistani land route as part of its humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. With the new consignment, India has completed sending 33,500 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: 30-Year-Old Woman Thrown Off 4th Floor Balcony by Husband in Agra, Dies; 3 Arrested. "India sent next shipment of 3000 MTs of wheat today to Afghanistan. Our commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people remains steadfast," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. "As on date, India has successfully completed shipment of 33,500 MTs of wheat to Afghanistan in partnership with WFP," he a Also Read | West Bengal: Depressed Man Who Jumped off 8th Floor of Kolkata Hospital Dies. India sent the first consignment of 2,500 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through Pakistan on February 22 and it reached the Afghan city of Jalalabad on February 26. Fifty trucks carried the consignment. India had sent a proposal to Pakistan on October 7 seeking the land transit facility to send 50,000 tonnes of wheat to the people of Afghanistan and it received a positive response from Islamabad on November 24. Following the Pakistani response, both sides finalised the modalities for the transportation of the shipments. India has been pitching for providing unimpeded humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the country following the capture of power by the Taliban. India has not recognised the new regime in Afghanistan and has been pitching for the formation of a truly inclusive government in Kabul besides insisting that Afghan soil must not be used for any terrorist activities against any country. On Thursday, India re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul by deploying a "technical team" in its embassy in the Afghan capital. India withdrew its officials from the embassy after the Taliban seized power last August. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): India's cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded the 196.94 crores (1,96,94,40,932) mark on Saturday, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. As per the provisional reports, till 7 am on Saturday, India crossed the said mark through sessions. Also Read | COVID-19: India Witnesses Decline in Fresh Cases, 15,940 Infected, 20 Deaths in Past 24 Hours. COVID vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on March 16, 2022. So far, more than 3.62 crore (3,62,20,781) adolescents have been administered with the first dose and 2,23,36,175 with the second dose of the COVID vaccine. Also Read | Presidential Election 2022: BSP Extends Support to BJP-Led NDAs Presidential Candidate Droupadi Murmu. In the age group 15-18 years, 6,02,72,529 doses have been administered as the first dose and 4,82,78,560 doses as the second dose. According to the Ministry, of the total doses administered so far to the health care workers (HLW's), 1,04,08,628 have received the first dose, 1,00,60,891 have received the second vaccine dose and 56,11,589 have been administered the precaution dose. Also, 1,84,22,906 frontline workers were administered the first dose, 1,76,19,383 with the second dose and 99,40,140 with the precaution doses. A total of 55,80,69,125 vaccine doses were administered as the first dose, 49,98,02,380 vaccine doses were given as the second dose and 24,07,273 as precaution doses in the age group 18-44 years. Similarly, for the age group of 45-59 years, 20,34,14,801 have received the first dose, 19,30,99,268 have received the second dose and 22,93,280 have been administered the precaution doses whereas, 12,72,28,781 vaccine doses were administered as the first dose, 12,05,89,141 as second and 2,33,65,301 as precaution doses to the people over 60 years. Meanwhile, India reported 15,940 fresh COVID cases and 20 deaths in the last 24 hours. With this, India's active cases surge to 91,779 and the daily positivity rate is currently at 4.39 per cent. Earlier this month, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had chaired a meeting through video conferencing with Health Ministers and senior officials of States and Union Territories (UTs) to review the progress of the vaccination exercise HarGharDastak 2.0 campaign. Highlighting increased case positivity in some districts and States and reduced COVID-19 testing, Mandaviya had stated that increased and timely testing will enable early identification of COVID cases and help to curb the spread of the infection among the community. He had urged States and UTs to continue and strengthen the surveillance and focus on genome sequencing for identifying new mutants/variants in the country.He stated that the five-fold strategy of Test, Track, Treat, Vaccination and Adherence to Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB) needs to be continued and monitored by States/UTs. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kochi (Kerala) [India], June 25 (ANI): Condemning the attack on Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran on Friday said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should take action against the police officers who allowed the SFI workers to vandalise the office. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's office in Kainatty near Kalpetta in Wayanad was vandalized on Friday allegedly by the Students Federation of India (SFI) activists. Also Read | National Gallery of Modern Art To Organise 'Museum Night' on June 25. "The attack on Rahul Gandhi's office is heinous. This is a dirty job that not even the kids in the market do. We are not surprised that all this is happening in our country. We have seen, heard, experienced and survived a lot of things like this," Sudhakaran told media persons. Appreciating the Kerala CM for condemning the attack, the KPCC president said, "It is good that the CM has condemned this. This is the first time he has said so. The CM should take action against the police officers who allowed the SFI workers to vandalise the office. Congress will not back down with such activities." Also Read | Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Writes to PM Narendra Modi on Plight of Wayanad People in View of SC Judgment Over Eco-Sensitive Zones. "Congress has the capacity and strength to smash any office of the CPIM. We do not think that way because it is not a step towards democracy. We have the capacity to do that. If they play too much, we will play too. Then we are not responsible for whatever happens," he added. Congress MP for Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor shared a video of the vandalised office. He tweeted, "Visuals of the trashing of [?]@RahulGandhi's Wayanad office by activists of [?]@CPIMKerala student wing, SFI. Would [?]@pinarayivijayan & [?]@SitaramYechury [?] take disciplinary action or let their silence condone such behaviour? Is this their idea of politics?" A protest march of the SFI, the students' wing of ruling CPI(M), against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi turned violent as a group of protestors allegedly entered the Lok Sabha member's office and vandalized it. The student organization was protesting against the creation of buffer zones around forests in the hilly areas of Kerala. According to SC, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks should have a one-km buffer zone around them. This will affect the people of Rahul Gandhi's constituency in the Wayanad and Malappuram districts. Following the incident, Kerala CM condemned the attack and said that strong action would be taken against the accused. "There is freedom for democratic protests and expressing an opinion in our land. But going in the direction of attacks is the wrong tendency. The government will take strong action against the accused," Vijayan said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is a Lok Sabha MP from Kerala's Wayanad. Meanwhile, Congress marched at night in Kochi and blocked MG road which created tension between passengers with the protestors. The agitators also poured black oil into the graffiti of SFI on the wall during the protest. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 25 (ANI): Amid the political crisis in Maharashtra, Union Minister and Republican Party of India President Ramdas Athawale on Saturday met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at his residence in Mumbai. Several Maharashtra BJP leaders were present at the meeting. Also Read | TS 10th Result 2022 Date: Telangana SSC Results Likely Next Week on bse.telangana.gov.in; Here's How to Check. "I spoke with Devendra Fadnavis. He said that we do not have anything to do with the internal conflict in Shiv Sena. Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde will themselves resolve the dispute between them, we do not have anything to do with that. We are waiting and watching," Athawale told reporters after the meeting. "We have not thought about forming the government. We will see what happens in time to come. So many MLAs have left MVA - 37 from Shiv Sena and 7-8 Independents, how can Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut say that they will show the majority?" he added. Also Read | Maharashtra Political Crisis: Congress Rules Out Possibility of President Rule. The Shiv Sena rebel MLAs of Eknath Shinde faction on Saturday named their group as 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb'. Former Minister of State for Home and rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar told ANI that Eknath Shinde-led MLAs formed a new group 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb'. The decision comes at a time when Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was holding the executive meeting of Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government continues to be in a combative mode with 38 of its rebel MLAs are camping in Guwahati. As the cloud over the MVA government intensifies, Maharashtra Congress held a meeting on Saturday over the situation. [{a560c876-4ffa-42c9-8e7d-6f56844cea37:intradmin/FWFYBzvVUAEX8h4.jpg}] "Today in the meeting, we had a discussion about the current situation. Our people are working on the situation. MVA government is working and will continue to work. Our government is not in minority. Our party's legal team from Delhi also helping us," said Maharashtra Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat. Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan who was also present in the meeting said the Shinde-led group cannot be authorised without legal authorization from Assenbly Speaker. [{d75c26f3-ee48-4cd2-bb23-184808a67ab2:intradmin/FWFZRhrUEAETwtt.jpg}] "Until it gets legal authorization from the Speaker, such type of groups will not be authorised," he said. There have been reports of Shiv Sainiks allegedly ransacking the offices of rebel legislators. Shiv Sena workers protested against rebel MLAs of the party and burnt effigies outside the party office in Kharghar. Shiv Sena workers ransacked the office of rebel party MLA Tanaji Sawant in Pune on Saturday. Sawant is one of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs of the Eknath Shinde faction and is currently camping in Guwahati, Assam. "Our party workers vandalised Tanaji Sawant's office. All traitors and rebel MLAs who have troubled our chief Uddhav Thackeray will face this type of action. Their office will also be attacked. No one will be spared," said Sanjay More, Shiv Sena Pune city head.Following this, Pune Police issued an alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at offices related to Shiv Sena leaders in the city. Mumbai Police also issued a high alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety. On the issue of violence, Ashok Chavan said, "MVA does not support violence. There is anger amongst loyal Shiv Sainiks who have expressed their anger with their local MLAs who have shifted their loyalties. It is not a law and order situation. It is quite normal." Meanwhile, rebel Shiv Sena leader and state cabinet minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged 'malicious' withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs camping with him in a Guwahati hotel. In his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Shinde claimed that the security provided to the MLAs at their residence as well as to their family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge. However, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil refuted Shinde's claim of withdrawal of security. "Neither the Chief Minister nor the Home Department has ordered the withdrawal of security of any MLA. The allegations being levelled through Twitter are false and completely baseless.No MLA's security has been withdrawn. Keeping in view the prevailing situation, the Home Department has decided to provide security at the residence of MLAs to keep their families safe," said Patil. Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam from June 22. Notably, Eknath Shinde faction, earlier on Friday, gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) The Municipal Corporation of Delhi will rejuvenate 20 ponds across the city under the first phase of Amrit Sarovar Mission, an official statement said on Saturday. The MCD will complete the rejuvenation and beautification work of these water bodies by March 31, 2023, it said. Also Read | Maharashtra Political Crisis: Thane District Shiv Sena Chief and Eknath Shinde Loyalist Naresh Mhaske Quits. AMRIT Sarovar Mission has been started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate 75 years of Independence, the statement said. The mission aims at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country, which will address the problem of depletion of ground water. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: 30-Year-Old Woman Thrown Off 4th Floor Balcony by Husband in Agra, Dies; 3 Arrested. The civic body said after beautification, these ponds will become centre of attraction for citizens. "The MCD has decided to rejuvenate and beautify its 20 ponds under first phase of AMRIT Sarovar Mission conceptualised by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. MoHUA will provide the funds to MCD for rejuvenation and beautification of these 20 ponds," the statement said. The statement said that STP will be installed near these ponds or the water from nearby STPs will be channelised to them. Besides this rain water will also be channelised to these ponds which will help in recharging ground water, it said. "The MCD will beautify these ponds by developing footpath around its periphery and installing gazebos, sheds, benches etc. which will help citizens to use them as spots for rest and recreation and they will also become aware about importance of water," the statement said. The ponds which will be rejuvenated are situated at Dwarka Sec-8 Jahazwala park, pond at Palam village, pond in Masoodpur village, in Narela, Gazipur village, Naini Lake situated in Model Town spread in 6.5 acres to name a few it said. "Naini Lake situated at Model Town phase 2 will be rejuvenated by increasing the height of its boundary wall, repairing it's footpath and by channelising the water from STP plant situated at Coronation Park," the statement said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) British Airways Pilots Union will send out ballots for industrial action next week by Victor Cherubim Widespread industrial action is threatening Britains infrastructure in a summer of discontent. No need to know the full names of the Workers Union in Britain. Think of RMT (Rail) ASLEF (Tube & Tram), BALPA,(Airline Pilots) GMB & Unite (Travel, Baggage handlers), CMU (Post Office) and even Bin Collectors, all are either in the process of strike action or have balloted their members for more pay, better working conditions, and more security. To my mind, it is to do with employers wanting to do away with outdated practices, and workers unions easily clawing back the cost of living increases in pay. Rail Strike The biggest strike on Britains railways in 33 years is on after the RMT (Transport Union) and rail bosses failed to agree on a deal on two occasions during the two days this week of crippling strikes continue. I can recall the Miners strike, (6 March 1984 3 March 1985). It was the last major industrial action within the coal industry. It was an attempt to prevent colliery closures. It was led by Arthur Scargill of the National Union of Mineworkers. It was during the time of PM was Margaret Thatcher another Conservative government. I can recall the flying pickets and the police on horseback outside colliery picket lines. The records show that the number of person-days lost to the strike was a staggering 26 million, making it the largest strike since the history of the General Strike of 1926. The current Rail strike and workers voting for strike action We had no trains, or rather less rail travel, last Tuesday 21 June, Thursday 23 June and also expected on Saturday 25 June 2022, three days of industrial action. There was also a closure on London Underground on 21 June in another row over jobs and pay. The rail strike is about pay, conditions and job cuts. Commuters are being urged to avoid the network altogether and to use alternative forms of travel, such as buses, mopeds, e-scooters or car journeys or walk to work. Railway company chiefs have vowed to dump outdated working practices, which were originally set up by unions and management for safety reasons. Now, railways are proposing efficiency savings, which revolve around the use of new technology. One such is the use of drones to check railway tracks, rather than workers walking along lines. RMT Union General Secretary, Mick Lynch, said it will lay off 1800 jobs and that was unacceptable. The Rail Companies have said that there is no way they will accept the demand of the RMT for 7% wage increases. The three days of strike will cost the economy approx. 91 million. Copy Cat Strike Action British Airways Pilots Union are to send out ballots for industrial action next week. Members of ASLEF Underground Workers at tramline in Croydon will stage a 48 hour walkout next week and more strikes are likely. More than 115,000 UCW Royal Mail workers are to be balloted for industrial action in a row over pay and weekend working. Engineering workers at Rolls Royce Unite Union have rejected the latest pay offer stating it felt short of expectations. Besides, the summer in Britain is mired by multiple strikes with Heathrow Check-In staff and Baggage handlers voting in favour of strike forcing airlines to cancel 10 % of all flights, because of shortage of baggage handlers. Pilots on many airlines are using this opportunity also consider strike action. What you dont know and will not know about the real cause of disruption, is that the pandemic has made many Brits to take early voluntary retirement. Taking retirement earlier than planned, is opening up job vacancies that cannot be filled in the usual way of recruitment. The Government prides itself, that it has reduced unemployment in Britain. Mhow, Jun 25 (PTI) Five passengers were injured on Saturday after their bus fell into a gorge in Mhow in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district, a police official said. Also Read | Maharashtra Political Crisis: Mumbai Police Enforces Prohibitory Orders. The incident took place at Bherughat when the bus was on its way from Mandleshwar to Indore and the driver lost control of the vehicle, Simrol police station in charge RS Bhadoriya told PTI. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi To Discuss Environment, Climate, Health, Counter-Terrorism & Other Topical Issues at 'G7 Summit' in Germany. "The driver was trying to overtake a vehicle. The five injured persons were first taken to a health facility in Simrol and then to Mhow civil hospital," he said. Indore Collector Manish Singh asked additional district magistrate Pawan Jain and Regional Transport Officer Raghuvanshi to visit the site and also directed officials to register a case against bus owner Radheshyam Malviya. He also directed the RTO to cancel permits of Malviya's bus company. On Thursday, five people were killed and over two dozen injured after a similar incident in Mhow tehsil. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 25 (ANI): Amid the intensifying crisis in Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, Amravati MP Navneet Rana on Saturday called for presidential rule in Maharashtra. "I request Union Home Minister Amit Shah to provide security to families of MLAs who are leaving Uddhav Thackeray and making their own decisions, staying connected with Balasaheb's ideology. Uddhav Thackeray's goondaism should be ended. I request for President's Rule in the state," said Rana. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Panchayat Polls 2022: One Dead at Polling Booth in Wall Collapse. This came after Shiv Sena workers ransacked the office of rebel party MLA Tanaji Sawant in Pune on Saturday, amid intensifying political turmoil in the state.Sawant is one of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs of the Eknath Shinde faction and is currently camping in Guwahati, Assam. The Shiv Sena workers allegedly vandalised Sawant's office in Balaji area of Katraj in Pune Also Read | Gurugram Shocker: 22-Year-Old Woman Badly Injured After Being Shot at by Jilted Lover. "Our party workers vandalised Tanaji Sawant's office. All traitors and rebel MLAs who have troubled our chief Uddhav Thackeray will face this type of action. Their office will also be attacked. No one will be spared," said Sanjay More, Shiv Sena Pune city head. Following this, Pune Police issued an alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at offices related to Shiv Sena leaders in the city. Mumbai Police also issued a high alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, rebel Shiv Sena leader and state cabinet minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged 'malicious' withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs camping with him in a Guwahati hotel. In his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Shinde claimed that the security provided to the MLAs at their residence as well as to their family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge. However, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil refuted Shinde's claim of withdrawal of security. "Neither the Chief Minister nor the Home Department has ordered the withdrawal of security of any MLA. The allegations being levelled through Twitter are false and completely baseless.No MLA's security has been withdrawn. Keeping in view the prevailing situation, the Home Department has decided to provide security at the residence of MLAs to keep their families safe," said Patil. Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam from June 22. Notably, CM Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of the party's national executive committee on Saturday. The meeting will be held in Shiv Sena Bhavan which the Chief Minister will join virtually. Besides, Shinde has also called a meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati on Saturday afternoon to discuss further strategy, said sources. Eknath Shinde faction, earlier on Friday, gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs. On the other hand, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to "break the party". (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Over 12.14 crore balance and unutilized COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the States and UTs to be administered, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday. The ministry further informed that 1,93,53,58,865 vaccine doses have been provided to States and UTs so far through free of cost channel and through the direct state procurement category Also Read | BSP Extends Support to BJP-led NDAs Presidential Candidate Droupadi Murmu Latest Tweet by PTI News. "More than 12.14 Cr (12,14,44,440) balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered," it added. The Central Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. Also Read | Maharashtra Political Crisis Live Updates: CM Uddhav Thackeray Dares Rebel MLAs To 'Win Elections Sans Shiv Sena, Thackeray Name'. The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination started on January 16, 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from June 21, 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through the availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain. As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them with COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs. However, India reported 15,940 fresh cases and 20 deaths in the last 24 hours. With this, India's active cases surge to 91,779 and the daily positivity rate is currently at 4.39 per cent. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 vaccination drive in India prevented over 42 lakh deaths in 2021, according to the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, which is based on findings on estimates of "excess" mortalities in the country during the pandemic. According to a new projection set to be published in the Lancet journal on Friday, COVID-19 vaccination may have helped reduce the number of deaths to almost a third of what they would have been around the world including by approximately 2.7 million to 5.3 million in India. After India reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the last 100 days, a top expert said that the surge in COVID-19 infections isn't a concern but it is necessary to closely monitor the severity of the virus. According to Dr Sanjay Rai, Senior Epidemiologist at AIIMS, the surge in COVID-19 cases isn't a concern but there is a needs to closely monitor severity, deaths, and hospitalization. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Belagavi (Karnataka) [India], June 25 (ANI): In a shocking incident, seven aborted fetal remains uses were found in a canister on the outskirts of the Moodalagi village of Karnataka's Belagavi district on Friday, informed the police. The state health department has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Also Read | National Gallery of Modern Art To Organise 'Museum Night' on June 25. The local residents found the fetuses near the Mudalagi town's bus stop in the Belagavi district and informed the police. After receiving the information, police visited and inspected the site. "Seven fetuses were found in a canister. Five-month-old embryos were found to have fetal sex detection and murder. A team of officials will be formed and investigated immediately after informing the district authorities," Dr Mahesh Koni, District Health and Family Welfare Officer told media persons here. Also Read | Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Writes to PM Narendra Modi on Plight of Wayanad People in View of SC Judgment Over Eco-Sensitive Zones. He further said, "The detected embryos were stored in a hospital and then brought to the District Functional Science Center for testing." A police case has been registered in this regard. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 25 (ANI): Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Deepak Kesarkar on Saturday said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray must accept that his faction has "lost majority" while also adding that he should have "respected democracy" after winning the 2019 Assembly elections in alliance with the BJP. Speaking exclusively to ANI over the phone, Kesarkar said, "We had been in alliance with BJP for 35 years and we won elections as an alliance so we must respect the democracy. Uddhav Thackeray must accept that his party lost majority, that's called democracy." Also Read | Wimbledon 2022 Draw: Iga Swiatek to Face Jana Fett in Opener Read @ANI Story | Latest Tweet by ANI Digital. Eknath Shinde claims to have the support of 38 MLAs of the 55 Shiv Sena legislators, which is more than two-thirds of the party's strength in the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. It means that they can either leave and form another political party or merge with another without being disqualified from the state assembly. The rebel MLA also informed that the Shinde faction has decided to name their group 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb'. Also Read | Museum Night by National Gallery of Modern Art Receives Commendable Response From Art Lovers. "We have decided to form a new group named Shiv Sena Balasaheb. We will carry this group name in future. We will have our office at Vidhan Bhavan under the name of the newly formed group," he said. Asked about the timeline for the registration of their group, he said that the newly elected leader Eknath Shinde will decide on the matter. "This decision will be taken by Eknath Shinde, he is our leader and he will decide on it," Kesarkar said. Referring to the vandalism of rebel MLAs' offices in parts of Maharashtra, he demanded action against the violence and asked the Chief Minister to "control his Shiv Sainiks". "CM Uddhav Thackeray must take action on the recent violent incidents happening on our MLAs (lodged in Guwahati) or with Eknath Shinde. He must control his Shiv Sainiks, being the CM it's his responsibility. Law and order must not be taken in hand by anyone," he said. Kesarkar went ahead to slam NCP chief Sharad Pawar who has extended support to the Uddhav faction amid the political turmoil, and said that he wants to "finish the Shiv Sena". "It's the NCP who wants to finish Shiv Sena. We have been suffering this for past more than two years but it's enough now. The one who tried to finish us, CM Uddhav has joined hands with him," he said. Speaking on the issue of the notices being served to the 16 rebel MLAs from the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, he said that it is a "mockery of democracy". "It's a mockery of democracy. We have the right to form a new group, and sending notices are pressure tactics," he said. "We will soon decide when to come to Mumbai and the next course of action," Kesarkar added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 25 (ANI): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has appealed to the youth in the union territory to shun violence and refrain from "picking up guns". "I request youngsters and parents to stop youth from picking guns. They (forces) get money by killing you. I request them to stop picking guns," said Mehbooba Mufti while addressing reporters here. Also Read | Maharashtra Political Crisis: Mumbai Police Enforces Prohibitory Orders. The PDP chief also urged the Maulavis to declare Kashmiri Pandits as a "resource" and condemned the attacks on them. "I request Maulvis to announce that pandits are our resource, so many attacks on them shouldn't take place," said Mehbooba Mufti. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi To Discuss Environment, Climate, Health, Counter-Terrorism & Other Topical Issues at 'G7 Summit' in Germany. According to the PDP leader, the Centre was using all methods to disempower the people of the Union Territory. "Our jobs are put on sale. Our land is prioritized and given to security forces first. All small-big contracts are being given to outsiders including Jammu AIIMS, Kashmir AIIMS. All methods to disempower J&K people are being used," said Mufti. Speaking on a recent encounter in Kashmir, Mufti said, "A blast happened in Shopian in a Sumo. They arrested the driver Showkat Ahmad Sheikh and took him into custody. After 10 days they say he was killed in an encounter in Kupwara. But how did he reach there from custody?," added Mufti. On June 20, seven terrorists, including an arrested terror suspect, were killed during three separate encounters with the security forces. According to police, four terrorists, including Showkat Ahmad Sheikh who was arrested on terror charges, were killed during an encounter in Lolab area of Kupwara district. Earlier this month, police had said that Showkat Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Sedow village in Shopian district, was arrested along with another accused for their involvement in an IED blast on June 2. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra said that Teesta Setalvad along with Sonia Gandhi and Congress party were the driving force behind defaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Gujarat riots. Supreme Court verdict dismissed the plea challenging the clean chit given by SIT to then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and several others in 2002 riots that took place in the state. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: 30-Year-Old Woman Thrown Off 4th Floor Balcony by Husband in Agra, Dies; 3 Arrested. The apex court on Friday, while rejecting an appeal by Zakia Jafri, wife of Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was killed in the violence, said that the appeal was "devoid of merits." "You all saw how the Prime Minister Narendra Modi swallowed poison for 20 years. Saw how false allegation was levelled against him on 2002 Gujarat riots?" Patra said while addressing the media. Also Read | West Bengal: Depressed Man Who Jumped off 8th Floor of Kolkata Hospital Dies. "You will be surprised to know that Teesta Setalvad was not alone. These people have cheated the judicial system of India. The Supreme Court has strongly criticised them. The driving force behind this was Sonia Gandhi and the Congress party," he added. "Supreme Court has said very clearly that those people, who conspired and played with the law also will have to come before the court and face the law," he added. The Gujarat anti-terrorist squad team on Saturday detained activist Teesta Setalvad and took her to the Santacruz police station. "Some people like Teesta Setalvad who have been detained today, have deliberately created a false story. The Supreme Court has made a strong stand. It has named Teesta Setalvad in its judgment," he added. The action came after Union Minister Amit Shah in an interview with ANI said that Teesta Setalvad-run NGO gave baseless information about the 2002 Gujarat riots to the police. "I will give a few examples of how Teesta Setalvad and Company worked to mislead the country regarding the Gujarat riots-- Teesta Setalvad's NGO was giving instructions to Zakia Jafri and many witnesses along with her," he said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the troika of BJP's political rivals, politically motivated journalists and NGOs, together made false allegations against the BJP and its leaders. In an interview with ANI, Shah said despite false allegations, the BJP had the trust of the people of Gujarat who kept voting the party to power. "I have read the judgement very carefully. The judgement clearly mentions the name of Teesta Setalvad. The NGO that was being run by her - I don't remember the name of the NGO- had given baseless information about the riots to the police," stated Shah. The Union Minister said that the public was not hoodwinked by the nexus of the "trikut". "No it (the nexus) did not run for 20 years. The mandate of the people is the biggest thing, the public sees everything. The 130 crore people in the country have 260 crore eyes and 260 crore ears. They see and hear everything. We have never lost an election (In Gujarat). The public never accepted these allegations," he said. "BJP's political rivals, Kuch ideology ke liye rajneeti mein aye patrakar (journalists who came to politics to pursue their ideology) and some NGOs together (aaropon ko pracharit kiya) publicised the allegations. They had a strong ecosystem so everyone started believing the lies as truth," he added. On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea filed by Zakia Jafri, the widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and several others in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Asked about his mention of NGOs, Shah said: "I have read the judgment hurriedly but it clearly states the name of Teesta Setalvad. It was Setalvad's NGO that gave an application involving BJP workers in every police station and the pressure by the media was so immense that every application was treated as truth." Shah also dismissed allegations that BJP had "influenced" the SIT constituted to probe the case."The SIT was not constituted by us. It was done by the apex court. Neither did we select the officials, it was done by the apex court after hearing from the NGO. The officers were not from the BJP-ruled states, they were from the Central government. By that time the Central government was changed, it was UPA," the union minister said. On June 24, Supreme Court while upholding the clean chit to Modi in the Gujarat riots case, said that co-petitioner and activist Teesta Setalvad exploited the emotions of petitioner Zakia Jafri."... it was a court-monitored case, how could it have been influenced? Costly lawyers appeared for the NGO," Shah said. He added that the Supreme Court said Zakia Jafri worked on someone else's instructions. "NGO signed affidavits of several victims and they (victims) didn't even know," said Shah. He said people (officers-administration) had done a good job. "But there was anger due to the incident (Godhra train burning), and nobody had an inkling - neither the police, nor anyone else. Later it wasn't in anyone's hands," added Shah. When asked about the allegation that the BJP had brought in lawyers who were paid hefty fees as opposed to lawyers who were representing her NGO, Shah said: "From our side, there were law officers and they are not that heavily paid. There is a system for their fees." A three-judge bench of the Apex court headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar Friday said there is no merit in Zakia Jafri's petition while upholding the 2012 order passed by the Gujarat magistrate accepting the SIT report. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jafri, had told the bench also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and CT Ravikumar, that they have not argued at all about any alleged involvement of the former chief minister and they are on the issue of a larger conspiracy which was not probed by the SIT. SIT had opposed the plea of Jafri saying there is a sinister plot behind the complaint to probe the "larger conspiracy" behind the 2002 Gujarat riots and the original complaint by Jafri was directed by social activist Teesta Setalvad, who levelled allegations just to keep the pot boiling. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kolkata, Jun 25 (PTI) Stepping up its demand to arrest Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari for his alleged involvement in Saradha ponzi scam and his interrogation by central agencies, the ruling Trinamool Congress Saturday said its youth wing will stage protests before the CBI office here and in some places of Purba Medinipur district. An eight-member delegation, led by state Education minister Bratya Basu, will meet Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday seeking action against Adhikari, a BJP leader, for his "involvement in corrupt activities, the party said in a statement. Also Read | Museum Night by National Gallery of Modern Art Receives Commendable Response From Art Lovers. "Our youth and student wings will stage protests at CGO Complex Salt Lake, housing the CBI office, and at Haldia and Kanthi in Purba Medinipur district demanding Suvendu Adhikari be put behind bars in connection with his involvement in Saradha chit fund scandal and various other corrupt activities," TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said in the statement. Adhikari who belongs to Purba Medinipur district represents Nandigram constituency in the Assembly. Also Read | Maharashtra Political Crisis: Mumbai Police Enforces Prohibitory Orders. Newly elected TMC MLA Babul Supriyo, state youth wing president Saayoni Ghosh, TMCP president Trinankur Bhattacharya will lead the agitation in CGO complex. At Haldia, TMC leaders Manas Bhunia and Rajib Banerjee will lead the protests. Adhikari had switched over to the BJP from the TMC before the 2021 assembly polls. Holding out a letter, purportedly written by main accused Sudipto Sen to the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh, during a press meet on Friday, said that Adhikari's name had been mentioned among those who received financial favours from Saradha Group. "The letter was sent to the hon'ble court earlier this month; we got the copy very recently. It lays bare the very fact that Suvendu Adhikari had been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Saradha scam, despite not being associated with its various ventures in any way. The CBI should take cognisance of this letter. We wonder why it is not doing so," Ghosh, also an accused in the case, added. Later, speaking to reporters Adhikari said TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee was yet to accept her defeat in Nandigram seat during the 2021 Assembly polls and therefore orchestrating all these childish moves. I am not giving any importance to the TMC game plan against me. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chennai, Jun 25 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday launched 'Kalloori Kanavu', a career guidance initiative for school students to pursue their higher education after completing Class 12. Also Read | Maharashtra Political Crisis: 'Will Set Up Separate Block of Shiv Sena, Not Merging With Any Other Party As We Respect Uddhav Thackeray, Says Rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar. The novel Kalloori Kanavu (College Dreams) initiative, launched under the Naan Mudhalvan programme by the Chief Minister offers guidance to the students to opt for courses and select the colleges, entrance exams, education loans and scholarships. Also Read | Media Has Right To Report FIRs, Court Cases, Without Attracting Libel, Says Bombay High Court. Over 5,000 students from government and aided schools participated in the event held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here. The day-long event, which would also be held in the districts from June 29 to July 2, would have various sessions on motivation, engineering, medicine, allied sciences and life sciences, arts and science, commerce and accountancy, law, veterinary, agriculture, fisheries, government jobs, bank loans, assistance and scholarships. The sessions will last up to 45 minutes each and speakers have been arranged by an event management team. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister claimed that no other state in the country has an education policy similar to that of Tamil Nadu. "The Naan Mudhalvan programme is a plan to further refine this and make Tamil Nadu the best in education. The Kalloori Kanavu is being organised accordingly," he said. Stalin called upon the students and their parents to be wise in choosing the courses and not stop only with engineering and medicine. "Opportunities abound in all fields...Tamil Nadu accounts for 30 among the top 100 colleges in India. So, the chances of success are more if you study and progress," he advised. Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu and senior officials participated in the function. Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated CMC's Rs 1,200 crore campus at Kannigapuram (Ranipet district), located about 12 km from Vellore on the Chennai-Bengaluru national highway. The 1,500-bed unit has a Level 1 trauma care centre with six dedicated theatres for accident victims, 29 additional operation theatres for quaternary care medical and surgical services, 250 intensive care beds, cancer services, cardiac catheterisation labs, 29 bone marrow transplant unit beds, blood storage facility and 50 dialysis beds, according to a release here. The campus has a zero waste discharge system and an effluent treatment plant to recycle and reuse water. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ahmedabad, Jun 25 (PTI) The Border Security Force (BSF) has apprehended two Pakistani fishermen from the Harami Nala creek area close to the Indo-Pak border near Gujarat's Kutch district, authorities said. Also Read | National Gallery of Modern Art To Organise 'Museum Night' on June 25. Both the Pakistani fishermen were apprehended after a chase, in which they sustained bullet injuries in ankle while trying to escape towards Pakistan, the BSF said in a statement issued late Friday night. Also Read | Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Writes to PM Narendra Modi on Plight of Wayanad People in View of SC Judgment Over Eco-Sensitive Zones. "In an ongoing search operation which started on June 23, 2022, BSF Bhuj apprehended two Pakistani fishermen from Harami Nala area in a hot pursuit today. Both sustained bullet injuries in the ankle while trying to escape towards Pakistan," it said. During patrolling on Thursday, the BSF patrol party observed the movement of Pakistani fishing boats in Harami Nala area, it said. "The patrol party immediately rushed to the spot and seized nine Pakistani fishing boats from different locations of Harami Nala area," the statement said, adding that in the process, Pakistani fishermen managed to escape and were hiding in the area that is spread over more than 300 sq kms. The BSF continued the search operation and cordoned off the entire area, plugging all possible escape routes towards the neighbouring country, it said. The patrol team challenged the escaping Pakistani fishermen. But when they did not stop, the BSF troops had to resort to fire to apprehend both of them, the statement said. They sustained bullet injury in the ankle and were being evacuated to a hospital. They were identified as Sadam Hussain (20) and Ali Baksh (25), both residents of Pakistani village Zero Point, the BSF said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The general mood in Latin America is that the U.S. should not waste its time interfering south of its border but should, instead, spend its energy trying to resolve its cascading internal crises. by Rodrigo Guillot In 2010, Cubas former President Fidel Castro said: Lopez Obrador will be the person with the most moral and political authority in Mexico when the system collapses and, with it, the empire. He was referring to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (known as AMLO), who is the current president of Mexico and head of the Morena (National Regeneration Movement) political party. Despite the wide lead he had in all the polls before the elections, Lopez Obradors victory in 2018 took almost everyone by surprise. Even the Morena militants remained doubtful for some days, since the dynamics of electoral fraud in Mexican politics had made defeat seem inevitable. Few of us knew what to expect from Mexicos new government since AMLO is the first leftist president in our countrys modern political history. The first two years of his term were marked by the absence of any concrete foreign policy, at least publicly. The theory that the best foreign policy is domestic policy led President Lopez Obrador to concentrate his efforts on trying to solve the larger problems being faced by the Mexican people, as well as dealing with former U.S. President Donald Trumps aggressive anti-immigration policy that was mainly directed toward the Mexican migrant population entering and already in the United States. Fourth Transformation The only noteworthy Mexican public diplomacy initiative undertaken by Lopez Obrador during the first three years of his six-year term was to advocate for the Comprehensive Development Plan for Central America. This plan was developed by El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). President Lopez Obradors government began working on the plan from the day he took office. The initiative addressed both issues, the attacks faced by migrants from Central America in the United States and the real needs of the people who are compelled to migrate to other countries from the region. The structural causes of migrationpoverty, inequality and insecurityframed the discussion by the stakeholders who worked on finalizing the initiative. The plan challenged the U.S. border security doctrine, which treats socioeconomic problems as military problems. The triumph of Morena in one of Latin Americas largest countries opened a cycle of hope among progressive forces in the region; Latin American leaders and intellectuals have spoken of Mexico as the epicenter of the new progressive wave in the hemisphere. But Morenas triumph was met by three complexities. First, the difficulties being faced by Lopez Obrador as he has tried to lay the foundations for national development and address the glaring inequalities in the country (10 percent of Mexicans hold 79 percent of its wealth); this included a national project to end inequality and discrimination, which would be funded by the revitalization of the oil industry, the nationalization of lithium, and the implementation of various infrastructural works. Second, because the pandemic accelerated the process of the neoliberal crisis at a global level, including in Mexico, Lopez Obrador has spoken about the need to end neoliberalism by 2022 in the country. Third, there has been a renewed aggression by the United States through its blockades and sanctions campaigns against several Latin American countries, including Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Lopez Obradors fourth transformation (4T), which is the name of his political projectreferring to a moment of change in the political systemhas led to disputes with the U.S. government and U.S.-controlled institutions (including the Organization of American States). This is what gradually drew Mexicos government into a more prominent role in the Americas. Lopez Obradors Public Diplomacy The increase in Lopez Obradors activity relating to international diplomacy has been gradual and well-calculated. Lopez Obrador gradually introduced some of these foreign policy matters into the arena of national political debate before he tested the waters in the region with them. Each morning he holds a press conference, where many of these ideas are first introduced. Lopez Obradors commitment to building a revolution of conscience has transformed Mexican diplomacy into a public phenomenon. Before Lopez Obrador, foreign policy matters were discussed behind closed doors. Now, Lopez Obrador uses his press conference to provide the public with the historical and political reasons for Mexicos position on, for instance, the U.S. blockade of Cuba and its economic war against Venezuela, the violent anti-immigrant policy of the United States and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Because Lopez Obrador has tried to explain the reasons for the diplomatic decisions taken by Mexico regarding various global matters, it has helped build a consensus among large sections of the population for these decisions, including the most recent decision taken by him to not attend the Summit of the Americas. Summit of the Americas United States President Joe Biden announced in January that the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS) would host the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles from June 6 to June 10. Lopez Obrador toured Central America and the Caribbean, which ended in Cuba, before the summit. During the tour, Lopez Obrador developed Mexicos position on the summit. This viewpoint was also apparent earlier when Mexico hosted the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit in September 2021, where Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela were able to participateunlike during the Summit of the Americas where these countries were banned from attending the event. At that 2021 summit, Lopez Obrador proposed to shut down the OAS and replace it with a block like the European Union, such as CELAC. Before the Summit of the Americas began, Lopez Obrador announced that Mexico would not attend it because of two principles of Mexican foreign policy: First, the United States decision to not invite Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela violated the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. Second, the principle of legal equality of all countries should allow all people to be represented at the international level through their governments. Lopez Obradors decision to withdraw from the summit surprised both Washington and Latin American capitals; his decision was followed by both Bolivia and Honduras and was backed up by countries such as Argentina. Biden, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, meanwhile, tried to negotiate to ensure the presence of the Mexican president at the summit, but without any success. The hegemony of the OAS had begun to decline after the CELAC summit in 2021 but seems to have reached its end with these latest developments during the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. But the more important outcome of the summit was the reaction of the different Latin American leaders who joined Mexicos show of dignity and displayed the strength of popular power and assumed positions of support for a new form of regional organization, which does not require the support of the United States. The general mood in Latin America is that the U.S. should not waste its time interfering south of its border but should, instead, spend its energy trying to resolve its cascading internal crises. This article was produced by Globetrotter. Rodrigo Guillot works in the International Department of the Instituto Nacional de Formacion Politica (INFP), the political education institute of Mexicos Morena (Movimiento de Regeneracion Nacional) party. He is a student at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City. Find him on Twitter @RodrigoGuillot. Morigaon (Assam), Jun 25 (PTI) One person was killed, and six others were injured when a vehicle crashed into a flood relief camp erected in Morigaon district, an official said on Saturday. The accident took place near Dharamtul Vishnu temple on National Highway 37. Also Read | Kerala: Electricity Charges Revised in State, To Go Up by 6.6%, No Tariff Hike for Consumers Who Use Up to 50 Units in Month. Our preliminary investigation suggests that the driver of the vehicle was in an inebriated state during the accident on Friday. He has already been arrested. We made arrangements for sending the injured to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital last night itself. The government will bear their medical expenses, Morigaon deputy commissioner PR Gharphalia said after visiting the accident site. Also Read | Secunderabad Violence: Mastermind Avula Subba Rao Remanded to Judicial Custody for 2 Weeks. The aggrieved residents of the camp asked the police personnel as to how vehicles were allowed to move on that particular stretch of the National Highway when it was being used for sheltering the flood-affected population. Gharphalia said there is a standing order for sealing off roads that are used for camps for the affected people. This particular stretch may have been left open for some reason. I have now ordered for its sealing off. Traffic will move through one part of the highway only, the official added. Morigaon is among the worst flood-hit districts, with one person killed and over 94,000 people in four revenue circles, and 282 villages still reeling under water. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) A total of 78.94 per cent of the votes polled in the Dish TV extraordinary meeting (EGM) were against the resolution to reappoint Jawahar Goel as the Managing Director. Goel, who represents the promoter group in Dish TV, could get only 21.05 per vote in favour of his reappointment for three more years, said a regulatory filing by the DTH operator, updating disclosure of voting results of EGM. Also Read | Dish TV Managing Director Jawahar Lal Goel Steps Down. A total of 128.54 crore votes were polled in the EGM, which was held on Friday through video conferencing and other audio-visual means. This is a major victory for Dish TV's largest shareholder and private sector lender Yes Bank Ltd (YBL), which holds over 24 per cent share in the company. Also Read | Ikea To Relocate Purchasing Office to Bengaluru From Gurugram. It was seeking board restructuring of the Zee group patriarch Subhash Chandra-led Essel group's DTH arm by removing his brother Goel from the driving seat of Dish TV. Presently, the promoter group has a 5.93 per cent stake in the company as of March 31, 2022, and had voted 100 per cent in favour of Goel's reappointment. However, public institutions and non-institutions, which own 94.07 per cent of Dish TV, voted against it. As much as 97.94 per cent of the total votes polled by the public institution and 69.67 per cent by the public non-institution were against the resolution for Goel's reappointment. Similarly, the resolution for the reappointment of Dish TV CEO Anil Kumar Dua as a WholeTime Director of the company also failed to get consent though it received 73.89 per cent of the total votes polled in its favour. The Companies Act mandates that a special resolution needs to be passed by a supermajority, which refers to at least 75 per cent of the members voting in favour of it. While 73.25 per cent of the total votes polled were against the resolution on the appointment of Dish TV's former chief executive officer Rajagopal Chakravarthi Venkatesh as a non-executive independent director of the company. We wish to inform you that on the basis of the votes cast by the shareholders at the EEGM of the company held on June 24, 2022, Jawahar Goel "vacates the office of Managing Director of the company", it said on Friday. However, Goel would continue as a Non-Executive Director and Dua as CEO of Dish TV, it added. Yes Bank and the promoter family led by Goel are locked in a legal battle since last year. On Friday, a division bench of the Bombay High Court had dismissed the petition filed by Dish TV's promoter group firm, seeking to restrain YBL from voting at the DTH operator's EGM. Promoter group entity World Crest Advisors LLP had earlier challenged the June 17 order passed by the single bench of the High Court -- which did not give the ad-interim relief to it pending hearing and final disposal of the suit -- to restrain Yes Bank from voting at the EGM of Dish TV scheduled to be held on June 24, 2022. The bone of contention between YBL and Dish TV is Rs 1,000 crore right issues by the group firm. YBL is objecting to this as it suspects that the rights issue is meant to dilute the majority shareholding of the bank in Dish TV. Last year, YBL had moved a proposal for EGM and had sought to remove four directors from the board of Dish TV besides Goel. It had also sent names of some people, it wanted to be appointed on the board of Dish TV. However, the request to call EGM was rejected by the board of the company. In the ongoing tussles, the shareholders of Dish TV had rejected all three proposals, including the adoption of financial statements and reappointment of Ashok Mathai Kurien as director, at its AGM held on December 30, 2021. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Coimbatore, Jun 25 (PTI) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said the government is considering to roll out the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the apparel sector to boost domestic manufacturing and exports. He said that discussions on the same are underway between the textiles ministry, the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) and Niti Aayog. Also Read | Dish TV Managing Director Jawahar Lal Goel Steps Down. "We are keen to support the apparel manufacturing sector and we are considering coming out with another PLI scheme. Dialogue is going on between textiles, DPIIT and Niti Aayog and in consultation with industry participants, we will be shortly devising a scheme, which we will put up before the Cabinet for their approval," Goyal told reporters here. The government has announced the PLI scheme with an outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore for over a dozen sectors, including man-made fibre, technical textiles, white goods, medical devices, and automobiles and auto components. Also Read | Ikea To Relocate Purchasing Office to Bengaluru From Gurugram. He also said that the textiles exports are increasing at a healthy rate and the exports may reach USD 100 billion (Rs 8 lakh crore) in the next five years from the current about USD 44 billion. The textiles industry, he said, is also looking at doubling the domestic production to Rs 20 lakh crore in the next five years. "This will help in creating job opportunities, attract investments, promote startups and MSMEs," the minister added. When asked about any plan to extend the waiver of customs duty on cotton imports beyond September 30, Goyal, who also holds textiles portfolio, said that cotton textile prices are easing and "I do not think there is a need to extend it beyond September, but if required, we may extend it for a month". On the Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) parks scheme, he said that several states, including Tamil Nadu, have put up allocations to set up Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel parks and the ministry is assessing those applications. The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of 7 Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel parks with a total outlay of Rs 4,445 crore for five years to position India strongly on the global textile map. Talking about free trade agreements, Goyal said that negotiations are fast progressing with Canada, the UK, European Union and Israel. Regions like GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and Eurasian Economic Union too are keen on early conclusion of negotiations for trade pacts with India. "These series of FTAs will give a competitive edge to our exporters in boosting exports and creation of jobs and attract thousands of crores of investments all over India," the minister said. Goyal also said the textiles and pharma ministries would work to provide affordable sanitary napkins under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana. On National Textile Corporation, he said that "we should allow the private sectorwe are examining whether NTC can run profitably and professionally. So far, it hasn't been". The minister said that global brands like Zara, GAP, Tommy Hilfiger, H&M and Puma are clients of garment manufacturers of Tiruppur. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington [US], June 25 (ANI): Those with developmental dyslexia have specific strengths relating to exploring the unknown, which have contributed to the successful adaptation and survival of our species, say researchers. This 'explorative bias', they point out, has an evolutionary basis and plays a crucial role in our survival. Also Read | Raphinha Transfer News: Arsenal To Submit Improved Offer For Leeds United Winger. Based on these findings -- which were apparent across multiple domains from visual processing to memory and at all levels of analysis -- researchers argue that we need to change our perspective of dyslexia as a neurological disorder. The findings, reported in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, have implications both at the individual and societal level, says lead author Dr Helen Taylor, an affiliated Scholar at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge and a Research Associate at the University of Strathclyde. Also Read | Pakistan: Tehreek-E-Taliban Warns Govt, Says Thier Fighters Will Wage Countrywide Jihad if Govt Does Not Fulfill Their Demands. "The deficit-centred view of dyslexia isn't telling the whole story," said Taylor. "This research proposes a new framework to help us better understand the cognitive strengths of people with dyslexia." She added: "We believe that the areas of difficulty experienced by people with dyslexia result from a cognitive trade-off between exploration of new information and exploitation of existing knowledge, with the upside being an explorative bias that could explain enhanced abilities observed in certain realms like discovery, invention and creativity." This is the first-time a cross-disciplinary approach using an evolutionary perspective has been applied in the analysis of studies on dyslexia. "Schools, academic institutes and workplaces are not designed to make the most of explorative learning. But we urgently need to start nurturing this way of thinking to allow humanity to continue to adapt and solve key challenges," said Taylor. Dyslexia is found in up to 20% of the general population, irrespective of country, culture and world region. It is defined by the World Federation of Neurology as "a disorder in children who, despite conventional classroom experience, fail to attain the language skills of reading, writing and spelling commensurate with their intellectual abilities." The new findings are explained in the context of 'Complementary Cognition', a theory proposing that our ancestors evolved to specialise in different, but complementary, ways of thinking, which enhances human ability to adapt through collaboration. These cognitive specialisations are rooted in a well-known trade-off between exploration of new information and exploitation of existing knowledge. For example, if you eat all the food you have, you risk starvation when it's all gone. But if you spend all your time exploring for food, you're wasting energy you don't need to waste. As in any complex system, we must ensure we balance our need to exploit known resources and explore new resources to survive. "Striking the balance between exploring for new opportunities and exploiting the benefits of a particular choice is key to adaptation and survival and underpins many of the decisions we make in our daily lives," said Taylor. Exploration encompasses activities that involve searching the unknown such as experimentation, discovery and innovation. In contrast, exploitation is concerned with using what's already known including refinement, efficiency and selection. "Considering this trade-off, an explorative specialisation in people with dyslexia could help explain why they have difficulties with tasks related to exploitation, such as reading and writing. "It could also explain why people with dyslexia appear to gravitate towards certain professions that require exploration-related abilities, such as arts, architecture, engineering, and entrepreneurship." The researchers found that their findings aligned with evidence from several other fields of research. For example, an explorative bias in such a large proportion of the population indicates that our species must have evolved during a period of high uncertainty and change. This concurs with findings in the field of paleoarchaeology, revealing that human evolution was shaped over hundreds of thousands of years by dramatic climatic and environmental instability. The researchers highlight that collaboration between individuals with different abilities could help explain the exceptional capacity of our species to adapt. ( ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) English actor Christian Bale, admitted that although he did not watch Robert Pattison's super-hit film The Batman, he thinks that the latter is an 'absolutely wonderful actor'. During the premiere of Bale's Thor: Love and Thunder at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, the actor confessed that he watches only a 'few films', reported Variety. However, calling the Twilight star a 'wonderful actor', he said that following his short encounter with Pattinson he heard some 'wonderful things' about him. Thor - Love and Thunder: Christian Bale's Look as Gorr the God Butcher Gets Leaked From Sets (View Pics). 'It's amazing how few films I see. Every director I work with, I've seen a couple of their films and they're always looking at me going, 'Are you kidding?' I like to really savour films and I don't watch too many. But I will, I certainly will. Robert is an absolutely wonderful actor. We bumped into each other, talked a little bit about it ahead of time, and I heard wonderful things." revealed the Equilibrium actor. Speaking on what makes him choose a particular film, Bale replied that firstly, he looks at 'who's directing it' and whether it is 'a good story' before proceeding with the movie, reported Variety. However, his kids play a bigger role in helping him select a movie. Thor Love and Thunder: Director Taika Waititi States Christian Bale's Gorr Tested the Highest of Any Marvel Villain at Test Screenings! "I always just look at who's directing it, who are the people involved, is it a good story, am I gonna get something out of it. With this one, it was my kids saying to me, 'By the way, you're doing this one,' and I went, 'Am I really?' And they said, 'Yes you are,' and I went, 'OK, yes I am." revealed the actor. In the film Thor: Love and Thunder Bale plays the role of Gorr the God Butcher, opposite Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Tessa Thompson. Thor: Love and Thunder is helmed by Taika Waititi and is slated to release on July 8.Christian Bale has received critical acclaim for some of his noteworthy films like The Fighter, American Hustle, and Reign of Fire. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], June 25 (ANI): Former Pakistani Army officer Brigadier (Retd) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan terming him a "compulsive liar" over accusations levelled against him by the country's former Prime Minister. "It is Below me to respond to a compulsive liar like Imran," the ex-brigadier said. "I consider it below my dignity to respond to allegations levelled by a liar, but I am responding as he has publicly made these allegations," he said, according to Geo TV. Also Read | Pakistan: Tehreek-E-Taliban Warns Govt, Says Thier Fighters Will Wage Countrywide Jihad if Govt Does Not Fulfill Their Demands. The PTI Chairman has accused Ranjha of manipulating the 2013 elections in favour of the Pakistan Muslim League (N). Ranjha said he stood firm in his May 4 interview when he offered Imran the choice to agree on the formation of a commission to investigate his allegations. "But before this, we both should sign an affidavit that whosoever is found guilty would be liable to capital punishment," Brigadier Ranjha said according to the media outlet. Also Read | US President Joe Biden Signs Bipartisan Gun Safety Bill Into Law (Watch Video). "I made this offer in May (2018). At that time when the media asked Imran about it, he said it was political statement. Imran remained prime minister for four years, but did not raise this issue at any forum. Now he is taking up this issue again. The objective is to make our mother-like institution (Pak army) controversial," he said, The News International citing Geo TV reported. Ranjha said, "I believe Imran has lost his mind after losing power. He has never been in favour of the armed forces. He only exploited the military... His sole objective is to make the army controversial. I can offer my sacrifice, but I won't let him make the army controversial. Now, the military talked about not interfering in politics, he is hurling allegations randomly. I challenge him to face me at any forum. I am ready for any punishment if proven wrong." Ranjha said he left the army so that Imran does not point the finger at the army. He advised the nation to "ignore the wild allegations of a pathological liar like Imran". He recalled that Imran had given a word to a "very senior official in the state institutions" in 2018 that he would not repeat his allegations as it was his "political statement", and that he did not have any proof. "If he [Imran] opens his mouth again, then I would go to a public forum and spill the beans. He should realise that I know everything about him because I have also served as intelligence officer," said Ranjha, the local media reported. Ranjha claimed that he had an "unblemished career" and could face anything. "He [Imran Khan] is a morally, financially, intellectually and socially corrupt person. I'm a respectable person. It's below my dignity to respond to such a pathological liar," he added. Ranjha said that Imran thinks he is a big politician. "I challenge him to contest elections against me. I will defeat him," he added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kabul, Jun 25 (AP) Afghanistan's deadly earthquake this week struck one of the poorest corners of a country that has been hollowed out by increasing poverty. Even as more aid arrived Saturday, many residents have no idea how they will rebuild the thousands of homes destroyed in villages strung through the mountains. Also Read | Cryptocurrency Crash: China Warns Bitcoin Is Heading to Zero. The quake, which state media says killed at least 1,150 people, hit hardest in a region of high mountains where Paktika and Khost provinces meet by the Pakistani border. There is little fertile land, so residents eke out what they can while largely relying on money sent by relatives who have migrated to Pakistan, Iran or further abroad for jobs. Also Read | Dubai Real Estate Major Emaar's CEO Amit Jain Briefly Detained at Delhi Airport, Later Released After Questioning. Every one of the nearly two dozen homes in one village, Miradin, were reduced to rubble by Wednesday's quake. In the rainy nights since, its several hundred residents have been sleeping in nearby woods and had still not received the aid that was slowly making its way into quake-hit areas. Miradin residents told the Associated Press they worried whether they'd be able to rebuild before the harsh winter hits, in only a few months. Summer is short in the mountains, nights are already chilly. It's a fear felt across the quake-hit region, where nearly 3,000 homes are believed to have been destroyed. We are facing many problems. We need all kind of support, and we request the international community and Afghans who can help to come forward and help us, said Dawlat Khan, a resident of Paktika's Gayan District. Five members of his family were injured when his house collapsed. Among the dead from Wednesday's magnitude 6 quake are 121 children and that figure is expected to climb, said the U.N. children's agency representative in Afghanistan. He said close to 70 children were injured. An aftershock Friday took five more lives. The total toll of 1,150 dead and at least 1,600 injured was reported by the Afghan state news agency Bakhtar. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has put the death toll at 770 people. Either toll would make the quake Afghanistan's deadliest in two decades. More aid was piling in on Saturday. At Urgan, the main city in Paktika province, U.N. World Health Organization medical supplies were unloaded at the main hospital. In quake-hit villages, UNICEF delivered blankets, basic supplies and tarps for the homeless to use as tents. In the district of Spera in Khost province on Saturday, UNICEF distributed water purification tablets along with soap and other hygiene materials. Aid groups said they feared cholera could break out after damage to water and hygiene systems. New cargo flights of aid supplies arrived in Afghanistan from Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, officials said. Pakistan's government and a Pakistani charity had already sent 13 trucks carrying food, tents, life-saving medicine and other essential items, and Pakistan has opened some border crossings for injured to be brought in for treatment. Overstretched aid agencies said the disaster underscored the need for the international community to rethink its financial cut-off of Afghanistan since Taliban insurgents seized the country 10 months ago. That policy, halting billions in development aid and freezing vital reserves, has helped push the economy into collapse and plunge Afghanistan deeper into humanitarian crises and near famine. The effort to help the victims has been slowed both by geography and by Afghanistan's decimated condition. Rutted roads through the mountains, already slow to drive on, were made worse by quake damage and rain. The International Red Cross has five health facilities in the region, but damage to the roads made it difficult for those in the worse-hit areas to reach them, said Lucien Christen, ICRC spokesman in Afghanistan. Aid groups said that while they are rushing to help the quake victims, keeping Afghanistan just above catastrophe through humanitarian programmes is not sustainable. We are basically letting 25 million Afghan people to starve, to die, not to be able to earn their own living if we keep on with this financial blockade, said Rossella Miccio, president of the aid organisation Emergency that operates a network of healthcare facilities and surgical centres across Afghanistan. Afghanistan's economy had been reliant on international donor support even before the Taliban takeover last August as the U.S. and its NATO allies were withdrawing their forces, ending a 20-year war. World governments halted billions in development aid and froze billions more in Afghanistan's currency reserves, refusing to recognise the Taliban government and demanding they allow a more inclusive rule and respect human rights. The former insurgents have resisted the pressure, imposing restrictions on the freedoms of women and girls that recall their first time in power in the late 1990s. The cut-off yanked the props out from under the economy. Now nearly half the population of 38 million cannot meet their basic food needs because of poverty. Most civil servants, including doctors, nurses and teachers, have not been paid for months, and salaries remain sporadic. U.N. agencies and other remaining organisations have kept Afghanistan away from the brink of starvation with a humanitarian program that has fed millions and kept the medical system alive. But with international donors lagging, U.N. agencies face a $3 billion funding shortfall this year. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Colombo, Jun 25 (PTI) State-owned refinery Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has informed the Sri Lankan government that there will be a delay in the arrival of fuel shipments due to banking and logistical reasons, a senior minister said on Saturday, further exacerbating the agony of citizens of the island nation reeling under the worst economic crisis in decades. Sri Lanka is facing a severe forex crisis which has forced the country of 22 million to declare a default of its international debt in April, becoming the first Asia-Pacific country in decades to default on foreign debt. Also Read | Pakistan: Tehreek-E-Taliban Warns Govt, Says Thier Fighters Will Wage Countrywide Jihad if Govt Does Not Fulfill Their Demands. Regret to inform that CPC has informed me that the suppliers that had confirmed petrol, diesel and crude oil shipments to arrive earlier this week and next week has communicated the inability to fulfill the deliveries on time for banking and logistical reasons, Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera tweeted. The minister said that until the next shipments arrive, priority would be given in diverting the existing stocks to public transport, power generation and industries, while diesel and petrol would be distributed at limited filling stations next week. Also Read | US President Joe Biden Signs Bipartisan Gun Safety Bill Into Law (Watch Video). Wijesekera requested citizens not to line up for fuel and announced the closure of refinery operations till the arrival of the next shipment of crude. "We are working with all new and existing suppliers. I apologise for the delay and inconvenience," he tweeted. Sri Lanka is facing the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948 which has led to an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and fuel across the country. After Colombo declared a default on loans in April, US bank Hamilton Reserve, a holder of Sri Lankan bonds, filed a lawsuit in the US district court in Manhattan over the breach of contract. Sri Lankans languish in long fuel and cooking gas queues as the government is unable to find dollars to fund imports. Indian credit lines for fuel and essentials have provided lifelines until the ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could lead to a possible bailout. There have been street protests in Sri Lanka against the government since early April due to its mishandling of the economic crisis. On May 9, the political crisis saw the unleashing of violence with 10 people, including a parliamentarian, being killed. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa had to resign as prime minister amidst the political and economic turmoil. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], June 25 (ANI): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday approached the country's top court to challenge the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government's recent amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance, contending that they will "virtually eliminate any white-collar crime committed by a public office holder". The Amendment was criticised by Imran and his party. Also Read | Paper Shortage Hits Pakistan, Publishers Say No Textbooks for New Academic Session. "They should be put in jail for their shamelessness. Nobody can pass such laws shamelessly -- as this government did," he said, Geo News had reported. Imran Khan had explained how the leaders of the two big political parties, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would be "saved" after the changes. He said the government amended section 14 of the law, which now states that a person will only be held accountable for the "money left in the fake accounts (when a person is arrested)". Also Read | Cryptocurrency Crash: China Warns Bitcoin Is Heading to Zero. "If I am a public office holder earning an income of Rs 50, then I will have to explain why I have assets worth Rs 100 and where did I get the extra Rs 50 from. But now, they have reversed the role and the NAB will have to explain how did a public office holder get extra assets," he said. Khan said after the NAB law amendments, the watchdog will have to prove whether a person accumulated wealth illicitly -- as the government has shifted the burden from the person to the watchdog, reported Geo News. The second change, Khan said was made to the assets beyond means -- section 9 -- of the NAB law, which will provide relief to "major government leaders". The PTI chairman had said under the current tax laws, a person has to provide the trail of his money as the onus lies on them, not the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The bill, along with the one on election reforms, was passed by the National Assembly and Senate last month. After its approval from both houses, the president's assent was required for it to become law, Dawn newspaper reported. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kigali [Rwanda], June 25 (ANI): Foreign Ministers of the UK and India have announced the establishment of a joint India-UK Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy programme on Saturday. "In an increasingly geopolitical world, we must champion the Commonwealth values of democracy and sovereignty. The UK and India are helping to build a modern Commonwealth fit for the 21st century and delivering tangible benefits for its members," UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement. Also Read | Paper Shortage Hits Pakistan, Publishers Say No Textbooks for New Academic Session. A joint statement by Truss and External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar on the establishment of an India-UK Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy programme was released on the occasion. "That's why we are working together on a new Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy programme, which will equip young diplomats with the expertise and training they will need to tackle the global challenges we face," Truss said. Also Read | Cryptocurrency Crash: China Warns Bitcoin Is Heading to Zero. She noted that graduates from the programme will play a crucial role in delivering a rejuvenated Commonwealth united in support of self-determination. Reflecting their shared commitment to the Commonwealth, Foreign Secretary Truss and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met in Kigali this week and welcomed a successful Commonwealth Heads of Government summit. Foreign Secretary Truss and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar underlined the value they place on a strong and revitalised Commonwealth family, fit for the 21st century and delivering clear value and tangible benefits for all members. Both Ministers are pleased to announce that a joint India-UK Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy programme is to be hosted in New Delhi, India. The Academy programme will equip young diplomats from all Commonwealth Member States with expertise and training on global challenges. They underlined the UK and India's commitment to delivering a truly connected, innovative and transformative future for the Commonwealth family which supports the needs and expectations of all Member States. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The majority of mouthpiece media is silent on what is happening with minorities under the shadow of government by Mansoor Ahmed In democracy, rules and laws are equal for all, people are treated equally, without their caste, creed, and political affiliation. Their rights should not only be protected but have to be ensured on every cost. The case of democratic norms and values is totally different when it comes to the worlds largest democracy as compared to those of other nations. Muslims in India are the second largest community, living and contributing for the development of India, but they are not treated equally under the constitution of the country. Even the courts failed to protect their fundamental rights, the right to live, the right of free speech, freedom of religion and freedom of expression. Actually, Indian Muslims are being marginalized in their own country. We can see the clear example of biasness, double standards and span of hate against them especially in recent protests across the country. This week the world witnessed massive protests across India, firstly, when two BJP leaders made controversial remarks about Prophet PBUH and hit the sentiments of millions of Muslims across the world. Later the announcement of Agnipath scheme rocked India, as youth came out on the streets and expressed their anger against govt decision to recruit soldiers on four-year contracts, with sharply reduced benefits. When Muslims protested against the BJP leaders controversial remarks over Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), BJP authorities in UP state demolished their homes reasoning encroachments. But when people protested against Agnipath scheme, their approach towards the protesters was totally different and they were not dealt as the minorities were. Being the world largest democracy, India under its constitution is obliged to treat all its citizens equally based on international human rights and democratic principles. Their approach towards protestors from diverse religious communities is a clear example that the country is going against its own laws. India judiciary has the role to play and it cannot go against their defined role. The UNHRC and other human rights organizations have warned that the hate speeches are on the rise as social media has provided an opportunity to spread misinformation rapidly across the globe. The world body said the holistic approach is needed to curb the potential to incite violence. Looking as wholesome, Indian laws have to take its own course for curbing hate speeches across the board. The Planned discrimination against its minorities especially against Muslims is a clear indication of an un-secular India, where people of different faiths and religions are treated with different laws. It is humiliating, threatening, and suppressing Muslims, Christians and Dalits. Now they are struggling for their survival in the worlds largest democracy. India under BJP led by PM Modi has witnessed the rising attacks on minorities and he tried to crush any voice that challenged his regime.The manner in which PM Modi has ruled India, it has given rise to claims that Indias democracy and its minorities are in grave danger. Ever since the PM Modi came in power in 2014 Indian democracy has collapsed. The double standard of government and media proves the aggressive mindset towards Muslims.Today the world so called largest democracy has weaken because of its rejection of the core democratic principle that all citizens are equal. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is following RashtriyaSwayamsevakSangh(RSS) Hindutva ideology that claims superiority over religious minorities. Now Hindutva has a special privilege in Indian national politics. The majority of mouth piece media is silent on what is happening with minorities under the shadow of govt. It seems it is following the gov't guidelines and not fulfilling its responsibilities as an independent institution.Some journalists who have taken a critical stance and raised their voices in defense of secular values have been harassed or even killed. TheEconomist IntelligenceUnits (EIUs) Democracy Index 2021 saysthe Indian government's failure to crack down on the persecution of religious and other minorities by Hindu nationalists continues to weigh on the country's democracy score, which has declined significantly in recent years. Mansoor Ahmed is Islamabad based Researcher and Freelancer Kathmandu, Jun 25 (PTI) India's newly-appointed ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava arrived here on Saturday and was received by senior officials of the Indian embassy in Kathmandu. Seasoned diplomat Srivastava - who was India's ambassador to Cambodia from 2015 to 2017 and has served in Washington, Beijing and Hong Kong under different capacities - was appointed India's new ambassador to Nepal last month. Also Read | Paper Shortage Hits Pakistan, Publishers Say No Textbooks for New Academic Session. "@IndiaInNepal welcomes the new Ambassador Shri Naveen Srivastava to Kathmandu, the Indian embassy in Kathmandu said in a tweet. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the appointment of Srivastava, a 1993 batch of Indian Foreign Service (IFS), a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Lumbini in Nepal. Also Read | Cryptocurrency Crash: China Warns Bitcoin Is Heading to Zero. "Naveen Srivastava, presently Additional Secretary in the ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Nepal. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly, the MEA had said in a brief statement. In his capacity as additional secretary in the East Asia division, Srivastava headed the Indian delegation in several rounds of diplomatic talks in the virtual format with China on the eastern Ladakh border row. He was also part of the Indian delegation in a few rounds of military talks between the two sides on the border row. Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old Roti Beti relationship. The Himalayan nation shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The land-locked country relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. Nepal's access to the sea is through India, and it imports a predominant proportion of its requirements from and through India. The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations between the two countries. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kigali [Rwanda], June 25 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Friday (local time) met with the Tanzanian Foreign Minister Liberata Mulamula and discussed strengthening defence and security ties between the two countries. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "A warm meeting with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Liberata Mulamula. Discussed our development partnership that has transformed so many lives. It's results in water, agriculture & education are so visible. Also noted our growing defence & security relationship." Also Read | China President Xi Jinping Lashes Out at US, EU Sanctions Against Russia for 3rd Day. Jaishankar is in Kigali to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which had earlier been postponed twice due to the Covid-19 pandemic. India and Tanzania on June 16 reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, economic and defence at the second round of Foreign Office Consultations between the two countries. Also Read | US Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Rights, Overturns 50-Year-Old Ruling That Legalised It Nationwide. The discussions were led on the Indian side by Puneet R Kundal, Joint Secretary (E&SA), Ministry of External Affairs and on the Tanzanian side by Caesar C. Waitara, Director (Asia & Australasia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. "The consultations reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, economic, trade and investment, defence, cultural, people to people, and other areas of mutual interest," Ministry of External Affairs said in a release. Multilateral and regional issues including co-operation in UN, East Africa Community (EAC), South African Development Cooperation (SADC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) were also discussed. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the growth in bilateral trade, which touched US$ 4.5 billion for 2021-22. The releases said India is one of Tanzania's biggest trading partners and among the top investors in Tanzania. Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors and explore possibilities of investment in health, education, port development and the agriculture sector. Tanzania is also a major development partner of India and New Delhi has extended six lines of Credit worth over USD 1.1 billion to Tanzania, especially in the sector of city water supply and management.The Indian side reiterated its commitment to continue the development partnership with Tanzania through loans, grants and other mechanisms. Both sides also agreed to continue high-level political exchanges and regular meetings of the joint institutional mechanisms to keep the partnership vibrant and mutually beneficial.The consultations were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of consultations at a mutually convenient date in Dar es Salaam. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Haryana [India], June 25 (ANI): Jathedar Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal, a world-renowned Sikh Pracharak, urges the Indian government to see if it can make arrangements to send a delegation to Kabul so that they can perform the repair and renovation work of Gurdwara Sahib Karte Parwan which was damaged under an attack by Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Jathedar Daduwal said that if the Government of India makes arrangements, they can send a delegation to Kabul to get the "Kar Sewa" of Gurdwara Sahib Karte Parwan and talk to the Sikhs living there. He further said that the delegation can also get information about the situation with the recent earthquake in Afghanistan. Also Read | China President Xi Jinping Lashes Out at US, EU Sanctions Against Russia for 3rd Day. While speaking to the media, the President of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Jathedar Daduwal also announced to provide support of Rs 10 lakh for the reconstruction of the Gurdwara Sahib at Karte Parwan. He said that the attack on Gurdwara Sahib, in which one Sikh and a private security guard were killed and the building of Gurdwara Sahib was badly damaged, was very unfortunate. Also Read | US Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Rights, Overturns 50-Year-Old Ruling That Legalised It Nationwide. Sharing further information with the media, he said that the Gurdwara Sahib Karte Parwan in Kabul which was damaged due to a recent terror attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, is in the process of reconstruction. He continued saying that the reality of this attack should be exposed to the world. "It indicates another conspiracy that should be exposed to the world as to who are the people who attacked Gurdwara Sahib and got it done," he added. Speaking further Jathedar Daduwal said, "Afghan Sikhs have a great love for Guru Granth Sahib in their heart which is why they did not leave the Guru's house even in the worst situation in Afghanistan." He also commended the Indian government for issuing e-visas to Hindus and Sikhs on an immediate basis. "The Government of India has done a commendable job by immediately issuing e-visas to 100 Hindus and Sikhs," he said. At the same time, the Sikh Pracharak on behalf of the Sikh community urged the Indian government to ensure the safety of Hindus and Sikhs living there in consultation with the Taliban government. Jathedar Daduwal also expressed grief over the loss of at least 1000 lives and many injuries in the tragic earthquake that hit Afghanistan on June 22. He said that if the Government of India makes arrangements, Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj's all-around goodwill will be bestowed on the victims of the earthquake in Afghanistan. Jathedar Daduwal appealed to the Sangat around the world to help the Sikhs of Kabul in every possible way. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Rabat, June 25: Eighteen Africans seeking to cross into Spain were killed and scores of migrants and police were injured in what Moroccan authorities called a "stampede" of people surging across Morocco's border fence with the Spanish North African enclave of Melilla on Friday. A total of 133 migrants breached the border between the Moroccan city of Nador and Melilla on Friday, the first such mass crossing since Spain and Morocco mended diplomatic relations last month. A spokesperson for the Spanish government's office in Melilla said about 2,000 people attempted to cross, but many were stopped by Spanish Civil Guard police and Moroccan forces on either side of the border fence. Morocco's Interior Ministry said in a statement that the casualties occurred when people tried to climb the iron fence. It said five migrants were killed and 76 injured, and 140 Moroccan security officers were injured. Thirteen of the injured migrants later died in the hospital, raising the death toll to 18, according to Morocco's official news agency MAP., which cited local authorities. The Moroccan Human Rights Association reported 27 dead but the figure could immediately be confirmed. Michelle Obama Heartbroken as US Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Rights. Spanish officials said 49 Civil Guards sustained minor injuries. Four police vehicles were damaged by rocks thrown by some migrants. Those who succeeded in crossing went to a local migrant center, where authorities were evaluating their circumstances. People fleeing poverty and violence sometimes make mass attempts to reach Melilla and the other Spanish territory on the North African coast, Ceuta, as a springboard to continental Europe. Spain normally relies on Morocco to keep migrants away from the border. Watch Video: FLASH - Pres de 2000 migrants ont tente dentrer a #Melilla depuis le #Maroc, ceux qui y sont parvenus ont insulte le Maroc devant un journaliste. Une centaine d'agents de differentes forces #Marocaines ont ete blesses ces derniers jours. pic.twitter.com/XSaSUK0vw8 Tajmaat (@Tajmaat_Service) June 24, 2022 Over two days at the beginning of March, more than 3,500 people tried to scale the six-meter (20-foot) barrier that surrounds Melilla and nearly 1,000 made it across, according to Spanish authorities. Friday's crossings were the first attempt since relations between Spain and Morocco improved in March after a year-long dispute centered on the Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1976. Morocco loosened its controls around Ceuta last year, allowing thousands of migrants to cross into Spain. The move was viewed as retaliation for Spain's decision to allow the leader of Western Sahara's pro-independence movement to be treated for COVID-19 at a Spanish hospital. Tensions between the two countries began to thaw earlier this year after Spain backed Morocco's plan to grant more autonomy to Western Sahara, where activists are seeking full independence. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Oslo [Norway], June 25 (ANI): Two people were killed and several more wounded in a shooting at a nightclub in Oslo, Norway, early Saturday morning, media reported citing Norwegian authorities. CBS News qouted Oslo Police District as reporting that several shots were fired at a nightclub. According to the Police at least two people were killed and several more seriously wounded. Also Read | China President Xi Jinping Lashes Out at US, EU Sanctions Against Russia for 3rd Day. A suspect was in custody, police said. The circumstances of the shooting were unclear. Meanwhile, US has seen an upsurge in gun violence. On May 24, a mass shooting incident took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde in Texas in which several people including 19 children were killed. This was the deadliest attack since the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed, according to CNN. Also Read | US Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Rights, Overturns 50-Year-Old Ruling That Legalised It Nationwide. On May 31, an elderly woman was killed and two other persons were injured when gunfire erupted at a high school graduation ceremony in New Orleans.The shooting occurred outside the Convocation Center on the campus of Xavier University where graduates of Morris Jeff High School were gathered, NBC News reported citing New Orleans police.On June 1, at least four people were killed in a shooting incident at a hospital campus in Oklahoma's Tulsa city, CNN reported citing police. The shootout incidents in the US have been increasing. The US Senate on Thursday night passed a bipartisan bill to address gun violence in the United States, the first major piece of federal gun reform in almost 30 years. The final vote was 65 to 33 with 15 Republicans joining Democrats in support of the measure, marking a significant bipartisan breakthrough on one of the most contentious policy issues in the US.The bill will now go to the House for a vote and it could take up the bill as early as Friday, before it can be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. The bill comes with a USD 13.2 billion price tag and it includes millions of dollars for mental health, school safety, crisis intervention programs and incentives for states to include juvenile records in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.The vote on the federal gun safety bill comes on the same day as the Supreme Court struck down a New York gun law regulating concealed handguns in public that mandated residents demonstrate a specific need to carry a handgun outside of the home. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], June 25 (ANI): One person was killed and at least ten others including policemen were injured after a bomb planted in a motorcycle exploded in Pakistan's southern Sindh province on Saturday, police officials said. Senior Superintendent of Police in Jacobabad Sameer Noor said that the explosion took place near the Maula Dad Road area of Jacobabad district of the province. He also told that the target of the blast was apparently a police vehicle, Xinhua News Agency reported. Also Read | Pakistan: Tehreek-E-Taliban Warns Govt, Says Thier Fighters Will Wage Countrywide Jihad if Govt Does Not Fulfill Their Demands. The police official said that at least three policemen were injured in the blast. Following the incident, the security forces and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital, where several among the injured are said to be in a critical condition. Also Read | US President Joe Biden Signs Bipartisan Gun Safety Bill Into Law (Watch Video). As per the initial information, no groups have claimed the responsibility for the blast yet, Xinhua reported. The official said that the investigation into the matter is underway to collect more information. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, Jun 25 (PTI) Pakistan said on Saturday that it rejects India's attempt to hold a meeting of G20 countries in Kashmir, hoping that members of the grouping will be fully cognisant of the imperatives of law and justice and would oppose the proposal outright. Jammu and Kashmir will be hosting the 2023 meetings of G-20, an influential grouping that brings together the world's major economies, with the union territory administration on Thursday setting up a five-member high-level committee for overall coordination. Also Read | Pakistan: Tehreek-E-Taliban Warns Govt, Says Thier Fighters Will Wage Countrywide Jihad if Govt Does Not Fulfill Their Demands. This will be the first major international summit to be held in J&K after its special status guaranteed under Article 370 of the Constitution was withdrawn and the erstwhile state was divided into two union territories in August 2019. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said in a statement that Islamabad had taken note of news items appearing in the Indian media indicating that India might be contemplating to hold some G20-related meeting in Jammu and Kashmir. Also Read | US President Joe Biden Signs Bipartisan Gun Safety Bill Into Law (Watch Video). Pakistan completely rejects any such attempt by India, Ahmad said. He said it was a well-known fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory between Pakistan and India, and has remained on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council for over seven decades. Contemplating the holding of any G20-related meeting/event in JK, in utter disregard of the globally acknowledged disputed' status of the territory, is a travesty that the international community cannot accept under any circumstances, the spokesperson said. He hoped that in case of any such controversial proposal from India, the G20 members will be fully cognisant of the imperatives of law and justice and would reject it outright. Ahmad said Pakistan also strongly urges the international community to call upon India to revoke its actions of August 5, 2019, and free all political prisoners. Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiked since New Delhi abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. India's decision evoked strong reactions from Pakistan, which downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian envoy. Pakistan also halted bilateral trade with India. India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir "was, is and shall forever" remain an integral part of the country. India has told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], June 25 (ANI): The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) on Friday called upon the Pakistan government to abolish the taxes on raw materials concerning the industry citing a shortage of 40 types of medicines and fearing 100 more if their demand is not accepted. PPMA Chairman Qazi Mansoor Dilawar during a meeting at the Pakistan Parliament apprised the federal ministers of the difficulties being faced by the pharmaceutical industry. "The prices of raw materials have more than tripled. Abolish taxes on our raw materials," Dilawar said. Also Read | US President Joe Biden Signs Bipartisan Gun Safety Bill Into Law (Watch Video). He urged the Pakistan government to refund Rs 48 billion collected as sales tax on import of raw material and withdraw 17 per cent sales tax on import of raw material, the Express Tribune reported. He also demanded an increase in the prices of medicines by up to 25 per cent to prevent the collapse of the pharmaceutical industry. Also Read | Paper Shortage Hits Pakistan, Publishers Say No Textbooks for New Academic Session. The industry had been suffering from a severe crisis for the last six months but the government was constantly showing a lack of seriousness, Dilawar said. "Sales tax was imposed and promised to be refunded in this regard ... both the governments have so far collected our refunds of Rs48 billion which the government is not ready to give back due to which they have no more resources to import raw materials. Dilawar said that the increasing prices of gas, electricity and petroleum products and manpower wages had led to a 45 per cent increase in production costs. He suggested that Pakistan government impose taxes on raw materials used for other purposes than Pharmaceutical products, the Express Tribune reported. Pakistan Finance Minister Miftah Ismail assured the PPMA chairman that he would get Rs 48 billion refunds released from the Federal Board of Revenue. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue, Asim Ahmad claimed that the FBR has released Rs 40 million in refunds in the last week. He accused the pharmaceutical companies of buying raw materials tax-free and selling them in the market. Ismail announced holding another meeting on Monday to resolve the issues, the Express Tribune reported. During the meeting, Pakistan Ministers Khursheed Shah, Miftah Ismail, Naveed Qamar, Ayaz Sadiq and Nazir Tarar along with the Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Asim Ahmad were present. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Munich, Jun 25 (AP) About 3,500 protesters gathered in Munich on Saturday as the Group of Seven leading economic powers prepared to hold their annual gathering in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, which holds the G-7's rotating presidency this year. Police said earlier they were expecting some 20,000 protesters in the Bavarian city, but initially fewer people showed up for the main protest which started at noon, the German news agency dpa reported. Also Read | Cryptocurrency Crash: China Warns Bitcoin Is Heading to Zero. Fifteen groups critical of globalisation, from Attac to the environmental organisation WWF, will participate in the demonstrations. Their various demands include a phase-out of fossil fuels, the preservation of animal and plant diversity, social justice on the planet and a stepped-up fight against hunger. Also Read | Dubai Real Estate Major Emaar's CEO Amit Jain Briefly Detained at Delhi Airport, Later Released After Questioning. My demands for the G-7 are, that they have a clear commitment to energy transition, that is the exit from fossil fuels, all forms of fossil fuels, by 2035 at the latest, so we can stop financing wars and conflicts," said Kilian Wolter from the environmental group Greenpeace who participated in the protest on Munich's Theresienwiese lawn in the city centre. Earlier on Saturday, members of the antipoverty organisation Oxfam posed at a different Munich protest wearing oversized heads of the G-7 leaders demanding more global equality. We need concrete action to cope with multiple crises of our times, Oxfam spokesman Tobias Hauschild told The Associated Press. That means the G-7 have to act immediately. They have to fight hunger, inequality and poverty. Germany's top security official called on protesters to refrain from violence. "I expect all demonstrators to protest peacefully, not to hurt anyone and not to destroy any cars or stores, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told news portal t-online. A total of around 18,000 police officers are deployed around the summit site and the protests. The G-7 leaders from the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan are expected to start arriving in Germany on Saturday afternoon and will tackle issues such as Russia's war on Ukraine, climate change, energy and the looming food security crisis. Russia's brutal war against Ukraine is also having an impact here, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in his video podcast on Saturday referring to rising prices for groceries, gas and energy. The chancellor said the G-7 leaders would discuss the current situation triggered by the war "and at the same time ensure that we stop manmade climate change. The G-7 summit will take place in Bavaria's Elmau from Sunday through Tuesday. After the meeting concludes, leaders of the 30 countries in the NATO alliance will then gather for their annual summit, which is being held Wednesday through Thursday in Madrid. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Melbourne, Jun 25 (The Conversation) The Supreme Court's decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion had been indicated via a leaked draft opinion some weeks ago, but that doesn't diminish the impact it will have. The ruling handed down by the Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, upends 50 years of reproductive rights in the US but comes after a prolonged period in which those rights have been eroded at the state level. Also Read | Mexico Climber Dies Scaling Active, Off-limits Popocatepetl Volcano. It will have far-reaching implications for the social and political future of the states as well as for millions of American women. Here are five articles to help explain the importance of this decision and what to expect next. 1. The long history of debating abortion in the US Also Read | Morocco: 18 Migrants Dead in Stampede to Enter Melilla in Spain. Despite the magnitude of this ruling, it is unlikely to end the debate on abortion. Indeed, as Treva B. Lindsey at The Ohio State University writes, the battle over the right to abortion predates 1973's Roe v. Wade ruling by more than a century. She writes that in the early 1800s, pre-quickening abortions those performed before a pregnant person feels fetal movement were fairly common, and even advertised. But in the mid- to late 19th century, states began to pass laws banning abortion. Those bans were motivated, at first, by concerns over the high risk of injury or death to women who got an abortion. But there was also a racist reason. A spike in fears about new immigrants and newly emancipated Black people reproducing at higher rates than the white population also prompted more opposition to legal abortion, Lindsey writes. By the beginning of the 20th century, abortion was illegal in every state. But the women's liberation movement and sexual revolution of the 1960s sparked renewed discussion about reproductive rights. Some states legalized abortion under specific circumstances. Then in 1973 came the Roe ruling. 2. 50 states, 50 different abortion laws That long history of the states deciding whether to ban or legalise abortion is set to resume again after 50 years of women in the US having a constitutional right to abortion guaranteed under Roe. Thirteen states, including Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, have so-called trigger laws that aim to restrict abortion as soon as Roe was overturned. But in others, the future of abortion rights is less clear and could take some time to work out. Katherine Drabiak at the University of South Florida surveyed state abortion laws for The Conversation. With Roe now overturned, it appears that 20 states will ban or restrict abortions, while 20 states and the District of Columbia will protect or even expand a person's ability to get a safe abortion. This leaves 10 states in which the picture is less clear. As Drabiak writes, rather than the Supreme Court ruling being the end of the matter, the ruling could be just the starting point for states to navigate a wide range of new abortion laws. 3. Barriers to abortion in liberal states, too The patchwork of laws across the states will accelerate a process that has been evident in recent years: Women traveling out of conservative states to get an abortion. Indeed, as University of Colorado Denver's Amanda Jean Stevenson and Kate Coleman-Minahan write, such states as California, Washington, Illinois and New York are likely to experience an influx of people seeking an abortion if they no longer can get one in their home state. But these states may not become an unconditional refuge for people seeking abortions. A range of obstacles may prevent women living in states with abortion bans getting the procedure done elsewhere. Going out of state for an abortion is expensive you need money for travel and lodging. Increased demand for abortions in states where it's legal may lead to longer wait times for appointments. Such delays could be crucial, Stevenson and Coleman-Minahan write, when traveling to 18 of the 25 states expected to keep abortion legal. These states currently prohibit abortions later in pregnancy typically after the first trimester. Meanwhile, some states that are aren't expected to ban abortion have other barriers, such as requiring those under the age of 18 to obtain consent from a parent. 4. Warnings from Ireland over what's to come With a large proportion of Americans living in states that will ban abortion and laws in more liberal states that still make getting an abortion difficult the likelihood is that many women will have no choice but to remain pregnant. Gretchen Ely at the University of Tennessee suggests this will put the country on a similar path to Ireland between 1983 and 2018. She writes that the religiously motivated anti-abortion law in place in Ireland during that time is analogous to those on the books in several states in the U.S. The Irish law led to a prolonged period of suffering for many Irish women, documented in a series of court cases that helped turn the tide of opinion toward legalization. These included the tragic case of Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old woman forced to miscarry an unviable fetus rather than terminate the pregnancy with medical assistance, which was classified technically as an illegal abortion. Having doctors terminate the pregnancy would have reduced the risk to her life. Instead, Halappanavar died after suffering organ failure and enduring four days in intensive care. In contrast to the United States, Ireland is moving away from political control over private life, Ely writes. With Roe reversed, she says, pregnant people could face decades of forced pregnancy, suffering and even death as was the case in Ireland prior to 2018. 5. A decision affecting millions, made by a few people Whereas in Ireland in 1983 abortion was banned by means of a referendum albeit one in which barely half the nation voted in the U.S. the decision to overturn the constitutional right to get an abortion was made by a handful of Supreme Court justices. Nominated by Republican presidents, the four men and one woman who joined the conservative majority opinion overturning Roe all won confirmation to the court with the support of a majority of senators, but senators who did not represent a majority of voters, writes Kevin J. McMahon of Trinity College. They are numerical minority justices. This practice has deep consequences. Supreme Court justices have lifetime appointments and typically stay on the bench for many years, even decades. Their imprint on the law can be enduring and their legitimacy, conferred in part by the confirmation process, helps ensure their place in our democracy, McMahon writes. The legitimacy of the highest court in the land is at stake, McMahon says, as a result of having justices make decisions without the weight of a democratic mandate. A five-justice conservative majority that discards Roe after nearly 50 years on the books will likely further the belief that the court reaches its rulings based mainly on politics rather than law, especially given the central role opponents of the decision have played in mobilizing voters to support Republican candidates like Donald Trump, concludes McMahon. (The Conversation) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Istanbul, Jun 25 (AP) Turkish security forces have detained a Greek citizen accused of spying for Athens' intelligence service, the state-run Anadolu news agency said Saturday. The man, identified as Muhammed Amar Ampara, was allegedly involved in gathering information about the deployment of Turkish military border units, as well as information on Turkey's Syrian population and Turks who fled to Greece after a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. Also Read | Pakistan: Tehreek-E-Taliban Warns Govt, Says Thier Fighters Will Wage Countrywide Jihad if Govt Does Not Fulfill Their Demands. Anadolu, which cited unnamed security sources, published a photograph of a bearded, balding man in handcuffs. He appeared to be in his 50s or 60s. Also Read | US President Joe Biden Signs Bipartisan Gun Safety Bill Into Law (Watch Video). He was captured as a result of an investigation by Turkey's National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), the news agency reported, without giving any information about where or when he was detained. An official from the Greek Embassy in Ankara declined to comment on the allegations. The arrest comes amid renewed tensions between Turkey and Greece. The neighbours and NATO allies have a history of disputes over a range of issues, such as mineral exploration in the eastern Mediterranean and rival claims in the Aegean Sea. Recent quarrels have focused on the Greek islands off Turkey's Aegean coast, with Ankara accusing Athens of building a military presence in breach of treaties. Greece maintains it is acting according to international law and is defending the islands in the face of Turkish hostility. Turkey hosts the world's largest refugee population, including some 3.7 million Syrians. Their presence has become a major political issue in the lead-up to national elections due over the next 12 months. Following a failed coup in July 2016, some members of a group tied to a U.S.-based cleric whom Ankara accuses of organising the attempt to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fled abroad, including to Greece. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Karachi, Jun 25 (PTI) Two people, including a policeman, were killed and eight others injured in a blast in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Saturday. A police official said the blast had taken place near a police station in the Jacobabad area of the province. Also Read | Pakistan: Tehreek-E-Taliban Warns Govt, Says Thier Fighters Will Wage Countrywide Jihad if Govt Does Not Fulfill Their Demands. Eight others were injured and rushed to a nearby hospital, he said. According to the initial police report, unidentified assailants hurled a hand grenade in the area shortly after noon. Also Read | US President Joe Biden Signs Bipartisan Gun Safety Bill Into Law (Watch Video). It is also reported that the police arrested a wanted militant, Muhammad Usman Talani, after the blast. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kyiv [Ukraine], June 25 (ANI): The eastern Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk is completely under Russian occupation, the city's head of military administration said on Saturday. "The (Russians) appointed a commandant. But the city is so destroyed that it will be difficult for people to cope with this situation," said military administration chief Oleksandr Striuk, CNN reported. Also Read | Pakistan: Tehreek-E-Taliban Warns Govt, Says Thier Fighters Will Wage Countrywide Jihad if Govt Does Not Fulfill Their Demands. According to the regional military officials, the last troops in Severodonetsk had been ordered to leave, as it was impossible to keep defending their positions. Serhiy Hayday, a top military commander in east Ukraine, said the military made the decision to evacuate "because the number of dead in unfortified territories may grow every day." "It makes no sense to stay," Hayday said. Also Read | US President Joe Biden Signs Bipartisan Gun Safety Bill Into Law (Watch Video). However, it's unclear if Ukrainian forces are currently leaving the city, or if they have already evacuated, reported CNN. Russian forces have diverted much of their firepower toward overrunning the city, simply destroying every defensive position the Ukrainians have adopted. The strategy played out slowly, with the Russians making laboured and sluggish gains around Severodonetsk throughout the spring and early summer. Meanwhile, Ukraine accused Russia of dragging Belarus into the ongoing war in Kyiv, after reports that missiles were fired from Belarusian territory into a northern border region. As Ukrainian authorities assessed the damage from dozens of missile strikes overnight, the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate said that many of the missiles were fired from Belarusian airspace, CNN reported. "Missile strikes from the territory of Belarus are a large-scale provocation of the Russian Federation in order to further involve Belarus in the war against Ukraine," the Directorate said. "Russian bombers hit directly from the territory of Belarus. Six Tu-22M3 aircraft were involved, which launched 12 Kh-22 cruise missiles," it said. The Directorate said the missiles had been launched from airspace above the district of Petrikov in southern Belarus. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kyiv [Ukraine], June 25 (ANI): Following months of gruelling and bloody fighting, Ukrainian forces have started withdrawing from Severodonetsk, one of the last major Ukrainian strongholds in the area. The move will effectively put the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk almost fully under Russian control, reported CNN. Also Read | Chinese President Xi Jinping Reassures Vladimir Putin of Their Growing Economic, Military and Defence Ties Amidst Russia's Invasion of Ukraine. Serhiy Hayday, a top military commander in east Ukraine, said the military made the decision to evacuate "because the number of dead in unfortified territories may grow every day." "It makes no sense to stay," Hayday said. Also Read | US Abortion Clinics Begin To Close After Supreme Court Overturns 50-Year-Old Roe v. Wade Decision. However, it's unclear if Ukrainian forces are currently leaving the city, or if they have already evacuated, reported CNN. Russian forces have diverted much of their firepower toward overrunning the city, simply destroying every defensive position the Ukrainians have adopted. The strategy played out slowly, with the Russians making labored and sluggish gains around Severodonetsk throughout the spring and early summer. Ukrainian forces were, little by little, pushed into a few square blocks around the Azot chemical plant, where some 500 civilians, including dozens of children, have taken shelter, reported CNN. Hayday, the head of the Luhansk regional military administration, has repeatedly accused Moscow of scorched-earth tactics, flattening cities with little regard for casualties as it attempts to take them. "All the infrastructure of the city is completely destroyed," he said of Severodonetsk on Friday. The battle now moves across the Siverskyi Donets river to Lysychansk, the last city in Luhansk held by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine's control over Lysychansk has become more tenuous in recent days. Russian forces have advanced into several villages south of the city, though not without sustaining losses from Ukrainian artillery fire. The Ukrainian military claims that some Russian battalion tactical groups are being consolidated or withdrawn to restore their combat capabilities, reported CNN. Luhansk and neighbouring Donetsk together make up Ukraine's Donbas region, an industrial heartland dotted with factories and coal fields. Shortly before invading Ukraine in February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two separatist territories as independent states, ordering the deployment of Russian troops there in defiance of international law. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Image of the devastating impact of the Afghanistan earthquake. (Photo Credit: UNICEF) Tashkent [Uzbekistan], June 25 (ANI): Uzbekistan sent 74 tons of humanitarian aid to neighbouring Afghanistan in order to address the most urgent needs of affected Afghans following a deadly earthquake and subsequent floods, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry press service said Saturday. The humanitarian aid that consisted of food, necessities and medicines was organized following Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's instructions, reported Xinhua. Also Read | Paper Shortage Hits Pakistan, Publishers Say No Textbooks for New Academic Session. Uzbekistan's government announced the humanitarian aid in response to the earthquake that hit the southern parts of Afghanistan in the wee hours of Wednesday, with a particularly devastating impact in Paktika and Khost provinces, killing more than 1,000 people and injuring more than 1,500. Strong quakes destroyed buildings and homes, severely damaged hospitals and schools and disrupted water networks, roads and bridges. Also Read | Cryptocurrency Crash: China Warns Bitcoin Is Heading to Zero. In wake of this, India handed over the second batch of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan on Friday in the presence of Taliban officials. The relief assistance handed over by the Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (PAI), JP Singh consisted of essential items including family ridge tents, sleeping bags, blankets, sleeping mats, etc to support the people of Afghanistan in quake-affected regions. The first consignment from India was handed over on Thursday. India also deployed a team to the Embassy in Kabul to coordinate the efforts of stakeholders for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Taliban welcomed India's decision to return its technical team to continue humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. Over this incident, India expressed condolences to the victims and their families impacted by the tragic earthquake in Afghanistan. India said it remains committed to providing assistance and support in this hour of need. Earlier, the European Commission also announced 1 million euros in humanitarian funding for an estimated 270,000 people living in the affected areas requiring emergency assistance. Janez Lenarcic, Commissioner for Crisis Management told that the funding will address the most immediate needs of Afghans, such as the provision of medical assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene services, shelter, and protection services for the most affected and disadvantaged communities. The earthquake struck an already extremely fragile country, marked by decades of conflict, recurrent droughts, and a sharp economic decline due to recent political developments since the Taliban take-over of power in August 2021. To date, around 1000 people were estimated to have been killed across Barmal and Giyan districts in Paktika province, and Spera district in Khost province. In addition, at least 1,455 people were injured across three of the six most affected districts of Barmal, Giyan, and Spera - many of them seriously. Further, nearly 1,500 homes have now been verified as destroyed and damaged in Giyan district, Paktika province. Immediate humanitarian assistance was dispatched to affected areas on June 22, including 10 tons of medical supplies sufficient for 5,400 surgeries and medical treatments covering 36,000 people for three months by WHO. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Beijing, June 25: The latest telephonic exchange between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 15 highlights the growing ties between the two countries in the wake up of the Ukraine conflict. Hemant Adlakha, writing in The Diplomat said that Xi on his 69th birthday called up his "bosom buddy," Vladimir Putin, to reassure the Russian leader that "bilateral relations have maintained a sound development momentum in the face of global turbulence and transformations." Xi pledging Moscow more support on "sovereignty and security" is tantamount to the Chinese leader disdainfully dismissing all earlier warnings from the West that China risked major reputational damage by not condemning the Kremlin. But what is more worrying for the leaders in the West is that Xi doubled down still further, pledging to deepen strategic coordination between the two countries. China Says Influencers and Streamers Need To Have Professional Qualifications To Talk About Medicine, Finance. Xi's birthday call to Putin is highly significant when viewed in the immediate backdrop of reports from Beijing confirming the removal of Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng a day earlier. Reports late last month began suggesting that Le had left China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The 59-year-old Le - the leading "Russia expert" in the foreign policy decision-making system in Beijing - was said to have been demoted to the National Radio and Television Administration, becoming the first political casualty as the war in Ukraine grinds on, reported The Diplomat. There was a broad consensus in global media circles that the sudden move to remove Le meant that he was being blamed for his inaccurate assessment of Russia's war in Ukraine. In other words, in the opinion of the media and the leaders in the West, Le's removal was a sign of Beijing softening its support to Moscow for the fear of "major reputational damage... in Europe," said Adlakha. By calling up Putin and assuring him of further development of economic, military, and defense ties between the two countries at a time when the Russian presence in Ukraine is not showing any sign of ending, Xi has not only totally ignored the Western warnings but he has also put to rest speculations that the image of China moving too close to Russia has been causing concern in Beijing. Russia-Ukraine War: London Will Be Bombed First in Wake of World War 3, Says Russian Politician Andrey Gurulyov. Moreover, the timing of Xi's phone call to Putin came on the eve of a European summit aimed at putting up a good show of solidarity with Ukraine and just two weeks before a NATO summit that is expected to underscore the potential challenge from China to the North Atlantic alliance for the first time. Japan and South Korea have both been invited for the first time to the June 29 NATO summit to be held in Madrid. At the same time, it is pertinent to point out that Xi's rebooting of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership enjoys both the full backing of the CCP Political Bureau and the support of the country's strategic affairs community. Lastly, instead of being cowed by the mounting Western pressure to refrain from offering economic and military aid to a struggling, crippled Moscow, Xi's phone call to Putin has been received in China as a doubled-down pledge that China will support Russia on security. The birthday call on June 15 was more than a social and cultural engagement. It was for all practical purposes a political call, with the communist leader from Beijing leaving no one in doubt that his friendship with Putin truly "knows no limits," said Adlakha. (ANI) Nagpur, June 25: In a significant judgement, the Bombay High Court has upheld the rights of the media to report registration of first information reports (FIRs) with the police and cases filed in the courts without attracting defamation proceedings. Stressing the freedom of the press and the importance of the information disseminated by the media, Justice Vinay Joshi, of the court's Nagpur bench, quashed a defamation case filed in 2018 against Lokmat Media Pvt Ltd Charman Vijay Darda and Editor-in-Chief Rajendra Darda, who were represented by lawyer Firdos Mirza. US Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Rights: President Joe Biden Says Young Women Carrying Child As Consequence of Incest Hit Hardest by the Ruling The ruling came on the libel suit filed by Ravindra G. Gupta of Yavatmal - represented by lawyer Nitin Lambat - who felt aggrieved by a report published in the Lokmat's May 20, 2016 edition, contending it was a false and frivolous news item in connivance with the co-accused with the sole intention of humiliating him and lowering his esteem in society. "There is no material to show that the applicants (Dardas) were somehow concerned with the publication of the defamatory news item," said Justice Joshi in his judgement delivered on June 20. He noted that whatever was published in the newspaper was based on the FIR registered against Gupta, which cannot be termed as defamation. "In order to constitute the offence of defamation, the dual requirement is to be met that the publication must be an imputation, and secondly, there must be an intention to harm the reputation of the person," Justice Joshi said. The judgement further said that the two Dardas are not the editors of the newspaper, and the Editor is Dilip Tikhile, whose name figures in the imprint line as the person responsible for the publication of news under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. Justice Joshi noted how daily newspapers devoted some space to crime news, registration of FIRs, filing of court cases, the status of the probes, arrests, etc which "constitutes news events which the public has the right to know". However, terming accurate reportage on registration of cases as "defamatory" would amount to restricting reporting on investigations to only the final outcome, depriving the right of the public to know the happenings, he said. "In other words, the freedom of making a true report regarding the affairs which are in the public domain is a right, which flows from the freedom of speech. The action of defamation about true and faithful reporting is unhealthy for a democratic setup," he held. Hence, filing defamation complaints on such news items is nothing but an attempt to stifle the reporters and informants with an attempt to force them to withdraw the report filed against the persons who are allegedly defamed, he ruled. The judge also highlighted the power of the press to impress upon the minds of people and hence it was essential that good care is taken by the person responsible for publishing anything in the newspaper. "No doubt, publication of news on rumour or on hearsay information having no iota of truth is fatal to a journalist. Herein, it is not the case that the FIR was not at all registered or the distorted news item was published," he said in the verdict. The Dardas had sought the quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated against them by a Magistrate Court on Gupta's defamation complaint, in which he argued that a false, and defamatory report was published without verifying the facts. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2022 08:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, June 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to Germany to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit on June 26-27 where he will hold talks on several issues including health and counter-terrorism. "During the sessions of the summit, I will be exchanging views with the G7 counties, G7 partner countries and guest international organisations on topical issues such as environment, energy, climate, food security, health, counter-terrorism, gender equality and democracy. I look forward to meeting leaders of some of the participating G7 and guest countries on the sidelines of the summit," the Prime Minister said in the statement on Saturday. After the G7 summit, PM Modi will also make a brief stopover in Abu Dhabi, UAE for a meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi on June 28. G7 Summit 2022: PM Narendra Modi to Visit Germany, UAE From June 26 to 28. Ahead of his visit to Germany and UAE, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) issued a departure statement. "I will be visiting Schloss Elmau, Germany at the invitation of Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, for the G7 Summit under the German Presidency. It will be a pleasure to meet Chancellor Scholz again after the productive India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations last month," said PM Modi. In an effort to strengthen international collaboration on important global issues impacting humanity, Germany has also invited other democracies such as Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa to the G7 Summit, according to the PMO statement. PM Narendra Modi Changed Size and Scale of Policy Planning in India, Says Home Minister Amit Shah. "While in Germany, I also look forward to meeting members of the Indian diaspora from across Europe, who are contributing immensely to their local economies as also enriching our relations with European countries," the Prime Minister said. "On my way back to India, I will make a brief stopover in Abu Dhabi, UAE for a meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi on June 28 to convey my personal condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," the PMO statement read. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2022 07:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Eknath Shinde, Rebel Shive Sena MLA, has taken refuge at a luxury hotel on the outskirts of Guwahati and wrote a letter to the Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray Home Minister, and DGP over the security withdrawal of 38 rebel MLAs. In a tweet to Maharashtra CM, he said "The government is responsible for protecting them and their families". Read Full Letter Here: Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde writes to CM Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Home Minister, DGP Maharashtra regarding "Malicious withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs" "The government is responsible for protecting them and their families," he tweets pic.twitter.com/f4riPwx4xM ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) The landmark decision Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court on Friday, a decision that eliminates the constitutional right to abortion after almost 50 years. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote for the majority in the 5-4 decision that Roe was "egregiously wrong from the start." Greer Donley, a professor specializing in reproductive health care at the University of Pittsburgh Law School, noted in a Politico report that it could take months for all the legal maneuvering to be completed and for the nation to have a more definitive picture over abortion. Donley said it will be difficult to explain to people the legal landscape on abortion, adding that she is concerned that the legal limbo will lead to "immediate total chaos." Other states will likely need court action to determine whether states' pre-Roe abortion bans can take effect or enjoined laws restricting access to the procedure can be lifted. READ NEXT: Mexico, Canada Prepare for Influx of Americans Seeking Abortions U.S. States Where Abortion Is Legal Abortion in Alaska is still legal throughout pregnancy. Meanwhile, in Arizona, abortion is legal until viability for now. The state's pre-Roe law is enjoined but the state could either try to enforce it or ask a court to allow it to enforce. However, a 15-week ban will go into effect no later than September 29. Abortion in California remains legal until viability while abortion in Colorado is legal throughout pregnancy. Abortion in Florida is legal until viability, but a 15-week ban is slated to take effect on July 1. In New Mexico, abortion remains legal throughout pregnancy. Roe v. Wade California California is currently ramping up legal protections for abortion providers while pouring resources into expanding access as clinics prepare for a possible surge of patients traveling from other states to terminate their pregnancies. Jodi Hicks, CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said in a Cal Matters news release that abortion remains legal in California. Hicks added that they are working to ensure that people can access abortion services with as much support and as few barriers as possible regardless of where they come from. The Planned Parenthood CEO said that they will not turn people away and will find a way to support them so they can get the care they need. Abortion is expected to take the spotlight in the November election in California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a joint West Coast commitment to reproductive freedom with governors of Oregon and Washington shortly after the Supreme Court ruling. If voters were to approve the abortion rights measures on the ballot, it would enshrine "reproductive freedom" in the state Constitution. U.S. States Where Abortion Is Illegal Abortion in the state of Alabama could be potentially illegal with the 2019 Human Life Protection Act, which had been allowed by an injection, allowed to go into effect on Friday. ABC News noted that the measure makes it unlawful "for any person to intentionally perform or attempt to perform an abortion." It comes with the exception when the pregnancy poses a serious health risk to the unborn child's mother. Same goes with Kentucky and Louisiana. Abortion in Arkansas is soon to be illegal with Attorney General Leslie Rutledge signing the state's trigger law that would ban abortion. In Idaho, abortion is seen to be illegal after a trigger law goes into effect after Roe is overturned. Oklahoma has already banned abortion and will soon become illegal as soon as the state's attorney general certifies the Supreme Court's decision. South Dakota and Texas also deemed abortion illegal in their state. READ MORE: Pres. Joe Biden Labels Supreme Court Leaked Opinion on Abortion Case as "Radical Decision" This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: With Roe v. Wade overturned, here are the states set to ban abortion - from News4JAX Billionaire Ken Griffin announced that he is moving his billion-dollar company out of Chicago, citing several issues in the state. Griffin, a hedge fund billionaire worth nearly $29 billion, said he had moved from Democratic-led Illinois to Republican-led Florida, according to Washington Examiner. Griffin announced his plans on Thursday through a memo to his employees, per Chicago Sun-Times. He underscored that the headquarters of his Citadel hedge fund and his trading firm Citadel Securities will move to Miami, Florida, calling his destination a "vibrant, growing metropolis" that symbolizes the "American Dream." "Over the past year, however, many of our Chicago teams have asked to relocate to Miami, New York, and our other offices around the world," Griffin noted, adding that Chicago will still be essential to the future of Citadel. The billionaire noted that he has moved his family to Miami. The move to Florida is expected to take several years. READ NEXT: Ecuador Government Declines Conditions Set By Indigenous Protesters Possible Reason Why Ken Griffin Leaving Chicago Ken Griffin has not officially stated the reason why Griffin desired to move to Florida, but Citadel officials reportedly said that crime in Chicago was a factor in his decision to transfer. The billionaire also said in other forums that rising crime has made it challenging to attract "top talent" to Citadel, resulting in their firms in other cities having more employees than their Chicago firm. In an interview with Wall Street Journal, Griffin also tackled the crime issue in the city. "If people aren't safe here, they're not going to live here," the billionaire said. Griffin also noted that he has multiple colleagues mugged at gunpoint. He also pointed out that he had a colleague stabbed on the way to work in Illinois. The billionaire also said there were also issues of burglary and that carjackers accosted his security detail, but they failed to get his vehicle. Officials React to Ken Griffin's Move to Florida From Chicago Several officials have expressed their thoughts following Griffin's announcement on Thursday. Emily Bittner, the spokeswoman for Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, said that even though some companies are leaving their state, "[c]ountless companies are choosing Illinois as their home." Pritzker's office also noted that "they will continue to welcome those businesses... and support emerging industries that are already creating good jobs and investing billions in Illinois." Pritzker's Republican opponent Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin blasted the Illinois governor, calling the governor's statement a "denial" of what other people see. Mayor Lori Lightfoot's office also expressed gratitude to Griffin's company, Citadel, but said they are still "disappointed" with their decision. "We thank the Citadel team for their contributions to our city and their many philanthropic commitments, particularly around education, arts and culture, and public safety," Lightfoot's office said. READ NEXT: Jennifer Lopez and Shakira Super Bowl Performance: Gloria Estefan Confirms Turning Down to Share Stage With the Duo This article is owned by Latin Post. Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Billionaire Ken Griffin Moving Citadel Headquarters Out of Chicago - From CBS Chicago Cuba has sentenced Cuban rapper and Latin Grammy winner Maikel Castillo and artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara for contempt, public disorder, and desecrating national symbols. The two well-known government critics are reportedly members of a loose-knit group of dissident artists in the country called the San Isidro Movement. The country's prosecutor's office said Friday that a court sentenced well-known Castillo, better known in Cuba as "Osorbo," to nine years for attacks and defamation against the country's institutions. It also sentenced Otero Alcantara to five years for insulting national symbols. The San Isidro Movement was named after the neighborhood where Otero Alcantara lives. It has gained followers and supporters from many prominent Cuban artists and musicians. According to Associated Press, the arrests of these two prominent Cuban artists have been denounced by the United States government and various human rights organizations. However, the Cuban government has said that it only applied the law as it would to anyone. Latin Grammy Winner and Artist Gained International Notoriety Outside Cuba Maikel Castillo was responsible for composing and recording "Patria y Vida," which became viral among disaffected Cubans. According to Wall Street Journal, the Cuban Communist regime banned the rap song. However, it managed to win two Latin Grammy awards earlier this year, giving the song more international recognition. Castillo is also the first Cuban artist in history to win a Grammy Award. The song won Best Urban Song and Song of the Year. The song, which means "Fatherland and Life," was a twist on the Communist government's "Fatherland or Death!" slogan. It became an anthem for opposition figures in Cuba before the government clamped down. Castillo collaborated with various artists for the song, including Alexander Delgado and Randy Malcom, members of the duo Gente de Zona, and Descemer Bueno. Award World reported that the rap song called for change and denounced the Cuban government. On the other hand, Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, 34, was a well-known visual artist in Cuba. The AP reported that his works usually featured the Cuban flag. However, the government considered his artworks disrespectful. Artists all over Cuba have also voiced solidarity with Otero Alcantara, who was hospitalized due to a hunger strike he did after his arrest. He went on a hunger strike to demand that authorities return his confiscated art. His hospitalization sparked protests. READ NEXT: Puerto Rico: 27 Haitian Migrants Stuck on Deserted Island Rescued by U.S. Coast Guard Captured Artists Were in a Sit-in Supporting Another Imprisoned Rapper Critical of the Cuban Government The two artists were arrested in November 2020 during a sit-in at the residence of Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara. They and many others have gathered to show solidarity with fellow rapper Denis Solis, who was imprisoned for insulting a police officer. Authorities also arrested Felix Roque Delgado and two women during the sit-in. The three others were trying to hit police officers to halt Castillo's arrest. Delgado was sentenced to five years, while the two women each received three-year sentences. Cuban officials said they were only enforcing pandemic restrictions at the time of the sit-in. However, the arrests prompted a larger protest by around 200 people outside Cuba's Culture Ministry. The arrests of the two artists have brought waves of criticism from human rights groups. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International had called the cases against the two a "farce." READ MORE: Puerto Rico Independence or Statehood? Major Party to Soon Reconsider or Reaffirm Stance This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Patria y Vida - Yotuel , Gente de Zona, Decemer Bueno, Maykel Osorbo , El Funky - From Yotuel Brian Laundrie's confession in his notebook was publicized on Friday, revealing that he killed Gabby Petito because he wanted to "take away" the pain felt by his fiancee. In the notebook obtained by Fox News, Laundrie noted that he killed Petito after she "injured herself" when she fell into a creek in Wyoming during their road trip last summer. "Rushing back to our car trying to cross the streams of spread creek before it got too dark to see, to cold. I hear a splash and a scream. I could barely see. I couldn't find her for a moment, shouted her name. I found her breathing heavily gasping my name, she was freezing cold," Laundrie said in his confession note. "When I pulled Gabby out of the water she couldn't tell me what hurt. She had a small bump on her forehead that eventually got larger," he added. Laundrie further noted that Petito's feet and wrist hurt, and she "was freezing, shaking violently." He said Petito also continually made sounds of pain while carrying her. While she gasped in pain, Laundrie noted that Petito begged for an end to her pain. He said he would shake Petito to wake her up as he thought she should not close her eyes if she had a concussion. Laundrie noted that he did not know how serious Petito's injuries were, but "she was in extreme pain." He then said that he ended her life with good intentions. "I ended her life. I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistakes I made. I panicked. I was in shock," Laundrie noted. READ NEXT: Gabby Petito's Mom, Nichole Schmidt, Files New Lawsuit Against Brian Laundrie's Estate in Florida Brian Laundrie Mentions Family in His Notebook Confession Apart from confessing that he was the one who killed Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie also mentioned his family in his notebook. In the confession note, Laundrie also pleaded not to make it hard for his family after their deaths. "Please do not make life harder for my family. They lost a son and a daughter. The most wonderful girl in the world. Gabby I'm sorry," Laundrie said. Laundrie also admitted that he realized he could not go on after killing his girlfriend of nearly three years. "From the moment I decided, took away her pain, I knew I couldn't go on without her," he said. Laundrie noted that he rushed home after killing Petito "to spend any time I had left with my family." He then said he would kill himself "by this creek in the hopes that animals may tear me apart." He added that this would make some of Petito's family members happy. Laundrie's skeletal remains were discovered at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida on October 20. His autopsy report showed that he died of a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was suicide. Laundrie has also asked Petito's family for forgiveness. "I'm sorry to everyone this will affect. Gabby was the love of my life, but I know adored by many. I'm so very sorry to her family, because I love them. I'd consider her younger siblings, my best of friends," he said. FBI Says Brian Laundrie Confessed in His Notebook of Killing Gabby Petito Last January, the FBI revealed that Brian Laundrie confessed to killing Gabby Petito in a message left in his notebook. In its final report on the case, the FBI said a review of the notebook revealed written statements by Laundrie claiming responsibility for Petito's death. The FBI noted that its investigation has concluded that Laundrie was the only person responsible for Petito's "tragic death." Laundries' family attorney Steve Bertolino told Fox News Friday that as part of the return of property in FBI custody, he was given Laundrie's notebook and turned it over to his parents. Bertolino added that he was sharing the notebook's contents "as a matter of transparency." Apart from the notebook, the FBI confirmed that they also found a "backpack" and a "revolver" upon further search of the area where Brian Laundrie's remains were found. Gabby Petito's body was found at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campground near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on September 19. A Teton County, Wyoming coroner said she was strangled to death by a "human being," and the manner of death was homicide. READ MORE: Florida Judge Invokes Johnny Depp Verdict During Hearing of Gabby Petito's Family Lawsuit Against Brian Laundrie's Parents This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Joshua Summers WATCH: Brian Laundrie's Notebook Revealed Months After Murder of Gabby Petito - From NBC2 News Evidence and testimony that Donald Trump forced his Justice Department to pursue his false claims of a stolen presidential election were presented during the January 6 hearing on Thursday. The former president also allegedly tried to install an ally at the top of the Justice Department to support his claims and only relented when he was warned of mass resignations if he continued to pursue. Some former Trump Justice department leaders said the former president's pressure would have forced mass resignations from Justice Department officials and ultimately sparked an unprecedented constitutional crisis, according to The Hill. Appearing before the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol were former acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, his deputy Richard Donoghue, and Steven Engel, then head of the Office of Legal Counsel. They all recounted Donald Trump's persistent badgering to declare the 2020 presidential election as corrupt. This is all part of the former president's efforts to overturn the results of the elections and stay in power. January 6 Hearing: Donald Trump Justice Department Officials Testified That There Was No Fraud The January 6 House committee called in the three former Justice Department officials who were serving under Donald Trump during the insurrection. All three men described weeks of chaos within the Justice Department as the Trump's White House and his allies in congress all tried to overturn the results of the elections. They also testified about how Trump grew ever more frustrated as officials within his own Justice Department refused to help him. Trump would allegedly hound officials to investigate his claims of voter fraud, only for the officials to refuse to endorse his claims for lack of evidence. In his testimony, Rosen said Trump tried to make him say that the election was "corrupt" and that he should just leave it to him and several Republican congressmen. This is in reference to the Republican lawmakers who tried helping Donald Trump to overturn the election results and asked him for pardons afterward. READ NEXT: January 6 Hearing: 6 Republican Lawmakers Who Asked Donald Trump for Pardons Named Donald Trump Tried to Install a Midlevel DOJ Lawyer Who Was Loyal to Him as Justice Secretary The testimony of the former Justice Department officials also showed Donald Trump's desperation as he allegedly tried installing people who were willing to endorse his false claims. This includes trying to place midlevel lawyer Jeffrey Clark at the Department of Justice as acting attorney general, replacing Rosen in the final weeks of his presidency. Clark is described as an obscure environmental lawyer who was introduced to Trump by Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) in December 2020. He was reportedly willing to back Trump's debunked claims. According to Associated Press, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R - Illinois), one of the few Republicans in the Committee, often derided Clark and said the lawyer's only qualification for such an important post was that he was loyal to Trump. Clark became the DOJ's chief environmental lawyer in 2018. However, while his job's focus was supposed to be mainly on environmental issues, Clark was active in the efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 elections. This includes presenting a draft letter to his colleagues, which tried pushing Georgia officials to convene a special legislative session about the election. But while Clark wanted the letter sent, the Department of Justice opted not to do so. And as Donald Trump grew frustrated with the Justice Department's refusal to investigate his false claims, he became even more fixated on installing Clark. In the hearing, it was revealed that Trump had a series of calls with Clark, unbeknownst to his superiors, Rosen and Donoghue, who told the lawyer that his contacts with Trump were inappropriate. In his testimony, Rosen said Clark told him that Trump wanted him as the acting attorney general, with Rosen as his deputy if he wanted to. However, Rosen thought it was preposterous if he accepted being fired by his subordinate and told Clark that the idea was "nonsensical." The committee also presented White House call logs as evidence of Donald Trump's efforts to install Clark at the Department of Justice. One of Trump's calls with Clark was logged as a conversation with "acting Attorney General Jeffrey Clark." The hearing also revealed that federal authorities had searched Clark's home in Virginia on Wednesday morning. Reports said federal agents searched his home for about three and a half hours and confiscated his electronic devices. The Hill reported that Clark was nearly held in contempt after walking out of his first deposition regarding his role in the attempt to overturn the election results. READ MORE: January 6 Hearings: Mike Pence Chose Constitution Over Trump Despite Pressure This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin Watch: January 6 Hearing Examines Trump-Era DOJ Official Jeffrey Clark's Role in Capitol Riot - From CBS News Ismael Zambada Imperial, also known as "Mayito Gordo," son of Sinaloa cartel boss Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, was sentenced to nine years in prison by a California judge. According to Borderland Beat, Judge Danna Sabraw of the federal court of the Southern District of California in San Diego ordered the sentence after a hearing on his drug trafficking charges on Friday. El Mayo's son will be credited with the years served from November 12, 2014, when he was captured in a joint operation conducted by the Mexican Navy and the federal police in Culiacan, Sinaloa. Thus, he would only have a year left on his sentence, and he may be released in July next year. Mayito Gordo will continue his imprisonment at the San Diego Metropolitan Detention Center. According to Infobae, there was still no information on whether or not he would be transferred to another prison to serve the rest of his sentence. The indictment against El Mayo's son alleged that he conspired to transport drugs and laundered and transferred drug proceeds to Mexico "for the benefit of members of the Sinaloa Cartel and their associates." Sinaloa Cartel Boss El Mayo's Son Pleaded Guilty in 2021 Ismael Zambada Imperial was imprisoned in Mexico on gun charges before he was extradited to San Diego in December 2019. In April last year, El Mayo's son agreed to plead guilty. In his plea agreement, he admitted to being one of the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel and importing and distributing tons of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana from Mexico into the U.S. He admitted to having exported at least 450 kilograms of cocaine and 90 kilograms of heroin. Mayito Gordo also admitted to ordering acts of violence for the benefit of the Sinaloa Cartel business. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that El Mayo's son also agreed to forfeit $5 million. The indictment against him also showed the extent of the Sinaloa Cartel's operations. The Mexican drug cartel used various modes of transportation to move different illegal drugs before stashing them in safe houses in California. It also revealed a sophisticated money laundering and cash smuggling operation network. The indictment alleged that part of the cash was used to bribe public officials. According to reports, two of El Mayo's other sons have also been convicted in the U.S. Vicente Zambada Niebla, who was prosecuted in Chicago, has testified against another Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, during his New York trial. His younger brother Serafin Zambada Ortiz was also charged in San Diego, but he has already completed his prison sentence. Last April, Ortiz reportedly got involved in a fatal car accident in Sonora, Mexico. His girlfriend died during the crash. READ NEXT: El Chapo Sons' Hitman Shot Dead by Rival Gang of Sinaloa Cartel While Eating His Last Taco in Mexico Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada of Sinaloa Cartel El Mayo and El Chapo were among the people who established the Sinaloa Cartel from the remnants of the Guadalajara Cartel after its leader Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo was arrested in 1989. The U.S. State Department said it has already increased its offer from $5 million to $15 million for information that will result in the arrest of El Mayo. El Mayo and El Chapo's four sons, known as "Los Chapitos," were reportedly left in command of the Sinaloa Cartel after El Chapo was arrested and extradited to the U.S. However, reports suggested that there's an internal dispute for total control of the powerful criminal organization. The Los Chapitos are reportedly looking to assume supreme control of the Sinaloa Cartel and their father's former right-hand man, El Mayo, appears to be their internal enemy number one. The Sinaloa Cartel is one of Mexico's largest and most powerful drug trafficking organizations. The Mexican drug cartel has been known to carry out assassinations, murders, and torture to protect its turf. READ MORE: Sinaloa Cartel Boss El Mayo's Son, Serafin Zambada Ortiz, Reportedly in Critical Condition After Car Accident in Mexico This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Cartel Leader Known as 'Mayito Gordo' Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Charges - From Fox 5 San Diego UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy warned on Tuesday that antagonism within the international community over the conflict in Ukraine is disrupting UN work. "For some while, with the conflict in Ukraine unraveling, antagonism has been permeating the international community, seriously disrupting the work of the United Nations in various fields, and calling into question the authority and effectiveness of the Security Council," said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. Such a political climate is not conducive to the proper settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and may lead to the failure of global governance mechanisms, plunging the world into greater division and turmoil, which is not in the interests of any party, he told a Security Council meeting on Ukraine with the theme of "incitement to violence leading to atrocity crimes." Hate speech between countries can poison the international political climate to the detriment of world peace and stability, he warned. "We are all in the same boat. Our security is indivisible. Cold War mentality, the logic of hegemony, and bloc politics have long outlived their relevance. We must substitute dialogue for confrontation, consultation for coercion, partnership for alliances, and win-win for zero-sum," he said. The Security Council, in particular, should shoulder its responsibilities, manage differences, and be an active force for the facilitation of peace talks, mediation, and good offices, he said. Sending in more lethal weapons will only fuel animosity, exacerbate conflicts, trigger a wider humanitarian crisis, and claim more innocent lives, said Dai. Prolonged and enlarged conflicts will bring greater security risks and spillover effects, from which no party can benefit. The international community should work together to de-escalate the situation, put out the fire, and facilitate peace talks, thus creating conditions for the parties to resume negotiations and achieve a cease-fire without further delay, he said. "We advice certain countries not to continue adding fuel to the fire to serve their own geopolitical self-interest, not to mention force other countries to take sides, thereby intensifying division and antagonism within the international community." Social media must never become a lawless space for spreading hatred and inciting violence. Certain social media platforms have adapted their policies for political ends, allowing one-way hate speech. Such a practice is extremely dangerous. It is imperative to strengthen government oversight of social media platforms. They should not be given a free rein, he said. The conflict in Ukraine has lasted for nearly four months. The rising casualties and displacements are heart-wrenching. The circumstances and causes of violations of international humanitarian law must be ascertained. Any allegations should be based on facts. Pending the final findings, all parties should avoid unwarranted accusations, he said. Produced by Xinhua Global Service A man who called a garda paedophile and a pig was fined 250 at Portlaoise District Court. Eric Nicholson, 25, of 6 Oak Drive, Ballacollig, Mountmellick admitted being drunk and abusive at Limetree Avenue, Kilminchy, Portlaoise on April 30 last. Sgt Mark Daly said the accused was highly intoxicated and unsteady on his feet on the date in question. When a garda approached, Sgt Daly said, he told him to f**k off you paedophile and f**k off you pig. Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client is a part time labourer. He has asked me to apologise in open court for the words, he remarked. He said the exact phrase used was, go f**k off and lock up paedophiles, Mr Meagher said. Mr Meagher said his client had been out having drinks with friends and all was going fine. However, someone began buying rounds of shots and it was in the immediate aftermath of that he came across Garda Considine, he remarked. Judge Patricia Cronin said his behaviour on the night was not acceptable. You cant be abusive to gardai who are carrying out their duty. She fined the man 250. A Laois Special School fears for the safety of vulnerable children and staff, over cuts by the Department of Education to its allocation of Special Needs Assistants. Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise teaches and cares for some 40 children with profound disabilities. They are not only last in line to wait for a new school building in the town, but their requests for Special Needs Assistants have not been fulfilled by the department. Brother Matthew Hayes is chairperson of the Board of Management for Kolbe Special School. He told the Leinster Express that it is a huge problem, speaking at an open day for families this week as the school celebrating winning the DCU Changemaker Award for its exceptional staff efforts to bring out the best in the pupils. "Well done to all the teachers and staff, it is their good work that resulted in this award. "A huge problem we have at the moment is the need for SNAs. The department has cut our budget. That's a bigger issue. "Anybody that can move the department to give us extra SNAs, and extra therapies, please do. "We did a survey and two children we have here need an SNA one-to-one, all the time, to supervise them. It is putting extra strain on the rest of the school. There is a fear of safety, for other children and for staff," he said. Brother Matthew said that more SNAs were provided in the past, but "not anymore". Kolbe Special School is awaiting a new building, with the project a priority according to the Minister for Education Norma Foley, in a recent visit to Laois. The school will have 42 pupils enrolled by September, but most of the classrooms are prefabs, with no sensory room or GP room. The new building will have capacity for 48 children. Laois Joint Policing Committee is to write to the Minister for Transport over the delay in providing tests to learner drivers. Cllr Aisling Moran said young people who are left waiting for a driving test shouldnt be punished for driving unaccompanied. Kids who would have had their twelve lessons done and they are waiting over a year, she told the latest Joint Policing meeting. I have a chap that is working in Dublin had to move to Dublin, she remarked. Cllr Moran said some young people cant get accommodation in Dublin and get cars in order to commute and they are left waiting months or years, its a disgrace. Chief Superintendent John Scanlan said we have had this at other JPCs, can we not turn a blind eye to this. Not possible. The issue of driving licence and unaccompanied drivers driving is a matter that is the law. The availability of driving tests may be a problem, I cannot comment on it. Everybody shows discretion, in particular I think the guards that I have working for us, show as much discretion as is humanly possible when trying to deal with that interface of young people starting out driving but I cant answer for the licensing authority or the RSA, said Chief Supt Scanlan. "> When asked if anything could be done in the Dail, Minister of State, Sean Fleming said: I would suggest write a letter from here to the Minister of Transport. The law is the law. Cllr Moran said the amount of kids that are coming to us and they cant get their tests and they have their twelve lessons done and they are waiting six to eight months or longer. Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said she would support a motion to send a letter to the Minister. Anything we can do to progress that process, they shouldnt be waiting that length of time, she remarked. Meltdown: Three Mile Island is a recently released Netflix documentary about a near-miss that happened in 1979 at a nuclear power facility in Pennsylvania, USA. A lesser known tale than the events that transpired in Chernobyl some seven years later, but no less terrifying. On the night of the accident, operators at the facility failed to notice that a relief valve had failed, and large amounts of coolant began to escape from the system. This led to overheating of the core, which was hugely damaged in the incident. The reactor came perilously close to a complete meltdown, a scenario which could have left a vast region around the plant uninhabitable. The first two episodes deal with the accident itself, but the third and forth episodes recount the experiences of the whistleblowers who risked their livelihoods and personal security to expose the cover-ups and corner cutting perpetrated by those tasked with cleaning up the site. The directors do a very good job of dramatising the events and giving an insight into the situation on the ground at the time. The standout character from this documentary is Rick Parks, a Navy trained nuclear cleanup specialist. Parks realised quite quickly that the remedial operation was not being done safely, and he sacrificed his comfortable life and his personal relationships in the interests of the greater good. This accident happened just weeks after the release of The China Syndrome, a film depicting a nuclear accident at a fictional American power plant. This can only have served to add to the febrile atmosphere of the time in the communities surrounding the reactor. We follow them on a journey, as they become more and more politicised. Tired of being gas-lit by the nuclear power companies and regulators, their credulity turns to activism and political awareness. This documentary is well researched and gives a great insight into events that transpired at the time. Into Eternity (Amazon Prime and available free on YouTube), acts as a very useful follow up to the Three Mile Island documentary. Directed by Michael Madsen, it poses a thought provoking and troubling question. What do we do with the by-product of the nuclear energy industry? How can we safely store it? We learn that, since humanity started generating power from nuclear energy, we have created at least 250,000 tonnes of high-level radioactive waste, which will be a danger to humanity for another 100,000 years. The documentary goes some way towards putting these mind-boggling numbers in context. In Onkalo, Finland, engineers are labouring away to construct a vast, cathedral-like tomb where they will store spent nuclear fuel. 500 metres below ground, it will be sealed in the year 2100. The authorities hope that future generations will leave well enough alone and never come near the place. Considering the time span before the material becomes harmless, (about 4000 human generations), this expectation seems quixotic at best. When this conundrum is pointed out to the officials involved in the project, they look visibly uncomfortable and struggle to assuage the directors concerns. It would make good reality TV, if the topic wasnt so serious. As well as conveying an important message, the cinematography and soundtrack of this film are powerful. Redolent of Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey, the subterranean darkness and lumbering machines are made to seem epic and futuristic. Both of these documentaries are topical at the moment, as we seek ways to move away from fossil fuels and reduce our carbon footprint. If we are not mindful, though, what other type of legacy might we be leaving behind? The Irish Derby is one of the jewels in the crown of the Irish Racing Flat calendar and this years contest again looks a fascinating event with eight runners going to post for the 1 million event. The race, live at 3.45pm, forms part of an excellent eight-race card which gets underway at 1.25pm and concludes at 5.25pm. We have previewed the pick of the action and you can find the best odds at BonusCodeBets The feature Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby takes centre-stage at 3.45pm and Tuesday is the current 11/8 favourite for Aidan OBrien who chases a 15th win in the contest. Successful in the Irish Oaks last time out, she bids to become the first filly this century to land the contest. Ryan Moore takes the ride on the three-year-old who also benefits from the fillies weight allowance. Westover is one of two British runners and he looks the most serious challenger at 7/4 for Ralph Beckett and Colin Keane. He caught the eye in the Derby when consistently denied a clear run, before powering home to fill third. He is clearly open to any amount of improvement and has to be respected, along with fellow British raider Lionel who looked all about stamina when scoring by a neck in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood in May. He would prefer a sounder surface, but he rates as a serious player. Piz Badile is another fascinating runner having won the Ballysax at Leopardstown in April, before trailing home 12th at Epsom in the Derby when he plainly failed to handle the track. He remains a fascinating contender, along with Hannibal Barca who made a winning debut for Joseph OBrien at the Curragh in Group company in May. The field is completed by Glory Daze who was 14th in the Derby, Leopardstown Derby Trial third French Claim and 2000 Guineas also-ran Boundless Ocean. Saturdays card also features the G2 Railway Stakes at 3.05pm. Shartash created a good impression when winning at Naas last time out, defeating fellow runner Age Of Kings in the process. Crispy Cat is another fascinating runner having filled third in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot when being denied a clear run. However, preference is for Blackbeard. He won his first three starts in Ireland, including when beating Cripsy Cat in a Listed event at the Curragh and he shaped with plenty of promise when fourth in the Coventry Stakes. He remains open to more progression going forward and gets the vote here. Amongst the rest of the card, the Listed Celebration Stakes at 2.35pm includes the likes of Pretreville and Raadobarg, whilst Confident Star is a fascinating runner on seasonal reappearance. The G3 International Stakes (4.20pm) is also an interesting event in which Dule De Sessa could regain the winning thread at the main expense of Rumbles Of Thunder who won a Listed event at Gowran Park on her latest start. The first race of the day was listed race action with Dubai Duty Free Dash Stakes and it was 4-1 shot Teresa Mendoza who was first past the post in this one in a thrilling battle right to the line with Prisoner's Dilemma. But it was Ken Condon's horse ridden by Billy Lee who got the first victoryof the day at the Curragh. Next up was Dubai Duty Free Summer Fillies Handicap and it was a winning combination from day one that came up trumps again as the pairing of Joseph O'Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle got another Derby weekend win under their belt with Night of Romance. The four-year old started quickly and had enough pace to beat the field across the seven furlongs. The next race on the card was another listed race with the Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes and it was Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning who combined to win this one with Wexford Native. Wexford Native joined leaders on the outer as the horses entered the final furlong and kept on well to lead (and win) in the final strides. Aidan OBrien was left wondering if he ran the wrong horse in the Irish Derby after watching Aikhal bolt up in the ARM Holding International Stakes at the Curragh. Stone last in the St Jamess Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, he took a huge step forward for going up in trip to 10 furlongs, turning the Group Three into a procession. Despite finishing close up in Group One company at two, he was sent off at 20-1 but in the hands of Ryan Moore, he bounded four and a quarter-lengths clear of Duke De Sessa. You don't often see a 20/1 winner for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore at @curraghrace! Aikhal runs out a decisive winner of the Group 3 ARM Holding International Stakes pic.twitter.com/JlzhXI1py8 Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 25, 2022 We thought this was a very good horse last year, but he got a hold up in the spring and he went to the St Jamess Palace without a run, which is certainly not ideal. It was a slow pace and then they quickened and left him, said OBrien. Ryan said maybe we ran the wrong horse in the Derby when he got off him (Tuesday finished fourth in the Classic). Ryan said they went a strong gallop and he couldnt believe how well he was going and he ran right through the line. Billy Lee excelled when guiding Teresa Mendoza to success in the Dubai Duty Free Dash. Teresa Mendoza was a Curragh winner The race was run at a ferocious gallop thanks to Measure Of Magic who had the field well strung out at halfway but Colin Keane appeared to have things covered on Power Under Me. It initially seemed that his main danger was going to be Prisoners Dilemma and those two got involved in a tussle, but Lee had all the while been creeping closer on Ken Condons filly. A smart juvenile, she had finished second in the corresponding Listed 12 race 12 months ago and had been well backed into 4-1 to go one better. Billy Lee and @kencondonracing kick-off #DDFIrishDerby day with a winner Teresa Mendoza delivering the goods in the @DDFRacing Dash Stakes pic.twitter.com/5khofxMVsp The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) June 25, 2022 She ended up getting there by half a length from Prisoners Dilemma, with the same back to Power Under Me. I took a chance and took my time as they went fast. They came back to me and I was able to sit longer than I usually do, said Lee. She had been running well in Listed races and one of them was going to fall her away eventually. Jim Bolgers Irish Guineas fourth Wexford Native (18-5) came out on top in a thrilling battle with The Acropolis to win the Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes. Wexford Native edged victory for Jim Bolger Unplaced in the St Jamess Palace, he was back out again quickly and was handy under Kevin Manning. Headed inside the final furlong by The Acropolis, he battled back gamely to win by a neck. Hes been a work in progress and didnt run until he was three, so we are trying to make up for lost time, said Bolger. Well be stepping him up now to probably 10 furlongs and hopefully hell progress. I bought the dam (Yes Oh Yes) in America many moons ago. Shes bred a few winners but nothing of his class and hopefully we will be able to build a pedigree from here. Jockey Dylan McMonagle and trainer Joseph OBrien (left) with Night Of Romance Joseph OBriens Night Of Romance is clearly thriving and followed up a win at Gowran last time out by taking the Dubai Duty Free Summer Fillies Handicap off a 9lb higher mark. Shes improving and the step up to seven furlongs has probably been the key to her. She has taken her form to a new level and she hit the line well, said the trainer. Dylan (Brown McMonagle) gave her a good ride and had her in a great position from a wide draw. Well see what the handicapper does and we will probably be forced into black type now, but Im very happy with her. My work allows me to engage with a wide sector of our society. Recently I spoke with a team member from NatPro, who are undertaking a research project in Trinity College Dublin with a mission to harness nature to unlock the immense power of natural products, you can learn more by visiting www.tcd.ie/natpro. Our conversation explored how peatland plants may hold a hidden natural remedy. Indeed, during World War 1 it is well documented how sphagnum mosses were harvested from the bogs in Kildare and used a wound dressing, until the last of the military hospitals closed in London after the war. It was noted at the time that those who were injured and had their wounds dressed using a sphagnum moss dressing recorded fewer incidence of infection then those who had not. It was also said that extracts from one of Irelands bogland insect eating plants, the sundew, was used to make a cough syrup. Although not a medical remedy, extracts from bog asphodel are said to have been used to make hair dye in the past. This is why bog asphodel was often referred to as maiden hair in our communities. One other plant that was discussed was bog myrtle (roideog as Gaeilge). This plant has been chosen to be explored further by NatPro and the question they ask is could extracts taken from the leaves hold a hidden medical remedy or other use in the future? Traditionally we already know that this plant is a natural remedy to keep insects away and is regularly used by campers. Bog myrtle is a shrub that grows on peatlands to approximately one metre in height. The green leaves are arranged in a spiral around the twiggy stems, are simple measuring 2-5cm long and are wider at the tip of the leaves than the base. In April and May, the orange catkins are present but right now it is just the leaves that you can expect to observe. Dont forget, if you come across a wildlife species that you would like help identifying I would be happy to help. Contact me at bogs@ipcc.ie. Gardai say they are stil in the process of confirming the identity of a driver who died in a Laois crash in which the vehicle went on fire after the impact. A statement issued by Garda HQ in Dublin said gardai attended the scene of a single vehicle, fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the Athy Road in Stradbally on Friday afternoon June 24 at about 2.45pm. "A car collided with a wall on the Athy Road and subsequently went on fire. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle (details currently unknown) was fatally injured as a result of the collision," said Gardai. The body of the deceased was taken to Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise where a post-mortem will take place. Gardai also confirmed that the Athy Road (R428) was closed on Friday evening as Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conducted a technical examination of the scene. The road has since reopened. Garda HQ reiterated an appeal issued earlier by Laois Garda for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. They asked that any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the Athy Road (R428) or surrounding areas between 2.30pm and 3.15pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Students from Cootehall and Drumboylan National Schools made a trip to Ardcarne Church and Graveyard on Thursday, June 9. Ardcarne Parish Graveyards Committee is celebrating 30 years this year having been formed on October 29, 1992. Fifth & sixth class pupils from St Michael's and St Patrick's NS, Cootehall pictured with, from left, Tony Bambrick (Ardcarne Parish Graveyard Committee), Arlene Gilhooly (teacher), Roscommon County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Murphy, Jim Reynolds (Ardcarne Parish Graveyard Committee) and Stephen Langan The first trip that students from both schools undertook was in the year 2006 and it has been given every year since with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the lockdown. The students in Cootehall National School received a talk from Tony Bambrick, Chairman Ardcarne Parish Graveyards Committee and Laura Egan a noted local historian on June 1 and the students from Drumboylan National School received their talk on June 7 in preparation for the trip. The guest speakers were very impressed with the students of both schools. In particular, their courtesy and pleasant manner was very noticeable and appreciated with both speakers stating they are a credit to their families and their parish. Part of the workshops included an introduction to The Schools Collection of stories from 1930. The students of 2022 found stories from their great grandparents online and shared this with their parents and grandparents. Fifth and sixth class pupils from St Patrick's NS Drumboylan pictured with, from left, Stephen Langan, Tony Bambrick (Ardcarne Parish Graveyard Committee), Roscommon County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Murphy, Jim Reynolds (Ardcarne Parish Graveyard Committee) and Ann Murray (principal) Tony Bambrick outlined the various community schemes which have made Ardcarne Graveyard a stellar community initiative. They also explored the census of 1901 to illustrate that throughout the ages the ebb and flow of the population has varied. This is factually demonstrated in Ardcarne Graveyard with the variety of names, religious observance and cultural origins are all equal in final slumber. Students from both schools later assembled at Ardcarne Church where, on behalf of the committee, Tony welcomed everyone and in particular the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Joe Murphy who came to the school and the graveyard. Cllr Murphy said that it very important that the students develop a love of and respect for their parish. He encouraged them to become involved in their community as this is a rewarding experience. Stephen Langan also gave a very interesting talk on his time working in the sawmill at Ardcarne. Ian Gillespie from Ardcarne Church of Ireland had placed information regarding the Church features. The students were now in a position to place a face to the name of Gillespie which made the visit less academic. James Reynolds, Treasurer Ardcarne Parish Graveyards Committee introduced some levity into proceedings with his narrative of the Old Rectory at Ardcarne where he lives with his wife Bernie. They purchased the property in 1984. Stephen Langan generously provided fresh fruit to all of the participants who then explored the wonderful windows and viewed the famine memorial which was designed by Jackie Mc Kenna. This memorial was paid for by the late noted scholar and historian Canon Henry Tonra. Tony mentioned that every house in the parish and beyond should have a copy of his brilliant book 'The Parish of Ardcarne'. A short circuit of some notable memorials concluded the tour which was facilitated by Laura Egan. Tony Bambrick and Laura Egan prepared the questions for the Table Quiz which will take place in both schools before the summer holidays. Tony thanked the sponsors of the prizes for the quiz and especially Ian Gillespie who gave of his time so generously. The Bataan nuclear power plant in the Philippines on April 5, 2022. TED ALJIBE / AFP Southeast Asia has no operational nuclear reactors yet, but that could change. Since the end of May, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines respectively declared their intention to acquire nuclear power capacity to meet their growing energy needs and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. The region imports 40% of its energy, and currently depends largely on the Middle East for its hydrocarbons and on Australia for its coal. In fact, 80% of Southeast Asia's energy mix is fossil-fuel based, with the rest supplied by renewable energy sources, notably hydroelectric dams. In this context, nuclear power is an attractive option, even if experts doubt that all these announcements will materialize. In Indonesia, a new bill was introduced at the beginning of June to build the first nuclear power plant by 2045. The country with the fourth largest population in the world plans to set up a body to oversee the development and operation of the plant. "Even if parliament passes the bill, that does not mean things will move at the political and administrative level," said Philip Andrews-Speed, senior research fellow at the Energy Studies Institute of the National University of Singapore. He points out that the Indonesian government is "fragmented" and that regional bodies have considerable power. 'An inevitable trend' In Vietnam, developing nuclear power is "an inevitable trend," Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien told the National Assembly in late May. In 2016, a project to build two nuclear power plants by Russia's Rosatom Group and Japan's Japan Atomic Power in the central province of Ninh Thuan had been abandoned due to budget constraints, but the minister reminded everyone that the project had been "suspended," not "canceled," implying that authorities could revive the project. We are interested in your experience using the site. Send feedback "We cannot develop more coal-fired power plants now that the country's hydroelectric potential has been fully exploited," he said, adding that the country, which says it is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, needs a "stable" source of energy. For Mr. Andrews-Speed, the existence of a project and the authoritarian nature of the regime suggest that Vietnam is well placed to be the first country in the region to acquire nuclear power plants. In the Philippines, the new president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., elected on May 9, plans to reopen the Bataan nuclear power plant 80 kilometers west of Manila. Completed in 1984, the plant has never started operating. It was decommissioned following the 1986 overthrow of former President Ferdinand Marcos, father of the new head of state, and the shock caused by the Chernobyl disaster that same year. You have 39.83% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. A LIMERICK woman and one villages only centenarian has celebrated her 102nd birthday. Nora Lynch, from Glasha, Athea in county Limerick is pictured with loved ones on her special day, June 11. Fr Brendan Duggan, of Athea, now retired, celebrated Mass to mark the milestone. He said that Nora, who is originally from Kerry, but living in Limerick most of her life is in very good shape and has the support of an amazing family. Nora is from a typical family from Athea. They are very good people, he said. Two years ago, Athea Tidy Towns pulled out all the stops to celebrate Nora becoming the villages only centenarian. The occasion was marked with garda sirens and decorations lining the houses on both sides of Con Colbert Street. Nora was paraded up and down the street before entering the church grounds where a mini concert was organised for Nora, said Damien Ahern, secretary of Athea Tidy Towns, speaking on Nora's 100th birthday party celebrations in 2020. While much more muted celebrations took place this year, Nora and family still enjoyed a very special time together at her residence, marking a remarkable milestone of 102 years young. Nora and her family really enjoyed her birthday. Her son John travelled from New York for the occasion, Hannah, her daughter told the Limerick Leader. FOR THE first time in 156 years there will be no Christian Brother teaching in Charleville. Br Billy Ryan is set to retire this Thursday after 22 years in Charleville CBS Primary School. The religious order established a primary and secondary school in the town in 1866. Br Ryans retirement leaves just two full-time teaching Christian Brothers in Ireland. Br Donal Healy, from Bilboa, Cappamore, who works in Ennis and Br Eamon Kinsella in Enniscorthy. Back in the 1960s there were around 1,200 Christian Brothers teaching in the country. A Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated by Canon Sean Cotter and Canon Donal OMahony in the school on Friday. Afterwards there were presentations to Br Ryan, including a Wexford jersey by pupils. Br Ryan, who hails from Enniscorthy, wore the jersey when he went to the Wexford-Clare match on Sunday. His nephew Liam Ryan was playing full-back. Indeed, Br Ryans father, Tom, won two All-Irelands. But now Br Ryan resides in the home of the All-Ireland champions on the North Circular Road in the city. Prior to Charleville, he taught in Sexton Street and St Senans in Limerick city, Greystones, Carlow and was principal in Blarney Street, Cork and Doon in his 40 year career. Coincidentally, his successor in Doon CBS was Br James Dormer who was the last Christian Brother teaching in County Limerick when he retired in 2016. Michael OSullivan, principal of Charleville CBS, said Br Ryans retirement marks the end of an era for the school that spans 156 years. Br Ryan was appointed the Traveller support teacher in 2000, a role he embraced fully. Billy always wants what is best for the children. He looks out for those who may be marginalised in any way in society and ensures that all children are welcome to attend our school. After all isnt that why the Christian Brothers established our school all those years ago? said Mr OSullivan. The bell might be tolling on his teaching career but it also might not be tolling in September as Br Ryan is the only one who can fix it! Billy is such a humble man. He represents so much of what a Christian brother is. Billy, you leave such a positive legacy and lasting impression on behalf of the Christian Brothers on our school and on our town, said Mr OSullivan. Br Ryan was as popular with the pupils as he is with staff and parents. As one of our colleagues recently said, Ronaldo wouldnt get the same reaction as you do on the corridors. The boys talk so fondly about you and enjoy your craic and wit. They too will miss you dearly. A BOIL water noticed has been issued with immediate effect this Saturday for a public supply scheme in County Limerick. Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Irish Water and Limerick County Council, a boil water notice has been issued to protect the health of approximately 6,886 consumers supplied by the Abbeyfeale Public Water Supply scheme. This follows issues identified with the treatment process at the water treatment plant. "As a precaution, Irish Water and Limerick County Council are issuing this boil water notice with immediate effect to protect the health of consumers," said a spokesperson for Irish Water. This notice applies to all consumers on the Abbeyfeale Public Water supply. All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking. "Irish Water's primary focus is and always will be the protection of public health. Drinking water experts from Irish Water and Limerick County Council are working to implement solutions to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible in consultation with the HSE. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil and cool their water before use until further notice," continued the spokesperson. Irish Waters Ian OMahony acknowledged the impact of this notice on the community and regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers, adding: Public health is Irish Waters number one priority, and we are working closely with Limerick County Council to restore drinking water quality for all impacted customers in Abbeyfeale and to lift the boil water notice as quickly as it is safe to do so, and in consultation with the HSE. We regret the impact that this boil water notice will have on the local community and would like to assure them that we are prioritising works to restore a safe water supply with a view of lifting the notice as soon as it is safe to do so. Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water will receive direct communication on this boil water notice and are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled and cooled. In line with HSE advice on hand washing, Irish Water advises that the water remains suitable for this purpose and boiling the water is not required. Water must be boiled for: Drinking; Drinks made with water; Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating; Brushing of teeth; Making of ice - discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water What actions should be taken: Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads); Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling; Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink; Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water; Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre. Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na' is not greater than 200mg per litre. If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated. Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children. Sajid Mir, who is among India's most wanted for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and and a senior member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has been quietly jailed by an anti-terror court in Pakistan. The court was awarded 15 years in jail term. Mir was LeT's operations manager for the attacks, playing a leading role in their planning, preparation, and execution. Mir, 44, was sentenced to Anti-terrorism court in Lahore this month after convicting him in a terror-financing case. He was also fined Pkr 4,20,000 and is currently serving sentence in Kot Lakhpat jail, the Dawn newspaper reported citing a source. As many as 10 individuals trained by LeT, carried out a series of coordinated terrorist attacks against multiple targets in Mumbai, killing 166 people. For his role in the Mumbai attacks, Mir was also indicted in the United States in April 2011. His sentencing comes as Pakistan is struggling to exit the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) terror-financing watchlist. Currently, Pakistan is on the 'Grey List' of the watchdog for not fulfilling the parameters to counter terrorism in the country. Pakistan media reports said Mir's court verdict was done so quietly that no one came to know about such a high-profile case, except for a very brief report in one of the newspapers, which too could not attract the attention. Even his detention was kept away from the media's eyes, the report added. Earlier, Mir was believed to have died but when the western countries demanded proof of his death, this issue became a major sticking point in the assessment of FATF's action plan last year. "Sajid Mir was LeT's operations manager for the attacks, playing a leading role in their planning, preparation, and execution. Beginning from November 26, 2008, and continuing through November 29, 2008, 10 individuals were trained by LeT, who carried out the series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai, killing 166 persons, including six Americans," said Reward For Justice, US State Department's counterterrorism rewards program. Pakistan's response to the Mumbai attacks has been a series of about-turns. The country has failed to take adequate steps to counter-terrorism and prosecute terrorists including masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) founder Masood Azhar and LeT's Sajid Mir, according to an earlier US report. Pakistan made limited progress on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter-terrorism, specifically in its pledge to dismantle all terrorist organizations without delay or discrimination," the US State Department had said in its 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism. The report recalled how in 2021, a Lahore anti-terrorism court convicted LeT founder Hafiz Saeed on multiple counts of terrorism financing and sentenced him to five years and six months in prison. "Pakistan did not, however, take steps under its domestic authorities to prosecute other terrorist leaders residing in Pakistan, such as JeM founder Masood Azhar and LeT's Sajid Mir, mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks," it had said. The report goes on the mention the effectiveness of Indian security agencies in disrupting terror threats, although gaps remain in interagency intelligence and information sharing. (With inputs from ANI) The dancing, tingling fizz of soda has delighted the world for centuries. But what is the secret behind these bubbles? The fizz in soda consists of bubbles of carbon dioxide, or CO2. Carbonated drinks are infused with this colorless, odorless gas at high pressures during production until the liquid becomes supersaturated with the gas. "Soda fizzes because it's made to fizz," Mark Jones, an industrial chemist and fellow of the American Chemical Society, told Live Science. Naturally carbonated beverages like beer and kombucha that rely on fermentation for their fizz have been around for ages. But the advent of modern carbonated sodas can be traced to English clergyman and scientist Joseph Priestley, who is nicknamed "the father of the soft drinks industry," for developing a carbonating apparatus in 1772, according to Britannica . By 1794, Swiss jeweler Jacob Schweppe was selling carbonated artificial mineral waters to his friends in Geneva. Related: Why do soft drinks go flat? At first, bottled carbonated water was used medicinally, Britannica noted. Flavors were added later ginger by about 1820, and lemon in the 1830s. In 1886, pharmacist John Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia, invented Coca-Cola, the first cola drink. Carbonation not only leads to a dancing froth, but also reacts with the water to generate carbonic acid, resulting in a slightly tangy flavor. Although the carbonic acid and any other flavor-enhancing acids that soda-makers add to soft drinks has been linked to tooth damage, "I think the American Dental Association is more concerned about the sugar in soda," Jones said. When soda is bottled, the soft drinks are kept very cold because carbon dioxide dissolves better in soda at low temperatures. "Warming up a liquid forces gas out of the solution," Joe Glajch, an analytical chemist and pharmaceutical chemistry consultant, told Live Science. After soda is infused with carbon dioxide, the gas effervescently escapes due to a principle in physical chemistry known as Henry's law, proposed by British chemist William Henry in 1803, according to Britannica . Henry's law states that the amount of a gas dissolved in a liquid is proportional to the pressure of that same gas in the liquid's surroundings. When soda is canned or bottled, the space above the drink is usually filled with carbon dioxide at a pressure slightly above that of standard atmospheric pressure (about 14.7 pounds per square inch, or 101.325 kilopascals), Glajch said. Because of Henry's law and the pressure of the gas trapped at the top of the sealed container the carbon dioxide that's dissolved in the beverage stays within the fluid. However, when a soda container is opened, the pressurized carbon releases into the air. This venting gas produces the signature hiss one expects to hear from a newly opened soda bottle or can. "A soda bottle is effectively a pressure vessel that will hold that pressure in until you open the top," Jones said. (If a can or bottle has been shaken or otherwise disturbed before it is opened, gas trapped within the liquid can escape to join the gas above the beverage, increasing the pressure in the gas above the fluid and resulting in the soda bursting out when the container is opened.) Carbon dioxide makes up about 0.04% of Earth's atmosphere, according to Columbia University's Climate School . Henry's law suggests that when soda is exposed to air, the carbon dioxide in the soft drink naturally wants to reach the same concentration in the fluid as in the air. The result is that most of it fizzes out of the liquid as tiny CO2 bubbles. Soda fizzes even more when it is poured into a glass because the act of pouring greatly increases the surface area of the liquid and helps the bubbles escape, Glajch said. "A good example of this can be seen with beer," Glajch said. "If you pour a beer into a glass, you can get a good size head of foam on top, depending on the kind of beer and how carbonated it is. That foam is all gas coming from the beverage." One trick to reduce the amount of bubbling during pouring and thereby enabling a soft drink to stay fizzy longer is to pour the soda along the side of the glass. "That drastically decreases the surface area of the pour" and thus preserves more CO2 in the liquid, Glajch said. Bottoms up! Originally published on Live Science. JLL, a leading professional services firm specialized in real estate, investment management and development consultancy services, has appointed David Duke as the head of International Residential in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Duke joins JLL Mena with over 20 years experience working across residential property for some of the UKs most established property agencies, specialising in investment and development. During this time, he has broken records for investor transactions and travelled extensively to market UK property across the world. Most recently, he has spent the last three years setting up Duke Associates, which is a platform to sell UK property, while also acquiring property on behalf of international investors. In his new role, Dukes main focus will be on continuing to strengthen JLLs residential presence in the Middle East, building upon the firms market share in the country and region, with a view to grow and build a team of people between Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Region in due course. He comes with an impressive CV, having worked on extremely high-profile projects like One Hyde Park. Having been raised in Saudi Arabia, he has a good understanding of the country and regions rich culture. "I am absolutely delighted to join JLL Mena in this truly exciting period and to be able to offer best-in-class service to all of our clients," stated Duke. Will McKintosh, Senior Director and head of Residential & Investment - JLL Mena, said: "JLL Mena is delighted to continue to strengthen its residential team in the Middle East with another senior and strategic hire David Duke in order to grow our business in Saudi Arabia." "We believe in the growth opportunity in the Kingdom and the region as we look to further expand our residential business globally. Duke will be focused on building on, not only our residential business in Saudi, but also our Private Office offering," addeed McKintosh.-TradeArabia News Service The American Psychological Association (APA) has condemned the Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, saying that it will exacerbate the mental health crisis in America. In a statement released Friday on its website, the organization, which represents more than 130,000 psychology professionals in the U.S., expressed "deep concern" and "disappointment," noting that the ruling goes against both precedent and science. "We are alarmed that the justices would nullify Roe despite decades of scientific research demonstrating that people who are denied abortions are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety, lower life satisfaction and lower self-esteem compared with those who are able to obtain abortions," APA President Frank C. Worrell said in the statement. The organization's remarks come amid nationwide protests in response to the decision, which is expected to result in 13 states banning abortion (with many more to follow) and rising concerns about a potential nationwide ban. The statement from the APA stands in contrast to claims made by antiabortion activists, who have long pointed to mental health problems in their arguments, claiming that the procedure leads to adverse psychological outcomes. The science, according to the APA, strongly suggests otherwise. "This is not about supporting life or supporting women," Worrell told The Post by phone on Saturday, in response to the ruling. "This is about imposing personal views, often religious, on all of the country, and in doing so, taking away the discretion of many individuals to do what is important for their lives at what is already a very stressful time." The APA points to the Turnaway Study, a five-year research project that followed 1,000 people across the U.S. who had been denied or obtained abortions, based on local policy. Data from the study, summarized in a 2018 brief, suggests that those who were denied abortions experienced more anxiety in the months afterward, compared to those who had obtained abortions. It also found that having an abortion does not increase one's risk of experiencing symptoms of depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety or stress, including PTSD. The data contradicts mandates that a person seeking abortion be counseled about so-called mental health risks. "Laws that require women to be warned about negative psychological consequences of abortion are not based in evidence," the 2018 brief says. Another paper based on the data, published in 2020, found that the most common emotion experienced by women who had abortions was relief. And five years later, 95 percent of people who received abortions said they felt they made the right decision. "These results add to the scientific evidence that emotions about an abortion are associated with personal and social context, and are not a product of the abortion procedure itself," the authors wrote. By contrast, women in the Turnaway study who carried unwanted pregnancies to term after being denied an abortion reported more stress, had a higher chance of living in poverty and were more likely to stay with to abusive partners. Worrell believes the SCOTUS ruling will impact many aspects of psychological health because it restricts personal freedom. "Once you've taken away rights and there's a lack of autonomy, there's anxiety and worry about what will happen," Worrell says. "Some people are going to wonder, 'How can I be sexually active? What's going to happen if I live in a state where I have no access to abortion and I happen to get pregnant? What's going to happen to my daughter if she does?'" The psychological toll also disproportionately impacts those with fewer resources, according to Worrell: people who can't afford to take time off or pay for child care to travel to another state for the procedure, should they get pregnant. "All that this does is it actually increases the psychological stress, the anxiety and the burden on certain segments of society," he says. Jacent Wamala, a marriage and family therapist based in Las Vegas who works with women of color, cautions that trauma from this decision could lead to "hyper vigilant" behavior around sex. "If my rights have been restricted without me being able to do anything about it, in order to protect myself, I'll go into survival mode. I have to be on the lookout for the next thing that's coming," she says. According to Wamala, the changes that will likely follow the SCOTUS ruling are so personal that it could have profound repercussions. "Anyone who has ever wanted to date or be in a relationship or be sexually intimate or whatever now has a whole new lens because of this decision," she says. "There are financial implications. There are relationship implications. People have to look at their lives through a lens that they didn't chose." Click here to read the full article. In the wake of the Supreme Courts decision Friday overturning Roe v. Wade, which eliminates the constitutional right to abortion, Google has notified American employees that it will allow them to relocate to another state no questions asked. In a memo Friday (via CNBC), Fiona Cicconi, Googles chief people officer, reiterated that the internet companys U.S. benefits plan and health insurance covers out-of-state medical procedures that are not available where an employee lives and works. In addition, Google workers can apply for relocation without justification, and those overseeing this process with be aware of the situation. Google also will keep working to make information on reproductive healthcare accessible across our products and continue our work to protect user privacy, Cicconi wrote. This is a profound change for the country that deeply affects so many of us, especially women, she wrote in the memo. Please be mindful of what your co-workers may be feeling and, as always, treat each other with respect. With the landmark Supreme Court ruling, other media and tech companies including Meta, Amazon, Netflix, Apple, Disney, Comcast, Warner Bros. Discovery and Conde Nast have said they will pay employees expenses if they need to travel outside their home state to access reproductive healthcare services. Google lists 29 office locations in the U.S. including in four states Florida, Georgia, Texas and Wisconsin where abortion is currently illegal or where laws banning or restriction abortions are likely to soon go into effect. Per the New York Times, about half of U.S. states are expected to roll back abortion rights now that Roe v. Wade has been nullified. Much of Googles U.S. workforce is based in California, where abortion rights are protected. Google has not issued any public statements about the Roe v. Wade ruling. Susan Wojcicki, CEO of Google-owned YouTube, tweeted on Friday: As a CEO I recognize there are a spectrum of opinions on the SCOTUS ruling today. As a woman, its a devastating setback. I personally believe every woman should have a choice about how and when to become a mother. Reproductive rights are human rights. Heres the text of the memo from Googles Cicconi, per a copy obtained by the Verge: Hi everyone, This morning the US Supreme Court issued a ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization that rolls back Roe v. Wade. This is a profound change for the country that deeply affects so many of us, especially women. Everyone will respond in their own way, whether thats wanting space and time to process, speaking up, volunteering outside of work, not wanting to discuss it at all, or something else entirely. Please be mindful of what your co-workers may be feeling and, as always, treat each other with respect. Equity is extraordinarily important to us as a company, and we share concerns about the impact this ruling will have on peoples health, lives, and careers. We will keep working to make information on reproductive healthcare accessible across our products and continue our work to protect user privacy. To support Googlers and their dependents, our US benefits plan and health insurance covers out-of-state medical procedures that are not available where an employee lives and works. Googlers can also apply for relocation without justification, and those overseeing this process will be aware of the situation. If you need additional support, please connect 1:1 with a People Consultant via [link to internal tool redacted]. We will be arranging support sessions for Googlers in the US in the coming days. These will be posted to Googler News. Please dont hesitate to lean on your Google community in the days ahead and continue to take good care of yourselves and each other. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, one of the most popular and prolific rap artists on the planet, scored another pre-trial victory in his Louisiana gun case Friday when a federal judge ruled that a cache of personal videos seized at the time of his arrest nearly two years ago will remain off limits to prosecutors due to an improper search warrant. Federal prosecutors had filed a motion asking U.S. District Court Chief Judge Shelly Dick to reconsider and reverse her Feb. 24 decision suppressing the video. They argued some of the disputed footage should be shown to jurors at YoungBoys upcoming trial, set to begin July 11, to avoid a miscarriage of justice. Judge Dick shut them down in her three-page ruling obtained by Rolling Stone. The government fails to explain how a miscarriage of justice will occur if the court does not grant its motion. Rather, the government simply offers two additional arguments in support of its original opposition. But the time to raise those arguments has passed, Judge Dick wrote. The judge said federal prosecutors had ample opportunity to raise their new arguments before she issued her decision, including during a three-day evidentiary hearing back in October. Now serving pre-trial house arrest after his release from jail in October, Gaulden has pleaded not guilty to charges he was a felon in possession of unregistered guns. In court briefs tied to the October hearing, prosecutors focused their efforts on defending the legitimacy of the search warrant that purportedly turned up video on an SD memory card showing YoungBoy in possession of one or more firearms shortly before he was arrested near his grandfathers Baton Rouge home on Sept. 28, 2020. After the judges Feb. 24 decision, prosecutors shifted strategy and claimed for the first time that the rapper, whose legal name is Kentrell Gaulden, actually lacked sufficient standing to even challenge the admissibility of the videos in the first place. They claimed Gaulden had no Fourth Amendment property interest in the videos because they were commissioned by a limited liability company named Big38Enterprise. They also argued he had no Fourth Amendment privacy interest because the videos they intended to offer at trial depicted conduct he knowingly exposed to the public on the streets of Baton Rouge. The compelling evidence of Gauldens brazen criminal activity should not be excluded from trial because Gauldens personal rights were not violated by the searches and seizures at issue. It was Gauldens burden to prove standing, and he did not do so. The video evidence should therefore be admitted at trial, the prosecutors wrote in their March motion. Gauldens lawyers responded in an April filing that Big38Enterprise is not only Gauldens personal LLC, but hes the only person authorized to transfer money on its behalf and they said it doesnt matter what was on the SD card. That the illegally searched card turns out to contain video, some of which the government claims shows criminal activity (though the criminality of that activity is precisely what is in dispute), cannot retroactively justify a grievously illegal and unconstitutional search. If it could, we would no longer have a Fourth Amendment, Gauldens defense lawyers wrote. The court addressed standing at length in its prior ruling, and the government fails to show that the court committed a manifest error of law or fact, Judge Dick wrote in her Friday ruling. In her underlying decision issued four months ago, Judge Dick said the warrant used to seize the video was invalid on its face because the Baton Rouge Police officer who wrote it included misleading information namely a statement claiming that a reliable witness had informed police that a group of people were brandishing firearms and filming a rap video outside Gauldens grandfathers home on Sept. 28, 2020. In reality, the allegation about the rap video was relayed to a senior officer on Sept. 27, 2020, by a so-called reliable source, while the allegation about people brandishing firearms came from an anonymous 911 call a day later, the judge said. The whole truth would have included that the tip about the rap video came in on September 27th not September 28th which would have negated probable cause to search the SD cards and camera for evidence of who possessed firearms or narcotics on September 28th, Judge Dick wrote in her decision. Gaulden, 22, has released more than two dozen mixtapes, studio albums and EPs since 2015. His 2019 mixtape AI YoungBoy2 and his 2021 studio album Sincerely, Kentrell both debuted at number one on the US Billboard chart. His 2018 hit single Valuable Pain was certified triple-platinum last month. Click here to read the full article. Producer Yash Raj Films has revealed the keenly anticipated first look for Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khans Pathaan. The look is revealed in a motion poster, a favored Bollywood way of teasing the film and features a gun toting Khan. The poster dropped on June 25, which marks the 30th anniversary of Deewana (1992), Khans film debut. Thirty years of Shah Rukh Khan is a cinematic moment in itself in the history of Indian cinema and we wanted to celebrate it with his millions and millions of fans globally, said Pathaan director Siddharth Anand (War). Today is Shah Rukh Khan day and we need to tell the world that. This is team Pathaans way of saying thank you to Shah Rukh for the countless memories and smiles that he has given all of us in his incredible journey in cinema. He is the alpha man on a mission in this action spectacle that will hopefully set new benchmarks for the action genre in India, Anand said. When you have Shah Rukh Khan in your film, along with superstars like Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, you have to reach for the stars in every department and I dont think we will disappoint on that promise with Pathaan. Khan and Padukone recently shot a song sequence for Pathaan in Mallorca, leaked images from which went viral. Shah Rukh Khans look from Pathaan was the most heavily guarded imagery. Fans across the world have been frantically demanding for his look to be unveiled for a long, long time now and we couldnt think of a better day to reveal this to his fans and audiences. I hope people and SRK fans love his look from Pathaan, Anand said. Pathaan is part of producer Aditya Chopras spy universe, which also includes the Tiger franchise, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, and War, starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. Pathaan is due to release on January 25, 2023, in Indias Republic Day holiday frame, in the Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu languages. Watch the motion poster here: 30 yrs and not counting cos ur love & smiles have been infinite. Heres to continuing with #Pathaan, Khan tweeted. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The Onion mercilessly lampooned the U.S. Supreme Courts reactionary tilt following Fridays historic decision to nullify Roe v. Wade. The satirical outlets eight top stories Friday on the homepage were simply headlines over the same photo of the current Supreme Court justices that alluded to the courts 5-4 vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had established Americans constitutional right to abortions. Supreme Court Votes 5-4 To Throw Beer Bottle At Slut, said The Onions lead item. In other variations on that theme, The Onion reported that the court voted 5-4 to Lock Nations Toddlers In Hot Cars; Drive Slowly Alongside Woman Walking Home Alone At Night; Add Jesus Into All Paintings; Make It Illegal For Women To Deceive Men With Makeup; Baptize Constitution; Reclassify Women As Service Animals; and Reopen Japanese Internment Camps. The Onions vilification of the conservative-majority court continued lower on the page, with another headline reading Supreme Court Rules 5-4 To Ride Stephen Breyer Around Like A Horse. Justice Breyer was among the four judges to vote against overturning Roe v. Wade, alongside Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. Other brutal jabs at the court included Kavanaugh, Thomas Champion Creating Better Future For Next Generation Of Rapists; Womans Preventable Death During Childbirth Upheld In 6-3 Supreme Court Vote; and Nation Forced To Seek Human Rights From Back-Alley Supreme Court. Last month, The Onion staged a similar front-page takeover following the horrific shooting deaths of 19 children and two adults at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. On May 25, the site posted 21 articles with the same headline No Way To Prevent This, Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens and the same fake quotes it has used for stories following gun massacres since 2014. Even before the Supreme Court issued the decision nullifying Roe v. Wade, Americans confidence in the high court had reached a new 50-year low, according to opinion-polling firm Gallup. Only 25% of U.S. adults said they have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the Supreme Court, compared with 36% one year ago and five percentage points lower than the previous low recorded in 2014. The most recent Gallup poll was conducted June 1-20 with a random sample of 1,015 U.S. adults. The Onion was founded in 1988. The sites current owner is New York-based G/O Media, which was formed in 2019 after Univision sold Gizmodo Media Group and The Onion to private-equity firm Great Hill Partners and G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Glenn Jacobs, who spent more than two decades in WWEs ring as the sadistic, disfigured wrestler Kane, has taken punishing hits from wrestling fans after he enthusiastically endorsed the Supreme Court ruling Friday overturning Roe v. Wade. Jacobs, a Republican who is currently the mayor of Knox County, Tenn., rejoiced in a tweet about the courts historic decision eliminating federal protections for abortion rights. Roe v. Wade has been overturned! Jacobs wrote in the post. This clears the way for states like TN to pass stronger protections for the unborn, and is an answer to a prayer for so many. #RightToLife #Victory. Jacobs praise about the demise of Roe v. Wade elicited dismay and sharp rebukes on social media. Respectfully @WWE, please never have Kane return to TV again. Its a real shame you chose to be a monster inside and outside the ring, tweeted SUPERZOMGBBQ, a U.K. wrestling fan and digital content creator. Some commenters called out Jacobs for hypocrisy. In January, Jacobs had tweeted this: Your health decisions should be between you and your doctor not mandated down from a bureaucrat in Washington. Responding to his tweet Friday, a user with the handle Gabbie the dimensional spacecat pointed out, This runs completely opposite to that reasoning you gave when you explained why you considered yourself a Libertarian. I just want government to leave me alone. But Im sure you know that. Im sure you dont care either. Kane was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year. WWEs official bio of him reads, At 7 feet tall and weighing in at more than 300 pounds, Kane is a monstrous abomination that seems to have been extracted directly from your childhood nightmares. Read more reactions to Jacobs cheering the rollback of reproductive rights in the U.S.: Seriously! Im tired of seeing I love Kane but fuck Glenn jacobs. Nah fuck Kane AND fuck Glenn. He made a career off of someone elses career weather it be Kevin Nash Or Taker. Trash wrestler. Trash human. https://t.co/42De4yzszf Righteous Reg (@RighteousReg) June 25, 2022 Remember when youd hear stories in shoot interviews like Kanes really intelligent? Turns out hes actually a fucking idiot. https://t.co/Vz3Mb3Ygik dopper (@dopper6) June 24, 2022 Kane electrocuted people, buried the Undertaker alive twice and set JR on fire but somehow Glenn Jacobs is more evil than the character he played. https://t.co/hu38SjLqZl Ray Bradshaw (@comedyray) June 25, 2022 it concerns me that several people in the wrestling business used to think Kane was the smartest one there because hes a fucking idiot https://t.co/58x0CuGKLY amy (@deathtriangless) June 24, 2022 It's almost as if these halfwits make up stuff to suit whatever agenda they think will fly at the time Just f**k off Kane pic.twitter.com/AnuXFZCmzW wins DAN losses matter (@WrestlingRhymes) June 25, 2022 Kane continuing the most successful heel run of his career #Kayfabe https://t.co/ohPPPaMAAZ WWE Creative Humor (@WWECreative_ish) June 24, 2022 Tennessee ranks 36th in the nation for infant mortality. In fact, the states with the highest death rates for infants all happen to be red states. Whats up with that Glenn? https://t.co/qt0DfuiAhS pic.twitter.com/vT956tDLAl Ryan Droste (@ryandroste) June 24, 2022 Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office A man was arrested during a traffic stop for possessing cockfighting equipment, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. On June 18, a Texas DPS trooper patrolling U.S. 59 in Webb County pulled over a white 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe for an expired license plate and a defective high-mounted stop lamp. DPS identified the driver as Alonzo Molina, 39. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PHOENIX (AP) Police fired tear gas to disperse abortion rights supporters demonstrating outside the Arizona Capitol Friday night, forcing lawmakers to huddle briefly in a basement inside the building as they rushed to complete their 2022 session. Thousands of protesters had gathered earlier on the Capitol grounds in Phoenix, divided into groups both supporting and condemning the U.S. Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade. SWAT team members with the Department of Public Safety fired tear gas from second floor of the old Capitol building to disperse protesters in the mall between the current House and Senate buildings. KPHO-TV reported the officers opened fire when several protesters started banging on glass doors of the Senate building. Authorities said there were no injuries or arrests. The incident sent Senate lawmakers into the basement for about 20 minutes, said Democratic Sen. Martin Quezada. Stinging tear gas wafted through the building afterward, forcing the Senate to move its proceedings to a hearing room instead of the Senate chamber. Republicans had enacted a 15-week abortion ban in March, and a pre-Roe law that bans all abortions remains on the books, forcing providers across the state to stop providing abortions earlier Friday. Republican lawmakers had earlier approved a massive expansion of Arizona's private school voucher system with only Republican backing. Another top measure was approved with wide bipartisan backing: A major plan to shore up water supplies. The Senate and House both approved a $1 billion plan to increase supplies after adding another $200 million for water conservation efforts. Senate Republicans pushed though the voucher program that already passed the House. It allows every student in Arizona to take public money to attend private schools, even the nearly 60,000 whose parents are already paying for that instruction. The vote came after GOP leaders voted to block Democrats from debating or proposing changes to the voucher bill, touching off a heated procedural fight that left Democrats fuming. The plan would open the program to all 1.1 million public school students. Currently about 255,000 public school students qualify for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, although fewer than 12,000 participate. About 59,000 private school students would be eligible under the new plan championed by House Majority Leader Ben Toma. Toma and other advocates say money shouldnt be a barrier preventing children from attending private schools. Democrats fiercely oppose the bill, saying there is no testing or other mechanism to make sure children are actually learning. Their efforts to try to add accountability mechanisms, or at least force a vote on the issue, were thwarted when Republicans voted to suspend the rules that would typically allow such changes. Democrats railed against the measure, saying it would siphon away much of the more than $500 million in new K-12 spending lawmakers enacted earlier this week. Its going to cost the state an additional $125 million by 2025, said Sen. Christine Marsh, a Phoenix Democrat. This is not just fiscally responsibly for us to be trying to run two separate systems at the same time. Republican Sen. T.J. Shope of Coolidge said the measure does not go far enough. I think in an ideal situation, we would entirely fund the student wherever the parent chooses to send their students, Shope said. Lawmakers were also considering a massive new water bill Gov. Doug Ducey called for early this year that is designed to help the state pay for new water sources. Ducey called for a major new investment in water in his January state of the state address, implying some of that money would be used to build a desalination plant in Mexico. While the money may be used for that, it also can be used for conservation, developing groundwater or possibly importing water from other states. The House briefly voted down a measure allowing the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry to continue operating for another eight years over bipartisan concerns that the agency is overly secretive and failing to implement reforms suggested by the state auditor. Without the bill passing, the agency's authorization would expire at the end of the month. Lawmakers instead voted to impose new transparency requirements on the prison system. Im not asking the department to do anything that theyre not statutorily already required to do, said Rep. Shawnna Bolick, a Glendale Republican who pushed for the additional requirements. I just want to make sure that theres accountability at the end of the day. The House and Senate voted on dozens of other bills, most of them uncontroversial measures that passed with bipartisan majorities. But one of the final votes of the night was a Republican proposal that makes it illegal to teach so-called Critical Race Theory, a hot-button topic for GOP politicians. Democrats called it an assault on public school teachers that will scare them away from teaching about race in America but won't stop the students. If you tell a kid not to learn something, not to read something, what's the first thing they're going to do? Quezada asked. They're going to go study it, they're going to go get those books. Republican Sen. J.D. Mesnard said his bill was being misread, that while preventing divisive concepts it will allow subjects like slavery, race and others to be taught. I challenge anyone to explain again why promoting or advocating any of these things is OK, Mesnard asked. The Legislature adjourned at 12:26 a.m. Saturday. ___ This story has been corrected to show that those protesting were abortion rights supporters, not anti-abortion demonstrators. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MADRID (AP) The number of people who were killed after they tried to scale a border fence between Morocco and a Spanish enclave in North Africa rose to 23 Saturday as human rights organizations in Spain and Morocco called on both countries to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Moroccan authorities said the individuals died as a result of a stampede of people who attempted Friday to climb the iron fence that separates the city of Melilla and Morocco. In a statement, Moroccos Interior Ministry said 76 civilians were injured along with 140 Moroccan security officers. The ministry initially reported five deaths. Local authorities cited by Moroccos official Television 2M updated the number to 18 on Saturday and then reported that the death toll had climbed to 23. The Moroccan Human Rights Association reported 27 dead, but the figure could not immediately be confirmed. Two members of Morocco's security forces and 33 migrants who were injured during the border breach were being treated at hospitals in the Moroccan cities of Nador and Oujda, MAP said. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday condemned what he described as a violent assault and an attack on the territorial integrity of Spain. Spanish officials said 49 Civil Guards sustained minor injuries. If there is anyone responsible for everything that appears to have taken place at that border, it is the mafias that traffic in human beings, Sanchez said. His remarks came as the Moroccan Human Rights Association shared videos on social media that appeared to show dozens of migrants lying on the ground, many of them motionless and a few bleeding, as Moroccan security forces stood over them. They were left there without help for hours, which increased the number of deaths, the human rights group said on Twitter. It called for a comprehensive investigation. In another of the associations videos, a Moroccan security officer appeared to use a baton to strike a person lying on the ground. In a statement released late Friday, Amnesty International expressed its deep concern over the events at the border. Although the migrants may have acted violently in their attempt to enter Melilla, when it comes to border control, not everything goes," said Esteban Beltran, the director of Amnesty International Spain. "The human rights of migrants and refugees must be respected and situations like that seen cannot happen again. Five rights organizations in Morocco and APDHA, a human rights group based in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, also called for inquiries. The International Organization for Migration and U.N. refugee agency UNHCR also weighed in with a statement that expressed profound sadness and concern over what happened at the Morocco-Melilla border. IOM and UNHCR urge all authorities to prioritize the safety of migrants and refugees, refrain from the excessive use of force and uphold their human rights, the organizations said. In a statement published Saturday, the Spanish Commission for Refugees, CEAR, decried what it described as the indiscriminate use of violence to manage migration and control borders" and expressed concerns that the violence had prevented people who were eligible for international protection from reaching Spanish soil. The Catholic Church in the southern Spanish city of Malaga also expressed its dismay over the events. Both Morocco and Spain have chosen to eliminate human dignity on our borders, maintaining that the arrival of migrants must be avoided at all costs and forgetting the lives that are torn apart along the way, it said in a statement penned by a delegation of the diocese that focuses on migration in Malaga and Melilla. A spokesperson for the Spanish governments office in Melilla said that around 2,000 people had attempted to make it across the border fence but were stopped by Spanish Civil Guard Police and Moroccan forces on either side of the border fence. A total 133 migrants made it across the border. The mass crossing attempt was the first since Spain and Morocco mended relations after a year-long dispute related to Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1976. The thaw in relations came after Spain backed Moroccos plan to grant more autonomy to the territory, a reversal of its previous support for a U.N.-backed referendum on the status of Western Sahara. ___ El-Barakah reported from Rabat. ___ Follow AP's coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration India is expected to lead in terms of global trunk/transmission pipeline length additions for planned and announced projects, contributing around 20% of the global planned and announced pipeline additions by 2026, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. India is set to have a planned pipeline length of 23,839 km and an announced pipeline length of 5,095 km by 2026, stated GlobalData in its latest report, 'Oil and Gas Pipelines Length and Capacity and Capital Expenditure (CapEx).' "Kandla-Gorakhpur is the largest upcoming pipeline project in India with a length of 2,809 km. Expected to start operations in 2024, the pipeline project would serve Liquified Petroleum Gas bottling facilities in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh to meet rising demand for the commodity," explained Sudarshini Ennelli, he Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData. As per the report, China ranks second globally in terms of transmission pipeline length additions, with a planned and announced pipeline length of 17,810 km by 2026. The XinjiangGuangdongZhejiang SNG gas pipeline is the longest upcoming pipeline project during 2022 to 2026 with a proposed length of 8,972 km. Expected to start operations in 2026, the pipeline will help China meet its ever-growing demand for natural gas. According to Ennelli, the US stands third globally with a planned and announced trunk pipeline length of 12,305 km by 2026. "The Seahorse oil pipeline is the longest upcoming pipeline in the country and is slated to begin operations in 2026. The 1,127 km length-pipeline would run from Cushing, Oklahoma, to a refinery in St. James, Louisiana. It would also supply crude oil to a liquid storage terminal planned near the Mississippi river for exports to international markets," she added.-TradeArabia News Service This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate OSLO, Norway (AP) A gunman opened fire in Oslos nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an "Islamist terror act" during the capitals annual LGBTQ Pride festival. Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, was arrested after opening fire at three locations in downtown Oslo. Police said two men, one in his 50s and and the other his 60s, died in the shootings. Ten people were treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be in life-threatening condition. Eleven others had minor injuries. The Norwegian Police Security Service raised its terror alert level from "moderate" to extraordinary the highest level after the attack, which sent panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or trying to hide from the gunman. The service's acting chief, Roger Berg, called the attack an extreme Islamist terror act and said the suspect had a long history of violence and threats, as well as mental health issues. He said the agency, known by its Norwegian acronym PST, first became aware of the suspect in 2015 and later grew concerned he had become radicalized and was part of an unspecified Islamist network. Norwegian media named the suspect as Zaniar Matapour, an Oslo resident who arrived in Norway with his family from a Kurdish part of Iran in the 1990s. The suspects defense lawyer, John Christian Elden, said his client hasn't denied carrying out the attack, but he cautioned against speculation on the motive. He has not given any reason. It is too early to conclude whether this is hate crime or terrorism, Elden said in an email to The Associated Press. Upon the advice of police, organizers canceled a Pride parade that was set for Saturday as the highlight of a weeklong festival. Scores of people marched through the capital anyway, waving rainbow flags. Police attorney Christian Hatlo said it was too early to say whether the gunman specifically targeted members of the LGBTQ community. We have to look closer at that, we dont know yet, he said. Police said civilians assisted them in detaining the man in custody, who was being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, based on the number of people targeted at multiple locations. Investigators seized two weapons after the attack: a handgun and an automatic weapon. Hatlo described both as not modern but did not give details. Not far from Oslos cathedral, crime scene tape cordoned off the bars where the shootings took place, including the London Pub, which is popular with the citys LGBTQ community. Crowds gathered outside and dropped off cards and flowers at impromptu memorials. Martin Ebbestad, 29, had walked by earlier, seen the memorials and returned with flowers. London Pub is our go-to place. My boyfriend left 20 minutes before (it happened). He was sitting outside in the smoking area, Ebbestad said. We know this place so well. It doesnt feel unsafe, but it does feel very close. Norwegian television channel TV2 showed footage of people running down Oslo streets in panic as shots rang out in the background. Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting, Roenneberg told NRK. First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere called the shooting a "cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people. He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. We all stand by you, Gahr Stoere wrote on Facebook. Christian Bredeli, who was at the London Pub, told Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. Many were fearing for their lives, he said. On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened. Desta G. Selassie, a co-owner of the London Pub, told AP that employees who witnessed the shooting were in shock and receiving psychological counseling. Police said the suspect had a criminal record that included a narcotics offense and a weapons offense for carrying a knife. PST said it spoke to him in May this year because he had shown a certain interest in statements that were interpreted as insults to Islam. In these conversations, it was assessed that he had no intention of violence, but PST is aware that he has had challenges related to mental health, the agency said in a statement. Organizers of Oslo Pride canceled the parade and other scheduled events, and encouraged people all over Norway to show solidarity" in their homes, neighborhoods and on social media instead. Well be back later, proud, visible, but right now its not the time for that," Inge Alexander Gjestvang, leader of FRI, a Norwegian organization for sexual and gender diversity, told TV2. Like its Scandinavian neighbors, Norway is considered progressive on LGBTQ rights. There is widespread support for same-sex marriage, which was legalized in 2009. In 2016, Norway became one of the world's first countries to allow transgender people to legally change their gender without a doctors agreement or intervention. Norway's King Harald V offered condolences to the relatives of victims and said the royal family was horrified by the attack. We must stand together to defend our values: freedom, diversity and respect for each other. We must continue to stand up for all people to feel safe, the monarch said. World leaders condemned the attack on their way to a Group of Seven summit in Germany. The summit's host, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, tweeted, The Norwegian people can be sure of our sympathy. The fight against terror unites us. French President Emmanuel Macron offered his condolences in a tweet in Norwegian. John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told reporters while flying with U.S. President Joe Biden to the G-7 summit, Our hearts obviously go out to all the families there of the victims, the people of Norway, which is a tremendous ally, and of course the LGBTQI+ community, there and around the world, quite frankly. Norway has a relatively low crime rate but has experienced a series of so-called lone wolf attacks in recent decades, including one of the worst mass shootings in Europe. In 2011, a right-wing extremist killed 69 people on the island of Utoya after setting off a bomb in Oslo that left eight dead. In 2019, another right-wing extremist killed his stepsister and then opened fire in a mosque but was overpowered before anyone there was injured. Last year, a Norwegian man armed with knives and a bow and arrow killed five people in a town in southern Norway. The attacker, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was sentenced Friday to compulsory psychiatric care. ___ Ritter reported from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Jari Tanner in Helsinki and Sarah Hambro in Oslo contributed to this report. The United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday. It is a law that gives women a right to have an abortion, and was met with both celebration and sadness from a divided country. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. Srinagar, June 25 (UNI) Despite a ceasefire along the Line of Control, Army on Saturday said around 500 to 700 militants are present at the training camps in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir and nearly 150 are waiting at the launchpads to infiltrate into Kashmir region. A senior Army officer in Kashmir said the 500 to 700 militants are at three training camps Manshera, Kotli and Muzaffarabad across the LoC. At the launchpads, there are about 150 people opposite the valley ready to infiltrate, the officer, who did not wish to be named, said The Army officer asserted that there has been no successful infiltration till ending May in Kashmir and militants were using alternate routes to sneak here. The focus of infiltration has largely now shifted to south of Pir Panjal and in fact, there are inputs that some people may have also trickled in via Nepal, he said. The officer said though there is a possibility of infiltration, the LoC fence, deployment and the surveillance equipment has brought down the success rate of infiltration. The way we have made the fence stronger, the way the deployment has been made and the surveillance equipment there, the success rate of infiltration has gone down, he said. He said because of the measures and alertness along the LoC, the militants try alternate routes. On infiltration, the officer said till ending May there has been no successful infiltration. Till the end of May, everything has been taken care of. There was a particular group which had come and it got eliminated at Bandipora and Sopore, he said. On targeted killings, the officer said it was aimed either at provoking the security forces, or to bring a fear factor among the people that their writ still runs. UNI MJR SY The current Decade of Commemorations project remembering events from 100 years ago has made the Curragh Military Museum more relevant than ever to visitors from home and away. Many exhibits have taken on increased significance due to their indelible link with the past such as the last Union Jack flag which flew over the Curragh Camp on the day of the official handover from British forces to the Irish Free State Army in May 1922. The handover brought about the end of an era when the Curragh Camp was the centre of British military power in Ireland and home to 6,000 troops and 4,000 civilians in a mini-city with shops, cinemas, hospitals, bakery, an abattoir, schools and a prison. The Museum has been extensively refurbished during Covid-19 pandemic and has many new displays which will enthrall many visitors for an hour or two. The Curator of the Museum is Lt Col Des Healy and all the staff who manage the Museum are serving members of the Defence Forces and include Sgt Neil Sourke, Gary Rice, Chris Callaghan and David OHearne. Private Rice provided a very comprehensive tour of the exhibits to the the Leader and his encyclopaedic knowledge was most impressive. Lt Col Healy said: The Museum is free to everybody. Were not a national museum, were a local museum with strong links to the community. Lt Col Healy added: The main theme of the Museum is the Irish Defence Forces from the founding of the Irish Volunteers through the War of Independence, the Civil War and through to modern times. The British left their footprint in local society, and its important that British history is also strongly represented in the Museum. The curator said he also wanted to highlight and acknowledge the generosity of families in donating treasured personal memorabilia to the Museum which can then be put on display and enjoyed by the general public. He explained: People trust the Museum with their precious family heirlooms. By donating them, they know that the objects will be treated with respect and care. The curator said: The commitment of these staff is second to none and their enthusiasm is infectious to everybody who meets them. Lt Col Healy also paid tribute to the support of Kildare Co Council and in particular to Heritage Officer Brigid Loughlin as well as Senior Executive Librarian Mario Corrigan and local historian James Durney. Local units of the Defence Forces in the Curragh Camp have also been very helpful in supporting the activities of the Museum, the Curator said. Lt Col Healy pointed out that one of the major new displays recognises the important role of women in the Defence Forces and also showcases the uniforms of female soldiers. A special event was also held in the Museum on International Womens Day in March. In terms of the existing exhibits, the famous Sliabh na mBan armoured car is one of several vintage vehicles on display and one of the most popular attractions. The Rolls Royce formed part of General Michael Collins convoy which was ambushed and killed on August 22, 1922. Other vehicles on display include the Comet Tank A34, a Churchill Tank, a Beaverette Mk IV Scout Car and a Panhard APC M3. Weapons on display include the Brown Bess musket one of the longest serving firearms in British Army service. Other popular attractions include the uilleann pipes played by Easter Rising leader Eamonn Ceannt. Also on display is an Irish Tricolour kindly donated by the family of General Sean MacEoin which was captured by the IRA leader from Auxiliaries whom he and his men ambushed in Clonfin, Co Longford in 1921. The Chester Beatty Room, featuring dozens of weapons collected from all over the world, is one of the most visited areas of the Museum. Also on display is a beautifully restored short grand piano which the Essex Regiment brought it to the Curragh in 1905. Information: The Curragh Military Museum is open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free and groups including school tours are welcome. Contact 045 445342 for further information or email: curraghmilitary.museum@defenceforces.ie. Property owners in Granard are being urged to apply for funding under the Streetscape Enhancement Measure 2022 of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. County Longford was allocated 100,000 by the Department for Rural and Community Development to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts in one designated town, as part of 2.6 million being made available nationwide. This scheme was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD under the Our Rural Future five-year strategy. Launching the scheme, Minister Humphreys stated that the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative will provide funding to property owners to improve the facades of their buildings. It is part of the Governments effort to assist in the regeneration, repopulation and development of our rural towns and villages. Improving the visual appearance of our urban streetscapes increases pride and confidence in our hometowns and villages, making them more attractive places to live, work and do business. The Streetscape Enhancement Measure will be administered by Local Authorities and will involve Longford County Council working in collaboration with local businesses and property owners to add colour and freshness to rural towns and villages. The types of projects that could be supported include: -Strategic collaboration between property owners to paint buildings or shopfronts in vibrant colours -Commissioning of murals in towns and villages -Upgrade or restoration of historic/traditional shopfronts A grant of up to 8,000 is available to qualifying businesses depending on the range of works proposed. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, July 1. Cllr Turlough McGovern commented that the Scheme for Granard will build on the good work that was completed under the 2021 scheme and support the efforts of the business community in the town to make Granard an attractive and dynamic place to do business. He encouraged all property owners who wanted to do works on the facade of their buildings this year to contact Longford County Council. Longford witnessed the highest spending increase among Bank of Ireland credit card customers last month, a new survey has found. An analysis of debit and credit card transactions during May saw Longford consumers outstrip the likes of Offaly, Cork, Kerry and Monaghan customers in a revelation which looks set to give a much needed tonic to the local economy. Social spending in May rose by 14% (following a 4% drop in April), with pubs enjoying a 21% spending spike, outlay in fast-food outlets going up by 15% and restaurant spend rising by 14%. The spending data also revealed that people were keen on enjoying their home comforts by getting back into hosting mode, with catering spend increasing by 17%. May was a more positive spending month nationwide, following on from April when only one county (Longford) posted a spending increase. Consumer outlay in Offaly (+14%), Cork (+13%), Kerry (+11%) and Monaghan (+11%) all rose much higher, with Longford once again leading the way with spending in the county during May rising by 18%. On an international level, spending in some of the traditional holiday destinations remained steady, whilst a host of travellers flocked to the likes of Croatia (+65%), Norway (+65%) and Sweden (+21%) looking to broaden their horizons. CAB chiefs to turn screw on Longford man A Longford man who is currently serving a three and a half year jail term for his involvement in a vicious feud related stabbing is facing fresh charges from Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) chiefs. Commenting on Mays spending data, Jilly Clarkin, Head of Customer Journeys & SME Markets at Bank of Ireland said: Whilst Aprils spending levels painted a mixed economic picture consumers certainly didnt hold back in May, sparking an overall spending rise of 13% and boosting social, retail (clothing spend rose by 16%) and accommodation businesses amongst others. The diary of Brian Laundrie has confirmed that he was the one who murdered his girlfriend, the well-known influencer Gabby Petito, as had long been assumed. This has just been announced by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after closing the case on Friday, January 21. In the conclusions provided to Petito's family, they confirm that her boyfriend was solely responsible for the death of the influencer, whose body was found on September 21, 2021 after she was reported missing. It is worth remembering that Laundrie had returned home alone to his parents' house after the van adventure through the United States that the couple had been sharing on YouTube during July and August, even though he tried to pretend that Petito was with him for several days after he strangled her. So much so that he even used her credit card to pay for the return trip to Florida from Wyoming. "The public's role in helping us has been invaluable, as the investigation was covered by the media around the world, so I want to thank you for all the information received," the FBI's Denver office said, before explaining that a note acknowledging his "responsibility" was found on Brian Laundrie's laptop. Hyderabad police to GHMC: Set up more animal shelter to accommodate seized cattle Hyderabad, June 25 (UNI) Police Commissioners of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda has asked Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to set up more animal shelters with adequate feed, water at the facility to quickly accommodate the seized cattle. In view of the Bakrid festival to be celebrated on July 10 Hyderabad City Police Commissioner CV Anand held a coordination meeting at city police headquarters, Basheerbagh. The meeting attended by Rachakond Police Commissioner Mahesh Bhagavath, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Stephen Ravindra, CP Cyberabad , senior officials from GHMC, transport and animal husbandry department discussed in detail about all the connected aspects involved in the illegal transport of cattle during this season, a police statement here said on Saturday. 1 polio worker, 2 cops shot dead in Pakistan 28 Jun 2022 | 3:27 PM Islamabad, June 28 (UNI) A polio worker and two police officers assigned to polio vaccination teams in Pakistan were shot dead on Tuesday in Pakistan's North Waziristan's Datta Khel area, the district's polio emergency response unit said. see more.. Russia sanctions 25 US citizens 28 Jun 2022 | 3:11 PM Moscow, June 28 (UNI/Sputnik) The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday expanded its US sanctions list by another 25 people, including wife and daughter of US President Joe Biden. see more.. Haitian criminal leader's arrest sparks clashes 28 Jun 2022 | 3:03 PM Port-au-Prince, June 28 (UNI/Sputnik) The Haitian police has arrested the leader of one of the country's gangs, which led to armed clashes on the streets of Haitis capital of Port-au-Prince. see more.. Police baton charge residents protesting against loadshedding in Karachi 28 Jun 2022 | 2:40 PM Islamabad, June 28 (UNI) Police in Karachi used tear gas and baton-charged residents of Lyari who were out protesting near the Mauripur road, against K-Electric for carrying out unannounced and prolonged power loadshedding and frequent breakdowns, Dawn reported on Tuesday. see more.. Washington, June 25 (UNI) After the US Supreme Court overruled the Roe v. Wade abortion law, protests have been planned across the country over the weekend. According to CNN, organisations like Planned Parenthood, Bans Off Our Bodies and Women's March are among the groups that will be holding the events. On Friday, after the SC's decision the abortion rights supporters protested outside the State Capitol in Phoenix. The Arizona law enforcement used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The cost-effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI)-supported detection of proximal caries was assessed by new study published in International Association for Dental Research (IADR). The Interactive Talk presentation will also be presented on the same topic by Falk Schwendicke, Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Germany and take place on Saturday, June 25th, 2022 at 2 p.m. China Standard Time (UTC +08:00) during the "e-Oral Health Network I" session. Artificial Intelligence in Caries Detection The study investigated the cost-effectiveness of AI-supported detection of proximal caries in a randomized controlled clustered cross-over superiority trial. Twenty-three dentists assessed 20 bitewings; 10 of which were randomly evaluated supported by an AI-based software and the other 10 without AI. NOTHING WAS USUAL ABOUT THAT PENTECOST MASSACRE IN NIGERIA This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) The African nations of Gabon and Togo have been admitted into the Commonwealth group of nations. We welcome them, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose government hosted a summit of Commonwealth leaders this week, told reporters Saturday. Gabon and Togo are Francophone countries that actively tried to join the bloc of 54 nations. The Commonwealth's titular head is Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Charles represented his mother at the summit in Kigali, the Rwandan capital. The admission of the two new members was a highlight of the summit. The meeting, which closes later Saturday, also raised more than $4 billion in pledges toward the fight against malaria and other tropical diseases. The summit took place place at an uncertain time for the British monarchy as well as the Commonwealth, whose relevance is sometimes questioned. Even as the Commonwealth appears attractive to prospective members, some existing member nations are discussing whether to remove the queen as their head of state. Elizabeth is the head of state of 14 Commonwealth realms, but Barbados cut ties with the monarchy in November. Several other Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, say they plan to follow suit. Charles told the summit Friday that free nations can make such decisions calmly and without rancor. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BAGHDAD (AP) Iraqs caretaker prime minister arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, his office said, on a visit that an official said aimed at reactivating Baghdad-mediated talks between the kingdom and Iran. The official said Mustafa al-Kadhimi planned to travel to Tehran after the visit to Saudi Arabia. The visit seeks to open new avenues that would reactivate dialogue between the two regional foes, according to the official, who is privy to the Iran-Saudi dialogue track. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to divulge the information to the press. Al-Kadhimi's office later said he arrived in the Saudi city of Jiddah for an official visit during which he would meet Saudi officials. It is al-Kadhimi's second visit since he took the post of prime minister in May 2020. The Saudi-Iran talks aimed at defusing yearslong tensions between the regional foes began quietly in Iraqs capital in 2021 as Saudi Arabia sought a way to end its disastrous war against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The conflict has spawned one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters and brought bombs from rebel drones and missiles raining down on Saudi airports and oil facilities. A fifth and last round of talks was held in Baghdad in April before they were suspended again amid soaring Middle East tensions. Iran, the largest Shiite Muslim country in the world, and Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties in 2016 after Saudi Arabia executed prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Angry Iranians protesting the execution stormed two Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, fueling years of animosity between the nations. Iraq borders both Iran and Saudi Arabia and is often caught in the middle of the two nations proxy wars. Al-Kadhimi has stressed he wants balanced relations with the two neighbors. Improving relations with Saudi Arabia was a key policy of his administration when he took office. A beach walk in Port Austin is scheduled for Monday, June 27, as part of an initiative from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. This is one of several walks the department will be organizing in coastal communities this summer, including Luna Pier, Alpena, and Upper Peninsula locations like Marquette, Houghton, and Escanaba. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Midland's music community has lost a beloved teacher and musician. Eluned Mair Alsgaard, 90, died June 17. Mair was born Dec. 24, 1931, in Cardiff, Wales, the only child of David and Eluned (Phillips) Godwin. She grew up in the coal mining village of Six Bells, Abertillery where she developed an interest in music. She took piano lessons and participated in competitions, winning many awards. Jim Hohmeyer of Midland, a friend of Mairs, recalls stories she shared about her piano competitions. The contestants were required to memorize a piece of music; although Alsgaard had memorized the music, she could not perform it unless the music was nearby. Fortunately, she found a workaround. She could not play the piece without the music close to her, Hohmeyer said. She would put the music on the bench and then she would sit on the bench so the judges couldnt see it. Mair attended Weymouth College where she earned a degree in music. While she was in college, she travelled to Saginaw to visit relatives. During her visit, her aunt set her up on a blind date with Richard Alsgaard, a graduate of the University of Michigan. The two continued to correspond by mail after Mair returned to Wales and while Richard served in the U.S. Army. Two years later, Richard proposed to Mair over the phone; she moved to Saginaw and the couple was married on Oct. 9, 1954. Mairs daughter, Sheila Nye of Saginaw, said her moms greatest quality was her strength. Moving from Wales to the U.S. at an early age was not easy, Im sure, Nye said. When they first started out, they didnt have a lot of money. The Alsgaards first son, David, was born sickly, so Richard and Mair had him treated at Henry Ford Hospital. Richard worked for Dow Corning, but the company didnt provide health insurance for newborns. To help pay the medical bills, Mair got a job as a social worker covering nearby rural areas. Eluned Mair Alsgaard Eluned Mair Alsgaard, 90, died June 17. She is survived by her four children, David (Kelly) Alsgaard, the Rev. Erik (Sheila) George, Ian (Victoria) Alsgaard and Sheila (Lenny) Nye; six grandchildren and five great-grandsons. Her husband died in 2018. A celebration of life for Mair is set for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Midland County Club. Arrangements are by Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Directors. See More Collapse After a couple of years, she started teaching piano out of her home and continued for over 60 years. Mair provided piano lessons until this spring, connecting with her students over Zoom during the pandemic. She influenced a ton of kids with her love of music, said David Alsgaard, her son. Mairs dedication to music continued as she served as the music director for Blessed Sacrament Church for 19 years, was the music and liturgy Director for St. Brigid Church and music resource coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw. After her retirement, Mair was the organist and music director at St. John's Episcopal Church for many years until spring 2022. Amon Eady, director of music at St. Johns, worked with Mair for the last five years. He spoke of Mairs devotion to her work and how he enjoyed her dry sense of humor. She was up at the church every single day until she physically couldnt, Eady said. One of Eadys favorite memories was going over to Mairs house during the pandemic to remotely broadcast Sunday church services. They would rotate who would provide bagels, donuts or breakfast sandwiches. As non-ideal as it was, it was so much fun, Eady said. Hohmeyer first met Maier when he was the Music Society director at Midland Center for the Arts. She encouraged him to join the Michigan Music Teachers Association; today, he is deeply involved with the organization and oversees the organizations Student Achievement Test. She was very good at getting people involved in musical organizations, Hohmeyer said. Mair continued to pursue her passion for music by joining the Saginaw Valley chapter of the American Guild of Organists, served as the chair of the Midland Symphony Board and was president of the Symphony League, twice. She was also involved with the Board of Community Concerts, Midland Historical Society, the steering committee for Matrix Midland and Friends of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. She was very fair and giving. She always cared more about other people than she did about herself. She always loved to give back and felt that was a higher calling, David said. Mom had the inability to say no. If somebody asked her for help or to volunteer for this or substitute for that, she was right there. Mair received several accolades for her contributions to the music community. In 1975, the Midland Jaycee Auxiliary named Mair the Woman of the Year. The following year, she was named the Midland Musician of the Year by the Midland Symphony Orchestra Society. Her latest honor was being named the Music Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Music Teachers Association in October 2019. I think about how many lives she touched, not only as a wife and mother, but as a choir director, organist, social worker, friend and teacher, Nye said. She always taught me to be kind to people. Mair is survived by her four children, David (Kelly) Alsgaard, the Rev. Erik (Sheila) George, Ian (Victoria) Alsgaard and Sheila (Lenny) Nye; six grandchildren and five great-grandsons. Her husband died in 2018. A celebration of life for Mair is set for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Midland County Club. Arrangements are by Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Directors. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MUNICH (AP) About 4,000 protesters gathered in Munich as the Group of Seven leading economic powers prepared Saturday to hold their annual gathering in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, which holds the G-7s rotating presidency this year. Organizers had hoped to mobilize up to 20,000 protesters in the Bavarian city and were disappointed by the low turnout at Munichs Theresienwiese park, German news agency dpa reported. Uwe Hiksch, one of the protest organizers, theorized said that potential participants might consider it inappropriate to challenge the worlds wealthiest democracies during Russias war in Ukraine. We have the impression that many people are unsettled by the war in Ukraine, Hiksch told dpa. Seven years ago, 35,000 people participated in protests when the G-7 held a summit at the same site in Bavaria. The G-7 leaders from the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan are expected to start arriving in Germany on Saturday afternoon. Their summit agenda includes issues such as Russias war on Ukraine, climate change, energy and a looming food security crisis. Russias brutal war against Ukraine is also having an impact here, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a video podcast Saturday, referring to rising prices for groceries, gas and energy. Fifteen groups critical of globalization, from the international Attac network to the environmental organization WWF, called on people to participate in demonstrations for this weekends summit. Their demands included a phase-out of fossil fuels, the preservation of animal and plant diversity, social justice and a stepped-up fight against hunger. My demands for the G-7 are that they have a clear commitment to energy transition, that is, the exit from fossil fuels, all forms of fossil fuels, by 2035 at the latest, so we can stop financing wars and conflicts, said Kilian Wolter from the environmental group Greenpeace. Earlier Saturday, during a separate protest demanding more global equality.members of the antipoverty organization Oxfam wore oversized heads of the G-7 leaders. We need concrete action to cope with multiple crises of our times, Oxfam spokesperson Tobias Hauschild told The Associated Press. That means the G-7 have to act immediately. They have to fight hunger, inequality and poverty. A total of around 18,000 police officers are deployed around the summit site and the protests. Scholz said the G-7 leaders would discuss the current situation triggered by the war in Ukraine "and at the same time ensure that we stop manmade climate change. The chancellor was set to welcome the leaders at the Elmau resort near Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Saturday evening. The G-7 summit itself will take place in Bavarias Elmau from Sunday through Tuesday. After the meeting concludes, leaders of the 30 countries in the NATO alliance will then gather for their annual summit, which is being held Wednesday through Thursday in Madrid. ___ Grieshaber reported from Berlin, Philipp Jenne and Pietro De Cristofaro contributed from Munich. HARTFORD Police said Friday they have made an arrest, and are poised to make a second, in a February homicide where two women were shot, one fatally, while asleep in bed. A warrant has been signed for the arrest of Ty-Jeir McCray, 18, of Prospect Street in Vernon, who is in custody on unrelated charges, Hartford police Lt. Aaron Boisvert said. McCray faces felony murder, first-degree assault and other charges. McCrays co-defendant, Troyquan Westberry, 21, of Vine Street in Hartford, was arrested on murder and other charges earlier this month, Boisvert said. The two victims were shot shortly before 2:30 a.m. Feb. 7 when they were in bed in the Evergreen Avenue apartment of the woman who died, Allison McCoy, 21, police said. According to the warrant for Westberrys arrest, McCoys girlfriend called 911 saying she was jarred awake from an extreme pain in her head and arm and that she couldnt feel her face or hands. She also was not able to wake up McCoy. First responders arrived and found that the woman had been shot in the back of her head and arm. She was rushed to Saint Francis Hospital, where she initially was in critical condition, the warrant said. McCoy, who was shot in her head, was pronounced dead at 2:48 a.m., according to the warrant. Police learned that McCoy, who they were told sold marijuana and kept $50,000 in a safe in the apartment, occasionally allowed acquaintances to stay with her, the warrant said. They also saw surveillance video of McCoy propping open the common door to her apartment building the night of her death. It was surveillance video of two people who went in and out of the apartment building before and after the deadly shooting and carrying items, including a square object, on their way out that led police to McCray and Westberry, the warrant said. But when McCray talked to police, he denied that the person in the video was him, even though he matched his description, the warrant stated. When McCray was arrested more than a month later on gun and stolen vehicle charges, he changed his story. He said he was in McCoys apartment, somewhere he has stayed before, smoking marijuana and listening to music with a guy he knows as Tquan the night of McCoys death, according to the warrant. He never saw anyone else in the apartment, he said. At one point, Tquan, or Westberry, handed him a black hooded sweatshirt to put over his yellow jacket and told him to leave the apartment and start walking down the back stairs, the warrant said. When McCray was in the hallway, he heard gunshots, he told police. Westberry threatened to kill him if he told anyone, he said, according to the warrant. Besides felony murder and assault, McCrays charges are conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, police said. Westberrys other charges include criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree assault and criminal use of a firearm. Boisvert said Friday that more charges may be added. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate CHARLESTON, W. Va. (AP) A Texas group that helps women pay for abortions halted its efforts Saturday while evaluating its legal risk under a strict state ban. Mississippi's only abortion clinic continued to see patients while awaiting a 10-day notice that will trigger a ban. Elected officials across the country vowed to take action to protect women's access to reproductive health care, and abortion foes promised to take the fight to new arenas. A day after the Supreme Court's bombshell ruling overturning Roe v. Wade ended the constitutional right to abortion, emotional protests and prayer vigils turned to resolve as several states enacted bans and both supporters and opponents of abortion rights mapped out their next moves. In Texas, Cathy Torres, organizing manager for Frontera Fund, a group that helps pay for abortions, said there is a lot of fear and confusion in the Rio Grande Valley near the U.S.-Mexico border, where many people are in the country without legal permission. That includes how the state's abortion law, which bans the procedure from conception, will be enforced. Under the law, people who help patients get abortions can be fined and doctors who perform them could face life in prison. We are a fund led by people of color, who will be criminalized first, Torres said, adding that abortion funds like hers that have paused operations hope to find a way to safely restart. We just really need to keep that in mind and understand the risk. Tyler Harden, Mississippi director for Planned Parenthood Southeast, said she spent Friday and Saturday making sure people with impending appointments at the states only abortion clinic which featured in the Supreme Court case but is not affiliated with Planned Parenthood know they don't have to cancel them right away. Abortions can still take place until 10 days after the state attorney general publishes a required administrative notice. Mississippi will ban the procedure except for pregnancies that endanger the womans life or those caused by rape reported to law enforcement. The Republican speaker of the Mississippi House, Philip Gunn, said during a news conference Friday that he would oppose adding an exception for incest. I believe that life begins at conception, Gunn said. Harden said she has been providing information about funds that help people travel out of state to have abortions. Many in Mississippi already were doing so even before the ruling, but that will become more difficult now that abortions have ended in neighboring states like Alabama. Right now Florida is the nearest safe haven state, but Harden said, we know that that may not be the case for too much longer. At the National Right to Life convention in Atlanta, a leader within the anti-abortion group warned attendees Saturday that the Supreme Courts decision ushers in a time of great possibility and a time of great danger. Randall OBannon, the organizations director of education and research, encouraged activists celebrate their victories but stay focused and continue working on the issue. Specifically, he called out medication taken to induce abortion. With Roe headed for the dustbin of history, and states gaining the power to limit abortions, this is where the battle is going to be played out over the next several years, O'Bannon said. The new modern menace is a chemical or medical abortion with pills ordered online and mailed directly to a womans home. Protests broke out for a second day in cities across the country, from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City to Jackson, Mississippi. In the LA demonstration, one of several in California, hundreds of people marched through downtown carrying signs with slogans like my body, my choice and abort the court. Turnout was smaller in Oklahoma City, where about 15 protesters rallied outside the Capitol. Oklahoma is one of 11 states where there are no providers offering abortions, and it passed the nation's strictest abortion law in May. I have gone through a wave of emotions in the last 24 hours. ... Its upsetting, its angry, its hard to put together everything Im feeling right now, said Marie Adams, 45, who has had two abortions for ectopic pregnancies, where a fertilized egg is unable to survive. She called the issue very personal to me. Half the population of the United States just lost a fundamental right, Adams said. We need to speak up and speak loud. Callie Pruett, who volunteered to escort patients into West Virginias only abortion clinic before it stopped offering the procedure after Fridays ruling, said she plans to work in voter registration in the hope of electing officials who support abortion rights. The executive director of Appalachians for Appalachia added that her organization also will apply for grants to help patients get access to abortion care, including out of state. We have to create networks of people who are willing to drive people to Maryland or to D.C.," Pruett said. "That kind of local action requires organization at a level that we have not seen in nearly 50 years. Fellow West Virginian Sarah MacKenzie, 25, said she's motivated to fight for abortion access by the memory of her mother, Denise Clegg, a passionate reproductive health advocate who worked for years at the state's clinic as a nurse practitioner and died unexpectedly in May. MacKenzie plans to attend protests in the capital, Charleston, and donate to a local abortion fund. She would be absolutely devastated. She was so afraid of this happening she wanted to stop it, Mackenzie said, adding, Ill do everything in my power to make sure that this gets reversed. The Supreme Court's ruling is likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. Since the decision, clinics have stopped performing abortions in Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Women considering abortions already had been dealing with the near-complete ban in Oklahoma and a prohibition after roughly six weeks in Texas. In Ohio, a ban on most abortions from the first detectable fetal heartbeat became law when a federal judge dissolved an injunction that had kept the measure on hold for nearly three years. Another law with narrow exceptions was triggered in Utah by Friday's ruling. Planned Parenthood Association of Utah filed a lawsuit against it in state court and said it would request a temporary restraining order, arguing it violates the state constitution. Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, where abortion remains legal, signed an executive order shielding people seeking or providing abortions in his state from facing legal consequences in other states. Walz also has vowed to reject requests to extradite anyone accused of committing acts related to reproductive health care that are not criminal offenses in Minnesota. My office has been and will continue to be a firewall against legislation that would reverse reproductive freedom, he said. In Fargo, North Dakota, the states sole abortion provider faces a 30-day window before it would have to shut down and plans to move across the river to Minnesota. Red River Womens Clinic owner Tammi Kromenaker said Saturday that she has secured a location in Moorhead and an online fundraiser to support the move has brought in more than half a million dollars in less than three days. Republicans sought to downplay their excitement about winning their decades-long fight to overturn Roe, aware that the ruling could energize the Democratic base, particularly suburban women. Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said she expects abortion opponents to turn out in huge numbers this fall. But Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, said Saturday he believes the issue will energize independents and he hopes to translate anger over Roes demise into votes. Any time you take half the people in Wisconsin and make them second-class citizens, Evers said, I have to believe theres going to be a reaction to that. ___ Bauer reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press reporters Rebecca Boone in Olympia, Washington; Bob Christie in Salt Lake City; Ken Miller in Oklahoma City; Dave Kolpack in Minneapolis; Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Mississippi; Christopher Weber in Los Angeles; and Tammy Webber in Fenton, Michigan, contributed to this story. ___ For APs full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion GREENWICH A home health aide who was working in Greenwich is facing two sets of criminal charges: for allegedly stealing from a local couple in their 90s and for allegedly sexual harassing three co-workers. Eugene Izuazu, 29, of Trumbull, was charged with second-degree larceny; sixth-degree larceny; third-degree identity theft and criminal impersonation for his alleged financial misconduct. According to court papers, he was also recently living in Bridgeport. He was employed as caregiver and aide through a company that provides housekeeping and other services to elderly people in their homes. Police were contacted by a family member of an elderly couple who was reviewing their financial records, according to the arrest warrant application. The woman found a $1,000 check had been cashed at a local bank (which later re-reimbursed the sum), the court filing stated. She contacted police in March of 2021 about the issue. Authorities determined that the person who cashed the check used a mobile phone to deposit the funds into another checking account, and they traced the transaction to Izuazu, the affidavit stated. While investigators were working on the alleged theft from the checking account involving Izuazu, other police personnel were gathering evidence on a claim he was sexually harassing other home health aides where they worked together in Greenwich. A female health aide reported to police in February of last year that he touched himself in front of her when she arrived at the home of a client, and the same behavior took place on two other occasions, according to the affidavit. He was also accused of sending intimate photos to that co-worker and others. Another woman also told police that Izuazu had groped her and later restrained her at the home of a healthcare client in Greenwich, according to the affidavit, and a third woman also recounted that he groped and restrained her. That woman later quit her job after the alleged incident, court papers stated. Police said he was also using a fake name with co-workers and his employers. He was fired from the home-care agency after his conduct was reported, the affidavit stated. For those incidents involving co-workers, according to police, Izuazu was charged with third-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree degree sexual assault, as well as disorderly conduct, obscenity, unlawful restraint and criminal impersonation. Izuazu was released after posting a surety bond on the two sets of criminal charges. Bail was set at $50,000 on each of them. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 1. Staff writer Pat Tomlinson contributed to this report. Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media / NEW HAVEN A city man pleaded guilty Friday after he was found with a ghost gun, heroin and crack cocaine in a stolen vehicle he was using, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Connecticut. Shavarius Smith, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition by a felon and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base, the federal prosecutors said. NEW YORK A U.S. Army private from Kentucky pleaded guilty Friday to charges that he plotted to murder members of his unit in an attack that he planned to carry out in 2020 on behalf of a group that promotes extreme violence to bring about the demise of Western civilization, authorities said. Ethan Phelan Melzer, 24, of Louisville, Kentucky, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court. Sentencing was set for Jan. 6, when he could face up to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to trying to murder U.S. military service members, seeking to support terrorists and illegally transmitting national defense information. In court papers, federal authorities say Melzer was already a member of a radical violent group known as the Order of Nine Angles, or 09A, before joining the Army in December 2018. According to a criminal complaint, the group is an anarchist group founded in the United Kingdom and now operating around the world, including in the U.S. Authorities said he had sought to earn a self-initiation into 09A through violence as a street-level drug dealer after shooting a marijuana dealer in the arm in January 2017 near his Louisville apartment. In one defense court filing, attorneys wrote that Melzer denies belonging to the group and told law enforcement after his arrest that his online claims of membership in the group were bluster falsities designed to impress the people he was communicating with online. The defense filing said that although Melzer had some curiosity about 09A, he believed it was weird and pretty much a cult and its beliefs were polar opposite of his own. In a release Friday, authorities said he joined the military to infiltrate its ranks on behalf of the group that espouses neo-Nazi, anti-Semitic and Satanic beliefs and encourages its members to infiltrate the military to gain training, commit acts of violence and identify like-minded individuals so they can try to subvert the military from within. Although he had joined 09A in 2017 or earlier, he began consuming propaganda from multiple extremist groups including the Islamic State on encrypted online forums after he was deployed to Italy in October 2019 as a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the release said. It said his actions resulting in the charges occurred in part after the Army told him in early May 2020 that he would be reassigned to a unit that would be deployed overseas to guard an isolated and sensitive military installation. After weeks of training including classified briefings in which he learned the importance and sensitivity of his new assignment, Melzer immediately began passing the information he learned to members of 09A as he proposed and planned a deadly attack on his fellow service members, authorities said. They said Melzer planned to join co-conspirators to carry out a jihadi attack that would cause a mass casualty event and had told others that an attack would essentially cripple the unit's fire-teams. In his communications, Melzer told his co-conspirators that he was willing to die for terrorist goals, concluding that he would've died successfully, according to court documents. Move over, F/A-18 Super Hornet. Sure, the Navys mainstay fourth-generation fighter gets most of the screen time in the instant megahit Top Gun: Maverick, but the movie features a nice cameo of the plane behind the plane: the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft. As a formation of four Super Hornets led by Capt. Pete Mitchell, call sign Maverick, roars toward a target in enemy territory, the Hawkeye swoops into view, tracking the jets. A naval flight officer in the back of the plane confirms to the fighters that they are on the E-2s radar. Nothing is going to close on them that the early warning plane wont spot first. The ugly Hawkeye With its giant flying saucer-like rotating radar dome, the Hawkeye is an odd-looking and ungainly plane. Designed with collapsible wings for compact storage on the deck of an aircraft carrier, it has twin turboprops and four tails, three of them with working rudders. The rudders exist so the plane can make flat turns, a maneuver that is difficult and stressful to the structure of other aircraft, Eric Beaty, a former Hawkeye naval flight officer (NFO), told Sandboxx. Within the strange exterior, though, is a sophisticated control center capable of providing a 360-degree view of fighters surroundings and allowing their pilots to focus on responding to threats and executing their mission. The whole reason that airborne radar exists is that the Earth is round, Beaty said. And radars do not really broadcast round waves. So those lines in movies about coming in under the radar, thats real. We put radar in the sky so you cant come in under it. Beaty, who served in Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW)-125, out of Iwakuni, Japan, from 2011 to 2014, said he hasnt seen the new Top Gun sequel yet. Hes only aware of one other major movie appearance for the Hawkeye: The aircraft was a star in the 1980 film The Final Countdown in which a contemporary aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, is transported through time to the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The carriers crew discovers what has happened when an airborne Hawkeye spots Japanese ships moving into position outside the naval base, and the race is on to change the course of history. The first to launch and the last to land For all the capability and versatility of the Hawkeye, most people dont know how crucial it is to the success of fighter missions. In the carrier air wing, the E-2 is the first to launch from the carrier and the last to land, thanks to its solid fuel economy, compared to fighters, and the value of its eye in the sky role. We do almost everything, Beaty said. Its kind of neat. Sometimes you find yourself really having to dig through the manuals on some mission set or some aircraft that youve never worked with. Because if the Navys providing control, youre in. Airman Octavia Patterson assigned to the "Seahawks" of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 126, cleans screw jaws attached to an E-2D Hawkeye on the flight deck of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), June 11, 2022. (Jack Hoppe/U.S. Navy) In addition to controlling fighter missions for Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft, Beaty said his squadron had once been tasked with conducting aerial range clearance for a live missile shoot in the Virginia Capes area. Another time, he said, they assisted with keeping a section of maritime space clear of boats and watercraft. The plane, which has been in service since 1964, has two pilots in the front, and six NFOs in swiveling seats in the back. During flight, the NFOs face the sides of the aircraft so they can monitor their radar screens. When working with fighters, Beaty said, the idea is not to duplicate efforts, but to multiply processing power and expand response time in order to give U.S. jets a decisive advantage over their adversaries. The U.S. government spends a lot of money teaching fighter pilots how to be smart. And we would like them to do that, he said. But we provide that extra [situational awareness] so weve got our seven brains against [an adversarys] one or two. And thats one of the ways we win. An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, assigned to the Black Eagles of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, stands by during a sunset onboard Point Mugu Apr. 30, 2022. (Tyler Knotts/U.S. Navy) The Hawkeye will fly on Beaty acknowledged that the Hawkeye comes in for its share of teasing within the carrier air wing its crew are stereotyped as nerds or oddballs compared with the too-cool-for-school fighter jocks and its performance is, literally, much less high speed. The E-2 can reach a maximum of 350 knots, or 400 miles per hour, compared with the Super Hornets Mach. 1.8, or 1,190 mph. That does have its advantages, though: if theres a mechanical failure in the Hawkeye, its crew have a thorough working knowledge of the entire Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) manual, and a lot more time to respond to a problem than a quick-maneuvering fighter. And, regardless of how fast the Hawkeye moves, its invaluable to the carriers air warfare operation. We go everywhere the fighters do, Beaty said. Hollywood has made a lot of movies with fighter pilots and no controllers. But realistically if theres fighters, theres going to be a controller. The Hawkeye might also be more resilient than fighter jets to the march of military modernization. In Top Gun: Maverick, an irritated admiral tells Maverick (Tom Cruise) that the next generation of fighters will be unmanned, and, for all his ace flying skills, he is becoming irrelevant, an artifact of a more analog era. Maverick, of course, does his best to prove the admiral wrong. But if and when manned fighters head to the Boneyard, airborne early warning planes will probably still keep their crews, Beaty said. The E-2 is almost certainly going to outlast manned fighters, he said. Because the fighters may not need a pilot in them, but someones gonna need to tell them what to do. And that will probably be us. Read the original article on Sandboxx. The Cubs announced Friday that theyve designated infielder Jonathan Villar for assignment in order to clear a spot on the active and 40-man roster for fellow infielder David Bote, who has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Villar, 31, signed a one-year, $6MM contract with the Cubs this winter on the heels of a solid showing with the Mets. The versatile switch-hitter produced a .249/.322/.416 batting line in Queens last year (105 wRC+) and carried a .259/.327/.408 overall batting line from 2018-21. However, the 2022 season in Chicago hasnt gone well at all, as Villar has limped to a career-worst .222/.271/.327 output through his first 166 plate appearances. Villars struggles at the plate stem from a sudden downturn in his ability to do much of anything against fastballs. He entered the 2022 season as a career .251 hitter against fastballs, but hes seen 231 fastballs this season and posted a disastrous .119/.174/.119 batting line in his 46 plate appearances that have ended with a heater. Theres perhaps some poor luck from a BABIP standpoint (.217), but Villar has also whiffed in 43.5% of those plate appearances and posted a career-worst 18.2% swinging-strike rate against fastballs so the poor showing cant be blamed entirely on small samples and batted-ball luck. The Cubs have used Villar at second base (225 innings), third base (95 innings) and shortstop (17 innings) this season, but defensive metrics are down on him at all three spots. Villar has never rated well as a shortstop, so its not a surprise to see sparse usage and poor ratings there. However, hes generally been a solid enough defender at second base at least until the 2022 season. In this years 225 frames, hes posted a staggering -7 Defensive Runs Saved mark and received a similarly damning grade from Statcasts Outs Above Average (-5). By designating Villar for assignment, the Cubs are effectively eating the roughly $3.4MM of his contract that has yet to be paid out. Theyll remain on the hook for that money unless another team claims Villar off waivers or acquires him in a trade both of which seem quite unlikely, given the veterans struggles at the plate this year. The likeliest outcome is that Villar will be released and become a free agent. At that point, any of the leagues other 29 teams can sign him and owe him only the prorated league minimum for any time spent on their Major League roster. That sum would be subtracted from what the Cubs owe Villar. Bote, 29, returns to the Cubs after missing the entire season to date while recovering from November shoulder surgery. The infielder separated his shoulder during a game last May, and while the injury didnt immediately require surgery, it clearly hampered Bote at the plate. In 327 plate appearances, Bote posted a career-worst .199/.276/.330 batting line. The surgery originally came with a projected six-month recovery period, but Botes return comes closer to eight months out from the date of the procedure. Its been a rough couple of seasons for Bote, who back in 2019 signed a surprising five-year extension that came with a $16MM guarantee. It was something of a head-scratching move for the Cubs even at the time, as Bote was a part-time player whod posted a .239/.319/.408 batting line as a rookie in 2018. The first year of the contract certainly made it look like a sound investment, as Bote slashed at a .257/.362/.422 rate and was an underrated contributor on a Cubs team that was in contention for much of the year. Hes hit just .200/.285/.353 in 472 plate appearances since that time, however, although the shoulder injury certainly offers some explanation for last years struggles, at least. The Cubs owe Bote $2.5MM this season and will pay him salaries of $4MM and $5.5MM in 2023 and 2024. They also hold a pair of options, the first valued at $7MM and the second at $7.6MM. Blue Jays righty Nate Pearson, whos been on a minor league rehab assignment after a lengthy bout with mononucleosis, exited his most recent rehab appearance due to an injury and has now been diagnosed with a lat strain, tweets Sportsnets Arash Madani. The Jays dont have a timeline yet for when Pearson might be able to return. Its the latest setback in a career that has, to this point, been full of unfortunate injuries and health troubles for the ultra-talented Pearson. A former first-round pick who ranked as the sports top overall pitching prospect just a couple years ago, Pearson has dealt with elbow, groin and shoulder injuries since making his MLB debut in 2020. Pearson enjoyed a scintillating MLB first start that year, firing five scoreless frames against the Nationals and regularly hitting triple digits with his vaunted heater. Unfortunately, he hasnt been healthy enough to follow up with more outings along those lines. Pearson did have an impressive run with the Toronto bullpen down the stretch in 2021, pitching 12 2/3 innings of 2.84 ERA ball with a 20-to-7 K/BB ratio with a fastball that was averaging 98.5 mph in short relief. If Pearson can get healthy in 2022 or at any point down the line, the 25-year-old clearly has the ability to serve as a key piece of the Toronto pitching staff, be it in the rotation or out of the bullpen. The timing of his current setback is unfortunate, as it comes just a week after the Blue Jays learned that theyll be without Hyun Jin Ryu for the rest of the year (and much of next year) following Tommy John surgery. Pearson probably wouldnt have been built up as a rotation option right off the bat, but hed likely have returned as a multi-inning option out of the pen that could help to absorb some of Ryus lost innings perhaps in a role similar to the one Ross Stripling had before stepping into Ryus rotation spot. The other unfortunate aspect of Pearsons injuries, at least from the team vantage point, is that hes still racking up service time and working through his six years of club control, because the majority of the injuries hes incurred have happened while hes been on the big league roster. Pearson is currently on the Major League 60-day IL, and despite having appeared in just 17 big league games, hes all but certain to finish out the 2022 season with more than two years of service time. The Blue Jays still control him for four years beyond the current campaign, but needless to say, this isnt how they hoped the promising young rightys first two years of service would play out. In the short term, what figures to be another absence of some note figures to only further the Toronto front offices search for pitching on the summer trade market. The Blue Jays bullpen currently ranks 24th in the Majors with a collective 4.38 ERA, and while the rotation is sound with Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Stripling and Yusei Kikuchi, the loss of Ryu has already thinned out the depth a bit. Michael Blankson, comedian 25.06.2022 LISTEN Michael Blankson, US-based Ghanaian comedian and entrepreneur, has revealed that the reason his soon-to-be-opened school will be free is to inspire others to do the same for their communities. Speaking during an exclusive interview on Accra-based GTV's Breakfast Show on Friday, June 24, 2022, monitored by Modernghana News, he noted that such an act will also inspire children who will benefit from this charitable act to also give back to their communities when they make it in the future. In furtherance, the multiple award-winning comedian emphasized that if every rich person had seen the need to give back to the community, the narrative would have been different by now. Mr. Blankson is currently building a school facility in his home town, Nsabaa, near Cape Coast in the central region of Ghana that will accommodate students from kindergarten to the junior high school (JHS) level. Even though the school is private, he claims that no student will have to pay anything because they will be fully funded by his scholarships. If you make it in life from this school, I want you to come back here in 30 years to make a difference to your people. It is just an eye-opening for everybody, everybody in the whole world if everybody went back to their original places and did something for the kids, we would all make a difference, he said. He is looking for a qualified person to be the principal of the school so that they can hire competent teachers to teach the children because he cares deeply about the students who will be attending the school. He stated once more that his search has resulted in a large number of applicants, and that he will try to interview them before leaving the country. It is very important who the right person is because I want them to be the best and I dont care, Im going to find the best person, and I want these kids to be very special kids. The goal is to go further than that. I would try to do an interview before I leave. Im going to do it in the next couple of days, I hire an HR person to find somebody and once I get the headmaster, we would put the whole team together. The response so far has been crazy, and the search has just begun, he stated. Yaw Tog, Sore hitmaker 25.06.2022 LISTEN Thorsten Owusu Gyimah, popularly known as Yaw Tog, a Ghanaian young drill (Asakaa) musician, said he was spiritual attacked earlier this year. The 2021 hip-hop song of the year winner has been out of the music scene after he released the party song in which he featured Malcon Nuna, making people think his career has been crashed. Though Yaw Tog never responded to these criticisms, he has now come out with the explanation being that he was spiritually attacked. In a Twitter post by the 'Sore hitmaker on Saturday, June 25, 2022, he noted that he was defeated by the attack, but thanks to God, he is back on his feet again. He further stated that his decision to disclose to the public is a result of his quest to advice aspiring musicians to be serious in their spiritual life. He added that musicians need to be vigilant about who they take as friends. I got defeated early this year but Im back again and be beware of fake friends, please. I feel like advising the young ones wishing to do music in the near future please be strong in the spiritual world too, his tweet reads. Find Yaw Tog's tweet below; Michael Blankson, a Ghanaian-Liberian born entertainer based in the United States, has advised his peers to be mindful of their public behaviour. According to the award-winning comedian, he does not know the extent of their influence on the younger generation, but he advised his colleagues to be cautious about what they do or say in public because children learn from their example. I did not know how much influence we entertainers have on the younger generation. Children are easily influenced on what we put out there and try to follow our footsteps so we have to watch what we do and say. Im about to block these little Modasuckas lol, his tweet reads. Michael Blankson is currently in Ghana constructing a school facility for students ranging from kindergarten to Junior High School (JHS). Mr. Blankson revealed during an interview on Accra-based GTV's Breakfast Show on Friday, June 24, 2022, which was monitored by Modernghana News, that the school will serve students in and around his hometown, Nsabaa, near Cape Coast in the Central Region for free with fully funded scholarships. He added that his motivation is for every wealthy person to give back to their communities, as well as to instill in children the act of returning to serve their hometown when they achieve success in life. If you make it in life from this school, I want you to come back here in 30 years to make a difference to your people. It is just an eye-opening for everybody, everybody in the whole world if everybody went back to their original places and did something for the kids, we would all make a difference," he emphasised. Christians and all social groupings must be vigilant for strange and weird moves by strangers in their churches and gatherings, the Most Reverend Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana has cautioned. The joy of terrorists, he said, was to put fear in people and therefore, asked the public to be alert and watchful all the time to stay safe. Let's not lose guard and open ourselves up to be terrorized. Pastors, security men and ushers should all be vigilant about the people they allow entry into the church compound and auditoriums, he said. Bishop Boafo gave the caution when he led an order of service for the commendation and commissioning of 70 new Ministers for the church, in Accra. The Presiding Bishop bemoaned the over-generous and welcoming nature of Ghanaians, which could threaten their lives. In Ghana, we are too generous and when we meet people for the first or few times, we tell the fellow about everything about our lives and before we realise we shouldn't have, it would have been too late. Don't be too careless about yourself and let's be alert about strange behaviours in our churches and with other members of the congregation, because terrorists are targeting our churches, he reiterated. He entreated the security services to be ready at all times to support citizens against any terrorist attack. GNA Mrs Sheila Minka-Premo, Convener of the Affirmative Action Bill Coalition (AABill Coalition), has appealed for the appointment of a Substantive Minister to help speed up the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill into law. Making the appeal at a roundtable discussion on the Bill in Accra, she explained that the Bill had unduly delayed and was drafted every year since 2016 without receiving significant attention of the Cabinet. The Minister would, therefore, push for the approval of the Bill which is before Cabinet to be sent to Parliament for assessment and passage. The Affirmative Action Bill seeks equalising the tracks and removing the unjust barriers that obstruct the pathways to progression. The policy is designed to equalise the conditions of an otherwise unfair race and give everyone a fair chance to compete. The roundtable discussion, organised by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and the AABill Coalition was participated by the Abantu for Development, Institute for Democratic Governance, and the media was on the topic: Averting the Excessive Delays in Passing the Affirmative Action Bill The Role of Stakeholders. Mrs Minka-Premo said women constituted more than 50 per cent of the population but were minimal at the corporate, public and private sector. At parliament, women constituted only 14.5 per cent, she said, attributing that partly to the burdensome duties they had at work and home and the overall discrimination against women in decision making processes. So naturally those usually available to attend all decision-making functions are the men, she said. The Convener bemoaned the ineffectiveness in implementing policies like the National Gender Policy and International Treaties like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol). Ms Emefa Apawu, a Broadcast Journalist, urged the public to demand passage of the Bill in exchange for their votes in general elections. Its time citizens make passage of the Affirmative Action Bill an election language for politicians because that's the only language they understand better, she said. She admonished the media to not only report facts but speak up for the passage of the Bill just as they led conversations on drug abuse, 'galamsey', COVID-19, teenage pregnancy, and E-Levy. I believe the media has power to avert the excessive delays of the passage of the Bill, she said and encouraged them to decentralise sensitization on the Bill to the districts and local assemblies to be appreciated by the ordinary Ghanaian. Dr Kojo Asante, Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement, CDD-Ghana, said advocating the passage of the Bill was a mere human right and gender equality issue that was clearly spelt out in the Constitution. Over the years, we have tended to be inhuman, and not seen the need to treat other humans equally, that is why its been complicated for us to push for gender equality. We are all citizens and according to the Constitution, we are supposed to be treated the same, even though some people in a way look like they are more citizens than others, he said. So, if there is a statistic like out of 6000 assembly members, just 460 are women that make contribute to making decisions for societies, and women outnumber the men in the country, then the 460 doesn't make sense, Dr Asante said. He explained that a democracy should be participatory as societies were better when provided space for inclusion and equal opportunities for all. GNA Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa 25.06.2022 LISTEN Earlier today the Director of Communications at the office of the President, Eugene Arhin released a statement in response to some misrepresentations and outright falsehoods on presidential travels being peddled by the member of parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The release from the Presidency, clarifying the issues and setting the records straight on the Presidents trip to Belgium is a clear testament of the fact that Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been living a lie for a long while on his so-called accountability campaign. To think that a member of parliament could engage in vile propaganda just to make the Akufo-Addo administration look bad in the eyes of the Ghanaian people beats my imagination. It has long been said in politics in this part of the world that opposition elements will always engage in desperation for political power. Today that has again been shown to be true. Eugene Arhin's response was another nail that just got driven into Ablakwa's coffin. Weirdly, despite Eugene Arhin's timely intervention, Okudzeto Ablakwa himself, when put under pressure on the issue on Asempa Fm a while ago, didn't have the curtsey and decency to do the needful, saying that he stands by his claims. I'm not sure whether I'm more angry or frightened for the political class, as we can see this is only the start of a concerted assault on political leadership. It is also a grim situation, with a thread of dark hopelessness underneath which is frankly more disturbing than anything else. The even more sinister element to this is that Okudzeto Ablakwa lied through his teeth. What Ablakwa utterly fail to grasp is that the presidency is no joke and that President Akufo-Addo's travels has brought more glory to this nation than his predecessors. Okudzeto Ablakwa succeeded in his most important task in life, getting elected as member of Parliament. If you thought he had anything else to do, or the will, the motivation, or the energy for it, you are sadly mistaken and uninformed. This is a guy who couldn't even afford three square meal before going into politics. He entered politics straight from the University and became an overnight achiever with alledged properties at Airport Hills. Such a character is questioning President Akufo-Addo's selflessness to the state? As politicians, we are setting up an entirely false choice over our political differences that, if care is not taken, could unnecessarily undermine our democratic gains. Signed: Ernest Kofi Owusu Bempah, Political Strategist and Convener of fixing the country movement Businessman and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the McDan Group of Companies, Mr. Daniel McKorley, has revealed his apathy towards lazy men. He said he does not disrespect lazy men. However, he said he does not keep company with them as he sees no reason for a man to be lazy particularly in this part of our world where one must suffer to make a better living. I dont disrespect lazy men, but they are not my friends. As a man, you cant afford to be lazy. You need to work hard and push yourself a little," he said. Few days ago, the business mogul stated that married men should not rely on their wives' income for survival because, in his opinion, a woman's salary should be solely hers. In continuation of this statement he made while speaking at an Accra-based Joy Prime Father's Day program on Sunday, June 19, 2022, he advised married men not to use their role as breadwinners to intimidate their wives. According to home, men must allow them (their wives) to express their views freely in the marriage. Once youre a husband, your integrity must stand tall. The fact remains the same. We cannot try to change the narrative. A man must be a man; a womans money is not your [the mans] money. Women are to be respected [because] they are the sweetest and most wonderful creatures God gave humanity. Theres no way you should be an autocratic husband because you pay the bills. If your salary is low, it doesnt mean you should change the narrative. But if you dont have enough and the woman spends on you, make sure you pay back, he stressed. Despite the fact that this statement has elicited several rebuttals from Ghanaian men, one in particular, Manasseh Azure of The Fourth Estate, a Ghana-based online news portal, has stated that such systems of absolute male financial sponsorship in marriage can only be achieved in billionaire households like Mr. McDan's. Mr. McDan furthered his statement on Thursday, June 23, 2022, on Accra-based Joy FM's Super Morning Show, monitored by Modernghana News, where he said men must work harder to be innovative and visionary husbands despite economic hardships. I understand the system is hard, and its not going to be better, but we have to be innovative and visionary husbands and go on the tangent of having multiple income streams not to be criminals, he stated. Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta must also account for how the funds received by the Covid-19 Trust Fund were also utilised, an economist, Dr Adu Owosu Sarkodie, has said. Dr Sarkodie stated that the Trust Fund also formed part of the Covid spending hence, must be accounted for. You have to account for the Trust Fund. It is part of it, he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday June 25. He added You cannot account for the entire funds without talking about the Trust Fund. If it is the MMDAs, they must appear before the Committee to account for it. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin on Wednesday June 22 directed the Committees of Finance and Health to interrogate further the Covid-19 funds utilization despite the breakdown given by Mr Ofori-Atta in the House. This was after the Minority expressed dissatisfaction with the accountability provided by the Finance Minister. Mr Bagbin said after the debate on the Finance Minister's presentation that The directive is for the Committee on Finance, supported by the Committee on Health to investigate and inquire further into the application and utilization of all the revenues received, referred to as Covid-19 fund and to report to the House. The time lines, because we are going on recess and in view of the agenda of the rest of the meetings, I will want the report to be presented by the first month of our next meeting. First month of the next meeting will be in October. By the 27th of this month the House will be on recess but the committee will need more than just these few weeks to do the week. Explaining how the funds were spent, the Finance Minister told Parliament that in the area of free water and electricity for lifeline consumers, for instance, that an amount of 200m was made available for free water and electricity for lifeline consumers, out of this, 143m utilized. He further said Though our response was bold and decisive and compassionate, it has also been costly. Mr Speaker, you will recall that on 30th March 2020, I made a statement to Parliament that the economic impact of Covid 19 pandemic on the economy of Ghana following the implementation of the coronavirus alleviation programme commenced. Furthermore, during the presentation of the 2020 mid year budget fiscal policy, I indicated that the supplementary request included the programme funding of 19.3billion from various funding sources to support the budget both directly and indirectly. On the expenditure side, an amount of 11. 16billion was programmed for Covid-19 related expenses. The difference of 8.14 billion was progarmme to provide for shortfall in revenue. In 2021, the budget programme of a total amount of 4.6billion for Covid-19 related expenses. It is worth noting that the Ministry of Finance mobilizes the needed financial resources whiles the various Covid-19 interventions and related expense were implemented by the relevant sector ministries and agencies. But the Minority asked the Speaker of Parliament to set up an ad hoc committee to further probe the Covid spending. Commenting on the presentation, Member of Parliament Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Casiel Ato Forson said the Finance Minister cannot be the only one accounting for the funds. We cannot sit here and say that the Minister of Finance should be the only one accounting for the Covid amounts. The Minister responsible for Finance is only a conduit of releasing the money but the money we spent at the various at the MDAs, and that is why Mr Speaker, I call on you to set up an ad hoc committee so that we can bring the various heads of the MDAs that spent the money to account for this in detail, he said on the floor. He also raised concerns against the failure of the Minister to touch on the Covid-19 Trust Fund. However, reacting to him, the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah said there was no need for the creation of the committee because all the answers regarding how the funds were utilized, have been provided. it is an after thought, it will be waste of time because the Minister has given the break down, he said. Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin also said it is needless to set up a committee to look into it because the Finance Minister has provided the answers. We are here to receive the facts and when the facts are given to us we should be fair and acknowledge it, he said. 3news.com 25.06.2022 LISTEN 100,000 Ghanaians are in the system of Germany, 40,000 of which live in Hamburg, Germany. This is around 80% of all blacks in Germany have their roots in Ghana. Children of Ghanaian parents have no interest to live in Ghana but avoid contact with their own preferring white Germans. Are they all so much in love with Germany to have their calling here or are they the ones Germany desperately needs and depends on? Less than 1000 Germans live in Ghana no one based on economic or political grounds, no one sending money back home to support their suffering families. While German politicians for personal and political gains praise Ghana as a raw model of peace and stability they ignore what every ordinary German citizen can hear walking around town. Essentially the German youth openly themselves use racist remarks against foreigners, especially Ghanaians seeing them in the system and taking advantage of it while in fact, their country has much more to offer than natural resources in poor Germany. Only the law of the country and their teachers while sitting side by side with a black Ghanaian keeps them in check and disciplined. The noise from Ghana in German society is too much. Current hardships of Ghana cause big laughter even among young students that know NPP came into power because of Ghanaians being unhappy about the policy of the NDC that itself got into Castle Osu about the unhappiness about the NPP policy and African rigging of elections by both parties. The laughing increases in the inner circle of Germans and German youth when they listen to the heated debates in Ghana about the current situation and the call for the youth to rise and take over. "But that is laughable. The youth is not experienced. What do they know about how to run a country? Look at us here no one of us would dare to be so proud and think we could run a nation." "Do not forget Arab Spring. People were angry and took to the streets with no idea and detailed plan no vision of a better future. My lecturer mentioned General Charles DeGaulle in his London exile setting up a government. When D-Day came he came to France and established the fourth Republic very successfully and well prepared. The establishment of the EU was the great vision he came back home with." "I know the lecturer you refer to." Overhearing from behind a mighty tree their conversation I got up and walked over to the lecture hall. Ghanaians are busybodies talking about wasting time, money, and a better future is a pain in the ears of ordinary Germans. Talking without actions and actions without a vision and detailed plan is nothing but a lasting joke but never a reason to be taken seriously. Some 400 Junior High School teachers with the Obuasi Municipal and Obuasi East District have undergone training to prepare them adequately for the new curricular of the Ghana Education Service. The workshop which was fully sponsored by AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine was also meant to improve the Basic Education Certificate Examination pass rate in Obuasi which currently stands at ninety percent (90%) to ninety-six percent (96%). According to the Social Development and Gender superintendent of AngloGold, Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei who spoke to the media during the close-out session of the workshop, once the teachers are able to adapt to the new skills in teaching, they will be able to impact it unto their students which will result in improvement in their BECE performance. AngloGold Ashanti in support of local Assemblies commitment to education development in Obuasi, through its 3-year Social Management Plan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Obuasi Municipal and Obuasi East District Directorates of Education. This was to jointly implement a 3-year Basic Education Improvement Project with the aim of contributing to increasing the BECE pass rate from 86.6 per cent in 2018 to 90 per cent by 2021. Under the MoU, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, through collaboration with the Obuasi Municipal and Obuasi East Directorates of Education, over the period, has implemented a plethora of interventions to improve education access, teachers delivery and school supervision. Madam Kyei revealed that the highly successful 5year Socio-economic Management Plan has birthed a 10 year Socio-economic Management Plan which has education highly featured. She mentioned that there are three(3) pillars in the Plan and key to the Improved Social Development Plan is education. " In education we seek to bridge infrastructural gap especially at the basic school level,donate teaching and learning materials to schools, continent with infrastructural capacity workshop,promote STEM and support ICT education," she added. The participants who were mainly English, Mathematics, Science, Social studies and Religious and Moral Education teachers were taken through Differentiated Approach to Teaching and Learning, Mode of Assessment and a Monitoring Plan Assessment Protocols and Process, How to group learners and provide specific, tailor made teaching to each group, during the period. Kwabena Owusu Nketia, the Obuasi East District Director of Education has underscored the benefit of refresher courses for teachers. He said it was important for teachers to improve and be abreast with modern trends in education. He added that the Directorate relishes AGA's enormous contributions towards education in Obuasi. He stressed that so far the various interventions by AngloGold towards teaching and learning are already yielding some positive outcomes. He was optimistic that the 4 days training will help equip the teachers with the knowledge and skills to enable them make positive impacts on their students. Anglogold Ashanti also presented ten (10) laptop to the two Education Directorates. The laptops were donated by RIGWORLD, a Sub-contractor of AGA. On Friday, closing statements in the Paris attacks trial came to an end with pleas from the two lawyers representing Salah Abdeslam, the sole survivor of the terrorist group which caused the deaths of 132 people in the November 2015 massacres. "Justice has nothing to do with cruelty. It is not intended to please the crowd. If you punish this man as the prosecution demands, terrorism will have won . . . and we'll know that all this has been nothing but a farce." Olivia Ronen's final words hung in the silence for what seemed a long time before the tribunal president, Jean-Louis Peries, uttered his usual thanks: "Merci Maitre". Ronen and her co-defender, Martin Vettes, spent nearly four hours at the bar on Friday, attempting to save their client, Salah Abdeslam, from literal life imprisonment, the worst punishment permitted under French law. Their task, in a courtroom packed with surviving victims and those bereaved by the 2015 attacks, was not an easy one. No one likes Salah Abdeslam. Justice cowering in a bunker Martin Vettes began the defence by remembering his first impressions of the specially-built courtroom and the extraordinary security precautions put in place for this trial. "It was like working in a bunker," he said, "surrounded by an army of policemen, snipers, scanners, sniffer dogs, everyone on a war footing. I had the disagreeable feeling that justice was afraid of the light of day." Vettes was, he continued, rapidly reassured by the attitude of the victims and the bereaved families. "Do your jobs as well as you possibly can," was their clear message to the defence counsel. "Without you, there can be no justice." And then, after more than nine months of generally serene and serious debate, the prosecution made its demands for punishment, destroying the calm with a chilling lack of mercy, implacable, like the descent of the guillotine. "The prosecution has been too harsh," lamented Vettes. He went on to explain the state's demand for the maximum penalty for Salah Abdeslam as a political reaction to public pressure, not as a reasonable legal assessment of the crimes committed. Martin Vettes described his client's clear evolution since his arrest, his shift of position in the course of this trial, his request for forgiveness from the families. "But no one here wants to believe Salah Abdeslam. His words have no value. And for that, he will spend the rest of his life in jail? "He has refused to incriminate others, those who are here, the dead. Does that mean he has to pay for their crimes?" And, quoting the French novelist Romain Gary to the effect that "what we call civilisation may be nothing more than a long effort to fool men about their true natures," Martin Vettes concluded by imploring the tribunal to ensure that their final judgement will "make us all better". On Monday, each of the 14 accused will be offered a final chance to address the court. Verdicts are expected on Wednesday evening. Moroccan rights activists on Saturday demanded an investigation into the deaths of at least 18 African migrants who were among hundreds that tried a mass crossing into the Spanish enclave of Melilla. The latest deadly drama on the doors of the European Union took place at dawn on Friday when around 2,000 migrants approached the Moroccan border with the tiny territory. More than 500 managed to enter a border control area after cutting a fence with shears, Melilla authorities said in a statement. Moroccan officials said late Friday that 13 migrants had died of injuries sustained in the incursion, in addition to five confirmed dead earlier in the day. "Some fell from the top of the barrier" separating the two sides, a Moroccan official said. On Saturday calm returned to the border area, with Moroccan security forces lightly deployed along the frontier, in a forested area where no migrants were to be seen. A local resident said several buses had passed through to take migrants away. Others "have probably moved away for fear of being displaced by the Moroccan authorities," Mohamed Amine Abidar of the AMDH rights group told AFP. The AMDH has demanded a "comprehensive, quick and serious enquiry to determine responsibilities and shortcomings", and warned against burying the migrants' bodies until their deaths had been properly investigated. Images on Spanish media on Friday had showed exhausted migrants lying on the pavement in Melilla, some with bloodied hands and torn clothes. Speaking in Brussels, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the "violent assault", which he blamed on "mafias who traffic in human beings". Migrant magnet Melilla and Ceuta, Spain's other tiny North African enclave, have the European Union's only land borders with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants. Friday's was the first such mass incursion since Spain and Morocco mended diplomatic relations last month. The AMDH said it was "a true catastrophe that shows the consequences of the latest Moroccan-Spanish entente". In March, Spain ended a year-long diplomatic crisis by backing Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara going back on its decades-long stance of neutrality. Sanchez then visited Rabat, and the two governments hailed a "new stage" in relations. The row began when Madrid allowed Brahim Ghali, leader of Western Sahara's pro-independence Polisario Front, to be treated for Covid-19 in a Spanish hospital in April 2021. A month later, some 10,000 migrants surged across the Moroccan border into Spain's Ceuta enclave as border guards looked the other way, in what was widely seen as a punitive gesture by Rabat. Rabat calls for the Western Sahara to have an autonomous status under Moroccan sovereignty but the Polisario Front wants a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination as agreed in a 1991 ceasefire agreement. In the days just before Morocco and Spain patched up their ties, there were several attempted mass crossings of migrants into Melilla, including one involving 2,500 people, the largest such attempt on record. Nearly 500 made it across. 'Means of pressure' The mending of ties has meant a drop in migrant arrivals in Spain, notably in the Canary Islands. The number of migrants who reached the Canary Islands in April was 70 percent lower than in February, government figures show. Sanchez warned earlier this month that "Spain will not tolerate any use of the tragedy of illegal immigration as a means of pressure". Spain will seek to have "irregular migration" listed as one of the security threats on the NATO's southern flank when the alliance gathers for a summit in Madrid on June 29-30. Over the years, thousands of migrants have attempted to cross the 12-kilometre (7.5-mile) border between Melilla and Morocco, or Ceuta's eight-kilometre border, by climbing the barriers, swimming along the coast or hiding in vehicles. The two territories are protected by fences fortified with barbed wire, video cameras and watchtowers. Migrants sometimes use hooks and sticks to try to climb the border fence, and throw stones at police. 25.06.2022 LISTEN Clinics have begun closing in some US states after a Supreme Court ruling Friday removed American womens constitutional right to abortion. About half of states are expected to introduce new restrictions or bans after the court reversed its 50-year-old Roe v Wade decision. And 13 states have so-called trigger laws in place that will see abortion banned within 30 days. President Joe Biden described the ruling as a tragic error. In Phoenix, Arizona, police fired tear gas after pro-choice protesters banged on the doors and windows of the state capitol. In Los Angeles, protesters briefly blocked traffic on a highway. Protests are expected to continue in cities around the country on Saturday. At an abortion clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas a state with a so-called trigger law allowing an instant ban the doors to the patient area shut as soon as the courts opinion was posted online. Staff made calls to tell women that their appointments were cancelled. No matter how hard we prepare for bad news, when it finally hits, it hits hard. Having to call these patients and tell them Roe v Wade was overturned is heartbreaking, nurse Ashli Hunt told the BBC. Escorts at the clinic, who stood in the Arkansas heat day in and day out to accompany patients through the throng of protesters, held a group hug. I thought that this country would still care about people. Would still care about women, said Miss Karen, the lead escort. After the Supreme Court decision staff in Little Rock called women to tell them their appointments were cancelled Outside, anti-abortion protesters celebrated. You are on notice! shouted a protester at people still parking their cars at the clinic who had not heard about the decision yet. My suggestion is for you turn around and leave this place of sin, this place of inequity, this evil place. In New Orleans, Louisiana another trigger law state the Womens Health Care Centre, one of only three abortion providers in the state, was closed and its staff had gone home. Outside the clinic, volunteer escort Linda Kocher told the BBC that rich women would still be able to access abortions in other states but poor women will end up in a back alley for illegal procedures. But anti-abortion campaigner Pastor Bill Shanks said it was a day for celebration. Overall, the Supreme Court ruling is expected to mean about 36 million women of reproductive age will lose access to abortion in their states, according to research from Planned Parenthood, a healthcare organisation that provides abortions. Trigger laws in Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Alabama have already been applied Bans in Mississippi and North Dakota will come into effect after their attorney generals approve it Wyomings ban will take effect in five days, Utahs ban must be certified by a legislative council Bans in Idaho, Tennessee and Texas will be applied in 30 days. The decision was met with elation by anti-abortion campaigners outside the court in Washington, but protests against the ruling were due to be held in more than 50 cities across the US. Although a divisive issue in the US, a recent Pew survey found that 61% of adults say abortion should be legal all or most of the time, while 37% say it should be illegal all or most of the time. In San Antonio, Texas, anti-abortion advocate Tere Harding said she was working on a security plan in case protests targeted the crisis pregnancy centre she runs on the outskirts of the city. Every human life needs to be protected, she told the BBC as she watched Mr Biden criticise the Supreme Court decision. It represents that we acknowledge the humanity of the unborn. Mr Biden said the ruling put womens health and lives at risk. Its a realisation of an extreme ideology and a tragic error by the Supreme Court, he said. He said he would work to ensure that state and local officials could not prevent women from travelling to have abortions in states where the procedure is legal, and would also protect womens access to contraception and medication to end pregnancies of up to 10 weeks that is used to treat miscarriages. Fridays ruling amounts to a wholesale reversal of the Supreme Courts own legal precedent an extremely rare move and is likely to set up political battles that divide the nation. The governors of west coast states California, Washington and Oregon have vowed to protect patients travelling from other states for an abortion. In states where opinions on abortion are closely split such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin the legality of the procedure could be determined on an election-by-election basis. In others, the ruling may set off a new round of legal battles, including over whether individuals can go out of state for abortions or order abortion drugs through mail services. Meanwhile, former Vice-President Mike Pence, a long-standing critic of Roe v Wade, urged anti-abortion campaigners not to stop until the sanctity of life was protected by law in every state. How the decision was made The landmark 1973 Roe v Wade case saw the Supreme Court rule by a vote of seven to two that a womans right to terminate her pregnancy was protected by the US constitution. The ruling gave American women an absolute right to an abortion in the first three months (trimester) of pregnancy, but allowed for restrictions in the second trimester and for prohibitions in the third. But in the decades since, anti-abortion rulings have gradually pared back access in more than a dozen states. In its current session, the Supreme Court had been considering a case, Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, that challenged Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks. By ruling in favour of the state, the conservative-majority court effectively ended the constitutional right to an abortion. Some protesters gathered outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh Five justices were firmly in favour: Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote a separate opinion saying that, whilst he supported the Mississippi ban, he would not have gone further. The three justices who disagreed with the majority Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan wrote that they had done so with sorrow for this court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection. The reversal of a long-standing precedent has also raised fears for other rights decided upon by the Supreme Court in the past. Justice Clarence Thomas, in his opinion, wrote: In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell referencing three landmark decisions of the past on the right to contraception, the repeal of anti-sodomy laws, and the legalisation of same-sex marriage respectively. Source: BBC Prince Charles says Commonwealth nations are free to farewell the monarchy and become republics, acknowledging changes well under way in a colonial-era organisation trying to define its modern profile and purpose. The 54-nation club meeting in Rwanda this week has faced pointed questions about its relevance, the future role of the royal family, and the legacy of its colonial past. Royals to republics Born out of the British Empire, and representing countries as diverse as tiny Tuvalu and behemoth India, the Commonwealth has been championed by Elizabeth II since she became queen in 1952. At that time, all Commonwealth nations bar India were monarchies but the majority today are republics. Of the 14 nations outside the UK where the queen is still head of state, republican movements are gaining traction. Britain's Prince Charles, pictured with Rwandan President Paul Kagame will inherit the Commonwealth leadership when he becomes king. By Simon MAINA (AFP/File) Member state Barbados became the world's newest republic last year, and other Caribbean nations are pushing to follow suit. Charles -- who inherits the Commonwealth leadership when he becomes king -- told Commonwealth leaders on Friday: "Each member's constitutional arrangement, as republic or monarchy, is purely a matter for each member country to decide." The royal family had been consistent on this point for decades, said Philip Murphy, Commonwealth expert at the Institute of Historical Research. "What matters to them is not whether countries remain monarchies -- that is up to them. It is that they remain in the Commonwealth," the director of history and policy at the London-based institute told AFP. Fresh faces Membership has expanded to include nations with no historic ties to Britain, most recently Mozambique in 1995 and this year's summit host Rwanda in 2009. Two further non-Anglophone countries -- the west African states of Togo and Gabon -- are expected to become the newest members this weekend. "More and more countries want to join it. They see the value of it," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Murphy said Commonwealth membership had become "almost a mark of international respectability" for countries with reputation problems or a desire to pivot away from France. Togo, once a German then French colony, said membership would bring it closer to the English-speaking world and afford greater market access to 2.5 billion consumers. "Togo joining the Commonwealth is better for many people than sharing the French language and culture, which at the end of the day has not promoted development," said Togolese political analyst Mohamed Madi Djabakate. Blind eye The Commonwealth claims strength in diversity and calls itself a "family of nations" united by a commitment to good governance, respect of human rights, and democracy. But it is not governed by a treaty and membership is voluntary, making it difficult to enforce decisions or take action against recalcitrant members. Rights groups took particular umbrage with Rwanda -- whose long-ruling leader Paul Kagame has presided over what critics say is a "climate of fear" -- hosting the summit. By doing so, critics said, Commonwealth leaders were turning a blind eye to Rwanda's grim record on human rights and political freedoms, and damaging its own claim to defend these liberties in the process. The expected admission of Gabon and Togo -- both countries ruled by a single family for more than 50 years -- could also raise eyebrows. Tough questions Often accused of being a talk fest, delegates at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali addressed climate change, violence against women, mental health, vaccine equity, and urbanisation -- to name a few. The spectre of colonialism went unmentioned until Charles expressed "sorrow" for the horrors of slavery and Britain's involvement in it. Despite its shared history of colonialism, Commonwealth nations were not rushing to pore over the painful past or broach uncomfortable topics such as reparations from Britain. "The Commonwealth cannot be everything to everyone, and it cannot take every issue," said Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, who said the UN was a more appropriate arena for such matters. Some say the Commonwealth could find new relevance by asking these difficult questions. "It is a logical framework for discussing colonial legacy issues, because that's the thing that pretty much all Commonwealth members have in common," said Murphy. Violent attacks on Muslims by Hindu nationalists has been on the rise since Prime Minister Narender Modi was elected prime minister in 2014. In the last couple of months alone, dozens of Muslim properties have been demolished in anti-encroachment drives by bulldozers in New Delhi and in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. While officials say the demolitions only target illegal buildings, rights groups and critics say they are an attempt to harass and marginalise Muslims, pointing to a wave of rising religious polarisation under Modi's rule. Increasing attacks They have pointed to a worsening pattern of violence against the Muslim community in India, which makes up 14 percent of the country's 1.3 billion population. The government thrives on the politics of hate. It wanted to send a clear message to its core constituency of hard-line Hindus that it had not deviated from its path of othering the Muslims, said Navaid Hamid, president of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), an umbrella body of over a dozen leading Muslim organizations, That is why it resorted to bulldozing houses." It marks a moment in time where you are seeing a transition from a sort of fragile, flawed democracy transitioning brazenly into a criminal fascist Hindu enterprise, said prize winning author, Arundhati Roy. In the past few years, Muslims have been targeted for their food or clothing, or over inter-religious marriages. More recently, Muslim girls wearing a hijab were banned from entering their classrooms in the southern state of Karnataka, governed by the BJP. The courts also upheld the decision of the government. Earlier this month, unrest spread in several Indian states after controversial remarks were made by senior members of the ruling BJP about the Islamic prophet Muhammed. Rising Islamophobia The demonstrations turned violent in some states as people damaged property. Authorities were criticised for a heavy-handed response as they demolished three Muslim-owned houses in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that they had been illegally constructed that were denied by the owners. BJP spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said the protests were part of an "orchestrated program" with a specific game plan. "There are elements who want to disrupt the social fabric of the country and they need to be isolated so that the development agenda can progress," said Vadakkan. The scope and intensity of the clashes have alarmed members of the community. Of course, there is anguish and it is unfortunate that we have to see all this, said Abdul Majid, an IT professional. But the scale and the vehemence with which it is happening nowthis is alarming. That is not the way societies progress. While Muslims have been feeling under threat since the BJP came to power, hostility towards this community has become even more overt. The changed climate in India's famously argumentative democracy has come into sharp focus. Pupils of the New Asafo M/A Basic School in Kumasi had the privilege of spending quality time with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, Mr. Selorm Adadevoh when he visited the school as part of this year's Y'ello Care Employee Volunteering Programme. The annual event aims to secure high participation levels of MTN staff in high impact social projects to uplift and empower the local communities in which the company operates. Staff of MTN dedicate 21 days in June every year, to provide voluntary services in communities as part of the company's commitment to giving back to society. The theme chosen for this year's event is, Empowering Communities to Drive Economic Recovery, and aims to inspire stakeholders to heed the call to upgrade the digital skills of local communities in order to drive economic activity and participation through focusing on digital skills training and digital job creation. This is linked to MTN's strategic priority to build digital skills for digital jobs aligned to the company's Ambition 2025 Strategy. The CEO and a team of officials of MTN fraternised with the pupils and engaged them on how to improve their digital skills and the opportunities they could explore to develop as pupils. Mr Adadevoh implored the pupils to take their studies seriously and leverage technology to enhance their academic work. He told the media that MTN's focus for the year was to promote the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), adding that ICT had become important globally. If we do not start educating our students all the way from primary schools in ICT, then I am afraid we will be left behind in the global competitiveness at some point in the future, he said. He said the goal of MTN was to support the government in ICT and to contribute its quota to help students and the youth to build the necessary skills to enable the country to remain competitive on the global stage. The MTN team also donated four laptops to the school to promote the study of ICT while enhancing the digitisation of its administration. GNA 25.06.2022 LISTEN On the eve of his expected call to the bar, 30-year-old Daniel Ledi was battling for his life after armed robbers shot him several times at Adjei Kojo, near Ashaiman on Thursday. The robbers left Daniel with an injury to the head and a fractured arm when they attacked him in his mobile money shop close to his house. His family confirmed that Daniel is responding to treatment at the hospital while the police have started investigation into the crime. The Daily Graphic can confirm that senior police officers from the Ashaiman Division and a team of investigators from the Police Headquarters in Accra on Thursday spoke to Daniel from his hospital bed and also visited the crime scene. Account Mr. Victor Ledi, Daniel's father told the Daily Graphic that he had arrived from Dzodze in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region on Thursday to Adjei Kojo, where Daniel lived with his younger sister, to help him with preparations towards his graduation ceremony. He said when he asked his son if everything was set for the ceremony, he learned the only things outstanding were some drinks and water for refreshment. According to the senior Ledi, Daniel who runs a mobile money shop about 400 metres from the house, went to get the items and passed by the shop to close it for the day. He was late returning, then at a point we heard shouts of 'armed robbers, armed robbers!' Mr. Ledi recounted. He said the rest of them in the house rushed out to see what was going on and to their surprise, Daniel had been surrounded with guns and was shot about four times. Mr. Ledi added that they were frightened and looked on helplessly from afar until the robbers made away with an amount of GH3,000. Daniel passed out at the shop and lay in a pool of his own blood. Distress call Daniel's sister made a call to the Tema Regional Police Command which relayed the information to the Kanewu Police Division for a quick deployment. Mr. Ledi said Daniel was rushed to the Tema General Hospital, where he received immediate attention. He has also been scheduled for surgery. Source: Graphic Policy Think Tank, Imani Africa, has joined calls for a probe into governments Covid-19 expenditure. His call comes after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, ordered the parliamentary committees on Finance and Health to investigate the management of Covid-19 expenditures in Ghana. Speaking on Citi FM and Citi TV's news and current affairs programme, The Big Issue, the President of Imani Africa, Franklin Cudjoe said the findings should bring finality to the matter. We had a situation where Sputnik vaccines were procured at 18 dollars instead of 10 dollars. From the get-go, that was when we should have started doing proper accounting. These figures have been presented, but there were items and incidents that should have made us go swiftly into action even before this day. [There have been instances of] cash irregularities and procurement irregularities. For me, I think there is a lot more to be done. The Minority in Parliament argued last Wednesday that they wanted an ad-hoc parliamentary committee to investigate the government's expenditures, besides the account rendered by the Finance Minister. But the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, contended that the Auditor General's office would be the best agency to look into the expenditure. Ministers account Ken Ofori-Atta noted that GH12 billion was expended to mitigate the effect of the pandemic. Under this, GH1.5 billion was disbursed under the Support to Households Programme, GH1 billion was allocated to health response-supplies equipment and relief for health workers, GH600 million was released to begin the construction across the country and a further GH763.92 million has been released to continue the construction of the 111 district hospitals. The government also programmed GH875 million for security operations, evacuation of Ghanaians stranded abroad, and coordination of MMDAs' sanitation and disinfection exercises. By Citi Newsroom 25.06.2022 LISTEN Advocacy group, Community Focus Foundation, Ghana (CFF-Ghana) has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country to support the unique vision of Arise Ghana to save the country. In a press release issued on Saturday, June 24, 2022, CFF-Ghana describes the birth of the new group as timely, insisting that it is well-positioned to rescue Ghana from the maladministration by the current government. Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-GHANA) highly commends well-meaning Ghanaians for their good decision to come together and form the Nationalist Group, ARISE GHANA in rescuing Ghana from the harsh and excruciating economic situation being experienced by Ghanaians, a CFF-Ghana release signed by its Executive Director Richard Kasu has said. CFF-Ghana is of the view that it is important for Civil Society Organisations in the country to join hands to support the course of Arise Ghana. The advocacy group also wants NGOs and Faith-based organisations to support the vision of Arise Ghana ahead of the planned two-day demonstration on June 28 and 29. As such, we are calling on Development Practitioners including CSOs, NGOs, Community Based Organizations, and Faith-Based Organizations among others to support the Vision of the Coalition in rescuing Ghana. We are also calling on all Civil Society Organizations to participate massively in the pending nation-saving demonstration by ARISE GHANA scheduled for June 28th and 29th respectfully, the CFF-Ghana release adds. Below is the full CFF-Ghana press release: PRESS STATEMENT For Immediate Release: CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOs) MUST SUPPORT THE UNIQUE VISION OF ARISE GHANA TO SAVE GHANA. Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-GHANA) highly commends well-meaning Ghanaians for their good decision to come together and form the Nationalist Group, ARISE GHANA in rescuing Ghana from the harsh and excruciating economic situation being experienced by Ghanaians. The birth of the new Coalition is timely and we consider it as special purpose vehicle which is well-positioned to rescue Ghana from the maladministration by the current government. As such, we are calling on Development Practitioners including CSOs, NGOs, Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Organizations among others to support the Vision of the Coalition in rescuing Ghana. We are also calling on all Civil Society Organizations to participate massively in the pending nation-saving demonstration by ARISE GHANA scheduled for June 28th and 29th respectfully. End. (Sgd) Mr. Richard Kasu (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CFF-GHANA) 0248640364 Directors General of the 184 Member Customs administrations of the World Customs Organization (WCO) gathered at the 139th/140th Sessions of the WCO Council, the Organizations highest decision-making body, held in Brussels, Belgium from 23 to 25 June 2022. Under the chairmanship of Mr. A. Al Khalifa, President of Customs Affairs in Bahrain, the Council took stock of the work carried out by the WCO Members and the Secretariat, since the last Council session held in a virtual format in June 2021. Delegates also discussed and decided on international standards, guidance documents and recommended practices to be developed or adopted during the next financial year, so as to enhance the management of cross-border trade. Members focused their discussions on areas such as Capacity Building, Rules of Origin, Valuation, Nomenclature and Classification, Compliance and Trade Facilitation, as well as other important governance matters. The Council noted the update on the implementation of the WCO COVID-19 Action Plan, and endorsed the WCO Strategic Plan 2022-2025, with Technology and Innovation, Green Customs and Governance and Accountability as its focus areas. The Council expressed its support for the WCOs Green Customs Initiative as a cornerstone of the WCO Strategic Plan for Customs modernization, recognizing the urgent need for Customs to play an active role in addressing environmental concerns. The Council also noted the importance of Customs adapting to fragile contexts at borderlands, and to new working arrangements in a post-pandemic environment. In addition, the Council approved the extension of the mandate of the Working Group on Performance Measurement. The Council adopted the WCO Data Strategy, recognizing the power of data for strategic planning and intelligence, as well as the latest version of the WCO Framework of Standards on Cross-Border E-Commerce. The Council went on to approve the Finance Committees budgetary recommendations, thus enabling the Secretariat to continue its work in supporting Members. Today, Directors General of Customs re-elected Mr. Ricardo Trevino Chapa as Deputy Secretary General for a five-year period. They also re-elected Mr. A. Al Khalifa, President of Customs Affairs in Bahrain, at the post of the Chairperson of the WCO Council and proceeded to confirm a number of important regional representative positions. In the margins of the Sessions, H.R.H. Princess Astrid of Belgium honoured the delegates with her visit during the meetings to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Organization. She was accompanied with the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, in charge of the Coordination of the Fight against Fraud, Mr. Vincent Van Peteghem, who delivered a speech on the key role played by Customs at borders for trade facilitation and the protection of society. This visit was also marked by the planting of a tree offered by Belgian Customs to symbolize the special links the WCO has developed with Belgium over the years, being the host country. Mr. Kristian Vanderwaeren, Director General of Belgian Customs, also gave a speech at this occasion. Regarding accessions to WCO instruments, Council delegates witnessed the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Singapore deposit their instruments of accession to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention), thus bringing the total number of Contracting Parties to the Convention to 133. The annual WCO Photo Competition was won by the Customs Administration of Ukraine. The winning photo shows how Customs can work together to mobilize its forces for the smooth delivery of aid, and fulfill its obligations as one of the main actors along the supply chain. At the conclusion of the Sessions, the Council came together in a message of unity, recognizing the importance of Customs checkpoints which are often the last to close during conflicts and the first to reopen post-conflicts; condemning any acts of aggression on Customs borders that endanger the safety and security of Customs and border officials; urging all Customs administrations to continue facilitating the movement of essential humanitarian goods and pledging to continue enhancing cooperation among the international Customs family. June 25, 2022 Ukraine Open Thread 2022-95 Only news & views related to the Ukraine conflict ... The current open thread for other issues is here. Posted by b on June 25, 2022 at 16:48 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page FARGO, N.D. (AP) The sale of a couple thousand acres of prime North Dakota farmland to a group tied to Bill Gates has stirred emotions over a Depression-era law meant to protect family farms and raised questions about whether the billionaire shares the states values. Gates is considered the largest private owner of farmland in the country with some 269,000 acres across dozens of states, according to last years edition of the Land Report 100, an annual survey of the nations largest landowners. He owns less than 1 percent of the nations total farmland. The state's attorney general has asked the trust that acquired the North Dakota land to explain how it plans to use it in order to meet rules outlined in the state's archaic anti-corporate farming law. It prohibits all corporations or limited liability companies from owning or leasing farmland or ranchland, with some exceptions. I don't know that it's quite as volatile a situation as some have depicted, North Dakota Republican Attorney General Drew Wrigley told The Associated Press Thursday. It's taken off, it's all over the planet, but it's not me sticking a finger in the eye of Bill Gates. That's not what this is. Meanwhile, the state's Agriculture Commissioner, Republican Doug Goehring, told a North Dakota TV station that many people feel they are being exploited by the ultra-rich who buy land but do not necessarily share the states values. About 2100 acres (849.84 hectares) of land were sold in the deal, AgWeek reported. Goehring, who is currently on a state-sponsored trade mission to the United Kingdom, did not immediately respond to a list of questions emailed by the AP. Ive gotten a big earful on this from clear across the state, its not even from that neighborhood, Goehring told KFYR-TV. Those people are upset, but there are others that are just livid about this. Charles V. Zehren, a spokesman for Gates' investment firm, declined Thursday to comment to the AP. Wrigley said the corporate farming inquiry goes out "as a matter of course when his office is notified of farmland sales, in this case Red River Trust's $13.5 million purchase of property in two counties from wealthy northeastern North Dakota potato growers Campbell Farms. Phone calls to Campbell Farms went unanswered. It's meant to get everybody up to speed on what the ownership arrangement is and what their intentions are for the land, Wrigley said. If it complies with state law, the matter goes forward. If not, they're informed they're going to have to divest of the land. Corporations are exempted from the law if the land is necessary "for residential or commercial development; the siting of buildings, plants, facilities, industrial parks, or similar business or industrial purposes of the corporation or limited liability company; or for uses supportive of or ancillary to adjacent non agricultural land for the benefit of both land parcels, the law reads. Its not the first test for a statute that was passed in 1932. A federal judge in 2018 ruled the law constitutional after a conservative farm group argued that it limits business options for producers and interferes with interstate commerce by barring out-of-state corporations from being involved in North Dakotas farm industry. North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum, a former Microsoft executive whose campaign received $100,000 from Microsoft co-founder Gates when Burgum first won in 2016, declined to comment on the farmland sale. The Republican governor stayed down the middle when asked his opinion of the anti-corporate farming law, which he and the Legislature expanded in 2019 to allow second cousins in the mix of ownership. The governor strongly supports family farms and is open to discussions about cutting red tape that puts North Dakota farmers at a disadvantage compared with neighboring states and ensuring that our ranchers and farmers can succeed and grow their operations, helping rural communities to thrive, Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki said. Transgender people born in North Carolina may now correct the sex designation on their birth certificate without undergoing surgery after a consent judgment issued by a federal court, attorneys for the plaintiffs said Thursday. This is a victory for all transgender people born in North Carolina that will help enable them to navigate life with safety and dignity," Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, counsel at Lambda Legal, said in a news release. North Carolinas requirement that transgender people undergo sex reassignment surgery as part of establishing their identity was at the center of a lawsuit filed on behalf of an adult and two minors in U.S. Middle District Court in North Carolina last November. Among the defendants named in the case was Kody Kinsley, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services. The department, which agreed to the consent judgment, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. A consent agreement is issued by a judge and is based on an agreement between the parties to a lawsuit to settle the issue. It's aimed at ending the litigation with an enforceable judgment. It is not construed as acknowledgment, admission or evidence of liability by the defendants, according to the document, and it cannot be used as evidence of liability in any current or future proceeding. The lawsuit said adult plaintiff Lillith Campos is incorrectly identified on her birth certificate as male. It also said another plaintiff, a young man identified in the lawsuit as C.B., is incorrectly identified as female on his birth certificate while M.D., is a girl incorrectly identified on her birth certificate as male. Im pleased to see this day happening, that the State of North Carolina now must recognize us for who we are," said Campos, a transgender woman born in North Carolina. It was outrageous and dehumanizing that I was denied a birth certificate just because I didnt have surgery. C.B., a 17-year-old, applauded the judgment, as did the mother of plaintiff M.D., the news release said. Im glad that my daughter will be able to correct and align all her documentation that will allow her to avoid discrimination or exclusion at school, college, sports, or government agencies," the mother said. "No child or family should have to go through this trauma just because the government doesnt want to recognize transgender people for who they are. Under the consent judgment, the state Department of Health and Human Services and other state government officials must provide accurate birth certificates that reflect an applicants sex, consistent with their gender identity, without having to undergo surgery, a news release said. Specifically, a transgender person born in North Carolina may correct the sex designation on their birth certificate by submitting a sworn statement, accompanied by a passport, a state-issued identification, or certification issued by a licensed health care professional, social worker or case manager that confirms the persons gender identity. Information will be released later on when the new process takes effect, according to the news release. Lambda Legal said it has successfully challenged restrictions on efforts by transgender people to obtain accurate birth certificates reflecting their identity in Idaho, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Puerto Rico. Challenges are pending Tennessee and Oklahoma, the legal group said. Campos encountered employment discrimination, according to Gonzalez-Pagan. Her employer didn't provide coverage for gender-affirming care in the business health insurance plan, which prevented her from getting the surgery required by the state, he said. BATON ROUGE, La. - From rural schools to civil rights history, the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation added 14 new sites to Louisiana's Most Endangered Places List. The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation is an organization that advocates and identifies historic sites in Louisiana and established a list of the most endangered places in Louisiana in 1999. "Getting a property added to the Louisianas Most Endangered Places List can be a useful tool in the effort to save an important part of a communitys history," said Brian Davis, executive director of the organization. The list, created from public nominations, is designed to attract the funding and resources needed to save and rehabilitate the sites as well as draw awareness. It also demonstrates the importance of these places to the local community, state identity and economy. Davis said the organization receives about 15-20 nominations each year and a committee usually meets in the spring to discuss the nominations and create the list. The Friendship House in Shreveport was built around 1905 and is known to be the only Friendship House established in the South. The organization was part of the mid-20th century social justice movement that advocated for integration "without regard for race and religion." The house also was also associated with St. Joseph Parish pastor Joseph Gremillion. Woolworth Building (Shreveport) The Woolworth Building, which houses Louisiana's oldest operating escalator, was occupied by the F.W. Woolworth Department Store for most of the 20th century and has not been renovated since the 1990's. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BEIJING (AP) President Xi Jinping will participate in next week's celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China, the government said Saturday, but it left unclear whether he will visit the former British colony for the highly symbolic event after a crackdown on a pro-democracy movement. Xi, who also is general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, will attend a meeting for the anniversary and the inauguration of Hong Kong's government led by newly appointed Chief Executive John Lee, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The announcement gave no other details. The anniversary is one of the highest-profile political events in a year when Xi is widely believed to be trying to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as party leader. He already is the most powerful Chinese leader since at least the 1980s and wants to be seen as leading a national rejuvenation amid a military buildup and more assertive policy abroad. Xi hasn't made a trip outside the Chinese mainland since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago. Hong Kong faces a renewed rise in infections after a flood of cases earlier this year threatened to overwhelm its hospitals. Lee and his predecessor, Carrie Lam, both issued statements thanking Xi for participating in anniversary celebrations but didn't clarify whether he would visit Hong Kong. The anniversary follows a crackdown led in part by Lee, a former Hong Kong security chief. Activists have been sentenced to prison, scores of others arrested and Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy newspaper shut down. The tighter controls under a national security law imposed in 2020 have prompted some people to leave for Taiwan, Britain and other countries. That has led to concerns the ruling party is ruining Hong Kongs status as a global business and financial center. Hong Kong, one of Asia's richest cities and a global business center with thriving film, publishing and other creative industries, returned to China on July 1, 1997, under an agreement that promised a high degree of autonomy for 50 years. Activists and foreign governments say Beijing has reneged on that. The United States suspended agreements that treated Hong Kong as a separate territory for trade, saying the city no longer had enough autonomy from Beijing. Two years after Hong Kong, the neighboring Portuguese territory of Macao also returned to China in 1999, allowing the ruling party to say it had ended foreign colonialism. Since the Hong Kong handover, ordinary people in the territory have struggled with soaring living costs that inflamed political tension. Beijing imposed the sweeping national security legislation in 2020 following protests that erupted over a proposed extradition law and spread to include demands for more democracy. The territory has banned commemorations of the ruling party's violent 1989 crackdown on Beijing's Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement. Those sentenced to prison include Jimmy Lai, former publisher of the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Hong Kong's 90-year-old former Roman Catholic bishop, Joseph Zen, was among those arrested. The crackdown adds to tension between Beijing and the United States, Europe, Japan and other Asian governments over human rights, Taiwan and conflicts with its neighbors over Chinese territorial claims in the South China and East China seas. Hong Kongs final British colonial governor, Chris Patten, expressed heartbreak this month over the crackdown. I thought there was a prospect that (China) would keep its word, and Im sorry that it hasnt, Patten told The Associated Press on June 20 in London. I just find it intensely difficult. I do believe that Hong Kong is a great city, I hope it will be a great city again. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Republican voters in Illinois will choose from six candidates to challenge incumbent Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Tuesday's primary. The field includes a conservative farmer and state lawmakers who is the recent polling frontrunner, the mayor of Illinois second largest city, a former state senator and three political newcomers. Darren Bailey, 56, is a conservative state senator from Xenia, a small town in southern Illinois about 40 miles northeast of Mount Vernon, where he owns and operates a farm. Bailey was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018 and served one term before deciding to run for an open Senate seat that was vacated by the retirement of former Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon. Not including ceremonial resolutions, Bailey has been the chief sponsor of just two bills that successfully became law in his time in office, one doubling the fines for passing a school bus and another amending requirements for becoming a firefighter. In 2019, while still in the House, he joined a group of six other Republicans in cosponsoring a resolution, which never received a vote, that would have urged Congress to make the city of Chicago a separate state. Hes since referred to the resolution as a warning shot meant to show his displeasure with the policies in Chicago, and he said he no longer favors separating the city from the state. During one debate in this years gubernatorial race, Bailey repeated his criticism of Chicago, referring to it as a crime-ridden, corrupt, dysfunctional hellhole. He is perhaps best known for filing lawsuits challenging Pritzkers COVID-19 mitigation orders. His attorney through that litigation was Thomas DeVore, who is now a Republican candidate for attorney general. The pair achieved brief success in a Clay County circuit court before a Sangamon County appellate court overruled the decision that would have freed Bailey from the orders. In May 2020, his colleagues voted to remove him from the House chamber for refusing to wear a mask in compliance with COVID-19 mitigations. The House vote was 81-27 in favor of removing him from the remainder of the days proceedings. On the campaign trail, Bailey has stressed his opposition to abortion, his support for Second Amendment gun rights, his conservative approach to taxes and spending, and his strong support for law enforcement and cracking down on crime. Opponents, however, have pointed to his frequent votes to raise property taxes while he served 17 years on a Clay County school board. He planned to attend a weekend rally in which former President Donald Trump will be in Quincy to endorse Congresswoman Mary Miller in her 15th District primary, and hes been courting Trumps endorsement for months. It was unclear Friday whether the former president would give it to him, however. His largest financial backer, Richard Uihlein who founded the shipping supply company Uline, has given Bailey more than $9 million and spent another $8 million with political action committees that have attacked Baileys opponents. Baileys running mate is Stephanie Trussell, a former radio talk show host from Chicago. Richard Irvin currently serves as Mayor of Aurora, Illinois second-largest city, where he was first elected in 2017. He was reelected in 2021. Irvin, 52, had previously run for that office twice before, in 2003 and 2009, losing both times. But in 2007, he was elected alderman at-large on the Aurora City Council, the first Black candidate to hold the post. Irvin enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after graduating high school and served in the Gulf War. He later earned a bachelors degree from Robert Morris College in Chicago and a law degree from Northern Illinois University. After law school, he worked as an assistant states attorney in Cook County. He has also worked in private practice. In his bid for governor, Irvin is part of a slate of candidates endorsed by billionaire businessman Ken Griffin, founder of the hedge fund company Citadel, who has contributed $50 million to Irvins campaign. Griffin, Illinois most prominent conservative political donor, told employees this week that he was planning to move Citadels corporate headquarters to Miami. Irvins campaign so far has focused largely on crime. He has been harshly critical of Pritzker for signing a criminal justice reform bill, known as the SAFE-T Act, which, among other things, will eliminate the use of cash bail starting next year. He has also criticized actions of the Prisoner Review Board under the Pritzker administration as well as Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx. He has also touted his conservative approach to taxes and spending, as well as his support for ethics reform in state government and his criticism of the so-called Madigan machine. The early polling frontrunner who has since faltered, Irvin has more recently faced a barrage of criticisms from Democrats and Republicans alike. The Democratic Governors Association has spent millions on attack ads against him, as has a political action committee tied to Uihlein. His latest response to the Democratic money being spent in the GOP primary is that Gov. JB Pritzker is trying to trick voters into giving him an easier primary opponent, repeating several times that a vote for Darren Bailey is a vote for JB Pritzker. On abortion, Irvin has called himself pro-life, with exception for rape, incest and life of the mother. He also said he would look to reinstate parental notice of abortion requirements. His running mate is state Rep. Avery Bourne, a Republican from Morrisonville, one of the most outspoken opponents of abortion in the General Assembly. Jesse Sullivan is a political newcomer in Illinois. He is the founder and CEO of the venture capital firm Alter Global. He now lives in Petersburg, a small town in Menard County that is about 25 miles north of Springfield. His campaign has tried to push the narrative that hes surging in recent weeks, rolling out endorsements such as state Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, who had previously backed Irvin. Sullivan has campaigned primarily as a religious conservative who supports a plan called universal school choice, which would offer parents backpack scholarships to send their children to any school they choose, whether it be public, private, religious or charter. He said when a leaked draft of the supreme court decision overturing the landmark Roe v. Wade was published, he dropped to his knees and prayed. He also says he wants to ban political contributions from teachers unions, limit the kinds of materials that can be used in sex education and forbid instruction in sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3. Thats part of his Power to the Parents agenda which has been the backbone of his late push for publicity in an effort to gain ground in the race. Many of the problems facing society, he has said, stem from a lack of faith and fatherhood. His running mate is Kathleen Murphy, a former communications director for Jeanne Ives, the former state representative who unsuccessfully challenged then-Gov. Bruce Rauner in the 2018 GOP primary. Paul Schimpf is a former state senator from Waterloo, in Monroe County, about 30 miles south of St. Louis. He was elected in 2016 and served in the state Senate for four years. Born at Scott Air Force Base in the Metro East area, Schimpf, 51, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps from 1993 to 2013. While in the Marine Corps, he earned a law degree from Southern Illinois University and served for a time as a judge advocate, or military attorney. In 2005, he was deployed to Iraq and served as the chief American advisor to prosecutors in the trial of Saddam Hussein. In 2014, Schimpf ran unsuccessfully for attorney general, losing to incumbent Democrat Lisa Madigan. Two years later, he ran successfully for the state Senate, defeating former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon. On his campaign website, Schimpf primarily touts his promise to fight political corruption in state government, criticizing Pritzker for not standing up to former House Speaker Michael Madigan, who was indicted earlier this year on corruption charges. Receiving the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune, Schimpf has talked about empowering local school boards and making homeschooling and private schooling more accessible as part of his Parents Bill of Rights platform. His running mate is McHenry County Board member Carolyn Schofield. Gary Rabine is the founder and owner of the Rabine Group, a network of companies that specialize in paving, roofing and other kinds of exterior work. His pitch has been that his business experience makes him the candidate to turn around Illinois, and, along with Sullivan, he has pushed for creating an option in state law to allow Chicagoans and Cook County residents to recall States Attorney Kim Foxx. Rabine has touted unspecified pension reform as a remedy for high property taxes, which are levied by local governments and not the state, noting hed like to crush them to the national average. His running mate is Palatine Township Highway Commissioner Aaron Del Mar. Max Solomon is a Hazel Crest attorney and immigrant from Nigeria who has taken some of the most conservative stances in the GOP field, such as saying he would call in the National Guard to Chicago yesterday, that he believes life begins before we were formed, and he does not believe Joe Biden was rightfully elected president in 2020. He hasnt reported much fundraising, with his last two disclosures including loans from American Express and Capitol One amounting to $7,500. His running mate is Latasha Fields, a Chicago resident who is active in a number of home schooling and parental rights organizations. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate High gas prices have Wallace Reid looking for a new career. Reid, who drives for Uber and Lyft, fills up his Lexus at least three times a week. He pays around $95 each time, about double what he was paying last year. To make up for that, hes driving more often, but hes also applying for other jobs that wouldnt require his car. Its more hours, more stress, he said. Its affecting our lives. Reid isnt alone. Millions of Americans who rely on their cars for work are changing their habits, signing up for carpools or even ditching their cars for bicycles as gas prices recently hit $5 per gallon for the first time ever. This week, it's averaging $4.95 per gallon nationwide, up from $3.06 per gallon a year ago, according to AAA. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden asked Congress to suspend federal gas taxes for three months, which would shave 18.4 cents per gallon off the price of gas. He also called on states to suspend their own gas taxes. Bidens push faces uphill odds in Congress. In the meantime, gas is straining budgets. Jace Shoemaker-Galloway agonized over whether to charge more for Paws and Whiskers Sitters, her pet-sitting business in Macomb. She visits as many as 10 houses each day and fills up her 2018 Mazda CX-3 almost every week. One recent fill-up cost her nearly $50. This month, she finally acted. She contacted her clients and told them she was removing the 10% discount she has always given to repeat customers. Shoemaker-Galloway, who is also a childrens book author, said her customers were understanding. But she worries that gas prices will cut into her business in other ways. The cost isnt just impacting my bottom line, she said. Because the price of everything is so expensive, people are cutting back on non-essentials, which means pet-sitting and book sales. In a normal summer, Orvilia Nieto might do some traveling in the RV in which she lives. But that might not happen this year. She is struggling to fill the tank of her 2008 Ford Expedition SUV so she can get to her job at a distribution center about 20 miles away. Nieto and her co-workers trade tips on where gas is cheapest. She sometimes carpools or fills her tank only halfway, which still costs her more than $50. But she feels lucky. A handful of colleagues on her shift, which ends at 2:30 a.m., ride their bikes home in the dark. Its been a rough road, she said. If we lived in the city it would be easier, could take the bus, but at the end of the shift at 2:30 in the morning, what bus line is available? Jill Chapman, a senior performance consultant with Insperity, a human resources and recruitment company, said gas prices and commute lengths are increasingly a sticking point with job candidates. Chapman said companies may want to consider temporary bonuses, incentives for public transit or gas cards to help their employees. A business owner needs to acknowledge that there is stress associated with rising gas prices, Chapman said. David Lewis, CEO of Operations Inc., a human resources consulting company, remembers handing out gas cards to his employees in 2009 when gas prices topped $4 per gallon. But this time he wont be doing that because employees have another option: working from home. This is an unwelcome development for those companies that are trying to get people back to the office, Lewis said. It is one more reasonable reason why those employees are pushing back. Lewis has around 100 employees. Before COVID, 85% of them were in the office at least two days a week. Now, maybe 25% of them are. Lewis and many of his clients would like to see employees in the office more but say gas prices are a huge barrier. If you are the company that requires everyone to come in all the time, youre a pariah, he said. Psychology professor Brian Cesario used to live within walking distance of the college where he teaches. But last year, he moved 55 miles away so he could afford a larger home for his growing family. Cesario taught remotely even before the pandemic and assumed he would continue doing so. But last fall, his college began requiring him to drive to campus twice a week, a commute that now costs him $240 in gas each month. Cesario said he doesnt make enough to compensate for that, so hes looking for a fully remote job outside of academia. For those who must commute, there can be options. Uber announced it was bringing back discounted shared rides in nine U.S. cities this summer, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Organizations that link carpoolers say they are seeing significantly more participants. Some are even finding solutions in their own garage. Pame Viens and her husband both histotechnologists who prepare tissue at medical facilities switched vehicles because his commute is longer. Now, hes driving her 2016 Volkswagen Passat and shes driving his 2022 Dodge Ram. Im only 5 foot 1." I hit my forehead on the side mirror, she said with a laugh, but Im getting used to it. But others say they simply have to hustle harder. Brian Scheall, an Uber driver, pays $75 every time he fills up his Volkswagen Atlas. You can make money but you have to work, work, work, said Scheall. Uber says it understands drivers are feeling the pinch from high gas prices, and it added a 45-cent to 55-cent surcharge on all trips in March to help soften the blow. But both Reid and Scheall say gig companies should be doing much more. It makes no difference at all. Its like a grain of sand, Reid said of the surcharge. Picking a tree for a windbreak is a big decision. A windbreak protects a home from the constant Illinois wind and blowing snow. With this important job, you want the trees that make up your windbreak to be strong and healthy for as long as possible. To help in making that decision here are some popular trees used in windbreaks, but not all are considered ideal species up for the task of protecting your home from the elements. Eastern White pine (Pinus strobus) Perhaps the most popular of all windbreak species. With each windbreak I visit, I always encounter white pine. Unfortunately, white pine is not long-lived in central Illinois with a tendency for broken limbs and snapped trunks. Because of these problems, white pine is not recommended for windbreaks. In Illinois, white pine will start with quick growth and within 10 years can become a sizeable tree. It is usually past the 10- to 20-year mark when we begin to see white pine decline in central Illinois. For long-term survival in Illinois, eastern white pine needs protection from the wind, which makes it a poor choice for a windbreak. The lower branches also tend to die back from the bottom up. White pine may still have a place in a windbreak, but certainly, avoid creating pure stands of white pine like I tend to see in rural Illinois. Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) People love Colorado blue spruce for its blue needle colors and its dense foliage making it an effective and striking windbreak tree. But thats about where the good news ends for blue spruce in Illinois. True to its name, Colorado blue spruce is not native to this part of North America and is not well-adapted to our climate. This species may grow well for nearly a decade, but once stress like a drought hits, it takes a big toll on blue spruce. It is common for Colorado blue spruce to become infected with fungal needle blights. The progression of these diseases kills the branches of this tree from the bottom up. Colorado blue spruce is not recommended for planting in Illinois. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) One of our few Illinois native evergreens, eastern red cedar is one of our toughest species and in some situations can be considered a weedy tree. It does have a susceptibility to bagworms and is an alternative host for cedar apple/hawthorn/quince rust. So, if you are an apple grower, eastern red cedar is not one you want to grow anywhere near your orchard. This is a good option for an Illinois windbreak. Eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) More common as a hedge species in the home landscape, I have seen a few windbreaks incorporate arborvitae in their mix of trees. Once established this is a pretty tough tree and will function well as a windbreak. First, this tree must survive hungry deer which will nibble the branches back to the trunk. Also due to its branch and leaf structure, ice and heavy snow can disfigure or break branches. Other windbreak trees to consider planting: White spruce (Picea glauca), Norway spruce (Picea abies), White fir (Abies concolor), and Serbian spruce (Picea omorika). Other windbreak trees not recommended for planting: Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Austrian pine (Pinus nigra). Keep in mind no tree is perfect or bulletproof when it comes to windbreaks. All those mentioned in this article will lose lower limbs if planted too close together. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 93F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 71F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. How does Rick Astley handle one of his songs being part of the biggest internet meme of all time? He rolls with it, obviously. "Listen, let's face it, 'Never Gonna Give You Up' has sort of become something else," he says. "The video and the song have drifted off into the ether and become something else, and I'm ever so grateful for it." That song turns 35 this year and still is very much alive, buoyed by a second chapter as a gentle joke wherein someone baits you with an enticing online link, which points instead to the video for this 1987 dance-pop smash. It's called Rickrolling. Thirty-five years later, Astley is singing it this summer on tour with New Kids on the Block, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue for the 57-date "The Mixtape Tour 2022." A remastered version of his 1987 debut album also has been released featuring, of course, "Never Gonna Give You Up." "I'm never going to have a song as big as that ever, and I kind of knew that while it was happening. I kind of thought, 'We're never going to beat this.' But I also kind of thought, 'Well, how bad is that?'" There has always been much more to Astley than just that song. After blowing up in the late 1980s, he left show business frustrated and only recently has reemerged with the strong albums "50" in 2016 and "Beautiful Life" in 2018. "Often the second act can be more enjoyable because you're more in control and you savor every minute," said Alistair Norbury, president of repertoire and marketing at BMG UK, which signed Astley. The passage of time and the fact that Astley is such a sweet guy has softened any sharpness. He says he understands how the past can look different with rose-colored glasses. Rock stars lately have told him they love his voice. "And I'm like, 'Really? I thought you would have strung me up in the village square," he says, laughing. "They probably would have done at the time, but I think over time, I think it just changes your perspective." Astley, 56, is the youngest of four who grew up near Manchester, England. His sister played a lot of progressive rock and adored David Bowie. A brother was a huge Queen fan, and he remembers Queen's "Night at the Opera" album played on a loop. Astley soaked it all in, from Stevie Wonder to The Smiths. He was in a band in school they once performed "So Lonely" by The Police with Astley on drums and singing that wiped the floor with rivals at a battle of the bands. He would go to gigs and dream of being a music star. He remembers being astounded one day when he spotted the bass player of The Smiths walking through town. "This can happen?" he recalls thinking. "You can be from a town that I buy my records in but last week you were on 'Top of the Pops?'" Astley was only in his early 20s while recording his debut album, "Whenever You Need Somebody," with the songwriting and record production trio known as Stock Aitken Waterman, who had crafted songs for Bananarama and Dead or Alive. "I sold a lot of records. I was having a lot of hits, and then it was getting to a point where it's like touch and go how is this going to go now because you have to make another record?" Burned out and frustrated, he walked away at 27. "I think I just didn't have it in me. I just didn't. I didn't want to do it," he says. He admires pop stars like Madonna and Kylie Minogue for their longevity. "I actually don't know how they've done it," he says. Being a pop star messes with your head and Astley says that happened to him, too. "I think my days were numbered anyway, but I think I just managed to get out before they threw me out, you know?" He didn't perform for 15 years. Unlike other pop stars, he hadn't invested his ego in his looks or others' perceptions. "I was never cool. I wasn't cool when I had my hit records," he says. Astley has nothing but compassion for those chewed up by the fame monster. "It must be unbelievably painful." Astley reemerged from self-exile in 2016 with "50," named, with a hat-tip to Adele, for his age at the time, a strong album that veers from gospel to electro-funky. Norbury recalls hearing the first few demos on the album and being impressed. He asked Astley's manager who wrote them. The answer was "Rick Astley." He asked who was the co-writer?" The answer was, "Nobody." Who produced? "Rick." Then who played all the instruments? "He played all the instruments." Norbury calls Astley "probably one of the hardest working people in this business and always does it with good humor and with a spirit of collaboration and partnership." Rickrolling started in 2007 at the infancy of YouTube and it confused Astley at the beginning. His song and video for "Never Gonna Give You Up" were being used as part of an internet bait-and-switch, but what did it mean? "I was overthinking it and worrying about it and wondering what it was. And our daughter said to me she was about 15 at the time she just kind of said, 'You do realize it's got nothing to do with you?'" She also predicted: "There'll be something else next week or tomorrow." "She was slightly wrong because it's still kind of kicking around here and there," Astley says. "But the sentiment of what she was saying was, I think, really, really valuable. I embrace my past, but I don't have to embrace the Rickrolling thing in the same way because I accept the fact that it's got nothing to do with me to some degree." The song has racked up 1.2 billion streams on YouTube and 559 million Spotify listens. Time Out magazine was always a little puzzled by Rickrolling, asking why anyone wouldn't want to hear the buoyant megajam, saying it is "three and a half of the most effervescent minutes in the '80s canon." Astley, of course, sees "Never Gonna Give You Up" differently than the people who use it to try to mess with friends. He acknowledges the video is "unbelievably late-'80s cheesy" but "it's a good memory. It's like a fond memory." For Astley, it is the song that led him to Copenhagen, where he met his wife, Lene Bausager. Without that song, he wouldn't have his daughter or have traveled the world. "I've been to some of the most amazing places in the world that most people have on a bucket list." He thinks back to the days when he was a new artist looking up to established acts. Now he's a seasoned pro with an arsenal of songs, including an instant crowd-pleaser. "At the time, I was like green with envy and felt totally insecure and all the rest of it. Now, when I walk out on a stage and sing those songs, I just kind of think, 'Yeah, how lucky am I? Ain't that great?'" For many, the future is feeling increasingly wary; recent Wall Street forecasts turned out to be overly optimistic and economists are reporting the recession risk has spiked. The collective climate of angst can send our amygdala into overdrive. Its the prehistoric part of our brain that is obsessed with fear. Often called the lizard brain, your amygdalas primary concern is keeping us safe from threats. Yet, that part of our brain isnt always helpful at work; an over-active amygdala can inhibit creativity, strategic thinking, and building relationships. While we know that these practices are crucial for a fulfilling career, in the face of (seemingly) impending doom, its harder to foster these longer-term skills. Here are three tips to help you calm your fear and approach this next season with confidence: Focus on what is staying the same. In 2009, my husband and I went through a bankruptcy. The commercial sign-manufacturing company we owned (and had over-paid for the year prior) went under during the recession. It was a painful time, but one thing that helped me was to point my brain to what wasnt going to change. I was sleeping in the same bed every night. I had dinner with my family at the same table (albeit, boxed mac-n-cheese). Yes, I needed to think about my future differently. But I had a bedrock that wasnt going anywhere. Even if your physical circumstances may change, focus on the constants, like supportive friends, a creative mind, the ability to keep learning, etc. This mental security blanket can ease some of your anxiety and buoy your confidence in times of uncertainty. Dont miss the (potential) upside. I read an essay years ago by longtime Sesame Street writer Emily Perl Kingsley. The essay was about how when we get overly attached to a picture in our mind (of a certain family, career trajectory, life) and that picture changes, we often fail to see the beauty in the new picture. She equated it to being on a plane and thinking youre going to Italy. Then the plane lands, and surprise, youre in Holland! This place wasnt where you planned on being. You didnt buy a guidebook and you dont speak the language. But if you take a moment to look around, youll see beautiful fields of tulips, and windmills. Sure, its not as glamorous and pasta is in short supply, but this unanticipated place is beautiful too, just in a different way. If you spend your entire time upset that youre not in Italy, youll have missed it. Even if youre caught off guard, and things arent going as you planned, theres likely beauty in the unfolding. I think back to my own 2009 experience. Even if we had lumped our business through the recession, I wouldnt be as prosperous or as happy as I am now. While it was highly stressful at the time, that painful experience built my resilience muscle and prompted strategic thinking that wound up creating something even better. Find examples of strength. For a large portion of the workforce (those under 30ish) this may be the first time theyve faced major uncertainty. And if it is your first time, you might not be confident that you can survive it. But Im here to tell you that you can survive uncertain, and even negative conditions, just as the millions of people before you have. If youre struggling to find your own confidence, look for strength in other people. Read from people who turned a layoff into a new business venture or who turned a health scare into a calling. People who built purpose from a pile of pieces. It can, and always has been, done. I dont know whats ahead. Im inclined to think that the fears of recession, economic downturn, and mass layoffs are somewhat manufactured (and highly exaggerated) by the crisis-inclined media. Weve always lived with uncertainty. At times we delude ourselves to believe we can predict things. The reality is no one knows for sure what will or wont happen in the future. Were only in control of ourselves. How we manage our brains through times of uncertainty will determine what we experience on the other side. Congo bishops say popes Canada trip a good sign for future View Photo ROME (AP) Congos Catholic bishops, coping with disappointment over a scrubbed visit by Pope Francis, said Saturday that his decision to go ahead with a trip to Canada was an encouraging sign that his knee treatment was working, as they held out hope for a rescheduled date. In the meantime, Francis is sending the Vatican secretary of state to Congo to celebrate a special Mass for peace and reconciliation next weekend, when Francis was due to have arrived, said Bishop Donatien Nshole, secretary general of the Congolese bishops conference. Nshole stressed that Cardinal Pietro Parolin wasnt replacing Francis and that Congo was awaiting word from the Vatican for a new date for a papal visit. But in a video statement, he said Parolins visit was further sign of the great consideration he (Francis) has for our country. The Vatican announced June 10 that Francis had to postpone the planned July 2-7 visit to Congo and South Sudan because doctors said it could jeopardize the therapy he is receiving for strained ligaments in his right knee. The problem has forced him to use a wheelchair for over a month, and he uses a cane when walking or standing. At the same time, the Vatican on Thursday indicated Francis was going ahead with a planned July 24-30 visit to Canada by releasing the trip itinerary. The Vatican hasnt said why the Canada visit could go ahead but not the Africa one. For us, this is an encouraging sign of the positive evolution of the care he is taking, Nshole said. Without a doubt, the trip to Canada will also be a test for the pope and his doctors of the effectiveness of his care and will serve as an evaluation for the future and the activities of the pontiff. Nshole said Parolin will celebrate the Mass in Kinshasa on July 3, on the same day that similar Masses are held across Congo and Francis celebrates a special Mass for Romes Congoloese community at the Vatican. ___ Krista Larson contributed from Dakar, Senegal. By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press Sonora, CA A new program is available to Tuolumne County. The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and County Administrator have introduced a new employee down payment and closing cost assistance program through country membership with the Rural County Representatives of California and Golden State Finance Authority. The program is available to both regular and relief County employees. The new program will give potential homeowners the option of applying for down payment assistance of up to 3.5% of the mortgage. The assistance comes in the form of a zero percent rate that is deferred as a second mortgage where repayment would occur when the loan is refinanced, the home is sold, or at the end of a loan term. Employees interested in the program are encouraged to watch two 45-minute virtual interactive presentations with a Q&A afterward. Information about that presentation can be found here. Additionally, Golden State Finance Authority can be contacted at 1-855-740-8422. Police at Arizona Capitol fire tear gas, disperse protesters View Photo PHOENIX (AP) Police fired tear gas to disperse abortion rights supporters demonstrating outside the Arizona Capitol Friday night, forcing lawmakers to huddle briefly in a basement inside the building as they rushed to complete their 2022 session. Thousands of protesters had gathered earlier on the Capitol grounds in Phoenix, divided into groups both supporting and condemning the U.S. Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade. SWAT team members with the Department of Public Safety fired tear gas from second floor of the old Capitol building to disperse protesters in the mall between the current House and Senate buildings. KPHO-TV reported the officers opened fire when several protesters started banging on glass doors of the Senate building. Authorities said there were no injuries or arrests. The incident sent Senate lawmakers into the basement for about 20 minutes, said Democratic Sen. Martin Quezada. Stinging tear gas wafted through the building afterward, forcing the Senate to move its proceedings to a hearing room instead of the Senate chamber. Republicans had enacted a 15-week abortion ban in March, and a pre-Roe law that bans all abortions remains on the books, forcing providers across the state to stop providing abortions earlier Friday. Republican lawmakers had earlier approved a massive expansion of Arizonas private school voucher system with only Republican backing. Another top measure was approved with wide bipartisan backing: A major plan to shore up water supplies. The Senate and House both approved a $1 billion plan to increase supplies after adding another $200 million for water conservation efforts. Senate Republicans pushed though the voucher program that already passed the House. It allows every student in Arizona to take public money to attend private schools, even the nearly 60,000 whose parents are already paying for that instruction. The vote came after GOP leaders voted to block Democrats from debating or proposing changes to the voucher bill, touching off a heated procedural fight that left Democrats fuming. The plan would open the program to all 1.1 million public school students. Currently about 255,000 public school students qualify for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, although fewer than 12,000 participate. About 59,000 private school students would be eligible under the new plan championed by House Majority Leader Ben Toma. Toma and other advocates say money shouldnt be a barrier preventing children from attending private schools. Democrats fiercely oppose the bill, saying there is no testing or other mechanism to make sure children are actually learning. Their efforts to try to add accountability mechanisms, or at least force a vote on the issue, were thwarted when Republicans voted to suspend the rules that would typically allow such changes. Democrats railed against the measure, saying it would siphon away much of the more than $500 million in new K-12 spending lawmakers enacted earlier this week. Its going to cost the state an additional $125 million by 2025, said Sen. Christine Marsh, a Phoenix Democrat. This is not just fiscally responsibly for us to be trying to run two separate systems at the same time. Republican Sen. T.J. Shope of Coolidge said the measure does not go far enough. I think in an ideal situation, we would entirely fund the student wherever the parent chooses to send their students, Shope said. Lawmakers were also considering a massive new water bill Gov. Doug Ducey called for early this year that is designed to help the state pay for new water sources. Ducey called for a major new investment in water in his January state of the state address, implying some of that money would be used to build a desalination plant in Mexico. While the money may be used for that, it also can be used for conservation, developing groundwater or possibly importing water from other states. The House briefly voted down a measure allowing the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry to continue operating for another eight years over bipartisan concerns that the agency is overly secretive and failing to implement reforms suggested by the state auditor. Without the bill passing, the agencys authorization would expire at the end of the month. Lawmakers instead voted to impose new transparency requirements on the prison system. Im not asking the department to do anything that theyre not statutorily already required to do, said Rep. Shawnna Bolick, a Glendale Republican who pushed for the additional requirements. I just want to make sure that theres accountability at the end of the day. The House and Senate voted on dozens of other bills, most of them uncontroversial measures that passed with bipartisan majorities. But one of the final votes of the night was a Republican proposal that makes it illegal to teach so-called Critical Race Theory, a hot-button topic for GOP politicians. Democrats called it an assault on public school teachers that will scare them away from teaching about race in America but wont stop the students. If you tell a kid not to learn something, not to read something, whats the first thing theyre going to do? Quezada asked. Theyre going to go study it, theyre going to go get those books. Republican Sen. J.D. Mesnard said his bill was being misread, that while preventing divisive concepts it will allow subjects like slavery, race and others to be taught. I challenge anyone to explain again why promoting or advocating any of these things is OK, Mesnard asked. The Legislature adjourned at 12:26 a.m. Saturday. ___ This story has been corrected to show that those protesting were abortion rights supporters, not anti-abortion demonstrators. By BOB CHRISTIE and JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) A Rhode Island police officer accused of punching a woman at an abortion protest while he was off-duty was suspended from his job with pay Saturday while the Providence Police Department conducts a criminal investigation into his actions. Jennifer Rourke, Rhode Island Political Cooperative Chairwoman and a state Senate candidate, told the Providence Journal she was punched in the face at least twice by Jeann Lugo, who had been running for the GOP nomination for a Rhode Island state senate seat. Lugo told the Journal he was not going to deny the punching allegation, but added that everything happened very fast. As an officer that swore to protect and serve our communities, I, unfortunately, saw myself in a situation that no individual should see themselves in, he said in the email to the Boston Globe. I stepped in to protect someone that a group of agitators was attacking. Lugo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. Video of the event posted online shows two other individuals involved in a physical altercation at the protest right before a woman, apparently Rourke, is seen being hit. The video does not show what happened between Lugo and Rourke prior to Rourke being hit. Rourke is seeking the Democratic nomination in the September primary to run for the Rhode Island state Senate. Lugo had been seeking the Republican nomination to run for the same seat. Im a Black woman running for office, Rourke told the Journal. There was no need, no need for any of this. Im not going to give up. In a call with The Associated Press, Rourke said the incident occurred as she was attempting to escort a counterprotester who had agreed to leave. As she was leading the man off the premises, she said, another physical altercation broke out, at which point she was punched in the face multiple times by Lugo. Rourke said she has never interacted with Lugo before and did not know he would be at the protest. Im disappointed he chose to use violence in this way. As a police officer, hes trained to deescalate. He did not do what he was trained to do, she said. Rourke sought medical care and received a CT scan on Saturday afternoon. She said she was doing OK but was experiencing a lot of tenderness in her face and ringing in her ears. She said she had pressed charges against Lugo. At midday Saturday, Lugo tweeted that he was dropping out of the race. I will not be running for any office this fall, he said. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza addressed the conflict in a tweet but said he was limited in what he could say. Ive seen the video and its immensely disturbing, Elorza said. Those responsible will be held fully accountable. In a news release announcing the suspension, Providence police said the suspended officer was a three-year veteran. The altercation occurred during a Friday protest outside the Rhode Island State House in Providence that was in response to the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. ___ This version has been corrected to show Rourke and Lugo were each seeking their partys nomination to run for the same state senate seat, but were not direct political opponents. OSLO, Norway (AP) A gunman opened fire in Oslos nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an "Islamist terror act" during the capitals annual LGBTQ Pride festival. Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, was arrested after opening fire at three locations in downtown Oslo. Police said two men, one in his 50s and and the other his 60s, died in the shootings. Ten people were treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be in life-threatening condition. Eleven others had minor injuries. The Norwegian Police Security Service raised its terror alert level from "moderate" to extraordinary the highest level after the attack, which sent panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or trying to hide from the gunman. The service's acting chief, Roger Berg, called the attack an extreme Islamist terror act and said the suspect had a long history of violence and threats, as well as mental health issues. He said the agency, known by its Norwegian acronym PST, first became aware of the suspect in 2015 and later grew concerned he had become radicalized and was part of an unspecified Islamist network. Norwegian media named the suspect as Zaniar Matapour, an Oslo resident who arrived in Norway with his family from a Kurdish part of Iran in the 1990s. The suspects defense lawyer, John Christian Elden, said his client hasn't denied carrying out the attack, but he cautioned against speculation on the motive. He has not given any reason. It is too early to conclude whether this is hate crime or terrorism, Elden said in an email to The Associated Press. Upon the advice of police, organizers canceled a Pride parade that was set for Saturday as the highlight of a weeklong festival. Scores of people marched through the capital anyway, waving rainbow flags. Police attorney Christian Hatlo said it was too early to say whether the gunman specifically targeted members of the LGBTQ community. We have to look closer at that, we dont know yet, he said. Police said civilians assisted them in detaining the man in custody, who was being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, based on the number of people targeted at multiple locations. Investigators seized two weapons after the attack: a handgun and an automatic weapon. Hatlo described both as not modern but did not give details. Not far from Oslos cathedral, crime scene tape cordoned off the bars where the shootings took place, including the London Pub, which is popular with the citys LGBTQ community. Crowds gathered outside and dropped off cards and flowers at impromptu memorials. Martin Ebbestad, 29, had walked by earlier, seen the memorials and returned with flowers. London Pub is our go-to place. My boyfriend left 20 minutes before (it happened). He was sitting outside in the smoking area, Ebbestad said. We know this place so well. It doesnt feel unsafe, but it does feel very close. Norwegian television channel TV2 showed footage of people running down Oslo streets in panic as shots rang out in the background. Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting, Roenneberg told NRK. First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere called the shooting a "cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people. He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. We all stand by you, Gahr Stoere wrote on Facebook. Christian Bredeli, who was at the London Pub, told Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. Many were fearing for their lives, he said. On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened. Desta G. Selassie, a co-owner of the London Pub, told AP that employees who witnessed the shooting were in shock and receiving psychological counseling. Police said the suspect had a criminal record that included a narcotics offense and a weapons offense for carrying a knife. PST said it spoke to him in May this year because he had shown a certain interest in statements that were interpreted as insults to Islam. In these conversations, it was assessed that he had no intention of violence, but PST is aware that he has had challenges related to mental health, the agency said in a statement. Organizers of Oslo Pride canceled the parade and other scheduled events, and encouraged people all over Norway to show solidarity" in their homes, neighborhoods and on social media instead. Well be back later, proud, visible, but right now its not the time for that," Inge Alexander Gjestvang, leader of FRI, a Norwegian organization for sexual and gender diversity, told TV2. Like its Scandinavian neighbors, Norway is considered progressive on LGBTQ rights. There is widespread support for same-sex marriage, which was legalized in 2009. In 2016, Norway became one of the world's first countries to allow transgender people to legally change their gender without a doctors agreement or intervention. Norway's King Harald V offered condolences to the relatives of victims and said the royal family was horrified by the attack. We must stand together to defend our values: freedom, diversity and respect for each other. We must continue to stand up for all people to feel safe, the monarch said. World leaders condemned the attack on their way to a Group of Seven summit in Germany. The summit's host, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, tweeted, The Norwegian people can be sure of our sympathy. The fight against terror unites us. French President Emmanuel Macron offered his condolences in a tweet in Norwegian. John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told reporters while flying with U.S. President Joe Biden to the G-7 summit, Our hearts obviously go out to all the families there of the victims, the people of Norway, which is a tremendous ally, and of course the LGBTQI+ community, there and around the world, quite frankly. Norway has a relatively low crime rate but has experienced a series of so-called lone wolf attacks in recent decades, including one of the worst mass shootings in Europe. In 2011, a right-wing extremist killed 69 people on the island of Utoya after setting off a bomb in Oslo that left eight dead. In 2019, another right-wing extremist killed his stepsister and then opened fire in a mosque but was overpowered before anyone there was injured. Last year, a Norwegian man armed with knives and a bow and arrow killed five people in a town in southern Norway. The attacker, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was sentenced Friday to compulsory psychiatric care. ___ Ritter reported from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Jari Tanner in Helsinki and Sarah Hambro in Oslo contributed to this report. GAYAN, Afghanistan (AP) Afghanistans deadly earthquake this week struck one of the poorest corners of a country that has been hollowed out by increasing poverty. Even as more aid arrived Saturday, many residents have no idea how they will rebuild the thousands of homes destroyed in villages strung through the mountains. The quake, which state media says killed at least 1,150 people, hit hardest in a region of high mountains where Paktika and Khost provinces meet by the Pakistani border. There is little fertile land, so residents eke out what they can while largely relying on money sent by relatives who have migrated to Pakistan, Iran or further abroad for jobs. Every one of the nearly two dozen homes in one village, Miradin, were reduced to rubble by Wednesdays quake. In the rainy nights since, its several hundred residents have been sleeping in nearby woods and had still not received the aid that was slowly making its way into quake-hit areas. Miradin residents told the Associated Press they worried whether theyd be able to rebuild before the harsh winter hits, in only a few months. Summer is short in the mountains, nights are already chilly. Its a fear felt across the quake-hit region, where nearly 3,000 homes are believed to have been destroyed. The U.N.'s humanitarian coordinating organization OCHA said it had reports of 700-800 families in the area still living out in the open. We are facing many problems. We need all kind of support, and we request the international community and Afghans who can help to come forward and help us, said Dawlat Khan, a resident of Paktikas Gayan District. Five members of his family were injured when his house collapsed. Among the dead from Wednesdays magnitude 6 quake are 121 children and that figure is expected to climb, said the U.N. childrens agency representative in Afghanistan. He said close to 70 children were injured. An aftershock Friday took five more lives. The total toll of 1,150 dead and at least 1,600 injured was reported by the Afghan state news agency Bakhtar. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has put the death toll at 770 people. Either toll would make the quake Afghanistans deadliest in two decades. More aid was piling in on Saturday. At Urgan, the main city in Paktika province, U.N. World Health Organization medical supplies were unloaded at the main hospital. In quake-hit villages, UNICEF delivered blankets, basic supplies and tarps for the homeless to use as tents. In the district of Spera in Khost province on Saturday, UNICEF distributed water purification tablets along with soap and other hygiene materials. Aid groups said they feared cholera could break out after damage to water and hygiene systems. New cargo flights of aid supplies arrived in Afghanistan from Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, officials said. Pakistans government and a Pakistani charity had already sent 13 trucks carrying food, tents, life-saving medicine and other essential items, and Pakistan has opened some border crossings for injured to be brought in for treatment. Overstretched aid agencies said the disaster underscored the need for the international community to rethink its financial cut-off of Afghanistan since Taliban insurgents seized the country 10 months ago. That policy, halting billions in development aid and freezing vital reserves, has helped push the economy into collapse and plunge Afghanistan deeper into humanitarian crises and near famine. The effort to help the victims has been slowed both by geography and by Afghanistans decimated condition. Rutted roads through the mountains, already slow to drive on, were made worse by quake damage and rain. The International Red Cross has five health facilities in the region, but damage to the roads made it difficult for those in the worse-hit areas to reach them, said Lucien Christen, ICRC spokesman in Afghanistan. Aid groups said that while they are rushing to help the quake victims, keeping Afghanistan just above catastrophe through humanitarian programs is not sustainable. We are basically letting 25 million Afghan people to starve, to die, not to be able to earn their own living if we keep on with this financial blockade, said Rossella Miccio, president of the aid organization Emergency that operates a network of healthcare facilities and surgical centers across Afghanistan. Afghanistans economy had been reliant on international donor support even before the Taliban takeover last August as the U.S. and its NATO allies were withdrawing their forces, ending a 20-year war. World governments halted billions in development aid and froze billions more in Afghanistans currency reserves, refusing to recognize the Taliban government and demanding they allow a more inclusive rule and respect human rights. The former insurgents have resisted the pressure, imposing restrictions on the freedoms of women and girls that recall their first time in power in the late 1990s. The cut-off yanked the props out from under the economy. Now nearly half the population of 38 million cannot meet their basic food needs because of poverty. Most civil servants, including doctors, nurses and teachers, have not been paid for months, and salaries remain sporadic. U.N. agencies and other remaining organizations have kept Afghanistan away from the brink of starvation with a humanitarian program that has fed millions and kept the medical system alive. But with international donors lagging, U.N. agencies face a $3 billion funding shortfall this year. ___ Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed and Rahim Faiez contributed to this report. MUNICH (AP) About 4,000 protesters gathered in Munich as the Group of Seven leading economic powers prepared Saturday to hold their annual gathering in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, which holds the G-7s rotating presidency this year. Organizers had hoped to mobilize up to 20,000 protesters in the Bavarian city and were disappointed by the low turnout at Munichs Theresienwiese park, German news agency dpa reported. Uwe Hiksch, one of the protest organizers, theorized said that potential participants might consider it inappropriate to challenge the worlds wealthiest democracies during Russias war in Ukraine. We have the impression that many people are unsettled by the war in Ukraine, Hiksch told dpa. Seven years ago, 35,000 people participated in protests when the G-7 held a summit at the same site in Bavaria. The G-7 leaders from the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan are expected to start arriving in Germany on Saturday afternoon. Their summit agenda includes issues such as Russias war on Ukraine, climate change, energy and a looming food security crisis. Russias brutal war against Ukraine is also having an impact here, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a video podcast Saturday, referring to rising prices for groceries, gas and energy. Fifteen groups critical of globalization, from the international Attac network to the environmental organization WWF, called on people to participate in demonstrations for this weekends summit. Their demands included a phase-out of fossil fuels, the preservation of animal and plant diversity, social justice and a stepped-up fight against hunger. My demands for the G-7 are that they have a clear commitment to energy transition, that is, the exit from fossil fuels, all forms of fossil fuels, by 2035 at the latest, so we can stop financing wars and conflicts, said Kilian Wolter from the environmental group Greenpeace. Earlier Saturday, during a separate protest demanding more global equality.members of the antipoverty organization Oxfam wore oversized heads of the G-7 leaders. We need concrete action to cope with multiple crises of our times, Oxfam spokesperson Tobias Hauschild told The Associated Press. That means the G-7 have to act immediately. They have to fight hunger, inequality and poverty. A total of around 18,000 police officers are deployed around the summit site and the protests. Scholz said the G-7 leaders would discuss the current situation triggered by the war in Ukraine "and at the same time ensure that we stop manmade climate change. The chancellor was set to welcome the leaders at the Elmau resort near Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Saturday evening. The G-7 summit itself will take place in Bavarias Elmau from Sunday through Tuesday. After the meeting concludes, leaders of the 30 countries in the NATO alliance will then gather for their annual summit, which is being held Wednesday through Thursday in Madrid. ___ Grieshaber reported from Berlin, Philipp Jenne and Pietro De Cristofaro contributed from Munich. WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing logistical support to import the equivalent of about 16 million 8-ounce baby formula bottles from Mexico starting this weekend, as part of its efforts to ease nationwide supply shortages caused by the closure of the largest U.S. manufacturing plant. The Department of Health and Human Services is expediting the travel of trucks that will drive about 1 million pounds of Gerber Good Start Gentle infant formula from a Nestle plant to U.S. retailers, the White House said, nearly doubling the amount imported to the U.S. to date. Cargo flights from Europe and Australia already have brought baby formula into the U.S., including two new rounds of air shipments that begin this weekend. Former Vice President Mike Pence praised the Supreme Courts ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and with it the constitutional right to abortion access. Today, Life Won, Pence tweeted. By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court of the United States has given the American people a new beginning for life and I commend the Justices in the majority for having the courage of their convictions. Pence went on to declare that now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn and support for women in crisis pregnancies to every state Capitol in America. Having been given this second chance for Life, we must not rest and must not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the land. and support for women in crisis pregnancies to every state Capitol in America. Having been given this second chance for Life, we must not rest and must not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the land. Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) June 24, 2022 The call for a new era of anti-choice activism aimed at stripping legal abortion access across all 50 states is already well under way. Thirteen states are now poised to ban legal abortion access virtually entirely through trigger laws, with many states seeking not only to ban abortion but to criminalize those who provide and seek abortion services. Pence wasnt the only prominent Republican to praise the ruling or signal that the next goal could be a national abortion ban. Across conservative circles the end of Roe and the stripping of bodily autonomy from millions of Americans has been met with unrestrained glee. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called the Dobbs ruling courageous and correct. In his statement McConnell compared the end of Roe to the overturning of Plessy v. Ferguson, the Supreme Court case that ruled racial segregation as constitutional. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), and House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R issued a joint statement applauding the historic ruling. The statement pledged to continue to reject policies that would allow abortions later in pregnancy and taxpayer funding for abortion services. Scalise touted the decision to the media later on Friday, praising the movement to end abortion in this country. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) celebrates Roe v. Wade reversal and movement to "end abortion in this country." pic.twitter.com/lgzLZBu559 The Recount (@therecount) June 24, 2022 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose state last year passed one of the nations most restrictive abortion bans, tweeted that the end of Roe signified the end of one of the most morally & legally corrupt eras in US history. He added that he was closing his office and making today an annual holiday. Texas is one of the states that will virtually entirely outlaw abortion access through trigger laws. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sends employees home to celebrate the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Heres the email employees got, announcing an annual Sanctity of Life work holiday. #txlege #roevwade pic.twitter.com/7NbGieQWyB J. David McSwane (@davidmcswane) June 24, 2022 South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham called Roe one of the largest power grabs in the history of the Supreme Court and lauded its end. Todays decision by the Supreme Court is a long overdue constitutional correction allowing for elected officials in the states to decide issues of life, he wrote. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio celebrated the ruling as correct. Today the Supreme Court correctly returned the power to regulate abortion to the states, he tweeted. I will soon introduce a proposal to support mothers and their babies so that every child has a real opportunity to pursue the promise of America. Several conservatives, including Donald Trump Jr., congratulated the former president for giving the conservative movement three strong pro-life Supreme Court Justices. I don't know if I have ever been to a place quite like this. A place where the food is so big I had to start planning a strategy about how to fit it into a clamshell Styrofoam to-go box as soon as it hit the table. Where halfway through the meal, drinking my drip coffee became more about keeping my metabolism running instead of the usual caffeine reasons. Every time a new plate landed in front of us, my friend and I half afraid and half in awe stared at each other and gasped. Okay fine, maybe my brush with a jumbo LuLu's cinnamon roll was similar. But on a Thursday morning in June, the notably tiny Bobbie's Cafe was packed with new diners and plenty of grazers already intimately familiar with this particular deep-fried experience. We started with a made-from-scratch biscuit smothered in white gravy, before easing into pillowy french toast, classic chocolate chip pancakes, and the biggest chicken fried steak I've ever seen. It reminded me of what I imagine an elephant's footprint to look like. It may seem counterintuitive, but we decided it was exactly what the doctor ordered. The prescription had a lot to do with the atmosphere. We basked in the energy of the family heirloom taxidermy, which I'm told was shot by the original owners. We felt comforted by the modern cozy signs decorated with southern aphorisms written in script. We drank coffee that made us feel like we were sitting on the porch of a country cabin listening to the birds, and ate the food scaled to fit the footprint of the Lone Star State's mythos. If I were a foreigner, I'd go just to understand what it feels like to be a "true Texan" if only for a day. Alan Williams, a relatively recent Bobbie's convert I reached out to, is smitten. "Even though I am a native San Antonian I never heard of Bobbie's Cafe until last year but I have fallen in love with it. Entering Bobbie's is like taking a step back in time," he tells me. That's sort of the deal. People seem to love the family-run diner that has been serving San Antonio's far Southside for 50 years. Camille Sauers/MySA The Ferris family It's not really just about the Texas-sized portions (though it's hard to look away from the sentient presence that is the chicken fried steak). The space seems to be sacred ground for the Ferris family, something I've found is contagious when it comes to dining destinations. People want to feel a part of something. The story of Bobbie's began in 1972, when Robert and Vida Condra, a Texas couple that ran an old-school ice house, decided to purchase the highly-trafficked Bob Jones Truck Stop on Roosevelt, a major thoroughfare in the pre-highway days. They converted Bob Jones into an early iteration of the cafe, frequented by truckers, bikers, Southsiders, and anyone headed north. In 1986, their daughter, Bobbie, and her husband, Santo, relocated operations to where it stands today on South Flores (and renamed it too). Bobbie was a Southern woman through and through, I'm told. She got her hair done in a Paula Deen-like poof every week and was always saying things like "y'all are crazier than a bull in a China shop," according to her family. Her husband Santo was originally from Laredo. He showed his love in small ways like making smiley face pancakes and sprinkling a little extra cheese on your carne guisada. He was also quite handy around the shop. After they were ready to retire, their daughter Nancy took over operations with her husband Randy Ferris. In January 2020, it was yet again time for a change. The fourth-generation owner Greg Ferris officially took over the reigns at Bobbie's with his wife, Ana. As a teen, Greg spent his free-time waiting tables, bussing, washing dishes, and helping Santo repair odds and ends around the restaurant. His wife and McCollum High School sweetheart, Ana, tells me that the Padillas were beloved. Santo, who passed away several years back, was her husband's best friend. When the cafe used to close every Tuesday and Thursday, Greg and Santo would religiously repair and deep clean the cafe. "Then they went to B&B Smokehouse down the street and had Po' Boys. That was their spot," Ana Ferris tells me, adding that Greg was also the "apple of Bobbie's eye." Southside watering hole People want to go to places run by people they know. They want to feel a part of the family and for their family to feel apart of the family too. On probably a primal level, people love to feel a part of a "clan." I think that's part of the appeal of family-run places like this. Ana Ferris explains to me that especially on busy weekends, the place's communal feeling is amplified. People will make friends with each other outside while they're waiting for their table. They'll exchange menu favorites, and sometimes, solo diners might share a table. "The old cowboys, you know, they're really retired and tend to come in and and go off and sit together. They'll be like, 'Oh, you want to sit in my table? I'm having coffee.'" I noticed some of this while I was dining in, observing small talk made across the room. Courtesy of Bobbie's Cafe Good eats Notably, the food at this longstanding watering hole also tastes good. Greg, who grew up in the cafe, puts a premium on ingredients. Most of the menu is original, with offerings like biscuits and gravy, chilli, chicken fried steak, pies, and pancakes. Since taking over, Greg has worked to enhance the recipes to prioritize flavor and freshness, he tells me. This week, in honor of the anniversary, he's also rolling out a series of new menu items including the Elvis-inspired "The Kings French Toast" with bananas and a delicate peanut butter and jelly sauce and the colossal "Morning Wrecker," a chicken fried steak topped with a runny egg, house-made biscuit, white gravy, and grated cheese. After 50 years of service, the updates were made intentionally to help maintain the integrity of Bobbie's for decades to come. Courtesy of Bobbie's Cafe Bobbie's legacy "She was a firecracker," says Greg Ferris, describing his grandmother after serving us some of her favorite menu items at his family cafe. "She was just really what grandmothers are supposed to be like." Bobbie always wanted him to carry the torch. While it's a big undertaking to takeover the family business, Greg says he always knew he would, and he always wanted to. "Everything I learned, I learned from them. They kind of knew I was going to take over a restaurant. So they spent a lot of one-on-one time with me," Greg says. "I'm just continuing what my great-grandparents started." Camille Sauers/MySA Five decades after Bobbie's began as a Southside truck stop, it's still a popular place for San Antonians to dine-in. If you ever find yourself there, note the vintage cash register on the counter and the last fish caught by Santo Padilla mounted on the wall above it. If you find yourself there and happen to order the chicken fried steak, here's a pro tip: you'll want to cut it in half and stack it to fit it in your Styrofoam clamshell. This is exactly what we did when we were finally ready to head out, vowing to return again. The Ferrises are grateful for all the people who have shown up over the years who have helped make it great. "We definitely wouldn't be here without this community, especially the Southside community. Now, we've grown our reach passed the Southside, but we wouldn't be here without them," shares the rightful heir to the Bobbie's thrown, Bobbie's grandson. "They've really made the restaurant what it is, we're very grateful." Bobbie's Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Find it at 6728 S. Flores Street. It was a wrap moment the coffee shop opened. Six years ago, when Taylor Burge and her husband Austin, who had just moved from the city that bears his name to Lockhart, about 35 miles southeast, there wasn't a ton of retail action on the charming downtown courthouse square. "If you think it's sleepy today," Burge says, gesturing out the door of her other business, a small bodega called Good Things. "There was nothing." While that's not completely true Lockhart was once known as the barbecue capital of the world, R.I.P. it certainly didn't have a spot to order matcha or golden milk. If you've ever read a real estate or Airbnb listing, though, you can understand how Chaparral's mere existence imported the marketing language that helped transform Lockhart. "We literally opened up a coffee shop that created [the idea of], 'It's a small town, it's got a beautiful square and it has a coffee shop that I can walk to. I'm moving there,'" Burge says. The housing statistics bear this out. In June 2019, the median price for single-family homes in Caldwell County was $198,750, down 5 percent over the previous year. Homes spent an average of 51 days on the market, and that month just three years ago only 25 single-family homes were sold in the county. Compare those numbers to May 2022, the most recent stats provided by ABoR. The median home price is now $345,000, an increase of more than 43% year-over-year. Homes lasted, on average, about two weeks on the market and 64 homes sold, with 48 more pending. It's safe to say that moving to Lockhart as a post-Austin lifehack is beyond over. But as a day trip I am not the first nor will I be the last to realize its newer charms it's rather unbeatable. Here's how I spent the better part of a weekday without (barely) ever leaving the square, and by only visiting spots that were new to me. Chris O'Connell/MySA Chaparral Coffee and Good Things I began with coffee and ended with (spoiler alert) cocktails in Lockhart, because that seems to be life's natural progression. Chaparral Coffee, on East Market Street, with its prominent promise of coffee, WiFi, and good friends welcomed me in, where I enjoyed an espresso served to me by a cheerful barista. The shop had a very home-type feel, and most people there were chatting with their friend or meeting over a cold brew. Burge tells me that's part of the appeal of Chaparral. "That's where a lot of contracts have been written, a lot of business handshakes have happened," she says. "That's where people have met with their realtors. It is that little community hub." The coffee shop is universal. Everyone needs caffeine, right? Burge's other business nearby is a bit more niche. A few days before my visit, some good ol boys were complaining about the prices at Good Things, which is a stone's throw away from Chaparral. "I am not here to compete, price-wise, with H-E-B," Burge says. "What I'm trying to do is fill in the gaps between what they already offer and what Walmart already offers, and provide a level of convenience. It is not for everybody." Chris O'Connell/MySA It's true that Good Things is somewhat of a specialty store, with $10 keto mayonnaise and bulk nutritional yeast and vegan kimchi. But it also has everyday staples like $3 breakfast tacos (the only ones in town made with with local eggs, I am told), Daisy sour cream, and fresh produce. Burge says she has the "natural wine conversation" almost every day with customers me included, as I pick up a recommended natural piquette for my wife acknowledging that since the new influx of people to town, there's been a culture change that can sometimes feel bittersweet. "It's just one of those things: you don't have to love what I'm doing, you know, but enough people do," she says. "So it's worth it." Chris O'Connell/MySA Loop & Lil's Pizza? In Lockhart? I must be crazy, right? To top it off, I was born in raised in the best pizza state in the nation, which is New Jersey and absolutely not New York. I popped into the pizza joint just off the main square and was charmed immediately by a signifier of my youth: the enormous plastic red cups filled with soda. I ordered one with my lunch combo, which included a slice and a small salad. Chris O'Connell/MySA The slice looked odd. Still technically a triangle, at first sight it reminded me of something I'd get on a beige plastic tray in middle school. But the plain slice had a nice texture. It had a nice snap to it, the cheese and sauce were tasty, and the crust was fluffy but not underdone. Accompanying the slice was a small Italian salad. If you think I felt nervous ordering pizza in Lockhart, imagine how this carnivore felt about consuming veggies on the square. In the last 15 or so years of eating at the likes of Kreuz and Black's, I have never had anything approaching a leafy green on my plate until today. It was even better than the slice, though. The produce tasted fresh, the vinaigrette tangy and full of flavor, and I only felt a little self-conscious forking leaves and bell peppers into my mouth in the shadow of Smitty's. Chris O'Connell/MySA Magic Mirror Vintage and Golden Hour Nearby are two vintage stores just doors from each other. Each one is great in its own way: Magic Mirror with its robust collection of rock and metal tees, and Golden Hour's meticulously curated books section. I did my wallet a favor and skipped the Judas Priest concert T-shirt I was eyeing at Magic Mirror and opted for a beautiful paperback copy of Dashiell Hammett's classic mystery The Maltese Falcon from Golden Hour. Either, though, is worth the time to comb through on your way across the square. Chris O'Connell/MySA Best Little Wine and Books If Good Things seems a bit niche, imagine, then, a store that carries mostly only books and wine located just off the square. At Best Little Wine & Books, interlopers like myself or locals like the couple I ran into in the little green building can shop for orange wine and dry rose, books about Japanese cocktails and jars of pickled okra. Specific as it is, so far, the business has been a hit in Lockhart. Owner and Lockhart resident Kaye Askins, who opened the store with her partner, Nickel City's (and Old Pal's) Travis Tober, says she asked locals about which wines they couldn't find in town but wanted to drink and started curating from there. "We have a lot of community support. That's been fantastic," she says. "The number one goal before we opened was to come out and make friends and have something for the community." Chris O'Connell/MySA As the store's sole employee and operator unless you count her dog, Chicken, who hangs out every day in his little bed Askins has ample opportunity to use her experience as senior beverage manager for Eataly Dallas to find folks exactly what they're craving. She says the weekdays are mostly locals, with weekends being filled by people from Austin driving down to hit all the new spots in Lockhart. "A lot of people really trust my judgment, which is nice," she says. Askins educates customers on wine varietals, asking them what they normally drink and trying to find them other versions of similar wines. "They are all great quality, but if it's not for you, I will find you something else." Askins does just that, finding me a glass of schiava when I tell her I mostly drink pinot noirs or Austrian reds. As I drink it, we talk about Italian wines, and the couple next to me joins in. Before long, we're all just chatting, sipping grapes on a Tuesday afternoon, just trying to escape the blistering heat outside. "More than anything," Askins says, smiling, "it really is that kind of safe space to be calm and chill." Chris O'Connell/MySA Old Pal Nickel City is one of my favorite bars in Austin, despite its recent status as the go-to place for tech bros who live in the condos that have sprouted like weeds across the city's East Side. Aside from its insistence on trying wacky boilermaker combos and robust array of world whiskies, it mostly (save for late Saturday night) feels like a comfy neighborhood joint. Imagine my excitement, then, when I figured out that Lockhart had its own Nickel City ... with zero condos in sight. Old Pal, co-owned by Nickel City's Travis Tober, has some of the same old Austin charm that his Austin, Fort Worth, and (soon) Houston outposts does, but with a distinctly small-town feel. Though still full from Loop & Lil's, I was told I had to try a biscuit at the very minimum. It came warm with hot honey and whipped butter, and I was finished practically as soon as the bartender sit it in front of me. I ordered an Old Pal, the eponymous drink that is their twist on the negroni, and was given a taster of the Whata-Frozen when I told them this was my first time. Chris O'Connell/MySA Though I suffered mightily from brain freeze, it was icy and sweet, with just enough booze to not overpower the Dr Pepper taste. With my final slurp, I bid this seemingly new town goodbye, with its boutiques and fancy wines spreading across a square upon which Austin bozos like myself descend when our own city feels too claustrophobic. I felt conflicted. Sure, I love this new direction, but I get to swoop in, consume, and leave before the sun sets, just like when I still came here for barbecue. But on my way out, I saw that the Caldwell County Courthouse, with its lime and red stone facade and clock tower, still dominates the skyline, a reminder of the charm that brought all these new businesses to town and the reason that any of them will stick around. WASHINGTON - In an opinion concurring with his conservative colleagues on the Supreme Court to overturn the fundamental right to an abortion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote on Friday that striking down Roe v. Wade should also open up the high court to review other precedents that may be deemed "demonstrably erroneous." Among those, Thomas wrote, was the right for married couples to buy and use contraception without government restriction from the landmark 1965 ruling in Griswold v. Connecticut. "In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell," Thomas wrote on page 119 of the opinion for Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, also referring to the rulings that legalized same-sex relationships and marriage equality, respectively. "Because any substantive due process decision is 'demonstrably erroneous' . . . we have a duty to 'correct the error' established in those precedents." Thomas added, "After overruling these demonstrably erroneous decisions, the question would remain whether other constitutional provisions guarantee the myriad rights that our substantive due process cases have generated." Following Friday's culture-shaking opinion on Dobbs, health advocates, legal experts and Democrats are wondering whether the Supreme Court's conservative majority could eye the right to contraception in the future. The Griswold case is mentioned or cited nearly two dozen times in the Dobbs ruling, which was widely celebrated by Republicans and the antiabortion movement. In an address to the nation, President Biden denounced Thomas's explicit focus on the right of couples to make their own choices on contraception - "a married couple in the privacy of their bedroom, for God's sake." "This is an extreme and dangerous path the court is now taking us on," Biden said. Audrey Sandusky, the National Family Planning and Reproductive Rights Association's senior policy and communications director, told The Washington Post that the opinion shows there is an "appetite among at least some on the Court to dismantle a whole landscape of rights, including the right to access contraception and the fundamental right to privacy." Pointing to instances that states have deemed certain contraceptive methods as abortifacients, or substances that can induce abortions, Sandusky said the decision will embolden more of those kinds of state policies. "Today's ruling throws chaos into reproductive health and rights in this country at a time when the family planning provider network is already stretched far too thin and is in dire need of more support," she wrote in an email. The interest around Griswold stems from how the constitutional protections for abortion and birth control have long been linked. In Griswold, the Supreme Court invalidated a law prohibiting birth control, arguing that the prohibition violated a fundamental "right to privacy." This right to privacy is the foundation for Roe v. Wade. "Would we allow the police to search the sacred precincts of marital bedrooms for telltale signs of the use of contraceptives?" Justice William Douglas wrote for the majority on June 7, 1965. "The very idea is repulsive to the notions of privacy surrounding the marriage relationship." But the precedent on contraception has come up decades later with the justices on today's Supreme Court. During her confirmation hearing in 2020, Amy Coney Barrett declined to answer whether Griswold was decided correctly on the grounds that a full ban on contraception at the state level was "unthinkable." The case came up again from Justice Sonia Sotomayor during oral arguments for Dobbs, which looked at a Mississippi law that would ban almost all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. "In Roe, the Court said . . . certain personal decisions that belong to individuals and the states can't intrude on them," the liberal justice said at the time. " We have recognized that sense of privacy in people's choices about whether to use contraception or not." Since a draft opinion of the Dobbs case was leaked last month, several Republican lawmakers have signaled their willingness to restrict emergency contraception in addition to abortion, a subject legislators have rarely discussed in public. In March, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., called the Griswold decision "legally unsound." In May, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, R, refused to rule out the possibility that his state would ban certain forms of contraception. Blake Masters, a GOP Senate candidate in Arizona, says on his website he would "vote only for federal judges who understand that Roe and Griswold and Casey were wrongly decided." Republicans cheered the Supreme Court's decision, with former Vice President Mike Pence calling for a national abortion ban. Democrats like Rep. Jerrold Nadler, N.Y., called Thomas's suggestion to review contraception "merely the beginning of a radical right-wing effort to roll back" people's rights. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., declined to answer whether he'd support the high court reviewing the rights to contraception and same-sex marriage. "The Supreme Court is a different branch of government. They can look at whatever comes before them," McCarthy said. "I just know what we are doing and what we have today is that life matters." When he was asked again, McCarthy repeated, "The Supreme Court is a separate branch of government; they take their positions." Legal experts echoed Biden's remarks regarding the path Thomas's opinion could take the high court. Thomas's opinion "has more or less set a road map for future litigation," Laurie Sobel, Kaiser Family Foundation's associate director for policy, told The Post. "Here's how you can bring this litigation and claim that this was decided wrongly," she added. Sobel said there is a possibility that litigation may come, such as if a state were to ban IUDs or contraception and someone sued, but that it remains unclear which way the majority of the court would lean. Critics decried Thomas for saying precedents like contraception should be reviewed by the Supreme Court, despite being established law for decades. "It does not end at abortion," wrote Rahna Epting, the executive director of the liberal group MoveOn. "Republicans will not stop until they have stripped away every freedom they can't load with bullets." Some legal experts say they saw this ripple effect coming if Roe was ever defeated. It was inevitable that the decision overruling Roe would open to the door to the reconsideration of precedents, said Stephen Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas Law. But now that the justices aren't as hesitant to overrule precedent and GOP state leaders are more willing to push the envelope, it is possible Griswold could be headed toward a reversal. "I don't think that anyone can say for certain that Griswold is on the chopping block," he said. "But I also don't think anyone can say for certain that it isn't." - - - Rachel VanSickle-Ward, Kevin Wallsten and The Washington Post's Caroline Kitchener contributed to this report. Rachel VanSickle-Ward is a professor of political studies at Pitzer College. Kevin Wallsten is a professor in the department of political science at California State University at Long Beach. The United States Supreme Court on Friday issued a new ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that established abortion as a constitutional American right. The decision marks one of the court's most significant course reversals of the last century, and effectively returns all legal matters regarding abortion law to the state level to be decided. Thirteen states, including Texas, already have trigger laws on the books structured to automatically ban nearly all forms of abortion in the event of a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe. These trigger measures, however, may be just the first ripples of a momentous shift in American jurisprudence that could see other long-held precedents forged by the high court overturned, including a previous ruling against a half-century-old Texas statute outlawing same-sex intercourse. In a separate concurring opinion published Friday, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas questioned the Supreme Court's past rulings on cases involving the LGBTQ community, including Obergefell v. Hodges, which established the right of same-sex couples to get married and Lawrence vs. Texasa 2003 decision in which the court ruled against the state of Texas regarding a 1973 law criminalizing the act of sodomy. A third case Thomas mentioned was Griswold v. Connecticut, which establishes the right of married couples to use contraception without government interference. "In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell. Because any substantive due process decision is 'demonstrably erroneous,'" Thomas wrote. "We have a duty to 'correct the error' regarding these established in those precedents." In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of John Geddes Lawrence Jr., an older white Texas man who was arrested alongside Tyron Garner, a younger Black man, in 1998 after law enforcement entered his Harris County home and discovered the two men engaged in consensual intercourse. The police had entered the premises after receiving a call from Lawrence's former boyfriend, who claimed a man with a weapon was inside the apartment. Lawrence and Garner received misdemeanor charges codified under a 1973 Texas statute outlawing "homosexual conduct." The measure identified offenders as anyone who "engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another individual of the same sex," and also banned "any contact between any part of the genitals of one person and the mouth or anus of another person." The law specified that identical behavior by different-sex couples was still permissible. Despite being ruled unconstitutional nearly 20 years ago, Texas' "homosexual conduct" law remains on the state's books, and Thomas' remarks on the measure have sparked fresh concerns for LGBTQ advocates fearing the community's rights to intimacy and marriage may be on the chopping block at future court sessions. "The Supreme Court's decision to reverse Roe is just the beginning," tweeted the ACLU of Texas on Friday. "Our work cannot stop in local government and in the streets to protect our right to vote, marry whom we love, and make personal health care decisions. This democracy is ours. We will never stop fighting." Last week, senior members of the Log Cabin Republicans of Texas, a gay conservative group, resigned from their posts following the Texas Republican Party's introduction of new language to its party platform describing homosexuality as "an abnormal lifestyle choice." Yves here. I hate to come off as a knee-jerk skeptic, but I question some of the premises of the post. First, Neuberger states, without a link to a study, that most people think solving crimes is the most uncontroversial/important thing police do (his statement about the popular view of the role of crime solving is garbled, so Im having to guess). Having lived in NYC and reported five crimes over my life, I beg to differ. First, my belief is the most important job of police is to deter crime, by being enough of a presence in the community and to show up quickly enough when called for serious crimes so as to deter the bad guys. Of the five crimes I reported, three were for thefts. I did not expect the police to find the perp. I was reporting them for insurance purposes. For one, I did eventually get my drivers license and some credit cards back (I gather someone saw them in the garbage after my wallet was picked clean) but this was weeks after I had replaced everything. One time, I was hit by a cab (fortunately just really badly bruised) and the guy kept driving. I was furious, I knew I probably didnt get enough info to find the driver but I reported it anyhow. The one I did report in Sydney, Australia, when a man was harassing his date just below my second story window on a Friday night. Her bag was in his car, she didnt want to go in to get it (as in she wanted to leave) and he was refusing to give it to her. The argument went on, I called the cops, yelled down to him to give her the bag and I was a witness. He yelled, Fook off. A while later, I noticed I didnt hear them but his car was still there. This was very bad because the car was on a side street, next to a ramp down into the parking garage under my apartment building. I was concerned he had backed her down the ramp against the grille barrier, which would be way out of view from the main street. I grabbed my trusty shooting stick. He had cornered her, just as I feared. I yelled at him. He charged me. I swung my stick at he and we screamed at each other. Some guys came from the main street and tried to talk him down. The cops arrived and arrested him. I gave a statement. I assume the woman had a gory story and he may have had a history too. The guy went to prison. The second point is Im not certain the stats are as bad as Neuburger treats them to be. The cops actually have a much higher success rate than I expected on murders and non-negligent manslaughter. But we also know from the Innocence Project that police are under a lot of pressure to solve these crimes and can often, erm, encourage or provide misleading testimony to pin it on a likely-looking suspect. The numbers where I agree the police results are bad are aggravated assault and robbery. Those are both crimes where people were or could have been hurt and ought to be able to have the same clearance rate. With larceny-theft and burglary, as indicated, some like me will report the crime knowing it cant be solved but have other motives for making the report (insurance or claiming a tax loss). The other category that looks bad but is hard to know what a proper base line would be is rape and sexual assault. I do confess to watching the show Special Victims Unit, which is about the NYC sex crimes unit. They show how many rape victims wont have a rape kit done (as in deny they were raped/wont report a rape), while many others wait to report it out of shame, greatly reducing the odds of successful prosecution. Some rapists use condoms. Some victims shower reflexively before seeing the cops, destroying evidence. Some waffle about pressing charges, particularly when they realize if they want to have good odds of nailing the perp, they have to testify and be cross examined. Some perps pay off victims. Even if the police get a DNA match on semen inside a victim, the perp can claim was consensual, and victims often do things to undermine a case, like acting immediately afterwards that what happened to them was not terrible (texting the perp or sending a friendly text reply; this is apparently not uncommon in date-y rapes, the victim is confused and self-blaming). BTW the SVU show regularly presents prosecutions where pursuing a case went badly for everyone. Having said that, 3% looks low but 10% would not at all surprise me as a good number. Finally, the easiest way to have higher success rates in policing would be to have China-style surveillance. Or maybe we could copy Japan, where suspects have confessions beaten out of them. Do we want that? By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies In a recent piece examining the role of police (Police in America: An Awkward Truth), I wrote: Generally speaking, the police are a right-wing force in this country. They support right-wing causes individually, they act on behalf of right-wing elements of the society, and frequently stand down when right-wing forces are engaged against left-wing (or merely populist) forces in street battles. Yes, they solve crimes and: most Americans are living in a Happy Days dream, formed in white neighborhoods in the prosperous 50s, that police do indeed serve and protect. They may do that, but thats not all they do. The assumption was that solving crimes the police mission that most people would recognize, the one for which theyre defended most by most (unbrutalized) citizens is itself a positive and mitigating contribution to the health of our society. Turns out even that mission goes unfulfilled. A More Accurate Metric for Police Effectiveness A 2020 paper (pdf) published in the Alabama Law Review and written by Shima Baughman, Professor of Law at the University of Utah, puts paid to the illusion that cops solve crimes. TV cops solve crimes. Real cops, not so much. From the Abstract (emphasis added): In recent years, the national conversation in criminal justice has centered on police. Are police using excessive force? Should they be monitored more closely? The implied core question across these national debates is whether police are effective at their jobs. Yet we have not explored how effective police are or determined how best to measure police effectiveness. This Article endeavors to measure how effectively police perform at their core function solving crime. The metric most commonly used to measure police effectiveness at crime-solving is a clearance rate: the proportion of reported crimes for which police arrest a person and refer them for prosecution. But clearance rates are inadequate for many reasons, including the fact that they are highly manipulable. This Article therefore provides a set of new metrics that have never been used systematically to study police effectiveness referred to as criminal accountability metrics. Criminal accountability examines the full course of a crime to determine whether police detect and ultimately resolve committed crime. Taking into account the prevalence and the number of crimes police solve, the proportion of crimes solved in America is dramatically lower than we realize. Only with a clearer conversation, rooted in accurate data about the effectiveness of the American police system, can we attempt a path toward increased criminal accountability and public safety. She goes on to note that [t]he scholarly discussion has focused on how police are doing crime solving: With too much force? With the right monitoring? With proper technology? These discussions assume that police are solving crimes. The prior scholarship has also tackled police performance in specific arenas but has not examined how to measure whether police are effective at their jobs. The goal of the paper, then, is to answer the question, What is the best way to determine police effectiveness? As the Abstract notes, using clearance rates is misleading. Clearance rate is defined as the proportion of reported crime for which police arrest a person and refer them for prosecution. Part of the problem with this metric is the amount of data it misses. For example: How many individuals are victims of a crime but failed to report it to police? How often do police arrest the right people? Which crimes are police most likely to make arrests for? How many police clearances result in a conviction? How many crimes did police not make arrests for but resolved in other ways? None of this information is tracked [by the clearance rate metric]. The paper concludes that police, indeed, are remarkably ineffective at solving crime, their supposed primary function of you watch too much TV. The Problem with Clearance Rates The author notes that a case can be cleared even if a suspect is identified and later released as innocent (thus the case is no longer on the books even though no further arrest is made), or a suspect is arrested and released due to faulty evidence. In addition, clearance rates only consider reported crimes crimes reported to police and fail to include known crimes crimes that turn up in other reports, like victim surveys, but arent reported to police. (See Part II of the study for more on known crimes.) Clearance rates, in other words, are a cosmetic metric designed to make police look better than they are, just as todays employment data is a cosmetic metric designed to make the current administration (whoever that is at that moment) look better than it is. (For example, todays employment rate excludes from the denominator people who are so discouraged, theyve stopped looking for work.) Note that clearance rates are also swollen due to another flaw the percentage of times police arrest the wrong person (because that arrest is easy) and the criminal justice system miscarries and convicts them anyway. In addition, how much criminal activity is missed even in the known crimes data? Many offenses are not even tallied in the crime data. These crimes are among the ones we know about: identity theft, sexual exploitation, ransomware attacks, drug purchases over the dark web, human trafficking for sex or labor, revenge porn, credit card fraud, and child exploitation. [178] To many observers, motor vehicle theft and burglary may seem like relics that have been replaced with a modern era of crime that takes place exclusively on the internet. While it may be the case that crimes have changed, unfortunately these new crimes are not fully captured in law enforcements reporting system. A police department focused on keeping clearance rates high may not focus on digital crimes that are not tracked nationally. Criminal Accountability Criminal accountability, on the other hand, includes accounting for the large swath of crimes not reported to police. It tries, in other words, to add back into the equation, the large number of crimes that occur that are not reported to police. It also adds back in those cases in which police resolve crimes without an arrest (i.e., by exceptional means). The database that the author uses includes 50 years of national crime data from a variety of sources, and the statistical challenge was considerable, as a read of the report will show. The results, however, are worth the effort. Share How Effective Are Police Really? The part of the report dealing with true police effectiveness contains some startling statistics. For example, just on arrest rate: [O]verall, a 10% arrest rate is typical for the major crimes combined murder, rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, larceny-theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. The image below shows that data in a table: True conviction rates are even worse (these are sample years, not the full data): And overall criminal accountability looks like this: The author acknowledges the problem of including known but unreported crimes in these statistics. The causes are, obviously, a lack of trust [in the police] in their neighborhood and an individuals perception of how police will respond to their report rape victims, for example, who fear everything about the way their case will be handled, including by the police. But thats the problem, isnt it? The fact is, the primary mission of the police is not to solve crime its to keep the disorderly, including societys victims and social enemies, in line or in jail. At that, the police are successful. How Stable Is the Current Status Quo? The question is, will that success endure? After all, theres a point when even the complacent rebel. Our own founding document, the Declaration of Independence, says as much: Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. Yet when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, people will rebel. And when they do, the outcomes are just two: a long period of chaos in which order cannot be maintained, or a crushing response that sees the boots of the state grow heavier still. Or both. Were clearly not near that point yet the George Floyd protests, like others, came and went, with little that counts as improvement in their wake. But just as no empire permanently endures, no system of oppression lasts forever, and these are uncertain times, to say the least. Lambert and I, and many readers, agree that Ukraine has prompted the worst informational environment ever. We hope readers will collaborate in mitigating the fog of war both real fog and stage fog in comments. None of us need more cheerleading and link-free repetition of memes; there are platforms for that. Low-value, link-free pom pom-wavers will be summarily whacked. And for those who are new here, this is not a mere polite request. We have written site Policies and those who comment have accepted those terms. To prevent having to resort to the nuclear option of shutting comments down entirely until more sanity prevails, as we did during the 2015 Greek bailout negotiations and shortly after the 2020 election, we are going to be ruthless about moderating and blacklisting offenders. Yves P.S. Also, before further stressing our already stressed moderators, read our site policies: Please do not write us to ask why a comment has not appeared. We do not have the bandwidth to investigate and reply. Using the comments section to complain about moderation decisions/tripwires earns that commenter troll points. Please dont do it. Those comments will also be removed if we encounter them. * * * CatMeows: A Publicly-Available Dataset of Cat Vocalizations Zenodo (Micael T) Safari-goers in Namibia have close call with cheetah after it tries to climb into vehicle YouTube (Li). Darwin Award entrants. Connected-up-brains aeon Fin-tastic! Growing mermaiding subculture makes a splash Associated Press (David L) Curiosity rover finds more evidence of ancient watery regions on Mars TechSpot (Kevin W) Superworms may hold the key to worlds trash crisis NPR (David L) Worlds biggest bacteria discovered in Caribbean mangrove swamp Financial Times (David L) 60% of high school students in northern Thai city have HIV Thaiger (furzy) Couple sues Boston hospital over loss of babys body Associated Press (resilc) The philosophy of selfhood became real when my mother got dementia Psyche (Chuck L) Kurt Vonnegut documentary took Robert Weide 40 years to film Sydney Morning Herald. Anthony L: So he was unstuck in time. #COVID-19 Climate/Environment China? Old Blighty Charles tells Commonwealth leaders dropping Queen is for each to decide Guardian (resilc) Nobody in Brussels has much interest in Brexit anymore. The U.K. is a third country and will have to live with the disadvantages. Brexit didnt even get a mention at the two day European Council summit. https://t.co/J02jUVnuAD John OBrennan (@JohnOBrennan2) June 25, 2022 New Not-So-Cold War Syraqistan Big Brother is Watching You Watch The Federal Bureau of Tweets: Twitter Is Hiring an Alarming Number of FBI Agents MintPressNews (Kevin W). We linked to another report on this practice, but this one has good detail. D.C. Power Players Are Paying Thousands of Dollars to Find Dates Politico. The finding part is not what they are paying for. Its the snooping part. Paul R flags this section: You could do it, too. For several thousands of dollars a month double what the average person spends on rent for a one-bedroom in D.C. this matchmaker will not only seek out potential soulmates with your exact criteria in mind but will do the sort of investigative work that, coming from you, would seem invasive and creepy trawling LinkedIn for singles with degrees from prestigious universities, or NextDoor for homeowners in affluent zip codes, or LegiStorm for Congressional staffers bios, salaries and contact information. Lawmakers Want FTC to Investigate Apple, Google Over Mobile Tracking Wall Street Journal (David L) Imperial Collapse Watch Boeing Wants More Money For New Air Force One, USAF Official Says Defense One Abortion. I no longer recognize this country. Lambert also covered this development yesterday in Water Cooler, with considerable attention upon the flaccid response of Team Dem. Clarence Thomas: Supreme Court should reconsider rulings on contraceptives and same-sex marriage The Week (resilc) Lawrence struck down sodomy laws that criminalized gay sex (all sodomy, all the time) and straight sex (lots of sodomy, lots of the time). Ever sucked a dick? Gotten your dick sucked? Gone down on a woman? 69d? Had anal sex? Pegged? Congrats, youre a sodomite too. Dan Savage (@fakedansavage) June 24, 2022 Federal appeals court puts FDA ban on Juul e-cigarette sales on hold NBC How Singapore Got Its Manufacturing Mojo Back Wall Street Journal (resilc) Class Warfare Antidote du jour. This is Bob Hs Tippy, coming out of a skunk cabbage swamp: And a bonus (dk): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. (Natural News) America is experiencing shortages in everything from baby formula and tampons to food and fuel and even human labor. These shortages are likely to be permanent. For so long, weve enjoyed lots of food in this country, so weve never ever faced a food shortage and I think thats coming in the coming months, said John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association. He added that many farmers are feeling the constraint of the surging cost of diesel fuel and fertilizer. Chieh Huang, CEO of online wholesale retailer Boxed, warned that prices are going to keep increasing. This summer, I think youre going to start to see kind of increased prices or shortages just because already these factories are pumping it out at full capacity, you add in the increased demand of the summer, we dont know where thats going to go, said Huang during an appearance on Varney & Co. on Fox Business. Huang said the supply of baby formula in America has been on and off within his company and noted that product shortages like these have taken the whole industry by surprise. What were seeing is that the consumer is really in a difficult situation right now a lot of folks are spending just basically on necessities almost paycheck to paycheck or meals to meals they really need the help, he said. The American economy is also experiencing a shortage in labor. Essential sectors of industry like air travel, are experiencing worker shortages. America Airlines, one of the countrys major airlines, recently announced that it was ending its service in three cities this fall Islip and Ithaca in New York and Toledo, Ohio because of the industry-wide pilot shortage. Were extremely grateful for the care and service our team members provided to our customers in Islip, Ithaca and Toledo, and are working closely with them during this time, said the company in a statement. The industry is short around 12,000 pilots, and a majority of airports across the country are already offering fewer flights. The Regional Airline Association also reported that nearly 200 communities across the country have lost at least 25 percent of their air service. Alaska Airlines said it cancels about 50 flights daily. JetBlue said it has been forced to reduce flights throughout the summer due to staffing issues. Globalization and government regulation at fault for Americas shortages Daniel Greenfield, a columnist for the non-profit policy think tank the Gatestone Institute, wrote that the combination of globalization and excessive government regulation is what led to Americas current shortage crisis. Globalization advocates had just recreated Marxist central planning with a somewhat more flexible global model in which massive corporations bridged global barriers to create the most efficient possible means of moving goods and services around the planet, wrote Daniel Greenfield for the GateStone Institute. Market consolidation due to government regulations has left a handful of companies sitting atop the market. When one of them, like Abbott for baby formula, has a hiccup, the results are catastrophic; others like Procter & Gamble, which controls about half the menstrual products market, dont have to worry about losing market share to competition, he continued. Similar consolidation in food, paper products and supermarkets have replaced a dynamic economy with cartels. (Related: Trucker warning: Youll see chaos as people fight for the basic necessities of everyday life shocking updates on the supply chain crisis and food shortages.) Globalization and government regulations were meant to usher in a world government where the borders would come down and cultural exchanges would make us all one ushering in the great union of humanity, wrote Greenfield. But this isnt what happened. He noted that instead of peace and order, all of this interdependence has created more global chaos. After selling off American sovereignty, globalists proved unable to maintain global stability. Globalization globalized the ineptitude of the global order. Its grand plans are never a match for the chaos of human nature and its ambitions, he wrote. Americas economy is becoming one big permanent shortage. Learn more about Americas collapse at Collapse.news. Watch this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, explains how the food and energy shortages are part of the controlled demolition of Americas production infrastructure. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH: Diesel engine oil additive manufacturers that have declared Force Majeure or experienced disrupted operations in 2022. Food shortages could be as deadly as the next pandemic. Globalism, central bank money printing are the real root causes behind inflation and shortages. Widespread diesel shortages to affect everything in America and around the world. New labor shortages, idle trains are worsening food shortages up and down supply chain. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Townhall.com FoxBusiness.com 1 FoxBusiness.com 2 Brighteon.com (Natural News) America is under attack and Americans must act now to stop it. Connecting the Dots host Dan Happel talked about the things that need to be changed for America to survive as a constitutional republic with his decorated guests, former U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Thomas Tom McInerney and former Army Major Generals Paul Vallely and Joseph Joe Arbuckle. I think all of us are alarmed about Joe Bidens takeover of the White House. It wasnt an election; it was a selection, he said during the June 21 episode of his program on Brighteon.TV. McInerney agreed. He said America now has a government administrator who was elected through cyberwarfare and the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which enabled particular states to change their election procedures with the approval of the legislature. With inept leadership, the country is now under attack from inside and out. Vallely said his organization Stand Up America U.S. Foundation is already doing a threat analysis. Weve been very busy analyzing the external threats to the United States. And were particularly concerned right now about the threats that are overtaking our country, said Vallely, who has been a military analyst on television and radio for over a decade. A former lecturer on national security, Vallely said that he is concerned about Americas ability to protect its people and meet threats like the rampant crimes in the cities, the woke generals and admirals at the Pentagon and the illegal immigration happening south of the border with the cartels and the Chinese working together. (Related: Dr. Dave Janda from Operation Freedom interviewed by Mike Adams, on THREATS to America and how we achieve VICTORY.) Vallely, who co-authored three books with McInerney, added that Stand Up America continues to monitor these threats and work to pull together organizations and people to stand up and do something about whats happening in the country. McInerney, a respected military analyst, pointed out that everything that is happening in the U.S. is all deliberate and that former President Barack Obama, Biden, the Democratic Party and their cohorts are trying to diminish Americas superpower status and create chaos. Happel, a renowned public speaker and radio show host, stated that Americans are in a war right now for the survival of the country because the globalists want America to be permanently destroyed by a top-down international system that is run by a handful of oligarchs. America is in deep peril and fighting for survival Arbuckle said he was among the retired generals and admirals who signed an open letter to Biden, which said that America is in deep peril and fighting for its survival as a constitutional republic. We are fighting the forces of socialism and Marxism within our own country versus what our constitution truly stands for our freedoms, our liberties and all our rights in our Bill of Rights. That is the fight today and thats what were up against, said Arbuckle, a former Army Strategic Fellow. He added that the letter also listed 10 different national security threats, and that the need to have fair and honest elections in the country is on top of that list. Happel pointed out that Americans can get an honest election back if America returns to paper ballots and counts at the precinct level and gets rid of all the computerized voting machines that can be manipulated. We must get back to requiring people to vote in person unless they have a medical need to vote through the mail. And then it has to be handled in a very particular way, the host said. Watch the full June 21 episode of Connecting The Dots below. You can catch Connecting The Dots with Dan Happel every Tuesday at 5-6 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: Biden administration warns Americans: Another pandemic is coming around the midterm election. We are at the final stage of tyrannical takeover Naomi Wolf. Illegal immigration skyrockets under Biden to third-highest level in 97 years. Sources include: Brighteon.com StandUpAmericaUS.org 1 StandUpAmericaUS.org 2 IMDb.com OCSAlumni.org (Natural News) According to an online scientific publication that tackles global problems like the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Australia has proven that the Wuhan coronavirus COVID-19 vaccines are actually making people more vulnerable to infections and death. Scientists who conducted the study found that there are links between the COVID-19 vaccines and higher rates of infections and death. Reports gathered by the Our World in Data (OWID) website show that Australia is currently battling a big wave of COVID-19 deaths even though almost 90 percent of its population is fully vaccinated. Additionally, the OWID data shows that coronavirus vaccines are not completely safe and effective. At least 90 percent of people in Australia are considered fully vaccinated against coronavirus, but that fact failed to prevent the largest wave of coronavirus deaths to hit the country since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Australias current COVID-19 wave began in February 2022. (Related: Australia recorded 1,700% increase in COVID-19 deaths as vaccine was rolled out.) Number of COVID infections, deaths skyrocket following vaccine rollout in Australia Before August 2021, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases recorded in Australia per day barely hit double figures. But from that month onward, the number of cases being recorded have hit four figures. Australia started its COVID vaccination program in February last year. Meaning, COVID cases in the country started to rise six months following vaccine rollout. Toward the end of December 2021, the number of cases being recorded in Australia skyrocketed. The figures climbed to as high as 128,85 cases recorded in a single day on January 13, 2022. Since the new year, Australia has suffered its largest wave of coronavirus deaths in over two years. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 wave hasnt subsided and Australia is still riding it as of June 2022. In the March-April 2020 wave, the seven-day average number of deaths equated to between one and four. In the September 2020 wave, the seven-day average number of deaths equated to between nine and 20. The October 2021 wave, when 60 percent of Australia was considered fully vaccinated, also equated to a seven-day average of between nine and 20 deaths. By February 1, 2022, the seven-day average number of deaths equated to 87. As of June 14 this year, the number of deaths equate to a seven-day average of 41. It is easy to verify the data, but mainstream media continues to do the bidding of those in power by telling the public to get vaccinated and that as many as four doses are safe. Now, vaccine propaganda has become too apparent even as the evidence that vaccines do more harm than good is now out there. For people who continue to claim that fact-checkers have debunked these truths and that all those cases were among the unvaccinated population, a recent move by the ruling class in Australia proves otherwise. The government of New South Wales (NSW) used to release a weekly COVID-19 Statistical Report. But it suddenly decided to stop publishing it. NSW officials may have realized that the data was terrible, especially concerning vaccinated people. According to the latest available NSW report, the fully vaccinated population accounted for four in every five coronavirus cases between November 26, 2021 and February 5, 2022. Visit VaccineDeaths.com to learn more about COVID-19-related injuries and deaths across the globe. Watch the video below to know more about COVID vaccine-induced injuries in Australia. This video is from the Vibration Fruit channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Dr. Peter McCullough: One COVID vaccine death is too many. GLOBAL ALERT: An estimated 10 million people PER DAY are set on irreversible countdown to vaccine death that could exterminate BILLIONS if not stopped in the next year. Stunning German analysis finds that COVID-19 vaccine death rates are FAR higher than previously reported. Sudden Adult Death Syndrome is the new name for vaccine deaths in the medical establishments play-pretend reality. Sources include: SHTFPlan.com Expose-News.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) I recently returned from a week-long vacation in the north woods of Wisconsin. We played beach volleyball, went fishing and boating, had a lively game of Wiffle Ball with the kids, and swam until our skin was prune-like. (Article by Jon Miltimore republished from Fee.org) Even without a cell phone, I managed to stumble on a bit of breaking news from an unusual source: television. (It was virtually the only media I had up there.) Naturally, I had to share this bit of news. Fauci has Covid, I told some of my companions, stuffing beer into coolers. A discussion quickly broke out over whether the news was relevant. So what? a friend responded. I accepted a long time ago that everyone is going to get this thing. I partly agreed with my friend. Even during the early stages of the pandemic, I harbored suspicions that the virus was going to spread regardless of any interventions politicians or bureaucrats enactedand those interventions could prove to be destructive, perhaps more destructive than the virus itself. But I told him not to underestimate the importance of Fauci contracting Covid. Why It Matters That Fauci Got Covid Its important to understand that Fauci isnt just the presidents top medical advisor. Fauci, whose official title is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is Americas Doctor, as The New Yorker described him in April 2020. More importantly, for better or worse, Fauci became the architect of the US Covid response. It was Fauci who, early in the pandemic, proposed a Covid strategy that was simultaneously radical and simple: keep Americans apart from one another, using state force, if necessary. In March 2020, Fauci told Face the Nation that the strategy was working. The kinds of mitigation issues that are going on right now, the things that were seeing in this country, this physical separation at the same time as were preventing an influx of cases coming in, I think thats going to go a long way to preventing us from becoming an Italy, Fauci said. The mitigations Fauci was referring to were lockdowns. Schools closed. Parks closed. Businesses closed. Any enterprise or activity not deemed essential by state authorities was illegal. Americans were told these efforts were only temporary. Fifteen days to slow the spread, became a national mantra. Six months later, however, nothing had changed. In fact, Fauci was now saying it would have to continue until 2022. The idea that humans could hide indefinitely from an airborne pathogen if government bureaucrats turned the dial just right has more than a touch of madness to it, but what few seem to realize is that for Fauci, this was just the first step in a larger revolution. Writing at the Brownstone Institute, Jeffrey Tucker points to an August 2020 Cell article written by Fauci wherein the doctor explains his ideological vision, which rings of Rousseauian idealism. Living in greater harmony with nature will require changes in human behavior as well as other radical changes that may take decades to achieve: rebuilding the infrastructures of human existence, from cities to homes to workplaces, to water and sewer systems, to recreational and gatherings venues. In such a transformation we will need to prioritize changes in those human behaviors that constitute risks for the emergence of infectious diseases. Chief among them are reducing crowding at home, work, and in public places as well as minimizing environmental perturbations such as deforestation, intense urbanization, and intensive animal farming. The article, Tucker points out, makes it clear Faucis pandemic response was not just about Covid, but a larger technocratic revolution that was hard to defineand one Americans had not signed up for. Its not socialism or capitalism. Its something else entirely, something very strange, Tucker writes. No one has voted for such a thing. It is something Fauci and his friends dreamed up on their own and deployed all their enormous power to enact just as a test, until it fell apart. And this is what makes Faucis infectionwhich comes more than two years after the first lockdowns were imposedso important. Its a sign and symbol that [Faucis] entire theory of virus control was wrong, Tucker writes. He got his way with policy and it did not work. The virus finally landed on him, as if to reenact Edgar Allan Poes fictional story of Prince Prospero in his castle that he believed would protect him. The Fatal Conceit In his 1974 Nobel Prize acceptance speech, the economist F.A. Hayek concluded with a warning: he urged humans to act humbly with the immense power of modern science. There is danger in the exuberant feeling of ever growing power which the advance of the physical sciences has engendered, Hayek said, and which tempts man to try, dizzy with success, to use a characteristic phrase of early communism, to subject not only our natural but also our human environment to the control of a human will. He continued: The recognition of the insuperable limits to his knowledge ought indeed to teach the student of society a lesson of humility which should guard him against becoming an accomplice in mens fatal striving to control society a striving which makes him not only a tyrant over his fellows, but which may well make him the destroyer of a civilization which no brain has designed but which has grown from the free efforts of millions of individuals. A careful look at Dr. Fauci reveals that humility is not one of his stronger attributes, and his actions show the fatal conceit that Hayek warned against infects public health officials as well as economic planners. Despite all his efforts, Fauci was no more successful in avoiding the plague than Prince Prospero. But his mad, arrogant effort to extinguish the virus through force is a tale worthy of its own parable. Read more at: Fee.org (Natural News) Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are under attack in America, according to The Sons of Liberty radio talk show host Bradlee Dean. They said, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal under God, that they are endowed, that here we have it they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. By the way, rights cannot be taken away. They are not transferable. They can only be forfeited. We go on, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,' Dean said, quoting the Declaration of Independence. Has anybody noticed what were seeing today? Whats under attack is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness because we failed to learn from what our forefathers exhibited. The founder of the You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International ministry pointed out that a government is instituted among men and that it derives its powers from the consent of the governed, which is the people who delegated that authority to them in the first place. Dean noted that government agencies have a problem with the Declaration of Independence because they have no constitutional standing. The Declaration of Independence seems to be a stumbling block to these agencies because they are unconstitutionally founded and have no lawful standing. (Related: Their endgame for the flag, the national anthem, the declaration of independence and the constitution.) The drummer of the band Junkyard Prophet said it is unfortunate that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is currently under attack in America. He added that it is the God-given right of the people to alter or abolish the government if they become destructive to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He stressed that the purpose of the Founding Fathers in establishing the Declaration of Independence was to secure the God-given rights of the American people. Americans need good people in the government According to Dean, Americans dont really need to abolish the government, they only need good people in it. The Founding Fathers denounced a governments evils, abuses, usurpations and absolute despotism and they called on the American people to fulfill their duty, to throw off such government and provide new guards for their future security, he said. The present government does not want the American people to know that and this is why they attack people and make examples out of them. Dean noted that the federal government is a creature of the states and not the other way around, and that is why America has the 10th Amendment of the Bill of Rights to stop it. The American people need to rise up lawfully and deal with the government by impeaching and prosecuting it. The president or any official of all three branches of the government can be lawfully removed by the American people based on the U.S. Constitution or any of the founding documents. Even the Supreme Court is not above the rule of law, Dean said. He also wondered whether the Supreme Court is really taking on cases that keep the American people free and if it is still enforcing the law and condemning the wicked. Dean thinks the whole Roe vs. Wade case is a just distraction. Dean said the case will absolutely go nowhere but they are going to sell it off to the American people as a victory. He added that mainstream media outlets always have cameras at the Supreme Court because they want Americans to believe that they have the final say. The My War mini-series documentary producer and director also noted that the government has no business sanctioning the murder of the innocent in the womb. He lamented that the American people have now been desensitized to allow their government to murder babies. The government has no business advocating the murder of the American people as part of population control being espoused by globalists like Bill Gates, he said. Listen to the broadcast of The Sons of Liberty below. This clip is from the BrighteonRADIO channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The illusion of freedom: Were only as free as the government allows. Its time to declare your independence from tyranny, America. SCOTUS poised to overturn Roe vs. Wade Baby murderers to ERUPT with demonic ANGER and VIOLENCE as their right to violently murder their own children about to be stripped away America Unhinged: Americans must use Constitution to keep government under control Brighteon.TV. Sources include: Brighteon.com BradleeDeanBlog.com (Natural News) The New York Times has published an article expressing its concerns that Big Tech platforms like Facebook and Twitter arent doing enough to censor misinformation in the run-up to the midterm elections. (Article by Paul Joseph Watson republished from Summit.news) The article complains that Meta (Facebook) has slashed its election misinformation team from 300 people during 2020 to just 60 people and that Mark Zuckerberg no longer meets with the team directly. Civil rights groups are also apparently upset that Zuckerberg is less interested in communicating with them about efforts to stop election misinformation. According to the piece, Twitter is also likely to be less censorious towards election information due to the likelihood that it is about to be purchased by Elon Musk. Im concerned, President of the NAACP Derrick Johnson told the newspaper. It appears to be out of sight, out of mind. Noting that there are numerous political candidates running for office in 2022 who agree with Donald Trump that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, the Times laments that Metas reduction in censorship could have far-reaching consequences as faith in the U.S. electoral system reaches a brittle point. The article also whines about the viral success of Dinesh DSouzas documentary 2000 Mules, which received over a million views on alternative video hosting platform Rumble and also received 430,000 interactions on Facebook, proof according to the newspaper that election misinformation is rampant online. Representatives from both Facebook and Twitter responded by assuring the Times that they are still keenly focused on censoring election misinformation. Before the 2020 US presidential election, Big Tech platforms deployed unprecedented levels of censorship by censoring then-President Donald Trump numerous times, banning popular pro-Trump groups, and more, writes Reclaim the Net. Post-election, this mass censorship continued with President Trump being permanently banned by all the major tech platforms, discussions of widespread fraud or errors changing the 2020 US presidential election outcome being banned, free speech platform Parler (which many users had flocked to in an attempt to escape Big Techs censorship) being deplatformed by the tech giants, and more. The mainstream media and Big Tech used the vague, subjective term election misinformation to justify this silencing of a sitting US President and the mass censorship of election-related speech. The legacy media is once again likely to weaponize hyper-partisan fact checkers to ensure that information which isnt completely censored is at least shadow banned and relegated by algorithms so fewer Americans will see it. Read more at: Summit.news (Natural News) In a political stunt, grocery chain Publix announced that its pharmacies in Florida will not be offering Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines to children under the age of five. Publix operates supermarkets all across the South, it turns out, but for some unknown reason the company refused to comment when asked about this it is only halting the shots for five-and-unders in Florida. At this time, were the words the company used in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times about the apparently temporary nature of its decision. It turns out that Florida was the only state in the country that did not preorder Fauci Flu shots for children under five, which could explain why Publix will not be administering them. Maybe Publix thought it could appeal to customers who oppose the shots to make it appear as though it is taking a stand against injecting babies for covid, when the reality is simply that it cannot get the shots because Florida never ordered them? In a statement explaining why the shots were never ordered, the Florida Department of Health said that the Sunshine State does not need to be involved in the convoluted vaccine distribution process, especially when the federal government has a track record of developing inconsistent and unsustainable Covid-19 policies. Doctors in Florida who elect of their own accord to inject babies for the Fauci Flu can still order vaccines if they are in need, clarified the departments Jeremy Redfern. There are currently no orders in the Departments ordering system for the COVID-19 vaccine for this age group. Covid shots are dangerous and ineffective for babies The news comes after federal agencies just announced that children as young as six months old should get jabbed for the China Virus. Even though the shots do nothing and are exceptionally high-risk, especially for babies, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe that it is still worth it. Walmart, meanwhile, is planning to offer the shots for children aged three and older. Why the retail behemoth has decided to exclude children aged six months to three remains unknown. Given my personal experience with the jab, I would not have confidence that its safe for young children, wrote a commenter at Breitbart News. The FDA and CDC have zero credibility in this household. Rand Paul got Fauci to admit that they had no formal trials with children under five, another responded. Giving this untested drug with known dangerous side effects is child abuse. Someone else chimed in that the people pushing covid injections on babies are the very same ones who want everyones children to take irreversible puberty blockers and undergo permanent, life-altering surgical procedures to their genitalia. They certainly dont care about any harm a failed vaccine will cause, this person added. Others were not all that impressed by Publixs publicity stunt, which makes it seem like the company is trying to protect young children when that does not appear to be its true motivation. Why do I think the same parents who would vax a toddler are the ones who would immediately approve that same childs gender transition surgery at the first sign of sexual confusion? someone else asked. Because they are all sharing one thing in common and thats being consumed by Satan, responded another. The general consensus among independent media consumers is that the shots are a bad thing for babies, children, and really everyone, regardless of which corporations decide to offer them. The latest Fauci Flu shot news can be found at Immunization.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Before the US Supreme Court declared that murdering unborn human life was not a federal right, Leftists planned a so-called night of rage to riot against the decision. The George Floyd event of 2022, the overturning of Roe v. Wade is shaping up to become another mass destruction event where extremists on the Left howl and break things, and possibly even commit violence against humans outside the womb. DC CALL TO ACTION NIGHT OF RAGE THE NIGHT SCOTUS OVERTURNS ROE V. WADE HIT THE STREETS, YOU SAID YOUD RIOT, reads a flyer that was spotted on a light pole in Washington, D.C., the other night. TO OUR OPPRESSORS: IF ABORTIONS ARENT SAFE, YOURE NOT EITHER. JANES REVENGE, the flyer further states. See this WendyRogers.org page for videos from Arizona, showing the abortion insurrection thats already taking place this weekend: https://wendyrogers.org/planned-parenthood-insurrection/ In other words, there are people out there in this country who believe that not being legally allowed at the federal level to murder unborn children is a form of oppression, even though they have the right not to get pregnant in the first place. Janes Revenge, by the way, recently took credit for the firebombing of a crisis pregnancy center in Buffalo, N.Y., which was blasted to bits for helping women save their unborn children. Janes Revenge declares open season on pro-life groups, crisis pregnancy centers The thought of even just some unborn human lives being saved from abortion is so upsetting to Janes Revenge that the domestic terrorist group recently declared open season on everyone affiliated with anything pro-life. The group has an extensive history of damaging the property of pro-life groups and crisis pregnancy centers, including a pregnancy resource center in Des Moines, Iowa, that just like the Buffalo clinic was recently firebombed. A pro-abortion extremist was also reportedly arrested in advance of a plot to target Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs home. The Janes Revenge threats have received little attention in the rest of the press, but we hope the Washington, D.C., and Capitol police are much better prepared than they were for the riots of 2020 and 2021. The Justices and the Court as a democratic institution have to be protected, wrote the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal. Another letter allegedly written by the fine folks at Janes Revenge states that the impending Supreme Court decision is an event that should inspire rage in millions of people who can get pregnant, referring, of course, to women as they are the only people who can get pregnant. We need the state to feel our full wrath We need them to be afraid of us, the letter goes on to state. Whatever form your fury takes, the first step is feeling it. The next step is carrying that anger out into the world and expressing it physically. Consider this your call to action. On the night the final ruling is issued a specific date we cannot yet predict, but we know is arriving imminently we are asking for courageous hearts to come out after dark. Screaming for the right to murder the unborn Has there ever been a more demon-driven age? asked someone at Zero Hedge about this insanity. Like the KKK, BLM and ANTIFA, Janes Revenge is state-sponsored domestic terrorists, responded another. Maybe they can just do a peaceful tour of the Capitol building? joked another. The latest news about the Lefts obsession with abortion can be found at Abortions.news. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com Lake Mead's water levels are approaching dead pool levels. The nation's largest reservoir reached 1,043.8 feet on Thursday, the lowest level since the lake was created in the 1930s. Lake Mead's water levels fell to historic lows this week as the protracted drought worsened by climate change and growing water demands drove the reservoir closer to becoming a "dead pool." Continuous Decline According to the National Park Service, the minimum elevation required to generate power at Hoover Dam is 1,050 feet. The reservoir would be termed an "inactive pool" below this level. However, Patti Aaron, public affairs officer for the Bureau of Reclamation's Lower Colorado district, informed the Boulder City Review in May that Hoover Dam would still be able to produce electricity below this level. If the reservoir's water level falls below 895 feet, it will become a dead pool, which means the water will be too low to reach the lowest water outlet at Hoover Dam and flow downstream. While it may take years to reach this level, the reservoir delivers water to millions of people in Nevada, Arizona, California, and parts of Mexico, many of whom have already experienced a reduction in supply due to attempts to reserve water. "This is extremely dangerous stuff," University of Arizona emeritus professor Robert Glennon told NBC News. Glennon focuses on water law and policy. Also Read: Utah Faces an Environmental Catastrophe as the Great Salt Lake Continues to Dry Up While current Bureau of Reclamation predictions show the lake recovering significantly over the next several months, it expects water levels to decrease to 1014.86 feet by September 2023, a nearly 23-foot decline from its September 2022 estimate. According to KLAS-TV, the low water levels have even forced the WON U.S. Open bass fishing event to relocate to Lake Mohave in 2022. For the last 39 years, the competition has been hosted in Lake Mead. The water level of Lake Mead was 1,069.86 feet in June 2021, representing a 26-foot decline in one year. Water Deficit In August, the federal government declared Lake Mead's first water deficit. Stephen Wilcox told AccuWeather National Reporter Tony Laubach about a moment when water surged over the dam and created a mist that "felt almost like rain." During the summer of 1983, Lake Mead reached its highest recorded water level of 1,225 feet during a powerful El Nino event. The high water mark is located at 1,229 feet. The shoreline has retreated to the point that an input valve was revealed in April, and at least two remains were discovered the following month in the lakebed that would otherwise have been deep underwater. Water levels are expected to fall further until the wet season starts in November. Related Article: Another Body Found in Lake Mead As Water Level Continues to Drop For more climate and weather updates, don't forget to follow Nature World News! A pregnant tortoise was discovered during a Pompeii excavation. When Mount Vesuvius erupted, the animal was supposed to be looking for a spot to lay eggs amid the wreckage of a quake-damaged dwelling. Finding the Remains Archaeologists uncovered the bones of a pregnant tortoise who took a safety in the rubble of a home wrecked by an earthquake in AD62, only to be smothered by volcanic ash and rock when Mount Vesuvius erupted. The Hermann's tortoise and her egg were discovered during excavations of a part of the historic city that had been leveled by the earthquake and was being reconstructed for the construction of public baths, authorities said Friday. After the volcanic explosion in AD79, Pompeii was destroyed. Archaeologists believe the tortoise, native to southern Europe, found sanctuary in the wreckage of a home that was too seriously damaged by the earthquake to be restored. Failed to Seek Shelter The fact that the animal still held her egg showed she perished before finding a secure, friendly spot to deposit it, according to Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii archaeological park. "This allows us to reflect on Pompeii after the earthquake, but before the eruption, when many homes were being rebuilt, the entire city was a building site, and apparently, certain places were so underused that wild animals could roam, enter, and try to lay their eggs," he explained. It is not the first tortoise discovered in Pompeii, and Zuchtriegel stated that organic and agricultural items discovered beyond Pompeii's urban center are an essential subject of ongoing excavations and study. The tortoise's finding adds to "this tapestry of relationships between culture and nature, community and environment that symbolizes the history of ancient Pompeii," he says. Also Read: After Being Lost for 70 Years, Brazilian Paleontological Site Leads to the Discovery of Over 100 Fossils On-Going Excavation Along with the Pompeii archeological site, the Free University of Berlin, the University of Napoli L'Orientale, and the University of Oxford are excavating in the Stabiane baths portion of Pompeii. Looking Back Mount Vesuvius, an Italian volcano in the Bay of Naples, has erupted over 50 times. The volcano's most famous eruption occurred in 79 A.D. when it buried the ancient Roman city of Pompeii under a thick blanket of volcanic ash. According to one witness, the dust "poured across the ground" like a river, shrouding the city in "a darkness...like the black of locked and unlighted rooms." Two thousand people were killed, and the city was abandoned for over two years. When a party of explorers revisited Pompeii in 1748, they were startled to find it substantially intact behind a thick coating of dust and rubble. The buried city's structures, artifacts, and skeletons have taught us a lot about daily life in the ancient world. Mt. Vesuvius Of course, the Vesuvius volcano did not form overnight. Vesuvius volcano is part of the Campanian volcanic arc, which runs along the Italian peninsula's junction of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates and has been erupting for thousands of years. An extremely intense eruption (called today the "Avellino eruption"), for example, hurled millions of tons of superheated lava, ash, and debris around 22 miles into the sky about 1780 B.C. Almost every village, house, and farm within 15 miles of the mountain were destroyed by this prehistoric disaster. Related Article: Authorities to Restore Parts of the Stonehenge For more similar news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! Our County Editor Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com. The Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Health dramatically and rapidly alters the landscape of abortion access in the U.S. The court on June 24 ruled 6-3 to uphold a Mississippi law that would ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, but also to overturn the nearly half-century precedent set in Roe v. Wade that guaranteed the constitutional right to an abortion. With the Dobbs decision, states have the ability to set their own restrictions, so where people live will determine their level of access to abortion. The majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, stated that "the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey [Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 1992] are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives." Almost immediately after the decision was released, protests and celebrations outside the court and across the country began highlighting the patchwork of laws and restrictions that now will take effect. State officials from conservative states said they would move quickly to restrict abortion, while in other states, some officials pledged to keep the right to access. Here are five key points that will affect access to abortion. 1. Where is abortion still legal? The Supreme Court ruling means access to abortion will, very shortly, be highly uneven. Sixteen states plus the District of Columbia have laws that protect the right to abortion. In two other states, courts have ruled that the state constitution establishes that right. Those states are concentrated on the East and West coasts. On the other end of the spectrum, 13 states have "trigger" laws that would quickly ban nearly all abortions, and at least a half-dozen moved Friday to implement them, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and South Dakota. Four more have pre-Roe bans that would again be in effect. Three other states have laws on the books that will ban abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. Access to abortion is likely to evolve in other states, too. Kansas and Montana, which are among the states that have abortion rights enshrined in their constitutions, could see rollbacks in those protections due to various efforts by state lawmakers or through ballot measures. In at least eight states, the right to abortion isn't explicitly protected or prohibited by state law. And in Michigan, a 1931 state law bans nearly all abortions, but its enforcement was temporarily suspended by a May court decision. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, has said she will not enforce the law, but questions remain about whether that would also be the case for local prosecutors. As was the case before the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe decision, people seeking abortion care will also be subject to a variety of restrictions even in states where the procedure is still legal. They include gestational limits outlining the maximum point in pregnancy that someone can obtain an abortion, requirements that patients receive counseling beforehand, waiting periods, and parental notification rules for minors. 2. What can the Biden administration do? President Joe Biden has said his administration is looking into executive actions to counteract the impact of the ruling. In remarks after the decision, Biden said that it was a "sad day" and that, without Roe, "the health and life of women in this nation is now at risk." But in short, without a new law from Congress, he has limited options. Supporters of abortion rights and Democratic lawmakers in Congress have pushed the administration to make it easier for women to obtain medication abortion, which is available up to 10 weeks of pregnancy and involves taking two pills, assessing whether services could be provided on federal property even in states that ban the procedure, and bolstering digital privacy to protect patients. Medication abortion has become an increasingly large share of total abortions provided in the U.S. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights, the pills accounted for more than half of all abortions in 2020, the first year medication provided the majority. Under the Biden administration, the Food and Drug Administration has already lifted one major restriction. Now, patients can receive mifepristone, the first drug used in the series, by mail. Mary Ziegler, a professor at the University of California at Davis School of Law and an abortion legal historian, said that, even as conservative states move to curtail access to medication abortion, the Biden administration could argue that the FDA's rules and guidelines on mifepristone preempt any state laws that criminalize that method. Attorney General Merrick Garland took this position in a statement he released shortly after the decision was announced: "The FDA has approved the use of the medication Mifepristone. States may not ban Mifepristone based on disagreement with the FDA's expert judgment about its safety and efficacy." Biden reinforced that message in his remarks. In comments before the justices' decision was announced, Zeigler said arguing this position is "the biggest thing they could do." Still, the FDA approach is uncertain, both legally and because a future Republican administration could easily reverse any action that Biden officials take. "If it worked it wouldn't be permanent, and it may not work," she added. The Biden administration could also expand the number of pharmacies that can dispense the medication. 3. Will people in states where abortion is illegal be able to access medication abortion? For now, as a result of the Dobbs decision, states that ban abortions are likely to set limitations or bans on abortion pills as well. But some advocates note that people in those states still may be able to obtain abortion pills and perform a "self-managed" abortion at home, which carries some additional risk if the woman has a complication (though complications are very rare). And abortion pills will still be accessible in states where abortion is allowed. Before Roe was overturned, many states had already enacted restrictions on obtaining abortion pills, including prohibiting the pills from being sent through the mail and not allowing patients to be prescribed the medication via a telemedicine appointment. But people found workarounds a practice that's likely to continue. These actions such as traveling to neighboring states to secure the medication or having it sent to a friend's house or a post office box in another location could carry the risk of criminal charges, again depending on the specifics of state laws. There is also concern among abortion rights activists that the states that outlaw abortion could go even further and criminalize traveling to another state to get an abortion, though this is an untested legal frontier and likely would be tied up in courts. In his remarks, Biden took a hard-line stance on this question, saying that nothing in the court's decision prevents a woman who lives in a state that bans abortion from traveling to a state that allows it. Women "must remain free to travel safely to another state to seek the care they need," he said, adding that his administration "will defend that bedrock right." He also noted that doctors in the states that continue to allow abortions can provide abortions to women from other jurisdictions. 4. How will this affect doctors' ability to provide care? In many states that ban abortions, obstetricians, gynecologists, emergency room doctors, and any type of physician that takes care of pregnant people will likely be targeted by law and could face criminal charges if they provide abortion services. This will have a severe effect on reproductive health care, Dr. Nikki Zite, an OB-GYN in Knoxville, Tenn., recently told KHN. Tennessee's trigger law says abortions are permissible only to prevent a death or "to prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman." "But exactly how much risk there needs to be is not clear," Zite said. "Different physicians practicing at different institutions will have different interpretations of that law." There are also gray areas the law doesn't address. In some very early pregnancies, the fertilized egg lodges outside the uterus most commonly in a fallopian tube a potentially life-threatening situation called an ectopic pregnancy. If that type of pregnancy proceeds, the woman can bleed to death. Patients who have a miscarriage also sometimes need to take abortion medication or have dilation and curettage surgery known as a D&C to remove tissue that lingers inside the uterus. "The challenge is that the treatment for an abortion and the treatment for a miscarriage are exactly the same," Dr. Sarah Prager recently told KHN. Prager is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington in Seattle and an expert on early pregnancy loss. Doctors may hesitate to perform D&Cs to treat miscarriages for fear someone will accuse them of performing a covert abortion. "Physicians shouldn't be fearful for being criminalized for taking care of patients," said Zite. "I think there's going to be a myriad of unintended consequences. I think that people will lose their lives. I also think there will be people in horrible situations, like those that strongly desire to be pregnant but have a complication of the pregnancy, that will not be able to make decisions on how that pregnancy ends, and that will be a different kind of devastation." 5. Could this ruling affect more than just abortion? Absolutely, according to reproductive health experts. Depending on what is determined to be an "abortion," states could end up criminalizing on purpose or by accident in vitro fertilization and certain forms of birth control, and limiting the training and availability of doctors and other health care providers. At stake is what is determined to be an abortion. Medically, abortion is the early termination of a pregnancy, by natural means spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage or by human intervention with medication or a surgical procedure. But when does a pregnancy begin? Doctors say pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg implants in a woman's uterus. But many anti-abortion activists say it begins when a sperm and egg unite to form a zygote, which can happen several days earlier. That earlier time frame would mean that anything that interferes with the implantation of that fertilized egg, such as an IUD (intrauterine device), a common form of birth control, could be defined as an abortion. Similarly, in vitro fertilization, which involves removing a woman's eggs, fertilizing them, and then implanting them back into the woman, could also be construed to involve abortion unless every fertilized egg was implanted. An opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas that concurred with the decision to overturn Roe raised other questions. He suggested that the court could use the same arguments in the Dobbs case to overturn other key rulings, including those that established the rights to birth control and same-sex marriage. It was not clear that the other justices agreed, and Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the main opinion, said he did not believe the abortion decision affected other issues. The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians & Gynecologists applauded the decision, terming it "momentous." But others worry that the ruling could have a negative impact on women's access to care in places that have or enact strict abortion laws. Specifically, doctors and other health professionals may not want to train or practice in areas where they could be prosecuted for delivering medical care. And this is not just theoretical. In Texas, where abortion after six weeks' gestation has been effectively banned since September, according to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine, the law "has taken a toll on clinicians' mental health; some physicians report feeling like 'worse doctors,' and some are leaving the state. As a result, clinicians worry that pregnant Texans are being left without options for care and without doctors capable of providing it." Smartphone apps that use artificial intelligence (AI) to spot skin cancer are endangering the public, many of whom trust that these apps are safe to use, experts at the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) have warned. This trust, along with a failure of many such apps to meet the appropriate regulatory standards, is putting users at risk. This warning, from the BAD AI Working Party Group, follows a recent YouGov survey that has found that 41% of people in the UK would trust a smartphone application that employs AI to spot potential skin cancers. While many people would trust apps which use AI to diagnose skin cancer, only 4% of respondents said they would be very confident in their ability to judge whether apps can do what they claim. Over half (52%) said they would not be confident in their ability to judge this. The BAD AI Working Party Group position is that the published evidence to support that AI can be used safely and effectively to diagnose skin cancer is weak, putting people at risk of misdiagnosis and missed cancer diagnoses. All apps that use AI for medical diagnosis or treatment are classified as medical devices by regulatory bodies such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This means that they must undergo an authorisation process to make sure that they are safe and perform with the accuracy that they claim to achieve. All medical devices sold in the UK must be certified by one of three marks: the CE (Conformite Europeene), UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) or UKNI (UK Northern Ireland). Class IIa and above marks confirm that they have undergone an official authorisation process overseen by national or international health authorities. The CE or UKCA mark may be applied by the manufacturer for Class I self-certified products but these products will not have undergone independent scrutiny. The BAD has produced a guide to help the public spot potential warning signs when using diagnostic skin cancer apps. The results of this survey are concerning. The public has an understandable belief that these AI-based skin cancer detection apps are safe to use. The reality is that many dont meet the standards required by regulators to diagnose medical conditions. The MHRA has made it clear that the only smartphone apps which are appropriate for diagnostic purposes are Class IIa or higher medical devices and should be CE, UKNI or UKCA marked, demonstrating that they meet the relevant essential requirements of the medical device regulations. Part of the problem is how easy it is for AI diagnostic apps which dont meet the regulatory requirements, produced by developers around the world, with wildly varying levels of expertise and experience, to be promoted alongside perfectly legitimate apps. These apps often have slick branding but if you look closer there is little evidence for their effectiveness. It is all too common to see apps which claim to be able to check moles, which then follow these assertions with a disclaimer that the app is not a diagnostic device. These sort of small print U-turns on advertised features are not only dishonest but are clearly not permitted by the regulators. While AI has immense potential to improve healthcare, it is important that AI is rolled out in a manner that is safe for the public. Dr Rubeta Matin, Chair of the BAD Working Party Group The BAD is working closely with UK regulatory bodies to address these concerns. (Newser) Update: Murtaja Qureiris is now a free man. Human rights activists say the 21-year-old, who was arrested in Saudi Arabia at age 13 after being accused of participating in Arab Spring protests three years earlier, has been released from prison, reports CNN. Qureiris, who once faced the death penalty for his alleged infractions, is believed to have been the youngest person ever detained in the kingdom for taking part in political protests. He's said to have been just 10 when he allegedly committed one of his crimes. Qureiris' death sentence was eventually amended to an eight-year prison sentence, perhaps partly because of the international outcry over his age, notes the BBC. Saudi Arabia issued a royal decree in 2020 that got rid of the death penalty for minors, though human rights groups aren't so sure that decree is being followed. Our original story from June 2019 follows: Murtaja Qureiris, who was arrested at age 13 for participating in protests in eastern Saudi Arabia, is now facing execution at age 18. Saudi authorities arrested him three years after the 2011 Arab Spring protests, CNN reports; he has spent nearly four years in pretrial detention. He was 10 when at least one of the offenses he's charged with was committed: accompanying his brother on a motorcycle ride to a police station in the city of Awamiya, where his brother allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at the building. CNN said it has seen video footage of Qureiris, when he was 10, leading a group of about 30 boys on bicycles in a protest and shouting, "The people demand human rights!" into a megaphone. Amnesty International said it has confirmed that prosecutors have sought the death penalty against Qureiris. That shows, an official said, that Saudi Arabia will do anything to stop dissent, including "resorting to the death penalty for men who were merely boys at the time of their arrest." Executing a person younger than 18 is against international law, the organization said. Other charges against Qureiris, who is awaiting his next appearance in court, include marching at the funeral of his brother, who was killed in a protest in 2011. Qureiris has denied the charges, per CNN, and said his confessions were obtained under duress. (Read more Saudi Arabia stories.) (Newser) A century after Charlie Chaplin's heyday, another man with a gift for silent comedy has become a worldwide star. Khaby Lame, who began making videos when he was laid off from his factory job in Italy early in the pandemic, is now the most-followed person on the most downloaded app in the world. His TikTok account passed 143 million followers this week, putting him ahead of American dancer Charli D'Amelio, who currently has 142.5 million followers, Mashable reports. Lame, 22, now mostly posts (silent) comedy skits, but the posts that made him a star followed a simple formula, in which he wordlessly mocks complicated or weird "life hacks like using tape to turn a fork into a spoon," the Verge reports. His expressive reactions have also inspired countless memes. "It's my face and my expressions which make people laugh," Lame told the New York Times last year, describing his reactions as a "global language." Lame was born in Senegal and was a year old when his family moved to Italy. He has said his main goal isn't fame, though he does hope to visit Hollywood. "I don't care if I'm first or second or fourth most popular on TikTok. I started making videos because I wanted to make people laugh in that period of lockdown," he told CNN last year. "And I keep making videos with the same ideals. I'm happy about my accomplishments, but those are not my main things." (Read more TikTok stories.) (Newser) A gunman opened fire in Oslo's nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving 10 seriously wounded in what police are investigating as a possible terrorist attack during the Norwegian capital's annual Pride festival. Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, was arrested after opening fire at three locations in downtown Oslo, per the AP. While the motive was unclear, organizers of Oslo Pride canceled a parade that was set for Saturday as the highlight of a weeklong festival. One of the shootings happened outside the London Pub, a bar popular with the city's LGBTQ community, just hours before the parade was set to begin. Police attorney Christian Hatlo said the suspect was being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism, based on the number of people targeted at multiple locations. "Our overall assessment is that there are grounds to believe that he wanted to cause grave fear in the population," Hatlo said. He added that the suspect's mental health was also being investigated. The shootings happened around 1am local time, sending panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or trying to hide from the gunman. A police inspector said two of the shooting victims died and 10 people were being treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be life-threatening. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a Facebook post that the shooting "was a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people." He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. "We all stand by you," Gahr Stoere wrote. Investigators said the suspect was known to police, as well as to Norway's security police, but not for any major violent crimes. His criminal record includes a narcotics offense and a weapons offense for carrying a knife, Hatlo said. He noted that police seized two weapons after the attack: a handgun and an automatic weapon, both of which he described as "not modern" without giving details. He said the suspect hadn't made any statement to the police and that it was too early to say whether the gunman specifically targeted members of the LGBTQ community. "We have to look closer at that, we don't know yet," he said. Still, police advised organizers of the Pride festival to cancel the parade Saturday. "All events in connection with Oslo Pride are canceled," organizers said on the event's official Facebook page. (Read more Norway stories.) (Newser) On June 8, Yanni Nikopoulos and Dale Jones set sail from a marina in Hampton, Va., bound for the Azores archipelago in Portugal, then Greece. Five days later, one of Jones' daughters heard from them, and the news wasn't good: They were caught in stormy weather conditions in the Atlantic, nearly 500 miles off the coast of Virginia, and they'd decided to turn around and head home instead of continuing on to Portugal, reports NBC News. Jones' daughter reported the couple's predicament to the Coast Guard, but that's the last time anyone heard from them, for 11 long days. The Coast Guard tried reaching them by maritime radio, and even sent an HC-130J aircraft to fly over the area where their last call had come from, to no avail. Then, in a Friday press release, some good news from the military agency: The couple had made contact with the Coast Guard's command center in Virginia, were just 80 miles east of the barrier island town of Chincoteague, and were on their way home, per People. The couple told the Coast Guard that their boat, the Kyklades, had been struck by lightning during the inclement weather they'd hit, apparently knocking their radio out. They managed to get a spare sail up, however, and started their slow journey home. NBC notes the two are either married or about to be, based on social media posts. "It is truly wonderful the pair will be reunited with their friends and family soon," a Coast Guard spokesman says in a statement. (Read more lost at sea stories.) (Newser) President Biden renewed his criticism of the Supreme Court on Saturday but stood by his opposition to increasing the number of justices. After signing gun violence legislation into law at the White House, the president was asked whether he thinks the court is a broken institution, the BBC reports. The justices issued rulings this week on gun rights and abortion rights that Biden has said he disagrees with. "I think the Supreme Court has made some terrible decisions," Biden answered Saturday, without elaborating. On Air Force One later, his press secretary said Biden, who has said in the past that he's "not a fan of court-packing," remains opposed to expanding the Supreme Court. Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters the president still considers the court legitimate, per the Washington Post. Biden set up a commission to look into changing the court's structure, but it decided against recommending adding justicesor doing anything, really. There was interest among members in imposing term limits, per the New York Times. Biden hasn't publicly responded to the commission's report. "Among the world's democracies, at least 27 have term limits for their constitutional courts," commission materials said, and other nations have age limits. The US has neither. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna planned to call for term limits in a speech to Democrats on Saturday in Nevada, per Axios; he's proposed 18-year terms in the past. "Today's majority is not comprised of impartial justices," Khanna's prepared text says. "They are far-right activist justices." In a democracy, the speech says, the people decide "fundamental rights and freedoms." (Read more President Biden stories.) Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution. The Daily News-Miner is locally owned by the Helen E. Snedden Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Subscribe or donate Exercise Khaan Quest 2022 concluded June 20, 2022, with closing ceremonies at the Five Hills Training Area in Tavantolgoi, Mongolia. The Alaska Army National Guard was among the participants from 15 nations during the two-week exercise. (U.S. Army Picture by Maj. Jamia Odom) (Maj. Jamia Odom) The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. A new milestone in Bahrain, Israel ties TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Staff Reporter A new milestone is being created in the bilateral ties as Bahrain hosts an event to mark Israels 74th Independence Day, said Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. This came as Dr Shaikh Abdulla spoke at an event held at Wyndham Grand Manama last night, where many dignitaries, diplomats, senior government officials and prominent citizens and residents attended the 74th Independence Day celebrations of Israel. This is a landmark moment in the bilateral ties between Bahrain and Israel. Our relations are drawn from the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for a more peaceful and prosperous region, he said. Both countries can have many benefits through cooperation and this is not possible without boosting people-to-people relations. During my last visit to Israel, I held talks with government officials, ministers and interacted with the people in order to understand the social fabric of that country. I could understand that, very much like the Kingdom, Israel is also a melting pot of cultures. Like the Kingdoms people, Israelis are also proud of their national identity. In a televised address, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid thanked His Majesty King and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for fostering bilateral ties with Israel. We have now taken concrete steps towards the progress in relations. Since the opening of Israeli Embassy in Manama, we have gone from strength to strength. This is just a beginning and in the coming years we will see our relations scaling to new heights. Speaking on the occasion, Israeli Ambassador to the Kingdom Eitan Naeh said its a moment of special glory for both nations. As envisioned by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, both Bahrainis and Israelis are going to benefit from the increasing bilateral ties between both nations. Both governments are deeply committed to building long-term sustainable ties and people-to-people relationships. Israeli companies are keen on building business relations in the Kingdom. Many top executives of leading Israeli companies are in the Kingdom to explore opportunities for mutual growth. If materialised, both nations could see the value of trade and economic engagements growing to hundreds of millions in US dollars in the coming years. Denying vaccination to children lands some parents in the dock in Bahrain Denying vaccination to children lands some parents in the dock in Bahrain TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Denying vaccination to their children has landed some parents in the dock in Bahrain. The Public Prosecution, in a statement, said the parents are facing trial for failing to adhere to rules regarding the National Vaccination Campaign. The actions followed, the statement said, after several attempts to correct the violating parents through local health clinics. The Public Prosecution said they summoned parents to warn them of the gravity of the situation and the consequence of their actions. However, they didnt make any effort, except for two parents who took their children for vaccination, the statement explained. The statement also warned strong actions against violators, calling on parents to adhere to the programme for the safety of their children and avoid legal actions. The Prosecution states that children in Bahrain receive vaccination through the national vaccination campaign against diseases, including Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, Poliomyelitis, Chickenpox, combined tetralogy of Meningitis, Measles, Mumps, Tetanus, and Whooping cough. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The UNESCO-King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICT in Education was yesterday awarded to the winners of the 2021 edition, together with the four laureates from the 2020 and 2019 editions, after COVID-19 pandemic-induced delays. The 2021 edition follows a theme whose importance has been highlighted by COVID-19. Winners were from 111 nominations submitted by 58 UNESCO Member States and eight NGOs. The ceremony, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, was organised in person at UNESCO headquarters with the Ministry of Education of Bahrain. His Majesty delegated Dr Majid Bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, the Minister of Education, to attend the ceremony and hand out prizes. Funded by Bahrain and established in 2005, the award recognises and advocates for the innovative use of digital technologies to enhance teaching, learning, and overall education performance. Each laureate receives US$ 25,000 for their use of technology to enable inclusive crisis-resilient learning systems. The event witnessed the presence of Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for the Education, Ambassador Santiago Irazabal Mourao, the President of the 41st General Conference, senior officials, ambassadors, journalists, researchers, specialists in information and communication technology, and Bahraini students at French universities. Dr Al Nuaimi conveyed greetings and the congratulations of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Royal High ness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the award jury, organisers and the winners. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Commandant of the US Coast Guard, Admiral Linda Fagan, yesterday expressed her pleasure in the meeting with Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. Had the pleasure of meeting with the Minister of Interior, Chief of Public Security, & Bahrain Coast Guard Commander @moi_bahrain, Admiral Linda Fagan wrote on the Twitter handle @ComdtUSCG. Admiral Linda L. Fagan assumed the duties as the 27th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on June 1st, 2022. As Commandant, she oversees all global Coast Guard operations and 42,000 active-duty, 7,000 reserves, and 8,700 civilian personnel, as well as the support of 21,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Police yesterday arrested a 22-year-old man, an African national, suspected of attacking and robbing a 39-year-old Bahraini national at an ATM in Sanad. Police have also seized a weapon used by the suspect for the crime, the General Department of Investigation and Criminal Evidence said. Investigators are also in search of a second suspect. The Capital Governorate Police Directorate had earlier announced opening an investigation after noticing reports of the attack on social media platforms. The report said thieves used coercive measures to persuade the person to hand over money. Reportedly, he was withdrawing an undisclosed amount of cash from an ATM in Sanad when the attack occurred. Police Directorate had also said they had opened an investigation into the incident and are in search of the suspects. The Public Prosecution is pursuing legal actions. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW MILFORD Chants of we say pro choice, they say no choice could be heard along the southern end of the New Milford green Friday evening as more than 60 people protested the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. The high courts decision issued Friday morning reverts authority to regulate abortion to the states. The protesters most of whom were women lined up along the green, facing rush-hour traffic and holding signs, some with strong messages. Many drivers showed their support of the protesters position by honking their horns as they passed. Of the Supreme Court decision, Julia Taborsak of New Milford said, The fact that its happened is devastating and enraging, and I think sets us back 50 years, undoes 50 years of precedent. She added, The fact that my daughter will have fewer rights than Im going to have is astonishing to me, and that I have to be out here fighting like my grandmother did all over again is outrageous. Taborsaks daughter, Katherine Taborsak, 15, said shes worried about her future and about the future of her friends. She is concerned about opportunities that were not gonna have, she said, in terms of what Im going to be able to do with my body. And if there are certain choices that Im going to have to make or my friends are eventually going to have to make and if theyre going to have the opportunity to or not. New Milfords Jackie Eaton, one of the events organizers, became emotional while handing out posters to the protesters many of which she said she made herself. During the rally, which lasted about two hours, new chants came up, including Not the church, not the state. Women will decide their fate and Ho ho, hey hey, womens rights are here to stay. Southbury resident Susan Boritz said she has been fighting for womens rights since she was 21. I have daughters, I have granddaughters and whats going on now makes me feel like a second-class citizen, she said. Boritz said she would like to see people not make laws for other people that take away their rights. With emotion in her voice, she said, Never would I tell anybody to get an abortion. How dare they tell me I cant. New Milfords Carol Martino, said shes a pro-choice supporter and is very sad about the Supreme Courts decision. I think womens health care is so important, and we need to make sure that we have access to our health care, Martino said. She said shes concerned that women in areas of the country that dont have the benefits that we do here (in Connecticut) are not going to get the access to health care that they need. Connecticut upholds a womans right to abortion, but that is not the law in many other states. Andrew Neumann, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., said he knew there would be many women at the protest and said he wanted to represent white men. As a 37-year-old white guy, I speak here to show support because theres not enough guys who look like me that are at these things, Neumann said. Exiene Lofgren, of New Milford, said the rallies should reflect how people look at our rights. We have taken advantage of it too long that theyre just going to be there. He said he fears that in light of the Supreme Court decision, gay marriage is next, contraception is next and this needs to be a start of people waking up and taking part in democracy. If they dont do it, we lose democracy. Protesters, led by Eaton and others, have been gathering on the south end of New Milford from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday since early May, when news of the Supreme Courts decision on abortion was leaked. Eaton, a former member of New Milfords Democratic Town Committee, said she plans to keep that up indefinitely, until there is a change in abortion rights. Join us because its not going away. We have a lot of work to do, said Eaton, pointing to choices voters will make in the fall election. sandra.fox@hearstmediact.com OTTAWA, ON, June 24, 2022 /CNW/ - The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Health, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, the Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Marco Mendicino, and the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, issued this update today on progress being made by the Government of Canada and industry partners to reduce wait times at Canadian airports. Meeting between Minister Alghabra and air industry partners On Thursday, June 23, Minister Alghabra and senior officials from Transport Canada, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), NAV CANADA, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), met with the CEOs of Air Canada, WestJet and Toronto Pearson, Montreal Trudeau, Calgary and Vancouver airports. They assessed the progress being made by all partners to reduce congestion at airports and next steps. Improvements to ArriveCAN The Government of Canada continues to make improvements to ArriveCAN so it is faster and easier for travellers to use. Travellers arriving at Toronto Pearson or Vancouver Airports will be able to save time by using the Advance CBSA Declaration optional feature in ArriveCAN to submit their customs and immigration declaration in advance of arrival. Beginning June 28 , this option will be available on ArriveCAN mobile app in addition to the web version. , this option will be available on ArriveCAN mobile app in addition to the web version. Frequent travellers are also encouraged to take advantage of the "saved traveller" feature in ArriveCAN. It allows a user to save travel documents and proof of vaccination information to reuse on future trips. The information is pre-populated in ArriveCAN the next time the traveller completes a submission, which makes it faster and more convenient. Actions taken Actions currently underway by the Government of Canada and the air industry include: Since April, just over 1,000 CATSA screening officers have been hired across Canada. With this, the number of screening officers at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Vancouver International Airport is now over 100 percent of the targeted requirements for this summer based on projected traffic. International Airport is now over 100 percent of the targeted requirements for this summer based on projected traffic. CBSA is maximizing officer availability and additional Student Border Services Officers are now at work. CBSA and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority are making available additional kiosks at Toronto Pearson International Airport customs hall areas. CBSA and PHAC streamlined the process to identify travellers who are required to undergo testing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. As of June 11 , mandatory random COVID-19 testing has been temporarily suspended at all airports until June 30 . As of July 1 , all test swabbing, including for unvaccinated travellers, will be performed off-site. , mandatory random COVID-19 testing has been temporarily suspended at all airports until . As of , all test swabbing, including for unvaccinated travellers, will be performed off-site. PHAC is adding additional staff on select days to verify that travellers have completed their ArriveCAN submissions on arrival and further inform air travellers about the importance of the mandatory requirements. ArriveCAN is mandatory for all travellers to Canada and is available for free as an app or through the website. In addition, Canadian airports and airlines are taking significant action to bring on more employees quickly and to bolster core operations to respond to rapidly increasing traveller demands as the number of Canadians travelling by air continues to grow rapidly as we head into the summer. The actions we've taken since the beginning of May have yielded significant gains. From June 13 to 19, across all larger airports combined, CATSA maintained the standard of over 85 percent of passengers being screened in 15 minutes or less. Toronto Pearson Airport maintained its strong results, with 87.2 percent of passengers screened in 15 minutes or less, slightly down from the previous week's 91.1 percent. Calgary International Airport saw an increase to 90 percent of passengers screened within 15 minutes or less, from 85.8 percent the previous week. Vancouver International Airport and Montreal Trudeau International Airport saw declines in passengers screened in under 15 minutes, to 80.9 percent and 75.9 percent, respectively. We are making progress, but we also recognize that there is still work to be done. We continue to take action with air industry partners to reduce the delays in the travel system and report back to Canadians on our progress. Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities. SOURCE Transport Canada For further information: Laurel Lennox, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, [email protected], 613-993-0055 During his virtual address before the conference, Shiv Sena president remarked, "I've already stated that I have nothing to do with power. People who used to claim they would sooner die than leave the Shiv Sena have now gone. In the midst of the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra caused by Shiv Sena MLA mutiny, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has scheduled a meeting of the partys national executive committee for Saturday at 1 p.m. The meeting will take place in Shiv Sena Bhavan, and the Chief Minister will attend digitally. Earlier on Friday, Thackeray virtually held a meeting of district leaders, claiming that the renegade MLAs camped up in Guwahati intended to destroy the party. During his virtual address before the conference, Shiv Sena president remarked, Ive already stated that I have nothing to do with power. People who used to claim they would sooner die than leave the Shiv Sena have now gone. Thackeray stated that he suspected the revolt and disclosed that Eknath Shinde, the rebel, had discussed the topic of MLAs eager to join the BJP in front of him. However, he stated that such a question never even occurs. The renegade MLAs seek to destabilise the party. I never imagined in my wildest thoughts that I would become Chief Minister. Ive left Varsha Bungalow, but I dont have the desire to fight, he continued. He has asked his partys leaders to tell him if he is useless and incapable of running the party and has stated that he will leave the party. When asked if he will rejoin the BJP, the Shiv Sena head stated, BJP, that defamed our party, my family, When asked about rejoining the BJP, the Shiv Sena head stated, You are considering joining the BJP, which has defamed our party and my family. Such a question never arises. If MLAs wish to go there, they can all go. I wont. If someone wants to attend, whether its an MLA or someone else, let us know and then go. Notably, the Chief Minister left his official house on Wednesday night and relocated to his family mansion, Matoshree, with his family. Targeting Shinde, Thackeray stated that he did all for the rebel commander despite the fact that he is the subject of several charges. I did everything for Eknath Shinde; I gave him the department that I had; his own son is an MP, and remarks about my kid are being made; a lot of charges are levelled against me, he claimed. If they have bravery, they should walk among the people without using the names of Balasaheb and Shiv Sena, he continued. I had agony in my neck and head, I couldnt function properly, I couldnt open my eyes, but I didnt care, Thackeray, who had cervical spine surgery last year, said. Shivaji Maharaj was vanquished, but people were constantly with him. Ajit Pawar previously stated that the NCP supports the Chief Minister and will work to stabilize the administration. Meanwhile, the Eknath Shinde group filed a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal on Friday, after the Uddhav Thackeray party asked the deputy speaker to remove the dissident MLAs. Shiv Sena had earlier on Thursday night petitioned the Deputy Speaker of the state parliament to terminate the membership of 12 rebel MLAs, including Eknath Shinde, for not attending the legislative party meeting on Wednesday. Uddhav Thackeray has convened a meeting of the party's national executive committee for today at 1 p.m Following his presentation to Shiv Sena district chiefs on Friday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has convened a meeting of the partys national executive committee for today at 1 p.m. The meeting will take place in Shiv Sena Bhavan, and the Chief Minister will attend digitally. Earlier today, Thackeray virtually held a conference of district leaders, claiming that the renegade MLAs camped up in Guwahati intended to destroy the party. Ive already said that I have nothing to do with power. People who used to claim theyd sooner die than leave the Shiv Sena have departed today, the Shiv Sena chief stated during his virtual speech to the conference. The rebel MLAs wish to split the party. I never imagined in my wildest thoughts that I would become Chief Minister. Ive left Varsha Bungalow but havent lost the determination to fight He continued. Targeting Shinde, Thackeray stated that despite doing everything for the rebel commander, a slew of charges had been leveled against him. Notably, the Chief Minister left his official house on Wednesday night and relocated to his family mansion, Matoshree, with his family. Everything I did was for Eknath Shinde. I gave him the department that I was in charge of. His own son is an MP, and remarks have been made about my son. Many accusations have been leveled against me he remarked. If they have bravery, they should walk among the people without using the names of Balasaheb and Shiv Sena, he continued. Thackeray, who had cervical spine surgery last year, stated: I experienced pain in my neck and head, I couldnt function properly, and I couldnt open my eyes, but I didnt care. Shivaji Maharaj was vanquished, but his supporters remained loyal. Meanwhile, NCP president Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar arrived at Matoshree, the Mumbai mansion of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. State Minister Jayant Patil and NCP leader Praful Patel joined the leaders. The leaders are scheduled to discuss measures to prevent the MVA government, including Congress, from collapsing. Earlier in the day, Ajit Pawar stated that the NCP supports the Chief Minister and will work to stabilize the administration. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Police announced Friday that they have arrested a suspect in this week's fatal shooting of a man on a San Francisco subway commuter train. Javon Green, 26, was arrested Thursday in Pittsburg, a city about 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of San Francisco after police released a still photo from surveillance video of a man they described as a person of interest and asked anyone with information to contact authorities, said Officer Kathryn Winters, a spokesperson with the San Francisco Police Department. Winters said tips from inside and outside the law enforcement community helped officials identify Green. Green was booked into San Francisco jail minutes after midnight Friday, according to jail records. He faces charges of homicide, carrying a concealed firearm, and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. It wasnt immediately known if Green had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Police did not respond to a question about whether he has retained an attorney. Wednesday's shooting on a crowded train killed 27-year-old Nesta Bowen and wounded a 70-year-old man, who was taken to a hospital with injuries and later released. Winters said police believe there was a confrontation between Green and Bowen before the shooting. She added that she didnt know if Green and Bowen knew each other and that a motive in the shooting has not been determined. After the train stopped in the Castro neighborhood, which is internationally known for its LGBTQ activism, Green ran out of the train along with terrified passengers. Winters reiterated that the shooting was not connected to upcoming Pride events. Nevertheless, the shooting cast a shadow over the celebrations at a time when members of the LGBTQ community are experiencing heightened threats, including protests at libraries where drag queens read to children. Winters said the police department is going to be fully staffed throughout Pride weekend and that officers will give extra attention to train stations. As we go into Pride weekend, we know theres a number of events throughout the city. We are going to have officers on hand at all of the events, Winters said. NORWICH The Massachusetts man accused of fleeing from authorities in a stolen vehicle before trying to carjack someone and assaulting an off-duty Connecticut State Police trooper was on federal probation and wanted by the U.S. Marshals when the incidents unfolded last week, officials said. Yheresis Millan, of Lowell, Mass., was charged with numerous offenses after police said he stole a car from outside a Norwich home and then tried to evade local and state police June 18, officials said. Millan was involved in a lengthy, aggressive struggle, with the off-duty trooper and his police K-9 on a highway ramp after crashing a stolen car and attempting to carjack another vehicle, police said. He was held on $250,000 bond following his arraignment Friday on multiple charges, including robbery by carjacking, interfering with police, possession of a controlled substance and assault on police in state Superior Court in Norwich. The 28-year-old was also wanted by U.S. Marshals on a warrant, charging him with violation of federal probation, Norwich police said. Millan was originally sentenced to 10 months in a federal prison followed by a period of probation in 2020 after pleading guilty to providing crack cocaine to an undercover federal agent in New Hampshire in 2019, court records showed. Millan was charged with violating his federal probation in 2021 after he failed to attend required substance abuse and mental health treatment and admitted to drinking alcohol in excess when he was caught entering the wrong home in New Hampshire, court documents said. He also admitted to nasally ingesting heroin while on federal probation, moved out of his apartment without telling his probation officer and failed to report to his probation officer twice in the span of five days in 2021, court documents said. Millan was sentenced to an additional six months in federal prison and 24 months of supervised release after pleading guilty to violating probation in July 2021, court records showed. As a condition of his supervised release, Millan must not commit another federal, state or local crime, court documents said. Norwich police said Friday the department did not have details on why federal authorities were looking to charge Millan a second time with violating probation or whether he faced another violation of probation charge for the events that occurred on June 18. His most recent arrest stemmed from a 911 call on June 18 for a vehicle that had just been stolen from a home on Central Avenue, police said. Norwich police said the driver refused to stop when an officer tried to pull the car over. Norwich officers chose not to pursue the vehicle, an off-duty state police trooper with a K-9 heard the alert about the stolen car and spotted it on Interstate-395 near Exit 11, authorities said. But the driver still refused to pull over, state police said. The trooper, who was not identified by state police, pursued the stolen car and was able to get in front of it, in an attempt to slow the suspect down, state police said. State police said the stolen vehicle then rear-ended the troopers vehicle, and tried to get off the highway down an entrance ramp. The trooper was then able to get behind the suspect and intentionally made contact with the vehicle to prevent him from fleeing, state police said. The stolen car lost control and went off the road into a gore, where state police said Millan continued driving onto Route 82. The car then crashed into another vehicle, disabling the stolen car. State police said Millan then tried to run away as the off-duty trooper and his K-9 pursued him. The suspect then ran up to another occupied vehicle and opened the passenger door and attempted to carjack the operator. The suspect was pulled from the occupied vehicle and eventually subdued by the off-duty trooper, state police said. State police said the man was placed in handcuffs by a state police sergeant who arrived on scene after the man was involved in a lengthy, aggressive struggle on the Exit 11 off ramp, with the trooper and his K-9. Millan was brought to the hospital to be treated for unspecified injuries. He was released in time for his arraignment in Norwich Superior Court Friday. NEW HAVEN The Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade on Friday is only the beginning of a movement to take away rights and freedoms, including possibly same-sex marriage and contraception, according to speakers at a rally of about 1,000 protesters Friday evening. Political activists, clergy, educators and others warned the decision isnt about protecting the life of the fetus, but about controlling women and others. Todays ruling is as outrageous as it is unacceptable, said Kica Matos, a longtime political activist who acted as emcee of the rally. The court has stripped away the freedom and agency of millions, especially Black, brown and indigenous women, girls, LGBT, gender nonconforming people. She told the crowd to cut to the chase: This ruling is about power. It is about control, and it is about taking away our freedoms. To this ruling. I say, Hell no, we will not go back. We cannot and we will not let them take away our rights. We will not let them take away our humanity. We will not let them break our souls. The 6-3 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, decided by a 7-2 vote in 1973, had been leaked, giving opponents time to organize, Matos said. The decision was written by Justice Samuel Alito. Chief Justice John Roberts voted in favor of upholding Mississippis anti-abortion law, which was the case before the court, but wrote that judicial restraint should have kept Roe from being overturned. Nayeli Garcia of Unidad Latina en Accion, said because of the six justices opinion, millions of women will die and many young women will have to give up their dreams, goals and set their lives aside with no autonomy on their body. We will fight. We get this back and how we want to get it: by mass movements like this one. The Rev. Vicki Flippin, pastor of First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, said the idea that to be Christian requires being anti-abortion is a myth. Many, many faithful, courageous Christians and people of all faiths have fought for the rights of people to make their own choices about whether or not they carry pregnancies and whether or not they have abortions, she said. She described the Clergy Consultation Service, begun in 1967 in New York City, in which clergy counseled women and helped them to get illegal abortions or legal abortions abroad. She said before contraception was legalized in Connecticut in 1965, members of her church paid for buses to take women to New York to get birth control. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he was exhilarated Thursday night by passage of a gun safety bill in the Senate, but heard Friday that Roe was overturned, taking away the right to abortion. He said the decision is not just that they strip women of that right, but they put the power in the hands of government officials. Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court said that anybody wanting to carry firearms, has a near absolute right, he said. Today, it decided that a woman wanting to make fundamental health care decisions has no right. Thats not our Constitution. While Connecticut has laws protecting the right to abortion and has given safe haven to abortion providers coming to the state, that should not lead to complacency, Blumenthal said. If Mitch McConnell becomes majority leader in the United States Senate, he has said he will lead a national ban on abortion which would destroy our safe haven here in Connecticut. When people say, Were OK in Connecticut. Were fine. You feel fine? No one will be fine in Connecticut if this court continues on this extremist path: the right to marriage equality, the right to contraception, the right to marry whomever you love, all of those rights, depending on the right to privacy, theyre all on the chopping block with this court. Rabbi Brian Immerman of Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, said, I could speak about the Jewish laws that not only permit but may even require an abortion if a womans life is in danger, whether shes in physical, mental or economic danger. He said sacred texts, whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, First Nations people or of any other religion should not be the reason that we restrict the rights of people in this country to make decisions about their own bodies. They should be based upon our collective values as a nation to love our neighbor and stranger and to allow women and all people to make decisions about their own bodies based upon their own circumstances and beliefs. Immerman was followed by May Ye, a student rabbi at Mending Minyan, a New Haven home-based community. Those most marginalized in our society are most impacted by todays barbaric ruling, she said. Friends, we will and we must take care of each other. We will not abandon people who are in need of abortion. We have been shown yet again today that the systems in place and the people in power do not protect us. Look around. It is us who keep each other safe and we must reconnect to this task. edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382 The former Zamfara State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Tukur Sank Jangebe has called on the religious and community leaders to ... The former Zamfara State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Tukur Sank Jangebe has called on the religious and community leaders to continue mobilizing people to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards to enable them to elect leaders of their choices. The Islamic cleric stated this in an interview with newsmen in Gusau, the State capital, saying that many people do not know the value of the PVC until it becomes too late for them to obtain it. Many citizens are complaining about government and politicians but this is an opportunity to elect the government of their choices he lamented. The State government has given a whole week public holiday for people to go and obtain their PVC but some would still not go for the cards Jangebe said that democracy remains the government of the people by the people, pointing out that if people do not obtain their PVC, how would the government be the government. Apart from the electoral business, there are other areas where the PVC are of great importance. So the PVC has many uses Recall that Sheikh Jangebe had been a commissioner of Religious Affairs in the State since 1999 but resigned his political appointment about a year and a half ago due to the reasons best known to him. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe has criticized the presidential candidate of the Labour Party... A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe has criticized the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi over his anti- infrastructure comment Igbokwe said Obi was an overrated presidential candidate. He recounted a recent comment by Obi where he condemned President Muhammadu Buharis system of stimulating the economy through infrastructure. The former Anambra State governor had said: You cant use infrastructure to drive economic growth. You invest in education and the SME (Small, Medium Enterprises) sector instead to deal with poverty. Recalling the comment, Igbokwe stressed that the LP presidential candidate was just a trader. In his Facebook post, Igbokwe wrote: Somebody who wants to be the President of Nigeria is telling you that infrastructure does not drive the economy in the 21st Century and you are taking that person seriously. Peter [Obi] is overrated in Nigeria. He is just a trader. Obiano built the Anambra International Airport, built the Awka flyover bridge. Which one did Mr Obi build in 8 years? Arsenal have agreed a 45 million ($55m) deal with Manchester City for Gabriel Jesus. The Gunners have been locked in talks with City for ... Arsenal have agreed a 45 million ($55m) deal with Manchester City for Gabriel Jesus. The Gunners have been locked in talks with City for weeks over the Brazil international, who Mikel Arteta has identified as his priority target to bolster his striking options this summer. And an agreement was reached between the clubs on Friday, with Arsenal how hoping to finalise a deal for the four-time Premier League winner in the coming days. With the two clubs having now agreed on a fee, Arsenal will look finalise personal terms with the 25-year-old. That is not expected to be a problem, however, with the Gunners' technical director Edu having already put on lots of groundwork with the attacker's representatives in recent months. Arsenal will look to wrap up the formalities of the deal quickly to ensure Jesus will be able to travel with Arteta's squad for an upcoming tour of the United States. The north London club have already signed Porto midfielder Fabio Vieria this summer and are also trying to bring in Leeds United winger Raphinha. The striker has scored 58 goals and delivered 29 assists in the league since joining Manchester City in 2016-17. He arrived as a teenager and went on to win four Premier League titles at the Etihad Stadium, as well as three League Cups and one FA Cup. Liverpool is considering selling Mohamed Salah this summer as talks over a new contract have reached a deadlock, the UK Metro reports. Sadio... Liverpool is considering selling Mohamed Salah this summer as talks over a new contract have reached a deadlock, the UK Metro reports. Sadio Mane officially left the Premier League side this week and joined Bayern Munich in a 27.4 million transfer. Mane had just under one year left on his Liverpool deal and with Salah in an almost identical contractual situation, the Reds are contemplating cashing in on him too rather than lose him for nothing next summer. Salah is currently Liverpools top earner, along with Virgil van Dijk, on around 240,000 a week. However, the Egyptian want parity with the best-paid players in the Premier League. Salah has noted the salaries Chelsea and Manchester City offer their top earner and is eyeing a salary of around 400,000 a week, which would shatter Liverpools current wage structure. He had announced before last seasons Champions League final that he would definitely stay at Anfield for another year but the matter could be taken out of Salahs hands. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, released his birthday resolutions, with a promise to abide by them in his stint as a public ... The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, released his birthday resolutions, with a promise to abide by them in his stint as a public officer in the state and Nigeria in general. Sanwo-Olu clocked 57 on Saturday. Describing how he feels on his birthday, the governor said the day remains a constant reminder of Gods ultimate love, unending blessings and unwavering favour. In a series of tweets on his Twitter handle on Saturday, the governor also shared his birthday resolution and asked God to help him achieve it. He wrote, Thankful for 57 years of Amazing Grace. 25th of June: A constant reminder of Gods ultimate love, unending blessings and unwavering favour. On this day, what am I thankful for? I am thankful for the zeal and will to serve, despite all odds. I am thankful for my dear wife Ibijoke, our dear children, friends, associates and most importantly, the good people of Lagos. I am thankful for the will to embrace a life of service, possess a heart of compassion and to see a setback as an avenue for better things to come. I have also resolved; To continue to live a life of service. To not be so hard on myself (my heart is in the right place, and I always mean well). To give without expectations. To work conscientiously, selflessly and tirelessly, like no one is watching. So help me God. Amen. Drivers can conserve fuel if they use less air conditioning, according to experts. In this file photo, morning traffic begins to swell on the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times/TNS) A Tesla crashed into a police vehicle, which in turn crashed into an ambulance, in Arizonas Cochise County on July 30, 2020. Arizona Department of Public Safety7 Locally reported news and sports Stay Current with What's Happening Get the most of NNY360, register today! By providing your email address, you consent to receive emails and special offers from NNY360.com Watertown, NY (13601) Today Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 55F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 55F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Georgia Secretary of State Chief Operating Officer Gabriel Sterling wait to testify before the U.S. House Select Committees fourth hearing on its Jan. 6 investigation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca Press/TNS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended its support for religious schools, ruling that parents who send their children to such institutions have a right to tuition aid if the state provides it to other similar private schools. You voted: After working in top New York kitchens, including eight years at chef Eric Riperts Le Bernardin and as executive chef at Marcus Samuelssons Red Rooster, and reaching the finals on season 15 of Bravos Top Chef, Adrienne Cheatham started a pop-up called Sunday Best. She recently released a Sunday Best cookbook based on the Southern dishes she grew up eating in Chicago and Mississippi. Cheatham and her New Orleans-born husband were married here in 2018. She returns to the city this week for a collaborative dinner with Nina Compton at Bywater American Bistro on Wednesday, June 29. The dinner will feature dishes from her cookbook. Gambit: Why did you start your pop-up? Adrienne Cheatham: I did special menus (at Red Rooster) to start playing with dishes. I did Top Chef right after I left Red Rooster. I started the pop-up series right after that. I never saw the food I grew up eating reflected in fine dining. I have worked most of my career in Michelin star fine dining. With Marcus, I did start to see more global influence and more Southern influence. I started to wonder why at a certain level of fine dining, it filters out cuisines of certain cultures. I actually hosted the first pop-up at Red Rooster. I wasnt the chef there at the time Marcus just let me use the space. I had a lot of guests who were regulars at places like Le Bernadin and Daniel and these fine dining restaurants. I did blackened octopus with squid ink grits. I remember doing a roasted pork loin with crispy black-eyed peas, and it was wrapped in collard greens with a roasted pork jus sauce. When I started working in fine dining, it was like you make your roux with flour and butter, and then you add milk and youre making bechamel. Then we add cheese which makes it Mornay (sauce). I was like, OK, that sounds fancy, but thats exactly what my family does when we make mac and cheese. Gambit: Whats your vision of Southern food? Cheatham: My dad is from Mississippi and my husband is from New Orleans. When I was growing up in Chicago, we would go to Mississippi every summer. One thing we got every summer was hot tamales. We would have Mississippi pot roast, which was made with pepperoncini (peppers) and Italian spices. I went to college in Tallahassee (at Florida A&M). Its the largest historically Black college in the country. We had friends from all these places. If you had a long weekend, you can drive eight hours to Miami, or this person is going home to Macon Georgia, or Atlanta, or these people are driving to Texas. Gas was cheaper then. It was easy to take a four-hour road trip. We went to our friends homes. Or they would cook their food from home. I started to see that Southern food isnt just classic dishes like beignets or Hoppin John. Southern food is incredibly regional. The food they have in eastern Texas is completely different from what they eat in Charleston. That has to do with the immigrant groups that came over. Even Viet-Cajun cuisine is influenced by people who came over in the 70s. To me, Southern food grows and evolves based on immigrant groups. Black people built the cuisine of America, which is the cuisine of the South. They did that by working with indigenous Americans and indigenous groups from Mexico. Thats where bell peppers and tomatoes come from. Which are staples in a lot of dishes. Cabbages and sausages came from German immigrants and Irish immigrants. We have a history of folding other cultures into Southern cuisine. And I dont want to see that end. When I travel to Alabama and I am like, Whoa, there is an influx of Somalian and Ethiopian immigrants why not fold in some of their spices and their ingredients into Southern cuisine. Its just an extension. Its taking classic things were all familiar with and folding in new things. Gambit: How did your pop-up with Nina Compton come about? Cheatham: We have mutual friends. I have been to her restaurant. My husband and I got married in New Orleans. The day after our wedding, we walked around. We went to Compere Lapin, W.I.N.O., the wine store across the street, Cochon. We took a walking food tour of a lot of different neighborhoods. But we were introduced after my season of Top Chef. I came in second, and a lot of people were like Oh my god, this is like Nina Compton. I was like, What? I knew there was a Black woman who came in second, but I hadnt watched (the show). I saw that she did a dinner with Mashama Bailey. When the cookbook was coming out, I reached out to (Compton). I love her food, I have so much respect for her. I love that shes fusing her Caribbean background with Creole and Cajun cuisine. I said Id like to do a dinner when the cookbook comes out. There are a few dishes from the cookbook were going to do. I am doing the boudin-stuffed calamari and a tuna crudo. She sent me a list of local seafood and produce. Well make a couple tweaks to use the beautiful ingredients she has there. Well probably do the red miso barbecued quail. In the book, it doesnt have a stuffing, but for the dinner, were going to do it with a stuffing. For more information, visit adriennecheatham.com. The phases of the moon happen every 29 days. What starts out as full which is called the Flower Moon in May becomes gibbous, about three-quarters full, then half, and then a sliver that just about disappears. Flour Moon Bagels name was inspired by the beginning of the cycle when Breanne Kostyk started her bagel business in earnest in May 2021. Flour Moon Bagels opened its brick-and-mortar location at 457 N. Dorgenois St. on June 4. It sits on the Lafitte Greenway between HEY Coffee Co. and the soon-to-open Skeeta Hawk Brewing. Flour Moon is already killing it, with bagels flying out the door along with 100 breakfast bagel egg sandwiches on a recent weekend morning. Flour Moon Bagels What Flour Moon Bagels Where 457 N. Dorgenois St.; flourmoonbagels.com When Breakfast and lunch Thursday-Monday How Dine-in, takeout Check it out House-made bagels and bagel sandwiches Opening this felt so natural, Kostyk says. I thought Id be really nervous and not know what I was doing, but it just gets better and better. The 35-year-old self-taught pastry chef started rolling bagels at home three weeks after she had a double mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis. I was recovering, and I was bored, she says. That also was during the height of the pandemic, so she was really stuck sheltering and baking in place. At her former job as pastry chef at the Ace Hotel, Kostyk had played around with bagels and gotten rave reviews from guests. Kostyk met her now business and life partner Jeff Hinson in 2019. The couple noticed the empty space by HEY because they were regulars who live nearby. Kostyk thought it would make a great bagel shop. Hinson wasnt sure they could afford it, but the landlord lobbied hard to make it happen. The neighborhood was starved for bagels, she told them. This swathe of Mid-City and Bayou St. John is home to more than 36,000 residents, notes Hinson, who has a background in marketing. What makes an exceptional bagel boils down to technique, which includes boiling and the quality of the ingredients, Kostyk says. She proofs dough overnight for better flavor, uses high-gluten King Arthur flour and generous amounts of toppings. I was literally weighing the seeds to be sure there were enough allotted per bagel, she says. The bagels are solid, from sea salt (which Kostyk calls our plain") to rosemary-salt, everything, sesame and poppy seed. On Fridays, there also are onion bialy with caraway seeds. Schmear options include plain and scallion cream cheese along with fancy butter. The two most popular menu items are the breakfast sandwich and the Full Moon tartine. The sandwich is topped with a folded egg, American and muenster cheeses and chili crisp mayo, with options to add bacon, house-made sausage or avocado. The Full Moon features lox, cream cheese, cucumber, red onion, capers and fresh herbs. Also under tartines, which are open-face sandwiches, is the New Moon, slathered with scallion cream cheese and dotted with shiny salmon roe that pop salty goodness with every bite, in addition to avocado, thinly sliced radish and herbs. A Harvest Moon is a vegan option topped with a roasted carrot spread, tahini, cucumber red onion, Castelvetrano olives, herbs and the house-made duqqa topping made with herbs and nuts. The Fortuna is layered with tonnato, heirloom tomato and a drizzle of olive oil and fresh herbs. Kostyk credits her staff with how well things have been going. She was hired by a chef who took a chance on her, so Kostyk now wants to offer opportunities to others new to the industry. Everybody is fantastic, she says. Ive hired quite a few people who didnt have restaurant experience. One of my bakers hasnt been professional for long, but she sure knows how to roll bagels. Flour Moon is a charming space, with a big open patio and a color scheme Kostyk calls dusk. We wanted the pinks, oranges and purples that you see when the moon is just starting to rise, she says. She also plans to add kosher fish salads from Brooklyn, batched and frozen cocktails and, in the not-too-distant future, another location that might include a commissary. Although they sell HEY drip coffee and cold brew, Kostyk says Flour Moon isnt a coffee shop. Most of our customers get their cappuccino at HEY and then come to us, she says. We can barely keep up with the bagels. There is no better time to visit a cool, air-conditioned movie theater than during a south Louisiana summer. For much of the 20th century, if you visited a local picture show, theres a good chance it was owned by T.G. Teddy Solomon and his Gulf States Theatres chain. At the time of its $62 million sale to United Artists in 1986, the chain was the largest in Louisiana and Mississippi. In all, there were more than 600 theaters in seven states. Solomons father and uncle, both Lebanese immigrants, opened their first movie theater, the Palace, in 1927 in McComb, Mississippi. Solomon started working there when he was 10. When his father died in 1948, Solomon began to run the family business. Over the course of seven decades, he would own and operate every kind of theater, from indoor single screens to drive-ins and multiplexes. In 1996, Solomon and his children introduced the stadium-style megaplex concept to south Louisiana with the Palace 20 in Elmwood. Other Palace theaters would follow before the Solomons sold to AMC in 2002. Solomon, a World War II veteran, donated $5.5 million for the Solomon Victory Theater at the National World War II Museum. He died in 2013. His family remains active in local business, including Gary Sr., a banker, and grandson Gary Jr., who is co-founder and president of Solomon Group, a live event, exhibit design and production firm. The U.S. Supreme Court's historic ruling issued Friday overturning the Roe v. Wade decision triggered an immediate ban on nearly all abortions in Louisiana, including in cases of rape or incest. Doctors can now face jail time in the state for performing abortions. Here are reactions from local officials on the decision. Gov. John Bel Edwards I am and have always been unabashedly pro-life and opposed to abortion ... I asked the legislature to include exceptions for rape and incest in the legislation most recently passed. While the bill that passed expanded the exceptions from the 2006 law to include instances of medical futility and treatment of ectopic pregnancies, these important exceptions were not included." New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell "This ruling strikes down a half-century of precedent, settled law and most importantly, access to safe and responsible medical care for millions of women. A half-century of women empowered to make their own healthcare decisions has now been tossed away by a half-dozen activist, fundamentalist Supreme Court Justices obsessed with driving a political agenda." New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond "We give thanks to God that the injustice of abortion on demand has come to an end, and that we as a society will have the opportunity to save more innocent unborn lives ... As Catholics we must unequivocally stand for the dignity and respect for all human life from conception to natural death." U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans This is an infuriating trampling of privacy that should anger every single American, and it puts many people at risk ... For Louisianans, we have entered a dark new stage of our states history. New restrictions have been triggered outlawing all abortion in our state, with minimal exceptions for safety or circumstance." State Attorney General Jeff Landry "Victory for the unborn ... Louisiana's trigger law banning abortion is now in effect. As attorney general I will defend it." NOLA Business Insider The biggest stories in business, delivered to you every day. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-Madisonville "Roe v. Wade has misrepresented the Constitution since the ruling was rendered, and todays decision to return the issue of abortion to the American people and the states corrects a legal and moral error. Louisianans have worked for a long time to have this freedom that is rightly and constitutionally theirs." New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno "The consequences on health care for women are tremendous. In states like Louisiana where vague laws criminalize doctors, OBGYNs may refuse to even practice." U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge "Todays decision recognizes that an unborn child has a right to life. Being pro-life means being pro-mothers, pro-babies, and pro-healthy futuresa philosophy I carry with me in the Senate." U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson This historic ruling for life is a day to celebrate, and after we celebrate this victory, pro-life Americans across the country will continue our work in legislative bodies to encourage a culture that protects life. Thanks to decades of hard work from the pro-life movement, Roe v. Wade will no longer hinder the elected leaders of the people from protecting innocent life in America." State Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans "Women are going to die ... All three abortion clinics in Louisiana are now closed." James Samaritan Center hosted its second annual State of Our Children Breakfast at the Briggs Center on the campus of St. Pauls School on June 16. Following coffee and breakfast, Brother Ray Bulliard welcomed guests with prayer, followed by an inspiring rendition of Amazing Grace by Samantha Goodwin and Samone Young. Kim Bigler, founder of James Samaritan, shared accomplishments and challenges of both the center and the foster child system, then welcomed keynote speakers, state Sen. Beth Mizell and Assistant District Attorney J. Collin Sims. Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards, the featured speaker, shared her vision and support for educational and support services for the children statewide and in the community. Special guest Bishop W.C. Martin contributed the closing remarks. Youth sponsorship opportunities are available through James Samaritan to provide resources for children, such as one-to-one mentoring, equine therapy, life skills training, cooking classes and transitional living assistance. For more information, visit jamessamaritan.org Earlier this week, a white coroner's van pulled into The Willows Apartments in New Orleans East, passing a broken gate, an unmanned security booth and graffiti that proclaims God Loves Every1. In the trash-strewn courtyard, a 36-year-old man lay prone and bullet-riddled under the gaze of law enforcement officials and about two dozen loved ones and residents, including children. His homicide was the third within a 15-hour span to bloody the property at 7001 Lawrence Road, owned by Memphis, Tennessee-based nonprofit Global Ministries Foundation, described by president Rev. Richard Hamlet as a faith-based housing development corporation. Global Ministries Foundation was the subject of a 2016 federal raid and probe that resulted in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development yanking funding for its projects in Memphis due to unsafe, unsanitary living conditions there, according to local reports by Fox13 News. Hamlet sold the Memphis properties, but Global Ministries Foundation still owns and manages The Willows. It makes no sense that this organization is still allowed to operate rental properties, said Cashauna Hill, executive director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center. They have a very long and troubled history of mismanagement. In an emailed statement, Hamlets representative Chasity Blackburn cited New Orleans' violent crime surge and lackluster police response for the spate of crime, which includes 20 calls to 911 reporting discharging firearms, 18 reporting residence burglary, 18 reporting domestic simple battery, eight reporting aggravated assault and five reporting auto theft within the last year. When the staff calls police, they do literally nothing, said Blackburn, who stated management had hired off-duty police officers and security patrols. Last week, the manager was hit in the head by a trespasser when (the trespasser was) told to leave, with a pistol, mind you. (Police) even told the Regional Manager that they were outnumbered. But residents and affordable housing advocates say the deteriorating conditions and lack of oversight at the complex, built in 1973, create an unsafe environment conducive to crime. When people have an understanding that properties are well kept, that ownership cares, that people are paying attention to what is going on, then it is less likely that people will come to that property to do harm, Hill said. When retired security guard and grandmother Lou Cormin moved into The Willows three years ago, conditions werent as bad as they are now, she said. Shes learned to hit the floor when she hears gunfire, and because she has an artificial leg, getting back into her chair is not too much of a struggle. But the mold, water damage, mice, rats and termites aggravate her asthma. Its hell back here, said Cornin, 64. Its like Katrina all over again for us. Because for Katrina, they forgot about us. Cornins five adult children have pressured her to move in with them, but she likes having her own place. They say, Momma, its time for you to get out. Its gone too far. Theres too many shootings, and you cant even get out of the way, Cornin said. NOLA Business Insider The biggest stories in business, delivered to you every day. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Because she relies on disability to pay the bulk of her $800 rent, she doesnt have many options. Tenants who use vouchers are limited in the housing market as to where they can rent and are often forced to rent substandard properties like The Willows, said Hannah Adams, who focuses on low-income older people stuck in substandard housing as a staff attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services. Cornin persuaded her son, Laimon Williams, daughter-in-law Romecka Badon and 5-year-old grandson to move into The Willows about a year and a half ago. But now theyre looking to get out, too. Badons apartment is infested with termites, and theres a water leak so pervasive that mushrooms are growing in the carpet. Badon says her son is afraid to sleep in his room because it overlooks the apartments killing field. When theyre shooting, its right there by his window, she said. Badon contacted Fox 8 reporters last month because she wanted people to know about the conditions at The Willows. Shortly after, management gave her an eviction notice, alleging she owed months of back rent. Badon said she did pay her rent, and she believes the eviction is retaliatory. Her case on Friday was continued until July 18 because The Willows failed to provide solid record keeping, said Hill, who is Badons attorney. Louisiana renters have no legal protection from retaliation when they make complaints to landlords. Our system relies on renters to report violations of the local code, and in those rare instances when they do make those reports, they can legally be subject to retaliation, Adams said. It seems like an unfair burden for people who are struggling. There is no shortage of code violations at The Willows. In recent weeks, city inspectors have issued multiple violations to the complex in response to complaints. Most seriously, the inspections found unsafe buildings and equipment and electrical system hazards along with problems with floors, roofs, plumbing and heating systems and other aspects of the apartment complex including its pool, according to city records. Those cases are still in their early stages, but The Willows has a history of violations going back two years. Inspections in 2019 found a similar list of problems. The 16 issues identified which were spread across multiple apartments resulted in a fine of at least $7,000, according to city records. That fine, along with additional daily fines of $500, has not yet been paid, according to the documents. Similarly, a 2020 inspection resulted in about $1,000 in fines and fees against the complex after inspectors found 10 violations. City records indicate those have not yet been paid either, but a lien was added to the propertys tax bill. A series of residents have also sued The Willows in Civil District Court for failing to keep up their properties and creating unsafe conditions. That includes one woman who said the ceiling of her apartment collapsed onto her, causing both immediate injury and long-term medical issues. City Council member Oliver Thomas, who lives around the corner from The Willows and whose district includes the complex, described the complex as worse than Section 8its Section Nasty. From the murderers to the nasty property owners, the people who are breaking the law feel like they run this city, Thomas said. Its disappointing a lot of people, and its costing a lot of lives. Five people were shot within barely three hours early Saturday in New Orleans. Police said they were called at 12:14 a.m. to the intersection of Franklin Avenue and North Derbigny Street, on the border of the St. Claude and St. Roch neighborhoods, where Emergency Medical Services took a man to a hospital with a gunshot wound to his left knee. At 1:19 a.m., officers were sent to the intersection of North Cornet and East Cornet courts in New Orleans East. A man and a woman were wounded, and were taken to a hospital. At 3:36 a.m., two shooting were reported: a man during a fight with four people in the 500 block of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, and a woman trying to flee four men in the 500 block of Natchez Street in the Central Business District. Paramedics took both victims to a hospital. The Police Department did not immediately release more details. The Orleans Parish coroner's office has identified two more men who were killed in a 15-hour period this week at The Willows apartments complex in New Orleans East. On Wednesday at about 12:30 a.m., residents alerted police to the body of Dejaun Nelson, 19, in a parking lot of the complex in the 7000 block of Lawrence Street. That afternoon, police were summoned back to The Willows to find Antonio Thomas, 36, with an undetermined number of bullet wounds in the courtyard. They were two of three men fatally shot at the property this week. The third, Byron Laird, 29, was killed there Tuesday night, and was previously identified by the coroner's office. The coroner's office also identified Andrew Lewis, 29, as the man shot dead Wednesday evening in the 1200 block of Simon Bolivar Avenue in Central City. Police said the killer got out of a vehicle and fired on the victim at an intersection one block upriver of the Pontchartrain Expressway. Hit by multiple bullets, Lewis died there. The shooter fled. The record June heat wave in southern Louisiana, with water temperatures edging into the mid-90s on Friday in Lake Pontchartrain and along the Gulf Coast, is serving up a triple whammy of water-related dangers: an elevated risk of intense hurricanes, an increased number of dangerous Vibrio bacteria infections, and more fish kills. As air temperatures bubbled into above-100 realms on Friday in some locations, the Slidell office of the National Weather Service reported that the average temperature of 88.1 degrees for the seven days ending Thursday marked the hottest June week on record. It beat a previous record in 2012 and marked the 17th-warmest seven days for any time of the year. And forecasters warned those seven-day records were likely to fall after Friday and Saturday temperatures were measured. What could be even more problematical for businesses and residents forced to keep air conditioning running at maximum levels overnight is that daily low temperatures for the two weeks ending Thursday also marked the warmest two-week stretch for June on record, at 78.1 degrees. And Weather Service meteorologist Jared Klein pointed out that the high in New Orleans has reached at least 95 for nine days in a row, tied for the 5th-longest stretch of 95-degree days on record. The latest forecast supports this streak to extend to 11 straight days after the weekend, which would place it in a tie for the 3rd-longest, he said in a Friday forecast discussion message. And the increased temperatures this year are part of a pattern stretching back more than 50 years in New Orleans, according to Climate Central, an independent group of scientists and communicators who research and report on climate change. Their review of records indicate the average summer temperature in New Orleans has increased by 1.5 degrees during that time. Those high temperatures are definitely affecting local water bodies, officials say, and the most significant threat could be along the Gulf Coast, where surface water temperatures have reached at least 88 degrees, which is significantly higher than usual, said Matthieu Le Henaff, a researcher with the University of Miami and NOAAs Atlantic Oceanographic Meteorological Laboratory. Water temperatures along Louisianas coast in June during the past few years have often been at least a few degrees lower because of flood-swelled flows from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers, often cooled by snowmelt from the Midwest. But this year, water levels have dropped well below those past flood levels. And Louisianas warmer than normal coastal waters are problematical for another reason this year, says Nick Shay, a marine researcher with the University of Miamis Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. Shay points out that the southernmost segment of the Gulf Stream a deep current of much warmer water that stretches from the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatan Straits into the southern Gulf before looping around the eastern coast of Florida has bowed well north into the northeastern Gulf without breaking off into a separate deep, warm water eddy. Water at the surface of that current is running around 82 and 84 degrees, about the same as the Gulf waters surrounding it, Le Henaff said. But while those warm temperatures are only at the surface in most of the Gulf, in the loop, those much warmer temperatures extend to 3,000 feet below the surface. If a tropical storm or hurricanes path cuts across even part of that deep, warm water, it could cause the storm to rapidly intensify, jumping one or two categories in strength in just a few hours. In most of the Gulf, as a hurricane passes over warm water, its forces pull cooler water up from the depths, and the storm is more likely to weaken. Over the loop current, the deep warm water acts as if someones turning up the gas burner on a stove, Shay said. The warmer water along Louisianas coast also reduces the chance of weakening, he said. At the moment, some of that increased risk is being tempered by dry air in the upper atmosphere, a wind current called the Saharan Air Layer thats been delivering dust from the Sahara Desert to Louisiana and Texas for the last few weeks. Storms dont like dry air, he said, but added that its becoming clear that the dry air and its dust are likely to end in the next few weeks, increasing the chance of tropical storms in the Gulf. The warmer, brackish water along Louisianas beaches and estuaries also poses a health problem for those vulnerable to bacterial infections, the Louisiana Department of Health warns. State officials report that theyve already received 47 reports of Vibrio illnesses, including some linked to Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria that can cause an illness called vibriosis if ingested in raw seafood, particularly oysters, or if it enters open wounds in salty or brackish water. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The open wound infections can result in amputations or death. The number that have been reported at this point are consistent with what we have seen in previous years. However, we do typically see an increase in cases during warm weather months, and such is occurring this year, said department spokesman Kevin Litten. The department also has received reports of only a few minor cases of algae blooms in Lake Pontchartrain and other water basins, according to the health department and to Brady Skaggs, water quality program director at the Pontchartrain Conservancy. Skaggs said its too soon to declare June a record-setting year for water temperatures in Lake Pontchartrain. At the moment, the record identified by the Conservancys collection of daily and weekly water temperatures in the lake dating back nearly 30 years is 97.3, measured at Bayou St. John on July 26, 2012. That compares to an hourly high of 93 measured by the U.S. Geological Survey at the New Basin Canal at 6 p.m. Thursday, and a weekly average high of 90.7 measured by the Pontchartrain Conservancy at Pontchartrain Beach in New Orleans. Temperatures have actually been higher in other area lakes and bayous this June, with the USGS recording a temperature of 96 in Bayou Perot near Cutoff at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and 94.3 in Lake Cataouatche near Waggaman at 6 p.m. on June 16. The high water temperatures, combined with clear skies resulting from lengthy periods of high pressure over the state and Gulf that have suppressed thunderstorms, make conditions ripe for the loss of oxygen in the lake and stream water. Higher temperatures mean oxygen is less likely to dissolve into the water, and the high pressure keeps storms from mixing oxygen-rich surface water into lower levels. The oxygen is needed for survival by many fish species and bottom-living organisms like oysters and mollusks, said Robby Maxwell, a biologist supervisor with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Were getting fish kill reports, the majority from neighborhood ponds and often after a pop-up thunderstorm hits, he said, which churns the low-oxygen water on lake bottoms and mixes it with rotting debris. This years prolonged drought is exacerbating problems for those small water bodies. According to the National Weather Service, most of southeast Louisiana has received no more than an inch and a half of rain over the past week, with rainfall deficits in some areas reaching six inches for the year. The result is extreme drought conditions south of a line from Houma to Empire and severe drought below a line from Thibodaux to Lafitte to Delacroix, with moderate drought conditions in the rest of the region. The present conditions are not unexpected, Maxwell said. Weve come off a really wet stretch during the past 10 years, he said. The most likely fish killed have been shad and menhaden, or pogies, which are extremely sensitive to low oxygen. Other fish are more resilient, with some species being able to gulp air at the surface, he said. He recommends private pond owners try using aerators or diffusers, or even water pumps to mix in oxygen, if possible. But he also said the dead fish are not really a worry for the long-term health of local species. Its the reason they have tens or hundreds of thousands of babies, Maxwell said. After a fish kill, theres also a lot less competition, predation, so repopulation usually happens quickly. The warmer water along the states coast also is expected to impact the size of this years low-oxygen dead zone in the Gulf, said Nancy Rabalais, a Louisiana State University marine biologist. She said the warmer and calmer waters along the coast support the growth of more phytoplankton, the algae that feed on nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon, that eventually die and sink to the bottom, where bacteria eat them, using up oxygen. Bottom-living organisms that cant travel are killed, and crabs, shrimp and fish attempt to escape to areas with more oxygen. In some cases, some of the blooms may contain toxic cyanobacteria that can cause red tides that also are linked to fish kills. Rabalais said the production of carbon dioxide during the low-oxygen period also can help cause ocean acidification, which also has been linked to survival problems with shellfish. This year, NOAA has predicted that the area of very low oxygen could be as big as the state of Connecticut. Matt Allen says that the Tchefuncte River still bears scars from debris removal after Hurricane Katrina, an effort that he says was poorly handled following that monster 2005 storm. After Katrina, contractors cut a road down the riverbank, he said, destroying some his parent's riverfront property west of Covington, including mature wild azaleas. "The erosion they caused made more trees go into the river than they took out," he said. Now, Allen and some others are raising concerns about St. Tammany Parish government's effort to clear Hurricane Ida debris from rivers and streams using $12.6 million in federal and local money. Allen, a retired teacher and certified flood plain manager, formed Northshore RiverWatch, a group of about 30 members that advocate for waterways in the Florida Parishes. He submitted a critical public comment on St. Tammany's application with the state Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers for a permit to de-snag the Tchefuncte River and other St. Tammany waterways. Debris seen as flood threat Hurricane Ida toppled trees in the parish with a vengeance, and parish officials have said that debris in rivers and streams is adding to St. Tammany's flooding and drainage problems. Parish President Mike Cooper said it's important to address the issue as part of hurricane season preparations. In its coastal use permit application, the parish said multiple disasters have caused "massive amounts of snags, fallen trees and other flood debris restricting flow of these drainage canals." A large amount of rain could be catastrophic, the application says. The St. Tammany Parish Council is set to vote next month on the 10% local match that's required for the federal funds from the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and Emergency Watershed Program The matching funds and state and environmental permits are needed before work can begin. St. Tammany Parish government spokesperson Michael Vinsanau said that the parish is going through the emergency permit approval process, which has not yet been granted, and said that the general public has not yet been included, "as we are not at that stage yet." When the parish reaches that point, he said, the public can weigh in, as required by law. In his public comment, Allen said that St. Tammany hasn't shown that there is an emergency. He recently took a pirogue down the Tchefuncte River and found four or five places in the six miles from the U.S. 190 bridge to Covington that he thought might need to be cleared. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "It's not as pervasive as people think," he said. David Campell, president of the Little Tchefuncte River Association, said he took a kayak down the river after Hurricane Ida, and he didn't see a big problem either. Opponents fear overkill "How far north are you going to go? That's lots of millions," Campbell said of the federal money. "We're not against clearing where clearing is really justified...up here, to the north, we want it to stay natural." Allen is also worried about overkill, and wants assurances that the parish will work with landowners along the river. St. Tammany's emergency permit application says that the parish is not the sole owner but one of the owners. But it doesn't list who the others are on the long list of rivers and streams it wants to clear. "I view it as a land grab, because our deeds don't have servitudes on them or anything," Allen said. "The parish has never gone through the proper process of obtaining maintenance servitudes on them." Campbell said that Cooper has agreed to meet with him. But both Allen and Campbell worry about a future where St. Tammany's scenic rivers, now protected by the state, could become straightened and channelized to appease flooding fears. Allen says parish officials want to seem like they are doing something to prevent flooding when the real answer is to stop large developments using tons of fill material in the parish's flood plains. "I'm not going to stop this, I dont expect to," Allen said of the de-snagging. "Id like to see a better project, more sensitive to the landowners. More sensitive to the environment." 'Live with nature' Campbell agrees. "We need to learn to live with nature, not bend nature to our desire...A single tree across the river is nothing -- that's life, that's nature. What they want to do is make it so clear that motorboats can go through." Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade on Friday, triggering a 2006 Louisiana law that bans abortions, an estimated 1,000 or more protestors streamed into the New Orleans Central Business District and vowed to fight back. Amid dangerous levels of heat and humidity, they gathered in front of the federal 5th Circuit's John Minor Wisdom U.S. Court of Appeals Building, spilling out across Camp Street and into Lafayette Square with hand-drawn signs saying, "Mind your own uterus," "Abortion saved my life" and "Time for men to stand up." Then they marched up Poydras Street, shutting down the lakebound lanes, some of them chanting "Abortion is health care" en route to City Hall. Hundreds and hundreds of abortion rights protesters marching down Camp Street right now pic.twitter.com/PuYQv8eiTL Matt Sledge (@mgsledge) June 24, 2022 Louisa Sargent, a 35-year old bartender, said that when she heard about the Supreme Court decision, "My mind went blank, my heart broke. I cried. Then I got angry." At the protest, she said, she was thinking about her 1- and 3-year-old nieces who couldn't yet understand a decision that would likely shape their lives. "I could not live with myself if I didn't use my voice," she said. 'The only thing I could do' Melanie Kunz, a 42-year-old photographer, said she came out because "I'm angry. It felt like the only thing I could do." For years, she said, she had been told that she was "crazy" for worrying about abortion rights, and now her worst fears had come to pass. She had urged others to vote and tried to change their minds on the issue, all to no avail. NOLA Business Insider The biggest stories in business, delivered to you every day. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "Here I am, because there is no other outlet to available to me to make my displeasure known," she said. Brittany George, 35, of Chalmette said she spent most of the day crying after hearing about the decision thought a text message. She said she has a medical condition that puts her at higher risk if she becomes pregnant, and she fears the Legislature will enact even more stringent laws taking away the last few exceptions to the current abortion ban. This is comparable to the June 2020 protests... Thousands of people shutting down lakebound side of Poydras in CBD. Lots of chants of "abortion is health care." pic.twitter.com/YEdOCW5oaO Matt Sledge (@mgsledge) June 25, 2022 She wasn't sure if the protest would change anything but felt she had to come out. "You cannot run over people like this and expect them to lie down and take it," she said. Second protest in nine weeks It was the second time in nine weeks that abortion rights activists had assembled outside the 5th Circuit Courthouse, after many protested there when a draft of the Supreme Court's abortion opinion on was leaked May 2. Outraged? Scared? Us too, but we will NEVER stop fighting, the group Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom said in a tweet promoting Friday night's rally. Similar protests sprouted quickly across the country, but with abortion now up to the states, abortion rights proponents face an uphill battle in Louisiana. The state is one of the most steadfastly opposed to abortion access, according to opinion polls. Earlier in the day, members of the anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life held a news conference celebrating the decision. Marching in New Orleans on Friday night, however, one abortion rights advocate had painted "not property" on her torso. As the crowd moved up Poydras and past its office towers, young protesters shared video of themselves on social media. Some people waved abortion rights pamphlets or signs in a desperate attempt to ward off the heat, while others distributed bottles of water from coolers. At City Hall, speakers said they saw the need for a larger struggle, in defense of women's and LGBTQ rights, the working class and people of color. Several said they feared abortion was only the first right to go. "This was a constitutional right less than 24 hours ago," said Raven, a 35-year-old New Orleans native who would not give her last name. "That is what is so scary about this." According to reports, Samsung plans to continue with the Bespoke Edition programme for the Galaxy Z Flip4 series. Allegedly, Samsung will also offer several colour combinations, plus four standard colours. 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , Arc , ARM , Audio , Benchmark , Biotech , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , DIY , E-Mobility , Education , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Ice Lake , Intel , Intel Evo , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Leaks / Rumors , Linux / Unix , List , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Raptor Lake , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Wi-Fi 7 , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) , Zen 4 Ticker Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) claims to have obtained information about the various colours in which Samsung plans to offer the Galaxy Z Flip4. For reference, Young tweeted last month about Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4 colours. As we discussed at the time, Young claimed that the Galaxy Z Flip4 would be available in Gold, Grey, Light Blue and Light Violet colour options. However, Samsung will continue to sell Bespoke Editions of the Galaxy Z Flip, which it started with last year's Galaxy Z Flip3. Presumably, Samsung will expand its Bespoke Studio platform to the Galaxy Z Flip4, which allows people to choose from various back, frame and front colourways. Samsung only offers this service directly though, not through third-party retailers. Supposedly, Samsung will sell the following colour combinations too, potentially as well as the Bespoke Edition series: Black/Green/Green Gold/Yellow/White Gold/Yellow/Yellow Silver/Navy/Navy Silver/White/White We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. VALPARAISO Hours after Roe v. Wade was overturned in a landmark Supreme Court decision, Region organizers pulled together a demonstration in downtown Valparaiso with hundreds in attendance. The Friday evening gathering in front of the Porter County Courthouse elicited honks, cheers and jeers from passersby. Julie Storbeck, president of Northwest Indiana NOW, estimated 200 people attended the rally that was organized in just four hours. Northwest Indiana NOW and Antisexist Action organized the demonstration, which is among many across the nation. She said the turn out shows how many Americans are in favor of abortion rights. There are more of us than there are of them, Storbeck said. Katie Georgia, of Valparaiso, said she was appalled at the decision by the Surpreme Court, stating that women of lower socioeconomic status will suffer the most as a consequence. Actually seeing younger people out here has been heartening, Georgia said. This is their future. We are doing this for our daughters, our nieces, our granddaughters. Its empowering, and its touching to see. Noel Evans, member of Nasty Women of Porter County, spoke at the event and brought her black Lab, Poppy, to the rally. She said reading the news Friday was surreal and maddening, and that protests like this are just the beginning. Its horrible, Evans said. Its the first time a major civil right has been retracted. We didnt think this would happen. Women, men and children of all ages marched around the courthouse, chanting My body, my choice and They say no choice, we say pro-choice. Sue Kukurugya, of Valparaiso, protested alongside her daughter. She believes this ruling could be a slippery slope to women losing more rights down the road, such as access to contraceptives. Im incredibly angry, Kukurugya said. We know it was coming, but still I feel sadness and anger at the same time. Now we are just waiting for Indiana to follow suit with the special session coming up. Looking at the generations that came before and the future generations, she said it feels like a huge back slide. Its disheartening, Kukurugya said. We are going backwards again. My mother grew up in a time when she wasnt able to get her own bank account or a car loan without her husband. Women only got to vote in Indiana in the 1920s. From my mom to me, we got a little bit of rights, but now to my daughters generation, we are going backwards. Taylor Pentecost, of Valparaiso, and her friends were spending time downtown when they saw the protest and jumped in. We were already frustrated with this, Pentecost said. And then we saw this happening. Its a feeling of weird sadness. We knew it was coming, but now its real. Erin Arzich, of Valparaiso said its important other young people such as them join the fray in advocating for womens rights. I think its important because we are the future, Arzich said. We are also responsible for looking out for the younger generations, and getting them more into politics and policy. Storbeck and other organizers said there is still much to be done, with a long road ahead. Northwest Indiana NOW is currently working with the Hoosier Abortion Fund, which pays for anyone in need of abortion services. With Indiana Gov. Eric Holcombs special session upcoming on July 6, Storbeck expects the state will outlaw abortions in Indiana. I dont know how we are going to get people to the statehouse but if anyone wants to go, we will work in coalition with other groups to get people down to the statehouse for the July 6 special session, Storbeck said. Love 8 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT A man was sentenced Friday to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing a man while he accompanied a girlfriend to pick up her grandchild in 2021 in Hobart. Mark A. Jaramillo, 47, of Crown Point, was on parole when he knowingly killed Rafeal J. Marcano, 27, in the presence of a child, Senior Judge Kathleen Lang said. The 6-year-old boy was the son of Jaramillo's girlfriend's daughter, who was dating Marcano, according to Lake Criminal Court records. Jaramillo's girlfriend, Koreena M. Henry, 46, of Gary, pleaded guilty in June 2021 to assisting a criminal, a level 5 felony. She could face a sentence of one to six years at a sentencing hearing set for July 8. A jjury convicted Jaramillo in November of voluntary manslaughter, a level 2 felony, but found him not guilty of murder. During his trial, Jaramillo testified on his own behalf, claiming he acted in self-defense. Defense attorney Herbert Shaps, who entered the case after Jaramillo's conviction, said Jaramillo deserved some leniency because the crime stemmed from circumstances unlikely to reoccur. "The intent was to get the child ... and go to school," Shaps said. "He didn't bring a gun. He had a knife, which he often carried for work." Shaps said it was unfair to count Jaramillo's prior convictions against him on the voluntary manslaughter sentence, because prosecutors used several of them as the basis for a habitual offender enhancement. Shaps recommended a sentence of 27 1/2 years, including 17 1/2 years for voluntary manslaughter and 10 years for the habitual offender enhancement. Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Dafoe recommended a 50-year sentence. Jaramillo's criminal history began when he was 16 years old and included two juvenile cases, five felony convictions and 10 misdemeanor convictions, she said. "The defendant has lived a full life of crime," Dafoe said. Evidence at trial showed Jaramillo went back to retrieve the knife used to kill Marcano before going to his girlfriend's daughter's home, she said. Henry's grandson was 6 years old when he was present for the fight and stabbing, which began inside his home and traveled outside, Dafoe said. After the stabbing, Jaramillo and Henry placed the boy in Henry's car with the bloody knife and dropped him off at school. Lang granted Jaramillo's request to appoint a public defender to represent him on appeal. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT A Whiting man was sentenced Friday to 180 years in prison for bludgeoning three people to death 24 years ago inside a Hammond crack house. James H. Higgason III, 52, gave a rambling statement in which he maintained his innocence while also accusing police and prosecutors of alleged misconduct and telling a judge: "You are being investigated." A Lake Criminal Court jury convicted Higgason in May of murdering Jerod "Buddy" Hodge, 18, of Chicago; Timothy W. "Midnight" Ross, 16, of Calumet City; and Elva Tamez, 36, on Jan. 18, 1998, inside Tamez's home in the 4600 block of Torrence Avenue in Hammond. Higgason's co-defendant, David L. Copley Jr., 47, of Franklin, Indiana, pleaded guilty last year to one count of murder linked to Hodge's death. In exchange for Copley's testimony against Higgason, the state agreed to a 45-year sentence for Copley. Judge Salvador Vasquez said he found no reason to give Higgason a more lenient sentence. "I find nothing in mitigation," the judge said. "Nothing in your character or what you said in the last half hour." Higgason had eight felony convictions and nine misdemeanor convictions from 1998 until his arrest on the murder charges, the judge said. Vasquez said he and other judges previously gave Higgason the benefit of leniency, but Higgason failed to live a law-abiding life. Higgason's attorneys Matthew Fech and Mark Gruenhagen asked Vasquez to delay their client's sentencing until he ruled on Higgason's motion to set aside the jury's verdict because of alleged errors during the trial. Vasquez refused, saying Higgason's rights would not be violated by moving forward with sentencing. The judge said he would issue a ruling later on Higgason's motion to correct error. "We honor jury verdicts," Vasquez said. "As I sit here today, you got a fair trial and you got a proper trial." Yolanda Tamez said her sister Elva Tamez had a kind heart and likely would have changed her lifestyle, because she had been planning to move out of Hammond later that year. "Drugs are the devil in disguise and prey on the weak," she said. Yolanda Tamez read a letter from another family member, who wrote she thanked God for giving Copley a conscience. Imelda O'Neill said she had given up on finding justice for her sister before charges were filed in January 2021, because the case went cold for so long. Elva Tamez had many gifts and talents, and they shared a closeness only sisters would know, she said. "In so many ways, she's ever in my thoughts and will be until my dying day," O'Neill said. Knowing Elva died a violent death brought O'Neill great despair, she said. She wondered if her sister cried out in pain, called out for their mother or prayed for mercy in her dying moments. Linda Hodge, the mother of Jerod Hodge, said the day she learned her son was killed was the worst day of her life. "My world felt apart," she said. "Standing out in the cold in January trying to see my child." Authorities didn't allow her to see Jerod until his body was released to a funeral home, but she caught a glimpse of a crime scene photo police left on a desk, she said. Her son's brains were beaten out, and he died with his eyes wide open, she said. "Now that I know it was you, I want you to feel the pain he felt," Hodge told Higgason. "You took my world away from me." Hodge said she enjoyed her job driving a city bus, but she had to quit after her son was killed because every young man who climbed aboard looked like her child. "I want everyone to know my child did exist," she said. "And I carry my angel with me." Gruenhagen said he and Fech advised Higgason not to speak at sentencing, because Higgason plans to appeal his conviction and sentence. Higgason spoke to the judge anyway, questioning why blood at the scene was not submitted for DNA testing. He admitted he was at Tamez's house, but insisted he left before she, Hodge and Ross were killed. He questioned why Copley wasn't arrested 24 years ago, when he first told police he and Higgason killed the three, and he accused officers of "fabricating evidence." Higgason also denied it was his voice on two recorded phone calls played for the jury. In the calls, Copley asked a woman to wake "Jim" so they could talk, and she obliged. "Jim" also referred to his "two beautiful children." Higgason had two children at the time, but the man Higgason now claims was the person speaking in the calls had four kids, evidence showed. Gruenhagen said Higgason always had shown remorse that someone killed Tamez, Hodge and Ross. He asked for a 45-year sentence on each murder count, to be served concurrently. Vasquez said concurrent sentences were inappropriate. Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Jovanni Miramontes said the evidence showed Higgason valued the lives of Tamez, Hodge and Ross so little, he beat them to death because he was angry he didn't get what he wanted in exchange for a shotgun police recovered from inside Tamez's home. Higgason "gets what he wants, and what he wanted that night was drugs," Miramontes said. Higgason had an extensive criminal history and became a member of the Saxon Knights white supremacist prison gang while serving a previous sentence, he said. The deputy prosecutor asked for a sentence of 60 years on each murder count, for a total of 180 years. "One-hundred eighty years is not what Mr. Higgason would want, but we believe it's what he deserves," Miramontes said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GARY Gary police have released a photo in hopes the public can help locate a 33-year-old local man missing since Wednesday and in need of medical attention. The missing man was identified as Adam Hale Jr., who is approximately 5 feet 3 inches in height and weighing 115 pounds, police said. "Adam was last seen on June 22, 2022 and suffers from medical conditions that require medication," according to police. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Gary Police Detective Sgt. Mark Salazar at 219-881-1209 or call 911. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. VALPARAISO A 20-year-old Chesterton-area man pleaded guilty Friday to knowingly having sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl and illegally possessing the drug Ketamine. Elijah Fleming struck the proposed deal with prosecutors, who agreed to drop several other charges stemming from the two cases and capping his potential term behind bars at two years. Fleming will be required to register as a sex offender if the deal is finalized and must undergo a sex-offender evaluation and any recommended treatment. Porter Superior Judge Jeffrey Clymer took the proposed plea agreement under consideration until July 22, suggesting that prosecutors make sure to bring the deal to the attention of the alleged victim. The judge also clarified that the proposal does not limit the length of probation. Fleming, who has 116 days of jail credit as of Friday toward any future sentence, pleaded guilty to felony sexual battery and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. The Porter County sex case stems from October 2020 when a 14-year-old girl told police she met Fleming a month earlier on Snapchat and told him her age, police said. Fleming then reached out to her the following month, picked her up, gave her marijuana and had sex with her, police said. Porter County police took Fleming into custody in May 2021 at a Portage mobile home, where they said they also found drugs and paraphernalia, resulting in further charges. Clymer had revoked Fleming's bond in March after learning he was charged with two new felony counts in neighboring Lake County of sexual misconduct with a minor. He is accused of repeatedly having sex in October with a girl in Cedar Lake he knew to be 14, according to a court document. The case parallels the allegations in Porter County in that Fleming is accused of meeting a 14-year-old girl on the instant messaging app Snapchat and smoking marijuana with her before sex, records show. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. VALPARAISO A 41-year-old Valparaiso-area man was found guilty this week on a felony count of molesting an 8-year-old girl, according to the court of Porter Superior Judge Mike Fish. The case stems back to October 2017 when Porter County police were made aware of the allegations that Matthew Todosijevic had touched and had sexual intercourse with the child after a day of drinking, court records show. The girl said she woke up to the abuse and said Todosijevic pretended to be asleep during the event, according to police She reportedly told police that when Todosijevic woke up the next morning, he was "hitting walls and stuff." Todosijevic was found guilty Thursday and was taken into custody at the Porter County Jail, records show. Todosijevic has a rape case still pending in Porter County, records show. A woman claims she was drinking alcohol during a date with the accused during July 2017 when they went back to his apartment and while agreeing ahead of time not to have sex, she later awoke to being raped by him, a court document says. Todosijevic denied the allegations, police said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CROWN POINT A Chicago woman was sentenced Friday to 70 years in prison for fatally shooting her ex-girlfriend more than two years ago after learning the woman had started dating a man. Lydia T. Conley, 39, was convicted earlier this month of murder in the Oct. 27, 2019, homicide of 40-year-old Delilah Martinez in the 1100 block of 115th Street in Hammond's Robertsdale neighborhood. Martinez was shot in the back of her head and right side of her back. She was pronounced dead at a hospital. Conley maintained her innocence, defense attorney John Cantrell said. "I am still trying to figure out why the jury convicted Lydia," he said. "Sometimes people are judged by their appearance, and that's not OK. I won't stop trying to figure out who actually committed this crime." During her closing statements at trial, Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Jessica Arnold said evidence showed Conley was begging Martinez to take her back and repeatedly asked if Martinez was seeing someone else. In the days leading up to the homicide, Conley's conciliatory tone changed, and she began sending Martinez angry text messages, Arnold said. The day of the murder, Conley moved her teenage daughter out of Martinez's house and got into a road rage incident with Martinez. During that incident, Conley saw Martinez's new boyfriend in Martinez's white Chevrolet and threatened to kill Martinez and the boyfriend, Arnold said. Afterward, Martinez canceled plans to go out for drinks with a friend because "she was scared for her life," Arnold said. Meanwhile, Conley borrowed a car from her sister-in-law, even though it was in need of repair, and turned off Google tracking data on her cellphone, the deputy prosecutor said. Hammond police Detective Sgt. Brian Webber testified during trial he was able to obtain Conley's location data from T-Mobile and Facebook, and it showed she was in the area of Martinez's home at the time of the homicide. Investigators also found surveillance video of Conley's sister-in-law's car traveling through an alley near Martinez's house, he said. Judge Pro Tempore Jamise Perkins sentenced Conley to 60 years in prison for murder and 10 years for a firearm enhancement. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Staff Photographer John began his career as a photojournalist at The Times in 1985. He was a late bloomer at the age of 29 and sometimes has to laugh because many of his colleagues were not even born when he started working at the paper. Oral arguments at the Indiana Court of Appeals in a separation of powers dispute between the Lake County Council and the Lake County Board of Commissioners were called off Friday after the commissioners lead attorney was diagnosed with COVID-19. Attorney Joseph Chapelle said in a court filing his COVID-19 infection was confirmed Tuesday and hes been quarantining to minimize the potential spread of the virus to others. But hes also been unable to continue preparing to argue the case due to symptoms of the virus. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Cale Bradford agreed to call off oral arguments Friday because of Chapelles COVID-19 infection. Bradford said oral arguments will be rescheduled if necessary. In a subsequent filing, Chapelle urged the three-judge appellate panel to hear oral arguments, and not just rely on the attorneys written arguments, given the importance of the case to Lake County, and potentially other counties throughout the state. At issue is whether the budget-writing county council should oversee both the appropriation and spending of county funds, or whether purchasing authority should remain with the three-member board of commissioners that serves as county executive. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A few companies accompanied those policy changes with statements. Roger Lynch, the head of Conde Nast, called the decision a crushing blow to reproductive rights. Lyft said the ruling will hurt millions of women. BuzzFeeds chief executive, Jonah Peretti, called it regressive and horrific. Some business leaders spoke out too, with Bill Gates, the co-founder and former head of Microsoft, calling the ruling an unjust and unacceptable setback, and Sheryl Sandberg, the departing chief operating officer of Meta, writing that it threatens to undo the progress women have made in the workplace. But many companies that have spoken out on social issues like racism did not respond to requests for comment or declined to comment after the Supreme Courts decision, including Target, Walmart, Coca-Cola, Delta and Wendys. Hobby Lobby, which in 2014 brought a successful suit to the Supreme Court challenging whether employer-provided health care had to include contraception, declined to comment on the Dobbs decision. In recent years there has been a growing expectation that companies weigh in on political and social issues. The share of online American adults who believe that companies have a responsibility to participate in debates about current issues has risen in the past year, according to the consumer research company Forrester. The expectation is even more pronounced among younger social media users, according to research from Sprout Social. When George Floyd was killed by the police in 2020, public companies and their foundations committed over $49 billion to fighting racial inequality. Last year, after Georgias Republican-led legislature restricted voter access, some chief executives, including from Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines, criticized the law, and 72 Black business leaders published a letter urging corporate leaders to publicly oppose any discriminatory legislation. With abortion, public opinion is a little different: Forrester found that fewer respondents believed companies should take a stance on abortion. Polls have consistently found that a majority of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, but a recent survey by Pew Research Center found that people have wide-ranging views about morality on the issue. Companies fear the backlash that could come from taking a stance on the issue. Meta told its workers on Friday not to openly discuss the Supreme Courts ruling eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion on wide-reaching communication channels inside the company, people with knowledge of the situation said. Managers at Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, cited a company policy that put strong guardrails around social, political and sensitive conversations in the workplace, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. They said managers had pointed employees to a May 12 company memo, which was issued after a draft opinion on potentially overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked from the Supreme Court. In the May 12 memo, which was obtained by The New York Times, Meta said that discussing abortion openly at work has a heightened risk of creating a hostile work environment, so it had taken the position that we would not allow open discussion. Nearby, sitting in a tree above the crowd, Kate Coiro, 23, held a sign that read, You cant be pro-gun and pro-life, in reference to a Supreme Court decision on Thursday that struck down a New York gun control law. This was the first time I personally felt attacked by a government decision, said Ms. Coiro, of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I want people to know that no one likes abortion, including people who get it. Its no ones plan A. But if youre not in a place to raise a child you shouldnt have to. By the evening, the crowds in the park had begun to disperse, and a few hundred made their way south toward Lower Manhattan, stopping traffic and eliciting cheers from outdoor diners who snapped photos. As the march wound down in Foley Square, Maya Vargas worried about her family in Florida, which had passed a law banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy that is set to take place on July 1. I worried a lot for my family because they live in the South, said Ms. Vargas, 21, of Astoria, Queens. Were relatively privileged here in New York, we dont have to really worry about that at the moment. My younger cousins are scared, she added. Back at the corner of West Fourth Street and LaGuardia Place, Sophie Apple, 26, of Harlem, wondered what she could to do help those in other states. In some way my goal is to help supply donations where I can, volunteer where I can, help women travel to New York or other states, she said, because that appears to be the way forward. Hurubie Meko and Julianne McShane contributed reporting. This is essentially an open seat, so I can understand the logic for why she wants to raise as much as she does to ward off significant competition, said Blair Horner, the executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group, a government watchdog. On the other hand, where does the money come from? Ms. Hochul became the states first female governor last August after Andrew M. Cuomo resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment that the states attorney general deemed credible. Many of her donations have come from the gambling industry, which is eagerly awaiting the issuance of up to three new licenses for casinos in and around New York City. In recent months. Ms. Hochul has raised more than $200,000 from donors with direct interests in gambling. More than $100,000 of that sum came from contributors associated with Hard Rock, a company that wants to open a casino in New York City, records show. Donors tied to Hard Rock gave Ms. Hochul $80,000 from June 18 to June 23, building on the nearly $40,000 they have given her since she became governor. Jim Allen, Hard Rock Internationals chairman, was the largest single donor associated with the company. He gave Ms. Hochul $25,000 on June 20 after contributing almost $13,000 to her campaign in January, the reports show. In addition, Edward Tracy, the chief executive of Hard Rock Japan LLC and a former chief executive at the Trump Organization, gave Ms. Hochul $25,000 on Thursday. For the court to take on Roe v. Wade, in other words, was the opposite of judicial activism. Fridays ruling, meanwhile, was judicial activisms epitome: A federal appeals court had blocked a Mississippi law on the ground that the laws ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy was obviously inconsistent with Roe and Casey. (Those decisions protected the right to abortion up until fetal viability, or about 24 weeks.) The state originally asked the justices to decide whether a ban on abortion before viability was always unconstitutional. Over Chief Justice Robertss objection, the majority opinion went further, eliminating the right to abortion in its entirety. In a concurrence, the chief justice underscored just how aggressive the majority opinion was, writing: Surely we should adhere closely to principles of judicial restraint here, where the broader path the court chooses entails repudiating a constitutional right we have not only previously recognized, but also expressly reaffirmed applying the doctrine of stare decisis. He added that its dramatic and consequential ruling is unnecessary to decide the case before us. But Justice Alito declined that call for restraint. The chief justices quest for a middle way would only put off the day when we would be forced to confront the question we now decide, Justice Alito wrote. The turmoil wrought by Roe and Casey would be prolonged. It is far better for this court and the country to face up to the real issue without further delay. There will be turmoil now, for sure, as the countrys highways fill with women desperate to regain control over their lives and running out of time, perhaps followed by vigilantes across state lines. But the only turmoil that was caused by Roe and Casey was due to the refusal of activists, politicians and Republican-appointed judges to accept the validity of the precedents. Justice Alitos reference to turmoil reminded me of nothing so much as Donald Trumps invocation of carnage in his inaugural address. There was no carnage then, but there was carnage to come. Forty-nine years is a long time, but professional lives, including mine, are long as well. I was a freshly minted journalist at The Times in 1969 when I received an assignment to write about the growing controversy over abortion. I immersed myself in the issue, interviewing and learning from lawyers on both sides of the debate. On Jan. 25, 1970, The New York Times Magazine published my article under the headline Constitutional Question: Is There a Right to Abortion? It was, I believe, the first article in a general-interest publication to survey the nascent constitutional arguments, and it has been quite widely reprinted. When I finished reading Fridays decision in preparation for writing this essay, I realized that I will have chronicled this profound issue across its entire arc, a perspective I never could have anticipated. Except, of course, that the story isnt over. Although Justice Brett Kavanaugh proclaimed with evident relief in his concurring opinion that the court was now bowing out of the picture and will no longer decide how to evaluate the interests of the pregnant woman and the interests in protecting fetal life throughout pregnancy, that is not likely to be the case. Those pesky women will keep coming up with problems: What about pregnancy-related medical issues short of imminent death? Rape? Incest? Fetuses doomed to die in the womb or shortly after birth? Will young teens be forced to bear children? Will women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of a serious fetal anomaly be forced to bring a child into the world whom they cant care for adequately and in whom the state has little postnatal interest? What happens when states start prosecuting not only doctors but women? Like other converts, Mr. Marchman says he has no plans to go back to tobacco, if it turns out that he can no longer get his favored brand of e-cigarette. Still, he wonders how the F.D.A. order could affect his habit. If I go out of the country, do I have to bring my vape juice with me? said Mr. Marchman, who is 43 and lives in Philadelphia. Where do I get it? I barely know where to get it in Philly. The F.D.A. order followed years of criticism about possible adverse health affects of Juul products and how it appealed to teenagers with a range of sweet flavors, including mango, creme brulee and mint, and with youth-oriented marketing campaigns. The precursor company to Juul Labs was started in 2007 by James Monsees and Adam Bowen, a pair of entrepreneurs who came up with the idea for a tobacco alternative while on a smoke break during their time as graduate students at Stanford University. When Juuls were first sold in 2015, the brand surged in popularity, partly on the strength of a vibrant ad campaign that showed young people smiling, laughing and striking poses beneath the word Vaporized. Still, many supporters of L.G.B.T.Q. rights saw Justice Thomass words as a call to jettison modern constitutional jurisprudence. The court has moved a lot of times in recent history to extend rights to people not to take them away and so this is a startling and shocking and dangerous ruling today, said Gary Buseck, a senior adviser with the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders organization. In his opinion, Justice Thomas agreed with the majoritys ruling that the right to abortion was not a form of liberty protected by the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. He then argued that the court should revisit three landmark cases that have also relied on such legal reasoning: Griswold v. Connecticut, a 1965 decision declaring that married couples had a right to contraception; Lawrence v. Texas, a 2003 case overturning sodomy laws and legalizing same-sex sexual activity nationwide; and Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case establishing the right of gay couples to marry. For any of those cases to be overturned, litigation would have to work its way up to the Supreme Court, and four justices would have to sign on to a petition to hear the case. The rights established in those cases could still be affirmed on similar or other legal grounds. Mr. Obergefell said the Thomas concurrence distressed him. Justice Thomas makes it clear, once again, that he does believe some of us are more equal than others that some of us dont deserve to commit to the person we love, he said. L.G.B.T.Q. advocates warned that Justice Thomas had issued broadsides against the 2015 same-sex marriage case before. He reached out to Republicans he thought might be amenable, including Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania the only two remaining Republicans who had supported a failed background checks bill in 2013 and Mr. Cornyn, a longtime friend with whom he had worked in 2018 to make modest improvements to the federal background checks system. Then Mr. Murphy texted Ms. Sinema after seeing her quoted saying she wanted to talk with Democrats and Republicans to see if there was anything Congress could do to protect frightened children nationwide. Are you serious? he typed out on his phone. Ms. Sinema responded that she was. Republicans, too, were realizing they needed to act. Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader, announced that he would dispatch Mr. Cornyn, a loyal ally, to monitor the talks, giving him both visibility into the negotiations and some degree of control over their direction. Republicans made sure the N.R.A. was involved, knowing that while the group was unlikely to back any compromise, its vocal opposition could quickly kill any hope of a deal. When Ms. Sinema, whose first job was at a domestic violence shelter, brought up the idea of tightening a federal ban against domestic abusers buying guns to include intimate partners as well as spouses, the N.R.A. pushed back, insisting that boyfriends could eventually regain their ability to purchase firearms. When Democrats agreed that the ban should disappear after five years for first-time offenders who committed misdemeanors but otherwise had clean records, the N.R.A. sought to extend that to other domestic abusers, a step that would have loosened current law. Democrats, who were being advised by Rob Wilcox, the federal legal director for Everytown, refused. An abortion decision long in the making Few can imagine it today, but on the eve of the Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973, more Republicans than Democrats supported decriminalizing abortion. That nugget comes from a fascinating work of historical, legal and political analysis published in The Yale Law Journal by Linda Greenhouse, a former Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times and frequent contributing Opinion writer who now teaches at Yale Law School. The paper, which Greenhouse wrote with Reva B. Siegel, a law professor and colleague in New Haven, drew upon and updated the second edition of their book on the same subject. But the senators sense of betrayal has only highlighted the Kabuki theater that surrounds the Supreme Court confirmation process on Capitol Hill, in which lawmakers pose questions they know prospective justices are unlikely to fully answer and nominees offer comforting code words without committing to any particular position. Senators pepper the nominee with questions about stare decisis the principle of standing by things that have been decided and commitment to precedent. Nominees tell the senators as little as possible but enough to get by, allowing the senators to cast their votes as they were predisposed to, depending on the nominating presidents party. It typically does not cause a huge backlash. But with the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization on Friday, which eviscerated a nearly 50-year-old precedent and had far-reaching consequences, those statements of fealty to precedent began to look less like traditional hearing rhetoric and more, in the words of Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, like rank deception. I have no respect left for some of the justices when you consider what they told us in their confirmation hearings, said Mr. Blumenthal, a former Supreme Court clerk. Their credibility is approaching zero with us, but also with the American people. Speaker Nancy Pelosi also angrily weighed in against the justices, accusing them of misleading the public as they sought their seats. How about those justices coming before the senators and saying they respected stare decisis, which is the precedents of the court, that they respected the right of privacy in the Constitution of the United States? she said. Did you hear that? Were they not telling the truth then? Ms. Collins won re-election in 2020 but has faced intense political backlash for her support of Justice Kavanaugh, and her critics say she allowed herself to be taken in by him because she was determined to vote for him. Those in the legal community also say that politicians and members of the judiciary do not see precedent in the same way, and that it is not immutable. That was a point Justice Kavanaugh himself seemed to be making in his concurrence in the Dobbs case on Friday. These days, Justice Alito wrote, women have political clout. In the last election in November 2020, women, who make up around 51.5 percent of the population of Mississippi, constituted 55.5 percent of the voters who cast ballots, he wrote. In his concurring opinion, Justice Kavanaugh wrote that states could not forbid their residents from traveling to other states to obtain abortions. That was scant comfort for women too poor to travel, the dissenters responded. They added that the majority had left open the possibility that Congress could enact a nationwide ban. Were that to happen, the challenge for a woman will be to finance a trip not to New York [or] California but to Toronto. When the court decided Roe in 1973, it established a framework to govern abortion regulation based on the trimesters of pregnancy. In the first trimester, it allowed almost no regulations. In the second, it allowed regulations to protect womens health. In the third, it allowed states to ban abortions so long as exceptions were made to protect the life and health of the mother. The court discarded the trimester framework in 1992 in the Casey decision but retained what it called Roes essential holding that women have a constitutional right to terminate their pregnancies until fetal viability. Two years ago, in June 2020, the Supreme Court struck down a restrictive Louisiana abortion law by a 5-to-4 margin, with Chief Justice Roberts providing the decisive vote. His concurring opinion, which expressed respect for precedent but proposed a relatively relaxed standard for evaluating restrictions, signaled an incremental approach to cutting back on abortion rights. But that was before Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died that September. Her replacement by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a conservative who has spoken out against abortion on demand, changed the dynamic at the court. Our reporters are speaking with women across the United States as they react to Fridays Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Here is a selection of what they have heard from women who oppose abortion. Finally we can save the babies Sherri Street, 67, who lives in Franklin, Tenn., a city south of Nashville, welcomed the decision, saying the issue of abortion had been on her mind for decades. A close family member had an abortion in 1972 as a teenager and later married the boyfriend who had also been the father. She said her relative had regretted the decision to have the abortion. Its something she gets tearful about, Ms. Street said. So, we really were hoping that this would be overturned. Britains prime minister, Boris Johnson, characterized the Supreme Court decision as a big step backward. Speaking at a news conference in Kigali, Rwanda, at a meeting of leaders of Commonwealth countries, Mr. Johnson acknowledged that the ruling was from another jurisdiction, but added that clearly it has massive impacts on peoples thinking around the world. Its a very important decision. Ive always believed in a womans right to choose, and I stick to that view, Mr. Johnson said, and thats why the U.K. has the laws that it does. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark wrote on Facebook that her heart cries for girls and women in the United States and called the decision a huge setback. We must never compromise on womens unrestricted right to decide over their own bodies and futures, she added. The prime minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, wrote on Twitter: We cannot take any rights for granted. Social achievements are always at risk of going backwards and their defense has to be our day to day. Women must be able to decide freely about their lives. Several countries have liberalized restrictive abortion laws in recent years, through either legislation, court rulings or administrative action, including Ireland in 2018, Northern Ireland in 2019, Argentina in 2020, Mexico last year and Colombia this year. Hours before the U.S. Supreme Court ruling was released on Friday, Germanys Parliament repealed a law that, while often ignored, had long prohibited doctors from advertising abortion services, effectively making it a crime to provide public information on the procedure and how to get one. OSLO, Norway Two people were killed and at least 19 injured early Saturday morning in downtown Oslo when a gunman opened fire outside two nightclubs and a diner, the police and Norways state broadcaster said. A male suspect was apprehended five minutes after the shooting was reported, the Oslo police said on Twitter. Tore Barstad, a police operations chief who spoke to reporters about the incident, did not identify the suspect or speculate about a motive. He said three of the wounded were seriously injured. Mr. Barstad said about 40 people had witnessed the shooting and that there appeared to have been only one gunman. He declined to say what type of weapon had been used. And he wrote voluminously. Many of his essays, as he put it in the introduction to American Homo: Community and Perversity, his 1998 book, explore the social significance of homosexual emancipation since the end of World War II and the political reaction that it has precipitated in American public life. That included excavating the pre-Stonewall history of gay life, along with economic and other aspects of it. It also included examining gay pornography, how it had changed over the decades and how it had both reflected and helped to shape gay identity. His most recent essay collection, published last year, was Sex, Society, and the Making of Pornography: The Pornographic Object of Knowledge. Jeffrey Escoffier embodied the radical queer public intellectual, Whitney Strub, an associate professor at Rutgers University-Newark whose books include Perversion for Profit: The Politics of Pornography and the Rise of the New Right (2010), said by email. In particular, in such essays as The Political Economy of the Closet, he showed how to think and write gay economic history, even when its archives had often been erased or destroyed. Later, his pioneering work on pornography called on scholars to move beyond textual analysis and think about labor, the work behind the bodies onscreen. Jeffrey Paul Escoffier was born on Oct. 9, 1942, in Baltimore and grew up in Manhattan and on Staten Island. His father, George, was an Army colonel, and his mother, Iris (Miller) Wendel, owned an antique shop. I had my first homosexual experience at 16 during the summer of 1959, Mr. Escoffier wrote in American Homo. After that, I thirsted for wild adventure. Growing up on Staten Island, realizing my queerness in its sleepy working-class communities, I viewed Greenwich Village as Shangri-La. Mr. Escoffier earned a bachelors degree at St. Johns College in Annapolis, Md., and a masters in international affairs at Columbia University. He moved to Philadelphia in 1970 and did doctoral work in economic history at the University of Pennsylvania. If President Trump wants to run, Mr. Zeldin said, he should run. On Tuesday, too, when asked during the candidates final debate hosted by Newsmax, the conservative cable network if he was politically closer to Mr. Trump or former Vice President Mike Pence, Mr. Zeldin demurred, saying he was his own man and drew a mixed reaction from a live audience in Rochester. Indeed, the challenge facing Mr. Zeldin, the putative front-runner endorsed by the state Republican Party, is one facing all four party candidates ahead of the primary on Tuesday: How to appeal to primary voters, hungry for red-meat issues like crime, immigration and social welfare, while not alienating more moderate swing voters who are dissatisfied with President Biden or Gov. Kathy Hochul, the incumbent Democrat favored to win her primary on Tuesday. Such a balancing act, political consultants from both parties say, is central to achieving one of the most daunting tasks in American politics: winning a statewide race in New York as a Republican. No Republican has done so since George E. Pataki won a third term as governor in 2002. And in the decades since, the task has become even more difficult as the states demographics have steadily drifted left while New York Republicans once known for centrists like former governor Nelson A. Rockefeller have banked hard to the right. Right now, you have a race to the absolute bottom, said Jefrey Pollock, the veteran pollster who is working with Ms. Hochul, referring to what he described as the Republicans pandering to right-wing voters. So what you get is Republican candidates who are going to be incredibly out of step with general election voters on things that are going to be in the news, like guns and abortion and Donald Trump. The warnings were clear even then. Senator Howard Metzenbaum, Democrat of Ohio, threatened to investigate Judge Thomass record on abortion, saying, I will not support yet another Reagan-Bush Supreme Court nominee who remains silent on a womans right to choose and then ascends to the court to weaken that right. Thomas was a far cry from the liberal lion and civil rights hero Marshall. He opposed affirmative action, even though it contributed to his rise, and he was championed by anti-abortion activists, who were confident that he would weaken a womans right to choose. H.W. and his father were New England Episcopalians with a proud history of supporting Planned Parenthood. Prescott Bush had been an early supporter in the 40s and once served as a treasurer of a fund-raising campaign. As a Texas congressman, H.W. was christened Rubbers by his colleagues because he was such a cheerleader for family planning in the United States and around the world. But when Bush joined Ronald Reagan on the ticket in 1980, he adopted Reagans more restrictive position. The right remained suspicious of Bush, though, and hoping to bring it around for his re-election, he appointed the ultraconservative Thomas. He also wanted to appeal to Black voters, still angry at the Willie Horton ugliness that had helped propel him to the White House. In order to fix the damage Republicans have done to our system in their efforts to control womens lives, we need broad democracy reform: changing the composition of the courts, reforming Senate rules like the filibuster, and even fixing the outdated Electoral College that allowed presidential candidates who lost the popular vote to take office and nominate five of the justices who agreed to end the right to an abortion. We cant undo in five months the damage it took Republicans five decades to accomplish, but we can immediately start repairing our democracy. The public is overwhelmingly on our side. A vast majority of Americans oppose the decision the Supreme Court just made. Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. And more Americans describe themselves as pro-choice today than at any other point in the last 25 years. Lets be clear: Roe may be gone, but the protections it once guaranteed are on the ballot. States like Kansas and Kentucky have initiatives to strip away state constitutional protections for abortion, while Michigan and Vermont are working toward statewide votes to create constitutional protections for reproductive freedom. But make no mistake, this radical decision affects all Americans, not just those in states where the right to a safe, legal abortion will soon fall. Now is the time to demand that every single candidate for every single office voice a firm position on reproductive rights. Ask every Senate candidate to commit to reforming the filibuster rules, so that the chamber can pass federal legislation protecting the right to reproductive freedom. If voters help us maintain our control of the House and expand our majority in the Senate by at least two votes this November, we can make Roe the law all across the country as soon as January. Simply put: We must restore our democracy so that a radical minority can no longer drown out the will of the people. This will be a long, hard fight, and the path to victory is not yet certain. But its a righteous fight that we must win no matter how long it takes. The two of us lived in an America without Roe, and we are not going back. Not now. Not ever. Bruce Buechner Mobile, Ala. To the Editor: As a former editor of Ms. magazine and a former reproductive rights organizer, I could point to the changes within my own lifetime as a result of feminism that younger women might have forgotten or not even know about: credit in our own name, recognition of marital rape as a crime, job listings that dont differentiate by gender, and so much more. At the same time, feminism has grown to include intersectionality and reproductive justice, both terms that acknowledge that the struggle to achieve gender equality must embrace racial, economic and other disparities. I have seen it all and I agree with Michelle Goldberg that the movement has always experienced cycles of matricide; what is liberating to one generation is often mortifying to the next. What we need to remember is that backlash is endemic to change and that self-searching is essential to movements. The alleged infighting among feminists is because we havent reached our goal. Women remain second-class citizens, and that makes us frustrated and angry. The point is, we have not stopped fighting. Ellen Sweet New York To the Editor: Forty years ago my mother advised me to join both the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters wherever I happened to move. I heeded her advice and joined many different branches of these then vibrant organizations committed to womens education, political campaigns and a host of other womens issues. The average age of members, however, was at least a generation older than I was at the time. Most young women were involved in P.T.A. groups or primarily concerned with the difficulties balancing career and child rearing. In fact, they had the relative leisure of involving themselves in those issues because the Colorado River was not close to drying up and mass shootings in schools were not the norm. My sense is that young women now are not only balancing work and child care but also most interested in non-gender issues like climate change and gun control. The Supreme Court does not exist above the constitutional system. It can shape the constitutional order, it can say what the Constitution means, but it cannot shield itself from the power of the other branches. The Supreme Court can be checked, and the Supreme Court can be balanced. It is tempting, in the immediate wake of the courts ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, to say that theres nothing to be done about the reactionary majority on the court. But thats just not true. The Constitution provides a number of paths by which Congress can restrain and discipline a rogue court. It can impeach and remove justices. It can increase or decrease the size of the court itself (at its inception, the Supreme Court had only six members). It can strip the court of its jurisdiction over certain issues or it can weaken its power of judicial review by requiring a supermajority of justices to sign off on any decision that overturns a law. Congress can also rebuke the court with legislation that simply cancels the decision in question. The Supreme Court this week embraced a vision of the Second Amendment that is profoundly at odds with precedent and the dangers that American communities face today, upending the longstanding practice of letting states decide for themselves how to regulate gun possession in public. This decision reveals the vast gulf between ideologues on the court and those Americans ordinary people and their representatives in Congress who want this country to be safer from guns. As the high court issued its 135-page ruling, the Senate, across the street, approved an 80-page bipartisan bill that tightens restrictions on who can possess and purchase a gun. The House of Representatives passed the bill on Friday, and President Biden signed it Saturday. This breakthrough came after decades of virtually no congressional action on gun safety and was fueled by public outrage over a series of mass shootings, including the recent massacres in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo. Gun enthusiasts and gun manufacturers have long sought a ruling like the one the court delivered on Thursday: Its decision in the case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, is an assertion that the Second Amendment trumps reasonable efforts to protect public safety. The United States as it exists today awash in insufficiently regulated, high-powered weapons and afflicted by staggeringly high rates of gun homicide and suicide is the society that their preferred policies have created. The best that gun control advocates can hope for after the Bruen ruling is what Congress passed: gradual legislative tinkering. The switch from her first label, which she introduced in 1996 and which led to her dressing Tracee Ellis Ross, Sarah Jessica Parker and Michelle Obama, hosting runway shows at New York Fashion Week and appearing at retailers in the United States and Japan didnt come without its readjustments. In the years leading up to spring 2018, when she released the last line from the original label, Ms. Reese noticed more and more how fast fashion was affecting the contemporary market the middle lane of retail that attracts consumers who follow fashion but consume within relatively affordable price points. Fast fashion, with its low cost appeal, captured the attention of the typical contemporary customer, who, among other reasons, recognize it as an opportunity to keep up with the latest trends and barely break the bank, despite its manufacturing and materials methods. Yet even with these changes in the industry and pressure from her two business partners to follow suit, Ms. Reese refused. We had a lot of retailers coming to us asking us to knock ourselves off at lower price points, Ms. Reese said. It kind of went against everything that I was learning to believe in and understand about the footprint of our industry. Even though her name was on the label, Ms. Reese owned just 30 percent of the shares, while her business partners owned 70, which was challenging at times because she didnt have final say in much, particularly the financial decisions. This, along with how fast fashion decimated the sector, contributed to her exploring the transition to a new opportunity. For L.G.B.T.Q. people in New York City, the last Friday in June is usually a joyful day. The streets come alive with the telltale signs of a celebratory weekend: music, dancing, kissing, the occasional trail of glitter confetti. But this year, on the cusp of the citys biggest Pride events, the atmosphere had a different charge. The news on Friday morning of the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade immediately shifted the tenor of the weekends events. In many circles, group chats that had days before been focused on party planning switched to coordinating protest plans. Further complicating peoples attitudes heading into the weekend are questions and concerns surrounding monkeypox, a virus that is disproportionately affecting gay men. On Thursday, New York City health officials expanded access to a monkeypox vaccine, offering it to men who have had multiple or anonymous male sexual partners in the last 14 days. As of Friday, 39 people in New York City had tested positive for orthopoxvirus, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which added that all 39 cases were believed to be monkeypox. After the Supreme Court handed control over abortion restrictions back to the states, at least nine states that are home to roughly 40 million people quickly put bans in place. Other abortion prohibitions that had been passed in anticipation of a post-Roe legal landscape were working their way through the courts. In Idaho, North Dakota and Texas, officials said they would wait the 30 days stipulated in their laws for their so-called trigger laws to take effect, banning abortion. In Ohio, a law outlawing abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy took effect after a federal judge lifted an injunction that had blocked the law for the past three years. Gov. Mike DeWine reiterated his opposition to abortion on Friday, saying he believed that the life of a human being is at stake and we have an obligation to protect that innocent life. Planned Parenthood Association of Utah and the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah filed a lawsuit in state court on Saturday seeking to block the states ban on abortion, which went into effect on Friday. The lawsuit argues that the ban violates several protections in the states constitution, including the right to determine family composition. Planned Parenthood in the state said that it had to stop performing abortions immediately after the ban went into effect and that it would have to cancel 55 abortion appointments scheduled for next week unless temporary relief was granted. In many states, residents were left to grapple with a confusing array of pronouncements as local and state officials clashed over the legalities of abortion restrictions and how they would be enforced. In Tennessee, Herbert Slatery, the attorney general, filed an emergency motion on Friday asking a court to lift an injunction and allow a ban on abortions after six weeks to be made law. For nearly 50 years, conservative Christians marched, strategized and prayed. And then, on an ordinary Friday morning in June, the day they had dreamed of finally came. Ending the constitutional right to abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade took a decades-long campaign, the culmination of potlucks in church gymnasiums and prayers in the Oval Office. It was the moment they long imagined, an outcome many refused to believe was impossible, the sign of a new America. For many conservative believers and anti-abortion groups grounded in Catholic or evangelical principles, the Supreme Courts decision was not just a political victory but a spiritual one. The cell, which was modeled after a structure used in Afghanistan, is part of a broader set of operational and intelligence coordination cells run by the Pentagons European Command to speed allied assistance to Ukrainian troops. At Ramstein Air Base in Germany, for example, a U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard team called Grey Wolf provides support, including on tactics and techniques, to the Ukrainian air force, a military spokesman said. The commandos are not on the front lines with Ukrainian troops and instead advise from headquarters in other parts of the country or remotely by encrypted communications, according to American and other Western officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters. But the signs of their stealthy logistics, training and intelligence support are tangible on the battlefield. Several lower-level Ukrainian commanders recently expressed appreciation to the United States for intelligence gleaned from satellite imagery, which they can call up on tablet computers provided by the allies. The tablets run a battlefield mapping app that the Ukrainians use to target and attack Russian troops. On a street in Bakhmut, a town in the hotly contested Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, a group of Ukrainian special operations forces had American flag patches on their gear and were equipped with new portable surface-to-air missiles as well as Belgian and American assault rifles. What is an untold story is the international partnership with the special operations forces of a multitude of different countries, Lt. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, the commander of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, told senators in April in describing the planning cell. They have absolutely banded together in a much outsized impact to support Ukraines military and special forces. Representative Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat on the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, said in an interview that the relationships Ukrainian commandos developed with American and other counterparts over the past several years had proved invaluable in the fight against Russia. Years later, when those documents were disclosed during his Supreme Court confirmation, he assured senators that while that statement reflected his views in 1985, he would approach abortion cases with an open mind as a justice, with due respect for precedent and with no ideological agenda. When someone becomes a judge, he said, you really have to put aside the things that you did as a lawyer at prior points in your legal career and think about legal issues the way a judge thinks about legal issues. Before Justice Alito joined the Supreme Court, he served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. As an appellate judge, he lacked the power to overrule Roe. But he sometimes seemed to look for ways to whittle away at it in cases touching on abortion, dovetailing with his formative advice during the Reagan administration. The most notable was Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the case in which the Supreme Court reaffirmed the central holding of Roe but permitted states to impose more restrictions in the first trimester. It involved a challenge to a Pennsylvania law imposing requirements before an abortion, including a waiting period, parental consent for minors and notifying a womans husband. Before it reached the high court, the case came before a Third Circuit panel that included Judge Alito. The other two judges on the panel voted to uphold most of the law, but they struck down the provision mandating spousal notification. Judge Alito wrote separately to dissent from that part, saying it should stand, too. That requirement, he argued, did not impose an undue burden on abortion access, so it was enough that Pennsylvania has a legitimate interest in furthering the husbands interest in the fate of the fetus. Nor, he wrote, should judges second-guess the state legislatures decisions on the adequacy of several exceptions it included for certain cases. Two years ago, Matthew Markman, a software salesman in California, and his wife, who was 20 weeks pregnant, learned that their son had a rare heart defect. If his wife carried the fetus to term, he would be unlikely to survive after birth, their doctor told them. The news was crushing for Mr. Markman and his wife; they had been trying to have a baby for over a year and had used in vitro fertilization multiple times. After three rounds of implantation, one embryo stuck, but resulted in a miscarriage. This pregnancy had been their fifth embryo. They had even settled on a name, Elijah, because my grandfathers name starts with an E and he had recently passed, said Mr. Markman, 37, who considers himself in favor of abortion rights. When the couple made the difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy, Mr. Markman felt that because his wife was the one carrying the fetus and who had to go through the procedure, he had to be the stronger one in that moment of despair. They cremated the remains and spread the ashes on Muir Beach in Northern California. I personally had to take leave from work for a couple of months because it was emotionally a very difficult period, he said. It took me a while to realize that it was OK that the experience was hard on me as well. Life After Abortion Another recurring theme in the responses from men who wrote to The Times was the belief that they would not be where they are today without abortion. There is a vast body of peer-reviewed research that connects abortion access to a womans emotional, physical and financial outcomes, including the landmark Turnaway study, which followed women who had been denied abortions for five years and found that they were more likely to be living in poverty or be unemployed than women who were able to get abortions. But experts noted that only a few researchers have explored the long-term consequences of an abortion on a mans life trajectory. One study, published in 2019 in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that men whose partners had abortions while they were in college were more likely to graduate and earn higher incomes than men whose partners did not. Nam Phan, a 30-year-old engineer in Massachusetts and a father of two, said the abortion his wife got when they were dating as teenagers helped them to eventually become better parents. At the time, they were not financially equipped, nor did they feel mature enough to look after a baby. I dont think either of us could even manage taking care of ourselves at that point, he said. Their first child, who is now 5, was also an unplanned pregnancy, but they felt far more prepared for parenthood when they found out about him; they had graduated from college, settled into their jobs, gotten married and were about to buy a home. It isnt lost on us that having a kid back then would have really changed our lives significantly, he said. When Kevin Barhydt was 19, the woman he was seeing became pregnant. Immediately, he was overcome with panic and enormous fear. There wasnt a gee, lets do a pros-and-cons list moment, said Mr. Barhydt, now a 60-year-old analyst and an author in New York. By that point, he had already had a rough run at life. He had been abused, he had dropped out of high school and he was struggling with alcohol addiction. They were not in a place to look after a newborn, and he did not even have money to pay for the abortion, he said. Mr. Barhydts second experience with abortion took place about a year or so later with another woman, when he was still grappling with his addiction. He described that time in his life as terrible. The idea of having a child then just seemed insane, he said. Both abortions, Mr. Barhydt said, nudged him toward a trajectory of healing. He went to college and found a stable job. He got married and had two sons, and he has now been sober for over three decades. Those memories, though, are still painful. Do I pray for forgiveness? Yes, I do, Mr. Barhydt said. Do I wish there had been a way to have kept my children? Yes. Do I regret my decision at the time? Not at all. When Lenny Lasater moved to Georgia in her early 20s, it didnt take long to find her family. She quickly met the Bickersons, a group of queer women scattered across the South who met through mutual friends and banded together. Each Bickerson had given herself a name that started with the letter B Ms. Lasater eventually became known as Big Star, because she was active in the local theater scene and played in a band. Over the last 35 years, the Bickersons have become a family with its own set of rituals and traditions fishing trips; holiday parties at a farm in North Carolina; an offshoot affectionately known as Butch Club, during which some of the Bickersons could sit around a firepit, sipping Crown Royal and pinky-swearing each other to secrecy. We didnt have to censor, Ms. Lasater, now 65, said. We were real, we were honest, and we could expect to be met with compassion and understanding. This was especially true of the host nation, Rwanda, where rights groups say journalists and government critics have faced imprisonment, disappearances or mysterious deaths. In 2009, when Rwanda applied to join the association, the independent Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative argued in a detailed report that the country did not meet the standards to join. But it was admitted anyway one of two nations, along with Mozambique, that did not have direct links to Britain. Sneh Aurora, the director of the London office for the human rights group, who was at the summit this week, said that if the Commonwealth wants to become a better and forward-looking institution, it is time the Commonwealth walks the talk. Experts said that some former British colonies sought to belong to the Commonwealth, despite its allegiance to the Crown, because it offers them a measure of global legitimacy and forbearance for human rights violations except when their actions are in extremis. Even so, Sithembile Mbete, a senior lecturer in political science at the University of Pretoria, said it was confounding that Britain was championing cooperation among the Commonwealth as it slashed aid to Africa and planned to deport asylum seekers to the continent. The Commonwealth is about maintaining the ultimate colonial institution as a purportedly democratic coalition of equals when clearly its not that in practice, she said. After parting ways with the European Union its biggest trading partner Britain is looking to expand its clout, she said. The Commonwealth is not an association of equals but a terrain or stage where Britain can have greater influence, she said. That influence has waned in recent years, as many countries in the Global South have pursued new economic and political partnerships elsewhere. Moroccan officials said on Saturday that at least 23 migrants had died and scores more had been injured after what the authorities described as a stampede during an attempted mass crossing into the Spanish enclave of Melilla, in North Africa. But human rights organizations accused the security forces of using indiscriminate force at the crossing, and have called for an investigation into the deaths. A spokesman for the Spanish governments office in Melilla said that about 2,000 migrants approached the enclave at dawn Friday. He said that 500 had managed to enter a border control area after cutting through a fence, leading to violent clashes that also left security officers on both sides of the border injured. According to the Moroccan authorities, many migrants fell to their deaths after trying to scale the border fence, while 76 others, as well as 140 Moroccan security officers, had been injured. At least 130 people were able to successfully cross into Melilla, where they are now being processed in a temporary immigration shelter, according to Spanish officials in the enclave. The shooting, on a warm summer night that saw streets filled with revelers, came hours before Oslo was set to host big crowds for its first Pride parade since 2019. The events organizers canceled the parade and the rest of the festival, which was to run through Monday, at the suggestion of the police. We encourage all of Norway to show solidarity and celebrate Pride at home, in their neighborhoods and towns, Inger Kristin Haugsevje, the leader of Oslo Pride, said in a statement. Despite the parades cancellation, hundreds of people showed up on Saturday for an impromptu march along the route and a rally near the club, waving flags and laying bouquets in a show of unity. The gunman who the police said they believed had acted alone opened fire around 1 a.m. outside the London Pub and another nightclub, as well as a diner. The lawyer for the Oslo police, Christian Hatlo, said that officers had seized two weapons, including a fully automatic one that he described as not a modern gun. Both weapons were unregistered, the police said. The two people killed in the attack were both men, in their 50s and 60s, the police said. Mr. Hatlo said that, along with the 10 people who were seriously wounded, 11 others were left with minor injuries, some caused during a panicked rush to flee the area. President Biden was traveling on Saturday to Germany, where he would join the leaders of the worlds wealthiest democracies known as the Group of 7 to bolster Western resolve in supporting Ukraine in the face of the growing economic toll the war is taking on their nations. Even as Ukraine faces perhaps its toughest moment on the battlefield since the early weeks of the war, the commander of its military, Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, released a slickly produced video to celebrate the first battlefield use of advanced multiple-launch rocket systems from the United States. He said the weapons were being used to hit military targets of the enemy on our, Ukrainian, territory. But the Russian missile strikes offered a potent reminder of the vast destructive power of the arsenal at Moscows disposal, which has been both directed at military targets and used to indiscriminately pummel cities and towns. The mayor of the embattled southern port city of Mykolaiv, which has been under attack from Russian forces since the start of the war, called for everyone who wants to survive to leave, because its not clear when all this will be over. Speaking in an interview with Radio Liberty, he said that the city was being shelled daily, and that around 80 percent of those munitions are cluster munitions fired from Russian multiple-launch rocket systems. Despite having the worlds sixth-largest coal reserve, 90 percent of it in the Donbas region, Ukraine risks power cuts from shortages. President Volodymyr Zelensky recently announced that Ukraine was ceasing exports of oil, coal and gas to meet needs this winter. Miners have more immediate concerns. If a missile hits the elevator shaft, it would be very difficult to get the miners out, said Vitaly, 51, the manager of the DTEK mine, who asked his last name not be published for security reasons. And if Russia destroys the power station, we cannot operate. If power to the ventilation system is cut, methane could accumulate in the tunnels, he said. If water pumps are disconnected, mines can flood and collapse. Russian bombardment cut electricity at the mine, a state-run enterprise near the town of Selidove, in April, trapping miners for hours. This month, 77 miners were temporarily trapped inside a mine in a Russian-controlled part of Donbas after Ukrainian shelling disrupted power. MYKOLAIV, Ukraine The mayor of this embattled southern port city, under attack from Russian forces since the start of the war, has called for everyone who wants to survive to leave, because its not clear when all this will be over. The mayor, Oleksandr Senkevych, said in an interview with Radio Liberty that the city was being shelled daily, and that around 80 percent of those munitions are cluster munitions fired from Russian multiple-launch rocket systems. A large exodus from Mykolaiv, once a major hub of Soviet shipbuilding, has already occurred. About 230,000 people remain in the city, less than half of its peacetime population of 480,000. Many are older, and about 80 percent of them survive on food and clothes distributed by aid organizations. Some telemedicine companies are bracing for anti-abortion trigger laws to take effect, but vow to continue mailing medication in the interim. Dr. Julie Amaon, medical director of Just The Pill, a company that delivers abortion medication to people in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and Minnesota, said they will continue to serve clients in all four states until Wyomings trigger law is certified. If that happens, their clients in Wyoming will need to travel to receive care. The way it will work is if your state of residence bans access to medication abortion, you can travel to another safe state to have a telehealth appointment, Dr. Amaon said. You would then get the medication by pick-up at our mobile clinic or if you are in a state without mobile clinics, you would wait 1-2 days to have the medication mailed to a pick-up location. Aid Access, a European service that has continued to send pills to women in the U.S. regardless of the laws in their state, is likely to be unaffected by the recent decision. Anti-abortion lawmakers are generally wary of punishing individuals seeking an abortion, said Mary Zeigler, a law professor at University of California Davis. They tend to focus on clinicians and prescribers who aid the patient seeking an abortion, but overseas providers operate in extralegal channels outside the reach of state lawmakers. Vernon Jones, a longtime Democrat who became a pro-Trump Republican, is facing Mike Collins, the owner of a trucking company, in a runoff election. Thomas Hints at Future Battles Melissa Murray is a law professor at New York University and a co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast. She has written that the Dobbs decision could threaten the right to birth control. Thomas, J., concurring For that reason, in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell. Because any substantive due process decision is demonstrably erroneous, we have a duty to correct the error established in those precedents . After overruling these demonstrably erroneous decisions, the question would remain whether other constitutional provisions guarantee the myriad rights that our substantive due process cases have generated. For example, we could consider whether any of the rights announced in this Courts substantive due process cases are privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States protected by the Fourteenth Amendment .To answer that question, we would need to decide important antecedent questions, including whether the Privileges or Immunities Clause protects any rights that are not enumerated in the Constitution and, if so, how to identify those rights .That said, even if the Clause does protect unenumerated rights, the Court conclusively demonstrates that abortion is not one of them under any plausible interpretive approach. There is so much to say about the opinions in Dobbs from the maximalist majority opinion to Chief Justice John Robertss and Justice Brett Kavanaughs concurrences, which seek to impose some restraint on the majority, to the dissenters righteous indignation that their colleagues have laid waste to almost 50 years worth of precedents. But for me, the most interesting opinion is Justice Clarence Thomass concurrence. Justice Thomas often writes separate opinions that fail to garner the votes of other justices. No matter. They always hit their intended targets: the conservative judges of the lower federal courts. Though Justice Thomass legal theories seem off the wall to many, in the hands of these acolytes, many of whom are former Thomas clerks, they flourish in the lower courts, widening the Overton window of mainstream opinion and shifting the terms of our debates. In his concurring opinion, despite the majoritys assurances that the Dobbs decision is limited to abortion and does not implicate other rights, Justice Thomas endorses reconsidering the Griswold, Lawrence and Obergefell rulings. These decisions recognize a right to use contraception, the right to engage in same-sex relationships and the right to same-sex marriage. This is all to say that for Justice Thomas, and indeed, for the conservative legal movement writ large, abortion is just the beginning. The logic of this concurrence will invite and underwrite a raft of challenges to the rights of heart and home that so many of us take for granted. When Precedent Isnt the Most Important Thing John Garvey is the president of the Catholic University of America and an expert in constitutional law and religious liberty. He has written that overturning Roe would only be the beginning of the effort to end abortion. Opinion of the Court Roe and Casey have led to the distortion of many important but unrelated legal doctrines, and that effect provides further support for overruling those decisions. According to Einsteins theory of gravity, massive objects can warp the fabric of space around them, distorting the trajectories of nearby objects. This has been the effect of Roe v. Wade on the law. Settled doctrines have been twisted beyond recognition when they are applied in cases about abortion. Dobbs rightly recognized this as a reason to set aside the rule of stare decisis and overturn the precedent of Roe. Consider the law of religious liberty. The courts zealous protection of Roe has squelched peaceful religious speech by sidewalk counselors. It has invited laws conscripting religious people (in pharmacies, crafts stores, even nuns) into plans to distribute contraceptives. It has led to attempts at aggressive regulation of pro-life pregnancy centers. It has undermined support for the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, passed in 1993 by a unanimous House and a Senate vote of 97-3. That act, which the A.C.L.U. testified in favor of, was designed to accommodate a variety of beliefs and creeds hemmed in by government regulation. Today the A.C.L.U. says it can no longer support the act because it might affect access to or referrals for abortion and contraception services. Reducing the constitutional magnitude of abortion will have a healthy effect on adjacent areas of the law. This is a sure sign that the court has moved in the right direction. The Courts Legitimacy Is at Stake Mary Ziegler is a law professor and the author of Dollars for Life: The Anti-Abortion Movement and the Fall of the Republican Establishment. She wrote recently about a shift in the anti-abortion movement toward punishing women who have abortions. KAVANAUGH, J., concurring The Roe Court took sides on a consequential moral and policy issue that this Court had no constitutional authority to decide. By taking sides, the Roe Court distorted the Nations understanding of this Courts proper role in the American constitutional system and thereby damaged the Court as an institution. Justice Kavanaugh's concurrence seeks to reassure Americans that the overruling of Roe will be the end of the story. Neutrality will reign, he writes; there will be no threat to any other constitutional right, no thorny questions about interstate travel or punishment for anyone who performed an abortion when the procedure was legal. These predictions ring hollow in the face of steps already taken by red states and the protests raging outside the court. Justice Kavanaugh's view of neutrality also seems misguided, at least insofar as the court's legitimacy is concerned. This decision will be perceived as anything but neutral it was unnecessary for the court to intervene in this case in the first place, much less overturn Roe this quickly; in doing so, the court fulfilled Donald Trump's promise to see the end of abortion rights. If this is the kind of neutrality we should expect, the damage to the court is just beginning. The Court Retreats From Protecting Rights Mary Bonauto, the civil rights project director at GLAD, argued Obergefell v. Hodges before the Supreme Court in 2015. She has spoken about how same-sex marriage and reproductive rights are intertwined. Opinion of the Court Ordered liberty sets limits and defines the boundary between competing interests. Roe and Casey each struck a particular balance between the interests of a woman who wants an abortion and the interests of what they termed potential life. But the people of the various States may evaluate those interests differently. In some States, voters may believe that the abortion right should be even more extensive than the right that Roe and Casey recognized. Voters in other States may wish to impose tight restrictions based on their belief that abortion destroys an unborn human being.... Our Nations historical understanding of ordered liberty does not prevent the peoples elected representatives from deciding how abortion should be regulated. As the Obergefell decision explained, Courts are open to injured individuals who seek to vindicate their own direct, personal stake in our basic charter. An individual can invoke a right to constitutional protection such as whether the individual or the government decides on your choice of marriage partner or sexual partner, whether you bear or raise a child and how to raise that child even if the broader public disagrees and even if the legislature refuses to act. The idea of the Constitution was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles. This paragraph in the Dobbs opinion signals a possible retreat from the courts bedrock constitutional duty to declare and protect our rights. It tees up some constitutional rights as matters for states to decide at a time when some states are trying to limit voting access. Submitting basic rights to votes and elections imperils those rights and introduces uncertainty about our protections as we cross state lines. The Dobbs ruling should be a call to action for anyone concerned about protecting civil rights and civil liberties. We should take seriously what the Supreme Court says about the decision being limited to abortion, which is devastating enough. Going forward, we must advance our constitutional ideals and equal justice under law in the courts, and also recognize that organizing, action and voting matter more than ever. An Abortion Ruling That Ignores Women Kathryn Kolbert, the co-founder of the Center for Reproductive Rights, argued Planned Parenthood v. Casey before the Supreme Court in 1992. She wrote last year that a new strategy is needed to protect abortion rights. Opinion of the Court Americans who believe that abortion should be restricted press countervailing arguments about modern developments. They note that attitudes about the pregnancy of unmarried women have changed drastically; that federal and state laws ban discrimination on the basis of pregnancy; that leave for pregnancy and childbirth are now guaranteed by law in many cases; that the costs of medical care associated with pregnancy are covered by insurance or government assistance; that States have increasingly adopted safe haven laws, which generally allow women to drop off babies anonymously; and that a woman who puts her newborn up for adoption today has little reason to fear that the baby will not find a suitable home. They also claim that many people now have a new appreciation of fetal life and that when prospective parents who want to have a child view a sonogram, they typically have no doubt that what they see is their daughter or son. Im struck that while the majority opinion repeatedly gives great weight to the importance of protecting fetal life, it fails to discuss the effect of its ruling on womens lives and health. The court cavalierly dismisses the fact that bans on abortion will force women to travel hundreds of miles to receive care, risk criminal prosecution for seeking abortion medication on the gray or black market, and will disadvantage those women with the least resources: women of color, poor women, young women, disabled women. The majority opinion brushes off the import of these effects by arguing that the state legislative process will protect womens interests, because they can vote or drop their babies on the doorsteps of fire stations. Those of us who believe that the rights of women to make decisions about their lives ought to be constitutionally protected need to work to elect politicians who agree with us. Then the focus will move to another nine states. All are considered likely to ban abortion. Five more states have laws that will automatically outlaw abortion within weeks. In Oklahoma, they had all been closed since May. In Wisconsin, they were shuttered because of a law from 1849. This map shows how far a woman had to drive to reach an abortion clinic under Roe vs. Wade.Roe was overturned on Friday, and almost immediately, the map started to change. At the start of the month, nearly all women in America lived within a few hours drive of an abortion clinic. But with Roe v. Wade overturned, and the constitutional right to an abortion ended, clinics are quickly closing in huge swaths of the country. Now a new set of political fights will begin, playing out in state legislatures and courthouses across America. By the time they are done, a quarter of U.S. women of reproductive age could have to travel more than 200 miles to obtain a legal abortion. Under the farthest-reaching scenarios, that number could rise to nearly half. The longer the distance to the nearest clinic, the fewer women make the trip, research has shown. The new analysis of clinic closures performed by Caitlin Myers, an economist at Middlebury College underscores how the effects of each states decisions will spill over borders. In the post-Roe world, a womans ability to get a legal abortion will depend not only on what is happening in her state, but what happens in surrounding states, too. [Click here for more coverage on the Supreme Courts decision to overrule Roe v. Wade.] Jim Olsen, a Republican legislator in Oklahoma who has helped pass several abortion restrictions this year, said that even if some women would still leave the state to seek abortions, many would not. Our laws will still save lives, he said. Abortion may also become harder to obtain even in states where it remains legal, because clinics may be overwhelmed with out-of-state patients. And states like Colorado, Kansas and Illinois which will be surrounded by states with bans could become major destinations, seeing a surge of patients. Were going to see enormous numbers of women funneling into these states, Professor Myers said. In interviews with clinics that expect to remain open across the country, doctors worried about how they would manage. I think we will end up over the next months with waiting lists and more patients than we can schedule, said Dr. Erin King, executive director of Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City, Ill. Where Abortion Access Will Decline Before the decision, 716,000 women of reproductive age or about 1 percent live more than 200 miles from the nearest abortion clinic. But in the coming months, that number will be multiplied many times. Thirteen states already have laws on the books, known as trigger bans, to outlaw abortion now that Roe is overturned. Clinic locations as of June 1. Sources: Caitlin Myers, Census. Note: Childbearing age is defined as 15 to 44. Once all those trigger bans are in effect, the number of women who are that far from a clinic will rise to 9 million. Six of those bans had taken effect by the end of the day on Friday. Others are designed to start 30 days later, or require a government official to sign off. Texas trigger law wont activate for 30 days, but officials there said they had already begun enforcing another law banning abortion from before Roe was decided. Even under Roe, some states had restrictions that made it hard for clinics to operate. But until recently, each state had at least one clinic. That changed after a draft Supreme Court opinion leaked in May indicating that the court intended to overturn Roe. Clinics in Oklahoma, South Dakota and elsewhere stopped offering abortion in anticipation of the decision. Clinics have closed in two additional states because those states still had laws on the books from before Roe. An abortion ban is seen as probable in another nine states, either because of similar laws or because they have legislatures that have passed stringent abortion restrictions more recently: Sources: Caitlin Myers, Census Bans in these 11 states would raise the number of women more than 200 miles away from a clinic to 17 million. Some of these states banned abortion immediately. Wisconsins abortion clinics were forced to close after the decision because of an 1849 law thats still on the books. Alabamas more recent ban had been paused by a court because of its now-irrelevant conflict with Roe. In other states in this group, abortion may remain legal for some time, but their legal and political histories suggest that bans are more likely than not to pass eventually. In Iowa and Arizona, the legal status of their older anti-abortion laws may take months of court battles to resolve. In Nebraska, a recent effort to ban abortion failed by two votes, but legislators there are poised to try again after one of the legislators who voted no was replaced after his death. And then there are three states that could have an outsize impact, where abortions future is uncertain: Sources: Caitlin Myers, Census If these three states banned abortion, the number of women far from a clinic would rise to 24 million. In this new post-Roe world, each of these three states could become linchpins of access, making their legislatures choices particularly consequential. The legal uncertainty could also make it harder for clinics to expand capacity for out-of-state patients; providers may be wary of investing in larger clinics or new staff if they dont know for how long theyll be allowed to operate. Florida recently passed a law outlawing most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, but some legislators want to go further. Abortion in Virginia seems safe for now with Democrats in control of the State Senate, but it might not be if Republicans retake control in the next election. The Kansas Supreme Court has found that abortion is protected under the state Constitution, but a constitutional amendment to change that is up for a vote this summer. Tory Marie Blew, a Republican legislator in Kansas who has led efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to end abortion protections, said she was partly driven by the fact that women around the Midwest may turn to Kansas if their states ban abortion. During the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, when several nearby states closed abortion clinics for public health reasons, out-of-state women flooded into Kansas, increasing the number of abortions provided in the state in 2020 by nearly 10 percent. I personally dont want Kansas to be an abortion destination state, as it currently is, she said, adding that her district was peppered with purple signs saying Value Them Both referring to mothers and children in support of the amendment. Interactive: See How Each States Ban Affects Driving Distances in Nearby States Use the tool below to see the effect of any state ban on driving distances. Select states: 13 states with trigger laws 11 states where bans are probable 6 states that may ban 20 states and D.C. are unlikely to ban Measuring the Impact As clinics close, having just one nearby may not always be enough to ensure that a woman can get an appointment, because abortion is time-sensitive and surges in demand are expected. Even before the decision, the closest clinic for many women in the South had been American Family Planning, in Pensacola, Fla. It was the only abortion provider in the Florida Panhandle, and regularly served patients from six states. But at the end of May, the state closed the clinic after three women in a year were hospitalized for complications from second-trimester abortions, with the state saying the clinic did not file the requisite paperwork. For now, the next nearest clinic is around 180 miles away, in Tallahassee. If it doesnt reopen, all those women are going to have to travel that much further, said Julie Gallagher, the clinics lawyer. Even in very large cities, there may be only a few clinics within a six-hour drive once bans go into effect: Highlighted counties are in states that are expected to ban abortion under each scenario. Research has shown that when clinics close and driving distances increase, there are corresponding drops in the number of women obtaining abortions. Professor Myers estimated that an increase of 100 miles of driving distance reduced abortion rates by 20 percent: Est. Change IN Abortions No. chg -10% -20% -30% Range of estimates -40% +0 miles +50 miles +100 miles +150 miles +200 miles Change IN DRIVING DISTANCE Est. Change IN Abortions No. chg -10% -20% -30% Range of estimates -40% +0 mi. +50 mi. +100 mi. +150 mi. +200 mi. Change IN DRIVING DISTANCE Sources: Caitlin Myers Most of the reductions would be among poor women who are unable to travel long distances, because they are less able to overcome the obstacles of cost, transportation, child care and other logistics, research shows. The number of legal abortions may fall further if the remaining clinics cannot meet the demand of women traveling from states where abortion is banned. There is no precedent for closings in more than a dozen states at once. Still, abortions may not decline as much as it might appear. Some women will find other ways to end their pregnancies, including illegal ones, and those abortions will be harder to count. One main alternative is pills that can safely end a pregnancy, which can be illicitly purchased online from another country or sent in the mail from a state where they remain legal. After Texas banned all but the earliest abortions last year, around 1,100 women a month began ordering pills from overseas, three times as many as before. But in the end, there will almost certainly be fewer abortions, the long-term goal of the anti-abortion movement. Weve always been very hopeful, said Kristan Hawkins, the president of Students for Life of America, adding that it would result in thousands of lives saved. For the Clinics That Remain, Surging Demand Even before Roe was overturned, the consequences of declining abortion capacity were apparent. When the restrictions in Texas went into effect in the fall, patients left for neighboring states, mostly Oklahoma. Oklahomans then had trouble getting appointments, so some went to other states. In late May, Oklahoma banned abortion. Think of a pond when you throw a rock in it and you see those ripples that's whats happening, said Dr. Kristina Tocce, the medical director for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, which operates clinics in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada, and is already treating a growing number of patients from out of state. You have so many patients competing for a finite number of appointments. Some clinics in Illinois already had a majority of their patients coming from Missouri, where abortion has been nearly inaccessible since 2019. Now those Illinois clinics are seeing patients daily from as far as Texas. We have been preparing for this for a long time, said Dr. Colleen McNicholas of Planned Parenthood in Fairview Heights, Ill., just across the border from St. Louis. We opened it with the need to serve Missouri, but we really did so with an eye toward this moment. The clinic plans to operate 10 hours a day instead of eight, and open one or two Sundays a month. Nearby, Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City, Ill., hired twice as many doctors and reworked the clinics space to build more exam rooms. Together, the two clinics created an informational center staffed with people who can help patients with the logistics of getting to Illinois, including hotels and child care. Neither clinic will turn away women who cant pay. Do I think thats going to be enough to see all the patients who need to come? said Dr. King, the director at Hope. No, but we had to start somewhere. In parts of the country where opposition to abortion runs strong, doctors have begun considering this new future. Dr. John Lee, who has been practicing obstetrics and gynecology at the Santa Rosa Womens Center in Milton, Fla., for 33 years, says when patients ask about abortion, he first suggests counseling and talks to them about other options. But if they choose to proceed, he directs them to the clinic. Now, he said, hes not sure where to send them. Hes most concerned about those who cannot travel, for economic or logistical reasons. Will you have these backwoods deals people used to do? he said. I hope not, because people would get hurt. But you have the old adage: Desperate people will do desperate things. What I would want to do is if theyre still adamant about going the abortion route, counsel them to do it in a safe way. It looks like JavaScript is either disabled or turned off. Please enable JavaScript to correctly view this web site. Parece que JavaScript esta desactivado o apagado. Por favor, activar JavaScript para ver este sitio de web. Afigura-se o JavaScript esta desativado ou desligado. Por favor ative o JavaScript para visualizar este site. Il semble que JavaScript est dasactive. S'il vous plait, activer JavaScript pour visualiser ce site. Children by Choice chief executive Daile Kelleher said she had no doubt Australian opponents of abortion would be energised by the US decision. Threats to Australias food supply include climate change, loss of agricultural land, worker shortages, a looming fertiliser shortage, and global shocks such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian civilians are fleeing the city of Sievierodonetsk after it fell to Russian forces. The loss effectively gives the invaders full control of the Luhansk region after weeks of heavy shelling. German airline Lufthansa says it is canceling over 2,000 additional flights at its Frankfurt and Munich hubs due to staff shortages. Its low-cost subsidiary Eurowings is also expected to cancel flights. The BBCs Analysis Editor Ros Atkins examines why Russia is making threats after the EU sanctioned a Russian region cut off from the rest of the country. The governor of the eastern Luhansk region has said Ukrainian troops have been ordered to pull out of the key city of Sievierodonetsk. DW has the latest. A huge crowd of migrants tries to cross into Melilla in North Africa, with many killed and injured. Although EU candidacy for Ukraine and Moldova has been hailed as historic, frustrations among other candidates years into their own membership bids should serve as a reminder that the path ahead won't be easy. Police said they were investigating an overnight mass shooting outside a bar popular with the LGBTQ community as a "terrorist act." Oslo's annual Pride parade, which was planned for Saturday, has been called off. Newsy 28 Jun 2022 Watch VideoThe country is divided three days after The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. There are protests in.. America continues to digest the Supreme Court's ruling, President Biden will sign the landmark gun violence bill and more news to start your weekend. Canada's foreign affairs minister pushed back against Russia's campaign to blame western sanctions for soaring food and grain prices in Africa. Melanie Joly says Russia is "weaponizing food" with its blockade of Ukrainian ports. Russian missiles rained down across Ukraine on Saturday, hitting military facilities in the west and the north as well as a southern city as the biggest land conflict in Europe since the Second World War entered its fifth month. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. DNA 26 Jun 2022 Monkeypox has now been identified in more than 50 countries, across five WHO regions, with 3000 cases since early May. The US Senate passed a bipartisan bill on Thursday to address the gun violence situation in the country, regarded as the first noteworthy federal gun safety legislation in years. autoevolution 27 Jun 2022 If breaking records would be a job, it would be a full-time one for American explorer, retired naval officer, and businessman.. Newsy 27 Jun 2022 Watch VideoSeven states are set to host primary elections Tuesday as the nation comes to terms with last week's stunning Supreme.. As of June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court has eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. The news is a not-surprising.. Mashable 24 Jun 2022 In March, talk of victory was in the air. Now, maintaining unity against President Vladimir V. Putin is looking harder, with President Biden heading to Germany and Spain to rally Europe. Since the withdrawal of US forces in Aug 2021, Afghanistan has been facing humanitarian, economic, health and governance crises. Afghanistan has been facing persistent humanitarian needs and governance issues due to recurring droughts, years of conflict leading to poverty, unemployment, rampant corruption and absence of security.... A viral video showing a Russian hypersonic missile destroying the Ukrainian weapons depot has been verified. Here's what you need to know! On June 2 the Dubai-based media outlet, Al-Arabiya News, highlighted the irony of how Putins invasion of Ukraine has impacted on the Middle East. Citing reports that Russian troops were being withdrawn from Syria to augment the forces in Ukraine, the article maintained that further Russian retreats will likely follow,... A suspect was arrested, a police spokesperson said. It wasn't clear whether the shooting had any connection to the Pride parade that was to be held Saturday in Oslo. Eurasia Review 27 Jun 2022 One of the reasons that Russian media has been completely blocked in the West, along with the unprecedented control and censorship.. DNA 28 Jun 2022 The complainant said that religious sentiments were also hurt as Ram Gopal Varma's tweet portrayed the characters of the.. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden on Saturday signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise that seemed unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school. "Time is of the essence. Lives will be saved, he said in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Citing the families of shooting victims he has met, the president said, "Their message to us was, Do something. How many times did we hear that? Just do something. For Gods sake, just do something. Today we did. The House gave final approval Friday, following Senate passage Thursday, and Biden acted just before leaving Washington for two summits in Europe. Today we say, More than enough, Biden said. Its time, when it seems impossible to get anything done in Washington, we are doing something consequential." The legislation will toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders and help states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged to be dangerous. The president called it a historic achievement. Most of its $13 billion cost will help bolster mental health programs and aid schools, which have been targeted in Newtown, Connecticut, and Parkland, Florida, and elsewhere in mass shootings. Biden said the compromise hammered out by a bipartisan group of senators from both parties doesn't do everything I want but it does include actions I've long called for that are going to save lives. I know theres much more work to do, and Im never going to give up, but this is a monumental day, said the president, who was joined by his wife, Jill, a teacher, for the signing. After sitting to sign the bill, Biden sat reflectively for a moment, then murmured, God willing, this is gonna save a lot of lives. He also said they will host an event on July 11 for lawmakers and families affected by gun violence. The president spoke of families "who lost their souls to an epidemic of gun violence. They lost their child, their husband, their wife. Nothing is going to fill that void in their hearts. But they led the way so other families will not have the experience and the pain and trauma that they had to live through. Biden signed the measure two days after the Supreme Court's ruling Thursday striking down a New York law that restricted peoples ability to carry concealed weapons. And Saturdays ceremony came less than 24 hours after the high court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which had legalized abortion nationwide for nearly five decades. Yesterday, I spoke about the Supreme Courts shocking decision striking down Roe v. Wade, Biden said. Jill and I know how painful and devastating the decision is for so many Americans. I mean so many Americans. He noted that the abortion ruling leaves enforcement up to the states, some of which have already moved to ban abortion or will soon do so. Biden said his administration will focus on how they administer it and whether or not they violate other laws, like deciding to not allow people to cross state lines to get health services. Asked by reporters about whether the Supreme Court was broken, Biden said, I think the Supreme Court has made some terrible decisions. He walked away without answering more questions, noting, I have a helicopter waiting for me to take off. While the new gun law does not include tougher restrictions long championed by Democrats, such as a ban on assault-style weapons and background checks for all firearm transactions, it is the most impactful gun violence measure produced by Congress since enactment a long-expired assault weapons ban in 1993. Enough congressional Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the steps after recent rampages in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas. It took weeks of closed-door talks but senators emerged with a compromise. Biden signed the bill just before departing Washington for a summit of the Group of Seven leading economic powers the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan in Germany. He will travel later to Spain for a NATO meeting. Larry Harwood is one of the regulars who takes a spot on the benche in front of Port Hopes The Chill Zone ice cream shop every Thursday evening. Harwood and others have been spending every Thursday night for the past few weeks enjoying ice cream and live music during open mic night, when anyone is welcome to play an instrument and sing a song or two. A retired truck driver and lifelong resident of Port Hope, Harwood recalled how the building now serving as home to The Chill Zone once housed the barbershop where he would get his hair cut as a child. The vacant building next door was home to the telephone company, he said, and the buildings up the street were once a pool hall and a store. Harwood said his mother worked cleaning one of the offices on that stretch of Main Street and that his barber was fond of taking a nip out behind his shop. Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune As the evening progressed, a steady stream of customers lined up in front of The Chill Zones order window, and most stayed for a while to listen to the musicians performing between the ice cream shop and the post office. One of those musicians was Cliff Stuehmer, who serves as the organizer of open mic night. Stuehmer said his setlist can feature artists like Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga and Ed Sheeran. He plays electric and acoustic guitar and the ukulele and is sometimes accompanied by his wife, Rosemary. Stuehmer said he has been taking part in open mic night for the past nine years. He and his wife moved to northeastern Huron County about 11 years ago after retiring from Ford Motor Co. as a powertrain engineer. He was one of the many young Americans inspired by the British invasion in the early 1960s. His musical tastes are wide-ranging, and he doesnt like to limit himself to one era. When the Beatles came to town, everybody had a band, and I did, too, Stuehmer said. On Thursday night, Stuehmer was one of four musicians who performed. Ron, Larry and Greg rounded out the lineup, friends Stuehmer said he had made performing during open mic nights. Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune Kayla Lloyd, owner of The Chill Zone, bought the ice cream shop in 2018 after working for the previous owner, Gene Schuett, who was looking to sell his business at the time. It was the perfect time for me to buy it, Lloyd said. Lloyd said business has been great so far this summer, and Thursday night's music is a highlight of the week, with people clapping along and dancing on the sidewalk. Its a great opportunity to bring the community together for a fun evening, she said. They have a good old time. The Chill Zone is open Monday-Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. until Labor Day, then weekends through the end of September. Senior residents met new friends with a spin-off of speed dating at the community. Independence Village of Midland residents enjoyed an afternoon of making new connections at the communitys first ever speed-friending event. The idea came as a way to help new residents get to know more people in the community. About 20 residents participated in the hour-long event, in which each pair got to spend 3 minutes talking before rotating. There were question prompts on the table that participants could refer to, including, What was your best vacation? and How would your best friend describe you? This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate What started over 50 years ago with a group of LGBTQ+ activists taking a stand continues today with people embracing the month of June as a time to usher in authenticity. Pride Month occurs in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. As a result, many pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact gay people have had in the world. Pride Month is not recognized internationally as pride celebrations take place in many other places at different times, including February, August and September. Increasingly, June is being recognized as Pride Month outside the United States. Pride acknowledges our LGBTQ+ community members and highlights the diversity we have in the Great Lakes Bay Region," said Great Lakes Bay Pride Executive Director Scott Ellis. For Ellis, seeing Pride opportunities in the region makes him feel like the community is working toward being a more welcoming and inclusive place where people can be their authentic selves. In 2001, the Triangle Foundation established the first chapter of their organization, Triangle Foundation Saginaw Valley Chapter. About a year later, that chapter spun off to incorporate an independent nonprofit organization called Saginaw Valley GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trangender) Group, doing business as Perceptions. The organization operated as Perceptions until 2020 when they became Great Lakes Bay Pride as part of a multi-year strategic plan. The Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival is becoming a formidable event in the state and it's my goal to keep it going and growing, Ellis said. We've already seen tremendous growth over the past few years, and I look forward to keeping that momentum going in the years to come." Aside from the festival, taking place Saturday, June 25 in Bay City, Ellis said Great Lakes Bay Pride has several important goals to pursue over the coming months and years. Pride Month has evolved over the years and grown as has the state. However, the Michigan Senate recently shot down a bill to recognize June as Pride Month. "I'm always disappointed when elected officials refuse to acknowledge or omit the community that I'm not only a part of but also serve in my position as executive director of Great Lakes Bay Pride, Ellis said. We still have work to do to ensure our LGBTQ+ Michiganders are protected. "I am extremely proud of the fact that for the first time ever all four major cities (Saginaw, Midland, Mount Pleasant and Bay City) in our Great Lakes Bay Region issued Pride Month proclamations this year. It is that kind of local support that helps empower the local LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month has an unwavering impact on people, said Trina Stewart. Her own journey has been filled challenges. Stewart came out as a lesbian during the 2019 Pride, but retreated to the closet until a few months ago. Stewart said she felt liberated when she came out and she doesnt want to feel the isolation and shame of hiding who she is anymore. Her goal is to make this years Pride celebration an opportunity to show the world who she is. Ive come to terms that Im gay, said Stewart, of Midland. It isnt a choice; it's who I am. The 37-year-old said her identity is difficult for some of her family and friends to accept, but she needs to be who she is. I told my parents, and my mom knew. To my dad it was a shock, or so he says, Stewart said. Im not ashamed of who I am; I was ashamed that I was trying to hide it. For Dominic Zelinski, Pride Month is an event like Christmas. The 24-year-old Detroit native who moved to Midland about a year ago said he was surprised by the openness of people in the area to him being gay, something he doesnt hide. I feared moving here because I thought as a whole people around here hated gay people, Zelinski said. Ive found many who embrace me and that their attitudes as a whole is accepting." Julie Harrell-Dennis of Gladwin said Pride Month is a time to celebrate so she is co-organizing the Gladwin County Pride event on June 25. It means that we shouldnt be afraid to be who we are, Harrell-Dennis said. Harrell-Dennis came out as bisexual three years ago after her husband revealed to her that he was transgender. The two separated, but remain friends. She gave me the courage I needed, Harrell-Dennis said. Jenny Bell said Pride Month offers a chance for the community to get together, socialize and not hide who they are. It is a time of authenticity. Pride is a concept of self-expression and freedom and to create a open and safe environment, said Bell, a transgender person who shed her male persona 10 years ago. Weve been suppressed for decades and subject to ridicule and violence." Pride Month, Bell said, is also a chance for the LGBTQ+ community to showcase who they are as much as who they arent stereotypes such as sexual deviants. Bell is active in the LGBTQ+ community, often volunteering and taking part in events. Were out there showing the world were just people, she said. Theyre so many misconceptions about who we are. Were not like that. Pride gives us the opportunity to dispel those preconceived notions about us. Many pride events, such as today's event in Bay City, help recognize the contributions of the LBGTQ+ community. With education and recognition as part of the public discourse, acceptance can follow. Pride Month and Pride events give us a time and space to celebrate who we are and all the things we've struggled to overcome to express our authentic self, said Shelterhouse Director of Counseling Amy McDonald. I see Pride evolving to include more people, more families celebrating. More parents celebrating with their children as they support them and all that they are. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) The end of constitutional protections for abortions in the United States on Friday emboldened abortion opponents around the world, while advocates for abortion rights worried it could threaten recent moves toward legalization in their countries. The U.S. Supreme Courts overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision "shows that these types of rights are always at risk of being steamrolled, said Ruth Zurbriggen, an Argentinian activist and member of the Companion Network of Latin America and the Caribbean, a group favoring abortion rights. But in El Salvador, anti-abortion campaigner Sara Larin expressed hope the ruling will bolster campaigns against the procedure around the globe. I trust that with this ruling it will be possible to abolish abortion in the United States and throughout the world, said Larin, president of Fundacion Vida SV. In Kenya, Phonsina Archane watched news of Fridays ruling and said she froze for a while in a state of panic. This is being done in America, which should be an example when it comes to the womens rights movement, said Archane, an activist for abortion rights. If this is happening in America, what about me here in Africa? Its a very, very sad day. She worried the ruling will embolden abortion opponents across Africa who have charged into reproductive health clinics or threatened attacks. There is no safe place on the continent, she said. Abortion in sub-Saharan Africa is already more unsafe than in any other region of the world, and the overwhelming majority of women of child-bearing age live in countries where abortion laws are highly or moderately restricted, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a New York-based research organization that supports abortion rights. Archane said civil society groups in Africa will have to come together to work out strategies on how to keep themselves and women safe. Just months ago, many saw hope when the World Health Organization released guidelines on quality abortion care, she said. We had a step ahead, and now we have to go five steps back again. The decision, which leaves it up to lawmakers in individual U.S. state to decide whether to allow or ban abortions, lit up social media across Argentina, where a law that legalized elective abortion up to the 14th week of gestation took effect in January 2021 after years of debate. Anti-abortion activists cheered the ruling, with legislator Amalia Granata tweeting: There is justice again in the world. We are going to achieve this in Argentina too!! In more conservative countries like El Salvador, where abortions are illegal no matter the circumstance and where some 180 women with obstetric emergencies have been criminally prosecuted in the last two decades, Larin warned that the ruling could inspire yet more efforts to loosen abortion restrictions outside the U.S. Campaigns promoting abortion may intensify in our countries because funding and abortion clinics in the United States are going to close as they have been doing in recent years," she said. At the Vatican, the head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, joined U.S. bishops in saying it is a time for reflection, healing wounds and civil dialogue. The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world. the academy said. In Mexico, lawyer and activist Veronica Cruz said the ruling could give a boost to anti-abortion groups, but added it likely wont have any impact in Mexico where 10 of the countrys 32 states have legalized abortion up to 12 weeks gestation in recent years. She noted the ruling could lead to an increase in calls for help from U.S. women seeking abortions. So far this year, local activists have helped some 1,500 U.S. women the get the abortion pills, Cruz said. Ricardo Cano, with the anti-abortion group National Front for Life, also doubts the ruling would have any impact in Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America, given the advance of leftist ideologies in the region. Colombia, which became in February the latest Latin American country to expand access to abortion, also will not be affected by the ruling, said Catalina Martinez Coral, director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Center for Reproductive Rights. Ahead of U.S. President Joe Bidens trip overseas, the heads of at least two Group of Seven members called the decision horrific. No government, politician or man should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body, said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, adding that he cant imagine the fear and anger women in the U.S. must be experiencing in the wake of the ruling. The French Foreign Ministry urged U.S. federal authorities to do everything possible to ensure American women have continued access to abortions, calling it a health and survival issue. France's president, Emmanuel Macron, added in a tweet that abortion is a fundamental right of all women. New Zealand's prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said: Watching the removal of a womans fundamental right to make decisions over their own body is incredibly upsetting. Here in New Zealand we recently legislated to decriminalise abortion and treat it as a health rather than criminal issue. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organiztion, said on Twitter that he was concerned and disappointed by the ruling. saying it reduces both womens rights and access to health care. The U.N. agency dealing with sexual and reproductive health said that whether or not abortion is legal it happens all too often and global data shows that restricting access makes abortion more deadly. The United Nations Population Fund issued a statement following the Supreme Courts decision noting that its 2022 report said that nearly half of all pregnancies worldwide are unintended and over 60% of those pregnancies may end in abortion. A staggering 45% of all abortions around the world are unsafe, making this a leading cause of maternal death, the agency said. It said almost all unsafe abortions occur in developing countries, and it fears that more unsafe abortions will occur around the world if access to abortion becomes more restricted. In the only part of Latin America directly affected by the ruling, Puerto Rico, the islands Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would prohibit abortions after 22 weeks or when a doctor determines a fetus is viable, with the sole exception being if a womans life is in danger. The bill is now before the islands House of Representatives. Dr. Migna Rivera Garcia, president of Puerto Ricos Association of Psychologists, said the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling has prompted abortion rights activists to reformulate their strategy. It causes a lot of uncertainty given the environment right now in Puerto Rico, she said. This bill harms poor women and black women the most. ... They dont have access to services like other social groups. ___ Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Associated Press writers Almudena Calatrava in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Marcos Aleman in San Salvador, El Salvador; Edith Lederer at the United Nations; Fabiola Sanchez in Mexico City; Frances D'Emilio in Rome; Astrid Suarez in Bogota, Colombia, and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report 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. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity Abdelhamid al-Dbaiba has stressed the need to activate the role of the private sector to encourage the national economy, especially in the field of free zones Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - The Dakar-based Pan-African body, Trust Africa, Friday held a roundtable on illicit financial flows, saying over 88 billion dollars goes out of Africa through illicit flows Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) The COVID-19 vaccination for children under five started rolling out on June 21, and it got mixed reactions in Florida. While some parents whose children have immune disorders are relieved of the new vaccine rollout, other groups, such as Publix, Florida's largest private employer, announced that they would not be offering the newly approved vaccine for children ages four and under. As per Tampa Bay, the State leaders of Florida also questioned the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. The move is contrary to the recommendations of the country's top health agencies and medical associations. Florida is the only state that did not preorder vaccine doses for children under 5. Mixed reaction in Florida After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowed the vaccines for Americans younger than five years old, NBC News said that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued three authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines - Pfizer and Moderna. After the FDA approval, the White House pledged to ship 10 million doses to states, pharmacies, and community health centers. In Florida, however, the state surgeon general did not recommend the vaccine for healthy children. Hence, state officials did not preorder the vaccines. The White House warned that the move could delay the delivery of the vaccines to medical providers. While Publix did not have a vaccination rollout for kids under five, Walmart and Consumer Value Stores (CVS) offered vaccination services. Mom Turner Smith said that she was planning to have her children vaccinated at the pediatric clinic at Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, but the hospital received a limited number of vaccines. She will have to wait a bit longer as the hospital cannot offer vaccination until Friday. She added that she felt like crying as the state is not taking into consideration the vulnerability of the kids that are not healthy. Meanwhile, some Florida parents in Clearwater, Lutz, Sarasota, and Tampa posted on Facebook the celebration of their kid's vaccination. Read Also: Maternal Mortality in the US is on the Rise; Black Women Affected the Most Side effects of the vaccine Health experts who studied Pfizer and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials for kids six months to 11 years old at Cincinnati Children's Hospital noted that the common side effects of the vaccine include pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Other common side effects were fatigue or sleepiness for systemic symptoms. Some children exhibit irritability, fussiness, loss of appetite, headache, abdominal pain or discomfort, enlarged lymph nodes, diarrhea, or vomiting. But experts assured everyone gets better quickly based on the clinical trials. According to CNN, the kids were slightly more prone to develop a fever with the Moderna vaccine, noting that it occurred with about a quarter of the trial participants, while for Pfizer, it was for less than 10 percent. Most of the fevers were mild, with less than one percent of all the participants in the trial reaching 104 degrees. As fevers are not common, doctors advise parents not to pre-treat a child by giving them a fever-reducing medicine before the shot. However, if the fever develops, parents can give ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Myocarditis or the enlargement of the heart was noted in adults but not in kids during the vaccination trial. Ashish Jha, the Response Coordinator for The White House, assured that the vaccines are "exceedingly safe." Related Article: Millions of American Families Struggling to Pay Substantial Medical Debts Photo: (Photo : Getty images ) Nobel Peace Prize Russian Journalist Dmitry Muratov auctioned off his medal to raise money for Ukrainian child refugees. On Monday night, his award was auctioned for $103.5 million, shattering the old record for a Nobel. The online auction bid began on June 1 in observance of International Children's Day. Muratov was awarded the gold medal in October 2021. He helped found the Independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and was the publication's editor-in-chief when Kremlin shut it down in March amid its clampdown on journalists, the public dissent of Russia, and the Ukraine invasion, CBS News reports. The auction was the award-winning Russian journalist's idea, having announced that he was donating the money to charity earlier. Muratov said the proceeds would go directly to UNICEF to help the children displaced by the war in Ukraine. "We want to return their future," he said. Value of the Nobel Prize Medal When melted, the 175 grams of 23-karat gold contained in Muratov's medal would be worth about $10,000. Per CBS, the most paid Nobel Prize medal was that of James Watson in 1962 for discovering the DNA. He sold his award for $4.76 million. Three years later, his co-recipient, Francis Crick, received $2.27 million in a bidding run by Heritage Auctions, the same company that auctioned off Muratov's medal. Joshua Benesh, the chief strategy officer for Heritage Auctions, said that he could not believe what happened and was awestruck. He said there was a tremendous groundswell of interest in Muratov's story, his act of generosity, and that the global audience supported it, per The Guardian. Read Also: Unprecedented Digital Evidence Gets 3 UK Teenagers Convicted of Murder, Manslaughter Children Refugee from Ukraine According to United Nations Humanitarians, at least two children have been killed in Ukraine every day since the Russian invasion. BBC News reports that more than 13 million people have fled their homes since the attack. More than five million have left for neighboring countries, while eight million people are displaced within Ukraine. As to CNN, UNICEF says that the ongoing conflict has deeply affected 7.5 million children in Ukraine. The kids have been separated from family, lack basic supplies and resources, and face the daily threat of harm from explosives. UNICEF says that two in three children have been displaced in Ukraine as an intense gunfight continues between Russian and Ukraine forces in the eastern Donetsk region. The agency added that many civilian infrastructures had been damaged or destroyed, including 256 health facilities and one in six UNICEF-supported 'Safe Schools' in the country's east. The children depend on these facilities for shelter. Hundreds of schools across the country have also been damaged. Trauma and exploitation risk According to UNICEF, refugee children risk family separation, abuse, sexual exploitation, and trafficking. The impact of the war on children's mental health has contributed to an acute child protection crisis. The agency said that the children need safety, stability, child protection services, and psychosocial support. The agency calls for a ceasefire and full humanitarian access so their teams can reach children in need, wherever they may be. Related Article: Body of the Missing 3-year-old Boy Found a Day After He Vanished from Babysitter's House Photo: (Photo : Marc Piasecki/Getty Images for Bvlgari) Hollywood superstar Anne Hathaway has weighed in on the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade, linking the abortion legislation to the baby formula shortage affecting the United States, according to Newsweek. The ruling by the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization is expected to come out this month. The case that could overturn the Supreme Court's landmark 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S., involves a dispute over a law in Mississippi that would ban most abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. Abortion rights activists have been readying themselves for Roe's fall after a leaked draft opinion published by Politico in May showed a conservative majority of Supreme Court justices appearing ready to use the case to undo almost five decades of precedent. Hathaway angry at the prospect of the landmark ruling being overturned Hathaway has added her name to the list of celebrities supporting abortion rights, with the Oscar-winning Les Miserables star stating that the prospect of the landmark ruling being overturned makes her angry. Hathaway revealed this in an Interview Magazine article, where several celebrities posed questions to her. Hollywood legend Julie Andrews, Hathaway's co-star in the Princess Diaries, asked her what ticks her off as she has never seen her angry. Hathaway answered that what makes her really angry is that she can look at a newspaper and, on the front page, see that there are plans in place to overturn Roe v. Wade next to an article about how there is a baby formula shortage, which has reduced the availability of baby formula by 43 percent. Hathaway was emotional as she explained why that is the case, saying, "What makes me angry is the people that are cheering for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, will not have a conversation about that point in the future when those two stories intersect." She added that the people who have been working so hard to overturn Roe v. Wade had done so without making any effort at creating a more fair, just, and equitable society, and affordable, by the way, in which to have children. Hathaway said that she is not someone who likes shaming people, but she is angry. Read Also: Uncommon Surgery Saves Chicago Dad's Life After Developing Rare Form of Brain Aneurysm Abbott recall worsens baby formula shortage Abbott Nutrition shut down its production plant in Sturgis, Michigan, in February, following a recall of some of the company's baby formula products. This was in response to concerns of possible bacterial infections in infants, according to CNN. The facility's closure resulted in a baby formula shortage in the United States, with some parents searching for hours to acquire the much-needed formula while others faced an array of price hikes. Some babies were also rushed to the hospital after parents attempted to create homemade formula amid the nationwide shortage. President Joe Biden previously invoked the Defense Production Act in response to the baby formula shortage to ensure that there is enough safe infant formula in the United States available for families who need it, according to The White House. Related Article: Illinois Dad of 3 Dies After Falling Into Vat of 1,500C Molten Iron, Where His Body Split in Half Photo: (Photo : JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images) Nurses for Newborns has been assisting nearly 200 families in the United States who are unable to feed their babies due to the nationwide formula shortage, a crisis in which people of color and people with low incomes are disproportionately affected. Projections from the Department of Agriculture indicate that it may take as long as ten weeks for store shelves to be replenished in the U.S. To address the shortage and provide solutions for families, the St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN) and a host of partners have launched the Feed the Babies Project, a community-wide collaborative. According to the St. Louis American, the project will address three main priorities. They are to provide breastfeeding support for birthing people and families, distribute pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM), and provide nutrition support and counseling for families. Feed the Babies Project aims to provide breastfeeding support While breastfeeding presents a beneficial and safe alternative to infant formula, it is not always possible for parents. Certified lactation counselors and local doulas through the Missouri Community Doula Council will support efforts to educate, support, and encourage breastfeeding for those who can. Okunsola M. Amadou, Jamaa Birth Village founder and CEO and Missouri Community Doula Council member, said, "As we shed light on the difficulties, we must make sure that the solutions and the possibilities are readily accessible and tangible for Black families. We want to ensure that the challenges aren't so daunting and that we don't plant these seeds of hopeless, traumatic experiences. Amadou added that this partnership with the Feed the Babies Project would help them offer these solutions to their community as so many families have been affected by the infant formula shortage, and time is of the essence. She said they look forward to providing equitable resources for breastfeeding counseling/support to many needy families. Read Also: Major Boost for Families as House Passes Bill Extending Food Assistance Measures for American Kids Feed the Babies Project looks to mass purchase donor milk There will also be mass purchasing and storage of PDHM to be distributed to St. Louis families in need. They are families with infants 0-6 months wherein breastfeeding is not an option. According to Freedom Kolb, The Milk Bank executive director, "The Milk Bank is proud to partner with the Feed the Babies Project to provide immediate relief for families during the formula shortage crisis. This collaboration is an expansion of our work to give babies their best chance to survive and thrive. The third priority of the Feed the Babies Project focuses on families with infants from 6 months to 12 months. These families will receive nutrition counseling and support that will provide them with alternatives to infant formula. According to Dr. Maya Moody, Missouri Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics president-elect, feeding babies donor breast milk from human milk banks that take voluntary steps to screen milk donors and safely collect, process, handle, test, and store the milk is a safe alternative for those that are not able to produce enough of their breast milk, or for those impacted by the current formula shortage. She added that nutrition and breastfeeding counseling are also highly recommended during this baby formula crisis. Related Article: Illinois Dad of 3 Dies After Falling Into Vat of 1,500C Molten Iron, Where His Body Split in Half Photo: (Photo : FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images) A pair of Boston parents are suing a hospital that lost the remains of their 12-day-old baby while they were making her funeral arrangements. Alana Ross and Daniel McCarthy accused the Brigham and Women's Hospital of throwing away their daughter, Everleigh, because she was covered with soiled linen. The baby weighed only two pounds five ounces because she was born prematurely. Court documents acquired by the Boston Globe detailed that two nurses took the baby to the morgue after her parents saw her one last time. Investigator Detective Kevin Cook believed that her remains might have been mistaken for trash because the transport worker in the morgue directed them to place the soiled linen bag "anywhere." CCTV clips later showed the pathologist putting a bundle of spoiled linens in the container meant for disposal without realizing a body was in one of the bags. Though the investigators went through the pile of cloth and medical wastes, they were not able to find Everleigh's body. Read Also: Micro-Preemie Baby Jari Lopez, Who Was Given a 30% Survival Rate, Celebrates First Birthday The Last Time They Saw Everleigh Everleigh was the parents' third baby after losing two other children due to a miscarriage. They had been cautious with this pregnancy because Ross almost lost Everleigh at 18 weeks in May 2020. A painful procedure allowed the mother to continue with the pregnancy until Everleigh had to be born premature, via an emergency C-section, in July. The baby was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) because of her medical issues. However, Ross and McCarthy were appeased by the fact that Brigham and Women's Hospital was "the most trusted name in women's health." This was why they chose to have the baby at the hospital, per Boston 25 News. About five days after Everleigh's birth, her parents were finally allowed to hold her at the NICU. They also discussed further treatment options with her doctors, but the baby didn't make it on the 12th day. The baby breathed her last while her mother held her in her arms. Ross recounted that they were able to have a baptism for Everleigh, who was dressed in a white gown. Then the nurses took her lifeless body to another room. It was the last time the parents would see their daughter. The couple said that the hospital staff promised their baby would be safely brought to the morgue, so they began making funeral arrangements. However, four days later, McCarthy received a call from the funeral home informing them that the morgue could not locate Everleigh's body. After talking to the hospital, Ross and McCarthy reported the incident to the Boston Police Department for a proper investigation. With the report on hand, the family filed their lawsuit. Mom's Heart Ripped Out of Her Chest The pain of losing another baby is already hard to describe but knowing that Everleigh's remains were treated like trash made Ross feel like her heart was ripped out of her chest. They didn't have a body to bury and had no clues as to where Everleigh's remains might be. Worse, the police report cited incomplete information from the hospital. The investigators were not provided videos of the morgue cooler CCTV. Later, the parents learned there had been a history of complaints involving the hospital's morgue. In response, the hospital issued a statement citing their sympathies and apologies to the parents. Dr. Sunil Eappen, the hospital's chief medical officer, said they could not comment on pending litigation, per WCVB. Related Article: Mom Whose Daughter Lived for 3 Hours Only Gives Birthday Cake to One Special Girl Every April 30 I have personally been hoping and praying for this result since I became pro-life in early 1982, after attending a conference on the topic at the evangelical church I was attending then. For about a dozen years prior, I was one of the ignorant masses who wasnt sure what to believe about it, up till then. Once I learned the facts (especially legalized murder through all nine months, and lots of facts about fetal development), I immediately changed my mind. I have been very firmly and actively pro-life ever since, including participating in about 25 rescues, from 1988-1990, where we blocked the doors of abortuaries, as an act of civil disobedience and biblical obedience, five arrests, three trials, and a little bit of jail time (just overnight at a nice jail for the one time I was convicted of trespassing). Human beings are literally alive and walking around today (more than thirty years old) because of what we did then. I was honored, humbled, and privileged to have been a part of that. As it is, we had to wait another 32 years (my age in 1990) to see this result we have so longed for. Apart from my ecstatic joy over this decision, I have two main thoughts. The first is that we still have a long ways to go. Despite this being a wonderful victory for life (the greatest in over fifty years), after the long battle (akin to the battle against slavery), all we have accomplished is letting states decide if they will be life or death states. This is scarcely better than what we had in the 1850s in the United States, with slave states and free states. We figured out (slowly) that slavery was wrong, after a bloody civil war, and passed a constitutional amendment getting rid of it forever. State governments to not determine if life is valuable or not. God does that. Were all made in His image. Even after we figured out that slavery was wrong (why did it take so long!?), we know the subsequent sad history of race relations in America. Institutionally sanctioned racism was pretty much wiped out in 1964 with the Civil Rights Act (which passed with proportionately more Republican votes than Democrat), but we still had a long ways to go. Things were getting much better, until our beloved Democrats decided to race-bait in every single election, make absolutely everything a racial issue, and stoke the fires of strained race relations, making things much worse than they would have been. They decided to push the notion that the vast majority of cops are overtly racist, and to endorse the violence and far-left agenda of Black Lives Matter: all of these things have greatly exacerbated existing social problems. The analogy to the 1850s is obvious. We have to pass a constitutional amendment that protects the life of human beings from conception to natural death (preventing euthanasia as well as childkilling). Thats when we will rise to the level of civilization again, and leave our present state of semi-barbarity. But at least we are now semi-. About half the states (immediately) will outlaw abortion or have relatively strong prohibitions, or abortion illegal at a fairly early stage. Thats great; hundreds of thousands of lives will be saved. But its not nearly good enough, and its nowhere near the Christian view that all lives are sacred and created by God (with our assistance in procreation). A question of murder shouldnt be left up to each state to decide. Thats a ludicrous notion. Nevertheless, at least states can decide whether they will protect the lives of babies in the womb or not. They have been able to do so to an extent, due to subsequent rulings after Roe, but now they will have the full legal prerogative and right to do so, with legal and moral monstrosity of Roe overturned at last. And that means that the truly progressive, consistently Christian and enlightened states will be almost wholly the opposite of what was the case in the 1850s. The least progressive states now are generally speaking, on the east coast, upper midwest, and west coast. New England was the heart of abolitionist country. Now its rabidly pro-death and bloodthirsty. Oh, the ironies . . . The South, which was so pro-slavery, now is the most progressive, consistently Christian, and pro-life region of the country. It will take a spiritual revival to complete the legal work of enshrining the value of all lives in the Constitution (Ive been saying this for probably over thirty years). We need the vast majority of people to be pro-life to accomplish that goal, not just 53% or whatever it is now: or partially pro-life (in the case of later-term abortions). Pro-lifers will have to keep doing what they have been doing, to prepare the soil for such an amendment. But revival comes through prayer and profoundly Christian lives that bear witness to the surrounding dying and rapidly secularizing culture. Do you want to transform your culture and help bring about revival? Then live your life in total dedication to God (and especially, have lots of children and raise them as committed disciples of Jesus Christ). The second thing that is in my mind on this great day is to reflect upon how we got here, and who made it possible and who didnt. I hate to sound any sort of negative tone on this day, but if we dont learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. There are two main immediate reasons for why Roe was overturned in a 5-4 decision: 1) President Donald Trump, and 2) The decision of the GOP-led Senate in February 2016, led by Sen. Mitch McConnell, to hold up the nomination of a new Supreme Court Justice, after the great Justice Scalia died. Let it be remembered that all the RINOs, moderates, independents, swing voters, leftist new pro-lifers, third-party types, and Never-Trumpers who hated President Trumps guts: largely for irrational and falsehood-based reasons, would have prevented this result, had they gotten their way. I can understand skepticism against him at first (I was among the skeptics, and he was initially my next-to-last choice in the primaries), but once Trump made it clear that he was committed to pro-life and to nominating Justices that would uphold pro-life, this skepticism should have stopped: seeing that the life issue is the number one, highest priority in importance (akin to slavery). President Trump proved to be the most pro-life President since Reagan, and nominated three pro-life Justices: 60% of the Justices who just voted to overturn Roe (Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett). We can also thank both Presidents Bush for the nomination of Justices Thomas and Alito: the other two pro-life votes). Needless to say, no Democrat-appointed Justice voted for life. But the Never-Trumpers still hate and despise him. They never learn. They refuse to give up their foolish pride, even though they were clearly on the wrong side. They appear to not understand cause-and-effect. Votes change and affect things. Otherwise orthodox Catholics like Mark Shea and Scott Eric Alt and Simcha Fisher voted for Hillary Clinton and/or Joe Biden, and justified these atrocious voting decisions with ridiculous rationales that they would be more pro-life than Donald Trump, and that there was no difference between the two parties. May history record how utterly wrong they were. I would cite some of the words they said, but I wish to be at least as charitable as I can on this day, and dont wish to pile on. I heartily thank all of you who have voted Republican, and especially if you voted for Donald Trump. You had a direct role in making this possible. Kudos! I thank you on behalf of all the children in the womb who will now be allowed to leave those wombs and have a life in this world. We see how voting for Congress also made it possible. Had the Republicans not held the leadership of the Senate in 2016, we would have had another pro-death Justice instead of Justice Gorsuch, and Roe would have been upheld 5-4, instead of overruled. Votes mean things. Republicans are pro-life; Democrats are not. Its almost the case to a person now (if we are talking about politicians). I dont always agree with Mitch McConnell: a sort of moderate conservative (and he himself is now an enemy of President Trump). But on this issue, he was dead-on, and he played a crucial role in making this result possible. So the deep thanks of all pro-lifers ought to go out to him, too. Thank you, Senator McConnell, and THANK YOU, President Trump, as well as the five pro-life Justices (Roberts being wishy-washy as usual, and half pro-life, half not), and elder and younger Presidents Bush. Praise God for all the lives that will now be saved; while at the same time we have a long ways to go to achieve complete victory for life: a constitutional amendment putting an end to this monstrosity and ruthless, heartless barbarity of legal childkilling anywhere in the United States. So keep praying, keep voting Republican, keep participating in or funding things like pro-life crisis pregnancy centers and other aids for women considering abortion, and keep being a witness to the God Who creates life and gives all life its inherent infinite value. Im very proud of my country today, in a way that hasnt been possible since 1973. Weve done the right thing. Weve fought the good fight. But its the first steps of a still very long journey to come. So we must continue to press on: as the Apostle Paul wrote. *** Photo credit: Official White House portrait of President Donald J. Trump taken by Shealah Craighead on October 6, 2017 in Washington, D.C. [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Summary: I express my joy and two main thoughts about Roe being overturned and the individual states again being able to determine if they will be progressive or barbaric. Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Senyo Hosi, has stated that the country faces an imminent fuel shortage if measures are not put in place to raise dollars for the purchase of the product on the international market. His comment comes on the back of a Bloombergs report that fuel shortage could hit the country as the Bank of Ghana rations dollars after oil prices surged following Russias invasion of Ukraine. In an interview on Joy FM, Mr. Hosi indicated that the current fuel stock in the country could last for a month with some more expected to come. He added that the prevailing situation should not be a cause for alarm and panic buying of fuel as the Bulk Oil Distributors together with other stakeholders were working assiduously to find solutions to the looming crisis. Just to make everybody comfortable, in the country today, we have adequate stocks to cover us about a monthThe are no issues with that. So there is no need for panic buying. As BDCs and oil marketing companies, we are all working to make sure we keep the situation stable and thats our mandate to this country. But we are having challenges which is a factthe foreign currency situation and the truth is, if that continues, we are going to have challenges with suppliers making products available to Ghana just as simple as that because nobody pays Cedis for oil internationally, you need to have US Dollars, he emphasized. Mr. Senyo Hosi added that the situation has become dire to the extent that the Bulk Oil Distributors have had to sometimes fall on the black market for dollars. Even though it receives support from the Bank of Ghana, the CEO of the group indicated that it was limited. we have got the Bank of Ghana to actually commit a special auction for BBCs which was not the case. So the Central Bank has since March being taking a very proactive intervention for our market but that also is limited. We started with about 250 millionwe are doing about 50% of our requirement and now I think they have scaled down to 20-25% of our requirement which would imply BDCs would have to fall on the open market to meet the rest of the requirement. That has gotten a bit tricky in recent times because we have had challenges with predictability and certainty. We have to sometimes work with the open market and unfortunately in some cases practically fall on the black market and that is a situational truth which is not ideal, he lamented. Meanwhile, Mr. Senyo Hosi says we are working together with the Central Bank to come up with what we call the Oil FX market so that we can create a lot more predictability and certainty for the international suppliers. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged African countries to adopt common regional and continental approaches to navigate the present global economic challenges. Such measures, he said, would help the continent exploit synergies to speed up their integration into the global economy. Regional and economic integration will not only help our countries access the expanded regional markets within but also facilitate their global competitiveness, added. Addressing the 22nd annual general meeting (AGM) of the African Trade Insurance (ATI) Agency in Accra yesterday[June 23, 2022], the Vice-President further said Africa needed to play increasing roles in the global market to maximise opportunities available in the interconnected world economy. In that regard, he said, the intervention of the ATI, a member of the African Development Bank (AfDB), became important in complementing the efforts of governments to sustain growth and navigate economic shocks. The ATI was founded in 2001 by African states to cover the trade and investment risks of companies doing business on the African continent. It basically provides political risk, credit insurance and surety insurance. Collaboration Dr Bawumia also called for closer cooperation between the AfCFTA Secretariat and the ATI to speed up the implementation of the free trade area. He said if Africa worked together in that direction, we will gain more time and mileage in reducing reliance on external markets and enhance value addition of our resources for our socio-economic development. The Vice-President pledged the countrys continued support to the ATI because we believe in its mission of transforming the continent into a prime trade and investment destination. He said when the ATI was set up in 2002, it recognised that the best way to address the international financial markets perception of Africa as a high-risk environment was to set up a credible insurance mechanism to mitigate losses caused by political events. It was collectively agreed that governments of our member countries will be the ultimate risk-takers in the insurance mechanism implemented by the ATI, he said, and, therefore, urged member countries of the agency to honour their commitments to the ATI. The ATI is African, it is for Africa and a multilateral financial institution established to address challenges to Africas trade transactions, he added. Financial results Giving an overview of the ATIs activities last year, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the agency, Manuel Moses, said our financial results for 2021 reflect a sustainable year improvement in our financial indicators, despite the profound effect of the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted all businesses and countries globally. He said underwriting revenues registered a growth of 14 per cent or $143 million over the previous year, adding that the agencys underwriting profit also increased by 11 per cent from $29 million to $33 million in 2021. Our gross exposures, which reflect the absolute contract values of the insurance covers that we have provided, also increased from $6.3 billion to $6.6 billion as of the end of December 2021, the CEO said. According to Mr Moses, the Russia-Ukraine war posed a significant threat to the ATI and businesses across the world, saying: We stand ready to safeguard our capital to ensure that our financial performance is not adversely impacted. Challenges The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, said the global pandemic, security challenges, tightening global monitoring conditions and climate-related shocks which threatened to derail the collective progress of Africas economic sovereignty were top on the agenda of policy makers. He called on pan-African institutions and private sector partners to buy into the renewed vision of reducing the continents overdependence on the rest of the world and shift from ambition to vision. By increasing access to and lowering the cost of financing for governments and investors in Africa, he said, the ATI could be more responsive to the strategic reforms of member states. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting has officially opened in Rwandas capital, Kigali. The host, President Paul Kagame, who takes over chairmanship of the 54-nation group that represents a third of the worlds population, said it is values that define its membership. These include good governance, rule of law and protection of rights. Hosting the event has brought his own government under sharp criticism over its human rights record. Whenever we might fall short, we find solutions through consensus and dialogue, he told the gathering, we build each other up and move forward together. He said the country had come a long way since the genocide of 1994, in which more than 800,000 people were killed. But today we are a nation transformed in heart, mind and body," he added. Much of the Commonwealth brings together countries that were part of the British Empire but has increasingly included others like Rwanda. President Kagame said joining the organisation was aimed at making sure our people are connected, included and forward-looking. Gabon a former French colony - is set to be admitted to the body during this meeting. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have attended a runway show at Rwanda fashion week. The Royal couple is in Rwandas capital, Kigali, representing the Queen at this years Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. Despite a momentary power cut in the venue, Charles and Camilla sat in the front row as designers from Rwanda, Nigeria and South Africa showcased their collections. The latest Royal engagement comes after Prince Charless visit to a Rwanda genocide memorial and Camillas talk at a panel to end gender-based violence. Sustainable fashion has been a key topic at this years meeting, with leaders in the industry discussing ways on how to slow down the ever-growing fast fashion trend. Its estimated that Ghana, a country which is part of the Commonwealth, receives 15 million used items of clothing every week from the West. Around 40% is of poor quality and deemed worthless ending up being dumped in landfills. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana National Gas Company has cut sod for the construction of a 3-unit classroom block at the Three Town Senior High School in the Ketu South Municipal in the Volta region to improve upon teaching and learning. The ceremony witnessed students, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), municipal educational director, representatives from Ghana Gas, traditional leaders, the landlord of Hedzranawo among others in attendance. Three Town SHS was established in 1991 as a day school, making it among the oldest schools in southern Volta, until it was absorbed by the government of Ghana. The name Three Town is a result of the schools location in the heart of three towns Denu, Hedzranawo and Adafienu. Now the school has a boarding, science laboratory, among others. Speaking at the ceremony, the Headmistress of the school, Margaret AdzoYawoo, was of the view that one of their burdens has been taken away by Ghana Gas, adding the school has grown from strength to strength and currently has a student population of 1,660 with staff strength of 134. According to the headmistress, basic facilities such as places of convenience are lacking on the compound and students have to walk a long distance to ease themselves, in the bushes, while teachers will have to close for the day in search of a place to ease themselves. She added that the school is noted for its academic prowess and the moral upbringing standard of the school is one of the best in the country. The school has helped to produce various categories of professionals in the region and the country as large, she stated. However, the same cannot be said of its structures and fixtures. Three Town SHS is overwhelming with inadequate structures which have made life uncomfortable for both staff and students for many years, according to the headmistress. This situation is really affecting academic work in the school and needs immediate attention by the authorities, Madam AdzoYawoo said, urging Ghana Gas to consider a boys dormitory block for the school, a 12-unit classroom block and renovation of the school kitchen to improve our academic work in the school. I believe strongly that upon competition of this project, a very conducive and inspiring environment will be created to enhance academic work. Again, the school is most grateful to Ghana Gas for such a move, she added. She also appealed to Ghana Gas to consider the problem of land space for the school so that this particular project is not roofed but flowed to maximize the use of the available land space for future use, noting how fast the school is growing. Ketu South Municipal Chief Executive Maxwell Koffie Lugudor assured the school of sponsorship from other institutions and believes the current state of the school is in a deplorable state. He, however, urged the students to take their academic work seriously, adding they should be self-disciplined at all times. He said the Assembly will do everything possible to assist the school. The 3-units classroom block, I appealed Ghana Gas should make it 6-units classroom block, he appealed. Educational Director Michael Yao Tsuiatorfe appealed to Ghana Gas if the projects could be extended to other facilities. He took time to talk about the deplorable state of the school and called for immediate assistance by asking if they can assist with two bungalows for house masters to be able to house the student properly. The Ghana Gas project, when completed, will assist Denu Three Town SHS to have a 3-unit classroom block. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mr Vadm. Ibok-Ete Ekwe, the Nigeria High Commissioner in Accra, has called for the reinforcement of the existing cordial relations between Ghana and Nigeria in the wake of security and terrorism threats in recent times. He said it was pertinent for the citizens of the two countries to interact regularly and sustain the cordial relations and be more responsible in their cooperation to help ward off security challenges emanating from terrorists' activities. The Nigeria High Commissioner made the call when a delegation of the Nigerian Community in Wa accompanied him to pay a courtesy call on the Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih at his office on Thursday. The Commissioner, who is on a two-day visit to the region, would interact with the Nigerian Community and learn of their problems and challenges regarding their stay, and as well know the number of Nigerians staying in the region. The High Commissioner said aside from the security challenges, citizens of the two countries must also focus and show concern about development issues. Mr Ekwe Ibas encouraged investors of the two countries to collaborate and invest in productive areas that could enhance trade and services to improve livelihoods. Dr. Bin Salih said the Nigerian Community in the region was law-abiding and related well with people in the communities without any discrimination. We need to enhance our relations and make it more productive to bring benefits to our people, he said. Talking about security, Dr. Bin Salih said apart from the terrorists threats in neighbouring Burkina Faso, the region had been relatively peaceful. He said the security agencies in the region were working to enhance the existing peace for the people to go about their businesses without any fear or hindrance. Mr Ken Amaraegbu, a member of the Nigerian Community in the region, said the members had integrated well with the people and were living as family members. He said the Nigerians in the region were much secured as they were law-abiding and therefore had no problems with both local and government authorities. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mr. Prince Sefah, the Administrator (CEO) of Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), together with a Support Team, has completed a Working Visit to the Ashanti Region, which was focused on inspecting the newly-built Community ICT Centre (CIC) Projects in the Region. Another purpose of the Working Visit to the Region was to deepen collaboration with stakeholders, including Municipal/District Assemblies, Traditional Authorities and School Authorities. The Working Visit took Mr. Sefah and Team to Ejura, Kokofu, Gyadam and Abankro. Ejura In Ejura - SekyeDumase District, the Team inspected the newly-completed CIC at Aheneboano. There, Mr. Sefah engaged the District Coordinating Director, select staff of the Assembly, some Community Leaders and the Assistant Headmaster of the Ejura Anglican School, whose campus the CIC is located in. He informed the Hosts that the purpose of the visit was to check on the project, to ensure the readiness of the facility for the deployment of computer equipment, and its operationalisation, for the benefit of the community. He expressed his gratitude to the Assembly and the Community for their cooperation and support throughout the construction phase, and further requested for their support, for the efficient management of the facility. He said that a key component of GIFECs mandate is to build the capacity of citizens to take up opportunities in the 4th Industrial Age that we are in, which is driven by Digitalisation. It was in this vein that, according to him, GIFEC is expanding its Cyber labs Programme to more communities, to increase access to ICT equipment and services, especially, in underserved and unserved communities. The District Coordinating Director, Mr. Emmanuel Armah, who represented the District Chief Executive, said that the Assembly is grateful to be included in GIFECs interventions, and pledged support for the management and maintenance of the centre. He requested additional support from GIFEC for schools and other communities within the District, considering the large size and population of the District. Kokofu In Kokofu, in the Bekwai District of the Region, Mr. Sefah and Team paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Kokofu Traditional Area, Barima Offe Akwasi Okogyeasuo II and his Sub-Chiefs. Mr. Sefah apprised them of GIFECs developments in the Ashanti Region in general, and in the Bekwai District in particular. He said, that although delayed by about 1 year, by the COVID-19 Pandemic, the biggest investment in telecommunication infrastructure by any government, being implemented by GIFEC on behalf of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation under the great leadership of Hon. Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project (GRT&DIP), has built 1,006 to-date, out of a planned 2,016 Sites, since late 2020, and is expected to be completed by December 2023. He mentioned that previously, until the GRT&DIP, GIFEC was building about 10 such Sites per year, in the era of the previous NDC government. In the Ashanti Region, he said that, specifically, 119 GRT&DIP Sites have been built, out of which 70 are already activated and delivering Voice and Data services to the citizens of Asanteman. He said that his Team is working in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the Asanteman to ensure that the Region gets its due share of the remaining Sites to be built, and to get the remaining built Sites activated. Further, he said that GIFEC'ss Cyberlabs Programme will establish 200 ICT labs across the country this year, to increase access to ICT. Finally, the Administrator informed the Omanhene and his people gathered that another unprecedented 14,000 citizens will receive various ICT training this year, under GIFEC's ICT Capacity Building Programme. Barima Offe Akwasi Okogyeasuo II, articulated his excitement about GIFECs laudable projects, especially the Cyberlabs Projects. He requested an expansion of the Programme to cover more persons and communities in Kokofu. Gyadam & Abankro. As part of his inspection of the Gyadam CIC in the Asante Akim South District, Mr. Sefah also paid a Courtesy Call on the Traditional Rulers of the area, including the Queen Mother of Gyadam Paramountcy, Nana Kwatemaa Morongo II, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged their support in ensuring effective management of the facility. Mr. Sefah was accompanied by the Development and Planning Officer and the Director of Education of the Asante Akim South District. At Abankro in the Ejisu Municipality, he visited the newly constructed centre and interacted with some leaders of the community as well. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Western regional minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko, has suggested a plan B for his constituents who live in flood-prone areas. The ministers statement has been circulated via a viral video following an interview on Takoradis massive flood issues. Those who stay in areas that are prone to flooding should always have a plan B. When it starts raining, you should move to your brother or sister or something for a week or two. Then when the rain subsides, you come back home. After the video circulated, netizens reacted with their opinions. While some agreed with the ministers plan b, others did not hold back as Mr. Darko got mauled. Kwabena Darkos submission was necessitated due to the recent viral flood videos from the region. Several Takoradi drivers were shown in the videos stranded inside their vehicles as floodwater engulfed them. Ghanas annual floods often occur in the adjoining months of June and July and are often the peak of the flood issues. The government has been implored to work on creating a permanent solution. Listen to the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko on the recent flooding in Western Region. pic.twitter.com/TJ974Ka7ZX SIKAOFFICIAL (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) June 24, 2022 Source: Twitter/GC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in special consultative status Reseau Unite pour le Developpement de Mauritanie has called on the Human Rights Council of the United Nations to take steps to resolve the conflict in Western Sahara and stop the source of terrorism in Sahel and Saharan region. The NGO, in a statement to the UN Human Right Council noted that the conflict in the region had become a burden on the international community despite clear signals of possible diplomatic solutions. Additionally, the NGO noted that this long-lasting conflict is a threat to peace and stability in both North Africa and the Sahel and Sahara region. The statement noted that the residents of the Western Sahara region were looking for a peaceful solution that protects them from the isolation and division they have been experiencing due to the camps and the separation wall. The Saharawi families, since 1976, have been living in division and scattering due to the insistence of the parties to the conflict not to provide concrete solutions to lift the siege on their victims. The residents of the camps have been greatly affected by the repercussions of the covid pandemic, without support from any government. The political decision in the Tindouf camps may not be in the hands of the Polisario as it is believed that Algeria plays a role in controlling and dominating the choices of the Sahrawis. The NGO therefore drew the attention of the independent Commission for Human Rights to the concern that Algeria may take destructive decisions for the future of these victims if not engaged early. The statement said the Tindouf camps have become incubating structures that support and nourish terrorism and organized crime and thus exploit the youth. The NGO called on the Council to end the conflict and help take effective steps to urge Algeria to accept a peaceful and realistic solution, which Morocco has positively done to resolve the conflict by proposing autonomy since 2007. It added that the opportunity was ripe to allow the polisario leaders to accept autonomy as a solution to the conflict, especially since there was increasing international recognition for considering autonomy as the credible and rational solution to resolving the conflict in Western Sahara. Additionally, the American recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Western Sahara is a strong signal that the population received with satisfaction and acceptance, and it must be exploited in order to push for the adoption of autonomy based on respect for human rights and to enable the Sahrawis to enjoy their full economic, civil and political rights, preserve their culture and benefit from the natural resources of the Western Sahara region. It therefore called for respect for human rights in the Western Sahara region by both Morocco and Algeria and under all circumstances and consider that autonomy provides an important opportunity for the Sahrawis to enjoy a decent and peaceful life. The NGO further rejected the exploitation of Sahrawi children and their recruitment into the Western Sahara conflict; called on the international community not to remain silent and to ensure that those responsible for recruiting children in the camps do not go unpunished. Also, it urged the UNHCR in Tindouf camps to take all preventive measures to protect Sahrawi children from exploitation and recruitment military activities. Source: Peacefmonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Twenty-seven teachers in some basic schools in the North East Region have been dismissed by the Ghana Education Service (GES) for allegedly joining the service with fake appointment letters. The victims are said to have secured postings to the various schools with fake appointment and posting letters bearing the signature of the Director-General of GES, Prof Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa. Confirmation The North East Regional Public Relations Officer of GES, Tongo Yidana who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic explained that the affected did not follow the employment procedures of the GES to join the Service. The victims are believed to have been scammed by some individuals who forged the Director-Generals signature to get them the appointment letters. When we checked from the database, we realized that their particulars cannot be found there but they were posted to the schools where they are teaching, he said. He indicated that the matter had been reported to the police for further investigation. Similar incident The incident comes barely a month after a National Service Person at the Yendi Senior High School in the Northern Region was arrested by the police for allegedly defrauding some job seekers and impersonating the Director-General of GES. The suspect, Ziblim Abdul-Latif is said to have issued fake appointment and posting letters from the GES to about 100 job seekers and charged them between GH5,000 to GH9,000. The victims were posted to about 40 basic schools in the Savelugu Municipality with majority of them being trained female teachers. Source: Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is reviewing the roadmap for its internal elections following the extension of the deadline for the registration of new members into the Party. The registration exercise, which commenced on 21st May, 2022, was scheduled to end on 7th June, 2022. Mr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Deputy General Secretary, NDC, told the Ghana News Agency that the exercise was extended for about two more weeks, and thus, disrupted the initial schedule for the Partys internal elections. The exercise ended over the weekend so we are reviewing the initial schedule, he said. Mr Otokunor said arrangements were underway to review the existing roadmap, and assured members of the Party that the new guidelines would be announced soon. The NDCs new membership registration exercise was confronted with some challenges in some constituencies, with some Party members alleging that they had been denied access to the Partys identification cards in spite of complying with the requirements. About two weeks ago, the Party deployed a special taskforce to handle the registration and issuance of membership cards in some constituencies in the Central and Bono East regions. The Party said efforts to resolve the challenges in some constituencies, including Agona East and Techiman South constituencies had proven intractable, hence the move. The Techiman South Taskforce was led by Professor Joshua Alabi, a leading member of the Party, while that of the Agona East was led by Mr Ako Gunn, a Deputy National Communications Officer of the Party. Per the initial guideline, the NDC was supposed to have organised its Branch elections from 15th June to July 2022 and the results of that election, collated from 1st - 7th August, 2022. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has argued that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in recent times has done little to recognize the late Jerry John Rawling as the founder of their party. He expressed worried and advised the Umbrella party to replica NPPs respect for their founding fathers. Take a cue from the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition and particularly give Rawlings a befitting recognition, he said Mr Annoh-Dompreh was reacting to the Member of Parliament for Buem constituency, Mr Kofi Adams claims that celebrations of late Rawlings monumental events are gradually falling off after his demise. Speaking to Peacefmonline.com, the Nsawam Adoagyiri NPP lawmaker said the Nana Addo-led government's recognition of the late former President is unmatched. Nobody can celebrate Rawlings better than the NDC, they must show a good example, he said Adding that, They should show leadership by celebrating him [Late Rawlings] as a party first and set the rightful tone in our bid to celebrate him as a nation. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Deputy Ranking Member of the Finance Committee of Parliament, Mr. Isaac Adongo has challenged the figures put out by the Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta on the Covid-19 expenditure. According to the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolgatanga Central, Ghanas Minister for Finance was untruthful with the information he shared on the floor of Parliament on June 22, 2022, while accounting for the countrys Covid-19 expenses. Speaking to the media after the presentation, the Bolgatanga Central MP insisted that there is still the need for further probe into the Covid-19 expenditure to ascertain the actual amount accrued to the government and its expenditure. I just dont know how this man (Ken Ofori-Atta) thought that he will just come and bamboozle us and get away with it. No wonder he has been running away from accountability and from Parliament all this while. People who contested elections openly claimed that they were given allocations of Covid money to spend, yet most of these monies did not even come as free money. People cannot hide behind Covid to plunder the public purse. They must account for it and the more open that process is, the better it is in claiming back the credibility of Parliament and the government architecture we set for ourselves, Mr. Adongo reiterated. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs in the August House, led by the Ranking Member of the Finance Committee have earlier argued that they wanted an ad-hoc parliamentary committee to investigate the governments expenditures, besides the account rendered by Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta. The Bolgatanga Central Lawmaker, contended that the Auditor General whom the Majority group in Parliament is asking to take charge of the audit of covid-19 expenditure lacked the capacity to do a thorough job as his work only entails checking for expenditures of ministries, departments, and agencies and not special incidents such as Covid-19 expenditures. The argument that the Auditor General will audit the accounts and so that suffices (is not right). The Auditor-General does not produce a special account on COVID-19 and related revenue and expenditures. He only reports the figures of total government expenditure and revenues from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. At this point, we are not looking at those numbers, we are looking at revenues or total mobilization and expenditures in relation to Covid-19 activities and there is no way the Auditor Generals reports can cover those matters so that has to be done by special arrangements. I am happy that the Speaker approved that this is investigated as a special activity, Mr. Adongo stated. He further noted that the Speaker of Parliaments final decision for a joint Health and Finance Committees investigation into the expenditure will suffice. But a Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. John Ampontuah Kumah says Mr. Ofori-Atta was forthright with his presentation to Members of Parliament on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Speaking to some members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) after answering some questions on behalf of the Minister, Mr. Kumah maintained that the Minister or government has nothing to hide. We have been transparent in the handling of the Covid-19 funds, he reiterated. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa's recent write-up on President Akufo-Addo's use of luxurious private jet on foreign trips appears to have stirred the hornet's nest. A Presidential Staffer and Head of Social Media Team at the Presidency, Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, stung the North Tongu MP describing him as an unrepentant liar using some very unsavoury words. Ultra-luxurious Airbus Charter The NDC MP, on Friday, claimed "after pretending he was a changed man by flying commercial on his last two trips to the US and the UK," the President "returned to his grossly insensitive and reckless ways of profligate traveling in ultra-luxurious charters." He alleges the trip is costing the country a whooping Ghc4m. According to him, President Akufo-Addo ordered a top-of-the-range and most expensive aircraft the Airbus ACJ319, registered as D-Alex for his recent trip to Belgium and Rwanda; "at a conservative bill of 480,000.00. The 480,000 Euros which is derived from 21 hours of total flight time plus other industry charges works out to some 4.1million Ghana Cedis at current exchange rate". Expensive Dental Chiselling Yet, But in a rather feisty denial posted on his Facebook wall, the Presidential Staffer stressed there was no way the President could have travelled to Belgium on a chartered private jet from Ghana, since he personally saw him board a commercial Air France bound aircraft. Cheekily, he believed the NDC MP was perhaps suggesting "the pilot stopped in midair for Akufo-Addo to use a parachute to jump off James Bond style onto a private jet flying by". "On Sunday at 7:30 pm, I Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, was at the Accra Kotoka International Aiport to see President Akufo-Addo and his team off. I saw Mr. President with my own eyes when he was boarding Air France and it took off". "A baby with sharp teeth is always a baby with sharp teeth even after several expensive dental chiselling," he added. Jubilee House Rebuttal Meanwhile, the Presidency has officially refuted the North Tongu MP's claims describing them as "inaccurate". The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin in a statement said these claims by the North Tongu MP are not accurate, and as a Member of Parliament, I was hoping he would have been factual and truthful in his claims, and resisted the urge to engage in propaganda, Mr Arhin stated, adding the President travelled to Belgium onboard an Air France Commercial Flight (AF0584). Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The latest bracelet winner has been crowned at the 2022 World Series of Poker in Event #46: $5,000 6-Handed No-Limit Holdem. From the time the final table began at 3:00 p.m. PT, Jonathan Pastore had a steady climb to the top to come out victorious and become the latest WSOP bracelet winner. There was a total of 920 players that started the tournament with a total prize pool of $4,243,500 which paid out 138 places. The money bubble was paid out towards the end of Day 2 with many big names taking home a piece of the pot including Dmitry Yurasov ($8,053), Daniel Negreanu ($8,807), Norbert Szecsi ($10,874), Anthony Zinno ($21,597) and Robert Mizrachi ($40,855). 2022 WSOP Event #46: $5,000 6-Handed No-Limit Holdem Final Table Results Place Winner Country Prize (in USD) 1 Jonathan Pastore France $771,765 2 Stephen Song United States $476,990 3 Tamer Alkamli Canada $331,503 4 Elio Fox United States $234,036 5 Paraskevas Tsokaridis Greece $167,882 6 Patrick Sekinger United Kingdom $122,395 Jonathan Pastore Winners Reaction This is Pastores first WSOP bracelet and the biggest cash of his career. He almost didnt play the event because there were a few other ones he wanted to play, but ultimately decided that it was such a prestigious one that he might as well just give it a try. When talking to PokerNews, the energy surrounding Pastore was electric with many friends on the rails. Having all of my friends on the rail really helped me. We are a big group of friends and poker players who live in Malta and came to play the World Series. Coming from the amateur poker circles in France, with all my friends around me, I feel I mixed those two worlds today and its beautiful. "Having all of my friends on the rail really helped me." Pastore was in the top 10 chip counts at the end of Day 2. Throughout Day 3, he had some ups and downs but steadily climbed throughout the day, making it to the final table with the third-highest chip stack before they bagged for the night. Stephen Song was the chip leader at the end of Day 3, finishing with half of the chips in play and it was he who Pastore beat in heads-up play to come out on top. Stephen Song dominated throughout, but ultimately fell one place short of the bracelet. I got into some tough spots against him yesterday but today was really easy for me. The beginning of the final table was difficult but everything went well after and today I didnt have any tough spots. He only had good things to say about his opponent and felt honored to get to play heads-up with him. Playing against Stephen Song heads-up was really a great feeling. He is a player I admire and I wish we had more players like him in the poker community. When asked what was next for him about more WSOP events and just plans for his winnings, Pastore said: I want to stay focused and keep playing all the events that were on my schedule. For my winnings, I want to invest money and not really start playing much higher buy-ins. I also really want to study mixed games to play a lot of those events next year so I'll work on that and keep playing online a lot. Final Day Recap The sixth-place finisher for this event was Patrick Sekinger who was knocked out by Tamer Alkamli in the final hand of the night on Day 3. The remaining five players returned today and resumed play at 3:00 p.m. PT. It wasnt long before Pastore eliminated Greece's Paraskevas Tsokaridis in fifth place, taking home $167,882 and the cantaloupe he brought with him. American Elio Fox was the next man down in fourth place after a preflop all in that ended with Stephen Song hitting a full house to knock him out. Three-handed play continued for a while before Canadian, Tamer Alkamli, who was short stacked, got it all in against Pastore in a coin flip that had Pastore coming out on top, sending Alkamli out in third. The final hand had Pastore with three-quarters of the chips facing off against Song who was aggressively betting each street before getting the last of it all in on the river. Pastore tanked before calling with a pair of queens and caught Song with a five-high bluff and he ran to his rail who went wild with his victory. On June 19, China put up a lengthy response to a speech by Secretary of State Antony Blinkens summarizing U.S. policy on China. Blinken had criticized Chinas Communist Party for growing more repressive at home and more aggressive abroad. While stressing that the U.S. was not seeking conflict, he called out Beijing for human rights abuses and quashing of freedoms in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet. Beijings 25,645-word rebuttal pushed back on numerous themes. This one caught our attention: During the 150-plus years of British colonial rule, there was no democracy in Hong Kong whatsoever. None of the governors was democratically elected by Hong Kong residents In stark contrast, after the return of Hong Kong [to China, its residents] manage their own affairs within the scope of the high degree of autonomy. They enjoy a wide range of democratic rights and freedoms like never before. This is false. In fact, Hong Kong leaders under Chinas control systematically crushed the pro-democracy movement there while instituting a faux-democratic system manipulated by Beijing. As Polygraph.info previously reported, Beijing reneged on its original promise to grant Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy after the British agreed to return the colony. In recent years, pro-Beijing politicians put down protests and passed a sweeping national security law that provides wide power to punish dissent. Pro-democracy candidates were disqualified; pro-democracy activists and lawmakers were arrested; and pro-democracy publications were closed and their journalists harassed and jailed. Beijing chipped away at Hong Kong residents limited voting rights to allow only patriotic candidates and introduced patriotic textbooks that rewrote history to favor Beijing. One could argue that Hong Kongers democratic rights and freedoms have been stripped away like never before. Chinas antipathy for true democracy goes back further. Although its true that Hong Kong was not a democracy under the British, that might have changed had China not opposed efforts at a democratic transition. Hong Kong was a British colony for a century and a half starting in 1841 (except for the period of Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945). Its colonial status was governed by treaties signed with the Qing Dynasty, Chinas last. After communists seized power in 1949, China said it never recognized the unequal treaties with the Qing Dynasty. Instead, Beijing viewed the British occupation as illegal and insisted it had sovereignty over Hong Kong. Negotiations in the latter 20th century eventually led to a one country, two systems arrangement under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration registered with the United Nations. China was supposed to grant Hong Kongers autonomy for 50 years. Colonial records declassified by the British government over the past decade showed that the British had thought about granting Hong Kong self-governance in the 1950s. Direct elections were even considered in the 1960s and 70s, according to the Washington Post. However, Communist China under the leadership of Mao Zedong quashed the idea, warning Britain to preserve the colonial status of Hong Kong, according to the declassified documents. As The Atlantic magazine reported in 2014, one of those documents describes how, in 1958, then Chinese Premier Zho Enlai told a senior British military official that, Beijing would regard allowing Hong Kongs people to govern themselves as a very unfriendly act. The Atlantic added that in 1960, Liao Chengzhi, who was Chinas director of overseas Chinese affairs, told Hong Kong union representatives that Chinas leaders would not hesitate to take positive action to have Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories liberated if the Brits allowed self-governance. Beijing can no longer say there were bad things during colonial times because its now been revealed that it was part of the force that maintained the status quo in Hong Kong, Ho-Fung Hung, a sociology professor at Johns Hopkins University, told The Atlantic. Beijing is partially responsible for the lack of democracy in Hong Kong before 1997, Hung said. In fact, direct elections were briefly introduced in Hong Kong, though only for a limited number of seats in the local legislature, during the last few years of its colonial status. Its long been known that in the 1980s, once the Brits knew they were going to be leaving Hong Kong and tried to speed up democratic reform, the Chinese government threatened them not to, Hung told The Atlantic. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Some early morning breaks in the overcast, otherwise cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Youre seeing The Post and Courier's weekly real estate newsletter. Receive all the latest transactions and top development, building, and home and commercial sales news to your inbox each Saturday here. New agency partners with apartments to offer homeless a job and a place to live A new national nonprofit to help the homeless now has an office in Charleston. Shelters to Shutters recently set up its eighth national location at 341 East Bay St. The Virginia-based organization places homeless individuals and families in jobs at multifamily housing communities, where they also live. Participants also receive career mentoring and access to support services to ensure a successful long-term transition. The nonprofit will work with the Charleston Apartment Association, with support from multifamily real estate firm Middleburg Communities, to move individuals from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency through full-time employment, housing and career training opportunities, according to Daniel Stern, the executive director of the Charleston office. "I look forward to providing meaningful, lasting impact for the individuals and families struggling to secure employment and housing opportunities who are eligible for our program," Stern said. The apartment group's leader believes the program is win-win for those seeking a home and a job and the multifamily industry that's looking to fill open positions in the booming apartment market. The Charleston Apartment Association is proud to have Shelters to Shutters as our charity of choice for the next two years to rally around their mission to put individuals and families who have fallen on hard times into careers and housing in our industry," said Susan Burke, president of the apartment group. "We are always in need of skilled, motivated talent to join our onsite teams." Stern previously worked in the Lowcounry nonprofit sector for 11 years, leading three different groups with missions that supported community empowerment, economic development and special needs. "Daniels experience with and knowledge of the local community combined with his entrepreneurial skills are a great match for leading the organization in Charleston," said David Williams, Shelters to Shutters president and CEO. Other locations are in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. Want to receive this newsletter in your inbox every Saturday? Sign up for free. Sign up for our real estate newsletter! Get the best of the Post and Courier's Real Estate news, handpicked and delivered to your inbox each Saturday. Email Sign Up! The first 64 units in a new multifamily development called The Lofts are now under construction in Downtown Nexton on the edge of Summerville. By the numbers 3,063: Square footage of a new restaurant coming to 128 Columbus St. in downtown Charleston. 7818: Address on River Avenue in North Charleston of a new Dunkin' donut shop that opened June 23. 2: Number of new venues opening in a James Island shopping center that include a craft beer tavern and a coffee shop. This week in real estate + Big deal: The new owner of Freshfields Village Shopping Center between Kiawah and Seabrook islands paid nine figures for the property. + $20M: The amount of money Charleston County Council will dedicate to affordable housing. + Demolition plan: Initial steps have been taken to eventually tear down the 13-story, troubled public housing project Joseph Floyd Manor on the peninsula. Baltimore-based developer Landmark Partners plans to build a 21-unit condominium project called City House Charleston on Cumberland Street in the French Quarter south of the historic City Market. Did a friend forward you this email? Subscribe here. Craving more? Check out all of the Post and Courier's newsletters here. About 25,000 South Carolina property owners are scrambling to replace their insurance just a few weeks into the 2022 hurricane season, after the carrier that sold the policies was declared financially insolvent. Customers of Southern Fidelity Insurance Co. are being notified that their property and casualty coverage will be canceled on July 15. The carrier was placed into receivership last week by regulators in Florida, where it is headquartered. A court has ruled that the company's assets be liquidated. Southern Fidelity was already suffering from chronic underwriting losses when its financial stability rating was revoked June 2 after it was unable to obtain adequate "reinsurance," which would cover damage claims if a catastrophic event during the 2022 hurricane season wiped out its reserves. The following week, it was determined that the Tallahassee-based company was "operating in an unsound condition that is hazardous to policyholders, creditors, stockholders and the public," according to Virginia Christy, a director with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. The S.C. Department of Insurance said in a June 24 statement that it was informed that "approximately twenty-five thousand South Carolina policies will be impacted by the liquidation." Southern Fidelity also sold property and casualty insurance in its home state, Louisiana and Mississippi. About 148,000 policies are being canceled. The company's collapse leaves little time for property owners and their agents to find new coverage, said Julius J. Anderson, owner of Anderson Insurance Associates in Charleston. Anderson said Friday. "And rates are going to be higher, and so on and so on." The S.C. Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association, which lawmakers created as a financial safety net for customers of failed insurers, said "agents should work as quickly as possible to replace" all of the soon-to-be-canceled policies. "There is no advantage to waiting and several risks," the Columbia-based group said on its website. A similar but less-dire situation arose last year when another troubled underwriter reeling from sizable claims along the Gulf Coast announced it was pulling out of South Carolina. FedNat Insurance said in November that its finances had been stretched thin by a crippling ice storm in Texas in February 2021 and billions of dollars in property damage that Hurricane Ida caused when it hit Louisiana last summer. FedNat's Palmetto State customers were to be transferred to other carriers in a process that was expected to take up to 18 months. In the interim, the company said it would renew their policies. COLUMBIA For years, staffers and volunteers representing two groups on opposite ends of the abortion debate have stood outside the Columbia Planned Parenthood clinic vying for the attention of patients. The days were much the same outside a plain brick building located inside a quiet business park off Forest Drive. Pro-life supporters trying convince patients of their options other having an abortion and Planned Parenthood backers helping women get inside the clinic. On June 24, the dynamic changed. The U.S. Supreme Court released an opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade, a decades-old ruling that made abortions legal nationwide. Abortions remain legal in South Carolina with restrictions. However, the state Legislature plans to return for a special session in which it will consider a total ban. "This is a moment we've been waiting for," said Mark Baumgartner, executive director of pro-life group A Moment of Hope while standing with members outside the Columbia clinic on June 24. "It's a huge deal." In the meantime, the Columbia clinic will continue to normal operations, which include other women's health offerings besides abortions, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic spokeswoman Vicki Ringer said. The clinic only had morning appointments June 24, so staff went home that afternoon to "digest the Supreme Court ruling," Ringer said. The clinic will resume providing abortions next week and will do so for four days instead of the usual two in response to the opinion. The Columbia clinic is one of three in the state that performs abortions. The others are in Charleston and Greenville. The opinion did not come as a surprise, Ringer said, since Politico published a leaked draft of the ruling in May. "We didn't expect it to go any other way," she said. Baumgartner said "there were shouts of joy" in his house when the court's opinion was announced. Members of his organization, wearing bright green safety vests with a sign that reads "Hope," stood outside the Planned Parenthood clinic near downtown and waved down cars to hand out bags with informational packets. A Moment of Hope volunteers will continue showing up until the Columbia location no longer performs abortions for good, program manager Valerie Berry said. "I think for women that are in a tough place and struggling or confused, they may feel like this is a let down, but we've seen over and over again that abortion doesn't bring the solution that it promises," Berry said. "I hope that (women) will turn to organizations like ours and others across the state there are many, so many that offer practical help." Ringer encouraged people to reach out to their legislators and ask them to keep abortion legal, especially since S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson said he planned to ask federal courts to lift an injunction blocking a state law that would prevent abortions after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, which could be as early as six weeks. "Don't expect a doomsday reaction from legislators, Ringer said. We have voices and votes, and we can demand better from our legislators." The evening of June 24, people gathered outside the Statehouse to talk about doing just that. Chants of, "Our body, our choice," rang out over Gervais Street. Cars honked as they drove past. The Supreme Court decision ruined Mike and Barbara Brothers' days when they heard it this morning as they sat on their back porch watching the birds. Barbara Brothers graduated high school in 1973, the same year the Supreme Court originally ruled on Roe v. Wade. "It's really sad to see that, 50 years later, we're turning back the clock," Barbara Brothers said. Jessica Bernier was on the phone with friends when the decision was announced. They were all devastated, but as a veteran, she was particularly infuriated. "I fought for my rights, and I served in the military for this country, and now I have to fight this country for rights to my own body," Bernier said. Lahari Shetty, Jillian Claire and Sarah Dobbs, all obstetrician-gynecologist residents and abortion providers, were still wearing their lab coats at the rally. Claire's was dotted with pins, a syringe and a uterus joined by the distinctive collar of former Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who supported abortion. "This ruling is going to seriously impact the care we provide our patients," Claire said. Kate Roy brought her two daughters, 3-year-old Aarti and 9-month-old Rupi, with her. Aarti held a sign that read, "Mother by choice!" "You don't have to be directly impacted by something for it to matter," Roy said. Several attendees and speakers said they were worried about what this might mean for other Supreme Court decisions related to a person's right to privacy. In a concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas asked the court to revisit cases that give rights to contraception, same-sex relationships and same-sex marriage. "That's the start of a trickle that turns into a waterfall," said Allison Turner. "It opens that door." Greenville, SC (29601) Today Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. High 84F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms, especially late. Low around 70F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. The Greenville County Library System drew criticism the week of June 20 after leadership reportedly told staff to remove displays commemorating Pride month, then reversed course. Pride month, running the entirety of June, is dedicated to members of the LGBTQ community. Posts on social media by community members and a joint statement released by Upstate Pride SC, the Upstate LGBT+ Chamber and ACLU SC claimed the library system board had called for the removal of the displays. The displays were then restored after pushback. The Post and Courier made multiple attempts to reach the Greenville County Library System leadership in-person, over email and by phone for comment on the incident. Executive director Beverly James was emailed and called multiple times without answer. The paper also visited the administrative offices at the Hughes Main Library in Greenville to talk with James, but the administrative assistant said she was unavailable. Emails were sent to each board member. Attempts were also made to reach the county spokesperson over phone and email. Sign up for our Greenville daily update newsletter. Sign up for daily roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Upstate. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Greenville news staff. Email Sign Up! The library system, comprised of 12 libraries across the county, has not confirmed the choice to remove the displays or the decision to put them back. The display at the Hughes Main Library on June 24 included a small sign that said "June is Pride Month" in rainbow lettering and included 11 books. Executive Director with the Upstate LGBT+ Chamber Tyler Prescott told the Post and Courier that the groups had come to understand the timeline of events through internal sources in the library system that have selected to remain anonymous for fear of their jobs. The joint statement addressed the incident. "The Board's action attempt to stifle the persistent resilience of the Greenville's LGBTQ+ community," the statement read. "The Board's response demonstrates a cowardly unwillingness to be held responsible for their actions." The statement continued by supporting libraries, calling them "an invaluable teaching tool." "They allow people who are constantly bombarded with discrimination and political attacks to see themselves in positive representations and others to gain a deeper understanding of the world," the statement said. NORTH CHARLESTON On a warm weekday afternoon, the old Charleston Naval Base buzzes. Excavators and other construction equipment tear into brick dwellings, built after World War II. Their demise makes way for new housing, both single- and multifamily units, that will match already refurbished former officers houses nearby. Crews soon will finish a pedestrian bridge spanning Noisette Creek, which will connect the 12-acre Riverfront Park a popular event venue home to a number of music festivals with an opportunity to add more park space on the other side. The ongoing projects point to progress for North Charleston, as the city continues decadeslong attempts to repurpose the 3-mile-long property that hugs the Cooper River into an urban waterfront corridor that includes houses, businesses and recreational space. City officials remain focused on Battery Park, a 90-acre development dream that calls for condos, commercial properties and outdoor space along with trying to convince the U.S. military to give up its final toehold on the land and move farther up river. That last part could be a long shot. Additional housing could dramatically increase clientele at MOMO Kitchen + Market a restaurant that opened last fall in the Quarters L building to provide park guests and nearby employees with a lunch option, said owner Justin Moore. He also welcomed the idea of having more restaurants on the base. I think the more the merrier, the Park Circle resident said. Finding a way to comprehensively revitalize the expansive base, however, has met many challenges since the government closed it in 1996. The Noisette Plan, announced two decades ago, sought to create a vibrant, mixed-use community across several hundred acres on the former federal complex. That plan ultimately ended in foreclosure. The city has contended the effort was not a complete failure, as it gave North Charleston an overall vision for the area as a work-live-play hub. And there have been successes. Last year, North Charleston completed a $4.5 million renovation of the old Admiral's House, which joins other buildings that have been refurbished for public use. Those include the Eternal Father of the Sea Chapel and the Gatekeepers Inn at Quarters F. Private investment also is shaping up. A real estate team with a track record for building expansive projects in large cities has plans to transform more than 1 million square feet or about 23 acres on the base into new offices, residences, shops and restaurants. Now, the city wants to tackle what could be its most ambitious plan since the Noisette failure. Battery Park At the foot of the serpentine pedestrian bridge, which will be adorned with twin arches and a possible overlook area, sits a tract of largely undeveloped land. Of the approximately 90 acres envisioned in the overall conceptual plan, the federal government owns more than 20, with a nonprofit and brewery taking up another 10. North Charleston owns the remaining 60 acres, which is either undeveloped or studded with old warehouses. More coverage To read more stories in the series about growth and development, go to postandcourier.com/boomandbalance/. The city sees all the land including what it doesn't own as Battery Park, which would include new parks and outdoor event spaces along the creek at the base of the pedestrian bridge. That would then open up to mixed-use development farther beyond. Part of the plans call for new high-rises with residential units above street-level commercial space. The project, which likely will require a public-private partnership, would stretch from Noisette Creek to Virginia Avenue. Costs for the high-density development could amount to billions of dollars of private investment. That could dramatically increase tax revenue pouring into North Charleston, which currently has a $137 million budget and leads all of South Carolina in retail sales. If Battery Park were to become reality and add even $200 million in commercial property, the city would receive an additional $1.1 million annually in property taxes at its current rate. The Battery Park idea comes as the Charleston region continues to see significant growth. Charleston County gained 58,026 residents from 2010 to 2020, bringing the county's total population to 408,235. The area near the old base, which includes the booming Park Circle community, has been among the most rapidly-growing sectors in the city since the base's closure. Park Circle, once a quiet, residential neighborhood, has become a residential hub and local destination point with swank apartments and new restaurants and bars. Young families have found the area attractive with its many parks and recreational amenities for children. As new people move in, it is time for North Charleston to consider embracing other kinds of development not traditionally seen throughout the city, such as high-rises, said Ray Anderson, the mayor's special assistant. Anderson, who has a background in architecture and also served on City Council and its planning commission, has been the lead on the Battery Park effort. The tallest building in North Charleston is the old Naval Hospital, a 10-story structure on Rivers Avenue. A private developer plans to convert it into apartments. Early plans for Battery Park don't specify how tall any buildings could be. "I think you're probably going to see some high-rises finally in North Charleston," Anderson said. "Some people like that lifestyle and, you have to admit, we've certainly enticed a number of folks into our community that come from urban areas. And they may enjoy being in a what I call a 'robust urban environment' again." No developer has been identified. But project renderings outline the city's vision for the area. The drawings depict roughly a dozen buildings near Noisette Creek that would be ideal for residential and commercial use, two outdoor event venues and three parks along the creek and the Cooper River. Bike paths weave throughout the development. A new boardwalk leads to the river. The proposed project is in a desirable location, as the former base sits just 7 miles from downtown Charleston. Both residents and visitors would have waterfront views. "Could we entice a water taxi up this way from downtown? I think that's a possibility," Anderson said. Mayor Keith Summey said his vision is to create high-rises that would be consistent with development in other large U.S. cities. But he emphasized the project is still early in the planning process, and that the plan could be modified once the city identifies a developer. "The plans are great, but it's just like every other plan. You can plan it all you want, but whoever comes in and owns the land and is willing to do something that fits within our package the plan is subject to change," Summey said. Challenges ahead One of the most obvious hurdles is the 21 acres desired as part of the project that is owned by the Air Force. It is being used for engineering and research purposes to support the Navy and Marine Corps. City officials said they have talked to the Air Force about relocating to the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek. The federal government confirmed that it has been in conversation with the city regarding the property, but there are no updates with regard to relocating. "Joint Base Charleston remains committed to its relationship with the city of North Charleston," said spokesman Victor Reyes. Another major challenge is parking which already is a pressing need on the former base, now the site of homes, businesses, nonprofits, warehouses and a large park, along with a rail yard built to serve the new port terminal at its southern end. Riverfront Park already has a parking lot that is too small for its size, Councilman Bob King said. Though the city has created a handful of parking lots on that side of town in recent years, the area is in desperate need of more especially if residential development is added, King said. King also acknowledged the need for more reasonably priced housing in North Charleston. The Battery Park plan, however, doesn't seem like it would include affordable homes, given its waterfront location, King said. The councilman said he would like to see the city consider other parts of North Charleston where it could realistically build affordable homes. The proposed development will be dense, which could better enable developers to set aside a certain number of apartment units for those with low to moderate incomes, Anderson said. North Charleston is in a good position to encourage affordability, said Bill Stanfield, CEO of Metanoia, a local affordable housing nonprofit. Given the city owns most of the land within the proposed development, it should strongly consider encouraging mixed-income housing at the Battery Park site, he said. "There is an awfully strong need for mixed-income neighborhoods that make space for everybody," Stanfield said. "I hope they would consider some options that would create such a community." Valarie Harper Young is a native of Liberty Hill, a predominantly African American community that was established by former enslaved people shortly after the Civil War. The community, which sits adjacent to Park Circle, has raised concerns about the threat of gentrification in the Black neighborhood as home prices in Park Circle have risen to the $400,000 mark in recent years. Young, who wasn't aware of the Battery Park proposal, acknowledged that improvements on the old Navy base and within Park Circle have helped spur Liberty Hill residents into action. The neighborhood's improvement council has spent recent years educating homeowners on the importance of paying property taxes so they don't lose their homes. "We know gentrification is going to happen around us," Young said. "But because everybody is an individual property owner on Liberty Hill, it won't impact us significantly or quickly. Were not going to let anybody lose any more properties around here. We have to take care of our own." Another local resident favors the project. "That's been an area that's served an industrial purpose for a good long while, but it'd be nice to see it have more of a residential, business and commercial use," said Jerry Lahm, former president of the Olde North Charleston neighborhood. After decades of fits and starts, it remains to be seen whether the base will ever be fully revitalized. The ambitious Battery Park plan will be a key piece to helping North Charleston reach its overall vision for the old federal complex. But many will be watching to see whether the project, if ever built, will be a community that can be enjoyed by everyone. David Slade contributed to this report. VALLE CRUCIS, N.C. We didnt go to Appalachia in 2020 for obvious reasons. We had adult vaccinations last year, but one of the big reasons my parish has been undertaking these mission work trips for more than three decades is to provide a week of service, worship and community building for teenagers, and most of them werent vaccinated yet. The even more important reason is to serve as the hands of Christ for elderly, often medically fragile, people who live in crushing poverty, and the risk that one of us could infect them was still too high. I thought it was still too soon this year. But we have a vaccine that is widely available and wildly effective, and we would keep a safe distance and require COVID vaccinations a condition that, it saddens me to say, kept some volunteers home. My priest, Father James Lyon IV, had turned the project over to Father Joseph Whitehurst of Aikens Saint Thaddeus Episcopal Church and Mead Hall parochial school seven years ago, and only two of us from Good Shepherd could make it this year. We knew we had to be part of the post-pandemic reboot, whether we wanted to or not. It was a coincidence that Bishop Daniel Richards had rescheduled his first visit to Good Shepherd for the day of departure, and that it was our new bishop who commissioned us to do Gods work in Appalachia. That is, if you believe in such coincidences. If I had been listening, I might have realized sooner that the coincidence was actually what a friend likes to refer to as a God wink a message of affirmation from the Holy Spirit. A week after coming back down the mountain, I cant believe how hard I had hoped wed have to cancel. We were a shadow of our usual presence six adults and four high school students. But we were able to complete two smaller projects and to rebuild Mr. Keiths dilapidated front porch and front and back steps, reducing the danger of a fall that marks the beginning of the end for so many people as their bodies give way to age. More importantly, we were able to serve, as a friend who stopped by twice during the week kept telling Mr. Keith, as a reminder that God hasnt forgotten him. That God is constantly sending angels to watch over him, from the volunteers who drop off a hot lunch every day to the neighbors who dole out his daily medicines so he doesnt skip a dose or double up. Mr. Keith, in turn, allowed us to experience the deep satisfaction inherent in serving others. And he modeled for us a graceful acceptance of conditions most of us could not imagine, from his physical privations to the constant realization that his mind is slipping away. Mr. Keith is 69, strong and steady on his feet he refused to listen when I insisted I could haul decking boards from the truck to the porch, instead picking up stacks of two to keep pace but his dementia makes a job out of the question. The electricity is out in the back of his 1970s-era single-wide he says theres a short but doesnt know where, and we didnt have an electrician with us. The walls are brown with soot from the wood stove that heats the place, and the windows are covered with ill-fitting curtains to keep out the brutal winter cold, creating a gloomy atmosphere that surely contributes to the depression that worries his friend. But there were no hints of depression as he kept vigil from a plastic chair in the front yard, watching us tear down and rebuild the porch, regaling us with memories and waving to truck after truck that honked as it drove by. Mr. Keith had grown up in a modest house across the road, and while his lifelong community might not be equipped to swoop in and repair his home, neither would it abandon him. Wynne Strickland, who works at the local aging commission and hooked us up with Mr. Keith, told me last week that the pandemic has been especially hard on her clients, many of whom rely on her volunteers for what little human interaction they get, and on volunteer groups like ours that come in once a year to do home repairs. There have always been volunteer groups, thanks in part to the Valle Crucis Conference Center just west of Boone, a converted monastery owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina that welcomes mission work. But for two years the volunteers stopped coming, and the needs mounted, and as the groups trickle back in, they're smaller than before. The S.C. United Methodist Churchs massive Salkehatchie Summer Service program likewise took a two-year hiatus and started back this summer with only about a third its usual number of camps, most hosting smaller groups. Columbia-based Home Works of America also slowed down, but it didn't stop. Executive Director Joe Huggins says the ministry was able to repair 77 homes in 2020 and 96 last year, as it put the homeowner-volunteer interactions on hold and worked exclusively on roofing and other outdoor repairs. It announced earlier this month that it wouldn't be able to resume its flagship summer work trip to Johns Island this year, but one-day blitzes and shorter projects with individual parochial schools, nonprofits and businesses are up, and it's on track to repair 150 homes this year and more than 200 in 2023. Good Shepherd and Saint Thaddeus are fortunate to have generous donors, but the break in service has left many ministries struggling financially. The people we serve are struggling even more. I would urge you to consider helping however you can: donating your time, your talent or your treasure to assist those in such tremendous need. As Jesus reminded us in Matthew 25:40, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Lets start with the easy part: The 15 budget earmarks that S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster excised because their legislative patrons refused to explain the projects adequately if at all should stay vetoed when the Legislature returns to Columbia on Tuesday to consider his 44 substantive vetoes. This year, the governor reached out to legislators on May 16 and gave them more than a month to provide him the information that the House Ways and Means and the Senate Finance committees should have required before ever adding the money to the budget for local governments and nonprofits: the purpose of the project funded, the total budget, a description of the community support and details on the recipient organizations. Spokesman Brian Symmes tells us that the governor received detailed explanations on 60% to 70% of the 300 earmarks, and some information on about 20%. The office was able to track down information for several others something it shouldnt have had to do. Mr. McMaster explained in his veto letter that he vetoed 15 items ranging from $25,000 for the Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative to $5 million for Myrtle Beachs Socastee Park solely because I did not have enough information to determine whether it was a worthy investment of state taxpayer dollars. That some legislators wouldnt provide him such basic information is reason enough for the Legislature to sustain the vetoes, even if their patrons suddenly come up with explanations on Wednesday. It is past time for our Legislature to acknowledge that when it spends the publics money, it owes the public basic information about what it's purchasing. The 20 other earmarks are a tougher call, because they come down to judgment calls about the value of the projects. Importantly, those are judgment calls that in many cases most legislators couldnt have made before last week, because all they knew about most of the earmarks was which legislators requested the money. And even that is an improvement over much of the past two decades. Although we believe its usually better for local governments to fund local parks, festivals and other community projects and for initiatives by nonprofits to be funded through competitive grants or private donors, our biggest concern with South Carolinas earmark process has been its secrecy; until last year, even most legislators didnt know what projects they were funding until after they had passed the budget and reporters were able to dig into its details. Were encouraged by how much legislators have opened up the process under pressure from Mr. McMaster, relentless reporting from The Post and Courier and Columbias State newspaper and the persistence of a bipartisan group of legislators, including Sens. Wes Climer, Dick Harpootlian and Shane Massey. The governors office says its working to make the detailed explanations it received about most earmarks available either via Freedom of Information requests or online; the problem is that the legislators and organizations that replied sent in thousands of pages of documentation, and processing all that is an onerous task. We urge Mr. McMaster to follow through with that, even if hes not able to get anything posted before Wednesdays votes. More importantly, we urge the Legislatures budget committees to request this information upfront next year, then post it to the legislative website before the budget debates begin. And they need to put it on the main budget page so the public an find it more easily than the lists of earmark sponsors, which are challenging to locate even for people familiar with the site. All the information in the world is of little use if people can't read it. Editor's note: An earlier version of this editorial incorrectly said the Legislature was returning to work on Wednesday. I will no longer be voting for him I will still vote for him I am going to vote in the Republican primary I think he should drop out of the race for governor Vote View Results When some rotten insider at the Supreme Court leaked Justice Alitos draft opinion in the Dobbs case last month, it reminded me of the invitation we had received from the editors of National Review to comment on the nomination of then Judge Alito to the Supreme Court by President Bush. Our article was published in the November 21 issue of the magazine that year. I dug it out and posted it on Power Line last month but thought it might be worth revisiting today in the aftermath of the Courts release of its Dobbs opinion yesterday. This is what we had to say (below the break). * * * * * When the White House nominated Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, it appeared to many conservatives that it had drawn the wrong conclusion from the smashing success it had achieved with the nomination of John Roberts. The White House seemed to have concluded that its success was owing to the number of key points on which the Democrats could not fix Judge Roberts a kind of negative capability (to misuse Keatss phrase) that he had maintained despite the length and breadth of his distinguished career. Harriet Miers exceeded Judge Roberts in negative capability. Her negative capability, however, was unadorned by any explicit signs of devotion to constitutionalism or conservative principle. In due course the president withdrew her nomination and replaced her with the anti-Miers, Third Circuit Judge Samuel Alito Jr. Alitos nomination to the Court marks an epochal moment. Despite the presence of seven Republican appointees on the Court, its usurpation of power from the elected branches and from the states has continued more or less unabated since the 1960s. Richard Nixons four appointees barely retarded the Courts transformation into the most dangerous branch: Lewis Powell, for example, voted with the Roe majority and was the author of the mischievous controlling opinion in the Bakke case that has so damaged the ideal of a colorblind society. Ronald Reagan appointed Anthony Kennedy and Sandra Day OConnor, who extended the encroachments of the Warren Court. There is a good explanation for why, until now, Republican appointments have so often been disappointing to conservatives. The revolt against activist liberal judges was populist, and the legal profession was generally hostile to it. In the early years of the conservative revolt, the profession simply didnt offer much in the way of a talent pool from which originalist jurists, primed to reject government by judiciary and reclaim the Constitution as the charter of limited government, could be drawn. Thankfully, times have changed and the Federalist Society deserves a great deal of the credit. Founded in 1982, the Federalist Society has been a forceful advocate for the proposition that it is the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be. The Society has provided a forum for lawyers from all walks of the profession and of all persuasions to debate issues of law and public policy. Among the federal appellate judges who have participated in Federalist Society forums are D.C. Circuit judges A. Raymond Randolph and David Sentelle, Fourth Circuit judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, Fifth Circuit judge Edith Jones, Seventh Circuit judge Frank Easterbrook, Eighth Circuit judge Pasco Bowman, Ninth Circuit judges Alex Kozinski and Diarmuid OScannlain, and, yes, Third Circuit judge Sam Alito. Over the past 20 years, Republican presidents have populated the lower federal courts with these and many other highly credentialed conservative lawyers. How much they could accomplish in those positions has been limited, however, by the fact that District Court and Court of Appeals judges are bound to follow the precedents laid down by the Supreme Court. A good example is Alitos dissent in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the opinion that has most often been attacked by Alitos liberal critics. The issue in Casey was the constitutionality of a Pennsylvania statute that placed certain restrictions on abortions, including a requirement that wives, in most cases, notify their husbands before getting an abortion. The Third Circuit majority upheld most aspects of the challenged statute, but held the requirement of spousal notice unconstitutional (a view that was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court); Judge Alito dissented on that issue. Abortion opponents may be disappointed by Alitos technical and dispassionate dissent. The issue on which he differed with his colleagues was whether the notification requirement constituted an undue burden on the right to abortion, under the Supreme Courts jurisprudence as it then existed. The opinion conveys no hint of Alitos own views on the topic of abortion, or even of his opinion as to how (if at all) the Constitution should bear on the subject of abortion. Rather, and somewhat ironically, his dissent is an effort to follow the twists and turns of Justice OConnors various opinions on undue burden, and apply them to the record before him. The most one can fairly say is that Judge Alitos dissent in Casey does not evince any reflexive hostility to restrictions on abortion, and does reflect the vagaries of Justice OConnors previous (controlling) deliberation over undue burdens on the right to abortion. It also reflects what most conservatives regard as an appropriate deference to the legislatures role as arbiter of public policy. A circuit-court judge, like a district-court judge, takes Supreme Court jurisprudence as he finds it. His opinion as to whether Supreme Court rulings are right or wrong is entirely immaterial. His duty is to apply the relevant Supreme Court decisions to the case before him, as best he can. This changes once a judge is appointed to the Supreme Court. As a Supreme Court justice, he is entitled to follow his own views on the proper interpretation of the Constitution and of federal statutes. He is not bound to follow the Courts past rulings as an appeals-court judge is; instead, he is constrained only by the looser concept of stare decisis, the doctrine that an issue, once decided, should ordinarily not be revisited. Stare decisis is a doctrine that, in principle, is approved of by both liberals and conservatives (historically, more so by conservatives). But everyone agrees there are occasions when the Court should deviate from the usual rule of fidelity to its past decisions. The Court does, and should, overrule itself when it becomes convinced that an important issue has been wrongly decided. Where liberals and conservatives disagree is not on this principle, but on its application; they have different lists of wrongly decided cases. During Judge Alitos confirmation hearing, Democratic senators will ask for his views on stare decisis and try to lead him to pledge fealty to bulwarks of liberal jurisprudence like Roe v. Wade. But the liberals enthusiasm for stare decisis is selective. In 2003, the Supreme Court held in Lawrence v. Texas that there is a constitutional right to commit acts of homosexual sodomy. In so ruling, the Court overturned Bowers v. Hardwick, which had held the opposite. And Bowers was not ancient history; it was decided in 1986. If any liberal objected to Lawrence on the ground of stare decisis, we missed it. The Alito nomination, together with John Robertss accession to the post of chief justice, marks a generational changing of the guard. The talented, principled conservatives who began their legal careers in the aftermath of the Warren Court have served their apprenticeships in the executive branch, in private practice, and on the lower federal courts. In those positions, their influence has been real but limited. But now, the moment that rank-and-file conservatives have awaited since the Nixon administration is at hand: A Republican president has a deep roster of talented and highly qualified conservatives on which he can draw in making Supreme Court nominations. There is every reason to believe that Samuel Alito will prove the kind of Supreme Court justice that Republican presidents have promised, but rarely delivered, since 1969, and that the Court will shift in a more conservative direction as a result. The Minnesota Supreme Court order in Spann v. Minneapolis City Council this past Monday highlights facts salient to the future of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Police Department has lost 300 officers since the summer of Saint George just two years ago about one-third of the force. The city is obligated by its own charter to maintain a police department of 731 officers. Yet the city now maintains the department with only 621 officers on its payroll as of late May, including 39 who were on a continuous leave lasting nearly two weeks or longer. The city disputed its legal obligation under the charter. Although we await the Courts opinion supporting the order filed on Monday, we can say that that argument is over. The city is out of compliance with the basic public safety obligation set in its own charter. Beyond the issue of compliance, the city asks what it is supposed to do. Its doing the best it can. It has provided funding for additional recruit classes, hiring bonuses and officer wellness programs. It is contending with a basic problem. The problem is no one in his right mind wants to work for the department. Perhaps the most salient fact staring us in the face is this one. Even if the city ultimately achieves compliance, it will still be substantially short-staffed. It needs a heavy dose of the kind of policing that restored order in New York City during the mayoralty of Rudy Giuliani. As of today, the city lacks the leadership, the manpower, and the will to restore order. The future of the city is grim. The department is under assault in the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, in the press, and in the courts. Among other things, it stands charged with conducting 10 years of race based policing, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020. This is a period that covers the leadership of Tim Dolan, Janee Harteau (the first woman chief), and Medaria Arradondo (the first black chief). They arent talking for public consumption. I think it extremely unlikely that they led a department that is guilty as charged by the MDHR. In crucial respects, however, the MDHR charge is deficient on its face. President Sherral Schmidt of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis provided us a brief statement that we posted here. The Star Tribune isnt even trying to focus on the ills plaguing the city as the police find themselves unable to recruit up to the legal minimum. It has turned its attention elsewhere. Since the Spann order was issued on Monday, the editorial board has offered readers its opinion on Title IX (Title IX was a win for the U.S., June 20), the lack of competition for elective county sheriffs and county attorneys around the state (Voters suffer with fewer choices, June 21), the vagaries of air travel (Airline passengers deserve better, June 22), access to birth-control (Post-Roe v. Wade, broaden access to birth control pills, June 23), and a lament for the demise of Roe (Women have lost a basic freedom, June 24). The most recent word from the editors on the police department endorsed a plan for escalation of discipline (Plan adds a layer of discipline for MPD, June 16). In his email message to readers yesterday, Star Tribune Editorial Editor and Vice President Scott Gillespie pronounced himself well-pleased with the boards contribution on birth-control: Although we could not predict when SCOTUS would release its ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, Fridays editorial is especially well-timed. Congratulations are in order. Although no law in the Nigerian Constitution precludes them from contesting to be senators, the National Assembly now seems to be a retirement home for outgoing and former governors. In the current National Assembly, whose life will expire on June 11, 2023, there are 14 former governors serving as senators representing districts from the north and south of the country. While some of the serving senators who are ex-governors lost out in the recently concluded primary elections of their political parties, some who are about to finish their tenure as the chief executive officers of their respective states have won tickets to participate in the 2023 senatorial elections. In fact, some former governors currently serving as senators who failed to get a return ticket in the APC have defected to other parties to bag their tickets. A typical example is former Kebbi governor, Adamu Aliero, who flipped over to the PDP to pick its ticket for Kebbi Central. Unlike state governors whose tenure in office has a constitutional limit of eight years, four years per term, which is renewable, senators have no limit of terms. Several political analysts say former governors have now made it a tradition to retire to the senate to remain relevant within the loop of power. Which explains why they do everything legally possible, and even extra-legal, to win a ticket to the senate. After the recent primary elections of the various political parties in the country, PREMIUM TIMES found that 28 past and serving governors may well return as either fresh or returnees, as senators in the 10th senate. There are 109 senators in the Nigerian Senate, including the Senate President. If all of the 28 former governors and soon-to-be- ex-governors get elected to the 10th Senate, it means a quarter of the senators will be former governors, a number that can form a conspicuous forum in the senate! Ex-governors who may be fresh senators Adams Oshiomhole He is a former two-term governor of Edo State and once served as the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, a position that shot him into national prominence. Besides being a former governor, he is also a former national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He was eyeing the nations number one job president until he emerged as the candidate of the APC for Edo North Senatorial District. His emergence forced the incumbent senator, Francis Alimikhena, a former political associate of Mr Oshiomhole, to flee to the PDP to find succour. And he did find succour in his new tent because he won the PDP ticket for the district. He will slug it out with Mr Oshiomhole in 2023. If elected, Mr Oshiomhole will be a first-term senator, which may keep him in the background going by the convention of the senate. Mr Oshiomhole may, however, become a prominent member, being a vocal voice, and could serve as a principal officer of the senate if Bola Tinubu is elected as the President. Dave Umahi The outgoing two-term governor of Ebonyi State participated in the APC presidential primaries where he polled 38 votes to come a distant sixth in the election won by the former Lagos State governor, Mr Tinubu. Mr Umahi now holds the APC ticket for Ebonyi South, a ticket initially held in trust for him by his younger brother, Austin, who had won the first primaries conducted by the party and monitored by INEC. After Mr Umahis failed presidential bid, the APC cancelled the previous primaries and rescheduled another one which the governor won. Aminu Tambuwal He is not new to the National Assembly having been a member of the Green Chamber in the past which culminated in his election as the Speaker of the 7th House of Representatives during his third term in the House. However, if elected in the February 2023 National Assembly elections, he would be a fresh senator representing Sokoto South on the platform of the PDP. He is going to square up against Ibrahim Danbaba, the incumbent senator representing the district, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC. Mr Tambuwal was elected governor of Sokoto State in 2015 on the platform of the APC but was re-elected in 2019 on the ticket of the PDP following his defection in 2018. Mr Tambuwal had participated in the PDP presidential primaries of 2018 where he came second to the winner, Atiku Abubakar. He also recently participated in the 2022 presidential primaries though he stepped down at the tail end to support Atiku Abubakar, who emerged as the winner, beating Governor Nyesom Wike, who came second. Darius Ishaku The outgoing governor of Taraba State, if elected, will be serving as a senator for the first time on the ticket of the PDP. He, as expected, easily won the ticket of the ruling party in the state for Taraba South. Bar all odds, he is expected to win the main election, PDP being the dominant party in the state. From all indications, the architect-turned politician, going by his antecedents, will most likely be a quiet, inconspicuous senator enjoying his retirement from gubernatorial duties, if elected. Samuel Ortom Like Governor Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Ortom, on the last lap of his gubernatorial tenure in Benue, was elected governor of the state in 2015 under the APC but defected to the PDP in 2018 where he was re-elected in 2019. Mr Ortom, a former minister and ex-official of the PDP, will be a fresh senator representing Benue North-West if he wins the 2023 election. He won the primaries as a consensus candidate. Okezie Ikpeazu Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State, if elected senator in 2023, will simply be following in the footsteps of his predecessors who are current senators. Mr Ikpeazu, a PhD holder, currently has the PDP ticket for Abia South, and is expected to win the election, other things being equal. If he wins, and Orji Kalu also wins, it means that two former governors of the state will be serving as senators in the 10th senate. It is the same scenario in the 9th senate with Mr Kalu and Theodore Orji both ex-governors of the state serving. Abubakar Sani Bello The outgoing two-term governor of Nigeria State wants to represent Niger North under the APC from 2023. The incumbent senator, Aliyu Abdullahi, who is in his second term in the Senate, failed to win the ticket of the party for the third term. He came a distant second to Mr Bello in the primary of the party. Ibrahim Danwkambo The immediate past two-term governor of Gombe State attempted to come to the senate in 2019 after his tenure but lost the election to the incumbent senator for Gombe North, Seidu Akali of the APC. With the ticket of the PDP in his kitty, having won the primary, Mr Dankwambo, a former accountant-general of the federation, will make an attempt again in the 2023 election to be elected a senator, though it appears the state is firmly in the hands of the APC. Abdulaziz Yari Abdulaziz Yari would have been in the senate since 2019 but for the judicial nullification of all the primary elections of the APC in Zamfara State. The implication of this was that all the victories polled by the APC in the 2019 general elections were ceded to the PDP which came second, based on the Supreme Court ruling. At the height of the crisis rocking the APC in the state, Mr Yari almost ditched the party for the opposition. Some political observers in the state attribute his APC senate ticket for Zamfara West to be part of the rapprochement deals from Governor Bello Matawalle to make the former governor stay put in the party. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi On the last lap of his gubernatorial stint in the Coal City, Ifeanyi Ugwanyi, like a lot of his governor colleagues, is also seeking a new life in the Senate on the platform of the PDP. His winning the ticket for Enugu North barely caused any rumpus in the PDP, as the incumbent senator representing the zone, Chukuwka Utazi, did not purchase a form to participate in the primaries as a mark of respect for Governor Ugwuanyi. It does not seem the governor will lose the main election come February 2023. First elected into the House of Representatives in 2003 to represent Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Mr Ugwuanyi, was also re-elected in 2007 and 2011, before his election as Enugu Governor in 2015. Simon Lalong The outgoing governor of Plateau State is not new to legislative responsibilities as he once served as a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly and was even elected as the Speaker during the Joshua Dariye administration. With the APC Plateau South ticket in the bag for the lawyer-turned politician, he may be playing on the big stage as a lawmaker in the Red Chamber come 2023 Gbenga Daniel Gbenga Daniel will be reactivating his political career after a lull playing at the periphery, following the end of his tenure as the chief helmsman of Ogun State in 2011. Since the end of his reign as governor, he was in political limbo until recently when he moved to the APC from the PDP. And it seems, so far, the power brokers in the party still need his services, hence his recent reward with the APC ticket for Ogun East. He is close to the incumbent governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun, also seeking re-election for a second term, and they both come from the same district. Except the unexpected happens, Mr Daniel will be in the Red Chamber as a freshman senator in 2023, especially as the PDP in Ogun is still battling an internal crisis. Former governors who may be returnee senators in 2023 Aliyu Wammako Aliyu Wammako, a former two-term governor of Sokoto State, is the undisputed leader of the APC in the state. Quiet and sometimes inconspicuous, yet he is no pushover in the politics of the North-west state. First elected as a senator in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, bar all odds, he will yet return as a third-term senator in 2023 to represent Sokoto Central, which comprises eight local council areas. Though the ruling party in the state is PDP, the APC is also firmly rooted there, largely due to the leadership Mr Wammako is offering the party in the state. Kabiru Gaya A Third Republic Governor of Kano State, Kabiru Gaya is seeking to be a fourth-time senator in 2023 to represent Kano South He is unassuming but can also be strategic in his political calculations. He was one of the major canvassers who marshalled support for the presidential ambition of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, against the governor of the state, Umar Ganduje, who supported Bola Tinubu, who eventually emerged as the presidential candidate of the APC. The politics of the state is currently fluid due to the internal crises in the APC and the PDP and the emergence of a formidable third force, NNPP, led by a former governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso, an influential politician in the state. Chimaroke Nnamani Chimaroke Nnamani, governor of Enugu State between 1999 and 2007, seems to have got his political career back following his re-election into the senate in 2019 under the PDP to represent Enugu East He was in the senate between 2007 and 2011 shortly after his tenure as governor but failed to return following his estrangement with his former protege, Sullivan Chime, who took over the leadership of the state from him in 2007. Following their parting of ways, Mr Nnamani found it difficult to survive in the PDP until Mr Chime ended his tenure in 2015 and later moved over to the APC. In 2019, Mr Nnamani re-emerged in the senate to represent Enugu East. He may as well come back in 2023 because he already has the ticket for the party in his bag for the district. Also, his political creation, the Ebeano family, seems to be on the upward swing again as his former chief of staff, Peter Mba, is the gubernatorial flag bearer of the PDP for the 2023 elections. Umar Al-makura He made an attempt recently to quit the senate for the national chairmanship of the APC but failed in his bid. Another former senator from the state, Abdullahi Adamu, emerged the surprise winner of the contest, believed to have been made possible by the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari. First elected as a senator in 2019, Mr Almakura looks certain to return in 2023 as a senator on the platform of the APC to continue to represent Nasarawa South. Danjuma Goje Danjuma Goje finished his tenure as the governor of Gombe State in 2011 and has since been in the senate heading various committees, representing Gombe Central. An APC member, he is most likely to return as a senator for the fourth term in 2023, having reconciled with the incumbent governor, Inuwa Yahaya, with whom he had political differences in the recent past. Orji Kalu A former two-term governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, current Senate Chief Whip, may come back again in 2023 as a second-term senator, representing Abia North. Though the PDP is the ruling party in the state and still very formidable as an election-winning party in the state, Mr Kalu seems to have devised a way of winning elections despite the hurdles of being in the opposition. Will 2023 be like 2019 for the APC senator? Kashim Shettima Brilliant and articulate, Kashim Shettima, an ex-governor of Borno State, is firmly in charge of the APC in the state and enjoys a robust relationship with the current governor, Babagana Zulum. Except if he gets a higher calling, like he is being tipped as running mate to Mr Tinubu, Mr Shettima looks solid and set to return to the senate again in 2023 to continue representing Borno Central Senatorial district. Ibrahim Gaidam Quiet and easy-going, Ibrahim Gaidam is Yobe APC and by extension, Yobe State, where he has the spectacular credit of being the longest-serving governor of the state ten years to date. He looks set to return to the senate for the second term in 2023 to continue representing Yobe East. Seriake Dickson Popularly called the contriman governor, Seriake Dickson looks set to return to the senate in 2023 as a second termer. This is after his stint as a two-term governor of Bayelsa State on the platform of the PDP. He was first elected to the senate in the October 2020 by-election for Bayelsa West. The seat became vacant after the occupant was sworn in as the states deputy governor. Before his election as the governor of the oil-rich state, he had served as a member of the House of Representatives in the sixth Green Chambers. Saminu Turaki 2023 will be a decisive moment for Saminu Turaki, a former governor of Jigawa State, who has been out of political circulation for a while. Mr Turaki, who was first elected senator in 2007, may stage a comeback to the political limelight again in 2023 if he wins in the general elections. He sojourned for a while in the APC, the ruling party in the state, before making his way to the PDP where he emerged unopposed as the partys candidate for Jigawa North-west recently. He is currently standing trial over an allegation of N32 billion fraud he allegedly perpetrated during his period as governor. Gabriel Suswan Gabriel Suswan served in the House of Representatives for two terms from where he proceeded to be governor of Benue State for two consecutive terms. He attempted to come to the senate in 2015 after his gubernatorial stint but lost to Barnabas Gemade who contested under the APC. In 2019, he won on the platform of the PDP to represent Benue North-east. He is seeking re-election for the second term in 2023. Ibrahim Shekarau A two-term governor of Kano State, from 2003 to 2011, Ibrahim Shekarau seeks to return to the senate for the second term on the platform of the NNPP. Mr Shekarau, who currently represents Kano Central in the 9th Senate, had defected to the NNPP from the APC due to some internal wranglings in the latter. The NNPP is a brainchild of another former governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso, with whom he used to tango politically in the past. His combination with Mr Kwankwaso, who is running for president, may sway the senate election in the direction of Mr Shekarau. The APCs ticket for Kano Central is held by a senatorial newbie, Abdulsalam Zaura, backed by the outgoing governor of the state, Umar Ganduje. Adamu Aliero Adam Aliero was essentially a strong political force in Kebbi State where he was governor, until recently when he had issues with the current governor, Atiku Bagudu, which precipitated his loss in the APC primary for Kebbi Central. Mr Aliero, a former minister of the FCT, has since defected to the PDP to try his luck again in the 2023 elections. He currently holds the PDP ticket for Kebbi Central, though there is another claimant, Haruna Saidu, who had earlier won the PDP primary supervised by INEC. It remains to be seen who will be recognised by INEC. Even at that, the eventual rightful owner of the ticket may be decided by the court in the long run, if theres no amicable resolution of the dispute between the parties involved. If Mr Aliero wins, he will be returning to the Senate for the fourth time, thus, making him one of the longest-serving in the state. Sam Egwu Sam Egwu will be returning to the senate as a third-term senator if elected in 2023 to continue representing Ebonyi North. Mr Egwu, a former two-term governor of Ebonyi State on the platform of the PDP, also once served as a minister of education in the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Although the ruling party in the state is APC under the leadership of Governor Dave Umahi, who is also contesting to be a senator, Mr Egwu, an ex-university teacher, is projected to win based on the relative strength of the PDP in the state and his own grassroots popularity, though he won the primaries conducted by a faction of the party loyal to him. Mr Umahi is, however, believed to be doing everything possible to deliver the entire state to the APC, a party he embraced after he had won his re-election in 2019 on the platform of the PDP. Atiku Bagudu Hes one of the northern governors in the APC who insisted that the party must cede its presidential ticket to the southern part of the country. Other things being equal, he may be coming to the Senate on the platform of the party. However, his emergence as the winner of the ticket for Kebbi Central and his management of the party in the state has further polarised the party, which led to the exit of some bigwigs, including Mr Aliero, who have since embraced the opposition in the state. Mr Bagudu will be returning to the senate for the third term if he wins in the 2023 election. He was first elected to the senate in 2009 at a bye-election to pick a replacement for Mr Aliero who was then appointed a minister by the late President Umaru Musa Yardua. He won again in 2011, defeating Mr Aliero who contested on the platform of the defunct CPC. He moved to the APC and became the governor of the state on its platform in 2015. Godswill Akpabio The immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, returned to pick the Akwa Ibom North-west senatorial ticket for the APC after his failed presidential mission. As things stand, controversy surrounds the ticket because it is believed the faction of the party that conducted the primaries where he emerged is not recognised by the law, although INEC reportedly monitored the election. Nevertheless, in the list of winners of the APC for various senatorial districts in the country, the party submitted the name of Mr Akpabio against Udom Ekpoudom, a retired Deputy Inspector General of the police, who had earlier won the APC primary conducted by another faction of the party. Mr Akpabio was first elected to the senate in 2015 on the platform of the PDP but failed to return in the 2019 election after crossing over to the APC in a surprise move. Gunmen, suspected to be bandits have killed two persons and abducted 22 others in Nigerias capital city, Abuja. The gunmen, reported to be in scores, stormed farms in Rafin Daji, a farming community in Abaji Area Council where they whisked away men, women and children on their farm lands during the day. The incident reportedly happened on Wednesday but was not reported until the police confirmed it on Friday. Rafin Daji is a border community between the FCT and Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State. Thirteen members of a family were among the 22 persons abducted by the suspected bandits who also burnt down two tractors belonging to the owner of a large farm in the area during their operation. We have confirmed that 22 people were kidnapped from different farms in the Rafin Daji area of Abaji, and the kidnappers are Fulani herdsmen. When they spoke to a relative through the phone this morning using one of the kidnapped victims phone, they asked us to pay the sum of N12 million for the release of the 22 victims. a relative of the victims, Ibrahim Barde, reportedly said. The police confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday and added that none of the victims had been rescued. READ ALSO: The farmers were on their farmland working when gunmen outnumbered and kidnapped them, the acting spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Oduniyi Omotayo said in a text message to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday morning. Mr Omotayo, added that no one has so far been rescued but the search for the abductees continues. Upon receipt of the information, a combined team of Police officers from various Tactical and intelligence units of the Command, Destiny Hunters, Vigilantes, and Local hunters stormed the forest, combing it aggressively even as I speak. For the rescue of the victims and to bring perpetrators to book. Monitoring and surveillance of the community also continues, he said. Apart from Kuje where several abductions occurred in the past, communities within Abaji have recently come under series of attacks and abductions. The name of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State is among the list of three names missing as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the names of the successfully nominated candidates of the 18 political parties on Friday. The forms and particulars of the senatorial candidates were pasted at the INEC offices across the federation, on Friday, just as those of the presidential candidates were slated to be published at the commissions headquarters in Abuja, the same day. PREMIUM TIMES reported that although the particulars of the presidential candidates were not published as scheduled, those of the senatorial candidates nominated by parties were published at the state level. Mr Umahi had contested in the presidential primaries of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), but lost in the exercise polling 38 votes to come a distant sixth against the eventual winner, Bola Tinubu, who polled 1,271 votes. Before participating in the APC presidential primary, the governor had forwarded his younger brothers name, Austin Umahi, as an aspirant for the Ebonyi South District primary election of the party Mr Austin, many believe, was used as a placeholder by the governor, so he would easily reclaim the ticket if his presidential bid failed. The governors younger brother eventually emerged winner in the APCs senatorial primary held on May 28, nine days before the partys presidential primary. But shortly after the governor lost at the presidential primary, the party cancelled the senatorial primary election in the Ebonyi South District, and rescheduled it for June 9, 2022, to beat INEC deadline. Although no reason was given for the cancellation, the decision was said to have been taken to compensate Mr Umahi for his loss at the presidential primary and accommodate him in the race for the Senate. Mr Umahi emerged winner in the partys rescheduled exercise held at Afikpo North Local Government Headquarters, where the initial exercise was also held. His younger brother, Mr Austin, has not disputed the outcome of the exercise. But when the INEC published the list of the successfully nominated candidates of political parties on Friday, Mr Umahis name was missing. That of his younger brother, Mr Austin, was also said to be missing. The names of Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, were also missing. Like Mr Umahi, the duo had contested the presidential primary of the party, but failed to win. Governor Umahis media aide, Francis Nwaze, did not respond to calls seeking his comments on the issue. Festus Okoye, the INECs spokesperson, did not also respond to calls and text messages. But when he appeared as a guest on Politics Today, a Channels TV programme, Friday night, Mr Okoye said the commission was not obliged to publish names of candidates that did not emerge from valid party primaries. He, however, noted that the commission has not published the final list of validly nominated candidates. The final list of validly nominated candidates will be published by the Independent National Electoral Commission on the 20th day of September, 2022, he said. What the commission has published, as of today (Friday), complies with section 29 (3) of the electoral act which says that the moment political parties comply with the provision of the section 29 (1) of the electoral act, in terms of the submission of its validly nominated candidates, that the commission shall publish the personal particulars of such candidates in the constituencies where the candidates intend to contest the election, Mr Okoye added. The INEC spokesperson stressed that the candidates whose names and particulars were not published on Friday were those who did not emerge from valid party primaries. If the commission refuses to include Mr Umahi in the list, the APC may face the risk of not fielding a candidate for Ebonyi South District in the 2023 general elections. Nigerias commercial capital city, Lagos State, is driving Nigerias latest COVID-19 surge as the country recorded 247 infections between June 21 and 24, 2022. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said on Saturday that out of the 247 new infections recorded, Lagos recorded 203 cases, while the Federal Capital Territory and three other states contributed the remaining figure. The NCDC update shows that the latest cases have increased the countrys infection toll to 256,958, while the fatality toll still stands at 3,144. But NCDC officials have declined to comment on the likely reasons behind the new surge and why Lagos is accounting for a high number of cases. The disease centre, in its breakdown of the latest infections, revealed that Lagos state has continued to maintain the first position with a huge gap. Of the 256,958 total cases recorded since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, Lagos State recorded 100,125 cases followed by the FCT and Rivers State with 28,738 and 16,761 respectively. It also noted on its website that 3,637 people are currently down with the virus, while 250,177 people have been treated and discharged nationwide since the outbreak more than two years ago. Breakdown A further breakdown of the latest cases shows that apart from Lagos State, FCT came second on the log with 17 infections. Rivers and Cross River States in the South-south followed with 14 and 12 cases respectively. While Kano State in the North-west came last on the log with a single case, NCDC added that six states: Abia, Bauchi, Delta, Kaduna, Plateau and Sokoto reported that they recorded no cases within the period under review. Vaccination campaign With vaccination considered the most effective way to curb the continuous spread of the virus, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) said only 19.5 per cent of its 70 per cent target population in Nigeria has been fully vaccinated. The agency noted that as of June 24, 2022, 22,092,359 of total eligible persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination are fully vaccinated, while 11,999,198 of total eligible persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination are partially vaccinated. It added in its latest update on Saturday that Nasarawa, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and Kwara ranked the top five performing states on the COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign in Nigeria. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the extension of its Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) across the country. Ahead of the 2023 poll, the commission had fixed the exercise to end on June 30. However, given the renewed interest of Nigerians, most especially the youth, vis-a-vis pressure from other quarters, the commission considered extending the exercise. Without giving a specific date for the new deadline, the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, at the Youth Vote Count concert in Abuja on Saturday, said the exercise continues. The youth want to know when the registration will end. I want to assure you on behalf of the commission that the registration wont end on June 30. For as long as we have you people trying to register, we will continue to register you, Mr Yakubu declared at the main bowl of Old Parade Ground. He said not less than 14,000 persons have also been registered at the concert venue since it became opened to registrants on June 20. Similar figures, largely made up of the youth, were also recorded at the first leg of the concert in Lagos a couple of weeks back. In the last five days, we have registered over 14,000 Nigerians in this place alone. We have about 50 voter registration machines. For as long as you people have been trying to register to obtain your PVC, we will continue to register you and we will continue to make sure that you get your PVC, the INEC chairman reassured the fun-loving youths at the awareness campaign/concert the commission organised in partnership with European Union (EU) and YIAGA Africa. Before Mr Yakubus latest disclosure, there was an interim order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday restrained the electoral body from going ahead with its plan to end the exercise on June 30. The judge, Mobolaji Olajuwon, ruled on the case based on the application filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 185 other concerned Nigerians. SERAP and the other applicants in the case had argued that if the electoral body planned to end the exercise at the end of the month, it would illegally disenfranchise many Nigerians from getting their Permanent Voters Card (PVC). On its part, the House of Representatives, last week, also urged INEC to extend the voter registration by 60 days. This was against the backdrop of various challenges recorded at various centres during the exercise. A suspected kidnapper has been set ablaze by an angry mob when a seven-man kidnap gang attempted to abduct some unidentified residents in Obosi, a community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The incident happened at about 9 p.m. on Thursday. The suspect was said to have been overpowered and set ablaze by the mob after other members of the gang fled the scene. The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident. He said police operatives intercepted the hoodlums along Awada, a suburb of the Obosi Community in the council area. They were being hunted by the operatives before the incident, he said. Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the operatives rescued two victims whom the hoodlums attempted to abduct. In attempt to arrest the criminals, six out of the seven gang members escaped and abandoned both the victims vehicle and their vehicle. The seventh person, arrested was lynched by an angry mob and set ablaze before police operatives could arrive at the scene, he said. He said the two vehicles a Toyota Highlander SUV and a Toyota Camry were recovered by the police. The police spokesperson said the command had launched an operation to arrest the fleeing suspects and those who set one of the suspects ablaze. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Echeng Echeng, condemned the mob action, Mr Ikenga said. Mr Echeng urged residents to desist from attacking suspected criminals. They should instead take apprehended suspects to the nearest police facility for appropriate investigation, he said. The executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, has said the underlying factors for the ongoing industrial action by both the academic and non-academic staff of Nigerian universities have remained unaddressed by the concerned authorities. He, however, said embarking on incessant strikes by the workers cannot be the best option to resolving the challenges in the universities, and the countrys education sector as a whole. Mr Echono, a former permanent secretary at the federal ministry of education, said this in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES. He said Nigeria needs to awaken a collective consciousness on the need to invest in education, prioritise it and prepare the young population by expanding opportunities for them. He added that for a resource constrained environment like Nigeria, alternatives to strike should be explored and that the government on its part should demonstrate greater commitment to honouring its obligations. According to Mr Echono, the strikes do not only affect the students, they also have a long-term impact on the reputation of Nigerian institutions. It affects the ranking of our institutions because nobody wants to come from other countries to school here when they are not sure of the duration of the programmes, he said, adding that parents are increasingly sending their children to school abroad. Workers strike Both academic and non-academic staff unions across many universities in Nigeria have been on strike for more than four months, grounding activities on the campuses. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have demanded, among other things, improved funding for the nations public tertiary institutions and improved welfare for their members. While the government released N34 billion for the payment of minimum wage consequential adjustments from 2019, ASUU has maintained that until its core demands are met, the industrial action would continue. Both NASU and SSANU have announced the extension of their strike by additional two months, insisting that until all issues of concern are addressed, they would not resume. TETFunds intervention Though negotiations with ASUU are not part of TETFUNDs mandate, Mr Echono said the agency is working on the sidelines to tackle some of the issues causing the strike. It is not within our mandate to negotiate with unions but I can tell you that based on my antecedents, I have also been called upon to join the negotiation team, he said. Despite the disruptions caused by the strike, Mr Echono insists that ASUU is a patriotic organisation, even as he described its leaders as friends who are passionate about Nigeria. He added that although they may disagree on certain methodologies, they share the same vision and goal which is to ultimately improve Nigerias education sector. TETFUND will focus more on funding research and development, Mr Echono told PREMIUM TIMES. Over the last few years, there has been a significant improvement in the allocation of funding to research and development by TETFUND and we intend to expand and grow this in the years ahead by forging partnerships with several research institutes around the world, he said. Chiamaka Okafor is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe. The police in Anambra State said they have rescued another kidnap victim in the state on Saturday. The unidentified victim was kidnapped at Nwachi village in Agulu, a community in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, where Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, comes from. The victim was said to have been forced into the booth of his car, a Lexus 350 SUV, before he was rescued by police operatives who stormed the area following a tip-off. The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday. Police operatives at about 4pm, today, 25/6/2022 rescued an abducted victim and recovered one Lexus 350 Salon with Reg. Nos. EPE 316HE and Ford SUV with Reg. Nos. GGE 769 FT along Ezinifite road, he said. Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the rescue operation followed receipt of information that the hoodlums were operating in the area. The police on receipt of the information, intensified patrols and re-strategised operational positioning within the area. This made the hoodlums abandon the victim and fled, the police spokesperson said. He said the police were investigating the incident and have also commenced patrol to track down the fleeing suspects. Kidnapping has been on the increase in Anambra State, lately. The latest incident comes barely 48 hours after a seven-man kidnap gang attempted to abduct some residents in Obosi, a community in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state. One suspect was set ablaze by an angry mob after other members of the gang fled the scene. Two victims were rescued by the police. Earlier this month, some suspected kidnappers were killed by police operatives when the hoodlums attempted to kidnap an unidentified resident in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government of the state. President Muhammadu Buhari has joined members and leaders of the APC in felicitating the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on his 60th birthday. Mr Gbajabiamila clocked 60 years on June 25. The President in a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Friday in Abuja sent greetings to the family, friends and associates of the political leader, whom he described as patriotic, honest and deserves respect. In the message, the president said: I have observed the speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, for a long time, in the sense that when I was watching debates in the house of representatives he used to be on his feet most of the time, passionately defending the party and issues he believed in. He impressed me very early as a committed member of the house of representatives and I congratulate his constituency for keeping him there. I was very pleased that he eventually became the leader of the house. I am so impressed and pleased with the performance of the speaker and the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan. At a certain stage, I called them and told them that I did not speak to them about what was happening in the National Assembly because I have so much confidence in them. Our party, APC, has majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. I know both of them and endorse their leadership so I should leave them alone to do their job. I wish Femi Gbajabiamila the best of luck and hope his constituency will maintain the confidence in him because he is a patriotic and honest person. I have a lot of respect for him. The President prayed that the almighty God would grant the speaker, believed to be the second longest-serving member of the house of representatives, long life, good health and wisdom to keep serving the country. (NAN) The Police Command in Katsina State on Friday honoured a Constable, Nura Mande, who found and returned missing 800 dollars to its owner in Katsina. A statement by the Commands spokesperson, Gambo Isah, said that the constable was presented with a letter of commendation and N30,000 by the Commissioner of Police, Idris Dabban. He recalled that Mr Mande was on official duty at the state Pilgrims Welfare Board Hajj camp when he found the 800 dollars belonging to a female intending pilgrim, Hajiya Hadiza Usman. While discharging his duty at the Hajj camp, PC Mande found the 800 dollars on the ground and returned it to the boards Director of Administration, Alhaji Sada Salisu-Rumah. PC Mande disclosed that it was his fear of God that made him to return the money to the boards official so that it could be returned to the owner. Salisu-Rumah commended the police constable for his good behaviour and honesty, he added. According to Mr Isah, the police commissioner was elated over the display of honesty by Mr Maude and called on other police personnel in the command to emulate him. He assured that the command would continue to appreciate its operatives who displayed honesty and commitment to their duties. Farming activities in Duguri, Gwana and Pali districts in Alkaleri Local Government in Bauchi State have been crippled by gunmen, locally referred to as bandits. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the gunmen who invaded the communities about two weeks ago have forced farmers to stay away from their farms for fear of their safety. Though the Yankari forest in Alkaleri Local Government has traditionally been a hideout of criminal elements, the brazenness of the invasion of these farming communities suggests the bandit crisis that has engulfed the neighbouring Northwest region, and part of the North-central zone may be spreading. Bauchi is in the northeast region of the country. Farmers in villages like Futuk, Mansur, Makosa, Digare as well as Goborawa no longer wants to take the risk of going to their farms as reports of abduction become rampant. Just like their counterparts in the northwest, the gunmen required the relatives of those abducted to pay ransoms before they are released. Many villagers in Pele, Salihawa and Sabingari have been killed and have sustained gunshot injuries, residents claimed. Garba Sabongari, a resident of the area, told PREMIUM TIMES that the problem is particularly worrying as the communities are in the middle of the farming session but can no longer go to their farms for fear of either being killed or kidnapped. In fact, it is farming session now, but to your surprise, you cannot see people from these towns and villages going to their farms because they are no-go areas, Mr Garba stated. Mr Garba, whose family paid a ransom to secure the release of his brother and his friends who were kidnapped, said the situation may worsen the prevailing hardship in the communities. Four members of the same family were kidnapped, one woman was killed in Tunburu and some were injured by these gunmen who are hiding in the thick forest nearby, Mr Garba said. We from these parts of the state that are affected, some of us have a large family size and if we cannot farm this season, how do we manage our lives in the future, said Musa Futuk, a local farmer. The people said if the bandits were not cleared from the area immediately so people can return to their farms before the end of the rainy season, there will be widespread hunger in the area next year. The residents said the authorities have only paid half interest in what is happening in the communities. They claimed that a few security agents were sent to the area at the beginning of the problem but were later withdrawn from the area. The residents said a Military Helicopter was spotted hovering over the forest around Sabongari and Jada for two days only but has not been spotted after then. Ahmad Wakili, the spokesperson to Bauchi State Police Command, said there is no banditry in the state when reached on the phone. He said what happened two weeks ago was not banditry. He, however, did not give further details about the situation. Several calls were put to the Special Adviser on Media to Governor of Bauchi state, Muktari Gidado, but he could not be reached. He did not reply to text messages sent to him. Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State says his last 100 days in office have been bumpy and challenging due to the rising insecurity and red treasury he inherited from his predecessor, Willie Obiano. Mr Soludo, who disclosed this on Saturday during a ceremony to mark his 100 days in office, vowed to end the Monday sit-at-home order declared by outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra. To be sure, the last 100 days have been bumpy and challenging as expected, with insecurity and a red treasury being the most portent, as clearly identified in our inaugural address, he said. Thus, with declining revenue in the context of insecurity and a mountain of debt including over N20 billion in arrears of gratuity to pensioners since 2018 vis-a-vis the sky-high expectations from you, some fundamental disruptive changes are inevitable, Mr Soludo added. The governor, however, asked people who were pitying him for the situation to withdraw their pity, explaining that he consciously applied for this job, and there will be no excuses. The Monday sit-at-home order by IPOB, which has wrecked the the Anambra economy and the disrupt the peoples social life, will soon be history, the governor said. Our children will have their full week of studies and our businesses will be in full charge again, he said. We have declared zero tolerance for touting which has endeared the government to transport owners, operators and stakeholders. More programmes and projects will be unveiled in due course, particularly to retrain and empower the former touts. He said the major part of the 100 days have been devoted to making key appointments into the government and fighting insecurity in the state. The governor said his administration would work hard towards implementing his manifesto, which he said, centres on five driving pillars of security, law and order, economic transformation agenda; social agenda; governance, rule of law and value system, noting that he has begun work in those areas. We have maintained the policy of the past administration on Community Choose Your Project in which communities receive grants from the state government to execute a project or projects of priority to the community. Our administration has launched a new phase and increased the grant from N20 million to N25 million per community. We have also launched a policy that no retiree from the state civil service will be owed gratuity under our administration and have paid retirees from March to date. We have also begun, albeit gradually, to pay gratuity to pensioners who retired since 2018 and there is hope and joy in the land. We have also approved the same policy for local governments, the governor said. Mr Soludo said his administration has successfully screened over 40,000 candidates who applied for teaching jobs in the primary and secondary schools in the state. He said additional 6,000 candidates would soon be screened for recruitment in the state. The governor said, in the face of dwindling state resources, his administration would begin to collect taxes from Anambra residents and indigenes of the state in the diaspora, assuring that such taxes must be put to good use. He said, The road ahead will be bumpy and every citizen has a duty to contribute to building a livable and prosperous homeland in the context of dwindling resources. You will be called upon to bear some sacrifices. To my supporters and party members, it would mean that the state can no longer afford many political appointments. A nimble but effective government will be required. Ndi Anambra at home and abroad are called upon to pay their taxes to the Anambra State government. We cant build those roads to your local governments and communities with bare hands. The Nigerian government has reiterated that the approved retirement age and years of service for teachers apply to all education officers, irrespective of their posting. In a new circular signed by the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo, the government explained that there would be no limit on the implementation of the retirement age and length of service. It also directed those who are not interested in the elongation should apply for retirement from service in line with the existing rules. The circular reads in part: Following the enactment of the harmonised retirement age for teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022 recently signed into law by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, the new retirement age of 65 years and length of service of 40 years would apply to all education officers irrespective of their posting while emphasising more chalk-in-hand teachers with a view to maintaining a standard, monitoring and inspectorate functions. Arising from the above, there would no longer be boundaries in the implementation of the harmonised retirement age/length of service for education officers/teachers. However, those who are not interested in the elongation scheme should apply for retirement from service in line with extant Public Service Rules. This circular supersedes earlier circulars on the subject as the harmonised retirement Age Act. 2020 is superior to any guideline. Background In January 2021, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the bill to increase the retirement age and years of service for teachers to 65 years and 40 years respectively. Apart from increasing the retirement age and years of service, the bill also introduced bursary awards, special rural posting allowances and other items that will encourage brilliant Nigerians to take to teaching. However, the ministry of education explained that the new retirement age and years of service would not be automatic as teachers would demonstrate fitness before benefiting from the new scheme and those found to be unfit will be advised to retire accordingly. It added that the elongation was limited to education officers and teaching staff only. Green energy, artificial intelligence, medical interventions and entrepreneurial innovations, especially in the fintech sector, are some of the targets of a new partnership between the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, and some European counterparts. Championed by UNILAG, and with the support of Nigerias Consulate Office in Frankfurt, Germany, the initiative, which is tagged, Partnership for Change, is, according to the organisers, aimed at building symbiotic relationships between Nigerian universities and their select counterparts in Europe. The collaboration, the director of UNILAGs Office of International Relations, Partnerships and Prospects, Ismail Ibrahim, a professor of mass communication, said, will address contemporary issues of concern, especially in Nigeria. To kickstart the process, a team led by the vice-chancellor of UNILAG, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, with the collaboration of the consulate office in Frankfurt, recently crisscrossed some universities in Germany. The purpose of the visit was to dot the is and cross the ts towards firming up the arrangements to bring more academic institutions on board. A similar engagement also held between UNILAG and some Scottish universities, where presentations on different areas of partnership were made by the concerned parties. The vice-chancellor described the initiative as mutually beneficial, and not parasitic. He said the university was welcomed by the European institutions because it was not coming into the partnership empty-handed. According to Mr Ogundipe, the ongoing industrial action by both the academic and non-academic staff unions of Nigerian universities, like many of such witnessed in the past, has done more damage to the image and prospects of the nations academic institutions. There must, therefore, be deliberate efforts to build global competitiveness and drive the institutions desire for impacts, Mr Ogundipe said, adding that the institutions should not be allowed to be held back by the circumstances beyond their control. According to Mr Ogundipe, whose tenure as vice-chancellor will be over in November, building a sound future for the university should not be about an individual but a system that can continue to run even after his tenure of office. He said since 2017 when he assumed office, the university has attracted not less than N18 billion worth of grants in research. He added that unlike before when only researchers in pure sciences and medical fields would win grants, all faculties and even non-academic staff now regularly win grants in one field or the other. Mr Ogundipe, a professor of Botany, said: We must work towards covering the grounds lost in classrooms by building on partnerships, so that once we resume academic activities, we can easily switch on our initiatives for prosperous future harvest. Strike impacts For more than four months, many Nigerian universities have been under lock and key over yet-to-be-resolved conflicts between the government and the institutions workers unions. Apart from staff and students who have been negatively impacted by the industrial action, various other members of the universities communities including transporters, food vendors, shop owners, artisans and others in need of one service or the other from the universities such as collection of transcripts, certificates and results, have all continued to suffer significant losses. The development has also further limited the chances of the universities quest for improved global ranking and the nations drive towards socio-economic recovery. Partnership to the rescue Rather than folding its arms while the system is grounded, the UNILAGs partnership office said to address gaps that limit their ability to meet the Agenda 2030 and the African Union Vision 2063, Nigerian universities must turn to collaborations to leverage opportunities that internationalisation and regionalisation provide. The UNILAG deputy vice-chancellor in charge of development services, Ayo Atsenuwa, who oversees the universitys partnership office, in her presentation during the meetings with the new partners, said with a student population of 62,215 across 12 faculties, six institutes and 26 centres, UNILAG runs 88 undergraduate and 129 postgraduate programmes. Mrs Atsenuwa, a professor of Law, said the university is coming into the partnership fully prepared, especially with many concluded and ongoing innovative research outputs such as the cassava concrete mixture for building, ambuvent medical ventilator and vehicular road advanced electronic flood caution device, among others. She said; We are encouraged to champion this partnership having experienced the significant impacts of other similar collaborations such as those under the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), UMOJA and AFROPEAN Global. Our artificial intelligence and fab laboratories, the UNILAG-BOI business incubation hub, and the NITDA ICT hub, are in need of meaningful partnerships for exposure and knowledge sharing. She said the partnership is aimed at building a global community of shared future through student and staff exchange programmes, running of joint degrees and programmes, curriculum development, hosting joint conferences and research collaborations. Our entrepreneurial centre is one of the best around but we must endorse continental collaborations to achieve greater impacts and exposure for students and staff, Mrs Atsenuwa said. She said compared to many of the German universities being courted, UNILAG is relatively young, and thus requires partnership with such older institutions like Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, to share ideas, and technical know-how for comparative advantages. German universities on board During different meetings held at the Goethe University, Frankfurt, and in the city of Mainz, the University of Applied Sciences, Mainz; Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz; Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, Schmalkalden, and University of Munster, Munster, all expressed their commitment to making the partnership a worthwhile venture. The representatives of the Johannes Gutenberg University, which houses the global COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing giant- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech), expressed commitment to the partnership, even as they pledged knowledge transfer among staff and students. Speaking on behalf of Schmalkalden, its Mayor, Thomas Kaminski, said as a host to a university and many small scale industries, the community is building green energy solutions and would be glad to partner Nigerian researchers. He expressed his readiness to ensure knowledge transfer among concerned experts, saying the green energy solution will not only address the issue of ozone layer depletion and the attendant consequences but will also make power affordable, especially for the university communities where uninterrupted power supply is much a prerequisite. Mr Kaminski said; We are a small town but one blessed with talents to build livable societies. Nigeria also has its strengths, especially in human and natural resources, we must combine our knowledge to make our communities habitable for our people. Other universities, especially, University of Applied Science in Mainz, said it was interested in introducing double degree programmes in partnership with UNILAG, among other qualified Nigerian universities. The programmes, which will be taught physically on the two campuses, will, according to the university, also offer the beneficiaries an opportunity to receive stipends through the German governments scholarship scheme. Scottish universities too Apart from German universities, the UNILAG team had also earlier met with the management of some Scottish universities including Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. At these universities, just as witnessed in Germany, the details of the partnerships were spelt out and each parties signed relevant documents for smooth take-off. At the University of Aberdeen, the UNILAG team was welcomed by Principal/Vice Chancellor, George Boyne, a professor, and the Vice Principal/Deputy Vice Chancellor International, Alan Speight, a professor, among other officials. There were presentations on Science and Technology, Energy, Environment and Entrepreneurship research, among other fields. Consulate offices speak Both the Nigerias Consulate General in Frankfurt, Wahab Akande, and his German counterpart in Lagos, Bernd von Munchow-Pohl, have expressed their commitment to the partnership. Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Akande said his experience gained over the years as a diplomat in Europe inspired him to be a part of the initiative. He said; The truth is that Germany is known for her manufacturing capacities, hence the popular phrase of German Machines. But German industries rely on universities to achieve their dream. This is what Nigeria must learn. This is why this engagement is dear to us at the consulate office. On his part, Mr Munchow-Pohl, a PhD certificate holder, said the commitment of the German government to academic partnership is evidenced by the funding support to the countrys institutions in charge of international academic cooperation. The Germany Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Federal Ministry for Science and Research, gives significant budgetary funding to our institutions in charge of international academic cooperation such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) or the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, he said. Meanwhile, on the trip to Europe were also the director of the universitys distance learning institute, Uchenna Udeani, a professor of science and technology education, and senior lecturer in the universitys department of statistics and deputy director of the partnership office, Mary Akinyemi, among others. First, there should be increased funding for universal health coverage, by expanding the federal budget for healthcare to meet the Abuja Declaration of a minimum of 15 per cent of the total budget, by tapping into the private sector to support healthcare delivery. Funding universal health coverage to address the catastrophic out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure of Nigerians would require adequately financing the newly minted National Health Insurance Authority, working in partnership with state health insurance schemes. In the past month, presidential candidates from Nigerias three major political parties have emerged. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Mr Peter Obi for the Labour Party. Over the past couple of years, the most populous black nation in the world, and Africas largest economy, has seen an incessant spread of unbridled insecurity, breakdown of law and order, a crippled economy, and worsened health indices. The choice of whoever emerges as the countrys next president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces is therefore critical. Nigeria currently has the highest number of cases of malaria in the world, the highest rate of deaths in children below five years in Africa, and the fourth highest maternal death rate in Africa. In addition, the country is steadily experiencing a torrential exit of qualified medical doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers to other countries. According to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), between 2016 and 2018, over 9,000 medical doctors have left the country to work in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America. The Association has also reported that out of 75,000 doctors officially registered in Nigeria, more than 33,000 have left the country due to unfavourable government policies, low wages, poor economic conditions, frequent labour strikes, poor work conditions and widespread insecurity. So, where the World Health Organisation recommends a ratio of one doctor to every 1,000 patients, Nigeria is currently operating at one doctor to more than 5,000 patients. The healthcare system operates across three-tiers, where up to 90 per cent of the populations health issues can be addressed at the local community level in primary care centres, and more complicated health issues at the state district hospitals, followed by federal tertiary hospitals. The higher the level of healthcare, the more complex the health conditions expected to be managed there. In Nigeria, this is far from the case. For a start, less than a third of the countrys 30,000 primary healthcare centres are functional. This means that for most of Nigerias population, they cannot easily access health education, prevention, or care for ailments such as malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhoea, hypertension, diabetes, and malnutrition. The higher-level teaching hospitals are constantly besieged with patients seeking medical treatment for conditions that could have been easily managed in their community clinics if only they were working. Therefore, advanced levels of technological innovation and development expected from Nigerias teaching hospitals can therefore not emerge due to these system inefficiencies. This failure of the health system has fuelled medical tourism, which is estimated by the Federal Government to cost the country between $1.2 billion and $1.6 billion each year close to Nigerias 2022 budget for healthcare. Global reports of medical tourism approximate that about nine thousand medical tourists every month are Nigerian, half of whom seek medical treatment in India. It is also reported that 75 per cent of these patients pay out-of-pocket, 15 per cent of the medical fees are government-paid, 6 per cent covered by health insurance companies, and 4 per cent employer-paid. The payment for medical care in-country is no different, with barely 5 per cent of the population having access to health insurance through the countrys National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). In fact, more than 70 per cent of Nigerias patients must pay out-of-pocket for their healthcare, putting them at risk of worsening poverty from health care expenditure. For many families, it is usually a choice between food and medical care, with often tragic outcomes. emphasis must be laid on the allocative efficiency of the budget. The primary health sector that is responsible for up to 90 per cent of health conditions and should be easily accessible to Nigerians, has been neglected. The majority of current health spending is tilted towards secondary and tertiary care, with enormous amounts spent on expensive equipment that, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), often deliver modest health gains. In a country emerging from the devastation of COVID-19 to the health and economic sectors, there is an urgent need to prioritise the health and wellbeing of Nigerians as drivers of economic advancement. The fact is that in the recently released five-point and seven-point agendas of Alhaji Atiku and Asiwaju Tinubu, Nigerias health sector was not highlighted. The Labour Partys front-runner Mr Obi is yet to reveal his own agenda for health. This omission across board illustrates the neglect that the health sector has historically faced in successive lists of government economic priorities. First, there should be increased funding for universal health coverage, by expanding the federal budget for healthcare to meet the Abuja Declaration of a minimum of 15 per cent of the total budget, by tapping into the private sector to support healthcare delivery. Funding universal health coverage to address the catastrophic out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure of Nigerians would require adequately financing the newly minted National Health Insurance Authority, working in partnership with state health insurance schemes. Additionally, there is need to muster the political will to stop fuel subsidy and channel those funds towards health insurance cover for the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians. The presidential candidate of the APC recently promised in a presentation of his proposed roadmap, that if elected he would increase the countrys annual healthcare budget to 10 per cent. Over the past decade, Nigerias health sector allocation from the annual budget has fallen from a high of 5.97 per cent in 2012 to an average of 4 per cent year-on-year. However, increased budgetary provision must be tied to improved governance, with facilities and leaders being held accountable, and leakages and corruption plugged by working closely with communities and civil society organisations. Secondly, emphasis must be laid on the allocative efficiency of the budget. The primary health sector that is responsible for up to 90 per cent of health conditions and should be easily accessible to Nigerians, has been neglected. The majority of current health spending is tilted towards secondary and tertiary care, with enormous amounts spent on expensive equipment that, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), often deliver modest health gains. For example, in Nigerias 2022 budget of N724 billion, N24 billion is allocated to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, which is in charge of the countrys primary healthcare centres (PHCs). Considering that there are approximately 30,000 PHCs in the country, this amounts to about N800,000 ($1,925 at a Central Bank exchange rate of $1/N415.63) per PHC as operating budget each year. If efficiency and effectiveness of health investments are anticipated, there must be a reliance on valid data for evidence-based planning and decision making. Third, there needs to be a focus on social determinants of health. Healthcare delivery is a continuum of care and does not end in health facilities. Several factors impact on access and quality of healthcare, such as good nutrition (including school feeding), sanitation, clean water, improved security, and regular power supply. These social determinants of health have enormous impact on the quality of healthcare delivered and the populations health. Improving the conditions of service for health workers must address not only staff motivation and incentives, but also uphold accountability by imposing sanctions on erring workers. Technology, regular training, and retraining can be leveraged to enhance their work, with task-shifting to enable certain key health services to be provided, especially in remote communities. Fourth, improved conditions of service of health workers are crucial. A 2017 survey on emigration of Nigerian medical doctors by Nigeria Health Watch and NOI Polls revealed the reasons why doctors and other health workers emigrate. Most of these border on poor working conditions. Improving the conditions of service for health workers must address not only staff motivation and incentives, but also uphold accountability by imposing sanctions on erring workers. Technology, regular training, and retraining can be leveraged to enhance their work, with task-shifting to enable certain key health services to be provided, especially in remote communities. Lastly, there has to be increased funding for epidemic preparedness by adequately funding the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Indeed, it is cheaper to prevent than respond to infectious diseases. The threat of infectious disease outbreaks is a constant one. COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic. There are still various components of the prevention, detection, and response to infectious disease to address. Of note is the implementation of the National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS). This requires ensuring that federal agencies that have responsibilities for the implementation of NAPHS are encouraged to budget accordingly. Furthermore, infectious disease outbreaks are local. Consequently, the Federal Government must continue to work with states and local councils in the prevention, detection, and response to infectious disease outbreaks. To quote the great American philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson, The first wealth is health. This quote has often been cited by leading economists and health experts to highlight that the only foundation on which to build an economy is health. Therefore, for both political candidates and the voting public, health should never be left out of the political dialogue. Demands for optimal attention and investment in our health must be made, and our leaders held accountable for these at all levels of governance. After all, without health we have nothing. Adaeze Oreh is a consultant family physician, and a Senior New Voices Fellow for Global Health with the Aspen Institute in Washington D.C. She is also a Doctoral Researcher in Global Health with University of Groningen, Netherlands. Ifeanyi M. Nsofor is a Senior New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute and Senior Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity at George Washington University. So, what kind of lives are possible for the Chibok women who have just been rescued? The Chibok women at AUN are the most inspiring students I have ever worked with. I listen to their stories. One of these students, who just graduated, summed up the transformational power of her AUN education. As Mary said to me: Education gives me the wings to fly, the power to fight, and the voice to speak. Two more of the women who were abducted from Chibok in April 2014 have just been rescued. This is wonderful news for them, for their families, and for Nigeria. Now they will need to be supported, need to be lifted up, and education is the most effective way to do these. I had the great privilege, this week, of addressing the CHOGM Commonwealth Womens Forum in Kigali, Rwanda. This was part of a meeting of the Commonwealth member states. The theme of the meeting was Delivering a Common Future: Transforming for Gender Equity. I was asked to focus on the key drivers of change in a society, and on the evidence that these drivers can, and do, deliver real and lasting benefits. The global research on female education over the past few decades is unequivocal; it is the best way to transform the lives of girls and women, and to transform society as well. When girls are educated through secondary school, we see the most significant improvements in their lives, as well as in society. Infant and child mortality and malnutrition all decline, and family planning improves. But this is just the beginning of the benefits of female education and gender equity. Countries that promote girls education, womens rights, and better access to economic resources grow faster, diminish inequality, and see less corruption than countries that do not support womens rights. Increasing girls and womens access to education and health care, and increasing womens participation in politics and government are so interlinked that research shows these are the key elements in building successful, sustainable societies and democracies. Worldwide, there are 258 million children of school age who are out of school which is one-sixth of the school age population. 130 million of them are girls. Most of them live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria has the largest number on the continent and in the world. So, where are we with girls education, this most important intervention? There is good news and bad news. There has been tremendous progress in the past few decades in improving primary school enrollment rates for girls in most countries: Globally nine of 10 girls complete their primary education. In low income countries, however, only about a third of girls complete secondary school. We often forget those who arent visible: The children, the many children, who are out of school. In Nigeria, far more than half of these are girls. Worldwide, there are 258 million children of school age who are out of school which is one-sixth of the school age population. 130 million of them are girls. Most of them live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria has the largest number on the continent and in the world. The data on female enrollment are mixed. The good results for primary school enrollment show that when governments and policy makers support and fund education, more people enroll. The progress is far less encouraging for secondary school, where the most substantial gains for individuals, and for society, actually occur. what does mere enrollment tell us? Very little, it turns out. Governments need to collect data on what really matters on actual learning. Simply sitting in a classroom is not enough. Universities around the world can play a major role in the effort to collect such learning data and help governments begin to address quality. But what does mere enrollment tell us? Very little, it turns out. Governments need to collect data on what really matters on actual learning. Simply sitting in a classroom is not enough. Universities around the world can play a major role in the effort to collect such learning data and help governments begin to address quality. That is what we are doing at the American University of Nigeria with large-scale regional projects focused on learning and teacher training. The data are critically important: They guide us, they give us the dimensions of progress and problems, and guide us to go forward with policy. But its really the stories of individuals that help us understand the transformational power of education. Unfortunately, we have lost our sense of urgency, in Nigeria and around the world, about the power of education to transform lives and countries. We must listen to the stories of girls. We are privileged at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) to have as students many of the Chibok girls who escaped or were released from captivity. Their support comes from various sources. Enormous thanks must go to the AUN founder, Atiku Abubakar. This is not a political statement: His sustained generosity toward these women, and during the entire history of AUN, has made all of this possible. His commitment, passion, and investment in education and building social capital is unprecedented in Nigeria. I thank Robert Smith in the United States for his extended support, as well as the Ministry of Education, which has provided generous support for these young women. So, what kind of lives are possible for the Chibok women who have just been rescued? The Chibok women at AUN are the most inspiring students I have ever worked with. I listen to their stories. One of these students, who just graduated, summed up the transformational power of her AUN education. As Mary said to me: Education gives me the wings to fly, the power to fight, and the voice to speak. Margee Ensign, president of the American University of Nigeria, was a resource person at the just-concluded Commonwealth Womens Forum in Kigali, Rwanda As for the Ekweremadus, they will come out of this better and stronger and rise even higher Their daughter will not die but live to the glory of God and both the senator and his wife shall return to Nigeria in victory and in glory. I have done my research on this matter. As I said from the outset, I cannot and will not condemn my friend and brother, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and his beautiful wife unless I see the evidence of their wrongdoing or they are convicted by a court of law. I am now convinced that there is NO evidence and that they will NOT be convicted. There is also a distinct possibility that the charges may eventually be dropped or thrown out by the court, if the British really want to play it fairly. I believe that the London Metropolitan Police have acted hastily and in error or that they are simply behaving in a typically racist manner, all in an attempt to demonise and stigmatise a Nigerian public figure and Nigerians generally, even though the evidence before them cannot possibly justify the charge or a conviction. When I looked into the matter and considered all the facts, including the young man, David Nwaminyis own testimony, which was published on his Facebook page a few hours ago, I asked myself the following questions: How can this man be so wicked and cruel and how can he be so ready, willing and able repay good with evil? The Ekweremadus needed help and instead of giving it to them as promised, he sought to take advantage of them, milk them dry, endanger the life of their ailing daughter, send them to jail and utterly destroy them. Was David not sent to the Ekweremadu family by Lucifer? Is he not the Biblical son of perdition who takes pleasure in the destruction and misery of others? Is he not the quintessential sadist? Is he not a beast in human flesh? I know Senator Ekweremadu quite well. He is a deeply courageous man and his greatest concern and fear right now will not be for his own safety or future but rather for the welfare of his daughter and the travails of his dear wife. Instead of doing the right and honourable thing and following through on your own part of the deal by helping the young lady or instead of simply saying that you have changed your mind and have elected not to donate your kidney any longer, Satan entered your body, spirit and soul, and you got other ideas That is the measure of man that he is: He always puts his family first. And when I consider what this monster called David is doing to them, I ask myself: What on earth have they done to deserve all this? Consider the facts: A couple have a sick child in a foreign hospital. They needed and asked for your help. You volunteered to donate one of your kidneys to their daughter so she could live. You were well paid for this purpose. You are of age. You are not underage or a minor. You gave your consent. Your visa was lawfully and legitimately processed and your purpose for going to the U.K. was disclosed in the visa application. You were not smuggled across international boarders, secretly or illegally, against your will or treated like a slave but rather you were flown on a plane and you entered the U.K. lawfully and willingly. Nothing was hidden. Nothing was done in the darkness. There were no hidden, ignoble, macabre or sinister motive. You were taken abroad for the sole purpose of donating one of your kidneys and you were given the best treatment by the Ekweremadus (by your own admission) and at their hospital of choice. Instead of doing the right and honourable thing and following through on your own part of the deal by helping the young lady or instead of simply saying that you have changed your mind and have elected not to donate your kidney any longer, Satan entered your body, spirit and soul, and you got other ideas, and sought to make more money and you started plotting and conceiving evil against those who were depending on you. You resolved to attempt to send the Ekweremadus to jail for no just cause, far away from home and in a foreign land, simply because they were desperate, they asked you for help, they trusted you and they paid you. You have destroyed their reputation and you now want their daughter to die from stress and the inability to get someone else to donate a kidney to her. You wish to destroy three lives and an entire family just so you can gain political asylum, stay in the U.K. and live off the state. You have no idea how much damage you gave done to yourself, your country with this course of action. Surely you shall reap what you have sown. Apart from being motivated by your crass and primitive greed, it is possible that you are also being used by some unscrupulous elements and Senator Ekweremadus political enemies but whichever it is, you alone will bear the consequences of your actions. You are not 15 but 21. You consented to this course of action. You offered to help them but now you are hell- bent on destroying them. I and millions of other Nigerians despise you for this. As for the Ekweremadus, they will come out of this better and stronger and rise even higher. Their daughter will not die but live to the glory of God and both the senator and his wife shall return to Nigeria in victory and in glory. You, on the other hand, will fail in your evil quest, and you will be eventually deported and you shall return in shame. And when you do you will face the full wrath of the Nigerian people and legal system. It is only a question of time. I assure you of this. When one of our own is falsely accused in a foreign land, we ought to rally around him or her. And Ekweremadu and his wife are our own. We may not agree with them on everything but they are part and parcel of us as a people and we must not abandon or condemn them without good reason. Permit me to end this contribution with a word for David: You have no idea how much damage you gave done to yourself, your country with this course of action. Surely you shall reap what you have sown. The God of Heaven who sees and knows all shall judge you. Femi Fani-Kayode is a former Nigerian minister of Aviation and the Sadaukin Shinkafi. The Ondo State Executive Council has approved the selection of Prince Olugbenga Ojo as the new Oba of Iralepo Isinkan in Akure South Local Government Area of the state. The approval is contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to Ondo State Government, Oladunni Odu, on Friday in Akure. Meanwhile, the people of Isinkan have hailed the approval of Mr Ojo as the new oba of the town, describing it as a round peg in a round hole. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after the approval, Durojaye Ariyo, the Olori Omo Owa of Isinkan, described the approval of Mr Ojo by the state government as unprecedented. Mr Ariyo said that the development was made possible through the understanding and good relationships among the people of the town. He commended the state executive council for standing with justice. NAN reports that Mr Ojo, a lawyer, is the 38th Iralepo of Isinkan. (NAN) En la Presidencia del Consejo de Ministros, los viceministros de la PCM, @MEF_Peru y @MTC_GobPeru se reunen con dirigentes y representantes de gremios de transportistas de carga pesada para evaluar medidas de atencion a sus demandas y establecer consensos. pic.twitter.com/2mrk0jiKNO DUBAI, UAE, June 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As the influx of new digitized assets continues to soar, investors around the globe have more options than ever to diversify their wealth. This new investment landscape has had many pondering about where to increase their latest ventures, and what benefit each one may bring with it. While prominent investment opportunities such as real estate, bonds, and mutual funds remain at the forefront, accompanied by the emergence of cryptocurrencies, investors should also look into side benefits to their investments that would potentially magnify their quantifiable and qualitative ROI - and this is where investment migration enters the fray. Residency and citizenship by investment (RCBI) has long been a popular undertaking amongst the global elite, and the diverse nature of investments under its umbrella makes it an excellent by-product for those looking to diversify. In this piece, Savory & Partners will look at the most prominent investment options of 2022, and how they can result in an investor and their families obtaining a second citizenship or residency. Real estate One of the most favorable investments that has withstood the test of time, acquiring property remains a robust investment. Properties increase in value over time and can be rented out for excellent ROI. When considering any property, one should take note of the location's and country's overall housing market to ensure they are making an investment that can yield maximum potential. Those who do that, but also make their investment in a country with an RCBI program, can not only expect considerable profits down the road, but also obtain a second citizenship or residency. This venture is prevalent in two major countries: Portugal and Turkey. The EU nation of Portugal has a golden visa program, which awards investors and their family members with a residence permit that leads to citizenship within five years without the need to reside in Portugal for more than seven days a year. The minimum qualifying investment threshold is set at a reasonable 280,000 euros. Turkey, on the other hand, awards investors and their families who purchase one or more properties valued at a total of 400,000 USD with direct citizenship, making it a profitable way to quickly get a second passport while making money. As for the investment part of the equation, both nations boast an outstanding real estate investment environment. Portugal's housing market saw a year-on-year (YoY) increase in prices of 13.8% in 2021. That would theoretically mean a 280,000-euro property would be worth 318,640 euros the next year. Turkey also boasts magnificent real estate appreciation rates, as its housing market grew a staggering 32.93% YoY in 2021. Investors who purchased one year ago saw their properties gain one-third of their overall value over a 12-month period. Both these options not only provide investors with great diversification opportunities but include a global mobility factor to boot. Government bonds Another excellent venture is government bonds. They are safe, secure, and easy to liquidate at the end of the holding period. Investors looking to diversify into government bonds can expect to make money in two different ways. The first is through bond yield, as bonds produce an ROI depending on the country, holding period, and currency they are purchased through. Turkey is again another great option here, as its citizenship by investment program allows investors to qualify for naturalization if they make a 500,000 USD investment in government bonds in Turkish Lira. The yield on Turkey's 5-year government bond was last announced at 27.675%, making it an extremely lucrative venture. However, investors must be willing to take on the risk of investing in Turkish Lira, which has been turbulent over the past two years, and could lead to loss, breaking even, or in the case of the past few years, massive profits. St Lucia's 250,000 USD non-yield government bonds give investors a tax relief, while also qualifying them to obtain a robust second passport and citizenship that provides them with visa-free entry into the EU, UK, and many other destinations throughout the globe. Cryptocurrencies The recent dip in cryptocurrencies may seem like the digital currency is not as hot as it used to be, but this fluctuation is nothing new, and it has become common for investors to "buy the dip" - investing when the exchange rate is low to make a staggering profit later. In terms of RCBI, cryptocurrency does not have a direct link as a qualifying investment. However, crypto investors can still obtain citizenship or residency by paying with cryptocurrency, as is the case in Vanuatu's citizenship by investment program or El Salvador's residency by investment scheme. Mutual funds Another great option for investors in 2022 that doesn't require much travel, research, or effort in doing due diligence is investing in mutual investment funds. Investors are lush for choice and can choose funds with differing levels of risk and profit, while also identifying funds that invest in their preferred areas or provide collateral against investments. Those looking for secure funds with reasonable holding periods and massive government supervision should consider Portugal. The Portuguese golden visa allows investors who make 500,000-euro investments into mutual investment funds overseen by the government's CMVM to qualify for residency. Applicants can choose between hundreds of options and obtain tax relief while also getting an EU residency permit. The true value of an investment The true ROI of any investment should factor in both quantifiable and qualitative benefits, and no venture in the world can match the total benefits of RCBI investments. They produce profit while also giving investors a massive boost to their global mobility and greatly enhance their lifestyle. To know more about making astute investments that can yield a second citizenship or residency, contact us today to book a free, comprehensive consultation. Savory & Partners is an accredited agent for multiple governments where citizenship by investment is offered. Founded in 1797, the agency has evolved from pharmaceuticals to family assets and legacy protection through second citizenship and residency. The company's professional, multinational staff is made up of expert advisors who have guided thousands of clients, including many North African investors, on their journey to find the most suitable CBI program for them. The Savory & Partners team will be happy to answer your enquiries in English, Arabic, Farsi, French and Spanish. For more information, please send an email to contact@savoryandpartners.com. You can also call +971 04 430 1717 or send a WhatsApp message to +971 54 440 2955. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1738007/Savory_and_Partners_Logo.jpg SOURCE Savory & Partners Celebrating a Milestone 50th Anniversary, European-Born Brand Brings Glamour Back to Travel with Renovations Across its Global Portfolio BETHESDA, Md., June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts ' momentous 50th anniversary this year, the distinctly European-born brand is celebrating its mid-century modern legacy as it puts a spotlight on renovations that accentuate and elevate this timeless style using design as a foundation to encourage guests to linger longer and savour the good life as travel returns. With this resurgence, Le Meridien unlocks destinations around the world and encourages guests to slow down and grab a rose during golden hour, enjoy a stroll with a gelato, reconnect in the hub or poolside, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, Le Meridien boasts over 105 hotels and resorts in coveted destinations around the world, inviting creative-minded, culture seekers to explore the world in style. Le Meridien Ile Maurice "Le Meridien has stayed true to its roots and the rich legacy dating back to its origin in the 1960s. When we look at this revival, it's not simply about renovations. It's a nod to the past, but it's also about recognising how we've adapted and evolved to meet ever-changing needs of today's world traveller," said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International. "Travel is back and with that, we want our guests to experience locations with a pace befitting leisure and relaxation while enjoying life's simple pleasures in familiar, yet chic locales." Today, the brand's quintessential design embodies a refined, yet playful aesthetic inspired by the French Riviera and the effortless and relaxed charm of the Mediterranean. Every detail is brimming with a contemporary, sophisticated and glamorous style. Always chic and with an eye to culture, each hotel and resort within the portfolio looks to share a little-known dimension of the destination. "The essence of Le Meridien is grounded in thoughtful, nuanced design one that offers an interpretation of a destination with curated details that reflect a locale's art, cuisine, and culture," said Aliya Khan, Vice President of Design, Lifestyle Brands, Marriott International. "When reflecting on the brand's distinct European spirit, we pay homage to design ideas that have the same impact they did fifty years ago to refresh our spaces. It is the relationship to these concepts and their evolution that allows the brand to morph and evolve its experiences." Creative-minded travellers can jet set sans agenda to these reimagined properties: Le Meridien Lav, Split : Located on the Dalmatian Coast, just a short drive from the centre of Split, the hotel offers spectacular views over the Adriatic coastline and nearby islands. Revealing an extensive renovation in April, the hotel's redesign creates a modern, airy feel, while paying homage to the hotel's heritage, featuring pops of blue, mixed with rattan textures and champagne tone metallic accents. Mid-century black and white photographs documenting everyday life in Split feature throughout the hotel, complementing the stylish ambiance. : Located on the Dalmatian Coast, just a short drive from the centre of Split, the hotel offers spectacular views over the Adriatic coastline and nearby islands. Revealing an extensive renovation in April, the hotel's redesign creates a modern, airy feel, while paying homage to the hotel's heritage, featuring pops of blue, mixed with rattan textures and champagne tone metallic accents. Mid-century black and white photographs documenting everyday life in Split feature throughout the hotel, complementing the stylish ambiance. Le Meridien Cyberport, Hong Kon g : Expected to reopen in July, the chic, lifestyle hotel will be completely transformed with a mid-century modern aesthetic. Creating a distinct and uniquely transformative ambience, the hotel's design will have an emphasis on local natural materials contrasted by darker, tactile design features that are a nod to the local culture. Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Pok Fu Lam Reservoir and Victoria Peak , the hotel will relaunch as a seaside destination that invites locals and travellers to discover and savour life in style. : Expected to reopen in July, the chic, lifestyle hotel will be completely transformed with a mid-century modern aesthetic. Creating a distinct and uniquely transformative ambience, the hotel's design will have an emphasis on local natural materials contrasted by darker, tactile design features that are a nod to the local culture. Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Pok Fu Lam Reservoir and , the hotel will relaunch as a seaside destination that invites locals and travellers to discover and savour life in style. Le Meridien Bangkok : Located in the Thai capital's Silom commercial district, the hotel is slated to complete its full renovation this month. The redesigned rooms are infused with the essence of Thai culture swathed around furniture and features tailored to the lifestyles of today's international travellers. Sheltered beneath chic cream canopies, the spacious rooms restore a sense of calm through muted tones, minimalist decoration and well-planned spaciousness. Additionally, the hotel's food and beverage experience will receive upgrades including a new outdoor area in its lobby lounge, Latitude 13; a new bar for social gatherings called Tempo Bar, which takes its design cues from the rhythm of the Bangkok skyline and the traditional golden curves of the city's grand temples; and a new restaurant specializing in Memphis barbeque. : Located in the Thai capital's Silom commercial district, the hotel is slated to complete its full renovation this month. The redesigned rooms are infused with the essence of Thai culture swathed around furniture and features tailored to the lifestyles of today's international travellers. Sheltered beneath chic cream canopies, the spacious rooms restore a sense of calm through muted tones, minimalist decoration and well-planned spaciousness. Additionally, the hotel's food and beverage experience will receive upgrades including a new outdoor area in its lobby lounge, Latitude 13; a new bar for social gatherings called Tempo Bar, which takes its design cues from the rhythm of the skyline and the traditional golden curves of the city's grand temples; and a new restaurant specializing in barbeque. Le Meridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa : Originally built in 1929 and located in Tarragona, the property completed a full renovation in 2018 and was restored into a hotel with one of the largest spas in Spain . A sanctuary for wellness, it was built by the golden beach of San Salvador to capture the benefits of the sunny climate and the healing properties of the nutrient-rich sea. The natural landscape that surrounds the area is honoured both by the hotel's luxurious outdoor spaces, but also unconventionally through a distinctive modern touch: IMMEXRa. A multi-sensory meeting room, this space revolutionizes the design of the traditional events to fuel the imagination. Creativity and innovation join together with a 360 projection and an adjustable aroma system to create immersive, tailor-made experiences that transform any event into a multi-sensory journey. : Originally built in 1929 and located in Tarragona, the property completed a full renovation in 2018 and was restored into a hotel with one of the largest spas in . A sanctuary for wellness, it was built by the golden beach of to capture the benefits of the sunny climate and the healing properties of the nutrient-rich sea. The natural landscape that surrounds the area is honoured both by the hotel's luxurious outdoor spaces, but also unconventionally through a distinctive modern touch: IMMEXRa. A multi-sensory meeting room, this space revolutionizes the design of the traditional events to fuel the imagination. Creativity and innovation join together with a 360 projection and an adjustable aroma system to create immersive, tailor-made experiences that transform any event into a multi-sensory journey. Le Meridien Ile Maurice : Beautifully positioned alongside the sandy beach Pointe aux Piments on the Northwest Coast of Mauritius , the beachfront resort's new design, which was completed in April, is a nod to the island's rich heritage showcasing multicultural local artwork and sensory experiences, creating a stimulating environment and a hotspot for art lovers and travellers from all continents in search of tropical inspiration. The timeless chic design draws inspiration from the brand's roots in the glamorous halcyon days of travel and takes cues from the resorts surrounding tropical landscape. Modern and minimal guest rooms transition seamlessly from the outside in with touches of creams and blues complimenting locally themed fabrics and custom headboards reflective of the rustic materials sourced locally in Mauritius . Looking ahead, the brand expects additional marque hotels such as Le Meridien New Orleans and Le Meridien Tampa, The Courthouse to complete renovations next year. To uncover more about Le Meridien and reserve a stay, please visit www.lemeridien.com . Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including statements related to expected hotel renovations and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts Born in 1960s Paris during an era of glamorous travel, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts continues to celebrate cultures around the world through the distinctly European spirit of savouring the good life. With over 105 hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries and territories, spanning from Maldives to Monaco and from Santa Monica to Sichuan, Le Meridien's engaging mid-century designed spaces coupled with chic signature programmes put a playful twist on art , coffee , sparkling cocktails , summer , family , and inspire creative-minded travellers to explore the world in style. Stay connected to Le Meridien on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter . Le Meridien is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com . About Marriott Bonvoy Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com . SOURCE Marriott International, Inc. The Strand celebrates with a jolt of caffeine EAST VILLAGE, N.Y., June 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, June 25th the Strand Book Store will celebrate it's 95th year as the largest independent bookstore in New York City. Nestled deeply in the heart of the Village, the Strand Bookstore has brought some of the greatest literary leaders, artists and bohemian types together for nearly a century. The landscape of the Village has changed over the decades, from Beatniks, to millennials, and the streets that were once filled with gas-fueled cars have now been replaced with electric cars and bicycles. One thing that has remained is the coffee house culture, the cross section of where the new generation of hippies and business culture of today meet to share in a communal cup of Joe. Now, for the first time since it's opening in 1927, the Strand flagship store is proud to welcome one of the finest coffee makers in the world to share a cup of coffee while getting lost in the stacks. "Bringing coffee to our customers has been a long-time dream for The Strand," stated Laura Ravo, Strand Books, COO. "When we made the decision to add it to our store, we sought to bring customers the most authentic coffee experience and Brooklyn Roasting Company fit that vision perfectly. Furthermore, Brooklyn Roasting Company shares many of the Strand's principles. They deliver a quality product, care about the New York and provide excellent customer service; while giving back through conscientious charitable contributions to further the arts, literature and music in our city." Openhouse + On Lok Community Day Services Offers In-Community Support to LGBTQ+ Seniors SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- During the month of PRIDE, On Lok recognizes the impact LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history, locally and around the world, and proudly supports the rights of the community to age with dignity. On Lok teams have participated and volunteered with Openhouse to support various PRIDE activities throughout the month, including the upcoming San Francisco Pride Parade on June 26, where On Lok staff will be walking the parade route. Since 2018, On Lok has partnered with Openhouse, joining forces to create Openhouse + On Lok Community Day Services (Community Day), a safe and life-affirming space for LGTBQ+ seniors to maintain independence while receiving culturally sensitive and compassionate care. "Community Day is a multifaceted program designed with and for the community, bringing much-needed services to San Francisco's growing LGBTQ+ population," said John Blazek, Executive Director, Day Services, On Lok. "It is a program that has been years in the making, bringing together the connection between Openhouse and the LGBTQ+ older adult community, with On Lok's deep roots in community-based senior care and support." Community Day officially opened its doors in December 2021 and provides social connection and fun LGBTQ+-themed activities, in a state-of-the-art center full of natural light and community pride. Additionally, staff help seniors with personal care reminders and coordinate services, as well as provide transportation to and from the program, as needed, and hot midday meals, snacks, and refreshments are provided daily. "We envisioned a space where community members engage in activities, eat a hot meal together, and then go home, back to their partners and families, and Community Day is achieving that vision," added Blazek. LGTBQ+ seniors face loneliness and isolation due to lack of community and health support and financial insecurity, and fear discrimination and mistreatment in institutionalized settings. According to a 2011 study published by the National Senior Citizens Law Center, 78% felt it would be unsafe for an LGBTQ+ senior to be "out" in a care facility and 80% believed staff and other residents would discriminate against an LGBTQ+ elder who was out of the closet. While 43% reported personally witnessing or knowing individuals who experienced instances of mistreatment. Aging can be a vulnerable experience. As LGBTQ+ persons age, they don't want to feel as if they need to hide who they are or their life experiences. Staff members at Community Day have first-hand experience of the challenges and adversities in navigating medical care and other services, either for or as, an LGBTQ+ person. "The Community Day staff are eager to serve the older members of our LGBTQ+ community. It's a rare opportunity to become the figurative children that can provide respite to our elders' partners and loved ones, who are often neglected by the system," said Ephraim Getahun, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Training, Openhouse. As part of its commitment to reduce barriers to healthcare access across vulnerable populations, On Lok has been pursuing certification for Community Day to become an alternative care setting (ACS) for its On Lok PACE program. In May, Community Day received this certification. Alternative care settings are a physical facility, other than the participant's place of residence, where PACE participants can receive some required services, such as activities, meals, and socializing. On Lok has a history of supporting vulnerable populations by creating alternative care settings with partners in the community. For the city's LGBTQ seniors that means enrolling in On Lok PACE, a full service healthcare program, will also include the choice to attend Openhouse + On Lok Community Day Services. For more information about Community Day contact Ephraim Getahun via email at [email protected] or call 415-535-0927. For more information about On Lok PACE eligibility call 855-973-1110 (TTY: 711). About On Lok On Lok is a nonprofit organization that empowers older adults to age with dignity and independence. With 50 years of experience, On Lok is a trusted resource in San Francisco, Santa Clara County, and the Tri-City area of Alameda County. On Lok founded and still operates the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which allows eligible seniors to live at home for as long as possible by providing comprehensive medical care and social services. On Lok 30th Street Senior Center, the largest multipurpose senior center in San Francisco, provides a second home, health programs, activities, and case management services to active seniors. The On Lok Mission Nutrition Program provides more than 250,000 meals annually to seniors through its dining locations and meal delivery program. For more information, please visit www.onlok.org. About Openhouse Openhouse enables San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ+ seniors to overcome the unique challenges they face as they age by providing housing, direct services, and community programs. Founded in 1998, works to center the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ older adults by providing opportunities to make social connections and build community. We are committed to creating a safe environment to encourage and support community members to share our diverse perspectives and identities to foster dynamic community engagement. We recognize and affirm that LGBTQ+ older adults live at intersections of race, ethnicity, class, culture, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, spirituality, and ability. At Openhouse, everyone is a community member. SOURCE On Lok WASHINGTON, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court ended a woman's right to safe, legal, and accessible abortions, voting 5-4 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overrule Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, ignoring the dangers to women's health and 50 years of precedent. The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) has policyvoted on and passed by mayorsurging Congress and states to protect and improve women's access to safe and comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including abortions. At the USCM Annual Meeting earlier this month, mayors reaffirmed their support by adopting a new resolution. Additionally, mayors have spoken out about how the decision will impact their communities in a new video. Watch the video here. In response to the decision, Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of the USCM, released the following statement: "The conservative majority of the Court has decided women should end today with one less constitutional right than they had this morning, that government should get a veto over the healthcare decisions of a woman and her doctor, that judges should advance agendas without regard for settled law, that politics comes before health care. "The consequences of this decision will be felt in cities nationwide, where women will suffer from the loss of access to critical healthcare services, where they face state abortion bans that do not include exemptions for rape or incest. Mayors and their cities will do all that they can to support women's ability to make their own health care decisions. "This also cannot be the last word on this matter. The United States Conference of Mayors calls on Members of Congress to swiftly pass legislation to codify a woman's right to choose, and we urge governors and state legislatures to protect women's access to healthcare and individual freedoms." About the United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors BEIJING, June 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday offered his answers to the questions of the times at a keynote speech in virtual format at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum in Beijing and called for joint efforts to seek and safeguard peace. He also urged efforts to strengthen global economic governance and increase the representation and voices of emerging markets and developing countries, and experts said this has pointed out the correct directions to solve current challenges that are threatening global development and recovery. Xi will also host the 14th BRICS Summit on June 23 and the High-level Dialogue on Global Development on June 24. Experts said it is significant and necessary for China and other major emerging economies as well as developing countries in the BRICS Plus, that represent the majority of the international community to voice their joint stance over the current global challenges and crisis, and to boost unity to find a correct direction to realize recovery. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches virtually on Wednesday, while the offline ceremony was held at Beijing Diaoyutai State Guest House. The attendees also called to boost economic globalization and integration while opposing sanctions and decoupling, as this is the key to realizing global recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. The BRICS mechanism provides a stage for the voices of developing countries to be heard, said Zhu Xufeng, executive director of the Institute for Sustainable Development Goals, Tsinghua University. Amid a shifting international landscape and global pandemic, the five countries have become a ballast for global economic development, Zhu noted. "China is the biggest economy in the BRICS, and in order to promote the BRICS mechanism to play more effective role, China has provided the platform for fair communication and also offered public goods to the world for joint development," like the Belt and Road Initiative, and it will continually work with other partners under the BRICS and BRICS Plus mechanism to contribute more positive energy to the world in turbulence, Zhu noted. Key for recovery Xi said that "The BRICS mechanism is an important cooperation platform for emerging markets and developing countries. The business community is a dynamic force driving BRICS' effective cooperation." "BRICS cooperation has now entered a new stage of high-quality development. I hope that you business leaders will continue to act with tenacity and in a pioneering spirit, and champion open, innovative and shared development so as to add new impetus to BRICS cooperation." Xi also said China will continue to enhance opening-up and foster a business environment that is based on market principles, governed by law and up to international standards. He also encouraged businesses to invest and develop in China, enhance trade and economic cooperation, and share development opportunities. Attendees from business circles worldwide echoed the call and said the inter-connectivity and integration is key to recovery. Open trade is an important element of a connected world, Busi Mabuza, Chairperson of the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, said on Wednesday at the BRICS Business Forum. "Trade and market openness have historically gone hand-in-hand with better economic performance in countries at all levels of development, creating new opportunities for workers, consumers, and firms around the globe and helping to lift millions out of poverty," Mabuza said. "Integration is a golden thread of the world economy. Digitization has accelerated international integration enabling the increased flow of trade, capital, money, direct investment, technology, people, information and ideas across national boundaries. Therefore, the global economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic will rely on how we leverage the integration," Mabuza said. Yousef Al-Benyan, vice Chairman and CEO of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), said on Wednesday that "The world economy is seriously ill. Its lifeblood - international trade - has become weak, sluggish and congested. After rebounding to double-digits in 2021, the annual growth rate of trade volume is now expected to dwindle down to low single-digit rates." "If I, who comes from outside the BRICS countries, can exemplify the increased openness that our world sorely needs, then I would be extremely satisfied with my participation here today," said Al-Benyan. Much of the world's future investment in petrochemicals is expected to end up in China. And a good portion of that will have to come from foreign direct investments (FDI), he noted. SOURCE Global Times BEIJING, June 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the significance of placing development at the center of the international agenda at Friday's High-level Dialogue on Global Development, stressing China will take pragmatic steps to continue supporting the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including adding $1 billion to a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. It is important that we put development front and center on the international agenda, deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and build political consensus to ensure everyone values development and all countries pursue cooperation together, Xi said while chairing the High-level Dialogue on Global Development in Beijing via video link on Friday evening. He called on countries to build an open world economy and shape a global governance system and institutional environment that is more just and equitable. Friday's dialogue was taken after Thursday's BRICS Summit, and leaders from 18 countries attended Friday evening's event. In addition to BRICS members, leaders from nations including Algeria, Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Senegal and Uzbekistan also attended the event. Chinese analysts said the BRICS mechanism represents the future development direction of the world and a fast-emerging force that makes the world more equitable and inclusive. Cooperation between BRICS nations and developing countries is pushing for a multipolar world, which is the future direction of the world order featuring balance, efficiency, equality and justice, analysts said. To support the UN 2030 Agenda, Xi put forth the Global Development Initiative (GDI) at last year's UN General Assembly session, and he said China will take pragmatic steps to continue supporting the UN agenda. China will upgrade the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund to a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and add $1 billion to the fund on top of the $3 billion already committed, the Chinese president said. Xi said China will advance cooperation with all sides to deepen global cooperation on poverty reduction, build capacity for food production and supply and promote clean energy partnerships. The Dialogue issued a Chair's Statement saying leaders reached extensive consensus including commitment to multilateralism, development and people-centered approach. And the Deliverables of the dialogue said China will take measures, such as providing 100,000 training opportunities for other developing countries to facilitate post-COVID economic recovery and social development, establishing an International Vaccines Research, Development and Innovation Alliance and officially launching the China-FAO South-South Cooperation Trust Fund Phase III of50 million to support global development. BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - represent 40 percent of the world population, account for 25 percent of the global economy and 18 percent of world trade, and contribute 50 percent to the world's economic growth. Chinese and foreign analysts believe the BRICS provides developing countries a platform to build consensus on addressing acute development challenges, and the GDI is an accelerator to achieving the UN development goals. Wang Wen, a professor and executive dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Friday that one of the core tasks for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to end poverty, which is also the common goal for developing countries, and BRICS nations have made remarkable contributions to it. He noted BRICS nations are expected to help the world better achieve the UN 2030 Agenda with their experiences. Carlos Watson, the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in China, told the Global Times that BRICS countries, which account for more than 40 percent of the world's population and produce more than one-third of global cereal production, are well-placed to take a leadership role in helping eradicate global hunger and poverty by 2030. He said developing countries look to the success of BRICS countries in economic development over the past few decades as an example to follow. The GDI has received warm responses from the international community, with more than 100 countries expressing their support. In January 2022, the Group of Friends of the GDI was launched at the UN, and more than 50 countries have joined the group so far, according to the Global Development Report, published by the Center for International Knowledge on Development on Monday. BRICS Plus Friday's event was attended by representatives of emerging markets and other developing countries aside from BRICS nations. Wang Wen believes the meeting was a format of "BRICS Plus" which demonstrated BRICS' openness, inclusiveness and flexibility, especially compared with the closed and exclusive G7. As the BRICS chair country, China actively supports the BRICS in starting the membership expansion process and expanding the "BRICS Plus" cooperation, and China will encourage all BRICS parties to formulate standards and procedures for membership expansion based on consensus, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Friday's media briefing. In the past years, each BRICS meeting invited different representatives of developing countries to better target that year's main task, and this year, BRICS invited countries including Indonesia, the G20 presidency, and Argentina, the representative of Latin America, Wang Wen said. SOURCE Global Times SAN DIEGO, June 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) securities between November 3, 2021 and May 3, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period") have until August 15, 2022 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in Edge v. Tupperware Brands Corporation, No. 22-cv-04976. Commenced on June 14, 2022 in the Southern District of New York, the Tupperware class action lawsuit charges Tupperware as well as certain of its top executive officers with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-tupperware-brands-corporation-class-action-lawsuit-tup.html You can also contact attorney J.C. Sanchez of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected]. CASE ALLEGATIONS: The Tupperware class action lawsuit alleges that, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and failed to disclose that: (i) Tupperware was facing significant challenges in maintaining its earnings and sales performance; (ii) accordingly, Tupperware's full year 2022 guidance was unrealistic and/or unsustainable; (iii) all the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to have a material negative impact on Tupperware's financial condition; and (iv) as a result, Tupperware's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On May 4, 2022, Tupperware announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2022. Among other items, Tupperware reported adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations and net sales that fell well short of consensus estimates and withdrew its full year 2022 guidance and named a new Chief Financial Officer. Tupperware attributed the poor performance to the conflict in Russia and Ukraine. However, when pressed by analysts on a conference call, Tupperware acknowledged that Russia and Ukraine only accounted for 2% of its revenue. On this news, Tupperware's stock price fell by more than 32%, damaging investors. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased Tupperware securities shares during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Tupperware class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Tupperware class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Tupperware class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller is one of the world's leading complex class action firms representing plaintiffs in securities fraud cases. The Firm is ranked #1 on the 2021 ISS Securities Class Action Services Top 50 Report for recovering nearly $2 billion for investors last year alone more than triple the amount recovered by any other plaintiffs' firm. With 200 lawyers in 9 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever $7.2 billion in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP 655 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 J.C. Sanchez, 800-449-4900 [email protected] SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP NEW YORK, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 12, 2022, a press release with the title "Revere Securities LLC Announces Acquisition of NorthStar Investment Banking" was released to PRNewswire. That press release was incorrect. Revere Securities LLC has not acquired any firm. This press release retracts the incorrect press release of May 12, 2022. "North Star Investment Bank remains an independent firm," said Scott Fullman, Chief Compliance Officer. "We apologize for any confusion that the previous press release has caused. About Revere Securities LLC Revere Securities is a global broker-dealer firm providing strategic and financial support to institutional investors, hedge funds, and individual investors. The firm's professionals are involved in all components of the sales and trading process and include extensive compliance and operational personnel. In addition, Revere Securities LLC provides differentiated corporate access, helping institutional clients gain access to management as a component of their investment process. The firm has industry focused sales specialists who possess "buy-side" experience; therefore, providing a sound, alternate perspective, to the investment process. Media Contact: Jay Yu Revere Securities LLC (212) 688-2350 [email protected] SOURCE Revere Securities LLC The worlds largest hedge fund has almost doubled the size of its short bet against European companies in the past week. Bridgewater Associates, the US$150bn hedge fund colossus founded by Ray Dalio, now has at least US$10.5bn of short positions on a total of 28 companies, according to research from Bloomberg, up from US$5.7bn over 18 shares a week ago. Its largest short-selling positions, of at least US$0.5bn, included Dutch semiconductor group ASML, French oil giant TotalEnergies, drugmaker Sanofi and German software group SAP. Short-sellers seek to profit from falling share prices by borrowing stock in a company from another institutional investor for a fee and selling it. The aim is to buy back the shares at a lower price and pocket the difference before returning them to the original owner. Bridgewater co-chief investment officer Greg Jensen has recently said that the stock market sell-off in Europe and the US should have a long way to go, based on the huge gains in recent years. A similar point was made by Bank of America recently, which predicted that the S&P 500 bear market should end in around four months - if history were an accurate guide to future performance. The short positions from the Connecticut-based firm are not as big as those it made following the initial Covid outbreak and are still around half its massive bet against the market in 2018. In that latter year, when two-thirds of hedge funds lost money, Bridgewater made a huge $2.2bn profit as its Pure Alpha Strategy posted a 14.6% gain. The approach seems to be working again this year, with the firm up 26.2% so far in 2022, net of fees, as of the end of last month. Also, please refrain from calling it Ray Dalio's Bridgewater (of course, it is fine to say founded by Ray Dalio) as that is inaccurate given the firm is much more than him these days. There is a broad and deep investment bench, an established investment committee that manages the portfolio now, not Ray, though he serves as a mentor to committee, and the firm has completed a successful management transition from Ray to the next generation. On his approach, Dalio said in a blog post: If you are worried when the stock market goes down and happy when it goes up, it probably indicates that your portfolio is unbalanced. If your income is also tied to how the economy does, you are doubly at risk because your portfolio can go down when your income is worst which is scary. To me, the key is to not have any systematic biases by structuring your portfolios and your incomes so that they hedge each other and are in balance. Achieving good balance is the most important thing. Washington, June 25 : The US House of Representatives has passed a gun control legislation approved earlier by the Senate, breaking a congressional logjam that prevented reforms for 30 years. The bill is now headed for President Joe Biden's desk for his signature and enactment, which is anticipated as his aides have said he is waiting to sign it. "With this bipartisan package, we take the first steps to fight back on behalf of the American people, who desperately want new measures to keep communities safe in the high numbers in the polling," Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on the floor of the House. "To those who lacked the courage to join in this work, I say your political survival is insignificant compared to the survival of our children." The last gun laws reform was in 1994 when assault weapons were banned. The new legislation, which has been described as a modest attempt at reforming America's famously loose gun laws, follows an outpouring of national outrage and frustration over recent killings of 10 African Americans in Buffalo, New York and 19 children at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas just 10 days apart. The bill was negotiated by a bipartisan group of 10 Democratic and 10 Republican members of the senate, led by Chris Murphy and John Cornyn respectively. It cleared the senate in a 65-33 vote with 15 Republicans voting with all 50 democrats in the 100-member chamber. The House passed it mostly along party lines 234 to 193, with 15 Republicans joining all Democrats. The legislation makes a modest attempt at restricting access to guns. It expands background checks for prospective buyers between 18 and 21 -- both the Buffalo and Uvalde shooters were 18; includes abusive dating partners in the list of those who could be prevented from buying guns; and, finally, it seeks to incentivise states to introduce red-flag laws that would allows law enforcement or relatives to prevent guns from falling in the hands of people who could harm either themselves or others. The bill also seeks to pump in $15 billion into school safety and mental-health care. "This is the sweet spot a making America safer, especially for kids in school, without making our country one bit less free," Mitch McConnell, the top Republican senator, had said on the floor of the chamber after the passage of the legislation in the senate. "I thought it was time to act, and if (Democrats) were willing to join with us and pass legislation that actually targeted the problem, which is school safety and mental health, why would we not want to do that?" Cairo, June 25 : Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has arrived in Cairo for his first visit to Egypt since the two countries restored diplomatic ties last year. The Qatari emir was received by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi at Cairo International Airport, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by the Egyptian presidency. The two-day official visit is expected to include talks between the two leaders on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in all fields. The two sides are also expected to address the latest international and regional political issues of mutual interest, according to the Egyptian presidency. Tamim's visit will see the signing of a number of economic agreements, and ensure Qatari investment in Egypt, especially in the energy field, state-run Ahram Online news website quoted a political source as saying. On the sideline of Tamim's visit, the Egyptian-Qatari Business Council meetings will be launched to enhance trade, investment and economic relations between the two countries, according to the anonymous source of Ahram. In January 2021, the Arab quartet of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the Al-Ula Declaration with Qatar, ending their all-round boycott of Doha since mid-2017. Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli soldiers following a protest against the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank city of Hebron, March 4, 2022. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua/IANS) Image Source: IANS News Ramallah, June 25 : At least 130 Palestinian protesters were injured during the latest clashes with Israeli soldiers in several West Bank villages, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Among the injured were three shot by live ammunition and nine by rubber bullets, while the others inhaled teargas fired by Israeli soldiers, Xinhua news agency reported. Fierce clashes broke out between anti-settlement protesters and Israeli soldiers in the villages of Beita and Beit Dajan, south and east of Nablus city respectively, and in the village of Kafr Qaddum, east of Qaqilya city, said eyewitnesses. The protesters burned tires and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed on the perimeters of the villages, they added. Murad Eshteiwi, coordinator of popular resistance in Kafr Qaddum village, told the news agency that the Israeli soldiers used rubber bullets, teargas and sound bombs to attack the Palestinian protesters rejecting the measures against their village. The popular resistance in the village will continue until its full goals are achieved as part of the national aspiration to end the occupation of the Palestinian territories and establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, Eshteiwi noted. Israeli authorities have not commented on the incidents yet. Beita, Beit Dajan and Kafr Qaddum see weekly protests by Palestinians against the expansion of Israeli settlements. Israel occupied the West Bank and Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. Ghassan Daghlas, in charge of Israeli settlement's affairs in the northern West Bank, said the Israeli army provides protection for the settlers to control the lands in Nablus' villages and try to expel the Palestinian owners. Rabat, June 25 : At least 18 people were killed in a stampede as more than 2,000 sub-Saharan migrants tried to breach the border between Morocco and Melilla, a Spanish enclave city in Africa, state media reported. An earlier report said five migrants were killed and 76 others injured, and 140 Moroccan security officers were wounded, including five in critical condition, reports Xinhua news agency citing state media. A total of 13 of the injured migrants later died in hospital, raising the death toll to 18, the state media said late Friday night, citing local authorities of the province of Nador. Moroccan security forces "intervened" when the migrants tried to scale or cut through a fence that separates the Spanish city from Moroccan territory, it said. The Spanish authorities at the enclave said most of the migrants were forced back except for 130 of them having managed to reach the enclave. Melilla and Ceuta, another Spanish enclave, have in recent years become a focal point for mostly sub-Saharan migrants attempting to reach Europe. Oslo, June 25 : Two people were killed and several others severely injured during a shooting at a nightclub in Oslo, police in the Norwegian capital said on Saturday. The police said suspected shooter has been arrested but did not immediately reveal the motive behind the shooting, reports Xinhua news agency. According to the BBC, there were reports of gunfire at the London Pub, a popular gay bar, as well as near the Herr Nilsen jazz club and a takeaway at about 1 a.m. The shooting comes as Oslo is due to hold its annual Pride parade later on Saturday. In response to the shooting, Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said the incident had shaken the country, adding that: "Norway is a community of trust where everyone should feel safe outside on a Saturday night." No other details of the incident was immediately available. Seoul, June 25 : South Korea on Saturday vowed a stern response to any North Korean provocation as the nation observed the 72nd anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War. In his speech during a ceremony marking the anniversary, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the North's recent missile launches and nuclear preparations have escalated tensions beyond the Korean Peninsula and are posing a threat to international peace, reports Yonhap News Agency. "The government will strengthen its defensive posture based on the firm alliance between South Korea and the US, and respond swiftly and sternly using all means necessary," he said. "The government will never forget peace can be achieved on the basis of strong defence and security," Han said. South Korea will also seek diplomatic efforts to gain cooperation from the international community to achieve peace on the peninsula, and to provide humanitarian assistance to the North, he added. Han expressed gratitude to the veterans of the Korean War and pledged to protect the Korean Peninsula in its path toward peace and prosperity just like the veterans fought for the freedom of the country. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following clashes along the border and rebellions in the latter nation. North Korea was supported by China and the erstwhile Soviet Union, while South Korea was backed by the UN, principally the US. The fighting ended with an armistice on July 27, 1953. San Francisco, June 25 : With the US Supreme Court overturning its 50-year-old landmark Roe v. Wade decision which granted women a constitutional right to abortion, tech companies have told employees that they can apply for "relocation without justification" and the firms will do everything to support employees and their dependents. Google's chief people officer Fiona Cicconi sent an email to employees, saying that Googlers can "apply for relocation without justification" and that people in charge of the relocation process "will be aware of the situation" in assessing their requests. "If you need additional support, please connect 1:1 with a People Consultant. We will be arranging support sessions for Googlers in the US in the coming days. These will be posted to Googler News," the letter read. Microsoft told TechCrunch that it will "do everything (it) can under the law" to support its employees and their dependents in accessing healthcare regardless of where they live across the US. Microsoft will continue to pay travel expense assistance for "lawful medical services" where access to care is "limited in availability in an employee's home geographic region". Airbnb said that its "US healthcare coverage supports reproductive rights, and we have taken steps to ensure that our employees have the resources they need to make choices about their reproductive care". Ride-hailing platform Lyft also expanded its funds to cover drivers in other states. "We believe access to healthcare is essential and transportation should never be a barrier to that access. This decision will hurt millions of women by taking away access to safe and private reproductive healthcare services," a Lyft spokesperson was quoted as saying. An Uber spokesperson said that the company "reiterated to employees that Uber's insurance plans in the US already cover a range of reproductive health benefits, including pregnancy termination and travel expenses to access healthcare". "We will also continue to stand behind drivers, reimbursing legal expenses if any driver is sued under state law for providing transportation on our platform to a clinic," the company said. Twitter has, however declined to comment. Following the Supreme Court's decision on Friday, abortion rights will now be determined individually by the 50 states. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have state laws protecting abortion and will remain unaffected by the Supreme Court order. About 17 states do not have any explicit laws either upholding abortion rights or prohibiting abortion, according to one study and nearly half of all 50 states are expected to make abortion difficult or impossible. Hyderabad, June 25 : A statue of N.T. Rama Rao, the former Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh and legendary actor, is being installed in Telangana's Khammam town. According to officials, the statue at Lakaram lake will add as a tourist attraction on Tank Bund, developed on the lines of one in Hyderabad. The TDP founder's statue is being stalled with the initiative of Telangana's Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar, who comes from Khammam district. He took to Twitter on Saturday to thank the state government for granting permission. According to officials, work is on to make 40-feet tall statue of NTR in an avatar of Lord Krishna. About Rs 3 crore is being spent. Members of Telugu Association of North America (TANA), some industrialists and businessmen have come forward to make contributions. They have hired the services of a sculptor from Nizamabad and other artists for the work. The work was on to erect a base on which the statue will be installed. NTR had played the role of Lord Krishna in mythological movies like 'Mayabazar' (1957), 'Sri Krishna Tulabharam' (1966) and 'Dana Veera Soora Karna' (1977). The statue was originally scheduled to be unveiled on May 28, the 100th birth anniversary of NTR. His grandson and famous actor Jr NTR was expected to unveil it. However, the work was delayed. NTR, who enjoyed the status of a demi god among Telugus for various mythological roles he played, had entered politics by floating TDP on March 29, 1982 on the slogan of Telugu self-respect. He changed the course of politics in the then undivided Andhra Pradesh. Hailing from Krishna district, he enjoyed immense popularity in all the regions of undivided state. He died 1996 at the age of 72. Though Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh as a separate state in 2014, NTR is hailed by all parties as one of the greatest leaders. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was also with TDP before he quit the party and floated Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to revive the Telangana movement two decades ago. On NTR's birth centenary, several Telangana ministers and TRS leaders had paid tributes to him at NTR Ghat near Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad. They demanded the Centre to confer Bharat Ratna, country's highest civilian award, on NTR. "We recognize the important contribution of women in diplomacy, especially Peruvian female diplomats, who work in favor of sustainable development, democracy, and peace," the government agency expressed on Twitter. In this sense, Peru reaffirmed its commitment to the empowerment of women and girls for their effective participation in every sphere of politics and diplomacy. The UN General Assembly has proclaimed the International Day of Women in Diplomacy . Within this framework, it adopted a resolution which reaffirms that the participation of women, on equal terms with men at all levels of decision-making, is essential for the achievement of sustainable development, peace, and democracy. Chennai, June 25 : Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (Tangedco) is conducting a feasibility study on three hydropower projects that will generate 2500 MW of power. The Tangedco has asked a private consultant to conduct a study and prepare an initial report to establish 1000 MW capacity Pumped Storage Hydropower Stations each in Upper Bhavani and Sandy Nalla. The consultant has also provided a project report for a 500 MW hydropower project in Sigur in the Nilgiris. The state power utility will be vetting the proposal submitted by the consultant for the three hydropower projects totalling 2500 MW power and prepare a detailed project report. The DPR will be submitted to the state government for approval. In addition to the three hydropower projects totaling 2500 MW, Tangedco is planning 7500 MW power projects in Nilgiris, Tirunelvelli, Kanniyakumari, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Theni, and Salem districts. In the first phase, the Tangedco will commence work in the Nilgiris while the other districts will be taken up during the second and third phases. However, sources in Tangedco told IANS that the power utility is shifting its focus to renewable and clean sources of energy including wind power and solar power. Tangedco has also come to the assessment that the existing thermal power stations are old and hence will be replaced by renewable and clean energy sources. Karachi, June 25 : A Karachi-based social media activist was released on Saturday after he was detained the previous day by the Sindh Rangers based on an intelligence report regarding his "links with a terrorist organisation". Also a freelance journalist, Arsalan Khan was picked up from his residence in Karachi on Friday, reports Geo News. According to his wife, "around 14 to 15 government officials barged into their house in the wee hours and pointed guns at the family members". "Arsalan was picked up despite being innocent. The government officials took him with them in front of my children," she added. In a statement, the Sindh Rangers said Khan was arrested based on an intelligence report regarding his "links with a terrorist organisation". "During the interrogation, it was revealed that the accused had received financial assistance from a terrorist organisation. However, he was released after being warned to cooperate in the investigation in the future," Geo News quoted the statement as saying. It added that the case was being handed over to the relevant authority for investigation. Taking to Twitter early Saturday, Khan said: "I'm back home safe and sound. Thank you everyone for all the help & support you people extended to my lone family in this testing time. I'm truly short of words. Love you all." Earlier, Amnesty International said it was "deeply concerned" about the alleged disappearance and urged the newly-appointed Inter-Ministerial Committee on Missing Persons to take note of the "jarring disconnect between what they are saying and what is actually happening on the ground". Kozhikode, June 25 : On June 1, around 10.30 p.m., EP Raju, a licensed gunner empanelled with the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department, shot down a wild boar that had entered his father EP Yohannan's farm in Kodancherry village in Kerala's Kozhikode district - this was the first recorded incident of culling after the department empowered local self-governments to cull wild boar to curb their growing menace. "I'm thankful to Kodancherry panchayat president Alex Thomas for granting me the requisite permission. I request all farmers to take quick action, otherwise, no crop will survive in any village located on the fringes of the forest," said 94-year-old Yohannan. Farmers who suspect that wild boar are attacking their farm now need to seek permission from the panchayat president, who can depute a licenced gunman to cull the animal. Earlier, the farmer had to procure this permission from the forest department, but the procedure was cumbersome and resulted in inordinate delay. While Raju's family celebrated the licensed killing of the boar, there's no respite for Thomas, as about 6,000 of the 9,000 households in his jurisdiction are incurring huge losses in agriculture due to wild boar attacks. "There are hundreds of boar here, and we have only five licenced gunmen to tackle them. I'm worried the farmers in my village will continue to incur more losses," said Thomas. Under the new rules, he is the honorary Chief Wildlife Warden with the same powers as State Chief Wild Warden. Panchayat heads like Thomas will see a need for more licenced gunmen, and already district collector offices, which have the authority to approve gun licences after obtaining clearances from the police as well as the revenue and forest departments, are seeing an increase in applications. On May 25, after issuing an order to empower local bodies with culling rights, Kerala Minister of Forests AK Saseendran said, "This is a new experiment; there are bound to be some shortcomings. The government is trying to tackle the menace without violating the Wildlife Protection Act." A senior forest officer, on condition of anonymity, said they didn't know the exact number of wild boar in Kerala, as no detailed survey had been conducted before the culling orders were issued. The last wild boar census was conducted in Kerala in 2011; it stood at 48,034. Though the panchayat should bear the cost of culling, in most cases farmers might have to bear the initial costs, which is tough on those whose farms have already been affected by boar attacks, the forest officer added. "To avoid poaching, farmers are even forbidden from selling the meat after the kill. We need to wait for at least a year before receiving feedback and rework the guidelines accordingly." Earlier, farmers dug trenches, erected walls and even resorted to using poison, electric traps and illegal shooting to control the menace. This often caused untoward accidents. For instance, on May 21, in Vithura gram panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district, 57-year-old Selvaraj was electrocuted by an electric fence. "Farmers are not resorting to illegal means anymore. I have already received more than 150 applications for culling rights," said VS Baburaj, president of Vithura gram panchayat. The panchayats intend to expedite the otherwise exhausting process of granting permission and connecting farmers with licenced gunmen. The applications are approved at the president's discretion. These applications give each farmer the standing right to ask for the culling of boar that enter their farms after they are verified as genuine by the panchayat. After this, the panchayat president can grant permission even over a phone call, deputing an available gunman for the task. Depending on the particular farmer's financial standing, the panchayat may or may not accept the responsibility of paying the gunmen, who are compensated to the tune of Rs 1000 per culling. Wild boar - a vermin or not? In the past five years, wild boar attacks caused 21 deaths and 515 injuries among people. So far, the Kerala government has received 10,700 applications from farmers seeking compensation for the damages. The compensation process, however, is laggard. According to a Kerala forest department official, around Rs 5 crore has been disbursed as compensation for crop loss against wild boar attacks in 2020-2021; Rs 3.53 crore in 2019-20; and Rs 4.6 crore in 2018-19. According to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the culling of a wild boar is a criminal offence, involving three years imprisonment so farmers are in a dilemma about the legality of culling despite panchayat sanctions. With the rise in man-animal conflicts, farmers' organisations have been pressuring the Centre to declare wild boar as vermin. "There are strict guidelines for declaring an animal 'vermin'. They cannot be declared vermin unless they're dangerous across the country, which wild boar are not," said Bhupendra Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on the sideline of the Anil Agarwal Annual Environmental Dialogue conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment in Nimli, Rajasthan. This was before the May 25 announcement in Kerala. He added that he was aware of the situation in Kerala, but declaring boar vermin would make them vulnerable to poaching across India. According to P Basheer, a forest officer from Edathara sector in Kozhikode, who had overseen the first culling operation in Kodancherry village: "On the pretext of culling to save life and crop, hunting shouldn't be permitted. We are duty-bound to ensure that after the culling, the carcass is buried properly." Culling not a panacea A section of environmentalists and animal rights activists, including Maneka Gandhi, has, however, protested this move by the Kerala government. "Wild boar is the only species that consumes bracken, an undergrowth that prevents seedlings from growing by blocking sunlight in forest," Gandhi explained. "Besides, its habit of constantly scratching the forest floor clears the ground for fresh growth. The demand to cull wild boar was made by hunters and others who stood to gain monetarily through poaching, not by agriculturalists." The Kerala forest minister unequivocally denied these allegations, pointing out that the decision was aimed at finding a permanent solution for farmers and people residing on forest fringes, and that the government wouldn't allow hunting. However, farmers claimed the problem was not restricted to wild boar alone. P Vijayalakshmi, a farm woman in Kulappully village in Palakkad district, said, "I have suffered financial losses of more than Rs 1 lakh in a year due to animal attacks. Not only wild boar but also monkeys and peacock have been regularly raiding my crops. I can cull wild boar, but what about the others? Does the law permit culling them, too?" People living on the fringes of forests have been facing attacks from wild elephant, tiger, leopard, monkey, bison and peacock on the regular. According to the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department, 1,048 people lost their lives to animal attacks in the past decade. Shrinking forests and increasing urbanisation have forced the animals, including wild boar, out of the woods. They enter farmlands in search of plantains and tapioca. State-controlled culling may not offer any permanent solution unless measures are taken to preserve the forests and fight climate change. "Water and food scarcity due to the degradation of forests and climate change are the main causes for man-animal conflict. Infact, we cannot find a permanent solution without addressing this root cause. But I support culling for the time being because no other option exists for farmers to save their lives and farms," said Dr VS Vijayan, former chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board. "Culling may bring temporary relief, but it cannot weed out the problem entirely," said Vijayalakshmi. (The author is a Wayanad-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.) Mumbai, June 25 : As pressures grew on the Shiv Sena and the rebel faction, both sides appeared set for a long-haul with legislative procedures and a possible legal battle likely to enter the play on day five of the Maharashtra political crisis here on Saturday. Amid the mounting crunch, the rebel group leader Minister Eknath Shinde has reportedly told his supporters in Guwahati that a new government will be installed in 96 hours and urged patience. In Mumbai, Sena Chief Spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday renewed his appeal to the mutineers saying "its still not too late, come back for talks". Raut said the Sena workers are getting restless and asking "what do we do" and expressed apprehensions that the situation may go out of control if the activists flare up, urging the rebels to return for negotiations. Gripped by uncertainties plaguing the fate of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress, stray incidents of violence from different parts of the state were reported on the homes and offices of some revolters by alleged Sainiks. The Shinde group late on Friday night accused the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray of yanking off the security provided to the homes and families and offices of some of the MLAs on their side. In a letter to the Chief Minister, Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil, Director-General of Police Rajnish Seth and all police commissioners in the state, released on Saturday morning, Shinde complained of "malicious withdrawal of security of family members of at least 16 MLAs on his side. In response, Walse-Patil stoutly denied Shinde's allegations as false and misleading and asserted that nobody's security was withdrawn. Both the Sena and the rebels await the stance of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has officially shrugged, claiming it is not interested in toppling the (MVA) government but cannot help if it crashes owing to internal contradictions. Nevertheless, the Sena-NCP-Congress have pointed accusing fingers at the BJP for fomenting the crisis and making all efforts to dislodge the MVA since the past 30 months. Presently, the Shinde camp has claimed the support of around 40 rebel MLAs plus a dozen independents, smaller parties and at least two Sena MPs. The Sena side is left with around 17 MLAs and top party leaders claim "more than half the rebels in Guwahati are in touch" with them. Islamabad, June 25 : As Pakistani officials ticked items off their to-do list for submission of report to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on the implementation of the action plan for getting out of its 'grey list', something that strengthened their case was the conviction and sentencing of top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist and 26/11 Mumbai attacks' handler Sajid Majeed Mir. Mir, 44, was sentenced by an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, in the first week of this month, to 15 and a half years in jail after convicting him in a terror financing case, Dawn reported. He was also fined 420,000 PKR and is currently serving sentence in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail. It all happened so quietly that no one came to know about such an important court verdict in such a high-profile case, except for a very brief report in one of the newspapers, which too could not attract attention, according to a source. His detention, which apparently took place in later part of April, was also kept away from media's prying eyes, reports Dawn news. Pakistani authorities, had in the past claimed he had died, but Western countries remained unconvinced and demanded proofs of his death. This issue rather became a major sticking point in FATF's assessment of Pakistan's progress on the action plan late last year. This was where things finally started moving in Mir's case leading to his "arrest". His conviction and sentencing were, therefore, major achievements that Pakistani officials showcased in their progress report given to FATF on its action plan during the latest plenary, Dawn reported. It indeed helped in convincing FATF members that Pakistan had finished all the required tasks. Weak prosecution and poor conviction rate of terrorists were major shortcomings that had all along hampered Pakistan's exit from the grey list. Chennai, June 25 : Peer reviewing the nuclear and radiation safety in India, an expert team of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed satisfaction at India's atomic energy sector regulator's professionalism, said India's atomic energy sector regulator. The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team from IAEA recently concluded its 12 day peer review of the progress made by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) in the implementation of the recommendations and suggestions relating to nuclear power plants made by IRRS during its 2015 review mission. The follow-up mission had an extended scope, also reviewing radiation sources. Such sources are used in facilities and in activities in the country in the field of research, industry, medicine and agriculture, said IAEA. The IRSS team also noted areas where improvements can be made to strengthen the radiation safety regulatory oversight programme for all facilities and activities using radiation sources. While handing over the draft report to G. Nageswara Rao, Chairman, AERB on June 20, 2022, the IRRS team led by Ramzi Jammal acknowledged that the AERB has acted on all the recommendations and suggestions made during the 2015 mission and thus significant improvements have been made in various areas and noted a number of achievements in the following areas: - improved inspection programme, including enhanced training and strengthening the powers of inspectors; - staff qualification and training programmes aimed at building and maintaining expertise necessary for discharging its responsibilities and - process for regularly reviewing regulations and guides. Of its earlier 13 recommendations and 21 suggestions, the IRRS team closed 11 recommendations and 20 suggestions and did not make any new findings in relation to the topics covered during the IRRS initial mission, AERB said. "The AERB has acted on all of the recommendations and suggestions of the initial mission of 2015 and, as a result, significant improvements have been made in many areas," said Ramzi Jammal, Executive Vice-President and Chief Regulatory Operations Officer, Regulatory Operations Branch, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the IRRS team leader. "India and the AERB should take pride in the achievements they have accomplished, and we encourage the AERB to continue their improvements to ensure that the public, workers and the environment remain protected," he added. The IRRS team, comprising seven senior regulatory experts from Canada, Finland, Romania, Slovenia and the United States, and three IAEA staff members, conducted a series of interviews and discussions with AERB staff. The IRRS team also made recommendations for improving the regulatory arrangements in India like: - the need for a systematic manner in how safety assessments are included in the license application; - revision of the frequency of planned inspections and the duration of validity of regulatory consent in accordance with a graded approach; - development of a national policy and strategy to define responsibilities in regaining control over orphan sources; and - the revision of regulations and guides, where appropriate, to ensure consistency with the IAEA safety standards and clarification of the hierarchy of the regulatory documents. New Delhi, June 25: Led by Russia, the Central Asian countries have expressed their deep concern over the ideology of religious radicalism fast spreading in the region due to the growing activity of international terrorist organisations in Afghanistan. In a first of its kind meeting, the defence ministers of Russia and Central Asian countries went into a huddle in Moscow on Friday to strengthen their coordination and form common approaches to combating these structures. The meeting was attended by the Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - Ruslan Zhaksylykov, Baktybek Bekbolotov, Sherali Mirzo and Bakhodir Kurbanov, respectively. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, it is for the first time that a meeting of the heads of the military departments from countries of the region has been held in this format. On Thursday, as he held talks with the new Kazakh Defence Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov, Shoigu had stated that everyone "began to forget Afghanistan a little", but "nothing has changed" there. "The situation remains rather tense and serious. Everything that our American colleagues left there continues to degrade. All the risks that we talked about are growing. This is also a manifestation of international terrorism... There are also the weapons that have been left by the Americans in huge quantities and its distribution into not the best hands," commented the Russian Army General. Last month in Dushanbe, during the meeting of regional security heads on the situation in Afghanistan, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval had highlighted similar concerns over sophisticated American arms and ammunition from terror-torn country landing in the hands of Islamic jihadists in the region. Today, Shoigu told the gathering of defence ministers that there is a "growing military danger" in Central Asia with the activation of international and regional terrorist organizations in Afghanistan, primarily the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Al-Qaeda. "The leaders of international terrorists consider Afghan territory as a base for infiltrating neighbouring countries and creating an extensive network of jihadist underground, replenished, among other things, by transferring militants from hot spots," said Shoigu. He maintained that besides religious radicalism, drug trafficking and cross-border crime are also on the rise which calls for strengthening coordination between the law enforcement agencies of the states of Central Asia and Russia. Earlier in the day, Shoigu had held a similar meeting with the Council of Defence Ministers of the CIS countries to provide information on the course of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine. "The meeting heard information about the military-political situation in the world, the growing threats to the security of the Commonwealth of Independent States," the Kazakhstan Defence Ministry said in a statement later. Data on the state of aviation safety in the armed forces of the Commonwealth in 2021 and training of specialists for engineering troops were also considered. Meanwhile, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) is planning a major joint exercise 'Frontier-2022' with the units of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces Central Asian Region (CSBR CAR) right at the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border. Representatives of the defence departments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and a group of officers of the CSTO Joint Staff, headed by Major General Viktor Lisovsky held a three-day meeting in Dushanbe (June 21-23) to finalise the composition of the national contingents. A reconnaissance of the exercise area Kharbmaidon training ground in Tajikistan, which is located just 20 kilometers from Afghanistan, was also carried out. The collective forces are designed to fulfill the tasks of ensuring the military security of the CSTO member states of the Central Asian Collective Security Region, including participating in repelling external military aggression and conducting joint counter-terrorist operations. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War Chennai, June 25 : Actress Rashmika Mandanna, who is one of the top actresses in the Tamil and Telugu film industries, has completed shooting for her portions in director Vikas Bahl's 'Goodbye'. Taking to Instagram, Rashmika said, "Goodbye. Hate to say goodbye to my baby 'Goodbye' but guys, it's a wrap for me for 'Goodbye'!. "It's been two years since we began this journey amidst Covid waves and everything (it was literally like the vows - through sickness and in health) but nothing could stop us from partying our way through it all and now, I can't wait for you guys to see what 'Goodbye' is really all about. This is going to be fun! "Get ready to do some serious laughing! Everyone you see here. Everyone I've worked with in this team will always and forever be super special to me (Guys! Let's work again soon, like super soon. I dunno how you'll make it happen but make it happen!) I love you guys! You are the bestest! "Amitabh Bachchan sir, I am so so glad and so so grateful I got to do this film with you. You are the world's bestest (sic) man ever! Vikas Bahl, thank you for this. God knows what made you believe in me to make me a part of such a special film. I just hope I've made you feel proud so far. "Neena Gupta, you are the cutest! I miss you. Ah ok, I should stop. I can go on but I really should stop. Chaitally Parmar, Pavail Gulati, Sahil Mehta, Elli AvrRam, Sudhakar Yakkanti I love you guys ya. But I'll shut up now. My loves. I'll see y'all soon with my baby 'Goodbye'. Get ready you guys. I can't wait!" -- Syndicated from IANS Panaji, June 25 : After making budgetary provision to restore temples demolished during the Portuguese colonial rule in Goa, the state's BJP government has announced plans to restore and beautify forts and memorials having historical importance. It has also focussed on passing the history of Goa liberation to the next generation by including it in textbooks. The portion of Aguada fort has been converted into a museum drawing tourists to this historical place, thus promoting and fostering tourism activities. Not depending only on the concept of 'Sea, Sand and Sun', the government is putting efforts to divert tourists to other scenic and historical sites. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has urged the students to visit Aguada fort so that the they can get information about freedom fighters' struggle. The Portuguese had used this fort as a jail in which the freedom fighters were lodged. The Portuguese rule in Goa lasted for 450 years, during which they demolished the temples. Sawant has announced plans to rebuild these temples and has directed concerned departments to act. Not only rebuilding the temples, but now the government has decided to restore the forts and memorials having historical importance. The restored Aguada fort has now become a tourist attraction, which also gives historical information to visitors. The Goa government has also asked its Archives and Archeological department to work on translating the documents of sites, which has link with the liberation movement. While commemorating the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Betul Fort in South Goa, Sawant had commended the Archives and Archeological department for translating Portuguese documents related to the history of the Betul Fort, which was built by Shivaji Maharaj. Not only forts, but the government has decided to give equal attention to memorials in the state. Sawant recently laid the foundation stone for upgrading the martyrs memorial in the memory of Hirve Guruji and Sheshnath Wadekar at Terekhol (Tiracol) fort in North Goa. Both hailing from Maharashtra were shot dead by the Portuguese for unfurling the national flag on fort on August 15, 1955. They had participated in Satyagrah to liberate Goa. "Many freedom fighters from across India felt that Goa should get liberation from Portuguese and hence they came here to fight against Portuguese. All the 127 freedom fighters who had come to Terekhol fort, were told to go back to India by the Portuguese. But they were firm on their decision to liberate Goa, some of them were later shot dead by Portuguese. They sacrificed their life to liberate Goa, hence this history should be passed to the next generation," Sawant said. According to the Chief Minister, such memorials shall inspire the future generations to imbibe the values of nationalism in the service of the nation. He said along with Cabo de Rama fort, Betul fort and memorials, having importance of Goa liberation, will be restored and beautified. Sawant has also announced that the contributions of Azad Gomantak Dal, a local armed revolutionary group, National Congress (Goa) and other freedom fighters who played a vital role to liberate Goa, will be included in the history textbooks. New Delhi, June 25 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at five locations in Mizoram's Aizawl, Champai and Kolasib districts in connection with an explosives seizure case. The case relates to the recovery of 2,421.12 kg of explosives, including 1,000 detonators, 4,500 metres of detonating fuse, as well as Indian and Myanmarese currency, from a vehicle in Zawngling area, Saiha district. The consignment was meant for the Myanmar-based outfit Chin National Front (CNF) which was in the process of accumulating arms and ammunition for resisting the country's military-led government. The case was initially registered with the Tipa police station in Saiha on January 1 and later it was re registered by the NIA on March 21. "During the searches conducted yesterday, digital devices and incriminating documents have been seized," an NIA official said on Saturday. Russia will not join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday, Tass informs. June 25, 2022, 10:06 Russia will not join Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons MFA STEPANAKERT, JUNE 25, ARTSAKHPRESS: She made this comment following the completion of the first conference of states-participants of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. According to her, assertive advancement of the treaty deepens disunity between states and undermines the regime of Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. "In connection with the desire to put on a permanent basis the efforts to universalize the TPNW, as recorded in the final documents of the conference, we emphasize: Russia does not intend to join this agreement and believes that the treaty does not establish any universal standards: neither now nor in the future," she said. According to Zakharova, Moscow continues to firmly adhere to the position that the development of the TPNW was premature, erroneous and, in fact, counterproductive. This agreement does nothing to reduce the growing nuclear risks and does not bring humanity one step closer to the goal stated in it, and the approach laid down in the TPNW only leads to an increase in contradictions between nuclear and non-nuclear states, she stressed. "It does not take into account the military-political and military-strategic situation and runs counter to the principle that nuclear disarmament should be carried out in such a way that it would lead to "an increase in the level of security for all." We do not see realistic ways to implement any - or practical measures to directly reduce nuclear weapons," the diplomat continued. "Russia, like all other states with military nuclear potential, did not take part in the conference of states-participants of the TPNW and does not intend to do so in the future. We also do not plan to build joint work with auxiliary structures created as part of the interaction of the participants of the TPNW to implement it," she said. Thiruvananthapuram, June 25 : Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly V.D.Satheesan on Saturday alleged that state Health Minister Veena George's staff member led the Students Federation of India (SFI) activists in vandalising Wayanad Lok Sabha member Rahul Gandhi's office. He made the allegations while interacting with the media after visiting the vandalised office. "What has the SFI got to do with the buffer zone issue, when they till date have not even said a word on this." he wondered. "Around 300 activists from the CPI-M office in Wayanad moved towards Gandhi's office. They were carrying a plantain tree. The attack was led by the Health Ministry employee. The SFI today has become a group of goons and criminals. Among the attackers, a youth wing activist of the CPI-M was also present," said Satheesan. Gandhi's office was vandalised by the SFI activists on Friday as the police reportedly stood like a mute spectator. "Ever since Union Minister Smriti Irani visited Wayanad last month, the BJP national leadership has decided to make life tough for Gandhi. In Kerala, the BJP is too weak to carry out any such activity and hence the CPI-M has taken the "quotation" for it," alleged Satheesan. He further pointed out the SFI justifies their attack on the grounds that Gandhi did nothing on the buffer zone issue. "It's Vijayan who has played truant as Gandhi, in a letter, had asked him to take special note of the buffer zone issue as it's a state subject. Incidentally, in this buffer zone issue, Vijayan happens to be the prime culprit as he had given the nod for it despite a strong opposition by the Congress. Strangely, the CPI-M protests on buffer zone, for which it is solely responsible. They always have double standards," said Satheesan. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan rubbished Congress's claims that the BJP and the CPI-M are hand in glove. "Why should that happen as all know at Nemom Assembly constituency in the state capital, it was the Congress and the CPI-M which were hand in glove to keep us out and it took place. (The BJP which opened its account in the 140-member Kerala Assembly in 2016, lost its sitting seat at Nemom in the April 2021 Assembly polls). At Wayanad, 19 SFI activists whose arrest was recorded on Friday by the local police for indulging in vandalisation was on Saturday remanded to judicial custody. Six more activists were arrested this morning. Meanwhile, dismissing the Congress's allegations, Veena George said that the person who is alleged to have taken part in the protest no longer her staff member as he had left the job early this month. Beijing, June 25 : In a further crackdown on Internet and digital companies, China has cleared a revised anti-monopoly law that will shut loopholes in existing regulation in terms of abusing market dominant position, drawing a bottom line for private tech firms on "illicit acts that threaten fair market competition". The amendment will take effect on August 1. China's top legislature on Friday passed an amendment to the anti-monopoly law in an effort to foster a fair, transparent and predictable environment for business operators. China has been strengthening supervision on the internet economy in the past two years. In 2021, authorities issued administrative penalties in 98 cases after anti-monopoly probes, involving major internet firms such as Tencent, Alibaba, Meituan, Didi Chuxing, JD.com and Baidu. The total fine imposed was 21.74 billion yuan ($3.25 billion). According to a Xinhua report, the amendment, adopted at the closing meeting of the standing committee session of the 13th National People's Congress, makes it clear that China will formulate and implement competition rules compatible with the socialist market economy and improve a unified, open, competitive and orderly market system. Built on previous practices and experiences, the amendment improves the design of relevant mechanisms, such as encouraging innovation while protecting fair market competition, stipulating the safe-harbour rule and increasing provisions on the protection of personal privacy and information. According to the Global Times, the enforcement marks a new era in the normalization of China's rule-based supervision over the platform economy. The revised law will further regulate the overall platform economy with standardised rules, and major industry players can continue to grow based on the principle of high-quality development while expanding in accordance with the law, Liu Dingding, a Beijing-based veteran market analyst, was quoted as saying. United Nations, June 25 : The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) now faces a funding shortfall of over $100 million for 2022 even after pledging conference earlier this week raised $160 million, a top official said here. The shortfall is consistent with the discrepancy of funds that the agency has faced every year for almost a decade and the agency has so far been able to move along through a number of austerity and cost-control measures, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said, adding that it is no longer possible to sustain today. "There is very little to cut from our cost without, in fact, cutting our services," Xinhua news agency quoted the top official as saying If the funding gap fails to be filled in the next couple of months, the delivery of education to more than half a million girls and boys, or the access to primary health care for close to 2 million people, or the emergency food and cash assistance to the poorest Palestine refugees might be seriously at risk, he warned. "We have entered a danger zone." "It is not the time to turn our back on some of the most successful human development story in the Middle East. This can only fuel further despair and the feeling of abandonment of one of the most destitute communities in the region at a time when there is a lack of political horizon, and unprecedented economic crisis and multiple conflicts," Lazzarini told reporters. "Fatigue should not be an option, and indifference to this, I would say, even less." Finding a solution to the agency's chronic financial problem requires political will to match the support for the mandate with sufficient resources, he said. "We are expected to provide government-like services to one of the most destitute communities in the region. But we are funded like an NGO because we depend completely on voluntary contributions." The agency currently helps some 5.6 million Palestine refugees and their descendants in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria as well as in West Bank and Gaza, by providing education, primary health, and social protection. Kolkata, June 25 : Suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma, on Saturday, once again refused to adhere to the summons from a police station in Kolkata. According to the summons issued by Amherst Street police station under the north and north suburban police station under Kolkata Police, Sharma was supposed to be present at said police station on Saturday afternoon. However, a letter from Sharma reached the Kolkata Police through email on Saturday, where she has sought some more time to appear as she apprehends security threat if she comes to the city. This is the second time that Sharma has ignored the summons from the city police. Earlier, she was sent a notice from the Narkeldanga Police station under Kolkata Police's eastern suburban division where she was asked to be present at the said police station on June 20. However, at that time too, she refused to turn up at the last moment citing security reasons. Soon after Sharma's controversial comments on Prophet Muhammad went viral, there were severe tensions in a number of minority - dominated pockets in West Bengal districts like Howrah, Nadia and Murshidabad. Clashes erupted between the agitators and the police in which Domjur Police station in Howrah district was attacked, police vehicles were torched and several police personnel were injured. Internet services were also suspended for a few days in a number of pockets to arrest the spread of rumours. Following countrywide tension over the controversial comments, the BJP suspended her from the party. The BJP also took action against Delhi leader Naveen Kumar Jindal who shared her comments on Twitter. Chennai, June 25 : Director Anucharan's much-awaited entertainer 'Panni Kutty', featuring comedians Yogi Babu and Karunakaran in the lead, will release on July 8, its makers have announced. Lyca Productions, the firm producing the film, made the announcement on social media. On its Twitter timeline, the firm said, "She's coming to meet you all. 'Panni Kutty' releasing on screens near you on July 8th." The film, whose title in English means 'piglet', has created quite a bit of interest for a number of reasons. Firstly, it has two comedians playing the lead. Next, it will mark the return of well known Tamil orator and comedian Dindugal Leoni back to the big screen. That apart, director Anucharan Murugaiyan's just released web series on Prime Video, 'Suzhal - The Vortex' has come in for a lot of praise. The theatrical rights of the comedy film for the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka have already been acquired by Prabhu Thilak's 11:11 productions. Shot by cinematographer Sathish Murugan, 'Panni Kutty' has music by K and been edited by director Anucharan himself. Bhopal, June 25 : Madhya Pradesh Women's Commission (MPWC) chairperson Sobha Oza has resigned from her post alleging interference from the BJP-led state government and biasness in handling cases of atrocities against women. Talking to IANS, Oza claimed that she was forced to resign from the post. Oza said that when she had joined the commission, there were 10,000 cases of atrocities against women in Madhya Pradesh; now these numbers have crossed 17,000. on the question why the commission remained silent despite crimes against women increased sharply in Madhya Pradesh, Oza said she was not allowed to discharge her duty. "The commission was not allowed to function as per rules. Government nominated member has high influence and biasness in resolving cases against women atrocities. As per the rule, at least two members of the commission should be present during hearing of a case, but for the last two years, only government nominated member has been handling the cases. I tried my best to provide justice to the victims, but the government created hurdle," Oza said. She further alleged that the government put pressure on the commission to take biased decision in cases in which BJP leaders or workers are accused. "They were trying to keep me out from the commission after BJP government came to power in March 2020. But, the high court ordered state government not to disturb MPWC's functioning," Oza added. When asked why MPWC did not send notices to officials or influential persons involved in atrocities against women, she said the commission has always issued notices in every case, took suo motu cognizance, sought reports from the police, but each department is functioning under pressure. Oza also alleged that the office of MPWC was locked by BJP supporters soon after the Congress government lost its power. "In March 2020, BJP workers had locked the commission's office, office bearers were pressurised not to follow chairperson's direction. The commission had been almost defunct for the last two years, which made me realise that I should resign. If I can't discharge my duty for which I am here, then why should I stay here," she said. Oza said she will now fight for women on streets. "I will take the issue of atrocities against women and will expose the BJP government's bias," she stated. "Being here in office, I was not allowed to reach out to women, but now I am free. I will raise their voice. Madhya Pradesh has become the hub of women trafficking. I won't need any post to discharge my duty for women," she added. Oza, a Congress leader, is a prominent woman face in the party, who worked in several capacities before taking charge as chairperson of Madhya Pradesh Women's Commission in 2018. Colombo, June 25 : In an effort to help avert the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, a top delegation from the US comprising officials from the Departments of State and Treasury will embark on a three-day visit to the island nation on Sunday. The delegation, which includes Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Asia Robert Kaproth and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Kelly Keiderling, will meet political representatives, economists and international organisations during their stay. "In all their meetings, they will explore the most effective ways for the US to support Sri Lankans in need, Sri Lankans working to resolve the current economic crisis, and Sri Lankans planning for a sustainable and inclusive economy for the future," the US Embassy in Colombo said in a statement. "This visit underscores our ongoing commitment to the security and prosperity of the Sri Lankan people," said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung. "As Sri Lankans endure some of the greatest economic challenges in their history, our efforts to support economic growth and strengthen democratic institutions have never been more critical," she added. Over the past two weeks, the US has announced $120 million in new financing for Sri Lankan small and medium-sized businesses, a $27 million contribution to the island nation's dairy industry and $5.75 million in humanitarian assistance to help those hit hardest by the worst-ever economic crisis. The US has also committed $6 million in new grants to provide livelihood assistance to vulnerable populations, and technical assistance on financial reform that will help stabilize the economy. In the coming months, Washington will continue to support Sri Lankans as they revive their economy, combat food insecurity, and promote public health and education, the Embassay reiterated. The US also strongly supports Sri Lanka's decision to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund, which can provide the most durable resolution to the present crisis, it added. The upcoming trip by the US officials comes on the heels of a one-day trip by an Indian delegation led by Foreign Secretary of India Vinay Kwatra on Thursday. The delegation met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and other senior officials and discussed ways how India could provide bilateral assistance in the current crisis. In the wake of the ongoing crisis, the worst since Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, Colombo has sought support from various quarters, including neighbouring countries, as well as the US, Europe and the IMF. An IMF team is currently in the island nation to conduct a week-long study to form relevant policies in detail to reach a staff-level agreement. Visiting Colombo through June 30, the IMF delegation which has already met the President, Prime Minister and officials from the Finance Ministry and Central Bank of Sri Lanka has assured to assist the country. Faced with severe forex shortage, Sri Lanka suspended payment on $12 billion debt in April and last week the UN warned that country's "unprecedented economic crisis could develop into a dire humanitarian crisis, with millions already in need of aid". The world body and its partners have appealed for $47 million to address the immediate needs of the 1.7 million of the most vulnerable people and those critically affected by the crisis. Chennai, June 25 : Well-known comedian Senthil and his doctor son Manikanda Prabhu Senthil have joined the unit of director Rakesh NS' upcoming film 'Thadai Udai', featuring actor Bobby Simhaa in the lead. Senthil, considered to be one of the icons of Tamil film comedy, will be seen acting with his real son for the very first time. Interestingly, both Senthil and his son play father and son in the film as well. Dr Manikanda Prabhu is a dental surgeon in real life and has called himself an aspiring actor until now. Actor Bobby Simhaa welcomed Senthil and his son to the unit. He tweeted a picture of the duo on the sets and said,"Welcome on board legendary actor Senthil sir. Actor Mani Prabhu join the cast of 'Thadai Udai'. Real father and son acting as reel father and son too!" On the technical front too, the film's unit seems to have an addition. Well-known cinematographer Shakthi has joined the unit of the film. Bengaluru, June 25 : Nature lovers are appreciating the Karnataka government's move to allot Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) site for Saalumarada Thimmakka, a notable environmentalist from the state. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who granted a BDA site for Saaluamrada Thimmakka, formally handed over the sale deed on Saturday. The Chief Minister presented the BDA site allotment and sale deed documents to Thimmakka, who called on the Chief Minister at his Race Course Road residence with her foster son. Thimmakka has been granted a 50X80 feet site in Sector J, 7th Block in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda layout. Saalumarada Thimmakka, also known as Aala Marada Thimmakka, is renowned for her work in planting and tending to 385 banyan trees along a 45 km stretch of highway between Hulikal and Kudur towns in Karnataka. She is called Saalumarada (row of trees) because of her accomplishment. She has also planted about 8,000 other trees. As she does not have children, she loved trees as children. Saalumarada Thimmakka was greatly supported by her husband and continued in her pursuit even after his demise. She is the recipient of National Citizen's Award of India. The Government of India recognised the work of Saalumarada Thimmakka and awarded her Padma Shri in 2019. The Central University of Karnataka has announced an honorary doctorate for Thimmakka. She has no formal education and previously worked as a labourer in a quarry. US environmental organisations based in Los Angeles and Oakland in California have recognised Thimmakka's contributions to environmental preservation. Her efforts are being made part of environmental education also. She used her meagre resources for planting trees. The value of 384 banyan trees, which she nursed from saplings is assessed at around Rs 1.5 million. The management of these trees are taken over by the government of Karnataka. The Karnataka government during the tenure of H.D. Kumaraswamy had taken up alternative routes when these trees came under the threat of being cut down for the road project. Stalin seeks immediate action against those disturbing communal harmony Image Source: IANS News Chennai, June 25 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin on Saturday launched a career guidance programme for plus two students. The programme titled, 'College Dream' comes under the Nan Mudhalvan scheme of the state government. Information on various courses, including undergraduate and diploma, has been provided by industry experts and academics. Guidance will be given for selecting courses that are suitable for employment opportunities. The Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University (TANUVAS) and Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University have set up separate stalls for providing guidance to the students. HCL will sign a memorandum of understanding with Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation to skill government school students and employ them. The Nan Mudhalvan scheme will be conducted in all districts from June 29 to July 3. The New Ireland Fund, Inc. BOSTON, June 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Ireland Fund, Inc. (NYSE: IRL) (the Fund) announced today that at its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 14, 2022, David Dempsey was re-elected as a Class II Director of the Fund for a three-year term expiring in 2025. The New Ireland Fund, Inc. is a diversified, closed-end investment company that seeks long-term capital appreciation through investing at least 80% of its assets in a portfolio of Irish equity securities. The Fund is managed by KBI Global Investors (North America) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of KBI Global Investors Ltd. (based in Dublin, Ireland). KBI Global Investors Ltd. is majority owned by Amundi Asset Management, Europes largest asset manager by assets under management. The Fund is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol - IRL. For further information, please contact the Fund at 1-800-468-6475 or investor.query@newirelandfund.com Website: www.newirelandfund.com Patna, June 25 : Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) leader Mukesh Sahani on Saturday targetted BJP Bihar chief Sanjay Jaiswal, saying that having a doctor's degree is not a certificate of being a good politician. Sahani, who had also served as former animal husbandry and fisheries minister, said, "The degree of doctor cannot be a certificate of being a good politician. A good politician is someone who is widely accepted among common people. BJP leaders who are talking about political dignity need to introspect their own." "BJP is responsible for ongoing turmoil in Maharashtra. In Bihar, my party VIP contested under the umbrella of NDA and 4 candidates won. One MLA Musafir Paswan died due to illness while three orhers joined the saffron party. Jaiswal is pointing fingers at the Nitish Kumar government but he has to understand that the 2020 assembly election was contested in the name of Nitish Kumar. The BJP is in power only due to Nitish Kumar," Sahani claimed. In the last few days, Jaiswal, who is MBBS doctor by profession, was slamming JD(U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for failing to control violence during the Agnipath protests, and the war of words is continuing. Bhopal, June 25 : One person was reported killed after wall of a polling booth collapsed in Madhya Pradesh's Satna district as the voting for the first phase of three-tire panchayat elections began on Saturday. Deceased has been identified as Raja Kushwaha. He was sitting at polling booth in Tikha village in Satna district when a wall collapsed. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead, police said. While the voting for the first phase was underway, some scuffle broke out at a polling booth in Gwalior-Chambal division. In another incident in Damoh district, a Sub-Inspector (SI) was injured after two groups clashed at a polling station. As per reports, incident occurred after SI Inderjeet Choudhary, who was on duty at polling booth, pushed a voter out which made the villagers angry. Subsequently, locals created a ruckus at the polling centre. "Additional forces were called in, situation was brought under control and voting continued peacefully," police said. According to Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission (MP-SEC), as many as 52,000 police personnel have been deployed at polling booths to ensure free and fair elections. Counting of votes will take place at the polling station itself immediately after the voting is over. Voting which began at 7 a.m. will end at 3 p.m. Ghaziabad, June 25 : Ghaziabad Police have arrested 19 people during a raid at an illegally run hookah bar in this Uttar Pradesh district, an official said on Saturday. According to the official, the said hookah bar was found being operated at Urban Terrace restaurant in Indirapuram. Hookahs and other material were also seized in large numbers, he added. "Around seven hookahs, one packet of coal, seven chilams and several packets of different kinds of flavours used in the hookah were seized," the official added. Accordingly, the police registered a case under sections 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Indian Penal Code and arrested all the accused. The accused were identified as Vikas, Sandeep Singh, Alok, Aman, Aasif, Sumit, Sonu, aakib, shivam, Aman, Jatin, hussain, Sohail, Ankur meena, Dinesh Kumar, Zubair, Aaiq, Suhail and Shivam. Mumbai, June 25 : The Maharashtra Congress on Saturday ruled out the possibility of President's Rule in the state currently in the grip of a major political crisis that has shaken the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government. "There is no reason presently to impose President's Rule in the state. The MVA experiment is going to be a success," said Congress Legislative Party Leader and Minister Balasaheb Thorat after a meeting of the state party's top leadership. He added that a legal team from New Delhi - which had finalised the formation of the MVA alliance 30 months ago - is keeping close tabs on the political situation unfolding here and is prepared to counter it as needed. "Presently, the MVA government is functional and a battle is ongoing pertaining to Constitutional and legal procedures. The Chief Minister (Uddhav Thackeray) will take a decision on what is to be done with the rebel ministers and legislators," said Thorat. Congress President Nana Patole has reiterated that the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre is misusing central investigative agencies to destabilise and topple the MVA government, but their intentions will fall flat as the 3-party alliance is fully united and firmly behind the CM. Kolkata, June 25 : A man was critically injured after he jumped off the eighth-floor of a hospital at the busy Mullick Bazar Crossing in central Kolkata on Saturday. Nearly two hours of desperate attempts to rescue the depressed patient, who somehow managed his way to the eighth-floor cornice of the hospital failed, as he finally jumped. His condition is stated to be "extremely" critical. Sujit Adhikari was admitted at the Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, this morning. He was supposed to be discharged later in the day. Hospital sources said that the patient had a scuffle with the ward boys, following which he slipped out of the window of the eighth floor of the hospital and sat on the cornice there. State fire services department reached the spot with a hydraulic ladder and made desperate attempts to rescue him. However, every time the firemen reached near him, he threatened to jump. Even a couple of his relatives made failed attempts to pursue him. He was then constantly supplied with cold drinks and food there only. Meanwhile, the personnel of the state disaster management reached the spot with rescue nets and airbags, so that even if he jumps his life would be saved. However, as the disaster management department personnel were getting ready to install the rescue nets and put in place the airbags, the patient first started hanging from the cornice and finally jumped. While falling down, his body collided against the wall of the building twice. A profusely bleeding Adhikari was immediately rushed to the emergency unit where his condition is stated to be extremely critical, according to hospital sources. Chennai, June 25 : Aruna Guhan, one of the producers and Creative Directors of AVM Productions, one of the oldest and most reputed Tamil production houses, has now disclosed that it was her dad, producer MS Guhan, who was the brain behind a popular car sequence from yesteryear superhit 'Paati Sollai Thattathe'. The film featured actors Pandiarajan, Urvashi, Manorama and SS Chandran in the lead. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Aruna wrote, "From when I was a child, I have always been in awe of how my dad could take anything apart and put it back together. From a TV to a car and every appliance or piece of technology in between, he is a wizard at solving the issue or fixing it. I always wanted to be like that. "For 'Patti Sollai Thattathe', they wanted to create a car that could separate into two halves while it was running and each half would run independently. It was dad's technical expertise that created this for the movie. "He bought a Volkswagen and designed it in such a way that it separated in the middle. The engine of the Volkswagen was in the rear, he left that as it was and fitted the engine of an auto rickshaw in the front. The car was called the 'Supercar' and went on a tour of Tamil Nadu for the publicity of the movie." The film went on to be a roaring success. The car, which was one of the star attractions of the film, caught the attention of kids and thereby brought in family audiences to theatres in large numbers. Amaravati, June 25 : Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday described the three-year rule of Jagan Mohan Reddy government in the state as a 'rule of destruction and demolitions'. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief slammed the Jagan government on the occasion marking three years since demolition of Praja Vedika in Amaravati capital city. Naidu said that Jagan Reddy demolished Praja Vedika immediately after coming to power so as to indicate future destruction across the state. The demolition of Praja Vedika was the first demolition carried out by Jagan Mohan Reddy after taking over as Chief Minister. Praja Vedika was the meeting hall constructed adjacent to the residence of then Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Naidu said that the CM had clearly indicated how his destructive rule would be by razing to the ground public property that was worth crores of Rupees. "There was destruction all along but no construction in the past three years," he said. Chandrababu Naidu accused the Chief Minister of demolishing the development of Andhra Pradesh, overall economic standards and all the democratic institutions in the state. "Jagan had demolished the shelter and livelihoods of Dalits, future of youth, Polavaram and Amaravati projects," he said. Naidu deplored that Jagan Reddy derived sadistic pleasure from demolishing Praja Vedika. By doing so, he had done severe injustice to the people of the state. He alleged that not a single project was developed nor a single building was constructed in three years. The TDP chief pointed out that the Chief Minister was running his administration from the same buildings constructed during the previous TDP rule. This was enough to say that Jagan Reddy was not capable of doing anything. At least now, the CM should realise how construction was more difficult than destruction, the TDP leader added. Mumbai, June 25 : Shiv Sena President and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday launched a scathing attack on purported attempts by the rebel group to christen itself after the party founder-patriarch, the late Balasaheb Thackeray. "Don't invoke my Dad's name, use your father's name, to win the elections," said a livid Thackeray, presiding over a meeting of the Shiv Sena's national executive here this afternoon. His strong reaction came in response to unverified reports that the rebels led by Minister Eknath Sambhaji Shinde - currently camping in Guwahati - had allegedly decided to rename itself as "Shiv Sena-Balasaheb Thackeray Group". As a row built up with angst among Shiv Sainiks in Maharashtra, the rebels quickly backtracked and claimed that they are the "real Shiv Sena". Thackeray also said that the party will write to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that the name of Shiv Sena or Balasaheb Thackeray is not misused by unauthorised persons or groups of such "turncoats" for their political interests, failing which they would face legal action. The angry response came a day after the CM dared the rebels to win the elections "without using the name of Shiv Sena or Balasaheb Thackeray" while addressing a meeting of the party's district chiefs on Friday. Bouncing back to his aggressive mode on the fifth day of the political crisis plaguing the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Thackeray challenged the rebels "to show courage and face the electorate and the people" without uttering the names of Shiv Sena or the party founder, the late Balasaheb Thackeray. Calling Shinde a "traitor", the Sena Tiger recalled how he did a lot for him (Shinde), yet he was hurling a series of baseless allegations against the Sena and Thackeray. "I did everything possible for Shinde.... I allotted him the Urban Development portfolio which I handled. His son (Dr Shrikant Shinde) is a two-time MP and now they are commenting on my son (Minister Aditya Thackeray), and levelling many allegations even against me," said Thackeray. Beijing, June 25 : As cryptocurrencies reel under the global downturn, Chinese state-run newspaper Economic Daily has warned investors that the price of leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin is "heading to zero". The warning came as the cryptocurrency market continued to face meltdown with Bitcoin hovering around $21,000 per digital coin on Saturday -- a substantial drop from its record high of $68,000 in November last year. "Bitcoin is nothing more than a string of digital codes, and its returns mainly come from buying low and selling high," the newspaper said. "In the future, once investors' confidence collapses or when sovereign countries declare bitcoin illegal, it will return to its original value, which is utterly worthless," it added, reports South China Morning Post. The Chinese government banned Bitcoin mining in July last year. It has plans to launch its central bank digital currency (CBDC) called the digital Chinese yuan (e-CNY). The country banned all cryptocurrency transactions last September and barred foreign crypto exchanges from operating within the country in 2018. The Economic Daily earlier justified China's ban on cryptocurrency trading by taking examples of the collapse of stablecoins terraUSD and luna whose value reached zero. The price of Bitcoin tumbled to a new low of $17,958 this month, before recovering to over $20,000 this week. According to analysts, Bitcoin may hit a grim $14,000 this year. The likely bottom range at $14,000 would represent a drop of around 80 per cent for Bitcoin from the $68,000 all-time high. According to Coindesk, Bitcoin has historically experienced periods of asymptotic price run-ups followed by steep crashes, "typically played out over several months to two years". Cryptocurrency watchers refer to these periods as "cycles". New Delhi, June 25 : The Bharatiya Janata Party, which secured back-to-back wins in two Lok Sabha polls and is continuing its winning spree in the Assembly elections also, is becoming stronger and its base is expanding rapidly. Addressing diplomats from various countries recently, BJP president J. P. Nadda had claimed that with 18 crore primary members, the BJP has become the world's largest party. Virtually addressing a meeting of the party's office bearers in Jaipur last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that currently, 18 states in the country are ruled by the BJP. The party has more than 1300 MLAs. However at the same time, he had said that this is the time for the BJP to set a target for the next 25 years and work continously to achieve it. In the midst of this victory march of the BJP, the Opposition is saying that the BJP's Hindutva agenda has changed and this neo-Hindutva agenda is far more aggressive. Denying the allegations and terming them wrong and baseless, Vinay Katiyar, who was closely associated with the Ram Mandir movement, has said that "we are only returning to our forgotten Hindutva agenda". Talking to IANS, Katiyar said, "The Hindutva agenda is the same and there is no change in it. Yes, there were some old things which were lying dormant, they are being revived." The BJP is doing the job and it is correct, he added. Whatever Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been doing is right but the opposition is just doing propaganda, he added. Earlier, it seemed that Hindutva has been forgotten, now things are being revamped to change this concept. "Hindutva is our way of life, style of working and we are doing our work, there is no need to fear from any other community. Hindus are waking up. BJP is winning due to the hard work of the party activists and it is doing its work. If this is hurting anyone, what can the BJP do about it," he said. The VHP's national spokesman Vijay Shankar Tiwari, who made the Ram Mandir movement a mass movement, told IANS: "The one who talks about Vedas, Shastras, Smriti texts, Upanishads, Mahabharata and the Gita, he is a Hindu and one who believes in them is a Hindutvawadi." On the charges levelled by some sections of the minority communities, Tiwari said the earlier governments used to appease them but now the Hindus have become vocal and this is bothering them. RSS leader Rajiv Tuli claimed that since the time of former RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras, there has been no change in the party's agenda, it has been continuing. During an event in Delhi in 2018, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had said Kashi and Mathura are not on the RSS agenda and had recently again reiterated his stand. He said that under special circumstances, the Sangh had to join in the Ramjanmabhoomi movement on the orders of seers. Rajiv Tuli added, "People are talking about bulldozer thing, among other issues again and again, but this is not aggressive Hindutva. It totally depends on the government how it wants to establish the rule of the law." "It is true that Hindus who have been inactive till now are becoming active but it has nothing to do with the bulldozer or any other campaign. "Those who don't want to follow the law, they react to the new steps taken by the state government, take to the streets and create a ruckus, show their strength, try to frighten the majority community... Hindus will not get aggressive but retaliation has been a sanatani tradition. However, Hindus are basically peaceful and harmonious," he added. POPLAR RIDGE Southern Cayuga Central School District Class of 2022 graduate Marissa Wiemann praised her classmates for defying stereotypes. In her senior welcoming address at the class graduation for the Poplar Ridge-based school Friday, Wieman, the class president, said she loved coming of age movies like "Perks of Being A Wallflower," but lauded her fellow students for not fitting the mold of the stock characters found in those sorts of films. "We all like to believe each of our stories are unique and that none of us are living cliches. In most places, this isn't true. However, what made our school seem so magical is its apparent disregard to that normality. Growing up in a small school meant that everyone did everything, there wasn't really enough of us to go around with no overlap," she said. "This meant that the jocks were smart, the popular girls were kind and the nerds, they became class president. This school has provided us with endless opportunities to break out of stereotypes, to live our versions of high school not seen on the screen." Before the commencement started, graduates Loralei Weber and Colby Sellen expressed their excitement. Weber, 18, is set to go to SUNY Cortland for recreational management and Sellen, 18, will be pursuing an associate's degree in criminal justice at Cayuga Community College. Sellen said he has known his classmates for years, and said he feels he and his fellow students are ready for their next steps in their lives. For Weber, her graduation isn't a bittersweet occasion but a happy one. "It's a celebration more than an end," Weber said. Over 50 students were graduating. At the ceremony, South Cayuga Jr.-Sr. High School Principal Luke Carnicelli spoke. Thomas Parlato, a member of the Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band, kicked off the ceremony as the seniors walked to their seats and the high school senior chorus performed later in the event. Before the diplomas were presented, valedictorian Julia Gloss told the crowd about three rules in her teacher's class in kindergarten years ago: "1. Make yourself happy, make other people happy and be safe." She said those rules continue to still be relevant to her life. She gave examples. "Making yourself happy is a guild to pursuing your future. As we begin the next chapters of our lives, we should endeavor to build a life in which we find and strive for what brings us true satisfaction. Indeed, we will more easily achieve our goals when they contribute to our happiness," Gloss said. Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. New Delhi, June 25 : A total of 10 people were arrested by the police for being involved in a scuffle during which a policeman's uniform was torn off, an official said on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Benita Mary Jaiker said a PCR call was received at 8.30 p.m. on Thursday at Tigri police station regarding a quarrel at a wine shop. "As the police staff was already deployed at the spot, it was learnt that some women were protesting outside a wine shop against its opening in the Tigri area," the DCP said, adding that some female staff was also deployed by the owner of the said wine shop. During the said protest, some heated arguments started between the protesting ladies and the ladies staff of the wine shop. The police tried to pacify them but both the parties became aggressive and started manhandling the police staff present there. "Head Constable Ranjeet, who is a beat officer of that area, was badly manhandled and his uniform was also torn by the people in the crowd," DCP Jaiker said. The police then controlled the situation and the medical of the injured staff was conducted at AIIMS Trauma Centre. Accordingly, a case under section 146, 147, 149, 186, 332, 353, 506 and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against the offenders. "The situation in the area is now under control and staff in sufficient numbers has been deployed in the area to avoid any further unwanted incident," the official added. New Delhi, June 25 : Emaar Group CEO Amit Jain was detained by immigration authorities at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and later, handed over to Punjab Police in connection with a case lodged against him in the state, sources said on Saturday. "He was detained on Friday on the basis of a Look Out Circular in an FIR registered with Punjab Police under Sections 420/406/120B of the IPC at PSA City Rupnagar (Punjab). An LOC (no 2022412989) was opened against him on the request of Rupnagar police," a source said. Jain was detained when he arrived in New Delhi from Dubai. The source said that the matter was being resolved between Jain and Punjab Police. "We handed him over to Punjab Police, they have taken him along to record his statement. The case is of 2019 and LOC was opened long back," said the source. No Punjab Police official was available for any comment at the moment. Chennai, June 25 : The strong Chinese chess teams will not be competing at the 44th Chess Olympiad to be held here next month, Olympiad Tournament Director Bharat Singh Chauhan said on Saturday. "The Chinese teams - open and women- will not be playing at the Chennai Chess Olympiad. The reasons are not clearly known," Chauhan told IANS. The Chinese Open team won the gold medal at the Chess Olympiad held at Batumi (Georgia) in 2018 and at Tromso (Norway) in 2014. The team has won one silver and bronze medal each at the Olympiad. Similarly, the strong Chinese women's team has won Olympiad Gold six times, and silver and bronze medals four times each. The Chinese women's team won the Gold at 42nd and 43rd Chess Olympiads held at Baku (Azerbaijan) and Batumi. The International Chess Federation or FIDE has banned Russian and Belarus national teams from participating in its tournaments owing to the Russian military action in Ukraine. With the absence of the other Asian chess giant, the prospects of the Indian team getting an Olympiad medal has become brighter. The India's Open team is one of the top rated teams in the world. Given the situation, many feel that the presence of former World Champion V. Anand in the Indian team would have made a whole lot of difference to the hustlings. Anand is contesting for the post of Deputy President, FIDE as part of incumbent FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich's team. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in) Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War New Delhi, June 25 : As a new generation of consumers comes into the legal drinking age, they not only seek something unique to their personalities, but also something that fits into their lifestyle. High-quality beverages are a rage right now, and with cocktails and craft beers quickly growing in popularity, consumers are becoming much more knowledgeable about what they are drinking. Vineet Sharma, Vice President Marketing-South Asia, AB InBev speaks to IANSlife on a few trends that have opened more avenues and opportunities for the beer sector. Premiumisation: Premiumisation has been an influential trend in the beverage industry. Premium products have become more alluring, and consumers are likely to treat drinks as something worth spending a little extra on. The influence of millennials continues to the growth in the market, and they prefer sophisticated indulgences and experiences. This growth is fueled by globalization-with established western fads like demand for premium alcohol spreading to new markets. Eco-Friendly Initiatives: With a keen emphasis on purpose, new-age customers are paying more attention to the environmental repercussions of their purchases. This recent shift in preference has led to brands operating more consciously and considering the beliefs and lifestyles of their patrons. Corona, for example, recently launched a 100% biodegradable and compostable packaging made of barley waste taking its commitment to protect and preserve the environment a step further. It's All About Craft: Craft beer has become more than a trend in India; it's a movement and it's easy to see why. Craft beer is all about local ingredients and traditional methods, with an emphasis on drinkability and flavour. Craft beer is a great way for brewers to experiment with new flavours and styles and in India, there are plenty of opportunities to experiment with local ingredients like coriander, banana, oranges, etc. The newly launched Seven Rivers beer pays homage to these multiple flavours of India. The craft movement has been spurred by a growing urban population with more disposable income, time for leisure activities, and the consumers' changing attitudes toward experimentation. We see the craft beer movement continuing to grow in popularity in India-it's an exciting way for people to get involved with their communities and enjoy some great new flavours! Mix It Up with Beer: India is a nation of connoisseurs, and they have a deep appreciation for the finer things in life. With evolving consumer palettes, beer has taken on a whole new life as the basis for a whole new type of cocktail-the beer cocktail. Beer cocktails have taken off in popularity in India because they're an amazing way to combine two of the country's favourite beverages into one delicious treat. And since India has such an active bar scene, it only makes sense that these drinks would become so popular. After a two-year hiatus, Corona Sunsets, an aniconic and much-loved festival was back to entertain audiences with a star-studded line-up of artists. Representing a new beginning in the country's social life culture, a refreshing set of beer cocktails perfect for toasting the summer was introduced. Here's a recipe using a refreshing Corona that weaves in the tradition of Corona's iconic lime ritual. COCKTAIL: CORONA SOUR A drink that blends in the sweetness of mango and the boldness of a Bourbon, topped off with your classic Corona & lemon juice. This drink brings out the brilliance of old-school flavors like nothing else. Ingredients: Corona: 70 Ml. Bourbon: 40 Ml. Sucre De Canne: 20 Ml. Mango Puree: 50 Ml. Lemon Juice: 20 Ml. Lemon Slice: To Garnish Recipe: Pour the bourbon, sucre de cane, mango puree, and lemon juice into a tin Shake and strain over ice Top up with Corona and garnish with a slice of lemon (N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in) New Delhi, June 25 : deRivaz& Ives, an online auction house, hosted its "Indian Modern Art" auction. The online auction featured artworks by leading modern masters such as Gaganendranath Tagore, M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, Jamini Roy, N.S. Bendre, Ganesh Pyne, B. Prabha, Nasreen Mohamedi, K.H. Ara, and others. This includes some of the rarest master pieces by these artists. The highlights include one of the most important oil on canvas paintings by artist B. Prabha 'Bombay', purchased by Seth Anandji Manishi Shahin1969-70 directly from the artist; a magnificent M.F. Husain painting' Lakshmi, Ganesha & Saraswati', purchased by a Mumbai-based collector in 1990 directly from the artist; two beautiful K.H. Ara Still Life paintings purchased by the Rajpipla Royal Familyin1967 directly from the artist K.H. Ara, among many others. "Indo-Modern Art is slowly gaining recognition, as is our unique perspective on modern art." The balanced amalgamation of Indian culture on canvases has provided an inspiring touch to the Indian art community. We have witnessed a very positive response from collectors and art lovers coming from diverse backgrounds and regions of India, " stated Ambassador (Retd.) Niranjan Desai, Chief Spokesperson-deRivaz & Ives. The auction was held online on www.derivaz-ives.com on 24th to 25th June, 2022. (IANSlife can be contacted at IANSlife@ians.in) Bengaluru, June 25 : Amid high voltage political drama playing out in Maharashtra, politicians in Karnataka attached to the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress are engaged in war of words. Dr G. Parameshwara, former Deputy Chief Minister and prominent Dalit politician from Congress on Saturday slammed BJP for capturing power through arm twisting. That is what is being done in Maharashtra. "The system must be reformed. The issue of candidates winning elections from one party and joining another should be discussed at higher levels and a law should be brought in to prevent such activities," he stated. Replying to it, Minister for Large and Medium Industry, Murugesh Nirani said, there is a rebellion by a political party in Maharashtra and many have become hostile to the ruling establishment. He expressed confidence that the BJP will form the government in the state. "I have confidence that rebel MLAs would support BJP and the party would form the government. When they approach BJP, the government would be formed," he stated. There were many power centres in the Maharashtra coalition government. There are no sages in politics, Minister Murugesh Nirani said. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah slammed BJP and said that 'Operation Lotus' is a dangerous development. The poaching of 40 MLAs in Maharashtra is a betrayal to democracy. Operation Lotus was invented by BJP and started by former CM B.S. Yediyurappa in 2008. This is being practiced in other states, he said. "This is political bankruptsy. No one should encourage it. This has been done in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. They made several attempts in Rajasthan. If the central government run by the BJP is supporting this, there are less chances for democracy to survive," he said. "Where will they get money to fund MLAs? Each MLA is given Rs 20 crore to Rs 40 crore, illegally made out of corruption. Without corruption how can this huge amount be arranged. The BJP is ensuring the collapse of the governments elected by the people," Siddaramaiah said, adding "there should be a rule that elected MLA who changes party should not be allowed to contest elections for 10 years." New Delhi, June 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be leaving for Germany tonight to attend the Group of Seven (G7) Summit beginning in Schloss Elmau, near Munich in Bavaria from tomorrow. PM Modi has been invited to the June 26-27 event by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who holds the G7 Presidency currently. The summit gathers leaders from the European Union and Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. In an effort to strengthen international collaboration on important issues - or as Chancellor Scholz said "to recognize the democracies of the global south as partners" - other nations such as Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa have also been invited. During the visit, the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings and discussions with the leaders of the G7 as also the guest countries on the side-lines of the Summit. He is also scheduled to have an interaction with the Indian diaspora at a community event during his stay in Germany. Prime Minister Modi's last visit to Germany was for the 6th Intergovernmental consultations held in Berlin on May 2, the first one he co-chaired with the new German Chancellor. The invitation to the G7 Summit is in keeping with the tradition of strong and close partnership and high-level political contacts between India and Germany. His visit is expected to give a major push to strengthen political and economic ties with the seven of the world's advanced economies. "India's regular participation at the G7 Summits clearly points to increasing acceptance and recognition that India needs to be a part of any and every sustained effort to find solution to solve the challenges, global challenges in particular which are being faced by the world," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra before the PM's departure. Kwatra mentioned that the G7 Summit has chosen five key priorities for the current year - Energy transition, Economic recovery and transformation, Pandemic prevention and control, Sustainable investments and infrastructure and Promotion of shared values of democracy. On June 27, PM Modi is scheduled to participate in two sessions along with other partner countries of the G7 Summit - one relating to climate, energy and health and the second on food security and gender equality. The Foreign Secretary said that it is "quite possible" that on the sideline conversations with other leaders of the G7 and the outreach countries, that the situation in the region will come up for discussions. He highlighted that the key significance of the Prime Minister's continuous engagement with the leadership of the global world - whether it's at QUAD, G7, BRICS, or the G20 - is the mitigation of challenges being faced by the world right now which are global in nature. "India's presence, India's participation, India's role, India's responsibility, India's involvement is absolutely essential to find those solutions to the global problems," said Kwatra. After attending the G7 Summit, PM Modi will be travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on June 28 to pay his personal condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former UAE President and Abu Dhabi ruler. The PM will also take the opportunity to congratulate Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as the new President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Indian PM last visited UAE in August 2019 while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's last visit to India - as then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi - took place in January 2017 when he was also the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations. The Foreign Secretary said that it is "common knowledge" that both the leaders, that is the present President of the UAE and the Prime Minister of India, have very regularly and continuously nurtured the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE over the past few years. During the virtual summit in February this year, both countries also signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has since entered into force and the first consignments under that CEPA agreement have started flowing from India to UAE and vice versa. "We are all aware that India and UAE share very close and friendly relations, whose foundations lay in our historical people to people contacts. Our vision for bilateral relations includes partnership in diverse areas, including trade, investment, energy, particularly renewable energy, food security, health, defence, skill development, education and culture," he stated. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative New Delhi, June 25: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) commonly known as Pakistan Taliban has accused Islamabad of sabotaging the ongoing peace negotiations. The proscribed group also warned that if its demands were not met, it would be forced to call off the indefinite ceasefire. Mrityunjoy Kumar Jha New Delhi, June 25: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) commonly known as Pakistan Taliban has accused Islamabad of sabotaging the ongoing peace negotiations. The proscribed group also warned that if its demands were not met, it would be forced to call off the indefinite ceasefire. "If the Pakistan government wants to flee from meaningful negotiations, then we have no problem. We will wage a countrywide jihad," the TTP said in a statement. The group also refused to hold talks under the framework of the Pakistani constitution, as it was not based on Sharia law. "Our Mujahideen will have the opportunity to wage jihad in the country since freedom and sovereignty are our rights as are practicing our religious and national values" says the statement . It added that "TTP members will never give up arms and surrender." The TTP leaders also made it clear that their demand for reversal of FATA merger is non-negotiable and it was made clear to the negotiators of the Pakistani security establishment. "They (Pakistan army) had assured us in the beginning of the fresh talks that demerger of the FATA region will be done and we will be free to implement Sharia laws in our land but if they want to back off, we will have no other option but to fight them off but we will never surrender or disarm and will continue to fight Pakistani security forces in case of no agreement." In 2018, the Imran Khan government merged the FATA, a lawless tribal area into the more tightly administered Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, curbing TTP's free movement in the area. The Pakistani Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has termed the demands of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) pertaining to the reversal of FATA merger and military withdrawal from tribal areas bordering Afghanistan as against the constitution, saying that "talks are possible with only those who are willing to surrender their arms". Referring to the Taliban's Interior Minister and the "patron" of the TTP, Sirajuddin Haqqani's participation in the ongoing talks, Sanaullah told the Pakistani army leadership that if "Afghanistan's political leaders are participating in the talks, then politicians from our side will also take part in the negotiation." It may be recalled that the Pakistani establishment started the secret negotiations with the TTP on the assurances given by the Interior Minister of Taliban regime, Sirajuddin Haqqani that he would be using all his power to make the talks successful. However, it has been a month and the two sides have yet to find common ground on the main demands. Earlier on Wednesday, the top military brass had briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led civilian government and had assured the political leadership that no extra-constitutional concessions would be given to the militants and any deal arrived at would be subject to parliamentary approval. The meeting, the first of its kind since the coalition government came to power, was called after the many coalition partners including PPP protested that the civilian leadership was being sidelined in the ongoing negotiations with the militants. According to sources, the former ISI chief and the Corp Commander of Peshawar Faiz Hameed who is the chief negotiator from the army side was questioned about the "secret" talks by the government. He was told that there is no question of "pardoning" the hardcore militants of the TTP who have been sentenced to death or lifer by the Pakistani courts. Pakistani watchers say the latest statements by the TTP are nothing but attempts at gaining time to regroup their cadres. "Talks with TTP are destined to fail as militants are openly declaring to not submit to the constitution. Even today, TTP is threatening to attack Pakistan and the Pakistani army is silent. It is very shameful." said Rana Shabbir Hussain, a Pakistani analyst. Some Pakistani watchers believe that the Pakistani security establishment has been committing blunder after blunder in its approach to deal with the TTP. "They (Pakistan army) have been refusing to learn from its past mistakes. They have been relying too much on Afghanistan and Allah. Do not know about Allah, but too much reliance on Afghanistan (The Taliban) will backfire." (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Mumbai, June 25 : With the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra worsening, the ruling ally Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Saturday demanded to know who is picking up the flights and hotels bills of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, currently camping in Guwahati. NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase has called upon the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate to probe the source of what he terms as 'black money'. "Who is footing the bills of the hotels in Surat (Gujarat) and Guwahati (Assam) as well as the chartered flights?" asked Tapase. His party colleague Clyde Crasto pointed out how the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is saying the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party "is supporting (rebel Shiv Sena MLAs) in Maharashtra". "Therefore, is this statement an answer to the following questions? Who took the MLAs to Surat? Who flew them to Assam? Who is paying their hotel bills in Guwahati?" questioned Crasto. However, the rebel group's spokesperson Deepak Kesarkar said in Guwahati on Saturday evening that the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not behind the rebellion, nor is any party picking up their tabs but indicated that the MLAs are paying their own bills. It may be recalled that on the night of June 20-21, the Sena MLAs sneaked out of the celebrations post-MLC elections giving innocuous excuses, somehow managed to discard their police security and became 'unreachable'. By dawn on Monday (June 21) it became clear that there was a major rebellion in the Maha Vikas Aghadi ally Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The rebels, herded by Minister Eknath Shinde, spent a couple of days at the five-star Le Meridien Hotel in the diamond hub of Surat and later were taken in a chartered aircraft to Guwahati where they are lodged in the five-star Radisson Blu Hotel. The group of legislators from the Sena, as well as independents and other parties, is chilling out in around 70 rooms at the Guwahati hotel, booked for them at a whopping Rs 1.20 crore for at least a week, where they conduct a series of meetings as the crises boils over in Maharashtra. At both the cities, the two hotels, the airports and other locations where the MLAs travel singly or in groups, a fleet of vehicles at their disposal, they were provided tight security by central forces as well as local police, allegedly courtesy the two BJP-ruled state governments, according to MVA leaders. The Trinamool Congress staged protests at the hotel, while the Assam Congress has objected at the Sena MLAs' sojourn in Guwahati. New Delhi, June 25 : Two criminals who were lodged at the high-security Tihar Jail were arrested for making extortion calls of Rs 50 lakh from a Delhi-based businessman, an official said on Saturday. The accused, identified as Aas Mohd alias Aashu Khan alias Aashu Chaudhary and Danish a.k.a. Tiggi, made extortion calls while they were incarcerated at Jail No 8 of the Tihar Prison. Sharing details, Deputy Commissioner of Police (east) Priyanka Kashyap said a business man who resides in Ghazipur Dairy Farm, Delhi reported that on June 10 he received a WhatsApp audio call from an unknown number, which was apparently an international number. "The caller threatened him of dire consequences in the name of a notorious jailed criminal infamously known as Hashim Baba, if he does not pay Rs 50 lakh," the DCP said. Initially the complainant thought it was a prank call and did not report the matter to the police. However, when again on June 13 he received the same sort of call from the same number on his WhatsApp, he reported the matter to the police. Accordingly, the police registered a case at Ghazipur police station and an investigation into the matter was initiated. During the course of investigation, it was revealed that the complainant received WhatsApp calls that seemed to be an international number. Since it was an international or virtual number, no subscriber details or location could be ascertained. "After technical investigation the police team working on the case, came to know that the call was being generated from Tihar Jail, Delhi. On further probe, it was found that the call was made from Jail Number 8," DCP Kashyap said. Analysis of the call details and scrutinizing the IP details, it was revealed that the call was being made by convicted criminal Aas Mohd. Subsequently, convict Aas Mohd was interrogated and revealed that he along with his barrack mate Danish hatched a conspiracy to extort money from the complainant. It was Danish a.k.a. Tiggi who had all the details of the complainant since he had worked with one of the complainant's relatives. According to the official, Danish is an associate of dreaded jailed gangster Hashim Baba. "They arranged a small smart phone and SIM. Got a virtual number from their source, made a WhatsApp call to the complainant and demanded money in the name of Hashim Baba," the official said. Both the accused were then arrested in the case. The states new ethics commission looks far too much like the old ineffective one. Gov. Kathy Hochul and state legislators replaced one politically appointed ethics commission with another and seemed to hope everyone would just accept it as reform. Sadly, some government watchdog groups are doing just that. The acceptance of the new ethics body, however grudging, and the involvement of law school deans from around the state in the new process may lend it an air of legitimacy. That doesnt make it progress. The commission will replace the Joint Commission on Public Ethics. JCOPE was a tool of state officials from the start, with a board appointed by the governor and legislative leaders and dominated by the governors picks. Unusual rules ostensibly intended to prevent political witch hunts allowed minorities of commission members to block investigations. And secrecy provisions kept the public from seeing to what degree factions within JCOPE were able to protect their political patrons and allies. But JCOPEs failure to pursue high-level corruption spoke for itself. The new Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, which is scheduled to take over on July 8, started out as an intriguing concept from Gov. Hochul, who proposed having a board composed of deans from the New Yorks 15 state-accredited law schools, or their designees. But by the time that proposal made it through the meat grinder of negotiations with legislative leaders, the result looked an awful lot like the old sausage with new packaging. Rather than an independent board, this 11-member body will be selected by the governor and legislative leaders. Thats all well and good, but the problem with JCOPE was not that politicians were appointing felons and other neer-do-wells. They appointed mostly accomplished, upstanding New Yorkers and also loyalists. Perhaps not all of them, but certainly enough to make JCOPE into a lapdog rather than a watchdog. Albany Times Union Legislation to lessen the mandatory overtime worked by area nursing home nurses and possibly lead to penalties paid by nursing home owners is awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochuls signature. The bill hasnt yet been presented to the governor, but A.8874/S.8063 passed both houses of the state Legislature as the legislative session came to a close. In our opinion, Hochul should veto the bill. That doesnt mean its OK for nurses to work an endless series of double shifts each week. Nursing is a valuable profession in our society, but nurses should be able to have a life outside of work. Medicaid reimbursements havent paid for minimum levels of care for quite some time. Then, in April, state regulations passed by the legislature in 2021 requiring at least 3.5 hours of care per resident per day took effect. That bill forces nursing homes to either hire additional workers or decrease their number of residents. The states decision to limit overtime by nurses places many nursing homes between a rock and a hard place. The triple-whammy with which the state is hitting health care providers will end up hurting patients and the elderly. Some providers are using overtime to avoid hiring additional employees, but others legitimately cant find workers and cant provide basic care without nurses working overtime. If New York was serious about protecting workers and residents, the state would have increased the Medicaid reimbursement for nursing home residents so that nursing homes could afford to hire more employees and offer a higher starting wage to attract more workers. Legislators did not choose that option. Instead, they made a bad situation worse with yet another regulation that makes life harder on nursing homes and which could make life worse for the senior citizens living in our nursing homes. Jamestown Post-Journal Were no fans of ultra-left state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, but she sure has picked a fat target in challenging Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney in the Aug. 23 Democratic primary for the 17th District: Hes the most arrogant, self-serving incumbent in all New York. His most recent low was to not even notify another incumbent, Rep. Mondaire Jones, before declaring hed run in the district that the new, fair electoral maps put them both in, even though the new district had more of Jones old one than it did Maloneys. Then again, Maloney played a big role in that misbegotten gerrymander effort that so backfired for Dems, putting not just Jones and Maloney in conflict, but also senior Reps. Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney. Way back on Nov. 30, 2020, he told Politico, We must win the redistricting war, as he prepared to take over the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. And he plainly encouraged the Legislature to try to do just that, as its plan was to cut Republicans down to just four House seats in New York from the eight or so any fair map would allow. That gambit was a blatant violation of the state Constitutions rules for redistricting, and of the clearly expressed views of most New Yorkers in multiple ballot-measure votes. But Maloneys sleaze goes back further: Hes also the guy who ran for two offices at the same time back in 2018, entering the primary for state attorney general even as he stayed in the race for his House seat. As we noted then, The wealthy three-term incumbent plainly figures he can take a shot at a better job without risking his current one. So what if its a slap in the face of his constituents? And a gamble that risked handing the swing congressional district to the Republicans. New York Post Srinagar, June 25 : Acting tough against illegal manufacture and processing of beer, the Jammu and Kashmir police along with civil authorities sealed a factory in Khunmoh area of Srinagar, officials said on Saturday. The police said they received specific information from reliable sources that a factory registered in the name of M/S Zainab Textiles was involved in illegal/unlawful activity of manufacturing/processing beer. "Accordingly, a police team under the supervision of the Panthachowk SDPO along with officials from the excise, revenue and food departments raided the suspected spot," an official said. "During search, large quantity of beer bottles were seized. The machine used in the manufacturing process has also been seized," he added. Ahmedabad, June 25 : Ahmedabad Crime Branch after registering a case against former DIG Sanjiv Bhatt, former DGP R.B. Sreekumar and human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, have arrested Sreekumar from Gandhinagar, Teesta from Mumbai and Sanjiv Bhatt, who is right now in Palanpur jail, will be brought under transfer warrant. Ahmedabad Detection Crime Branch Police Inspector D.B. Barad has registered the case against all the three for the offence under the Indian Penal Code for forgery with intention to cheat, fraudulently or dishonestly use forged documents as genuine, give fabricating, false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence, falsely charge any person with having committed an offence, and Public servant framing incorrect records. Allegation against Sanjiv Bhatt is that the documents submitted by him before the Nanavati commission were forged/fabricated/ manipulated subsequently with an ulterior motive, first before Nanavati Commission, and then later before the SIT, with an intention to implicate various persons under grave sections of law. Allegations against R.B. Sreekumar are that most of the accusations in the complaint of Jakia Jafri were drawn from the nine affidavits filed by Sreekumar before the Nanavati Commission. Sreekumar did not make any allegations against the state government in his initial two affidavits. He only started alleging from the third affidavit. He has fabricated documents and round office stamps without the knowledge of issuing authority. Teesta Setalvad and others had conspired to abuse the process of law by fabricating false evidence to make several persons to be convicted for an offence that is punishable with capital punishment. Thiruvananthapuram, June 25 : In one of the biggest protest rallies seen in Kerala's hill Wayanad district, thousands of people, including all top state Congress leaders, on Saturday demonstrated against the vandalisation of party leader and local MP Rahul Gandhi's constituency office by SFI activists. The reason, as per the Students Federation of India, the student wing of the ruling CPI-M, was that Gandhi did not take up the buffer zone issue. However, the Congress dismissed the charge, saying Gandhi had taken it up and the prime culprit in the issue was Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. State Congress chief K. Sudhakaran, who reached Wayanad, said this was an attack that has been scripted by the CPI-M and this is seen from the fact that a staff member of Health Minister Veena George was one of the protesters who led from the front. Speaker after speaker, including senior party leaders, slammed Vijayan, alleging that he orchestrated the attack to divert attention from the multitude of issues, including smuggling of currency and gold, he is allegedly involved in. The ruling Left Democratic Front's second biggest constituent, the CPI also slammed the attack on a political office and said incidents like this should be controlled and it is the responsibility of political parties to see they rein in such things. Meanwhile, the top leadership of the SFI is also reaching Wayanad after they were pulled up by the CPI-M leadership and they have promised that appropriate action would be taken. Early in the day, 19 arrested SFI activists were sent to judicial custody. The 19 were arrested on Friday and on Saturday, six more were taken into custody. Police is likely to make more arrests. Meanwhile, with the Assembly session beginning on Monday, this issue is likely to rock the house and the Congress-led opposition is mulling if it should raise this issue first or the explosive revelations made by gold smuggling accused Swapna Suresh against Vijayan, whom and his family, she accused, of indulging in smuggling currency and gold. Hyderabad, June 25 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday installed a countdown clock at its Telangana state headquarters here, saying the countdown has started for the end of KCR government in the state. BJP national general secretary and in-charge of party affairs in Telangana, Tarun Chug formally inaugurated the countdown clock and declared that 529 days are remaining for Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government. "The countdown has started for the KCR government today. It has 529 days left. It's time to say bye bye KCR," said Chug, who was accompanied by state BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar and other party leaders. The BJP will install similar countdown clocks at all its offices in the state. The party has also launched a website with the slogan 'Saalu Dora Selavu Dora' which has a ticking countdown clock. It also highlights the failures of TRS government. Tarun Chug exuded confidence that BJP will come to power in Telangana and will build a Telangana of the dreams of martyrs. The BJP leader alleged that Telangana has become slave in the hands of one family. "KCR, his ministers and MLAs all have become like Ali Baba chaalees chor who are looting the state," he said. He said that the July 3 public meeting to be held at Parade Grounds and to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to declare that BJP is coming to power in the state. He alleged that KCR, who promised a Bangaru or golden Telangana, has turned only his family into Bangaru family. "Youth, women, farmers, SCs, STs, all sections have been betrayed by the TRS government. KCR had made many promises and did not fulfill even one of them," he said. The BJP leader alleged that KCR government is oblivious of the problems faced by the people. "The Centre reduced prices of petrol and diesel twice. All states reduced the prices but the KCR government in Telangana is in deep slumber. It has not slashed VAT to provide relief to the people," he said. Kolkata, June 25 : Babita Sarkar who will be appointed as a higher secondary political science teacher in place of the daughter of a state minister, will donate the compensation money that she will receive for charitable work. As per the court order, Sarkar will receive the entire amount drawn as salary by the minister's daughter, Ankita Adhikari before she faced termination, as compensation. However, Sarkar does not want to spend that money for personal purposes since she had not earned that against her services to the school and instead use the same for charitable work. As per the Calcutta High Court order, Ankita Adhikari, daughter of West Bengal minister of state for education, Paresh Chandra Adhikari, is supposed to pay back the entire salary that she drew from the school in Cooch Behar district in two instalments. Ankita has already made her first instalment payment to the registrar of the Calcutta High Court amounting to around Rs 8,00,000, which is supposed to be credited to Sarkar by next month. Though keen to receive that amount, Sarkar wants to spend the money for charitable purposes. "The amount that I will be receiving on this count is not what I earned rendering my service as a teacher. So, I do not want to spend that money for any personal purpose. Rather I wish to spend the money on charitable or social welfare work," Sarkar said. As per the Calcutta High Court order, Babita Sarkar will get the appointment in the post vacated in India Girls' High School in Cooch Behar district because of the termination of the Ankita Adhikari. Incidentally, Ankita completed her education from the same school. Meanwhile, the social media has been flooded with praises about Sarkar, where everyone is congratulating her for her fighting spirit. Those praising her are claiming that she has set an example on how to continue with the struggle against injustice without accepting that as the irony of fate. The social media is also being flooded with praises of Calcutta High Court's judge, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who passed the order on this count. Srinagar, June 25 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said the Kashmir Valley is witnessing an exponential increase in the tourism flow due to the successful campaigns to attract maximum tourists towards the region. According to statistics of the Jammu and Kashmir tourism department, March 2022 broke the 10-year tourist arrival record in Kashmir, signalling that the tourism industry is finally on the path to recovery, a statement said. As per the Union tourism ministry, around 1.42 lakh tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir during February alone, breaking the seven-year record. Remarkably, on April 4 this year, the Srinagar International Airport recorded busiest day ever in history, with 15,014 people travelling on 90 flights in and out of Kashmir. Notably, for the first time, the Ministry of Civil Aviation approved the five flights a week between Srinagar-Sharjah. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had inaugurated Go First's Srinagar-Sharjah flight on October 23 last year, connecting Jammu and Kashmir with the United Arab Emirates after around 11 years. To boost adventure tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday launched J&K Tourist Village Network under Mission Youth. "The initiative is aimed at transforming 75 villages of the UT known for historical, picturesque beauty, and cultural significance into tourist villages," a statement said. Sinha said that the youth-led sustainable tourism initiative will strengthen rural economy and community entrepreneurship, empowering youth and women by providing direct and indirect employment opportunities. Highlighting the objective behind the initiative, he observed that the Jammu and Kashmir government is adopting best practices recognising the uniqueness of each village and showcasing the landscapes, indigenous knowledge systems, cultural diversity and heritage, local values and traditions, besides encouraging film shooting and offering financial incentives as well as ensuring a digital platform to all these villages. "The J&K administration is giving special focus on the tourism sector, and the region has started witnessing significant growth in terms of increased number of tourists and creation of tourism-related infrastructure. "A dedicated focus is also being laid on bringing unexplored religious places of Jammu on the religious tourist map to attract more tourists," a statement said. Nagpur, June 25 : In a significant judgement, the Bombay High Court has upheld the rights of the media to report registration of first information reports (FIRs) with the police and cases filed in the courts without attracting defamation proceedings. Stressing the freedom of the press and the importance of the information disseminated by the media, Justice Vinay Joshi, of the court's Nagpur bench, quashed a defamation case filed in 2018 against Lokmat Media Pvt Ltd Charman Vijay Darda and Editor-in-Chief Rajendra Darda, who were represented by lawyer Firdos Mirza. The ruling came on the libel suit filed by Ravindra G. Gupta of Yavatmal - represented by lawyer Nitin Lambat - who felt aggrieved by a report published in the Lokmat's May 20, 2016 edition, contending it was a false and frivolous news item in connivance with the co-accused with the sole intention of humiliating him and lowering his esteem in society. "There is no material to show that the applicants (Dardas) were somehow concerned with the publication of the defamatory news item," said Justice Joshi in his judgement delivered on June 20. He noted that whatever was published in the newspaper was based on the FIR registered against Gupta, which cannot be termed as defamation. "In order to constitute the offence of defamation, the dual requirement is to be met that the publication must be an imputation, and secondly, there must be an intention to harm the reputation of the person," Justice Joshi said. The judgement further said that the two Dardas are not the editors of the newspaper, and the Editor is Dilip Tikhile, whose name figures in the imprint line as the person responsible for the publication of news under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. Justice Joshi noted how daily newspapers devoted some space to crime news, registration of FIRs, filing of court cases, the status of the probes, arrests, etc which "constitutes news events which the public has the right to know". However, terming accurate reportage on registration of cases as "defamatory" would amount to restricting reporting on investigations to only the final outcome, depriving the right of the public to know the happenings, he said. "In other words, the freedom of making a true report regarding the affairs which are in the public domain is a right, which flows from the freedom of speech. The action of defamation about true and faithful reporting is unhealthy for a democratic setup," he held. Hence, filing defamation complaints on such news items is nothing but an attempt to stifle the reporters and informants with an attempt to force them to withdraw the report filed against the persons who are allegedly defamed, he ruled. The judge also highlighted the power of the press to impress upon the minds of people and hence it was essential that good care is taken by the person responsible for publishing anything in the newspaper. "No doubt, publication of news on rumour or on hearsay information having no iota of truth is fatal to a journalist. Herein, it is not the case that the FIR was not at all registered or the distorted news item was published," he said in the verdict. The Dardas had sought the quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated against them by a Magistrate Court on Gupta's defamation complaint, in which he argued that a false, and defamatory report was published without verifying the facts. Jaipur, June 25 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Union minister and senior BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, alleging that the latter was hand in glove with Sachin Pilot in the conspiracy to topple the state government. During his visit to Sikar, Gehlot said, "Everyone knows that you (Shekahwat) conspired to topple the government. Now you are taking the name of Sachin Pilot saying he made a mistake. There is strong proof that you were hand in glove with him (Pilot)." Addressing a gathering in Chomu, Shekhawat had recently said that Pilot lost a "golden chance" in revolting against the Congress and repeating a "Madhya Pradesh-like experiment" in Rajasthan. Shekhawat also claimed that if Pilot had not failed to topple the Rajasthan government, the state's 13 districts would not have remained thirsty and the work on the Eastern Canal project would have started. Gehlot referred to the above statement of Shekhawat and spoke on the recent matter of phone-tapping during his speech. The state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) recently served a notice to Shekhawat for collecting his voice samples in the phone-tapping case that was reported during the political crisis of 2020, when Pilot had rebelled against the state leadership under Gehlot. Gehlot said, "The law is doing its job and finally the notice has been served to Shekhawat. What's wrong with submitting voice samples?" "You (Shekhawat) were the main character in the plot to topple the government and everyone knows that you have been exposed. When your voice came, the world knew that the voice was yours. You conspired to topple the government and now you are taking the name of Sachin Pilot, saying that he made a mistake. This becomes an official proof that you were hand in glove with him," Gehlot added. The Chief Minister's remarks once again triggered discussions in the Congress, as he hinted that Shekhawat was in collusion with Pilot. Many feel that Gehlot's remarks will intensify the ongoing tussle between the two camps led by the Chief Minister and Pilot. Guwahati, June 25 : Asserting they are still part of the Shiv Sena, one of the rebel MLAs Deepak Kesarkar on Saturday said the dissident legislators would be setting up a separate block of the party. In a press conference here at Radisson blu hotel where he has been camping along with 40 other rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, Kesarkar, speaking on behalf of the rebels and their leader Eknath Shinde, said they are still part of Shiv Sena, and aiming to take a different direction for which they have the desired majority. "At this point, we are not merging with any other party as we respect (Maharashtra Chief Minister) Uddhav Thackeray. We will be setting up a separate block," he told reporters. "If our faction does not get the recognition, to prove our numbers we will go to the court," Kesarkar said, adding the rebel MLAs won't quit the Sena rather will carry on the legacy of "Balasaheb". "This is nothing but a constitutional struggle. We are not leaving the ideology that Balasaheb lived on. We didn't do anything illegal or wrong." He also said there can be no Shiv Sena without Uddhav Thackeray. Referring to the incidents of attacks on residences and offices of the rebel MLAs in Maharashtra, Kesarkar said: ''We also want to tell the Chief Minister to fulfil the constitutional responsibility he has and ensure that the violence is stopped. The MLAs are not feeling safe to return as no stern action is being taken against the perpetrators." Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday told reporters: "I have nothing to say about Maharashtra politics... Assam will not deal with the matter of Maharashtra." "There are many guests staying in all the hotels of Guwahati, like in Taj, Novotel, etc. People are coming to Assam for many reasons. Also, the Assam government is not supposed to pay the bills of any guests coming to Assam. Maharashtra is neither a poor state nor the MLAs are... so why would the Assam government pay their bills?" Sarma further said: "One can file an RTI to know about the hotel expenditures. This is our job to provide security, the comfort of staying to anyone who has come from outside to the state." Meanwhile, the Assam units of Shiv Sena and NCP staged a protest against rebel MLAs outside the Radisson Blu hotel. They were later removed from the spot. Panaji, June 25 : Goa police has arrested one Yogesh Pagi in connection with smuggling drugs in the jail premises. He was allegedly supplying contraband to an under-trial prisoner Vikat Bhagat -- facing trial in Irish traveller Danielle McLaughlin murder case, police said. Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi told IANS that on Saturday they have made a second arrest in this case and the accused person is identified as Yogesh Pagi from Canacona in South Goa, from where prisoner Vikat Bhagat also belongs. On Wednesday, police had arrested one Suraj Gawade, jail guard of Colvale jail in North Goa, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 5 gm cocaine into the jail. Police have also sought the custody of Bhagat through transfer warrant. Dalvi said that Vikat Bhagat is facing trial in murder case of Danielle McLaughlin, whose body was found in Canacona in 2017. Dalvi said that during questioning of the jail guard, it was revealed that the drugs were meant for under trial prisoner Vikat Bhagat and the said drugs were given to the jail guard by one Yogesh Pagi. Police are further investigating the case. By Trend Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov held a meeting with UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, Chairman of Masdar Company Sultan Al Jaber, Trend reports citing the minister's tweet. "During the meeting, we talked about successful economic relations between our countries, cooperation in oil and gas production and petrochemical projects, as well as expansion of partnership on production of green energy production," Jabbarov said. Ford India is still in talks with protesting workers over severance package as the US auto major decided to stop making cars in the country last year. Ford Motor in India has decided to extend production at its Chennai facility in Tamil Nadu till the end of next month. The US auto giant is currently in talks with its workers at the facility who are protesting against severance package offered to them. The decision to extend the production schedule from June to July was taken after talks with the workers. The extension of schedule has been agreed upon until a consensus develops over the workers' severance package. Ford India had announced last year its decision to stop making cars in the country. In September, it announced that the US-based company will wrap up its India business after incurring nearly $2 billion loss within 10 years of operation. Ford's decision to quit car manufacturing in India has left thousands of its workers looking at an uncertain future. Some of the workers have started protest at the Ford India facility at Maraimalai Nagar near Chennai since May 30. Facing workers' unrest, Ford decided to resume operations at the facility from June 14. The carmaker had said that the severance package will be offered to only those who joined work from that date to help Ford India to complete its production schedule. It also warned loss of pay for those who resort to strike and protests. A Ford India spokesperson was quoted by news agency PTI saying, "Pursuant to the employee cascade on June 9, 2022, the company received a positive response, with a vast number of employees consenting to support production in parallel to continuing discussions on the severance package on offer. Over 50 per cent of permanent employees have been supporting production since June 14 and the company has decided to extend production till the end-July 2022. All the employees continuing to support production in July will get wage protection." "We look forward to having a constructive dialogue with employees and union representatives to explain the details and benefits of the severance package under the supervision of the labour department," the Ford spokesperson added. The carmaker says it has offered pay for about 115 days of wages to each employee for each completed year of service. Ford says this offer is significantly higher than the statutory severance package. The cumulative package accounts for an ex gratia amount equivalent to 87 days of last drawn gross wages as of May 2022, a fixed 50,000 for every completed year of service benefits equivalent to a lump sum amount of 2.40 lakh and current medical insurance coverage until March 2024. The cumulative amounts will be subject to a minimum amount of 30 lakh and a maximum cap of 80 lakh. First Published Date: Kullu : , June 25 (IANS) With an eye on upcoming Assembly polls, Aam Aadmi Party convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was in Kullu on Saturday where he launched Tiranga Yatra. The Tiranga Yatra was organised from college gate to the main chowk, Dhalpur, where he addressed a massive crowd. He said, the party has arranged four raths to roll into the four Lok Sabha constituencies in the state to listen to the grievances of the people. "We don't know politics. Our journey started from Anna movement and then we formed a party. We vowed to eliminate corruption from the country. We ended corruption in Delhi and then started the process in Punjab," Kejriwal said. Attacking the state government, Kejriwal said that every year budget worth thousands of crores is passed, but no work is being done to provide basic facilities to the people nor to give jobs to the employed youth. "Where does the money go? The AAP, when will come to power, will investigate," he quipped. He said if people care about their children's better education, employment, health, then they should also know which party can get all these things to them free of cost. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was also present during the road show in Kullu. Mann, while addressing the AAP workers said that after Delhi, the process to wipe out corruption has begun in Punjab. "Aam Aadmi Party's government has completed 100 days in Punjab and corruption has also been reduced to a great extent. Kejriwal is working to bring the youth to politics and is strongly opposing the anti-people policies of the BJP and the Congress," Mann said. Ahmedabad, June 25 : On Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adanis 60th birthday, a record 14,000 Adani employees donated blood at various locations across the country. Every year on Chairman's birthday, the Adani Foundation organises a voluntary blood donation drive in line with the Adani Group's philosophy of serving the nation and its people in multiple ways. The Adani Foundation's blood donation drive collected 14,000 blood units, which is almost 5,000 units more than the volume collected last year. Blood donation centres were arranged at 152 locations in 115 cities covering 20 states across India. More than 138 blood banks were engaged in collecting the donated blood. This massive nationwide blood donation drive came just a day after the Adani Family committed Rs 60,000 crore to support a range of social causes. This corpus to be administered by the Adani Foundation will be utilised for charitable activities, especially in the rural regions of the nation. "It is heart-warming to see so many Adani employees come forward to donate blood on the Chairman's birthday," said Priti Adani, Chairperson, Adani Foundation. "The social work the foundation is doing, the commitment of Rs 60,000 crore for healthcare, education and skill development sectors by the Adani family, and the number of employees participating in the blood donation camps are all testimony to the belief and expectations of the younger generation in social causes as well as their support for the nation-building philosophy of the Adani Group. I feel proud and am thankful for the affection our people show towards us," Priti Adani added. For patients facing medical emergencies, blood has no substitute. The collected blood is safely stored and preserved by designated agencies and will be made available to patients for emergency medical transfusions in a wide range of circumstances, including serious injuries, surgical procedures, blood disorders, cancer treatment, and many others. Agartala, June 25 : The results of the by-polls held on June 23 in the four politically-crucial Assembly constituencies in Tripura will be announced on Sunday, officials said. The counting of votes for the by-elections to Agartala, Town Bordowali, Surma, and Jubarajnagar Assembly constituencies in three districts -- West Tripura, North Tripura and Dhalai -- would begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday. The Election Commission has taken several measures including promulgation of the prohibitory orders 144 CrPc within 200 metre radius of the counting centres, and deployment of the central forces in and around the counting venues. Over 78.58 per cent of the 1,89,032-strong electorate cast their votes on Thursday in the by-elections to four Assembly constituencies in Tripura amid some stray incidents of violence. The outcome of the by-election would decide the political fortune of 22 candidates including seven women. The by-election is being termed by the political pundits as "semi-final" before the 60-member Assembly's general elections, which is just eight months away. The focus of the by-elections is mainly on the Town Bordowali Assembly constituency where 69-year-old Congress-turned-BJP leader and Chief Minister Manik Saha is contesting against five other candidates. Saha, BJP's state president and a Rajya Sabha member who assumed office on May 15, a day after Biplab Kumar Deb's resignation from the post of chief minister, is contesting the elections for the first time. To fulfil the constitutional bindings, he has to become a member of the Assembly within six months. The by-polls were necessitated after the resignation of three BJP MLAs including former Minister Sudip Roy Barman following the open revolt against Deb and the death of CPI-M legislator Ramendra Chandra Debnath. New Delhi, June 25 : Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators have received extortion calls from gangsters following which the Delhi Police have lodged an FIR and taken up investigation. The first call was received by Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha on June 20 from an unknown number. "When I informed the caller that I was in the middle of a meeting, I was sent an audio recording of the threat. I have been receiving these audio recordings, phone calls and messages constantly throughout the day since then, demanding protection money," Jha said. The second legislator to receive similar extortion calls is Ambedkar Nagar MLA Ajay Dutt. "I first received this threat on June 22 at around 12:30 pm. Although I did not speak much with the caller, soon after I was sent an audio recording of the threat on WhatsApp. They also sent me a written note in which they demanded Rs 5 lakh by 12 pm the following day," Dutt said. He added that the accused introduced himself as Vicky Cobra. "It is horrifying that someone can send such messages to an elected representatives of the people. We feel the Police are not taking the case seriously, which is unfortunate," he said. Responding to the allegations, Delhi Police spokesperson Suman Nalwa said that based on the complaint of Jha, an FIR was registered on June 21 at the Special Cell police station under the applicable sections of IPC and IT Act. "Today, a similar complaint was received from Ajay Dutt, who allegedly received threats from the same international number, following which another case has been registered," Nalwa said. Nalwa informed that the Special Cell of Delhi Police is investigating the matter and is currently trying to trace the culprits. Meanwhile, AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh trained guns at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the issue. "If he [Amit Shah] dislikes the legislators of AAP so much and if he cannot handle the law and order situation in the national capital, he might as well line up all our MLAs one after another and shoot them," Singh said. Panaji, June 25 : Goa Police on Saturday arrested one Prashant Barna, 26, for allegedly killing his friend Amit Kirketti, aged between 35 to 40 years, both native of Simdega in Jharkhand, an official said. The body, with multiple stabs on stomach, was found inside a pickup truck at Margao in South Goa. Police said there was a brawl between the accused and the victim since late Friday evening. Later, under the influence of alcohol the accused person assaulted the deceased with a sharp weapon. "The incident came to light on Saturday morning. Both of them were staying together in one open shed in the vicinity of Railway Station in Margao. They had brawl over some issue, which resulted into murder," a police officer told IANS. Both were working as labourers at construction sites. Considering the gravity of the offence, multiple teams were formed from South Goa District Police consisting of police inspectors from five police stations. New Delhi, June 25 : Three men in their early twenties were arrested while some minor boys were counselled after they created ruckus in the communally sensitive Jahangirpuri area of the national capital, an official said on Saturday. The three arrested accused were identified as Narender alias Bumrah (24), Mohit (21) and Shankar (22). The incident took place on Friday around 9.00 p.m. "We received a call that some boys are roaming in K block Jahangirpuri and damaging the vehicles," Deputy Commissioner of Police Usha Rangnani said. When the police reached the spot, none was present there, however, on local enquiry it was revealed that some boys (most of them were minor), allegedly drunk, were roaming in K Block, shouting and hurling abuses at each other, and while passing through the lane, they pulled down 2-3 old two wheelers. "No one was injured and no damage was caused to any property. No stone pelting had occurred. There was no communal angle involved," the DCP averred. All the three accused were arrested under the preventive action taken under section 107 and 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code. "The minors were counselled appropriately," Rangnani said. The DCP added that in all law and order situations having communal overtones, especially in the area of Jahangirpuri, strict legal action is taken. Pradeep, a local resident, said that a group of 25 youth came and pelted stones without any reason. "They were hurling abuses, and were carrying sharp edged weapons, they pushed all the vehicles which were parked in the street. We didn't say anything out of fear," he said. Anita, who also lives there, said that the group of 25 youth was pelting stones at the parked vehicles and at homes also. She was horrified and didn't say a word. A.K. Singh, another resident, said that the boys' group was also threatening the residents to keep mum or face dire consequences. Jehangirpuri, located in northwest Delhi, was witness to severe communal clashes that erupted during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in April in which 9 people including 8 policemen were injured. Guwahati, June 25 : Several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers were detained on Saturday during a protest at Raj Bhavan in Guwahati. The AAP workers were protesting against the flood situation in the state outside the Raj Bhavan by covering their mouths with black clothes. According to sources, they had planned to submit a memorandum to Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi regarding the flood situation. The police claimed that the protesters did not had permission to hold the protest and therefore, they were detained. The demonstrators, meanwhile, alleged that the male police personnel had mistreated the female protesters. Kolkata, June 25 : Sujit Adhikari, a man suffering from depression who jumped off the eighth floor of the Institute of Neurosciences in Kolkata on Saturday morning, succumbed to his injuries at around 8 pm here. Earlier on Saturday morning, Adhikari slipped out of the window of the hospital room and sat on the cornice. Desperate attempts by the state fire service personnel and disaster management officials to rescue him failed as finally he jumped off the eighth floor. A profusely bleeding Adhikari was rushed to the emergency division of the hospital where he was operated upon. However, all the efforts proved fruitless. It is learnt that Adhikari's wife died of cancer just a month back and since then he went into depression and resorted to heavy alcohol consumption. All his savings was spent for the treatment of his wife and he even had to borrow money to continue her treatment. Adhikari himself was an epileptic patient. He fell down in the washroom of his house on June 23 following an epileptic attack after which he was admitted to the Institute of Neurosciences. He was supposed to be discharged on Saturday. Meanwhile, there is confusion over the exact time when Adhikari slipped out of the window and climbed on to the cornice. While the hospital authorities put the time at 10 am, some eyewitnesses said that he was first seen on the cornice at 8 am. If the eyewitnesses are correct, the question that arises is why did it take two hours for the fire services personnel to reach the spot. West Bengal Fire Minister Sujit Basu said that a detailed inquiry will be conducted into the matter. Patna, June 25 : A Guwahati-bound SpiceJet aircraft had to abort its take off on Saturday from Patna's Jay Prakash Narayan international airport due to some technical glitches. Bunty Chaudhary, a former MLA of Bihar who was one of the passengers of flight uploaded a video on social media. "The flight was on the runway and about to take-off when the pilots detected the technical glitches and immediately applied the brakes. The flight was immediately escorted to the bay area and the passengers were de-boarded," Chaudhary said in his video statement. Later, another flight was arranged for the passengers and it went to Guwahati. Bunty Chaudhary along with his supporters were on the way to Guwahati to offer prayers to Maa Kamakhya. Earlier on June 19, another SpiceJet flight bound for Delhi made an emergency landing in Patna airport. The left engine of the flight carrying 185 passengers, 4 crew members and 2 pilots was damaged after a bird-hit during take-off. The plane had reached a height of 2,000 feet. The pilot immediately called ATC for the emergency landing. As the smoke was coming from the left wing, the onlookers also informed the local police which further communicated with ATC and the pilot was informed about the fire in the left engine. Pilot Monika Khanna immediately switched off the left engine to control the plane and managed to land it safely. Shimla, June 25 : The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Saturday gave its approval to engage 3,970 para workers on honorarium, six hourly per day, in the Jal Shakti Department for departmental schemes as per the Para Worker Policy. The Cabinet also announced that the state government would ensure jobs for the Agniveers. It gave its consent to fill 389 posts of panchayat secretary in the Panchayati Raj Department through the staff selection board via direct recruitment on contract. The Cabinet gave its approval to create 124 new posts and fill 40 posts of technical assistant in the Panchayati Raj Department through the staff selection board. It also gave approval to fill 124 posts of Gram Rojgar Sewak for the newly-constituted gram panchayats through the selection committee. It granted approval for creating and filling 73 posts of police personnel in the excise department. This would not only safeguard government revenue, but also re-assert government's commitment to combat drug menace in a holistic manner, an official statement said. It also gave approval to amend the Himachal Pradesh Widow Remarriage Rules of 2013 by making a provision of providing grant of Rs 65,000 instead of the existing Rs 50,000 to the couple. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the new multipurpose Padma Bridge on Saturday. This landmark bridge is the longest bridge in the country and it is reported to reduce the travel time significantly between the capital city of Dhaka to the Mongla seaport, which is an important location for regional and international trade. The bridge now connects 21 districts of Bangladesh's Southwest region with Dhaka and the rest of the country. It also promises to decrease travel time from Kolkata to Dhaka. This Padma Bridge's main bridge is 6.15 kilometres long, while the railway viaduct is 0.532 kilometres long. According to an ANI report, this newly constructed bridge stretches to a total distance of 10.642 km including 41 spans that have been attached to 42 pillars. Each pillar has a distance of 150 m between them with a pilling that goes as deep as 128 m. This is also being claimed as the deepest pilling in the world and interestingly, the Padma Bridge of Bangladesh has been ranked 122nd longest in the world. The Bangladesh government stated in the report that the completion of the Padma Bridge is a dream come true for 170 million people in the country. With the construction of the Padma bridge, the Bangladesh government has set an example for other countries in South Asia by constructing the bridge with its own money which will no doubt encourage other countries to come forward in order to develop good regional connectivity by taking on more projects like this," was quoted by a Bangladesh PMO official in the report. Indias High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami praised this infrastructural development calling this bridge a connector of people and culture and not just a route to business. I think it will have an important benefit on poverty alleviation programmes, on economic activity," added Doraiswami. The construction of Padma Bridge began in 2015 and the last span of construction was completed in December of last year. (With inputs from agencies) First Published Date: New Delhi, June 25 : Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday held a meeting with over 200 principals from government schools of the national capital to set the targets and strategy for the new academic session. Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, asked the principals to set minimum benchmarks in their schools regarding infrastructure, cleanliness, and school environment. "In the last seven years, the government has done a lot of work on schools and has set up a great model of education. But now it is the responsibility of the school heads to set their own accountability for their schools and ensure that nothing falls below the minimum benchmark set by the schools," he said, adding that the government will provide all the necessary facilities and funds to the schools. The Deputy CM said that it is the responsibility of the principals to ensure that no student is left behind. Along with the implementation of various academic activities, the principals need to ensure that they set a minimum benchmark of quality of education, cleanliness and maintenance of infrastructure in their schools, Sisodia said. "The aim of the Delhi government is to provide dignified education space to all children coming to Delhi government schools and not paying attention to them will be an injustice to the children who have chosen our schools over others," he said. "Apart from this, the principals must also take the responsibility of maintaining the positive classroom culture. They should encourage teachers and students to turn classrooms into their area of expression and thoughts," Sisodia added. New Delhi, June 25 : Congress leader and senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said on Saturday that the Gujarat police is politicising the Supreme Court judgment which upheld a Special Investigation Teams (SIT) clean chit to then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 63 others in the 2002 post-Godhra riots. Singhvi's remarks came after the Ahmedabad Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) on Saturday arrested retired state DGP R.B. Sreekumar, whose role was questioned by the top court, and Mumbai-based activist Teesta Setalvad, who had backed Zakia Jafri, the petitioner. In a series of tweets, Singhvi said, "Shd never politicise #sc judgements violated by all #Bhakts suggesting sc held tht bjp/#Modi/guj Govt is "tussi great ho"! SC simply upheld #SIT which found no conspiracy & tht violence ws spontaneous reaction. Reading pol jumlas &unconnected clean chits into sc V misleading." "Don't forget many convicted of murder post #Godhra in guj riots. Individual culpability established. #SC only rules out conspiracy or statements by #PM in presence of certain police officers found to be absent. Tht must be respected as apex court order. No more no less," he added. In another tweet, Singhvi said, "Para 88 of #SC clearly 4 police officers who gave false evidence incl their presence not being established; #zakia family incl widow which pursued case relentlessly & orher disgruntled govt officers. Cannot and shd not be expanded to political sphere generally." Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch after registering a case against former DIG Sanjiv Bhatt, former DGP R.B. Sreekumar and human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, arrested Sreekumar from Gandhinagar, Teesta from Mumbai, while Sanjiv Bhatt, who is right now lodged in Palanpur jail, will be brought under transfer warrant. The allegation against Sanjiv Bhatt is that the documents submitted by him before the Nanavati Commission were forged/fabricated/manipulated with an intention to implicate various persons under grave sections of the law. Imphal, June 25 : Two journalists, associated with the local media in Manipur, were suspended on Saturday by the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) after they were arrested on Friday following their alleged links with the militant outfits. A court on Saturday sent the arrested individuals to police remand for seven days. AMWJU General Secretary Khwairakpam Naoba in an order said that the two journalists -- Bijoy Kakchingtabam, 54 and Leimapokpam Shanjitkumar, 41 were suspended for committing activities which lowers the dignity of the profession of journalism in general. A police officer said both were arrested from Bishnupur Bazar when they were trying to recruit cadres for the banned extremists outfit United National Liberation Front from Bishnupur district, and send them to Myanmar for training. Three mobile phones and one car were seized from their possession. Police took the action after receiving inputs from the National Investigation Agency. New Delhi, June 25 : The national capital on Saturday witnessed a significant decline in the number of daily Covid cases as 666 infections were reported against 1,447 recorded on the previous day, a Delhi government health bulletin said. Besides, six Covid-related deaths have also been reported in the last 24 hours in the city. With the detection of new Covid cases, the overall caseload has jumped to 19,29,507 while the death toll has risen to 26,249. The data, however, was available up to 12.59 p.m. of June 24 only. "Data is up to 12.59 hours of 24.06.2022 only due to technical issues with ICMR portal," said the health bulletin. Meanwhile, the Covid positivity rate has reported a rise at 7.80 per cent. The number of active cases stands at 4,717. With 1,450 patients recovering in the last 24 hours, the total number of recoveries has gone to 18,98,541. The number of patients being treated in home isolation has risen to 3,776. The number of Covid containment zones stands at 350. A total of 8,544 new tests -- 4,817 RT-PCR and 3,727 Rapid Antigen -- were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 3,89,75,904 while 27,699 vaccines were administered -- 1,677 first doses, 4,951 second doses, and 21,071 precaution doses. The total number of cumulative beneficiaries vaccinated so far stands at 3,48,15,494, according to the health bulletin. New Delhi, June 26 : Emaar Group CEO Amit Jain, who was detained by immigration authorities at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and handed over to Punjab Police, was later released after brief questioning at the airport. "He was detained on Friday on the basis of a Look Out Circular in an FIR registered with Punjab Police under Sections 420/406/120B of the IPC at PSA City Rupnagar (Punjab). An LOC (no 2022412989) was opened against him on the request of Rupnagar police," a source said. Jain was detained when he arrived in New Delhi from Dubai. The source said that the matter was resolved between Jain and Punjab Police after brief questioning. "We handed him over to Punjab Police; they have taken him along to record his statement. The case is of 2019 and LOC was opened long back," said the source at IGI Airport. Jain was released after brief questioning at the airport, the Emaar Group has said in a statement. The Emaar Group is an Emirati multinational real estate development company located in the UAE. The launch ceremony held in Chinese capital, Beijing, on June 24th, 2022. CGTN America releases CMG to launch new channels in HKSAR to mark 25th anniversary of Hong Kong return The China Media Group (CMG) will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kongs return to China by launching new TV and radio channels in the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR). China Global Television Network (CGTN) will debut its documentary channel on July 1. That same day, Radio The Greater Bay will also air its inaugural broadcast at FM 102.8. Both are CMG networks. CMG President Shen Haixiong joined Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam to commemorate the occasion. Lam said the two channels will help residents of the Greater Bay connect with their fellow citizens on the mainland. Recent statistics show the Greater Bay Area population exceeding 86 million people. The areas combined economic output approached 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars. Shen said CMGs TV and radio channels will help communicate national policies and development strategies, but also enhance regional coverage. Together, the two channels storytelling will help integrate regional and national cultures, while preserving their distinctiveness. Shen said it was essential to shine a light on Hong Kong stories to extol the regions charms as well as traditional Chinese culture. Both officials underscored Chinas commitment to the principle of One Country, Two Systems. Joining Lam and Shen at the CMG launch event in Beijing, were the deputy director of Chinas National Radio and Television Administration, Le Yucheng, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Wang Linggui, Director of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, and deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in the HKSAR, Lu Xinning. Lu said she believes the channels will help mainlanders and Hong Kong residents find common emotional memories. Click here to read more about CMG to launch new channels in HKSAR to mark 25th anniversary of Hong Kong return https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-06-24/CGTN-Documentary-and-Radio-The-Greater-Bay-to-go-live-in-Hong-Kong-1b7Ah9kzom4/index.html (This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. Knight Automotive Group is one of the largest dealers in Canada with 14 locations. This acquisition marks the groups third dealership in southern California. Performance Brokerage Services, North Americas highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of John Elways Claremont Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in California from John Elway Dealership Group to Knight Automotive Group. John Elway Dealership Group is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado and was established in 2004. The group now operates 7 dealerships across California, Colorado, and Utah. In 2017, John Elways Claremont Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram opened with a state-of-the-art 65,000-square-foot facility. The dealership has remained active in the community, with an emphasis on supporting local schools and students. John Elway Dealership Group is currently ranked as the 102nd largest dealership group in the nation by Automotive News for 2022. Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of over 250 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. In 2021, the company consummated 72 transactions, marking a record-breaking year. Jason Stopnitzky, Co-Founder, the exclusive agent for this transaction for Performance Brokerage Services commented, This is our second transaction with the John Elway Dealership Group, recently having sold to them Porsche of Salt Lake City. It is always a pleasure working with such a professional and first-class organization, and we thank them for entrusting our firm with the sale. We recently worked with Kevin Knight and Braeden Mueller of Knight Automotive Group on their acquisition of two Ford dealerships in California and are proud to have assisted with their third transaction in the US. We look forward to working with both groups again in the future and wish them both tremendous success. Knight Automotive Group was founded by Ted Knight over 45 years ago, and is now led by his son and President, Kevin Knight. Knight Automotive Group is one of the largest dealers in Canada with 14 locations. This acquisition marks the groups third dealership in southern California. Braeden Mueller, Vice President of Knight Automotive Group, commented, The Knight Group wants to thank Jason Stopnitzky and his team for their efforts in finding another store that aligned with our objectives. Jason has continued to impress us with his level of market knowledge and professionalism through the entire process. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Performance Brokerage Services. The dealership will remain at its current location at 620 Auto Center Drive in Claremont, California and has been renamed Knight Claremont Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. About Performance Brokerage Services Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. is North Americas highest volume dealership brokerage firm, specializing in buy-sell activity for automotive, RV, commercial truck, powersports, and equipment dealerships. With over 25 years of experience, 700 dealerships sold, and a 90% closing rate, the companys reputation is unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct and integrity. The company offers a unique approach by providing complimentary estimates of value with no upfront fees or retainer, no reimbursement of costs, and paid a success fee only after the transaction closes. Headquartered in Irvine, California, and supported by 7 regional offices in Utah, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, and Canada, clients benefit from national exposure with local representation. As trusted and respected experts in the field, the company utilizes an extensive network of industry related attorneys, accountants, hundreds of registered buyers, and longstanding relationships with various vehicle manufacturers. For more information about the services offered by Performance Brokerage Services, visit https://performancebrokerageservices.com. I am very grateful to Jason and the entire team at Performance Brokerage Services who were a joy to do business with. Performance Brokerage Services, North Americas highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of Volkswagen of Oakland, California from Mike Murphy to Putnam Auto Group. Volkswagen of Oakland is located in the heart of downtown Oakland, California and has been a part of its community since the late 1950s. The dealership has been family owned and operated for the past 26 years by the Murphy family, with Mike Murphy serving as President and his two sons, Chris and Mike Jr., serving as General Manager and Used Car Manager. Mike Murphy is the Founder of the Love From Margot Foundation, which he created in 2012 in memory of his wife, Margot, to help those suffering from cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Following the sale, Murphy commented, I have been an auto dealer in the San Francisco Bay area for 40 years. As I was approaching retirement, I reached out to Jason Stopnitzky of Performance Brokerage Services to handle the sale of my dealership. Having worked with Jason in the past on other transactions, I was always impressed with his professionalism and attention to detail. Jason found me an excellent buyer and the whole process went smoothly. I am very grateful to Jason and the entire team at Performance Brokerage Services who were a joy to do business with. Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of over 250 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. In 2021, the company consummated 72 transactions, marking a record-breaking year. Jason Stopnitzky, the exclusive agent for this transaction and Co-Founder of Performance Brokerage Services commented, I have known Mike Murphy for the past 20 years. It was an honor and a privilege to help him retire from the auto industry after 40 years and represent his family through this legacy transition. I want to congratulate Mike on his well-deserved retirement and wish him luck on his next chapter. Putnam Auto Group has been serving the Bay Area since 1965. Putnam Auto Group established their presence in Northern California when Joe Putnam acquired a Buick dealership in Burlingame, and they are now one of the oldest dealership groups in the Bay Area. The group offers 16 brands across their 13 dealerships in California. The dealership will remain at its current location at 2740 Broadway in Oakland, California. About Performance Brokerage Services Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. is North Americas highest volume dealership brokerage firm, specializing in buy-sell activity for automotive, RV, commercial truck, powersports, and equipment dealerships. With over 25 years of experience, 700 dealerships sold, and a 90% closing rate, the companys reputation is unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct and integrity. The company offers a unique approach by providing complimentary estimates of value with no upfront fees or retainer, no reimbursement of costs, and paid a success fee only after the transaction closes. Headquartered in Irvine, California, and supported by 7 regional offices in Utah, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, and Canada, clients benefit from national exposure with local representation. As trusted and respected experts in the field, the company utilizes an extensive network of industry related attorneys, accountants, hundreds of registered buyers, and longstanding relationships with various vehicle manufacturers. For more information about the services offered by Performance Brokerage Services, visit https://performancebrokerageservices.com. Its exciting to find a company like LSINC that shares our vision for the future of direct-to- object digital printing, said Marabu North America President Bob Keller. Marabu North America and LSINC Corporation are proud to announce an upcoming joint Technology Showcase of their respective digital printing products at LSINC headquarters in Huntsville, AL on June 28, 2022. The companies will feature output on three of LSINCs direct-to-object digital printers, including the contour printing Perivallo360m, their award-winning high speed, four tunnel PeriQ360, and the newly announced PeriOne, the fastest single tunnel cylindrical printer in the industry. The machines will be printing with Marabus industry leading UltraJet DLE-A digital UV inks, which have been custom tuned to provide exceptional quality at the highest print speeds with industry best durability. Alicia Ryan, CEO of LSINC commented, Each of our printers brings something unique to the marketplace, and we are excited to share what makes LSINCs family of digital printers the best option for customers ranging from small print shops to Fortune 500 companies. The use of Marabu inks in LSINCs machines provides a fantastic opportunity to share optimal visual representation of the machines capabilities from a trusted leader in the digital ink space. Its exciting to find a company like LSINC that shares our vision for the future of direct-to- object digital printing. Their level of expertise in equipment design and development is second to none. The introduction of the PeriOne establishes a complete family of printers from entry level through production. The fact that their operations are entirely in the US makes them the perfect partner, said Marabu North America President Bob Keller. LSINC Corporation is a world leader in digital printing technology and cutting-edge innovation. All LSINC printers are built in U.S. facilities, and LSINC has two decades of experience designing and building print technology. LSINC is trusted by Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 clients to bring their ideas to reality. For more information about LSINC, visit http://www.LSINC.com. Marabu North America LP is a subsidiary of Marabu GmbH & Co, a leading global manufacturer of screen, digital and pad printing inks for more than 160 years. Marabu is recognized by customers and the industry for the highest quality products, unparalleled technical service and environmental awareness. The company employs more than 440 people worldwide with its distribution partners exclusively representing Marabu in over 70 countries around the world. In Galligans Bad Day Breaking (Atria, Aug.), Wisconsin sheriff Heidi Kick probes a murder possibly connected to a cult. Where did the character of Sheriff Kick come from? I was in a gas station in rural Wisconsin, and a young woman walked in and bought some Ho-Hos. And she turned into this character that we have here in Wisconsinsomeone who is tough as nails, can drive every kind of vehicle, shoot every kind of gun, rides on the high school rodeo team, drives a tractor, milks cowsand also plays the saxophone, is in the school play and is the valedictorian. That character, Junior, became a minor figure in my fly-fishing series, and people absolutely loved her. How did Junior become Heidi? I started with Junior as a fledgling sheriffs deputy. My agent said hed like a different story. So I decided, what if I took that minor character and made her the sheriff? Suddenly, were seeing a community through a different lens, a female one. Why did you use a prosperity church in the plot? I was like a lot of writers sitting in the middle of the Covid epidemic trying to figure out, okay, do I write about this? I started thinking about trying to write, about not the pandemic itself, but more of the psychic and cultural impacts that I thought it might have, which led me to people losing their livelihoods, losing family members, and becoming vulnerable to exploitation, which led me to a prosperity cult. Prosperity theology is very real, its basically cherry-picking Bible quotes to validate your efforts to become wealthy. Theres a charismatic cult leader taking everybodys money and promising to turn it into great wealth. I was fascinated by that, and I thought of connecting that to the economic loss from the pandemic. Is there something uniquely Wisconsin about the series? Yes. The landscape is very different. Probably your vision of Wisconsin is rolling hills and cornfields and statuesque red barns and that kind of thing. This is a part of Wisconsin thats gorgeous, but not the big rolling farmlands that are easy to farm. And so, in this particular region of Wisconsin, making a living is a lot more of a marginal proposition. Southern Wisconsin farmers are big operations. I mean, theyre millionaires. Theyve got massive amounts of property and huge, huge tractors, and its very corporate. But this is an area where there are still small dairy farms struggling to survive, most of them not surviving. CYBERSPACEBrittany Wilson, brand manager for The Dungeon Store, was recently on episode 106 of "Adult Site Broker Talk" with Bruce Friedman to discuss working in the pleasure products business, the evolution of BDSM toys, violet wands, rope for shibari, puppy play, and the differences between distributing BDSM products and selling at shows. Every week, Friedman interviews movers and shakers of the adult industry and discusses what goes on in adult-related businesses. The Dungeon Store is a curated collection of kinky pleasure products mostly created by BDSM professionals in the United States. Friedman asked Wilson about the differences between the distribution side of The Dungeon Store and the direct-to-consumer side of the business. Said Wilson, "A lot of the stuff we distribute is also available on our website. You just won't find it at events. The biggest thing I can think of is, we have a very robust puppy [role] play line that is available on our website, it just doesn't get picked up for purchases very often there. We wholesale it ... puppy play is very popular ... there are pups across the entire spectrum of LGBTQIA+ and BDSM ... you wear a tail, which can either affix to a belt or be part of a butt plug. You have mitts on your hands that turn into effectively paws, and very often knee pads, and you go into 'pup space.' It's a fun community!" Asked Friedman, "In event photos, we've seen some items that aren't on the site, like insertable violet wand toys, shibari rings for suspension, and those awesome wax play candles. How does someone order those from you online?" Replied Wilson, "I would strongly recommend to anyone who sees something ... they want to order and it's not on the site, just drop me an e-mail, [email protected]. There's always a reason stuff isn't on the site. It has a lot to do with what makes the most sense for some of the small manufacturers we work with ... but I can sell them to you. I'm the same, reputable business. I'm the same person. Whether it's an e-mail order or an event-based sale." This week, Wilson will be with The Dungeon Store at Dark Odyssey's Fusion, a sold-out summer camp for the kinky and sexually adventurous. The Dungeon Store will be offering handmade floggers and paddles, books on BDSM techniques, rope made for bondage lovers, and wax play candles so campers can light up their sex under the stary night. To hear Wilson's whole interview, go here. To learn more about what Friedman has to offer the industry, go to adultsitebroker.com. To check out the curated collection of BDSM gear offered by The Dungeon Store, visit TheDungeonStore.com. Follow The Dungeon Store on Twitter and Instagram @TheDungeonStore. Its been said that behind every successful woman is a group chat hyping her up. In the case of bestselling author and Washington Post pop culture reporter Helena Andrews-Dyer, there are at least five: the Super Cool Moms, the Black Parent Meetup, the Dance Moms, the School Moms, and her old-school friends... who also happen to be moms. There is a lot going on, and Im still missing stuff, Andrews-Dyer says via Zoom from a conference room at WaPo headquarters in Washington, D.C. Theres always something happening and I try to stay on top of everything, but the group chats help. Those group chatsand the real-life meetups theyve led toare the lifeline Andrews-Dyer discusses at length in her new book, The Mamas: What I Learned About Kids, Class and Race from Moms Not Like Me (Crown, Aug.). The motherhood memoir is, essentially, the book she had always wanted. Or, as she put it in a tweet: Id never read a motherhood memoir that captured my parenting experience, so I wrote it. Andrews-Dyer is a California native with a masters from Northwesterns Medill School of Journalism who began her editorial career as an intern at O, the Oprah Magazine in 2002. From there she did stints at the New York Times, Politico and the Root before landing at the Post. Outside of her nine-to-five, shes been writing books. Her first, the 2010 memoir-in-essays Bitch Is the New Black, recounts her time as a Black urban professional on the dating scene and was optioned by Shonda Rhimes for Fox Searchlight Pictures. Her second book is a biography of longtime congresswoman Maxine Waters, 2020s Reclaiming Her Time. Andrews-Dyer describes this book, which she coauthored with writer and playwright R. Eric Thomas, as more of a journalistic endeavor. The Mamas is a mash-up of both efforts: a memoir that relies heavily on reporting and research, and that began with the iPhone notes Andrews-Dyer started taking in 2017 while pregnant with her first daughter, Sally. As soon as I was pregnant, I had a colleague who said you have to join this, you have to join that, and you have to do this, she recalls. I was like, okay, I have to know whats going on here. When its your first child and you know nothing, you want to be immersed in all the information. She continued taking notes and sending them to her agent, Howard Yoon at the Ross Yoon Agency, who encouraged her to keep going. (Andrews-Dyer called this agent-speak for its good, but its not quite there.) She took Yoons advice and kept up her digital note taking. After having her second daughter, Robyn, in 2019, she realized she had even more to say. I like telling stories and telling truths, Andrews-Dyer explains. Because Im a storyteller, I know if Im thinking this and Im going through it, then others are going through it, too. From there, Andrews-Dyer began to tweak the idea for the book. She started doing research for ittalking to experts, scholars, and other Black moms. (Early interviewees included fellow authors Denene Millner and Deesha Philyaw.) Andrews-Dyer says the story got richer and more layered as she learned more about the history and gentrification of her D.C. neighborhood of Bloomingdale. She reflected on her relationship with her own mother and becoming part of the sandwich generationthe approximate 50% of American adults who have parents 65 or older and are simultaneously raising young children. The book began evolving into a story about the complex conversations she was having. What were talking about and going through is different from what other women are going through, she says. Then George Floyd was murdered. Not only did the national reckoning that followed change the kinds of stories people were paying attention toSuddenly, Andrews-Dyer says, everyone was like, Oh wait, these are stories that weve been ignoring but it also irrevocably changed Andrews-Dyers perspective as a parent. As a mother, hearing someone call out for their mama... As a Black woman who is very rooted in her Blackness and loves being Black and wants my girls to love being Black and everything about it... It seemed much more urgent to me to tell this story. Andrews-Dyers editor, Madhulika Sikka, felt, initially, that the book was filling a void. Then she realized it was doing something more important. There are many, many mom books and theyre almost all by white moms, Sikka says. I wanted to have a different perspective and give voice to how other groups feel about mothering and being a mom. Theres a commonality that everyones a mom, but sometimes thats the only commonality. Though Sikka didnt necessarily want the book to feel like a heavy tome, she believed strongly it was shedding light on an important topic. I acquired this book almost two years ago, and during that time weve seen a lot of parent activism, she says. Weve seen whats happening in schools. I really hope it engenders discussion between parents of color, between white parents and nonwhite ones, because we need some honesty. One thing Andrews-Dyer is clear about is what the book is not, namely a field guide for white mothers that explains Black motherhood. It is, of course, her storybut its the story of others, too. In the memoir, Andrews-Dyer recounts how the universal difficulties of being a mother are heightened and complicated by being Black. She reflects on things like the invisible seesaw of code switching between her Black mom friends and white mom friends, and how she feels she has to be twice as good at something we all suck ati.e., parenting. And then, of course, theres the casual racism she confronts, like the time at the playground when a well-meaning white dad assumed she was the mother of a young, brash Black boy who was misbehaving. Andrews-Dyer was also hyperaware about protecting the privacy of friends. She changed the names and identifying details of the people in the book, in an effort to protect the precious privacy of moms who dont need another damn thing to obsess over or worry about. Parenting, Andrews-Dyer says, is something that were all super stressed about: Are we doing it right? Are we getting it wrong? Whos judging us? She is hoping to remove stigmas and stressors. I didnt want anyone to feel like Im judging their parenting or anything like that, she explains. Its that line you have to walk between being a good memoirist, which means you are going to lay things pretty bare, and knowing that everybody in your life didnt ask for that. While everyone could stand to learn a lesson or two from The Mamas, Andrews-Dyer wants Black mothers to feel like the book is for them. And on most levels, it is. I didnt see my motherhood journey necessarily mapped out in any of the motherhood memoirs that were out there, she notes. We dont have a lot about the experiences of Black mothers, Black women, and Black parenting. Its important for us to have those stories reflected. LOreal Thompson Payton is a Baltimore-bred, Chicago-based freelance writer and editor. The correct way, as I understand it, is to open a bookstore, and then you launch a book festival, Alex George laughed. But I did not do that. George founded Columbia, Mo.s Unbound Book Festival in 2015 and followed that up three years later with Skylark Bookshop, housed in a building a few blocks from the University of Missouris flagship campus. The festival and the bookshop remain separate entities, but their symbiotic relationship has only helped both to grow, despite the pandemics disruptions. George can best be described as a jack-of-all-literary-trades. Besides serving as Unbounds executive director, and running Skylark, George has written three novels that became Indie Next picks and remain indie bookseller handselling favorites: A Good American (2012), Setting Free the Kites (2017), and The Paris Hours (2020). An Oxford Universityeducated Brit who has practiced law in London and Paris and still practices in the U.S., George moved from Europe to Missouri almost 20 years ago with his now ex-wife, a native of California, Mo. George said that the idea for the festival was inspired while on tour for A Good American, when he was invited to participate in several book festivals around the U.S., including several in small cities similar in size to Columbia, such as Gaithersburg, Md., where the book festival that city hosts is now in its 12th year. I remember thinking, this is so cool, he said, all these people just congregate together to hear these writers talk. He added: Were a community that loves festivals, and were a community of great readers and writers. We have three universities in town. Everything seemed to align. The inaugural Unbound Book Festival, held on an April weekend in 2016, featured Michael Ondaatje as keynote speaker. Since then, keynote speakers at Unbound have included such literary luminaries as Salman Rushdie (2017), Zadie Smith (2018), and George Saunders (2019). After a two-year interval, the festival returned to a live format April 2124, with readings and panel sessions held inside restaurants, art galleries, coffee shops, hotels, and other venues all over downtown Columbia. This years keynote, Viet Thanh Nguyen, spoke to an audience of 1,200 inside the Missouri Theatre. The enthusiasm the Columbia community showed for Unbound made George think about opening a bookstore. At the time, Columbia had no indie bookstore selling new books. It was while listening to an episode of the Book Riot podcast on the renaissance of indie bookstores in recent years, George said, that he made up his mind and thought, Now is the time. Having never worked in a bookstore, he hired Carrie Koepke, who had for eight years worked at the long-defunct Tigers Tales Bookstore, as manager. After leasing a 2,700-square-foot space in a building on the same block as the used bookstore Yellow Dog, Skylark opened its doors on Aug. 25, 2018. Skylark is a full-service, general bookstore, and carries an extensive selection of adult fiction that includes, of course, Georges own novels. An added bonus to operating Skylark, George acknowledged, is that The Paris Hours has been the stores top seller since its 2020 publication, with 1,000 print copies sold to date. As a published author, George had some familiarity with the publishing pipeline, but becoming a bookseller has deepened his appreciation for all that goes into producing and promoting a book. I have a much deeper understanding of the sheer number of books that are published every year, he said, relating that Skylarks back room is filled with stacks and stacks and stacks of galleys. I have a much greater sense of the infrastructure of the whole thing, everything that is done before the books appear. What this has taught me is how fortunate I have been as an author to have received the support I have received from my publisher and from booksellers. While Skylark, like other indies, had to quickly pivot when the pandemic hit, George is grateful that the store had been open for enough time18 monthsto have built up a customer base, with many Columbians having discovered Skylark through the Unbound Festival, as the bookstore is its official bookseller. Skylark received such staggering support from its customers while it was closed to in-store traffic that George and Koepke ended their workdays for months by driving all over Columbia dropping off books. We also did the whole IndieCommerce thing, George noted, If it had not been for the pandemic, we never would have done that, and thats been amazing. Sales between April 2019, when the last live Unbound before the pandemic was held, and April 2022, when Unbound resumed, were up 31% and remain strong. The pandemic also compelled George and Koepke to think outside the box in terms of virtual programming. While many indies were unsuccessful in monetizing virtual events, that was not the case for Skylark. Store sales relating to virtual events spiked after authors were asked to write a haiku upon being scheduled for a virtual appearance. The verses, which the store called Skyku, were printed on numbered bookmarks that its author signeda bookmark was then inserted into every book sold during that authors virtual appearance. Were not doing them anymore, but we probably should, George said. Skylark also hired a virtual bookseller during the pandemic, Mary Webber OMalley. Her responsibilities include managing social media so that George and Koepke can focus on the bricks-and-mortar store operations. OMalley also hosts a weekly live book talk on the stores social media channels, during which she introduces new releases. There have been silver linings, George said about the pandemic. Mary has been the silver-est of linings. Her wonderful book talks have been incredibly popular on Instagram and on Facebook, to the point that when she visited Columbia in April and was walking around during Unbound, people kept approaching her to ask her, Are you Mary? Were having a lot of fun continuing to think up new ways to promote authors, George said. Bookselling has been the best thing Ive ever done. Earlier this month, a crowd that included Graywolf Press authors, past and current employees, and board members gathered in Minneapolis to honor publisher Fiona McCrae as she prepares to retire after 28 years at the helm of the venerable literary press founded in 1974. McCrae will step down in early July; associate publisher Katie Dublinski will assume the role of interim publisher on July 10 while the board continues its search for McCraes successor. The program included brief remarks by author Charles Baxter, who described McCraes secret weapon as a wry sense of humor accompanied by a laser-like intelligence. Those attributes, Baxter said, have positioned Graywolf to become a North American outpost of great poetry, prize-winning essays, and fiction, socially conscious and alert to contemporary life. For the occasion, Danez Smith revised their poem about everyday heroes, My President, reciting a line that drew applause and cheers: And Fiona is my president, leading the wolves into a new wilderness, her howl made of light, her claws of ruby and gold. But perhaps it was editorial director Ethan Nosowsky who, in an email to PW, best summed up the essential role McCrae played in transforming a press struggling in 1993 with a $200,000 deficit into what Chicago Tribune columnist John Warner last year proclaimed to be pound for pound, the greatest publisher in the world. There are many wonderful publishers who are not terrific managers; there are many terrific managers who are not inspiring publishers, Nosowsky wrote, There are perhaps some inspiring publishers who are also somehow terrific managers but there is no way they are also brilliant fundraisers. Fiona is so good at all of these things. I have always admired the way that she is extremely ambitious for Graywolf and has very high expectations of herself and of her staff, but pushes things forward with a human touch. Those qualities have produced a press that netted $3.5 million in fiscal 2021 and whose authors regularly win the book worlds most prestigious prizes. During an interview at Graywolfs new offices, McCrae maintained that she wasnt the driver, but sat close to the driver for the past 28 years, ascribing much of Graywolfs success to its 18 employees. I give a lot of the credit to the editors and to the marketing team, she said. I also think the gods of publishing have been kind to us. Lady Luck has visited Graywolf a couple of times. McCrae, who began her career at Faber and Faber and spent 12 years there before joining Graywolf, said that her experience at both Fabers London headquarters and Boston offices served her well, as she learned what makes things work and how you build energy and get a community around what you are doing. She also realized during her time there that the model that suited me was multiple editors with differing literary tastes. I think that one thing that distinguishes Graywolf from other small presses, McCrae noted, is the distribution of the editorial function. According to Dublinski, who has worked alongside McCrae for 24 years, McCrae sees eclecticism and variety as strengths, where another publisher might have chosen to establish a niche or to have cultivated a particular aesthetic sensibility. Indeed, McCrae said she revels in the notion that readers never entirely know what to expect from Graywolf: its titles at first glance seem disconnected from one another, with offerings by authors as diverse as Baxter, a 75-year-old retired University of Minnesota professor, and Smith, 33, a queer, Black, and HIV-positive poet and performer. Its top-selling title, with more than 400,000 copies sold in all formats, is Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine. Theres a lot of breadth across our list, but its coherent, McCrae explained. Most of the writers, particularly in the last 10 years, are paying attention to our worldits not the 18th century, its not even World War IIits the 21st century. That has given us a coherence. There is much more to Graywolfs strategizing, however, than simply creating a list that reflects the zeitgeist. As far as McCrae is concerned, publishing books without marketing them is just printing books. Promotion is essential, she insists. From the beginning of McCraes tenure, Graywolf has emphasized its relationships with key trade and consumer media, as well as maintaining a presence at various industry shows and fairs. Successful sales and marketing starts very early, she said. The emergence of social media has also played a role in Graywolfs sustainability, by raising its visibility at about the same time that it published Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson, a 2007 title that became a breakout bestseller and to date has sold over 60,000 copies in all formats; Graywolf reported $1 million in net revenues for the first time that year.For all of the horrors of social media, its helped small presses, McCrae said. I think social media has helped what had been slightly unpopular genres, like the essay and poetry, be discovered. Reflecting upon her legacy, McCrae likens the last 28 years to conducting an interesting experiment, marked by its failures almost as much as its successes. We had bombs, she admitted, We overprinted, we underprinted. We rejected manuscripts that maybe did well elsewhere. We kept people waiting too long, hired the wrong person. But, she added, I was on a journey. The number of different cylinders that we were firing onthats one of the things that I am most proud of. McCrae views the present as an exciting time in publishing, with a very interesting new generation moving up through the ranks, and she issued a challenge to her industry peers: Theres a cultural moment where, if you can, you should step away, she said. Let the next generation come in; thats all to the good. Make a place for somebody with a different profile. An earlier version of this story misidentified where Graywolf Press was founded. The press was founded in Washington state in 1974. Picador's paperback edition of Out Stealing Horses has sold 350,000 copies in addition to the 60,000 copies sold of the original Graywolf edition. Lizzo has announced she and her concert tour producer Live Nation are donating $1 million to Planned Parenthood after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade. ADVERTISEMENT The reversal of the landmark 1973 abortion decision Friday pushes the question of legality back to individual states, many of which are already taking measures to restrict or outlaw the pregnancy-ending medical procedure. "I'm pledging $500k from my upcoming tour to Planned Parenthood and Abortion Rights. Live Nation agreed to match- to make it 1 MILLION dollars," Lizzo tweeted. Live Nation confirmed the plan in a separately tweeted message titled, "We Stand With Women." The post also said the company will cover travel expenses for employees who want/need to have abortions outside of their home states; will bail out employees arrested while protesting peacefully; and will promote voter registration to increase turnout for elections that could impact issues pertaining to abortion. Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Goodbye Girl icon Richard Dreyfuss says the chance to play a Shakespeare-spewing barkeep in the mystery-western, Murder at Yellowstone City, was simply too irresistible to pass up. ADVERTISEMENT "There's always that character in the background. In the film, To Be or Not to Be that Jack Benny made, there's a character who is always saying, 'I always play the third spear carrier.' So, I got to play the third spear carrier," the 74-year-old Oscar winner told UPI with a laugh in a recent Zoom interview. "I had a ball. I had a great time and I worked with people who I'd always wanted to work with, so it was wonderful," he said. "Actors know things and some of those things that they know will change your perception of the people that they play." Directed by Richard Gray and written by Eric Belgau, the film debuts in theaters and pay-per-view video platforms Friday. It is set in 19th century Montana and follows what happens when local prospector Dunnigan (Zach McGowan) strikes gold, promises to help everyone in the struggling town and is promptly shot dead. The bodies pile up as the investigation unfolds, with suspects and motives revealed as not who and what they appear to be. At the center of the story is Cicero (Isaiah Mustafa), a free Black man who arrives in town and is quickly accused of Dunnigan's murder by Sheriff Jim Ambrose (Gabriel Byrne) and his son and deputy, also named Jim (Nat Wolff). Defending Cicero is preacher Thaddeus (Thomas Jane) and his wife Alice (Anna Camp). Aimee Garcia and Emma Kenney co-star. Presiding over the tavern, Dreyfuss' character Edgar is a witness to all the action and it changes him as a man, inspiring him to ultimately stand up for what is right even when it is difficult or dangerous. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! "He is here in this town and he wants to be a founder of this town. He wants to be the guy who built the theater and he should and that's what America was all about - second chances," he said. "He tried to be more courageous and he's not and then he is." The story about how a community's hopes can be dashed by selfish or destructive individuals may resonate with contemporary audiences, Dreyfuss said. "It's not only realistic. It's eerily current. It's exactly what we are going through as a country right now," he emphasized. "We were always so proud of ourselves for being different or eccentric, but when push comes to shove, we spent the last 50 years disappointing ourselves and it's never much fun, so, hopefully, this film and other things will go down the road of creating outrage. If we can do that, it will be worth it." Asked why he thinks westerns are enjoying a resurgence and what people are craving that they satisfy, Dreyfuss answered simply, "Honesty." "I think we all feel refreshed and adult if we let ourselves tell a truthful story and didn't go overboard and didn't say we are the worst people who ever lived, but just tell the truth." The actor said he uses his Dreyfuss Civics Initiative to encourage schools to teach children civics, reason and logic so they can understand how their government works and grow up to be good leaders. "It gives my life meaning," Dreyfuss said. "The America that we thought we were growing up in, we haven't had that for more than 50 years and when you have that long an absence from the thing that defines you and tells the world who you are, you run the danger of never getting it back and that would be a defeat for the human race." Dreyfuss also feels satisfaction knowing that so many of his old movies have stood the test of time. "I said to the British press once that I was proud of my body of work - and they've been in a bad mood since 1935, since they found out about the king - so they immediately dismissed me as a jerk and it's too bad because I am not a jerk," he chuckled. Dreyfuss said he knew at the time he made his most famous pictures, particularly Close Encounters, that he was a part of something special. "When I first heard the story of Close Encounters, I promised myself I was going to play that part no matter what," he said. "I put down every actor in Hollywood. I made fun of them. I made them smaller and I made it impossible for Steven [Spielberg] to hire anyone else but me. That film will outlive us all." Flagstaff residents added their voices to those protesting Friday mornings Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade at a rally outside of City Hall this evening. Rain was starting Friday evening as people gathered outside of city hall. Protestors held homemade signs and chanted phrases like my body, my choice as they lined up on the lawn with cars honking as they passed. Sarah Torosian and Samantha Cannavo stood on a low wall just behind the sidewalk, holding signs and umbrellas. They had changed their plans after this morning, skipping a yoga class to attend the protest instead. Torosian described the decision as very scary. It makes me want to get back on birth control, she said. Cannavo said it felt horrible to hear the news, though it wasnt until she came to the protest that she started feeling emotional. I was already pretty upset, but being here, it feels real now that Im at the protest, she said. Torosian expressed similar feelings. I have been super emotional all day, [but] I think just the reality kind of sunk in, she said. Obviously, we knew this was coming, but Ive been feeling present in my life and then it just seems like everything around us is going backwards. As we are building as a generation, seems like around us is going back. Gina Byars, who was standing with her family under an umbrella, said hearing the news was incredibly sad, just mind boggling. When asked what made her want to come to the protest, she had trouble finding the words to answer. She had an idea of what she wanted from the event, however. Im hoping that we as a community use this opportunity to say that we are a community and we do stand together and we support each other and use it as an opportunity to do more, she said. Some of her friends had increased their contributions to Planned Parenthood, but beyond that, she wasnt sure what doing more might mean. We have to do better for our descendants, she said. Marisol Holder had come with her children because I believe that everybody should have the right to choose whats best for them and their bodies. She had thought the decision would be coming in the next week or two, since it was the end of the Supreme Courts session, but hadnt been expecting it today. To prepare for that possibility, she said shed been talking with her kids, that she wanted them to know there are choices. If they ever need help, Ill make sure they have help and if they have friends that need help, Im here for that too, she said. Me personally, its not an issue for me anymore, but I want to make sure that women still have access to abortions if they want them. Her daughter, Isabelle Holder, said she hadnt been thinking about reproductive rights until recently, but now its a lot. Im just happy that were trying to make a difference, she said. Lauryn Carlson said she had decided to come out to the protest immediately. I knew it was thought, but I didnt think it would actually happen, she said of Roe v. Wade being overturned. She expressed concerns for other rights, such as gay marriage and womens voting rights. It affects everyone, she said. Its not just women and theres more to come after this. This is not it. More overturning, more protests, more violence. Terry White said she had been to several protests and appreciated that the organizers and city had put it together so quickly. While she was also at the protest in response to the decision, she said she came because I think Democrats need to organize because the majority arent being heard. The organized people are the minority and the majority needs to organize so that the people will have their rights, whether it's for reproductive rights or for safety with respect to firearms, she said. Many of the protestors said theyd expected to hear this news because of the draft decision that had leaked in May. They hadnt expected the decision Friday, though. Of course, always hoping that there would be some sort of logic and science brain that would kick in and say, yes, we actually want safety for the women in our lives, Byers said. There was always a hope that something would happen, but when it leaked out, it was like, yeah. I had a feeling that this day would come. There were some concerns about reproductive rights in Flagstaff specifically, though many said they were also worried about people in other states. Marisol Holder said, while its a long drive, Flagstaffs proximity to California meant that there are options. This limits access to certain groups, however. What about the people that would have been farther away or out on the reservation who don't have access to a vehicle or money to go somewhere? she asked. Cannavo said she wasnt worried until she started reading on the subject. Its just so weird because we live in such a liberal community and Flagstaff almost feels like this safe, liberal bubble -- and then you're reading about things outside of the bubble and you're like how the [expletive] is this happening? she said. Im worried for the other states. We have a friend who works at Planned Parenthood in California and now realizing the stress that shes going to go through. For many protestors, the solution, or at least the next step, is voting. I think our generation got a wakeup call about voting after Trump and this needs to be the same thing, Cannavo said. We just need to keep [expletive] voting and staying educated, she said, referring to Millennials and Gen Z. Torosian added that she had friends who hadnt voted, and that there needed to be more awareness about how individual votes can matter. Cannavo used herself as an example, saying that even though she is in her late 20s, her first time voting was in 2020 to vote Trump out of office and to vote Biden in. She said Trump being elected in 2016 made her realize that she needed to vote. She plans to vote in the 2022 mid-terms. White asked that people read the Coconino County voters guide that has recently come out and that they get their friends to vote in addition to voting themselves. Marisol Holder similarly urged people to seriously think about who they need to vote for. At some point, Im hoping to see [abortion] become a right again, a federal law at the federal level. But right now, its a state fight, so we need to fight here in Arizona to make it legal and accessible for people to have abortions, she said. Love 9 Funny 4 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Athens, GA (30605) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 86F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Dear EarthTalk: What are the most recent projections about sea level rise around the world as a result of climate change? And is there any hope of turning back the tide if we rein in emissions as planned under the current iteration of the Paris agreement? -- M. Frey, Milford, CT As temperatures rise around the world, frozen glaciers and sea ice in the poles are melting at unprecedented rates, inundating the worlds oceans with more water. The result has been some sea level rise but watch out as more is still to come. In fact, the global mean sea level, defined as the average height of the entire ocean surface, has risen 8 to 9 inches since 1880. Most of that rise took place in the 150 years. At current rates of emissions, the global mean sea level could rise another 12 inches by 2050. This amount of sea level rise could be catastrophic in low-lying coastal areas around the world. Bangladesh, and island nations like the Maldives and Kiribati are already facing the brunt of rising sea levels as flooding engulfs villages with little government funding to recover from repeated catastrophes. Here in the U.S., Florida will likely be hardest hit by sea level rise, but the Gulf Coast and New York/New Jersey where coastline industrial waste sites could be submerged and expose millions of people to decades worth of stored pollution also face potentially catastrophic flooding. The Gowanus Canal Superfund site in Brooklyn, New York, has already released some of its polluted contents in the latest series of storms. Hawaii and far-flung U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and Guam are also at risk. All U.S. coastal areas will undoubtedly experience some loss of coastal land. Just how much property loss takes place is partly a function of how prepared any given region is for whats inevitably coming. World leaders have only recently resolved to face down sea level rise and climate-change-related threats through concerted action. In particular, the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement, nixed by Donald Trump and then revived by Joe Biden, held international governments accountable to lower emissions, collectively limiting global warming processes to 1.5 Celsius. However, the locked in sea level rises, which will occur regardless of whether or not temperatures rise above 1.5 Celsius, are estimated to be a quarter to a half meter of sea level rise. Yet, action is still necessary to avoid greater sea level rise. We can all do our part by cutting back on our own emissions, especially by flying and driving less. Indeed, our dependence on fossil fuels has gained new poignancy recently with defiant Russia using its clout to threaten the rest of Europe with cutting off gas pipelines. Another to help is to take an active role in countering misinformation and pushing for scientifically driven solutions. Consider signing up for text banking at Greenpeace or spreading the word by distributing the documentary Paris to Pittsburgh, which highlights the importance of the accord, to educate your friends and neighbors. The Paris climate agreement and its promises are more vital than ever. While individual citizen actions may appear small in the face of such insurmountable odds, dont forget that its committed and engaged fighters against climate change who motivate world leaders to act in the first place. EarthTalk is produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states, although the timing of those laws taking effect varies. Some Republican-led states will ban or severely limit abortion immediately, while other restrictions will take effect later. At least one state, Texas, is waiting until after the Supreme Court issues its formal judgment in the case, which is separate from the opinion issued Friday and could take about a month. In anticipation of the decision, several states led by Democrats have taken steps to protect abortion access. The decision also sets up the potential for legal fights between the states over whether providers and those who help women obtain abortions can be sued or prosecuted. Here is an overview of abortion legislation and the expected impact of the courts decision in every state. Steve Helber/AP ___ ALABAMA Political control: Alabama has a Republican-controlled legislature and a Republican governor who want to ban or restrict access to abortions. Background: In 2019, Alabama lawmakers approved what was then the most stringent abortion ban in the country, making it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy with no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. The only exception would be when the womans health was at serious risk. A federal judge issued an injunction, under the precedent of Roe v. Wade, blocking the state from enforcing the law. In 2018, voters agreed to amend the Alabama Constitution to say the state recognizes the rights of unborn children and does not protect the right to an abortion or require the funding of abortion. A 1951 law made it a crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to induce an abortion, unless it is done to preserve the life or health of the mother. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Abortions became almost entirely illegal in Alabama on Friday. A 2019 state abortion ban took effect making it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy, with no exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. All three clinics stopped providing abortions Friday morning under fear of prosecution under the 1951 state law. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson hours later granted Alabama's request to lift an injunction and allow the state to enforce the 2019 abortion ban. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said it is now a felony to provide an abortion in Alabama beyond the one exception allowed in the 2019 law, which is for the sake of the mothers health. Doctors who violate the law could face up to 99 years in prison. Marshall said the state would also move to lift other injunctions that blocked previous abortion restrictions, including a requirement for doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges. Whats next: Some Republican lawmakers have said they would like to see the state replace the 2019 ban with a slightly less stringent bill that would allow exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Proponents said the 2019 ban was deliberately strict in the hopes of sparking a court challenge to Roe. ___ ALASKA Political control: Republicans currently hold a majority of seats in the state Legislature, but the House is controlled by a bipartisan coalition composed largely of Democrats. Fifty-nine of the Legislatures 60 seats are up for election this year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican who believes life begins at conception, is seeking reelection. Background: The Alaska Supreme Court has interpreted the right to privacy in the state constitution as encompassing abortion rights. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court's decision is not expected to immediately affect abortion rights in Alaska, given the existing precedent in the state. Whats next: Voters in the fall will be asked if they want to hold a constitutional convention, a question that comes up every 10 years. Many conservatives who want to overhaul how judges are selected and do away with the interpretation that the constitutions right to privacy clause allows for abortion rights see an opportunity in pushing for a convention. Recent efforts to advance a constitutional amendment through the Legislature have been unsuccessful. ___ ARIZONA Political control: Both legislative chambers are controlled by Republicans, who regularly pass abortion restrictions that for the past eight sessions have been quickly signed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, an abortion opponent. Background: Arizona law allows abortion through about 22 weeks, but the Legislature passed a 15-week abortion ban in March mirroring the Mississippi law that was contested before the U.S. Supreme Court. It will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which it did Saturday. Current restrictions include bans on abortions because of gender and a 2021 law that makes it a felony for a doctor to terminate a pregnancy because the child has a survivable genetic abnormality. Arizona also has a pre-statehood law still on the books that would ban all abortions, although it has not been enforced since Roe was decided. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Ducey has argued in media interviews that the law he signed in late March takes precedence over the total ban that remains on the books. But the law he signed specifically says it does not overrule the total abortion ban in place for more than 100 years. Ducey is term-limited and leaves office in January. Abortion providers across the state stopped all procedures after the court ruled Friday because of concerns that the pre-Roe ban could put doctors, nurses and other providers at risk of prosecution. Whats next: Abortion-rights supporters in Arizona have launched a long-shot bid to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. Rolled out weeks after the draft U.S. Supreme Court decision showing Roe could be overturned was leaked, backers must collect more than 356,000 signatures by July 7 to get the initiative on the November ballot. Voters would then be able to decide. ___ ARKANSAS Political control: Arkansas legislature is controlled by Republicans who have supported dozens of abortion bans and restrictions in recent years. Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson also has supported bans on abortion with some exceptions. Hes term-limited and leaves office in January. Republican nominee Sarah Sanders, press secretary to former President Donald Trump, is widely favored in the November election to succeed him. Background: Arkansas already had a law banning most abortions 20 weeks into a womans pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. The state has several other bans that have been struck down or blocked by courts in recent years, including an outright abortion ban enacted last year that doesnt include rape or incest exceptions. That ban has been blocked by a federal judge, and the state has appealed. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Arkansas has a law it enacted in 2019 that bans nearly all abortions now that Roe is overturned. That ban, along with the outright ban thats been blocked by a federal judge, only allows exceptions to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency. Hutchinson has said he thinks bans should include rape and incest exceptions, but he has not called on the Legislature to add those to either of the bans. Whats next: Hours after Fridays ruling, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge signed certification that Roe had been overturned. That certification allows the states trigger ban to take effect immediately. The only exception in that ban is to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency. The Legislature isnt scheduled to meet until January, but Hutchinson is considering calling a special session to take up tax relief proposals. The Republican governor said Friday he does not plan on asking lawmakers to consider adding rape and incest exceptions to the states ban. ___ CALIFORNIA Political control: Democrats who support access to abortion control all statewide elected offices and have large majorities in the state Legislature. Background: California outlawed abortion in 1850, except when the life of the mother was in danger. The law changed in 1967 to include abortions in the case of rape, incest or if a womans mental health were in danger. In 1969, the California Supreme Court declared the states original abortion law to be unconstitutional but left the 1967 law in place. In 1972, California voters added a right to privacy to the state constitution. Since then, the state Supreme Court has interpreted that right to privacy as a right to access abortion, allow minors to get an abortion without their parents permission and use public funding for abortions in the states Medicaid program. California now requires private health insurance plans to cover abortions and does not allow them to charge things such as co-pays or deductibles for the procedure. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Abortion will remain legal in California prior to the viability of a fetus. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has vowed to make California a sanctuary for women who live in other states where abortion is outlawed or severely restricted. The number of women who travel to the state for abortions is expected to rise significantly. Whats next: The state Legislature is considering 13 bills that would strengthen or expand access to abortion. The bills are based on a report from the Future of Abortion Council, which Newsom formed last year to study reproductive rights in California. They include proposals that would help pay for women from other states to come to California for abortions, ban enforcement of out-of-state civil judgments on California abortion providers and volunteers, and increase the number of people who can offer abortions by authorizing some nurse practitioners to perform the procedure without the supervision of a doctor. Lawmakers also plan to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would explicitly guarantee the right to an abortion and contraceptives. ___ COLORADO Political control: The Democrats who control the Colorado Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: A 1967 state law legalized abortion up to 16 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion has been accessible ever since, despite repeated legislative attempts and ballot initiatives to restrict or abolish the procedure. Colorado voters have consistently rejected such initiatives, the latest in 2020 that would have banned abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy. In 2022, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a law placing the right to abortion in state statute. The law guarantees access to reproductive care before and after pregnancy and bans local governments from imposing their own restrictions. It also declares that fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses have no independent rights. Abortion rights advocates plan a 2024 ballot initiative to add abortion rights to the state constitution and repeal a 1980s constitutional amendment that bans public funding for abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The decision wont have any immediate impact on Colorado law -- but providers are preparing for a surge of out-of-state patients. Democratic House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar says lawmakers must consider how to invest in a health care workforce to ensure Colorado has the capacity to meet that anticipated demand. Colorados health department reports there were 11,580 abortions in the state in 2021; of those 14% were for non-residents. More than 900 of those non-residents were from Texas, Wyoming and Nebraska. Whats next: Its impossible to predict how many more patients from states surrounding Colorado will potentially seek care now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. But the Texas law could induce more people to come. Oklahoma now has an early pregnancy abortion ban; Utah and Wyoming have trigger laws banning abortion now Roe is overturned; the Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights, but Republican lawmakers placed on an August primary ballot an initiative to overturn it. ___ CONNECTICUT Political control: Democrats who control the Connecticut General Assembly support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: Connecticut passed a law in 1990 giving women the legal right to abortion. Having passed with strong bipartisan support, it was lauded at the time for being a rare compromise between abortion rights advocates and opponents. It affirmed a womans unqualified right to an abortion prior to viability of the fetus, as well as later-term abortions necessary to preserve the life and health of the pregnant woman. It also repealed state laws predating Roe v. Wade that had made it a felony to have an abortion or to perform one and required that patients under 16 receive counseling about their options. This year, Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation to protect medical providers and patients from out-of-state legal actions. The same law allows advanced practice registered nurses, nurse-midwives or physician assistants to perform aspiration abortions in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, has vowed to challenge any attempt to nullify Connecticuts abortion rights law. Lets not mince words. They will come for us, Tong warned abortion rights supporters during a recent news conference. We will fight that effort tooth-and-nail. Any court, any place, Connecticut will be there and will fight. The state is already involved in major abortion cases across the country. And while Connecticut is surrounded by mostly pro-abortion states, its still bracing for out-of-state patients seeking abortions now that Roe has been overturned. Whats next: Connecticuts new law protecting abortion providers from other states bans takes effect on July 1. It creates a legal cause of action for providers and others sued in another state, enabling them to recover certain legal costs. It also limits the governors discretion to extradite someone accused of performing an abortion, as well as participation by Connecticut courts and agencies in those lawsuits. Theres discussion of possibly amending the states constitution to enshrine the right to abortion, making it more difficult to overturn, but that would be a multi-year process. ___ DELAWARE Political control: Democrats control the governors office and both chambers of the legislature in Delaware and have taken several steps to ensure access to abortion. Background: In 2017, Delaware became the first state following the election of President Donald Trump to codify the right to an abortion. A bill signed by Gov. John Carney, a Catholic, guarantees the unfettered right to an abortion before a fetus is deemed viable. The law defines viability as the point in a pregnancy when, in a physicians good faith medical judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the fetus can survive outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures. The law also allows abortion after fetal viability if, in a doctors good faith medical judgment, abortion is necessary for the protection of the womans life or health, or if there is a reasonable likelihood that the fetus cannot survive without extraordinary medical measures. The law eliminated existing code restrictions on abortions, much of which had already been declared unenforceable by Delawares attorney general in 1973 following the Supreme Court rulings in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. In April of this year, Carney signed a bill allowing physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to prescribe abortion-inducing medications including mifepristone and misoprostol. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: In Delaware, the privacy protections of Roe v. Wade are codified in state law, guaranteeing residents have access to legal abortion services even if Roe were to be undone at the federal level, Democratic lawmakers noted earlier this month in unveiling legislation further broadening access to abortions. The bill, which is likely to pass before the end of June, allows physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners and nurse midwifes to perform abortions before viability. It also includes various legal protections for abortion providers and patients, including out-of-state residents receiving abortions in Delaware. Those provisions include protections from civil actions in other states relating to the termination of a pregnancy, and protecting individuals from extradition to other states for criminal charges related to terminating a pregnancy. Whats next: According to state health officials, 2,042 abortions were performed in Delaware in 2019, with 1,765 involving Delaware residents and 277 involving nonresidents. Delaware is not likely to see a huge influx of women traveling from out of state to get abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned, given that neighboring Maryland and New Jersey also have liberal abortion-access laws. In neighboring Pennsylvania, where Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature, future abortion access could hinge on the outcome of this years gubernatorial contest. ___ DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Political control: The local government in the nations capital is completely controlled by Democrats, with a Democratic mayor and the D.C. Council split between Democrats and nominal independent politicians, who are all, invariably, Democrats. Background: Abortion is legal in the District of Columbia at all stages of pregnancy, a status that was upheld in the 1971 Supreme Court case United States v. Vuitch. However, the U.S. Congress has oversight power over D.C. laws and Congress has already banned the city from using local funds to pay for abortions for women on Medicaid. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Elected officials in Washington, D.C., fear Congress could move to restrict abortion access, particularly if Republicans recapture the House of Representatives in midterm elections later this year. President Joe Biden could theoretically veto such a move, but that protection is subject to political calculations and is not guaranteed. Whats next: Local officials have pledged defiance against any sort of Congressional move to restrict local abortion access. The D.C. Council is considering legislation that would declare Washington, D.C., a sanctuary city for those coming from states where abortion is banned. According to federal data, most of the women getting abortions in Washington already are coming from out of state. Those numbers could increase, particularly if new Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin moves to restrict abortion access in neighboring Virginia. ___ FLORIDA Political control: Republicans control both chambers of the Florida Legislature and this year passed a ban on abortions after 15 weeks, which was signed into law by the states Republican governor. Background: Abortion was legal in Florida until the 24th week of pregnancy, though lawmakers have been tightening access in recent years with bills requiring a one-day waiting period and requiring parents of a pregnant minor to be notified before an abortion can be provided. This year, in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, the Legislature passed a ban on abortions after the 15th week, except to save the mothers life, prevent serious injury or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. It does not allow for exemptions in cases where pregnancies were caused by rape or incest. Gov. Ron DeSantis called the legislation the most significant protections for life that have been enacted in this state in a generation. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The decision places Floridas 15-week ban on firm legal ground, at least under federal law. However, the legislation is already being challenged in state court on arguments that it violates a guarantee of the right to privacy under the state constitution. Whats next: Floridas 15-week ban goes into effect on July 1, but challenges to that legislation are pending. Though only about 2% of Floridas abortions take place after 15th week, abortion rights advocates have expressed concern over declining access to the procedure not only for Floridians but for residents from nearby Southern states where restrictions have historically been stricter than in Florida. ___ GEORGIA Political control: Georgia has a Republican legislature and governor who support abortion restrictions, but all are up for election this November. Republicans are likely to retain legislative control, but theres a possibility a Democrat could become governor. Background: Georgia lawmakers in 2019 passed a law by one vote that would ban most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, when fetal cardiac activity can be detected. The measure is unlike other so-called heartbeat bills in that it also contains language designating a fetus as a person for certain state-law purposes such as income tax deductions and child support. A federal judge quickly put the law on hold, saying it was unconstitutional, and the state appealed to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The 11th Circuit said it would wait to rule on the appeal pending a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Mississippi case. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The day the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Georgias attorney general asked the 11th Circuit to reverse the lower courts ruling and allow the states abortion law to take effect. That same day, the 11th Circuit directed the parties to file briefs within three weeks addressing what effect, if any, the Supreme Court decision has on the Georgia appeal. If the law takes effect, it would ban the large majority of abortions that currently take place in Georgia about 87%, according to providers. The change could happen in the middle of tightly contested races in Georgia for governor and U.S. Senate. Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and challenger for governor Stacey Abrams say they want to secure abortion rights. Republican Senate challenger Herschel Walker and incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp support restrictions. Whats next: Some Republican lawmakers and candidates want Georgia to go further and ban abortion entirely, but Kemp is unlikely to call a special session before this Novembers general election. Lawmakers are likely to consider further action when they return for their annual session in January. The Legislature or courts will have to sort out whether the provisions designating a fetus as a person are workable. ___ HAWAII Political control: Hawaiis governor is a Democrat and Democrats control more than 90% of the seats in the state House and Senate. Background: Hawaii legalized abortion in 1970, when it became the first state in the nation to allow the procedure at a womans request. The state allows abortion until a fetus would be viable outside the womb. After that, its legal if a patients life or health is in danger. For many years, only licensed physicians could perform the procedure. Last year, the state enacted a law allowing advanced practice care nurses to carry out in-clinic abortions during the first trimester. This helps women on more rural islands who have been flying to Honolulu to obtain abortions because of doctor shortages in their communities. The law allows the nurses to prescribe medication to end a pregnancy and to perform aspiration abortion, a type of minor surgery during which a vacuum is used to empty a womans uterus. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Existing Hawaii law allows abortions, but Gary Yamashiroya, a spokesperson for the state attorney generals office, has said the attorney general was carefully considering measures Hawaii might take to protect and strengthen reproductive rights if Roe ended. No matter the outcome, our state remains committed to reproductive freedom and choice, he said. Whats next: Political support for abortion rights is strong. Anti-abortion bills are rarely heard at the state Legislature. When they have been, they havent made it out of committee. Gov. David Ige issued a statement supporting abortion rights when the Supreme Courts draft opinion overturning Roe leaked. No matter what the Supreme Court decides, I will fight to ensure a womans right to choose in the State of Hawaii, he said. The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women earlier this month said 72% of the state Senate and 53% of state House members signed a pledge supporting abortion rights. ___ IDAHO Political control: Republicans hold super-majorities in the House and Senate and oppose access to abortion, as does the states Republican governor. Background: Following the U.S. Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, Idaho passed a law generally allowing abortions in the first and second trimester up to viability at about 23 to 24 weeks. The law allows abortions after viability only to protect the mothers life or in cases of nonviable fetuses. This year, lawmakers passed a Texas-style ban prohibiting abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and authorizing family members to sue medical providers for performing an abortion. That law is on hold following a challenge by Planned Parenthood. The Idaho Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in August. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: It triggers a 2020 Idaho law banning all abortions except in cases of reported rape or incest, or to protect the mothers life, to take effect in 30 days. Under the law, the person performing the abortion could face a felony prosecution punishable by up to five years in prison. In cases of rape or incest, the law requires pregnant women to file a police report and provide a copy of the report to the provider prior to an abortion. If the Idaho Supreme Court upholds the states Texas-style abortion ban and Roe v. Wade is tossed aside, a medical provider who performs an abortion in Idaho could face a lawsuit and criminal charges. Whats Next: Pregnant women seeking abortions will have to travel out of state; the nearest abortion providers would be in Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado. Planned Parenthood is renting space in the town of Ontario on the Idaho-Oregon border and says its preparing for an influx of patients seeking abortions. Some Republican lawmakers in Idaho might propose new legislation in January to outlaw abortion pills and emergency contraception. ___ ILLINOIS Political control: Illinois is overwhelmingly Democratic with laws providing greater access to abortion than most states. Democrats hold veto-proof supermajorities in the House and Senate, and the Democratic first-term governor seeking reelection this year, J.B. Pritzker, has promoted peaceful street protests to protect the constitutional right to an abortion. Background: Abortion is legal in Illinois and can only be restricted after the point of viability, when a fetus is considered able to survive outside the womb. Medical science determines viability at 24 to 26 weeks, but the Illinois law does not specify a timeframe, saying a medical professional can determine viability in each case. Abortions are also allowed after viability to protect the patients life or health. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: It won't change access to abortion in Illinois. After the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the Illinois Abortion Act of 1975 legalized abortion but enacted a trigger law that would reinstate the ban if Roe were overturned. That trigger law was repealed in 2017 in legislation that also required Medicaid and state employees group health insurance to cover abortions. The 2019 Reproductive Health Act replaced the 1975 law, large parts of which were never enforced because they were found to be unconstitutional. Whats next: Like other states providing access to abortions, Illinois has seen a steady influx of patients crossing the state line for abortions in recent months and those numbers are expected to increase. Planned Parenthood of Illinois says it expects to handle an additional 20,000 to 30,000 patients in Illinois in the first year following the reversal of Roe. ___ INDIANA Political control: Indiana has a Republican-dominated Legislature and a Republican governor in favor of restricting abortion access. Background: Abortion in Indiana is legal up to about 20 weeks, with some provisions for medical emergencies. Before an abortion, patients must undergo an 18-hour waiting period. Medical providers must tell patients about the risks involved in abortion and must say the fetus can feel pain around 20 weeks, which is disputed. Providers must report complications related to abortion; failure to report can result in a misdemeanor, 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Federal courts have blocked several restrictions in Indiana, including an attempt to ban a common second-trimester abortion procedure and a law that would have required doctors to tell pregnant women about a disputed treatment to potentially stop a drug-induced abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: No immediate changes are expected, but legislators unwilling to wait until the 2023 session could ask Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to call a special session this summer to start modifying the states abortion laws. Whats next: Republican legislative leaders said Friday they expected lawmakers to act on tightening Indianas abortion laws during a special legislative session starting July 6, but gave no details about what restrictions would be considered. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb earlier this week called the Legislature into a special session to take up a tax refund proposal, but state law allows legislators to consider any subject. ___ IOWA Political control: Iowas legislature is controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access and a Republican governor who agrees and is up for reelection this year. Background: Iowa allows most abortions until the 20th week of pregnancy, when theyre banned except to save a patients life or prevent a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. In 2018, the state Supreme Court declared access to abortion a fundamental right under the state constitution, granting stronger protections to abortion rights than the U.S. Constitution. The states high court, now with a conservative majority, overturned that decision June 17, thus allowing a state law requiring a 24-hour waiting period to go into effect immediately. That requirement is being challenged in district court. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing is expected to change immediately in Iowa. The GOP-controlled Legislature has been working to get an amendment on the ballot in 2024 that would declare the state constitution does not grant a right to abortion but, with Roe overturned, Iowa lawmakers can ban abortion without completing that lengthy process. Whats next: Now that the Iowa Supreme Court has struck down its 2018 ruling, the state Legislature can convene a special session this summer and pass abortion restrictions. Republicans could still move to get the constitutional amendment on a public ballot in 2024. ___ KANSAS Political control: Kansas has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions but a Democratic governor who supports access and is up for re-election this year. Background: Under current law, Kansas does not ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy, when theyre allowed only to save a patients life or to prevent a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. The state Supreme Court in 2019 declared that access to abortion is a fundamental right under the state constitution, granting stronger protections to abortion rights than the U.S. Constitution does currently. State law, however, doesnt allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Kansas. The state Supreme Court blocked enforcement of a 2015 legislative ban on a common second-trimester procedure, and abortion opponents fear a host of other rules could fall to legal challenges in the near future. The GOP-controlled Legislature responded by putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot during the Aug. 2 primary, when turnout is expected to be much lower than in a general election and will likely see a higher proportion of Republicans voting. The amendment would declare that the state constitution does not grant a right to abortion. It would allow lawmakers to restrict abortion as much as the federal courts will allow . Whats next: If voters approve the amendment, the Legislature would still have to approve the new restrictions, and lawmakers are out of session until January 2023. They can call themselves in to special session with two-thirds majorities, but theyre likely to wait until after voters decide in the November general election whether to give Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly a second term. ___ KENTUCKY Political control: Republicans have a supermajority in the Kentucky Legislature and have been restricting abortion rights since the 2016 election over the vetoes of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who supports abortion rights and will seek a second term in 2023. Background: Kentucky bans abortions after 20 weeks, but all abortion services were temporarily halted in April after the legislature imposed new restrictions and reporting requirements on the states two abortion clinics. The clinics, both in Louisville, said they suspended abortions because state officials hadnt written guidelines on how to comply with the new law. Noncompliance could result in stiff fines, felony penalties and revocation of physician and facility licenses. Abortions resumed after a federal judge temporarily blocked key parts of the law, including a provision banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Abortion services in Kentucky immediately became illegal under a trigger law enacted in 2019. The measure contains a narrow exception allowing abortion to prevent the death or permanent injury of a pregnant woman. Kentuckians will be able to vote this November on a proposed amendment declaring there is no right to an abortion in the state constitution. Whats next: Abortion-rights activists say the suspension of abortion services in April foreshadowed what would happen in Kentucky and other Republican-leaning states if Roe v. Wade was overturned. It likely ends several legal challenges pending against other Kentucky abortion laws including a 2018 measure that abortion-rights supporters say would effectively ban a standard abortion method in the second trimester of pregnancy. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in March that Kentuckys Republican attorney general, Daniel Cameron, can defend the measure that was struck down by lower courts. ___ LOUISIANA Political control: Louisianas legislature is controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access. Its Democratic and Catholic governor also opposes abortions, though he supports exceptions for victims of rape or incest. Background: Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2020 stating that a right to abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution. Of the about 2 million people who voted, 62% approved the amendment. Abortion had been legal in Louisiana through the 19th week of pregnancy. After that, it was legal only if the fetus would die anyway or if continuing the pregnancy would threaten the mothers life or health. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Louisiana has a trigger law that immediately outlaws abortions. There is no exception for rape or incest. The only exception is if there is substantial risk of death or impairment to the woman. Earlier this week, Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, signed a bill updating various aspects of the law and subjecting abortion providers to up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $100,000. Edwards office said the bill allows the use of emergency contraception for victims of rape and incest prior to when a pregnancy can be clinically diagnosed." Edwards signed another bill that would require the doctor to certify that a drug used for abortion was being prescribed for another medical reason. The bill makes it illegal to deliver abortion medication to a state resident by mail-order, courier, or as a result of a sale made via the internet. Whats next: Louisianas three abortion clinics in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport were no longer providing abortions to patients as of Friday and instead are recommending pregnant patients seeking the procedure to go to states where it remains legal. ___ MAINE Political control: Both chambers of the Maine Legislature, which has adjourned, are controlled by Democrats. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has vowed to protect the right to an abortion, saying she will fight with everything I have to protect reproductive rights. Background: A Republican governor in 1993 signed a Maine law affirming the right to abortion before a fetus is viable. After that, abortion is only allowed if the life or health of the mother is at risk, or if the pregnancy is no longer viable. In 2019, lawmakers eliminated a physician-only rule and Mills signed it into law, allowing nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other medical professionals to perform abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change in Maine. Any attempt to restrict abortions when lawmakers reconvene next year would face fierce pushback. Abortion providers, meanwhile, said there could be an influx of patients seeking abortions from states that outlaw the procedure. Whats next: Any major changes are unlikely unless former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, unseats Mills and Republicans take control of both chambers of the Legislature in November. LePage, a Catholic who opposes abortion rights, has said its up to lawmakers to address the abortion issue as they see fit. ___ MARYLAND Political control: Marylands legislature is controlled by Democrats who expanded abortion access this year by ending a restriction that only physicians can provide them and requiring most insurance plans to cover abortion care without cost. The legislature overrode Republican Gov. Larry Hogans veto of the bill in April. Background: The right to abortion is protected in Maryland law. The state approved legislation in 1991 to protect abortion rights if the Supreme Court should ever restrict access. Voters approved the right in 1992 with 62% of the vote. Maryland law prohibits restrictions on abortion prior to viability. Maryland does not have a gestational limit. After viability, clinicians make the determination, based on clinical standard of care. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Maryland law. Whats next: Marylands new law that will enable nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants to provide abortions with training is set to take effect July 1. However, $3.5 million in state funding to provide training isnt mandated until fiscal year 2024. Hogan, who is term limited, has indicated he will not approve the money sooner. Some nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants already have received training on medication abortion and will be able to provide those services starting next month. ___ MASSACHUSETTS Political control: The Democrats who control the Massachusetts Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Republican governor, although they differ on specific policies. Background: Massachusetts once had a contentious relationship with abortion in part due to the powerful influence of the Catholic Church, which opposes abortion. In recent years, that influence has waned and Massachusetts has become a strong supporter of abortion rights. In 2018, in anticipation of the conservative tilt on the U.S. Supreme Court, the state removed an 1845 abortion ban from its books that was not enforced. Two years later, Democratic state lawmakers clashed with Republican Gov. Charlie Baker who says he supports abortion rights over an effort to codify abortion rights into state law, allow abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases where the child would not survive after birth, and lower from 18 to 16 the age at which women could seek an abortion without consent from a parent or guardian. Lawmakers passed the bill dubbed the Roe Act over Bakers veto. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Baker has vowed to fight to keep abortion legal in Massachusetts, but it is his last year in office. Both Democratic candidates for governor state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz and Attorney General Maura Healey support abortion rights. Republican candidate Geoff Diehl said he believes in the need to protect human life wherever and whenever possible. Fellow GOP candidate Chris Doughty said he would not seek any changes to our states abortion laws. Whats next: There is little chance Massachusetts will restrict abortion rights. Baker signed an executive order Friday barring state agencies from assisting another states investigation into people or businesses for receiving or delivering reproductive health services that are legal in Massachusetts. The state also wont cooperate with extradition requests from states pursuing criminal charges against such individuals. As of 2017, there were 47 facilities providing abortion in Massachusetts, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. With Roe v. Wade overturned, its unclear how many people will travel there from states that ban or restrict abortion. ___ MICHIGAN Political control: Both chambers of Michigans legislature are controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access, but the states Democratic governor supports access. Background: A dormant 1931 law bans nearly all abortions in Michigan but it hasnt been enforced since Roe v. Wade. The law made it a felony to use an instrument or administer any substance with the intent to abort a fetus unless necessary to preserve the womans life. It has no exceptions in cases of rape and incest. Anticipating that Roe could be overturned, Planned Parenthood of Michigan filed a lawsuit challenging Michigans ban. A state judge suspended the law in May, saying it violates the states constitution. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel, both Democrats, hailed the decision. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The injunction granted in the Planned Parenthood case ensures that abortion does not immediately become illegal. Planned Parenthood of Michigan and other supporters hope the injunction indicates abortion rights in the state will be preserved. But in a statement to The Associated Press, Nessels office said given the ongoing lawsuits, we cannot speculate what the state of abortion rights will be in Michigan after Roe. Whats next: Whitmer also filed suit asking the states Supreme Court to declare the 91-year-old law unconstitutional. It has not acted yet. Michigan abortion rights supporters hope to put the issue on ballots this fall. Their proposed constitutional amendment would affirm the right to make pregnancy-related decisions without interference, including about abortion and other reproductive services such as birth control. The Reproductive Freedom for All committee needs to collect about 425,000 valid voter signatures by July 11 to make the November ballot. The measure would become law if voters approved it. The issue also is expected to shape statewide elections Whitmer and Nessel are both up for reelection in the fall and legislative races. ___ MINNESOTA Political control: The Minnesota Legislature is divided; Anti-abortion Republicans control the Senate and Democrats have the House, but the majorities are slim in both chambers, so control will be up for grabs in the November elections. Most legislative Democrats support abortion rights. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has said no abortion ban will ever become law while hes governor. But he faces a challenge this year from Republican Scott Jensen, who opposes abortion rights. Background: Abortion is legal in Minnesota up to the point of fetal viability, around the 24th week of pregnancy. The state has some restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period with state-mandated counseling, both parents generally must be notified prior to a minor getting an abortion, and only physicians can perform abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Minnesota because the state Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that the state constitution protects abortion rights. If Republicans take control of both chambers, they could put a constitutional amendment on the ballot as soon as 2024 to reverse that ruling, but its not clear yet if they would take that path. Minnesota governors cant block constitutional amendments with vetoes. But amendments are hard to enact because they require the backing of most of the citizens voting in that election, not just those voting on the amendment. Leaving the ballot blank counts as a no. Whats next: Providers are preparing for a surge in women coming from other states to get abortions. Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said before the ruling that her organization was fortifying its delivery systems, including telemedicine. Dr. Sarah Traxler, the groups medical director, has said demand in Minnesota is expected to rise by up to 25%. ___ MISSISSIPPI Political control: Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and leaders of the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature have been working for years to chip away at abortion access. Background: Mississippi already had a law banning most abortions at 20 weeks, although the states lone abortion clinic offered the procedure only through 16 weeks. The state tried to enact a law in 2018 to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. That law is the basis for the case that the Supreme Court has now used to overturn Roe v. Wade. A federal district judge blocked Mississippis 15-week law from taking effect in 2018, and an appeals court agreed. The Supreme Court agreed to take the case in 2021. Justices heard arguments in December, with the Mississippi attorney generals office saying the court should overturn Roe v. Wade. Mississippi has one abortion clinic, and it stops offering abortions at 16 weeks. Reeves was lieutenant governor in 2018, when Mississippi tried to enact the 15-week ban, and in 2019, when the state tried to enact a six-week ban. Mississippi law does not allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Mississippis only abortion clinic, Jackson Womens Health Organization, is expected to close by early July unless a judge blocks a trigger law. The clinic filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the 2007 law that bans most abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned. That law is set to take effect July 7. Abortions still would be allowed if the womans life is endangered by the pregnancy or if the pregnancy was caused by a rape that was reported to law enforcement. Any person who knowingly performs or attempts to induce an abortion, except the pregnant woman, could be punished by up to 10 years in prison. Whats next: Mississippis 2007 law says the state attorney general must publish a notice in a state administrative bulletin after the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Mississippis ban on most abortions will take effect 10 days after that publication. ___ MISSOURI Political control: Both GOP Gov. Mike Parson and the Republican-led Legislature support laws against abortion. Background: Missouri law previously allowed abortions up until 22 weeks of pregnancy. But a 2019 state law banned abortions except in cases of medical emergency, contingent upon the U.S. Supreme Court overturning its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Under that Missouri law, performing an illegal abortion is a felony punishable by 5 to 15 years in prison, though women receiving abortions cannot be prosecuted. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The 2019 law contained a provision making it effective upon notification by the attorney general, governor or Legislature that the U.S. Supreme Court had overruled Roe v. Wade. Moments after Fridays Supreme Court decision, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Gov. Mike Parson filed the necessary paperwork for Missouris law to kick in. State statutes were subsequently updated online Friday saying the abortion-ban law had taken effect. Whats next: Some Missouri residents wanting abortions are likely to travel to neighboring states, including Illinois and Kansas. A new Illinois logistics center near St. Louis helps women from out of state find travel, lodging and childcare if they need help getting to the area for an abortion, and it connects them with funding sources. The Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 declared that access to abortion is a fundamental right under the state constitution. Even without the ban in Missouri, the number of Missouri patients seeking abortions in Kansas has gone up in recent years, increasing about 8% from 2020 to 2021. ___ MONTANA Political control: The Republicans who control the Montana Legislature and Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte want to limit access to abortion. Background: Abortion used to be legal in Montana up until viability, or about 24 weeks of pregnancy, but the state Legislature passed a bill in 2021 to reduce that to 20 weeks, arguing that is when the fetus can feel pain. That law, along with one that requires chemical abortions to be done with in-person medical supervision, are being challenged in court. A state judge temporarily blocked enforcement in October 2021 while the challenges move through the courts. The state has asked the Montana Supreme Court to vacate that injunction and overturn a 1999 Montana Supreme Court opinion that found the states constitutional right to privacy guarantees a womans access to abortion care. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The effect is unclear because of the unresolved legal challenges to the 2021 state legislation. Montana does not have an abortion ban that was triggered when Roe v. Wade was overturned, but the Legislature could seek to further restrict access in the next session. Whats next: The Montana Supreme Court will issue a decision on the preliminary injunction. The Montana Legislature also passed a referendum to ask voters this November whether they support a state law to require abortion providers to give lifesaving treatment to a fetus that is born alive after a botched abortion. Opponents argue federal law already offers those protections. ___ NEBRASKA Political control: Nebraska has an officially nonpartisan legislature with a Republican majority, but not a super-majority that would let the party unilaterally pass an abortion ban. Democrats appear to have enough votes to block such a bill, but just one defector could swing the vote. Nebraskas Republican governor vehemently opposes abortion. Background: Nebraska allows most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy, although a few small towns have voted to outlaw the procedure within their borders. The state requires doctors to be physically present when patients take the first of two drugs that are used in medication abortions. Lawmakers have rejected attempts to allow abortion medications to be administered remotely, which would provide easier abortion access in rural areas. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: A ruling that lets states set their own abortion laws will trigger an immediate push by Nebraska conservatives to ban the procedure, but its not clear whether they could do it this year. Unlike other conservative states, Nebraska doesnt have a trigger law that automatically outlaws abortion. Gov. Pete Ricketts and other top Republicans have said theyll seek a special legislative session, but its not clear whether they have enough votes to pass anything. Whats next: If Ricketts calls a special session, attention will likely shift to state Sen. Justin Wayne, an Omaha Democrat who has declined to specify where he stands on abortion. Wayne was notably absent from a vote on the issue this year; his support would give Republicans the super-majority they need to enact a ban. He has struck deals with senators from both parties in the past. If a proposed abortion ban fails during a special session or if no special session is called, the issue will likely become a factor in the November election. ___ NEVADA Political control: Nevadas governor and state attorney general are Democrats who are up for reelection this year. Democrats control the state Senate and Assembly. Background: Nevada voters enshrined the right to abortion in the state constitution in 1990. The law says a pregnancy can be terminated during the first 24 weeks, and after that to preserve the life or health of the pregnant person. It would take another statewide vote to change or repeal the law. Most Republican candidates for Congress, governor, state attorney general and other statewide posts say they oppose abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Here in Nevada, overturning Roe would not be felt immediately, state Attorney General Aaron Ford said in a position paper released after the draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion became public. Ford noted that a federal ban on abortion would supersede state law and said it would be naive not to recognize that some people want to ban abortions or make them more difficult to obtain. But he said his office will fight attacks on abortion rights, rights to birth control access and rights for LGTBQ people. Gov. Steve Sisolak promised in a statement to continue to protect reproductive freedom. Whats next: Anti-abortion advocates are not expected to focus on trying to repeal Nevadas abortion law. But they will seek laws affecting waiting periods, mandatory counseling or requiring parental notification or consent. Melissa Clement, executive director of Nevada Right to Life, said she believes there is strong support for parental involvement. ___ NEW HAMPSHIRE Political control: New Hampshire has a Republican governor and the GOP controls the 424-member Legislature. All face reelection this fall. Background: Any abortion restrictions New Hampshire had on the books before Roe v. Wade were not enforced after the landmark 1973 ruling, and they were repealed altogether in 1997. The state had no restrictions until January, when a ban on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy was enacted. In June, an exemption was added for cases in which the fetus has been diagnosed with abnormalities incompatible with life. Anticipating the Supreme Court action, Democrats this year tried unsuccessfully to enshrine abortion rights into state law and the state constitution. Gov. Chris Sununu calls himself pro-choice and says he is committed to upholding Roe v. Wade, but he also has boasted Ive done more on the pro-life issue than anyone. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in New Hampshire. The Legislature wont return until fall, when there will be a one-day session to take up vetoed bills, and it would take a two-thirds majority vote to introduce new legislation then. Whats next: The majority leader of the New Hampshire House has said the public should not expect Republicans in the Legislature to further tighten state abortion laws. But anti-abortion lawmakers who have filed bills in the past are expected to try again. ___ NEW JERSEY Political control: Democrats control both houses of the state Legislature and the governorship. Gov. Phil Murphy started his second consecutive term this year. Background: Murphy ran for reelection on the promise that he would sign legislation to enshrine abortion rights into state law, and he fulfilled that promise in January. The measure also guaranteed the right to contraception and the right to carry a pregnancy to term. It stopped short of requiring insurance coverage for abortions, something advocates had sought. Instead, it authorizes the state Banking and Insurance Department to study the issue and possibly adopt regulations if a need is discovered. Under Murphys predecessor, Republican Chris Christie, state funds to womens clinics, including Planned Parenthood, were slashed. Murphy restored those and has been a strong supporter of abortion rights. New Jersey doesnt have any significant restrictions on abortion, such as parental consent or a mandatory waiting period. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Officials, including the governor, have said the end of Roe would not lead to any rollback of abortion services in the state. Instead of hoping for the best, we prepared ourselves for the worst, Murphy said in May, addressing reports of a leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling. Whats next: Murphy has proposed several abortion-related measures. On the Monday after the ruling, the Legislature began considering a pair of bills to expand abortion rights. One would allow the state to block extradition of someone facing a criminal charge in another state related to reproductive services obtained legally in New Jersey. Another clarifies that out-of-state residents may access abortion services in New Jersey, as well as allowing those facing liability judgments stemming from abortion services to countersue. ___ NEW MEXICO Political control: The Democrats who control the New Mexico Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Several conservative Democratic state senators who voted against the repeal of the abortion ban in 2019 were ousted from office in 2020 by more socially progressive primary challengers. Background: In 2021, state lawmakers repealed a dormant 1969 statute that outlawed most abortion procedures as felonies, thus ensuring access to abortion even after the federal court rolled back guarantees. Albuquerque is home to one of only a few independent clinics in the country that perform abortions in the third trimester without conditions. An abortion clinic in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, is just a mile from the state line with Texas and caters to patients from El Paso, western Texas and Arizona. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: There will be no immediate change in New Mexico now that the high court has overturned Roe v. Wade. It is unclear if Democrats, who control the state Legislature, will pursue additional guarantees to abortion access when lawmakers convene in January. Possible avenues of legislative reform include enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution, which requires approval by voters. Abortion rights activists say the states equal rights amendment could be harnessed to guide more public funding for abortion-related programs. Raul Torrez, the district attorney in Albuquerque and the Democratic nominee for attorney general, is urging lawmakers to take further steps to protect access to abortions, including protections for women coming from other states. The state Republican Party said its time to elect more anti-abortion candidates to the Legislature. Whats next: The state can expect to continue to see a steady influx of people seeking abortions from neighboring states with more restrictive abortion laws. It already hosts patients from Texas and Oklahoma where among the strictest abortion bans in the country were introduced this year. ___ NEW YORK Political control: The Democrats who control the New York Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: Abortion has been legal in New York state since a 1970 law was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller. The law allows abortions within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy or to preserve the mothers life. The 2019 Reproductive Health Act removed abortion from the states criminal code, codified Roe v. Wade and allowed abortions after 24 weeks if a fetus isnt viable or to protect the mothers life or health. Lawmakers have passed laws extending legal protections for people seeking and providing abortions in New York. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Roe v. Wade protections are enshrined in state law. New York is planning to give abortion providers $35 million this year to expand services and boost security in anticipation of an influx of out-of-state people seeking abortions once any ruling comes down. Its unclear how many more people from neighboring states could travel to New York to receive abortion care. New York had 252 facilities providing abortions as of 2017, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. Whats next: Planned Parenthood and civil liberty groups are urging lawmakers to start the process of passing a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion care in case a future Legislature repeals the state law. ___ NORTH CAROLINA Political control: Republicans hold majorities in the state House and Senate, but the party lacks the margins to defeat a veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, a strong abortion-rights supporter. Since 2017, Cooper has vetoed a born-alive abortion measure and a bill prohibiting abortion based on race or a Down syndrome diagnosis. He cant seek reelection in 2024 due to term limits. Background: A 1973 North Carolina law that banned most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy is currently unenforceable after federal judges struck it down as unconstitutional in 2019 and 2021. Instead, abortions can be performed until fetal viability. A state law approved in 2015 provides for post-viability abortions only in a medical emergency, which means the woman would die or face a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment without the procedure. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, the 20-week ban could be restored. Legal experts say formal action would have to be taken to cancel the earlier court rulings striking it down. Republican legislative leaders late Friday asked state Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat and abortion rights supporter whose agencys lawyers defended the 20-week law, to act. Otherwise, they said they would seek to intervene. Whats next: Republican General Assembly leaders dont plan to consider additional abortion restrictions during the soon-to-end legislative session, meaning a likely intensification of electoral efforts to gain the five additional seats the GOP needs to reach veto-proof margins come 2023. Cooper and other Democrats already are making abortion rights a key campaign pitch. Abortion politics are also expected to figure in two state Supreme Court seat elections in November. Republicans would gain a majority on the court if they win at least one of them. ___ NORTH DAKOTA Political control: North Dakota has a legislature dominated by Republicans who want to ban abortion, and the GOP governor had hoped to see Roe v. Wade wiped off the books in favor of states rights. Background: The state has passed some of the nations strictest abortion laws, including one that would have banned abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can happen before a woman knows she is pregnant. The law never took effect because the states lone abortion clinic successfully challenged it in court. One failed Republican proposal would have charged abortion providers with murder with a maximum sentence of life in prison. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: North Dakota has a trigger law that will shut down the states sole abortion clinic in Fargo after 30 days. That 2007 state law makes it a felony to perform an abortion unless necessary to prevent the pregnant womans death or in cases of rape or incest. Violators could be punished with a five-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine. Whats next: The owner and operator of the Red River Womens Clinic in Fargo said she would explore all legal options to ensure abortion services are available in North Dakota. Should that fail, clinic leader Tammi Kromenaker plans to move across the river to Moorhead, Minnesota, where abortion has not been outlawed. Planned Parenthood says it can provide abortions in Moorhead until Kromenaker gets up and running. ___ OHIO Political control: The Ohio Legislature is controlled by Republicans who support restricting or banning abortions, and the Republican governor backs those efforts. He is up for reelection this year against a former mayor who supports abortion rights. Background: Before Friday's ruling, Ohio did not ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy; after that theyre allowed only to save a patients life or when their health is seriously compromised. But the state imposes a host of other restrictions, including parental consent for minors, a required ultrasound, and in-person counseling followed by a 24-hour waiting period. Abortions are prohibited for the reason of a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis. Ohio also limits the public funding of abortions to cases of rape, incest or endangerment of the patients life. It limits public employees abortion-related insurance coverage and coverage through health plans offered in the Affordable Care Act health exchange to those same scenarios. Clinics providing abortions must comply with a host of regulations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: A ban on most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat became the law in Ohio hours after the ruling. Enforcement of Ohios 2019 heartbeat ban had been on hold for nearly three years under a federal court injunction. The state attorney general, Republican Dave Yost, asked for that to be dissolved because of the high courts ruling, and U.S. Judge Michael Barrett agreed hours later. Two trigger bills are on hold in the Legislature, but a key legislative leader has said he anticipates needing to write new legislation after the decision is reversed that more carefully reflects the actual ruling. That all but certainly would not happen until lawmakers return to the capital after the November election. Whats next: Activists are considering how to help Ohioans get abortions elsewhere. They may also mount a statewide ballot initiative that would embed the right to an abortion in the state constitution, though that could not happen before next year. Abortion opponents are weighing strategies for imposing a statewide abortion ban. ___ OKLAHOMA Political control: Republicans in Oklahoma have a supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature and a Republican governor up for reelection this year who has vowed to sign every pro-life legislation that came across my desk. Background: Abortion services were halted in Oklahoma in May after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill that prohibits all abortions with few exceptions. The ban is enforced by civil lawsuits rather than criminal prosecution. Republican lawmakers have been pushing to restrict abortion in the state for decades, passing 81 different restrictions since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: It will have little practical effect given that abortions are no longer being provided in Oklahoma. Oklahoma also has a trigger law that outlawed abortion as soon as Roe was overturned. Whats next: Given the fierce opposition to abortion from the governor and Legislature, Oklahoma will continue to prohibit the practice if states are given the option to do so. Meanwhile, abortion providers who had been operating in the state are taking steps to help patients seek abortions out of state, including coordinating funding for these women and developing a referral network of therapists to help address complications before or after a woman receives an abortion. ___ OREGON Political control: The Democrats who control the Oregon Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: The Oregon Legislature passed a bill legalizing abortion in 1969. In 2017, Gov. Kate Brown signed into law a bill expanding health care coverage for reproductive services, including abortions, to thousands of Oregonians, regardless of income, citizenship status or gender identity. Oregon does not have any major abortion restrictions and it is legal at all stages of pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The Guttmacher Institute has estimated that Oregon will experience a 234% increase in women seeking abortions arriving from out of state, especially from Idaho. In March, Oregon lawmakers approved $15 million to expand abortion availability and pay for abortions and support services such as travel and lodgings for residents and out-of-state patients. Whats next: Brown said after the draft Supreme Court decision was leaked that access to abortion is a fundamental right and that she will fight to ensure access to abortion continues to be protected by state law in Oregon. Democratic state lawmakers recently formed the Reproductive Health and Access to Care Work Group of providers, clinics, community organizations and legislators that will make recommendations for the 2023 legislative session and beyond. Recommendations may include proposals to protect, strengthen, and expand equitable access to all forms of reproductive care. ___ PENNSYLVANIA Political control: Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature are hostile to abortion rights, but the states Democratic governor is a strong supporter and has vetoed three GOP-penned bills in five years that would have added restrictions beyond the states 24-week limit. The race for governor this year could tilt that balance. Background: Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania under decades of state law, including a 1989 law that was challenged all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. That produced the landmark Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling that affirmed the high courts 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide, but also allowed states to put certain limits on abortion access. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to protect access to abortion for the remainder of his time in office, through January. Running to replace him is the states Democratic attorney general, Josh Shapiro, who supports abortion rights, and Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who has said he supports banning abortion altogether, with no exceptions. The Legislature is expected to remain in Republican hands next year. Whats next: Legislation to outlaw abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat which can happen at six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant has passed a House committee and is awaiting a floor vote. The state Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers aiming to overturn a 1982 law that bans the use of state dollars for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. In response, Republican lawmakers are advancing a proposed amendment that would declare there is no constitutional right to an abortion in Pennsylvania or to public funding for an abortion. ___ RHODE ISLAND Political control: The Democrats who control Rhode Islands General Assembly support access to abortion, as does the Democratic governor. Background: Rhode Islands governor signed legislation in 2019 to enshrine abortion protections in case the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. The law says the state will not restrict the right to an abortion prior to fetal viability or after if necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant woman. It repealed older laws deemed unconstitutional by the courts. The Rhode Island Supreme Court upheld the 2019 law in May, just two days after the Supreme Court draft opinion was leaked suggesting that a majority of the justices were prepared to overturn Roe. Abortion opponents had argued the law violates the state constitution. In 2020, there were 2,611 abortions in Rhode Island, according to the state health department. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Rhode Islands attorney general believes the 2019 Reproductive Privacy Act will continue to protect access to abortion. Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island also said abortion will remain legal regardless of the decision because the right was codified in state law. Whats next: On the Monday after the Supreme Court decision, Rhode Islands Democratic governor said he will sign an executive order to shield abortion providers in the state from lawsuits by anti-abortion activists in other states. McKees office didnt have a date for the signing, but said the governor wants to act as soon as possible. Two of his opponents in September's Democratic primary for governor, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Matt Brown, had urged McKee to sign such an order. They also want state lawmakers to return for a special session to add abortion coverage to Rhode Islands Medicaid program and to the insurance coverage for state employees. Legislative leaders said they plan to address abortion coverage next year because it has financial implications and wasnt included in this year's budget. ___ SOUTH CAROLINA Political control: South Carolina has a Republican governor, and its General Assembly is dominated by the GOP. However, the party doesnt quite have the two-thirds majority in either chamber needed to overcome procedural hurdles or a veto if a Democrat wins the 2022 gubernatorial election. Background: In 2021, South Carolina passed the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act that requires doctors to use an ultrasound to try to detect a fetal heartbeat if they think a pregnant woman is at least eight weeks along. If they find a heartbeat, they can only perform an abortion if the womans life is in danger, or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. The law is currently tied up in a federal lawsuit. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a federal judge allowed the state to begin enforcing the 2021 law. Planned Parenthood and others dropped their lawsuit, but the organization said it would continue to perform abortions in South Carolina under the parameters of the new law. Whats next: The South Carolina General Assemblys regular session ended in May, but Republican leaders had agreed they could return for a special session to take up more restrictive abortion bills if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. They have yet to announce a special session, despite Friday's ruling. Some Republican lawmakers have opposed a complete abortion ban, especially without exceptions for victims of rape and incest. ___ SOUTH DAKOTA Political control: Republicans hold super-majorities in both Statehouse chambers. Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is up for reelection this year and has been an ardent opponent of abortion rights. Background: Under current law, South Dakota bans abortions after the 22nd week of pregnancy. The state has only one clinic that regularly provides abortions, a Planned Parenthood facility in Sioux Falls. The legislature has worked over the years to make it more difficult for women to get abortions, passing mandatory waiting periods and requiring them to review and sign paperwork that discourages them from ending their pregnancies. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: South Dakota has a trigger law that immediately banned abortions except if the life of the pregnant woman is at risk. Whats next: Noem has said she planned to call a special session to craft laws for the new legal landscape if Roe v. Wade was overturned. She hasnt commented on specific legislation, but lawmakers have floated proposals that would make it more difficult for women to seek an abortion out of state. However, South Dakota voters rejected outright bans in 2006 and 2008, and abortion rights advocates are preparing for a similar referendum on abortion access. An outright ban on abortions could eventually be challenged through a citizen-initiated ballot measure. ___ TENNESSEE Political control: Tennessee has a Republican governor who is consistently vocal about his opposition to abortion. The GOP holds a supermajority in the state legislature and has steadily chipped away at abortion access. Background: In 2020, Tennessee passed a law banning most abortions when the fetal heartbeat can be detected at about six weeks, before many women know theyre pregnant. The measure has never been enforced because it was promptly blocked by a federal court. Tennessee voters approved an amendment in 2014 declaring that the states constitution doesnt protect or secure the right to abortion or require the funding of an abortion, and empowering state lawmakers to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion. State law also doesnt allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. There are six abortion providers in Tennessee. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Thirty days after the decision, a so-called trigger law will go into effect that bans all abortions in Tennessee except when necessary to prevent death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. Doctors could be charged with a felony for providing an abortion under this law. Whats next: Its unclear if the trigger law conflicts with the 2020 law banning most abortions at about six weeks. The states attorney general, a Republican, has not publicly weighed in. Meanwhile, Republicans are expected to continue to have supermajority control after this years midterm elections. Reproductive rights activists say they will direct patients seeking abortion to clinics in Illinois if Roe v. Wade is overturned, or to Florida, which would ban abortions at 15 weeks. North Carolina and Virginia could also be options for women in eastern Tennessee. ___ TEXAS Political control: The GOP has commanding majorities in the Texas Legislature and has controlled every statewide office for nearly 30 years. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is up for reelection in November and is favored to win a third term. Background: Texas has given the nation a preview of the landscape of abortion access without the protections enshrined in Roe v. Wade. A new Texas law banning most abortions after about six weeks before many women know they are pregnant took effect in September and makes no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Because of how Republicans wrote the law, which is enforceable only through lawsuits filed by private citizens against doctors or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion, Texas has essentially outmaneuvered decades of Supreme Court precedent governing a womens constitutional right to an abortion. State data shows the number of abortions performed in Texas roughly two dozen clinics fell by half in the five months after the law came into effect compared to the same period a year earlier. Effect of the Supreme Court ruling: Texas had more than 40 abortion clinics in 2012 before a decade of Republicans chipping away at abortion access began forcing providers to close. Without Roe v. Wade, Texas plans to ban virtually all abortions 30 days after the Supreme Court issues its judgment in the case, which could take about a month. Abortions would only be allowed when the patients life is in danger or if they are at risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. Whats next: Many Texas women have already traveled out of state for abortions since the law took effect, but they would likely have to travel much farther now that Roe is overturned as more states outlaw abortion. Some Republican lawmakers also want to punish companies that help their Texas-based employees get abortions elsewhere, although its unclear how much support that idea will have when the Legislature returns in 2023. ___ UTAH Political control: Utah is deeply conservative and the Legislature is controlled by a Republican supermajority. Background: The state has been restricting abortion for years, including a ban after 18 weeks passed in 2019 thats now blocked in court. The following year, lawmakers passed a trigger law that would outlaw nearly all abortions if Roe v. Wade was overturned. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The trigger law banning nearly all abortions became enforceable Friday evening, after the legislative general counsel certified the Supreme Court ruling to lawmakers. It does have narrow exceptions for rape and incest if those crimes are reported to law enforcement, and for serious risk to the life or health of the mother, as well as confirmed lethal birth defects. Whats next: Utah law makes performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. While its aimed primarily at providers, lawmakers have acknowledged that a woman who self-administers an abortion, including through medication, could potentially face charges. ___ VERMONT Political control: The Vermont Legislature is controlled by Democrats, but Republican Gov. Phil Scott is a firm supporter of abortion rights. Background: Vermont has a 2019 law guaranteeing the right to an abortion and voters will consider a proposal in November to amend the state constitution to protect abortion rights. Also in 2019, the Vermont Legislature began the process of amending the constitution to protect abortion rights, known as the Reproductive Liberty Amendment or Proposition 5. Vermonts proposed amendment does not contain the word abortion. Proponents say thats because its not meant to authorize only abortion but also would guarantee other reproductive rights such as the right to get pregnant or access birth control. Opponents say vague wording could have unintended consequences that could play out for years. Lawmakers approved the proposed amendment in February, leading the way for a statewide vote. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Vermont. Whats next: Vermont voters will cast ballots in November to decide if the state will amend its constitution to protect abortion rights. ___ VIRGINIA Political control: Virginia has a Republican governor who says he would support new state-level restrictions on abortion. Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday that he will seek legislation to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. Youngkin told The Washington Post he has asked four antiabortion Republican lawmakers to draft the legislation. He told the Post that a cutoff at 20 weeks might be necessary to build consensus in the divided Virginia legislature, where Republicans control the House and Democrats control the Senate. Youngkin generally supports exceptions to abortion restrictions in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. Background: In recent years, when Democrats were in full control of state government, lawmakers rolled back abortion restrictions. They ended strict building code requirements on facilities where abortions are performed and did away with requirements that a patient seeking an abortion undergo a 24-hour waiting period and ultrasound. Advocates said the changes would make Virginia a haven for abortion access in the South. Republican victories in the November elections shook up the states political landscape, but Senate Democrats defeated several measures that would have limited abortion access during the 2022 legislative session. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: There will be no immediate change to abortion laws in Virginia now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. Some abortion providers expect to see an uptick in patients seeking care in Virginia from neighboring states with trigger laws that would ban abortion. Whats next: The future of abortion access is Virginia is murky. Senate Democrats say they intend to continue blocking attempts to roll back abortion access, though they control the chamber by the narrowest possible margin and have one caucus member who personally opposes abortion and says he is open to new restrictions. Republicans also have a narrow hold on the House, with several moderate members. Every seat in the General Assembly will be on the ballot in 2023. ___ WASHINGTON Political control: The Democrats who control the Washington Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: Abortion has been legal in Washington state since a 1970 statewide ballot referendum. Another ballot measure approved by voters in 1991 declared a womans right to choose physician-performed abortion prior to fetal viability and further expanded and protected access to abortion in the state if Roe v. Wade was overturned. And in 2018, the Legislature passed a measure that would require Washington insurers offering maternity care to also cover elective abortions and contraception. Earlier this year, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure that grants specific statutory authorization for physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners and other providers acting within their scope of practice to perform abortions. Supporters say the move is designed to help meet the demand from the potential influx of out-of-state patients. That same measure also prohibits legal action by Washington state against people seeking an abortion and those who aid them. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The state will use every available tool to protect and preserve Washingtonians fundamental right to choose, and protect the rights of anyone who wants to come here to access reproductive health care, said Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat. Data from the Washington state Department of Health from 2020 shows that of the 16,909 abortions performed in the state that year, 852 involved non-residents. The majority of those people came from neighboring states such as Idaho and Oregon. Whats next: Its impossible to predict how many more non-resident patients will potentially seek care in Washington now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, but the increase will likely be in the thousands, said Jennifer Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. The state has more than 30 in-person abortion clinics, though the vast majority are in western Washington along the Interstate 5 corridor. ___ WEST VIRGINIA Political control: West Virginia has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions. Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, opposes abortion access and has signed two anti-abortion laws since taking office in 2017. Background: West Virginia currently bans abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy unless a patients life is in danger, or they face substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. Patients seeking abortions must wait 24 hours after undergoing legislatively mandated counseling designed to discourage abortions. A minor who wants an abortion must obtain parental permission. The use of telemedicine to administer a medication abortion is outlawed. The state also bars patients from getting abortions because they believe their child will be born with a disability. The House of Delegates this year passed a 15-week abortion ban, but it died in the Senate. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Its unclear what the effect the ruling will have on abortion access in West Virginia. The state has had a law banning abortion on the books since 1848; Under that law, providers who perform abortions can face felony charges and three to 10 years in prison, unless the abortion is conducted to save a patients life. In 2018, West Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment to declare patients do not have the right to abortion and banning state funding for abortions. Whats next: West Virginia lawmakers could introduce new legislation restricting abortion access when they return to the Capitol in January, but they could return sooner if called into a special session. West Virginia only has one clinic that performs abortions. Womens Health Center of West Virginia Executive Director Katie Quinonez said if abortion access is outlawed, the clinic will continue to provide reproductive care, such as birth control and STI diagnosis and treatment. She said the clinic will help women travel to other states for abortions through its abortion fund. ___ WISCONSIN Political control: Wisconsin has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions but a Democratic governor who supports access and is up for reelection this year. Background: Wisconsin has allowed most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy to save the health or life of the mother. A woman seeking an abortion must meet with a counselor and doctor before obtaining an abortion and wait at least 24 hours before having it done. Anyone under age 18 must have an adult relative over age 25 with them to obtain an abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, it is presumed that a state law passed in 1849 making an abortion a felony offense could go into effect, and doctors have halted procedures. However, Wisconsins Democratic attorney general argues that the law is so old that its unenforceable. The language allows a woman to legally destroy her own fetus or embryo and grants immunity if an abortion is needed to save a womans life and is performed at a hospital. Another state law, passed in 1985, prohibits abortions performed after a fetus reaches viability -- when it could survive outside the womb -- conflicting with the 1849 ban. Whats next: Republican lawmakers are expected to attempt to clarify the 1849 law to ensure there is a ban in place, even as that issue is fought in the courts. However, lawmakers efforts would be stymied if Democratic Gov. Tony Evers wins reelection. Wisconsins Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has said he supports an exception in cases of rape and that a ruling on Roe could force lawmakers to consider other related reproductive issues such as contraception. Other Republicans will push for more restrictive abortion laws. ___ WYOMING Political control: Wyoming has one of the most Republican legislatures in the U.S. and a long tradition of libertarian-type if not always social or religious conservatism. That may be changing. In March, Republican Gov. Mark Gordon signed into law a bill that would ban abortion in nearly all instances should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. Background: Current Wyoming law allows abortions up to when a fetus might be able to survive on its own outside its mothers body. The law does not specify when that happens, but it is generally considered to be at around 23 weeks into pregnancy. Wyoming currently doesnt allow abortions after then except to protect the mother from substantial risk to her life or health. Wyoming Republicans have traditionally taken a hands-off approach to abortion but have proven more willing to limit the practice lately. The number of Democrats in the Legislature has dwindled from 26 in 2010 to just nine out of 90 total seats now. A 2021 law requires physicians to provide lifesaving care to any aborted fetus born alive. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The new state law that bans abortion only provides exceptions in cases of rape or incest or to protect the mothers life or health, not including psychological conditions. Though Wyoming has no abortion clinics, abortions still occur. Ninety-eight took place in Wyoming in 2021, according to state officials. Whats next: A planned womens health clinic in Casper that would have been the only one offering abortions in the state was on track to open in mid-June but an arson fire May 25 delayed those plans by around six months. Clinic founder Julie Burkhart said Friday that, despite the ruling, she still plans to open the clinic and will continue to seek legal means to keep abortion legal in Wyoming. Police continue to look for a suspect in the arson investigation, and have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. ___ Associated Press statehouse reporters from across the U.S. contributed. ___ For APs full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WEST HAVEN More than six months after the most recent municipal election, Superior Court Judge Robin Wilson ruled that the result of West Havens mayoral election will not be overturned. Mayor Nancy Rossi, who is now more than 25 percent into her third elected term as mayor, was brought to court by opponent Barry Lee Cohen after she triumphed by a narrow margin of 32 votes in November 2021. The mayor, a Democrat, received fewer votes than Republican Cohen on machines on Election Day, but received a larger total when absentee ballots were counted. Cohen filed a lawsuit challenging the results, alleging there had been multiple violations of election law including that absentee ballots were handled improperly. In his lawsuit, Cohen called for the citys absentee ballots to be voided and for him to be named the winner of the election or for the city to be ordered to hold a special election to re-do the race. Wilson ruled in favor of Rossi and city election officials Friday, determining that the results of the election should stand as Cohen had not provided sufficient evidence that any violations would change whether Rossi received more votes. However, although Wilson ruled that Cohen had failed to prove that the results would be different if the violations had not occurred, she said Cohen met his burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that substantial violations of election statutes occurred. Indeed, the evidence presented shows a concerning lack of overall compliance with statutory guidelines by election officials in the city of West Haven, Wilson said in her decision. Wilson said Cohen proved in court that seven absentee ballots that were counted should not have been and that two absentee ballots marked as returned were unaccounted for, but those nine votes were not enough to change the outcome of the election. Again, the failure of West Haven election officials to strictly comply with statutory requirements when presiding over this election is concerning. But their failures do not warrant disenfranchising the hundreds of West Haven absentee ballot voters who did nothing wrong. Nor do the election officials shortcomings justify giving the plaintiff a second bite at the electoral apple, Wilson wrote. Cohen, in an emailed statement, said he was pleased that the court agreed that substantial violations of election statutes occurred. He said the lack of overall compliance by multiple election officials was shocking and disrespectful to all voters who cast ballots appropriately. However, we respectfully disagree with the ruling of the court as regards the number of ballots cast and the final vote count. Rossi said she was pleased by the judges ruling, although she noted she had not been accused of any violations in the lawsuit. I dont think anybody did anything maliciously, she said. Rossi said she believes Wilsons ruling underlines that there should be retraining of city election officials before the 2022 election. West Haven Corporation Counsel Lee Tiernan, who represented five city elections officials named as defendants in Cohens lawsuit, said he was reviewing the decision Friday afternoon. What I have reviewed, the main focus is disenfranchisement of voters, he said. I think its very difficult if youre going to say to somebody through no fault of their own that they dont have a right to vote. We werent perfect on our side and well try to get closer to perfect for the next election. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com DENVER (AP) More than a dozen candidates campaigning to be top law enforcement officials in counties across Colorado are running on a unique platform: Not enforcing the law. These candidates fit the profile of a loose movement sometimes referred to as constitutional sheriffs whose members promise to act as a bulwark against government overreach and laws passed by state legislatures that they deem illegal. At the top of their list in Colorado is the red flag law that gives judges the ability to order the temporary seizure of guns from people considered a threat to themselves or others. Some also reject the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election and coronavirus precautions, issues that have become polarizing litmus tests dividing the far-right and more mainstream conservatives. No boss, no governor, no socialist agenda will take away my focus to fight for and protect our constitution, John Anderson, a sheriff candidate in Douglas County, says on his campaign website. Experts say the rhetoric has emerged among local officials as political divisions have cleaved the country in the past decade, with fights over mask and vaccine requirements and gun-safety proposals pulling once-fringe views more into the mainstream. Some of the ideas have roots in far-right extremist movements while others may reflect a loose dissatisfaction with political leadership or campaign-season pandering, experts said. A growing rural-urban divide may also feed into the feeling that sheriffs in sparsely populated counties must protect their residents from policies passed in big cities. But the ideology is too widespread to be based solely on that, said Mirya Holman, a Tulane University political science professor who has researched sheriffs. We see these attitudes amongst suburban sheriffs, even amongst some urban sheriffs. In Douglas County, for example, Andersons campaign website says freedom of speech and religion, medical freedoms, protection against unlawful search and seizure, guarantee of due process, states rights have all been attacked in some way over the past several years. Who do you trust will stand up against tyranny? the website asks. Holly Kluth, a former Douglas County undersheriff who is campaigning against Anderson, has a lengthy description of her philosophy on being a constitutional sheriff posted on her campaign website. It takes aim at the states red flag gun law. We cannot allow violations such as this to be acceptable, it says. Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas is a third Republican candidate for sheriff. She said in an interview that some COVID-19 precautions amounted to government overreach during the pandemic. She made the motion last summer to withdraw the county from the regional Tri-County Health Department over complaints about the health orders. But to say that the sheriff has ultimate power over everything is a bridge too far, she said. Its just not correct, she said. There is separation of powers for a reason. Candidates running to be sheriff of El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs, have been similarly divided on when and whether they will enforce all laws. Sheriff candidate Todd Watkins, who served in the U.S. Border Patrol for 24 years, opposes arbitrary magazine capacity restrictions, so-called assault weapons bans and other gun restrictions passed by state lawmakers, according to an endorsement from Rocky Mountain Gun Owners political action committee. Greg Maxwell, director of security for the Broadmoor Hotel, says if he is elected sheriff he will make sure everyones Constitutional rights are never violated but will not enforce mandates, which are not laws, such as masks and vaccine mandates. A catchphrase El Paso County Undersheriff Joe Roybal, the third Republican candidate for sheriff, says his views dont differ much from his opponents. He will prioritize defending the Second Amendment and combating assaults on our constitutional rights, according to his campaign materials and social media accounts. But he characterized the constitutional sheriff branding as a catchphrase. Theyre doing that simply to catch the attention of people and, in my opinion, confuse them, said Roybal, a 26-year veteran of the sheriffs office who is seen as the frontrunner in the race. There needs to be some kind of cooperation between local, state and federal officials, he said. The folks who have endorsed me, they understand that its not as simple as saying Im a constitutional sheriff and if its not constitutional, dont enforce it. The strong anti-government sentiments and opposition to gun restrictions and coronavirus precautions have alarmed some experts in law enforcement and radicalism, who say it reflects growing unrest and a strain of right-wing extremism that has permeated law enforcement offices across the country. Other local offices, from county clerks to municipal boards that once flew under the radar, have also become hyperpartisan in recent years. A woman vying to be El Paso County coroner is running as a freedom doctor. Once-sleepy school board races have become caustic battlegrounds. The rise of Trumpism may have prompted some sheriffs and politicians to read the way the political winds seem to be blowing, and give lip service to ideas animating the Trumpist base, said Mark Pitcavage, senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism. That might be due to genuine affinity with the positions or a calculation that it would be helpful politically. The fights often pit a more militant, conspiratorial wing against traditional Republicans, reflecting a fight over the future direction of the GOP, he said. But sheriffs races differ from other political campaigns, given the unique powers of the office, some experts said. Its one of the only elected law enforcement positions, said Holman, the Tulane political science professor. Sheriffs wield wide discretion and have broad authority. They have the ability to arrest people or not arrest people. They have the ability to really damage somebodys life if they so choose, Holman said. There are few checks on what sheriffs do. In many ways, (its) a very dangerous office to have somebody that is unwilling to cooperate with basic functions, she said. Refusing to enforce gun-related laws is one area where the constitutional sheriff ideology can have a tangible impact on constituents lives, said Robert Tsai, a Boston University law professor who has researched constitutional sheriffs. If they refuse to go and pick somebody up because of a violation of gun laws, they refuse to go disarm somebody, refuse to respond to someone who is armed. Thats really where the rubber meets the road, Tsai said. This isnt the first time sheriffs have clashed with the federal government Sheriffs in the past have clashed with other branches of government, from refusing to help enforce federal immigration laws, to spurring anti-immigrant sentiment in defiance of a court order, as in the case of Joe Arpaio, the 24-year sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, who became nationally known for his hard line against immigrants living in the U.S. without permission. Several sheriff candidates this year have promoted partisan causes in their campaigns, such as galvanizing residents to vote out judges they consider soft on crime or questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. In Mesa County, for example, sheriff candidate Bob Dalley says he will re-establish voter integrity and uphold the constitution as written on his campaign website. Asked about major problems during the 2020 election, including voter fraud and ballot dumping, Dalley said he was disappointed more wasnt done to find out what went on last time. If anything is brought to me as sheriff then absolutely were going to investigate it just like any other crime, said Dalley, who has worked for the Palisade police and is now chief marshal for the town of De Beque. He did not respond to a request for comment. Wayne Bryant, a write-in candidate in Archuleta County, where two Republicans are already on the primary ballot for sheriff, has campaigned on claims of election fraud. Vote out using the Dominion (Voting) machines, he said in one Facebook post, referencing a company thats been at the center of conspiracies pushed by those who allege the 2020 election was stolen from former president Donald Trump. Dominion has filed defamation lawsuits and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has said theres no indication software vulnerabilities in the voting equipment were used to alter election results. On his campaign website, Bryant has called for deputizing all citizens in the southwest Colorado county of 13,500 residents and called on them to be poll watchers. He also said mail-in balloting systems are totally corrupt. He did not respond to a request for comment. Watkins, the El Paso County sheriff candidate, has expressed support for state Rep. Ron Hanks and Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, two of the loudest voices in Colorado claiming the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Hanks is running for U.S. Senate. Peters, who is a candidate for Secretary of State, has been indicted on 10 charges related to a security breach of Mesa Countys election system in 2021. Watkins says he would work with county clerks to look into allegations of election fraud. If theres reasonable suspicion that a crime occurred, its law enforcements job to investigate, he said. Doesnt mean that anybody is guilty, he said. You follow evidence to where it leads and if it leads you to nothing happened here, then guess what? Nothing happened here. Making a big deal out of something we dont do Resistance to enforcing the red flag gun law passed by Colorado lawmakers in 2019 is another common campaign plank. The law has proved broadly unpopular outside the states urban areas. Around half the states counties declared themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries where the 2019 red flag law wont be enforced. GOP lawmakers and Rocky Mountain Gun Owners have unsuccessfully tried to overturn the law in court. Roybal, the El Paso County frontrunner, believes the red flag law is an overreach, and a violation of the Fourth Amendment, barring illegal search and seizure. He would not enforce the red flag law, saying he would only seize weapons if there is probable cause that a crime has been committed. The county sheriff has never acted on the law. Mental health is the bigger issue, he said. Candidates running on constitutional-sheriff rhetoric, Roybal said, are making a big deal out of something we dont do. Sheriffs have discretion in how they choose to enforce the red flag gun law in Colorado, conservative commentator and former Arapahoe district attorney George Brauchler said. But the countrys governance system is not set up to allow elected officials to independently decide what isnt and is unconstitutional, he said. I know some of these people personally and professionally, and Im a big fan, Brauchler said of sheriffs who wont enforce the red flag law. But to simply say as a blanket statement I will never ever apply it seems to me to run afoul of this idea that there is a rule of law. Constitutional candidates seek distance from constitutional sheriff association The idea of constitutional sheriffs is associated with the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, which believes that in their jurisdiction, sheriffs have constitutional authority to check and balance all levels of government up to the president. Founded by former Graham County, Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack, the group has been called extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center. A banner across its website calls for an Election Fraud Investigation. Macks association and its message have gained followers during the past decade. After President Barack Obama proposed a raft of gun restrictions in the wake of the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre, at least 31 Colorado sheriffs and the state sheriff association signed statements opposing gun control that were collected by the association. In 2021, more sheriffs than not said they believe their authority supersedes federal or state governments in their county, a central belief of the association, according to research from Holman and Emily Farris, a political scientist at Texas Christian University. Sam Bushman, vice president of operations for the constitutional sheriffs group, objected to the characterization of the association as extremist or controversial, saying it was a peaceful training association and that sheriffs and public officials swear to uphold the Constitution. Therefore, everyone should be constitutional, Bushman said. He blamed the media for perverting the term constitutional say unconstitutional then they think youre a whacked out militia crazy and said the assertion that the group believes sheriffs can do whatever they want to is bogus. He also said sheriffs have a duty to reject red flag gun laws, asking: If theres a law that conflicts with the supreme law of our land the U.S. Constitution which law takes precedent? So the DA, if he says, Oh, respect for the rule of law. Thats right. What rule of law are we talking about? he asked. Bushman said the group doesnt disclose its membership, but said the association is made up of ordinary Americans, not only sheriffs. Watkins, the El Paso County candidate and former Border Patrol agent, is part of the association. He doesnt consider it extreme. At what point did the Constitution and the founding principles in this country become extremist ideology? After Watkins left the Border Patrol and contemplated his next career move, he said he felt more and more that the sheriff was the last line defending your rights the office with the responsibility to say No, were not going to do that which is contrary to the Constitution. It shouldnt have to be. Our elected officials whether its executive branch or legislative branch should abide by the Constitution and stay within the limitations of power that were assigned to them, he said. He believes in the original intent of the U.S. Constitution and that all government officials from the president to a dog catcher should be primarily concerned with upholding it, he said. Weve gotten it wrong in this country a number of times. What about Jim Crow? Segregation? Would you have arrested Rosa Parks? These were laws that never should have been enforced. Slave laws would you have enforced those? he said. There are lots of instances where we got it wrong, where I should say our legislature got it wrong. The Constitution is supposed to provide those checks, through the separation of powers. Most Colorado candidates who labeled themselves constitutional sheriffs in campaign materials said they are not affiliated with the organization. Maxwell, Watkins opponent in El Paso County, said he keeps up with the constitutional sheriffs group for the same reasons he reads newspapers he doesnt agree with ideologically. I will say that I do not agree with any type of rhetoric that usurps our model of our three branches of government. Protecting everyones constitutional rights is what resonates with me, not any particular group, he said, in written responses. Anderson, the Douglas County candidate who served 40 years with Castle Rocks police department, said he doesnt need somebody telling me what I can do. I just dont feel comfortable getting involved in groups. Ive heard they are extremists and I dont know if they are or not, I couldnt tell you, he said. I dont need to be in a wolf pack. I can just be myself because I believe what I believe. Andersons opponent, Kluth, has labeled herself a constitutional sheriff but said the term is used very broadly. I believe that constitutional policing, in this day and age, my own version of it, is protecting the citizens and allowing them to exercise their constitutional rights, which includes freedom of speech, freedom to gather, freedom to worship, the guarantee of due process, guarantee of Second Amendment rights, she said. Kluth said shed seen a slow creep toward government overreach that became more pronounced during the pandemic when actions were taken that really did impinge on our constitutional rights, she said. She cited limits on gathering in houses or at indoor church services as examples and, more recently, a sense that parents were not being able to exercise their right to speech before school boards. While familiar with Macks association, Kluth said her views were driven by observing things happening that I was very concerned about during the pandemic. To demonstrate her disagreement with the organization, she said Mack thinks the Reagan-era War on Drugs which set minimum prison sentences for drug offenses that disproportionately imprisoned Black people was a failure, while she believes it made a difference. Thats part of what Bushman says too. He said different levels of government have checks and balances the federal and state government balancing locals and vice versa and sheriffs, local prosecutors and lawmakers oversee each other in counties. We are not partisan. We dont believe the sheriff is a king or a god by any stretch of the imagination. We do believe the sheriff has tremendous authority. Most sheriffs are not living up to their responsibility or authority, Bushman said. If you put constitutional sheriff in the proper context, he said, I think most sheriffs would agree. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate TRUMBULL When Johana Gutierrez-Griffiths started a home-based calligraphy business at the start of 2020, her focus was on running classes and creating specialty items for weddings. Then the pandemic came, and all that was eliminated, said Gutierrez-Griffiths, 32, who lives in Trumbull. Even as in-person events were sidelined due to COVID-19 Gutierrez-Griffiths who was living in Hoboken, N.J., at the time kept her head above water by teaching online calligraphy workshops and providing custom gift items. As a result, her business, JJ Paperie & Co. survived. Gutierrez-Griffiths and her husband moved to Trumbull about a year and a half ago, and shes continued to grow the business. JJ Paperie still provides calligraphy workshops, as well as on-site engraving and calligraphy, and a line of products with her own designs and artwork. Her clients include major retailers, such as Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue and small businesses, such as Pure Poetry on Madison Avenue in Trumbull. Calligraphy is a visual art related to writing and lettering. Gutierrez-Griffiths said she sort of stumbled into doing calligraphy as a career after working for seven years in New York in the corporate world. Her background was in public relations and international business, which she knows is a long way from designing greeting cards and wall hangings. She said she originally got into calligraphy as way to blow off steam and stretch herself creatively. I needed an outlet really, she said. I needed to do something for fun just to get my creativity back. Her interest in calligraphy hit another level when she got engaged to her now-husband. Gutierrez-Griffiths said she started seeing examples online of how other brides-to-be used their calligraphy skills to create items for their weddings. I saw all theses place cards with these little details on them, and I thought they were very pretty, she said. I thought I can do that myself. Around that same time, Gutierrez-Griffiths said, she started looking for a new direction for her career. I knew following a corporate path wasnt for me long term, she said. Calligraphy, she said, seemed like something that she could grow from a hobby into a business. I was scared, Gutierrez-Griffiths said. Growing a business takes time. But I was willing to give it a shot. Her products range from greeting cards with pithy messages such as Happy Birthday to a beautiful human, to kitchen towels bearing her own patterned designs, such as a Pieces of Fall towel covered in acorns, pumpkins and leaves. So far, Gutierrez-Griffiths said, her gamble has been paying off, but shed love for JJ Paperie & Co. to be a household name in the field of stationery and home goods. She already has her share of fans, including Portia Antonio, owner of Pure Poetry. Antonio said she carries many of Gutierrez-Griffthss greeting cards and notepads. I love all her original artwork, Antonio said. They sell really well. I do really well with her wedding cards. Antonio said she also likes supporting a local entrepreneur. She even hand delivers everything to me, she said. The larger prison, which will replace a three-room facility, is nearing completion. People convicted of crimes in the Chinese-run Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in northern Laos, a hotbed of human trafficking and smuggling, will soon serve their sentences in a new prison built by the zone as a gift to its host province. Lao authorities have complained that they cannot easily enter the zone, which operates largely beyond the reach of Lao laws, creating friction with locals. In a ceremony on June 16, the deputy of the zones board of directors, Cheng Yu Feng, gave control of the new facility to Bokeo provinces Department of Public Security. It will be used within the zone. If there are any criminals [in the SEZ] they will be sent to this prison, she told RFAs Lao Service on Friday. An official from the security department, who requested not to be named, told RFA that the prison will be used as soon as the facilities are ready. As of now, the building is not ready yet, and the relevant authorities are discussing how to transfer prisoners there, and how the security system will work, the official said. The official was unable to comment on how many prisoners are in the zone or where they are being held. Nearby villagers told RFA that the prison is built about three kilometers (1.86 miles) away from the SEZ in Mouangkham village. Most of the crimes in the zone, as I have observed, are those cases related to human trafficking, a villager told RFA. The criminals include Thai, Burmese and Lao citizens in the casino and some of them work as online scammers who chat with victims on social media platforms. Most of the victims have been Lao nationals lured by middlemen to perform jobs as scammers trying to convince people to invest or buy shares in the Kings Romans Casino. When they couldnt meet their sales quotas, they were detained against their will, and in some cases sold off to work in the sex industry. The new prison will replace a much smaller one within the zone, another villager told RFA. There was a three-room prison before this bigger newly built prison, the villager said. The former one was located near the road to Bokeo International airport. The old prison also belongs to the zone. A lawyer told RFA that the prison must be managed by the Ministry of Public Security under Lao laws. Any Lao law breaker can only be punished by Lao police and officials, the lawyer said. Lao citizens and foreigners who work in the SEZ also must be tried under Lao laws, the lawyer said. The Golden Triangle SEZ is run by Zhao Wei, chairman of the Dok Ngiew Kham Group, with Zhaos firm holding 80 percent interest and the Lao government holding 20 percent. Located where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet, the Golden Triangle area got its name five decades ago for its central role in heroin production and trafficking. In 2018, the U.S. Treasury Department declared Zhao Weis business network, centered on Kings Romans Casino, a transnational criminal organization and sanctioned Zhao and three other individuals and companies across Laos, Thailand and Hong Kong. Zhaos business exploits this region by engaging in drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, bribery and wildlife trafficking, much of which is facilitated through the Kings Romans Casino located within the [Golden Triangle] SEZ, a Treasury statement said. The State Departments 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report said Laos had increased its efforts to combat trafficking, but fell short in victim identification and screening procedures, and failed to adequately investigate suspected perpetrators of sex trafficking. According to the information from the SEZ board, the new 900 square-meter prison was built in October 2021. It was originally scheduled to be completed in May. There are 30 rooms within the prison, six of which are offices for prison staff. RFA was not able to determine the prisoner capacity of the facility. The new facility was funded and constructed by a Chinese company with the total cost of around 11.37 billion kip (U.S. $764,000). Translated by Phouvong, Written in English by Eugene Whong. At least 40 educators have been killed between February 2021 and May 2022, the junta says. Teachers who joined the nationwide Civil Disobedience Movement demonstrate against the military junta, in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon, Feb. 19, 2021. Schoolteachers in Myanmar, many of whom joined a national strike to protest the ruling military regime, have been increasingly caught in the crossfire following the February 2021 coup that overthrew the elected government. As of May, at least 40 teachers had been killed, according to the ruling junta. Educators who have gone on strike to oppose the regime and those who have not have both been killed in fighting between soldiers and members of anti-regime militias. At least 10 teachers have been killed in 33 arson attacks in the past two months alone, according to Save The Children, an aid group. About 260 schools and other educational buildings have been attacked since the coup. Now, the junta is asking schoolteachers who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), a massive strike by teachers, doctors and other professionals against the military coup, to return to classrooms in schools administered by the regimes Education Department. Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman for the junta, told reporters on May 19 that Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs), militias that have fought against the military, were to blame for harassing and killing teachers who resumed working after they quit the CDM. Military officials blamed a local militia for the deaths of Moe Moe Khaing, a middle school principal, and Kay Zar Khine, her younger sister, who were killed inside their home in Wetlet township, Sagaing region, on Jun. 6. A spokesman for the Wetlet PDF denied the accusation and condemned the attack. Zaw Min Tun said the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and PDF terrorists are behind threats to close down schools. A total of 504 schools were destroyed by terrorists who blew them up with mines in the last academic year, and 37 school teachers were killed, he said. Naing Htoo Aung, secretary of the shadow National Unity Governments Defense Ministry, which oversees PDFs across the country, said he had instructed militias not to attack civilian targets. We have explicitly instructed our forces to target only military personnel, he said. We do not condone such killings of civilians [accused of being] dalan [pro-junta informants]. We dont accept this kind of killing although we are carrying out a revolution, he said. This is not acceptable. It is not in line with international law. We are launching a revolution because we want democracy. We are taking up arms because we have no choice. We cannot be seen by the international community as a terrorist group. Naing Htoo Aung also said the NUG would act if it had information about the perpetrators of the attacks. Teachers in uniform take part in a Civil Disobedience Movement demonstration against the military regime that overthrew the elected national government, in Dooplaya district, eastern Myanmar's Kayin state, May 13, 2021. Credit: AFP/KNU Dooplaya District They do not trust us Zaw Min Tun told a news conference in Naypyidaw on June 16 that the regime contacted 3,156 teachers to urge them to return to work. Of these, 379 are high school teachers, 1,005 are middle school teachers, and 772 are primary school teachers. The junta pledged that it would take no action against CDM teachers who have been holding spring classes in NUG-dominated areas if they have not committed any crimes. But some who have quit the CDM and have resumed working for the junta are being monitored, said Chi Cho, a high school teacher in Yangon who joined the CDM in April 2021, but decided to come back due to financial difficulties. Even though we have to go back to work to earn a living, weve noticed that the junta has asked the teachers to keep an eye on each other, she said. It shows they do not trust us. Chi Cho added that teachers who return have not yet received their salaries because they had joined the CDM. Other teachers are adamant about remaining involved in the CDM movement because they do not want to work under the military junta. Salai Nwe Oo, a high school teacher in Falam township in western Chin state, said he will not work for the military regime. From the very beginning, we had decided not to work under this military dictatorship, he said. We did not want to be a tool of a dictator. Therefore, from the beginning, we said we would not return to work until we regained power never under a military junta. According to the Myanmar Teachers Federation, there were almost 450,000 teachers nationwide in the 2020-21 academic year under the NLD government. About 200,000 teachers took part in the CDM, and about 130,000 of them were fired by the junta last year. Only a small percentage of experienced teachers are returning to classrooms in schools, said an official from the Teachers Federation who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. Regardless of whether teachers are striking or at work, they face various threats, the person said. Most employees, whether they are involved in the CDM or not, are facing anxiety, fear and social problems from both sides, the official said. Sai Khine Myo Tun of the NUGs Education Ministry said the junta was recalling CDM staff as part of their efforts to reassert control over the country. They have a big dream to hold elections in 2023 and to form a legitimate government, so they are trying to show that they can provide public services that support the administrative machinery, he said. Thats why CDM teachers and other staff are being called back to work. Teachers and staff fully understand that the juntas commitment is not to sustain education and develop the country but to establish their governing mechanism, he said. Students and their parents wait outside the entrance of the No. 3 Basic Education High School in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township, Yangon, Myanmar, June 2, 2022. Credit: RFA These dangerous times In the meantime, the NUG has been trying to assist education staff in the CDM who have been threatened with arrest, or have lost homes, or are in poor health. But it doesnt have the means to provide full assistance to all the teachers whose lives have been upended in the conflict. As the teachers suffer, so do their students, who had already lost crucial classroom time to closures during the coronavirus pandemic. The conflict adds another layer of turmoil in their education. A teacher in Yangon who is a CDM member told RFA that both the junta and the PDFs should respect the rights of children to receive an education and refrain from targeting schools. I do not want the children to be hurt because of this. It doesnt matter who does it, said the educator, who declined to be named for safety reasons. The source said that teachers who opted not to participate in the CDM should not be targeted. A parent in Yangon speaking on condition of anonymity for safety reasons told RFA that he did not send his children to school out of fear of shootings and bomb blasts. We dare not let our children go to school in these dangerous times, he said. In some cities, parents have rushed to schools to collect their children early after hearing rumors of a bomb being found inside the building. Political analyst Sai Kyi Zin Soe said preventing children from going to school holds long-term consequences for the country of 54 million people. We have to work to get the perpetrators responsible for these crimes someday, he said. If we cannot do that, we can never be happy in a society where justice cannot be built. This month Tom Andrews, the U.N.s special rapporteur on Myanmars human rights situation, urged the international community to do more to protect children in a report that alleged the junta has brutally attacked children and was systematically abusing their rights. Sai Khaing Myo Tun, the NUGs deputy education minister, told RFA he understands that parents are worried about their children, especially since the junta has deployed armed troops in schools in some instances and arrested teachers. Some teachers have been tortured, and some have lost their lives, he said. We have heard that parents and students have these worries when they have to go to school in such an insecure environment. The NUG said it is working to develop safer ways for children to return to class, whether at home, somewhere in the community or at private institutions. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane for RFA Burmese. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Netizens say the countrys leaders need to accept greater responsibility for widespread graft. Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, addresses a press conference after the closing ceremony of the party's 13th National Congress at the National Convention Center in Vietnam's capital Hanoi, Feb. 1, 2021. Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Vietnam Communist Party, has said that two senior officials caught in a recent bribery scandal apologized to him for their actions but still needed to be punished as a warning to others, state media reported. Trong, who is also a member of the National Assembly for Hanoi, made the comment in a meeting in the capital Hanoi on Thursday, the reports said. But online critics of the government expressed continued frustration with Vietnams leadership for not doing more to root out graft in the government and mismanaging the countrys response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trong, 78, has been general secretary of the Vietnam Communist Party (VCP) the highest position in Vietnam since 2011, and served as the countrys president from 2018 to 2021. As head of the Politburo, Vietnams highest decision-making body, he is the most powerful leader in the country. On June 6, the VCP announced it had expelled Hanoi Mayor Chu Ngoc Anh and Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long from the party following accusations that they were involved in a U.S. $172 million scandal. They were paid by Viet A Technologies Company to provide overpriced coronavirus test kits to hospitals. It is not unusual for senior government officials to apologize to the head of the VCP when they face high-profile corruption charges. Oil executive Trinh Xuan Thanh, who was convicted of embezzling assets from units of Vietnams state-owned oil company, and Nguyen Bac Son, a former minister of information and communications imprisoned for accepting a U.S. $3 million bribe, both expressed remorse for their actions. Musician Tuan Khanh from Ho Chi Minh City told RFA that the Trongs response to the Viet A Technologies scandal has been insufficient. He merely performed a simple act of expressing anguish and regret when the party members and those in top positions were penalized and dismissed from the party, he said. That shows Trong is a figure of the party circle with no vision to lead the nation forward but to nowhere. Hanoi resident Nguyen Son noted that party leaders never apologize to Vietnamese citizens after they are convicted of wrongdoing. The fact that so far the governing party has disrespected the common people is not new, he told RFA. They are afraid that if they apologize or take responsibility for the wrongdoing, it would mean that their power has been diminished. They never publicly apologize to the people in the media, he said. Such a government cannot be said to be of the people, by the people and for the people. It is a government that grasps all power in its hands, so whether they apology or not, nothing can be done about it. Lawyer and democracy activist Nguyen Van Dai was even more critical of Trong, who he said should accept more responsibility for the actions of officials in his government. I cannot imagine why as a human he can lose all sense of decency, he said. The fact that he thinks all wrongdoing by the officials under him does not at all relate to him is unacceptable. Dai said their remains a disconnect between the government and the people because under the one-party communist system leaders do not need to face the voters in open elections. Vietnam ranked in 87th place out of 180 countries on Transparency Internationals 2021 Corruption Perception Index, with a higher ranking corresponding to a widespread perception of corruption in the public sector. Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said that negotiations aimed at reviving the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal will resume shortly. "We expect to resume talks in the coming days and break the impasse," Borrell said during a joint news conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. "It has been three months and we need to accelerate the work." Describing his meeting with Borrell as "long, but positive," Amir-Abdollahian said that Iran was prepared to resume talks with world powers in the coming days. "What is important for Iran is to fully receive the economic benefits of the 2015 accord," he said. Under the 2015 deal, Iran agreed to limits on its controversial nuclear program in exchange for relief from punitive sanctions imposed by the West. But the arrangement began to fall apart when the U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of the deal in 2018. Washington subsequently reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran, while the Iranian government, which denies that its nuclear program seeks to build a bomb, backed away from some of the commitments laid out in the deal. Iran has been engaged for more than a year in negotiations with Britain, Germany, France, Russia, and China directly -- and the United States, indirectly -- to revive the deal. Negotiators were reportedly close to a new agreement in March, but the talks in Vienna abruptly stalled in April, with Tehran and Washington blaming each other for failing to take the necessary political decisions to settle remaining issues. In early June, Tehran said it had started removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites across the country, further reducing the West's ability to monitor Iran's nuclear program. The EU's nuclear talks envoy, Enrique Mora, posted a photo late on June 23 of a dinner he was attending in Brussels with Borrell and Robert Malley, the U.S. special envoy to the talks. Mora said Malley reiterated Washington's "firm commitment to come back to the deal." RUSSKAYA LYAZHMAR, Russia -- The last time Maria Knyazeva saw her grandson, Private Vasily Knyazev, was when he visited over the New Year holiday, traveling from the Far Eastern region of Khabarovsk. Thats where he had been serving as a soldier in the 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade. He had served under a contract three years ago, Knyazeva, 70, told Idel.Realities as she planted potatoes in the yard of her house in a rural village. His unit was from Khabarovsk. He came here from there. Knyazeva said she is not sure what her grandson is up to now. She said she didnt know that he is, in all likelihood, among the tens of thousands of Russian soldiers who have been fighting in Ukraine in the biggest war in Europe in nearly eight decades. She doesnt know that hes been implicated in war crimes that Ukrainian authorities, rights groups, and survivors say were committed by Russian military units against civilians in the districts north of Kyiv in March. Now in its fifth month, Russias special military operation -- as the Kremlin insists on calling the war -- has shifted away from north-central Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces beat back an invasion force that had sought to seize the capital and topple the government. In the wake of the withdrawal of Russian forces -- who pulled out of areas north of Kyiv and Chernihiv in late March and shifted east and south, to concentrate on seizing and holding territories there -- Ukrainian and international investigators have uncovered a trail of atrocities allegedly committed by Russian military units in the districts they had occupied: Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, and others. The bodies of at least 403 people who were killed by the Russian troops had been located and are being identified, Buchas mayor said on April 12. While eyewitnesses have provided brutal first-hand accounts of civilians being summarily shot, in some cases executed with their hands tied behind their backs, investigators have also said they located a trove of computer files that were left at the temporary Russian military headquarters in Bucha when the soldiers retreated. The files include a list of 1,600 soldiers from the 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade who served in Bucha and nearby districts. On April 28, Ukraines prosecutor-general, Iryna Venediktova, published a list of 10 names that she said had been identified as being members of the rifle brigade. Agents from the Security Service of Ukraine, the countrys main intelligence agency, also said they had obtained a cell phone that had been left behind in the Bucha area by a Russian soldier from the 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade. The phone, according to the service, contained personal photographs that were then provided to a group of open-source researchers called InformNapalm. InformNapalm later said it had identified the phones owner as a sergeant who served in a reconnaissance unit of the Khabarovsk-based rifle brigade. From photographs and other data on the phone, the group compiled its own list of soldiers it said had served in the rifle brigade in Bucha. Volga Soldiers Using the lists complied by Ukrainian prosecutors and the open-source researchers, Idel.Realities, a project of RFE/RLs Tatar-Bashkir Service, identified and sought to contact 11 soldiers who had served with the rifle brigade who were originally from Russias central Volga region. All were contacted initially using VK, the Russian social media giant, where they had profiles. One man, identified on the lists as Aleksandr Koloyarov from the Saratov Oblast, told RFE/RL via a VK private message that he had served with the 64th brigade but had retired in 2018. His rank was unknown. Another man, Viktor Loktionov, responded to RFE/RL via a VK message: "Send an article or at least a source so I can read what I'm talking about there, having nothing to do with it." He later stopped communicating. Loktionovs passport was issued in the Orenburg region, according to InformNapalms data. His rank was also unknown. Another man who appeared on InformNapalms list was Aleksandr Yegorov. He denied he had ever served in the 64th Brigade. Yet another name that appeared on the lists was Private Aleksei Shiyan. RFE/RL located his mother, Yelena Zakharova, who lives in the Urals region of Perm. She responded to questions about the Bucha events, replying via VK: Who came up with this? This is some kind of nonsense. Shiyan had never been in Ukraine, she said. Everything is fine with my son. He has a family -- a wife, and their daughter is growing up, she told RFE/RL before she then blocked a reporter from communicating further with her. Vasya Knyazev From Mari-El Private Knyazev, whose name appears on the list compiled by Ukrainian prosecutors, hails from the Mari-El region, a small, poor region on the Volga River about 800 kilometers east of Moscow. On VK, Knyazev called himself Vasya -- a diminutive of his name. One of the photographs on the account -- dated January 20, 2021 -- contains precise coordinates where it was taken: the home base of military unit No. 51460 of the 64th Rifle Brigade. In another photograph, posted on December 19, 2021, a young man believed to be Knyazev is shown in a dark down jacket and white sneakers next to a monument near the Kremlin in Moscow. Knyazev did not respond to multiple messages sent to him via VK. Passport data published by InformNapalm shows that Knyazevs main ID document was issued in the village of Sernur in Mari-El. The birthdate given on the list compiled by InformNapalm and the birthdate listed on Knyazevs VK account are the same. RFE/RL contacted one of Knyazevs friends listed on VK, a person named Pyotr Knyazev. The person replied that Vasily Knyazev had not served in the military since 2020. According to Maria Knyazeva, Pyotr is Vasilys brother. Other information on Knyazevs VK account indicated his hometown was Russkaya Lyazhmar, where he graduated from high school, though it was unclear when. Knyazeva told RFE/RL that Knyazevs mother had been killed several years ago, by his father. RFE/RL did not speak to the father, who also lives with Knyazeva, and could not confirm that he killed his wife. Another name identified by prosecutors was Mikhail Kashin, a 24-year-old from Votkinsk, a town in another central region, Udmurtia. Kashin, whose rank was unknown, did not respond to messages sent via VK seeking comment. Contacted by RFE/RL, Kashins sister, Yekaterina Cherepanova, declined to discuss her brothers military service: I dont know anything about it at all, she said via a VK message. 'Mass Heroism And Bravery' The efforts of Ukrainian and international prosecutors have drawn support from United Nations and European Union officials, and from some of Ukraines biggest financial supporters. During an unannounced visit to Kyiv this week, the top law enforcement official in the United States, Attorney General Merrick Garland, said he was appointing a veteran prosecutor with experience tracking former Nazis to help Ukraine in tracking Russian war criminals. For Russias part, neither the Kremlin nor Russian commanders have made any public acknowledgment of the mounting evidence and allegations that Russian troops may have committed war crimes. On April 19, President Vladimir Putin issued a decree lauding the work of the 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade and praising it for mass heroism and bravery, steadfastness, and fortitude and for distinguishing itself in military action for the protection of the Fatherland and state interests. Written by Mike Eckel based on reporting by RFE/RLs Idel.Realities. Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies called a Russian missile strike on a crowded shopping center in Ukraine on June 27 a war crime and vowed to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable. The leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, meeting on the second day of a summit in Germany, issued a statement after 15 people were reportedly killed and 50 wounded in the attack in the central city of Kremenchuk. "Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians constitute a war crime," the leaders said in the statement, adding that they "solemnly condemn the abominable attack" in Kremenchuk. An earlier Russian missile strike in Lysychansk on June 27 killed eight and wounded 21 others, said Serhiy Hayday, the head of the military administration of Luhansk where Lysychansk is located. Lysychansk is the last big city still held by Ukraine in the eastern Luhansk region. Ukraine immediately called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. A spokesman for the Albanian mission, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, said it would take place on June 28. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who earlier on June 27 addressed the G7 summit, said Russia should be legally recognized as the largest terrorist organization in the world. "The Russian state has become the largest terrorist organization in the world. And this is a fact. And this must be a legal fact," Zelenskiy said in a video. "And everyone in the world should know that buying or transporting Russian oil, maintaining ties with Russian banks, paying taxes and duties to the Russian state is giving money to terrorists. The G7 leaders said earlier they would keep sanctions on Russia for as long as necessary and intensify international economic and political pressure on Putin and his supporters in Belarus. The earlier statement said the G7 countries were "committed to sustaining and intensifying" sanctions and would continue to use them as needed "acting in unison at every stage." The statement adds that the G7 countries "will continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes." Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians and refugees, and Western aid and reaction. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the pledges were necessary to maintain pressure on Putin. "Imagine if we allowed Putin to get away with the violent acquisition of huge chunks of another country, sovereign, independent territory," Johnson told the BBC. "The lessons for that would be absolutely chilling. The point I would make to people is I think that sometimes the price of freedom is worth paying." The G7 leaders are committed to exploring new ways to isolate Russia from participating in the global market and to crack down on evasion of existing sanctions, the statement said. The countries pledged to take steps to further reduce their dependency on Russian energy and to expand sanctions to further restrict Russia's access to services and technologies, particularly those supporting its armament industry, the statement said. They also pledged more sanctions on individuals responsible for war crimes. The statement, issued by Germany, the current holder of the G7's rotating presidency, also said the group was ready to provide more funding to help shore up Ukrainian government finances. The budget support that has been pledged and provided thus far in 2022 amounts to $29.5 billion, the statement said. The G7 leaders said they recognized the devastating level of destruction of infrastructure in Ukraine caused by the war and stood ready to support an international reconstruction plan. Separately, the United States said it was finalizing a weapons package for Ukraine that would include long-range air-defense systems -- arms that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy specifically requested when he addressed the leaders by video link earlier in the day. Zelenskiy urged G7 leaders to do everything in their power to end Russia's invasion of his country by the end of the year as Ukraine's military says it continues to fend off an attempted encirclement in the eastern city of Lysychansk. Zelenskiy told the leaders that he wanted the war to end before the winter set in and battle conditions would make it tougher for his troops as they mount their fightback, several diplomats were quoted as saying by international media outlets after the speech. Zelenskiy also asked for air-defense systems, more sanctions on Russia, and security guarantees as he addressed the summit at the Schloss Elmau in Bavaria, diplomats said, adding that the Ukrainian leader stressed the necessity to keep applying "heavy" punitive actions on Russia and "not lower the pressure" following multiple rounds of sanctions that Western allies have imposed on Moscow. Zelenskiy also asked for help to export grain from Ukraine and for reconstruction aid, they said. The Ukrainian military command said earlier that it had repelled Russian attacks west of Lysychansk and prevented an encirclement of the strategically important Donbas city. "Near Verkhnyokamyanka, the defense forces inflicted significant losses on the enemy and forced them to retreat," the Ukrainian General Staff reported. Verkhnyokamyanka is located on an important supply road only a few kilometers west of Lysychansk. Serhiy Hayday, the head of the military administration of Luhansk, where Lysychansk is located, urged inhabitants of the city to leave immediately as Russian forces level large swaths of the town, where about 100,000 people lived before the invasion. "The disastrous 'Russian World' is trying to wipe from the world's map our history by destroying the cultural institutions and architectural monuments of the Luhansk region," Hayday wrote on the Telegram messaging app, accusing Russian forces of already destroying more than 60 such institutions and monuments in the city. The military command separately said on June 27 that a missile strike had hit the Odesa region in southern Ukraine, a day after Russia launched strikes against the capital, Kyiv, and other Ukrainian cities. The command said the missile, which was fired from a Russian-type Tu-22 strategic bomber, caused six casualties including a child. It was not clear whether the authorities were reporting injuries or deaths. "The strike in a residential area of a civilian settlement destroyed several residential and farm buildings over around 500 square meters," the command said, adding that firefighters were still battling the flames. Meanwhile, the United States plans to announce as soon as this week that it has purchased an advanced, medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile defense system for Ukraine, CNN and AP reported on June 27, citing sources familiar with the issue. Ukrainian officials have asked for the missile defense system known as NASAMS that can hit targets more than 160 kilometers away, the sources said. Washington last week announced an additional $450 million in military assistance for Ukraine, giving it four more multiple launch rocket systems and artillery ammunition for other systems. Earlier this month, the Biden administration said it was providing an additional $1 billion military aid package to Ukraine that will include additional howitzers, ammunition, and coastal defense systems. More and more analysts envision a protracted battle in the eastern part of Ukraine, with high human and equipment losses on both sides. Britain's Ministry of Defense said in its daily intelligence bulletin on June 27 that, in the following weeks, Russia, which has reportedly suffered a high rate of casualties, is "highly likely" to rely increasingly on reservists. However, British intelligence suggested that the Russian leadership "likely remains reluctant to order a general mobilization," despite a permanent shortfall in the number of reservists who can be deployed in Ukraine. With reporting by Reuters, AP, dpa, TASS, and AFP China has launched a campaign to help unemployed college graduates and young people under the age of 35 secure jobs, in a bid to maintain employment stability and ensure stable economic performance. Nine pro-employment measures have been outlined to provide better services to job hunters in the campaign, which will last until December this year, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Friday. Job registration apps as well as online and offline employment services will be launched, while tailored services will be provided according to the conditions, preferences and requirements of job seekers. Human-resources and social-security departments in cities at and above the prefecture level will promote more information about recruitment channels and lists of pro-employment services by the end of June. Recruitment activities will be held more frequently with more on-the-ground events being organized. The country will also offer targeted services to unemployed graduates experiencing difficulties. Occupational training sessions and employment counseling will be provided to vulnerable groups, such as families that have previously shaken off poverty, low-income households or the so-called "zero-employment families." China is expected to see a record 10.76 million new graduates from the country's universities and colleges in 2022, marking a year-on-year increase of 1.67 million. College graduates are deemed a key target of the country's employment-first policy. China has launched a series of pro-employment campaigns to move job interviews online, incentivize firms to increase their employees and open the doors of big cities wider to college graduates. Gov. Pete Ricketts and Speaker Mike Hilgers of Lincoln said they would work together to determine when to call the Legislature back into special session to consider enacting a ban on abortion in the state. "I am keen to protect pre-born babies, but I'll have to work with the speaker with regard to what he thinks we will be able to accomplish," Ricketts said Friday during an event celebrating the completion of new state offices in the Fallbrook development in Lincoln. Abortion remains legal in Nebraska up until 20 weeks after fertilization, according to current state law. Friday's Supreme Court ruling leaves the decision on how to restrict abortion up to individual states. Thirteen states had trigger laws in place that will automatically ban abortion within one month of the ruling. The governor would not predict when the session would be scheduled but indicated he'd rather call state senators back than wait until the next session begins in January. He pointed out that Tuesday's special election to replace Rep. Jeff Fortenberry would change the makeup of the Legislature. State Sens. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln and Mike Flood of Norfolk are seeking to fill the remainder of the 1st District congressman's term. In the closing days of this year's legislative session, a bill to ban abortion in Nebraska if states were given full regulatory authority by the court was trapped by a filibuster. A cloture motion to free the bill for consideration fell two votes short on a 31-15 count, with Flood voting yes and Pansing Brooks voting no. Ricketts also mentioned that Sen. Tom Brewer had just left for a trip to Ukraine. Brewer, a Republican who supported the bill to ban abortions, had said he would return for a special session. Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln said a special session is "all-but-guaranteed," and will likely take place later this summer. Had the trigger bill senators considered this past session passed, it would have made it a felony for anyone to provide any medication or undertake any procedure with the intent of ending the life of an unborn child, starting at fertilization. The woman undergoing an abortion, however, could not be charged. Lawmakers who opposed the bill have vowed to continue their opposition in the event of a special session. Several of them repeated those promises Friday in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling. "We have stopped an abortion ban before, and we will do it again together," Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, who led an eight-hour filibuster on the failed trigger bill earlier this year, wrote on Twitter on Friday. Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, who introduced the trigger bill, said she has been negotiating with some lawmakers on alterations that would address sticking points of opposition in the previous legislation mainly that the bill would have inadvertently banned in vitro fertilization, or IVF, and hindered doctors attempting to perform life-saving operations. "We have to be certain that we cover all our bases," Albrecht said. Albrecht said she isn't sure what the new bill would look like, because it will largely depend on a full analysis of the Supreme Court's ruling. Two other abortion-restricting bills were proposed during this year's session, but neither made it out of committee. One, introduced by Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, would have banned chemical abortions after seven weeks. It would not have regulated surgical abortions. The other, introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, would have banned abortions after a fetal heartbeat could be detected. That usually occurs about six weeks after fertilization. Slama said Friday she would support any abortion-restricting bill in a special session, as long as it is capable of reaching 33 votes to end a filibuster. Albrecht said she does not expect Ricketts to call for a special session if he isn't confident a proposed bill will pass. "We should not walk away empty-handed," Slama said. The fate of any bill will ultimately depend on the makeup of the Legislature, which has already changed from the end of last session because of the death of Sen. Rich Pahls of Omaha. Pahls was not present for the vote on the trigger bill because of illness, though Morfeld said Pahls likely would have voted for the bill. Ricketts appointed Omaha businesswoman Kathleen Kauth as Pahls' replacement earlier this month. At her appointment ceremony, Kauth said she would have voted for the trigger bill had she been serving at the time. Nebraska Family Alliance policy director Nate Grasz called for legislative action. "Pre-born babies who can smile, yawn, suck their thumbs and have their own heartbeat can be legally aborted up to 20 weeks in our state," he said. "We will immediately begin working with our state lawmakers to pursue the strongest protections possible for every unborn child in Nebraska, because every life should be cherished and protected," Grasz said. Morfeld, a candidate for Lancaster County Attorney, also issued a statement Friday declaring that "I will not criminalize doctors or women for reproductive decisions" if he is elected to that office. "I will not turn every miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, IVF procedure and split-second, life-saving decision by a doctor into a criminal investigation. "These are private decisions that should be left to a woman and her doctor, not politicians and lawyers." Reporters for the Omaha World-Herald contributed to this story. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Battle of the Little Bighorn now exists mostly in the written word. Its perhaps the most analyzed and recorded event in Montana history. The Big Horn County Museum in Hardin has three full bookshelves of books the battle, examined from every possible angle. Theres documentation out there. Reams of it. But theres a limit. Even the most precise, evocative words about the battle are limited to the imagination of the reader. You can read about it all day. But you cant see it. The full portrait is left incomplete. Enter the Battle of the Little Bighorn reenactment. Put on annually since 1990 by the Real Bird Family, the event attempts to recreate the battle in real time, in order to tell the Native American version of the Little Bighorn Battle, as recounted by narrator Henry Real Bird. The reenactment battlefield is on a portion of the historic battlefield, along the banks of the Little Bighorn River near Deep Coulee and Medicine Tail Coulee, near where some historians theorize Custers 7th Cavalry may have tried to ford the Little Bighorn River in order to attack the Native American village. A $20 ticket, $10 for kids ages 7-13, gets you a heck of a show, as scores of actors, some dressed as members of the 7th Cavalry, others as members of the Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, clash in an open field in front of spectators. Here, history comes alive. You could feel the tall grass whipping against the horses legs, smell the gunpowder, and hear the war whoops. Its not like being there, but it gives you an idea of what being there might have been like. The big moments of the battle are all recounted. Major Marcus Renos ill-fated skirmish line starts off the fight, and it of course ends with Custers fabled last stand, as his men are surrounded and annihilated. Real Birds narration explains what happened to Custers body, including the removal and disposal of his heart. But the reenactment is concerned with more than just the battle. It tells the story of the Indigenous peoples of Great Plains in general. Theres Lewis and Clark, the mountain men, the encroachment of Christianity, the flight of John Colter, an example of food gathering practices and, maybe most thrillingly, an explanation of the importance of the horse, which is demonstrated when a large band of unsaddled horses are let loose on the battlefield, running around en mass like an equine river. Custers history on the Plains is recounted, his role in the massacre of a band of Cheyenne under Chief Black Kettle in 1868 and his invasion of the Black Hills in 1874 are presented to show how the ripples of those events led to Little Bighorn. Some events we never forget, Real Bird read over the PA system while discussing Custers life. The reenactment shows the battle not as an isolated incident, but as a great culmination of hundreds of years of prior history. Narrated and presented by Native Americans on Native land, the reenactment recontextualizes a historic event, one usually told through the eyes of the defeated Cavalry troops. When the flag song of the Crow Nation was played, the reenactors portraying the Cavalry, including Custer, stood in solemn salute. The grandstands were packed, and the parking area outside had cars with license plates from dozens of states. Dave and Danaya MacDonald, along with their four kids, were some of the attendees. The MacDonalds are from Vancouver, Canada, and have been traveling in their RV, visiting sites in America. Danaya said her uncle had been told about the reenactment years ago while in a grocery store, and shed always wanted to see it for herself. We dont have many battlefields in Canada, she said with a laugh. As theyve been traveling, Dave said his kids have been playing the iPhone app version of The Oregon Trail video game, and hed noticed a lack of Native American representation in the modern version of the classic game. You cant erase history, you cant erase what happened, he said. This is a pretty complicated era of history, Dave continued, noting that he wants his children to get to experience and learn about it first-hand. Earlier in the trip, theyd been to the Lewis and Clark Museum in St. Louis, and the Ingalls Homestead in De Smet, South Dakota. This stop at the Little Bighorn Reenactment is another chance to see real, tangible history. If kids can see it in real life, its not just a history book, Dave said. Randy Schoppe, the director of the Big Horn County Museum, agrees. Its all just to give people a glimpse, just a quick glimpse of what life would have been like for the army soldiers, and the tribes that were involved in the battle, he said. The Museum will have historical reenactors on hand this weekend as part of Little Bighorn Days. The reenactor path isnt perfect, and narratives tend to sand down the sharper edges and messy chronology of real history. It just gives you a picture in your mind, so that when you sit down and read the books and really study the history, at least you have some frame of reference, Schoppe said. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Protesters organized on the rainy courthouse lawn in Billings Friday to protest the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, leaving the fate of abortion access to individual states. Organized partly by the Womens March and partly by locals, plans for the pop-up protest have been in the works since a draft of the decision was leaked in May, said Brandi Seibel, Billings resident and primary organizer of the event. Were trying to have our voices be heard. One protest probably wont change much, but at least were going to tell people theyre not alone, Seibel said, raising her voice to speak over the blaring of car horns and chants going on around her. Though the striking down of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court will have minimal impact to Montanans for the near future, the news still evoked a range of emotions from leaders throughout the state. Its devastating and heart-wrenching, said Helen Weems, family nurse practitioner at All Families Healthcare in Whitefish. It feels out of touch with what (Americans want) and it feels cruel. The Whitefish facility offers reproductive health services that include abortion care, emergency contraception, birth control, LGBTQ+ health care, pregnancy testing and more. In the weeks since the draft of the decision was leaked, Weems has taken note of an increased demand for long-acting and effective birth control. And over the last few months the facility has provided more abortion services for patients traveling from Texas than before. Eventually, demand for safe and legal abortions in Montana could increase as providers accept an overflow of patients from surrounding states that have trigger laws in place designed to outlaw abortion upon a Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In order to prepare for increasing demand, leadership at All Families Healthcare has extended operational hours, brought in additional health care workers and streamlined access to medications by mail, Weems said. But its hard to know what demand will be like as the country shifts into a post-Roe world. It might even be months before demand increases, said Martha Fuller, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Montana. Montana has been in an interesting position (for a long time), Fuller said, adding that neighboring states, including North and South Dakota and Wyoming, have had very few providers willing to offer abortion care in the past, meaning residents were already traveling to Montana for abortions. Fuller predicts that as time goes on, facilities that can offer abortions will become strained. For now, self-managed abortions by way of mailed medication are protected under the 1999 Armstrong ruling, which protects Montanans privacy and has extended privacy to include womens right to pre-viability abortions. Pro-life legislation passed in the 2021 session aimed to put a stop to mailed medications that would trigger an abortion, but Planned Parenthood took legal action, calling on the Armstrong ruling to dub the bills unlawful. Since fall 2021, a preliminary injunction has blocked those laws from going into effect. But moving that legislation into law is a top priority for Billings Republican Representative Sue Vinton. On Friday, Vinton voiced her support of the Supreme Court decision and called for the overturning of the Armstrong precedent in Montana. Courts have equated a womans right to privacy to abortion, and those are not the same thing, Vinton said. In order to overturn Armstrong via a constitutional convention, Republicans would need to hold a super-majority in the legislature. Though Republicans are just a few seats shy of achieving just that, Vinton said that the GOP hasnt settled on any one action. While rewriting the constitution could be part of the discussion, Vinton said there are multiple avenues to consider when it comes to overturning the Armstrong ruling. Love 4 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 4 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. How to be busy and important this month in San Diego When owner Gabe Hogan and chef Daniel Pundik opened Local Tap House on South Coast Highway in Oceanside five years ago, their shared goal was simple. LTH was built by locals to serve locals, Pundik said. It was a place where we could feed the masses breakfast, lunch and dinner and always be there for locals to come whenever they have family in town. Now, the LTH duo is taking things up a notch. On Jan. 14, Hogan opened Exhale Restaurant, a more-elevated 200-seat restaurant and bar just across the street at Coast Highway and Michigan Avenue. Pundiks Exhale menu is inspired by the rustic cuisine of Oaxaca, Mexico, with a modern, Americanized farm-to-table approach. Were Mexican-inspired, but I wouldnt call it straight Mexican food, Pundik said. Were approaching things in a different way. This would be the kind of food youd find in a five-star resort in Oaxaca. A selection of Oaxacan-inspired dishes on blue corn tortillas at newly opened Exhale restaurant in Oceanside. (Courtesy photo) Advertisement The kitchen centerpiece is an Argentine wood-fired grill, where rib eyes, tomahawk pork chops and whole bronzino are cooked over white oak and mesquite wood. The menus signature dish is cooked-to-order tortillas made with heirloom blue corn thats grown in Oaxaca and shipped to Tortilleria Los Reyes in Vista, where its soaked and ground into masa dough. The dough is delivered daily to Exhale where tortillas are shaped, pressed and cooked on a revolving griddle in the restaurants glass-walled exhibition kitchen. Its a show. If you can catch a seat in front of the kitchen, theres always something to see, like the girls making the tortillas all day every day, said Pundik, who said the restaurants name was coined by Hogan and is meant to encourage diners to relax and let us do the rest. Chef Daniel Pundik prepares food on the wood-fired Argentine grill at Exhale Restaurant in Oceanside. (Courtesy photo) Pundik said he was inspired to create the Oaxacan-inspired menu by the cooks hes been working with since arriving in San Diego County restaurants 15 years ago. Many of the regions kitchen crew members hail from that food-centric Oaxaca region. Pundik said Oaxacan cuisine is very different in ingredients and style from the Baja cuisine thats best known around San Diego. We just wanted to dig deeper into Mexican cuisine and do something different, said Pundik. Oaxaca, a state near the southern border of Mexico, is best known for its corn, which has been cultivated in the region for more than 7,000 years. A signature Oaxacan dish is the tlayuda, a tortilla-style flatbread layered with beans, vegetables, meats and cheeses. Oaxaca is also known for its mole sauces, particularly the mole negro, a dark-colored, richly flavored sauce made with chili peppers, chocolate, garlic and onions. Pundik said he worked closely with his kitchen crew, including his Oaxacan-born sous chef, to develop Exhales house mole negro and other sauces. Many dishes feature native Mexican herbs rarely found in other local restaurants, including epazote, known as Mexican tea and commonly used in Oaxacan bean dishes, and hoja sante, a peppery herb used in protein dishes and mole verde. The menu includes starter dishes like ceviche negro, esquites (Mexican street corn) and bacon-wrapped chile rellenos, priced from $6 to $12. Tlayudas, with choice of toppings including coffee-rubbed brisket, Spanish-aged chorizo and chapulines (fried grasshoppers), are $11 to $14. House-made taco plates range from $6 to $16. Entrees such as steaks, shellfish and banana leaf-wrapped swordfish, are $24 to $32 and include side dishes. There are also vegetarian dishes and made-to-order guacamole. Exhales bar has 10 beers on tap but it also has an extensive wine menu, 11 cocktails and a diverse selection of Mexican tequilas and mezcals. The interior of newly opened Exhale restaurant in Oceanside, which features a glass-walled kitchen in the back left corner. (Pam Kragen/San Diego Union-Tribune) Pundik grew up in southeast Florida and moved to San Diego 16 years ago where he worked his way up in some of the citys top kitchens. He cooked for 4- and 5-year stints at now-defunct Delicias in Rancho Santa Fe, at the Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa and the Crossings at Carlsbad restaurant. He met Hogan about six years ago and was the opening chef for LTH, which has a more American comfort food-style menu and 32 beers on tap. Because Pundik was trained in French culinary techniques, he said the cooking at Exhale is both rustic in its open-flame style, but refined in its technique. As at LTH, the restaurants greens come from Specialty Produce in San Diego as well as TERI Farm, a learning-based working farm for adults with autism. Pundik said the beauty of how the dishes are presented with the colorful produce and blue tortillas is part of the dining experience at Exhale. Were presenting beautiful dishes with freshness and bright colors, he said. We always try to present food that you can eat with your eyes first. Exhale Restaurant Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Where: 236 S Coast Highway, Oceanside Online: exhaleoceanside.com pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a Decree on application of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 523-VIG dated May 5, 2022 on food security and abolition of the Presidential Decrees on application of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 267 dated January 26, 2000 on food products and Law No. 969 dated October 23, 2003 on additional measures related to application of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on food products, Azernews reports. Funds from the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law approved last fall have started flowing into North Dakota. Preliminary estimates indicate the state could receive more than $1.1 billion in new money over the next five years. Theres no doubt the state can put the money to good use. Aging roads, bridges and other infrastructure are overdue for improvements or replacement. Its a situation thats true across the nation. Its essential that North Dakota puts the funds to use in a timely manner with proper oversight. The first funds going through the approval process include $2.5 million for the Department of Mineral Resources abandoned oil well plugging program. Another $1 million was approved by the Emergency Commission for the Department of Environmental Quality to hire four temporary, full-time-equivalent employees to administer future funding for drinking water projects and to handle new federal requirements on lead and copper water lines. Both projects need final approval from the Legislatures Budget Section, which will meet on Tuesday. While Gov. Doug Burgum welcomes the federal funds, hes concerned about caps placed on the Emergency Commission by the 2021 Legislature. The commission cant approve in aggregate more than $50 million in federal funds or $20 million in special funds every two years without the approval of the Legislature. Since the Legislature is in session about four months every two years, the caps could limit the states ability to allocate the funds. While $50 million is a lot of money, it doesnt take long to hit the figure when dealing with major infrastructure projects. At the same time, the Tribune editorial board believes its important to have oversight on all of the projects. On the national level, its been revealed that massive fraud occurred with the distribution of funds intended to counter the problems from the pandemic. Burgum would like the states budget director, Joe Morrissette, to have the authority to approve minimal funding requests like the $5,000 the Emergency Commission approved for the state School for the Blind last week. That makes sense, but there still needs to be a mechanism for oversight. The state auditors office has demonstrated in recent years that offices can make errors, usually unintended, that can cost the state. North Dakota needs to be able to make use of all of the infrastructure funds that are made available. That means it needs to be flexible enough to meet deadlines for spending the money. Theres no doubt that many roads, bridges and water-related projects need replacement or improvement. Delaying needed improvements increases the risks of potentially fatal accidents. Making use of the infrastructure funds should be considered a public safety issue, and the safety of the public should get priority. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Ducks Unlimited and federal officials are teaming up to restore native vegetation in eastern South Dakota. The Argus Leader reports Ducks Unlimited will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service on a five-year project to improve soil health, restore grasslands and improve grazing. The work calls for planting cover crops and grains and providing assistance for fencing and water development. Ducks Unlimited will offer financial and technical assistance to agriculture producers. The program is part of a larger partnership between 20 conservation groups in South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana. WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Friday stripped away womens constitutional protections for abortion, a fundamental and deeply personal change for Americans' lives after nearly a half-century under Roe v. Wade. The courts overturning of the landmark court ruling is likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. The ruling, unthinkable just a few years ago, was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump. Both sides predicted the fight over abortion would continue, in state capitals, in Washington and at the ballot box. Justice Clarence Thomas, part of Friday's majority, urged colleagues to overturn other high court rulings protecting same-sex marriage, gay sex and the use of contraceptives. Pregnant women considering abortions already had been dealing with a near-complete ban in Oklahoma and a prohibition after roughly six weeks in Texas. Clinics in at least eight other states Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia stopped performing abortions after Friday's decision. In Ohio, a ban on most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat became the law when a federal judge dissolved an injunction that had kept the measure on hold for nearly three years. And Utah's law was triggered by the ruling, going into effect with narrow exceptions. Protests built into the evening in a number of cities, including thousands demonstrating against the decision outside the barricaded Supreme Court. Thousands more chanted We will rise up! in New York's Washington Square. At the White House, Biden said, It's a sad day for the court and for the country. He urged voters to make it a defining issue in the November elections, declaring, This decision must not be the final word. Outside the White House, Ansley Cole, a college student from Atlanta, said she was "scared because what are they going to come after next? ... The next election cycle is going to be brutal, like its terrifying. And if theyre going to do this, again, whats next? Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, agreed about the political stakes. We are ready to go on offense for life in every single one of those legislative bodies, in each statehouse and the White House, Dannenfelser said in a statement. Trump praised the ruling, telling Fox News that it will work out for everybody. The decision is expected to disproportionately affect minority women who already face limited access to health care, according to statistics analyzed by The Associated Press. It also puts the court at odds with a majority of Americans who favored preserving Roe, according to opinion polls. Surveys conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and others have shown a majority in favor of abortion being legal in all or most circumstances. But many also support restrictions especially later in pregnancy. Surveys consistently show that about 1 in 10 Americans want abortion to be illegal in all cases. The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take this momentous step. Alito, in the final opinion issued Friday, wrote that Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 decision that reaffirmed the right to abortion, were wrong had and to be be overturned. We therefore hold that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Roe and Casey must be overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people and their elected representatives, Alito wrote, in an opinion that was very similar to the leaked draft. Joining Alito were Thomas and Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett. The last three justices are Trump appointees. Thomas first voted to overrule Roe 30 years ago. Four justices would have left Roe and Casey in place. The vote was 6-3 to uphold Mississippi's law banning most abortions after 15 weeks, but Chief Justice John Roberts didn't join his conservative colleagues in overturning Roe. He wrote that there was no need to overturn the broad precedents to rule in Mississippi's favor. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan the diminished liberal wing of the court were in dissent. With sorrow for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection we dissent, they wrote, warning that abortion opponents now could pursue a nationwide ban from the moment of conception and without exceptions for rape or incest. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that the Justice Department will protect providers and those seeking abortions in states where it is legal and "work with other arms of the federal government that seek to use their lawful authorities to protect and preserve access to reproductive care. In particular, Garland said the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Mifepristone for medication abortions. More than 90% of abortions take place in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, and more than half are now done with pills, not surgery, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Mississippis only abortion clinic, which was at the center of Friday's case, continued to see patients Friday. Outside, men used a bullhorn to tell people inside that they would burn in hell. Clinic escorts wearing colorful vests used large speakers to blast Tom Pettys I Wont Back Down at the protesters. Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri are among 13 states, mainly in the South and Midwest, that already have laws on the books to ban abortion in the event Roe was overturned. Another half-dozen states have near-total bans or prohibitions after 6 weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. In roughly a half-dozen other states, including West Virginia and Wisconsin, the fight will be over dormant abortion bans that were enacted before Roe was decided in 1973 or new proposals to sharply limit when abortions can be performed, according to Guttmacher. Outside the barricaded Supreme Court, a crowd of mostly young women grew into the hundreds within hours of the decision. Some shouted, The Supreme Court is illegitimate, while waves of others, wearing red shirts with The Pro-Life Generation Votes, celebrated, danced and thrust their arms into the air. The Biden administration and other defenders of abortion rights have warned that a decision overturning Roe also would threaten other high court decisions in favor of gay rights and even potentially contraception. The liberal justices made the same point in their joint dissent: The majority eliminates a 50-year-old constitutional right that safeguards womens freedom and equal station. It breaches a core rule-of-law principle, designed to promote constancy in the law. In doing all of that, it places in jeopardy other rights, from contraception to same-sex intimacy and marriage. And finally, it undermines the Courts legitimacy. And Thomas, the member of the court most open to jettisoning prior decisions, wrote a separate opinion in which he explicitly called on his colleagues to put the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage, gay sex and contraception cases on the table. But Alito contended that his analysis addresses abortion only. Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion, he wrote. Whatever the intentions of the person who leaked Alitos draft opinion, the conservatives held firm in overturning Roe and Casey. In his opinion, Alito dismissed the arguments in favor of retaining the two decisions, including that multiple generations of American women have partly relied on the right to abortion to gain economic and political power. Changing the makeup of the court has been central to the anti-abortion sides strategy, as the dissenters archly noted. The Court reverses course today for one reason and one reason only: because the composition of this Court has changed, the liberal justices wrote. Mississippi and its allies made increasingly aggressive arguments as the case developed, and two high-court defenders of abortion rights retired or died. The state initially argued that its law could be upheld without overruling the courts abortion precedents. Justice Anthony Kennedy retired shortly after the Mississippi law took effect in 2018 and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died in September 2020. Both had been members of a five-justice majority that was mainly protective of abortion rights. In their Senate hearings, Trumps three high-court picks carefully skirted questions about how they would vote in any cases, including about abortion. Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko, Fatima Hussein, photographer Jacquelyn Martin and video journalist Nathan Ellgren in Washington, Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston, Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Mississippi, Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, Leah Willingham in Charleston, West Virginia, Michael Hill in New York and Kantele Franko in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. For APs full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. After a days-long outage, power returned to Stanford University on Friday, officials said. The outage began Tuesday afternoon when a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. transmission line was damaged in connection with a fire about 10 miles north of campus. PG&E officials first said that they were unable to access the damaged line, which supplies much of the universitys power, forcing Stanford to rely on a single PG&E transmission line and diesel generators to restore power only to high-priority buildings. But PG&E officials said that fire authorities authorized utility workers to access the line Thursday night, allowing crews to begin repairs. The utility added that crews were working around the clock since Tuesday to restore power to the almost 9,000 customers who lost it that day. On Friday afternoon, PG&E officials said that they had removed customers from temporary power generation and returned them to the grid, allowing all customers to return to their usual power source. We understand how disruptive it is to be without power and apologize for the inconvenience, a PG&E spokesperson said in a statement. The safety of our customers, crews and communities we serve is our most important responsibility. Stanford officials said Friday that power would return to most buildings on campus incrementally throughout the day and that crews would be assessing buildings to make sure systems return to operations as normal. Regular campus operations and programs, including summer classes and lab operations, could resume on Monday. We want to thank the members of our campus community for your patience over the past days, and extend special appreciation to the incredible groups of university staff who have worked tirelessly to restore power, support students living on campus and uphold research, Stanford officials wrote in an update. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. But the prolonged outage which canceled classes and camps for the week and left thousands of campus residents without power revealed just how vulnerable the universitys power supply is. While Stanford relies on 100% renewable energy, largely from solar, most of that is produced on solar plants off campus, requiring the school to rely on the state power grid to deliver that energy, Stanford civil and environmental engineering Professor Mark Jacobson previously told The Chronicle. That means if there is a grid outage, the universitys going to be affected as well, he said. Danielle Echeverria is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DanielleEchev Months before Fridays Supreme Court decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion and in anticipation of the widely expected ruling UCSF researcher Diana Greene Foster was racing to line up funding, clinics and approvals to launch a study on what happens when people are denied abortion. Fosters study officially went live Friday, following the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, which repeals the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. The study, called End of Roe, aims to measure what comes next. Its one of many ways Bay Area researchers are documenting the consequences of the high court eliminating the federal right to abortion after 49 years which will allow half of states to fully or partially ban the procedure. Unlike the typical years-long process it takes to secure grants, this project came together fast, Foster said, and it really was Bay Area private donors who gave me seed money to kick this off so wed be ready when the decision came down. The study will collect information from the last women who were able to get abortion care in the two weeks before the ruling, prior to their states banning abortion. And it will compare their outcomes to women whose appointments are canceled as a result of their states banning abortion after the ruling. It aims to determine who is able to get an abortion after its banned in their state, who does so safely and who carries an unwanted pregnancy to term. Foster said she has signed up 16 clinics in states that are expected to quickly outlaw abortion, including Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, Utah, Mississippi and Wisconsin. The first question is whos affected by these bans, said Foster, who also led a previous groundbreaking study on the economic, health and financial impacts of unwanted pregnancy. And who manages to circumvent their state laws, and at what cost, and who has bad outcomes. Either they did something dangerous, or they carried a pregnancy to term and had serious complications. The other really bad outcome is people who get in trouble with the law thats a new area of bad outcomes we can anticipate seeing. The new study will build on Fosters previous research in the Turnaway Study, which followed about 1,000 women across 21 states for five years some of whom received an abortion, and some of whom were denied care and found that being denied abortions led to lasting economic harm to women. The Dobbs ruling is expected to result in many women of means traveling across state lines to sanctuary states like California to seek abortion care. It may also lead to more women seeking abortions later during their pregnancy, such as after the first trimester, because needing to travel would delay care. The impacts for poorer women could be more dire, from seeking illegal and dangerous local procedures to carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term. In California, especially San Francisco, later abortion care is more accessible than other parts of the country. I do expect to see, in the Bay Area at least, a greater number of people seeking later abortion care, said Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at UCSF, who is involved in a separate study seeking to track these types of travel patterns after the Dobbs decision. Simply because the travel will push people later, and we also have excellent care for people seeking abortion later in pregnancy. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Upadhyay co-chairs the steering committee for We Count, a nationwide research project that aims to monitor shifts in how and where people receive abortion care before and after the Supreme Court decision. The year-long study began in April and seeks to collect figures from clinics in each state on how many abortions they provide each month. The study, funded by the Society of Family Planning Research Fund, has enrolled California abortion providers, including FPA Womens Health, which provides abortions and other reproductive health care. We chose to participate in the We Count study to support advocacy, facilitate transparency, and ultimately to identify practical solutions to provide all women with access to the services they need where and when they need it, FPA Womens Health said in a statement. In response to the SCOTUS decision, we are working to increase capacity to accommodate the expected surge in patient demand within our 25 offices across California and via telehealth. Catherine Ho (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho What personal rights, such as the right to abortion, are protected by the 14th Amendments guarantees of liberty and equality? According to the Supreme Court, only those rights that are deeply rooted in the nations history and traditions dating back to 1868, when the amendment was ratified and few states allowed abortion and when women were denied the right to vote and most other rights. What restrictions can states impose on the right to carry a gun? According to the court, only those the government can prove to be part of the historical tradition that limited those rights with a particular focus on the late 18th century, when the Second Amendment took effect and when the law required all males 18 and older to carry muskets and join their state militia. The lesson from the final days of the courts 2021-22 term, apparently, is that constitutional rights should be determined in the history books, as interpreted by a five-justice conservative majority. The 14th Amendment, one of three enacted after the Civil War, is worded broadly to prohibit states from depriving anyone of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, or denying anyone the equal protection of the laws. In the past, said Cary Franklin, a UCLA law professor, the court has defined liberty to include the kinds of rights that were meant to be protected, a definition that eventually covered abortion and same-sex marriage. But now, she said, the court has rejected that test, and asks whether the right specifically has a long history of being protected, a test that many contested rights cannot pass. The process is ideologically selective, said Erwin Chemerinsky, the law school dean at UC Berkeley and a liberal legal scholar. They look at history, but only the history that supports their position, he said. They ignore the half century of history protecting abortion rights (since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that the court overruled). They ignore the New York law (limiting concealed carrying of firearms) more than a century old, and all the regulation of concealed weapons. But UCLA Law Professor Eugene Volokh, a libertarian scholar, said the court is simply interpreting the Constitution according to its original meaning. The current majority would say that we follow the Constitution as written because its the law, and part of following the Constitution is following it as understood at the time it was written, rather than as updated by justices views of what it should be, Volokh said. When theres need to change it, there can be a constitutional amendment. Other conservative jurists have also included history lessons in recent constitutional rulings. In a 2-1 decision May 11 striking down Californias ban on sales of semiautomatic rifles to anyone under 21, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Ryan Nelson cited the late-19th century edict of militia membership for 18-year-olds and said, America would not exist without the heroism of the young adults who fought and died in our revolutionary army. That decision could be overturned by the full appeals court, which has a majority of Democratic appointees. But the Supreme Court may have the last word, in light of its 6-3 ruling Thursday that struck down New Yorks restrictions on concealed carrying of guns and will invalidate similar laws in five other states, including California. In that ruling, Justice Clarence Thomas, a self-described originalist one who interprets the Constitution as he perceives the original drafters intended, regardless of broader modern-era interpretations said previous decisions on firearms had wrongly considered such factors as how important a firearms law was to the government and public safety, and whether the law would place a modest or severe burden on gun owners and sellers. Under a proper view of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, Thomas said, any restriction is unconstitutional unless the government can prove it is consistent with this nations historical tradition of firearms regulation. And because states at the nations founding allowed ordinary citizens to carry firearms in public, he said, a state may not prevent them from doing so now despite recent waves of mass shootings, which Thomas found irrelevant to the legal issues. Similarly, Justice Samuel Alito, in Fridays abortion ruling, said, the Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and the procedure was not part of the nations history and tradition. The history he referred to was not the 49-plus years since Roe v. Wade but 105 years earlier, when abortion was uncommon and often unsafe and women had no voice in the political process. He also cited English cases dating back to the 13th century that condemned abortion as murder. Although Alito insisted that the ruling did not threaten other rights the court has recognized under liberty guarantees of the 14th Amendment, such as contraception and same-sex marriage, the courts three dissenting justices said that under the courts logic, All rights that have no history stretching back to the mid-19th century are insecure. And Thomas, who joined Alitos opinion, said in a separate opinion that he would vote to overturn the gay-rights and contraception rulings. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Its a doubling down on originalism, said Alison Gash, an associate professor of political science at the University of Oregon. When you read the decisions together, if (an individual right) isnt written explicitly in the Constitution, like their reading of guns, then it ought to be up to state legislative determinations. Relying on 19th century laws how is that taking into account gender inequality that was pervasive at that time? asked Stanford Law Professor Bernadette Meyler. I dont know how (the courts) Second Amendment inquiry will apply to new types of weapons. And do you want states to be combing through the archives of 19th century statutes to decide which laws they can pass? Maybe so, at least for a right like gun possession that is expressly stated in a constitutional amendment, said Jason Whitehead, a political science professor at Cal State Long Beach. On such issues, he said, the court inquires into the original public meaning of the words at the time they were written or ratified to determine the meaning of that text. But Whitehead said such inquiries are ill-suited, and can easily be exploited, on issues like abortion rights that are not part of the constitutional text and have instead been interpreted for decades as part of the 14th Amendments guarantee of liberty. The court is free to roam at will among any number of historical books and articles to determine for itself whether the nation has a tradition or a history of protecting a particular right, he said. Who knows what those questions even mean? How far back should we go? The majority on the court have apparently accepted the preposterous idea that any practice that was historically illegal is ipso facto not a fundamental right. That gives them a huge weapon against gay rights, artificial contraception, interracial marriage, etc. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko A Montana woman has filed a lawsuit in Sonoma County accusing former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli of raping her several times in 2020 when she was 18 years old. She is the 14th woman to come forward with accusations of sexual assault or misconduct against Foppoli, who resigned in May 2021 after a series of Chronicle investigations first brought several womens allegations of sexual violence to light. The woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, gave a statement to the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office for its criminal investigation into Foppoli, according to her lawyer, Deborah Mallgrave. The Orange County attorney said the woman, now 20, had also filed a police report in Montana. Sgt. Justin Schnelbach confirmed that the Gallatin County Sheriffs Office in Montana had received a report accusing Foppoli of a sex crime in September 2021. Schnelbach said the case had closed, but could not provide further information. The lawsuit was filed on May 20 in Sonoma County Superior Court. In addition to Foppoli, it also names Christopher Creek Winery, the estate outside of Healdsburg that Foppoli co-owns. In the 28-page complaint, the woman alleges that on several occasions from May to September 2020 a period when Foppoli was the mayor of the Wine Country town of Windsor Foppoli sexually assaulted her after events connected to promoting and selling his wine. The allegations include rape, forced oral copulation, groping and nonconsensual kissing. The woman asserts eight causes of action, including sexual battery, gender violence and negligence. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Neither Foppoli, 40, nor representatives with Christopher Creek Winery responded to requests for comment on Friday. Foppoli has previously denied sexually assaulting anyone. Last spring, Foppoli stepped down as chief executive of the winery, but it is not clear whether he has maintained an ownership stake. Mallgrave said the woman and her parents contacted her after they read about sexual assault allegations made against Foppoli in The Chronicle last year. The woman said she wanted to share her story to prevent Foppoli from hurting anyone else, the attorney said. We are thoroughly disgusted just in the terms that he was able to keep doing this without being stopped for so long, said Mallgrave, who specializes in sexual assault and human trafficking cases at the Southern California law firm Greenberg Gross. This has obviously been hard on my client and her parents, but she is finding strength through the other women who have already come forward. The woman said she first met Foppoli in August 2019 when she was 17 and about to start her senior year of high school. Foppoli, then 37, was a trusted friend of the womans parents; they enjoyed a shared interest in wine and invited him to stay at their home in Gallatin County when he took business trips to promote Christopher Creek Winery at events in the surrounding area. According to the lawsuit, Foppoli almost immediately began grooming her for sexual abuse by flirting with the teenager, sending her private messages and making comments about her upcoming 18th birthday. At one point, the petition states, Foppoli told the teen that he had been inspired to pursue her sexually by a photo of her as a 14-year-old that he had seen in her family home. In May 2020, after she had turned 18, the lawsuit states that Foppoli traveled to the plaintiffs home for a wine tasting event where he poured her drinks. When the teen became intoxicated and unable to consent, he kissed her, it says. The lawsuit states that the woman was fearful of being too aggressive in stopping Foppoli because of his relationship with her parents. Later that month, after a dinner event promoting Christopher Creek wine at her familys home, the woman alleges that Foppoli again pressured her to drink. He allegedly kissed the woman even as she resisted and repeatedly yelled, No. She said he used his body to push her down as he raped her. After he released her, she said, she immediately went to her sister and told her what had allegedly happened. Later the woman said she found blood in her underwear, but asked her sister not to tell anyone, including their parents. She felt shocked, embarrassed and shamed and was also scared to tell her parents that Foppoli raped her because of their business ventures with each other, according to the lawsuit. The next night, the plaintiff alleges, Foppoli raped her again. In July 2020, the lawsuit states, Foppoli pressured the teenager and her sister to visit him in Sonoma County, allegedly using a Christopher Creek bank account to purchase their plane tickets. When the sisters made excuses to try to get out of the trip, Foppoli said he had made VIP reservations that could not be changed, according to the lawsuit. On the first night in California, Foppoli forced the teen to perform oral copulation, telling her that she owed him, according to the lawsuit. On another night during the trip, the plaintiff alleges, she lost consciousness after Foppoli pressured her to drink alcohol despite her already being visibly inebriated. The next day, Foppoli allegedly told his brother, Joe Foppoli, in front of the teen and her sister that he had sex with the plaintiff the night before. The woman had no recollection from the night before, the lawsuit said. Joe Foppoli, a co-owner of Christopher Creek Winery, did not respond to requests for comment. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Later that night, after more drinking at the rental home, the woman alleges that Foppoli raped her in the bathroom and left a visible bruise that she later photographed. Two months later, in September, Foppoli offered to host a surprise birthday party for the plaintiffs father at Christopher Creek Winery. The lawsuit states that Foppoli repeatedly assaulted the teenager throughout the trip. Foppoli manipulated, coerced, defeated and essentially broke Plaintiff, the lawsuit states. Foppoli seized every opportunity to maintain his dominance and control over Plaintiff, and convince and coerce her into believing that she wanted it and his assaults were actually consensual acts. Last month, the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office sent its yearlong criminal investigation into some of the sexual assault allegations against Foppoli to the California Attorney Generals Office, which will decide whether to bring charges. On Friday, representatives with the Attorney Generals Office said they had not yet made a decision on the case. In April, seven women who similarly accused the former mayor of using his power, connections and alcohol to prey on them and other women filed suit against Foppoli, Christopher Creek Winery and the civic group Active 20-30. Foppoli and Active 20-30 have denied the allegations in court filings, but did not provide further information. After The Chronicle published investigations into sexual assault allegations against Foppoli last year, a mutual friend of Foppoli and the womans family contacted her mother about Foppolis conduct with the Plaintiff and said that Foppoli had bragged about his actions to a friend, according to the lawsuit. The family immediately severed ties with Foppoli. Mallgrave said the familys goal in suing Foppoli and his wine business is to hold accountable the institutions that allowed the behavior to go unaddressed. We want to remove the power structure and address those who turned a blind eye to a predator in their midst, Mallgrave said. As a society we cannot continue to ignore this. Julie Johnson (she/her), Alexandria Bordas (she/they) and Cynthia Dizikes (she/her) are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: julie.johnson@sfchronicle.com, alexandria.bordas@sfchronicle.com, cdizikes@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @juliejohnson, @crossingbordas, @cdizikes California is already home to nearly 20% of U.S. abortion clinics. Now that the Supreme Court has struck down Roe v. Wade, its likely that ensuing closures across the nation will mean the state becomes host to a third of U.S. clinics within months. But within California, abortion access is uneven. More than half of the states abortion clinics are concentrated in five counties, and 22 counties have no abortion clinics at all. These 22 counties are concentrated along the states eastern flank, spanning Modoc in the north to Inyo in the south. To understand the geographic distribution of abortion clinics across the state, the Chronicle obtained data from UCSFs Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health program, or ANSIRH. The data includes nearly 800 clinics nationwide that were open and providing abortion services in 2021 168 of which were in California (though four are virtual or telehealth clinics with no physical location). Most of the 22 counties with no clinics are rural, and none has more than 500,000 people. But three Tulare, El Dorado and Kings have over 150,000 residents. Stanislaus County had the smallest number of open abortion clinics of Californias counties with at least 500,000 people as of the 2020 census. The county had just one clinic for its 552,000 residents. Fresno, Kern and San Bernardino counties also had relatively few clinics for their populations, with each countys number at under three clinics per million people. Of the large metropolitan counties, San Francisco has the greatest number of clinics per person. The city has eight within its borders, translating to a clinic-per-population rate of nine per million. Los Angeles County has 56 open clinics, which translates to about 5.5 open clinics per million residents. That is well above the overall statewide rate of 4 open clinics per million. Its also above the overall Bay Area rate of 4.6 open clinics per million residents (the nine-county region, home to about 7.7 million people, has 36 clinics total). The Chronicle previously reported that the overturning of Roe could quickly shut down clinics in 26 states, which would make California home to nearly a third of all open abortion clinics in the country within months of the ruling. The states share of open clinics could increase still further as it marshalls the resources to become an abortion sanctuary, as Gov. Newsom and state legislator decisions have indicated. In the lead-up to the ruling, California state legislators have introduced several bills aimed at expanding abortion access for out-of-state patients several of which have already passed and on Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a joint statement alongside the governors of Oregon and Washington state to affirm those states commitment to supporting abortion access, including for people living in states certain or likely to ban the procedure. Its unknown just how many extra people seeking abortions California will need to support, however. While previous research from pro-choice policy organization the Guttmacher Institute indicates that the number of women between 15 and 49 whose nearest abortion clinic would be in California will soon increase thirtyfold, from 46,000 to 1.4 million, the institutes figures indicate the vast majority of those women would be traveling from Arizona, whose Governor, Doug Ducey, has indicated he may not enforce the states pre-existing or trigger ban on abortion from before Roe v. Wade took effect. Ducey has instead said that the state will enforce a more recent 15-week ban, which would still allow for most abortions. Susie Neilson (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: susie.neilson@sfchronicle.com Surveillance videos that captured a deadly shooting inside a Muni train Wednesday show the man who was killed attacking another rider with what appeared to be a knife moments before the other man opened fire, according to footage reviewed by The Chronicle. The footage, which has not been publicly released, could provide the basis for a self-defense claim for Javon Green, 26, whom police arrested after the shooting that killed 27-year-old Nesta Bowen and injured a 70-year-old man. It may also affect how the San Francisco District Attorneys Office charges Green in the case. Officials with District Attorney Chesa Boudins office declined to comment on the footage. San Francisco police spokesperson Robert Rueca also declined to comment, citing the pending investigation. A spokesperson for the San Francisco Public Defenders Office said Green had not yet been arraigned, and may be assigned a public defender after that court appearance. Green, a Pittsburg resident, was arrested Thursday and booked at San Francisco County Jail for murder, possession of a weapon and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, San Francisco police Officer Kathryn Winters said Friday. The D.A.s office had not filed charges in the case as of Friday evening. San Francisco police released an image of the person suspected in the shooting last week before Greens arrest. The image appeared to match the person in the video reviewed by The Chronicle. Surveillance footage shows two men sitting next to one another and talking on a sparsely populated train car. The tenor and content of their conversation isnt clear the videos The Chronicle reviewed did not include audio. At one point, the men stand up, and Bowen can be seen reaching for something in his back pocket before charging at the man who appears to be Green. That man, who is carrying a backpack, quickly backs up as Bowen advances. Bowen swings at the mans face with his fist and what appears to be a knife in one hand. As the melee approaches the end of the train car, the man who appears to be Green can be seen retrieving the gun out of his backpack and shooting at Bowen, who falls to the floor. The second victim, the 70-year-old man, can be seen calmly walking to a seat and lightly touching his knee. After the shooting, the man who appeared to be Green was seen walking to the other end of the train car and seemed to say something to the other passengers. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The shooting occurred between Forest Hill and Castro stations, and police said Green fled when the train reached Castro Station. The burst of violence shut down Muni Metro trains in the area for hours on Wednesday, and sparked fears that the shooting was linked to the citys Pride celebrations. Police quickly sought to assure the public that the attack appeared to be targeted and not motivated by LGBTQ hate. Bowen, a longtime Bay Area resident, was a music producer and rapper who came from a musical family. At the time of the shooting, he had been taking community college classes in graphic arts. He had previously worked for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. Green was arrested after police released a still photo from surveillance video of the alleged shooter and asked him to come forward. It was unclear as of Friday how police identified Green as the suspect. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy WASHINGTON Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed that New York would remain "a safe harbor" for women from states where abortion will become illegal in the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark decision Friday that overturned the court's five-decade-old decision guaranteeing the right to terminate a pregnancy. But it is unclear just how many women will take advantage of that safe harbor and even how long it will remain safe. With Roe v. Wade overturned, Hochul says New York will be an abortion 'safe harbor' "New York has always been a beacon for those yearning to be free," said Gov. Kathy Hochul. "Our state will always be a safe harbor for those seeking access to abortion care." Legal experts on both sides of the abortion issue said Friday that by overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that found abortion to be a constitutional right, the justices opened the door to an unpredictable new era where states will go in radically different directions on the issue. That potentially could leave it up to courts to sort out if what the states end up doing is right. Meanwhile, abortion opponents will press for Republicans to gain a majority in Congress and ban abortion outright which would nullify not only any effort to make New York an abortion safe haven, but also make the procedure illegal in New York as well. In other words, the high court unsettled as much as it settled in Dobbs v. Jackson, the case out of Mississippi that served as the vehicle for overturning Roe v. Wade. "If people think abortion has been a hot political issue up until now, just wait," said Lucinda M. Finley, a professor of law at the University at Buffalo who represented the Pro-Choice Network of Western New York in a 1996 Supreme Court case. "Anything can happen," said Stasia Zoladz Vogel, who heads the Western New York Regional Right to Life Committee and who, as a lawyer, is also a member of the Supreme Court bar. Among those possibilities is one that Vogel dreads. "We could become the abortion capital of the country, which would be a disgrace," she said. Hochul and State Attorney General Leticia James take the opposite view: that legal abortion is a fundamental right that women must have to protect their health and freedom. And that's why the governor and the attorney general, both Democrats, practically invited women from out of state to travel to New York if they need an abortion. "Our state will always be a safe harbor for those seeking access to abortion care," Hochul said on Friday. "To anyone who is working to deny abortion access, our message is clear: not here, not now, not ever." James agreed. "I will work tirelessly to ensure that low-income New Yorkers and people from hostile states have access to the care they need and deserve," she said. "I will always fight to protect our right to make decisions about our own bodies and expand access to this critical and lifesaving care. Yet it is unknown how many women will travel to New York for abortions. It could be plenty, simply because the state has among the most liberal abortion laws in the nation, because flights to New York City and Buffalo are readily available and because Hochul recently set aside $35 million to expand abortion access and clinic security in the state. What's more, several huge corporations including Amazon, Apple, Dick's Sporting Goods and Disney said Friday that they would pay for travel expenses for employees who need to travel out of state to get an abortion. Then again, New York isn't physically close to any of the nine states where abortion immediately became illegal with the Supreme Court's decision Friday. And the nearest of those states is Wisconsin, which has a law on the books that predated Roe that makes abortion illegal and the Democratic governor of that state has said he's looking for ways to make sure that law won't be enforced. The number of abortions performed in New York could increase, though, if tough new abortion laws are enacted in nearby states, forcing women there to look elsewhere to terminate their pregnancies. Ohio, for example, has enacted a ban on abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy, and while that law has been tied up in the courts, the Supreme Court ruling is expected to mean that near-ban on abortion is likely to go forward. Pennsylvania could enact similar limits on abortion if Republican Doug Mastriano is elected governor, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday proposed banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy Abortion opponents are expected to look for ways to prevent women from traveling to another state to get an abortion, but Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh who agreed to overturn Roe said the Constitution will not allow that. May a state bar a resident of that state from traveling to another state to obtain an abortion? Kavanaugh wrote in a concurring opinion. In my view, the answer is no based on the constitutional right to interstate travel. Even so, lawmakers in Republican-led states are already looking for ways to block such travel by other means. In Missouri, for example, Republicans are proposing a law that would allow private citizens to sue anyone who helps a Missouri resident to get an abortion from out of state. Hoping to counter such laws even before they are enacted, the New York State Legislature recently approved several measures aimed at protecting health care workers from legal action if they perform abortions on women from out of state, while also allowing patients to enroll in a confidentiality program aimed at protecting them from threats. And the legislature may not be done yet. Even though state lawmakers codified the right to abortion in New York in 2019, abortion rights supporters are pressing the legislature to pass an equal rights amendment that protects pregnant women and those who get abortions from discrimination. "For New York to be a leader and an abortion access state, Albany leadership must convene a special session to pass constitutional protections through an Equality Amendment," said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. Meanwhile, abortion opponents in New York and nationwide will be pressing to end abortion in the Empire State. "We must keep fighting until the lives of unborn babies are fully protected in law, and the notion of abortion becomes so abhorrent that no mother would willfully choose it for her child," said Jason J. McGuire, executive director of an anti-abortion group called New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms. "Here in New York, the struggle will be an uphill one, but we embrace the challenge. That challenge would be moot if Congress were to ban abortion nationwide, which former Vice President Mike Pence proposed on Friday. A national ban would supersede New York's liberal abortion laws. And both Finley and Vogel agreed that such a ban is within the realm of possibility if, in 2024, Americans elect a Republican president and a strongly Republican Congress. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. In California, homelessness is a long-running crisis. Homelessness is a human tragedy for an estimated 160,000 unhoused people. But homelessness is also incredibly useful for anyone who wants to complain about California. It allows us to say everything we want about our state. Especially right now. Politicians, journalists, authors, professors and social media trolls will tell you that Californias homelessness shows the utter failure of take your pick Democrats, Republicans, new progressive policies, old conservative policies, police, prosecutors, healthcare, the housing market, rent control, developers, YIMBYs, NIMBYs, socialism, capitalism. The critics might be making novel arguments, but making homelessness a hobby horse is one of Californias most durable traditions, as old as the state itself. In 1855, the North Carolina author Hinton R. Helper, in the first best-selling anti-California screed, The Land of Gold: Reality Versus Fiction, declared that the Golden State was destined to fail by pointing to the homeless people who filled San Franciscos streets. Degradation, profligacy and vice confront us at every step, Helper wrote. Dozens of penniless vagabonds ... are always wandering about the city in idleness and misery. (They) have no other place to rest, no bed except (bales of hay) into which they creep for shelter and slumber during the long hours of the night. Helper introduced a slur against California that persists today; our homelessness reveals Californians as people of lower morals and greater corruption than other Americans. He wrote: We know of no country in which there is so much corruption, villainy, outlawry, intemperance, licentiousness, and every variety of crime, folly and meanness. Californians themselves internalized the presence of street people as a moral failing and they reacted with moral panic, and in ways that caused lasting damage. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Los Angeles leaders exploited fears of vagrants poor white men labeled hoboes to build an excessively punitive jail system that plagues Southern California to this day. In the 1930s, the California political establishment capitalized on fears of homeless and poor people in order to defeat the gubernatorial campaign of Upton Sinclair, who promised to build a modern social welfare state to fight poverty. Since World War II, which saw a migration west that left people scrambling for housing here, public officials have routinely used homelessness to justify crime crackdowns, unconstitutional policing, mass incarceration, the drug war and failed policies on mental health. In todays more polarized times, the hobby horse of homelessness is more frequently put to partisan purposes. A Wall Street Journal columnist writes that California homelessness shows that doctrinaire progressivism is a suicide pact. Writer-activist Michael Shellenberger, a progressive turned right-wing darling, used homelessness to argue in his book San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities, and a gubernatorial campaign that Democrats had caused nothing less than the breakdown of civilization on the West Coast. Of course, demagoguing homelessness is not an exclusively conservative practice. Among activists and writers on the left, homelessness is often described as the product of home ownership and, to quote the Nation, the ultimate symbol of American capitalism. An official of the powerful Benioff Foundation wrote that homelessness represented an attack on liberal democracy. Radical and counter-productive responses also have come at the grassroots level, with some activists discouraging unhoused people from accepting offers of housing. In Los Angeles, City Council Member Kevin De Leon, one of Californias most accomplished progressive politicians, has been engaged in a nasty conflict with activists. Were investing tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to connect our unhoused neighbors to housing, De Leon told the Los Angeles Times. And to see people sabotage and undermine this work should be infuriating to all Angelenos. But the responses from all sides often tell you more about critics own politics than about the complex and peculiar nature of homelessness itself. And as we argue about homelessness, we are failing to keep up with new dimensions of the problem, including increases in the number of deaths on the streets during the pandemic. Today, Californians rank homelessness as our states biggest problem. But its not too big to be solved. The homeless population is not overwhelming; 160,000 people is less than one-half of one percent of the total population of California. Local communities have more money than ever before, from local taxes to federal relief funds, they could use to address homelessness. Might we make progress if we stopped using the homeless to make our arguments, and instead listened more to unhoused people and sought to address their many different needs? Those who work with the homeless say that unhoused people themselves are largely untapped sources of ideas. And if we California critics gave up homelessness as our old hobby horse, we commentators would have no trouble finding other issues to represent this states dysfunction. I would suggest water policy. Joe Mathews writes the Connecting California column for Zocalo Public Square. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger often referred to California as a nation-state. Like a nation-state, California has often carved its own path on policy matters, coordinating with states like New York or even other countries rather than with the federal government. California has forged innovative policy by diverging from federal law in many arenas. It has demonstrated time and again the potential of federalism the division of powers between the states and the federal government to support left-leaning action. It has crafted environmental policy and cap-and-trade programs in coordination with international governments. It has explicitly resisted contrary federal laws and policies in moving early to legalize medical marijuana and, more recently, to counter Trump-era immigration restrictions through sanctuary city policies. The Supreme Courts decision in overturning Roe v. Wade makes abortion the latest area in which California can model a way forward independent of the federal government. The majority opinion in the case explicitly discusses the possibility of divergent state regulation of abortion, noting that in some states, voters may believe that the abortion right should be even more extensive than the right as the Supreme Court had previously recognized it and claims that the decision is returning abortion issues to the people and their elected representatives, i.e., state legislatures. Justice Brett Kavanaughs concurrence even more explicitly refers to the continued validity of different states regulation or protection of abortion. There are federalism-based reasons why providing abortion might remain a state issue. For example, regulation of public health and safety as well as the medical profession has traditionally been considered part of the states police powers. Because of this, there is a constitutional presumption in favor of state rather than federal regulation. The reliance on states for health and safety rules has been clear most recently in the arena of COVID-19 regulations, where mask requirements and other rules diverged widely by state. But there are two principal ways federal law can limit a states police powers if a federal constitutional right exists, or if federal law preempts or supersedes state law. Neither is the case with abortion now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Californias police powers have sometimes been limited because of conflict with constitutionally protected individual rights. Last year, the Supreme Court rejected a number of California COVID-related restrictions on religious gatherings in public houses of worship and in private homes based on the right to the free exercise of religion under the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has removed the individual constitutional right to an abortion. In the wake of that determination, regulation of abortion and related medical procedures would presumptively fall under state control. So how can California use its state authority to lead on reproductive justice? Pregnancy discrimination offers a powerful example. California was not always at the forefront of reproductive rights. In the early 1970s, California law excluded pregnancy-related work loss from coverage under its disability statute. Carolyn Aiello, a hairdresser who suffered from an ectopic pregnancy and needed surgery to remove it, sued on behalf of a class of women claiming that the law discriminated on the basis of sex in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court rejected these womens claims in 1974 in an opinion full of crabbed reasoning, contending that California law did not discriminate on the basis of sex because not all women would become pregnant. National outrage against this and related decisions mounted, culminating on the federal level in the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978. Under Gov. Jerry Brown, however, California went even further than the federal government, passing the 1978 Pregnancy Disability Leave Law, which ensured the job security of those unable to work for several months because of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. This law itself was challenged. Opponents claimed that Californias law was invalid because it protected pregnant people more than the federal statute did. They argued, in other words, that federal antidiscrimination law furnished the ceiling as well as the floor for available regulation of pregnancy discrimination. The Supreme Court, however, upheld Californias measures, deeming nothing inconsistent with federal legislation. By overturning the constitutional protection for abortion, the Supreme Court opens the door for California to integrate legislative measures securing the right to abortion within a broader reproductive justice framework that emphasizes equitable access to all resources related to child-bearing, including abortion. Putting reproductive freedom on the ballot for California voters in November and launching a multistate coalition to protect reproductive rights are valuable steps already under way toward that goal. Just as it is guiding the nation and the world on environmental issues, California should take advantage of this opportunity to provide a model for reproductive justice throughout the country. Bernadette Meyler is the Carl and Sheila Spaeth Professor of Law at Stanford Law School. SACRAMENTO The Supreme Courts ruling ending the constitutional right to an abortion has ignited a battle among states that Gov. Gavin Newsom intensified Friday by signing a new law aimed at preventing other states from infringing on peoples rights to travel to California for the procedure. The Supreme Court has stripped women of their liberty and let red states replace it with mandated birth, Newsom wrote in a tweet. CA, OR and WA are creating the West Coast offensive Time to fight like hell. In Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the conservative majority, Given that procuring an abortion is not a fundamental constitutional right, it follows that the states may regulate abortion for legitimate reasons. Many states had already passed so-called trigger laws making abortion illegal in the event that Roe was reversed. Other states, including California, are scrambling to protect patients who travel to their states to obtain the procedure. Its not at all clear how law enforcement officials and courts in other states would go about enforcing states anti-abortion laws in states where the procedure is legal. On Friday, Newsom signed AB1666, a measure that aims to protect people who get or help others get abortions from civil liability in California. Its one of the measures in a package of bills that California lawmakers have said they will pass to protect people who travel to California for abortions and the doctors who perform the procedure. Several other measures are still moving through the California Legislature. They include AB2223, which would strengthen protections in California law against prosecution of abortions and miscarriages, and AB2091, which would forbid health providers from releasing medical information about a person seeking or obtaining an abortion in response to a subpoena based on another states ban. Both bills are set to be heard in committee next week. Newsom says he will sign them. Newsom said the measures will be essential as other states ban abortion and attempt to curb access beyond their borders. He pointed to Texas anti-abortion law that allows people to sue anyone who helps women obtain abortions, which he said could be used against people who pay for Texans to travel to California for the procedure. Some lawmakers in Texas have said that they want to do just that, the Texas Tribune has reported. They have also threatened businesses that say they will pay for women to travel to other states to get abortions, the Tribune reported. Other states have also passed copycat versions of Texas ban that allows people to sue those who help others get abortions, including Idaho and Oklahoma. In Missouri, one lawmaker tried earlier this year to explicitly bar women from traveling to other states to have abortions, although that effort failed amid questions about whether it was constitutional. Newsom said he worries Republicans will pass a nationwide abortion ban if they win control of Congress and the White House. Former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that he supports such a ban. It is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn, Pence told Breitbart News. We must not rest and must not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the land. As California officials fought back tears talking about the ruling, Republican officials in other states cheered the decision, saying it protects unborn children. Texas will always fight for the innocent unborn, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote in a statement. I will continue working with the Texas legislature and all Texans to save every child from the ravages of abortion and help our expectant mothers in need. Meanwhile, Newsom, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a joint commitment to safeguard abortion rights. Together they pledged to protect people who come to their states seeking abortion, including by shielding them and the doctors who treat them from prosecution and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement efforts in other states to criminalize abortions. Newsoms office dubbed it a West Coast offense in response to the Supreme Court decision. They join Gov. Charlie Baker across the country in Massachusetts, who on Friday signed an executive order saying his state wouldnt honor extradition requests from other states related to abortion. Im gonna work the Democratic governors up and down not only the Western United States, but all across this country to align our principles, align our values and express them much more forcefully, Newsom said Friday during a news conference in Sacramento. Red states have been doing that for some time. Sophia Bollag is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophia.bollag@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophiaBollag Lance Iversen/The Chronicle 2007 Chevron is selling its San Ramon headquarters property and plans to downsize while remaining headquartered in the city, while also shifting some workers to Houston. The oil giant is seeking a smaller space in San Ramon for its headquarters relocation by the third quarter of 2023. Its current headquarters, the huge Chevron Park complex, spans 92 acres, 13 buildings and 1.4 million square feet, with more than 2,000 employees. Lindsay Parham, PhD, JD, is executive director of the Wallace Center for Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health at UC Berkeley. Emma Anderson is a graduate student in the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Large crowds of demonstrators gathered at emotional rallies across the San Francisco Bay Area on Friday evening to express outrage over the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, ending nearly 50 years of national abortion rights. At a rally at San Francisco City Hall, speakers blasted the ruling, saying women will die in Republican-led states where the procedure will soon be banned. "Today's decision means that are going to be forced to give birth," said Kimberly Ellis, director for the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women. "Today's decision means that a lot of women are going to suffer. Today's decision means that a lot of women are going to die. So what that means for us ... is that's it time to fight or die." Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Amy Graff/SFGATE At another San Francisco rally near the city's federal building, Honey Mahogany, a candidate for District 6 supervisor, told the crowd, "I don't know about you, but I'm pissed off." "I don't know why we have to keep doing this, every other day we have another tragedy, every other day we have to fight for a new right that is being taken from us, and we will not stand for it," she said. "Republicans have been working for decades decades to get to today. They have been stacking our courts, they have putting forward more and more conservative right-wing nut-job candidates at every level of government. We will not stand for it." The two groups of San Francisco rally-goers ended up meeting together on Market Street where a Burger King used to be. Some staged a sit-in at the intersection of Eighth and Market. Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Meanwhile, at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, protesters trashed the Supreme Court ruling, too. "These are not Reagan Republicans," an Oakland resident named Irene said of the current crop of Republican leaders. "These are fascists. These are fascists coming to our land. In addition, demonstrators could be heard chanting, "I will not I will not be controlled, I am sovereign in my body, I am sovereign in my soul." When the crowd marched down 14th Street to the Alameda County courthouse, people on bikes and electric scooters stopped traffic to let the group move through. Ariana Bindman/SFGATE Ariana Bindman/SFGATE The group in Oakland later ended up at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater. Shannon Olivieri Hovis, the director of NARAL Pro-Choice California, told SFGATE she believes that it's important for people in California to protest even if they're not directly impacted by the Supreme Court ruling. "The first and foremost is be as loud as possible, make more noise on this issue than you have ever made," Hovis said. "And that actually starts with joining us this evening, at rallies and protests all across the country." As activists took to the streets on Friday, many Bay Area companies decried the decision by releasing statements saying they will cover the cost of travel for employees seeking abortions. See a list of those companies on SFGATE. Find a list of upcoming protests on SFGATE. Amy Graff/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Ariana Bindman/SFGATE Ariana Bindman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Ariana Bindman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Ariana Bindman/SFGATE You can also email photos from protests to charles.russo@sfgate.com. Shannon Olivieri Hovis, the director of NARAL Pro-Choice California, was trying to get back to sleep early Friday morning after being woken up by her fussy infant, when her phone buzzed with the news shed been dreading for weeks the United States Supreme Court had dropped its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion after nearly 50 years. "The first thing I did was just hug her and then breathe," Hovis, who was born in San Francisco and raised in the Bay Area, told SFGATE over the phone. "And then I cried." The Supreme Court decision didnt come as a surprise. Hovis has dedicated her career to fighting for civil and human rights; she and her colleagues have been preparing for this ever since the decision was leaked in May. But knowing didnt make the reality any less devastating. "I've had so many friends reaching out todaycalling me or texting me saying, 'This is hitting me way harder than I thought, I'm in tears,' and just needing a shoulder to cry on and needing a hug," Hovis said. "As prepared as we are, it is still the case that this is absolutely devastating. And the consequences to real people's lives can't be overstated." Hovis appeared alongside Gov. Gavin Newsom and other California leaders Friday to discuss the state's plans to expand access to abortion in the wake of the Supreme Court decision. In California, the legal right to abortion is not currently at risk. But, according to Hovis, 13 states have so-called trigger bans, anti-abortion laws set to go into effect as soon as Roe was overturned. At least seven other states will likely outlaw most or all abortions within the next few weeks and months. In total, 33 million women of reproductive age will likely soon lose local access to abortion care. SFGATE spoke with Hovis Friday morning to find out what impactful actions Californians who support abortion rights can take. Heres her advice. Kevin Kelleher/Special to SFGATE Protest "The first and foremost is be as loud as possible, make more noise on this issue than you have ever made. And that actually starts with joining us this evening, at rallies and protests all across the country." You can find a list of protests on SFGATE and also at map.wewontgoback.com. Donate or volunteer with abortion rights groups Hovis encouraged people to join NARAL, which has millions of members across the country and 367,000 members in California. NARAL is the political arm of the reproductive freedom movement and its members work to elect leaders who pass policies enhancing reproductive rights. Hovis said that NARAL needs more volunteer help to push through a California reproductive health package that includes 15 bills. She also recommended getting involved with the California Future of Abortion Council, which further points towards other organizations including Access Reproductive Justice, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, Essential Access Health, Planned Parenthood and Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare (TEACH). Find a list of more organizations on the California Future of Abortion Council website. Vote and help get other people to the polls "One of my favorite phrases is, 'November is coming,' to hearken to Game of Thrones," Hovis said. "We know that eight in 10 Americans support the legal right to abortion and did not do not want to see Roe v Wade overturned. They are going to hold these anti-choice legislators, elected officials all across the country accountable for what they have done. And we have an opportunity with this midterm, an opportunity and an obligation to turn out and make sure that we vote these folks out of office, that we elect champions who are truly going to protect our reproductive freedoms." Hovis said that people not only need to vote, but can help with phone banking, sending out texts for candidates and hosting events for them. Volunteer as an escort at abortion clinics Even though Californians legal rights are safe for the time being, anti-abortion protestors can still make the process incredibly stressful for people seeking reproductive care (even if theyre not seeking an abortion), Hovis said. Protestors "are emboldened and they are showing up and harassing the patients coming into clinics in California, Hovis told SFGATE. We need to make sure that our clinics are safe spaces for all people who need to access care in our state." You can learn more about the escort program at Planned Parenthood Northern California. Do you have ideas for ways Californians can support abortions rights? Email agraff@sfgate.com. We will post a list next week. Editor's note: This story originally ran in July 2021, but has been updated with new information about Yellowstone National Park. If your trip to Yellowstone National Park feels iffy this summer after the massive floods, evacuations and closures, California offers a viable alternative: Lassen Volcanic National Park. What Lassen lacks in geysers and bison, it makes up for in volcanoes and proximity. Located in far northern California approximately 230 miles northeast of the Bay Area the park also features an active hydrothermal basin with pale blue pools and billowing clouds of steam, boiling mud pots and a sulfuric valley with magnificent views of translucent Helen Lake and Lassen Peak towering above. Be warned, though. This particular spot and its short, popular hike has a gruesome history. At the start of the Bumpass Hell Trail, a round-trip 3-mile journey into the largest hydrothermal basin in Lassen, a dual-purpose placard explains how the trail got its unusual name. It also serves as a cautionary tale. Back in 1864, before the U.S. national park system existed, a prospector and mountaineer named Kendall Vanhook Bumpass was looking for stray cattle when he stumbled on the regions astounding natural features. Although Bumpass didnt know it, the frothy and unstable area resulted from the eruption of an ancient volcano, called Mount Tehama, some 400,000 to 600,000 years before. Surrounded by four kinds of volcanoes and numerous remnants of other massive eruptions as well as lakes and abundant wildlife the locale had promise as a tourist draw. Courtesy of NPS In fact, it was destined to become one of Californias most interesting but relatively little-visited! national parks, Lassen, which today stretches over more than 100,000 acres. Bumpass, however, never capitalized on his discovery. Quite the opposite, really. The editor of a local newspaper, the Red Bluff Independent, visited the area with Bumpass in 1865. Rather than celebrating the place, the newspaper ended up reporting on an unfortunate accident. We took up the line of march with Mr. K V. Bumpass as a guide, an old and experienced mountaineer, whose services we had secured to conduct us to these infernal regions, the editor wrote. On turning the ridge, all the wonders of Hell were suddenly before us. Ashley Harrell Although Bumpass cautioned the group to be careful with footing, as the thin ground was hazardous, it was the guide himself who misstepped. The descent to hell was easy, Bumpass reportedly said after he penetrated the crust. As he broke through, his leg plunged into 240-degree boiling mud, the newspaper article recounted. The mud clung to him and burned him so severely that the leg had to be amputated. Although theres no record of how it was done, at the time, amputations in California typically involved a bite block, a saw, some whiskey and possibly morphine. If our guide had been a profane man I think he would have cursed a little, the newspaper editor wrote. As it was, I think his silence was owning to his inability to do the subject justice. These days, a visit to Bumpass Hell is considerably less treacherous; still, in recent decades, more than 20 people have insisted on leaving the boardwalk and been severely burned. The bigger risks lately are long waits for a parking spot, sunburns and dehydration, along with a potentially slick surface depending on the weather. (Bumpass Hell typically opens to visitors in early July, and is open now, but snow can remain on the trail well into the summer.) Ashley Harrell Consider starting out on the trail in the early morning, when the weather is milder and other visitors have yet to arrive. Youll begin from the Bumpass Hell parking lot, where the trail is cut into the rocky slope of Bumpass Mountain. After about a mile, a scenic overlook offers a glimpse of Mount Tehama or what remains of it anyway and from there youll drop a couple hundred feet into the hydrothermal basin. On the narrow boardwalk, youll saunter past mineral-rich steaming pools of unusual pastel hues reminiscent of those in Yellowstone, though these are not quite as colorful. Other curiosities of the landscape include rising steam, the aroma of expired eggs and the pleasing pop of boiling mud, which are all symptoms of what lies beneath: a magma-heated reservoir deep within the Earth. Basically, youre standing atop an escape valve for all that heat. Just remember to stay on that boardwalk, lest you, too, descend into hell. Since 1978, Villa D'Este, a family-run Italian restaurant on Ocean Avenue, known for its heaping piles of creamy fettuccini carbonara, crispy veal Parmesan and hearty layers of lasagna bolognese, is set to close in a matter of days. After 44 years serving the San Francisco community, proprietor Ramon Oropeza Sr. announced the closure on Villa D'Este's website. "After 44 years, I'm retiring. I've been without time off for the past 61 years, so it's time to hit the road," Oropeza told SFGATE on Friday. "I have a ranch up in Vacaville. So I'm perhaps going to make some wine. I'm going to enjoy that and I have horses." Oropeza's granddaughter, Ashley Oropeza, recalls growing up in the family business, helping wait tables and getting to know longtime customers throughout the decades. Villa D'Este's last day of service will be Thursday, June 30. Courtesy of Villa D'Este Restaurant "I've been there since I was 12, and I have first-cousins, we all grew up working throughout high school and college. My uncles and aunts also, there are seven of them, they all grew up in the business," Ashley Oropeza said. "It was really my grandfather's vision to migrate here and acquire property, and also, sustain ourselves in the Bay Area." With Oropeza's family members pursuing other ambitions, Ashley Oropeza said it was ultimately her grandfather's decision to move onto new endeavors in the East Bay and enjoy his retirement. But his legacy is one San Francisco will not soon forget. "It's very bittersweet. I wish the dynamics of San Francisco was different. It's very tough for small businesses in San Francisco," she said. "We're actually going to be recognized during one of the supervisor's meetings at the end of July. We've been asked to attend at City Hall and my grandfather's being commended there for his business in San Francisco." Thomas O./Yelp Alex H./Yelp Benita M./Yelp Gregory P./Yelp Some of the favored dishes served at Villa D'Este. (Alex H., Thomas O., Gregory P., Benita M./Yelp) One longtime customer of Villa D'Este, Christopher Davies, wrote to SFGATE about the restaurant's upcoming closure, noting the drastic changes of the Lakeside Village neighborhood through the decades. "Unchanged in decor in all those years, and not known for gourmet fare, the restaurant is a neighborhood institution among the senior neighbors," Davies wrote. "A grand piano sits prominently in the dining area, and neighbors go to sing accompaniment to the evening's pianist. Popular songs from the '30s, '40s, and '50s fit prominently in the mix of old and newer tunes, with unselfconscious patrons singing along." As she reflects on her grandfather's history in the neighborhood, Ashley Oropeza said he was more of a confidant, adviser and friend to his regular customers, describing him as "a symbol of support and nourishment. Not only with food, but nourishment in terms of mind, body and soul." Villa D'Este was not only a place where the Oropeza family gathered and cooked together, but was a spot for patrons to build traditions and celebrate milestones. "Being a part of people's experience and their memories. We've had same families with newborns coming into the restaurant and now they're past high school age and in college," Ashley Oropeza said. "Watching families grow up and being a place of joy and memories that's what I'm going to miss because we had all walks of life come in. Being a place where people go for happiness that's unique. Your doors are literally open for anyone to come in and that's something that's going to be missed." Villa D'Este Restaurant, 2623 Ocean Ave., San Francisco. Open Monday 4-8 p.m.; Thursday 4-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 4-8 p.m. (Editor's note: Villa D'Este later clarified the reason for the restaurant closure was solely due to Ramon Oropeza's upcoming retirement.) The drunken driver who pleaded guilty to killing an 18-year-old East Aurora native in August 2020 has been sentenced to prison, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office. Kevin J. Czajka, 55, of Lancaster, will serve an indeterminate sentence of 1 to five years behind bars and will have his driver's license revoked, State Supreme Court Justice Paul P. Wojtaszek ordered Friday. Czajka pleaded guilty May 31 to felony counts of aggravated vehicular assault and second-degree vehicular manslaughter. At around 10 p.m. Aug. 28, 2020, Czajka while impaired by alcohol drove east on Pleasant View Drive in Lancaster and struck two people on bicycles, prosecutors said. Czajka fled the scene and did not report the incident, police said, but was found about 40 minutes later at his home after law enforcement followed several pieces of his Chevrolet Silverado along the roadway, The News reported previously. Maytham J. Vukelic, 18, was one of the bicyclists hit. He was taken to Erie County Medical Center and died from his injuries while at the hospital. The other bicyclist, a teenage boy, was hospitalized for several days due to injuries, but eventually was released. Vukelic, described as an avid lover of the outdoors, had graduated from East Aurora High School and planned to take a year off before attending Paul Smith's College in Adirondack State Park, according to a statement from his family. When Czajka was first arraigned in September 2020, he faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, The News reported. Ben Tsujimoto can be reached at btsujimoto@buffnews.com, at (716) 849-6927 or on Twitter at @Tsuj10. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Last year, December 16 was officially proclaimed Metallica Day in San Francisco. In 2018, local artist Jeremy Fish was honored with his own day, November 19. This Sunday, June 26, will be the fourth annual Tamale Lady Day. The day will be celebrated at 3 p.m. in Dolores Park, near the childrens playground. Its a time to remember and honor Virginia Ramos, lovingly known as "the Tamale Lady" to late-night patrons throughout the city. If you remember the old San Francisco, there was a simplicity to the city. It consisted of $2 beer specials, good times, laughs with friends and the Tamale Lady, selling her handmade masa treats to patrons in need of food for their stomach and positivity for their mind. It wasnt a real night out in the Mission if you didnt run into Ramos trudging down the street, pushing her plastic, four-wheeled cart with two coolers filled to the brim with tamales. Tamales, tamales, she would shout over the patrons and punk rock music emanating from the jukebox as she walked in and out of several Mission dive bars. Honey, have a drink, smoke some weed, but dont do the chemicals, she would say as she encouraged customers to get home safely. She often gave a free tamale to the most st-faced person at the bar. The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty She was just as much a source of comfort as she was sustenance for the community. In 2006, she was awarded a Certificate of Honor from the Board of Supervisors for her contributions to the city of San Francisco. Ramos passed away in 2018 due to a stroke. She was 65 years old. She emigrated from Nayarit, Mexico to escape a life of poverty and was successful enough to send three of her children to college. Heartbroken, San Francisco resident Cecil Feeder submitted a proposition to the Board of Supervisors for her birthday to be officially dubbed Tamale Lady Day in San Francisco. I met her like most people, buying her tamales at the bar. They were $1 when we [first] met, Feeder told SFGATE via email. I really grew to know Virginia well through making [a] documentary about her [in 2004]. Then every year after, I threw a big party for her and showed the movie. She was like a sister to me and we were very close. I really miss her. The resolution was passed by the Board soon after it was proposed. There was a day of remembrance and celebration when it passed, and Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who represents the Mission, made a speech. In 2012, Ramos started the process of opening her own restaurant, but was unable to see that vision come to life. She was survived by her children, who have worked tirelessly to open a restaurant in her name and honor her legacy. It is unclear if they are still pursuing that venture. The celebration this Sunday will coincide with many Pride weekend festivities, but thats all the more reason to celebrate amongst strangers. A constant bolt of positivity, she would always say to each customer, I dont know you, but I love you. Theyve been found scattered across Hawaii, New Jersey, California, England and the rest of the world: Iolani Palace belongings from the time when Hawaiian royalty ruled their own Islands. Though Queen Liliuokalani was able to take her own personal effects, Hawaiian Kingdom-owned tableware, glass, china, statues, stationary, military accessories, carpets, paintings and furniture, such as chairs, beds, dressers and wardrobes, were auctioned off by the provisional government following the seizure of the Hawaiian Kingdom. After the overthrow, the government took a long time to decide whether to sell things or not. What should we do with this stuff? Should we store it? Should we sell it? Zita Cup Choy, Iolani Palace historian, told SFGATE. What was not practical to keep and to use was sold. No longer a residence for Hawaiis reigning kings and queens, Iolani Palace was turned into executive offices by the new government, and it had no need for anything except what was suitable for work. Everything else was sold in a series of public auctions over the next decade, where anyone could purchase anything as long as they had the money to bid this means it most likely went to affluent residents and visitors. Courtesy Hawaii State Archives/Iolani Palace In the late 1970s, the Friends of Iolani Palace organized to preserve and restore the landmark so as to share its story with the people of Hawaii. It was then that the organization realized it needed to find things to fill the palace. When we first started doing tours, the only furniture in the building was the carpet in the throne room, says Cup Choy. Just the physical structure and empty rooms. Docents were left describing to visitors what was once in the rooms, rather than showing them. They reached out to the community through newspapers, and volunteers wrote letters to people who they thought may have bid on items at the auctions. Not just at the government auctions, says Cup Choy, but also auctions by the royal families themselves. The distinction between personal objects removed by the members of the family and government objects kept or sold is an important distinction, says Cup Choy. When King Kalakaua died, Queen Kapiolani gave away and sold personal items. When she died, the artifacts were passed to her nephews, whose family did the same when they died. Queen Liliuokalani had directed her trustees to sell certain pieces of personal property after her death. Items could have passed hands numerous times, and theres no telling where things have ended up. They could be anywhere, says Cup Choy. Since its search began, the Friends of Iolani Palace has found royal antiques and furnishings all over the place: an Oahu prison, private homes, for sale at Goodwill and at the Iowa governors mansion. Dave Lopez/Iolani Palace Theres a Blue Room chair that we found by accident, Cup Choy says. Our curator and acquisitions committee had gone to look at some other furniture but they saw a chair that was from the Blue Room sitting in a garage and they asked the family, and they said they were going to get it reupholstered. They said, No, no, no. Dont get it reupholstered. Give it to us instead. In one of the largest finds, Thomas Morgan of Los Altos, California, donated 41 pieces of silver, china and glassware in 2009. Born in Honolulu, Morgans grandfather had been one of the auctioneers involved, and the pieces had been passed down to him. I feel that it is important to know that the artifacts have returned to their home, where they will be preserved for the future and best appreciated by the many visitors to Iolani Palace, Morgan said at the time. I encourage others who have similar items in their possession, or who know where such artifacts exist, to please return them or notify Iolani Palace. Over the years, the palace has steadily been refurnished, and the docents have much more to show visitors when describing the royal balls, celebrations and the overthrow. But there are still missing pieces they are tirelessly searching for. Courtesy Iolani Palace The dining room had two large chairs, says Cup Choy. We have the queens chair, were missing the kings and it appears to be almost identical, maybe just a little larger. There were four bedroom suites. We have three of the four beds; we do not have the kings bed. Military hats, swords, patches and accessories are also still in private hands. The most-wanted items include a Gothic Revival hutch, a Venus de Milo plaster cast, and a spelter statue. The photos of the things in the collection are the most valuable if someone wants to keep an eye out for stuff, Cup Choy says. Davenport furniture, for example, is best distinguished by its legs. Some, but not all, items will have identifying marks, such as monograms, emblems, seals and the coat of arms. If it doesnt have a marking, the best way to judge is by looking at the historic photos on Iolani Palaces website to see the furniture and items in the rooms already. Dave Lopez/Iolani Palace Cup Choy says the furnishings are an integral part in telling the story of Iolani Palace. Visitors can get a clearer picture of the past and celebrate the time when the Kingdom of Hawaii ruled. It makes it easier to imagine the king meeting visitors and the privy council, Cup Choy says, writing letters in his library, maybe using the bedroom to take a nap between meetings in the morning and a ball in the evening. It puts visitors in the place. As part of its Summer Concert Series, the Michigan Philharmonic will be performing a concert here in Huron County later this summer. The concert will take place at 4 p.m., Aug. 20, in Port Austins Gallup Park with its show called, An American Salute in Port Austin. Aside from patriotic songs including "The Star-Spangled Banner," "The Stars and Stripes Forever," the songs for each of the armed forces branches and "Festival Overture" for the American National Air, the tentative performance list includes medleys from well-known musicals and movies will also be performed. They include "South Pacific," "Shaft," "West Side Story," "The Music Man," and the works of Henry Mancini. Aaron Copelands "Fanfare for the Common Man" and Leroy Andersons "Belle of the Ball" are also planned be performed. Cindy Patrick, of the Port Austin Artist in Residence Committee, said the goal of this is to promote the arts through a full scale live performance in downtown Port Austin, expected to draw an audience from all over Huron County. This has also been in the works for the past two years. The opportunity to host an orchestra with the reputation of the MPO is an honor for Port Austin and Huron County, said Patrick. A concert of this caliber will be an enriching experience for all residents, as it will provide them with a performance that is not available within our local area. This event is open to the public and free of charge. It will also serve to reinforce Port Austins reputation as an art destination. The philharmonic will be doing five different performances across Michigan this summer as part of its series. Along with Port Austin, performances will take place at Kellogg Park in Plymouth, Kensington Metropark in Maple Beach, Campus Martius Park in Detroit, and the Eleanor and Edsel Ford Estate at Grosse Pointe. This will be the first Michigan Philharmonic performance outside of its normal coverage area of southeastern Michigan. Founded in 1945, it is currently conducted by Nan Washburn and normally has anywhere between 55 and 70 musicians. Its performances each season feature a mixture of classical and popular music. EUGENE, Ore. (AP) Police in Eugene say 10 people were arrested during a Friday night protest following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark abortion rights case Roe v. Wade. The arrests were mostly for disorderly conduct, Portland television station KOIN reported. The protest started as a gathering near an anti-abortion-focused pregnancy center and grew to about 75 people, the Eugene Police Department said. It drew a heavy response from local law enforcement. BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (AP) One person has been killed and two others wounded in a shooting Saturday at an automotive interior products warehouse in suburban Chicago. Bolingbrook police responded about 6:25 a.m. to reports of the shooting at the WeatherTech facility, Capt. Anthony Columbus told WLS-TV. Currently Reading Alert: Biden arrives in Europe for pair of summits meant to shore up alliances against Russia, address food, energy prices NEW YORK (AP) An Army private charged with plotting to murder members of his unit overseas with help from a secretive violent anarchist group was planning a defense calling it all an internet fantasy before pleading guilty just before trial, court records show. Plans for the defense of Ethan Phelan Melzer was revealed in court papers in the months before the Kentucky man abruptly pleaded guilty to charges Friday, eliminating the need for his July 5 trial in Manhattan federal court. Sentencing is set for Jan. 6. He could face up to 45 years in prison rather than the life sentence that a jury conviction could have brought. Melzer, 24, was in Italy in October 2019 with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team when he communicated online with others prior to plotting an attack against his Army unit once it was redeployed in 2020 to guard an isolated and sensitive military installation, prosecutors said. But court papers reveal the individuals he was communicating with online weren't members of the Order of Nine Angles or 09A as he believed, but rather, government informants who helped build the case against him, defense lawyers said. The Washington Post quoted a European security official in a June 2020 article as saying that the Nazi-Satanist group was established in Britain in the 1970s and has promoted extreme violence for decades. The official who spoke on anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue told the newspaper that 09A membership ranges from a few dozen to about 2,000, targeting young people and sending supporters into groups to influence and recruit. Prosecutors said the white-supremacist group espouses neo-Nazi, anti-Semitic and Satanic beliefs and encourages members to infiltrate the military to gain training, commit acts of violence and identify like-minded individuals intent on subverting the military from within. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Friday that Melzer sought to orchestrate a murderous ambush on his own unit by unlawfully disclosing its location, strength and armaments to 09A members online. The defendant believed he could force the U.S. into prolonged armed conflict while causing the deaths of as many soldiers as possible. Melzers traitorous conduct was a betrayal of his storied unit and nothing short of an attack against the most essential American values, he said in a news release. Before Friday's plea, Melzer's lawyers were building a defense asserting he was merely indulging in fantasy chats similar to a New York City police officer dubbed the cannibal cop by tabloids when he was convicted in 2013 of kidnapping conspiracy in a plot to rape, kill and eat women. They said it was a case with similar facts as those facing Melzer. Online, Officer Gilberto Valle had discussed the cannibalistic plot with others in grisly detail. But in throwing out the jury verdict, a judge wrote that while Valle's misogynistic sexual fantasies reflected a diseased mind, prosecutors failed to prove he'd taken steps to carry out any gruesome deeds. As Melzer's lawyers wrote: The charges in this case are sensational, the facts less so: No jihadist ambush on Melzers unit happened, none was close to happening, and Melzer had no intention of seeing one happen. In post-arrest interviews with law enforcement he made clear that he never intended to see an attack occur and that he believed that his interlocutors were jokers who similarly had no intentions or capabilities of orchestrating one. They said his online prose was bluster falsities designed to impress the people he was communicating with online. And the lawyers wrote that while Melzer was curious about 09A, he thought it was weird and pretty much a cult and its beliefs were polar opposite of his own. They said one government cooperator posing as an 09A sympathizer online claimed to be a former Canadian paratrooper injured in Iraq, but he was actually a mentally ill 15-year-old who had been hospitalized for psychiatric care months before he began communicating with Melzer. The governments efforts to paint Melzer as an O9A-devotee committed to murdering his fellow soldiers are overblown, defense lawyers wrote. They said three post-arrest interviews in 2020 with law enforcement amounted to full-throated denials of the most serious charges against him. The guilty plea came after prosecutors clarified they'd built a case against Melzer that included evidence from his electronic devices and barracks photographs, videos and documents that could be characterized as jihadist and 09A materials. Also recovered were books titled The Sinister Tradition and The Anarchist's Cookbook, which prosecutors maintained had detailed instructions on how to manufacture and use explosives and weapons. But the most potentially damaging evidence prosecutors said they planned to show the jury was proof Melzer sought to earn a self-initiation into 09A through violence as a street-level drug dealer after shooting a marijuana dealer in the arm in January 2017 near his Louisville, Kentucky, apartment. He joined the Army the following year. NEW ORLEANS (AP) The gigantic steel sculpture of an Afro hair pick that appeared on St. Charles Avenue in the CBD last weekend is everything a public artwork ought to be. At 28 feet tall, the sculpture decorated with a peace sign and topped by a clenched Black Power fist demands attention and makes a clear statement that pretty much everyone can understand. The towering piece, titled All Power to All People recalls a half-century of the Black Civil Rights Movement, from so-called radicals defiantly raising their fists in the 1960s to Black Lives Matter activists marching in the streets in recent years. And it does so with a whisper of wit, a nod to nostalgia and an evocation of peace. Artist Hank Willis Thomas, the Brooklyn, New York-based artist who designed All Power to All People, was born in 1976. In a recorded statement, he said his grandmother was a hair stylist who jammed a pick through his hair to inflate it to the proper proportions. The pick had a Black Power fist on top. As a kid, Thomas said, I just thought of it as how you comb your hair. But as he came of age, he recognized that the pick was an icon of African American culture and history. The image of Grandmas pick stuck in his head. As an aspiring young artist, Thomas said he encountered, of all things, a four-story-tall clothespin in downtown Philadelphia. The absurd sculpture was by world-famous 1960s pop artist Claes Oldenburg, who created monuments devoted to the most ordinary stuff, like typewriter erasers, shuttlecocks and clothespins. Oldenburgs oversized clothespin stuck in Thomas head, too. A few years back, Thomas blended the pick and the clothespin concepts into a 9-foot preliminary version of his All Power to All People design. But it had to be bigger. It has a different reverence when you have to look up to it or be in the shadow of it, he said. The towering All Power to All People artwork is part of a traveling exhibit of outdoor sculptures called the Monumental Tour, which has had previous stops in Philadelphia, Chicago, Oakland and even the Burning Man art fest in Black Rock, Nevada. The arrival of All Power to All People in New Orleans was meant to help celebrate the Juneteenth holiday and the upcoming Essence Festival of Culture. Monumental Tour director Marsha Reid said shes the one who chose the location of the big Afro pick. She said that Lafayette Square was perfect because there was no fence around it, so people had unfettered access, plus the park is frequented by locals instead of tourists, and its in the center of city politics, with the modern City Hall and the federal courts not far away. She didnt have the old Gallier Hall on her mind when she positioned All Power to All People, Reid said. But in ways, Gallier Hall, located across the street, is the perfect backdrop. The old City Hall was finished in the 1850s. It had doubtlessly been built with slave labor and was a signature piece of architecture of the pro-slavery society of the time. Its neoclassical design venerates ancient Greece and Rome, also slave states. Which makes it intentionally or not a symbolic foil for a sculpture that speaks to the African identity of much of the population. Theres no erasing the past, of course. But you can certainly have a conversation with it, and thats just whats going on down on St. Charles Avenue right now. The citys picturesque streetcars rumble between the two aspects of history, the unchallenged White rule of the past, and the ongoing striving for Black equity. In art terms, that dialogue is a beautiful thing. And that means All Power to All People is a beautiful thing, too. On one hand, its a smile-evoking selfie-op based on a ridiculously enlarged comb that was popular with a past generation. In a way, its comforting. On the other hand, its a spark plug of social issues thats not supposed to make us comfortable at all. As Picasso supposedly put it, good art ought to bristle with razor blades. Neither City Hall nor Reid would disclose the cost of the Monumental Tour project. ROME (AP) Congos Catholic bishops, coping with disappointment over a scrubbed visit by Pope Francis, said Saturday that his decision to go ahead with a trip to Canada was an encouraging sign that his knee treatment was working, as they held out hope for a rescheduled date. In the meantime, Francis is sending the Vatican secretary of state to Congo to celebrate a special Mass for peace and reconciliation next weekend, when Francis was due to have arrived, said Bishop Donatien Nshole, secretary general of the Congolese bishops conference. Nshole stressed that Cardinal Pietro Parolin wasn't replacing Francis and that Congo was awaiting word from the Vatican for a new date for a papal visit. But in a video statement, he said Parolins visit was further sign of the great consideration he (Francis) has for our country. The Vatican announced June 10 that Francis had to postpone the planned July 2-7 visit to Congo and South Sudan because doctors said it could jeopardize the therapy he is receiving for strained ligaments in his right knee. The problem has forced him to use a wheelchair for over a month, and he uses a cane when walking or standing. At the same time, the Vatican on Thursday indicated Francis was going ahead with a planned July 24-30 visit to Canada by releasing the trip itinerary. The Vatican hasnt said why the Canada visit could go ahead but not the Africa one. For us, this is an encouraging sign of the positive evolution of the care he is taking, Nshole said. Without a doubt, the trip to Canada will also be a test for the pope and his doctors of the effectiveness of his care and will serve as an evaluation for the future and the activities of the pontiff. Nshole said Parolin will celebrate the Mass in Kinshasa on July 3, on the same day that similar Masses are held across Congo and Francis celebrates a special Mass for Romes Congoloese community at the Vatican. ___ Krista Larson contributed from Dakar, Senegal. After the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday expanded gun rights by upending a century-old New York law, Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed to fight back and said she was prepared to call the State Legislature back into session "to deal with this." That's exactly what she's doing. Hochul late Friday said she was convening an extraordinary session of the Legislature at noon Thursday in Albany in an attempt to pass new gun safety legislation in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision. "The Supreme Court's reckless and reprehensible decision to strike down New York's century-old concealed carry law puts lives at risk here in New York," Hochul said in a statement. "Since the decision was released, I have been working around the clock with our partners in the Legislature to craft gun safety legislation in response to this ruling that will protect New Yorkers. My No. 1 priority as governor will always be to keep New Yorkers safe." As Supreme Court upends New York gun law, Hochul vows to fight back Upending a New York State law that had stood for a century, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday endorsed a major expansion of gun rights prompting Gov. Kathy Hochul to say the state will fight back with new gun control measures. The New York law had mandated people show "proper cause" to get a permit to carry a gun outside the home, and five other states California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts and New Jersey have similar laws. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement Friday said the Supreme Court's decision makes "a mockery of the recent tragedies in Uvalde and Buffalo" and undermines the ability of states to protect residents from gun violence. He vowed to work with the Legislature to expand the number of places where firearms cannot be carried. In its 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court said the New York law is a clear violation to the Second Amendment's right to keep and bear arms. "We know of no other constitutional right that an individual may exercise only after demonstrating to government officers some special need," Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his opinion in the case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The decision was welcomed by gun rights advocates. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, called it a "landmark win for constitutional freedom and the NRA." Aside from the decision coming in the aftermath of the Buffalo and Uvalde mass shootings, it also occurred as senators from both parties agreed on major gun safety legislation for the first time in three decades. That legislation, which won approval in Congress on Friday and was signed by President Joe Biden on Saturday, enhances background checks for gun buyers aged 18 to 21, urges states to enact red flag laws and eliminates the so-called "boyfriend loophole" that allows people who abused their partners to have guns if they are not married. In New York, Hochul on Thursday said her legal team is looking to draft legislation that restricts the right to carry weapons in sensitive locations, changes the permitting process and bolsters training requirements for those carrying guns in public. The state is also considering ways in which businesses and private property owners could "protect themselves" in a new era when people can routinely carry guns in public. Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByJonHarris. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. There is an extreme risk for wildfires in most of Michigan due to hot, dry conditions, according to the Department of Natural Resources. "Wildfire danger is forecast to be extreme or very high across much of northern Michigan this weekend, so please be careful when working and playing outside," the DNR said in a press release. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate CAIRO (AP) President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt held talks Saturday with Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who visited Cairo for the first time in years. The talks focused on ties between the two nations and a set of other regional and global topics, including U.S. President Joe Biden's upcoming trip to the Middle East in July, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency. Both leaders agreed to develop mutual cooperation, especially in the energy and agriculture sectors, and boost Qatari investments in Egypt, the statement said. Al Thani arrived at the Itihadiya presidential palace in Cairo for talks with el-Sissi. Both leaders inspected an honor guard and bands played the national anthems of Egypt and Qatar, a livestream of the welcoming ceremony posted by the Egyptian presidency showed. Egypts state-run al-Ahram daily reported that the talks aim at ensuring the full normalization of ties between the two nations after resuming their relations early in 2021. Citing an unnamed source, the newspaper said the two countries would signed agreements to boost Qatari investments in Egypts battered economy. During the visit, an Egyptian-Qatari business council met with the aim of improving trade and investments between the countries. Qatar announced in March the investment of $5 billion in Egypts economy, which was hit badly by the repercussions of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister Nevine Gamea was in Doha last week for talks with Qatari officials on promoting trade and investment between the two nations. She met with Mansour bin Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud, head of the Qatar Investment Authority, to discuss its financing projects in Egypt, according to an Egyptian statement. Energy-rich Qatar is a major source of investment in Egypt, focusing on the real state and oil sectors, including the building of a $1.3 billion luxury hotel on Cairos Nile Corniche. Qatar Petroleum also held a major stake in a $4.4 billion refining firm. Qatari investment would be another lifeline for Egypt's economy, which is under pressure amid an inflationary wave triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and Russias war in Ukraine, which hiked oil prices to record highs. Other Gulf monarchies have in recent months announced billions of aid and investments in Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world. Al Thani landed in Cairo late Friday and was received by el-Sissi at the airport where they greeted each other with a handshake and cheek kisses on the tarmac. The Qatari leader departed the Egyptian capital later Saturday. The visit, unthinkable just a few years ago, and the warm welcome showed the rapid improvement of ties between the two nations since the end of a boycott of Doha by four Arab states, including Egypt. El-Sissi said it consolidates the course of developing bilateral ties between the two nations in all fields in the coming period, according to the statement. The visit came ahead of Bidens July 13-16 Middle East trip, which will include stops in Israel, West Bank and Saudi Arabia. Both el-Sissi and Al Thani will attend a Saudi Arabia-hosted summit with the American president. The summit will include the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iraq and Egypt. Egypts ties with Qatar deteriorated in 2013 when el-Sissi, as defense minister, led the militarys overthrow of the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi after his short-lived divisive rule. Morsi, who hailed from the Muslim Brotherhood, was backed by Qatar. In 2017, Egypt joined Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in a boycott of Qatar in an effort to force Doha to change its policies. The rift finally ended in 2021, when Qatar signed a declaration with the four to normalize relations. Since then, ties have improved, and top officials have exchanged visits. The Egyptian president has since met twice with the emir of Qatar. BERLIN (AP) The mayor of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv warned Saturday that an imposter is posing as him and communicating with other officials, including three European mayors who were duped into believing they were having a video call with the real Vitali Klitschko. Several mayors in Europe have been contacted by a fake mayor of Kyiv who has been saying absurd things, Klitschko told German daily newspaper Bild. This is criminal energy. It must be urgently investigated who is behind it. The office of Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey tweeted Friday night that she cut short a call with the reputed Kyiv mayor after his comments and questions made her suspicious. The course of the conversation and the setting of topics made Giffey wary, her office said without elaborating. The office published a photo that showed both the German capital's mayor and the fake Klitschko on a big screen. It said that initially, there was no evidence that the video conference was not conducted with a real person. To all appearances, it is deep fake. Police were investigating the incident, Giffeys office said. Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida also interrupted a video call with someone claiming to be Klitschko on Friday. The mayor of Spain's capital suspected he wasn't speaking with his Kyiv counterpart and has filed a complaint with police. Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig did not end his call with the imposter earlier this week because he didn't notice any suspicious behavior, Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported. "Since no tricky topics were discussed in the conversation, this is certainly annoying in the specific occasion but not a big problem, Ludwig said. It was not clear who was behind the calls or what means were used to try to make the mayors think they were communicating with Klitschko. On Saturday, Berlin's mayor said her encounter with the fraudster means that in the future we will have to be even more scrutinizing, even more suspicious. She called the use of a phony Klitschko "a means of modern warfare, referring to Russia's four-month war on Ukraine. Kyiv's actual mayor also made a link to Russia's war in Ukraine. Friends! The enemy does not let up and is waging war on all fronts - in particular by disinformation, by discrediting Ukrainian politicians," Klitschko said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. "In order to quarrel with European partners, so that Ukraine would not be helped. In his remarks to Bild, he warned other European officials to be careful if they are contacted by someone claiming to represent his office. Please be careful in the future how appointments are arranged by me. Official conversations only come through official channels," he said. ___ Ashifa Kassam contributed reporting from Madrid. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) A former supervisory officer at a Georgia prison has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he tried to cover up the assault of an inmate by guards. Geary Staten faces up to three years in prison after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court to failing to inform authorities of a felony, the office of U.S. Attorney Peter Leary said in a news release. GRANITE CITY A $4,000 grant from Landmarks Illinois to repair the roof of the Granite City Fire Museum is just part of a much larger plan to renovate the museum and the building next door to it. Landmarks Illinois has awarded $24,500 in matching funds to eight preservation projects across the state. A total of $16,000 was awarded to four projects through the Preservation Heritage Fund Grant Program. That includes the grant for the Granite City Fire Museum, which was built in 1904 and used as the citys first city hall, police station and firehouse. Ive lived here for 51 years, including 24 years with the police department, and I knew the museum existed, but I had never been in the building, Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson said. Larry Zotti (unofficial curator of the museum) is a longtime friend of mine and he has been involved with it, so I got in touch with Larry, and I told him I wanted to see the building. The city owns the building, but I knew that Larry had maintained it for many years. I met Larry at the museum and Rick Daily (building and zoning administrator for Granite City) went with me. We toured the building and we saw that it was a gem that our residents should be able to enjoy. While touring the building, which is located at 1411 19th St., Parkinson and Daily realized that it needed a lot of work. Its such a historic building, not only for Madison County but also for the region as a whole, said Parkinson, who was an arson investigator for the police department. It required support to get the maintenance of it where it needed to be. Much to Larrys credit, he put in a lot of money out of his own pocket to keep this place going through the years. I reached out to Paula Hubbard (grant writer for Granite City) and she started looking for grants. The first one she came up with was from Landmarks Illinois. The building has a lot of sentimental value for Zotti, who has been a collector of firehouse memorabilia since he was a little boy. I drove by the building one day back in 1991 after I had just bought an old firetruck and I needed a place to put it, Zotti said. I talked to a gentleman who was an alderman and he said he would see what he could do, and thats how I ended up with the building. The city put some money into it to get it up to snuff and Ive been in there since 1992. The museum is a collection of old firetrucks and fire-related memorabilia, photos and gear. Over the last 30 years, Ive watched the building deteriorate in certain areas, plus some prior damage from the building next door with a mishap they had, Zotti said. There is a lot that needs to be done, but it was Granite Citys first city hall, police station and firehouse and it has a lot of historical value. It was horse house originally because the building was built prior to having motorized firetrucks. The police department was in the back side of it. Where the jail used to be, prisoners would climb up to the top bunk and they would scratch their names on the wall, and you can still see them there today. Once Parkinson realized there was a need for funding to repair the building, things moved quickly. Hubbard said that Zotti suggested applying for a grant from Landmarks Illinois. Hubbard noted that some bids are out for the repair of the roof at the Fire Museum. Brick facade works needs to be done on the exterior of the building and the older boiler system and HVAC system need to be replaced as well. Together Larry and I wrote the grant and at the same time, Rick Daily used a drone to take pictures of the exterior of the building, Hubbard said. Hubbard added that the city will be using other sources, including additional grants from Landmarks Illinois, to provide more funding for renovation of the two buildings. We will have to continue applying for funds from Landmark Illinois if we want them, Hubbard said. We are eligible for specific monies for this particular project. Its preservation work that they are interested in and there are some standards that we have to abide by. Were using whatever funds we can to make sure that the building is safe, Parkinson added. Water has caused a lot of damage to it, so were looking at replacing the whole roof on both buildings. Were utilizing grant money to do these projects. This isnt taking money from roads that need to be fixed or curbs that need to be repaired because were doing millions of dollars of that right now. The city offices moved out of the building in 1929, when the current city hall was built, and the entire building became a firehouse. The firehouse was in service until 1960, when a new station was built. In addition to the city hall, police station and firehouse, the building once housed the city council chamber and the city jail. Zottis pride and joy is a 1922 fire engine that Granite City bought brand new. I used to play on it when I was a little boy, said Zotti, who is 71. I was able to get it back in 1987 and my father and I restored it for four and a half years just before he passed away, and its sitting in the same spot right now in that engine house that it was when it was delivered in 1922. The building next door to the Fire Museum, meanwhile, is the former home of an Elks Lodge and a Moose Lodge and has been vacant in recent years. We took on the idea of this being a legitimate museum for people to enjoy and we saw the opportunity to buy the building next door to expand it, Parkinson said. We can have kids parties there and have an event space for kids. In the near future, well be looking for grant money for that and grant money to expand the firehouse into a multi-use facility. Wed like to add more memorabilia and perhaps include some police-related items as well. Wed like to rent it out for fire-themed birthday parties and hold civic events there. In doing research, Hubbard found two possible construction dates 1904 and 1908 for the building next to the Fire Museum. In either case, both buildings date from the same era, making them a good candidate for a joint renovation project. No other city administration until right now had taken an interest in working closely with Larry to restore the museum building, Hubbard said. Mayor Parkinson took the initiative to meet with Larry and he got excited about the potential of the building. We only had a week to complete the grant, but we were able to do it. No mayor took this project on because they didnt have the money or the wherewithal to bring in somebody like Paula who can go out and find money that the city taxpayers dont have to account for, Parkinson added. To not only see the value of what Larry has done through the years but also to bring someone like Paula into the project and into the city is what the citizens of Granite City need. Parkinson added that anyone in the community who is interested in working with the renovation of the two buildings should call City Hall at 618-452-6214. They are the most fiercely polarizing issues in American life: abortion and guns. And two momentous decisions by the Supreme Court in two days have done anything but resolve them, firing up debate about whether the courts conservative justices are being faithful and consistent to history and the Constitution or citing them to justify political preferences. To some critics, the rulings represent an obvious, deeply damaging contradiction. How can the court justify restricting the ability of states to regulate guns while expanding the right of states to regulate abortion? The hypocrisy is raging, but the harm is endless, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday after the court released its decision on abortion. To supporters, the courts conservatives are staying true to the countrys founding principles and undoing errors of the past. The court corrected a historic wrong when it voided a right to abortion that has stood for nearly 50 years, former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday. On Twitter, he said the decision returned to Americans the power to govern themselves at the state level in a manner consistent with their values and aspirations. Opponents of Roe v. Wade, the controversial 1973 ruling that upheld the right to abortion, say the Supreme Court back then did just what some accuse the majority justices of doing now, adapting and twisting legal arguments to fit political positions. Members of the courts current conservative majority, laying out their thinking in this weeks decisions, have been quite consistent, sticking to the words of the countrys founders and the precedents of history that reach back even further, those supporters say. In both decisions, the majority makes the case that if a right is spelled out in the U.S. Constitution, the bar for any government regulation of that right is extremely high. But if a right is not explicit, state and federal governments have greater leeway to impose regulations. To those who study the court, though, the reality is more complicated. A number agree that, for all the controversy of the rulings, the majority justices at least followed a consistent legal theory in issuing the decisions on abortion and guns. I understand how it might look hypocritical, but from the perspective of the conservative majority on the court, its a consistent approach to both cases, said Richard Albert, law professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Im not saying its correct, by the way, but from their perspective it is completely consistent and coherent. Consistency, though, cannot mask the fact that there has been a seismic shift on the court since President Donald Trump appointed three conservatives. And that is likely to further muddy public perceptions of an institution that prefers to see itself as being above politics, court watchers say. Both decisions come from the same court whose legitimacy is plummeting, said Laurence Tribe, a leading scholar of Constitutional law and emeritus professor at the Harvard Law School. The court majoritys decisions on gun rights and the ruling a day later on abortion both rely on a philosophy of constitutional interpretation called originalism. To assess what rights the Constitution confers, originalists hone in on what the texts meant when they were written. Opinions by originalists are often laden with detailed surveys of history, as both these rulings are. The bulk of Justice Clarence Thomas opinion on gun rights is devoted to history and what it says about the Founders intentions when they crafted the Second Amendment and when lawmakers crafted the 14th Amendment on due process in the 1860s. Thomas broached a long list of historical figures, including the English King Henry VIII, who the ruling says worried that the advent of handguns threatened his subjects proficiency with the longbow. The abortion ruling authored by Justice Samuel Alito similarly delves deep into the past, concluding that there was nothing in the historical record supporting a constitutional right to obtain an abortion. Not only was there no support for such a constitutional right until shortly before Roe, but abortion had long been a crime in every single state, Alito wrote. This week's two decisions are more legally consistent than critics suggest, said Jonathan Entin, a law professor emeritus at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. We can debate about the meaning of the Second Amendment, but the Second Amendment does explicitly talk about the right to keep and bear arms, whereas the right to abortion access is not explicitly in the Constitution, he said. If thats where you are going to go, then maybe these decisions are not in such tension after all. Not all observers agree. I think there is a double standard going on here, said Barry McDonald, a professor of law at Pepperdine University, reviewing the justices arguments that both decisions are grounded in a strict reading of the law and of history. That logic is shaky, he said, given the conclusion by many legal historians that the right to bear arms in the Bill of Rights is, in fact, much narrower than the court majority insists. Most ordinary Americans, though, will be unfamiliar with such intricate legal theory. Instead, many will size up the courts actions based on their perceptions of the justices motives and the personal implications of the decisions, experts said. Many are likely to view the rulings as the direct result of Trumps appointments and the justices' determination to carry out his agenda, making the court more of an institution of politics than it is of law, McDonald said. Tribe said the courts majority has embraced an imaginary past and its claims that is only upholding the law are false. The majority justices can assert that they have been legally consistent. But taken together, he said, the decisions on guns and abortion create a whiplash effect from a court that claims to be protecting individual rights, then effectively limited many Americans control over their own bodies. I think the decisions point in radically different directions, Tribe said, but the one thing they have in common is they are decided by a new, emboldened majority that knows no limits on its own power and is perfectly willing to toss over precedent in the name of a version of originalism that really doesnt hold together. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HONOLULU (AP) Megan Kau takes occasional weeklong hunting trips to the Hawaiian island of Lanai, where she enjoys watching the sunrise and hearing the distant rustle of deer and mouflon sheep in the tropical wilderness, a rifle ready at her side. As a gun owner, she also goes to shooting ranges several times a year. Those outings are the only times the attorney and Oahu native sees others with guns in this tourist mecca where strict laws make it harder to purchase firearms and restrict carrying loaded guns in public. Thursdays U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning New York's concealed weapon law will likely change things in Hawaii, too, where it's now highly unusual to see people carrying loaded weapons in public. Some say the change will lead to more gun violence in a state that traditionally sees very little. In 2020, Hawaii had the nation's lowest rate for gun deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Were culturally accepting, were racially accepting, Kau said. But within our culture, were fighters. We have passion. That passion can boil into physical altercations typically done up and up local lingo for fistfights. If youre born and raised here, you get into a fistfight, you dont expect there to be a weapon, Kau said. Chris Marvin, a Hawaii resident with the gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety, said road rage dustups, clashes over surf spots and other confrontations are a part of life in Hawaii and are rarely fatal. He's worried that will change. When you introduce guns, its so often immediately death," he said. Guns and aloha dont mix. Under current law, county police chiefs in Hawaii have the discretion to determine whether to issue a carry permit. Without such a permit, people in Hawaii are only allowed to keep firearms in the home and can transport them unloaded and locked up to shooting ranges, hunting areas and other limited locations such as for repairs. The Supreme Court ruling says local governments cant require those seeking a license to carry a gun in public to demonstrate a particular need, such as a direct threat to their safety. Hawaii and California are among states with such a requirement. Hawaii police chiefs have issued only four carry permits in the last 22 years, said attorney Alan Beck, who represents George Young, a Big Island man suing to be able to carry a gun for self-defense. Its a huge deal, Beck said of the ruling. Not only does it mean Mr. Youngs case will prevail, it also means the door has been opened to challenging numerous aspects of Hawaii firearms law. State officials were determining what effect the courts ruling could have on Hawaii, Gov. David Ige said. However, some believe they know the ultimate outcome. Bottom line is, Hawaii is about to become a more dangerous place, state Sen. Karl Rhoads said. Hawaii will go from a place where the right to carry in public is the exception to a place where not having the right to carry on the street is an exception. The high court ruling does allow local governments to impose certain rules limiting who can have permits to carry and where weapons may be banned, such as parks, stadiums and other places where people gather. Hawaii lawmakers will look at adding additional background screening, training stipulations and legislating ways to keep guns out of certain public spaces, said state Sen. Chris Lee. There are already gun-handling training requirements for obtaining a firearm, but carrying something in a public place is a different matter altogether, Lee said, so hed like to see mandated training on how to de-escalate conflicts and enhanced training for law enforcement in dealing with situations where people are armed. Hed also like to see restrictions on bringing guns into public meetings on emotionally charged issues. Denise Eby Konan, dean of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a member of the states Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, said guns in public places like beaches and hiking trails could affect Hawaiis reputation as a safe tourist destination. I think many of our visitors are coming from countries where gun laws are quite strict, she said. At least one couple visiting Waikiki on Thursday said looser restrictions wouldnt deter them from returning. Rebecca Donahue said she and her husband have concealed carry permits where they live in Titusville, Florida. I think Hawaii is very laid back and relaxed from what weve seen, she said. The Hawaii Tourism Authority declined to comment on the courts ruling and any possible impact on tourism, the economic engine that drives the states economy. Kainoa Kaku, president of the Hawaii Rifle Association, said the decision will help ensure law-abiding people can carry guns guys like me who put in a lot of time and effort into training and honing my craft so that I can defend myself and my family and even my community at large if its required. Joseph Robello, who uses a pistol and a rifle to hunt pigs, said he doesnt expect Hawaii to turn into the Wild West. Most people wont just carry to carry around, to wear it on your hip and walk around in the store to say, I got a gun, and I can use it, he said. Thats dumb. Ridiculous. ___ Freelance journalist Marco Garcia contributed to this report. Steve Bloom/AP OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said he will push for a state constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights within his state's borders, as well as laws that will make it difficult for other states to investigate whether their own residents have visited Washington for abortion care. The right to this choice, this constitutional choice for the last five decades, should not depend on which party is in control of our state Legislature, said Inslee, a Democrat. Without a constitutional amendment, the state would be in danger of losing abortion rights if a Republican majority was ever elected in the Legislature, he said. John Basilone didnt have to return to combat. After he earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War IIs Battle of Guadalcanal, Basilone was ordered back to the United States. There, he married a fellow Marine sergeant, Lena Riggi, and was showered adoration and attention, often flooded with movie offers and parade invites, according to the First Marine Division. Still, he re-enlisted in February 1945 and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima, where he died in action at the age of 28. Soon after, he posthumously received the Navy Cross for his efforts, thus becoming the only enlisted Marine awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross in World War II. It took 7,000 shipbuilders to honor him. On June 18, seven decades after his service, the Navy christened a guided-missile destroyer named in his honor from the General Dynamics in Bath, Maine. The future USS Basilone is the second duty ship named for the former Buffalo resident, with the initial Gearing-class destroyer serving from 1945 to 1977, according to a Navy news release. Basilone was born in Buffalo, but his parents lived here for only two years before returning to New Jersey, where they had lived previously. His heroism might not be as well-known locally as other Western New York military heroes, such as William J. "Wild Bill" Donovan and Matt Urban, but his actions were featured in a segment of the The Pacific miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks several years ago. The ceremony christening the ship in Basilone's name included music from the Navy band and attendance from both ships crews, Maine elected officials and many members of the Basilone family, according to a video of the event from the United States Naval Institute. During the ceremony, Basilones brother, Donald, joked about the strong wind as he stood alongside his niece, Diane Hawkins, while she read the speech he wrote. The youngest of 10 children, Donald remembers his small house in Raritan, N.J., where three boys sometimes had to share one bed. He remembers growing up without many Italian-American heroes, for which he blames Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Until his brother. Its been so long since he has been gone, 77 years, but I will never forget him, Hawkins said reciting Donalds written speech. Ryan Manion, president of the Travis Manion Foundation, officially christened the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow. She also spoke at the ceremony, comparing Basilone to her brother, who inspired her foundation after he died in combat in Iraq. While she grew up viewing Basilone as a somewhat mystical hero, her perception changed over time, she said. While still in awe of his bravery, I also realize that John Basilone was more than a Marine Corps hero. He was a real person, a young man who had yet reached his thirtieth birthday, Manion added. The USS Basilone is part of the Arleigh Burke-class, which the Navy describes at the backbone of its surface fleet. These ships provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multithreat air, surface and subsurface domains. Typically, the destroyers are named for Navy-recognized distinguished heroes, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service. Though Basilone lived in Buffalo for only the first two years of his life, some residents remain committed to upholding his legacy. Joseph Sedita, the attorney who began the petition to install a statue in Basilones honor in Columbus Park on the city's West Side, said he finds Basilones story to be one of heroism. Hes a guy who loved his country, the children of immigrants, he added. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) The European Union and Iran agreed on Saturday to resume negotiations in Vienna in the coming days over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers. The agreement could help relieve tensions after the talks stalled for months, while Iran enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels under decreasing international oversight. At a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Tehran, the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borell, said the negotiations would restart soon. The coming days means the coming days, I mean quickly, immediately, Borell said, adding that the United States, which unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 and imposed tough economic sanctions on Iran, should also return to the negotiations. Negotiations must resume, and this is a decision that must be made in Tehran and Washington, he said. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused a tectonic change in geopolitics, making it more urgent than ever to reach an agreement that would allow Iran to sell its oil to world markets. "In such an environment the conclusion of our landmark agreement is more important than ever, he said. Amirabdollahian said his country is ready to resume talks: Well try to resolve the issues and differences... what is important for the Islamic Republic of Iran is economically benefiting from the agreement reached in 2015 in full. Earlier this month, Iran removed 27 surveillance cameras of the U.N.s International Atomic Energy Agency in what its director warned could deal a fatal blow to the nuclear accord. In a televised interview on Saturday night, Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi urged the lifting of sanctions as soon as possible, calling them oppressive," and saying that the U.S. and European countries had violated the terms of the initial treaty. He also dismissed a recent resolution by the IAEA that condemned Iran for insufficient cooperation over safeguards issues, saying: We have said many times that this resolution cannot force us to withdraw from our positions. Former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal in 2018, and the sanctions he imposed severed most of Iran's oil revenues and international financial transactions. The EU coordinator of the nuclear talks, Enrique Mora, has made several trips in recent months to Tehran in a bid to break the deadlock but without any result. Borrells visit signals a growing European urgency to revive the Vienna talks which broke off in March. Hopes for a breakthrough have faded as Iran rapidly advances its nuclear program and decreases international oversight. JERUSALEM (AP) A 16-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and killed by Israeli forces early Saturday in the occupied West Bank after soldiers opened fire at stone-throwing Palestinians, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa said that Mohammed Abdallah Hamed was wounded by Israeli gunfire near the city of Ramallah and then taken away by Israeli forces. It said the teen died in Israeli custody, and that the army was expected to release the body later Saturday. The Israeli military said soldiers had fired at a group of Palestinians who were throwing stones along a main highway. It confirmed shooting one person, but gave no further details on his condition or whereabouts. Recent months have seen a rise in deadly violence in the West Bank. The military has carried out near-daily raids following a series of attacks inside Israel that killed 19 Israelis, with several attackers coming from the northern West Bank town of Jenin. Several dozen Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military raids. Most of the dead were alleged to have opened fire on Israeli forces or hurled stones or firebombs at them. The dead also include two apparent passers-by. Nearly 500,000 Israeli settlers live in more than 130 settlements scattered across the West Bank, many of which are fully built up and now resemble suburbs or small towns. Nearly 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under Israeli military rule. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and the Palestinians want it to be the main part of their future state. Israel views the West Bank as the biblical and historical heartland of the Jewish people. Every government, including the current one, has expanded settlements. The Palestinians and much of the international community view the settlements as a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace because they absorb and divide up the land on which a future Palestinian state would be established. SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) A federal jury awarded $21 million to the family of a pregnant teen who was shot and killed by undercover police officers in Northern California five years ago, attorneys said. Elena Mondragon was a passenger in a BMW pulling out of a Hayward apartment complex when an unmarked van filled with Fremont police officers tried to cut it off in March 2017, according to a complaint filed by the teens family. At the time, Fremont police said the BMW's driver, who was apparently wanted by police, had rammed the car into the van. WASHINGTON (AP) More than a month ago, a stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicated that the Supreme Court was prepared to take the momentous step of overruling the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade from 1973 and stripping away womens constitutional protections for abortion. And that's just what the court's conservative majority ended up doing Friday in a ruling likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. When the court heard arguments in the abortion case from Mississippi in December, it was clear to observers that there was substantial support among the conservatives for overturning Roe and a second decision that had established and reaffirmed a womans right to an abortion. But even before those arguments and Friday's decision, the justices had much to say in public about abortion over the years in opinions, votes, Senate confirmation testimony and elsewhere. The vote was 6-3 to uphold Mississippis law banning most abortions after 15 weeks, but Chief Justice John Roberts didnt join his conservative colleagues in overturning Roe. He wrote that there was no need to overturn the broad precedents to rule in Mississippis favor. Alito, in the final opinion Friday, wrote that Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 decision that reaffirmed the right to abortion, were wrong had and to be overturned. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan the diminished liberal wing of the court were in dissent. A look at some of the justices' earlier comments through the years: ROBERTS Roberts voted to uphold restrictions in two major abortion cases, in the majority in 2007 to uphold a ban on a method of abortion opponents call partial-birth abortion and in dissent in 2016 when the court struck down Texas restrictions on abortion clinics in a case called Whole Womans Health. But when a virtually identical law from Louisiana came before the court in 2020, Roberts voted against it and wrote the opinion controlling the outcome of the case and striking down the Louisiana law. The chief justice said he continues to believe that the 2016 case was wrongly decided but that the question was "whether to adhere to it in deciding the present case. At his 2005 confirmation hearing, he said overturning precedent is a jolt to the legal system, which depends in part on stability and evenhandedness. Thinking that an earlier case was wrongly decided is not enough, he said. Overturning a case requires looking "at these other factors, like settled expectations, like the legitimacy of the Court, like whether a particular precedent is workable or not, whether a precedent has been eroded by subsequent developments, Roberts said then. In the same hearing, Roberts was asked to explain his presence on a legal brief filed by the George H.W. Bush administration that said Roes conclusion that there is a right to abortion has no support in the text, structure, or history of the Constitution. Roberts responded that the brief reflected the administration's views. ___ JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS Thomas voted to overturn Roe in 1992, in his first term on the court, when he was a dissenter in Casey. Since then, he repeatedly called for those rulings to be overturned. In 2000, he wrote in dissent when the court struck down Nebraskas ban on partial-birth abortion. Recounting the courts decision in Roe, he wrote, In 1973, this Court struck down an Act of the Texas Legislature that had been in effect since 1857, thereby rendering unconstitutional abortion statutes in dozens of States. As some of my colleagues on the Court, past and present, ably demonstrated, that decision was grievously wrong. Abortion is a unique act, in which a womans exercise of control over her own body ends, depending on ones view, human life or potential human life. Nothing in our Federal Constitution deprives the people of this country of the right to determine whether the consequences of abortion to the fetus and to society outweigh the burden of an unwanted pregnancy on the mother. Although a State may permit abortion, nothing in the Constitution dictates that a State must do so. ___ BREYER Breyer has been the lead author of two court majorities in defense of abortion rights, in 2000 and 2016. He has never voted to sustain an abortion restriction, but he has acknowledged the controversy over abortion. Millions of Americans believe that an abortion is akin to causing the death of an innocent child," while millions of others fear that a law that forbids abortion would condemn many American women to lives that lack dignity, he wrote in the Nebraska case 21 years ago, calling those views virtually irreconcilable. Still, Breyer wrote, because the Constitution guarantees fundamental individual liberty and has to govern even when there are strong divisions in the country, "this Court, in the course of a generation, has determined and then redetermined that the Constitution offers basic protection to the womans right to choose." ___ ALITO Alito has a long track record of votes and writings opposing abortion rights, as a jurist and, earlier, a government lawyer. Alito has voted to uphold every abortion law the court has considered since his 2006 confirmation, joining a majority to uphold the federal partial-birth abortion law and dissenting in the 2016 and 2020 cases. As a federal appeals court judge, he voted to uphold a series of Pennsylvania abortion restrictions, including requiring a woman to notify her spouse before obtaining an abortion. The Supreme Court ultimately struck down the notification rule in Casey and reaffirmed the abortion right in 1992 by a 5-4 vote. Working for the Reagan administration in 1985, Alito wrote in a memo that the government should say publicly in a pending abortion case that we disagree with Roe v. Wade." Around the same time, applying for a promotion, Alito noted he was particularly proud" of his work arguing "that the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion. ___ SOTOMAYOR Sotomayor joined the court in 2009 with virtually no record on abortion issues, but has voted repeatedly in favor of abortion rights since then. Last September, when the court allowed Texas restrictive abortion law to take effect, Sotomayor accused her colleagues of burying their heads in the sand. She was in the majority in the Texas and Louisiana abortion clinic cases. Sotomayors displeasure with the court's recent Texas ruling was evident at a virtual appearance she made. I cant change Texas law, but you can, she said. ___ KAGAN Kagan also has repeatedly voted in favor of abortion rights in more than 11 years as a justice. She is also arguably the most consistent voice on the court arguing for the importance of adhering to precedents and can be expected to try to persuade her colleagues not to jettison constitutional protections for abortion. Kagan was in the majority when the court struck down the Texas and Louisiana restrictions on abortion clinics. More recently, Kagan called Texas' new abortion law "patently unconstitutional and a clear, and indeed undisputed, conflict with Roe and Casey. Kagan had already grappled with the issue of abortion before becoming a justice. While working in the Clinton White House she was the co-author of a memo that urged the president for political reasons to support a late-term abortion ban proposed by Republicans in Congress, so long as it contained an exception for the health of the woman. Ultimately, President George W. Bush signed a similar late-term abortion ban without a health exception. The Supreme Court upheld it. ___ JUSTICE NEIL GORSUCH Gorsuch has perhaps the shortest record on abortion among the nine justices. He was in the majority allowing Texas restrictive abortion law to take effect. In dissent in 2020, he would have upheld Louisianas abortion clinic restrictions. As an appeals court judge before joining the Supreme Court in 2017, Gorsuch dissented when his colleagues declined to reconsider a ruling that blocked then-Utah Gov. Gary Herbert from cutting off funding for the state branch of Planned Parenthood. But Gorsuch insisted at his Senate confirmation hearing that he was concerned about procedural issues, not the subject matter. I do not care if the case is about abortion or widgets or anything else, he said. ___ JUSTICE BRETT KAVANAUGH Kavanaughs name was added to President Donald Trumps shortlist of Supreme Court candidates shortly after Kavanaugh sided with the administration in a 2017 case involving abortion. Trump chose him for the court the following year. As a justice, Kavanaugh dissented from the Louisiana decision and voted to allow the new Texas law to take effect, though he has taken a less absolutist stance than some of his conservative colleagues. In the Louisiana case, for example, Kavanaugh wrote that more information was needed about how the state's restrictions on clinics would affect doctors who provide abortions and seemed to suggest his vote could change knowing that information. Kavanaughs most extensive writing on abortion came while he was a judge on the federal appeals court in Washington. The Trump administration had appealed a lower court ruling ordering it to allow a pregnant 17-year-old immigrant in its custody to get an abortion. The administrations policy was to decline to help those minors get abortions while in custody. Kavanaugh was on a three-judge panel that postponed the abortion, arguing that officials should be given a limited window to transfer the minor out of government custody to the care of a sponsor. She could then obtain an abortion without the governments assistance. The full appeals court later reversed the decision and the teenager obtained an abortion. Kavanaugh called that decision out-of-step with the "many majority opinions of the Supreme Court that have repeatedly upheld reasonable regulations that do not impose an undue burden on the abortion right recognized by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade." Kavanaugh was criticized by some conservatives for not going as far as a colleague, Judge Karen Henderson, who stated unambiguously that an immigrant in the U.S. illegally has no right to an abortion. At his appeals court confirmation hearing, Kavanaugh dodged questions on his own personal beliefs on Roe. Kavanaugh voted to allow the Texas law to go into effect last September, but during oral arguments in November he appeared to have doubts about its novel structure and whether it would lead to a spate of copycat laws on abortion and other rights protected by the Constitution. ___ JUSTICE AMY CONEY BARRETT Barretts one public vote on the Supreme Court concerning abortion was to allow the Texas fetal heartbeat law to take effect. She also cast two votes as an appeals court judge to reconsider rulings that blocked Indiana abortion restrictions. In 2016, shortly before the election that would put Trump in office, she commented about how she thought abortion law might change if Trump had the chance to appoint justices. I ... dont think the core case Roes core holding that, you know, women have a right to an abortion I dont think that would change, said Barrett, then a Notre Dame law professor. She said limits on what she called very late-term abortions and restrictions on abortion clinics would be more likely to be upheld. Barrett also has a long record of personal opposition to abortion rights, co-authoring a 1998 law review article that said abortion is always immoral. At her 2017 hearing to be an appeals court judge, Barrett said in written testimony, If I am confirmed, my views on this or any other question will have no bearing on the discharge of my duties as a judge. Although Barrett allowed the Texas law to take effect, she joined Kavanaugh during oral arguments in raising skeptical questions about its structure, asking about provisions of the law that force providers to fight lawsuits one by one and, she said, dont allow their constitutional rights to be fully aired. Local elected officials are largely split along party lines, following the U.S. Supreme Court's Friday decision to overturn the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade. The case, which would have seen its 50th anniversary next year, previously did not allow states to restrict certain abortions. In the majority decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito stated that nowhere in the constitution is abortion mentioned and that the previous decision "must be overruled." This is what local Southeast Texas elected officials have to say about the ruling: U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas Today, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that legalized abortion. This ruling will give the power back to the states to make decisions on abortion and removes the federal government's unconstitutional overreach. Roe put unelected judges in charge of the abortion policy. Abortion laws should be debated and decided by the American people, not dictated by judges. This is a momentous day for every American who has joined the fight and stood for life. As a father of three and a grandfather of eight, I firmly believe an unborn child is a human life, fearfully and wonderfully made and worth protecting,' said Rep. Weber. 'Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed the unhinged left go absolutely insane over the decision to overturn Roe. I am thankful that the Supreme Court Justices upheld the integrity of the Court and our Constitution.' U.S. Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas On Thursday, Babin released a statement regarding legislation "condemning attacks by pro-abortion extremeists." "The DOJs busy likening concerned parents to domestic terrorists instead of prosecuting pro-abortion anarchists who are, by the FBIs very definition, engaging in domestic terrorism," Babin said in a news release. "The Democrats are silent about this violence, and the DOJ is ignoring it. We must enforce our laws and protect the organizations being terrorized by these anti-life extremists." Babin also tweeted Friday after the decision was announced. "It's a great day for our unborn! #SCOTUS' decision to overturn Roe v. Wade returns the power to the people and to the states where it belongs. Praise God!" Texas State Rep. and House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont Todays ruling is a massive victory for innocent, unborn life and marks the beginning of a new era in Texas. Abortion in our state will be outlawed in a matter of weeks thanks to a trigger law the Texas Legislature passed in 2021, with exceptions for preserving the life of a mother and in the unfortunate instance of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. When the Legislature reconvenes in 2023, the Texas House will double down on maternal health care and resources for women, children and families. That starts with extending postpartum health for new moms to 12 months and continuing to prioritize support and resources for women and families in Texas. State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville Declined to provide a statement when asked by The Enterprise. State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe "Justice Alito says it best: 'Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives.' State Rep. James White, R-Woodville "I'm very honored to represent my constituents in Texas House District 19. Life is a fundamental right given to us by God and the best thing that government can do is protected. I'm so elated today to see the Supreme Court step up and protect the right to life. Now the work begins where we need to ensure that we're helping mothers that are going through challenge pregnancies. We need to ensure that they have the maternal health care that they need in order to maintain a healthy life and have a healthy baby. We need to continue uplifting our educational opportunities in the state. So these children as they grow up as Texans, they will have the foundation to be great Texans, to be productive Texans. I just think this is a great day for Texas and our country. State Rep. Joe Deshotel, R-Beaumont Declined to provide a statement when asked by The Enterprise. Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick "Because I am governed by the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct, I do not comment on any decision of either the Texas Supreme Court or the United States Supreme Court. Jefferson County Republican Party Chair Joe Evans "My opinion is (the overturn) kicks it back down to the states, where it should rightfully be. I think nothing in the Constitution spoke to abortion so it kicks it back down to the state legislature where it should have been all along. I want to also make it clear that if you look at what we have in Texas with the Heartbeat Bill, we just want abortions stopped once a heartbeat is detected. I'm not understanding why anyone couldn't get behind that." Jefferson County Democratic Party Chair Ava Graves "Ten days before celebrating the 4th of July, we are again faced with a direct assault on our inalienable rights. The Declaration of Independence's delineation of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are rights that apply to women, too. It is incredulous that the Supreme Court's ruling desecrates the Declaration's intent by stealing Women's rights. We Democrats will continually stand and fight against oppressive legislators promoting their own Totalitarian agendas by electing leadership that cares for all humankind. I encourage woman to be steadfast. We will ban together with our allies. We can not stand by idly. We will be proactive, strategic and intentional in our pursuit." Port Arthur Mayor Thurman "Bill" Bartie Bartie told The Enterprise Friday that he was "disheartened" by the overturn of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court of the United States. "I don't know how we can honestly feel comfortable with doing some communistic move like this and remove a choice as part of the democratic process where you make choices," he said. "I'm just sorry to see America coming to this. I'm sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America but I can still have my opinion. I have to abide by the laws of the land and as of today, (abortion) is illegal. But I am saddened to see America move to where we are now with a group of individuals on the highest court in the land making such an unwise decision." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GEORGETOWN, Del. (AP) Its past is a chapter rich in history. Its future appears promising for the rejuvenation of the Richard Allen School one of 80 schools built by philanthropist Pierre S. du Pont for African American children in Delaware that served the Georgetown community for decades dating back to the 1920s. Major renovation and expansion is planned by the Richard Allen Coalition, which formed to preserve the schools history and make it a community hub as it was for many years. The schools Juneteenth celebration served as the formal kickoff to the capital campaign, kickstarted by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., who presented a check for $100,000 in Community Project Funding for renovations to the historic school. Our history is really the thing that propels us into the present and the future, said Rep. Blunt Rochester. We still have people alive that went to this school. So it wasnt that long ago that our schools were segregated. Through legislation, the former school building on Railroad Avenue was deeded by the state of Delaware to the Richard Allen Coalition in 2015. That bill was sponsored by State Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, and State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown. Under the Richard Allen Coalition, the facility, which was a Black-only school during segregation and then part of the Indian River School District, has been utilized for clothing and food giveaways, feeding the homeless, monthly senior dinners and other community activities. While some renovations and upgrades have been made, major work is the wish. Plans include a new gymnasium, according to Richard Allen Coalition President Jane Hovington. Total project cost is estimated around $2.7 million, Ms. Hovington said. Substantial campaign support may not end at the federal level. Potential state funding looms over the horizon courtesy of the fiscal year 2023 bond bill. A few years ago, when Richard Allen School was turned over, that wasnt the end for commitment. That was the beginning, said Rep. Briggs King. We told Jane we need you to make the big ask. Tell us what you need to make the dream come true to make it a reality. I think we are getting very close to that this year in the bond bill. Sen. Pettyjohn said the Richard Allen Coalition is one of several hundred projects seeking funding through the Community Reinvestment Fund. In total, those requests exceed $400 million, he said. Once we find out from the Bond Bill Committee how much is going to be allocated to that program, well go through individual projects, said Sen. Pettyjohn. It is my intention to get a significant amount of money for the Richard Allen Coalition for their capital campaign for them to do what they are wanting to do out here at this facility. Sen. Pettyjohn is banking on fellow legislators to push for additional funding because it is such a historical location. And it will serve the greater community, not just Georgetown. Ms. Hovington acknowledged Rep. Blunt Rochester and Georgetowns two state legislators, Sen. Pettyjohn and Rep. Briggs King for their efforts. They have paved the way for the Richard Allen restoration that is coming, for all the things that are getting ready to be done, Ms. Hovington said. We will have a community center here because of these individuals a place for the community to come and to share and to find a place to enjoy. We are so blessed. Grant funding will be used for playground equipment, Ms. Hovington said. Rep. Blunt Rochester said the application for funding for Richard Allen School was among 150 applications for Community Project Funding that her congressional office received. Only 10 were able to be picked. One of the top 10 was the Richard Allen School, said Rep. Blunt Rochester. What is also so important about the funding that the Richard Allen School received is that in Congress, this was a bipartisan effort both in the House and Senate, to make sure that we could use funds that come directly to our communities that do two things. Number one, meet the community needs, and number two, have community support. This effort, the reason why it made it out of 150 up into the top 10 was because of that bipartisan support, community support and community and historic need. Not just for Sussex County but for the state. This is important for the state to know that Richard Allen School existed and will exist in the future. The school bears the name of Richard Allen, a minister, writer and educator, who was born into slavery and later bought his freedom. He founded the first Black church in America, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1816. In June 2015, a Delaware Public Archives marker was placed at the school location. In 2019, the school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MEXICO CITY (AP) Even after five years of living together in the Pacific resort city of Acapulco, something as simple as holding hands or sharing a kiss in public is unthinkable for Dayanny Marcelo and Mayela Villalobos. There is an ever-present fear of being rejected or attacked in Guerrero, a state where same-sex relationships are not widely accepted and one of five in Mexico where same-sex marriage is still not allowed. But this week they traveled the 235 miles (380 kilometers) to Mexicos capital, where the city government hosted a mass wedding for same-sex couples as part of celebrations of LGBT Pride Month. Under a tent set up in the plaza of the capitals civil registry, along with about 100 other same-sex couples, Villalobos and Marcelo sealed their union Friday with a kiss while the wedding march played in the background. Their ability to wed is considered one of the LGBT communitys greatest recent achievements in Mexico. It is now possible in 27 of Mexicos 32 states and has been twice upheld by the Supreme Court. Mexico, Brazil and Argentina top Latin America in the number of same-sex marriages. Mariaurora Mota, a leader of the Mexican LGBTTTI+ Coalition, said the movement still is working to guarantee in all of Mexico the right to change ones identity, have access to health care and social security and to let transsexual minors change their gender on their birth certificates. Walking around Mexico City a day before their wedding, Marcelo and Villalobos confessed to feeling strange holding hands in the city streets. Displays of affection between same-sex couples in the capital are commonplace, but it was difficult to shed their inhibititions. I feel nervous, said Villalobos, a 30-year-old computer science major, as Marcelo held her hand. Villalobos grew up in the northern state of Coahuila in a conservative Christian community. She always felt an internal struggle, because she knew she had a different sexual orientation, but feared her family would reject her. I always cried because I wanted to be normal, she said. She came out to her mother when she was 23. She thought that moving to Acapulco in 2017 with a young niece would give her more freedom. Villalobos met Marcelo, a native of the beach town, there. Marcelo, a 29-year-old shop employee, said her acceptance of her sexual orientation was not as traumatic as Villalobos, but she still did not come out as pansexual until she was 24. She said she had been aided by the Mexico City organization Cuenta Conmigo, Count on Me which provides educational and psychological support. Walking around the capital this week with massive rainbow flags hanging from public buildings and smaller ones flapping in front of many businesses, Villalobos could not help but compare it to her native state and her present home in Guerrero. In the same country the people are very open and in another (place) ... the people are close-minded, with messages of hate toward the community, she said. Elihu Rendon, a 28-year-old administrative employee for a ride-sharing application, and Javier Vega Candia, a 26-year-old theater teacher, grew up in Mexico City and coming out for them was not so complicated. Were in a city where theyre opening all of the rights and possibilities to us, including doing this communal LGBT wedding, said Vega Candia as he held out Rendons hand to show off a ring he had given him shortly before they moved in together. When they walk through the citys streets they don't hesitate to express affection, sometimes hugging and dancing in a crosswalk while traffic was stopped. Im happy to have been born in this city thinking that we have these rights and not in another country where we could be killed, Vega Candia said. Villalobos and Marcelo do not expect much in their daily lives to change when they return to Acapulco as a married couple. But Marcelo said that with the marriage certificate, she will try to get Villalobos included on the health insurance she receives through her employer. With a marriage certificate it is easier, Marcelo said. If something happens to me or something happens to her, well have proof that were together. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) As a child, Joanne Abbas rarely saw women in carpentry jobs. When she attended Kirkwood Community College for her carpentry certification 14 years ago, she was one of a few women in the program. Now, Abbas, lead carpenter at Lammers Construction Service in Iowa City, is part of a growing population of women in the building trades. It was never encouraged, not even discouraged when I was growing up, but no one was saying, Hey, you should consider working in trades, she said. I wanted to do something with my hands, I went to art school, but I needed a more practical trade. The number of women in trades is increasing in the United States. Women joining carpentry alone increased 33.6 percent from 2016-21, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Construction tradeswomen including laborers, painters and paperhangers, pipe layers, plumbers, pipe fitters, steamfitters, and construction and building inspectors increased 32.1 percent in that same time frame. In Cedar Rapids, enrollment for women in Kirkwoods trades programs also has been climbing. Emily Logan, dean of the Kirkwood Industrial Technology department, told the Cedar Rapids Gazette there were 76 female students out of 689 total students in the program in the last academic year. We see women with growing, not only interest, but opportunity to join the workforce, she said. I also see a strong desire and commitment to among our faculty and industry to diversify our student population and our workforce. Logan said the Industrial Technology program is increasing inclusivity for female students by starting a women-in-technology group and providing a range of sizes for safety jackets fitted to every student. Kim Fensterman, a program manager of Environmental and Fire Programs at Kirkwood, said shes noticed more women joining the wastewater management industry. Fensterman said there are nine women currently active in the Kirkwood wastewater management program, and four more female students starting in the fall. Its exciting because they are being hired out right out of our program, she said. The culture of trades has shifted to accept women the 30 years that she has worked in her position, Fensterman said. Its just a stigma especially on the career and technical, its always been a predominantly male industry, even the welding and CNC (computer numerical control machining technology) and wastewater, she said. Just breaking ground to get women in was a little unheard of 20 years ago. Tiffany VanTomme, a continuing education welding instructor at Kirkwood, said shes noticed an uptick in women joining the program at least one woman per the eight-week semester. Women make up 5 percent of welders in the United States, according to the American Welding Society. VanTomme said shed only encountered one other female welder before her job at Kirkwood. Welding isnt the heavy-lifting job that it used to be, she said. Weve got machines that no matter what kind of physical parameters you have, you dont have to be able to list 100 pounds over your head anymore, so I think everybody should try out a trade. Iowa City Neighborhood and Development Services and Kirkwood created the Residential Construction Confidence Course for Women. The course ran from March 2021 to January 2022. A group of women, instructed by Abbas, demolished a city-owned house, remodeled a kitchen, installed flooring and learned about tool use during the course. Zachary Johnson, a program developer in Kirkwoods Industrial Technology department, helped organize course. He said a womens-only woodworking course will be available in September. The whole goal of that class is kind of the same thing, to expose women to topics and skills that they have never had the opportunity to learn, he said. Tracy Hightshoe, Neighborhood and Development Services director, said the course gave the students a beginning glimpse into trades. Neighborhood and Development Services helps with housing rehabilitation in Iowa City. I think a lot of them can do the work, they just need to know if theyre interested in it, Hightshoe said. The fact that (the course) filled up so fast, I think there is a lot of interest in the class. It gave women the confidence for women to try things at home. Victoria Dabler, a student in the first construction class and program manager at Kirkwood, said she didnt feel comfortable about taking a construction class before this course was offered. There are not many encouraging environments for women to learn about trades, specifically in construction, she said. Dabler plans to show her skills to help her mother in some home renovation projects soon. Being a young independent woman, I wanted to gain the skills to be able to do basic house repairs, remodeling and things like that because women arent socialized growing up to learn those skills, Dabler said. Knowledge is power. Abbas, at Lammers Construction, said. The more you learn, the more you can do and the more you can handle. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW HAVEN Scott X. Esdaile has seen it before. Esdaile, president of the state conference of the NAACP and a member of that groups national board of directors from New Haven, said the treatment of Richard Cox shows that not much has changed in the city over the past few years. When the George Floyd protests happened, you saw the various protests, Esdaile said Friday. The mayor guaranteed then that things would change. Shame on the mayor. Shame on the New Haven police. Mayor Justin Elicker in response Friday said what happened to Cox was terrible and unacceptable but said the action doesnt represent the whole of the New Haven Police Department and the high standards we hold ourselves to. Esdaile disagreed. If they dont represent New Haven, who do they represent? Who gave them their shields and guns? he said. Cox, 36, was seriously injured and potentially paralyzed Sunday while in the custody of the New Haven police after being arrested on a weapons complaint. Cox, who has a felony conviction and is barred from possessing a firearm, was found with a pistol in his waistband, and was being transported to a detention facility in the back of a police van. While driving to the detention center on Union Avenue, the officer driving the vehicle had to make an evasive maneuver to avoid a motor vehicle accident, according to Acting Chief Regina Rush-Kittle. Video subsequently released by the city shows Cox, who was seated on a bench that lacked seat belts, flew forward and slammed head first into the vans front wall. Upon arrival at the detention center, officers told Cox to move his arm and leg and roll onto his back, then pulled him from the van and placed him in a wheelchair. Of New Havens three transport vans, only one was equipped with seat belts. A second had them installed Tuesday. The third is out of service until it can have seat belts installed. The department has placed five officers on administrative leave in the incident, including Officer Oscar Diaz and Sgt. Betsy Segui, who arrested and transported Cox, and officers Ronald Pressley, Jocelyn Lavandier and Luis Rivera, who were present in the detention area and involved in the handling of Cox, city officials said. LaToya Boomer, Coxs sister, said her brother remains in the hospital under sedation. Richard had neck and spine surgery late Sunday, and had another back operation Thursday night, she said. Before sedation he was able to breathe and talk, and could move his eyes and left arm a little. Doctors have not given the family a prognosis, she said. Boomer, who was vacationing in Florida at the time of the incident, said she had seen the video and was horrified. At the time of the actual incident, he was sitting quietly like they wanted him to, she said. After hitting the vans front wall, Boomer said it was hard to watch her brother laying motionless on the floor. It was horrible. You can hear him say I think my neck is broken, she said. Then they drag him out. You can see his body collapsing. They throw him in a wheelchair and hes slumped and sliding out. At no point does anybody say maybe hes really hurt? Maybe hes not pretending? Maybe something is medically very wrong? It makes no sense. Esdaile said the NAACP is planning a community meeting Tuesday at 6:30 at Stetson library with civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Elicker said the city is committed to doing everything we can to ensure that something like this never happens again. The state police have taken over the investigation into the case and the citys internal affairs investigation has been put on hold until the state police probe is complete. Were working to change our standard operating procedures around transport and updating training as well, Elicker said. A class of 20 recruits will graduate July 6, the first to receive de-escalation training called Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics. Over the past several years, weve been working very hard to reimagine what policing and public safety means, Elicker said. Weve held officers accountable when there have been issues. As for supporting the Black and other underserved communities in New Haven, Elicker said, Weve significantly increased funds to youth programming, job training and other opportunities for the community. Its clear we have more work to do. Weve made progress and were committed to doing more. Ben Lambert and Liz Hardaway contributed reporting to this story. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) After debuting last summer, the dinosaurs at Sweet Valley Ranch are ready to wake from their slumbers. Dinosaur World at Sweet Valley Ranch kicked off June 10. The attraction features animatronic dinosaurs with information and fun facts about each dinosaur for people to read as they walk through or take a shuttle. The ranch is located on more than 300 acres at 2990 Sunnyside School Road in Fayetteville. Fred Surgeon, who owns the ranch with his wife Anita, said originally, the event was just going to feature dinosaur statues, but he later decided it would be better for them to be more lifelike. The animatronic dinosaurs at the attraction are custom-made and shipped from overseas. Dinosaurs at the eight-acre attraction come in various sizes from the tallest standing at 14 feet tall and the smallest being about four feet tall. According to Surgeon, 40,000 people attended the 2021 debut. I was blown away by the support that we received from the immediate community Cumberland County, Moore, Robeson, Hoke but what really impressed me in addition to that was we had folks come in from Raleigh, Charlotte, Virginia, Tennessee, he said. That was just really inspiring and kind of validated that we were on to something. Of the ranchs seasonal attractions like its Halloween-themed Backwoods Terror Ranch or Tinys Corn Maze in the fall, Surgeon said Dinosaur World is the most popular. He estimates about 75,000 people will attend this years event. Surgeon said there will be 25 dinosaurs added this year, bringing the total number to more than 50. There will also be an ice age exhibit that will include animatronics of extinct animals such as the wooly mammoth and the dodo bird. Sweet Valley Ranch also added an iguana exhibit featuring more than 100 live iguanas. With the detail that we try to put into Dinosaur World, we certainly are stepping that up this year, Surgeon said. Folks that came out last year, we know they had a good time but theres a reason for them to come back this year. Exploring Dinosaur World would take a little over an hour, Surgeon said but it could take even longer to see the new additional attractions. According to the Surgeons, their ranch, purchased in 2016, began as a place for Anita to have a few horses and for Fred to have a few goats. We ended up, over a two-year period from 2016 to 2018, with all of these different animals, Fred Surgeon said. We actually have over 500 animals from five different continents. Anita Surgeon said she was initially taken aback when her husband said he wanted to add a dinosaur attraction, but shes since grown to love it. Im really amazed, she said. Im enjoying it because we love having the people come out and see smiles on everyones faces. The couple hopes to continue to expand and add other attractions such as an African safari. Its really kind of wide open, she said. It could just go anyway. Were doing a little bit of everything where were opening up our farm and sharing it with people. With Gov. Kathy Hochul expected to cruise to victory in Tuesday's Democratic primary for governor, the party contest for lieutenant governor is shaping up as the more compelling race. It's a key decision for voters because, as was the case with Hochul, the No. 2 statewide elected official on occasion has moved up to the top job. Three Democrats are running for lieutenant governor, all based in New York City or its northern suburbs and all seeking to become the first person of Latino or Latina heritage elected to statewide office in New York. Antonio Delgado, Hochul's recently named lieutenant governor, has a significant financial advantage and the Democratic Party endorsement. But he's facing a spirited challenge from Ana Maria Archila and Diana Reyna. The contenders are each linked to a different candidate for governor, but in New York primaries they're elected separately. This opens up the possibility that Hochul could win her primary but have to run in the general election and govern with a lieutenant governor who doesn't fully support her agenda. This is a race with question marks and not exclamation points, Bruce Gyory, a Democratic consultant who has advised several New York governors, told Politico. Here's a more detailed look at the election and the candidates. Delgado is the establishment choice, but he's served as lieutenant governor for only one month and had just a few weeks to dive into a race his opponents have run since 2021. The Schenectady native is an attorney who won election to the House of Representatives in 2018 and again in 2020, representing a district in the Hudson Valley. He lives in Rhinebeck, in Dutchess County, and describes himself as Afro-Latino. Delgado left Congress to accept an appointment as lieutenant governor after Hochul's first choice for the job, Brian Benjamin, resigned in April shortly after he was indicted on federal bribery charges. Hochul had named Benjamin to take her place as lieutenant governor after she assumed the governor's job following Andrew Cuomo's resignation in August. Given the late timing, Hochul had to press the Legislature to change state law to get Delgado's name on the ballot. Delgado is the endorsed Democrat in the race and is backed by much of the party establishment, including leading officials in the Buffalo area such as Mayor Byron Brown, Rep. Brian Higgins, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. Delgado emphasizes his ability to partner with Hochul. The fact of the matter is I bring to bear a certain level of experience, a certain record, Delgado said during the debate among the three candidates. And when I come into this position, the expectation is I will be an active partner. Also, a national super PAC, largely funded by the founder of a cryptocurrency exchange, has moved $1 million into a committee that's able to spend on races in New York, notably on Delgado's behalf, Politico reported. The Legislature approved a moratorium on cryptocurrency mining in the state, legislation bitterly opposed by the industry on which Hochul hasn't publicly taken a position. Delgado in the debate said Hochul should consider signing the moratorium and he didn't know the crypto billionaire supporting his campaign. Downstate political veterans say the governor's low-key primary campaign a Hochul representative called it a "slower build" strategy could end up hurting the lesser-known Delgado, as the New York Times reported. "The person who's in jeopardy is not her, but her running mate," said George Arzt, a Democratic strategist. Election observers view Archila as Delgado's strongest rival in the race. She's the running mate of the most left-leaning gubernatorial candidate, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and is backed by the Working Families Party and other progressive organizations and political figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-Bronx. Some Archila supporters, such as Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-Brooklyn, have endorsed Hochul for governor but Archila for lieutenant governor. Archila, who was born in Colombia and lives in Brooklyn, is a longtime progressive activist who co-founded Make the Road NY, an immigrant-rights organization. She came to national notice in 2018 when, during the hearings over the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, she confronted Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., in an elevator, an encounter carried live on CNN. Archila has vowed to be a strong, independent advocate for progressive causes in New York. Having a lieutenant governor that is just quietly standing in the background does not help anyone," Archila said during the lieutenant governor debate, an apparent reference to Hochul's tenure as the state's second-in-command, when Cuomo largely relegated her to attending far-flung official events. The third candidate, Reyna, is the running mate of Rep. Tom Suozzi. A first generation Dominican-American, the Brooklyn resident served 12 years in the New York City Council, where she said she focused on efforts to fight gang violence, spur economic development and encourage the construction of new affordable housing. She also was a deputy Brooklyn borough president. "I'm ready on day one. Governing is not the same as being an activist," Reyna told WAMC-FM, a rebuke of Archila. In addition to Hochul succeeding Cuomo last year, Lt. Gov. David Paterson moved up to governor in 2008 following the resignation of Eliot Spitzer. The last Democratic primary for lieutenant governor was a close race, with Hochul defeating Williams, then a New York City Council member, by 53% to 47%. In the general election, party nominees run on a joint ticket. There is no Republican primary for lieutenant governor, with Alison Esposito running unopposed for the nomination. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she is bringing state lawmakers back on Thursday to consider gun safety legislation in response to the Supreme Court striking down key portions of the state's licensing law. The court on Thursday overturned the state law that required that people applying for a concealed carry permit demonstrate a specific need to have a gun in public. The courts conservative majority said that violated the Second Amendment, which they interpreted as protecting peoples right to carry a gun for self-defense outside the home. ABIQUIU, N.M. (AP) In 1940s America, for a woman to go camping in the wilderness was virtually unheard of. Enter Georgia OKeeffe. Determined to move as close to the New Mexico landscape as humanly possible, OKeeffe went camping in Glen Canyon, Plaza Blanca and what she termed The Black Place located 150 miles northwest of her Abiquiu home. The Georgia OKeeffe Welcome Center in Abiquiu is hosting its first exhibit, OKeeffe in the Landscape, on display through April 2, 2023. The exhibition showcases Marie Chabots photographs of the artist mid-camping, her clothing, hiking boots and equipment, the Albuquerque Journal reported. OKeeffe had learned to drive in Taos and bought a 1928 Ford Model T so that she could go car camping in remote locations. At the time, she didnt need a drivers license. She would set up her tent outside, curator of historic properties Giustina Renzoni said. She had the passengers seat removed so she could put a table with all her paints and her brushes. She essentially carried a moving studio. The artist traveled to evoke the essence of these spectacular views in her work. Conscious of her safety, OKeeffe never traveled alone, often taking her friend Maria Chabot, who photographed her on various trips. Chabot had worked for salon maven Mabel Dodge Luhan in Taos. She was the general contractor for OKeeffes Abiquiu home. OKeeffe also camped with such celebrated photographers as Ansel Adams, Eliot Porter and Todd Webb. It was a very creative atmosphere, Renzoni said. The artist learned about these unusual sites by talking to local people. She had learned about Ghost Ranch, where she first bought a house in 1940, from acquaintances when she stayed at Luhans home. She knew she had to see it herself, Renzoni said. She also hired local guides. What she was doing was very unusual at the time, especially for a woman, she added. By the early 1900s, camping had grown into a leisure activity in a reaction against urbanization, Renzoni said. OKeeffe first went camping to Yosemite National Park with Adams in 1938. Telling herself this was a vacation, she took no canvases, paint or brushes. She regretted that decision. Of course, as soon as she got there she ended up borrowing supplies from people and using the charcoal from the fire, Renzoni said. In New Mexico, she collected rocks and bones as she moved through the ragged country. Its an object of nature, Renzoni said of the rocks. She liked to hold them and feel the whole rock. The bones became part of her image repertoire. For her, it was representative of desert life and natural images and colors, Renzoni added. OKeeffe went river rafting for the first time at age 74, invited by Webb. They headed up to Utahs Glen Canyon. OKeeffe wrote to her sister about the trip. After an entire day of rafting, the group camped near the river and settled down, only to be awakened by a torrential downpour. She loved it; even the rain, Renzoni said. She thought it was a wonderful experience. The exhibition also includes a camping dress, complete with large pockets to collect rocks. Established in 2018, the Georgia OKeeffe Welcome Center is located one mile from the artists Abiquiu home. Visitors can take a shuttle to see her home and studio. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) A Rhode Island police officer accused of punching a woman at an abortion protest while he was off-duty was suspended from his job with pay Saturday while the Providence Police Department conducts a criminal investigation into his actions. Jennifer Rourke, Rhode Island Political Cooperative Chairwoman and a state Senate candidate, told the Providence Journal she was punched in the face at least twice by Jeann Lugo, who had been running for the GOP nomination for a Rhode Island state senate seat. Lugo told the Journal he was not going to deny the punching allegation, but added that everything happened very fast. As an officer that swore to protect and serve our communities, I, unfortunately, saw myself in a situation that no individual should see themselves in, he said in the email to the Boston Globe. I stepped in to protect someone that a group of agitators was attacking. Lugo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. Video of the event posted online shows two other individuals involved in a physical altercation at the protest right before a woman, apparently Rourke, is seen being hit. The video does not show what happened between Lugo and Rourke prior to Rourke being hit. Rourke is seeking the Democratic nomination in the September primary to run for the Rhode Island state Senate. Lugo had been seeking the Republican nomination to run for the same seat. Im a Black woman running for office, Rourke told the Journal. There was no need, no need for any of this. Im not going to give up. In a call with The Associated Press, Rourke said the incident occurred as she was attempting to escort a counterprotester who had agreed to leave. As she was leading the man off the premises, she said, another physical altercation broke out, at which point she was punched in the face multiple times by Lugo. Rourke said she has never interacted with Lugo before and did not know he would be at the protest. I'm disappointed he chose to use violence in this way. As a police officer, he's trained to deescalate. He did not do what he was trained to do, she said. Rourke sought medical care and received a CT scan on Saturday afternoon. She said she was doing OK but was experiencing a lot of tenderness in her face and ringing in her ears. She said she had pressed charges against Lugo. At midday Saturday, Lugo tweeted that he was dropping out of the race. I will not be running for any office this fall, he said. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza addressed the conflict in a tweet but said he was limited in what he could say. Ive seen the video and its immensely disturbing, Elorza said. Those responsible will be held fully accountable. In a news release announcing the suspension, Providence police said the suspended officer was a three-year veteran. The altercation occurred during a Friday protest outside the Rhode Island State House in Providence that was in response to the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. ___ This version has been corrected to show Rourke and Lugo were each seeking their partys nomination to run for the same state senate seat, but were not direct political opponents. LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) There are rows upon rows of sunflowers and zinnias at Petite Anse Farm in New Iberia, but theyre not just meant to be seen. The hardy flowers suited to the heat of south Louisiana summers are there to be picked. Farm owners and operators Andrew Andy Graycheck and his wife, Jennifer hand their visitors scissors and a black bucket, telling them about what species of plants theyll find on the acres before them. The visitors have come to fill the bucket with Autumn Beauty, plum sunflowers, Oklahoma White zinnia, babys breath and anything else growing on the property. About 50 miles north, on the opposite end of Acadiana, folks are filling buckets with juicy blackberries and blueberries at Bien-Aime Farm in Church Point. Between the chicken coops, rabbit runs and rows of fruits and vegetables stands an old tractor for kids to climb for photos. Others stand in line for snow-cones from the wooden shack where farm owners David and Katie Baird make their cane syrup. We try to make it an experience, David Baird said. Everywhere you walk on the farm its an experience. We want them to almost forget about everything else and just pick. These you-pick farms are part of a growing agritourism industry in southwest Louisiana and across the United States. The U.S. Travel Association describes agritourism as a billion-dollar industry that has directly generated more than nine million jobs, and its still growing. The U.S. Census of Agriculture shows an increasing trend in agritourism and related recreational services like Bien-Aime and Petite Anse. Andrew and Jennifer Graycheck turned their familys New Iberia farm organic and began opening it seasonally for pick-your-own flowers (sunflowers and zinnias), photography sessions and field trips. Its really cool that people can see where their food comes from and just being in nature, Katie Baird said. For the Bairds it started with a small, raised bed of bell peppers in their backyard in Arnaudville. A lot has changed over the last seven years. Near the end of 2020, they moved to about 13.5 acres in Church Point, right next to the Lewisburg water tower and began planting right away. We just got bit hard by the farming bug, Katie said. Were just learning as we go, David added. That learning takes place mostly through observation, trial and error, and the Bairds want to share their hands-on approach. Personally, I learned quick that you can buy all the books and read about farming, but nothing takes the place of actually putting your hands in the soil, David said. So they began offering you-pick berry days in June, inviting folks to do just as the name says. After signing up online, there were probably 70 adults, plus kids, on the farm that day, they estimate. The experience gives as much to the Bairds as it does to the visitors. Katie likes the accountability of having people out to the farm. You can ask me at a market if were organic, but you also can come see for yourself, she said. The Graychecks have lived on land adjacent to Jennifers grandparents property in New Iberia since 2013. While working full-time as a landscape architect, Andy also put in work at home, sculpting the land with bulldozers, to moving dirt to create ponds to irrigate and build up the land to prevent flooding. Being a landscape architect I wanted something to be a steward of and to practice conservation, he said. The dirt work compacted the soil, and to reverse that they decided to plant sunflowers in early 2020. Sunflowers are known to pull heavy metals from the soil and to have deep roots that break up soil layers, regenerating the land. We did not have a vision of starting a pick-your-own farm, Jennifer said. We were just building our own homestead. Then in March they were at home for months, like everyone else, due to the governors executive order about COVID-19. They decided to harvest their new crop of sunflowers as a family, bundling and selling them. People could come and pick up their bouquets without physical contact, and the business grew from there. They started the pick-your-own option in spring 2021. It didnt start off as a business; it was not intended to be that, Andy said. It was a way to build community and brighten peoples day during such a hard time. Today they open the farm to visitors in May and June and then again in the fall. Theyve added new crops to the roster each year, most recently planting beebalm and wild mustard and then planning for pumpkins this fall. This has become just a labor of love, Jennifer said. Its definitely all an experiment. Their visitors tell them how joyful they are to be outside among the flowers, even when its hot, and that the experience is therapeutic. Thats what it is for us, too, Andy said. This is too good to not share. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Planned Parenthood of Utah and the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah have filed a lawsuit over a state law banning nearly all abortions, contending it violates the state constitution. The organizations filed the lawsuit over Utah's trigger law in state court on Saturday. The trigger law, passed in 2020, automatically went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark abortion rights case Roe v. Wade on Friday. SPRINGFIELD Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed legislation by state Rep. Amy Elik, R-Fosterburg, amending the code of multiple acts and agencies to replace references to high school equivalency certificates to State of Illinois High School Diplomas. The change recognizes the equal value of a State of Illinois High School Diploma and will aid Illinois graduates in establishing reciprocity with educational requirements in other states. Graduates of Illinois schools should never have to start their post-secondary career or schooling at a disadvantage, said Pritzker. This legislation reflects the high standards to which we hold our high school students and protects graduates from unfair misconceptions, both in our state and in others. In the past, the term equivalency certificate carried stigma and the incorrect assumption that the graduate had received a lower level of degree. This change accurately reflects that the high school equivalency certificate is a diploma, ensuring no graduates of Illinois high schools will face challenges based on inaccurate assessment of educational level. Senate Bill 3792 also changes school codes to recognize high school equivalency certificates from other states as the equivalent of a State of Illinois High School Diploma, allowing ease of reciprocity when transferring educational requirements across state lines. The Illinois College Board is also increasing GED test discounts to encourage Illinoisans to complete their secondary degrees. $430,000 of discounts will be available to all test takers and bring the total costs of testing down to $40 for in person tests and $56 for online tests. Previous discount programs in 2020 and 2021 were redeemed by nearly 20,000 test takers. Test takers can us the code ILSAVE20 to reduce the cost of each module when checking out. "I am proud to be the House sponsor of this new law which will encourage more individuals to complete their GED because their achievement will be the equivalent of a high school diploma. This will increase job opportunities and improve the future for people and their families, said Elik. The following acts are amended under SB3792: the Children and Family Services Act, the Illinois Youthbuild Act, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act, the School Code, the Public University Uniform Admission Pilot Program Act, the Public Community College Act, the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Pharmacy Practice Act, the Structural Pest Control Act, the Community Association Manager Licensing and Disciplinary Act, the Home Inspector License Act, the Real Estate License Act of 2000, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, the Illinois Vehicle Code, and the Unified Code of Corrections. This law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2023. PHOENIX (AP) The attorney for the Arizona Senate's ethics committee submitted a report Friday on his investigation of a Republican lawmaker's online comments that appeared to blame the federal government for a supermarket massacre in Buffalo, New York. But the report from attorney Chris Kleminich reached no conclusions on whether Sen. Wendy Rogers' comment broke the Senate's rules and said the committee's role has been completed. Instead, it will be up to the full Senate to decide whether the Flagstaff lawmaker's comments merit discipline. The Ethics Committee was directed by the full Senate in May to look into the online post Rogers made the night a young white man went into a market in a predominately Black neighborhood and fatally shot 10 people. Authorities say the gunman had posted a racist screed before the May 14 attack. As news of the mass shooting was just becoming known, Rogers tweeted: Fed boy summer has started in Buffalo. Many in both parties took that tweet to mean that Rogers was blaming the attack on the federal government, especially in light of Rogers history of embracing conspiracy theories. Rogers later wrote that her comments were misconstrued by the media. She said instead they expressed her worry that inaction on crime and border security will lead to riots and looting. But Kleminich noted that it was not only the media that interpreted her comments to mean the federal government was behind Buffalo attack. He noted that the most comments in response to her post interpreted it the same way. Rogers declined to be interviewed by Kleminich. Instead, she answered questions through her attorney, Tim La Sota. La Sota criticized the investigation, saying it would lead to probes of other activity protected by free speech rights. Where this is leading is obvious and is demonstrated by this case, La Sota wrote. Republicans will be required to defend themselves amid these ethics investigations, and Democrats will receive a pass. Kleminich said any action will now be up to the full Senate, which asked for the investigation. The Senate, which is controlled by Republicans and could adjourn for the year any day, could decide on discipline ranging from a formal censure to expulsion. It could also drop the matter with no action. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian forces were seeking to swallow up the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the eastern Luhansk region, pressing their momentum after taking full control Saturday of the charred ruins of Sievierodonetsk and the chemical plant where hundreds of Ukrainian troops and civilians had been holed up. Russia also launched dozens of missiles on several areas across the country far from the heart of the eastern battles. Some of the missiles were fired from Russian long-range Tu-22 bombers deployed from Belarus for the first time, Ukraine's air command said. The bombardment preceded a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, during which Putin announced that Russia planned to supply Belarus with the Iskander-M missile system. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said late Saturday that Russian and Moscow-backed separatist forces now control Sievierodonetsk and the villages surrounding it. He said the attempt by Ukrainian forces to turn the Azot plant into a stubborn center of resistance had been thwarted. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk province, said Friday that Ukrainian troops were retreating from Sievierodonetsk after weeks of bombardment and house-to-house fighting. He confirmed Saturday that the city had fallen to Russian and separatist fighters, who he said were now trying to blockade Lysychansk from the south. The city lies across the river just to the west of Sievierodonetsk. Capturing Lysychansk would give Russian forces control of every major settlement in the province, a significant step toward Russias aim of capturing the entire Donbas. The Russians and separatists control about half of Donetsk, the second province in the Donbas. Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a spokesman for the separatist forces, Andrei Marochko, as saying Russian troops and separatist fighters had entered Lysychansk and that fighting was taking place in the heart of the city. There was no immediate comment on the claim from the Ukrainian side. Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk have been the focal point of a Russian offensive aimed at capturing all of the Donbas and destroying the Ukrainian military defending it the most capable and battle-hardened segment of the countrys armed forces. Russian bombardment has reduced most of Sievierodonetsk to rubble and cut its population from 100,000 to 10,000. The last remaining Ukrainian troops were holed up in underground shelters in the huge Azot chemical plant, along with hundreds of civilians. A separatist representative, Ivan Filiponenko, said earlier Saturday that its forces evacuated 800 civilians from the plant during the night, Interfax reported. Ukrainian military analyst Oleg Zhdanov said some of the troops were heading for Lysychansk. But Russian moves to cut off Lysychansk will give those retreating troops little respite. Some 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) to the west, four Russian cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea hit a military object in Yaroviv, Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said. He did not give further details of the target, but Yaroviv has a sizable military base used for training fighters, including foreigners who have volunteered to fight for Ukraine. Russian missiles struck the Yaroviv base in March, killing 35 people. The Lviv region, although far from the front lines, has come under fire at various points in the the war as Russia's military worked to destroy fuel storage sites. About 30 Russian missiles were fired on the Zhytomyr region in central Ukraine on Saturday morning, killing one Ukrainian soldier, regional governor Vitaliy Buchenko said. He said all of the strikes were aimed at military targets. In the northwest, two missiles hit a service station and auto repair center in Sarny, killing three people and wounding four, the Rivne regional governor, Vitaliy Koval, said. He posted a picture of the destruction. Sarny is located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the border with Belarus. In southern Ukraine along the Black Sea coast, nine missiles fired from Crimea hit the port city of Mykolaiv, the Ukrainian military said. In the north, about 20 missiles were fired from Belarus into the Chernihiv region, the Ukrainian military said. Ukraine's military intelligence agency said the Russian bombers' use of Belarusian airspace for the first time for Saturday's attack was directly connected to attempts by the Kremlin to drag Belarus into the war. Belarus hosts Russian military units and was used as a staging ground before Russia invaded Ukraine, but its own troops have not crossed the border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address that as a war that Moscow expected to last five days moved into its fifth month, Russia felt compelled to stage such a missile show." He said the war was at a difficult stage, when we know that the enemy will not succeed, when we understand that we can defend our country, but we dont know how long it will take, how many more attacks, losses and efforts there will be before we can see that victory is already on our horizon. During his meeting in St. Petersburg with Lukashenko, Putin told him the Iskander-M missile systems would be arriving in the coming months. He noted that they can fire either ballistic or cruise missiles and carry nuclear as well as conventional warheads. Russia has launched several Iskander missiles into Ukraine during the war. Following a botched attempt to capture Kyiv, Ukraines capital, in the early stage of the invasion that started Feb. 24, Russian forces have shifted their focus to the Donbas, where the Ukrainian forces have fought Moscow-backed separatists since 2014. A senior U.S. defense official, speaking in Washington on condition of anonymity, on Friday called the Ukrainians withdrawal from Sievierodonetsk a tactical retrograde to consolidate forces into positions where they can better defend themselves. The move will reinforce Ukraines efforts to keep Russian forces pinned down in a small area, the official said. After repeated Ukrainian requests to its Western allies for heavier weaponry to counter Russias edge in firepower, four medium-range American rocket launchers arrived this week, with four more on the way. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry released a video Saturday showing the first use of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, in Ukraine. The video gave no location or indication of the targets. The rockets can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometers). The senior U.S. defense official said Friday that more Ukrainian forces are training outside Ukraine to use the HIMARS and are expected back in their country with the weapons by mid-July. Also to be sent are 18 U.S. coastal and river patrol boats. The official said there is no evidence Russia has intercepted any of the steady flow of weapons into Ukraine from the U.S. and other nations. Russia has repeatedly threatened to strike, or actually claimed to have hit, such shipments. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine SEATTLE (AP) Seattle has started work on a new pedestrian bridge that will connect Pike Place Market to the downtown waterfront. Dubbed Overlook Walk, the bridge will stretch above Alaskan Way, with one arm descending directly to a new waterfront promenade and another arm extending onto the roof of a new Seattle Aquarium pavilion. Construction on the bridge began last week, the Office of the Waterfront told The Seattle Times. The promenade and the Aquariums pavilion for sharks and stingrays are also currently under construction. The bridge will include slopes and a new elevator in addition to stairs, according to the Office of the Waterfront, which says the space will serve as a sort of elevated park with terraced landscaping, native plants, expansive Elliott Bay views, amphitheater-style seats for concerts and a new cafe, plus slides and other play elements for children. The Overlook Walk project is part of a massive redevelopment of Seattles downtown waterfront that was made possible by the 2019 removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The price tag for the pedestrian bridge is about $70 million. The cost of the entire redevelopment scheme is more than $750 million, paid for by the city, the state, private donors and a special tax on downtown property owners assessed through a local improvement district. Friends of the Waterfront Seattle, a nonprofit that will manage the operations of the redeveloped waterfront, is supposed to raise $110 million from private donors. The organization had raised $84 million as of December. The pedestrian bridge, expected to open by 2025, will connect to the MarketFront addition to Pike Place Market that was completed in 2017. There will be two permanent art installations on the bridge: Undulating, puppet-like cloth figures by Ann Hamilton and a Coast Salish basket-inspired sculpture by the MTK Matriarchs, a three-person team. The City Council voted in 2019 to contribute $34 million in real-estate excise tax revenue to the Aquariums $113 million new Ocean Pavilion. The Aquariums plan for the building, scheduled to open in 2024, calls for a 325,000-gallon tank with sharks, stingrays and fish from the South Pacific. The waterfront redevelopment also includes a new Alaskan Way with two general-traffic lanes in each direction, plus a bus lane each way and two turn lanes for ferry traffic near Colman Dock. NEW YORK (AP) Seven women who say Ghislaine Maxwell helped Jeffrey Epstein steal the innocence of their youth and poison the promise of their future are asking a judge to consider their pain as she decides what prison sentence she will dispense Tuesday to the incarcerated British woman. Their statements were put in the public case file late Friday by Manhattan prosecutors who have asked U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan to sentence Maxwell to 30 to 55 years in prison for monstrous crimes resulting in a December sex trafficking conviction for a socialite who has been jailed since her July 2020 arrest. Four women testified at Maxwell's monthlong trial, where they described sexual attacks on teenage girls from 1994 to 2004 by Epstein and Maxwell at Epstein's mansions and estates in Manhattan, New Mexico, Florida and the Virgin Islands. In a statement, Annie Farmer, who testified at trial and spoke at Epstein's bail hearing before he killed himself in August 2019 as he awaited a sex trafficking trial, said Maxwell's lack of remorse and her repeated lies about victims forced a long fight for justice that has felt like a black hole sucking in our precious time, energy and wellbeing. Defense lawyer Bobbi Sternheim included the victim statements in a submission to the judge Friday after the defense asked for a sentence of no more than five years, but she heavily redacted portions in asking the judge to disregard some entirely because they were not directly a part of the case that resulted in Maxwell's conviction. Prosecutors, though, said no redactions were required or necessary because any privacy interests belonged to victims and none asked for their statements to be sealed. They added that no due process interest is protected by withholding victim impact statements from the public. Three victims may speak at sentencing. Included were nine graphic pictures of Sarah Ransome taken in a hospital bed after two suicide attempts she blames on the trauma of over a half year spent as a sex toy for Epstein and Maxwell and others that left her so distressed that she once considered jumping from a cliff into shark-infested waters off Epstein's sprawling Virgin Islands estate. Ransome, who wrote a book Silenced No More and traveled from her England home to observe Maxwell's trial, said she was stopped from taking the plunge by Maxwell and company moments before jumping but that at the time, that extremely risky escape seemed more appealing than being raped one more time. One woman, Kate, a former British model who testified at trial, spoke of the silent screams inside the minds of girls who were not yet adults when Maxwell and Epstein flashed wealth and ties to famous and powerful people before subjecting them to sex abuse and then fear so they would never disobey their prurient quests. Calling Maxwell dangerous and devious, Maria Farmer said her intersection with the pair and sexual assault by Epstein during a trip to Ohio cost her a promising career as an artist and leaves her still feeling unsafe outside, firm in a belief that Maxwell will harm her if she ever has a way. She is the sister of Annie Farmer. Another, Virginia Giuffre, said Maxwell opened the door to hell as she joked that she was like a new mother to dozens of girls and young women she fed to her financier boyfriend and later boss. Ghislaine, like a wolf in sheeps clothing, you used your femininity to betray us, and you led us all through it. She added: You could have put an end to the rapes, the molestations, the sickening manipulations that you arranged, witnessed and even took part in. You couldve called the authorities and reported that you were a part of something awful. ... Ghislaine, you deserve to spend the rest of your life in a jail cell. You deserve to be trapped in a cage forever, just like you trapped your victims. The AP does not identify people who say they were victims of sexual assault unless they have consented to being identified. WASHINGTON Several traffic safety improvements will be added to an intersection near the Western New York National Cemetery in Pembroke, where two veterans were killed in a collision in September, but those changes don't include building a roundabout that proved to be controversial among some Genesee County residents. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the State Department of Transportation announced Friday that they had agreed on improvements to the intersection of Route 77 and Indian Falls Road, the site of frequent accidents where Lockport residents Christopher Rowell and Arnold Herdendorf were killed in a collision with a tractor trailer. 'It could have been avoided': VA Cemetery planners' warnings went unheeded before crash killed two vets "I think that my dad would most definitely happily give up his life to bring light to a dangerous situation and save somebody else's life," the daughter of one of the accident victims said. Those improvements include: Eliminating passing zones on Route 77 at the Indian Falls Road intersection. Installing shoulder and center-line rumble strips on Route 77. Installing flashing intersection warning devices on Route 77. Installing larger stop signs with reflective posts on Indian Falls, including placards that say: CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP. Adding STOP pavement markings on Indian Falls. Installing larger INTERSECTION signs on State Route 77. Traffic study at VA cemetery altered to downplay roundabout which some in community oppose A comparison of the report released last week with an earlier draft obtained by The Buffalo News shows several major changes and omissions. For example, the April draft said: "A roundabout, a potential permanent improvement, not only calms traffic, but would have a significant safety impact," but that sentence was cut from the draft that the public got to see. The two agencies did not say how much the improvements that will be implemented will cost, but a roundabout would have cost about $2.5 million. Installing a roundabout at the intersection was "not identified as an operational requirement," the VA said in its final traffic analysis of the intersection, which the agency also released on Friday. "The intersection is already operating at a good level of service and the installation of a roundabout would not significantly improve the overall performance of the intersection," the study said. Rep. Chris Jacobs, an Orchard Park Republican who last month held a public hearing regarding the intersection, praised the proposed changes. "I am glad to see the VA has listened to the calls of elected officials and members of the community and is now implementing numerous common-sense measures such as flashing lights and increased signage and markings," he said. VA cemetery managers who pushed safety changes before deadly crash claim retaliation The two federal employees who pushed for a safe redesign of the intersection near Western New York's new veterans cemetery are now in what one supporter described as "professional purgatory." The release of the planned improvements at the intersection came after the VA sought public comments on what would be the best ways to make the crossing safer. Of the 90 people who commented, nearly half supported increased signage and lights. A roundabout was not nearly so popular. While 42.2% of respondents expressed no opinion about construction of a traffic circle, 35.5% opposed it, and only 22.2% favored it. VA appreciates the extensive public feedback we received to this latest Traffic Analysis and Safety Study," said Matthew T. Quinn, VA undersecretary for memorial affairs. "Their feedback was instrumental in determining the course of action we are announcing today." Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat, had been among the leading advocates of the roundabout. Schumer calls for roundabout at VA cemetery, while safety advocates call out VA Schumer left no doubt about where he stands, saying it was time for the VA and the State DOT to work together to improve the intersection of Route 77 and Indian Falls Road, where two Army veterans were killed in a collision with a tractor-trailer. The VA and NYSDOT must move to make this roundabout a reality for the safety of motorists, including veterans and their families visiting the new veterans cemetery," he said in May. Genesee County Highway Superintendent Timothy Hens also backed a roundabout. "They can be a political lightning rod, while from an engineering perspective, they are a factually proven safety measure that reduces crashes by 60% and fatalities by up to 99%," he said at the May public hearing on the intersection. "They work, but they are typically unpopular in rural areas." Proving that point, some citizens weighed in with comments criticizing the possibility of building a roundabout at the intersection. "I do not believe a roundabout at this intersection will solve the issue," wrote a longtime resident of Indian Falls Road, whom the VA did not identify in the traffic study. "It may, in fact, make it more treacherous for those of us who are local. Installing flashing lights, warning signs, speed bumps may help. However, if a driver is not paying attention, then guess what: they will not heed those warnings." VA officials to visit cemetery amid growing safety concerns The VA announced it would perform a study three days after a Feb. 13 Buffalo News story reported that two VA officials pushed for safety changes at the intersection of Route 77 and Indian Falls Road, only to be reprimanded for it. Both Quinn, of the VA, and State Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez stressed that they consider the intersection safe, despite the crash that claimed the lives of Rowell and Herdendorf and other accidents that occurred there. The State Department of Transportation thanks the VA for its diligent work and agrees with the studys findings that the current intersection is consistent with federal and state engineering safety standards," Dominguez said. "The VA has amended its highway work permit and our maintenance forces will assist them with some of these enhanced safety features along this intersection. The VA and DOT agreed to do the traffic study after The Buffalo News reported on the accident in which Rowell and Herdendorf were killed. The News also reported that the VA sidelined the two officials who had been pushing for traffic safety improvements at the intersection: cemetery director James R. Metcalfe II and planner Peter C. Rizzo. The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WATERTOWN, S.D. (AP) South Dakota Republicans looking to regroup after the impeachment and conviction of the GOP attorney general gave their support for the job Saturday to a man with extensive experience in leading state and federal law enforcement agencies. Delegates at the Republican convention in Watertown also bounced an incumbent. CAHOKIA The St. Louis Downtown Airport is experiencing a trend continuing into this year with flight operations escalating and a new project to bring hundreds of high-tech jobs. This project will support more than 450 high-tech aerospace manufacturing jobs by improving production safety, reliability and efficiency, improving airport businesses and increasing global competitiveness for Southwest Illinois and the entire state. The project has been in the works for several years; construction is expected to begin later this year. According to a state study, St. Louis Downtown Airport contributed more than $422 million in economic impact for the region in 2019, including factors such as on-airport activity and visitor spending. Our aviation customers choose to fly to St. Louis Downtown Airport for convenient access to the central business district, educational institutions, major sporting events, concerts, races and more, said airport Director Sandra Shore. They also appreciate the great service offered by a professional team that discreetly accommodates their varying needs in a pleasant environment thats convenient and uncongested. Flight operations climbed last year to more than 100,000, which surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic levels at the airport at 6100 Archview Drive in Cahokia. Flight operations increased to 101,938, the highest total for the airport in the past five years, according to Bi-State Developments Patti Beck, senior director of media and public relations. The total number of flight operations exceeded 2019 numbers by more than 5%, significant considering the affect of COVID-19 on travel. The trending number of flight operations represents a 31.2% increase over the 2020 flight operations, a strong signal that private and business travel customers returned to the skies and flew in and out of the closest airport to downtown St. Louis. The overall trend for the first quarter of 2022 confirmed the rebound is continuing and is likely to see even greater acceleration due to key events drawing more travelers to the region in the coming months, said Bi-State Developments Mary Lamie, executive vice president of Bi-State Developments Multi Modal Enterprises. Bi-State Development owns and operates the St. Louis Downtown Airport, deemed the busiest general aviation airport in Illinois. It's located on 1,000 acres in Cahokia Heights and Sauget. Growth plans will be supported by a $5 million state grant recently awarded to the airport as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure plan approved in 2019. The funding will cover the cost of building a Ground Engine Run-Up facility to benefit four aircraft maintenance providers at the airport. The airport also is home to the St. Louis University Parks College, the nations oldest flight school still in operation. Other activities supported by the airport include government operations, military training, real estate tours, medical transport, aerospace technology research and glider flying. To learn more about St. Louis Downtown Airport, visit www.stlouisdowntownairport.com. The airport offers a visitors guide at https://www.stlouisdowntownairport.com/visit/. AURORA, Colo. (AP) Aurora police say a man is in custody after two people were shot, one fatally, Friday night. Police found the first man who had been shot in a vehicle about 9:25 p.m., The Denver Post reported. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. This is a great day for America! By the grace of God and the tireless efforts of pro-life champions, we have restored constitutional integrity to our Republic and returned the power back to states and We the People, said Rep. Arrington. Ever since the Supreme Court erred in Roe v. Wade, America has failed to protect EVERY citizens inherent right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Todays SCOTUS decision upholds the Constitutions explicit empowerment of citizens of every state to regulate or abolish abortion. The prayers of millions of God-fearing Americans have been answered, and the right to life which is not just a fundamental freedom, but a sacred gift from Almighty God has been restored for the next generation of Americans. - Rep. Jodey Arrington (R- Texas District 19) The following is a political reaction to the Supreme Court decision announced Friday that, according to Bloomberg, overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and wiped out the constitutional right to abortion. This is a day that the pro-life movement has prayed for and worked toward for 50 years. Every life is precious. I will continue pushing to protect and defend unborn children. Nothing can be more important. - Rep. August Pfluger (R-San Angelo) "The U.S. Supreme Court correctly overturned Roe v. Wade and reinstated the right of states to protect innocent, unborn children. Texas is a pro-life state, and we have taken significant action to protect the sanctity of life. Texas has also prioritized supporting women's healthcare and expectant mothers in need to give them the necessary resources so that they can choose life for their child. I signed laws that extended Medicaid health care coverage to six months post-partum, appropriated $345 million for women's health programs, and invested more than $100 million toward our Alternatives to Abortion program. This critical program provides counseling, mentoring, care coordination, and material assistance, such as car seats, diapers, and housing to mothers in need. Texas will always fight for the innocent unborn, and I will continue working with the Texas legislature and all Texans to save every child from the ravages of abortion and help our expectant mothers in need." - Gov. Greg Abbott "Today is a tremendous day for life. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization adheres to the constitution and returns the decision on abortion back to the states. Because of our trigger bill that we passed last year, in 30 days, abortion will be banned in Texas. I thank God for delivering us this day, and I am so proud that Texas has taken the lead to ensure that such evil can no longer live in our state. "Since I first took office in 2007, protecting life has been my top priority. In 2011, I authored the Sonogram Law, and in 2021, I was proud to lead the Texas Senate in passing the Heartbeat Act, which dramatically reduced the number of abortions that occur in Texas. "Media estimates report that as many as 62 million innocent lives have been ended since the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade in 1973. Words cannot do that unfathomable number justice. The left will surely fight to keep the abortion industry alive in Texas, but they will fail. "The Supreme Court's ruling is an acknowledgement of the truth: when an abortion is performed, a human life is ended. This watershed victory is not just a victory for innocent life, but a victory for all of humanity." - Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick "Today the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992), thus bringing an end to a half century of the unconstitutional and unconscionable national right to abortion. Attorney General Paxton also released an official advisory setting forth Texas law in light of the Supreme Courts decision. Additionally, he announced the statewide closure of his agencys offices today in honor of the nearly 70 million unborn babies killed in the womb since 1973. June 24th will be an annual Office of the Attorney General holiday in recognition of this momentous decisionand the many lives lost before it. Roe v. Wade and its successor case Planned Parenthood v. Casey have absolutely no basis in the U.S. Constitution, said Attorney General Paxton. Nevertheless, for half a century, Americans have had to live under these illegitimate, illegal, and unconstitutional dictates of a partisan, willful Supreme Court. No more. Today, the question of abortion returns to the states. And in Texas, that question has already been answered: abortion is illegal here. I look forward to defending the pro-life laws of Texas and the lives of all unborn children moving forward. Further, added Attorney General Paxton, we cannot forget the extraordinary violence that Roe and Casey unleashed on our nation. Because of those decisions, almost 70 million babies have been killed in the womb. And so, today at noon, I am closing all my offices as a memorial to these babies. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of them. Never again should something like this happen in America. - Attorney General Ken Paxton The Supreme Courts decision in the Dobbs case, reversing Roe v. Wade, is nothing short of a massive victory for life, and it will save the lives of millions of innocent babies. The decision reverses one of the most egregious departures from the Constitution and legal precedent the United States has ever seen, and one that has resulted in the deaths of 63 million American children. Roe was wrong the day it was decided, and it has been wrong every day since then. If you search for the word abortion in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, you wont find it. The Court at the time acknowledged that, and yet Roe created a brand new constitutional right out of whole cloth. And while the left manically argues that the Dobbs decision makes abortion illegal throughout the country, that is false. What this decision does is leave abortion policy up to the states and returns power to the American peoplewhich is exactly how questions of abortion were handled before Roe. This is a momentous day, and yet the fight for life doesnt end with the Dobbs decision. It simply begins a new chapter. Ive been proud to stand for life in the U.S. Senate, and I will continue to do so as we navigate the path ahead. - Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate TORONTO (AP) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned Saturday that the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn a constitutional right to abortion could lead to the loss of other rights and indicated his country would continue to allow Americans to get abortions in Canada. Trudeau called the courts decision horrific and voiced concern that the ruling could someday allow a rollback of legal protections for gay relationships, including the right for same-sex couples to marry. We know that this is an extremely, not just scary, but disheartening time for so many women, Trudeau said at a news conference in Kigali, Rwanda, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Women for generations have fought for more rights in the United States, (only) to see this setback, to worry as well about how this can be expanded to more rights be taken away in the United States, he said. This is a reminder of how we need to be unequivocal in our defense of peoples rights, in not taking anything for granted, in staying vigilant, and always standing up for womans rights, for LBGT rights, for the rights of people who are disenfranchised and marginalized, he added. Asked if his government would help American women seeking abortions in Canada, Trudeau did not directly respond, but said: Everyday Americans who find themselves in Canada access our health care system in Canada and thats certainly something that will continue, However the cost, the need to travel and to have a passport make that prohibitive for some Americans. The ruling is likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half of American states. Thirteen states, mainly in the South and Midwest, already had laws to ban abortion in the event Roe was overturned. Another half-dozen states have near-total bans or prohibitions after six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant. Trudeau vowed to continue to stand up for womans rights in the U.S. and elsewhere. We have a commitment in Canada to ensure, first of all, that every women has full, safe legal access to the full suite of sexual health and reproductive services, including safe and legal abortions and weve been working hard to increase access to women across the country, Trudeau said. ISTANBUL (AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told Sweden's prime minister that he has not seen any tangible moves to address Turkeys concerns about her country joining NATO, Erdogans office said Saturday. Erdogan called in a phone conversation with Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson for binding commitments from Sweden, as well as a concrete change of attitude in the country's approach to fighting terrorism. He added that Turkey had not seen any tangible initiative from Sweden that would alleviate Turkeys concerns at this point about the Nordic nation's request to become a NATO member, the presidents communications directorate said in a statement. Sweden and Finland applied to join the Western military alliance in May following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Turkey, which is a NATO member, has so far blocked the applications, citing what Ankara considers to be a soft approach to organizations such as the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. The PKK has waged a 38-year insurgency against Turkey that has left tens of thousands dead. Turkey is demanding that Sweden and Finland grant extradition requests for individuals who are wanted in Turkey. Ankara claims the countries are harboring PKK members as well people it says are linked to a failed 2016 coup. Turkey also wants assurances that arms restrictions imposed by the two countries over Turkeys 2019 military incursion into northern Syria will be removed. Finland and Sweden's membership requests and Turkey's objections are expected to be a central theme at a June 28-30 NATO summit in Madrid. Erdogan earlier reiterated Turkey's demands in a phone call with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the presidency said. ISTANBUL (AP) Turkish security forces have detained a Greek citizen accused of spying for Athens intelligence service, the state-run Anadolu news agency said Saturday. The man, identified as Muhammed Amar Ampara, was allegedly involved in gathering information about the deployment of Turkish military border units, as well as information on Turkeys Syrian population and Turks who fled to Greece after a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. Anadolu, which cited unnamed security sources, published a photograph of a bearded, balding man in handcuffs. He appeared to be in his 50s or 60s. He was captured as a result of an investigation by Turkeys National Intelligence Organization (MIT), the news agency reported, without giving any information about where or when he was detained. An official from the Greek Embassy in Ankara declined to comment on the allegations. The arrest comes amid renewed tensions between Turkey and Greece. The neighbors and NATO allies have a history of disputes over a range of issues, such as mineral exploration in the eastern Mediterranean and rival claims in the Aegean Sea. Recent quarrels have focused on the Greek islands off Turkeys Aegean coast, with Ankara accusing Athens of building a military presence in breach of treaties. Greece maintains it is acting according to international law and is defending the islands in the face of Turkish hostility. Turkey hosts the worlds largest refugee population, including some 3.7 million Syrians. Their presence has become a major political issue in the lead-up to national elections due over the next 12 months. Following a failed coup in July 2016, some members of a group tied to a U.S.-based cleric whom Ankara accuses of organizing the attempt to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fled abroad, including to Greece. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW ORLEANS (AP) A Jesuit university in New Orleans has renamed its newest residence hall after its first Black graduate, his late wife, and their family. Norman C. Francis graduated from the law school at Loyola University of New Orleans in 1955 and was president of the nations only Black and Catholic university Xavier University of New Orleans from 1968 until 2015. His wife, Blanche Francis, was a civic activist and community leader in New Orleans. The Loyola University building formerly called Carrollton Hall, after a nearby neighborhood, is now the Blanche and Norman C. Francis Family Hall. Norman Francis embodies everything we strive for here at Loyola, the Rev. Justin Daffron, Loyola's interim president, said in a news release. He and his late wife, Blanche, have set an example for us all, showing us how to live and love in the way the Gospels have taught us, with compassion, kindness, hope, courage and service to others. Daffron said the Francis family, which also includes six children and 11 grandchildren, has made many contributions to both schools, the city, state, country and Catholic Church. A resolution passed by Loyola's Board of Trustees recognized Norman Francis for a life and vocation distinguished by his selfless and successful service in a variety of capacities. Blanche Francis, a volunteer for many organizations, was the take-charge Mom who made it easy for her husband to be the take-charge president, the resolution said. Norman Francis served in the Army and U.S. Attorneys Office after getting his law degree, and became deeply involved in the Civil Rights movement while dean of men at Xavier, his college alma mater. After Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans, he chaired the Louisiana Recovery Authority. He was Xavier's first Black and first lay president and the second African American president of a Catholic university in the United States. Under Francis, Xavier produced more African American graduates who went on to medical school than any other college or university. Francis has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame. He has served as adviser to eight U.S. presidents on education and rights issues and received more than 40 honorary degrees. In 2020, New Orleans renamed a street along Xavier's campus for Francis, changing the name from that of Confederate President Jeff Davis. RENO, Nev. (AP) Washoe County has established a legal assistance fund for county employees who've been unfairly attacked or harassed in public as tempers increasingly flare during hostile confrontations over election procedures and other controversies. The legal and personal services approved this week will be available to county workers, but not elected officials, The Reno Gazette Journal reported. What were trying to do is make sure that the rights of our employees are protected, County Manager Eric Brown said. Weve seen situations where the public discourse has gotten increasingly hostile, he said. The county commission voted 3-1 on Tuesday to authorize the county manager to spend a total of up to $150,000 per fiscal year on such efforts. The $150,000 cap applies to the entire fund, not each individual who would be eligible to draw from it. Any expenditures beyond the $150,000 would require specific approval from the commission. Brown said the county has a responsibility as an employer to make sure its supporting its employees. We have had situations where county employees not elected officials have received death threats, have received malicious and fictitious claims made against them," he said. "Some of this has been extremely hurtful to their families. The assistance would be available to employees who are unfairly publicly attacked, harassed, or disparaged by members of the public or political organizations, according to the language approved by the commissioners. A background report by county staff said aggressive comments, threats, conspiracy theories and false accusations can have the impact of deterring qualified individuals from continuing their careers in government service with the county or discouraging individuals who may be considering careers in government service. Brown said the initiative would help employees especially those without the wherewithal to retain their own counsel or other resources to defend themselves. It is in no way any attempt to suppress criticism of any elected official or public official, he said. Commissioners Alexis Hill, Kitty Jung and Bob Lucey voted in favor, Jeanne Herman was opposed, and Vaughn Hartung was absent. Public comment was strongly against this proposal, calling it a slush fund and worse. You want to give these people that make over $100,000 a stipend for legal fees when they screw up? said Kenji Otto, who ran and came in second in the Republican primary for county clerk. Give me a break. You people are disgusting. Kris Engstrom spoke in favor of the proposal, saying that over the lunch break shed been watching Jan. 6 hearing testimony in Washington, with people describing mobs entering their homes and ruining their lives. Its clear from some of the hostility in this room that this could happen to workers who are just doing their jobs working for the county, Engstrom said during the commission meeting. One commenter, Val White, said staff could get more insurance for legal coverage if they want it. If you think youre going to be harassed or criticized, its not our responsibility to pay for your extra legal expenses, she said. White described it as setting up a large bank account to use for legal fees to attack residents who dare displease us with their comments. The language approved by the commission says eligibility for assistance would be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Washoe County Manager with input from the Washoe County Workplace Violence Committee. "The objective of the program would be to provide employees support against attacks, harassment, or disparagement that occur or originate outside of the workplace but that relate in some significant degree to the role of the subject employees as employees of the county. On the afternoon of a day that will always be remembered for the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and subsequently end constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place for nearly half a century, planned protests and demonstrations are being held throughout the Bay Area from San Francisco and Oakland to San Mateo and San Jose. A rally was held early Friday afternoon in Napa. By 6 p.m., more than 1,000 people have gathered for the San Francisco rally. It began at the Philip Burton Federal Building with a planned march on Market Street. It culminated at a sit-in protest at the corner of Market and Hyde streets, where a speak-out is scheduled to begin early this evening. Meanwhile, late Friday afternoon and early evening around the San Francisco Bay Area, voices were being heard at other rallies. In San Mateo Central Park, activists rallied for reproductive rights at 4:30 p.m. after the overturning of Roe v. Wade this morning. More than 3,000 people participated in 49 minutes of civil disobedience in San Francisco early Friday evening to mark the 49 years since the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade and the end of constitutional protections for abortion on this day that had been in place since 1973. Protesters participating in a rally that began at 5 p.m. at the Philip Burton Federal Building, followed by a march to Market Street, where a sit-in began at the intersection with Hyde Street. There, 49 minutes of civil disobedience commenced to protest today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. Following the culmination of those 49 minutes, protesters began marching east on Market Street toward The Embarcadero where the rally is expected to wind up at the Ferry Building. Rallies are also happening Friday evening in Oakland and San Jose, as well as in San Mateo, where at Central Park, activists rallied for reproductive rights after news broke of the Supreme Court's decision. San Mateo County has enacted a 100-foot buffer zone ordinance to protect access to the local Planned Parenthood Mar Monte clinic and has recently allocated $1 million to support Planned Parenthood and other local abortion clinics in the city's steps to become a sanctuary for people seeking abortions. Sen. Josh Becker said he was saddened to be at this afternoon's rally as a father of an 18-year-old daughter who no longer has the same rights that were in place in the United States since 1973. Rally attendees held posters reading "Justices lied, now women will die" and "I Love Pro-Choice California", also shouting "our bodies our rights." Friday's decision, which came more than a month after the leak of a draft opinion by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, indicating the high court was prepared to take this step. Friday's outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in about half of the 50 states. The protest in the city of San Francisco Friday evening against the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade began at the Phillip Burton Federal Building and ended at the Ferry Building after speeches, chants, marching and a 49-minute sit-in on Market Street that represented the 49 years Roe v. Wade was law in the United States. The protest was organized by the National Mobilization for Reproductive Justice along with a coalition of other organizations including The Raging Grannies Action League, Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights and Freedom Socialist Party. The rally began at 5 p.m. at the federal courthouse with a small crowd, but soon expanded to more than 1,000 people listening to speeches lambasting the Supreme Court justices and warning against the consequences of their decision. Many speeches blamed not only Republicans, but also Democrats for the stripping away of reproductive rights. An evacuation drill will be conducted Saturday morning by the Novato Fire Protection District, Marin Firewise Communities, Novato Police Department and the Marin County Sheriff's Department. The drill is for the Black Point and Pacheco Valle areas only. The drill begins at 9:30 a.m. There will be a meeting location for residents who are participating. The meeting will be at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1580 Hill Rd. The Black Point evacuation drill begins at 9:30 a.m. The Pacheco Valle evacuation drill begins at 11 a.m. Residents living in those areas will receive an automated call notifying that an evacuation will be in progress at that time. Two Bay Area cities are among 10 regions throughout California to receive $17 million in Family Homelessness Challenge Grant funds with the goal of reducing family homelessness in the Golden State. Oakland and Livermore are the two Bay Area cities to join 10 California communities in receiving the funds, the awards of which are provided through the California Interagency Council on Homelessness. The other cities are Fontana, Los Angeles, San Diego and Salinas. Also included are Pasadena and Sacramento, and Mendocino and Santa Clara counties. Livermore, with a population of 91,000, will receive $581,000 from the fund. Oakland, the Bay Area's third largest city with a population of 423,000, will receive $2 million. Salinas will receive $2.6 million. San Leandro police said they thwarted two separate catalytic converter thefts on the same overnight shift. The first case happened in the area of Pershing Drive and Stoakes Avenue at around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday. A suspect was removing a catalytic converter from a vehicle when officers arrived, according to the San Leandro Police Department. The suspect fled on foot and wasn't found. However, an alert officer soon discovered the suspect's vehicle near the initial scene of the theft and found an alleged accomplice and a loaded firearm inside the vehicle. That suspect, Jesse Cortez, a 40-year-old Hayward resident, was arrested on suspicion of firearm-related charges and theft. The second case occurred at around 3:45 a.m. Thursday. Officers were sent to the 2100 block of Bancroft Avenue regarding another reported catalytic converter theft in progress. Two suspect vehicles and their occupants were working together to remove the catalytic converter, police said. Police said both suspects drove away at high speed when officers arrived. One of the suspect vehicles was disabled by a tire deflation device. A suspect ran from the vehicle and was then arrested on a charge of grand theft and possession of stolen property. The suspect is a 25-year-old homeless man, police said. The National Weather Service forecast for Saturday for the San Francisco Bay Area calls for daytime highs to continue very warm through Monday. Warmest inland temperatures will peak on Sunday in the East Bay. Highs Saturday in the 70s to low 80s around the Bay to the 90s inland. Overnight lows Saturday morning will be in the low to upper 50s. Copyright 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. (RNS) On Tuesday (June 21), the Je Khenpo, the senior Buddhist authority in Bhutan, began ordaining a group of 144 women as bhikshunis, or female monks, at the Ramthangkha monastery in the tiny Himalayan country. The ceremony is of historical importance for all women in Buddhism and brings Tibetan Buddhism into the 21st century, said Bhikshuni Jampa Tsedroen, a German Tibetan author. For these nuns, it is a major opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to contribute to Buddhism. This content is written and produced by Religion News Service and distributed by The Associated Press. RNS and AP partner on some religion news content. RNS is solely responsible for this story. Many of the new bhikshunis are Bhutanese, but some came to Bhutan from other countries in Asia. They are all being ordained in the Tibetan lineage. A Facebook post on the central monastic body of Bhutan page posted the news, which was confirmed by Damcho Diana Finnegan, an ordained Buddhist nun and co-founder of the Dharmadatta Nuns Community in Virginia. Asked about the ceremony, Finnegan called it a major step towards ending the institutionalized inequality between men and women in Tibetan Buddhism. The ceremony is the culmination of a decades-long movement for full ordination for women in the Tibetan lineage, which has faced heavy resistance from top-level monks, scholars and political leaders across Asia. The bhikshuni movement has picked up steam in recent years as women worldwide have sought to restore a practice of ordaining women established, they say, by the Buddha himself, but which slowly disappeared from much of the Buddhist world until now. After the death of the Buddha, female monks were commonly considered one of the key elements of the four-pronged ideal Buddhist community, consisting of lay men, lay women, male monks and female monks. However, over time, war, famine and disease took the lives of bhikshunis across Southeast Asia and Tibet. Women have continued to live ascetic lives as nuns but have been barred from taking the next step to full ordination. Officially their status was held back by rules of the monastic code that require bhikshunis to be ordained by other bhikshunis, who didnt exist. To break this bind, some women have taken other routes to full ordination. In 1996, a group of Sri Lankan nuns was ordained with help from Korean bhikshunis of the Mahayana lineage, which has never been broken. Since then, hundreds of bhikshunis have been ordained in Sri Lanka, in what Tsedroen describes as an ecumenical ceremony, essentially reviving the population. But in Bhutan, a handful of monks have taken ordination into their own hands and provided ordination to nuns without the presence of bhikshunis. Typically, this ceremony is only granted to a small number of women, and never on the scale seen on Tuesday. According to Finnegan, an ordination this large guarantees a sangha, or bhikshuni community, that will persist well into the future. All other lineages of Buddhism have had sanghas of women fully ordain as monks. This is the first time Tibetan Buddhist women are given that opportunity, she said. The current Dalai Lama has long encouraged bhikshuni ordination vows, and Bhikkhu Bodhi, a prominent monk in the Theravada lineage, practiced across India and Southeast Asia, has appealed to his legion of supporters to advocate for the bhikshuni movement. Influential Tibetan scholar-monk Geshe Lharampa Bhikshu Rinchen Ngudrup made a strong case for bhikshuni ordination in 2007 during a talk at the first International Congress on Buddhist Womens Role in the Sangha after years of research. In addition, lay people across Asia have called attention to the excellent behavior of nuns in comparison with male religious leaders. Scandals, such as fraud at Wat Dhammakaya in Thailand and an uptick in sexual assault charges against Tibetan lamas, have been rocking Buddhist communities around the world. Thai journalist Sanitsuda Ekachai called attention to this dichotomy in her book Keeping the Faith: Thai Buddhism at the Crossroads, encouraging lay people to consider the future of the monastic order and how female monks could improve it. Even with powerful voices and a clean track record behind the movement, gender equity in the Tibetan monastic order had yet to take off on the large scale that occurred today in Bhutan. This historic ordination ceremony may well create further pressure on other Buddhist communities in different countries to make full ordination available to nuns within Tibetan Buddhism, said Susanne Mrozik, associate professor of religion at Mount Holyoke College. For some Buddhists, the fact that the ordinations began on the summer solstice is an auspicious sign, as are, according to the Facebook announcement, the appearance in Bhutan of rainbows encircling the sun. Copyright 2022 Religion News Service LLC. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said Friday her office will determine whether to prosecute abortions on a "case-by-case basis" in light of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn nearly a half-century of abortion protections across the country in a new landmark case. "The criminalization of reproductive health will cause great harm to women in America," Ogg said. "Prosecutors and police have no role in matters between doctors and patients. As in every case, we will evaluate the facts and make decisions on a case-by-case basis." The move comes as five other Texas district attorneysall fellow Democratspledging not to prosecute abortion cases once the state's trigger law goes into effect. Those prosecutors include neighboring Fort Bend County DA Brian Middleton, who alongside Dallas County DA John Creuzot, Bexar County DA Joe Gonzales, Travis County DA Jose Garza and Nueces County DA Mark Gonzalez joined more than 80 local prosecutors nationwide who signed the pledge, which was hosted by criminal justice advocacy group Fair and Just Prosecution. The pledge was created earlier this year when a draft opinion detailing the court's eventual decision was leaked, and updated once the ruling was announced Friday morning. Ogg issued her prepared statement less than 30 minutes after the ruling was announced. Her name does not appear on the pledge. A spokesperson for Ogg, Jon Donnelly, said Friday afternoon that the DA was not asked to sign the pledge, and wouldn't immediately say whether or not she would in the future. On Twitter, several people were quick to press Ogg on her statement. The fear of prosecution adds another layer of uncertainty for women and pregnant people across the country in the wake of the Supreme Court decision. "All of us should be worried about a state of affairs where a miscarriage could start to become a crime scene," Miriam Krinsky, the executive director of Fair and Just Prosecution, said to Slate's Roxanna Asgarian. Krinsky, a prosecutor herself, theorized that ambitious prosecutors might eventually be able to weigh charges against people who use contraception or in vitro fertilization. Also on Friday, Texas Democratic leadership issued a call to local Democratic leaders to use their "legal authority and discretion to refuse to enforce the provisions of Senate Bill 8, Senate Bill 4, and House Bill 1280," the bills that criminalized abortions in Texas. "District attorneys and local law enforcement agencies have significant discretion to decide what cases to prioritize and pursue," party leaders Gilberto Hinojosa and Shay Wyrick Cathey wrote, referencing the district attorneys who have already pledged. "Today, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, Texans in every corner of the state are fearful for their safety, health, and lives." The country's highest court has issued more than 10 decisions since Tuesday, June 21, ranging from abortion and gun rights to death row inmates' rights. Here is a breakdown of the Supreme Court opinions released this week: On Friday, June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a historic reversal of Roe v. Wade, ending constitutional protections and giving states the power to outlaw abortion. The reversal came from the court's deliberation on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Justices voted 6-3 to overturn the 50-year-old precedent set by Roe v. Wade. In his opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should reconsider other rulings that protect rights to contraception, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriages. Texas Leaders and nonprofits are reacting to the news with split opinions, and San Antonians are planning a rally and protest against the ruling Friday night. A number of mutual-aid organization and nonprofits work to provide safe access to abortions. Texas was already home to the nation's strictest abortion law, Senate Bill 8, also known as the Heartbeat Bill. The ruling also set off a number of Trigger Laws around the country, including in Texas. Medicare payments After the Roe v. Wade decision, SCOTUS issued an opinion in Becerra v. Empire Health Foundation related to medicare payments being made to hospitals serving low-income patients. Empire Health Foundation sued, arguing the calculations by HHS were depriving "disproportionate share hospitals" that serve a high number of low-income patients, of more than $600 million. The conflict was centered on how the payments are calculated. Currently, the calculation is based on a formula set by a Medicare status. The court voted 5-4 in favor of allowing the Department of Health and Human Services to continue using the preferred method of calculating payments for hospitals that take on a disproportionate number of low-income patients. More Information mysa photo with id 22633416, call out type: Photo , published: yes photo with id 22633416,, published: yes Pro-choice and pro-life signs are seen outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on June 24, 2022. - The US Supreme Court on Friday ended the right to abortion in a seismic ruling that shreds half a century of constitutional protections on one of the most divisive and bitterly fought issues in American political life. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v Wade" decision that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion and said individual states can permit or restrict the procedure themselves. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images) The U.S. Supreme Court has been busy this week. Here's a look at the major decisions made this week. Abortion On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a historic reversal of Roe v. Wade, ending constitutional protections and giving states the power to outlaw abortion. The ruling set off a number of Trigger Laws around the country, including in Texas. In his opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should reconsider other rulings that protect rights to contraception, same-sex relationships and same-sex marriages. Texas Leaders and nonprofits are reacting to the news with split opinions, and San Antonians are planning a rally and protest against the ruling Friday night. A number of mutual-aid organization and nonprofits work to provide safe access to abortions. Texas was already home to the nation's strictest abortion law, Senate Bill 8 also known as the Heartbeat Bill, and paves the way for a total ban. Medicare payments After the Roe v. Wade decision, SCOTUS issued an opinion in Becerra v. Empire Health Foundation related to medicare payments being made to hospitals serving low-income patients. Empire Health Foundation sued, arguing the calculations by HHS were depriving "disproportionate share hospitals," hospitals that serve a high number of low-income patients, of more than $600 million. The conflict was centered on how the payments to are calculated. Currently, the calculation is based on a formula set by a Medicare status. The court voted 5-4 in favor of the allowing the Department of Health and Human Services to continue using the preferred method of calculating payments for hospitals that take on a disproportionate number of low-income patients. Gun rights The Supreme Court has issued its biggest gun rights ruling in more than a decade on Thursday. The ruling strikes down a New York law that requires gun owners to have "proper cause" requirements. The requirement puts a condition on obtaining a license to carry in pubic by requiring the gun owner to demonstrate an actual need to be armed. The decision does not mandate open carry. "Nothing in the Second Amendment's text draws a home/public distinction with respect to the right to keep and bear arms," Justice Thomas said in his opinion. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in his opinion that states are still allowed to require people to obtain a license before carrying a gun with conditions including "fingerprinting, a background check, a mental health records check, and training in firearms handling and in laws regarding the use of force, among other possible requirements." Miranda Rights Thursday also saw a ruling stating that police cannot be sued when they violate the rights of criminal suspects by failing to provide the familiar Miranda warning before questioning them. "Allowing the victim of a Miranda violation to sue a police officer for damages," Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote, "would have little additional deterrent value, and permitting such claims would cause many problems." Miranda Rights are warnings that must be read by police that criminal suspects have the right to remain silent, that anything suspects say can and will be used against them in court, right to an attorney and that if the suspect can not afford one, an attorney will be provided by the state. Voter ID laws The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that lawmakers in North Carolina could intervene and defend state voter ID laws, and the decision will make it easier for state government officials to step into lawsuits where the state lawmakers are divided. The court voted 8-1 on the opinion with Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissenting. "States are entitled to structure themselves as they wish and to decide who should represent their interests in federal litigation," Sotomayor wrote. 'State law may not, however, override the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by requiring federal courts to allow intervention by multiple state representatives who all seek to represent the same state interest that an existing state party is already capably defending." Texas lawmakers were famously split last summer over voter ID laws. Texas Democrats left the state to break quorum in an effort to kill a number of voting laws, including limits on early voting, increase restrictions on vote-by-mail and stop some voting options like drive-thru voting. See More Collapse Gun rights The Supreme Court issued its biggest gun rights ruling in more than a decade on Thursday, June 23. The 6-3 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. Bruen strikes down a New York law that requires gun owners to have "proper cause" requirements. The requirement puts a condition on obtaining a license to carry in pubic by requiring the gun owner to demonstrate an actual need to be armed. The decision does not mandate open carry. Nothing in the Second Amendments text draws a home/public distinction with respect to the right to keep and bear arms," Justice Thomas said in his opinion. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in his opinion that states are still allowed to require people to obtain a license before carrying a gun with conditions including "fingerprinting, a background check, a mental health records check, and training in firearms handling and in laws regarding the use of force, among other possible requirements." Miranda Rights Thursday also saw a ruling in Vega v. Tekoh stating that police cannot be sued when they violate the rights of criminal suspects by failing to provide the familiar Miranda warning before questioning them. The justices voted 6-3. Allowing the victim of a Miranda violation to sue a police officer for damages, Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote, would have little additional deterrent value, and permitting such claims would cause many problems. Miranda Rights are warnings that must be read by police that criminal suspects have the right to remain silent, that anything suspects say can and will be used against them in court, right to an attorney and that if the suspect can not afford one, an attorney will be provided by the state. Death row execution methods SCOTUS delivered an opinion on Nance v. Ward that allows state death row inmates to ask to be executed in a method not approved in their state. The court ruled 5-4 in favor of Georgia death row inmate Michael Nance who asked to be executed by firing squad instead of lethal injection, which is the most common method of execution in the 27 states that have death row. Of those, 15 states authorize death by legal injection only. Nance was sentenced to death after he was convicted of murder for killing a bystander after a bank robbery. Voter ID laws The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that lawmakers in North Carolina could intervene and defend state voter ID laws, and the decision will make it easier for state government officials to step into lawsuits where the state lawmakers are divided. The decision was made in Berger v. North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP. The court voted 8-1 on the opinion with Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissenting. "States are entitled to structure themselves as they wish and to decide who should represent their interests in federal litigation," Sotomayor wrote. "State law may not, however, override the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by requiring federal courts to allow intervention by multiple state representatives who all seek to represent the same state interest that an existing state party is already capably defending." Texas lawmakers were famously split last summer over voter ID laws. Texas Democrats left the state to break quorum in an effort to kill a number of voting laws, including limits on early voting, increase restrictions on vote-by-mail, and stop some voting options like drive-thru voting. Medicare Secondary Payer Statute On Tuesday, June 21, Justices ruled 5-2 in Marietta Memorial Hospital Employee Health Benefit Plan v. DaVita Inc. The ruling was against DaVita, one of two major dialysis providers in the country, after the company sued Marietta Memorial Hospital over the company's health insurance plan. DaVita argued the employee health plans limited coverage for outpatient dialysis violated both constraints on group health plans under the Medicare Secondary Payer Statute. The decision made in favor of the hospital states that the health plan did not violate the two constraints imposed by the Medicare Secondary Payer Statute. The rule that says the plan must not differentiate benefits between individuals with end stage renal disease and other individuals on the plan, and the second constraint says the plan cannot take into account an individuals eligibility for Medicare due to end-stage renal disease. Separation of Church and State Justices issued an opinion Tuesday in Carson v. Makin that states Maine must fund religious education through the school voucher program. The 6-3 decision focuses on a requirement in the state that says students in rural areas receiving school vouchers must attend "nonsectarian" (read: not religious) schools. Justices ruled the requirement violates the First Amendment Rights of the "parents who live in school districts that do not operate a secondary school of their own." Hobbs Act Justices voted 7-2 in United States v. Taylor on Tuesday in favor of criminal defendant Justin Taylor. Taylor was convicted of Hobbs Act conspiracy and a crime of violence in 2003 after he planned a robbery of a drug dealer in 2003 that was killed by his accomplice. The Hobbs Act is a federal law prohibiting extortion or robbery by wrongful use of force or fear, or the attempt of these crimes, affecting interstate or foreign commerce. He was sentenced to 20 years on the conspiracy charge and another 10 years for the crime of violence charge. The court ruled that an attempted Hobbs Act robbery does not qualify as a crime of violence because no element of the offense requires proof that the defendant used, attempted to use, or threatened to use force. Workers Comp SCOTUS ruled 9-0 Tuesday in United States v. Washington against the state's workers' compensation law passed in 2018, stating it is unconstitutional under the supremacy clause. The court said the state could not lower the bar of qualifying for compensation for federal contractors because of their work at the Hanford site that was once used by the Federal Government to develop and produce nuclear weapons which is currently undergoing a "complex decontamination process." The contested law was passed after news reports broke that facility employees had become ill and were denied workers compensation. The court struck the law down on the basis that it is unconstitutional under the supremacy clause, "it facially discriminates against the federal government and does not fall within the scope of the federal waiver of immunity," Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in the unanimous opinion. Breyer wrote it was determined the statute both makes it easier for the federal contractors to "establish their entitlement to workers compensation" and also "creates a causal presumption that certain diseases and illnesses are caused by the cleanup work at Hanford." Prisoners rights to search for new evidence On Tuesday, Justices ruled 5-4 in Shoop v. Twyford about the federal courts' authority in transporting state prisoners for forensic testing relating to their investigation as well as the federal habeas corpus appeals, which is a procedure in which a federal court may review the legality of a prisoner's incarceration. The case focuses on a transportation order compelling the state to transfer Raymond Twyford to a medical facility for neurological testing. The ruling states that following these orders "is not necessary ... when the prisoner has not shown that the desired evidence would be admissible in connection with a particular claim for relief." The U.S. Marshals have found a vehicle belonging to Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, 34, an Austin woman suspected of killing Vermont cyclist, Anna Moriah Wilson, 25, who was killed in Austin on May 11 while she was in town for a bike race. The search for Armstrong is ongoing. On Thursday, June 23, the US Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force found Armstrong's black Jeep Grand Cherokee, which had been sold to a south Austin CarMax on May 13, according to a news release. Armstrong received $12,000 from the dealership just a day after being questioned by police. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden said Friday that its a sad day for the court and the country after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Now with Roe gone, lets be very clear, the health and life of women across this nation are now at risk, he said from the White House. He added that "the court has done what its never done before expressly taking away a constitution right that is so fundamental to so many Americans, he said. The White House has been preparing for this moment since a draft of the decision leaked in May. Officials have been huddling with state leaders, advocates, health care professionals and others to prepare for a future without Roe v. Wade. Now Bidens plans will be tested in terms of politics and policy. Biden said his administration would defend a woman's right to cross state lines to seek an abortion. Outside the Supreme Court, a crowd of abortion supporters swelled to the hundreds after the ruling was issued. One chanted into a bullhorn, legal abortion on demand and this decision must not stand. Some shouted the Supreme Court is illegitimate." Its a painful day for those of us who support womens rights, said Laura Free, an Ithaca resident and womens rights historian who came to Washington to do research. When she learned of the decision, she said, I had to come here. A competing faction demonstrated in favor of the ruling, holding signs saying "the future is anti-abortion and dismember Roe. Garrett Bess, with Heritage Action for America, a lobbying arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation, said his organization would be working in states to continue efforts to limit abortion. This has been a long time coming and its a welcome decision, he said. Biden and other Democrats hope to use outrage over the court decision to rally voters in November's midterm elections. Although nationwide legislation ensuring access to abortion appears out of reach, more Democratic victories at the state level could limit Republican efforts to ban the practice. In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department will work tirelessly to protect and advance reproductive freedom. He said that in addition to protecting providers and those seeking abortions in states where it remains legal, we stand ready to work with other arms of the federal government that seek to use their lawful authorities to protect and preserve access to reproductive care. He also noted that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of mifepristone, a drug used to end pregnancies. States may not ban mifepristone based on disagreement with the FDAs expert judgment about its safety and efficacy, Garland said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the court's ruling is outrageous and heart-wrenching and fulfills the Republican Party's "dark and extreme goal of ripping away womens right to make their own reproductive health decisions. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., applauded the decision. A lot of lives are going to be saved, McCarthy told reporters. But it also goes back to people in the states to have a say in the process. Many Republican-controlled states are poised to severely restrict abortion, or even ban it outright. The White House has been exploring options for Biden to take executive action to safeguard abortion rights, but his options are limited. Lawrence Gostin, who runs the ONeill Institute for National and Global Health at Georgetown Law, said before Friday's ruling that he expected the Biden administration to be to be nibbling around the edges, and is not going to do anything really profound. Gostin said hes discussed a variety of options with administration officials but believes they are gun shy given the potential for legal challenges that could lead to more roadblocks from a Supreme Court dominated by conservatives. Some of Gostins suggestions included having Medicaid cover the cost of traveling across state lines to end pregnancies, as well as expanding access to abortion medication that can be delivered by mail. States couldnt pick and choose what cancer drug they would allow, and they shouldnt be permitted to choose what options women have for medication abortions that are fully approved as safe and effective, he said. During their preparations, White House officials have held a series of meetings with advocates, medical groups and faith leaders who are supportive of abortion access. The Rev. John Dorhauer, the general minister and president of the United Church of Christ, drove from Cleveland to Washington to attend one meeting earlier this month. Another virtual meeting was held this week, featuring Vice President Kamala Harris. It was rather impressive to see the commitment the White House and the vice presidents office has had to gather advocates from around the country, Dorhauer said. However, there are also concerns that the administration is not ready. Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, attended a recent virtual meeting with abortion providers and said she expects a true health crisis. I think that we should have been preparing for far longer than we have been, McNicholas said. Do I think that they recognize that this a problem? Yes. Do I think that theyre prepared in this moment? No. ___ Associated Press writers Fatima Hussein, Will Weissert, Matthew Daly, Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report. There are signs that the housing market is easing off the record-high prices it's seen during the past few years, but bidding wars for homes are far from overespecially in competitive markets. And the difference between landing your dream home and going back to square one can come down to something as silly as minor misunderstandings or misinterpretations of real estate lingo. Take, for example, the subtle difference between the terms highest and best and best and final, which are used to describe the types of offers a buyer makes on a house. Many home sellers are asking buyers to submit one of the two types of offers in anticipation ofor amida bidding war. Are you sure you know the difference between these two types of offers? Read on for the definitionand for savvy tactics from real estate expertsso you can put your best foot forward and land the home you have your heart set on. What does 'highest and best' offer mean? When sellers ask for a buyers highest and best offer, they're typically trying to spark a bidding war and plan to play potential buyers off one another. When I see a seller asking for highest and best, I read that as code for the seller wanting a firm final number for price and great terms, says Melissa Dorman, a real estate broker with Living Room Realty in Portland, OR. It often also entails accepting a home as is, which leaves little wiggle room for negotiations after an offer is accepted. What does 'best and final' offer mean? A request for a buyers best and final offer means the seller wants to move fast and is not interested in prolonged negotiations. When I see a seller asking for best and final, it means they are not planning on pitting buyers against each other, Dorman says. They want to give everyone an equal shot and endor avoidthe bidding war. Strategies for a 'highest and best' offer Winning a bid amid stiff competitionwithout regrets lateris no easy task, but it can be accomplished with a firm plan in place. Buyers should ask their agent to garner as much detail as possible about the offers already received during 'highest and best' negotiations, says Ian Katz, a licensed real estate broker with Compass in New York City. They should find out what the seller deems most important in a winning offer aside from price. Its always smart for a buyers agent to find out what will get the deal done in these situations. For example, will the seller be requiring a rent-back agreement after closing, meaning that the buyer won't be able to move into the house right away? Or is the seller eager to unload the home and looking for a buyer who's able to make an offer with a quick closing of 30 days or less? Gregg Cantor, president of homebuilding and remodeling company Murray Lampert Design in San Diego, insists that cash is king and can often seal the deal, even if other offers are slightly higher. If cash isnt an option, he recommends including a pre-approval letter from a bankand staying relentlessly upbeat. Dont bring up any issue about the home before the offer is accepted, Cantor advises. Strategies for a 'best and final' offer For best and final bids, Glen Henderson, a broker associate at Premier Homes Coronado in San Diego, recommends using an escalation clause. An escalation clause is when buyers offer a range of prices and say they will beat any other competing number by, for example, $5,000. You can outline how much youre willing to pay over the highest offer, Henderson says. If you have a cap you dont want to exceed, you can say you agree to pay $5,000 above the highest verified offer, not to exceed whatever your upper limit is. Kelly Edwards, a real estate agent at Compass in Los Angeles, says one strategy she's seen work again and again is simply having an offer stand out. Instead of offering $470,000, why not offer $470,427, Edwards says. It can really help you stand out. Edwards also recommends other more mainstreamand usually successfultactics, including paying closing costs, waiving certain contingencies, forgoing inspections, and asking to be put in first position (essentially, putting yourself on the seller's waitlist) in case their accepted offer doesnt work out. In the end, buying a houseeven one you feel emotionally tied tois a business decision for both parties. Put your best foot forward, be prepared, and, if the first few homes dont work out, try not to take it personally. The post 'Highest and Best' vs. 'Best and Final': A Homebuyer's Guide to Offers and Winning a Bidding War appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. In this weeks news, U.S. airlines attempts to correct their repeated schedule disruptions will be put to the test over the Fourth of July weekend; low-cost European carrier eyes new service from San Francisco to London Gatwick; JetBlue expands its London schedule; international route news from Delta, Air Canada and French Bee; Delta drops Oakland-Atlanta plans and American cuts four smaller cities from its network; American and TSA test new mobile ID option at Dallas/Fort Worth; JetBlue adds helicopter transfer tie-in for loyalty members; Denver International offers free mini-golf; Phoenix Sky Harbor opens a new concourse for Southwest; and Priority Pass adds more U.S. airport lounges, including one at SFO. Unless you havent been paying attention, you know that U.S. airlines operational performance over holiday weekends this year has been pretty bad, with thousands of flights canceled and even more delayed over Memorial Day weekend, and again over Fathers Day/Juneteenth last weekend (June 17-20). So its understandable that anyone planning to fly over the upcoming Fourth of July weekend might be a bit worried about their travel plans. As Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said in an interview with The Points Guy this week, The next test, of course, is the Fourth of July weekend. Thatll be a big test for everybody. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg agrees. On June 16, he conducted virtual meetings with top airline executives to find out how they plan to correct their problems with keeping flights operating as scheduled. The very next day, Buttigiegs own flight from Washington to New York was canceled, so he made the trip by car instead. In an interview with the Associated Press, the DOT secretary said his department has the authority to initiate enforcement actions against airlines that dont meet consumer protection standards. But first he wants to see whether there are major flight disruptions over the Fourth of July weekend and the rest of the summer, AP reported. In fact, Fourth of July weekend flight disruptions have started early: United said this week that as of July 1, it will cut flight activity at its big Newark hub by 12%, or 50 flights a day; passengers are being notified of their options. Airlines tend to blame bad weather or air traffic control delays for many of their operational disruptions, but even when major storms do require cancellations and delays, insufficient staffing also plays a role since an airline needs enough crew members in reserve to keep downline departures operating on time. Thats why travel professionals encourage passengers to book flights that leave early in the day: Once cancellations and delays start to happen, they have a domino effect on departures later in the day as they cascade through the system. And staff shortages, especially among pilots, are a big problem. Major carriers are rushing to staff up, but they cant just train new pilots in a few days. And the pressure to maintain their schedules has created serious ill will with their existing pilots, who are often putting in as many extra hours as federal regulations will allow. HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Hundreds of Southwest Airlines pilots picketed this week at Dallas Love Field, with their union calling the situation a flightmare and claiming that pilot fatigue rates have tripled since last year, creating potential safety issues. Delta pilots recently sent a letter to the airlines board of directors saying they have lost confidence in managements ability to contain the carriers operational problems. We are concerned for the long-term health of Delta, they said. Deltas operational reliability and outstanding reputation is suffering. As the economy continues to recover, we question the trajectory of our airline and are very concerned about the integrity and safety of our operation. And a spokesman for American Airlines pilot union said on CNBC this week that management has been pushing us and pushing us to operate more flights. He said the FAA ought to come in and look at them trying to fly more airplanes than they can actually fly and building these schedules to an inhumane level. In his View From the Wing blog, aviation expert Gary Leff lamented that with the repeated schedule chaos, hes become numb to it all because he sees largely the same story week after week with passengers stranded amidst cancellations, and with full flights theres no slack very few seats for people to get rebooked onto which means that the consequences of cancellations are greater than ever. Customers cant get through to their airline for help. And when they do get through the airline may not have seats to offer them for days. So if youre heading to the airport over the coming holiday weekend, get familiar with your airlines app and watch for flight status alerts; figure out how to get rebooked with your airline through its app or through its Twitter account; consider using an independent app like Flightaware.com to see if the inbound aircraft that your flight will use is running behind schedule. Try to avoid checking a bag. And take along a good book in case youll be stuck at the airport. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images San Francisco could be getting low-fare flights to London in the months ahead. Norse Atlantic, the low-cost Scandinavian carrier that recently started flying to Oslo from New York JFK and Fort Lauderdale, this week asked the U.S. Transportation Department to allow its British subsidiary (called Norse Atlantic U.K.) to start service between the U.S. and London Gatwick. The carrier has already announced plans to begin flights to Gatwick from JFK on Aug. 12. In its DOT application, Norse Atlantic said it also wants its initial Gatwick operation to include flights from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, and soon thereafter to add Gatwick flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles; Baltimore/Washington International; and Chicago/Rockford, i.e., the Rockford, Illinois, airport, about an hours drive west of Chicago OHare. Norse Atlantic also plans to add service to Oslo from Orlando on July 5 and from Los Angeles International on Aug. 9. The airline uses two-class 787-9s for its trans-Atlantic operations. Speaking of London Gatwick, last summer JetBlue made a very limited entry to trans-Atlantic travel, offering just one flight a day from New York JFK to London Heathrow. But by this fall the carriers U.K. schedule is slated to grow to five daily flights. And that schedule should be more secure now that JetBlue has just secured permanent takeoff and landing slots in the U.K. instead of the temporary ones it has been using. JetBlue now offers one daily flight from JFK to Heathrow and one from JFK to London Gatwick, and its due to add daily Boston flights to Gatwick beginning Aug. 4 and to Heathrow starting Sept. 20. In addition, JetBlue said it now plans to add a second daily JFK-Gatwick flight as of Oct. 29. According to Routesonline.com, CEO Robin Hayes said at a conference in Qatar that JetBlue will take a conservative approach to European expansion beyond the U.K., but that Paris will likely be its first destination on the continent, with service expected to start in 2023. As Asian destinations gradually reopen to international travelers in the post-COVID environment, more trans-Pacific routes are starting to open as well. Delta said this week it plans to revive nonstop service from its Minneapolis-St. Paul hub to Seoul Incheon on Oct. 2, starting with three flights a week and increasing to daily Oct. 29, which will bring its Korea schedule back to its pre-pandemic status. And Air Canada just announced a new route from its trans-Pacific hub at Vancouver to Bangkok, operating four days a week starting Dec. 1 the only nonstop Bangkok service from North America. In other international route news, the Paris-based low-cost carrier French Bee said it will add Miami-Paris Orly A350 flights starting Dec. 15; the airline already flies from Paris to San Francisco, Los Angeles and Newark. SOPA Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images The big carriers continue to trim their domestic schedules as they try to match capacity to the level of staffing they have to operate those flights, and this time the Bay Area is taking a couple of hits from Delta. The carrier announced in March that it would begin new daily service in August from Oakland to its Atlanta hub, but now that route has been scrapped, according to The Points Guy. That news comes just weeks after Delta also axed a new route from OAK to its Detroit hub that was due to start this spring. Also being dropped from Deltas schedule is nonstop Sacramento-Detroit service, The Points Guy said, along with Boston-Memphis and Atlanta-Colorado Springs. American Airlines is also ending or suspending some domestic routes, allegedly due to a pilot shortage, including California service from Ontario to AAs Chicago OHare hub along with Charlotte-El Paso, Texas, and Charlotte-Sioux Falls, South Dakota. And four smaller airports are being dropped from AAs route map as of Sept. 7: Toledo (served from Chicago OHare); MacArthur Airport in Islip (Long Island), New York; and Ithaca, New York, both served from Philadelphia; and Dubuque, Iowa (served from OHare). American Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration started testing a new Mobile ID option at Dallas/Fort Worth International for AA flyers who are also members of TSAs PreCheck program. American Airlines Mobile ID lets customers breeze through the airport with just their phone and their face, American said. Its now available for use at all TSA PreCheck checkpoints at DFW and will be added later this year at Miami, Phoenix, Washington Reagan National and other airports, AA said. To participate, customers download the Airside Digital Identity app on an Android or iOS device, take a photo of their face, scan their drivers license or passport with the app, and enter their AAdvantage number. The app will verify the customers data and store the Mobile ID on their phone. As they go through security, customers simply present a QR code on their phone and consent to share their American Airlines Mobile ID with TSA, AA said. After sharing their Mobile ID, customers look into a camera at the TSA PreCheck checkpoint. TSAs computer system then matches the customers encrypted image against their American Airlines Mobile ID. The entire process at the airport typically takes less than five seconds. Once verified, TSA erases the encrypted digital ID from its checkpoint readers and customers retain their digital ID on their device until they are ready to use it at another waypoint, such as an airport lounge. JetBlue has added some enhancements to its TrueBlue loyalty program. TrueBlue Mosaic Plus members can now earn credits redeemable for Blade helicopter transfers between Manhattan and New York JFK or Newark airports when connecting with JetBlue flights about a 5-minute trip. Starting July 1, Blade offers discounts of 25% to Mosaic members and 10% to regular TrueBlue members for their first helicopter transfer when connecting to or from JetBlue flights. Howard Ruffner/Getty Images Got a layover at Denver International? Since the Westin Hotel opened at the airport several years ago, the open-air plaza between that building and the Jeppesen Terminal has been creatively used for passenger entertainment and recreation. In the winter it offers ice skating, and now that summers here, DENs plaza is hosting free mini-golf for bored travelers. Through July 17, the 10-hole course is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Participants can simply visit the DEN Clubhouse located on the plaza for a putter, golf ball and scorecard, the airport said. The custom course includes challenging holes and obstacles. Besides mini-golf, the plaza also hosts jazz concerts on select Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport has opened a new passenger concourse, giving it a total of eight. The new Terminal 4 concourse has eight gates, all occupied by Southwest Airlines. The 275,000-square-foot facility has charging stations at every seat, a common use airport lounge, and will feature a variety of local restaurant and retail options, such as Pedal Haus Brewery, Berry Divine Acai Bowls, Bobbys Burgers, Eegees, Sip Coffee & Beer, the Uptown Phoenix Shop and more. The shops, restaurants, and lounge will be opening in the coming months, and in the meantime, customers will find food and beverage and retail kiosks, the airport said. Members of the Priority Pass airport lounge program, which includes 1,300 locations worldwide, are gaining access to some new lounges, including one at San Francisco International. According to the One Mile at a Time blog, four British Airways lounges in the U.S. now admit Priority Pass members, including SFO, Seattle Tacoma International, Newark Liberty International and Washington Dulles. Annual fees for Priority Pass membership range from $99 to $429 depending on level of usage. Some premium credit cards also include membership as a benefit. WFO LOS ANGELES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, June 27, 2022 _____ HEAT ADVISORY URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 950 PM PDT Fri Jun 24 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SUNDAY TO 8 PM PDT MONDAY... * WHAT...High temperatures range from 95 to 105 degrees F. * WHERE...Los Angeles County Mountains, Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley. * WHEN...From 10 AM Sunday to 8 PM PDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO LOS ANGELES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, June 27, 2022 _____ HEAT ADVISORY URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA 342 AM PDT Sat Jun 25 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SUNDAY TO 8 PM PDT MONDAY... * WHAT...High temperatures ranging from 95 to 105 degrees F. * WHERE...Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County San Fernando Valley, lower elevations of the Los Angeles County Mountains and Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley. * WHEN...From 10 AM Sunday to 8 PM PDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SUNDAY TO 8 PM PDT MONDAY... * WHAT...High temperatures ranging from 90 to 100 degrees F. Low temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees F. * WHERE...Lower elevations of the Ventura County Mountains and Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains. * WHAT...High temperatures ranging from 95 to 107 expected. * WHERE...Cuyama Valley, Southern Salinas Valley, San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys and San Luis Obispo County Mountains. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO MEDFORD Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, June 26, 2022 _____ HEAT ADVISORY URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 332 AM PDT Sat Jun 25 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM PDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...Hot temperatures of 95 to 105 in the valleys during the afternoons and 85 to 95 at usually cooler hilly locations. Overnight lows will also be unusually warm, generally in the 60s. * WHERE...Eastern Douglas County Foothills including Toketee Falls and Steamboat. * WHEN...From 11 AM Saturday to 11 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The hottest day of this heat wave is expected to be Sunday. This heat wave is likely to feel unusually hot to most due to fairly cool temperatures, thus far, this warm season. * View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. 11 PM PDT MONDAY... afternoons and 85 to 95 at usually cooler, hilly locations. * WHERE...Central Douglas County including Roseburg, Tri City, Tiller, Azalea, Glendale, Camas Valley, Sutherlin, Elkton, Drain, and Scottsburg. * WHEN...From 11 AM Saturday to 11 PM PDT Monday. expected to be Sunday. On Monday the Heat Advisory area is likely to be smaller as temperatures cool slightly. This heat wave is likely to feel unusually hot to most due to fairly cool temperatures, thus far, this warm season. afternoons and 85 to 95 at usually cooler mid-elevation locations. Overnight lows will also be much warmer than normal, generally in the mid 50s to lower 60s. * WHERE...In California, Dunsmuir, Mount Shasta City, Tennant, Macdoel, Dorris, and Tulelake. In Oregon, portions of the South Central Oregon Cascades, Siskiyou Mountains, and Southern Oregon Cascades including Crescent Lake, Union Creek, and Howard Prairie. Much of the Upper Klamath Basin including Keno, Klamath Falls, Bonanza, and Chiloquin. ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SUNDAY TO 11 PM PDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Hot temperatures of 85 to 100 in the valleys during the afternoons. Overnight lows will also be much warmer than normal, generally in the 50s. * WHERE...In California, all except the higher mountains of Modoc County. In Oregon, Northern and Eastern Klamath County and Western Lake County and Central and Eastern Lake County including Lakeview, Adel, Bly, Beatty, Sprague River, Silver Lake, Summer Lake, Chemult, and Crescent. * WHEN...From 11 AM Sunday to 11 PM PDT Monday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...This heat wave is likely to feel _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO MEDFORD Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, June 26, 2022 _____ HEAT ADVISORY URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 203 PM PDT Sat Jun 25 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...Hot temperatures of 95 to 105 in the valleys during the afternoons and 85 to 95 at usually cooler hilly locations. Overnight lows will also be unusually warm, generally in the 60s. * WHERE...In California, the valleys and hills of western Siskiyou County, including the Klamath and Scott River valleys. In Oregon, the eastern Douglas County foothills including Toketee Falls and Steamboat. * WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The hottest day of this heat wave is expected to be Sunday. This heat wave is likely to feel unusually hot to most due to fairly cool temperatures, thus far, this warm season. * View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT MONDAY... afternoons and 85 to 95 at usually cooler, hilly locations. * WHERE...In California, the Klamath and Shasta valleys. In Oregon, Central Douglas County including Roseburg, Tri-City, Tiller, Azalea, Glendale, Camas Valley, Sutherlin, Elkton, Drain, and Scottsburg. Also in Oregon, all of Jackson County, Eastern Curry County and Josephine County including the Illinois Valley, Grants Pass, and Agness. * WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT Monday. expected to be Sunday. On Monday the Heat Advisory area is likely to be smaller as temperatures cool slightly. This heat wave is likely to feel unusually hot to most due to fairly cool temperatures, thus far, this warm season. afternoons and 85 to 95 at usually cooler mid-elevation locations. Overnight lows will also be much warmer than normal, generally in the mid 50s to lower 60s. * WHERE...In California, Dunsmuir, Mount Shasta City, Tennant, Macdoel, Dorris, and Tulelake. In Oregon, portions of the South Central Oregon Cascades, Siskiyou Mountains, and Southern Oregon Cascades including Crescent Lake, Union Creek, and Howard Prairie. Also, much of the Upper Klamath Basin including Keno, Klamath Falls, Bonanza, and Chiloquin. ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SUNDAY TO 11 PM PDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Hot temperatures from the upper 80s to 100 in the valleys during the afternoons. Overnight lows will also be much warmer than normal, generally in the 50s. * WHERE...In California, all except the higher mountains of Modoc County. In Oregon, Northern and Eastern Klamath County and Western Lake County and Central and Eastern Lake County including Lakeview, Adel, Bly, Beatty, Sprague River, Silver Lake, Summer Lake, Chemult, and Crescent. * WHEN...From 11 AM Sunday to 11 PM PDT Monday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...This heat wave is likely to feel _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather Azerbaijani Ambassador to the US Khazar Ibrahim met with US President Joseph Biden, Ambassador wrote on his Twitter page. "Thank you, Mr.President," he wrote. MIAMI (AP) A former Argentine navy officer goes on trial Monday in Miami for his alleged role in a 1972 massacre of political prisoners in his homeland. Roberto Guillermo Bravo, who has lived in the U.S. for decades, is the only former Argentine military officer accused of taking part in what is known as the Trelew Massacre who has yet to face justice. Three others were convicted in Argentina and given life sentences. "For nearly 50 years, the families of the victims of the Trelew Massacre have been waiting for all its perpetrators to face accountability, said Katerina Siefkas, a lawyer for the Center for Justice and Accountability, which is one of those representing the plaintiffs. Our clients seek the opportunity to present their story and to achieve the justice that has long been denied to them, she said. Bravo long skirted trial in his homeland because Argentine law forbids anyone from being tried if they are not present. The U.S. rejected Argentina's request to extradite Bravo in 2010, but he is now to undergo a civil trial brought under the Torture Victim Protection Act, a law that allows judicial action against residents of the United States for acts allegedly committed elsewhere. More than a dozen witnesses are scheduled to testify in a U.S. federal courtroom about what happened at the Almirante Zar navy base in the Patagonian city of Trelew in August 1972. Bravo and other former military officers allegedly shot to death 16 unarmed political prisoners and seriously wounded three others, according to the complaint presented in Miami federal court in October 2020. They also allegedly participated in torture and extrajudicial killings that violated both international and U.S. law. The official version of events claimed the political prisoners had tried to escape, but after the return of democracy in 1973, the three survivors recovered their freedom and told a different story. Those three were later kidnapped and murdered by the military after a 1976 coup that ushered in Argentina's last military dictatorship. The four plaintiffs are relatives of Raquel Camps, Eduardo Cappello, Alicia Krueguer and Marcela Santucho. Krueguer, Cappello and Santucho were among those killed, while Camps was one of the three initial survivors. Bravo left Argentina in 1973. He first worked as an Argentine military attache and after retiring stayed in the United States, where he became a citizen in 1987. The civil trial that begins Monday seeks economic compensation for the damage that Bravos alleged role in the killings caused. His lawyers contend the killings did not happen in a massacre but rather resulted from a shootout between military officers and a group of guerrillas who were trying to escape from prison. Bravo has always been an honest, contributing businessman with an untarnished record. He continues to forcefully deny these false allegations and he will vigorously defend this lawsuit and his honor, Neal Sonnett said when the lawsuit was filed in 2020. The incident took place under the dictatorship of Gen. Alejandro Lanusse at a time when left-leaning guerilla groups had started to operate Argentina. Human rights organizations say it set the stage for the extensive human rights violations that took place during Argentinas last military dictatorship in 1976-1983. Argentinas judiciary started to formally investigate the Trelew killings after amnesty laws that had protected military officers were repealed in 2003. Three other former military officers Luis Sosa, Emilio Del Real and Carlos Marandino were accused of taking part in the massacre with Bravo and were sentenced to life in prison. The legal complaint filed by the plaintiffs in the U.S. case alleges Bravo threatened prisoners, tortured them, forced them to undress and simulated their execution. It says that on Aug. 22, 1972, Bravo and three other military officers went into the prisoners cells while they were sleeping and ordered that they leave and form a line against a wall while looking toward the ground. Some fled back to their cells. Bravo and the other officers searched the cells for survivors to execute them, the complaint says. The plaintiffs say their goal is not financial. What they really want is for Mr. Bravo to return to Argentina and face trial, said Ajay Krishnan at a law firm that also represents the plaintiffs. But if they cant obtain that, and they still have not been able to, they do what they have to do, which at this time is the trial. - Rey reported from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. WFO SACRAMENTO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, June 26, 2022 _____ HEAT ADVISORY URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Sacramento CA 227 AM PDT Sat Jun 25 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM PDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...Hot temperatures with highs 103 to 107 in the Valley, 94 to 103 in the foothills. Overnight lows mid 60s to mid 70s. * WHERE...Northern and central Sacramento Valley and adjacent foothills. * WHEN...From 11 AM Saturday to 9 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Heat-related illnesses will be possible, especially for groups that are sensitive to the heat. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO SACRAMENTO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, June 25, 2022 _____ SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Sacramento CA 224 PM PDT Sat Jun 25 2022 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Alpine, east central El Dorado and northeastern Amador Counties through 315 PM PDT... At 223 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Kirkwood. This storm was nearly stationary. HAZARD...Pea size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include... Carson Pass, Kirkwood, Kirkwood Ski Area and Kirkwood Meadows. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. If on or near water, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm. LAT...LON 3866 12008 3879 12009 3881 12003 3880 12002 3868 11998 TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 171DEG 4KT 3873 12005 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SUNDAY TO 8 PM PDT MONDAY... * WHAT...High temperatures ranging from 95 to 105 degrees. * WHERE...Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County Mountains and Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley. * WHEN...From 10 AM Sunday to 8 PM PDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. * WHAT...High temperatures ranging from 90 to 100 degrees. Low temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees. * WHERE...Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains and Ventura County Mountains. * WHAT...High temperatures ranging from 95 to 107 expected. * WHERE...Cuyama Valley, San Luis Obispo County Mountains, San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys and Southern Salinas Valley. ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM PDT MONDAY... * WHERE...Central Ventura County Valleys and Southeastern Ventura County Valleys. * WHEN...From 10 AM to 8 PM PDT Monday. * WHAT...High temperatures ranging from 91 to 101 degrees. * WHERE...Santa Monica Mountains. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, June 25, 2022 _____ HEAT ADVISORY URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Fort Worth TX 654 PM CDT Fri Jun 24 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures 103 to 105 degrees and heat index values up to 108. * WHERE...Portions of north central, northeast and south central Texas. * WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity will increase the risk for heat-related illnesses to occur, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. _____ Copyright 2022 AccuWeather At the conference Speaking at a seminar to discuss solutions to boost Vietnam's fish sauce exports this afternoon in Hanoi, the Vietnam Association of Fish Sauce in collaboration with the Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association (VCCA) and Agrotrade under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held a seminar on Promoting export exporting fish sauce - orientation and solutions. According to the Vietnam Association of Fish Sauce, exporting fish sauce is the goal of manufacturers and traders in this industry globally. Vietnam is a country favored by nature and has a long experience in fish sauce production. According to the Agrotrade, the country currently has more than 4,200 fish sauce production facilities with an average output of nearly 380 million liters in 2020. In recent years, not only serving domestic consumption needs, Vietnam's fish sauce products are also promoting the application of science and technology and strict standards for ensuring safety and hygiene for export with the aim to build customers trust and loyalty abroad. However, Vietnamese fish sauce is facing strong competition in the export market with a modest market share compared to its potential. According to Dr. Le Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of Agrotrade cum Director of Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point, the countrys average fish sauce export rate of only reached about 12.6 percent of the total output. The Asian market accounts for more than 54 percent while the Australian market makes up more than 18 percent, Europe more than 13 percent, and America more than 13 percent. The total export turnover of fish sauce in 2021 reached US$28.53 million. For sustainable development of the fish sauce industry for export, it is necessary to ensure the source of raw materials in both quantity and quality. Moreover, the government should have boats specializing in fishing for fish sauce processing, said Mr. Le Thanh Hoa. He also suggested studying customers tastes and expanding export markets with a variety of fish sauce types by completing dossiers of traceability and the food safety regulations of markets in the world. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien also said that in order to promote exports and promote fish sauce products, it is necessary to gradually build a national brand for Vietnam's fish sauce as well as to create export products that are imbued with national cultural identity. Furthermore, at the same time, it is necessary to promote marine farming, associated with the marine economy to develop the export fish sauce industry, according to Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development also proposed upgrading infrastructure, factories, and containers for the processing fish sauce and apply for food safety and quality management programs in production. Another solution suggested by Mr. Tien was to pay more attention to packaging and labels to ensure food safety and environmental protection. As a final solution Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien suggested a research project to assess the risks and risks of histamine in fish sauce is needed to propose an amendment to the Standard for Fish Sauce (CODEX STAN 302-2011), which applies to fish sauce produced through fermentation by mixing fish and salt and may include other ingredients added to assist the fermentation process with the aim to create favorable conditions for Vietnam to export fish sauce. According to Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Fish Sauce Tran Dang, being a socio-professional organization, the association is supporting its members to promote and protect the brand, and ability competition and export Vietnam's fish sauce industry in the international market. The association has connected scientific research units and organizations to have applied topics and projects, helping fish sauce production enterprises increase protein recovery efficiency, obtain fish sauce products, improve quality, meet technical requirements and food safety, and meet international standards. The Vietnam Fish Sauce Association wishes to develop Vietnam's fish sauce industry like the wine industry of some countries in the world, with a smooth combination of science and tradition, between the old quintessence and accurate technology measurement to produce millions of bottles of delicious fish sauce, of uniform quality and suitable for consumer taste in many markets, said Mr. Dang. By Van Phuc Translated by Anh Quan As the political voting ads are hitting the airwaves, many of those ads focus on which candidates have taken money from gun organizations and/or gun lobbies. Wouldnt it be more interesting if we knew who, has not, will not, or never, take money from them? To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Shes the animated dog who was the lone NSW supporter in the childrens series Bluey, but in real life, her voice usually cheers for Queensland. Actor and comedian Anna Daniels voiced Janelle, the Blues-loving labrador retriever in an episode of the popular cartoon that aired last week in the lead-up to Sunday nights State of Origin Game II. Blues-supporting Janelle watching a match in the latest episode of Bluey. Credit:ABC The episode, called The Decider, showed two families split over their support of the Blues and the Maroons in a game announced by retired commentary legend Ray Warren. But, as the show is set in Brisbane, Janelle ended up being the sole Blues supporter. KuicK Research Currently There Are More Than 600 CAR T Cell Therapies in Clinical trials As Per Kuick Research Study Singapore, June 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global CAR T Cell Therapy Market & Clinical Trials Insight 2028 Report Highlights: Research Methodology Global CAR T Cell Therapy Market Opportunity > USD 15 Billion Global & Regional Market Insight: Current & Market Forecast 2028 Approved CAR T Cell Therapies Sales Forecast Till 2028 Emerging In Vivo Induced CAR T Cell Therapies CAR T Cell Therapy Manufacturing Cost Analysis CAR T Cell Therapy Approval & Reimbursement Scenario By Country Patent, Price, Sales Insight On 6 Approved CAR T Cell Therapies Insight On More Than 600 CAR T Cell Therapies In Clinical Trials CAR T Cell Therapies Clinical Trials Insights by Company, Country & Phase Download Report: https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-car-t-cell-therapy-market In last few years, the survival rate of cancer patients have improved significantly owing to emergence of new targeted therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. The CAR T cell therapy is novel targeted approach which involves genetic engieering of T cells to specifically target the receptors on cancer cells. Since the entry of 1st CAR T cell therapy product in 2017, several CAR T cell therapies have gained approval in the market. At present, 6 CAR T cell therapy products including Kymriah, Yescarta, Breyanzi, Abecma, Tecartus, and Carvykti have been approved by US FDA for the management of wide range of hematological malignancies. Apart from approved products, there is robust pipeline of other CAR T cell therapies products which are expected to enter the market during forthcoming years. For instance, in 2021, Legend Biotech has submitted new drug application to PMDA for BCMA CAR T cell therapy Cilta-cel indicated for the management of multiple myeloma. The drug is expected to gain approval by 2022, which will further propel the growth of market. Moreover, US FDA also provided extenhded approval to Kymriah for the management of patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. These trends are propelling the growth of global CAR T cell therapy market. Story continues The global CAR T cell therapy market is highly concentrated. The major companies in CAR T cell therapy market are Novartis, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, Astellas Pharmaceutical, Takeda Pharmaceutical, and others. Some companies are vigorously making acquisitions and joint ventures with other companies to consolidate their market positions in the country. For instance, Juno Therapeutics in collaboration with Clegene has developed JCAR017 for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The drug has been granted orphan drug designation in Japan and is currently present in phase-I/II of clinical development. The orphan drug designation helps in expediting drug development and also provides several incentives to the pharmaceutical company. CAR T cell therapies are among the highest priced drugs in the pharmaceutical market which impedes the market growth. However, the benefits of CAR T cell therapies over conventional drugs will drive their uptake in market. Since the cancer cells are destroyed using patients immune system, early recovery and shortened treatment time are required. In addition, CAR T cell therapy survives for a long time in the body, they have the ability to recognize and target cancer cells even if the cancer relapses. Several pharmaceutical giants are also developing novel in vivo method of CAR T cell production which will also lower the cost of therapy in the coming years. Recently, research studies are also evaluating the role of CAR T cell therapy in combination with oncolytic virus therapy. The pharmaceutical giants have also adopted strategic alliances including collaboration, partnership, or joint ventures to drive the research and development activities in this domain. For instance, , Imugene entered into strategic collaboration with Eureka Therapeutics to evaluate Imugenes CD19 oncolytic virus onCARlytics technology in combination with Eurekas anti-CD19 Artemis T cell therapy for the management of solid tumors. Researchers believe that the synergy between onCARlytics platform and Eurekas anti-CD19 Artemis T cells has the potential to shift cellular medicine paradigm in managing solid tumors. As per our report findings, the global CAR T cell therapy market is expected to surpass US$ 15 Billion by 2028. The encouraging response of CAR T cell therapies in the global market along with huge research and development activities in this segment are the major factors driving the growth of market. In addition, rising incidences of chronic diseases and unmet need of targeted therapy in its management is also having a positive impact on the growth of market. CONTACT: For More Information Related To Report Contact: Neeraj Chawla Research Head Kuick Research neeraj@kuickresearch.com +919810410366 Frigid weather and the upheaval in the energy market has whet consumer appetite for renewable technologies such as home batteries and rooftop solar, with record numbers of installations underway in the past month. The cost of home batteries has gone up due to the global surge in desire for electric vehicles, but demand for them has nonetheless soared, with customers telling installers that reducing their reliance on the grid is as attractive to them as potential savings. North Fitzroy resident Laura Brinson with Yarra Energy Foundation chief operating officer Tim Shue next to a new community battery, painted by artist Hayden Dewar Credit:Luis Ascui In June, phone enquiries to state government body Solar Victoria from consumers keen to claim rebates on solar, batteries and solar hot water were 45 per cent higher than the yearly average. And demand for solar batteries has increased approved battery applications this financial year are more than double the previous one. This rush has surprised some in the industry, according to Solar Victoria chief executive Stan Krpan. Having the energy crisis on the front pages has been the biggest driver. Thats what were hearing from the retailers and installers in our network, he says. Boxer Sam Abdulrahim shot in chest after leaving funeral in Melbourne Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss A manhunt is underway for two masked men who shot kickboxer and ex-Mongols bikie Suleiman Sam Abdulrahim as he was leaving a funeral in Melbournes northern suburbs. In a dramatic series of events, the masked shooters crashed their getaway car into a fire hydrant before carjacking a woman and child at gunpoint and fleeing in their Ford Territory, while an injured Abdulrahim was driven in his Mercedes to the Fawkner police station where an ambulance was called. Video captured at a nearby petrol station shows one of the offenders, dressed in black and wearing a yellow mask, running from the crashed getaway car. Images from a video showing one of the masked offenders fleeing their crashed Mazda. Sources have told The Age that Abdulrahim, 30, was ambushed and shot twice in the chest as he left a funeral at Fawkner cemetery on Saturday in what police believe was a targeted attack. For years, Ko was told nominees for election to the parents association required two signatures from committee members. But after eventually gaining access to the associations constitution, after numerous requests, she found parents wishing to nominate merely needed signatures from two junior school parents and did not require endorsement or vetting from the committee. It was an inadvertent error, school bursar Ross Congleton told Ko last October, in an email seen by The Sunday Age. We believe that the current committee have operated in good faith and have merely replicated the past [incorrect practice] and that the error was inadvertent, he wrote. The bursar thanked Ko for raising the matter. Scotch College in Hawthorn. Credit:Gary Medlicott Congleton also said the parents associations constitution was not meant to be a legal document but should rather be considered school rules. In March, Ko, who has two children at the junior school, made an application to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal under the Equal Opportunity Act against three mothers, but later withdrew her action. Ko says misinformation about the nomination requirements prevented her standing for election, and other committee members were reappointed, not elected, in preference to her. Ko said there were personality clashes between herself and members of the committee. These people who are in the committee think they are of blue blood, and they are superior [to] others. Rules are for others to follow and everyone should make concessions for their group. They enjoyed making their own circles and running the association as their private club, Ko said. I believe in diversity, inclusiveness, openness and fairness. I have a strong desire to serve the community without affection or ill will, and embrace diversity with open arms. But they dont. Ko was suspended from two parental WhatsApp groups in December after she was told one of her messages was akin to bullying. This year she was reinstated to both groups after lobbying officials. On Friday afternoon, after inquiries from The Sunday Age, the junior school sent a newsletter to parents telling them the review process was under way and elections under the new rules would be held later in the year. Dr Scott Marsh will be Scotch Colleges 10th principal when he takes up the role in 2023. Scotch last week appointed Dr Scott Marsh headmaster of Sydneys William Clarke College as its 10th principal, six months after sacking Matthew Leeds from the role, after a whistleblower alerted the school to a previous misconduct complaint against Leeds. Outgoing principal Tom Batty left the school last week. Scotch alumnus Peter Yunghanns called for the removal of the school board after its abortive attempt to hire a new principal. He met with Ko over her predicament. If the senior body cant put its affairs in order theres little hope [of it] being properly run, he said. John Simpson, a school old boy and former member of the school council, and a member of the Monash University Council, said governance was a big issue among elite private schools. The standards of governance at a number of schools are not where they need to be and this is in part a function of personnel and part a function of rapid growth of the sector, Simpson said. Amy has been very courageous and deserves to be supported by all those who believe in the value of strong governance. Loading The school has encouraged Ko to participate in a review of the parents association rules and agreed to formally thank Ko for alerting them to the fact that election rules were not being followed. A Scotch College spokesman said the Junior School Parents Association was a group of volunteers who generously gave their time to the school. The schools intention was to have a set of easily understood rules to facilitate the smooth operation of the [association], the spokesman said. Times have changed, and it is no longer fit for purpose. Burrows (right) with Kung-Yen Cheng who often stays on site rather than driving home to Hawthorn. Credit:Justin McManus The business is seeking to hire two new managers and is offering extra annual leave, fuel allowances and accommodation when required. Weve got cars we might potentially give out to the right people. One of Trawools workers, chef de partie Kung-Yen Cheng, commutes from Hawthorn and often stays in the cottage onsite. In Queensland, some hotels on the Sunshine Coast are reportedly bussing in workers from Brisbane as spiralling prices push houses beyond the reach of workers in towns including Noosa. The Noosa Council and Noosa Chamber of Commerce are preparing to introduce a billeting program in the hope of securing spare rooms or vacant houses for workers. Chamber president Ralph Rogers said innovative solutions were required. Noosa is suffering from a severe shortage of workers and affordable housing. The challenge of managing labour supply is not unique to Noosa and neither state nor federal governments currently have answers to the glaring disconnect between average weekly wages, cost of accommodation and labour supply, he said. Figures released in April showed regional Victorian house prices had skyrocketed in the previous 12 months with almost every regional council recording double-digit price growth. On the Great Ocean Road, Lorne Central cafe owner Bryce Newcomb said he moved from the town because he could not afford a house big enough for his family. They now live in nearby Birregurra. There was nothing really affordable or practical in Lorne, he said. Newcomb said many other families had moved away from Lorne, denying businesses a younger generation of casual workers who would otherwise work there. Newcomb said he was paying up to $70,000 a year for a barista to work 38 hours a week over four days, plus four weeks annual leave. Previously, he employed baristas on a casual basis. Newcomb is also offering accommodation in two apartments he has above the cafe. He estimated Lorne was about 200 workers short over the summer. The scarcity of available housing in Lorne is exacerbating the worker shortage. Credit:Eddie Jim Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism general manager Liz Price said before the pandemic there was a shortage of 400 to 600 workers in the tourism sector across the region. I think now its easily more than doubled, she said. The group has been pushing for worker accommodation to be built at government-owned caravan parks at Lorne, Apollo Bay and Torquay that are operated by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority. The authoritys chief executive Jodie Sizer said her group was continually looking to increase accommodation capacity for seasonal workers on the Great Ocean Road, particularly in Lorne. On the Mornington Peninsula, the consortium behind the Sorrento Hotel development, recently bought a nearby vacant nursing home it plans to convert into accommodation for workers. The consortium, which includes the Trenerry Property Group, Victor Smorgon Group and the Kanat Group, wants to finish the rooms in time for the summer peak. But the project is being challenged in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Trenerry Group director Robert Dicintio said it was impractical for workers to travel from Melbourne to Sorrento. Its just not viable for a salary earner to commute three hours, he said. House prices have risen rapidly on the Mornington Peninsula, making it harder for local businesses to find staff. Credit:iStock Dicintio said the workers rooms would be three-star and cost about $40 a night. Regional tourism and hospitality businesses in New South Wales are grappling with the same problems. NSW Tourism Industry Council executive manager Greg Binskin said some caravan parks were putting aside cabins to house workers. He said many hospitality businesses were unable to open throughout the week because they were so short-staffed. For regional areas thats not a good customer experience, he said. Regional councils around Australia have been examining whether short-stay rental platforms, such as Airbnb, are denying long-term houses to permanent residents. Two key Senate crossbenchers are threatening to vote against Labor government legislation after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese slashed the number of advisers they will have in the new parliament. In letters sent to the 12-member lower house crossbench and six-member Senate crossbench late on Friday afternoon, Albanese announced the number of advisers allocated to MPs would be slashed from four per MP to one. The MPs will all retain four lower-paid and less specialised electorate advisers, who deal with constituency matters, rather than legislation, media and stakeholders. But ACT Senator David Pocock and Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie warned they, along with Lambies newly elected colleague, Tammy Tyrrell, would struggle to lend their potentially crucial vote to bills in the Senate. Labor has 26 senators and needs 39 votes to pass bills through the 76. That means it needs the support of either the Coalition or the 12 Greens senators plus one member of the Senate crossbench. A Cabarita house with water views on sale for the first time in almost six decades fetched $4.72 million at auction on Saturday, and the new owner plans to knock it down and rebuild. Three bidders competed for the original-condition house at 12 Dorking Road, flanked by modern luxury homes, pushing the price $470,000 above the reserve. The same three buyers had competed for the block next door six years ago. The original-condition house at 12 Dorking Road, is surrounded by luxury modern homes. Credit:Rhett Wyman Successful buyer Bruce Turner, managing director of blinds company Wynstan, spent about $500,000 more than he had hoped to secure the 399-square-metre block on Saturday. We want to redevelop it, move in and die here, he said with a laugh after the auction. It will be our forever home. About one in every 17 homes were sold across Greater Sydney during the past year, with home owners in some lifestyle locations particularly keen to cash in on strong price growth. New figures from Domain show 7.16 per cent of homes in the Sutherland Shire traded in the 12 months to May, while 6.62 per cent of those on the Central Coast found new buyers. On the Central Coast, 6.6 per cent of homes traded in the 12 months to May. Credit:Peter Rae That was the highest turnover rate in the state, with the exception of the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven region, where 7.89 per cent changed hands. Home owners in other areas were more likely to stay put, with the Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury region, south-west and inner south-west seeing fewer than 5 per cent of homes sold. Rome: Pope Francis celebrated families on Saturday and urged them to shun selfish decisions that are indifferent to life as he closed out a big Vatican rally a day after the US Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion. Francis didnt refer to the ruling or explicitly mention abortion in his homily. But he used the buzzwords he has throughout his papacy about the need to defend families and to condemn a culture of waste that he believes is behind the societal acceptance of abortion. Let us not allow the family to be poisoned by the toxins of selfishness, individualism, todays culture of indifference and waste, and as a result lose its very DNA, which is the spirit of welcoming and service, he said. Francis, noting that some couples allow their fears and anxieties to thwart the desire to bring new lives in the world, called for them not to cling to selfish desires. CleverTap Recognized by Great Place to Work Among Indias Great Mid-size Workplaces MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and MUMBAI, India, June 24, 2022 (ACN Newswire) CleverTap, the modern, integrated retention cloud, has been recognized by Great Place to Work(R) India as one of India\-s Great Mid-size Workplaces 2022. CleverTap is recognized for creating and sustaining a high-trust, high performance work culture. In its 6th edition this year for India, the list has grown to include the top 75 companies, up from the top 50 until last year. The rigorous methodology to assess workplace culture and identify India\-s Great Mid-size Workplaces 2022 is considered the gold standard globally. In the Great Place to Work(R) India study, they have observed that the Great Mid-size Workplaces have gone above and beyond to create and sustain aspirational organizations. Effective leadership is visible in these workplaces that are fostering a culture of fairness and originality, while offering flexibility to their employees in the current hybrid work environment. Organizations that succeed in establishing high-trust, high-performance cultures, and maximizing human potential by bridging experience gaps, will be Great Places to Work For All in the future. \We\-re very excited to be recognized by Great Place to Work(R) India as one of India\-s Great Mid-size Workplaces. Even before the pandemic hit, we believed that an empathetic and flexible work culture is the essence of an organization\-s growth,\ says Sidharth Malik, Chief Executive Officer, CleverTap. \Our employees and their holistic well-being have always been the top priority for us. The recognition by Great Place to Work(R) India is a testament to our commitment of building a workplace that is inclusive and driven, and one that provides its people an environment to thrive and succeed in everything they do.\ \With homes becoming an extension of people\-s workplaces, this year companies around the world were challenged to put their people at the center of their strategies. But the organizations that invested in their culture and people before the pandemic have overcome these challenges effortlessly. Being recognized as one of India\-s Best Workplaces 2022 demonstrates these organizations\- commitment to improving their culture and putting their people first, whatever challenges they face,\ says Yeshasvini Ramaswamy, CEO, Great Place to Work(R), India. As a global authority on workplace culture, Great Place to Work(R) has been studying employee experience and people practices across organizations for over three decades. Every year, more than 10,000 organizations from over 60 countries partner with Great Place to Work(R) Institute for assessment, benchmarking, and planning of actions to strengthen their workplace culture. About CleverTap CleverTap is the modern, integrated retention cloud that empowers digital consumer brands to increase customer retention and lifetime value. CleverTap drives contextual individualization with the help of a unified and deep data layer, AI/ML-powered insights,and automation enabling brands to offer hyper-personalized and delightful experiences to their customers. 1,200+ customers in 60+ countries and 10,000+ apps, including Gojek, ShopX, Canon, Mercedes Benz, Electronic Arts, TED, Jio, Premier League, TD Bank, Carousell, Papa John\-s, and Tesco, trust CleverTap to achieve their retention and engagement goals, growing their long-term revenue. Backed by leading venture capital firms, including Sequoia, Tiger Global Management, and Accel, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices in Mumbai, Singapore, Sofia, S?o Paulo, Bogota, Amsterdam, Jakarta, and Dubai. For more information, visit clevertap.com or follow on LinkedIn and Twitter. Media Contact: Sony Shetty CleverTap sony@clevertap.com Vishaal Mudholkar Consultant Archetype vishaal.mudholkar@archetype.co +9724309069 Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements in this press release may represent CleverTap\-s belief in connection with future events and may be forward-looking statements, or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. CleverTap cautions that such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties that could amount in the actual result being absolutely different from the results anticipated by the statements mentioned in the press release. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions affecting our business, future market conditions, our ability to maintain cost advantages, uncertainty with respect to earnings, corporate actions, client concentration, reduced demand, liability or damages in our service contracts, unusual catastrophic loss events, war, political instability, changes in government policies or laws, legal restrictions impacting our business, impact of pandemic, epidemic, any natural calamity and other factors that are naturally beyond our control, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different, from those anticipated by such statements. CleverTap does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or updated or revised status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will CleverTap and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or any related damages. (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg Germany is pushing for Group of Seven nations to walk back a commitment that would halt the financing of overseas fossil fuel projects by the end of the year, according to people familiar with the matter. That would be a major reversal on tackling climate change as Russias war in Ukraine upends access to energy supplies. A draft text shared with Bloomberg would see the G-7 acknowledge that publicly supported investment in the gas sector is necessary as a temporary response to the current energy crisis. The caveat in the proposal is that such funding is done in a manner consistent with our climate objectives and without creating lock-in effects. The text remains under debate and could change before G-7 leaders hold their summit in the Bavarian Alps starting Sunday hosted by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The UK opposes the proposal, two of the people said. A German government spokesman declined to comment. A person familiar with the discussions said Italy wasnt actively opposing the German proposal. Italy, like Germany, is highly dependent on Russian gas. On Friday, speaking during a press conference in Brussels, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Italy has managed to reduce Russian gas imports from 40% last year to 25% at the moment. This has been possible also by signing new gas deals in countries including Congo, Algeria and Angola. A government spokesperson said Italy did not support Germanys idea. Asked about the proposal on Air Force One as US President Joe Biden flew to Europe, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he did not want to preempt discussions at the summit. Our position last May was that the president was clear that he did not feel like these investments were the right course of action, he told reporters. I know of no such change to that policy. Story continues Canada, the worlds sixth largest energy producer, has shown its willing to support new fossil fuel infrastructure if it fits within the countrys overall emissions reduction plan, a senior official said. But the official would not say if Canada supports the language in the German proposal, stressing its a preliminary document. The debate comes as Europe in particular struggles for alternative sources of fuel to Russian gas. The German government has warned that Russias moves to limit supply risk a Lehman-like collapse in the energy markets, with Europes largest economy facing the unprecedented prospect of businesses and consumers running out of power. Germany has responded to the cuts by reviving coal plants and providing financing to secure gas supplies, while continuing with plans to phase out nuclear energy. The World Nuclear Association, an industry lobby group, is urging the G-7 to boost access to nuclear technologies. Germany Warns of Lehman-Like Contagion From Russian Gas Cuts Italy has said it will monitor the potential need to trigger emergency energy plans. Any such move could also see it boost coal production. A G-7 shift from a commitment initiated last year and firmed up in May would be a u-turn in global efforts to fight climate change. It would make it harder to rally the rest of the world around more stringent targets and direct investments toward cleaner sources of energy. It would also go against International Energy Agency advice that no new oil and gas projects should be developed if the world is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. G-7 ministers, in making their commitment to end direct international financing of fossil fuels by the end of 2022, acknowledged for the first time that fossil fuel subsidies were incompatible with the Paris Agreement. The group also reaffirmed a commitment to end inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2025. The ministers acknowledged, however, that investment in the LNG sector was a necessary response to the current crisis in a manner consistent with our climate objectives and without creating lock-in effects. This would be a huge setback from the progress we made last month at the G-7 energy and environment ministers when we finally brought Japan, the last G-7 holdout, into the commitment to end such financial support for fossil fuels, said Alden Meyer, a senior associate at climate change think E3G. Where we saw Chancellor Merkel being the climate chancellor at the last G-7 summit Germany hosted, Scholz could go down in history as the climate backtracking Chancellor, which I think would be a real mark on his record, and we dont need to do this, he added. (Updates with Canada comments in paragraph eight) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Metricell Completes 100K Walk In 24HR Charity Event Posted by Publisher Telecommunication Horsham, United Kingdom, 24th June 2022: This year Metricell has gone far and beyond in raising money for some of their extremely important and worthwhile local and international charities. Metricell have undertaken one of the most gruelling, and painstaking challenges, the Centurion Challenge. This event comprises of walking 100km in just 24 hours across the stunning South Downs, starting at Old Winchester Hill and finishing back at the Metricell Big Blue offices in Horsham. Metricell can now proudly announce they have raised a whopping A5,680 of their 5K target for their three main charities: Chestnut Tree House, a childrena?s hospice, Horsham Matters, a local community support charity, and APARIV, a charity for abandoned dogs in Malaga, Spain. All of these charities are extremely close to Metricella?s hearts and are well deserved of their dedication and ongoing support to them, therefore the Just Giving page will continue for any ongoing and much needed donations, and provide further details surrounding the charities. aThe entire experience has been nothing but rewarding for the teama said Tom Staniland, Metricella?s Managing Director. aAnd we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in the event, including the support team, and to all who have donated so far, we really are truly thankful for all of your help and backing.a aWea?re incredibly grateful to the team at Metricell who took part in a 100km trek across the South Downs Way,a says Hannah Seltzer at Chestnut Tree House. aWithout the generosity of individuals, groups and businesses in our community, childrena?s hospice care simply wouldna?t be possible. We rely heavily on donations and fundraising to provide the best quality of hospice care for children and their families, so on behalf of everyone at Chestnut Tree House, I would like to say a massive thank you to Metricell for their support.a Managing Director of Horsham Matters, Emma Elnaugh said she was very grateful to Metricell for raising funds, particularly as the charity is facing soaring demand and falling donations. aThe cost-of-living crisis is impacting our whole community, and the foodbank has seen an increase in the number of new clients, families and refugees being hosted locally needing support. It only takes an unexpected expense, illness or a change in circumstances to drive people already on the brink to need support. We expect to see many more residents from all walks of life needing support in the months to come. A huge thank you to the walkers for their amazing achievement and all the Metricell staff whose efforts for their support.a The charity APARIV commented, aAs you can imagine, we are flattered, thrilled and absolutely speechless about the opportunity given by you and the Centurion Challenge to our animals and the work behind it. As a small charity without any help by the government and run by only a few volunteers, we sometimes face one or the other dilemma and frustration surrounding how to continue our work and to make sure our animals are properly taken care of. Your commitment is giving us the strength and the confidence to keep on fighting; it allows us to believe that everything is possible and brings back hope in humanity. We would all like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your contribution and your encouragement.a Posted Friday, June 24, 2022 10:00:00 PM OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERFORMER Perhaps more than any other category, the Outstanding Younger Performer has seen the most changes in the past few years. It isn't just the nominees that are different. The category itself has been renamed and the rules for eligibility have changed. In 2019, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced that the Younger Actor and Actress categories would merge into a single, gender-inclusive category. The change was made as the number of eligible younger performers had shrunk due to the shrinking number of daytime drama series. In 2021, NATAS announced that the Younger Performer category would be opened to nominees 18 years of age and younger by 2023. The age limit had been 25. General Hospital dominated the category with three talented performers -- Nicholas Chavez (Spencer Cassadine), William Lipton (Cameron Webber), and Sydney Mikayla (Trina Robinson) -- while Lindsay Arnold (Allie Horton) represented Days of our Lives and Alyvia Alyn Lind (ex-Faith Newman) represented The Young and the Restless. This year's race was particularly fun to watch because Arnold and Chavez both managed to earn nominations as super newbies on their shows, while both Mikayla and Lind have since left their shows to pursue other endeavors. Meanwhile, none of the five nominees had received a prior Emmy win, meaning it was going to be a very special "first win" moment for whoever took home the gold. And that ended up being General Hospital's Nicholas Chavez. An emotional Chavez took the stage after his name was called and noted that he had been "selling cars in a little beach town in Florida." "I always had the love and support of my family, but none of us had ever dreamed that I would be up on this stage," Chavez shared as he thanked the entire cast and crew of the ABC soap. Backstage, Chavez confessed that his admittedly short acceptance speech more than likely left out the names of some people that he wanted to thank. "My family, my mom, my dad, everyone in my family. There are so many people who have flown out to see me. All of the educators that I've had in my life, [like] my high school drama teacher," Chavez said. "The list really, really, truly goes on and on, and I'm far too run amok with emotions right now to think of all of the names, but I am going to make an effort to send my thanks to them." Chavez then took a moment to thank his fans. "I want to tell my fans, especially the Sprina fans, thank you so much," the actor said referencing the smooshed name given to his character and the character's love interest, Trina. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me and for loving me through this and for accepting a new interpretation of this character. It really, really has meant a lot to me." This was General Hospital's first win since the category became gender-neutral and its first win since Bryan Craig (Morgan Corinthos) won back-to-back Emmys in 2016 and 2017. OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMER In recent years, the Guest Performer category has been stacked with well-known performers -- some previous Emmy winners -- who were able to be nominated for short-term stints in new roles on soaps they might not have appeared on previously. Last year's winner, Cady McClain, previously earned Emmys for her work on All My Children and As the World Turns. She picked up her win for filling in for Melissa Reeves when the actress was unable to reprise her role as Jennifer Horton on Days of our Lives. This year, however, all the nominees were first-time nominees. The Emmy was awarded to Ted King for his work as Jack Finnegan on The Bold and the Beautiful. A complete rundown of his storyline is available in our Who's Who in Los Angeles character profile. The short version is that Jack and wife Li adopted a son named Finn and raised him through adulthood. It was revealed on Finn's wedding day that Jack was actually Finn's biological father. He had fathered Finn while having an affair with the evil Sheila Carter. Eek! King received a warm embrace from co-star and fellow nominee Naomi Matsuda (Li Finnegan) as he headed to the stage. After accepting his award, King confessed that his fear of not winning had kept him from submitting himself for Emmy consideration in the past. It was a shocking admission from the long-time soap vet who made his first soap appearance on Loving in 1995. His character was then moved to the Loving spinoff, The City, for a couple of years. King eventually ended up playing twins Lorenzo and Luis Alcazar on General Hospital and Tomas Delgado on One Life to Live. "I am very proud to be part of this category. A little quote. 'Our doubts are traitors that make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.' William Shakespeare. I just want to say that I doubted I would win this for years. It kept me from participating. I teach my kids not to fail, and yet I was afraid to participate," King said with his voice cracking. "Inevitably, as you all know, it's the failures that make us better creators." King went on to thank the cast and crew of The Bold and the Beautiful and gave "a special shout-out to Eva Basler, Vice-President of Communications of The Bold and the Beautiful, who put this reel of my work together and demanded that I submit it because I was too chicken to do so." Novo Resources Corp. KEY POINTS Phase Two mechanical sorting trial completed using samples from Comet Well, Purdys Reward, and Egina using Novos wholly-owned Steinert KSS 100F LIXT fine mechanical sorting unit ( Sorter ) Results from the Phase Two trial confirm that strong upgrade ratios can be achieved by running lower grade material through the Sorter in line with results from higher grade material Phase Three trial at Comet Well will be deferred to H1 2023 Novo to prioritize immediate attention to developing the Fresh mineral resource at the Beatons Creek Gold Project (Beatons Creek) and high-potential exploration programs VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novo Resources Corp. (Novo or the Company) (TSX: NVO, NVO.WT & NVO.WT.A) (OTCQX: NSRPF) provides an update on its mechanical sorting program. Phase Two Trial The Phase Two mechanical sorting trial has been completed, with samples from Comet Well, Purdys Reward, and Egina processed through the Sorter which was assembled adjacent to the Golden Eagle processing plant at the Nullagine Gold Project (Nullagine). The Phase Two trials represent a culmination of four years of test work conducted by Novo to determine the amenability of mechanical sorting across its 11,000 sq km of Pilbara tenure in Western Australia. The Phase Two trial involved thirty-three samples, primarily from the Comet Well and Purdys Reward tenements, which were processed though the Sorter. The Comet Well and Purdys Reward samples were taken from areas peripheral to the main mineralized zone representing lower-grade tenor material and contained approximately 145 tonnes of bulk sample material. Concentrates from each sample were collected in their entirety and the tails or rejects stream was sub-sampled and sent for assay via Chrysos PhotonAssay. The Phase Two trial confirmed that the mass pull to concentrate averaged 1.05% for lower-grade tenor material, which aligns with previously collected results from higher-grade lab scale test work. Preliminary Phase Two results are outlined in Table 1 below. Story continues Phase Three Trial Following completion of the Phase Two trial, the Sorter was scheduled to be transported to Comet Well for the Phase Three trial, which is designed to process up to 20,000 tonnes of potentially mineralized material from the Comet Well and Purdys Reward projects. Detailed project planning has confirmed that the expected cost of the Phase Three trial has significantly increased from earlier estimates. Work completed as part of the project plan development confirms the nuggety nature of the Comet Well and Purdys Reward mineralization and the difficulty in confirming gold inventory. The use of the Sorter to complete processing of a test parcel of potentially mineralized material remains the most appropriate means of determining potential gold deposition and project economics, and it is expected that the Phase Three trial will assist with establishing a modest mineral inventory for the Comet Well and Purdys Reward projects. Following the production pause at Beatons Creek1 and requirement to direct immediate attention towards development of the Fresh mineral resource, along with exploration across high potential Pilbara-wide targets in the short-to-medium term, the Novo Board of Directors has made the decision to defer the Phase Three trial at Comet Well until the first half of CY2023. Novos Sorter project team has been reassigned to assist with the Beatons Creek Fresh feasibility study2. Novo is dedicated to prioritizing resources to deliver key workstreams at the Beatons Creek Fresh mineral resource including completion of the Feasibility Study2, upgrading the current Fresh mineral resource, and continued resource and extensional drilling to expand potential for life-of-mine operations. Additionally, Novo is also focused on aggressively advancing the high-potential exploration targets at Becher for gold in the Egina district and at Purdys North for nickel in the West Pilbara district. Commenting on the mechanical sorting update, Executive Co-Chairman, acting Chief Executive Officer, and director Mike Spreadborough said, While we are disappointed to defer the Phase Three trial at Comet Well, all work to date shows that innovative use of sorting technology for the Comet Well and Purdys Reward projects is expected to generate positive results. Our immediate focus is on delivering shareholder value through the plan we outlined for Phase Two operations at Beatons Creek. We have a very busy second half planned and once we complete those various workstreams, we will re-consider the timing of the Phase Three trial at Comet Well and make a decision on the path forward. SAMPLE PREPARATION, ASSAYING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL Concentrate samples from the Sorter were collected in their entirety. The tails or rejects stream was sub-sampled at regular intervals manually. This was achieved by placing a container through the full width of the sample stream as it transferred by gravity from one conveyor belt to another. A composite of approximately 20kg from the rejects stream was collected across the sample run. All samples and sub-samples were then weighed (wet), recorded, and submitted for transport to Interteks mineral laboratory in Maddington, Western Australia. On sample receipt at Intertek Maddington, all samples and sub-samples were dried for 24 hours. They were then fed through a Smart Crusher, where their material particle size was reduced to P90 -3 mm. The crushed concentrate and rejects samples were then placed into Chrysos PhotonAssay pots. The pots were then assayed in their entirety by Chrysos PhotonAssay. Chrysos PhotonAssay is a non-destructive method, based on technology that measures gold concentration via X-ray excitation to produce gamma rays. Intertek Chrysos PhotonAssay is NATA accredited (3244) via ISO/IEC 17025 (2017) for method PA W0002. Program design, quality assurance/quality control, and interpretation of results is performed by qualified persons employing quality control (QC) analysis consistent with industry best practices. Chrysos PhotonAssay certified CRMs and blanks are included at a rate of 1 in 40 samples for QC purposes by Intertek, the results of which are provided to Novo. Novo does not know of any factors of sampling that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the assay data disclosed. All data was verified without limitation by a qualified person by reviewing analytical procedures undertaken. QP STATEMENT Dr. Quinton Hennigh (P.Geo.) is the qualified person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release. Dr. Hennigh is the non-executive co-chairman and a director of Novo. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT The decision by the Company to produce at the Beatons Creek Project was not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and, as a result, there is an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Production has not achieved forecast to date. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. There is no guarantee that anticipated production costs will be achieved. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would have a material adverse impact on the Companys cash flow and future profitability. The Company cautions that its declaration of commercial production effective October 1, 20213 only indicates that Beatons Creek was operating at anticipated and sustainable levels and it does not indicate that economic results will be realized. ABOUT NOVO Novo operates its flagship Beatons Creek gold project while exploring and developing its prospective land package covering approximately 11,000 square kilometres in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. In addition to the Companys primary focus, Novo seeks to leverage its internal geological expertise to deliver value-accretive opportunities to its shareholders. For more information, please contact Leo Karabelas at (416) 543-3120 or e-mail leo@novoresources.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Novo Resources Corp. Michael Spreadborough Michael Spreadborough Executive Co-Chairman and Acting CEO Forward-looking information Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including, without limitation, that Phase Three trials at Comet Well will begin in the first half of CY2023, that the Beatons Creek Fresh feasibility study and upgrade of the current Beatons Creek Fresh mineral resource and continued resource and extensional drilling is expected to expand life-of-mine operations, that the use of the Sorter to complete processing of a test parcel of potentially mineralized material remains the most appropriate means of determining potential gold deposition and project economics, that it is expected that the Phase Three trial will assist with establishing a modest mineral inventory for the Comet Well and Purdys Reward projects, and that funds will be allocated to aggressively explore key sulphide and oxide prospects along the Mosquito Creek formation to extend operations at Nullagine beyond Beatons Creek. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without limitation, customary risks of the resource industry and the risk factors identified in Novos managements discussion and analysis for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, which is available under Novos profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, Novo assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If Novo updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Table 1 shows the assay and mass pull data from the first ten samples of the Phase Two trial, confirming strong upgrade ratios from low grade material can be achieved through the Sorter in a single pass. Sample ID Total Sample Feed Mass (t) Con. Grade (Au, g/t) Rejects Grade (Au, g/t) Total Au Recovery (%) Mass Pull to concentrate, % Head Grade (Au, g/t) Upgrade Ratio P1 2.1910 1.1375 0.0009 86% 0.49% 0.0065 174 P2 2.6260 2.2372 0.0009 99% 6.05% 0.1363 16 P3 2.8680 0.0533 0.0008 42% 1.08% 0.0014 39 P4 1.5370 2.1603 0.0016 95% 1.30% 0.0296 73 P5 4.6220 0.3960 0.0018 73% 1.16% 0.0064 62 P6 0.4440 6.3822 0.0215 83% 1.60% 0.1232 52 P7 6.6720 3.5877 0.0004 98% 0.69% 0.0252 142 P8 5.1750 0.8324 0.0005 92% 0.67% 0.0060 138 P9 5.2090 0.0661 0.0005 30% 0.34% 0.0008 86 P10 4.2790 0.0476 0.0005 52% 1.06% 0.0010 50 ___________________ 1 Refer to the Companys news release dated June 14, 2022. 2 Refer to the Companys news release dated June 14, 2022. 3 Refer to the Companys news release dated October 12, 2021. Maputo (Mozambique), 25 June 2022 (SPS) - The President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, has appraised Mozambique's firm support for the Sahrawi people and its just struggle. Addressing the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Center in the Mozambican capital, Maputo, President Ibrahim Ghali said during the lunch banquet hosted by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi in his honor and the delegations participating in the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Frelimo party, "In this context, the firm support and generous solidarity of all Mozambicans to the Saharawi people in its just struggle must be noted with gratitude, gratefulness and appreciation." The President of the Republic thanked and appreciated President Filipe Nyusi for his kind invitation to attend, in his second country, on behalf of the people and Government of the Saharan Republic, and the leadership of the Frente POLISARIO, the celebrations commemorating the 47th anniversary of Mozambique's independence, as well as the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Mozambique Liberation Front. On the occasion, President Brahim Ghali conveyed to his Mozambican counterpart the congratulations of the Sahrawi people to the Mozambican people on the occasion of the celebration of this anniversary, which is dear to the Mozambican people. 062/T This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The three Molina children lost their father in a hit-and-run accident in downtown Stamford in April. They were separated from their mother 11 years ago by Americas hit-and-run approach to immigration policy. Two months after Ronald (Rony) Molinas death at 52, his kids are seeking a humanitarian visa to bring their mother back home from Guatemala. Alex, 21, had to suspend his graduate studies at Yale University, while Ronald Steve, 19, was able to finish his freshman year at University of Connecticut in Stamford. Evelin just graduated from Norwalk Community College. These should be days of celebration. Instead, they are working to save their fathers struggling landscaping business, which paved their way to college. Everybody, including Ronys customers, reminds them of what a loving and lovely guy he was. The man who was all heart had his own transplanted into the body of a stranger. One final act of grace. The five were all together for only a brief time. Sandra was a teenager when she gave birth to Evelin in Guatemala 29 years ago. Evelin stayed there with her grandparents while Sandra chased the American dream. She married Rony, they had two boys and settled in Stamford. After becoming a U.S. citizen in 2009, Rony returned to his native Guatemala to adopt Evelin and bring her back to their home on Cold Spring Road. I hadnt seen my mom for many, many years, so that was a big day for me, Evelin, 29, says while on a break from the Greenwich salon where she works as a hairdresser. The reunion was brief. While Ronald and the kids were legal residents, Sandra was not. She hired a lawyer who advised her to return to Guatemala in 2010 and follow protocol to become a citizen. It backfired when she was denied re-entry. Then, Evelin recalls, Mom got really desperate she went crazy. So desperate that she got caught trying to cross the border and was detained in Arizona. Sandra was barred from returning to the United States for 10 years. Bad immigration laws werent born in the USA under Trump. This happened during the Obama years, following a sloppy policy launched during the Clinton administration. Heartbreak of the border The family was the subject of a 2012 Associated Press feature about the uptick in parents being deported. A decade later, nothing has really changed. Yet immigrants remain not just the bedrock of the Main Street economy, but of leadership at Fortune 500 companies. The heartbreak of the border. New Haven attorney Glenn Formica, who is handling Sandras case pro bono, repeats the phrase like the refrain of a corrido. The heartbreak of the border. Since then, the kids only saw their mom on annual visits to Mexico, where she moved to escape gangs in Guatemala that try to exploit women with what they presume are rich American spouses (Sandra told the AP a decade ago of her brother being held for ransom to extort money from her family). The occasional visits are costly, but not as costly as bringing Ronys body back to his hometown so a second funeral could be held. To ship a dead body is really, really expensive, in the thousands, Alex says. So they set up a GoFundMe campaign to return him to Carcha, where they were reunited with their mother. We carried his casket all the way over to the cemetery, Alex says. That was painful, I had marks afterward. Using my college savings Alex has been carrying the weight of his fathers business as well. He gets up at about 6:30 every morning, talks to the All Seasons Landscaping crew and checks on the equipment. Then he puts on a suit and drives to his Manhasset, N.Y., administrative internship in the Family Medicine Department at Northwell Health. Clients and crew members interrupt his shift with calls and texts before he makes the drive back to Stamford and connects dots. Alex finds the time to laugh at one of the consequences of his overstuffed schedule: Then essentially Im really hungry. I only eat breakfast. Hes also trying to carry on with a rehab project his father initiated as a real estate investment, with basically everything he had, Alex says, somehow finding the resolve to laugh again. Basically we have debt. Im using my college savings to fix up the property. Then basically Ill just figure out my $80,000 in student loans after that. The landscaping business wasnt quite making a profit, so Alex rebooted it. His fathers paper schedules and ledgers were all digitized. As he talks from the Cold Spring home, Alexs gaze falls on a painting of a white horse he once gave his father. Its one of the 50 or so images of steeds in the home Alex describes as looking like a cabin because of his fathers penchant for woodwork. The only thing missing is a real horse. I ask Alex if he ever saw Rony on horseback, and he is reminded of his father teaching him to ride as a boy in Guatemala. The only criticism I hear of Rony is when his son describes trying to translate business notes in handwriting that isnt that legible. These days, clients tell Alex about how Rony would brag about the kids. Thats something I didnt know, he says. How proud he was. Rony built a loyal customer base, primarily in Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk. When the kids were young, clients would give him school supplies every fall. One customer has been sending money for groceries since Ronys death. Alex pledges to pay it forward in the future. It sounds like hes already done that. After graduating from Brigham Young in three years, he started pursuing his masters degree in health care management at Yale. His passion comes from the time he spent after school at Westhill High volunteering at Sunrise Senior Living. It opened my eyes to the field of health care, says Alex, who was Westhills 2018 class president. I fell in love with interacting with patients and improving their quality of life and care. She is four-wheel drive If Sandra could finally return to Stamford, she could take over the business and let her children move on with their lives. Evelin says her mother is capable of handling everything from the paperwork to the lawn work. She is four-wheel drive, she jokes. Evelin could also be describing herself as she expresses determination to bring her mother back to Stamford. The office of U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., has been notified of their case. A spokesperson confirmed they are involved but could not comment on an active case. Formica, the lawyer, has no updates from immigration officials. I dont want to disappoint her, Evelin says of her mother. They may have been apart for most of Evelins 29 years, but Sandra shaped her daughters journey. When Evelin was young, Mom took her to the salon she worked at in Guatemala. During their first years apart, Evelin went to cosmetology school in Guatemala as a teenager. Sandra presented her with a first set of professional scissors when they were reunited in Stamford. The thing about scissors is they can sever, but also create new beauty. While she hopes for a miracle, Sandra is cutting hair in Mexico. Evelin aspires to use her studies in business administration at NCC to open her own salon someday. Its nice to imagine her mom there as well. After all, thats the way American dreams should work. John Breunig is editorial page editor of the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time. jbreunig@scni.com; twitter.com/johnbreunig. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Morgan Marietta, UMass Lowell (THE CONVERSATION) The Supreme Courts decision to reverse 50 years of constitutional protection for the right to get an abortion is more than 200 pages long. Morgan Marietta, a political scientist at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and editor of the annual SCOTUS series at Palgrave Macmillan, studies the ideas and ideology of the court. We asked him to illuminate the thinking that lies behind the momentous decision. What does this ruling mean? This is a revolutionary ruling. Not just for abortion, but for the ongoing debates over the nature of rights under the Constitution. The ruling signals a massive change in how we read the Constitution, from a living reading to an original reading. The court has firmly rejected the theory of the living Constitution, which argues that the meaning of the documents language changes as the beliefs and values of Americans change. The living view, which prevailed at the Supreme Court during the second half of the 20th century, means that additional rights can emerge over time, including abortion, privacy and same-sex marriage. The living Constitution is updated through the judgment of the justices of the Supreme Court, who determine when public values have changed, and hence new rights have emerged. Originalism, which is the approach taken by the justices who overruled Roe, rejects the living Constitution. In the originalist view, the Constitution is static until officially altered by amendment. It does not evolve on its own without public approval. The role of the justices is to determine the original public meaning of the text, but to leave other decisions to democratic representation through elections. Regarding abortion, the conclusion of Dobbs is clear: The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and Casey arrogated that authority. We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives. Arrogated is an unusual word; it means to take without justification, implying that it is done in an arrogant way. That is the core argument of Dobbs: Roe was the court being arrogant, taking power the justices didnt have, which rightly belongs with the people, a Revolutionary-era term in a revolutionary ruling. Why is there now no right to abortion, when Roe recognized it? The new originalism of the courts majority argues that if a right is present in the text and original public meaning of the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights and any other amendments, then the decision is beyond the reach of majority rule. But rights must be clear and established in order to wield that sort of influence. The explicit rights clearly described and enumerated in the Bill of Rights freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms and others are rising in influence, specifically because they have been approved and ratified by the people. But the other evolved or implicit rights that have been recognized by the court over time abortion and gay marriage, among others are simply not constitutional rights in the view of the new majority. Enumerated rights the ones specifically spelled out in the Bill of Rights will be accorded stronger protections, while the recently recognized rights of the living Constitution will not be protected. Under Roe, the majority saw abortion as within the category of rights. Hence it received constitutional protection. But under the new abortion decision, it should be governed by majority rule, the kind of question that is to be determined by the citizens of each state through their legislatures. Even the originalist justices, however, recognize that there are some unenumerated rights which, though not spelled out in the Constitution, should be given constitutional protection. The Ninth Amendment explicitly argues for their existence: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. So how do we know what those rights are? The court has settled on something known as the Glucksberg standard from 1997: Americans hold those additional rights that are deeply rooted in the Nations history and tradition. In other words, if during the early phase of American history roughly the 100-year period between the founding and the 14th Amendment, the 1770s to the 1870s Americans publicly asserted the existence of a right, then it exists. But if they did not, then it does not exist. Under the Glucksberg standard, there has to be clear historical evidence from public debates, political speeches or judicial rulings that the right was asserted and recognized. In Justice Samuel Alitos majority opinion in Dobbs, he provides a review of the history of abortion: The inescapable conclusion is that a right to abortion is not deeply rooted in the Nations history and traditions. On the contrary, an unbroken tradition of prohibiting abortion on pain of criminal punishment persisted from the earliest days of the common law until 1973, Alito writes. In the future, the court may rely on its own reading of history to determine which rights exist under the Constitution. But if the record is uncertain, the justices are far more likely to allow states to decide for themselves, rather than usurp the power to address a question of profound moral and social importance that the Constitution unequivocally leaves to the people, wrote Alito. Is a fetus now a person? Each state will decide. The abortion debate has two core questions: Is there a right to abortion? And is a fetus a person? Even if a right exists, this does not justify the killing of a person who is another holder of rights. In Roe, the court decided for the nation what the boundaries of fetal personhood were in the early stages of pregnancy: A fetus could not be considered a person before viability at approximately six months, but states could decide during the last trimester. In Dobbs, the court changes course and allows each individual state to make its own determination. Whether the court should decide disputed realities is a deeply divisive question. There was a fascinating case called Kahler v. Kansas decided in 2020, which addressed the specific question of who gets to decide disputed social facts. In that case it was the boundaries of insanity: Could Kansas define mental illness and hence the insanity defense differently than other states? Does there have to be one definition throughout the nation about such matters as what counts as legally insane, or can we have variation? In a decision written by Justice Elena Kagan, the court ruled that when realities are uncertain, individual state legislatures could decide for themselves. The same now applies to the personhood of a fetus. The power of individual states to decide social realities within their borders is the future of many constitutional disputes. As Alito writes: In some states, voters may believe that the abortion right should be even more extensive that the right that Roe and Casey recognized. Voters in other States may wish to impose tight restrictions based on their belief that abortion destroys an unborn human being. What effect will the ruling have on other issues? In overturning Roe, the majoritys opinion offers a new and weaker standard for overturning the past rulings of the court. Simply put, precedents will be easier to overturn in the future. For 30 years, the Casey ruling, which upheld the core of Roe in 1992, has been considered the precedent on precedent. It established four considerations for the legitimate discarding of a previous decision: the ruling misunderstood the Constitution; it proved to be unworkable in practice; new facts have emerged; and it accounts for what are known as reliance interests, where citizens had been guided by a ruling in making decisions about their lives. Dobbs reverses Roe by rewriting the law of precedent. This will open up many other cases for reversal. The most significant change is what Alito calls the quality of reasoning. Rulings that looked like legislation, offered faulty history or created standards unjustified by the Constitution can be overruled under the Dobbs standard. The ruling includes a footnote describing all of the recent cases in which the court has overturned precedents. It may be the longest footnote in contemporary Supreme Court history, coming in at over a page and a half. The conclusion is that the meaning of the Constitution is more important than the history of the court, so precedent does not compel unending adherence to Roes abuse of judicial authority, Alito wrote. Contrary to much speculation and worry, the Dobbs ruling and the new majority will not overturn protections of interracial marriage, especially the landmark ruling in Loving v. Virginia. That ruling hinges on the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which is also enshrined in the text and is clearly protected under an original reading. But other nonenumerated, evolved or created rights that are not textually protected are now up for question. This includes the right of same-sex marriage recognized by Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. Questions of rights not explicitly protected by the Constitution and therefore now in the hands of state legislatures will rely much more heavily in the future on local democracy. Social movements, campaigns and elections, all at the state level, will become the main battleground of American rights. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/a-revolutionary-ruling-and-not-just-for-abortion-a-supreme-court-scholar-explains-the-impact-of-dobbs-185823. HARTFORD After working late into the night to help deliver the Senates first-in-a-generation compromise on gun safety legislation, Sen. Chris Murphy boarded a flight home to Connecticut around 10 a.m. on Friday to make it to a celebration on the banks of Connecticut River. There, Murphy met with longtime gun safety advocates and survivors of the Sandy Hook School shooting the crucible that turned Murphy from three-term congressman representing Newtown into the Senates most public champion of stricter gun control measures. The atmosphere was upbeat as Murphy touted the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act as a paradigm shifting moment in the debate over guns. However, the timing of the vote just hours after the Supreme Court issued a broad expansion of the right to carry weapons in public forced Murphy and other speakers to confront the uncertain future of the movement built off of the tens of thousands of American lives lost to gun violence. Murphy said on Thursday that his enthusiasm for having helped pass the gun safety measure through Congress was not diminished by the ruling, saying he did not want to sit around and worry about what the Supreme Courts going to do. Is there a chance that theyll come back a couple years later with another bad ruling? Sure, Murphy said. But I think theres no question that the country is a lot safer today. The new legislation, which was sent to President Joe Biden on Friday following a swift vote in the House, adopts several of its policies to strengthen background checks and limit domestic abusers from owning weapons from existing laws in place in states like Connecticut, meaning that few of the changes will be felt at the state level here. The law does include millions of dollars in additional funding to states for community anti-violence initiatives and improved mental health services, which advocates praised as a vital tool for diffusing gun violence in Connecticuts cities. Weve been looking for hope for a long time, said the Rev. Henry Brown, a gun violence survivor-turned-advocate from Hartford. Now, this is a signal of hope for people in our communities, Black and brown people. Legal experts, meanwhile, have warned that the Supreme Courts decision on Thursday to strike down New Yorks pistol permit law could broadly threaten Connecticut's rigid gun control laws and make them targets for conservatives attorneys and gun-rights groups. Nicole Melchionno, a 17-year-old from Newtown who was student at Sandy Hook the day 20 of her schoolmates and six adults were killed, said that her celebration of the new legislation was undercut by the Supreme Courts decision on guns, as well as its subsequent ruling on Friday to end constitutional protections for abortion. Pro-life, relating to being able to go to school without being shot in your classroom, I think they are very similar, Melchionno said. So it saddens me that within such a short amount of time we took one step forward and then it seems like weve taken so many steps backwards. Refusing to temper his optimism, however, Murphy told reporters that it could be a decade or more before the court decided to take up another Second Amendment case, while its ruling yesterday did not directly infringe on any Connecticut laws or measures included in the new gun safety bill. In order to prevent the courts ruling from snowballing into a larger attack on state-level gun restrictions, Murphy added, the gun control movement needed something to show politicians that supporting modest gun safety measures could prove popular. When a movement gets to be seven or eight years old without a big victory at the national level, it sometimes becomes hard to stay in, Murphy said. I think this movement was getting to the point where we needed to show success. Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media / HARTFORD A city man was sentenced to 44 months in prison Friday after helping traffic narcotics in Connecticut and beyond, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Connecticut. Henry DeJesus-Morales, 44, previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute, controlled substances, federal prosecutors said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STAMFORD Over 100 protesters gathered Friday in downtown Stamford to decry the Supreme Courts move to overturn Roe v. Wade. With every burst of impassioned screams, another rush of passersby gravitated towards the crowd. People lined Bedford Street along Latham Park, facing the cars and holding signs promising that abortion access remained safe in Connecticut. Cars blared their horns as ralliers shouted in resolve, frustration and anger. Randie Katzel, 65 of Greenwich, weaved through the crowd. She pivoted to a cluster of children playing in the park who stumbled into the rally. Get involved, she told them before they disappeared into the crowd. Tell your moms! Tell your dads! Throughout the hour-long protest, the crowd belted slogans like What do we want? Freedom! What do we want it for? Our bodies! But their demands stretched beyond just freedom; they wanted assurances from their elected officials that they would protect and expand access to abortion throughout the state. Youre going to hear candidates come to you; theyre gonna ask you for your vote, state Rep. Matt Blumenthal, who represents parts of Stamford and Darien, told the crowd. Youre gonna have a question for them: What are you going to do to protect my reproductive rights? There is only one acceptable answer, which is that theyre gonna fight like hell. Stamford resident Diane Bull has been involved in that fight for decades. Bull, 79, had pins from the 1989 March for Womens Lives taped onto her cardboard sign. Shes been to so many protests for reproductive rights, she cant count them all. The Supreme Court has overturned the people, Bull said over the din of protesters. Her 13-year-old granddaughter Samantha Tillman understood that too. Its about choice, and Im a little too young to understand the big things, but I do know choice is important, Tillman said. A sign with the words health is a choice hung from her hand. A deep sadness also tempered the protesters energy, both over the landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, and the decisions that could come in the future. City Rep. Maureen Pollack, who helped organize the event, shed tears during her speech to the crowd while recalling her familys history with abortion. My grandmother lived during the Great Depression, and she was starving, and my grandfather and great uncle were starving, she said. They had to make the very tough decision to have an abortion to save their lives. And it was illegal. Pollack said her grandmother died from gangrene because of that illegal abortion. While Pollack recalled the tragedies of generations past, Stamford resident Gabriela Margarone, 21, considered what the decision meant for the future. Whats next? she asked, alluding to comments made by Justice Clarence Thomas that suggested the high court should reexamine the right to contraception and same-sex marriage. Like the people around her, Margarone was invigorated by the energy at the protest, but she also wished the world was different more than anything. She glanced at a child holding a sign in support of abortion rights. I do find the little girls with signs to be really cute, she said, but it also breaks my heart. veronica.delvalle@hearstmediact.com Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, U.S., on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Rep. Matt Gaetz Among the many revelations surfaced in the ongoing hearing by the U.S. House committee investigating the riots of Jan. 6, 2021 is that a group of House Republicans including Reps. Mo Brooks, Matt Gaetz, Andy Biggs, Louie Gohmert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Scott Perry sought pardons from former President Donald Trump in his final weeks in office. Day five of the hearings which examine the events leading up to the attacks and how Trump and his allies responded included testimony from former White House aides that Gaetz and Brooks sought a blanket pardon for members of Congress involved in the former president's attempt to overturn his defeat. But according to former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchsinson, Gaetz had been seeking a pardon since early December, one month before the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. "Mr. Gaetz was personally pushing for a pardon, and he was doing so since early December," Hutchinson said, adding: "I'm not sure why. Mr. Gaetz had reached out to me to ask if he could have a meeting with Mr. Meadows about receiving a presidential pardon." Hutchinson's testimony was backed up by several others in Trump's orbit, including former White House senior advisor Eric Herschmann, who said: "The pardon that [Gaetz] was discussing, requesting, was as broad as you could describe, from... the beginning of time up until today, for any and all things." Herschmann continued: "He had mentioned Nixon. And I said Nixon's pardon was never nearly that broad." According to various outlets, Gaetz, 40, is currently the subject of a grand jury investigation into whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid her to travel with him. News of the investigation into Gaetz first broke last March and, according to The New York Times, was opened in the final months of the Trump administration, under then-Attorney General Bill Barr. Story continues Gaetz has not been charged with any crime and has denied any wrongdoing, previously insisting to multiple news outlets that the overarching case was "rooted in an extortion effort" against him. RELATED: 5 Key Moments from the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Hearing, from Never-Before-Seen Video to Ivanka Trump's Testimony In pre-recorded testimony that was aired Thursday, Hutchinson also testified that Biggs, Gohmert and Perry had contacted the White House to inquire about securing pardons. Hutchinson also testified that she heard Georgia Rep. Greene had asked for a pardon, as well. In a tweet, Greene suggested the testimony relied on hearsay, writing: "Saying 'I heard' means you don't know." In an opening statement on day one of the hearings, Vice Chair Liz Cheney the top Republican on the House committee said "multiple" Republican lawmakers contacted the Trump administration seeking presidential pardons in the wake of the attacks. Among them, she added, was Republican Perry, who "has refused to testify here." "As you will see, Rep. Perry contacted the White House in the weeks after Jan. 6 to seek a presidential pardon," Cheney said, adding: "Multiple other Republican congressmen also sought presidential pardons for their roles in attempting to overturn the 2020 election." A Perry spokesperson told Axios that the allegation that Perry sought a pardon was, "Laughable, ludicrous and a thoroughly soulless lie." According to testimony and documents obtained by the lawmakers investigating the riots, Perry texted former chief of Staff Meadows days prior to the riots, writing: "Mark, just checking in as time continues to count down. 11 days to 1/6 and 25 days to inauguration. We gotta get going!" None of those mentioned in the hearing actually did secure a pardon, though Trump granted 143 pardons and 94 commutations during his time in office. Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (471) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (808) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (949) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (693) Jan 2022 (694) Feb 2022 (654) Mar 2022 (740) Apr 2022 (745) May 2022 (748) Jun 2022 (642) Len Brin believed that 2020 would special. A math professor at Southern Connecticut State University and an avid long distance runner, Brin, a Cheshire resident, would be turning 50 in March of 2020, and he expected that it would be a year of milestones. I was thinking, This is going to be my year, he recalls. I was going to break all my personal records (for running). And then, the lockdowns hit. A week before he turned 50, everything changed. The pandemic sent the world into isolation, with businesses closed, students sent home to learn remotely, and virtually every event scheduled for the year canceled. That included all of the races Brin had planned to take part in. That was such a huge disappointment, he acknowledged. However, it was only the beginning for Brin. In November of 2020, Brin tested positive for COVID. He had mild symptoms and was sick for a week, but eventually he emerged from the illness feeling better. I thought, Well, Im one of the lucky ones, he recalls. But his luck was about to turn. In the weeks following his illness, Brin returned to his usual running routine and was back to his old self, completing seven- to eight-mile runs during the week. But he could feel hints, he states, that something was a bit off. It could feel that it was a little more strenuous than usual, but I was still able to complete my runs, he said. Then, one day in early January 2021, Brin attempted one of his long 16-mile runs. He only got approximately six miles in. I just stopped, he said. I couldnt finish. I just had to walk home. Thats when it all started to fall apart, he continued. Brin was overtaken by fatigue. Unable to complete his basic running routine, he concluded that rest might be what was required and decided that he would take a break for approximately two months. It didnt help. He simply didnt have any energy. Throughout this time, Brin was on a pre-planned sabbatical, meaning he could tailor his schedule to be as light as possible. He didnt need to go to class. He wasnt driving to many places. He could manage his symptoms. However, when he returned to work in the fall, the reality of his situation hit home. I went to a (six-hour meeting) for work. I was just sitting there paying attention, taking notes and it was just far too stressful. I was wiped, he said. Thats when I started to worry, What am I going to be like when I am in front of a class? It turned out to be a complete disaster. Returning to his class, Brin was required to stand and teach for each period. He found that being on his feet was exhausting, so much so that he determined that hed be unable to do so for the semester. Just the drive in was exhausting for me, he said. Brin requested and was granted the opportunity to teach from home, allowing him to sit while delivering his lectures. Although it provided some relief, it didnt cure his issue. I was overwhelmed with the mental work, he said. Still, working from home, I was mentally and physically exhausted. When Brins symptoms first began, he didnt associate them with his previous COVID-19 illness. Id never even heard of long COVID, he admitted. However, months of feeling fatigued finally sent him to seek help at Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was diagnosed with symptoms pertaining to long-COVID. The diagnosis came in July. A new exercise program began in August, and while Brin didnt know it at the time, it would end up being his bridge back to some semblance of normalcy. I think it came in phases, he said. The first phase was in that fall semester, where I felt terrible and I couldnt do anything. Then, after winter break, I felt a bit better. The exercise program went in stages. First, Brin began on a rowing machine regimen. That led to biking, which has eventually led him to walking and, now, running. His successes were incremental. Hed be working for five or even six weeks seeing only moderate results, and then, out of the thin blue, there would be this quantum leap, he said. One of the first came when Brin was suddenly able to either exercise or work all day without being completely exhausted. The most recent, he said, came within the last two weeks, where he is now able to exercise and work without being wiped. Back in April, Brin finally felt good enough to participate in a run. He signed up for the Cheshire 5K, part of the Cheshire Road Races. Before his bout with COVID, Brin would usually finish a 5K in approximately 20 minutes. This time, it took him 25 to 30. And I paid for it, he said. That was about as hard as I could push myself. It took me about a week to recover and was a clear indication that I was far from being back to normal. But progress has continued and, on June 25, Brin plans to take another significant step towards normality. He is scheduled to participate in the Gaylord Gauntlet, a 3.3-mile obstacle course sponsored by Gaylord Specialty Healthcare. Brin has been a part of the Gaylord virtual support group and credits it with helping him in his battle against long-COVID. You have to have hope, and the Gaylord support group is a big part of that for me, said Brin. Someone (in the group) said, Hope is short for hearing other peoples experiences, and its true. You dont get the same response from people who havent been through this, even the doctors. While the Gauntlet wont be the farthest Brin has run since he began to experience symptoms of long-COVID, he does expect that it could be the most physically demanding because of the obstacles. With that in mind, he has one goal for run. If I could feel better, or even the same as I did after (the Cheshire 5K in April), then Ill be very happy, he said. Right now, I feel like, even if I didnt improve any more, Id be OK because Im at a place where I can work and exercise, he said. Thats a big step forward for me. DALLAS (AP) Airlines under scrutiny for widespread flight disruptions are renewing their criticism of the government agency that manages the nations airspace, saying that understaffing at the Federal Aviation Administration is crippling traffic along the East Coast. Airlines for America, which represents the largest U.S. carriers, said Friday it wants to know FAA's staffing plans for the July Fourth holiday weekend, so we can plan accordingly. The comments from the industry group could serve as a pre-emptive defense in case airlines again suffer thousands of canceled and delayed flights over the holiday weekend, when travel is expected to set new pandemic-era highs. The industry is actively and nimbly doing everything possible to create a positive customer experience since it is in an airlines inherent interest to keep customers happy, so they return for future business, Nicholas Calio, president of the trade group, said in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Calio said airlines have dropped 15% of the flights they originally planned for June through August to make the remaining flights more reliable, they are hiring and training more pilots and customer-service agents, and giving passengers more flexibility to change travel plans. Calio said air traffic is often disrupted for many hours because bad weather causes the the FAA to issue delays. However, we have also observed that FAA (air traffic control) staffing challenges have led to traffic restrictions under blue sky conditions, he added. The FAA shot back, with a reference to taxpayer money that airlines received after the pandemic devastated air travel. People expect when they buy an airline ticket that theyll get where they need to go safely, efficiently, reliably and affordably, the FAA said in a statement. After receiving $54 billion in pandemic relief to help save the airlines from mass layoffs and bankruptcy, the American people deserve to have their expectations met. The FAA said it has added controllers in high-traffic areas and added alternate routes to keep planes moving. The airline trade group chiefs comments came a week after Buttigieg called airline leaders to a virtual meeting and threatened to punish carriers that fail to meet consumer-protection standards set by his department, which includes the FAA. Buttigieg said he called the meeting after being alarmed by the high number of canceled flights around Memorial Day more than 2,700 in a five-day stretch, according to tracking service FlightAware. Thunderstorms can quickly snarl air traffic during the summer, but airlines have also acknowledged staffing shortages they are hiring at a rapid pace to replace tens of thousands of workers whom the airlines paid to quit when travel collapsed in 2020. Pilot union leaders say their groups are being stretched to the limit, and more pilots report being fatigued. The FAA has admitted that it too is understaffed, particularly at a key air traffic control center in Florida. Calio said that facility, near Jacksonville, Florida, has been understaffed for 27 of the last 30 days, which is crippling to the entire East Coast traffic flows. More than 600 U.S. flights had been canceled and more than 4,200 delayed by early afternoon Friday, according to FlightAware. That was better than Thursday, however, when thunderstorms on the East Coast contributed to more than 800 cancellations and 6,600 delays. David Koenig can be reached at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A growing number of companies, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Amazon.com Inc., Tesla Inc., and Walt Disney Co. are rolling out policies to offer benefits to U.S. employees who may need to access abortion services. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday took the dramatic step of overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that recognized a womans constitutional right to an abortion and legalized it nationwide. Here is a partial list of companies that have offered their U.S. employees reproductive health care benefits including abortion coverage or travel benefits for out-of-state abortions: JPMorgan Chase & Co. The company told employees it would pay for their travel to states that allow legal abortions, according to a memo seen by Reuters. Citigroup Inc. The bank has started covering travel expenses for employees who go out of state for abortions because of newly enacted restrictions in Texas and other states, becoming the first major U.S. bank to make that commitment. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. will cover travel expenses for its U.S.-based employees who need to go out of state to receive abortion or gender-affirming medical care starting July 1. Meta Platforms Inc. Meta said in statement it intends to offer travel expense reimbursements, to the extent permitted by law, for employees who will need access to out-of-state health care and reproductive services. Yelp Inc. The crowd-sourced review platform will extend its abortion coverage to cover expenses for its employees and their dependents who need to travel to another state for abortion services. The second-largest U.S. private employer told employees it will pay up to $4,000 in travel expenses yearly for non-life threatening medical treatments, among them elective abortions. Levi Strauss & Co. The apparel company will reimburse travel expenses for its full- and part-time employees who need to travel to another state for health care services, including abortions. United Talent Agency The private Hollywood talent agency said it would reimburse travel expenses related to womens reproductive health services that are not accessible in an employees state of residence. Tesla Inc. Teslas Safety Net program and health insurance includes travel and lodging support for its employees who may need to seek health care services that are unavailable in their home state, according to the companys 2021 impact report. Microsoft Corp. Microsoft said it would extend its abortion and gender affirming care services for employees in the United States to include travel expense assistance. Starbucks Corp. Starbucks said it will reimburse U.S. employees and their dependents if they must travel more than 100 miles from their homes to obtain an abortion. Netflix Inc. Netflix said it will offer travel reimbursement for U.S. employees and dependents who travel for cancer treatment, transplants, abortion and gender-affirming care through its U.S. health plans. Mastercard Inc. Mastercard said it will fund travel and lodging for employees seeking abortions outside their home states from June, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. Kroger Co. Kroger said it will provide travel benefits up to $4,000 to facilitate access to several categories of medical treatments and a full range of reproductive health care services, including abortion. Uber Technologies Inc. Uber said its insurance plans in the United States cover a range of reproductive health benefits, including pregnancy termination and travel expenses to access health care. DoorDash Inc. DoorDash said it will cover certain travel-related expenses for employees who face new barriers to access and need to travel out of state for abortion-related care. Lyft Inc. Lyft said its U.S. medical benefits plan includes coverage for elective abortion and reimbursement for travel costs if an employee must travel more than 100 miles for an in-network provider. Bank of America Corp. The bank said it will reimburse employees and their dependents for the cost of traveling to receive reproductive health care, including abortions. Deutsche Bank AG The bank said it is updating its U.S. health care policy to cover travel costs for any medical procedure, including abortion, that is not offered within 100 miles of an employees home, according to a source familiar. American Express Co. American Express said it will cover travel and other related expenses for employees and their dependents if they need abortion or gender-affirming treatment that is not available where they live. Block The payments company formerly known as Square Inc. said it will cover expenses for U.S. employees who must travel more than 100 miles for abortions starting July 1, a source familiar with the matter said. Macys Inc. Macys said it made the decision to expand its benefits program to provide travel reimbursement for colleagues to receive the medical care needed and will abide by existing laws and legal standards. Walt Disney Co. Disney said the companys benefits will cover the cost of employees who need to travel to another location to access care, including to obtain an abortion, it said. Gucci Gucci said in May it will cover travel expenses of U.S. employees who need access to health care not available in their home state. The company also has said it will match employee donations to Planned Parenthood. What does the director of photography do on a movie where there is no photography? The new Pixar film Lightyear is animated. It was rendered entirely on computers; no cameras were involved. Its director of photography is Jeremy Lasky, 47, who grew up in Chesterfield and went to Parkway Central High School. We talked to him from Paris, where he was on a long-delayed vacation with his wife and two children. Lasky quickly clarified that there were two directors of photography on the film; Ian Megibben was the director of photography in charge of lighting the traditional role for the position on a live-action film and Lasky was in charge of camera and staging. Its determining where the characters are in the frame, how they move at a broad kind of level, like blocking a play. Its determining where the camera is, what were shooting, is the camera moving? he said. Of course, in computer-generated animation there is no actual camera. When Lasky talks about a camera, he is referring to the way the film is presented on screen; it looks as if it were a traditional movie shot by a camera using different lenses, lighting and angles. The camera work or camera work is especially important in Lightyear. Although the movie is related to the Toy Story series of films, it is only tenuously connected to them. In the Toy Story films, Buzz Lightyear is a toy, merchandise from a boys favorite movie. Lightyear is supposed to be that movie. It is a traditional science-fiction film, chock full (and then some) of references to other science-fiction movies. Buzz Lightyear is a Space Ranger who accidentally strands his crew on a distant planet. The bulk of the movie is his efforts to develop and test the technology that will get them back home. Meanwhile, he remains almost frozen in time. Every time he tries to break the speed of light as a test pilot, he stays the same age but everyone back on the planet grows four years older. And though the film is animated, it is]meant to look like human actors playing characters in a film, instead of toys living and moving in the real world. The toy version of Buzz has totally different proportions, especially in the head, but also in the whole body, Lasky said. His suit doesnt feel like plastic, (it looks like) theres metal on that suit, theres rubber, theres cloth. There are groups of people who are figuring out how to get that texture to respond to light in the right way, so that it feels like its a 5-foot-10-inch character instead of a 12-inch toy, he said. In addition, he said, we were going for a much more cinematic sci-fi look. That meant making the animated action look less like a cartoon the characters movements were less broad and more contained, and shadows play a role in obscuring characters and objects. To achieve this effect, Lasky said he was joined at the hip with Megibben, the director of photography in charge of lighting that is, making the animation look as if there are different kinds of lighting, from different kinds of sources, throughout the film. Well collaborate in real time Buzz is going to be in his apartment, there is light coming in from the window of his apartment, its this color, its this time of the day, that makes the shadows look like this. Now, as I start to figure out where Buzz should be in the frame or where he should sit is he sitting on his couch? Is he over at his kitchen table? What angle am I shooting all of this stuff from? How do I get an image that will resonate with the audience, that will tell me, without even hearing dialogue, is Buzz sad? Is Buzz excited? What are the stakes? What is happening? he said. When he was growing up in Chesterfield his parents still live there, and so do his sister and her family he spent his time reading and drawing. That was my happy place, said Lasky, who now lives in the San Francisco Bay area. By the time he reached high school, he knew he wanted to do something in art, a desire solidified by the teaching of the now-retired Lauren Davis (it was as if I was in art school in high school when I was in her room, he said). With Aladdin already in theaters and The Lion King coming out the year after he graduated in 1993, he decided he wanted to become an animator for Disney. With that goal in mind he went to the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, which had two ways of studying animation through the illustration department and through the filmmaking department. He chose illustration, because he already knew how to draw. In his first week of his first animation class, he met Angus MacLane, and they have been friends ever since. MacLane is the writer and director of Lightyear. Lasky learned life drawing, figure drawing and other skills. But it was while working on his junior project in animation that he realized animation is tedious. It is not fun. I do not enjoy this. At the same time, he knew a number of people who had gone from his school to become animators at Disney, and they were not happy with the assembly-line mentality of the studio. Also, I was not good enough, quite honestly. I would not have been hired based on my draftsmanship skills to be a Disney animator, so lets not kid ourselves there, he said. What he was looking for was a way to help tell the story through the animation itself, as opposed to through the script. Meanwhile, Toy Story came out in his junior year. It wasnt just revolutionary it was the first full-length animated film created on computers but it was also something of a revelation to him. It was like they were telling a story for me. This is funny, I get this. And no one singing, theres no damsel in distress this is awesome. Ive never seen anything like this in animation, he said. Toy Story was made by Pixar, and a student a year ahead of him in school had an internship at the studio for a few months. The other student sent him an email saying theres this department over here called layout that seems, frankly, like its the thing that you keep telling me you want to do, he said. At the time, Pixar had made Toy Story and was beginning to work on A Bugs Life. No one else in the industry was doing anything like it. When the company was looking for layout artists, no one knew what that was. Lasky was hired and immediately began working with what became perhaps the biggest names in computer-generated animation: directors John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton, and editor Lee Unkrich. It is the best grad school I could have had and they paid me, he said. He was the right person in the right place at the right time; he got in on the ground floor of what became a whole new way of creating art and telling stories. I look at the portfolio I had and I look at the people we hire now, and I would have been dead in the water. This is amazing. So I count myself as incredibly fortunate to get in the door when I did, he said. I honestly had no Plan B. Staying in? We've got you covered Get the recommendations on what's streaming now, games you'll love, TV news and more with our weekly Home Entertainment newsletter! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states, although the timing of those laws taking effect varies. Some Republican-led states will ban or severely limit abortion immediately, while other restrictions will take effect later. At least one state, Texas, is waiting until after the Supreme Court issues its formal judgment in the case, which is separate from the opinion issued Friday and could take about a month. In anticipation of the decision, several states led by Democrats have taken steps to protect abortion access. The decision also sets up the potential for legal fights between the states over whether providers and those who help women obtain abortions can be sued or prosecuted. Here is an overview of abortion legislation and the expected impact of the courts decision in every state. ALABAMA Political control: Alabama has a Republican-controlled legislature and a Republican governor who want to ban or restrict access to abortions. Background: In 2019, Alabama lawmakers approved what was then the most stringent abortion ban in the country, making it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy with no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. The only exception would be when the womans health was at serious risk. A federal judge issued an injunction, under the precedent of Roe v. Wade, blocking the state from enforcing the law. In 2018, voters agreed to amend the Alabama Constitution to say the state recognizes the rights of unborn children and does not protect the right to an abortion or require the funding of abortion. A 1951 law made it a crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to induce an abortion, unless it is done to preserve the life or health of the mother. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Abortions became almost entirely illegal in Alabama on Friday. A 2019 state abortion ban took effect making it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy, with no exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. All three clinics stopped providing abortions Friday morning under fear of prosecution under the 1951 state law. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson hours later granted Alabama's request to lift an injunction and allow the state to enforce the 2019 abortion ban. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said it is now a felony to provide an abortion in Alabama beyond the one exception allowed in the 2019 law, which is for the sake of the mothers health. Doctors who violate the law could face up to 99 years in prison. Marshall said the state would also move to lift other injunctions that blocked previous abortion restrictions, including a requirement for doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges. Whats next: Some Republican lawmakers have said they would like to see the state replace the 2019 ban with a slightly less stringent bill that would allow exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Proponents said the 2019 ban was deliberately strict in the hopes of sparking a court challenge to Roe. ALASKA Political control: Republicans currently hold a majority of seats in the state Legislature, but the House is controlled by a bipartisan coalition composed largely of Democrats. Fifty-nine of the Legislatures 60 seats are up for election this year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican who believes life begins at conception, is seeking reelection. Background: The Alaska Supreme Court has interpreted the right to privacy in the state constitution as encompassing abortion rights. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court's decision is not expected to immediately affect abortion rights in Alaska, given the existing precedent in the state. Whats next: Voters in the fall will be asked if they want to hold a constitutional convention, a question that comes up every 10 years. Many conservatives who want to overhaul how judges are selected and do away with the interpretation that the constitutions right to privacy clause allows for abortion rights see an opportunity in pushing for a convention. Recent efforts to advance a constitutional amendment through the Legislature have been unsuccessful. ARIZONA Political control: Both legislative chambers are controlled by Republicans, who regularly pass abortion restrictions that for the past eight sessions have been quickly signed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, an abortion opponent. Background: Arizona law allows abortion through about 22 weeks, but the Legislature passed a 15-week abortion ban in March mirroring the Mississippi law that was contested before the U.S. Supreme Court. It will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which it did Saturday. Current restrictions include bans on abortions because of gender and a 2021 law that makes it a felony for a doctor to terminate a pregnancy because the child has a survivable genetic abnormality. Arizona also has a pre-statehood law still on the books that would ban all abortions, although it has not been enforced since Roe was decided. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Ducey has argued in media interviews that the law he signed in late March takes precedence over the total ban that remains on the books. But the law he signed specifically says it does not overrule the total abortion ban in place for more than 100 years. Ducey is term-limited and leaves office in January. Abortion providers across the state stopped all procedures after the court ruled Friday because of concerns that the pre-Roe ban could put doctors, nurses and other providers at risk of prosecution. Whats next: Abortion-rights supporters in Arizona have launched a long-shot bid to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. Rolled out weeks after the draft U.S. Supreme Court decision showing Roe could be overturned was leaked, backers must collect more than 356,000 signatures by July 7 to get the initiative on the November ballot. Voters would then be able to decide. ARKANSAS Political control: Arkansas legislature is controlled by Republicans who have supported dozens of abortion bans and restrictions in recent years. Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson also has supported bans on abortion with some exceptions. Hes term-limited and leaves office in January. Republican nominee Sarah Sanders, press secretary to former President Donald Trump, is widely favored in the November election to succeed him. Background: Arkansas already had a law banning most abortions 20 weeks into a womans pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. The state has several other bans that have been struck down or blocked by courts in recent years, including an outright abortion ban enacted last year that doesnt include rape or incest exceptions. That ban has been blocked by a federal judge, and the state has appealed. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Arkansas has a law it enacted in 2019 that bans nearly all abortions now that Roe is overturned. That ban, along with the outright ban thats been blocked by a federal judge, only allows exceptions to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency. Hutchinson has said he thinks bans should include rape and incest exceptions, but he has not called on the Legislature to add those to either of the bans. Whats next: Hours after Fridays ruling, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge signed certification that Roe had been overturned. That certification allows the states trigger ban to take effect immediately. The only exception in that ban is to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency. The Legislature isnt scheduled to meet until January, but Hutchinson is considering calling a special session to take up tax relief proposals. The Republican governor said Friday he does not plan on asking lawmakers to consider adding rape and incest exceptions to the states ban. CALIFORNIA Political control: Democrats who support access to abortion control all statewide elected offices and have large majorities in the state Legislature. Background: California outlawed abortion in 1850, except when the life of the mother was in danger. The law changed in 1967 to include abortions in the case of rape, incest or if a womans mental health were in danger. In 1969, the California Supreme Court declared the states original abortion law to be unconstitutional but left the 1967 law in place. In 1972, California voters added a right to privacy to the state constitution. Since then, the state Supreme Court has interpreted that right to privacy as a right to access abortion, allow minors to get an abortion without their parents permission and use public funding for abortions in the states Medicaid program. California now requires private health insurance plans to cover abortions and does not allow them to charge things such as co-pays or deductibles for the procedure. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Abortion will remain legal in California prior to the viability of a fetus. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has vowed to make California a sanctuary for women who live in other states where abortion is outlawed or severely restricted. The number of women who travel to the state for abortions is expected to rise significantly. Whats next: The state Legislature is considering 13 bills that would strengthen or expand access to abortion. The bills are based on a report from the Future of Abortion Council, which Newsom formed last year to study reproductive rights in California. They include proposals that would help pay for women from other states to come to California for abortions, ban enforcement of out-of-state civil judgments on California abortion providers and volunteers, and increase the number of people who can offer abortions by authorizing some nurse practitioners to perform the procedure without the supervision of a doctor. Lawmakers also plan to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would explicitly guarantee the right to an abortion and contraceptives. COLORADO Political control: The Democrats who control the Colorado Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: A 1967 state law legalized abortion up to 16 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion has been accessible ever since, despite repeated legislative attempts and ballot initiatives to restrict or abolish the procedure. Colorado voters have consistently rejected such initiatives, the latest in 2020 that would have banned abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy. In 2022, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a law placing the right to abortion in state statute. The law guarantees access to reproductive care before and after pregnancy and bans local governments from imposing their own restrictions. It also declares that fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses have no independent rights. Abortion rights advocates plan a 2024 ballot initiative to add abortion rights to the state constitution and repeal a 1980s constitutional amendment that bans public funding for abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The decision wont have any immediate impact on Colorado law -- but providers are preparing for a surge of out-of-state patients. Democratic House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar says lawmakers must consider how to invest in a health care workforce to ensure Colorado has the capacity to meet that anticipated demand. Colorados health department reports there were 11,580 abortions in the state in 2021; of those 14% were for non-residents. More than 900 of those non-residents were from Texas, Wyoming and Nebraska. Whats next: Its impossible to predict how many more patients from states surrounding Colorado will potentially seek care now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. But the Texas law could induce more people to come. Oklahoma now has an early pregnancy abortion ban; Utah and Wyoming have trigger laws banning abortion now Roe is overturned; the Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights, but Republican lawmakers placed on an August primary ballot an initiative to overturn it. CONNECTICUT Political control: Democrats who control the Connecticut General Assembly support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: Connecticut passed a law in 1990 giving women the legal right to abortion. Having passed with strong bipartisan support, it was lauded at the time for being a rare compromise between abortion rights advocates and opponents. It affirmed a womans unqualified right to an abortion prior to viability of the fetus, as well as later-term abortions necessary to preserve the life and health of the pregnant woman. It also repealed state laws predating Roe v. Wade that had made it a felony to have an abortion or to perform one and required that patients under 16 receive counseling about their options. This year, Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation to protect medical providers and patients from out-of-state legal actions. The same law allows advanced practice registered nurses, nurse-midwives or physician assistants to perform aspiration abortions in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, has vowed to challenge any attempt to nullify Connecticuts abortion rights law. Lets not mince words. They will come for us, Tong warned abortion rights supporters during a recent news conference. We will fight that effort tooth-and-nail. Any court, any place, Connecticut will be there and will fight. The state is already involved in major abortion cases across the country. And while Connecticut is surrounded by mostly pro-abortion states, its still bracing for out-of-state patients seeking abortions now that Roe has been overturned. Whats next: Connecticuts new law protecting abortion providers from other states bans takes effect on July 1. It creates a legal cause of action for providers and others sued in another state, enabling them to recover certain legal costs. It also limits the governors discretion to extradite someone accused of performing an abortion, as well as participation by Connecticut courts and agencies in those lawsuits. Theres discussion of possibly amending the states constitution to enshrine the right to abortion, making it more difficult to overturn, but that would be a multi-year process. DELAWARE Political control: Democrats control the governors office and both chambers of the legislature in Delaware and have taken several steps to ensure access to abortion. Background: In 2017, Delaware became the first state following the election of President Donald Trump to codify the right to an abortion. A bill signed by Gov. John Carney, a Catholic, guarantees the unfettered right to an abortion before a fetus is deemed viable. The law defines viability as the point in a pregnancy when, in a physicians good faith medical judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the fetus can survive outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures. The law also allows abortion after fetal viability if, in a doctors good faith medical judgment, abortion is necessary for the protection of the womans life or health, or if there is a reasonable likelihood that the fetus cannot survive without extraordinary medical measures. The law eliminated existing code restrictions on abortions, much of which had already been declared unenforceable by Delawares attorney general in 1973 following the Supreme Court rulings in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. In April of this year, Carney signed a bill allowing physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to prescribe abortion-inducing medications including mifepristone and misoprostol. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: In Delaware, the privacy protections of Roe v. Wade are codified in state law, guaranteeing residents have access to legal abortion services even if Roe were to be undone at the federal level, Democratic lawmakers noted earlier this month in unveiling legislation further broadening access to abortions. The bill, which is likely to pass before the end of June, allows physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners and nurse midwifes to perform abortions before viability. It also includes various legal protections for abortion providers and patients, including out-of-state residents receiving abortions in Delaware. Those provisions include protections from civil actions in other states relating to the termination of a pregnancy, and protecting individuals from extradition to other states for criminal charges related to terminating a pregnancy. Whats next: According to state health officials, 2,042 abortions were performed in Delaware in 2019, with 1,765 involving Delaware residents and 277 involving nonresidents. Delaware is not likely to see a huge influx of women traveling from out of state to get abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned, given that neighboring Maryland and New Jersey also have liberal abortion-access laws. In neighboring Pennsylvania, where Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature, future abortion access could hinge on the outcome of this years gubernatorial contest. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Political control: The local government in the nations capital is completely controlled by Democrats, with a Democratic mayor and the D.C. Council split between Democrats and nominal independent politicians, who are all, invariably, Democrats. Background: Abortion is legal in the District of Columbia at all stages of pregnancy, a status that was upheld in the 1971 Supreme Court case United States v. Vuitch. However, the U.S. Congress has oversight power over D.C. laws and Congress has already banned the city from using local funds to pay for abortions for women on Medicaid. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Elected officials in Washington, D.C., fear Congress could move to restrict abortion access, particularly if Republicans recapture the House of Representatives in midterm elections later this year. President Joe Biden could theoretically veto such a move, but that protection is subject to political calculations and is not guaranteed. Whats next: Local officials have pledged defiance against any sort of Congressional move to restrict local abortion access. The D.C. Council is considering legislation that would declare Washington, D.C., a sanctuary city for those coming from states where abortion is banned. According to federal data, most of the women getting abortions in Washington already are coming from out of state. Those numbers could increase, particularly if new Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin moves to restrict abortion access in neighboring Virginia. FLORIDA Political control: Republicans control both chambers of the Florida Legislature and this year passed a ban on abortions after 15 weeks, which was signed into law by the states Republican governor. Background: Abortion was legal in Florida until the 24th week of pregnancy, though lawmakers have been tightening access in recent years with bills requiring a one-day waiting period and requiring parents of a pregnant minor to be notified before an abortion can be provided. This year, in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, the Legislature passed a ban on abortions after the 15th week, except to save the mothers life, prevent serious injury or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. It does not allow for exemptions in cases where pregnancies were caused by rape or incest. Gov. Ron DeSantis called the legislation the most significant protections for life that have been enacted in this state in a generation. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The decision places Floridas 15-week ban on firm legal ground, at least under federal law. However, the legislation is already being challenged in state court on arguments that it violates a guarantee of the right to privacy under the state constitution. Whats next: Floridas 15-week ban goes into effect on July 1, but challenges to that legislation are pending. Though only about 2% of Floridas abortions take place after 15th week, abortion rights advocates have expressed concern over declining access to the procedure not only for Floridians but for residents from nearby Southern states where restrictions have historically been stricter than in Florida. GEORGIA Political control: Georgia has a Republican legislature and governor who support abortion restrictions, but all are up for election this November. Republicans are likely to retain legislative control, but theres a possibility a Democrat could become governor. Background: Georgia lawmakers in 2019 passed a law by one vote that would ban most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, when fetal cardiac activity can be detected. The measure is unlike other so-called heartbeat bills in that it also contains language designating a fetus as a person for certain state-law purposes such as income tax deductions and child support. A federal judge quickly put the law on hold, saying it was unconstitutional, and the state appealed to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The 11th Circuit said it would wait to rule on the appeal pending a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Mississippi case. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The day the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Georgias attorney general asked the 11th Circuit to reverse the lower courts ruling and allow the states abortion law to take effect. That same day, the 11th Circuit directed the parties to file briefs within three weeks addressing what effect, if any, the Supreme Court decision has on the Georgia appeal. If the law takes effect, it would ban the large majority of abortions that currently take place in Georgia about 87%, according to providers. The change could happen in the middle of tightly contested races in Georgia for governor and U.S. Senate. Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and challenger for governor Stacey Abrams say they want to secure abortion rights. Republican Senate challenger Herschel Walker and incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp support restrictions. Whats next: Some Republican lawmakers and candidates want Georgia to go further and ban abortion entirely, but Kemp is unlikely to call a special session before this Novembers general election. Lawmakers are likely to consider further action when they return for their annual session in January. The Legislature or courts will have to sort out whether the provisions designating a fetus as a person are workable. HAWAII Political control: Hawaiis governor is a Democrat and Democrats control more than 90% of the seats in the state House and Senate. Background: Hawaii legalized abortion in 1970, when it became the first state in the nation to allow the procedure at a womans request. The state allows abortion until a fetus would be viable outside the womb. After that, its legal if a patients life or health is in danger. For many years, only licensed physicians could perform the procedure. Last year, the state enacted a law allowing advanced practice care nurses to carry out in-clinic abortions during the first trimester. This helps women on more rural islands who have been flying to Honolulu to obtain abortions because of doctor shortages in their communities. The law allows the nurses to prescribe medication to end a pregnancy and to perform aspiration abortion, a type of minor surgery during which a vacuum is used to empty a womans uterus. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Existing Hawaii law allows abortions, but Gary Yamashiroya, a spokesperson for the state attorney generals office, has said the attorney general was carefully considering measures Hawaii might take to protect and strengthen reproductive rights if Roe ended. No matter the outcome, our state remains committed to reproductive freedom and choice, he said. Whats next: Political support for abortion rights is strong. Anti-abortion bills are rarely heard at the state Legislature. When they have been, they havent made it out of committee. Gov. David Ige issued a statement supporting abortion rights when the Supreme Courts draft opinion overturning Roe leaked. No matter what the Supreme Court decides, I will fight to ensure a womans right to choose in the State of Hawaii, he said. The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women earlier this month said 72% of the state Senate and 53% of state House members signed a pledge supporting abortion rights. IDAHO Political control: Republicans hold super-majorities in the House and Senate and oppose access to abortion, as does the states Republican governor. Background: Following the U.S. Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, Idaho passed a law generally allowing abortions in the first and second trimester up to viability at about 23 to 24 weeks. The law allows abortions after viability only to protect the mothers life or in cases of nonviable fetuses. This year, lawmakers passed a Texas-style ban prohibiting abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and authorizing family members to sue medical providers for performing an abortion. That law is on hold following a challenge by Planned Parenthood. The Idaho Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in August. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: It triggers a 2020 Idaho law banning all abortions except in cases of reported rape or incest, or to protect the mothers life, to take effect in 30 days. Under the law, the person performing the abortion could face a felony prosecution punishable by up to five years in prison. In cases of rape or incest, the law requires pregnant women to file a police report and provide a copy of the report to the provider prior to an abortion. If the Idaho Supreme Court upholds the states Texas-style abortion ban and Roe v. Wade is tossed aside, a medical provider who performs an abortion in Idaho could face a lawsuit and criminal charges. Whats Next: Pregnant women seeking abortions will have to travel out of state; the nearest abortion providers would be in Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado. Planned Parenthood is renting space in the town of Ontario on the Idaho-Oregon border and says its preparing for an influx of patients seeking abortions. Some Republican lawmakers in Idaho might propose new legislation in January to outlaw abortion pills and emergency contraception. ILLINOIS Political control: Illinois is overwhelmingly Democratic with laws providing greater access to abortion than most states. Democrats hold veto-proof supermajorities in the House and Senate, and the Democratic first-term governor seeking reelection this year, J.B. Pritzker, has promoted peaceful street protests to protect the constitutional right to an abortion. Background: Abortion is legal in Illinois and can only be restricted after the point of viability, when a fetus is considered able to survive outside the womb. Medical science determines viability at 24 to 26 weeks, but the Illinois law does not specify a timeframe, saying a medical professional can determine viability in each case. Abortions are also allowed after viability to protect the patients life or health. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: It won't change access to abortion in Illinois. After the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the Illinois Abortion Act of 1975 legalized abortion but enacted a trigger law that would reinstate the ban if Roe were overturned. That trigger law was repealed in 2017 in legislation that also required Medicaid and state employees group health insurance to cover abortions. The 2019 Reproductive Health Act replaced the 1975 law, large parts of which were never enforced because they were found to be unconstitutional. Whats next: Like other states providing access to abortions, Illinois has seen a steady influx of patients crossing the state line for abortions in recent months and those numbers are expected to increase. Planned Parenthood of Illinois says it expects to handle an additional 20,000 to 30,000 patients in Illinois in the first year following the reversal of Roe. INDIANA Political control: Indiana has a Republican-dominated Legislature and a Republican governor in favor of restricting abortion access. Background: Abortion in Indiana is legal up to about 20 weeks, with some provisions for medical emergencies. Before an abortion, patients must undergo an 18-hour waiting period. Medical providers must tell patients about the risks involved in abortion and must say the fetus can feel pain around 20 weeks, which is disputed. Providers must report complications related to abortion; failure to report can result in a misdemeanor, 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Federal courts have blocked several restrictions in Indiana, including an attempt to ban a common second-trimester abortion procedure and a law that would have required doctors to tell pregnant women about a disputed treatment to potentially stop a drug-induced abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: No immediate changes are expected, but legislators unwilling to wait until the 2023 session could ask Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to call a special session this summer to start modifying the states abortion laws. Whats next: Republican legislative leaders said Friday they expected lawmakers to act on tightening Indianas abortion laws during a special legislative session starting July 6, but gave no details about what restrictions would be considered. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb earlier this week called the Legislature into a special session to take up a tax refund proposal, but state law allows legislators to consider any subject. ___ IOWA Political control: Iowas legislature is controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access and a Republican governor who agrees and is up for reelection this year. Background: Iowa allows most abortions until the 20th week of pregnancy, when theyre banned except to save a patients life or prevent a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. In 2018, the state Supreme Court declared access to abortion a fundamental right under the state constitution, granting stronger protections to abortion rights than the U.S. Constitution. The states high court, now with a conservative majority, overturned that decision June 17, thus allowing a state law requiring a 24-hour waiting period to go into effect immediately. That requirement is being challenged in district court. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing is expected to change immediately in Iowa. The GOP-controlled Legislature has been working to get an amendment on the ballot in 2024 that would declare the state constitution does not grant a right to abortion but, with Roe overturned, Iowa lawmakers can ban abortion without completing that lengthy process. Whats next: Now that the Iowa Supreme Court has struck down its 2018 ruling, the state Legislature can convene a special session this summer and pass abortion restrictions. Republicans could still move to get the constitutional amendment on a public ballot in 2024. KANSAS Political control: Kansas has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions but a Democratic governor who supports access and is up for re-election this year. Background: Under current law, Kansas does not ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy, when theyre allowed only to save a patients life or to prevent a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. The state Supreme Court in 2019 declared that access to abortion is a fundamental right under the state constitution, granting stronger protections to abortion rights than the U.S. Constitution does currently. State law, however, doesnt allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Kansas. The state Supreme Court blocked enforcement of a 2015 legislative ban on a common second-trimester procedure, and abortion opponents fear a host of other rules could fall to legal challenges in the near future. The GOP-controlled Legislature responded by putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot during the Aug. 2 primary, when turnout is expected to be much lower than in a general election and will likely see a higher proportion of Republicans voting. The amendment would declare that the state constitution does not grant a right to abortion. It would allow lawmakers to restrict abortion as much as the federal courts will allow . Whats next: If voters approve the amendment, the Legislature would still have to approve the new restrictions, and lawmakers are out of session until January 2023. They can call themselves in to special session with two-thirds majorities, but theyre likely to wait until after voters decide in the November general election whether to give Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly a second term. KENTUCKY Political control: Republicans have a supermajority in the Kentucky Legislature and have been restricting abortion rights since the 2016 election over the vetoes of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who supports abortion rights and will seek a second term in 2023. Background: Kentucky bans abortions after 20 weeks, but all abortion services were temporarily halted in April after the legislature imposed new restrictions and reporting requirements on the states two abortion clinics. The clinics, both in Louisville, said they suspended abortions because state officials hadnt written guidelines on how to comply with the new law. Noncompliance could result in stiff fines, felony penalties and revocation of physician and facility licenses. Abortions resumed after a federal judge temporarily blocked key parts of the law, including a provision banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Abortion services in Kentucky immediately became illegal under a trigger law enacted in 2019. The measure contains a narrow exception allowing abortion to prevent the death or permanent injury of a pregnant woman. Kentuckians will be able to vote this November on a proposed amendment declaring there is no right to an abortion in the state constitution. Whats next: Abortion-rights activists say the suspension of abortion services in April foreshadowed what would happen in Kentucky and other Republican-leaning states if Roe v. Wade was overturned. It likely ends several legal challenges pending against other Kentucky abortion laws including a 2018 measure that abortion-rights supporters say would effectively ban a standard abortion method in the second trimester of pregnancy. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in March that Kentuckys Republican attorney general, Daniel Cameron, can defend the measure that was struck down by lower courts. LOUISIANA Political control: Louisianas legislature is controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access. Its Democratic and Catholic governor also opposes abortions, though he supports exceptions for victims of rape or incest. Background: Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2020 stating that a right to abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution. Of the about 2 million people who voted, 62% approved the amendment. Abortion had been legal in Louisiana through the 19th week of pregnancy. After that, it was legal only if the fetus would die anyway or if continuing the pregnancy would threaten the mothers life or health. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Louisiana has a trigger law that immediately outlaws abortions. There is no exception for rape or incest. The only exception is if there is substantial risk of death or impairment to the woman. Earlier this week, Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, signed a bill updating various aspects of the law and subjecting abortion providers to up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $100,000. Edwards office said the bill allows the use of emergency contraception for victims of rape and incest prior to when a pregnancy can be clinically diagnosed." Edwards signed another bill that would require the doctor to certify that a drug used for abortion was being prescribed for another medical reason. The bill makes it illegal to deliver abortion medication to a state resident by mail-order, courier, or as a result of a sale made via the internet. Whats next: Louisianas three abortion clinics in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport were no longer providing abortions to patients as of Friday and instead are recommending pregnant patients seeking the procedure to go to states where it remains legal. MAINE Political control: Both chambers of the Maine Legislature, which has adjourned, are controlled by Democrats. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has vowed to protect the right to an abortion, saying she will fight with everything I have to protect reproductive rights. Background: A Republican governor in 1993 signed a Maine law affirming the right to abortion before a fetus is viable. After that, abortion is only allowed if the life or health of the mother is at risk, or if the pregnancy is no longer viable. In 2019, lawmakers eliminated a physician-only rule and Mills signed it into law, allowing nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other medical professionals to perform abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change in Maine. Any attempt to restrict abortions when lawmakers reconvene next year would face fierce pushback. Abortion providers, meanwhile, said there could be an influx of patients seeking abortions from states that outlaw the procedure. Whats next: Any major changes are unlikely unless former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, unseats Mills and Republicans take control of both chambers of the Legislature in November. LePage, a Catholic who opposes abortion rights, has said its up to lawmakers to address the abortion issue as they see fit. MARYLAND Political control: Marylands legislature is controlled by Democrats who expanded abortion access this year by ending a restriction that only physicians can provide them and requiring most insurance plans to cover abortion care without cost. The legislature overrode Republican Gov. Larry Hogans veto of the bill in April. Background: The right to abortion is protected in Maryland law. The state approved legislation in 1991 to protect abortion rights if the Supreme Court should ever restrict access. Voters approved the right in 1992 with 62% of the vote. Maryland law prohibits restrictions on abortion prior to viability. Maryland does not have a gestational limit. After viability, clinicians make the determination, based on clinical standard of care. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Maryland law. Whats next: Marylands new law that will enable nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants to provide abortions with training is set to take effect July 1. However, $3.5 million in state funding to provide training isnt mandated until fiscal year 2024. Hogan, who is term limited, has indicated he will not approve the money sooner. Some nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants already have received training on medication abortion and will be able to provide those services starting next month. MASSACHUSETTS Political control: The Democrats who control the Massachusetts Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Republican governor, although they differ on specific policies. Background: Massachusetts once had a contentious relationship with abortion in part due to the powerful influence of the Catholic Church, which opposes abortion. In recent years, that influence has waned and Massachusetts has become a strong supporter of abortion rights. In 2018, in anticipation of the conservative tilt on the U.S. Supreme Court, the state removed an 1845 abortion ban from its books that was not enforced. Two years later, Democratic state lawmakers clashed with Republican Gov. Charlie Baker who says he supports abortion rights over an effort to codify abortion rights into state law, allow abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases where the child would not survive after birth, and lower from 18 to 16 the age at which women could seek an abortion without consent from a parent or guardian. Lawmakers passed the bill dubbed the Roe Act over Bakers veto. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Baker has vowed to fight to keep abortion legal in Massachusetts, but it is his last year in office. Both Democratic candidates for governor state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz and Attorney General Maura Healey support abortion rights. Republican candidate Geoff Diehl said he believes in the need to protect human life wherever and whenever possible. Fellow GOP candidate Chris Doughty said he would not seek any changes to our states abortion laws. Whats next: There is little chance Massachusetts will restrict abortion rights. Baker signed an executive order Friday barring state agencies from assisting another states investigation into people or businesses for receiving or delivering reproductive health services that are legal in Massachusetts. The state also wont cooperate with extradition requests from states pursuing criminal charges against such individuals. As of 2017, there were 47 facilities providing abortion in Massachusetts, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. With Roe v. Wade overturned, its unclear how many people will travel there from states that ban or restrict abortion. MICHIGAN Political control: Both chambers of Michigans legislature are controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access, but the states Democratic governor supports access. Background: A dormant 1931 law bans nearly all abortions in Michigan but it hasnt been enforced since Roe v. Wade. The law made it a felony to use an instrument or administer any substance with the intent to abort a fetus unless necessary to preserve the womans life. It has no exceptions in cases of rape and incest. Anticipating that Roe could be overturned, Planned Parenthood of Michigan filed a lawsuit challenging Michigans ban. A state judge suspended the law in May, saying it violates the states constitution. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel, both Democrats, hailed the decision. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The injunction granted in the Planned Parenthood case ensures that abortion does not immediately become illegal. Planned Parenthood of Michigan and other supporters hope the injunction indicates abortion rights in the state will be preserved. But in a statement to The Associated Press, Nessels office said given the ongoing lawsuits, we cannot speculate what the state of abortion rights will be in Michigan after Roe. Whats next: Whitmer also filed suit asking the states Supreme Court to declare the 91-year-old law unconstitutional. It has not acted yet. Michigan abortion rights supporters hope to put the issue on ballots this fall. Their proposed constitutional amendment would affirm the right to make pregnancy-related decisions without interference, including about abortion and other reproductive services such as birth control. The Reproductive Freedom for All committee needs to collect about 425,000 valid voter signatures by July 11 to make the November ballot. The measure would become law if voters approved it. The issue also is expected to shape statewide elections Whitmer and Nessel are both up for reelection in the fall and legislative races. MINNESOTA Political control: The Minnesota Legislature is divided; Anti-abortion Republicans control the Senate and Democrats have the House, but the majorities are slim in both chambers, so control will be up for grabs in the November elections. Most legislative Democrats support abortion rights. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has said no abortion ban will ever become law while hes governor. But he faces a challenge this year from Republican Scott Jensen, who opposes abortion rights. Background: Abortion is legal in Minnesota up to the point of fetal viability, around the 24th week of pregnancy. The state has some restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period with state-mandated counseling, both parents generally must be notified prior to a minor getting an abortion, and only physicians can perform abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Minnesota because the state Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that the state constitution protects abortion rights. If Republicans take control of both chambers, they could put a constitutional amendment on the ballot as soon as 2024 to reverse that ruling, but its not clear yet if they would take that path. Minnesota governors cant block constitutional amendments with vetoes. But amendments are hard to enact because they require the backing of most of the citizens voting in that election, not just those voting on the amendment. Leaving the ballot blank counts as a no. Whats next: Providers are preparing for a surge in women coming from other states to get abortions. Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said before the ruling that her organization was fortifying its delivery systems, including telemedicine. Dr. Sarah Traxler, the groups medical director, has said demand in Minnesota is expected to rise by up to 25%. MISSISSIPPI Political control: Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and leaders of the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature have been working for years to chip away at abortion access. Background: Mississippi already had a law banning most abortions at 20 weeks, although the states lone abortion clinic offered the procedure only through 16 weeks. The state tried to enact a law in 2018 to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. That law is the basis for the case that the Supreme Court has now used to overturn Roe v. Wade. A federal district judge blocked Mississippis 15-week law from taking effect in 2018, and an appeals court agreed. The Supreme Court agreed to take the case in 2021. Justices heard arguments in December, with the Mississippi attorney generals office saying the court should overturn Roe v. Wade. Mississippi has one abortion clinic, and it stops offering abortions at 16 weeks. Reeves was lieutenant governor in 2018, when Mississippi tried to enact the 15-week ban, and in 2019, when the state tried to enact a six-week ban. Mississippi law does not allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Mississippis only abortion clinic, Jackson Womens Health Organization, is expected to close by early July unless a judge blocks a trigger law. The clinic filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the 2007 law that bans most abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned. That law is set to take effect July 7. Abortions still would be allowed if the womans life is endangered by the pregnancy or if the pregnancy was caused by a rape that was reported to law enforcement. Any person who knowingly performs or attempts to induce an abortion, except the pregnant woman, could be punished by up to 10 years in prison. Whats next: Mississippis 2007 law says the state attorney general must publish a notice in a state administrative bulletin after the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Mississippis ban on most abortions will take effect 10 days after that publication. MISSOURI Political control: Both GOP Gov. Mike Parson and the Republican-led Legislature support laws against abortion. Background: Missouri law previously allowed abortions up until 22 weeks of pregnancy. But a 2019 state law banned abortions except in cases of medical emergency, contingent upon the U.S. Supreme Court overturning its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Under that Missouri law, performing an illegal abortion is a felony punishable by 5 to 15 years in prison, though women receiving abortions cannot be prosecuted. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The 2019 law contained a provision making it effective upon notification by the attorney general, governor or Legislature that the U.S. Supreme Court had overruled Roe v. Wade. Moments after Fridays Supreme Court decision, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Gov. Mike Parson filed the necessary paperwork for Missouris law to kick in. State statutes were subsequently updated online Friday saying the abortion-ban law had taken effect. Whats next: Some Missouri residents wanting abortions are likely to travel to neighboring states, including Illinois and Kansas. A new Illinois logistics center near St. Louis helps women from out of state find travel, lodging and childcare if they need help getting to the area for an abortion, and it connects them with funding sources. The Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 declared that access to abortion is a fundamental right under the state constitution. Even without the ban in Missouri, the number of Missouri patients seeking abortions in Kansas has gone up in recent years, increasing about 8% from 2020 to 2021. MONTANA Political control: The Republicans who control the Montana Legislature and Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte want to limit access to abortion. Background: Abortion used to be legal in Montana up until viability, or about 24 weeks of pregnancy, but the state Legislature passed a bill in 2021 to reduce that to 20 weeks, arguing that is when the fetus can feel pain. That law, along with one that requires chemical abortions to be done with in-person medical supervision, are being challenged in court. A state judge temporarily blocked enforcement in October 2021 while the challenges move through the courts. The state has asked the Montana Supreme Court to vacate that injunction and overturn a 1999 Montana Supreme Court opinion that found the states constitutional right to privacy guarantees a womans access to abortion care. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The effect is unclear because of the unresolved legal challenges to the 2021 state legislation. Montana does not have an abortion ban that was triggered when Roe v. Wade was overturned, but the Legislature could seek to further restrict access in the next session. Whats next: The Montana Supreme Court will issue a decision on the preliminary injunction. The Montana Legislature also passed a referendum to ask voters this November whether they support a state law to require abortion providers to give lifesaving treatment to a fetus that is born alive after a botched abortion. Opponents argue federal law already offers those protections. NEBRASKA Political control: Nebraska has an officially nonpartisan legislature with a Republican majority, but not a super-majority that would let the party unilaterally pass an abortion ban. Democrats appear to have enough votes to block such a bill, but just one defector could swing the vote. Nebraskas Republican governor vehemently opposes abortion. Background: Nebraska allows most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy, although a few small towns have voted to outlaw the procedure within their borders. The state requires doctors to be physically present when patients take the first of two drugs that are used in medication abortions. Lawmakers have rejected attempts to allow abortion medications to be administered remotely, which would provide easier abortion access in rural areas. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: A ruling that lets states set their own abortion laws will trigger an immediate push by Nebraska conservatives to ban the procedure, but its not clear whether they could do it this year. Unlike other conservative states, Nebraska doesnt have a trigger law that automatically outlaws abortion. Gov. Pete Ricketts and other top Republicans have said theyll seek a special legislative session, but its not clear whether they have enough votes to pass anything. Whats next: If Ricketts calls a special session, attention will likely shift to state Sen. Justin Wayne, an Omaha Democrat who has declined to specify where he stands on abortion. Wayne was notably absent from a vote on the issue this year; his support would give Republicans the super-majority they need to enact a ban. He has struck deals with senators from both parties in the past. If a proposed abortion ban fails during a special session or if no special session is called, the issue will likely become a factor in the November election. NEVADA Political control: Nevadas governor and state attorney general are Democrats who are up for reelection this year. Democrats control the state Senate and Assembly. Background: Nevada voters enshrined the right to abortion in the state constitution in 1990. The law says a pregnancy can be terminated during the first 24 weeks, and after that to preserve the life or health of the pregnant person. It would take another statewide vote to change or repeal the law. Most Republican candidates for Congress, governor, state attorney general and other statewide posts say they oppose abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Here in Nevada, overturning Roe would not be felt immediately, state Attorney General Aaron Ford said in a position paper released after the draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion became public. Ford noted that a federal ban on abortion would supersede state law and said it would be naive not to recognize that some people want to ban abortions or make them more difficult to obtain. But he said his office will fight attacks on abortion rights, rights to birth control access and rights for LGTBQ people. Gov. Steve Sisolak promised in a statement to continue to protect reproductive freedom. Whats next: Anti-abortion advocates are not expected to focus on trying to repeal Nevadas abortion law. But they will seek laws affecting waiting periods, mandatory counseling or requiring parental notification or consent. Melissa Clement, executive director of Nevada Right to Life, said she believes there is strong support for parental involvement. NEW HAMPSHIRE Political control: New Hampshire has a Republican governor and the GOP controls the 424-member Legislature. All face reelection this fall. Background: Any abortion restrictions New Hampshire had on the books before Roe v. Wade were not enforced after the landmark 1973 ruling, and they were repealed altogether in 1997. The state had no restrictions until January, when a ban on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy was enacted. In June, an exemption was added for cases in which the fetus has been diagnosed with abnormalities incompatible with life. Anticipating the Supreme Court action, Democrats this year tried unsuccessfully to enshrine abortion rights into state law and the state constitution. Gov. Chris Sununu calls himself pro-choice and says he is committed to upholding Roe v. Wade, but he also has boasted Ive done more on the pro-life issue than anyone. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in New Hampshire. The Legislature wont return until fall, when there will be a one-day session to take up vetoed bills, and it would take a two-thirds majority vote to introduce new legislation then. Whats next: The majority leader of the New Hampshire House has said the public should not expect Republicans in the Legislature to further tighten state abortion laws. But anti-abortion lawmakers who have filed bills in the past are expected to try again. NEW JERSEY Political control: Democrats control both houses of the state Legislature and the governorship. Gov. Phil Murphy started his second consecutive term this year. Background: Murphy ran for reelection on the promise that he would sign legislation to enshrine abortion rights into state law, and he fulfilled that promise in January. The measure also guaranteed the right to contraception and the right to carry a pregnancy to term. It stopped short of requiring insurance coverage for abortions, something advocates had sought. Instead, it authorizes the state Banking and Insurance Department to study the issue and possibly adopt regulations if a need is discovered. Under Murphys predecessor, Republican Chris Christie, state funds to womens clinics, including Planned Parenthood, were slashed. Murphy restored those and has been a strong supporter of abortion rights. New Jersey doesnt have any significant restrictions on abortion, such as parental consent or a mandatory waiting period. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Officials, including the governor, have said the end of Roe would not lead to any rollback of abortion services in the state. Instead of hoping for the best, we prepared ourselves for the worst, Murphy said in May, addressing reports of a leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling. Whats next: Murphy has proposed several abortion-related measures. On the Monday after the ruling, the Legislature began considering a pair of bills to expand abortion rights. One would allow the state to block extradition of someone facing a criminal charge in another state related to reproductive services obtained legally in New Jersey. Another clarifies that out-of-state residents may access abortion services in New Jersey, as well as allowing those facing liability judgments stemming from abortion services to countersue. ___ NEW MEXICO Political control: The Democrats who control the New Mexico Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Several conservative Democratic state senators who voted against the repeal of the abortion ban in 2019 were ousted from office in 2020 by more socially progressive primary challengers. Background: In 2021, state lawmakers repealed a dormant 1969 statute that outlawed most abortion procedures as felonies, thus ensuring access to abortion even after the federal court rolled back guarantees. Albuquerque is home to one of only a few independent clinics in the country that perform abortions in the third trimester without conditions. An abortion clinic in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, is just a mile from the state line with Texas and caters to patients from El Paso, western Texas and Arizona. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: There will be no immediate change in New Mexico now that the high court has overturned Roe v. Wade. It is unclear if Democrats, who control the state Legislature, will pursue additional guarantees to abortion access when lawmakers convene in January. Possible avenues of legislative reform include enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution, which requires approval by voters. Abortion rights activists say the states equal rights amendment could be harnessed to guide more public funding for abortion-related programs. Raul Torrez, the district attorney in Albuquerque and the Democratic nominee for attorney general, is urging lawmakers to take further steps to protect access to abortions, including protections for women coming from other states. The state Republican Party said its time to elect more anti-abortion candidates to the Legislature. Whats next: The state can expect to continue to see a steady influx of people seeking abortions from neighboring states with more restrictive abortion laws. It already hosts patients from Texas and Oklahoma where among the strictest abortion bans in the country were introduced this year. NEW YORK Political control: The Democrats who control the New York Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: Abortion has been legal in New York state since a 1970 law was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller. The law allows abortions within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy or to preserve the mothers life. The 2019 Reproductive Health Act removed abortion from the states criminal code, codified Roe v. Wade and allowed abortions after 24 weeks if a fetus isnt viable or to protect the mothers life or health. Lawmakers have passed laws extending legal protections for people seeking and providing abortions in New York. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Roe v. Wade protections are enshrined in state law. New York is planning to give abortion providers $35 million this year to expand services and boost security in anticipation of an influx of out-of-state people seeking abortions once any ruling comes down. Its unclear how many more people from neighboring states could travel to New York to receive abortion care. New York had 252 facilities providing abortions as of 2017, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. Whats next: Planned Parenthood and civil liberty groups are urging lawmakers to start the process of passing a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion care in case a future Legislature repeals the state law. NORTH CAROLINA Political control: Republicans hold majorities in the state House and Senate, but the party lacks the margins to defeat a veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, a strong abortion-rights supporter. Since 2017, Cooper has vetoed a born-alive abortion measure and a bill prohibiting abortion based on race or a Down syndrome diagnosis. He cant seek reelection in 2024 due to term limits. Background: A 1973 North Carolina law that banned most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy is currently unenforceable after federal judges struck it down as unconstitutional in 2019 and 2021. Instead, abortions can be performed until fetal viability. A state law approved in 2015 provides for post-viability abortions only in a medical emergency, which means the woman would die or face a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment without the procedure. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, the 20-week ban could be restored. Legal experts say formal action would have to be taken to cancel the earlier court rulings striking it down. Republican legislative leaders late Friday asked state Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat and abortion rights supporter whose agencys lawyers defended the 20-week law, to act. Otherwise, they said they would seek to intervene. Whats next: Republican General Assembly leaders dont plan to consider additional abortion restrictions during the soon-to-end legislative session, meaning a likely intensification of electoral efforts to gain the five additional seats the GOP needs to reach veto-proof margins come 2023. Cooper and other Democrats already are making abortion rights a key campaign pitch. Abortion politics are also expected to figure in two state Supreme Court seat elections in November. Republicans would gain a majority on the court if they win at least one of them. NORTH DAKOTA Political control: North Dakota has a legislature dominated by Republicans who want to ban abortion, and the GOP governor had hoped to see Roe v. Wade wiped off the books in favor of states rights. Background: The state has passed some of the nations strictest abortion laws, including one that would have banned abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can happen before a woman knows she is pregnant. The law never took effect because the states lone abortion clinic successfully challenged it in court. One failed Republican proposal would have charged abortion providers with murder with a maximum sentence of life in prison. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: North Dakota has a trigger law that will shut down the states sole abortion clinic in Fargo after 30 days. That 2007 state law makes it a felony to perform an abortion unless necessary to prevent the pregnant womans death or in cases of rape or incest. Violators could be punished with a five-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine. Whats next: The owner and operator of the Red River Womens Clinic in Fargo said she would explore all legal options to ensure abortion services are available in North Dakota. Should that fail, clinic leader Tammi Kromenaker plans to move across the river to Moorhead, Minnesota, where abortion has not been outlawed. Planned Parenthood says it can provide abortions in Moorhead until Kromenaker gets up and running. OHIO Political control: The Ohio Legislature is controlled by Republicans who support restricting or banning abortions, and the Republican governor backs those efforts. He is up for reelection this year against a former mayor who supports abortion rights. Background: Before Friday's ruling, Ohio did not ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy; after that theyre allowed only to save a patients life or when their health is seriously compromised. But the state imposes a host of other restrictions, including parental consent for minors, a required ultrasound, and in-person counseling followed by a 24-hour waiting period. Abortions are prohibited for the reason of a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis. Ohio also limits the public funding of abortions to cases of rape, incest or endangerment of the patients life. It limits public employees abortion-related insurance coverage and coverage through health plans offered in the Affordable Care Act health exchange to those same scenarios. Clinics providing abortions must comply with a host of regulations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: A ban on most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat became the law in Ohio hours after the ruling. Enforcement of Ohios 2019 heartbeat ban had been on hold for nearly three years under a federal court injunction. The state attorney general, Republican Dave Yost, asked for that to be dissolved because of the high courts ruling, and U.S. Judge Michael Barrett agreed hours later. Two trigger bills are on hold in the Legislature, but a key legislative leader has said he anticipates needing to write new legislation after the decision is reversed that more carefully reflects the actual ruling. That all but certainly would not happen until lawmakers return to the capital after the November election. Whats next: Activists are considering how to help Ohioans get abortions elsewhere. They may also mount a statewide ballot initiative that would embed the right to an abortion in the state constitution, though that could not happen before next year. Abortion opponents are weighing strategies for imposing a statewide abortion ban. OKLAHOMA Political control: Republicans in Oklahoma have a supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature and a Republican governor up for reelection this year who has vowed to sign every pro-life legislation that came across my desk. Background: Abortion services were halted in Oklahoma in May after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill that prohibits all abortions with few exceptions. The ban is enforced by civil lawsuits rather than criminal prosecution. Republican lawmakers have been pushing to restrict abortion in the state for decades, passing 81 different restrictions since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: It will have little practical effect given that abortions are no longer being provided in Oklahoma. Oklahoma also has a trigger law that outlawed abortion as soon as Roe was overturned. Whats next: Given the fierce opposition to abortion from the governor and Legislature, Oklahoma will continue to prohibit the practice if states are given the option to do so. Meanwhile, abortion providers who had been operating in the state are taking steps to help patients seek abortions out of state, including coordinating funding for these women and developing a referral network of therapists to help address complications before or after a woman receives an abortion. OREGON Political control: The Democrats who control the Oregon Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: The Oregon Legislature passed a bill legalizing abortion in 1969. In 2017, Gov. Kate Brown signed into law a bill expanding health care coverage for reproductive services, including abortions, to thousands of Oregonians, regardless of income, citizenship status or gender identity. Oregon does not have any major abortion restrictions and it is legal at all stages of pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The Guttmacher Institute has estimated that Oregon will experience a 234% increase in women seeking abortions arriving from out of state, especially from Idaho. In March, Oregon lawmakers approved $15 million to expand abortion availability and pay for abortions and support services such as travel and lodgings for residents and out-of-state patients. Whats next: Brown said after the draft Supreme Court decision was leaked that access to abortion is a fundamental right and that she will fight to ensure access to abortion continues to be protected by state law in Oregon. Democratic state lawmakers recently formed the Reproductive Health and Access to Care Work Group of providers, clinics, community organizations and legislators that will make recommendations for the 2023 legislative session and beyond. Recommendations may include proposals to protect, strengthen, and expand equitable access to all forms of reproductive care. PENNSYLVANIA Political control: Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature are hostile to abortion rights, but the states Democratic governor is a strong supporter and has vetoed three GOP-penned bills in five years that would have added restrictions beyond the states 24-week limit. The race for governor this year could tilt that balance. Background: Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania under decades of state law, including a 1989 law that was challenged all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. That produced the landmark Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling that affirmed the high courts 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide, but also allowed states to put certain limits on abortion access. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to protect access to abortion for the remainder of his time in office, through January. Running to replace him is the states Democratic attorney general, Josh Shapiro, who supports abortion rights, and Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who has said he supports banning abortion altogether, with no exceptions. The Legislature is expected to remain in Republican hands next year. Whats next: Legislation to outlaw abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat which can happen at six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant has passed a House committee and is awaiting a floor vote. The state Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers aiming to overturn a 1982 law that bans the use of state dollars for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. In response, Republican lawmakers are advancing a proposed amendment that would declare there is no constitutional right to an abortion in Pennsylvania or to public funding for an abortion. RHODE ISLAND Political control: The Democrats who control Rhode Islands General Assembly support access to abortion, as does the Democratic governor. Background: Rhode Islands governor signed legislation in 2019 to enshrine abortion protections in case the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. The law says the state will not restrict the right to an abortion prior to fetal viability or after if necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant woman. It repealed older laws deemed unconstitutional by the courts. The Rhode Island Supreme Court upheld the 2019 law in May, just two days after the Supreme Court draft opinion was leaked suggesting that a majority of the justices were prepared to overturn Roe. Abortion opponents had argued the law violates the state constitution. In 2020, there were 2,611 abortions in Rhode Island, according to the state health department. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Rhode Islands attorney general believes the 2019 Reproductive Privacy Act will continue to protect access to abortion. Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island also said abortion will remain legal regardless of the decision because the right was codified in state law. Whats next: On the Monday after the Supreme Court decision, Rhode Islands Democratic governor said he will sign an executive order to shield abortion providers in the state from lawsuits by anti-abortion activists in other states. McKees office didnt have a date for the signing, but said the governor wants to act as soon as possible. Two of his opponents in September's Democratic primary for governor, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Matt Brown, had urged McKee to sign such an order. They also want state lawmakers to return for a special session to add abortion coverage to Rhode Islands Medicaid program and to the insurance coverage for state employees. Legislative leaders said they plan to address abortion coverage next year because it has financial implications and wasnt included in this year's budget. SOUTH CAROLINA Political control: South Carolina has a Republican governor, and its General Assembly is dominated by the GOP. However, the party doesnt quite have the two-thirds majority in either chamber needed to overcome procedural hurdles or a veto if a Democrat wins the 2022 gubernatorial election. Background: In 2021, South Carolina passed the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act that requires doctors to use an ultrasound to try to detect a fetal heartbeat if they think a pregnant woman is at least eight weeks along. If they find a heartbeat, they can only perform an abortion if the womans life is in danger, or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. The law is currently tied up in a federal lawsuit. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a federal judge allowed the state to begin enforcing the 2021 law. Planned Parenthood and others dropped their lawsuit, but the organization said it would continue to perform abortions in South Carolina under the parameters of the new law. Whats next: The South Carolina General Assemblys regular session ended in May, but Republican leaders had agreed they could return for a special session to take up more restrictive abortion bills if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. They have yet to announce a special session, despite Friday's ruling. Some Republican lawmakers have opposed a complete abortion ban, especially without exceptions for victims of rape and incest. SOUTH DAKOTA Political control: Republicans hold super-majorities in both Statehouse chambers. Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is up for reelection this year and has been an ardent opponent of abortion rights. Background: Under current law, South Dakota bans abortions after the 22nd week of pregnancy. The state has only one clinic that regularly provides abortions, a Planned Parenthood facility in Sioux Falls. The legislature has worked over the years to make it more difficult for women to get abortions, passing mandatory waiting periods and requiring them to review and sign paperwork that discourages them from ending their pregnancies. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: South Dakota has a trigger law that immediately banned abortions except if the life of the pregnant woman is at risk. Whats next: Noem has said she planned to call a special session to craft laws for the new legal landscape if Roe v. Wade was overturned. She hasnt commented on specific legislation, but lawmakers have floated proposals that would make it more difficult for women to seek an abortion out of state. However, South Dakota voters rejected outright bans in 2006 and 2008, and abortion rights advocates are preparing for a similar referendum on abortion access. An outright ban on abortions could eventually be challenged through a citizen-initiated ballot measure. TENNESSEE Political control: Tennessee has a Republican governor who is consistently vocal about his opposition to abortion. The GOP holds a supermajority in the state legislature and has steadily chipped away at abortion access. Background: In 2020, Tennessee passed a law banning most abortions when the fetal heartbeat can be detected at about six weeks, before many women know theyre pregnant. The measure has never been enforced because it was promptly blocked by a federal court. Tennessee voters approved an amendment in 2014 declaring that the states constitution doesnt protect or secure the right to abortion or require the funding of an abortion, and empowering state lawmakers to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion. State law also doesnt allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. There are six abortion providers in Tennessee. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Thirty days after the decision, a so-called trigger law will go into effect that bans all abortions in Tennessee except when necessary to prevent death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. Doctors could be charged with a felony for providing an abortion under this law. Whats next: Its unclear if the trigger law conflicts with the 2020 law banning most abortions at about six weeks. The states attorney general, a Republican, has not publicly weighed in. Meanwhile, Republicans are expected to continue to have supermajority control after this years midterm elections. Reproductive rights activists say they will direct patients seeking abortion to clinics in Illinois if Roe v. Wade is overturned, or to Florida, which would ban abortions at 15 weeks. North Carolina and Virginia could also be options for women in eastern Tennessee. TEXAS Political control: The GOP has commanding majorities in the Texas Legislature and has controlled every statewide office for nearly 30 years. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is up for reelection in November and is favored to win a third term. Background: Texas has given the nation a preview of the landscape of abortion access without the protections enshrined in Roe v. Wade. A new Texas law banning most abortions after about six weeks before many women know they are pregnant took effect in September and makes no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Because of how Republicans wrote the law, which is enforceable only through lawsuits filed by private citizens against doctors or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion, Texas has essentially outmaneuvered decades of Supreme Court precedent governing a womens constitutional right to an abortion. State data shows the number of abortions performed in Texas roughly two dozen clinics fell by half in the five months after the law came into effect compared to the same period a year earlier. Effect of the Supreme Court ruling: Texas had more than 40 abortion clinics in 2012 before a decade of Republicans chipping away at abortion access began forcing providers to close. Without Roe v. Wade, Texas plans to ban virtually all abortions 30 days after the Supreme Court issues its judgment in the case, which could take about a month. Abortions would only be allowed when the patients life is in danger or if they are at risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. Whats next: Many Texas women have already traveled out of state for abortions since the law took effect, but they would likely have to travel much farther now that Roe is overturned as more states outlaw abortion. Some Republican lawmakers also want to punish companies that help their Texas-based employees get abortions elsewhere, although its unclear how much support that idea will have when the Legislature returns in 2023. UTAH Political control: Utah is deeply conservative and the Legislature is controlled by a Republican supermajority. Background: The state has been restricting abortion for years, including a ban after 18 weeks passed in 2019 thats now blocked in court. The following year, lawmakers passed a trigger law that would outlaw nearly all abortions if Roe v. Wade was overturned. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The trigger law banning nearly all abortions became enforceable Friday evening, after the legislative general counsel certified the Supreme Court ruling to lawmakers. It does have narrow exceptions for rape and incest if those crimes are reported to law enforcement, and for serious risk to the life or health of the mother, as well as confirmed lethal birth defects. Whats next: Utah law makes performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. While its aimed primarily at providers, lawmakers have acknowledged that a woman who self-administers an abortion, including through medication, could potentially face charges. VERMONT Political control: The Vermont Legislature is controlled by Democrats, but Republican Gov. Phil Scott is a firm supporter of abortion rights. Background: Vermont has a 2019 law guaranteeing the right to an abortion and voters will consider a proposal in November to amend the state constitution to protect abortion rights. Also in 2019, the Vermont Legislature began the process of amending the constitution to protect abortion rights, known as the Reproductive Liberty Amendment or Proposition 5. Vermonts proposed amendment does not contain the word abortion. Proponents say thats because its not meant to authorize only abortion but also would guarantee other reproductive rights such as the right to get pregnant or access birth control. Opponents say vague wording could have unintended consequences that could play out for years. Lawmakers approved the proposed amendment in February, leading the way for a statewide vote. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Vermont. Whats next: Vermont voters will cast ballots in November to decide if the state will amend its constitution to protect abortion rights. VIRGINIA Political control: Virginia has a Republican governor who says he would support new state-level restrictions on abortion. Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday that he will seek legislation to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. Youngkin told The Washington Post he has asked four antiabortion Republican lawmakers to draft the legislation. He told the Post that a cutoff at 20 weeks might be necessary to build consensus in the divided Virginia legislature, where Republicans control the House and Democrats control the Senate. Youngkin generally supports exceptions to abortion restrictions in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. Background: In recent years, when Democrats were in full control of state government, lawmakers rolled back abortion restrictions. They ended strict building code requirements on facilities where abortions are performed and did away with requirements that a patient seeking an abortion undergo a 24-hour waiting period and ultrasound. Advocates said the changes would make Virginia a haven for abortion access in the South. Republican victories in the November elections shook up the states political landscape, but Senate Democrats defeated several measures that would have limited abortion access during the 2022 legislative session. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: There will be no immediate change to abortion laws in Virginia now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. Some abortion providers expect to see an uptick in patients seeking care in Virginia from neighboring states with trigger laws that would ban abortion. Whats next: The future of abortion access is Virginia is murky. Senate Democrats say they intend to continue blocking attempts to roll back abortion access, though they control the chamber by the narrowest possible margin and have one caucus member who personally opposes abortion and says he is open to new restrictions. Republicans also have a narrow hold on the House, with several moderate members. Every seat in the General Assembly will be on the ballot in 2023. WASHINGTON Political control: The Democrats who control the Washington Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: Abortion has been legal in Washington state since a 1970 statewide ballot referendum. Another ballot measure approved by voters in 1991 declared a womans right to choose physician-performed abortion prior to fetal viability and further expanded and protected access to abortion in the state if Roe v. Wade was overturned. And in 2018, the Legislature passed a measure that would require Washington insurers offering maternity care to also cover elective abortions and contraception. Earlier this year, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure that grants specific statutory authorization for physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners and other providers acting within their scope of practice to perform abortions. Supporters say the move is designed to help meet the demand from the potential influx of out-of-state patients. That same measure also prohibits legal action by Washington state against people seeking an abortion and those who aid them. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The state will use every available tool to protect and preserve Washingtonians fundamental right to choose, and protect the rights of anyone who wants to come here to access reproductive health care, said Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat. Data from the Washington state Department of Health from 2020 shows that of the 16,909 abortions performed in the state that year, 852 involved non-residents. The majority of those people came from neighboring states such as Idaho and Oregon. Whats next: Its impossible to predict how many more non-resident patients will potentially seek care in Washington now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, but the increase will likely be in the thousands, said Jennifer Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. The state has more than 30 in-person abortion clinics, though the vast majority are in western Washington along the Interstate 5 corridor. WEST VIRGINIA Political control: West Virginia has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions. Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, opposes abortion access and has signed two anti-abortion laws since taking office in 2017. Background: West Virginia currently bans abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy unless a patients life is in danger, or they face substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. Patients seeking abortions must wait 24 hours after undergoing legislatively mandated counseling designed to discourage abortions. A minor who wants an abortion must obtain parental permission. The use of telemedicine to administer a medication abortion is outlawed. The state also bars patients from getting abortions because they believe their child will be born with a disability. The House of Delegates this year passed a 15-week abortion ban, but it died in the Senate. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Its unclear what the effect the ruling will have on abortion access in West Virginia. The state has had a law banning abortion on the books since 1848; Under that law, providers who perform abortions can face felony charges and three to 10 years in prison, unless the abortion is conducted to save a patients life. In 2018, West Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment to declare patients do not have the right to abortion and banning state funding for abortions. Whats next: West Virginia lawmakers could introduce new legislation restricting abortion access when they return to the Capitol in January, but they could return sooner if called into a special session. West Virginia only has one clinic that performs abortions. Womens Health Center of West Virginia Executive Director Katie Quinonez said if abortion access is outlawed, the clinic will continue to provide reproductive care, such as birth control and STI diagnosis and treatment. She said the clinic will help women travel to other states for abortions through its abortion fund. ___ WISCONSIN Political control: Wisconsin has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions but a Democratic governor who supports access and is up for reelection this year. Background: Wisconsin has allowed most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy to save the health or life of the mother. A woman seeking an abortion must meet with a counselor and doctor before obtaining an abortion and wait at least 24 hours before having it done. Anyone under age 18 must have an adult relative over age 25 with them to obtain an abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, it is presumed that a state law passed in 1849 making an abortion a felony offense could go into effect, and doctors have halted procedures. However, Wisconsins Democratic attorney general argues that the law is so old that its unenforceable. The language allows a woman to legally destroy her own fetus or embryo and grants immunity if an abortion is needed to save a womans life and is performed at a hospital. Another state law, passed in 1985, prohibits abortions performed after a fetus reaches viability -- when it could survive outside the womb -- conflicting with the 1849 ban. Whats next: Republican lawmakers are expected to attempt to clarify the 1849 law to ensure there is a ban in place, even as that issue is fought in the courts. However, lawmakers efforts would be stymied if Democratic Gov. Tony Evers wins reelection. Wisconsins Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has said he supports an exception in cases of rape and that a ruling on Roe could force lawmakers to consider other related reproductive issues such as contraception. Other Republicans will push for more restrictive abortion laws. WYOMING Political control: Wyoming has one of the most Republican legislatures in the U.S. and a long tradition of libertarian-type if not always social or religious conservatism. That may be changing. In March, Republican Gov. Mark Gordon signed into law a bill that would ban abortion in nearly all instances should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. Background: Current Wyoming law allows abortions up to when a fetus might be able to survive on its own outside its mothers body. The law does not specify when that happens, but it is generally considered to be at around 23 weeks into pregnancy. Wyoming currently doesnt allow abortions after then except to protect the mother from substantial risk to her life or health. Wyoming Republicans have traditionally taken a hands-off approach to abortion but have proven more willing to limit the practice lately. The number of Democrats in the Legislature has dwindled from 26 in 2010 to just nine out of 90 total seats now. A 2021 law requires physicians to provide lifesaving care to any aborted fetus born alive. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The new state law that bans abortion only provides exceptions in cases of rape or incest or to protect the mothers life or health, not including psychological conditions. Though Wyoming has no abortion clinics, abortions still occur. Ninety-eight took place in Wyoming in 2021, according to state officials. Whats next: A planned womens health clinic in Casper that would have been the only one offering abortions in the state was on track to open in mid-June but an arson fire May 25 delayed those plans by around six months. Clinic founder Julie Burkhart said Friday that, despite the ruling, she still plans to open the clinic and will continue to seek legal means to keep abortion legal in Wyoming. Police continue to look for a suspect in the arson investigation, and have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Associated Press statehouse reporters from across the U.S. contributed. For APs full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. One day after the conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade, those attending the Wisconsin Democratic Partys convention in La Crosse Saturday offered a united message that reproductive health will play a pivotal role in the midterm election. Speaking at a rally in the La Crosse Center lobby, Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, who is seeking reelection this fall, said the 2022 election is going to be remembered for the next generation as the election that came after Roe was overturned. We have got to win every statewide race and send a message that will be remembered for decades to come that if you take rights away from Wisconsinites, you are going to lose your seat in office, Kaul said. The sentiment in the crowd at the Democratic Partys convention stood in contrast to the Republican Party of Wisconsins state convention last month in Middleton. Republicans there were united behind U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who is running unopposed in the August primary, but chose not to endorse candidates in other statewide races, including governor, where a packed field of candidates are seeking the chance to unseat Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in November. The Democratic state party does not endorse candidates until after the primary. While the state party looks to defend GOP challenges against Evers and Kaul, whom U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, described as the brick wall in Wisconsin, a packed field of candidates are running to oust Johnson this fall. Johnson praised the Supreme Courts decision Friday as a victory for life and for those who have fought for decades to protect the unborn. When we organize for and participate in this falls elections, Roe v. Wade is on the ballot, and every voter, we have to exhort them to look to this issue: You stand with Wisconsins women and Americas women, or not, Baldwin said at the rally. Among Democratic Senate candidates, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Milwaukee Bucks executive-on-leave Alex Lasry, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson are scheduled to speak Sunday. Candidates for several congressional districts, including those running for U.S. Rep. Ron Kinds open seat in the 3rd Congressional District covering western Wisconsin, also spoke Saturday. Democratic candidates vying to replace Kind include Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska, whom Kind has endorsed, Rebecca Cooke, Deb McGrath and Mark Neumann. The only Republican running for the seat is Derrick Van Orden, who lost to Kind in 2020 and was criticized by Democrats for being in Washington, D.C., during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Black Earth, said holding on to Kinds district will be critical to maintain the partys slim four-seat majority in Congress. If we dont hold Ron Kinds swing seat, we likely dont hold that majority, Pocan said. While the 3rd Congressional District is near evenly 50-50 split, the 1st Congressional District in southeast Wisconsin, currently held by Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville, saw its margin fall from a 10-point Republican lean to a 2-point GOP advantage under new maps. Ann Roe, who is running against Steil in November, also spoke to the significance of womens reproductive health on the ballot. As the parent of two children, one of whom woke up with fewer rights than she had yesterday, I am sickened and I am angry, Roe said. But while candidates championed a message of unity Saturday, Democrats must overcome the historical challenges the party in presidential power almost always faces during midterm elections. In addition to surging gas prices and inflation, Marquette Law School polling earlier this month found that voter enthusiasm is higher among Republican voters. Roe v. Wade The high courts decision on the historic 1973 reproductive rights case led state abortion providers to suspend abortion procedures as they faced the removal of the constitutional guarantee to abortion that permitted medical providers to administer thousands of abortions in Wisconsin each year for decades. But as the 19th-century near-total abortion ban takes effect, it almost certainly will face legal challenges. We are here because, now that the Supreme Court has spoken, all of us must speak, Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler said. What happens in November, what happens in the years to come, will shape all of our lives and the lives of Americans for generations. Among the first questions before the courts will be whether that 1849 law which prohibits doctors from providing abortions unless the procedure is necessary to protect the mothers life and contains no exemptions for rape and incest is now in effect. Evers has said he would do everything in his power to fight the ruling through legislative, executive or judicial action. That includes offering pardons to physicians who are convicted for providing abortions. This is ridiculous, Evers told reporters Saturday. Clemency will be offered to anyone that is charged and convicted. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Saturday signed an executive order he said should help shield people seeking or providing abortions in Minnesota from facing legal consequences in other states. Abortion remains legal in Minnesota. Walz has vowed to reject requests to extradite individuals who are accused of committing acts related to reproductive health care that are not criminal offenses in Minnesota. Speaking with reporters in an online press conference Saturday morning, Republican Party of Wisconsin chair Paul Farrow said Evers comments show that he is for his activist base and he is going against the will of the people. He downplayed the impact of the Supreme Courts decision on the upcoming elections. All they really said yesterday was 50 years ago an activist bench made a decision that wasnt constitutional and put that into place, so theyre correcting that, Farrow said. Is it causing any change to the political landscape? There is a standard that people have. Republicans know that were pro-life. Farrow also said any changes to Wisconsins 173-year-old anti-abortion law should be handled by the Legislature. Republicans who control the state Assembly and Senate on Wednesday rejected Evers call for a special session to repeal the states abortion ban. Political issue Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has said he supports exceptions for instances of rape and incest, but it remains uncertain if such an amendment would be supported by the majority of his caucus or Republicans in the Senate. Evers told reporters Saturday he would veto any effort by the Legislature that does not bring reproductive rights back to where they were under Roe v. Wade. If theyre messing around with the old law, adding things to it or subtracting things from it, thats not going to work because we will not be at where we were two days ago, he said. The four major Republicans running to unseat Evers this fall former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, businessman Tim Michels, management consultant Kevin Nicholson and state Rep. Timothy Ramthun, R-Campbellsport have largely praised the Supreme Courts ruling. The winner of the Aug. 9 primary will go on to face Evers in the Nov. 8 election. Kaul has said he would not use Department of Justice resources to enforce the states abortion ban. But with Kaul also up for reelection in November, a future Republican attorney would change course. GOP attorney general candidates Adam Jarchow and Eric Toney have said the office must enforce whatever law is on the books, including the 1849 abortion ban. Statewide Marquette Law School polls conducted between September 2012 and last October found that, on average, 25% of respondents said abortion should be legal in all cases and almost 35% said it should be legal in most cases, while 23% said it should be illegal in most cases and 12% said it should be illegal in all cases. An average of 4% of respondents over the 11 polls said they did not know enough to have an opinion. In Wednesdays poll, 27% of respondents said abortion should be legal in all cases, 31% said it should be legal in most cases, 24% said it should be illegal in most cases and 11% said it should be illegal in all cases. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BERLIN (AP) The mayor of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv warned Saturday that an imposter is posing as him and communicating with other officials, including three European mayors who were duped into believing they were having a video call with the real Vitali Klitschko. Several mayors in Europe have been contacted by a fake mayor of Kyiv who has been saying absurd things, Klitschko told German daily newspaper Bild. This is criminal energy. It must be urgently investigated who is behind it. The office of Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey tweeted Friday night that she cut short a call with the reputed Kyiv mayor after his comments and questions made her suspicious. The course of the conversation and the setting of topics made Giffey wary, her office said without elaborating. The office published a photo that showed both the German capital's mayor and the fake Klitschko on a big screen. It said that initially, there was no evidence that the video conference was not conducted with a real person. To all appearances, it is deep fake. Police were investigating the incident, Giffeys office said. Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida also interrupted a video call with someone claiming to be Klitschko on Friday. The mayor of Spain's capital suspected he wasn't speaking with his Kyiv counterpart and has filed a complaint with police. Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig did not end his call with the imposter earlier this week because he didn't notice any suspicious behavior, Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported. "Since no tricky topics were discussed in the conversation, this is certainly annoying in the specific occasion but not a big problem, Ludwig said. It was not clear who was behind the calls or what means were used to try to make the mayors think they were communicating with Klitschko. On Saturday, Berlin's mayor said her encounter with the fraudster means that in the future we will have to be even more scrutinizing, even more suspicious. She called the use of a phony Klitschko "a means of modern warfare, referring to Russia's four-month war on Ukraine. Kyiv's actual mayor also made a link to Russia's war in Ukraine. Friends! The enemy does not let up and is waging war on all fronts - in particular by disinformation, by discrediting Ukrainian politicians," Klitschko said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. "In order to quarrel with European partners, so that Ukraine would not be helped. In his remarks to Bild, he warned other European officials to be careful if they are contacted by someone claiming to represent his office. Please be careful in the future how appointments are arranged by me. Official conversations only come through official channels," he said. Ashifa Kassam contributed reporting from Madrid. Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. ST. LOUIS Former city police detective Luther Hall is continuing a legal fight against three fellow officers who he says wrongfully arrested and assaulted him while he worked undercover at a protest. This week, Hall filed suit in St. Louis court against former officers Dustin Boone, Randy Hays and Christopher Myers over their actions on Sept. 17, 2017, during protests over the acquittal of former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley. Hall had previously filed a federal lawsuit in 2019 against officers and the city of St. Louis alleging he was assaulted because his colleagues thought he was a protester, then tried to cover it up. Hall settled with the city for $5 million in February 2021. Last month, Halls attorney moved to dismiss the federal case against the officers, which contained several claims including racial discrimination. On Wednesday, Hall filed a new suit in state court against the three former officers, dropping the civil rights allegations, but seeking damages for assault and wrongful arrest. Luther is just continuing to seek justice and make sure police officers are held to the same standard as everyone else, attorney Lynette Petruska said. All three officers already faced criminal charges in the case. In June 2021, Boone was convicted by a jury of a civil rights charge. Hayes pleaded guilty in 2019 to using excessive force. Both were sentenced to prison. Myers was acquitted of a felony civil rights charge and later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and sentenced to probation for taking Halls phone. As for the civil case, Myers attorney, Thomas Magee, said he was confident his client would not be found liable. Chris Myers was found not guilty by a jury of assaulting Mr. Hall, and since there are no new witnesses and no new evidence that we know of, we would expect the same result, he said. Boones attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An attorney was not listed for Hays, who is currently in prison. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY Missouris attorney general and governor moved quickly Friday to cut off access to abortion in the state following the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Within minutes of the high courts ruling, Attorney General Eric Schmitt issued an opinion to the Missouri Revisor of Statutes that triggers parts of a 2019 law, effectively ending abortion in the state of Missouri. Schmitt, a candidate for U.S. Senate, said Missouri became the first state in the country to do so. Photos: St. Louis area reacts to Supreme Court ruling, and Missouri moves to ban abortions The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday sent shockwaves through the greater St. Louis region, an island of abortion acc Today, following the United States Supreme Courts ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, with the issuance of an attorney general opinion, my office has yet again reinforced Missouris dedication to protecting the sanctity of life, both born and unborn, Schmitt said. Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican like Schmitt, followed suit not long after, issuing his own proclamation on the issue. Nothing in the text, history, or tradition of the United States Constitution gave un-elected federal judges authority to regulate abortion. We are happy that the U.S. Supreme Court has corrected this error and returned power to the people and the states to make these decisions, Parson said. The 2019 law sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer, a St. Charles County Republican, started out as a ban on most abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. But as part of national effort by anti-abortion forces, the bill was quickly loaded with amendments that would toughen the states already restrictive abortion laws in other ways. The law prohibits abortion after eight weeks of gestation unless there is a critical medical reason. There are no exceptions for rape, incest or human trafficking. The law also bans a woman from aborting a fetus that might have Down syndrome. It also requires both parents or guardians to be notified before minors can get an abortion, in most cases. And it includes the trigger ban on abortion if the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision is overturned, as it was Friday. Twelve other states have adopted trigger laws, including four of Missouris neighbors: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky. Schmitt said abortion is now outlawed in the state, except in cases of medical emergency. As part of a sustained effort by Republicans who control Missouris House and Senate, laws and regulations have already made abortion a rarity in the state. Since peaking at more than 20,000 per year in the 1980s, the number of abortions in Missouri dropped to fewer than 200 a year because of limited access. Many women now travel to out-of-state clinics, including two in the Metro East, for the procedure. Reaction from Missouri politicians also was swift. This is a momentous day in America. One of the most unjust decisions in American history has been overturned, said Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley. Former Gov. Eric Greitens, who is running for U.S. Senate, called the ruling a huge victory. Life is the most precious gift from our Creator and is always worthy of protection, especially the unborn who are the most vulnerable, Greitens said. Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine, who is running for U.S. Senate, condemned the decision. This decision takes us backwards 50 years and lessens womens independence and our rights. It especially affects the most vulnerable amongst us. Reproductive health care decisions are a womans to make, and I will fight to protect our rights, to respect our intelligence and our choice, and to always advocate for our equality. Weve come too far to turn back the clock, Valentine said. Lucas Kunce, another Democrat seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Roy Blunt next year, said Congress should codify Roe v. Wade to restore abortion rights. We cannot let this stand. We need to take our power back. When I am in the Senate, I will fight like hell to guarantee access to abortion for every Missourian, Kunce said. In the Missouri Legislature, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said the ruling is a sign that Missourians must elect more lawmakers who will protect basic rights. Republicans will not stop with abortion. They will begin stripping away access to birth control and contraception, in vitro fertilization and marriage equality, Quade warned. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said in a statement the ruling doesnt change the fact that 7 in 10 Missourians support the right to an abortion. It does not change the fact that in states like ours, weve already been living a post-Roe reality, with thousands traveling out of state for abortions. As devastating as this moment is for families across the country, St. Louisans are ready to take action to protect our rights until Congress steps in to do what it should have done decades ago: codify Roe into law. Updated at 2:15 p.m. Friday, June 24. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS The Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade brought swift reaction from residents here on Friday. A U.S. congresswoman sobbed in a room of advocates. Supporters of both sides clashed outside the states last abortion clinic. Hundreds took to the streets in outrage and defiance. And, by days end, the fissures became clear in this region that is both an island of abortion access and a home to a deep well of anti-abortion sentiment. I feel numb, said Mallory Schwarz, director of Pro-Choice Missouri. Weve been preparing for this moment. But how do you prepare for the loss of a fundamental right? Photos: St. Louis area reacts to Supreme Court ruling, and Missouri moves to ban abortions The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday sent shockwaves through the greater St. Louis region, an island of abortion acc At the same time, abortion opponents called the ruling a historic win. Its something that the pro-life movement has been fighting for for close to 50 years, said Sam Lee, director of Campaign Life Missouri. The courts decision announced Friday overturned the landmark 1973 ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion. And the decision has already begun to divide the St. Louis metro area, a region with deep Roman Catholic roots, situated on the border of two states of opposite political leanings. To the eastern side of the Mississippi River in Illinois, Planned Parenthood in Fairview Heights and the Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City are now two of the only abortion clinics left across a wide swath of the Midwest. The emotions started early Friday inside Planned Parenthoods clinic on Forest Park Avenue in St. Louis. A group of abortion-rights advocates and elected officials gathered for a panel on abortion access. The Supreme Court ruling had not yet been released. We are sitting in the last remaining abortion clinic in the state of Missouri, Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, said minutes before the decision was made public. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, an appointee of President Joe Biden, called the clinic perhaps the most important place I could be in America right now. Were going to fight to protect your care, he said. Just as the panel was ending, a murmur arose in the room. It just dropped, multiple attendees said. U.S. Rep. Cori Bush read the news aloud from her phone to the small crowd gathered there. Then she laced her fingers together and rested her forehead on her hands for a moment. She stood and hugged St. Louis aldermen gathered around her. I cannot believe this, she said. I cannot believe this. I cannot believe this. Shortly after the decision came down, Planned Parenthood notified the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services that it was ceasing abortion care in the state, Rodriguez said on a call Friday afternoon. Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri will stay open and still provide contraceptives, preventive care and testing for sexually transmitted infections, among other things. We have reached the end of the line for abortion care, Rodriguez said. And in Illinois, now more than ever, were preparing for an impending surge of patients we know is likely to come. Patients will now be forced to flee their home states for essential, fundamental abortion care. Meanwhile, anti-abortion backers said their efforts cant stop with the high courts ruling. Lee, the Campaign Life Missouri director, said he is still concerned about other challenges from the abortion-rights movement, like suits in state court, or a ballot referendum. The pro-life movement needs to be prepared for all of those things, Lee said. The battle isnt over. Our focus, said Brian Westbrook, executive director of Maryland Heights-based Coalition Life, will continue to shift into Illinois. The Archbishop of St. Louis, the Rev. Mitchell T. Rozanski, said the Catholic church would continue to bear witness to the dignity of every human, regardless of religion, race, age or any other factor. I urge all the faithful in our Archdiocese of St. Louis, now more than ever, to demonstrate compassion and provide support to those in need, with a special deference to mothers and children in need, he said in a statement. Emotions ran high. Just after noon, the two sides rallied side-by-side on the sidewalk outside of the Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis. As a group of abortion opponents began speaking, Carla Coffee Wright began chanting over them, Reproductive freedom requires action. Others joined in. After a moment, in place of the word action, Steve Sallwasser, electrical engineer, began shouting back, life. The two groups screamed at each for 20 minutes. As the hours passed, the initial shock over the ruling gave way to anger and defiance among abortion-rights supporters. By 6 p.m., hundreds had gathered for a boisterous rally that began at Planned Parenthoods St. Louis clinic, but later took to the streets in the Central West End neighborhood, led by a drummer. Were provided our last abortion, for now, Dr. Colleen McNicholas, Planned Parenthoods regional chief medical officer, told the crowd. This is injustice. The crowd chanted with and cheered the numerous speakers. Then a girl who identified herself only as Precious took the mic. She told the group that health care is a human right, not a privilege. When I heard the news this morning, my heart shook, she said. I knew a war had begun. Stay up to date on life and culture in St. Louis. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Annika Merrilees business reporter Follow Annika Merrilees 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 SPRINGFIELD, Ill. One patient from Iowa needed gas money and a place to stay. Another, from Indiana, was in a domestic violence situation and couldnt use her own money to pay. She also needed help with child care. These are among the hundreds of cases that the abortion patient navigator program manager at Planned Parenthood of Illinois said she has handled in the past two years. Her job description is fairly simple: help patients, especially those from other states, coordinate their visits to receive abortion services in Illinois. But the job itself is anything but simple. Deciding to get an abortion, making that decision, is about so much more than making an appointment and walking into a health center, said the program manager, whose name is not being used because of safety concerns. As a blue island among conservative neighboring states, Illinois has become a battleground for abortion-rights advocates and opponents. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the states Democrat-led General Assembly have enacted measures aimed at accommodating an expected influx of out-of-state patients in the wake of Fridays U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe vs. Wade. Abortion opponents, meanwhile, see gaining more political power in Illinois as a vital next step. Among the barriers to abortion access: arranging lodging and transportation to a clinic, maintaining confidentiality in an unsafe home situation and funding the procedure and associated expenses. The program managers in Springfield and at a logistics center that opened in the Metro East region have become essential amid growing obstacles for people seeking abortion services, advocates say. Several conservative states had already enacted laws that essentially ban abortions. About half of U.S. states, including those surrounding Illinois, have trigger laws that ban or severely limit abortion based on the fall of Roe v. Wade, or have lawmakers who back such laws. Illinois has gone in the opposite direction, enacting laws in recent years that have expanded access. But the states status as an island for abortion rights in the Midwest has the potential to put a strain on providers, who are preparing for a tidal wave of out-of-state patients. Its not something that will be a slow buildup, said Brigid Leahy, director of government relations for Planned Parenthood Illinois. Back when Texas imposed its ban on Sept. 1 of last year, we saw our first patients at Planned Parenthood of Illinois health centers from Texas two days later. Influx of patients Planned Parenthood estimates that an additional 20,000 to 30,000 people annually could travel to Illinois for abortion services with Roes fall, an influx that would place the number of abortions performed in Illinois at an unprecedented level. More than 46,000 abortions were performed in the state in 2020, according to state public health data. Thats higher than in recent years but lower than the 1990s, when more than 50,000 procedures were performed some years. The numbers show a rising trend of out-of-state residents receiving care. In 2020, 9,686 such women terminated a pregnancy in Illinois, up from 7,534 in 2019 and 5,668 in 2018. Data from 2021 was not available. These numbers, abortion-rights advocates say, are a reflection of the restrictions that have been put in place in other states. CHOICES Memphis Center for Reproductive Health, a Tennessee-based provider, is opening a clinic in Carbondale later this summer. The close proximity to the citys Amtrak station, which is along a line that runs through Memphis, wasnt a coincidence. Up north, Planned Parenthood of Illinois has opened clinics in Waukegan and Flossmoor in recent years, both just miles from bordering states. And in 2019, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region opened its 18,000-square-foot facility in Fairview Heights, which replaced a much-smaller facility and is equipped to perform surgical abortions. Along with Hope Clinic in Granite City, the provider has seen a significant amount of patients come from across the river in Missouri. The Show-Me State has stood out thus far. In 2020, 6,578 more than two-thirds of all out-of-state patients came from Missouri, where lawmakers have placed severe restrictions on the procedure. It is one of the states with an abortion trigger law, which went into effect shortly after Fridays ruling. Access expandedIn recent years, Illinois has enacted some of the most liberal reproductive health laws of any state. In 2017, then-Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, signed House Bill 40, which permitted state health insurance and Medicaid coverage for abortions and removed trigger law language that could have made the procedure illegal in the event Roe v. Wade was overturned. This was followed up by Pritzkers signing of the Reproductive Health Act in 2019. The law enshrined reproductive health care including abortion access as a fundamental right in Illinois. And last year, Pritzker signed legislation repealing a 1995 law that required an abortion provider to give an adult family member at least 48 hours notice before the procedure is performed on a girl under the age of 18. Illinois lawmakers might not be done. Pritzker, with the support of Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, has called for a special legislative session next month to consider more abortion rights legislation. I am focused on making sure that we expand the number of professionals in our state to make sure that were providing the health care that people are seeking, Pritzker said in an interview with Lee Enterprises earlier this week. On the other side of the issue, Illinois Right to Life is gearing up in what they call ground zero in the fight against the practice. Our work is just beginning now that Roe is going to be overturned because things, I believe, are possibly going to get worse before they get better, Illinois Right to Life executive director Amy Gehrke said ahead of Fridays ruling, acknowledging the influx from surrounding states. Still, Gehrke believes the state can be won back for life. We were a pro-life state for the most part until 2017, just five short years ago, Gehrke said. And with a lot of hard work and a lot of education, I really believe that the needle will move back. A lot may be riding on the results of the November election. All the candidates running in the GOP primary for governor have taken anti-abortion positions while Pritzker has been staunchly supportive of abortion rights. Gehrke believes abortion opponents would only need to flip just a handful of seats in the General Assembly to prevent more abortion-rights legislation from passing. Contact Brenden Moore at brenden.moore@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter: @brendenmoore13 ISLAMABAD An Afghan prisoner held in U.S. custody for nearly 15 years has been released from the Guantanamo Bay detention center after a federal court ruled that he was unlawfully detained, the U.S. Department of Defense said Friday. Asadullah Haroon Guls release was first announced earlier in the day by the Taliban in Afghanistan and an international human rights group. From Kabul, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban-appointed deputy culture and information minister, tweeted that Gul was one of the last two Afghan prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay. Photographs of Gul being greeted by senior Taliban officials in Doha, Qatar, were posted on Twitter later in the day. Mujahid thanked Qatar for facilitating Guls release, without elaborating. The United States opened the detention center under President George W. Bush in January 2002 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the invasion of Afghanistan to capture al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. It was intended at the time to hold and interrogate those suspected of having links to al-Qaida or the Taliban, who had sheltered bin Laden. However, scores of suspects from multiple countries were later sent there and the detention center became notorious after reports emerged of detainees being humiliated and tortured. Gul was greeted upon landing in Doha by top Taliban official Suhail Shaheen, who said he would soon fly home to Afghanistan. In a statement, the Department of Defense said Guls release was in accord with district court in Washingtons decision that the United States no longer has a legal basis to justify the continued detention of Gul. It thanked Qatar for its assistance without providing any details. Earlier Friday, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized the Biden administration for allowing Guls transfer. The terrorist organization that now controls Afghanistan cannot and will not ensure Gul, or any future detainees who are released, will not return to the battlefield and potentially kill Americans or other innocent civilians, Rubio said, referring to the Taliban who seized power in Afghanistan last August. Mujahid said Gul was handed over to the Taliban as a result of their talks with U.S. authorities, which he described as a direct and positive interaction with the United States. Shaheen told The Associated Press that Guls freedom came following direct engagement with the U.S. He said Gul was detained by American forces in the city of Jalalabad in 2007 and was held for 15 years without trial. The remaining Afghan at Guantanamo Bay is Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani, who is accused of working with bin Laden as a procurement specialist. Al-Afghani was captured by Pakistani authorities and later handed over to the CIA, which transferred him to the detention center. The Britain-based rights group Reprieve said Guls family feared him dead for many years and for the first nine years of his captivity, he did not have access to a lawyer, despite multiple attempts to obtain legal representation. Reprieve and the law firm Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss filed a petition on his behalf in 2016 and demanded his release, it added. After years of litigation, in October 2021, they prevailed when a Washington court ruled that Gul was not part of al-Qaida and ordered his release. According to the statement, Gul suffered severe physical and psychological torture during his detention, including being beaten, hung by his wrists, deprived of food and water, and prevented from praying. He has been subjected to sleep deprivation, extreme cold temperatures and solitary confinement. Commenting on Guls release, his lawyer at Reprieve, Mark Maher, said Gul missed his daughters entire childhood and he will never get back what has been taken from him, but he is now at least able to rebuild his life with his family, who have waited so long to see him. Associated Press writer Nomaan Merchant in Washington contributed to this story. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Friday stripped away womens constitutional protections for abortion, a fundamental and deeply personal change for Americans' lives after nearly a half-century under Roe v. Wade. The courts overturning of the landmark court ruling is likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. The ruling, unthinkable just a few years ago, was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump. Both sides predicted the fight over abortion would continue, in state capitals, in Washington and at the ballot box. Justice Clarence Thomas, part of Friday's majority, urged colleagues to overturn other high court rulings protecting same-sex marriage, gay sex and the use of contraceptives. Pregnant women considering abortions already had been dealing with a near-complete ban in Oklahoma and a prohibition after roughly six weeks in Texas. Clinics in at least eight other states Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia stopped performing abortions after Friday's decision. In Ohio, a ban on most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat became the law when a federal judge dissolved an injunction that had kept the measure on hold for nearly three years. And Utah's law was triggered by the ruling, going into effect with narrow exceptions. Biden vows abortion fight, assails 'extreme' court ruling WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden said Friday he would fight to preserve access to abortion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and he called on Americans to elect more Democrats who would safeguard rights upended by the court's decision. This is not over, he declared. Lets be very clear, the health and life of women across this nation are now at risk, he said from the White House on what he called a sad day for the court and the country. Biden added that the court has done what its never done before expressly taking away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans. Republicans and conservative leaders celebrated the culmination of a decades-long campaign to undo the nationwide legalization of abortion that began with Roe v. Wade in 1973. Millions of Americans have spent half a century praying, marching and working toward todays historic victories for the rule of law and for innocent life, said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., an architect of efforts to tilt the Supreme Court to the right. Congress sends landmark gun violence compromise to Biden WASHINGTON (AP) The House sent President Joe Biden the widest ranging gun violence bill Congress has passed in decades Friday, a measured compromise that at once illustrates progress on the long-intractable issue and the deep-seated partisan divide that persists. The Democratic-led chamber approved the election-year legislation on a mostly party-line 234-193 vote, capping a spurt of action prompted by voters' revulsion over last months mass shootings in New York and Texas. The Senate approved the measure late Thursday by a bipartisan 65-33 margin. The White House said Biden would sign the bill and deliver remarks on it Saturday morning. Every House Democrat and 14 Republicans six of whom won't be in Congress next year voted for the measure. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., underscored its significance to her party by taking the unusual step of presiding over the vote and announcing the result from the podium, to huzzahs from rank-and-file Democrats on the chamber's floor. Among Republicans backing the legislation was Rep. Liz Cheney of gun-friendly Wyoming, who has broken sharply with her party's leaders and is helping lead the House investigation into last year's Capitol insurrection by supporters of then-President Donald Trump. In a statement, she said that as a mother and a constitutional conservative," she believed the bill would curb violence and enhance safety, adding: Nothing in the bill restricts the rights of responsible gun owners. Period." Some US clinics stop doing abortions as ruling takes hold Abortion bans that were put on the books in some states in the event Roe v. Wade was overturned started automatically taking effect Friday, while clinics elsewhere including Alabama, Texas and West Virginia stopped performing abortions for fear of prosecution, sending women away in tears. Some patients broke down and could not speak through their sobbing," said Katie Quinonez, executive director of West Virginias lone abortion clinic, whose staff spent the day calling dozens of patients to cancel their appointments. Some patients were stunned and didnt know what to say. Some patients did not understand what was happening." America was convulsed with anger, joy, fear and confusion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe. The canyon-like divide across the U.S. over the right to terminate a pregnancy was on full display, with abortion rights supporters calling it a dark day in history, while abortion foes welcomed the ruling as the answer to their prayers. Women who traveled across state lines to end a pregnancy found themselves immediately thwarted in some places as abortions were halted as a result of state laws that were triggered by the court decision or confusion over when those laws would take effect. In eliminating the constitutional right to abortion that has stood for a half-century, the high court left the politically charged issue up to the states, about half of which are now likely to ban the procedure. With Roe over, some fear rollback of LGBTQ and other rights TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The U.S. Supreme Court's decision allowing states to ban abortion stirred alarm Friday among LGBTQ advocates, who feared that the ruling could someday allow a rollback of legal protections for gay relationships, including the right for same-sex couples to marry. In the court's majority opinion overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Justice Samuel Alito said the decision applied only to abortion. But critics of the court's conservative majority gave the statement no credence. I dont buy that at all, said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of medicine at Georgetown University and faculty director of its Institute for National and Global Health Law. It really is much more extreme than the justices are making it out to be. He added: It means that you cant look to the Supreme Court as an impartial arbiter of constitutional rights because theyre acting more as culture warriors. Gostin and others pointed to a separate concurring opinion in which Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should review other precedents, including its 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage, a 2003 decision striking down laws criminalizing gay sex and a 1965 decision declaring that married couples have a right to use contraception. How US states have banned, limited or protected abortion The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states, although the timing of those laws taking effect varies. Some Republican-led states will ban or severely limit abortion immediately, while other restrictions will take effect later. At least one state, Texas, is waiting until after the Supreme Court issues its formal judgment in the case, which is separate from the opinion issued Friday and could take about a month. In anticipation of the decision, several states led by Democrats have taken steps to protect abortion access. The decision also sets up the potential for legal fights between the states over whether providers and those who help women obtain abortions can be sued or prosecuted. Here is an overview of abortion legislation and the expected impact of the courts decision in every state. Ukrainian army leaving battered city for fortified positions KYIV, Ukraine (AP) After weeks of ferocious fighting, Ukrainian forces have begun retreating from a besieged city in the country's east to move to stronger positions, a regional official said Friday, the four-month mark in Russia's invasion. The planned withdrawal from Sievierodonetsk, the administrative center of the Luhansk region, comes after relentless Russian bombardment that has reduced most of the industrial city to rubble and cut its population from 100,0000 to 10,000. Ukrainian troops fought the Russians in house-to-house battles before retreating to the huge Azot chemical factory on the city's edge, where they remain holed up in its sprawling underground structures in which about 500 civilians also found refuge. In recent days, Russian forces have made gains around Sievierodonetsk and the neighboring city of Lysychansk, on a steep bank across a river, in a bid to encircle Ukrainian forces. Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk have been the focal point of the Russian offensive aimed at capturing all of the Donbas and destroying the Ukrainian military defending it the most capable and battle-hardened segment of the countrys armed forces. The two cities and surrounding areas are the last major pockets of Ukrainian resistance in the Luhansk region 95% of which is under Russian and local separatist forces' control. The Russians and separatists also control about half of the Donetsk region, the second province in the Donbas. Russia used its numerical advantages in troops and weapons to pummel Sievierodonetsk in what has become a war of attrition, while Ukraine clamored for better and more weapons from its Western allies. Bridges to the city were destroyed, slowing the Ukrainian military's ability to resupply, reinforce and evacuate the wounded and others. Much of the citys electricity, water and communications infrastructure has been destroyed. Juul can keep selling e-cigarettes as court blocks FDA ban Juul can continue to sell its electronic cigarettes, at least for now, after a federal appeals court on Friday temporarily blocked a government ban. Juul filed an emergency motion earlier Friday, seeking the temporary hold while it appeals the sales ban. The e-cigarette maker had asked the court to pause what it called an extraordinary and unlawful action by the Food and Drug Administration that would have required it to immediately halt its business. The FDA said Thursday that Juul must stop selling its vaping device and its tobacco and menthol flavored cartridges. The action was part of a sweeping effort by the agency to bring scientific scrutiny to the multibillion-dollar vaping industry after years of regulatory delays. Airlines aim to shift blame for flight problems to FAA DALLAS (AP) Airlines under scrutiny for widespread flight disruptions are renewing their criticism of the government agency that manages the nations airspace, saying that understaffing at the Federal Aviation Administration is crippling traffic along the East Coast. Airlines for America, which represents the largest U.S. carriers, said Friday it wants to know FAA's staffing plans for the July Fourth holiday weekend, so we can plan accordingly. The comments from the industry group could serve as a pre-emptive defense in case airlines again suffer thousands of canceled and delayed flights over the holiday weekend, when travel is expected to set new pandemic-era highs. The industry is actively and nimbly doing everything possible to create a positive customer experience since it is in an airlines inherent interest to keep customers happy, so they return for future business, Nicholas Calio, president of the trade group, said in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Calio said airlines have dropped 15% of the flights they originally planned for June through August to make the remaining flights more reliable, they are hiring and training more pilots and customer-service agents, and giving passengers more flexibility to change travel plans. At LGBTQ Pride, celebration but also worry over civil rights NEW YORK (AP) LGBTQ Pride commemorations that sometimes have felt like victory parties for civil rights gains are now grappling with an environment of ramped-up legislative and rhetorical battles over sexual orientation and gender identity, and fears that a Supreme Court ruling on abortion opens the door to rights being taken away. Big crowds are expected Sunday at Pride events in New York City and a range of other places including San Francisco, Chicago, Denver and Toronto, in a return to large, in-person events after two years of pandemic-induced restrictions. Like every year, the celebrations are expected to be exuberant and festive. But for many, they will also carry a renewed sense of urgency and concern. There are so many anti-LGBTQ attacks going on around the country, and a lot of them are really about trying to erase our existence and to make us invisible, and to make our young people invisible and our elders invisible, said Michael Adams, CEO of SAGE, which advocates for LGBTQ elders. Extremists have taken an increasingly hostile stance toward Pride events, including plotting an attack against a march in Idaho, while conservative state governments has proposed and in some cases passed a slew of anti-LGBTQ legislation. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) Bulgarias parliament voted Friday to lift a veto that has long blocked European Union membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, raising fresh hopes that the bloc can now press on with its expansion plans in the Western Balkans amid Russias war in Ukraine. France, which currently holds the EUs rotating presidency, made a proposal this week to resolve an ethnic and cultural dispute between Bulgaria and North Macedonia that was the source of the veto. Under the French proposal, North Macedonia would have to recognize in the preamble of its constitution that Bulgarians are one of the countrys constitutive ethnicities. North Macedonia said Friday that three main topics needed clarification before it would agree to the deal. While North Macedonias prime minister opposed the French proposal Thursday and a no-confidence vote toppled Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov a day earlier, the French plan ultimately altered the dynamics among enough Bulgarian lawmakers. The vote to lift the veto passed 170-37, with 21 abstentions. Parliament took a historic decision today, giving a green light to the proposal for the EU accession of North Macedonia, said Petkov, who had been working to settle the dispute before the no-confidence motion brought down his government. North Macedonia has been a candidate for EU membership for 17 years. The country received a green light in 2020 to begin eligibility talks, but no date was set for the start of the negotiations. Some have feared that keeping Western Balkans nations out of the EU would allow Russia to strengthen its influence in the region, which experienced wars in the 1990s during the breakup of Yugoslavia. North Macedonia away from the 27-nation bloc, Russias grip on the Balkans will be strengthened. Bulgaria has used its power as an EU member to block North Macedonia's accession, since all enlargement decisions require unanimous approval from the 27-nation bloc. The Bulgarian government insisted that North Macedonia formally recognize that its language has Bulgarian roots, acknowledge in its constitution a Bulgarian minority and quash hate speech against Bulgaria. Its stance inadvertently also stalled Albanias progress toward EU membership because the bloc is treating the pair as a political package. All three countries are NATO members. The European Commission has made repeated promises to six Western Balkan nations saying that their futures lie within the EU. As well as North Macedonia and Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia have also been afflicted by delays amid divisions among member states and some bilateral issues. Clement Beaune, the French minister for European affairs, said this week that the proximity of Russias war in Ukraine has put the onus on the bloc to reinvigorate its expansion in the Balkans. French President Emmanuel Macron said the vote in Bulgaria's parliament was a very good signal, adding that technical work required to pave the way for a final deal in the coming days would. There is still work to be done, I dont want to claim victory too early, but its an important step forward, he said. On Thursday, North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told reporters in Brussels that the French proposal "in its current form is unacceptable to me, for the president, the government, the coalition partners and people of the Republic of North Macedonia. Kovachevski added that Skopje needed strong guarantees that Bulgaria would not add new requirements to the EU's negotiating framework. North Macedonia's foreign minister, Bujar Osmani, said Friday that the country's language and history must not be part of the framework and that the EU membership talks needed to start before the countrys constitution is amended to reference a Bulgarian minority. If we receive a proposal that takes into account our positions, an agreement can be reached in the coming days, Osmani said, adding that his government did not yet know the contents of the version adopted by Bulgarian lawmakers. We will be in communication with France in the coming days and we will see how things will go, he added. Ruslan Stefanov, program director at the Center for the Study of Democracy, a Sofia-based think tank, said Fridays vote externally and politically removes the pressure on Bulgaria. Things dont look the same in North Macedonia, though, he told The Associated Press. It seems there has been quite sizeable public outcry as to not liking the proposal of the French presidency, so it might be a little bit more difficult for the government there. McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania and Petrequin from Brussels. Konstantin Testorides in Skopje, North Macedonia, contributed to this report. Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. PHOENIX (AP) The attorney for the Arizona Senate's ethics committee submitted a report Friday on his investigation of a Republican lawmaker's online comments that appeared to blame the federal government for a supermarket massacre in Buffalo, New York. But the report from attorney Chris Kleminich reached no conclusions on whether Sen. Wendy Rogers' comment broke the Senate's rules and said the committee's role has been completed. Instead, it will be up to the full Senate to decide whether the Flagstaff lawmaker's comments merit discipline. The Ethics Committee was directed by the full Senate in May to look into the online post Rogers made the night a young white man went into a market in a predominately Black neighborhood and fatally shot 10 people. Authorities say the gunman had posted a racist screed before the May 14 attack. As news of the mass shooting was just becoming known, Rogers tweeted: Fed boy summer has started in Buffalo. Many in both parties took that tweet to mean that Rogers was blaming the attack on the federal government, especially in light of Rogers history of embracing conspiracy theories. Rogers later wrote that her comments were misconstrued by the media. She said instead they expressed her worry that inaction on crime and border security will lead to riots and looting. But Kleminich noted that it was not only the media that interpreted her comments to mean the federal government was behind Buffalo attack. He noted that the most comments in response to her post interpreted it the same way. Rogers declined to be interviewed by Kleminich. Instead, she answered questions through her attorney, Tim La Sota. La Sota criticized the investigation, saying it would lead to probes of other activity protected by free speech rights. Where this is leading is obvious and is demonstrated by this case, La Sota wrote. Republicans will be required to defend themselves amid these ethics investigations, and Democrats will receive a pass. Kleminich said any action will now be up to the full Senate, which asked for the investigation. The Senate, which is controlled by Republicans and could adjourn for the year any day, could decide on discipline ranging from a formal censure to expulsion. It could also drop the matter with no action. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The Supreme Court on Friday overturned its historic Roe v. Wade ruling, leaving the legality of abortions up to the states. Officials indicated on Friday that a special session of the Nebraska Legislature is very possible. Before Fridays announcement, 13 states had trigger laws in place that would automatically ban abortions within one month of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Currently, Nebraska allows abortions up to 20 weeks after fertilization. During the last legislative session, a trigger bill failed to pass by two votes. The bill would have made it a crime for health care professionals to perform an abortion but would have allowed it if the mothers life was in danger. Going forward, a factor will be the winner of the June 28 special election. Republication Mike Flood is running against Democrat Patty Pansing Brooks for the U.S. House of Representatives District 1 seat left vacant by the resignation of Jeff Fortenberry. The Omaha World-Herald reported on Friday that Flood voted in favor of the trigger bill while Pansing Brooks voted against it. The variables are who wins the election next week and I would think we'd want everybody there to make a decision that's important, State Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus said. And then to look at the bills we've had in the past and see which one of those has the support to get it through. Once those things are determined then we can see more where we go from here. Otherwise there would be just our previous legislation in place, and it's likely that we would want to bill that would be more encompassing than that. Pansing Brooks said in a statement that the majority of Americans and Nebraskans do not agree that abortion should be illegal. "Tuesday's special election will be our first opportunity to stand up and fight back at the ballot box against this extreme effort to push us back into the Dark Ages. My opponent doesn't even support exceptions for rape or incest," Pansing Brooks said. "The contrast -- and the stakes -- are clear." Flood also released a comment, noting that he's proudly pro-life. "(I) am proud to have sponsored and passed the nation's first Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which banned abortion at 20 weeks, when babies can feel pain," Flood said. "We helped pave the way for this landmark decision." Gov. Pete Ricketts released a statement Friday, in which he noted that the initial Roe v. Wade ruling took away states rights to regulate abortion. Todays Supreme Court decision restores the rights of the people, and as a result our future generations will have a chance at life, Ricketts said in a press release. The Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe is an answer to millions of prayers on behalf of the unborn and a victory for human life. I will be working with our legislative leaders to determine what more we can do to protect our preborn babies." Moser added that the new Supreme Court ruling will now be as historic as that initial ruling. The original ruling was surprising in its day, and this is a historic ruling that moving forward will be looked at with the same importance as the original Roe v. Wade, Moser said. We'll see how those things play out and what the timing would be and go from there. According to the World-Herald, some lawmakers who opposed the last trigger bill have voiced they will continue their opposition in the event of a special session. "We have stopped an abortion ban before, and we will do it again together," Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, who led an eight-hour filibuster on the failed trigger bill earlier this year, wrote on Twitter Friday. Planned Parenthood North Central released a statement saying that its doors remain open in Nebraska, as well as Minnesota and Iowa. This decision is an unconscionable rollback of fundamental rights for all people in the United States. Because peoples right to access abortion is no longer guaranteed by federal law, it now depends on where you live and how much money you have to travel out of state for abortion care. Forced pregnancy is a grave violation of human rights and dignity," said Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. We have been preparing for months to be able to best serve patients across our region. Our doors are open and Planned Parenthood is committed to providing abortion care where it remains legal." Hannah Schrodt is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at hannah.schrodt@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A former teaching assistant in suburban St. Louis has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for raping a second-grader at the school and exposing the child to the virus that causes AIDS. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 39-year-old Deonte Taylor was sentenced Thursday after being found guilty in April of three counts of sodomy and one count of knowingly exposing someone to HIV. Taylor also pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for trying to arrange the killing of the boy and his mother. Authorities say the attack happened in 2015 at Lusher Elementary School in Florissant. The boy later tested negative for HIV. Neither the federal government nor most states in the U.S. assertively address how businesses can use facial-recognition images and other biometric data they gather via social network sites, cameras in public places or by tracking internet users activities. Illinois, luckily, has what is widely considered the most stringent and effective tech-privacy law in the nation one that has forced Facebook and other behemoth companies to make changes to their practices that have had a positive impact even outside Illinois borders. On this issue, federal lawmakers could learn something from the Land of Lincoln. When the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act was passed in 2008, the technology it sought to rein in was still nascent or in some cases theoretical. Biometric means, essentially, data gathered from a persons physical characteristics (fingerprints, facial imagery, retina scans) or behavioral patterns (shopping habits, social media interactions). Debate about its use in high-tech applications has often centered on how government and law enforcement might use and potentially abuse it. That remains a valid debate. But the Illinois law specifically focuses on private companies, prohibiting them from taking something from their customers without permission: their unique physical and behavioral characteristics. Such technology can be useful when deployed in limited ways with the consumers permission the facial-recognition program that can open your cell phone for you, for example. But when such data is scooped up en masse, often without consumers knowledge, and sold between companies, it ceases to be a convenience and becomes, at best, an annoyance as with micro-targeted advertising barrages based on consumers internet browsing habits. More sinister issues include the potential for loosely deployed biometric data to impact credit, employment or housing decisions, by giving companies far more data about applicants than they would otherwise be entitled to. The Illinois law requires that entities must have written consent from a person before collecting or storing that persons biometric data, and gives consumers the power to sue for damages if companies violate that law. The law ushered in last years landmark $650 million settlement from Facebook for about 1.5 million Illinoisans who sued over the companys facial-recognition feature, which stored that data from users to identify them in photos throughout the platform. Facebook announced in November that its shutting down the feature after weighing the positive use cases for facial recognition against growing societal concerns. The shut-down entailed deleting the facial-recognition data of more than a billion users. Its just one example of how Illinois law is helping protect the privacy of even citizens outside its borders, in the absence of a national standard. Such a standard, written into federal law, would be a preferable approach. If and when Congress gets its act together enough to address the issue, Illinois has provided a blueprint. Hold the tartar Asian carp yum. That doesnt quite work, does it? Illinois is hoping this will: Copi yum! State officials this week announced an Illinois campaign to rename invasive Asian carp in hopes more people will be willing to try eating them. The name Asian carp, in addition to concerns about racial insensitivity, inaccurately suggests the fish are bottom-feeders like most carp (theyre not), which in turn raises concerns about mercury content and other pollutants. Why copi? Its a play on the word copious, which the prolific fish very much are. The state wants the fish to get over-fished because they have spawned so successfully in Illinois waterways that theyre overwhelming ecosystems. Because they routinely weigh 30 or 40 pounds and have an odd habit of jumping into boats, theyre even injuring boaters. If they work their way up into Lake Michigan, officials worry, the environmental damage will become severe. There is precedent to suggest name-changes can make fish more gastronomically popular. Orange roughy, for example, used to be called slimehead probably not something youd pick off a menu. Still afloat St. Louis namesake on the high seas may remain there, after all. The USS St. Louis, one of the nine newish combat ships that were slated for decommissioning because of what the Navy says are design flaws, reportedly is among five of the ships that Congress may order to be kept in service. The Navy has told Congress that the $450-million-apiece ships are unsuitable for anti-submarine warfare because of design flaws that limit their speed. But tucked in a defense spending bill advanced last week by the House Appropriations Committee was an order stopping the decommissioning of five of the ships, the St. Louis among them. The effort to save some of the ships including the USS Fort Worth has been spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a Republican from (you guessed it) Fort Worth. As the Post-Dispatchs Joe Holleman has reported, six other ships have been named for St. Louis: an 1828 sloop of war; a Civil War gunboat; a Spanish-American War troop ship; a World War I cruiser; a World War II light cruiser; and a cargo ship decommissioned in 1991. Out of order Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has made a habit of misusing his office to promote his U.S. Senate campaign, by filing cynical or silly lawsuits designed to appeal to the Republican base. Now the Missouri Supreme Court is slamming a campaign mailer put out by Schmitt supporters for attempting to loop the court into this shady strategy as well. Americans for Prosperity Action, which has endorsed Schmitt, put out a mailer that shows Schmitt with three of the courts seven judges, in a photo taken at a state government event. The implication of a judicial endorsement for a political candidate didnt sit well. Missouri citizens should know that no Supreme Court judge ever would or could endorse a political candidate and this photograph should not be taken as such an endorsement despite the implication created by the mailer, the court said in an official statement, adding: The judges are disappointed that this photo was used, without their knowledge or consent, for such a blatant political purpose. Now they know how school districts all over Missouri feel, after Schmitt used his official authority to sue them far and wide for enforcing responsible pandemic policies. Happily non-human Happy the Elephant, it turns out, is just that an elephant. The New York State Court of Appeals ruled 5-2 that Happy is not a person in the legal sense, and therefore isnt entitled to the same legal rights as a human. The decision is part of a longstanding legal dispute over whether highly intelligent animals are entitled to the same protections under the law as humans. Its a notion that, well-intentioned as it may be, would open a host of legal complications in agriculture and other realms. (Pigs are pretty smart, too. No more bacon?) The Nonhuman Rights Project filed a writ of habeas corpus on Happys behalf, suggesting that Happy is being illegally detained at the Bronx Zoo and should be transferred to an elephant sanctuary. Because the writ of habeas corpus is intended to protect the liberty right of human beings to be free of unlawful confinement, the court found, it has no applicability to Happy, a nonhuman animal who is not a person subjected to illegal detention. Which means Happy, who has called the Bronx Zoo her home for the past 45 years, will be able to stay there. Precious medal Independent Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov auctioned off his 2021 Nobel Peace Prize medal to raise money for Ukrainian child refugees. The medal sold for $103.5 million, shattering a record on Monday, which was also World Refugee Day. The proceeds will go directly to UNICEF to help children displaced by the war in Ukraine. Previously, the most ever paid for a Nobel Prize medal was $4.76 million in 2014, when James Watson, whose co-discovery of the structure of DNA earned him a Nobel Prize in 1962, sold his. Muratov helped found the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and was the papers editor-in-chief. The publication was shut down in March by the Kremlin after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In an interview with The Associated Press, Muratov said he was particularly concerned about children who have been orphaned because of the conflict in Ukraine. The goal is to give the children refugees a chance for a future. In the pivotal Phase 3 TRANSFORM trial, single infusion of Breyanzi significantly outperformed the nearly 30-year standard of care with median event-free survival of 10.1 months vs. 2.3 months and a well-established safety profile Approval was also based on data from the Phase 2 PILOT study, the first and only company-sponsored study of a CAR T cell therapy in patients with primary refractory or relapsed LBCL who are not considered candidates for transplant, in which Breyanzi delivered deep and durable responses With this approval, Breyanzi now has the broadest patient eligibility of any CAR T cell therapy in relapsed or refractory LBCL, reinforcing companys leadership in delivering innovative cancer treatments with Breyanzi as a cornerstone of its diversified cell therapy portfolio and pipeline PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel), a CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, for the treatment of adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified (including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma), high-grade B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma grade 3B, who have: This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220427005982/en/ Product image for download (Photo: Bristol Myers Squibb) Refractory disease to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or relapse within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy; or Refractory disease to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or relapse after first-line chemoimmunotherapy and are not eligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) due to comorbidities or age. With these two new indications, Breyanzi now has the broadest patient eligibility of any CAR T cell therapy in relapsed or refractory LBCL. Breyanzi is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma. Please see the Important Safety Information section below, including Boxed WARNINGS for Breyanzi regarding cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic toxicities. Breyanzi has demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in event-free survival (EFS), complete responses (CR) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared to standard therapy in patients with LBCL that is primary refractory or relapsed within 12 months after first-line therapy. An improvement in EFS represents an increase in the length of time in which patients are alive and without disease progression or in need of further treatment. Breyanzi, a differentiated CAR T cell therapy, is made from a patients own T cells, which are collected and genetically reengineered to become CAR T cells that are then delivered via infusion as a one-time treatment. Breyanzi can be administered in the inpatient or outpatient setting at a certified treatment center. As part of our commitment to developing innovative cancer treatments for patients with critical unmet need, Breyanzi offers a potentially curative option for more patients, said Ester Banque, senior vice president & general manager, U.S. Hematology, Bristol Myers Squibb. Based on the demonstrated clinical benefit, this approval of Breyanzi underscores the significant advances we are making to deliver on the promise of cell therapy. LBCL is a difficult-to-treat and aggressive blood cancer, and up to 40% of patients have disease that is refractory to or relapses after initial therapy. Historically, the only potential cure for these patients is the current standard of care consisting of intensive hospital-based salvage immunochemotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy and HSCT in those whose disease responds to the salvage therapy. However, half of patients are not considered candidates for a stem cell transplant due to age and/or comorbidities, and only an estimated 25% of those who are candidates are able to receive a stem cell transplant and experience long-term clinical benefit. For patients who are not considered candidates for stem cell transplant, treatment options are limited. If left untreated, relapsed or refractory LBCL has a life expectancy of just three to four months. Breyanzi represents a remarkable advance over a nearly 30-year standard of care, providing significantly improved efficacy with a well-established safety profile, said Manali Kamdar, M.D., lead investigator of the TRANSFORM study and Associate Professor, Clinical Director of Lymphoma Services, Division of Hematology, Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Colorado Cancer Center. This important milestone reinforces the benefit of offering a CAR T cell therapy option to patients earlier in their treatment journey and its critical that we begin the work to implement this therapy into standard practice as a second-line treatment in order to help improve outcomes for more patients. Patients with large B-cell lymphoma whose disease does not respond to or relapses after first-line therapy often face lengthy and intensive cycles of chemotherapy with the goal of proceeding to stem cell transplant, said Lee Greenberger, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). As one of the earliest supporters of CAR T since the 1990s, LLS is excited to see the FDA approval of a CD19 CAR T cell therapy that has moved from later lines of therapy to a second-line option, which offers patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma the potential for long-term remission and the hope of a cure. Breyanzi is the only CAR T cell therapy that has been evaluated in a broad second-line patient population for LBCL in two distinct company-sponsored studies, including in patients whose disease relapsed within or later than 12 months following first-line treatment and regardless of transplant candidacy. The approval of the expanded indications for Breyanzi is based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 TRANSFORM study in which adults with LBCL that was primary refractory or relapsed within 12 months of front-line therapy were randomized to receive Breyanzi or standard therapy consisting of salvage immunochemotherapy, and if responsive, high-dose chemotherapy and HSCT. The trial included patients with diverse histologic subtypes and high-risk features, and offered a patient-centric design, allowing for bridging immunochemotherapy in the Breyanzi arm for disease control, which reflects real-world clinical practice and allowed for inclusion of patients with more aggressive and fast-progressing disease. Due to the high rate of patients whose disease does not respond to salvage immunochemotherapy, the trial also allowed for crossover from the standard therapy arm to the Breyanzi arm if patients did not derive a response after three cycles of salvage chemotherapy or had disease progression at any time. Results from the TRANSFORM study showed, Breyanzi (n=92) more than quadrupled median EFS compared to standard therapy (n=92) (10.1 months vs. 2.3 months [HR: 0.34; 95% CI (0.22-0.52) pBreyanzi compared to less than half with standard therapy (66% [95% CI: 56% - 76%] vs. 39% [95% CI: 29% - 50%]; pBreyanzi arm (95% CI: 7.9-NR). Results also showed Breyanzi more than doubled PFS versus standard therapy (median PFS: 14.8 months vs. 5.7 months [HR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.25-0.66; p=0.0001]). In the study, nearly all patients (97%) in the Breyanzi arm received treatment versus less than half (47%) of patients who completed high-dose chemotherapy and autologous HSCT in the standard therapy arm. The efficacy of Breyanzi in the second-line setting was also based on data from the Phase 2 PILOT study, in which 61 adults with primary refractory or relapsed LBCL who were not considered candidates for stem cell transplant were treated with Breyanzi. The PILOT study enrolled a broad patient population based on age, performance status and/or organ function and comorbidities, and regardless of time to relapse following first-line treatment. Breyanzi showed deep and durable responses, with an overall response rate of 80%, the studys primary endpoint, and a CR rate of 54%, with median time to CR of one month (range: 0.8 6.9 months). Median duration of response was 11.2 months, with the median duration of response not reached for those patients who achieved a CR. Breyanzi has a well-established safety profile and based on results from the TRANSFORM and PILOT studies, occurrences of CRS and neurologic events were generally low grade and mostly resolved quickly with standard protocols, and without the use of prophylactic steroids. Any-grade CRS was reported in less than half of patients (45%; 68/150), with Grade 3 CRS reported in 1.3% of patients. Any-grade neurologic events were reported in 27% (41/150) of patients treated with Breyanzi, with Grade 3 neurologic events reported in 7% of patients. Median time to onset of CRS was four days (range: 1 to 63 days) and median duration of CRS was four days (range: 1 to 16 days). The median time to onset of neurologic events was eight days (range: 1 to 63 days). The median duration of neurologic toxicities was six days (range: 1 to 119 days). The delayed onset of CRS and neurologic events allowed for the option of outpatient treatment and management of patients. In addition, the clinical profile of Breyanzi supported its use in a broad range of relapsed or refractory LBCL patients. Breyanzi is broadly covered by commercial and government insurance programs in the U.S. About Breyanzi Breyanzi is a CD-19 directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, administered as a defined composition to reduce variability of the CD8 and CD4 component dose. Breyanzi has a 4-1BB costimulatory domain which enhances the expansion and persistence of the CAR T cells. Breyanzi was previously approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified (including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma), high-grade B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma grade 3B. Breyanzi is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the BREYANZI REMS. Breyanzi is also approved in Europe, Switzerland, Canada and Japan for relapsed and refractory LBCL after two or more lines of systemic therapy. Bristol Myers Squibbs clinical development program for Breyanzi includes clinical studies in earlier lines of treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL and other types of lymphoma. For more information, visit clinicaltrials.gov. About TRANSFORM TRANSFORM (NCT03575351) is a pivotal, global, randomized, multicenter Phase 3 trial evaluating Breyanzi compared to current standard therapy regimens (platinum-based salvage chemotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy and HSCT in patients responding to salvage chemotherapy) in patients with large B-cell lymphoma that was primary refractory or relapsed within 12 months after CD20-antibody and anthracycline containing first-line therapy. Patients were randomized to receive Breyanzi or standard of care salvage therapy, including rituximab plus dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin (R-DHAP), rituximab plus ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (R-ICE), or rituximab plus gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin (R-GDP) per the investigators choice before proceeding to high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The primary endpoint of the study was event-free survival, defined as time from randomization to death from any cause, progressive disease, failure to achieve complete response or partial response, or start of new antineoplastic therapy due to efficacy concerns, whichever occurs first. Complete response rate was a key secondary endpoint. Other efficacy endpoints included progression-free survival, overall survival, overall response rate and duration of response. About PILOT PILOT (NCT03483103) is a multicenter Phase 2 trial evaluating Breyanzi as a second-line therapy in adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after front-line therapy who are not considered candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). All enrolled patients have relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after treatment with a single line of chemoimmunotherapy containing an anthracycline and a CD20-targeted agent. The primary endpoint of the study is overall response rate. Other efficacy endpoints include complete response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, event-free survival and overall survival. Important Safety Information BOXED WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGIC TOXICITIES Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients receiving BREYANZI. Do not administer BREYANZI to patients with active infection or inflammatory disorders. Treat severe or life-threatening CRS with tocilizumab with or without corticosteroids. Neurologic toxicities, including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred in patients receiving BREYANZI, including concurrently with CRS, after CRS resolution or in the absence of CRS. Monitor for neurologic events after treatment with BREYANZI. Provide supportive care and/or corticosteroids as needed. BREYANZI is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the BREYANZI REMS. Cytokine Release Syndrome Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), including fatal or life-threatening reactions, occurred following treatment with BREYANZI. Among patients receiving BREYANZI for LBCL (N=418), CRS occur in 46% (190/418) of patients, including Grade 3 CRS (Lee grading system) in 3.1% of patients. In patients receiving BREYANZI after two or more lines of therapy for LBCL, CRS occurred in 46% (122/268), including Grade 3 CRS in 4.1% of patients. One patient had fatal CRS and 2 had ongoing CRS at time of death. The median time to onset was 5 days (range: 1 to 15 days). CRS resolved in 98% with a median duration of 5 days (range: 1 to 17 days). In patients receiving BREYANZI after one line of therapy for LBCL, CRS occurred in 45% (68/150), including Grade 3 CRS in 1.3% of patients. The median time to onset was 4 days (range: 1 to 63 days). CRS resolved in all patients with a median duration of 4 days (range: 1 to 16 days). The most common manifestations of CRS (10%) included fever (94%), hypotension (42%), tachycardia (28%), chills (23%), hypoxia (16%), and headache (12%). Serious events that may be associated with CRS include cardiac arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia), cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, diffuse alveolar damage, renal insufficiency, capillary leak syndrome, hypotension, hypoxia, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (HLH/MAS). Ensure that 2 doses of tocilizumab are available prior to infusion of BREYANZI. Of the 418 patients who received BREYANZI for LBCL, 23% received tocilizumab and/or a corticosteroid for CRS, including 10% who received tocilizumab only and 2.2% who received corticosteroids only. Neurologic Toxicities Neurologic toxicities that were fatal or life-threatening, including immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), occurred following treatment with BREYANZI. Serious events including cerebral edema and seizures occurred with BREYANZI. Fatal and serious cases of leukoencephalopathy, some attributable to fludarabine, also occurred. In patients receiving BREYANZI after two or more lines of therapy for LBCL, CAR T cell-associated neurologic toxicities occurred in 35% (95/268), including Grade 3 in 12% of patients. Three patients had fatal neurologic toxicity and 7 had ongoing neurologic toxicity at time of death. The median time to onset of neurotoxicity was 8 days (range: 1 to 46 days). Neurologic toxicities resolved in 85% with a median duration of 12 days (range: 1 to 87 days). In patients receiving BREYANZI after one line of therapy for LBCL, CAR T cell-associated neurologic toxicities occurred in 27% (41/150) of patients, including Grade 3 cases in 7% of patients. The median time to onset of neurologic toxicities was 8 days (range: 1 to 63 days). The median duration of neurologic toxicity was 6 days (range: 1 to 119 days). In all patients combined receiving BREYANZI for LBCL, neurologic toxicities occurred in 33% (136/418), including Grade 3 cases in 10% of patients. The median time to onset was 8 days (range: 1 to 63), with 87% of cases developing by 16 days. Neurologic toxicities resolved in 85% of patients with a median duration of 11 days (range: 1 to 119 days). Of patients developing neurotoxicity, 77% (105/136) also developed CRS. The most common neurologic toxicities ( 5%) included encephalopathy (20%), tremor (13%), aphasia (8%), headache (6%), dizziness (6%), and delirium (5%). CRS and Neurologic Toxicities Monitoring Monitor patients daily for at least 7 days following BREYANZI infusion at a REMS-certified healthcare facility for signs and symptoms of CRS and neurologic toxicities and assess for other causes of neurological symptoms. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of CRS and neurologic toxicities for at least 4 weeks after infusion and treat promptly. At the first sign of CRS, institute treatment with supportive care, tocilizumab, or tocilizumab and corticosteroids as indicated. Manage neurologic toxicity with supportive care and/or corticosteroid as needed. Counsel patients to seek immediate medical attention should signs or symptoms of CRS or neurologic toxicity occur at any time. BREYANZI REMS Because of the risk of CRS and neurologic toxicities, BREYANZI is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the BREYANZI REMS. The required components of the BREYANZI REMS are: Healthcare facilities that dispense and administer BREYANZI must be enrolled and comply with the REMS requirements. Certified healthcare facilities must have on-site, immediate access to tocilizumab. Ensure that a minimum of 2 doses of tocilizumab are available for each patient for infusion within 2 hours after BREYANZI infusion, if needed for treatment of CRS. Certified healthcare facilities must ensure that healthcare providers who prescribe, dispense, or administer BREYANZI are trained on the management of CRS and neurologic toxicities. Further information is available at www.BreyanziREMS.com, or contact Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-888-423-5436. Hypersensitivity Reactions Allergic reactions may occur with the infusion of BREYANZI. Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, may be due to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Serious Infections Severe infections, including life-threatening or fatal infections, have occurred in patients after BREYANZI infusion. In patients receiving BREYANZI for LBCL, infections of any grade occurred in 36% with Grade 3 or higher infections occurring in 12% of all patients. Grade 3 or higher infections with an unspecified pathogen occurred in 7%, bacterial infections occurred in 4.3%, viral infections in 1.9% and fungal infections in 0.5%. Febrile neutropenia developed after BREYANZI infusion in 8% of patients with LBCL. Febrile neutropenia may be concurrent with CRS. In the event of febrile neutropenia, evaluate for infection and manage with broad spectrum antibiotics, fluids, and other supportive care as medically indicated. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection before and after BREYANZI administration and treat appropriately. Administer prophylactic antimicrobials according to standard institutional guidelines. Avoid administration of BREYANZI in patients with clinically significant active systemic infections. Viral reactivation: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death, can occur in patients treated with drugs directed against B cells. In patients who received BREYANZI for LBCL, 15 of the 16 patients with a prior history of HBV were treated with concurrent antiviral suppressive therapy. Perform screening for HBV, HCV, and HIV in accordance with clinical guidelines before collection of cells for manufacturing. In patients with prior history of HBV, consider concurrent antiviral suppressive therapy to prevent HBV reactivation per standard guidelines. Prolonged Cytopenias Patients may exhibit cytopenias not resolved for several weeks following lymphodepleting chemotherapy and BREYANZI infusion. Grade 3 or higher cytopenias persisted at Day 29 following BREYANZI infusion in 36% of patients with LBCL, and included thrombocytopenia in 28%, neutropenia in 21%, and anemia in 6%. Monitor complete blood counts prior to and after BREYANZI administration. Hypogammaglobulinemia B-cell aplasia and hypogammaglobulinemia can occur in patients receiving treatment with BREYANZI. In patients receiving BREYANZI for LBCL, hypogammaglobulinemia was reported as an adverse reaction in 11% of patients. Hypogammaglobulinemia, either as an adverse reaction or laboratory IgG level below 500 mg/dL after infusion, was reported in 28% of patients. Monitor immunoglobulin levels after treatment with BREYANZI and manage using infection precautions, antibiotic prophylaxis, and immunoglobulin replacement as clinically indicated. Live vaccines: The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines during or following BREYANZI treatment has not been studied. Vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended for at least 6 weeks prior to the start of lymphodepleting chemotherapy, during BREYANZI treatment, and until immune recovery following treatment with BREYANZI. Secondary Malignancies Patients treated with BREYANZI may develop secondary malignancies. Monitor lifelong for secondary malignancies. In the event that a secondary malignancy occurs, contact Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-888-805-4555 for reporting and to obtain instructions on collection of patient samples for testing. Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines Due to the potential for neurologic events, including altered mental status or seizures, patients receiving BREYANZI are at risk for developing altered or decreased consciousness or impaired coordination in the 8 weeks following BREYANZI administration. Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities, such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery, for at least 8 weeks. Adverse Reactions The most common nonlaboratory adverse reactions (incidence 30%) are fever, CRS, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and nausea. The most common Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities ( 30%) include lymphocyte count decrease, neutrophil count decrease, platelet count decrease, hemoglobin decrease. Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS and Medication Guide. Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single visiontransforming patients lives through science. The goal of the companys cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patients life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future. Learn more about the science behind cell therapy and ongoing research at Bristol Myers Squibb here. About Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Bristol Myers Squibb Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, whether Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel), for the indication described in this release, will be commercially successful, any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on their use, and that continued approval of such product candidate for such indication described in this release may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibbs business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibbs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. corporatefinancial-news View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220427005982/en/ Bristol Myers Squibb Media Inquiries: [email protected] Nikki Copas [email protected] Investors: [email protected] Source: Bristol Myers Squibb FILE PHOTO: Abortion rights supporters and anti-abortion demonstrators protest outside the United States Supreme Court in Washington, U.S., June 21, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo By Lawrence Hurley and Andrew Chung WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion, a decision condemned by President Joe Biden that will dramatically change life for millions of women in America and exacerbate growing tensions in a deeply polarized country. The court, in a 6-3 ruling powered by its conservative majority, upheld a Republican-backed Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The vote was 5-4 to overturn Roe, with conservative Chief Justice John Roberts writing separately to say he would have upheld the Mississippi law without taking the additional step of erasing the Roe precedent altogether. The reverberations of the ruling will be felt far beyond the court's high-security confines - potentially reshaping the battlefield in November's elections to determine whether Biden's fellow Democrats retain control of Congress and signaling a new openness by the justices to change other long-recognized rights. The decision will also intensify debate over the legitimacy of the court, once an unassailable cornerstone of the American democratic system but increasingly under scrutiny for its more aggressively conservative decisions on a range of issues. The ruling restored the ability of states to ban abortion. Twenty-six states are either certain or considered likely to ban abortion. Mississippi is among 13 states with so-called trigger laws to ban abortion with Roe overturned. (For related graphic click https://tmsnrt.rs/3Njv3Cw) In a concurring opinion that raised concerns the justices might roll back other rights, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas urged the court to reconsider past rulings protecting the right to contraception, legalizing gay marriage nationwide, and invalidating state laws banning gay sex. The justices, in the ruling written by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, held that the Roe decision that allowed abortions performed before a fetus would be viable outside the womb - which occurs between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy - was wrongly decided because the U.S. Constitution makes no specific mention of abortion rights. Women with unwanted pregnancies in large swathes of America now may face the choice of traveling to another state where the procedure remains legal and available, buying abortion pills online, or having a potentially dangerous illegal abortion. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a concurring opinion, appeared to nix an idea advocated by some anti-abortion advocates that the next step is for the court to declare that the Constitution outlaws abortion. "The Constitution neither outlaws abortion nor legalizes abortion," Kavanaugh wrote. Kavanaugh also said that the ruling does not let states bar residents from traveling to another state to obtain an abortion, or retroactively punish people for prior abortions. 'SAD DAY' Biden condemned the ruling as taking an "extreme and dangerous path." "It's a sad day for the court and for the country," Biden said at the White House. "The court has done what it has never done before: expressly take away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans." Empowering states to ban abortion makes the United States an outlier among developed nations on protecting reproductive rights, the Democratic president added. Biden urged Congress to pass a law protecting abortion rights, an unlikely proposition given its partisan divisions. Biden said his administration will protect women's access to medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration including pills for contraception and medication abortion, while also combating efforts to restrict women from traveling to other states to obtain abortions. Britain, France and some other nations called the ruling a step backward, although the Vatican praised it, saying it challenged the world to reflect on life issues. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the decision was "a loss for women everywhere". "Watching the removal of a woman's fundamental right to make decisions over their own body is incredibly upsetting," she said in a statement. U.S. companies including Walt Disney Co, AT&T (NYSE: T) and Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc said they will cover employees' expenses if they now have to travel for abortion services. 'DAMAGING CONSEQUENCES' A draft version of Alito's ruling indicating the court was ready to overturn Roe was leaked in May, igniting a political firestorm. Friday's ruling largely tracked this leaked draft. "The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision," Alito wrote in the ruling. Roe v. Wade recognized that the right to personal privacy under the Constitution protects a woman's ability to terminate her pregnancy. The Supreme Court in a 1992 ruling called Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey reaffirmed abortion rights and prohibited laws imposing an "undue burden" on abortion access. Friday's ruling overturned the Casey decision as well. "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division," Alito added. The court's three liberal justices - Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan - issued a jointly authored dissent. "Whatever the exact scope of the coming laws, one result of today's decision is certain: the curtailment of women's rights, and of their status as free and equal citizens," they wrote. As a result of Friday's ruling, "from the very moment of fertilization, a woman has no rights to speak of. A state can force her to bring a pregnancy to term, even at the steepest personal and familial costs," the liberal justices added. The ruling empowered states to ban abortion just a day after the court's conservative majority issued another decision limiting the ability of states to enact gun restrictions. The abortion and gun rulings illustrated the polarization in America on a range of issues, also including race and voting rights. Overturning Roe was long a goal of Christian conservatives and many Republican officeholders, including former President Donald Trump, who as a candidate in 2016 promised to appoint justices to the Supreme Court who would reverse Roe. During his term he named three to the bench, all of whom joined the majority in the ruling. Asked in a Fox News interview whether he deserved some credit for the ruling, Trump said: "God made the decision." Crowds gathered outside the courthouse, surrounded by a tall security fence. Anti-abortion activists erupted in cheers after the ruling, while some abortion rights supporters were in tears. "I'm ecstatic," said Emma Craig, 36, of Pro Life San Francisco. "Abortion is the biggest tragedy of our generation and in 50 years we'll look back at the 50 years we've been under Roe v. Wade with shame." Hours later, protesters angered by the decision still gathered outside the court, as did crowds in cities from coast to coast including New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Seattle. House of Representatives Speaker Democrat Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, denounced the decision, saying that a "Republican-controlled Supreme Court" has achieved that party's "dark and extreme goal of ripping away women's right to make their own reproductive health decisions." The number of U.S. abortions increased by 8% during the three years ending in 2020, reversing a 30-year trend of declining numbers, according to data https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2022/06/long-term-decline-us-abortions-reverses-showing-rising-need-abortion-supreme-court released on June 15 by the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley and Andrew Chung; Additional reporting by Katanga Johnson and Rose Horowitch; Writing by Lawrence Hurley and Ross Colvin; Editing by Will Dunham, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis and Michael Perry) TORONTO, June 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arena Minerals Inc. ("Arena" or the "Company") (TSX-V: AN | OTCQB: AMRZF) a lithium exploration company, has submitted an application to upgrade to trade on the OTCQX Best Market from the OTCQB Venture Market under its existing symbol "AMRZF". The application is subject to final approval from OTC Markets Group. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market is anticipated to provide improved liquidity, an enhanced trading experience for current and potential U.S. investors and expose the Company to a broader market. Investor Relations Agreements Further to its news releases of October 15, 2021 and April 11, 2022, the Company provides additional information regarding its engagement of OGIB Corporate Bulletin ("OGIB") and Digitonic Limited ("Digitonic") to provide investor relations services to the Company. OGIB is a Vancouver, British Columbia based firm which provides investor relations services to public companies in a variety of industry segments. OGIB's services were provided to the Company through its principal, Keith Schaefer. Pursuant to the October 13, 2021 agreement between the Company and OGIB (the OGIB Agreement), OGIB assisted in content preparation and publication of information about the Company for a period of six months. In accordance with the OGIB Agreement, OGIB received CDN$200,000 (plus applicable taxes), which was paid in advance on OGIB's engagement. The contract concluded at the end of its six month term in April, 2022. Digitonic is based in Glasgow, Scotland. Digitonic provides investor relations services to public companies in a variety of industry segments. Digitonic's services are provided to the Company through Neil Reynolds. Pursuant to an agreement entered into with Digitonic on September 13, 2021 (the "Digitonic Agreement"), Digitonic provided advertising, corporate marketing and investor awareness services, including, but not limited to, content creation management, project management and media distribution. In March, 2022, Digitonic was paid USD$216,000 to provide its services for a period of twelve months ending April 11, 2023. To the Company's knowledge neither OGIB, Digitonic nor their respective principals or employees have any direct or indirect interest in the Company, own any securities of the Company or have any right or intent to acquire such securities. OGIB and Digitonic are at arm's length to the Company. All content describing the Company prepared by OGIB and Digitonic has been or will be reviewed by the Company prior to its publication or distribution. The OGIB Agreement and Digitonic Agreement are subject to the approval of the TSXV. About Arena Minerals Inc. Arena owns 65% of the Sal de la Puna Project covering approximately 11,000 hectares of the Pastos Grandes basin located in Salta, Argentina. The claims are highly prospective and share the basin with two advanced lithium brine projects. In addition to Sal de la Puna, the Company owns the Antofalla lithium brine project in Argentina, consisting of four claims covering a total of 6,000 hectares of the central portion of Salar de Antofalla, located immediately south of Albemarle Corporation's Antofalla project. Arena has developed a proprietary brine processing technology using brine type reagents derived from the Antofalla project with the objective of producing more competitive battery grade lithium products. Arena also owns 80 percent of the Atacama Copper property within the Antofagasta region of Chile, and 5.8 million shares of Astra Exploration. The projects are at low altitudes, within producing mining camps in infrastructure-rich areas, located in the heart of Chile's premier copper mining district. For more information regarding the Company, its management, expertise, and projects, please visit www.arenaminerals.com. An email registration allowing subscribers to directly receive news and updates is also available on the website. The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by William Randall, P.Geo, who is a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101. Mr. Randall is a director and is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Arena. For more information, contact William Randall, President and CEO, at +1-416-818-8711 or Simon Marcotte, Corporate Development, at +1-647-801-7273 or [email protected]. On behalf of the Board of Directors of: Arena Minerals Inc. William Randall, President and CEO Cautionary Note Regarding Accuracy and Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements, projections and estimates relating to the future development of any of the Company's properties, the anticipating timing with respect to private placement financings, the ability of the Company to complete private placement financings, results of the exploration program, future financial or operating performance of the Company, its subsidiaries and its projects, the development of and the anticipated timing with respect to the Atacama project in Chile, the Antofalla, Hombre Muerto or Pocitos Projects in Argentina, and the Company's ability to obtain financing. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The statements made herein are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of the Company's interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Estimates underlying the results set out in this news release arise from work conducted by the previous owners and the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; other risks of the mining industry and the risks described in the annual information form of the Company. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Arena Minerals does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Source: Arena Minerals Inc. MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, June 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smart Employee Benefits Inc. (SEB or the Company) (TSXV: SEB) (OTCQB: SEBFF) a leader in benefits processing solutions and services today announced that it has entered into a third amending agreement to its secured revolving credit facility agreement (the Credit Agreement) with its international asset-focused lender (the Lender) to, among other things, extend availability to $15,000,000 under the existing Credit Agreement. Co-operators Financial Services Limited (Co-operators), a strategic investor in SEB, previously provided a limited guarantee (the Initial Guarantee) of $5,000,000 in favour of the Lender, which Initial Guarantee permitted SEB to access $5,000,000 of unutilized commitment under the Credit Agreement. Subsequently, Co-operators provided an amended and restated limited guarantee dated March 8, 2022 (the Existing Guarantee) pursuant to which the Initial Guarantee was amended and restated and SEB issued a promissory note dated March 8, 2022 in favour of Co-operators (the Promissory Note), to evidence that amounts paid, if any, by Co-operators to the Lender under the Existing Guarantee would be deemed to be a loan outstanding in the same amount, owing by SEB to Co-operators under the Promissory Note. In conjunction with the third amending agreement to the Credit Agreement, Co-operators has provided an amended and restated limited guarantee dated June 24, 2022 (the Amended and Restated Limited Guarantee) in favour of the Lender in the amount of $10,000,000, and, accordingly, SEB has issued a corresponding amended and restated promissory note in favour of Co-operators dated June 24, 2022 (the Amended and Restated Promissory Note). In the future, should the Lender call on the Amended and Restated Limited Guarantee, any amount paid by Co-operators to the Lender would be deemed to be a repayment under the Credit Agreement and as a result such amount would also be deemed to be owing by SEB to Co-operators under the Amended and Restated Promissory Note. SEB shall be entitled to repay interest under the Amended and Restated Promissory Note in shares, and any such share issuance shall be subject to applicable regulatory and TSX Venture Exchange approval at the time of such share issuance. Co-operators currently holds a $20,000,000 convertible debenture issued by SEB dated November 30, 2020, as well as a $5,000,000 convertible debenture dated March 8, 2022 (collectively the Debentures). The Debentures and the Amended and Restated Promissory Note are secured by first ranking security over the software owned by SEB Administrative Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SEB, and second ranking security over the other assets of SEB and SEB Administrative Services Inc. An intercreditor agreement, as amended, between the Lender and Co-operators governs the security granted to the Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement and to Co-operators pursuant to the Debentures and the Amended and Restated Promissory Note, as well as the relationship between the Lender and Co-operators as it relates to such security. The issuance of the Amended and Restated Promissory Note accompanying the Amended and Restated Limited Guarantee may be considered a related party transaction within the meaning of TSXV Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (MI 61-101). The Company relied on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in Sections 5.5(b) (Company is listed on the TSXV) and 5.7(1)(a) (fair market value of the additional $5,000,000 contingent promissory note liability did not exceed 25% of the Companys market capitalization) in respect of such transaction. A resolution of the board of directors of the Company was passed to approve the issuance of the Amended and Restated Promissory Note, with the two director appointees of Co-operators, abstaining from voting. No materially contrary view or abstention was exercised or made by any other director. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the closing, which it considers reasonable in the circumstances, as the participation in the transaction by a related party of the Company was not definitive until shortly prior to closing. About Smart Employee Benefits Inc.:SEB is an Insurtech company focused on Benefits Administration Technology driving two interrelated revenue streams software/solutions and services. The Company is a proven provider of leading-edge IT and benefits processing software, solutions and services for the Life and Group benefits marketplace and government. We design, customize, build and manage mission critical, end-to-end technology, people and infrastructure solutions using SEBs proprietary technologies and expertise and partner technologies. We manage mission critical business processes for over 150 blue chip and government accounts, nationally and globally. Over 90% of our revenue and contracts are multi-year recurring revenue streams contracts related to government, insurance, healthcare, benefits and e-commerce. Our solutions are supported nationally and globally by over 600 multi-certified technical professionals in a multi-lingual infrastructure, from multiple offices across Canada and globally. Our solutions include both software and services driven ecosystems including multiple SaaS solutions, cloud solutions & services, managed services offering smart sourcing (near shore/offshore), managed security services, custom software development and support, professional services, deep systems integration expertise and multiple specialty practice areas including AI, CRM, BI, Portals, EDI, e-commerce, digital transformation, analytics, project management to mention a few. The Company has more than 20 strategic partnerships/relationships with leading global and regional technology and consulting organizations. Forward-Looking StatementsCertain information in this release, may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, targets, expects or does not expect, is expected, an opportunity exists, is positioned, estimates, intends, assumes, anticipates or does not anticipate or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might, will or will be taken, occur or be achieved. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent managements expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE COMPANYS CURRENT EXPECTATIONS AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. HOWEVER, THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY INTENTION OR OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION, WHETHER AS A RESULT OF NEW INFORMATION, FUTURE EVENTS OR OTHERWISE, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW. Neither TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Media and Investor ContactJohn McKimmPresident/CEO/CIOOffice (888) 939-8885 x 2354Cell (416) 460-2817[email protected]www.seb-inc.com Source: Smart Employee Benefits Inc. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Vancouver, BC, June 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trillion Energy International Inc. (Trillion, or the Company) (CSE: TCF) (OTCQB: TRLEF) (Frankfurt: Z62) is pleased to announce that, further to its press releases dated June 3 and 7, 2022, it has filed its final short form prospectus with respect to its increased best efforts marketed public offering (the Offering) of units (the Units) of the Company at a price of $0.31 per Unit (the Issue Price) for gross proceeds of up to $20,000,000. As previously announced, each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each a Common Share) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each full warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share for an exercise price of $0.50 for period of 36 months following the closing date of the Offering. The Offering will be conducted by Echelon Capital Markets (Echelon) as lead agent and sole bookrunner, along with a syndicate of agents including Research Capital Corporation (and together with Echelon, the Agents), and is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of the securities regulatory authorities and the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). The Offering is to be completed: (i) by way of the short form prospectus filed with the securities regulators in each province of Canada except Quebec; (ii) on a private placement basis in the United States pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act); and (iii) outside Canada and the United States on a basis which does not require the qualification or registration of any of the Companys securities under domestic or foreign securities laws. The Offering is expected to close on or about June 29, 2022, or such other date as the Company and the Agents may agree. The Company has granted the Agents an option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units sold under the Offering (the Over-Allotment Option), at the Issue Price. The Over-Allotment Option may be exercised in whole or in part to purchase Units as determined by the Agents upon written notice to the Company at any time up to 30 days following the closing date of the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund the development of the SASB gas fields, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The final short form prospectus in respect of the Offering is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Trillion is an oil and gas producing company with multiple assets throughout Turkey and Bulgaria. The Company is 49% owner of the SASB natural gas field, one of the Black Seas first and largest-scale natural gas development projects; a 19.6% (except three wells with 9.8%) interest in the Cendere oil field; and in Bulgaria, the Vranino 1-11 block, a prospective unconventional natural gas property. More information may be found on www.sedar.com, and our website. Contact Art Halleran: 1-250-996-4211 Corporate offices: 1-778-819-1585 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.trillionenergy.com Forward-Looking Information This release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the Companys business and prospects, as well as managements beliefs, and certain assumptions made by management. Words such as anticipates, expects, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, may, should, will and variations of these words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements speak only as of the date hereof and are subject to change. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Companys listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the closing of the Offering and the closing date, the potential impact on the market for its securities, expansion and business strategies, anticipated growth opportunities, and the amount of fundraising necessary to achieve the foregoing. Such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include unforeseen securities regulatory challenges, COVID, oil and gas price fluctuations, operational and geological risks, the ability of the Company to raise necessary funds for development; the outcome of commercial negotiations; changes in technical or operating conditions; the cost of extracting gas and oil may be too costly so that it is uneconomic and not profitable to do so and other factors discussed from time to time in the Companys filings on www.sedar.com, including the most recently filed Annual Report on Form 20-F and subsequent filings for the first quarter of 2022. For a full summary of our oil and gas reserves information for Turkey, please refer to our Forms F-1,2,3 51-101 filed on www.sedar.com, and or request a copy of our reserves report effective December 31, 2021 and our Prospective Resource report effective October 31, 2021. Source: Trillion Energy International Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 24, 2022) - High Fusion Inc. (CSE: FUZN) (OTC Pink: SPLIF) ("High Fusion" or the "Company") announces today that it has made an application to the Ontario Securities Commission to approve a temporary management cease trade order ("MCTO") under National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"), which, if granted, will prohibit trading in securities of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and certain other insiders of the Company, whether direct or indirect, so long as the Q3 2022 Filings (as defined below) remain outstanding. The issuance of an MCTO would generally not affect the ability of persons who are not, or who have not been, directors, officers or other insiders of the Company to trade in the Company's securities. The Company has determined that it is not able to meet the June 30, 2022 filing deadline (the "Filing Deadline") for its third quarter interim financial statements, the management's discussion and analysis and the related CEO and CFO certification relating to the third quarter 2022 financial statements (collectively, the "Q3 2022 Filings"). Although the Company remains confident in its ability to complete the Q 3 2022 Filings, it requires an extension and has therefore applied for an MCTO. In particular, the Company is coordinating specific tasks to be completed on a daily basis and will use its best efforts to complete the process within this timeline. The Company anticipates that, subject to current conditions remaining the same, it will require approximately four additional weeks to complete the process and in either event will use its best efforts to complete the process within the timeline indicated. The Company intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines set out in Sections 9 and 10 of NP 12-203 so long as the Q3 2022 Filings are outstanding. About High Fusion Inc. High Fusion Inc. (formerly Nutritional High International Inc.) is focused on developing and manufacturing branded products in the cannabis industry with a specific focus on flower, pro-rolls, vapes, edibles and oil extracts for medical and adult recreational use. The Company operates and controls licenses in California, Colorado and Oregon. High Fusion has manufacturing, retail and grow operations in California through its acquisition of the business of OutCo and owns and operates oil extraction and edible manufacturing facilities in Colorado and Oregon. The Company's brand portfolio includes its award winning FL" edibles and vape product, along with a number of new brands including Red Octopus and Dubbi Brothers in addition to the OutCo and Thrive brands recently acquired. For updates on the Company's activities and highlights of the Company's press releases and other media coverage, please visit www.high-fusion.com. For further information, please contact: Robert Wilson Chief Financial Officer High Fusion Inc. 416-666-4005 Email: [email protected] Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information: NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC., NOR THEIR REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Risks that may have an impact on the ability for these events to be achieved include completion of the Q3 2022 Filings. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking information expressed in this press release include, but are not limited to: obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals including acquiring and renewing U.S. state, local or other licenses, the uncertainty of existing protection from U.S. federal or other prosecution, regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including U.S. state-law legalization, market and general economic conditions of the cannabis sector or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/128986 Carbyne APEX enables OPCD to reduce dependence on brick-and-mortar building infrastructure by introducing remote NG9-1-1 call handling, improving readiness for major festivals and natural disasters. NEW ORLEANS, June 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carbyne, the leading i3 cloud-native emergency call handling provider, has partnered with Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) to bring i3 cloud-native NG911 omni-channel contact center solutions to their emergency communications center, by introducing anytime, anywhere 9-1-1 call handling capabilities with the launch of Carbyne APEX. Utilizing AT&T's Emergency Services IP Network (ESInet), Carbyne APEX provides OPCD with an ultra-reliable solution, enabling PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) to operate remotely during natural disasters, or closer to major festivals, sporting events, and much more. Carbyne APEX provides emergency call centers with patented live video and images from the caller, silent instant messaging, text to 9-1-1 compatibility, real-time speech transcription, as well as Internet of Things (IoT) data aggregation from drones, traffic cameras, and more. Carbyne delivers on-demand device-based caller location in addition to making available Advanced Mobile Location (AML) and location through cell tower triangulation. Carbyne's infrastructure supports some of the most advanced technologies worldwide for critical emergency response that legacy infrastructure cannot match. Carbyne APEX is partnered with tech giants to deliver a unique ecosystem of solutions while integrating advanced capabilities based on artificial intelligence and natural language processing. Carbyne APEX is a very powerful data rich platform featuring analytics capabilities, cementing Carbyne's position as the leading cloud-native 9-1-1 call handling provider today. OPCD's migration to Carbyne APEX provides anytime, anywhere call handling resource planning allowing leadership the ability to staff their call-takers and dispatchers efficiently through all weather conditions, including hurricanes, without interruption. "Here at OPCD we are laser focused and committed to ensuring we have the best technology available to serve the residents and visitors of New Orleans," said OPCD Executive Director Tyrell Morris. "With this switch over to AT&T's ESINet and Carbyne's APEX OPCD and the people we serve can rest assured that our systems are re-enforced and redundant so 9-1-1 service can remain available when they need us the most. Carbyne's APEX allows us to ensure the best location information, multi-media and flexibility is available on every 9-1-1." "Carbyne provides the latest NG911 cloud native technologies to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) globally. The 6,500 PSAPs in the US deserve the best technologies in order to save lives. New Orleans is a very complex city for emergency personnel. Urban areas with urban challenges. Tourists who do not know the area, natural disasters, such as hurricanes, which come to shore each year, and much more. The people of New Orleans deserve the most technologically advanced 911 service in the market and the emergency personnel deserve a system that allows them to dispatch help quickly and efficiently, while keeping responders safe. Carbyne APEX provides it all in one platform from the cloud including full call control powered by sophisticated data collaboration and a suite of supporting products. We've designed APEX to help those who are experiencing an emergency while also providing call takers a consolidated platform which provides all they need in one screen - the age of multiple screens is over.R Carbyne is a one stop shop eco-system for all emergency communication," explained Amir Elichai, CEO and co-founder of Carbyne. About CarbyneCarbyne (Headquartered in New York, NY) is a leading global provider of cloud-native mission-critical contact center solutions. Carbyne is one of the largest rich-data providers for emergency response centers, delivering over 250M data points per year all in a unified platform. Our technologies enable emergency contact centers and select enterprises to connect with callers as well as connected devices via highly secure communication channels without needing to download a consumer app. With a mission to redefine emergency collaboration and connect the dots between people, enterprises and governments, Carbyne provides a unified cloud native solution that provides live actionable data that can lead to more efficient and transparent operations and ultimately save lives. With Carbyne, every person counts. To learn more about Carbyne, please visit www.carbyne.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carbyne-and-orleans-parish-communication-district-opcd-launch-cloud-native-i3-911-call-handling-platform-301575183.html SOURCE Carbyne The U.S. Supreme Court's decision allowing states to ban abortion immediately stirred alarm Friday among LGBTQ advocates, who feared that the ruling could someday allow a rollback of legal protections for gay relationships, including the right for same-sex couples to marry. In the court's majority opinion overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Justice Samuel Alito said the decision applied only to abortion. But critics of the court's conservative majority discounted that statement. And in a separate concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should review other precedents, including its 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage, a 2003 decision striking down laws criminalizing gay sex and a 1965 decision declaring that married couples have a right to use contraception. "Let's just be clear. Today is about this horrifying invasion of privacy that this court is now allowing, and when we lose one right that we have relied on and enjoyed, other rights are at risk," said Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff in the landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, who is now running as a Democrat for the Ohio House. Abortion opponents celebrated the potential for states to ban abortion after nearly 50 years of being prevented from doing so. Some also argued that the case did not have implications beyond that, noting Alito's specific statement. "And to ensure that our decision is not misunderstood or mischaracterized, we emphasize that our decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right," Alito wrote. "Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion." Still, said Paul Dupont, a spokesman for the conservative anti-abortion American Principles Project, conservatives are optimistic about the potential for future victories on cultural issues, though getting more states to ban abortion is "a huge enough battle." "If there is a thought that this could apply elsewhere, you know, they're not going to say it here, and we're just going to have to see," Dupont said. Many abortion opponents insist that overturning Roe will not affect access to birth control or LGBTQ rights. Other factors could protect those rulings too: The Obergefell decision that legalized same-sex marriage was based on equal protection, and hundreds of thousands of couples have relied on it to wed, a precedent that many courts would be loath to disturb. Still, a sharp increase in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in the U.S. and opposition to some forms of birth control from some quarters on the right have advocates concerned that those rights are vulnerable. The court's three most liberal members argued that the majority decision "breaches a core rule-of-law principle, designed to promote constancy in the law" and "places in jeopardy" other rights. At the White House, President Joe Biden pledged to do everything in his power to defend a woman's right to have an abortion in states where it will be banned. He warned that the ruling could undermine rights to contraception and gay marriage: "This is an extreme and dangerous path." Then there is Thomas' concurring opinion, which Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the pro-LGBTQ-rights Human Rights Campaign, called an invitation for "stirring up fringe organizations, fringe politicians who want to harm the LGBTQ community." "There are clearly members of the court who have an outdated notion of what America looks like today and have a fantasy of returning to their painted idealism of a 1940s, 1950s America, certainly not what it really was in the 1940s and '50s," she said. "And that is terrifying." Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, called the decision "dangerous" and warned that it carves the nation into two parts. He predicted there will be "a tsunami of radical litigation and legislation aimed at further eroding rights we have taken for granted." "Make no mistake this is just the beginning of a systematic right-wing effort to rewrite decades of bedrock legal precedent," he said. ___ Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko in Washington, Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, Julie Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, in Lindsay Whitehurst, in Salt Lake City, contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 (Tribune News Service) Seventy-five years after his death, William H. Fetters will be recognized as the last Civil War veteran buried in Polk County as part of a statewide project. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is a group that preserves the history those who fought and worked to save the Union. It is the successor of the Grand Army of the Republic, which was an organization made up of those who fought in the Civil War. In 2003, the SUVCW started its Last Union Soldier Project in which the final resting place of the last Union Civil War soldier in each county nationally is located and marked. Nebraskas group has identified each solider and begun the process of marking those graces with a bronze medal star and a QR code medallion. Were going to each county and putting up a special marker to the last Union soldier who was buried in that particular county. Of the 93 counties (in Nebraska), there are 92 that have a soldier buried there, Nebraska SUVCW Past Cmmdr. Paul Hadley said. Some have thousands, some have just a couple. Mr. Fetters was one of the very early settlers of Stromsburg. And when he passed him, he was one of the only two guys left in the state that were Union veterans. Fetters passed away in 1947 at the age of 102. Fetters marker was to be dedicated Saturday at the Stromsburg Cemetery, with a local historian speaking about Fetters life. Born in rural Indiana in 1844, Fetters enlisted in the 30th Indiana Infantry at the age of 17, according to a Nebraska SUVCW press release. He served from 1862 to 1865. He was wounded during the battle of Stones River near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in December 1862 and was captured and sent to a Confederate prison camp in Richmond. Fetters was later exchanged and rejoined his regiment, which saw action in several other engagements during the Civil War. Fetters married Sarah Sawyer in Indiana in 1866, and the couple moved to a homestead 5 miles west of Stromsburg in 1872. After establishing a prosperous farm in Polk County, the Fetters moved to Stromsburg in 1903, where he retired. Williams wife and their three children died before him, but he was survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his later years, William lived with granddaughter Ruth Larson and her family. Hadley noted that Fetters great-grandson, Richard Larson, attended a 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1938 with him. Larson, who now resides in Florida, will be attending this weekends ceremony, the press release said. Fetters received a Purple Heart in 1940. According to Hadley, the Purple Heart had not been around during the Civil War era. After the war, in the late 1830s, they said any veteran who had been wounded in in a war merits this, Hadley said. So the Civil War guys applied and Mr. Fetters was one of them. So he has the Purple Heart too. He noted theres a chance that Fetters Purple Heart may be brought to the ceremony. As of March 2022, the Last Union Soldier Project has been completed in 28 of the 93 counties in Nebraska. Markers are also being planned for North and South Dakota. Just last summer, the group held a similar ceremony honoring James Hill as the last Civil War veteran buried in Dodge County. What were doing is trying to kind of draw attention to the impact that the Civil War veterans had in Nebraska, Hadley said. ___ (c)2022 the Columbus Telegram (Columbus, Neb.) Visit the Columbus Telegram at www.columbustelegram.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Supreme Courts decision Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade and revoke the constitutional right to an abortion has triggered widespread condemnation outside the United States. World leaders and abortion rights advocates described the ruling as horrific and appalling. Crowds rallied in protest in cities including London, Paris and Edinburgh, Scotland. One of the darkest days for womens rights in my lifetime, Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon wrote on Twitter just minutes after the decision came down. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also called the news horrific, saying that no government, politician, or man should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body. Abortion is a fundamental right for all women. It must be protected, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter. I express my solidarity with the women whose freedoms are today challenged by the Supreme Court of the United States of America. The court voted 6 to 3 Friday to uphold a Mississippi law banning all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Five justices also voted to overturn Roe, upending nearly 50 years of legal precedent guaranteeing the right to the procedure. The United States is now one of just three countries that have restricted abortion access in the 21st century. Over the past several decades, more than 50 countries have liberalized their abortion laws, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, a global advocacy group opposed to abortion restrictions. The United States is out of step with the global communitys commitment to advance human rights, more than 100 global health-care organizations said in a statement Friday. In recent years, countries including Argentina, Colombia, Ireland and Mexico have all moved to expand abortion access. Mexicos Supreme Court decriminalized abortion in a major ruling last September. Rarely have I been as proud to be part of the Mexican Supreme Court as I am today, Chief Justice Arturo Zaldivar tweeted on Friday, in a clear allusion to the U.S. court decision. All rights for all people. Until equality and dignity become customary. But the U.S. decision also alarmed advocates worried about its global effects. In 2018 the people of Ireland spoke loud and clear. Repealing one of the strictest abortion bans in the world. Giving Irish women their rights. We looked to America as an example of freedom, Jennifer Cassidy, a former Irish diplomat and academic, wrote on Twitter. Alvaro Bermejo, director general of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, said in a statement that the decision would embolden other anti-abortion, anti-woman and anti-gender movements and [impact] other reproductive freedoms. Vickie Remoe, a writer from Sierra Leone, added that she was devastated by the decision, which she saw as an attack on women period. I am also worried about the far-reaching global implications this will have on access to safe abortions across the globe, Remoe wrote in a tweet, but especially in Africa. The decision did receive some prominent support outside of the country, including in Eastern Europe and Latin America. The Vatican issued a statement that acknowledged the heated debate around the issue and said the U.S. decision would challenge the whole world. The head of the Catholic Church, which opposes abortion, called for a non-ideological debate on the place that the protection of life has in a civil society. Some members of Europes far right voiced their approval. Beatrix von Storch, a senior member of Germanys Alternative for Germany party, tweeted Friday that the decision was good and sent a signal of hope for unborn life. It will radiate to the entire West, von Storch wrote. Some political figures saw parallels to their own domestic battles. In Brazil, antiabortion politicians celebrated the news from the United States. Just a day earlier, right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro expressed outrage that doctors performed an abortion on an 11-year-old girl pregnant with a child conceived by rape. The victory in the USA comes one day after the defeat we had, in Brazil, with the murder of an 11-year-old girls baby, Carol De Toni, a federal deputy for Santa Catarina, wrote on Facebook. May the civilizational advance that took place in the USA serve as an inspiration to Brazil and may we always save the lives of innocents. Also in Brazil, Debora Diniz, a professor of the law faculty at the University of Brasilia, wrote on Twitter that it was a day of great anguish for women, girls and all people in the United States. My solidarity with all women, girls and others living in places in USA where abortion is now unsafe and criminalized, she wrote. - - - The Washington Posts Mary Beth Sheridan in Mexico City and Karla Adam and Annabelle Timsit in London contributed to this report. (Tribune News Service) The Bloor West Village Women's Clinic in Toronto has had very few American patients, despite advertising its abortion services internationally. That may be about to change. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision Friday overturning Roe v. Wade means women living in states with new restrictions on abortion could be forced to travel to obtain the procedure. Canada, which has no legal restrictions on abortion, could offer a safe haven for those looking for abortion care, with about half of U.S. states considered "certain or likely" to ban or severely restrict services following the high court's decision. The challenge will be affording it. Those needing an abortion still need to be able to pay the cost of travel and for the procedure itself. Travel to Canada also requires a passport and a vaccine card. "The women who are most vulnerable are not women, most likely, who are going to have passports and the money to do this," said Sheri Krieger, a counselor at Bloor West. "Certainly we're open and here to help in any way we can, 100%, that's for sure, but at this moment we have no sense of what's going to happen." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking at a Commonwealth summit, hinted that Canada could be a destination, but offered no specific measures to increase abortion availability or handle more patients at the nation's clinics. Trudeau lamented the Supreme Court's decision as a "devastating setback" to the battle for rights fought by generations of women around the world. "We need to continue to stand strong, to defend everybody's rights and freedoms in Canada and where we are here, internationally ... which Canada will do whether it's fighting for women's rights here in Africa, or supporting people fighting for their rights in the United States and elsewhere," he said. Canada could be an option for women in Michigan if they're willing to travel to Toronto or Hamilton. The Ambassador Bridge links downtown Detroit and Windsor, but the only access to surgical abortions in Windsor is in the hospital. There is no freestanding clinic. Michigan has a long-dormant abortion ban dating back to 1846 and updated in 1931, that could come back to life. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, believes it will and has filed a lawsuit seeking to have the Michigan Supreme Court declare it unconstitutional. A lower court in May granted a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of the law and Whitmer on Friday filed a brief asking for a quick and permanent decision from the state Supreme Court. Should Whitmer's suit fail, women's rights groups in the state are already looking for other places to send those seeking abortions, said Ashlea Phenicie, communications director for Planned Parenthood of Michigan. Canada is a possible destination, she said, but the group will look to Illinois and New York first because travel to those states is easier. Abortions are less expensive in Canada than the U.S. Carolyn Egan, a spokesperson for the Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics, said the cost of the procedure at a Canadian clinic is about C$500 ($388), but that doesn't include any travel costs a woman from the U.S. might incur. In Michigan, an abortion costs $600 to $900, according to the Women's Center of Michigan. And the Roe decision will complicate things for women on both sides of the border. Some Canadians travel to the U.S. to obtain late-stage abortions those after 24 weeks. Such a procedure can be difficult to access even in Canada's big cities because of a lack of physician training. About 95% of abortions in Canada are done before 12 weeks, many via medication. In addition, there is concern that clinics providing abortion services could be overwhelmed and wait times become insurmountable, said Frederique Chabot, director of health promotion, at Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights, a charity that helps advance reproductive health rights. Most of the clinics that have capacity are in Toronto and Montreal, said Joyce Arthur, executive director of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada. But it's much harder to find clinics in Canada's western provinces, meaning women in states such as North Dakota and South Dakota which could soon have new restrictions will have difficulty finding services. She said it also could promote a system where Canadian practitioners prefer Americans who pay in cash. "We want to help Americans but it's difficult because we want to take care of Canadians first," Arthur said. "It could result in a two-tiered system." On average, women wait one to two weeks for an abortion in Canada and as long as five weeks for later-term abortion care, according to Action Canada. "Even though we have the fully enshrined right to this service, that doesn't mean that it's widely available," said Kelly Bowden, director of Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations at Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights. "There still continues to be a huge amount of stigma around that access, and so we know that cross-border movement happens in order to access abortion services and we've actually seen it from Canada to the U.S." Despite the costs and challenges, as American women run out of options at home, some will likely look north. "I'm sick. I'm heartbroken, I'm disgusted. I don't even know if I have words to describe it," Krieger said. "If women do come, and want to come, or to find ways that they can come, I'm sure that there's going to be lots of people that are going to be ready to help." ___ 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. HONOLULU A federal judge in Hawaii has approved a $15 million settlement for an Army couple whose son suffered brain damage from lack of oxygen during his delivery at Tripler Army Medical Center in 2018. Under the settlement terms, Sean and Carolyn Galbreath will receive $7.5 million in upfront cash. Another $7.5 million would be invested in an annuity, which will provide a monthly stipend for their son for his entire life. Projected out over a lifetime, the settlement equates to roughly $38 million, Rich Turbin, one of the attorneys representing the family, said at his Honolulu office Friday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield gave provisional approval for the settlement on June 14, and it now awaits final authorization by the assistant attorney general in Washington, D.C. Tripler, which is located just outside Honolulu, admits no liability in the settlement. It declined on Friday to comment on the case. The medical center offers tertiary-level care and supports 264,000 local active-duty and retired military personnel, their families and veterans, according to its website. Sean Galbreath, an enlisted soldier, was stationed in Hawaii when his wife went into labor on the evening of Feb. 16, 2018, according to their attorneys. Carolyn had attempted to deliver the baby vaginally throughout the night, but by 6 a.m. the next day, the fetal heart monitor indicated that the child was in distress. His vital signs continued to worsen, but it was not until just past 8:30 a.m. that an emergency cesarean section was performed, according to the complaint filed Aug. 28, 2020. The child was blue and unresponsive due to lack of oxygen to his brain when he was delivered about 10 minutes later. Turbin said the C-section was delayed because medical personnel ending their night shift did not properly communicate the urgency of the matter with the incoming shift. In addition, the attending physician was not conducting the checks required in such a case and not communicating with nurses and floor staff, he said. As a result of the mishandled delivery, the boy suffers from seizures, cerebral palsy and other neurological issues, said Janice Heidt, one of the attorneys representing the family. He currently receives speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and behavioral therapy, she said. Hes 4 years old so at this point hes still developing, Heidt said. And of course, his parents have high hopes that he will continue to improve in his condition. Sean is now stationed at Fort Meade, Md., Heidt said. However, by the time our son was a year and a half old, it was clear he was going to have physical and mental deficits, and he would require care for the rest of his life, they said in the statement. We have been through so much with our son and the struggle for care and treatment can be so tiring, the couple said. This settlement will help lighten that load and provide us with treatment and care options that we never had before. Ukrainian forces are fighting to hold on to the eastern city of Lysychansk, Kyiv's last foothold against a Russian onslaught in the Luhansk region after its troops withdrew from neighboring Severodonetsk. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of Luhansk, announced the retreat of Ukrainian troops from Severodonetsk amid mounting casualties. The remaining soldiers will be relocated to new, fortified locations, he added. Ukraine's "professional, tactical retrograde" should not be taken as a sign of defeat, a senior U.S. official said, because Russia has made only incremental gains while a large number of its troops have been killed. A military base near the western Ukrainian town of Yavoriv was hit early Saturday by four Russian missiles fired from the Black Sea, regional governor Maxim Kozytskyi said. At least 35 people were killed in a similar attack on Yavoriv in March. Missile strikes were also reported on Chernihiv and Zhytomyr in the north, with a total of 48 missiles attacks across the country, according to Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak. Ukrainian military intelligence said 12 missiles were fired from Russian Tu-22M3 bombers flying over Belarus, the first time, it said, that Belarusian airspace has been used for such an attack. As Russian troops threaten to seize control of the entire Luhansk region, President Joe Biden is set to confer with leaders of the Group of Seven advanced industrial nations. When the G-7 leaders met in March, there was an unprecedented consensus on an unconditional need to back Ukraine, as well as optimism given Kyiv's unexpected successes on the battlefield. When the latest meeting starts in Germany on Sunday, however, the mood is likely to be more somber, with the fallout of a protracted war, including high prices as well as the food and energy crises caused by the war, causing fractures among Western nations. Top Western diplomats are also working to resolve Russia's Black Sea blockade of Ukrainian grain exports, although a path forward remains elusive. On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at a news briefing that Russia is the sole impediment to Ukrainian grain shipments from ports such as Odessa. He dismissed Moscow's accusations that Ukraine is mining its waters and said it "makes no sense" for Russia to inspect Ukrainian ships leaving these ports. "By what right or by what logic does Russia insist on inspecting Ukrainian sovereign ships leaving Ukrainian ports going to other countries?" Blinken said. He added that it is Kyiv that needs reassurances that Moscow would not use the opening of the ports to launch new attacks. Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union, has taken on the task of processing some of neighboring Ukraine's harvest, with the majority shipped there by barge down the Danube River. The Black Sea port of Constanta, the largest in Romania, has processed nearly 1 million tons of grain since war broke out, according to the Associated Press. But operators there say that strong assistance from the rest of the E.U. is needed for the port to even maintain its current level of output. "If we want to keep helping Ukrainian farmers, we need help to increase our handling capacities," Dan Dolghin, who heads cereal operations at Constanta's main Comvex terminal, told the AP. "No single operator can invest in infrastructure that will become redundant once the war ends." - - - The Washington Post's Missy Ryan contributed to this report from Berlin. The Post's Matt Viser and Ashley Parker contributed from Munich. Germany is pushing for Group of Seven nations to walk back a commitment that would halt the financing of overseas fossil fuel projects by the end of the year, according to people familiar with the matter. That would be a major reversal on tackling climate change as Russia's war in Ukraine upends access to energy supplies. A draft text shared with Bloomberg would see the G-7 "acknowledge that publicly supported investment in the gas sector is necessary as a temporary response to the current energy crisis." The caveat in the proposal is that such funding is done "in a manner consistent with our climate objectives and without creating lock-in effects." The text remains under debate and could change before G-7 leaders hold their summit in the Bavarian Alps starting Sunday hosted by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The U.K. opposes the proposal, two of the people said. A German government spokesman declined to comment. A person familiar with the discussions said Italy wasn't actively opposing the German proposal. Italy, like Germany, is highly dependent on Russian gas. On Friday, speaking during a press conference in Brussels, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Italy has managed to reduce Russian gas imports from 40% last year to 25% at the moment. This has been possible also by signing new gas deals in countries including Congo, Algeria and Angola. A government spokesperson said Italy did not support Germany's idea. Asked about the proposal on Air Force One as President Joe Biden flew to Europe, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he did not want to preempt discussions at the summit. "Our position last May was that the president was clear that he did not feel like these investments were the right course of action," he told reporters. "I know of no such change to that policy." The debate comes as Europe in particular struggles for alternative sources of fuel to Russian gas. The German government has warned that Russia's moves to limit supply risk a Lehman-like collapse in the energy markets, with Europe's largest economy facing the unprecedented prospect of businesses and consumers running out of power. Germany has responded to the cuts by reviving coal plants and providing financing to secure gas supplies, while continuing with plans to phase out nuclear energy. The World Nuclear Association, an industry lobby group, is urging the G-7 to boost access to nuclear technologies. Italy has said it will monitor the potential need to trigger emergency energy plans. Any such move could also see it boost coal production. A G-7 shift from a commitment initiated last year and firmed up in May would be a u-turn in global efforts to fight climate change. It would make it harder to rally the rest of the world around more stringent targets and direct investments toward cleaner sources of energy. It would also go against International Energy Agency advice that no new oil and gas projects should be developed if the world is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. G-7 ministers, in making their commitment to end direct international financing of fossil fuels by the end of 2022, acknowledged for the first time that fossil fuel subsidies were incompatible with the Paris Agreement. The group also reaffirmed a commitment to end "inefficient" fossil fuel subsidies by 2025. The ministers acknowledged, however, that investment in the LNG sector was a necessary response to the current crisis "in a manner consistent with our climate objectives and without creating lock-in effects." "This would be a huge setback from the progress we made last month at the G-7 energy and environment ministers when we finally brought Japan, the last G-7 holdout, into the commitment to end such financial support for fossil fuels," said Alden Meyer, a senior associate at climate change think E3G. "Where we saw Chancellor Merkel being the climate chancellor at the last G-7 summit Germany hosted, Scholz could go down in history as the climate backtracking Chancellor, which I think would be a real mark on his record, and we don't need to do this," he added. ___ 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Russia fired nearly 50 missiles at areas in western and northern Ukraine early Saturday and launched airstrikes from Belarus for the first time, Ukrainian officials said, as Moscow's war entered a fifth month and President Biden headed to Germany for a summit with Group of Seven leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held their own meeting on Saturday at Putin's summer residence near St. Petersburg, where they discussed increasing weapons shipments to Belarus, including nuclear weapons. The barrage of missiles struck a wide swath of territory as Ukrainian forces struggled to hold on to the eastern city of Lysychansk, Kyiv's last foothold against a Russian onslaught in the Luhansk region. A military base near the western Ukrainian town of Yavoriv was hit by four Russian missiles fired from the Black Sea, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said. He said two other missiles were intercepted. Details of casualties were not immediately known, but at least 35 people were killed in a similar attack on Yavoriv in March. Missile strikes were also reported on Chernihiv and Zhytomyr in the north, with a total of 48 missiles launched, according to Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak. Ukrainian military intelligence said 12 missiles were fired from Russian Tu-22M3 bombers flying over Belarus. It was the first time, the Ukrainians said, that Belarusian airspace has been used for such an attack. A Telegram channel monitoring Belarusian military activity, Belarusian Gayun, also said that missiles were launched from Belarusian territory. Ukraine charged that the strikes from Belarusian airspace reflected a deliberate effort by the Kremlin to "draw Belarus into the war in Ukraine as a direct participant." Belarus's Lukashenko is a long-standing and loyal ally of Putin, and allowed Russian troops and materiel to remain in his country after joint exercises in February. Those troops, tanks and other equipment were then used in Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Putin told Lukashenko that Russia would hand Iskander M missile systems to Belarus in coming months, adding the missile was capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads. "As we agreed with you - you raised this matter - our decision has been made. Over the next few months we will send Belarus the Iskander-M tactical missile systems which can use both ballistic and cruise missiles, both in conventional and nuclear rendition," Putin said according to Interfax. He added that the two countries must ensure their security. Lukashenko urged Putin to also equip Belarusian warplanes to carry nuclear warheads. The Belarusian leader raised the issue of Belarus hosting nuclear weapons late last year. "I am not saying that you will move nuclear munitions there tomorrow," Lukashenko said, but added it was important to be ready in case of a NATO attack. Ukraine claimed late last month that Russia had already deployed Iskander M missiles in Belarus. In eastern Ukraine, Serhiy Haidai, the regional governor of Luhansk, announced the retreat of Ukrainian troops from Severodonetsk amid mounting casualties. The remaining soldiers will be relocated to new, fortified locations, he added. Ukraine's "professional, tactical retrograde" should not be taken as a sign of defeat, a senior U.S. official said, because Russia has made only incremental gains while a large number of its troops have been killed. Five miles south of Severodonetsk, Ukrainian defenders have been digging trenches around Lysychansk this week to seal the city to everyone but military and humanitarian rescue missions. Russian forces have tried to enter Lysychansk from the south, Haidai said in a Telegram post Saturday, injuring at least two children in recent days. As Russian troops threaten to seize control of the entire Luhansk region, Biden is set to confer with leaders of the Group of Seven advanced industrial nations at a summit scheduled to start Sunday in the Bavarian Alps. When the G-7 leaders met in March, there was an unprecedented consensus on an unconditional need to back Ukraine, as well as optimism given Kyiv's unexpected successes on the battlefield. When the latest meeting starts in Germany on Sunday, however, the mood is likely to be more somber, with the fallout of a protracted war, including high prices as well as the food and energy crises caused by the war, causing fractures among Western nations. Top Western diplomats are also working to resolve Russia's Black Sea blockade of Ukrainian grain exports, although a path forward remains elusive. On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at a news briefing that Russia is the sole impediment to Ukrainian grain shipments from ports such as Odessa. He dismissed Moscow's accusations that Ukraine is mining its waters and said it "makes no sense" for Russia to inspect Ukrainian ships leaving these ports. "By what right or by what logic does Russia insist on inspecting Ukrainian sovereign ships leaving Ukrainian ports going to other countries?" Blinken said. He added that it is Kyiv that needs reassurances that Moscow would not use the opening of the ports to launch new attacks. Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union, has taken on the task of processing some of neighboring Ukraine's harvest, with the majority shipped there by barge down the Danube River. The Black Sea port of Constanta, the largest in Romania, has processed nearly 1 million tons of grain since war broke out, according to the Associated Press. But operators there say that strong assistance from the rest of the E.U. is needed for the port to even maintain its current level of output. "If we want to keep helping Ukrainian farmers, we need help to increase our handling capacities," Dan Dolghin, who heads cereal operations at Constanta's main Comvex terminal, told the AP. "No single operator can invest in infrastructure that will become redundant once the war ends." ___ The Washington Post's Missy Ryan contributed to this report from Berlin. The Post's Matt Viser and Ashley Parker contributed from Munich. BAGHDAD (AP) Iraq's caretaker prime minister is set to fly to Saudi Arabia, followed by Iran, carrying a new initiative aimed at renewing talks between the two regional arch foes, an official said Saturday. The official said Mustafa al-Kadhimi wasscheduled to travel to Riyadh later in the day for meetings with Saudi officials. He will then travel to Tehran on Sunday. Al-Kadhimi's visit seeks to open new avenues that would reactivate Baghdad-mediated dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran, according to the official, who is privy to the Iran-Saudi dialogue track. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to divulge the information to the press. The talks aimed at defusing yearslong tensions between the regional foes began quietly in Iraq's capital in 2021 as Saudi Arabia sought a way to end its disastrous war against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The conflict has spawned one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters and brought bombs from rebel drones and missiles raining down on Saudi airports and oil facilities. A fifth and last round of talks was held in Baghdad in April before they were suspended again amid soaring Middle East tensions. Iran, the largest Shiite Muslim country in the world, and Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties in 2016 after Saudi Arabia executed prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Angry Iranians protesting the execution stormed two Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, fueling years of animosity between the nations. Iraq borders both Iran and Saudi Arabia and is often caught in the middle of the two nations' proxy wars. Al-Kadhimi has stressed he wants balanced relations with the two neighbors. Improving relations with Saudi Arabia was a key policy of his administration when he took office in May 2020. The Defense Department will ensure that service members, their families and civilian employees have access to reproductive health care in the wake of a Supreme Court decision Friday to end the constitutional protection for abortion, the Pentagon said. The Department is examining this decision closely and evaluating our policies to ensure we continue to provide seamless access to reproductive health care as permitted by federal law, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement Friday. I am committed to taking care of our people and ensuring the readiness and resilience of our Force, Austin said. For those who have long sought Roes reversal, ending abortion takes priority over other considerations. Today the Supreme Court, in line with modern science and overwhelming public consensus, recognized the truth in every mothers heart and that pro-life advocates have argued all along: unborn children are human beings, deserving of protection, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said in a news release Friday. But another observer says the decision will weaken the nations security. By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has not only taken a wrecking ball to reproductive rights it has taken a wrecking ball to military readiness, Janessa Goldbeck, a Marine Corps veteran and veterans advocate, said in a news release Friday. America will be less secure as a result, she said. The courts decision allows political bodies, such as legislatures or Congress, to enact laws protecting, restricting or banning abortions. Fourteen states, mostly in the South and Midwest, have already enacted so-called trigger laws that would ban abortion in the event the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right established in 1973 in the Roe vs. Wade decision. A handful of other states have already enacted bans on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, before many women even know they are pregnant. Fridays decision means women seeking abortions in restrictive states will need to travel to locations where it remains legal. That could be particularly burdensome to military personnel in states or even large regions of the country where abortions are banned. The decision exacerbates the existing obstacles military personnel and their families face in obtaining abortions, argues Goldbeck, CEO of the Vet Voice Foundation, a nonpartisan organization that advocates a greater role for veterans in civic leadership. Federal law allows military medical facilities to provide abortions only in cases of rape, incest or when a womans life is in danger. Tricare, the militarys health program for service members and their families, covers abortions only for those same circumstances. Service members and their families who require abortion care for any other reason must go off-base and pay out of pocket for these services, Goldbeck said in the news release. But as of todays ruling, tens of thousands of military troops and their families are now stationed in states where abortion is banned and criminalized, she said. Service members who need abortion care for any other reason will have to travel through multiple states on their own dime just to get to a state where abortion is legal. This inflicts a significant cost not only to the service member but to overall military readiness by forcing troops to take significant leave from their post. Because of the time and travel involved in seeking a legal abortion, service members will likely need to request leave from their superiors. [T]heir fate will be determined by those same superiors who may have their own personal views on the issue of abortion, Goldbeck said. This means that a member of the United States military may be forced to carry a pregnancy to term simply because her commanding officer will not approve her leave request. Goldbeck urged the Defense Department to institute and enforce clear directives that allow troops and their families to access abortion care, no matter where they are stationed, in a way that maintains their privacy. TOPEKA, Kan. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision allowing states to ban abortion stirred alarm Friday among LGBTQ advocates, who feared that the ruling could someday allow a rollback of legal protections for gay relationships, including the right for same-sex couples to marry. In the court's majority opinion overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Justice Samuel Alito said the decision applied only to abortion. But critics of the court's conservative majority gave the statement no credence. I dont buy that at all, said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of medicine at Georgetown University and faculty director of its Institute for National and Global Health Law. It really is much more extreme than the justices are making it out to be. He added: It means that you cant look to the Supreme Court as an impartial arbiter of constitutional rights because theyre acting more as culture warriors. Gostin and others pointed to a separate concurring opinion in which Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should review other precedents, including its 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage, a 2003 decision striking down laws criminalizing gay sex and a 1965 decision declaring that married couples have a right to use contraception. Today is about this horrifying invasion of privacy that this court is now allowing, and when we lose one right that we have relied on and enjoyed, other rights are at risk, said Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff in the landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, who is now running as a Democrat for the Ohio House. Abortion opponents celebrated the potential for states to ban abortion after nearly 50 years of being prevented from doing so. Some argued that the case did not have implications beyond that, noting Alito's words. And to ensure that our decision is not misunderstood or mischaracterized, we emphasize that our decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right, Alito wrote. Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion. Kristen Waggoner, legal director for the Alliance Defending Freedom, which helped defend the Mississippi abortion law at issue in the ruling, said the high court's decision makes it clear that the taking of human life is unlike any other issue. She said raising other issues shows the weakness of critics' arguments about abortion. Still, said Paul Dupont, a spokesman for the conservative anti-abortion American Principles Project, conservatives are optimistic about the potential for future victories on cultural issues, though getting more states to ban abortion is a huge enough battle. If there is a thought that this could apply elsewhere, you know, they're not going to say it here, and we're just going to have to see, Dupont said. Other factors could protect those rulings on birth control and LGBTQ rights, too. The Obergefell decision that legalized same-sex marriage was based on equal protection, and hundreds of thousands of couples have relied on it to wed, a precedent that many courts would be loath to disturb. Still, a sharp increase in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in the U.S. and opposition to specific kinds of birth control on the right have advocates concerned that those rights are vulnerable. The possibility worried some of the scores of people at a Friday evening abortion-rights rally outside the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. including Rija Nazir, a 21-year-old community organizer from Wichita for a voting-rights group. She wore a pink cowboy hat festooned with a button featuring a cowboy uterus drawing for a Vote Neigh campaign against an anti-abortion measure on the statewide ballot Aug. 2. They're going to go for LGBTQ rights first and then same-sex marriage next. Who knows? Maybe interracial marriage, birth control, Nazir said. They're not going to stop at abortion. Some abortion opponents treat some forms of contraception as forms of abortion, particularly IUDs and emergency birth control such as Plan B, also known as the morning after pill. Lawmakers in Idaho and Missouri last year discussed banning state funding for emergency contraception, and Idaho prevents public schools or universities from dispersing it. It's all interconnected, because at its base, birth control and abortion are both types of health care that help people have bodily autonomy, said Mara Gandal-Powers, director of birth control access for the National Women's Law Center, which supports abortion rights. I'm very concerned about where this is going to go. The Supreme Court's three most liberal members argued that the majority decision breaches a core rule-of-law principle, designed to promote constancy in the law" and places in jeopardy other rights. At the White House, President Joe Biden pledged to do everything in his power to defend a womans right to have an abortion in states where it will be banned. He warned that the ruling could undermine rights to contraception and gay marriage: This is an extreme and dangerous path. Then there is Thomas' concurring opinion, which Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the pro-LGBTQ-rights Human Rights Campaign, called an invitation for stirring up fringe organizations, fringe politicians who want to harm the LGBTQ community. There are clearly members of the court who have an outdated notion of what America looks like today and have a fantasy of returning to their painted idealism of a 1940s, 1950s America, certainly not what it really was in the 1940s and '50s, she said. And that is terrifying. Jason Pierceson, a University of Illinois political scientist, said he doesn't see the conservative majority stopping with abortion. They are sending signals to the conservative legal movement, which has a lot of momentum right now because of this victory, to keep going and to keep bringing cases to them over the next several years that will give them opportunities to go further, Pierceson said. Jennifer Pizer, acting chief legal officer for the LGBTQ-rights group Lambda Legal, added: "It is an extremist assault on the privacy, self-determination, dignity and equality of every person in our country. ___ This story has been corrected to show that Lawrence Gostins title is faculty director, not director, of the Georgetown Institute. Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko in Washington, Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, and Lindsay Whitehurst, in Salt Lake City, contributed to this report. Hong Kong: HK logs 1.6k local infections The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 1,680 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 620 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 1,060 via rapid antigen tests which were verified. Separately, 114 imported cases were reported. The centre also received notifications of three positive cases from the same school Yuen Long Public Middle School Alumni Association Tang Ying Yip Primary School. They all study in class 6D and 20 pupils in the class had to suspend themselves from in-person classes for a week. The cluster from a restaurant at Chelsea Heights in Tuen Mun registered three more infections, bringing the number of COVID-19 cases there to 40. Meanwhile, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration to cover King Fai House, Yue Fai Court in Aberdeen, requiring people in the restricted area to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline. As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several housing estates in Tuen Mun, Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong and Wan Chai districts, the Housing Department and respective district offices will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to relevant residents as well as cleaning workers and property management staff working there. For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage. This story has been published on: 2022-06-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Trend A trilateral meeting of the Prosecutor Generals of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia was held in Minsk, on the initiative of the Russian side, General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan told Trend. Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kamran Aliyev noted the significance of joint activities to search for persons missing as a result of the first and second Karabakh wars. The meeting addressed the importance of mine maps for protecting people's lives, prevention of illegal trips to Karabakh, as well as underscored the need to continue cooperation in this area. Azerbaijan's full compliance with the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020 was also emphasized. Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov thanked his Azerbaijani and Armenian colleagues for considerable efforts to achieve peace and stability for the benefit of the region's peoples. Moreover, the sides discussed future cooperation in the legal sphere and expressed support for strengthening ties. Authorities on Friday arrested a 58-year-old Peru man accused of shooting his neighbor amid a dispute on Saturday, according to the Nebraska State Patrol. Guadalupe DeLaCruz turned himself into the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office early Friday morning, nearly a week after a shooting in the 1200 block of Sixth Street in Peru, the patrol said in a news release. Last weekend, DeLaCruz entered 25-year-old Mark Dupre's fenced-in backyard with a handgun as Dupre hosted a pool party with 15 to 20 others, including some children, according to the affidavit for DeLaCruz's arrest. The 58-year-old told investigators he had gone to his neighbor's house to complain about the noise, but was met with threats from Dupre and a 22-year-old man who was attending the party, according to the affidavit. DeLaCruz fired his gun at least twice, striking Dupre once, according to the news release. A second shot toward the 22-year-old missed, the State Patrol said. Party attendees disputed DeLaCruz's account of events, investigators said in court records, saying that Dupre and the 22-year-old hadn't poised a threat to DeLaCruz before the shooting. Dupre, who was taken to Bryan West Campus in Lincoln with non-life-threatening injuries, has since been released from the hospital. DeLaCruz was charged in Nemaha County Court with first-degree assault, use of a firearm to commit a felony, attempt of a class 2 felony and possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, according to court filings. He is being held at the Nemaha County jail. Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden on Saturday signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise that seemed unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school. "Time is of the essence. Lives will be saved," he said in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Citing the families of shooting victims he has met, the president said, "Their message to us was, 'Do something.' How many times did we hear that? 'Just do something. For God's sake, just do something.' Today we did." The House gave final approval Friday, following Senate passage Thursday, and Biden acted just before leaving Washington for two summits in Europe. "Today we say, 'More than enough,'" Biden said. "It's time, when it seems impossible to get anything done in Washington, we are doing something consequential." The legislation will toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders and help states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged to be dangerous. The president called it "a historic achievement." Most of its $13 billion cost will help bolster mental health programs and aid schools, which have been targeted in Newtown, Connecticut, and Parkland, Florida, and elsewhere in mass shootings. Biden said the compromise hammered out by a bipartisan group of senators from both parties "doesn't do everything I want" but "it does include actions I've long called for that are going to save lives." "I know there's much more work to do, and I'm never going to give up, but this is a monumental day," said the president, who was joined by his wife, Jill, a teacher, for the signing. After sitting to sign the bill, Biden sat reflectively for a moment, then murmured, "God willing, this is gonna save a lot of lives." He also said they will host an event on July 11 for lawmakers and families affected by gun violence. The president spoke of families "who lost their souls to an epidemic of gun violence. They lost their child, their husband, their wife. Nothing is going to fill that void in their hearts. But they led the way so other families will not have the experience and the pain and trauma that they had to live through." Biden signed the measure two days after the Supreme Court's ruling Thursday striking down a New York law that restricted peoples' ability to carry concealed weapons. And Saturday's ceremony came less than 24 hours after the high court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which had legalized abortion nationwide for nearly five decades. "Yesterday, I spoke about the Supreme Court's shocking decision striking down Roe v. Wade," Biden said. "Jill and I know how painful and devastating the decision is for so many Americans. I mean so many Americans." He noted that the abortion ruling leaves enforcement up to the states, some of which have already moved to ban abortion or will soon do so. Biden said his administration will "focus on how they administer it and whether or not they violate other laws, like deciding to not allow people to cross state lines to get health services." Asked by reporters about whether the Supreme Court was broken, Biden said, "I think the Supreme Court has made some terrible decisions." He walked away without answering more questions, noting, " "I have a helicopter waiting for me to take off." While the new gun law does not include tougher restrictions long championed by Democrats, such as a ban on assault-style weapons and background checks for all firearm transactions, it is the most impactful gun violence measure produced by Congress since enactment a long-expired assault weapons ban in 1993. Enough congressional Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the steps after recent rampages in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas. It took weeks of closed-door talks but senators emerged with a compromise. Biden signed the bill just before departing Washington for a summit of the Group of Seven leading economic powers the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan in Germany. He will travel later to Spain for a NATO meeting. (Tribune News Service) Representatives Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., and Peter Meijer, R-Mich., have introduced their bipartisan CLIMB Act to permanently authorize the popular programs on military installations and at military treatment facilities that help improve childhood literacy in military families. Originally authorized as a five-year pilot program in the FY06 NDAA, this successful program provides age-appropriate books to children during their wellness checks ages 0-5 (twice a year). Rep. French Hill (R-AR) is also an original co-lead of the CLIMB Act. A lesson I will never forget from my father, a WWII refugee, is that the one thing that cant be taken away from you is your education, said Houlahan. Growing up as a Navy dependent and then serving myself in the Air Force, I know firsthand the unique pressures military families experience in educating their children. I also spent many years as an educator and leader of a literacy-focused non-profit, so I know early childhood literacy is the key to success. We must invest wisely in our military families and their children. We ask so much of our men and women in uniform; we owe it to them to consistently deliver on our promise to support them by ensuring their children are developing the literacy skills they need to set them up for success down the road. The young children of our active duty servicemembers deserve access to the best and most comprehensive care, said Rep. Meijer. We have seen the tremendous health benefits of early literacy promotion throughout our communities, and I am proud to join this bipartisan effort to provide these resources for children who are receiving their primary care at military facilities. By ensuring children are exposed to the value of reading and books from a young age, this legislation will deliver on Americas promise to not only take care of service members but also their families. This bipartisan effort is supported by the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), which has integrated Reach Out and Read into well-visits for over 25 years. We are delighted that Representatives Houlahan and Meijer are introducing bipartisan legislation that promotes early literacy in primary care for families on military installations, said Trude Haecker, MD, FAAP, Medical Director for Reach Out and Read at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. This will make a huge difference in the lives of infants and toddlers during their most formative years. As a pediatrician, one of my goals is to develop a love of books and reading within the entire family. Research shows that reading aloud to babies and young children helps promote brain development, which can then lead to earlier language acquisition skills, higher literacy, and better reading comprehension once the child goes to school. The Reach Out and Read national network reaches approximately 4.2 million children through primary care visits across the country. This includes military bases in 26 states and at Aviano Air Force Base. The families of our nations armed services members face unique challenges, including the substantial stress of adjusting to frequent moves and deployments, coping with trauma and other pressures that can have enduring consequences on social and emotional health and development, said Reach Out and Read CEO, Marty Martinez. Today we welcome the introduction of the bipartisan CLIMB Act of 2022, designed to help reduce the stress and build resilience by integrating early literacy promotion into routine well-child check-ups, delivering a standard of care consistent throughout all military treatment facilities that serve children. Thanks to Rep. Houlahans leadership and commitment, all young children, beginning at birth through age 5, who receive care on military installations will have the opportunity to benefit from an evidence-backed model offered by medical practitioners trained to provide new, age- appropriate books and support to caregivers in establishing shared reading as a part of the daily routine. In January, Houlahan also directly appealed to Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, to include funding for the Reach Out and Read program in DoDs FY23 Presidential Budget request. ___ (c)2022 Daily Local News, West Chester, Pa. Visit Daily Local News, West Chester, Pa. at https://www.dailylocal.com/ Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Supreme Court's ruling this week that Americans have a right to carry a handgun outside the home for self-defense - striking down a New York law that made it illegal to carry a gun in public without proving there was a special need for protection - could mean Maryland will have to change its own similar law. Under current Maryland law, a gun owner must prove that they have a "good and substantial reason" to carry a concealed weapon. That could include proving they have been threatened and are in danger, showing they have high security clearances, or being a business owner. About 39,000 concealed carry licenses are issued in Maryland. But on Thursday, the nation's highest court issued its 6-to-3 decision striking down a similar law in New York that requires proof of a special circumstances to carry a gun - a ruling that is likely to impact a number of other states and could make it easier to carry guns in some of the nation's biggest cities. Many of Maryland's Democratic leaders - who have been active on gun legislation, including banning "ghost guns," which are assembled from parts and sold in kits on the internet without background checks - expressed concern about how the decision will impact already rising crime, while Republicans celebrated the victory as a step in the right direction. Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, D-Baltimore County, and Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore City, said in a joint statement that they would be reviewing the opinion, but called universal concealed carry the "wrong answer" to address gun violence. "We will be reviewing the opinion and, if necessary, pass legislation that protects Marylanders and complies with this brand-new precedent," they wrote. Maryland's Attorney General Brian Frosh, D, called the state's current law a "common sense" measure that keeps residents safe and helps limit gun violence. Without it, he said, the state will become more dangerous, and make jobs harder for law enforcement officials. "If the norm is that people can carry firearms, our neighborhoods, our streets and other public places will become more dangerous," Frosh said in a statement. "The epidemic of gun violence sweeping our nation demonstrates daily the folly of introducing more guns into this boiling cauldron." Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, R, did not release a statement on the decision, but candidates vying for the term-limited governor's seat took the opportunity to assert stances on gun control and crime. "We cannot hand out conceal-carry permits like candy. If and when Maryland's law is struck down, every Tom, Dick or Harry who feels like toting a gun in public will be empowered to do so," former attorney general and Democratic candidate Doug Gansler tweeted. "Make no mistake: that means there will be more guns on our streets, and more guns in the hands of people who shouldn't have them." Former U.S. labor secretary Tom Perez and Democratic candidate agreed: "The Supreme Court's disastrous decision today to loosen concealed carry safety laws across the country - including potentially here in Maryland - will put people's lives at greater risk. We need to do more to prevent the scourge of gun violence, not less." Republican candidate Del. Daniel L. Cox, R-Frederick, celebrated the decision, requesting that the governor "immediately comply" and issue an order to the Maryland State Police, which issues concealed carry licenses, to follow the new ruling. "I stand for constitutional carry and as governor I will ensure our constitutional rights are enforced," Cox posted on Facebook. His main opponent, former Maryland commerce secretary Kelly Schulz - who's been endorsed by Hogan - took a broader approach. "It is unclear what this means for Maryland, but Kelly Schulz supports law abiding gun owners and has repeatedly made her position on these issues very clear," spokesman Mike Demkiw said in an emailed statement. "Maryland has some of the toughest gun laws in the country and that won't change when she is governor." Some in Maryland have already been fighting the law for years, even suing the state in a lawsuit that had been on hold in the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals pending the Supreme Court's decision in the New York case. Briefing in the case was scheduled on Friday to begin in August. Mark Pennak, president of Maryland Shall Issue, one of the groups that filed the suit, said he was ecstatic to see the Supreme Court's ruling on Thursday, calling the implications for Maryland's law "definitive." "I've been doing this a long time and this is about as clear as I've ever seen it," Pennak said. "It's very clear that the Maryland 'good substantial reason' requirement is blatantly unconstitutional, for the same reason that New York's 'good cause' requirement was unconstitutional, because it gives its discretion to the licensing official." Pennak said that it's up to the state to take its next steps and either "stand in the doorway and defy the Supreme Court," or remove the requirement. For Pennak and Maryland Shall Issue, he said the work's not done yet. "Maryland has a whole panoply of other gun control laws which are likely to be unconstitutional in light of the Supreme Court's decision," Pennak said. "And we will be litigating." WASHINGTON More than a thousand abortion rights demonstrators, chanting loudly and waving placards, gathered near the Supreme Court building Saturday for a second day of protests following the court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, adding their voices to renewed outpourings of emotion nationwide over the historic ruling. By late Saturday morning, a throng of protesters had massed on First Street NE, between the Capitol and Supreme Court, in a gathering that was noisy but peaceful -- although some abortion rights advocates engaged in angry exchanges with antiabortion activists, who appeared in much smaller numbers. "Not your uterus, not your choice," they chanted, as a group formed a semicircle in front of the court building and girls and adults stepped forward. One took the megaphone and led the crowd in defiant chants about the ruling. "I Dissent," read one placard. Others demanded a "separation of church and state" and called for Congress to "codify Roe." At one point, a man rode a bicycle through the assembly, disrupting a speech while playing religious music and displaying a "JESUS SAVES" sign. Protesters shouted back at him, "Abort the court!" U.S. Capitol Police said late in the afternoon that two people had been arrested. An officer said he understood the alleged conduct was "destruction of government property," but cautioned that he did not know what the formal charge eventually would be. On First Street, 11-year-old Penelope Hall of Blacksburg, Va., took the megaphone in front of the Supreme Court to deliver her message: "The decision they made doesn't affect them," she said. "But it affects me and my friends and my family." Other protesters cheered loudly as she handed the megaphone to the next speaker. With her father, Nathan Hall, standing next to her, Penelope said she wanted to tell the court that abortion was her right. Nathan Hall, 44, said he was "proud of her confidence and that she was able to articulate her voice. One of her first dream jobs was to be on the Supreme Court to protect women's rights." D.C. police said they had activated the full department -- placing officers on standby in case of violence or vandalism -- through the weekend. On Friday, dozens of police officers surveyed the scene as a peaceful but animated crowd gathered outside the court less than two hours after the decision was announced. Security fencing ringed the court, and officers with long guns watched the crowd from the roof. On Friday, thousands of abortion rights supporters gathered in downtown Washington to assail the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, in which a majority of the justices held that the Constitution does not guarantee the right to an abortion. Other marches to protest the decision unfolded in New York, Chicago, Nashville, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other cities. After the leak of a draft of the opinion last month, few were surprised. But many were still in shock. An abortion rights activist who had been atop the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge since Friday morning came down Saturday afternoon, according to D.C. police. He had been on top of the bridge for more than 24 hours. As Saturday morning wore on, Kate Ireland, of Chevy Chase, Md., bounced her 2-year old daughter, Eleanor, on her lap as the crowd chanted, "My body, my choice!" "Can you say it?" Ireland, 40, asked her daughter, as Eleanor looked around, eyes wide. They came with Kate's sister, Elizabeth McNamee, 33, of the District, who is queer. Both sisters are also concerned about what other rights would be rolled back next, including same-sex marriage. Ireland said she reads books with Eleanor about why people march and chant, and she hopes that the word "protest" is soon part of Eleanor's vocabulary. "We want to keep your body safe," she said, kissing her daughter's head. On Friday, the scene outside the court in the immediate wake of the Dobbs ruling captured Americans' wildly divergent reactions to a watershed moment in one of the nation's bitterest debates. Antiabortion activists brimmed with joy at a long-sought legal victory while supporters of abortion rights voiced fury and despair. Saturday brought a similar outpouring. Antiabortion activist Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue, applauded the court's ruling as he stood outside the building. He likened the justices' decision to the Allies' successful Normandy invasion in the fight against Nazi Germany in World War II, adding that ultimately he wants a federal law banning abortion nationwide. The ruling "was a victory, but it's like D-Day," Terry said. "Our goal is to get to Berlin. Our mission is to make it illegal to kill a human being from conception until birth in all 50 states." Carol Foulke, who is old enough to remember World War II, came to First Street from Northern Virginia in a wheelchair being pushed by her daughter. "Social worker for abortion access," her sign read. It is "very important that as many people who feel as I do to get out here and let the government know we're out here," said Foulke, 93, as protesters, mostly women, approached to have their photos taken with her. "It's going to be harder on the young people because they have lived with Roe v. Wade their whole lives," she said. "They don't know what it's like to not have that." Caitlynn Sawilski, 19, drove from Dover, Del., with a sign she'd made in 2018 for the anti-gun violence March for Our Lives: "So you're only pro-life when a uterus is involved?" The other side of the sign said: "This is from four years ago, why am I still using it?" "It is ridiculous that I have a sign that applies to trying to fight for gun safety and reproductive rights," Sawilski said. Tim Clement, of Oxnard, Calif., arrived in D.C. on Wednesday, anticipating the ruling overturning Roe. He said he was here to celebrate and, like Terry, to prepare for next steps. "Now the fight really begins," said Clement, 49, a teacher and chaplain. "It's about going forward, not backward. The laws of abortion need to change across the country. It's a fight to change people's minds." Mary Tretola-Johnson, 46, held a neon-green sign above her head saying she was a rape victim. She said she was sexually abused for more than a year when she was a teenager. Although she did not get pregnant, she said, she thinks about what might have happened - and what might happen to others. "There will be girls, women, who are impregnated by sexual assault that will not be given a choice, and they have to carry that baby to term. It's a lifetime of victimization that no man should ever have a voice in." Tretola-Johnson, of Upland, Calif., who has a 23-year-old daughter, said she cried and felt numb when the court's ruling was announced. "I can't believe that is what God intended, not the God that I serve," she said. "All I could think was, 'Not in America.' It was overwhelming." She added, "I'm hurt, I'm scared, and I want that to be heard." Elsewhere in the country, hundreds gathered in Willard Park next door to Cleveland City Hall on Saturday, coming from as far as Akron, an hour away, and carrying homemade signs that captured their unambiguous anger and unwillingness to accept Friday's Supreme Court decision. "I refuse to live in a country like this, and I'm not leaving," read one. "Guns have more rights than my uterus," read another. As speakers took the mic to deliver fiery speeches, the crowd chanted, "Never surrender! Abortion forever!" ___ Andrea Simakis in Cleveland and Omari Daniels in Washington contributed to this report. (Tribune News Service) Advocates for a state-run veterans cemetery in Orange County are feeling optimistic about an Assembly bill that has been advancing through the California Legislature. It would allocate $700,000 for an acquisition study for a long-discussed dedicated resting ground for Orange Countys heroes, but wouldnt box planners into one location a problem in the past. Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva and Assemblyman Steven S. Choi authored the latest bill. In the past, Quirk-Silva had shepherded through legislation for a location in Irvine, and then city leaders there spent several years bandying around spots and never coming to a consensus. Veterans Alliance of Orange County, or VALOR, and local officials have since turned their attention to a high-elevation plot in Anaheim Hills Gypsum Canyon. The property is owned by the county and already planned for a public cemetery a CalVet study of the land would ensure its a viable site. Ahead of the bill starting its campaign Tuesday through the Senates Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs it won unanimous Assembly support last month Quirk-Silva hosted a press conference on its progress Friday at Heroes Hall in Costa Mesa. Where we are today is further along than weve ever been before, Third District Supervisor Don Wagner said at the conference. Today, we are on the eve of the next big step. Part of the final push for this cemetery will involve finding a compromise with Senator Tom Umberg who has a competing senate bill. Though the two bills are similar, they reflect some distinct concerns. For example, Umbergs bill specifically names Gypsum Canyon, yet Choi and Quirk-Silvas leaves any site in Orange County up for consideration in case a location change has to be considered again in the future. Still, Quirk-Silva and Wagner said they feel cooperation is possible to get this project completed quickly. Their cooperative spirit follows suit with the 34 cities in Orange County agreeing in the last year that the Gypsum Canyon site is the most promising location thus far. In Orange County, that is rare to have that much energy behind one project, Quirk-Silva said. Orange County veterans began petitioning for a local cemetery in 2012. Two years later, Quirk-Silva drafted the first piece of legislation calling for the state to fund its construction. At that time, residents largely agreed that the so-called ARDA site on the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Irvines Great Park was best suited for the project. The Irvine City Council then ran in circles for several years, unable to reach a consensus on a final location. Councilwoman Tammy Kim summarized the stalemate best at a City Council meeting last June: Keeping (the cemetery) here in Irvine doesnt allow it to move forward; its like holding it hostage. When they realized Irvine was no longer a viable option, VALOR members began looking elsewhere, landing on Gypsum Canyon. Its beautiful and a good resting place, said Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee. Weve earned the high ground, and were not getting off that hill. VALOR President Nick Berardino emphasized that many veterans cannot spare the time for more bureaucratic hold-ups. Were dying off, he said. Our chance is here. In December, a veterans coalition raised a giant American flag at a groundbreaking ceremony in Gypsum Canyon. Soon, they hope, their decade-long dream will become a reality. 2022 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit ocregister.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. JEFFERSON CITY Missouris attorney general and governor moved quickly Friday to cut off access to abortion in the state following the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Within minutes of the high courts ruling, Attorney General Eric Schmitt issued an opinion to the Missouri Revisor of Statutes that triggers parts of a 2019 law, effectively ending abortion in the State of Missouri. Schmitt, a candidate for U.S. Senate, said Missouri became the first state in the country to do so. Today, following the United States Supreme Courts ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, with the issuance of an attorney general opinion, my office has yet again reinforced Missouris dedication to protecting the sanctity of life, both born and unborn, Schmitt said. Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican like Schmitt, followed suit not long after, issuing his own proclamation on the issue. Nothing in the text, history, or tradition of the United States Constitution gave un-elected federal judges authority to regulate abortion. We are happy that the U.S. Supreme Court has corrected this error and returned power to the people and the states to make these decisions, Parson said. The law prohibits abortion after eight weeks of gestation unless there is a critical medical reason. There are no exceptions for rape, incest or human trafficking. The law also bans a woman from aborting a fetus that might have Down syndrome. It also requires both parents or guardians to be notified before minors can get an abortion, in most cases. And it includes the trigger ban on abortion if the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision is overturned, as it was Friday. Twelve other states have adopted trigger laws, including four of Missouris neighbors: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky. Schmitt said abortion is now outlawed in the state, except in cases of medical emergency. As part of a sustained effort by Republicans who control Missouris House and Senate, laws and regulations have already made abortion a rarity in the state. Since peaking at more than 20,000 a year in the 1980s, the number of abortions in Missouri dropped to fewer than 150 a year because of limited access. Many women now travel to out-of-state clinics, including two in the Metro East, for the procedure. Reaction from Missouri politicians also was swift. This is a momentous day in America. One of the most unjust decisions in American history has been overturned, said Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley. Former Gov. Eric Greitens, who is running for U.S. Senate, called the ruling a huge victory. Life is the most precious gift from our Creator and is always worthy of protection, especially the unborn who are the most vulnerable, Greitens said. Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine, who is running for U.S. Senate, condemned the decision. This decision takes us backwards 50 years and lessens womens independence and our rights. It especially affects the most vulnerable amongst us. Reproductive health care decisions are a womans to make, and I will fight to protect our rights, to respect our intelligence and our choice, and to always advocate for our equality. Weve come too far to turn back the clock, Valentine said. Lucas Kunce, another Democrat seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Roy Blunt next year, said Congress should codify Roe v. Wade to restore abortion rights. We cannot let this stand. We need to take our power back. When I am in the Senate, I will fight like hell to guarantee access to abortion for every Missourian, Kunce said. In the Missouri Legislature, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said the ruling is a sign that Missourians must elect more lawmakers who will protect basic rights. Republicans will not stop with abortion. They will begin stripping away access to birth control and contraception, in vitro fertilization and marriage equality, Quade warned. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said in a statement the ruling doesnt change the fact that 7 in 10 Missourians support the right to an abortion. It does not change the fact that in states like ours, weve already been living a post-Roe reality, with thousands traveling out of state for abortions. As devastating as this moment is for families across the country, St. Louisans are ready to take action to protect our rights until Congress steps in to do what it should have done decades ago: codify Roe into law. The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday sent shockwaves through the greater St. Louis region, an island of abortion access and also home to deep anti-abortion sentiments. Abortion-rights and anti-abortion advocates alike reacted. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Bay of Plenty apprentice Bayley Wilkie has won a Plumbing World Scholarship at the national 2022 New Zealand Plumbing Awards, held in Rotorua recently. The 24-year-old Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying apprentice was nominated for the scholarship by her Masterlink Regional Manager Russell Walsh. When he first met Bayley, Russell was unsure that the petite and timid young woman in front of him had what it takes to succeed in the trades. Today, he is pleased and impressed to see the mature and capable adult she has become with the support of her host company Laser Plumbing Te Puke. "My incorrect first impression was of someone who would struggle with the physicality of the Plumbing Industry, the need to be decisive and to speak up. "Now a fourth-year apprentice, Bayley interacts with me as an equal, is organised and vocal, and handles the physicality of the trade whether it be bending 20mm copper or getting a wood fire into place." Bayley says she is proud to be a female in a traditionally male-dominated industry. She is determined to prove herself equal to - or better than - most in the trade. A self-motivated and organised apprentice, Bayley has co-ordinated a study group for her peers with positive results. At Laser Plumbing Te Puke, she covers a diverse range of work. In addition to routine domestic plumbing maintenance and alterations, Bayley is skilled at installing wood burners. She has been exposed to pump installations, farm plumbing, transportable homes, caravans, commercial work (in kiwifruit pack houses around Te Puke), and gasfitting. Bayley also asked for more experience with new builds which has helped share the workload of other staff in the business. The Plumbing World Scholarship is the latest addition to a growing list of impressive achievements. Bayley won Laser Plumbing Employee of the Year in 2021. This national award is usually won by a qualified Tradesman and entries are received from Laser Group franchises all over New Zealand. Earlier this year, Bayley won a Masterlink Outward Bound Scholarship and will be participating in a leadership course for construction industry apprentices over 16 days in July, Bayley is becoming someone who will make a significant contribution to our industry, and the Plumbing World Scholarship will certainly help her on her journey. Bayley wins a certificate and $1000 to spend at her local Plumbing World branch. About Plumbing World Scholarships Plumbing World Scholarships are awarded to Masterlink apprentices who have demonstrated diligence in their studies and a passion for the industry. About the New Zealand Plumbing Awards The New Zealand Plumbing Awards acknowledge the many positive achievements and success stories in the plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying industry and are presented at a gala dinner on the final night of the annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference. Organised by Master Plumbers, the national conference has been held for over 100 years and is the premier event in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry, with attendees coming from all over the country. The Ministry of Health is reporting 8638 new community cases of Covid-19 and 24 deaths for the past two days. There are 316 current hospitalisations with four people in ICU. The average death toll is 12 people per day, based on the past seven days of reported deaths. One of the deaths reported today is from the Bay of Plenty region. There are 295 new community cases in Bay of Plenty and 131 in Lakes. There are 10 people in Bay of Plenty hospitals and 13 in Lakes hospitals with Covid-19. There have been 211 new imported cases arriving in NZ over the past two days. The total number of active community cases in NZ is 33,137 identified in the past seven days and not yet classified as recovered. The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers today is 4,737 last Saturday it was 5,154. Covid-19 deaths We are sadly reporting the deaths of 24 people with Covid-19 over the past two days, says a Ministry of Health spokesperson. Todays reported deaths include 23 deaths recorded in June and one death recorded in May. They take the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid -19 to 1,455 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 12. Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today; six were from the Auckland region, three were from Waikato, three were from Hawkes Bay, one was from Bay of Plenty, three were from Taranaki, one was from Wairarapa, one was from the Wellington region, two were from Nelson-Marlborough, three were from Canterbury, and one was from Southern. One person was in their 50s, one was in their 60s, four were in their 70s, 11 were in their 80s and seven were aged over 90. Of these people, 13 were male and 11 were female. This is a very sad time for whanau and friends and our thoughts and condolences are with them. Out of respect, we will be making no further comment on these deaths. This update includes the figures for yesterday because there was no statement due to the Matariki public holiday. Vaccinations administered in New Zealand Vaccines administered to date: 4,028,329 first doses; 3,980,603 second doses; 32,938 third primary doses; 2,678,211 booster doses: 263,966 paediatric first doses and 131,716 paediatric second doses Vaccines administered yesterday: 11 first doses; 10 second doses; 0 third primary doses; 306 booster doses; 16 paediatric first doses and 147 paediatric second doses People vaccinated All ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,054,227 first dose (96.3%); 4,005,770 second dose (95.2%), 2,654,865 boosted (of the 18+ population) (72.9% of those eligible) Maori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 521,703 first dose (91.4%); 504,985 second dose (88.4%), 239,619 boosted (of the 18+ population) (55.9% of those eligible) Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 282,318 first dose (98.5%); 277,562 second dose (96.8%), 144,251 boosted (of the 18+ population) (59.9% of those eligible) 16 to 17 year old booster uptake (all ethnicities): 12,774 boosted (12.7% of those eligible) 16 to 17 year old booster uptake (Maori): 1,214 boosted (6.1% of those eligible) 16 to 17 year old booster uptake (Pacific Peoples): 764 boosted (7.5% of those eligible) 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 260,459 first dose (54.7%); 128,207 second dose (26.9%) 5 to 11-year-olds - Maori: 41,131 first dose (35.6%); 15,009 second dose (13%) 5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 23,817 first dose (48.2%); 8,230 second dose (16.7%) Note that the number for People vaccinated differs slightly from Vaccines administered as it includes those that have been vaccinated overseas. Vaccination rates for all DHBs Northland DHB: first dose (90%); second dose (88%); boosted (69%) Auckland DHB: first dose (99%); second dose (98.1%); boosted (75.4%) Counties Manukau DHB: first dose (96.2%); second dose (95%); boosted (68.5%) Waitemata DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (73.3%) Waikato DHB: first dose (95%); second dose (93.6%); boosted (68.3%) Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.4%); boosted (67.2%) Lakes DHB: first dose (92.9%); second dose (91.1%); boosted (67.4%) MidCentral DHB: first dose (96.3%); second dose (95%); boosted (73.6%) Tairawhiti DHB: first dose (92.7%); second dose (90.6%); boosted (67.4%) Whanganui DHB: first dose (91.8%); second dose (90.3%); boosted (72.6%) Hawkes Bay DHB: first dose (97.4%); second dose (95.8%); boosted (71.2%) Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.2%); boosted (69.4%) Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95%); boosted (74.3%) Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.4%); second dose (97.8%); boosted (81.3%) Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.5%); boosted (76.5%) Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (74.8%) West Coast DHB: first dose (92.4%); second dose (91%); boosted (72.3%) Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.8%); second dose (99%); boosted (76%) South Canterbury DHB: first dose (94.5%); second dose (93.5%); boosted (75.5%) Southern DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.5%); boosted (74.6%) Partially and second doses percentages are for those 12+. Boosted percentages are for 18+ who have become eligible 3 months after having their second dose or 16- and 17-year-olds who have become eligible 6 months after having their second dose. Hospitalisations Cases in hospital: total number 316: Northland: 3; Waitemata: 52; Counties Manukau: 26; Auckland: 46; Waikato: 22; Bay of Plenty: 10; Lakes: 13; Tairawhiti: 1; Hawkes Bay: 4; Taranaki: 11; Whanganui: 2; MidCentral: 21; Wairarapa: 6; Hutt Valley: 12; Capital and Coast: 18; Nelson Marlborough: 5; Canterbury: 39; South Canterbury: 7; West Coast: 1; Southern: 17. Average age of current hospitalisations: 61 Cases in ICU or HDU: 4 *Vaccination status of new admissions to hospital: Unvaccinated or not eligible (35 cases / 14%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (3 case / 1%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (48 cases / 19%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (166 cases / 66%). *Please note: We are now using data from DHBs with tertiary hospitals. These are Auckland, Canterbury, Southern, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Capital & Coast, Waitemata and Northland. Previously we only used the vaccination status of patients in Northern Region hospitals. Cases Seven day rolling average of community cases: 4,737 Seven day rolling average (as at same day last week): 5,154 Number of new community cases over past two days: 8,638 Number of new community cases (PCR) over past two days: 325 Number of new community cases (RAT) over past two days: 8,313 Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT) over past two days: Northland (217), Auckland (2,693), Waikato (522), Bay of Plenty (295), Lakes (131), Hawkes Bay (256), MidCentral (256), Whanganui (94), Taranaki (195), Tairawhiti (76), Wairarapa (99), Capital and Coast (811), Hutt Valley (338), Nelson Marlborough (343), Canterbury (1,401), South Canterbury (93), Southern (723), West Coast (90), Unknown (5). Number of new imported cases over the past two days: 211 Number of active community cases (total): 33,137 (cases identified in the past seven days and not yet classified as recovered) Confirmed cases (total): 1,296,728 Please note, the Ministry of Healths daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO. Tests Resourcing issues from Fire and Emergency New Zealand are leading some Tauranga firefighters to work 70 hours per week, according to Taurangas representative at the NZ professional firefighters union, Mike Swanson. The issues are also causing local firefighters to have prolonged exposure to carcinogens such as smoke, and using outdated equipment that is sometimes older than the firefighters using it. Mike, who represents the Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Greerton fire stations at the union, says that FENZ has not recruited enough staff to cover the standard vacancies they get. Its things like secondment, sick leave during winter, and public holidays. The Government keeps adding public holidays but doesnt give us the staff to cover them, says Mike. Some of our staff are working 70 hours-plus a week. When you work that amount of time, you are subjected to a lot more trauma. Working those sort of hours, your mental health suffers, families suffer, marriages suffer, and you are exposed to much more cancer-causing agents made by fires. When it comes to wintertime, you get a few more illnesses than usual, and there is fewer staff to cover these positions. Its even things like when trucks break down. When that happens, sometimes the backup truck is older than the firefighters on it. Big metropolitan cities are experiencing these issues even more, but they are definitely affecting us here in the Bay of Plenty. National Partys Fire and Emergency spokesperson Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller says the resourcing issues are continuing to mount and a number of fire stations across the country are unable to stay open because crews are too stretched. FENZ has a broken culture. The men and women who put themselves on the line to protect our families, homes and communities are desperate for support, and FENZ seems unable to respond. The unfolding debacle is quickly becoming a farce that is putting firefighters and our communities at risk. Mike would like to see the funding go to the right places in order for these issues to subside. Firefighter numbers havent been adjusted since the 1980s. The population has increased a lot in that time. FENZ has adjusted these numbers in the national office, and added about 300 extra people there. Theres lots more backroom people, and not a lot more front room people. We need more professional career firefighters on the ground. Staff are having to make tactical decisions they wouldnt normally have to. Typically, entering a burning house we have two people monitor conditions outside while two people go inside. If we only have three firefighters on a truck, we have to wait for more resources arrive before going inside. In these situations seconds count. Mike adds new recruits start out on just above minimum wage and sometimes have to take massive pay cuts to join, which is making it harder to recruit people who want to have a career at FENZ. Mike makes it clear the issues that local firefighters are experiencing are no different to other parts of the country, and it is not a criticism of Taurangas local management. We are very supportive of our local management, and our volunteers. We just wish these things were addressed on a national basis. When approached, FENZ declined to comment on the situation. Bay of Plenty If you have your full drivers license and looking for a sweet gig working all over Tauranga then read on. Our client is looking... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. In the two years documentary filmmakers shadowed former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, the most jarring moment for them was in the kitchen of her Tucson, Arizona, home. As cameras were rolling, she and her husband, Sen. Mark Kelly, nonchalantly opened the freezer. Kelly grabbed a plastic container and revealed it holds the piece of Giffords skull that had to be removed after she was shot. This stays in here next to the empanadas and the sliced mango, Kelly said. Giffords response was Sera, sera, referencing the song Que sera, sera or What will be, will be. The scene from the film is emblematic of Giffords openness to reflect on but not languish in the 2011 shooting that changed her life. That desire is what led her to allow cameras into her life for two years all as a pandemic was progressing. For me, it has been really important to move ahead, to not look back, Giffords told The Associated Press while in Los Angeles to promote the film. I hope others are inspired to keep moving forward, no matter what. From the filmmakers behind Academy Award-nominated Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary RBG, the film Gabby Giffords Wont Back Down is partly an intimate look at Giffords recovery after the January 2011 shooting that left six people dead and 13 others wounded outside a Tucson supermarket. But the movie, which arrives in theaters July 15, is also an insider view of how she and Kelly navigated gun control campaigns and later a Senate campaign. The movie could not be any timelier, with gun reform being debated in government, schools and the U.S. Supreme Court. Its just a fascinating story about how Gabby came back from an injury that so many people just dont even survive, said Betsy West, a co-director. After meeting Gabby on Zoom, we saw just what a great communicator she is. And we had a sense that we might have a lot of fun, despite the very difficult subject of gun violence. At the same time, they wanted to strike the right balance of how much to look back at the shooting. We certainly didnt want to shy away from January 8. Obviously, thats something that changed her life, said Julie Cohen, the films other director. But Gabby is defined ultimately by everything that shes achieved before and after that. We wanted it to show that achievement. The film also doesnt avoid discussing Jared Lee Loughner, the gunman in the Tucson shooting. Interviews with law enforcement, journalists and a video made by Loughner lay out how he was able to buy a semiautomatic weapon despite a history of mental illness. He was sentenced in 2012 to life in federal prison without parole. We did not want to dwell on the shooter, but we also wanted to explain what had happened, West said. Gabby and Mark did not shy away from going to the sentencing hearing to make a very impassioned plea for life imprisonment. That was a very important part of the film. Recent mass shootings including the deaths of 19 schoolchildren and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, and 10 supermarket shoppers all Black in Buffalo, New York, have put gun violence back at the forefront. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a New York gun permitting law. The case involves a state law that makes it difficult for people to get a permit to carry a gun outside the home. The justices said that requirement violates the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Also on Thursday, the U.S. Senate easily passed a bipartisan gun violence bill. Weeks of closed-door talks resulted in an incremental but landmark package in response to mass shootings. The House will vote Friday. Much like after Uvalde, the documentary recaps how gun control debates reached a fever pitch after 20 first-graders and six educators were shot to death by a gunman at a Newtown, Connecticut, school. Giffords and other advocates, including some Newtown parents, were called props by National Rifle Association officials. Having spent time with Giffords and others impacted by gun violence, the films directors say their voices are central to the discourse. To say that somehow Gabby shouldnt be speaking about gun violence because shes experienced violence? It just doesnt make any sense, Cohen said. A crucial element of the documentary came from videos Kelly had of Giffords in the Tucson hospital and at a rehab facility in Houston. These included then-President Barack Obama who is interviewed in the film and Michelle Obamas visit to an unconscious Giffords bedside. They also include the first few months of speech therapy. The bullet penetrated the left hemisphere of Giffords brain that services language ability, causing her to suffer from aphasia. You see in old videos Giffords sob out of frustration as she struggles to read and get stuck on saying chicken. Giffords said watching those videos can make her sad, but she is determined to be upbeat. Im getting better. Im getting [better] slowly but Im getting [better] surely, Giffords said. Giffords is the third movie West and Cohen have produced on a female icon. Last year, they released Julia, a documentary on the influence of TV chef and author Julia Child. RBG was a critical and commercial hit when it came out four years ago. The filmmakers say while Giffords and Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg, who died in 2020 at age 87, are very different personalities, they think viewers will see a lot of similarities. They both have toughness, persistence, optimism and are at the heart of feminist love stories. Giffords often has to remind people that she still has a voice, even if speaking doesnt come easily whether its on gun safety or other issues. She said she genuinely feels the climate is different now, but people have to be patient because change is slow, and Washington, D.C., is really slow. She plans to refocus on making tougher federal background checks a reality through her Gun Owners for Safety coalition. The bill the Senate approved would only strengthen background checks for buyers age 18 to 20. If theres one message she wants viewers to take from the documentary, its fight, fight, fight every day, Giffords said. <&rule> This story has been updated to correct the number of students and educators killed in Newtown, Connecticut. Something to look forward to: When AMD's long-awaited Zen 3 Threadripper workstation CPUs launched in March, they were only available in Lenovo's OEM systems. Now we know when they'll come to other original equipment manufacturers and beyond. One OEM company's review confirms noticeable performance gains over the processors' competition and predecessors. AMD announced this week that it's widening the availability of the Threadripper Pro 5000 WX series processors. Over a year after releasing the Zen 3 standard Ryzen CPUs, AMD launched their Threadripper counterparts in March, but only as part of Lenovo's ThinkStation P620. Starting in July, the 5000 WX CPUs will feature in other OEM systems, including the Precision 7865 Dell announced earlier this month. AMD plans to release Zen 3 Threadrippers for DIY consumers later this year. Among the companies offering 5000 WX workstations, Puget Systems just published a rundown of the series' performance in content creation applications. In nearly all of them, the new Threadrippers show a clear improvement over their Zen 2 equivalents and increase their lead over Intel's Xeon processors. The biggest victories for the 5000 WX series are in DaVinci Resolve, Cinebench R23 multi-core, V-Ray, and Adobe After Effects. The advantage is most acute in the multi-core score for After Effects. However, Intel's Core i9-12900K trades blows with AMD's new products in some programs like Adobe Premier Pro, Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Cinebench R23 single-core performance. Intel's next generation of workstation processors will probably come with Sapphire Rapids later in 2022. Chris Evans, the actor who played the famous Marvel character Captain America, has finally decided to retire his iPhone 6s and upgrade it to a newer model. Chris Evans Retires His Older iPhone 6s Some people often associate celebrities with having the latest gadgets or the most expensive technologies which is why it's surprising that one of the most popular actors on earth still used the iPhone 6s until recently. According to the story by 9to5Mac, they were also surprised to find out that Captain America Chris Evans was still using the iPhone 6 in 2022. With the iPhone 14 almost coming out, they were shocked to find out that the actor was still using an older Apple device model. (Photo : Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for WIRED) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Chris Evans speaks onstage at the WIRED25 Summit 2019 - Day 2 at Commonwealth Club on November 09, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The Actor Said that He Will Miss the iPhone 6s' Home Button In a Twitter post, Chris Evans said "RIP iPhone 6s" saying they had a good run and that he will miss the older device's home button. The actor then listed a few things that he did not miss about the older iPhone device. The Captain America actor noted that he won't miss the nightly battle of trying to charge the device or the grainy pictures. He also said that he won't miss the battery suddenly dropping from 100% down to 15% and then completely drained in just a number of minutes. RIP iPhone 6s We had a good run. Ill miss your home button. I wont miss the nightly battle of trying to get you to charge. Or your grainy pictures. Or your sudden drops from 100% battery, to 15%, to completely dead all within minutes. It was a wild ride. Rest easy, pal. Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) June 24, 2022 Captain America Actor Decides to Upgrade to an iPhone 13 The actor then noted that using the iPhone 6s "was a wide ride. Rest easy, pal." Luckily, although the iPhone 6s is quite old, it still runs the latest version of Apple's iOS but this could change with the iPhone 16 come September. Come September, Apple will be dropping the first-gen iPhone SE, the iPhone 6s, and even the iPhone 7 from software support this coming fall. Luckily, Chris Evans has decided to upgrade to a more modern iPhone 13. (Photo : Unsplash/Jeremy Bezanger) Read Also: Mr. Beast Vs. Ninja 'League of Legends' Match! How To Watch, Schedule, and Other Details! Why Apple Drops Support for Older iPhone Models 9to5Mac notes that due to the purchase habits of the actor, he might not be phased when he upgrades to the iPhone 13 despite the iPhone 14 coming out soon. The actor posted on Instagram with the same description as his post on Twitter. A lot of buyers are waiting for the iPhone 14 and this has influenced their decision to hold off on purchasing the iPhone 13 in order to wait for the newest Apple device. Since Apple constantly comes out with new iPhones, there's really no telling when the company will stop with new models. In order to make room for the newer models, older models usually become obsolete so that Apple can focus its resources on upgrading the software of the new ones. This is why most of the older models stop getting operating system updates after a certain period of time. Related Article: Mario Movie is Now 75% Complete, Producer Says! Chris Pratt All the Way? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Despite criticism for allegations of perpetuating Activision Blizzard's toxic work culture, Bobby Kotick will retain his position on the board of directors. CEO For Another Year Investors voted on a number of proposals during the video game creators' annual meeting of stockholders, as well as who would serve on the board of directors for the upcoming year. Kotick's retention on the board was approved by 533,703,580 shareholders in total, while 62,597,199 shareholders voted against it. This means that Kotick will maintain his position until the subsequent gathering in 2023, according to GameInformer. Even though the majority of shareholders decided to keep Kotick on the board, they also agreed to a proposal to publish an annual report that outlines Activision's policies for handling allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. This means that the majority agreed to detail Activision Blizzard's efforts to stop sexual misconduct and workplace issues. Read also: Activision Blizzard's Anti-Harassment Committee Not Functional? Here's Why Critics Claim It's Only for Symbolism Issues Against Kotick Employees at Activision Blizzard last year staged a walkout and demanded Kotick's ouster after The Wall Street Journal reported that the chief executive was aware of the abuses at the company and even shielded the employees who were alleged with harassment. As noted by Engadget, the videogame publisher was charged by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing last year for allegedly promoting a "frat boy" culture in the workplace. The two-year investigation by the California agency revealed that Activision Blizzard paid its female employees less than its male colleagues and had experienced sexual harassment. Further, the New York City Employee's Retirement System, an owner of the company's stock and represents the city's police, firefighters, and teachers, has recently sued Kotick, claiming that he was unfit to negotiate the company's impending sale to Microsoft. The organization cited that his "personal responsibility and liability for Activision's broken workplace" makes him unqualified for the deal. In April, the business appointed a new chief diversity, equality, and inclusion officer to support creating a more inclusive working environment. To address Kotick and the new chief diversity officer's concerns, a group of workers looking to safeguard their coworkers against discrimination created a committee and wrote several demands for them. Activision Blizzard published the findings of its internal probe on its investor website earlier this month. While acknowledging specific cases of harassment, the study asserted that there was "no indication" that senior executives ignored the problem or withheld information from the Board. Related Article: Activision Blizzard Accused of Illegally 'Withholding and Suppressing Evidence' in Harassment Lawsuit Expansion This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Nothing has recently unveiled its first-ever smartphone, which is said to be one of the biggest tech releases in the mobile industry. The Nothing Phone 1 has already brought hype to the techies and smartphone enthusiasts despite a little information about its specs and features. Currently, the London-based company has released some details about Phone 1's pre-order reservations. Before you buy this product, you will need a special pass that you can only receive from an invitation. Nothing Phone 1 Pre-Order Pass (Photo : Nothing) The pre-order reservations for Nothing's upcoming smartphone are now open. Carl Pei, the CEO of Nothing, is making sure that the Phone 1 will quickly attract a big population of users even before its release. The pre-order reservations for the brand-new handset are already open, but there's something that you need to know. As part of its marketing strategy, the company appears to stick with Pei's classic invite-based strategy with OnePlus1 sales, but this time with the upcoming Nothing Phone 1. According to Engadget, you can start booking pre-order reservations for Nothing Phone 1 by directing first to the company's official website. From here, you should be waitlisted after the July 12 launch event of the smartphone. As of writing, more than 6,000 people have joined the waitlist, so if you are reading this now, you need to act immediately, so you can increase your chance of obtaining this limited-edition smartphone. After signing up on Nothing's website, you are now set to receive an invitation from the firm, which includes a pre-order pass, per Android Police. You have 48 hours to consume the given code, but you also need to pay a non-refundable deposit of $25 to secure your slot for this event. As of writing, Nothing hasn't disclosed the exact pricing for the upcoming handheld. However, those people who are from North America won't be able to get the Phone 1 for its beta launch. Although you can use the smartphone once you receive it, expect it to arrive with incomplete in-display features. This means that Nothing will hand the model to you without full support. Related Article: Nothing's Transparent Phone 1 Will Not Be Available in the US | Here's The Reason Nothing Phone 1 Auction Recently, Tech Times reported that Nothing had auctioned the first 100 units of Phone 1 at StockX ahead of its July debut. According to the story, the event started last Tuesday, June 21, and ended on Thursday, June 23. At the time, those residents from Mexico and South Korea were not allowed to participate in the quick auction. The winning bidders will be able to receive Nothing Phone within 35 days. Read Also: 100 Units of Nothing Phone 1 to be Auctioned at StockX Ahead of Official Release This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Charlottesville residents took to the street Friday night to protest the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning nearly 50 years of legal abortion. The decision also threatens to overturn decades of Supreme Court decisions based on the idea of unenumerated rights, including the right to contraception, privacy and even gay marriage. Fridays decision was foreshadowed last month when a draft opinion was leaked, which galvanized local supporters of abortion access. They rallied on the Downtown Mall, held forums and donated to the local abortion fund. The same thing happened Friday as demonstrators protested the decision. Whole Womans Health, which operates one of the two abortion clinics in Charlottesville, said in a statement Friday was a dark day. Devastation and outrage dont even begin to explain how we feel but were prepared, the organization said, offering resources on how to find an abortion appointment in states where the procedure is legal. Tannis Fuller and the team at the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund were helping a person seeking abortion find a hotel room when the Supreme Court handed its decision Friday striking down the Constitutional right to the procedure. It feels a little surreal that were booking a hotel room as what 13 states? immediately lost access to abortion, said Fuller, who is the executive director of the abortion fund. Founded in 1989, the abortion fund helps people seeking abortion care by providing funds for the procedure and associated costs as well as support. In recent years, the fund has been building up staff in order to better demand for its service and to prepare for a post-Roe v. Wade world. This is devastating. I dont even have words for what the Supreme Court is doing, Fuller said, adding that the decision wont have immediate effects on the area. Nothing about the work that we do changes. That just gets harder. Charlottesville has two of the states 16 abortion clinics, and Fridays decision isnt expected to immediately affect those clinics because the right to an abortion is protected in state law. Currently, a woman can have an abortion up to the 25th week of pregnancy. However, abortion providers in the state are expecting an increase in people seeking care as other states impose restrictions. Our black, brown, indigenous and queer communities are going to feel this much worse than any of our white middle-class communities are, Fuller said. Centering their experiences and their expertise will be the path forward. Zyahna Bryant, a local activist and University of Virginia student, made a similar point on social media Friday. If history has taught us anything, it is that poor, Black, Latinx, and Indigenous people will suffer the most from Roe v. Wade being overturned. We must name that, she wrote in a tweet. More than 200 people gathered in front of the Charlottesville federal courthouse Friday, holding signs urging the legalization of abortion and declaring no uterus, no say. Standing on the sidewalk that wraps around the courthouse, they chanted, our bodies, my choice. The first demonstration kicked off at 5 p.m. and a second was planned for 7:30 p.m. Cars in support blared their horns as they drove through intersection in front of the courthouse, though some argued with demonstrators. Im coming out here because I want to raise awareness of the availability of abortion in Virginia. Its still legal here. And I also want to be public and loud about my support for abortion access for everyone, said Deborah, who declined to give her last name. I appreciate people showing up in community saying the word abortion and being very abortion-forward about their support and their anger, frankly, about this ruling. Deborah said she expected the decision, but it still affected her. I felt you know, really scared for people who had abortion appointments today in those states where they werent going to be able to get them. And then I felt determined to help people in Virginia for as long as we can. Jenna, who attend the rally with her dog and also declined to give her full name, said she showed up because she wanted the rights to her body. I knew that it was coming but I was hoping that it would be reversed from the protests that have been happening since the since a week of the draft, she said. And of course, my hopes are dashed with the news and I was in tears. I wanted to make my voice heard. With the election coming up, I want changes to be made to restore my rights. Around 7:45 p.m., Anna, one of the rallys organizers, led the group in a series of chants and encouraged donations to the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund and Oshuns Hands, a Black reproductive justice collective. I wore black today because its a funeral for the patriarchy, Anna said. Were not going to take it anymore. In between the demonstrations, area lawmakers and candidates running for office addressed a crowd in front of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center as part of a fundraising for the Charlottesville Democratic Party. Abortion is legal in Virginia, Del. Sally Hudson, D-Charlottesville, said on Twitter shortly after the decision was released. Abortion will stay legal in Virginia so long as we remember that abortion rights are always on the ballot in Virginia. Hudson has previously said that she was concerned about the Supreme Court striking down its 1992 decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey that prohibited states from placing significant obstacles in the path of a pregnant person seeking an abortion. The majority opinion from Justice Samuel Alito did strike down Casey in addition to Roe v. Wade. Hudson said in May that if that happened, the states executive branch could add more steps or regulations. In recent years, Virginia Democrats have worked to expand access to abortion, including allowing a woman to consult with a provider online and receive medication in the mail. Theres no law protecting that, Hudson said. The General Assembly on its own cant continue to protect that kind of access, which makes a huge deal for a lot of patients to get abortion care at the time when it is safest and most convenient and most private. Many supported the courts decision. Liberty University President Jerry Prevo said in a statement released Friday that the decision was a monumental step toward protecting life. I am proud that we are now officially training the first post Roe-v-Wade generation of leaders who will be champions for Christ to continue to advocate for the life of mothers and their unborn babies, Prevo said. Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement Friday that he has asked a group of lawmakers to bring together other legislators and advocates to make a plan for next steps when the legislature returns in January. The truth is, Virginians want fewer abortions, not more abortions, he said. We can build a bipartisan consensus on protecting the life of unborn children, especially when they begin to feel pain in the womb, and importantly supporting mothers and families who choose life. In comments to the Washington Post, Youngkin said he would seek a ban on abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy, though he supported exceptions in cases of rape, incest or where the pregnant persons life is at risk. Gavin Oxley, who served as president of the University of Virginias chapter of Future Medical Professionals for Life prior to his graduation, said abortion should never have been considered a Constitutional right. Fuller said that in her view, the decision will affect a persons ability to make legally protected decisions about their pregnancies. She expects to see investigations of miscarriages and stillbirths as law enforcement seeks to curb self-managed abortions. Your ability to access abortion legally also protects us from increased state scrutiny of pregnancy outcomes, she said. This opens up folks who are pregnant or who may become pregnant to a level of criminalization that we have not, maybe, ever seen. Fuller also takes issue with the idea of exceptions for some pregnancies. It perpetuates the idea that some abortions are more valuable than others, and all abortions are valuable, she said. Anyone who needs access to abortion should be able to access an abortion, and we shouldnt have to provide that our autonomy has been violated by someone else in order to be able to access this health care. Daily Progress intern Filip Timotija contributed to this report. Daily Progresss Filip Timotija and Bryan M<&underline>cKenzie contributed to this article. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Katherine Knott Katherine Knott is the K-12 education reporter for The Daily Progress. Contact her at (434) 422-7398, kknott@dailyprogress.com, or @knott_katherine on Twitter. Follow Katherine Knott 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 The new NASA Juno data-reliant project called Jovian Vortex Hunters is now asking for your help identifying storms forming on Jupiter. (Photo : Photo by JPL/NASA/Getty Images) This image of a large storm brewing in Jupiter's atmosphere, was captured by the Galileo spacecraft during its 17th orbit of Jupiter in February 1998. During a recent flyby of Amalthea, one of Jupiter's inner moons, Galileo was exposed to severe radiation that locked the spacecrafts data recorder. This new program launched on Tuesday, June 21, on Zoouniverse.org. The main goal of experts behind the new project is to understand better how the largest planet's atmosphere works. "Jupiter's atmosphere is a wonderfully diverse system, features clouds of various different colors, which form very interesting structures," they said via their official Jovian Vortex Hunters website. New NASA Juno Data-Reliant Project According to Space.Com's latest report, the Jovian Vortex Hunters use the data formulated by NASA's advanced Juno spacecraft. (Photo : Photo courtesy of NASA/Newsmakers) Gliding past the planet Jupiter, the Cassini spacecraft captures this awe inspiring view of active Io, Jupiter's third largest satellite, with the largest gas giant as a backdrop, offering a stunning demonstration of the ruling planet's relative size, April 20, 2001. The Cassini spacecraft itself was about 10 million kilometers from Jupiter when recording the image data. Also Read: Jupiter-Mars Conjunction 2022: How To See the Overlapping Planets, Peak Time, Best Equipment To Use, and More Ramanakumar Sankar, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota who leads the project, explained that the new program aims to study the different types of clouds forming on Jupiter's surface. He added that little is known about the storms found on the Gas Giant's surface. It is still a mystery to NASA experts and other researchers how Jupiter's vortices created different colors. Now, the Jovian Vortex Hunters project plans to create a catalog of different types of vortices. But, they need people's help to scan Juno's data. If you are among the interested individuals, here's how you can help the new project. How To Participate If you want to participate, you can visit the official Zoouniverse.org website of Jovian Vortex Hunters or click this link. After that, images of Jupiter's storms will be provided to you. You need to check to identify their colors (red, brown, white, dark, multi-color, etc.). Once you click the right color option, it will be automatically submitted to the data of Jovian Vortex Hunters. If you are already satisfied with your participation, you must click the Done option. Previously, NASA's Juno spacecraft captured a new astonishing photo of Jupiter's moon's shadow. On the other hand, retired NASA Kepler was able to identify Jupiter's twin exoplanet. For more news updates about Jupiter and other projects focusing on this Gas Giant, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Jupiter Wields High Metal Contractions That Could Indicate Its Origins, Researchers Find This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apple and Google ought to be investigated, said four Democrat legislators as they demanded the Federal Trade Commission look into the activities of the mentioned tech firms over alleged "unfair and deceptive practices" in collecting and selling consumer data. Apple, Google Deliberately Facilitated Harmful Practices around User Data, Says, Lawmakers According to a letter from the lawmakers cited by reports, both Apple and Google deliberately facilitated harmful practices in handling user information by creating advertising-specific tracking I.D.s into the operating system used by their consumers. The letter involved Democrat senators and representatives, Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.), Sen. Elizabeth Waren (D., Mass.), Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.), and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D., California). "Apple enabled this tracking I.D. by default and required consumers to dig through confusing phone settings to turn it off," said lawmakers. They added that currently, Google still has not addressed this tracking identifier set to function by default. And even up until today, they still haven't provided users with an option to opt out. It has become much easier for companies to identify a consumer persona using a dataset of 'anonymous' location records just by looking at the places they usually go to and where they stay for a long time. According to the lawmakers, despite efforts to address data privacy issues, the existence of identifiers is still allowing the unregulated data broker market to proliferate. Apple, Google Also Under Fire in Other Countries Apple and Google have also been in the crosshairs of other law enforcement agencies abroad in the past on matters beyond user data privacy protection. A UK competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), indicated in a former report that an investigation has to be conducted into the dominance of both firms in the mobile browser market. The dominance of both Apple and Google in the market, or their 'stranglehold', shuts out rivals and dissuades innovators. According to Andrea Coscelli, chief executive officer of CMA, their dominance was pushing back the U.K. tech sector's development while at the same time restricting the options of users as to the applications that they would utilize. Moreover, the CMA also stressed in a study they conducted that Apple and Google have effectively built a duopoly on mobile ecosystems, shutting out other competing operating systems, app stores, and web browsers on smartphones and similar devices. The report adds that their combined market share in the U.K. stands at about 90% already. Without interventions, both companies are likely to entrench themselves deeper in the market and even strengthen their hold over how the sector's market performs. This situation will further restrict competition and limit incentives for innovators, according to CMA. While it is already a problem how both tech giants get to amass a lot of data right now, it is another concern altogether as to how compromised their ecosystems are. Recently, a report from Google revealed that there are new tech firms right now that provide a market for dangerous hacking tools that target Apple and Android phones. According to a digital watchdog Citizen Lab security researcher, the gravity and frequency of such attacks show us that even though these devices are popular enough and used by a lot of people, there's still a long way to go in securing them against powerful and insidious attacks. Related Article: Google Finds New Spyware Designed to Attack iOS and Android Devices 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The NASA Psyche mission is delayed again. This time, the spaceflight that will focus on the metal asteroid called Psyche will no longer blast off before mid-2023. (Photo : Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) The NASA logo is displayed at the agency's booth during CES 2018 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 11, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show. The forced delay extension had to be done since the software issues remain. The mission's managers confirmed this detail during their livestream news conference on Friday, June 24. "Due to the late delivery of the spacecraft's flight software and testing equipment, NASA does not have sufficient time to complete the testing needed ahead of its remaining launch period this year," said the international space union via its official press release. NASA Psyche Mission Delayed, Again NASA explained that they need more time to ensure that the software will function properly before the Psyche mission launches into space. (Photo : Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) The Psyche spacecraft is prepared inside a clean room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, on April 11, 2022. - Psyche will launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Also Read: New NASA Juno Data-Reliant Project Allows Citizens to Help Experts Find Jupiter Storms! Here's How You Can Participate As of writing, the space agency said there are still some launch date options between 2023 and 2024. The earliest one would be on July 2023. Of course, the delay will also affect the arrival of NASA's Psyche spacecraft on its metal asteroid destination. If the space agency can send the rocket as early as 2022, it can reach Psyche around 2026. But, since there is another delay, the spacecraft is estimated to reach the asteroid around 2029 or 2030, which is a four-year difference. Is cancellation Another Option? According to Space.Com's latest report, cancellation is among the options for NASA. Lori Glaze, director of NASA's planetary science division at the agency's headquarters in Washington, confirmed this information. If this is true, then the international space agency will waste around $717 million. As of press time, NASA hasn't provided its final decision. Glaze said that they would have a continuation or termination review, which will check the recommendations put forward by the project. He added that the assessment would focus on the implications for the planetary portfolio, the Discovery project, and the Psyche mission. Meanwhile, the NASA Curiosity rover captured new images of Mars' changing landscape. On the other hand, the NASA SLS wet dress rehearsal is finally completed. For more news updates about NASA and its upcoming space missions, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: NASA Psyche Mission's Metal Asteroid Location Has Been Mapped! Here's What MIT Experts Discovered This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. IT decision-makers and company leaders are increasingly turning to software outsourcing companies to learn and enhance their efficiency. Outsourcing lets you zero in on your core activities, putting long-term strategic initiatives on track. Aside from being cost-effective, software development outsourcing lowers market prices and increases competitive edge. To dig deeper into what an outsource software development brings to your company's success, here is everything you need to know, plus the best software outsourcing companies this year. What Is Outsourcing Software? In its most basic form, software development outsourcing defines an agreement in which a company decides to employ an external software development firm to carry out all of the duties of a software development project that may be accomplished in-house. Several companies highly prefer outsourcing software development so they can meet the demand of decreasing overhead costs. They also swiftly assemble a remote tech team, therefore shortening the product's time to market. Staff augmentation is one form of outsourcing that seeks to assist your company in augmenting your IT engineer teams. In some cases, they also help create IT engineer teams for your business if you don't have one. Staff augmentation companies do this by assigning developer/s to your in-house team to work on your projects in the long run. What Is an Outsourcing Company? Meanwhile, software outsourcing companies provide a broad spectrum of solutions to clients worldwide. They address a wide variety of specific business demands at any phase of the project they're assigned to and throughout the whole development cyclefrom strategy to product development, delivery, and release. Outsourcing software development businesses can also provide their clients with the required skills and resources to achieve optimum project accomplishment. Why Do Companies Outsource IT? Time and again, outsourcing has shown to be the most practical answer to a wide range of company issues. However, not all motives for outsourcing are issues; often, business owners just want their resources and workforce to focus on their primary activities. In other words, outsourcing has no intention of slowing down. There is a greater need than ever to assist firms in growing, and there are truly global markets to please. You may select the best software outsourcing company for yourself from the list we carefully selected and reviewed below. #1 ScienceSoft Professional Software Development ScienceSoft is one of the leading software outsourcing companies. It specializes in providing flexible and strong digital solutions that meet the demands of its clients. This outsourcing company provides IT solutions that assist firms in various sectors to unlock future potential. The software outsourcing firm can produce high-quality IT solutions with a staff of dependable and skilled experts. But aside from experience, the organization boasts a staff of dedicated IT professionals who stay on top of the latest technological advances. These dev workers are capable of offering full software development and more. The company's knowledge of current IT systems and technology allows it to create personalized goods and solutions suited to its customers' tastes and demands. As a result, ScienceSoft Software Development Company can assist you in transforming your firm and ensuring that it remains competitive by utilizing cutting-edge IT skills. Key Features and Advantages Offers full software development, including UX/UI design Application and managed IT services Cybersecurity that comes with IT support and QA Testing Data analytics to show your project's progress IT outsourcing and consulting #2 SCAND SCAND has built a reputation as a dependable and respectable outsourced software development firm over the last 20 years. Their primary assets are qualified, professional, data-driven developers who help them differ from other IT outsourcing firms. Over time, SCAND has evolved into a professional team capable of handling customers' business difficulties through custom software development outsourcing services. These include desktop, online, and mobile application development, cloud computing, DevOps and QA, and UI/UX. Their team has a history of developing unique software solutions for major corporate organizations and mid-sized and small businesses worldwide. SCAND takes a customized strategy for each client because project scope and needs differ. Some customers approach with a basic project description. At the same time, some have full project details (documentation, design, mockups, wireframes). Whatever your needs are, they can help with resources you may lack in-house or those that you have difficulty finding on the local market. Key Features and Advantages Customized software development outsourcing processes Full-cycle software development services Web and mobile app development expertise IT infrastructure outsourcing IT staff augmentation ERP, HRM, CRM system development competence Expertise in CAD extensions and Digital Publishing solutions, Big Data, AR/VR solutions #3 Nearsure Nearsure is a leading software outsourcing company that helps North American companies in accelerating IT projects by establishing and maintaining flexible, remote-first software development teams. They provide remote workforce augmentation solutions for any technology and across all industries. With Nearsure, you can easily take care of your entire core business functions while outsourcing your IT Staff Augmentation to a trusted partner. These expert engineers will work alongside your team to completely incorporate them into the company culture. They promptly report to your managers and allow you to relieve some of the burdens of hiring, supporting, and retaining talent so you can scale your team quickly. Most importantly, through expertise and superior capacity, Nearsure can assist you in bridging the technical talent gap to spark innovation and save time-to-market by leveraging their proven high-performing recruitment experience. Key Features Fast & Simple Staff Augmentation Services: Nearsure builds custom software development teams faster and better. It takes two weeks to present the best engineer candidates to the client on average. Their engagement process is as hassle-free and straightforward as possible. On-going Support & Managed HR: This ensures that the Nearsure developers are in it for the long haul. Their Account Managers assist clients in bonding with the team while ensuring they have all they need to succeed. They also have constant communication with clients to make sure they working smoothly with them and that the clients are pleased. Low-risk Engagement: There is no obligation to begin looking for partners. In the unlikely scenario you're not satisfied with their services, you can call off with only a 15-day pre-notice.There's no upfront commitment prior to start presenting candidates to the potential clients. Time Zone & Cultural Affinity: Neasure's engineers work the same hours you do and communicate in real-time with your team. All their employees are proactive contributors who are proficient in English and share the same cultural understanding and work ethic as you. Finding the proper and top talented engineers of the market may be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Nearsure thinks that the greatest individuals can be found wherever they are. With a proven remote approach, this software outsourcing company can assist you in building your team with the most knowledgeable Latin American tech experts, allowing you to expand swiftly, reach key milestones, and decrease time-to-market. Benefits Staffing is fast and simple Low-risk engagement, thanks to a 15-day trial Lets you save time and costs On-going support and managed HR Excellent IT staff with aligned time zones and cultural affinity Integrates transparency and efficient communication A vast pool of seasoned engineers across LatAm Remote-first company so you can save travel expenses Strict recruitment process for IT employees for work efficiency Bilingual engineers Today, nearly every organization in every industry needs top IT engineers. Businesses in may benefit from excellent IT workers who are timezone-aligned, bilingual, and efficient, helping them accelerate their projects. With over 12 years of experience recruiting in Latin America, +10000 developers with over seven years of experience, +350 successfully completed projects, and only two weeks to discover the right match for your company, you can trust Nearsure to execute your deliverables on time and with quality. Join the likes of Crunchy Roll, Park Mobile, Health Catalyst, Zapier, Bloomberg, and others who trust Nearsure's staff augmentation services. #4 Trigent Trigent's innovative approach to Application Development and Maintenance assists businesses in transforming business applications. They create with speed and agility, leveraging new technologies to assist customers in addressing current and future business demands. Their strategy to transform customer experiences has assisted SMBs and Fortune 100 firms in developing better products and apps, strengthening customer interaction, increasing user adoption, productivity, and revenue footprint with customers. Enterprise Application Development and Maintenance (ADM) solutions from Trigent are built for enterprise-wide digital transformation. This is why businesses worldwide rely on Trigent to successfully manage and administer their mission-critical systems, allowing them to enhance ROI and free up resources to focus on their strategic business objectives. Trigent assists businesses in becoming digital organizations by reengineering current processes for continuous improvement and failure prevention. They deploy in-house tools, accelerators, and technologies to save costs and time while continually reaping commercial advantages. Key Features and Advantages Customized application development Third-party software customization and integration Development of mobile applications for the Apple iOS and Android platforms Framework and technology-based cross-platform development Customized enterprise-quality apps development Increase the competitive edge of the organization and support critical business goals #5 TechTIQ Solutions TechTIQ is also one of the most trustworthy software outsourcing companies on our list. It focuses on providing cost-effective IT solutions that help organizations achieve long-term success. These digital transformation technologies help businesses better communicate with and engage their consumers. Despite being a newcomer to the sector, TechTIQ Solutions employs a collaborative strategy to help businesses achieve their goals. It contains information about digital transformation as well as consulting services. In addition, the software development outsourcing company oversees and provides well-executed digital solutions in various industries. Moreover, this software outsourcing company boasts comprehensive IT staffing to ensure that all your demands and other necessities are met. For customized software development, TechTIQ Solutions has a specialized team of highly qualified professionals with experience in different software development stacks and IoT protocol implementation. RoR, NodeJS, Android and iOS, Java, PHP, ASP.NET, ReactJS, and React Native app development are just a few examples. TechTIQ solutions have undertaken worldwide projects for both small and large corporations with great success. Key Features and Advantages Custom software development Comprehensive IT staffing Enterprise software development Mobile app development Digital transformation for your business projects Web development and design Many companies are turning to software outsourcing to save money and time while employing a team of qualified software developers. Many software outsourcing companies have seen a market need in this domain and have concentrated on offering outsourced services to fulfill the demands of their clients. When it comes to software outsourcing, the degree of expertise of the outsourced team is paramount. However, there are additional criteria to consider while looking for a top software outsourcing business. All of these benefits, and more, are included in the services offered by our top 5 best software outsource companies. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The U.S. delayed FDA's ban on Juul products after the e-cigarette seller convinced the Court of Appeals. With that, the manufacturer can still sell its products in the United States. (Photo : Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) JUUL Labs Inc. Virginia tobacco and menthol flavored vaping e-cigarette products are displayed in a convenience store on June 23, 2022 in El Segundo, California. - Vaping company Juul Labs said Thursday it would appeal a decision by the US Food and Drug Administration ordering all its products off the market, a move the agency said was based on safety concerns. Previously, the Food and Drug Administration ordered Juul to pull out all its vaping and e-cigarette products in the U.S. After reviewing the company's items, FDA explained that they saw insufficient data proving that Juul products are safe to use. NPR reported that one of the issues concerning the FDA is the leakage from the company's e-liquid pods. Of course, Juul rejects this notion. U.S. Delays FDA Ban on Juul Products! According to Engadget's latest report, the U.S. Court of Appeals allowed Juul to continue selling its products by delaying the FDA ban. (Photo : Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) JUUL Labs Inc. Virginia tobacco and menthol flavored vaping e-cigarette products are displayed in a convenience store on June 23, 2022 in El Segundo, California. - Vaping company Juul Labs said Thursday it would appeal a decision by the US Food and Drug Administration ordering all its products off the market, a move the agency said was based on safety concerns. Also Read: FDA Confirms Rejection of Almost 1 Million E-Cigarettes-But Retains Juul and Postpones Its Review Deadline With that, retailers can continue offering the company's vaping and e-cigarette products without penalty. Before this was approved, Juul said in its emergency stay request that the Food and Drug Administration's ban decision was based on random reasons. The e-cigarette manufacturer added that FDA only suspended its products since it was easier to pass the blame to them after getting pressured by Congress. What Will Juul Do? The FDA ban delay is expected to last until July 7. But, what will Juul do during this grace period? Recently, the vaping product seller said that they had already properly characterized the toxicological profile of their products two years ago. The company added that its data already meets the statutory standard of being safe. However, FDA disagrees with this. Since this is the case, Juul will gather enough information to prove that its products are safe for public use. They need to file an additional notion to the U.S. Court of Appeals. In October 2021, FDA allowed e-cigarettes and vape products so that people would be encouraged not to smoke. In March, NSW Health warned teens about the use of e-cigarettes. For more news updates about Juul and its issue with FDA, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Juul's e-Cigarettes to be Pulled Out From American Market After the FDA Denies its Application This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tara Morand knows that if her mother had the option to get an abortion upon finding out she was pregnant she would have. But Morand, 51, was born in December 1970, roughly two years before abortion was legal in the United States. If my mother could have gotten an abortion, she probably would have gotten an abortion. And thats OK, Morand said in an interview. We had a very difficult life because she had to have me. Morand said that as the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade materialized Friday morning, she and her co-workers went outside and screamed. Upon returning inside the real estate office where she works, Morand took a personal day. Having attended abortion rights protests since the 1980s, she found herself at Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Friday afternoon, ready to act. Less than two months ago, participants in the annual March for Life rally convened at the Bell Tower, urging the court to uphold the Mississippi law challenged in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, to effectively overturn Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Courts Friday decision to overturn Roe v. Wade now sends the issue of abortion back to state legislatures. Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday that he will seek to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. Representatives of groups that oppose abortion issued statements hailing the decision. Virginia Gans Turner, president of the Virginia Society for Human Life, said in a statement: Virginians should be elated that the Supreme Court has overturned the dreadful Roe v. Wade decision and opened the door for the states to pass reasonable, protective laws for mothers and their unborn children at all stages of pregnancy. Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation of Virginia, said in a statement: Today, we pause to celebrate the right to life of babies around the nation being protected, but tomorrow the work begins in Virginia to protect life throughout the Commonwealth. Barry C. Knestout, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, said in a statement: Every life both mother and children is sacred and immeasurably loved and valued by God. I pray that throughout our nation including here in Virginia lawmakers will open their hearts to the opportunities before them to protect unborn children, support women in crisis pregnancies and promote life-affirming alternatives to abortion. In Richmond, frustration and anger over the Youngkin announcement was evident in Capitol Square, where Mayor Levar Stoney; state Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond; and other community leaders and activists addressed a news conference. Although the governor wants to have a 15-week ban which is out of step with what a majority of Virginians want, we are gonna say no, McClellan said. We are going to say to the party that professed to care about parental rights you will not insert yourself in the decision about whether to become a parent in the first place. The call to action was unanimous across all speakers: vote. Kenda Sutton-El, executive director of the group Birth in Color, petitioned everyone in the crowd, especially the white women, to know who they are voting for. ... For the white women that I see standing out here, you guys are always out here with us. But when we looked at those data [points] from when the election [November 2021] was, you decided to play on your white privilege that you didnt want to lose, said Sutton-El, referring to the gubernatorial race in 2021. Jamie Lockhart, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, said: The future of abortion rights here in Virginia depends on our elected officials serving in Virginia. We are only one state Senate seat away from a Texas-style abortion law. Sutton-El said reduced access to abortions disproportionately affects Black women. This news is definitely devastating especially when Black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women, Sutton-El said. To take away the right to have an abortion or not, when to have children, is appalling. Behind the leaders, a crowd of supporters held up signs saying Abortion is Health Care, Bans off our bodies and Stand with Black women. The news conference ended abruptly because the gathered groups had just a 30-minute permit. Afterward, a march began on the sidewalks surrounding the Capitol. A group of abortion-rights supporters gathered at the Capitols gates, chanting Overturn Roe, Hell No. St. Catherines School students Alexandra Walker, 17, and Sonia Krishna, 16, came to the protest with homemade signs they said they made when a draft of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alitos opinion was leaked to Politico in early May. Its really important, especially young women who this is going to affect a lot, especially POC women, to get out and share we really dont want this, said Walker, referring to an acronym for people of color. The majority of women in the United States dont want this and dont agree with this. Krishna said: Im here because I think it is fundamentally a human right to have safe abortions and its just unfair. She added: My grandma, my mom, they lived in a time where it was safe to do this. Now girls our age who could get pregnant, who cant afford to have a baby, who were raped or any sort of horrible incident to happen where they do become pregnant, they now cant have an abortion or they cant have a safe abortion. That puts them at risk. Stephanie Nash, the Virginia advocacy director for Whole Womans Health Alliance, a nonprofit part of Whole Womans Health, an independent abortion provider that has clinics across the country, was at the Capitol on Friday afternoon. While Nash, 39, anticipated the result of Fridays decision, she said that when it became a reality, her heart sank, as someone who had an abortion in Milwaukee and she said it sank for her Texas colleagues. Nash said patients at the Whole Womans Texas clinics Friday morning were turned away as soon as the news hit. We had patients in the clinic at that time ... and we have about 150 patients who were on the books between today and Sunday [in Texas], Nash said. Despite the court ruling, Nash said she will continue to do her work and advocate. Nash will keep coordinating efforts to help Texas patients come to Virginia or Baltimore to receive their procedures. For myself as a Black woman, my rights have always been stripped so this is another day for me, like another day in the neighborhood. But for the people that this will affect and thats all of us, whether you are pregnant or not, whether you are gonna become pregnant or not, whether you are a man, whether you are Black, whether you are Latina, whether you are a Native American, this is going to affect all of us and it has affected all of us, Nash said. Two abortion-rights rallies were planned for Friday night in Richmond, one beginning at 6 p.m. at the federal courthouse and the other at 8 p.m. at the former site of the Robert E. Lee monument, which racial justice protesters informally renamed Marcus-David Peters Circle in June 2020. jnocera@timesdispatch.com klutge@timesdispatch.com Staff writers Eric Kolenich and Andrew Cain contributed to this report. Lara Nicholson writes for The Advocate as a Report for America Corps Member. Email her at lnicholson@theadvocate.com or follow her on Twitter @LaraNicholson_. To learn more about Report for America and to support our journalism, please click here. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn a constitutional right to abortion won't have any immediate impact in Virginia, where abortion remains legal up to the third trimester of pregnancy if doctors believe there is a health risk to the patient. But GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday that he wants to ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Although Democrats pledged to fight that effort, the governor potentially has the votes in the General Assembly to do it after a Democratic senator, Joe Morrissey of Richmond, announced support for restricting abortion. The high court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade also means more people seeking abortions are expected to travel to Virginia from other states, 26 of whom either had "trigger laws" to ban abortion if Roe was overturned or are expected to quickly enact bans or restrictions. Youngkin said he asked a group of Republican legislators to work with his administration on abortion legislation they will introduce in the session that starts in January. "The Supreme Court of the United States has rightfully returned power to the people and their elected representatives in the states," he said in a statement. "I'm proud to be a pro-life Governor and plan to take every action I can to protect life." Youngkin said he has asked Sens. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, and Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, and Dels. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford and Margaret Ransone, R-Westmoreland to "join us in an effort to bring together legislators and advocates from across the Commonwealth on this issue to find areas where we can agree and chart the most successful path forward. While House GOP leaders who control the chamber support restricting abortion, Democrats, who hold a 21-19 edge in the state Senate, pledge to defend abortion rights. This outrageous ruling does not change the law here in Virginia," said state Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond. "Because of our strong state laws, abortion remains legal in Virginia. As other states face restrictions, Virginia will remain a safe haven for abortion care. We welcome everyone to make their reproductive health decisions free of government interference. But Morrissey issued a statement Friday saying he supports legal abortion only "up to the moment a fetus can feel pain." If he sided with the Senate's 19 Republicans next year, GOP Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears would be a tie-breaking vote to pass abortion restrictions in the legislature. Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said by email that the legislative work group would prioritize "protecting life when babies begin to feel pain in the womb, including a 15-week threshold." Experts say such "fetal pain" laws are scientifically unfounded. "There is no science and evidence backing any of this stuff. ... There's no evidence that there's fetal pain at this point," said Terry McGovern, chair of Columbia University's Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health. "I feel like they have completely just disregarded science and evidence." Morrissey did side with his fellow Democrats on an abortion vote a week ago. Youngkin wanted to end state funding to cover a small number of abortions - poor women pregnant with a fetus that has "a gross and totally incapacitating physical deformity or with a gross and totally incapacitating mental deficiency. Morrissey and Senate Democrats blocked Youngkin's attempt to cut that funding. *** The end of Roe means states now choose whether to ban abortion and how to restrict it. Tennessee has a trigger law to make abortion illegal soon, West Virginia has a law banning abortion, and abortion is now banned in Kentucky because of a trigger law. That means more people traveling to Virginia from other states for an abortion. The state has about 15 clinics. Whole Woman's Health, a Virginia abortion provider, has already helped about 100 women travel from Texas to Virginia for an abortion after lawmakers there banned most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Whole Womans Health will continue its long and proud tradition of providing high-quality, compassionate, personal abortion care in the remaining states where pregnant peoples needs and rights are still respected and protected under law," Amy Hagstrom Miller, Whole Woman's Health president and CEO, said in a statement after Friday's 6-3 ruling was released. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and other organizations had already been working to educate women that abortion would remain legal here, after a draft version of Friday's high court opinion was leaked in May. pwilson@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6061 Twitter: @patrickmwilson Staff writer Sabrina Moreno contributed to this report This wrap of reviews from around Melbourne kicks off with a new musical from Tim Finn, plus the MSO and The Jezabels. MUSIC THEATRE Come Rain or Come Shine MTC Southbank Theatre, until July 23 New stage musicals are rare, and many recent offerings are based on existing source material or utilise a catalogue of well-known songs. A new, totally original and successful Australian musical is a unicorn. Come Rain or Come Shine is new and Australian, but a unicorn it is not; it is adapted from Kazuo Ishiguros short story and incorporates snatches of classic tunes including Ray Charles poignant Come Rain or Come Shine that eclipse the original songs. This boutique musical, with book by Carolyn Burns, music by Tim Finn and lyrics by Finn and director, Simon Phillips, has a cast of only three, along with four musicians. The NSW government will permanently fund screening for a rare but devastating genetic disorder with a high infant death rate, after a study conducted in Sydney showed early therapy could turn diagnosis from a heart-sink to a treatable condition. Of the 29 babies with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who took part in a global trial of a new gene therapy, including four treated at Sydney Childrens Hospital, all reached 18 months and the majority achieved their developmental milestones, such as sitting independently and walking. Adam and Adriana Sharpe with their daughter Alessia, 3, who was the first baby to be diagnosed with SMA under the newborn screening program. Credit:Bianca De Marchi SMA is the leading genetic cause of infant death. The condition, which occurs in one in 10,000 births, causes progressive muscle wastage. Without treatment, babies have a life expectancy of about nine months. Five years ago there was no therapy and, for the most common and severe form of SMA, the day youd diagnose them was the best theyd ever be, Associate Professor Michelle Farrar, who led the Sydney portion of the study, said. It was a real heart-sink to diagnose those kids. Kickboxer and ex-Mongols bikie Suleiman Sam Abdulrahim was the target of several assaults in the months before two gunmen sprayed his Mercedes four-wheel-drive with bullets as he left a funeral in Melbournes north on Saturday. A manhunt is under way for the masked offenders who ambushed and shot Abdulrahim, 30, as he left the funeral at Fawkner cemetery in what police believe was a targeted attack. Sam The Punisher Abdulrahim in a photo from his Instagram page. Credit:Instagram In a dramatic series of events on Saturday afternoon, the shooters crashed their getaway car into a fire hydrant before carjacking a woman and child at gunpoint and fleeing in their Ford Territory, while an injured Abdulrahim was driven in his Mercedes to the Fawkner police station where an ambulance was called. Abdulrahim was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition. Police were called to an incident at the hospitals emergency department on Saturday afternoon where sources said tensions and emotions were running high. Battling hot (and cold) weather is a constant for homeowners. Keeping the hot weather out in the summer and the cold weather out in the winte The overturning of Roe v Wade in the United States could reignite the debate about abortion access in Australia, and increase the stigma for people who terminate unwanted pregnancies. The decision by the US Supreme Court brings to an abrupt end the decades-long constitutional right to an abortion in the US, meaning state bans come into effect. Daile Kelleher, chief executive of Children by Choice, said she had no doubt Australian opponents of abortion would be energised by the US decision. It is a really stark reminder to us that even rights that we have so-called won, because they are legislated, could be overturned or wound back and that could depend on the government of the day, Kelleher said. What was Anthony Albanese thinking? At the May 21 election, hundreds of thousands of Australians voted for a new federal representative. Yes, Labor won 11 new seats in the lower house (and lost a couple too) and reached a majority of 77 seats. Independents Allegra Spender (Wentworth), Kylea Tink (North Sydney), Zali Steggall (Warringah) and Sophie Scamps (Mackellar) rose to power as Australians called for change. Credit:Oscar Colman But that wasnt the only story. Seven new independents Allegra Spender, Kylea Tink, Sophie Scamps, Zoe Daniel, Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney and Dai Le were also elected, as were three new Greens MPs in the form of Stephen Bates, Max Chandler-Mather and Elizabeth Watson-Brown. In the Senate, Jacqui Lambie has been joined by her former staffer Tammy Tyrell; in the ACT, former Wallabies champion David Pocock was elected; and in Victoria, Ralph Babet snuck in for the United Australia Party. Shes not yet 50 but Jacinta Allan, or JA, as she is known, already has an almost unmatched political CV. First elected in 1999, aged just 25, she became the youngest minister in Victorias history at just 29. Jacinta Allan was first elected in 1999 Credit:Joe Armao Serving in the Bracks, Brumby and Andrews ministries, she has held more than 10 different portfolios including public transport, employment, regional and rural development, and trade. She also took on the key parliamentary tactician role of leader of the house, and served as manager of Opposition business during the tumultuous Baillieu-Napthine years. Kigali: Boris Johnson arrived in the Rwandan capital joking, in the classical British way, about the weather. The weather is absolutely lovely here in Rwanda today, but heres an amazing statistic - its actually hotter in London, he told a Commonwealth business forum on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali. Ruffled: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, centre, looks at traditional dancers performing during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda. Credit:Getty Images Actually, it wasnt. At the time he was speaking it was six degrees cooler in London and by days end, the temperature clocked 26 degrees in Kigali, and 25 in the British capital. Pedantry aside, less than 24 hours later Johnson was feeling the chill emanating all the way from home from the mountain of fibs that have marked his career. The Lebanon Police Department has arrested two suspects allegedly involved in an April armed robbery at a Lebanon gold dealer. According to a news release from LPD, police arrested Anthony Wade Holden, 32, of Lebanon and Corey Brandon Wreyford, 31, of Sweet Home. The two were located Thursday, June 23 and lodged in Linn County Jail. Holden was arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery and first-degree theft. Wreyford, AKA Ford in court documents, was arrested on alleged charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree theft, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing, felon in possession of a firearm and pointing a firearm at another. According to the news release, officers responded to reports of an armed robbery at Cash for Gold Now in Lebanon on April 14 at around 4:41 p.m. The caller said two men wearing motorcycle helmets took an undisclosed amount of cash at gunpoint. The suspects then reportedly fled on a motorcycle, according to LPD. Lebanon police, assisted by the Linn County Sheriffs Office, Albany Police Department and Oregon State Police, searched for the suspects after they reportedly fled. The motorcycle suspected to have been used by the suspects was found abandoned, outside the city limits of Lebanon shortly after the robbery was reported. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Lebanon Express. The two men were arraigned in Linn County Circuit Court on Friday, June 24. Holden was arraigned on charges of first-degree robbery and first-degree theft. Wreyford was arraigned on charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree theft and unlawful use of a weapon. Court documents allege the two stole cash and/or gold in the amount of $1,000 or more. If anyone has information regarding the case, they are encouraged to contact Detective Sgt. Jeremy Weber at 541-258-4342 or Detective Tim Trahan at 541-258-4318. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Fundraiser for the Corvallis Sister Cities Association's Uzhhorod (Ukraine) Refugee Fund. Earl Newman, an artist and screen printer who lives in Summit, has created and donated a screen-printed poster illustrating support for Ukraine. Two hundred numbered posters will be printed; several framed posters will be available. The prints will sell for $100 each to be donated to the refugee fund; framed prints will cost extra. Information: 541-231-6238 or alice.rampton@gmail.com. Rally to support Ukraine, noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Benton County Courthouse, 120 NW Fourth St., Corvallis. All are invited to come show solidarity with Ukraine in an event that is not antiwar or anti-Russia but pro-Ukraine. Those attending can bring Ukrainian flags, sunflowers and signs showing support. Updates on the humanitarian aspect of the war will be given. Information: 7442117@gmail.com. Fundraiser to support refugee fund: Four-notecard packs and 8 x 10 prints featuring paintings by Corvallis sisters Allessandra Bakker, 16, and Isabella Bakker, 13, are available for purchase at Visit Corvallis and Benton County Historical Societys Corvallis and Philomath museums for $25 and $30, respectively. Proceeds go toward the Corvallis Sister Cities Associations Uzhhorod Refugee Fund. Quilt auction fundraiser for Ukrainian refugees: Monique Arnold of Corvallis and her teenage daughters are submitting an Americana quilt for auction. All proceeds will go to MakeAWish Oregon. Since August, the family has raised $13,800 for MakeAWish and $5,050 for Ukrainian refugees by auctioning off quilts on The Sandpiper Project's Facebook group page. Bid and share before 10 p.m. Saturday, June 25, to help children diagnosed with critical diseases. The listing is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/391673602349315/permalink/578356703681003/?sale_post_id=578356703681003&fs=e&s=cl. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Batavia, NY (14020) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 72F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 56F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Police stand guard outside a bar in central Oslo, Norway, on June 25, 2022. (Javad Parsa/NTB via AP) 2 Dead, Several Seriously Injured in Oslo Nightclub Shooting Two people are dead and more than a dozen injured in a mass shooting at a nightclub in Oslo in the early hours of Saturday morning, Norwegian police said. The shooting took place outside the London Pub, a popular gay bar and nightclub, in the center of the Norwegian capital, Reuters reported. According to local media, police apprehended the suspect within four minutes of receiving calls about the shooting. Local journalist Olav Roenneberg from Norways public broadcaster said he witnessed the shooting. I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting, Roenneberg told NRK. First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover. Police stand guard at the site of a mass shooting in Oslo, Norway, on June 25, 2022. (Javad Parsa/NTB via AP) A police spokesperson said local civilians provided life-saving first aid to some of the injured and helped law enforcement apprehend the shooter, according to local media Aftenposten. Tore Barstad, a spokesperson for Oslo police, said the civilians made a heroic effort to get control of the shooter and that police were grateful to the people who helped the injured. Oslo police confirmed via Twitter that two died in the shooting and that several were seriously injured. To personer er bekreftet dde i skyteepisoden. Det er flere alvorlig skadde. Politiet definerte oppdraget som en PLIVO hendelse. OPS Politiet Oslo (@oslopolitiops) June 24, 2022 Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said in a statement that the attack was shocking and cruel, state media NRK reported. NRK claimed the shooter was known to the police and has not yet been interviewed after his arrest on Saturday. The outlet reported that police technicians have conducted a search of the mans home. Motive Police said that while the suspects motive was unclear, authorities would assess whether police should introduce measures to protect a pride parade planned for Saturday in Oslo. Police are in contact with the organizers of the pride event this Saturday, Barstad told reporters. There will be a continuous assessment of what measures police should take to protect that event and whether this incident has a connection to pride at all. Police gather at the site of a mass shooting in Oslo, Norway, on June 25, 2022. (Javad Parsa/NTB via AP) By Azernews By Vugar Khalilov Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has said that Baku appreciates Moscows role in the Azerbaijani-Armenian post-war normalization process, Azernews reports. Bayramov made the remark during a joint presser with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Baku on June 24. "Conflict is a thing of the past" Azerbaijan is of a position that the conflict is a thing of the past, and it is necessary to fulfill the agreements reached and pursue a peaceful agenda for lasting peace and prosperity in the region. We state and express our great appreciation of the special role that the Russian Federation has taken in reaching agreements between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia, which were enshrined in tripartite statements, the first of which was reached on November 10, 2020, Bayramov stressed. He mentioned that the issue of the post-conflict settlement was covered in his discussion with Lavrov today. The need of fostering a climate of peace and collaboration in the area was emphasized. Bayramov noted that the Azerbaijani-Russian collaboration for Karabakh restoration is a significant moment in bilateral cooperation. Restoration of the liberated territories [from Armenian occupation in 2020 Second Karabakh War] is the top priority for Azerbaijan. The restoration process is of principal importance. A lot of projects are being carried out, restoration is proceeding at a high pace, and we will witness the return of the first internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the liberated territories in the near future, he stressed. The minister highlighted that cooperative participation in efforts to rebuild liberated regions is an essential aspect of the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia. Azerbaijan believes that, for the first time since their independence, Azerbaijan and Armenia have a truly unique opportunity to achieve peace and establish good neighborly relations, Bayramov said in response to Trend's question during the joint press conference. "Within a short period of time following the second Karabakh war and signing the trilateral statement, it was Azerbaijan that first expressed its readiness to turn the page of enmity and reach a peace agreement between the two countries. If anyone thinks it was an easy decision, I recommend them to visit the liberated territories and witness what we saw when we returned there," Bayramov said. Baku grand initiator of stable peace in the South Caucasus According to Bayramov, it was Azerbaijan that put forth the fundamental parameters for establishing interstate ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan in February 2022. These values have been embraced by Armenia's political leadership as well as the rest of the globe. In terms of mending Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, the nations have made the most progress in opening communications. As a result, Azerbaijan, represented by President Ilham Aliyev, insisted on including the paragraph on unblocking communications in the trilateral agreement, therefore restoring commercial connections, the minister explained. According to Bayramov, delays in normalizing the Azerbaijani-Armenian ties pose threats to the peace negotiations. Azerbaijans position for the normalization of relations aimed at full and strict implementation of all tripartite statements. This is a guarantee of development of the whole region because the artificial delay in the process of normalizing state relations has a negative effect on this process and carries serious risks, Bayramov said. Bayramov also emphasized Russia's specific role in achieving agreements between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia, which were guaranteed in trilateral declarations, the first of which was signed on November 10, 2020. He added that the progress of normalizing ties between Azerbaijan and Armenia cannot be hampered by the format. "Starting from February 2022, due to well-known reasons, the negotiations between the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group become completely paralyzed. We received this information from various sources, including from Russian partners, but not only. Azerbaijan's objective in this circumstance is to achieve long-term, durable, and sustainable peace in the region. From this point of view, the process cannot fall victim to the format. Naturally, we cannot focus on a non-existent format," Bayramov emphasized. In turn, Lavrov said that Russia will provide all the necessary help required to bring peace in the South Caucasus and delimit the Azerbaijani-Armenian borders. Russia emphasizes the necessity to resume or continue the work of the Commission on border delimitation between Azerbaijan and Armenia as soon as possible. Russia will be ready to render the necessary advisory services, as we are ready to facilitate the conclusion of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan, initiated by our Azerbaijani friends, Lavrov said. He stressed that there is no alternative to the implementation of all agreements, which is ensured in three declarations signed by Russian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian leaders. Nearly every aspect of post-conflict settlement in the region is covered by the agreements, the minister added. "No alternative to the implementation of all agreements" We have noted the convergence of approaches on most of the key issues. The tasks of strengthening peace, security, and stability in the South Caucasus were discussed, first of all, Lavrov said. We confirmed that there is no alternative to the implementation of all the agreements, which are guaranteed in three statements at the level of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, which deal with almost all aspects of the post-conflict settlement in the region, the Russian FM noted. He underlined that the work of deputy PMs in the trilateral working group on unblocking all transport and economic ties in the South Caucasus was highlighted during the talks with Bayramov. They met in Moscow on June 3 and just two weeks later held another informal meeting within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum [held in Russia, on June 15-18, 2022]. These recent contacts have made it possible to come much closer to final agreements on rail and road routes, Lavrov added. The Russian FM stated that high-level talks between Azerbaijan and Russia are held on a regular basis. "Today, we had productive talks with Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on bilateral cooperation. Our already great cooperation was formalized legally in February this year. High-level contacts between our countries are carried out regularly," he said. OSCE Minsk Group "no longer exists" The Russian top diplomat stressed that the OSCE Minsk Group no longer exists. We do not discuss the OSCE Minsk Group (MG), because it has ceased its activities. We discussed the processes of post-conflict resolution. The basis for these new processes lies in three tripartite statements by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, Lavrov underlined. "The three statements signed by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia are now widely recognized as the basis for a final solution to all the remaining issues, he added. The second meeting of the commission on border delimitation between Azerbaijan and Armenia has been scheduled for Moscow, Lavrov said, answering a question from Trend's journalist during the joint press conference. "The meeting is scheduled to be held in Moscow, and the sides are currently choosing dates that will be more convenient for them. Thus, both sides haven't changed their minds and are willing to participate in the commission meeting," Lavrov said. "We had discussions with both the prime minister and the foreign minister of Armenia during my visit to Yerevan a couple of weeks ago. They confirmed their readiness to participate in the second meeting within the delimitation commission," Lavrov concluded. An 83-year-old Japanese adventurer returned home June 4 after successfully completing his solo, nonstop voyage across the Pacific, becoming the oldest person to make the journey. He says he is still in the middle of [his] youth and not done yet. Kenichi Horie arrived in the Kii Strait off Japans western coast, completing his trans-Pacific voyage in 69 days after leaving a yacht harbor in San Francisco in March. It was the latest achievement for the octogenarian adventurer, who in 1962 became the first person in the world to successfully complete a solo, nonstop voyage across the Pacific from Japan to San Francisco. Sixty years later, he traversed the reverse route. Japans Kenichi Horie waves on his sailboat at Osaka Bay, western Japan, June 4, 2022, after his trans-Pacific voyage. (Kyodo News via AP) I just crossed the finish line. Im tired, he wrote in his blog after reaching Japan in the early hours Saturday, June 4. On the Sunday, after spending the night on his 19-foot (6-meter) -long Suntory Mermaid III just off the coast, Horie was towed into his home port of Shin Nishinomiya, where he was cheered by local residents and supporters with banners that read: Welcome back, Mr. Kenichi Horie! As he approached the harbor, Horie, standing in his boat, took off his white cap and waved. He got off the yacht, took off the cap again and bowed deeply on the pier before he was presented with bouquets of roses. Thank you for waiting! said Horie, who appeared tanned and with his white hair longer than usual. Horie is welcomed home at Osaka Bay after completing his trans-Pacific voyage on June 4, 2022. (Kyodo News via AP) His achievement came after three days struggling with pushback from a strong tide. He wrote in his blog Friday, June 3, that he triumphed but was exhausted and took a nap after feeling assured his yacht was now on the right course to reach the finish line. He carried a stock of medicine from San Francisco, he said, but only used eye drops and Band-Aids during his more than two months alone at sea. That shows how healthy I am, Horie said. Im still in the middle of my youth. He said he burned all his body and soul on the journey but says hes ready for more. He added, I will keep up my work to be a late bloomer. Hories return home makes him the worlds oldest person to complete a solo, nonstop crossing of the Pacific, according to his sponsors. To him, its a dream come true. Horie, welcomed at a yacht harbor in Nishinomiya, western Japan, Sunday, June 5, 2022. (Kosuke Moriwaki/Kyodo News via AP) Horie receives a bouquet in celebration at a yacht harbor in Nishinomiya, western Japan, Sunday, June 5, 2022. (Ichiro Sakano/Kyodo News via AP) It was my great joy to have been able to make a challenge as a real goal and safely achieve it, instead of just holding onto it as a dream, he said. I want to be a challenger as long as I live. Horie has also achieved a number of other long-distance solo voyages, including in 1974 sailing around the world. His latest expedition was the first since his 2008 solo, nonstop voyage on a wave-powered boat from Hawaii to the Kii Strait. Epoch Times staff contributed to this report. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter An exam room sits empty in the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Center in St Louis, Mo., on May 28, 2019. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) Abortion Clinics Start Closing After Roe v. Wade Ruling Abortion clinics in multiple states closed their doors on June 25 following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to pass their own laws regulating access to abortion. Around half of the states are expected to press ahead with banning abortion after the high courts landmark ruling, according to the Guttmacher Institute, while in a handful of states with so-called trigger laws, abortion has already become illegal. Abortion will either soon becomeor already isunlawful in at least 13 states, according to a tally by The Epoch Times: Idaho, North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas. Bans in Mississippi and North Dakota will come into force when their respective attorneys general sign off, while Wyomings prohibition will take effect within days. Tennessee will have its ban applied in 30 days, while Idaho and Texas will see bans applied 30 days after the official judgment. Abortion has become illegal in the following states: Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Utah. Clinics Close Alabamas three abortion clinics stopped performing abortions as providers face prosecution under a law dating back to 1951. Staff at the Alabama Womens Center for Reproductive Alternatives in Huntsville on Friday told women in the waiting room that they could not carry out any more abortions that day, though the women were given a list of out-of-state clinics still doing abortions. At an abortion clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas, the doors to the patient area shut as soon as the Supreme Courts decision was formally announced. No matter how hard we prepare for bad news, when it finally hits, it hits hard, a nurse at the clinic told the BBC. An abortion clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana, one of three that performs the procedure in the state, was also shuttered on Friday. Legal Uncertainty Abortion clinics elsewhereincluding Arizona, Texas, and West Virginiastopped performing abortions for fear of prosecution based on laws that predate Roe v. Wade. In Texas, where trigger laws dont go into effect for another month, providers suspended abortions while they seek legal advice on whether they are subject to an abortion ban based on laws passed in the 1920s. Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who announced the statewide closure of his agencys office on Friday in honor of the nearly 70 million unborn babies killed in the womb since 1973, warned in a letter that prosecutors could immediately choose to pursue criminal prosecutions based on earlier laws that were unenforceable while Roe v. Wade stood. Similarly, the existence of a 19th-century abortion ban in West Virginia led a clinic there to stop performing the procedure. Several providers in Arizona halted abortions on Friday as they seek to determine whether pre-statehood laws may be grounds for prosecution. Overall, repealing Roe v. Wade means that some 36 million women of reproductive age will lose access to abortion in their states, according to research from Planned Parenthood. Predictably, the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has drawn mixed reactions, with demonstrators outside the Supreme Court voicing both indignation and jubilation. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Joe Biden addresses the nation at the White House following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, in Washington on June 24, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Abortion Ruling Will Make US Outlier Among Developed Nations: Biden President Joe Biden has criticized the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion rights, stating that the move violates the principle of equality and will make the country an outlier among developed nations. The consequences and the consensus of the American peoplecore principles of equality, liberty, dignity, and the stability of the rule of lawdemand that Roe should not have been overturned, Biden said in a June 24 remark. With this decision, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court shows how extreme it is, how far removed they are from the majority of this country. They have made the United States an outlier among developed nations in the world. But this decision must not be the final word, The Supreme Court decision came as part of a case regarding a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Contrary to what Biden claims, many other developed nations have similar or even more restrictive abortion laws. Out of 50 European nations, 47 limit elective abortion prior to 15 weeks, according to a July 2021 study by the Charlotte Lozier Institute. Five countries, including Belgium and Germany, limit elective abortion to 14 weeks. Twenty-seven nations, including France, Norway, and Denmark, limit elective abortion to 12 weeks. Eight European nations, including Finland and Britain, do not allow elective abortion except for some specific socioeconomic or medical reasons. The study also notes that not a single European nation allows elective abortion during all nine months of pregnancy. This is in contradiction to American states like New York, California, Maryland, and Massachusetts where it is allowed. Moreover, the Supreme Court majority opinion clearly states that the U.S. Constitution makes no reference to abortion due to which such a right is not implicitly protected by any constitutional provision. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the peoples elected representatives, the opinion said. Threat of Violence Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned that judges and state officials are at risk of political violence following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In an intelligence memo, the department said that domestic extremists will likely exploit the ruling to intensify violence against a wide range of targets, according to CBS. We expect violence could occur for weeks following the release, particularly as [domestic violent extremists] may be mobilized to respond to changes in state laws and ballot measures on abortion stemming from the decision, the memo said. Several Twitter accounts have posted the home addresses of Supreme Court justices following the court decision. Last month, multiple protests were staged in front of Justices Amy Coney Barretts and Brett Kavanaughs homes. A Californian man was arrested for attempting to murder Kavanaugh earlier this month. President Joe Biden in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington on June 23, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Biden Signs Gun Control Bill Into Law President Joe Biden on June 25 signed into law the biggest gun control measure introduced in the United States in decades, after the bipartisan bill cleared both houses of Congress. I was there 30 years ago, the last time this nation passed meaningful gun safety laws, and Im here today for the most significant law to be passed since then, Biden said at a June 25 press conference at the White House. The legislation, called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, passed the House on June 24 in a 234193 vote following Senate approval a day earlier. Key provisions of the bill include expanding federal background checks for buyers between the ages of 18 and 21, incentives for states to adopt so-called red flag laws, expanding access to mental health programs, and enhancing school security in a bid to prevent mass shootings. While this bill doesnt do everything I want, it does include actions Ive long called for that are going to save lives, Biden said. The legislation comes on the heels of mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, which left 10 people dead, and Uvalde, Texas, where 21 people were fatally shot, including 19 children. Both gunmen were 18 years old. At a time when it seems impossible to get anything done in Washington, we are doing something consequential, the president said. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) both support the bill. The National Rifle Association (NRA) reacted to Bidens signing of the bill in a post on Twitter: Make no mistake, behind the facade and the contrived talking points of safety, school security, and mental health, THIS IS A GUN CONTROL BILL. The NRA earlier stated its opposition to the measure, arguing that it does little to truly address violent crime while opening the door to unnecessary burdens on the exercise of Second Amendment freedom by law-abiding gun owners. Gun Owners of America, another gun lobby, said in a statement on Twitter that it will challenge these unconstitutional laws in court to defend the rights of all Americans. Provisions The bill would provide around $15 billion over the next five years toward expanding access to mental health programs and enhancing school security in a bid to prevent future mass shootings. The legislation would require additional juvenile records checks for 18- to 21-year-old individuals who are seeking to buy a gun. It would also close the so-called boyfriend loophole. Under the measure, convicted domestic abusers would be barred from buying guns if their victim is their romantic partner or a recent former romantic partner. The bill will also help provide $750 million in funding as an incentive to enforce red flag laws in the 19 states and the District of Columbia that have them, making it easier to temporarily confiscate guns from people deemed a danger to themselves or others. The measure also adjusts language in the current law so that people who regularly buy and sell guns to predominantly earn a profit are required to register as a federal firearm licensee. With this designation, these gun sellers would be required to run background checks for transactions. The gun control package would also strengthen penalties for gun trafficking and straw purchases, including fines and up to 15 years in prison for violators. Joseph Lord and Mimi Nguyen-Ly contributed to this report. Graduates of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Academy Class 451 stand for the pledge of allegiance at their graduation ceremony at East Los Angeles College amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Monterey Park, Calif., on Aug. 21, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) California to Pay Law Enforcement Employees $1,500 Pandemic Bonuses SACRAMENTOThe State of California agrees to pay $1,500 pandemic bonuses to eligible law enforcement officers and public service officers, under tentative agreements reached with several labor unions last week. The one-time payment will go to eligible workers to recognize the support and service they have provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the contracts posted online by the state Department of Human Resources. The state employees to be benefitted include highway patrol dispatchers, park rangers, Department of Motor Vehicles licensing-registration examiners, Department of State Hospitals police officers, and correctional officers who are represented by various unionsthe California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, and the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. To be eligible, one must be employed by the state by Jan. 1, 2022, and beyond July 1, 2022, according to the statement. A California Highway Patrol vehicle drives at Long Beach Airport on Sept. 13, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) An estimate of the total cost of the program and the number of eligible employees are not yet available since the human resource department wont know the final funding amount until agreements are ratified and payments are issued, according to Camille Travis, a spokeswoman for the state human resource department, as reported in the Los Angeles Times. Based on the membership of the three unions, potentially between 40,000 and 50,000 people are eligible. Alan Barcelona, president of the Law Enforcement Association, said in a June 16 statement [he is] pleased to see that this administration understands the value of the services provided by public safety personnel. The associations bargaining unit is the only one that will receive the benefit for both peace office and non-peace officer employees regardless of whether they performed in-person work, according to the statement. The state department is processing these benefits, and employees are expected to receive the payment in the July or August pay period, according to the statement. Panelists at "A Citizens' Hearing," an independent inquiry of Canada's pandemic response, listen to a cross-partisan roundtable, in Toronto on June 24, 2022. (LR) Former Reform Party leader and MP Preston Manning, retired Ontario pediatrician Dr. Susan Natsheh, and David Ross, president of the Canadian COVID Care Alliance. (Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times) Canadas Coercive COVID-19 Mandates a Tragic Error: Former Ontario Chief Medical Officer Canadas public health agency made a tragic error by grounding its COVID-19 response policies on coercion rather than persuasion, which was a key medical principle that had been thrown away during the pandemic, according to Dr. Richard Schabas, a former Ontario chief medical officer of health. Schabas, who served as Ontarios top doctor from 1987 to 1997, said on June 24 that the public health principle that he practiced for decades was based on persuasion, not coercion, and would hardly resort to legal powers in medical interventions. He said that governments COVID-19 vaccination mandates have backfired, as instead of meeting the intention of getting more people vaccinated, they have resulted in more people being turned away in the long run. By polarizing the issue, by making it a question of coercion, theyve taken a group of peoplemany people who would have been persuaded to take the vaccineand lock them down as being opposed to vaccines because they dont want to be forced, he said. I think thats a tragic error. Schabas made the remarks during the Citizens Hearing panel, an independent inquiry that scrutinizes the impacts of COVID-19 mandates and restrictions on Canadians. Panelists include former Reform Party leader and MP Preston Manning, retired Ontario pediatrician Dr. Susan Natsheh, and David Ross, president of the Canadian COVID Care Alliance, which co-hosted the three-day event that concluded on June 24. Now covering A Citizens Hearing hosted by @CCCAlliance, where experts and Canadians adversely affected by #COVID19 share their stories. https://t.co/kxfaCIZ9oz Andrew Chen (@AndrewChen55) June 24, 2022 He said it is also important to have a holistic view of a persons health conditions, or determinants of health, which are other aspects of peoples lives that are critical to their health conditions, which include education, employment, and social connectedness. Health was more than just the absence of diseaseit was a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, he said. The last two years weve completely lost sight of that: Not only is health all about disease, it is all about one disease, and that is all about COVID case counts. One major advancement in Canadas medical system over the past 50 years was the recognition of evidence-based experiments rather than experts advice when determining whether a certain medical procedure is effective, Schabas said. But the public health measures rolled out during the pandemic are based on the less reliable observations and models. Beginning March 2020, basically the whole world panicked. We accepted uncritically speculative mathematical models, which [said] that 40 million people were going to die in the world by mid-summer, he said, referring to a 2020 report published by the Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, which has a massive discrepancy with the 6 million fatalities actually recorded over the past two years. Schabas also questioned the scientific basis behind mandatory masking mandates and lockdowns. At the onset of the novel coronavirus, he said governments should have looked to evidence-based studies such as a 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) report on influenza, which stated that there was no evidence that face masks are effective in reducing transmission of laboratory-confirmed influenza, while the overall effect of contact tracing was limited. We panicked, and we resorted to a whole range of so-called control measures that were of dubious effectiveness, he told the panelists. The WHO report reviewed several studies with simulation models, and it said only one study suggested a combination of contact tracing and quarantine, which was estimated to provide at most modest benefit, while it would considerably increase the number of quarantined individuals. A general view of the Centers for Disease Control headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., on April 23, 2020. (Tami Chappell/AFP via Getty Images) CDC Confirmed Post-Vaccination Death From Blood Clotting Two Weeks Before Alerting Public: Emails The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed in late 2021 that a person died from blood clotting after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine that had been linked with an increased risk of blood clotting, but did not alert the public for two weeks, newly obtained emails show. Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, a CDC official, told colleagues at the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Dec. 2, 2021, We have confirmed a 9th TTS death following Janssen vaccination, according to emails obtained by The Epoch Times through a Freedom of Information Act request. TTS refers to thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, a condition that features low platelet levels combined with blood clots. Officials had recommended a nationwide pause on the administration of the vaccine, produced by Johnson & Johnson (J&J) subsidiary Janssen, in April 2021 after six women experienced TTS after J&J vaccination and three died. But they lifted the pause after determining the vaccine remained safe and effective. The condition was not discussed much in the ensuing months, despite the CDC later reporting that five additional deaths occurred before Aug. 31, 2021. Shimabukuro gave a single update, in mid-October 2021, saying five total deaths had been reported. That was until December 2021. Twelve days after Shimabukuro alerted colleagues of the ninth death, the FDA urged healthcare workers not to administer the vaccine to people with certain conditions because of the TTS risk. Two days after that, Dr. Isaac See, another CDC official, informed the public during a meeting that nine deaths had occurred post-vaccination. Its unclear when the CDC learned of the sixth, seventh, and eighth deaths. The CDC takes reports made to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and attempts to confirm the reports, including post-vaccination deaths. A higher number of post-vaccination TTS deaths have been reported to the system than the number the CDC has verified. One day after Shimabukuro confirmed the ninth death, his message was forwarded by Dr. Amanda Cohn, another CDC official, to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. See below, information on a 9th completely tragic death from TTS, Cohn wrote. Many thanks for letting us know any tragic case, Walensky responded. The emails were partially redacted; one was fully redacted. Four days after Shimabukuros email, CDC officials gave an update on post-vaccination TTS to the COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Technical Work Group, part of the agencys vaccine advisory panel, in a closed-door meeting. The Epoch Times has asked for presentations and audio from the meeting. It took 14 days to update the public. That happened during a virtual meeting of the advisory panel that anyone was free to tune into. Asked about the delay in making the public aware of the deaths, the CDC provided a comment from the team that works on verifying deaths reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. For all reports classified as serious (which includes deaths after vaccination), VAERS (within one business day of receiving the report) requests all available medical records, including death certificates and autopsy reports, for the reported patient. For some reports, including some potential reports of TTS, consultation with experts to determine if the report meets a standardized case definition is performed. Regarding verified reports of TTS where the patient died, these processes occurred during their usual timeframes, the team said. During the virtual meeting, advisers recommended the CDC say the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was not preferred because of its link to TTS. Walensky endorsed the recommendation. But it wasnt until five months later that drug regulators at the FDA formally restricted the use of the vaccine because of the blood clotting risk. The agency said it conducted an updated analysis of reports and identified 60 confirmed cases, including nine confirmed deaths. It said it was limiting the availability of the shot because the reported cases and deaths were not appreciably lower than previously reported. Supreme Court Police officers set up security barricades outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 1, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) DHS Warns of Violent Extremism in Memo After Roe v. Wade Ruling: Reports The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reportedly issued a memo to warn that government officials and judges could be at risk by violent extremists after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday. Government officials and judges probably are at most risk for violence in response to the decision, according to the memo, obtained by Axios and CNN. The warning was reportedly sent to DHS personnel, law enforcement, first responders, and private sector partners. Americans freedom of speech and right to peacefully protest are fundamental Constitutional rights. Those rights do not extend to violence and other illegal activity, a DHS spokesperson said in a statement obtained by The Hill. Places of worship and facilities that provide abortions in various states were mentioned in the memo as being at risk of being targeted by domestic violent extremists who are both pro-abortion and pro-life due to prior arson attacks. The memo reportedly stated that DHS was aware of at least 11 incidents of vandalism threatening violence targeting religious facilities perceived as being opposed to abortion. Pro-abortion protester Lili Galante outside the Supreme Court in Washington on June 24, 2022. (Emel Akan/The Epoch Times) DHS will continue working with our partners across every level of government to share timely information and to support law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe, the DHS spokesperson added. The Epoch Times contacted DHS for further comment. The memo was issued by DHSs Office of Intelligence and Analysis and comes the same day the Supreme Court returned the power to make or change abortion laws to the hands of the states for the first time since 1973. Axios reported the memo warned that threats of violent extremism are likely for a number of weeks as states amend abortion laws in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision. The plot to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and recent attacks by pro-abortion group Janes Revenge were cited in the memo as well, Axios reported. Trigger Laws More than a dozen U.S. states had mechanisms built into abortion legislation that were triggered on Friday when the Supreme Court made its ruling, according to a research group. At least 13 states have trigger laws that ban abortions immediately after the ruling Friday. They are Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. On Friday, the Utah legislatures general counsel certified that the states 2020 trigger law met legal requirements. Pro-life supporters celebrate outside the Supreme Court in Washington on June 24, 2022. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) Its ban contains narrow exceptions for rape and incest if those crimes are reported to law enforcement, and for serious risk to the life or health of the mother, as well as confirmed lethal birth defects. Ohio also had its abortion law triggered on Friday, which bans most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat. Enforcement of Ohios 2019 heartbeat ban had been on hold for nearly three years under a federal court injunction. The state attorney general, Republican Dave Yost, asked for that to be dissolved because of the high courts ruling, and a federal judge agreed hours later. Other states will revisit their laws now that Roe v. Wade is overturned. Protests Pro-abortion activists on Friday reacted with protests in several major cities around the country after the Supreme Court decision. Protests were taking place in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, as well as in Chicago, Seattle, and other cities. Abortion clinics, pregnancy centers, churches, and police are ramping up security measures in some areas. Protesters are seen at rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) FBI Raids Home of Retired Texas Couple Who Attended Jan. 6 Capitol Rally Couple denies any wrongdoing A retired Texas couple says FBI agents on June 22 broke through the gate of their rural home, threw flash-bangs, handcuffed them, and trained lasers on them before searching their home for evidence connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the Capitol. Lora DeWolfe and Darrel Kennemer, who live on seven acres near San Marcos, Texas, told The Epoch Times they attended the Jan. 6 rally at the Capitol but did nothing wrong. They believe the FBI mistakenly identified Kennemer as someone else. The FBI didnt arrest them, they said. Agents eventually produced a search warrant saying Kennemer was suspected of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers and entering restricted building or grounds. Both said they went no farther than the Capitol steps on Jan. 6 and didnt harm anyone or damage anything. They said the allegation of assault was false, and the FBI kept showing Kennemer a blurry photo of a man who looked similar but wasnt Kennemer. Darrel Kennemer speaks to an officer at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Courtesy of Lora DeWolfe) I vacillate between feeling mad and helpless, DeWolfe said. I was really sad. We just wanted an honest election. Theyre corrupt, and theyre trying to scare us, Kennemer said, adding he feels the FBI targeted him for just being at the rally. Raid Before Dawn The ordeal began when their gate alarm woke them up in the pre-dawn hours of June 22, DeWolfe said. At first, they thought a deer had tripped the alarm, but DeWolfe got up and saw a white car. Kennemer got his AR-15 rifle and went outside, not knowing what to expect, DeWolfe said. Im seeing one single white vehicle moving pretty fast, and I was thinking someones going to die, Kennemer said. FBI officers got out of the white vehicle and told Kennemer, who had his rifle up in the air, to drop his weapon. He kept his rifle and asked the FBI to show him a warrant. Kennemer said someone threw a flash-bang at him repeatedly because he wouldnt drop his weapon at first. Darrel Kennemer holds a flash-bang he said the FBI threw at him during a raid on his home near San Marcus, Texas, on June 22, 2022. The FBI searched his home in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. (Courtesy of Lora DeWolfe) DeWolfe said Kennemer put the gun down when she came out of the house. She noticed red laser sights trained on both of them. There was a drone flying around and an aircraft, she said. They never showed a warrant until the end. DeWolfe then tried calling a neighbor before the FBI told them to drop their phones, which ended up recording the first few minutes of the raid. Agents entered the house and threw a flash-bang that frightened their dogs, causing one to run away, DeWolfe said. Agents separated DeWolfe and Kennemer and began questioning them. They showed Kennemer a blurry photo of a man at the Capitol with facial hair similar to his, he said. They asked him about breaking a window, which he denied as well. Lora DeWolfe said FBI agents threw a flash-bang into her house near her dogs, in San Marcus, Texas, on June 22, 2022. (Courtesy of Lora DeWolfe) Hours later, the agents came out of the house with a black coat, a dark Trump beanie, and a scarf. They also took the couples phones, which had photos from Jan. 6. DeWolfe said she luckily had had some of them printed. Daughters Response Later that day, DeWolfe was able to call her daughter, Ricci Bratton, to tell her what happened. Bratton, who served in the U.S. Air Force, said her mom called her around 1 p.m. You want to talk about surrealmy first instinct was, Youre kidding. Theres no way,' Bratton told The Epoch Times. Bratton said she thought her mother was in shock but was trying to remain calm. It wasnt a knock at the door. Thats for sure, Bratton said. I cant believe this is happening. You dont believe its happening to your family. The FBI didnt respond to a request for comment by press time. Juul e-cigarette starter pack is seen in this picture illustration taken July 16, 2018. (Martinne Geller/Illustration/Reuters) FDAs Ban on Juul E-Cigarettes Temporarily Blocked by Court A U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Friday temporarily paused a ban that prohibited e-cigarette company Juul Labs Inc. from selling and distributing its products. This comes one day after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned Juuls device and four types of JUULpods from the market, forcing retailers to remove the products from their inventories, in what was a blow to the popular e-cigarette company. The court granted Juuls motion to stay the ban so it has sufficient opportunity to hear further arguments on the matter. The order to temporarily pause the ban should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits of that motion, the court order read. In announcing the ban, FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf said the move was to ensure all e-cigarette and electronic nicotine delivery system products currently being marketed to consumers meet our public health standards. According to the FDA, the e-cigarette companys application submitted over two years ago lacked sufficient evidence regarding the toxicology levels of the products. Some of the evidence was found to be insufficient and conflicting, including those regarding the genotoxicity and potentially harmful chemicals in the companys e-liquid pods. The American Lung Association welcomed the ban on Thursday as long overdue, while blaming Juul for the popularity of vaping among youths, which has been referred to as an epidemic. The health association also alleged that Juul used the same tactics as major cigarette companies to prey on youth, such as using flavors and price discounts and youth-focused market campaigns. Colorful nicotine-filled pods, pictured on the right, are inserted into the Juul e-cigarette, which educators say looks deceptively like a flash drive, making it harder to identify. (Courtesy of Juul Labs) Dissenting Voices Juul previously told The Epoch Times the company disagrees with the FDAs findings and ban. In an emailed statement, Juul said the company provided the FDA with sufficient information and data based on high-quality research to address all issues raised by the agency. The e-cigarette company believes its application appropriately characterized the toxicological profile of Juul products, including comparisons to combustible cigarettes and other vapor products, and believe this data, along with the totality of the evidence, meets the statutory standard of being appropriate for the protection of the public health. In Juuls corner is Guy Bentley, the director of consumer freedom at the Reason Foundation, who celebrated the D.C. courts decision to temporarily pause the ban on Friday by posting a meme on Twitter. When the FDAs ban was announced, he argued that it would force a portion of current [Juul] users to go back to smoking. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at the New York State Capitol in Albany, N.Y., on Aug. 24, 2021. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) NY Gov. Hochul Orders Special Session to Consider New Gun Curbs New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered an extraordinary session of the state legislature to consider new gun control measures, following a Supreme Court decision that struck down the states concealed carry gun permitting system as unconstitutional. The special session is due to begin in Albany on June 30, Hochul said in a proclamation (pdf), with the scope of deliberations to focus on addressing necessary statutory changes regarding firearm safety. Hochuls move comes after the Supreme Court ruled in a 63 vote on June 23 that New Yorks concealed carry gun laws were unconstitutional. The Supreme Courts reckless and reprehensible decision to strike down New Yorks century-old concealed carry law puts lives at risk here in New York, Hochul said in a statement. The governor added that, since the high court issued its decision, shes been working around the clock to craft gun control legislation in response to the ruling. My number one priority as Governor will always be to keep New Yorkers safe, she said. Proper Cause The New York gun permit law struck down by the Supreme Court generally required an applicant to demonstrate proper cause to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun in public. Applicants met the proper cause requirement only if they could prove a special need for self-protection distinguishable from that of the general community, according to a 1980 ruling by the Supreme Court of New York in Klenosky v. New York City Police Department. The Supreme Court weighed whether the Empire States denial of concealed carry applications violated the U.S. Constitution. Because the State of New York issues public-carry licenses only when an applicant demonstrates a special need for self-defense, we conclude that the States licensing regime violates the Constitution, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the majority opinion (pdf). Right to Self-Defense Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, called the high courts ruling a watershed win for good men and women all across America. The right to self-defense and to defend your family and loved ones should not end at your home, he said. President Joe Biden condemned the Supreme Court decision, saying that it contradicts both common sense and the Constitution and should deeply trouble us all. I call on Americans across the country to make their voices heard on gun safety. Lives are on the line, Biden said. Meanwhile, Biden on June 25 signed into law the biggest firearm control measure introduced in the United States in three decades. The legislation, called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, was passed by the House in a 234193 vote on June 24, following Senate approval a day earlier. Key provisions of the bill include incentives for states to adopt so-called red flag laws, expanding access to mental health programs, enhancing school security in a bid to prevent mass shootings, and ramping up federal background checks for people between the ages of 18 and 21. Matthew Vadum contributed to this report. Lam Wing-Kee, a Hong Kong bookstore owner who fled to Taiwan in 2019, speaks during an interview inside his bookstore in Taipei, Taiwan, on June 8, 2022. (Johnson Lai/AP Photo) Hongkongers Reflect on Taiwan, an Imperfect Exile TAIPEI, TaiwanFor Lam Wing-kee, a Hong Kong bookstore owner who was detained by police in China for five months for selling sensitive books about the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), coming to Taiwan was a logical step. An island just 640 kilometers (400 miles) from Hong Kong, Taiwan is close not just geographically but also linguistically and culturally. It offered the freedoms that many Hongkongers were used to and saw disappearing in their hometown. Lams move to Taiwan in 2019, where he reopened his bookstore in Taipei, the capital, presaged a wave of emigration from Hong Kong as the former British colony came under the tighter grip of the CCP. Its not that Hong Kong doesnt have any democracy, it doesnt even have any freedom, Lam said in a recent interview. When the English were ruling Hong Kong, they didnt give us true democracy or the power to vote, but the British gave Hongkongers a very large space to be free. Lam Wing-Kee, a Hong Kong bookstore owner who fled to Taiwan in 2019, stands near a bunk bed during an interview inside his bookstore in Taipei, Taiwan, on June 8, 2022. (Johnson Lai/AP Photo) Hong Kong and Chinese leaders will mark next week the 25th anniversary of Hong Kongs handover to China. At the time, some people were willing to give the Chinese regime a chance. The CCP had promised to rule the city within the one country, two systems framework for 50 years. That meant Hong Kong would retain its own legal and political system and freedom of speech that does not exist in mainland China. But in the ensuing decades, a growing tension between the citys Western-style liberal values and mainland Chinas authoritarian political system culminated in explosive pro-democracy protests in 2019. In the aftermath, the CCP imposed a national security law that has left activists and others living in fear of arrest for speaking out. Hong Kong still looked the same. The malls were open, the skyscrapers were gleaming. But well-known artist Kacey Wong, who moved to Taiwan last year, said he constantly worried about his own arrest or those of his friends, some of whom are now in jail. On the outside its still beautiful, the sunset at the harbor view. But its an illusion that makes you think youre still free, he said. In reality youre not, the government is watching you and secretly following you. Though Wong feels safe in Taiwan, life as an exile is not easy. Despite its similarities to Hong Kong, Wong found his new home an alien place. He does not speak Taiwanese, a widely spoken Fujianese dialect. And the laid-back island contrasts strongly with the fast-paced financial capital that was Hong Kong. The first six months were hard, Wong said, noting that traveling as a tourist to Taiwan is completely different than living on the island in self-imposed exile. I havent established the relationship with the place, with the streets, with the people, with the language, with the shop downstairs, he said. Other, less prominent exiles than Wong or Lam have also had to navigate a system that does not have established laws or mechanisms for refugees and asylum seekers, and has not always been welcoming. That issue is further complicated by Taiwans increasing wariness of security risks posed by the CCP and of Beijings growing influence in Hong Kong. The Chinese regime claims the island as its own, despite Taiwan being a de facto independent country, with its own military, democratically-elected government, and constitution. For example, some individuals such as public school teachers and doctors have been denied permanent residency in Taiwan because they had worked for the Hong Kong government, said Sky Fung, the secretary general of Hong Kong Outlanders, a group that advocates for Hongkongers in Taiwan. Others struggle with the tighter requirements and slow processing of investment visas. In the past year or so, some have chosen to leave Taiwan, citing a clearer immigration path in the United Kingdom and Canada, despite the bigger gulf in language and culture. Wong said that Taiwan has missed a golden opportunity to keep talented people from Hong Kong. The policies and actions, and what the government is doing is not proactive enough and caused uncertainty in these people, thats why theyre leaving, he said. The islands Mainland Affairs Council has defended its record, saying it found that some migrants from Hong Kong hired immigration companies who took illegal methods, such as not carrying through on investments and hiring locals they had promised on paper. We in Taiwan, also have national security needs, Chiu Chui-cheng, deputy minister at the Mainland Affairs Council, said on a TV program last week. Of course we also want to help Hong Kong, we have always supported Hongkongers in their support for freedom, democracy, and rule of law. Some 11,000 Hong Kongers got residence permits in Taiwan last year, according to Taiwans National Immigration Agency, and 1,600 were able to get permanent residency. The United Kingdom granted 97,000 applications to Hong Kong holders of British National Overseas passports last year in response to the CCPs clampdown. However imperfect, Taiwan gives the activists a chance to continue to carry out their work, even if the direct actions of the past were no longer possible. Lam Wing-Kee, a Hong Kong bookstore owner who fled to Taiwan in 2019, gestures at a calligraphy with the words Freedom during an interview inside his bookstore in Taipei, Taiwan, on June 8, 2022. (Johnson Lai/AP Photo) Lam was one of five Hong Kong booksellers whose seizure by Chinese security agents in 2016 drew global concern. He often lends his presence to protests against the Chinese regime, most recently attending a June 4 memorial in Taipei to mark the anniversary of a bloody massacre of democracy protesters in Beijings Tiananmen Square in 1989. Similar protests in Hong Kong and Macao, until recently the only places in China allowed to commemorate the Tiananmen massacre, are no longer allowed. As a Hongkonger, I actually havent stopped my resistance. I have always continued to do what I needed to do in Taiwan, and participated in my events. I have not given up fighting, Lam said. ICC Prosecutor Urges to Reopen Probe on Dutertes Drug War, Cites No Action From Govt The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested to reopen an investigation into killings and suspected human rights abuses committed under Philippines President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs campaign. The ICC probe was suspended in November last year after the Philippine government requested a deferral and pledged to undertake its own investigations into the alleged abuses. I have concluded that the deferral requested by the Philippines is not warranted, and that the investigation should resume as quickly as possible, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement on Friday. Khan stated that the government had failed to offer any documentation that the investigations were ongoing or complete, as well as information regarding concrete investigations or prosecution actions. Under the Rome Statutes core principle of complementarity, States always have the first opportunity to investigate allegations of such crimes committed on their territory or by their nationals, he said. However, when national authorities fail to act, the court must step in, and that is why I have filed todays application. Khan said that he had informed Philippine authorities of his intention to reopen a probe into Dutertes anti-drug campaign, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of suspected drug peddlers. I made clearand I repeat here nowthat I remain ready and willing to continue the productive dialogue we have had since November 2021, and to explore ways in which, moving forward, we can effectively cooperate to deliver justice to victims in the Philippines, he said. Philippines Withdrawal From ICC The Philippine palace has said in April that the ICC lacks jurisdiction to probe the governments anti-drug campaign, citing the countrys functional criminal justice system and impartial legal institutions. The Philippines officially withdrew from the ICC on March. 17, 2019 after the then-ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda initiated preliminary investigations into Dutertes anti-drug campaign for suspected human rights abuses. Despite the countrys withdrawal, Khan said in a statement last year that the ICC retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes that occurred while the Philippines was a State Party from Nov. 1, 2011, up to March. 16, 2019. Dutertes Anti-Drug Campaign Duterte was elected in 2016 on a promise to eradicate drugs in the Philippines. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Dutertes anti-drug campaign has resulted in the deaths of over 12,000 Filipinos, with the Philippine National Police being responsible for 2,555 of these deaths. Activists take part in a rally protesting at an escalation of President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Aug. 18, 2017. (Dondi Tawatao/Reuters) HRW detailed in its 2017 report instances of the Philippine police falsifying evidence to justify unlawful killings, claiming that most drug-related killings victims were poor people and suspected drug users rather than dealers. No evidence thus far shows that Duterte planned or ordered specific extrajudicial killings. But Dutertes repeated calls for killings as part of his anti-drug campaign could constitute acts instigating law enforcement to commit the crime of murder, it stated. A Balinese man stands at the gate of Lempuyang temple looking towards Mount Agung volcano, in Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia, on Dec. 2, 2017. (Reuters/Darren Whiteside) Indonesia Mulls Tax-Free, 5-year Visa for Digital Nomads Staying in Bali Indonesia is mulling a digital nomad visa that would allow travelers to live in Bali without paying taxes for five years to attract 3.6 million foreign travelers to the island, according to its Tourism Minister. The proposed digital nomad visa would allow remote workers whose earnings come from outside Indonesia to stay tax-free in Bali, Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno said in an interview with Bloomberg. The plan had been put on hold due to the rising COVID-19 pandemic last year. Sandiaga said the government is on track to relaunch the plan now that the pandemic has subsided. Now with the pandemic handled and all the ministries getting involved and cooperating from the health side to the immigration office, we believe that this is an opportune time to relaunch this idea, he said. Sandiaga said the government aims to boost the local economy and create one million jobs for Indonesians by bringing in more foreign travelers to Bali, citing a survey that revealed Bali was on top of mind of 95 percent of digital nomads who took part in the survey. In the past, the three S was: sun, sea, and sand. Were moving it to serenity, spirituality, and sustainability. This way were getting better quality and better impact to the local economy, he remarked. There are currently about 24 countries that offer digital nomad visas for remote workers, including Germany, Taiwan, Mexico, Iceland, Portugal, and Norway, according to Relocate website. Easing Restrictions Indonesia has lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions, including lifting the outdoor mask mandate and scrapping the pre-departure test, as well as the quarantine requirements for foreign travelers. The government also reinstated the Visa on Arrival for 43 countries, allowing travelers to stay in Indonesia for up to 60 days. Sandiaga told reporters in April that he aimed to raise the number of international visitors to Indonesia by 3 million this year. At least in the next few periods, we are targeting 1.4 million tourist visits from Australia, and this is to ensure that we are ready, hence we need to accelerate promotion effort in the market. The procedure to enter Bali now is easier than ever, he said. Indonesia has made several visa options available for digital nomads, including the Visa on Arrival, Tourist or Cultural Visa, and the Free Visawhich allows travelers to stay in Indonesia without a visabut these only last 30 to 60 days. One real account of war and hardship, perseverance, and metaphysical transformation has captured the imaginations of investigators of the paranormal for over 70 years. It could be a clue proving the existence of reincarnation. Have you ever heard a story so powerful that it reverberated loudly through your interior landscape? Or it stopped you cold in your tracks and made you think hard about your life? I did in 1994, and its still with me today, wrote Adele Ryan McDowell Ph.D. in a Selfgrowth.com post, referring to Native American David Paladins story told to her by author Caroline Myss. For weeks and weeks after attending a professional conference where I first heard this story, I told everyone I encountered this tale. In 1985, Paladin told Myss of his days as a childhood alcoholic on a Navajo reservation, the torture he later endured as a captured soldier in WWII, and a mysterious transformation that occurred while he was behind enemy lines; he recalled the soul of deceased Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky (18661944) entering his body and residing there. Thats where reincarnation researcher Dr. H. N. Banerjee comes in. Banerjee wrote about Paladins case in his book The Once and Future Life. The following account of Paladins experience draws from Mysss book Anatomy of the Spirit (the story she told to Dr. McDowell) and Banerjees reports. An alcoholic by the time he was 11, Paladin left the reservation in his mid-teens, got a job on a merchant ship, and began sketching as a hobby. He was later drafted as a soldier in WWII and sent to spy behind enemy lines. Native American languages were used to pass reconnaissance messages so that transmissions would remain unintelligible if intercepted by the enemy. Paladin was captured and tortured. Thanks to a stroke of luck, he survived a close brush with death and was sent to a P.O.W. camp where conditions were still far from comfortable. When the Allies finally freed the camp, he was found dangerously emaciated, unconscious, and dying. (Illustration Everett Collection/Shutterstock) When he was revived momentarily, he spoke Russian, so they took him to the Russians. But when he was later able to give his name, rank, and service number in English, he was returned to the Americans. Paladin fell into a coma and spent two years in a Michigan hospital after the war. When he woke, he told a nurse, I am an artist. He returned to his reservation, where the elders took drastic measures to help him solve a spiritual problem they saw underlying his physical ailments. They took off the braces that had been on his legs and threw him into a river. David, call your spirit back, they commanded, as Mysss book recounts. Your spirit is no longer in your body. If you cant call your spirit back, we will let you go. No one can live without his spirit. Your spirit is your power. Paladin shared for Myss what he experienced at that moment as being more difficult than what he endured in the hands of the enemy. I lived through all those months in the prison camp, he recalled. I knew that I had to release my anger and hatred. I could barely keep myself from drowning, but I prayed to let the anger out of my body. Thats all I prayed, and my prayers were answered. He recovered, and further developed his artistic skills with a painting style strikingly similar to Kandinskys. (Center) Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky (18661944) (Public Domain); (Background) The Blue Rider (1903) by Wassily Kandinsky, oil on canvas. (Public Domain) Dr. Banerjee, of the University of Rajasthan in India, has studied cases of reincarnation in India and in the United States. Some of which were featured in the published works of the late Dr. Ian Stevenson, famed reincarnation researcher at the University of Virginia. Banerjee studied Paladins case and found it particularly strange. While the soul of someone deceased may reincarnate as a new life, a baby perhaps, it seemed as though a soul entered Paladins body at a time of weakness, when the rightful spirit was fugitive. When hypnotized, he spoke with a Russian accent and seemed familiar with details of Kandinskys life. Though he painted in Kandinskys style, he progressed as an artist and developed his own style. Banerjee thinks Paladin regained his rightful soul but that Kandinskys had entered and influenced him nonetheless. Banerjee noted Paladin seemed in full control of himself when painting not possessed by Kandinsky though he had a sort of loose state as if channeling inspiration. Paladin, who died in 1986, wrote in his book Painting the Dream how he painted with a mind relaxed, with a soft focus, in a daydream mode of consciousness, and he was aware of changing, shifting images in his mind. He added: I dont know why the calligraphic forms appear. Kandinskys geometric forms give a sense of order, of resonating in certain areas; they are like a language. The calligraphic thought forms are also a language. I think that Kandinsky and I are painting the structure of the universe, tuning into the collective consciousness, each of us telling the stories and seeing the reality in a unique way. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter Los Angeles City Councilman Considers Ban on New Gas Stations LOS ANGELESA proposal to end the construction of gas stations took a step forward this week with LA City Councilman Paul Koretz announcing he is drafting such policy to bring before the council by the end of the year. We are ending oil drilling in Los Angeles. We are moving to all-electric new construction. And we are building toward fossil fuel free transportation, Koretz said in a statement. Our great and influential city, which grew up around the automobile, is the perfect place to figure out how to move off the gas-powered car. Last March, Petaluma in Sonoma County became the first city in the nation to ban new gas stations. Councilwoman DLynda Fischer, who authored the motion, which is now law, said she is not surprised that other cities are following their lead. We have an obligation to stop fossil fuel expansion and new gas stations lock communities into many kinds of risks, Fischer said in a statement. As of now, Koretz hasnt brought forth a proposed ordinance, but he hopes to bring something to the council by the end of the year. The push to limit the use of fossil fuels began in September 2020 when California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to phase out gas vehicles by 2035. Several bills limiting the use of fossil fuels have since made their way through the Legislature, even amid some pushback from Californians. While melatonin works as a natural sleep regulator, it affects health in many other important ways as well.[1] For example, melatonin: Is a potent antioxidant[2] Plays an important role in cancer prevention[3] Is important for brain, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health[4] Boosts immune function in a variety of ways May improve the treatment of certain bacterial diseases, including tuberculosis[5] Helps quell inflammation May prevent or improve autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 diabetes[6] Is an important energy hormone[7] If your sleep efficiency is impaired, meaning youre not sleeping as deeply as you should, for as long as is ideal, then your energy level is going to be adversely affected As noted in the Journal of Critical Care:[8] Melatonin is a versatile molecule, synthesized not only in the pineal gland, but also in many other organs. Melatonin plays an important physiologic role in sleep and circadian rhythm regulation, immunoregulation, antioxidant and mitochondrial-protective functions, reproductive control, and regulation of mood. Melatonin has also been reported as effective in combating various bacterial and viral infections. Melatonin A Potential Treatment for Sepsis? The Journal of Critical Care paper,[9] published in 2010, further highlights the potential role of melatonin in the treatment of sepsis (blood poisoning), a life-threatening condition triggered by a systemic infection that causes your body to overreact and launch an excessive and highly damaging immune response. Unless promptly diagnosed and treated, it can rapidly progress to multiple-organ failure and death. According to the Journal of Critical Care:[10] Melatonin is an effective anti-inflammatory agent in various animal models of inflammation and sepsis, and its anti-inflammatory action has been attributed to inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with consequent reduction of peroxynitrite formation, to the stimulation of various antioxidant enzymes thus contributing to enhance the antioxidant defense, and to protective effects on mitochondrial function and in preventing apoptosis. In a number of animal models of septic shock, as well as in patients with septic disease, melatonin reportedly exerts beneficial effects to arrest cellular damage and multiorgan failure. In summary, melatonin appears to reverse septic shock symptoms by:[11] Decreasing synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines Preventing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative damage, endotoxemia and metabolic alterations Suppressing gene expression of the bad form of nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) Preventing apoptosis (cell death) According to the authors, the ways in which melatonin can help prevent septic shock are complex: Apart from action on the local sites of inflammation, melatonin also exerts its beneficial actions through a multifactorial pathway including its effects as immunomodulatory, antioxidant and antiapoptotic agent. Glyphosate, Melatonin and COVID-19 Stephanie Seneff, Ph.D., senior research scientist at MIT, also recently brought the potential role of melatonin to my attention. In an email to me, Seneff explains: I just figured something out about COVID-19 and glyphosate. Upper respiratory infections are a high risk for people who have a deficiency in mannose binding lectin (MBL). MBL has a long sequence in the protein that looks like collagen ( I just discovered that there are two lung surfactant proteins (A and B) which also have this pattern in their stalks. Heres the relevant sequence in lung surfactant protein Heres what UniProt says about this protein:[12] In presence of calcium ions, it binds to surfactant phospholipids and contributes to lower the surface tension at the air-liquid interface in the alveoli of the mammalian lung and is essential for normal respiration Can recognize, bind, and opsonize pathogens to enhance their elimination by alveolar macrophages. I would wager that glyphosate disrupts the collagen-like stalk of the lung surfactants preventing them from binding to and clearing the COVID-19 virus I was wondering why the elderly are suffering much more from sepsis and cytokine storm during COVID-19 infections. A significant difference in older patients compared to younger patients is their melatonin levels Melatonin Ameliorates Cytokine Responses Stephanie Seneff, Ph.D., senior research scientist at MIT cites a 2014 study[13] in the Journal of Pineal Research which, like the Journal of Critical Care paper, points out that melatonin accumulates in mitochondria and has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity that could be useful in the treatment of sepsis. Melatonin is derived from serotonin, which in turn is derived from tryptophan, one of the three aromatic amino acids that are products of the shikimate pathway. Glyphosate famously disrupts the shikimate pathway in weeds, and this is believed to be the main mechanism by which it kills the weeds. Our gut bacteria also produce tryptophan via the shikimate pathway, so glyphosate can be expected to reduce the bioavailability of tryptophan as a precursor to melatonin. The study mentioned above was a Phase 1 dose escalation study in healthy volunteers to evaluate the tolerability and health effects of melatonin at various dosages. They also assessed the effect of melatonin in an ex vivo whole blood model mimicking sepsis. No adverse effects were reported for dosages ranging from 20 milligram (mg) to 100 mg, and the blood model testing revealed melatonin and its metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin had beneficial effects on sepsis-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and cytokine responses The authors further explain:[14] Oxidative stress in patients with sepsis has been consistently described over the last 20 years. Mitochondrial dysfunction initiated by oxidative stress drives inflammation and is generally accepted as playing a major role in sepsis-induced organ failure. It has been recognized that exogenous antioxidants may be useful in sepsis, and more recently, the potential for antioxidants acting specifically in mitochondria has been highlighted. We showed previously that antioxidants targeted to mitochondria, including melatonin, reduced organ damage in a rat model of sepsis. Exogenous melatonin has potent antioxidant activity, and it accumulates throughout cells, particularly in mitochondria. Metabolites of melatonin also have antioxidant activity, and products from the reactions with oxidant species are also antioxidants. In vitro models of sepsis show that melatonin and its major hydroxylated metabolite, 6-hydroxymelatonin, are both effective at reducing the levels of key inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In rat models of sepsis, melatonin reduces oxidative damage and organ dysfunction and also decreases mortality. The dose needed for antioxidant action is thought to be considerably higher than that given for modulation of the sleepwake cycle, but the actual dose required in man is unclear, particularly because the major bioactive effects of oral melatonin in the context of inflammation are likely to be mediated primarily by metabolite levels. Antiseptic Effects of Melatonin More recently, a 2019 animal study[15] in the journal Frontiers in Immunology discusses how melatonin can protect against polymicrobial sepsis i.e., sepsis caused by more than one microbial organism a hallmark of which is severe loss of lymphocytes through apoptosis, resulting in a twofold higher lethality than unimicrobial sepsis (sepsis caused by a single microbe).[16] In this case, melatonin appears to offer protection by having an antibacterial effect on white blood cells called neutrophils. A high neutrophil count is an indicator for infection. According to the authors of the 2019 study: Melatonin treatment inhibited peripheral tissue inflammation and tissue damage consequently reducing the mortality of the mice. We found that macrophages and neutrophils expressed melatonin receptors. Upon depletion of neutrophils, melatonin-induced protection against polymicrobial infection failed in the mice, but melatonin treatment in macrophage-depleted mice attenuated the mice mortality resulting from polymicrobial sepsis. Moreover, melatonin treatment promoted the development of the neutrophil extracellular trap (NET), which contributed to anti-bacterial activity during polymicrobial infection, whereas the phagocytic activities of neutrophils were inhibited by melatonin. The data from this study support previously unexplained antiseptic effects of melatonin during a polymicrobial infection and could be potentially useful for human patients with sepsis. Understanding Infection The potential role of melatonin in infection was also addressed in an extensive and fully referenced March 14, 2020, article by medical researcher Doris Loh, published in the Italian online magazine Evolutamente.[17] Unofficial reports from doctors and healthcare workers from COVID-19 frontlines in Italy described most patients displayed symptoms of bilateral interstitial pneumonia that required intubation (invasive ventilation) to assist difficulty in breathing. Even young patients without comorbidities have been observed with severe pneumonia that required intensive care in ICUs, Loh reports. Why does SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 infection, induce pneumonia in adult patients regardless of age? One answer may be because the viral load in those with COVID-19 infection is extremely high 1,000 times higher than the viral load seen in SARS patients back in 2003.[18] Preliminary research[19] cited by Loh shows the COVID-19 virus is actively replicating in the throat during the first five days after the onset of symptoms. This higher viral load could be what allows the virus to overwhelm even the immune system of some younger and healthier individuals. Inflammasomes and Cytokine Storms Another mechanism that can help explain the high virulence of COVID-19 compared to SARS has to do with a furin cleavage site in the spike protein of the virus that wasnt present in the SARS virus. As explained in an March 14, 2020 article by medical researcher Doris Loh, published in the Italian online magazine Evolutamente.[17] , The presence of furins on almost all cell surfaces allow a dramatically increased ability to fuse to host cells, facilitating viral entry She adds:[18] Cleavage specificity can dictate the tropism and virulence of the virus. The fact that COVID-19 has cleavage sites for furin enzymes renders this virus to be highly pathogenic, with the capacity to replicate in MULTIPLE tissues and organs due to how furins are utilized and distributed in the human body. Furin-like cleavage in human coronaviruses have been associated with the development of neurological diseases where the invasiveness and efficient establishment of lower pathogenicity can result in persistent infection of the central nervous system. Thus it was not a surprise when in early March of 2020, doctors from Beijing Ditan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, a designated institution for COVID-19 treatment, showed for the first time that COVID-19 can attack the human central nervous system, causing symptoms of encephalitis. The presence of furin enzymes on all cell surfaces cleaves and activates the SARS-CoV-2 in a wide range of tissues and organs. Activated SARS-CoV-2 then unleashes NLRP3 inflammasomes, initiating a flurry of immune reactions that can result in deadly cytokine storms. As the name implies, inflammasomes are part of your natural immune response that senses the presence of pathogens and other factors that could pose a threat. When a pathogen is detected, inflammasomes are activated and start releasing proinflammatory cytokines. The inflammasome NLRP3, specifically, has been identified as a key culprit in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute lung injury, both of which are potential outcomes of COVID-19 infection.[19] The cytokine storm associated with COVID-19 infection appears to be due to the virus ability to stimulate your immune response via viroporins, virally-encoded ion channel proteins that in turn trigger the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. As explained by Loh, the more functional a virus viroporins are, the greater its viral replication rate and subsequent pathogenesis. Is Elevated Melatonin Sparing Young Children from COVID-19? As noted by Loh, the fatality rate of COVID-19 increases linearly with age, with patients over the age of 80 having the highest death rate.[20][21][22] As of yet, the explanation for why children are less likely to contract the infection or show symptoms even when they are infected,[23] is unknown. Loh, however, raises the possibility that it might have something to do with melatonin production. She cites research showing melatonin production peaks in early childhood, steadily dropping once puberty hits. By the time youre in your late 50s, melatonin production drops to negligible levels. What does melatonin have to do with SARS-CoV-2? Loh asks. The answer is that melatonin helps inhibit NLRP3 inflammasomes. The fact that the pro-inflammatory cytokine storm effects are induced by the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes, the ability of melatonin to INHIBIT NLRP3 inflammasome elevates this powerful molecule to a truly unique position in the fight against COVID-19, Loh writes.[24] This also means that if a patient, regardless of age, has adequate melatonin, the infectiousness of COVID-19 will be greatly reduced, and the chances of developing ARDS/ALI significantly diminished. In her article, Loh references a number of scientific articles to support her claims. Aside from studies showing melatonin inhibits damage associated with sepsis, studies have also shown it can counteract severe inflammation and markedly reduce pulmonary injury [and] lower infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils into lungs by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes, thus protecting against acute lung injury. Melatonin levels are also doubled in the third trimester of pregnancy compared to the first trimester,[25][26] which may help explain why pregnant women infected with COVID-19 and their babies have gotten by fairly unscathed. A 2020 rodent study[27] even demonstrated that melatonin can help protect against lung injury caused by mechanical ventilation intervention. The full therapeutic potential of melatonin in its ability to modulate the immune system, especially the critical function of suppressing cytokine storms to prevent progression of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and respiratory failure in infected patients was clearly demonstrated in a study by Huang et al. (2019). Huang et al. infected rodents with the highly lethal and infectious H1N1 influenza A virus. Co-treatment of these infected rodents with melatonin and an antiviral drug significantly increased their survival rates compared to mice treated only with antivirals alone, Loh writes.[28][29] Originally published May 12, 2021 on Mercola.com References Military Doctor Facing Discharge for Giving Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate A U.S. military doctor has been reprimanded and could be discharged because of his opposition to the militarys COVID-19 vaccine mandate. U.S. Army Maj. Samuel Sigoloff, a doctor, was ordered to stop seeing patients because of concerns that he was disseminating misleading information about the COVID-19 vaccines, according to documents reviewed by The Epoch Times. Sigoloff was later found to have referred to COVID-19 as the Wuhan COVID-19 virus and to have counseled patients against COVID-19 vaccination. He contests the findings, but believes his military career is likely over, according to his attorney. The Beginning Sigoloff, who was the director of the Raymond Bliss Medical Center at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, initially got into trouble for giving medical exemptions to soldiers from the militarys COVID-19 vaccine mandate. He also was criticized for prescribing ivermectin, an antiparasitic medicine, as a way to prevent contracting the virus that causes COVID-19. On Sept. 13, 2021, Lt. Col. Marie Carmona issued a memorandum suspending Sigoloffs clinical privileges, according to a copy of the memo reviewed by The Epoch Times. This action results from concerns of unprofessional conduct, dissemination of misleading information to patients, and distribution of vaccine exemption letters characterizing vaccines as genetic therapy. These issues have had (or could potentially have) adverse effects on patient safety and healthcare delivery, Carmona wrote. Counseling Sigoloff was counseled by Carmona on Sept. 16, 2021, after several Army personnel alerted superiors that they overheard Sigoloff at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic telling people to not get vaccinated. One witness, an officer, said Sigoloff told him at the clinic that he was absolutely not going to get the vaccine under any circumstance whatsoever and that no one in here should, either. Another officer said Sigoloff, thinking he wasnt getting vaccinated, told him that he was making a wise choice. A military nurse said Sigoloff came into her office and was discussing issues with the COVID-19 vaccines, such as gene mutation, and she thought he was initially joking, so she said in jest, Did he get his research from QAnon? After he kept talking, she alerted others, saying she thought his extreme beliefs are scary and that his beliefs could be dangerous to our patients. You are hereby ordered to stop discussing vaccine or virus, Carmona wrote. You are promoting misinformation and not abiding by the guidance of the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] and/or the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. Sigoloff challenged Carmonas language. I did not tell people to not get it. I encouraged them to do what they want as they retain autonomy, he wrote. A soldier receives a COVID-19 vaccine from Army Preventative Medical Services in Fort Knox, Ky., on Sept. 9, 2021. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images) Reprimand Sigoloff was reprimanded on Jan. 10, with Brig. Gen. Shan Bagby describing Sigoloffs actions as service discrediting. Your decision to encourage others to disobey a lawful order from your superior commissioned officer to vaccinate against COVID-19 fell significantly below the standards of good order and discipline expected of Soldiers in the U.S. Army and demonstrates a total disregard for your safety and the safety of others. Your lack of discipline causes me to question your potential in the U.S. Army, Bagby wrote in a memo. Two different investigations concluded that Sigoloff committed misconduct, including one launched shortly after Carmonas initial action. Sigoloff vigorously contested the findings of the first probe, noting that it cited the CDC and pro-CDC organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatricians, as its sources. When has one source been right 100% of the time? The [investigator] does not use other more agile information sources like VAERS reports, ongoing trials in Israel, case reports with very concerning adverse reaction, and interviews/articles of experts in their respective fields, he wrote in his response, referring to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, which enables people to report post-vaccination adverse events. He said the investigator and Carmona were wrong in assuming he couldnt do a risk assessment of the vaccines with his patients and noted that Carmona doesnt have a medical license, while also pointing out that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins COVID-19 vaccine mandate allowed for both religious and medical exemptions. And Sigoloff cited the FDAs definition of gene therapy in arguing that the vaccines can be defined as gene therapies. U.S. Army Maj. Samuel Sigoloff in an undated picture. (Courtesy of Samuel Sigoloff) Issues With Prescriptions The second investigation took on complaints lodged against Sigoloff in the past, examining his conduct as far back as 2018 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where Sigoloff was stationed until 2021. The investigator said he found that Sigoloff diverged from standards in prescribing anti-depressants and medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, widely known as ADHD. The investigator also said Sigoloffs labeling of COVID-19 as the Wuhan COVID-19 virusthe virus is believed to have originated in Wuhan, Chinademonstrates potential xenophobia. The probe also determined that Sigoloff consistently didnt wear a mask in his exam room and that he asked patients to not wear masks, that he counseled patients that getting a COVID-19 vaccine would alter their DNA, and that he told patients that getting a vaccine during pregnancy would have a negative effect on their unborn babies. The investigator recommended professional retraining and consultation to figure out whether the doctor is fit to continue practicing medicine. In addition to this, I would recommend consultation with psychology to evaluate if there is a reason for his noted odd behavior by peers and demonstrated rigid adherence to medical beliefs which are not evidence-based and not sustained by medical professional bodies (CDC, AAP, AAFP), the report reads. Sigoloff, through his lawyer, said the investigation was grossly inadequate, in part because the investigator failed to interview any unbiased witnesses or those with personal and first-hand knowledge of the allegations against the accused. Whistleblower Sigoloff and his lawyer, Sean Timmons of Tully Rinckey, believe that the doctor is being targeted because he came forward both in a lawsuit against the military over the vaccine mandate and with regard to a spike in adverse incidents being reported in a military medical database. In a recent letter to the Department of Defense inspector general, Timmons said the treatment of Sigoloff violates the Military Whistleblower Protection Act, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and Department of Defense rules. The whistleblower law prohibits any person from taking, withholding, or threatening any personnel action against a member of the armed forces as reprisal for making or preparing any protected communications. We respectfully request that an investigation be immediately conducted into the incidents described herein, that appropriate action be taken in order to deter this abhorrent behavior in the future, and that all responsible parties be held fully accountable for their actions, Timmons wrote. The inspector generals office told The Epoch Times in an email that it can neither confirm, deny, nor comment on the existence of an investigation or Hotline complaint. Good Faith So, basically, the Army is saying that [Sigoloff] undermined the vaccine program by liberally granting medical exemptions, but he believes in good faith based on his medical opinion and research, that some individuals have adverse side effects to the vaccine and therefore, based on their existing comorbidity and difficulties, that exception medically was appropriate under the circumstances, Timmons told The Epoch Times. Sigoloff, who hasnt received the COVID-19 vaccine himself, now faces dismissal from the military. His military careers probably over because he wouldnt toe the company line, Timmons said. He said the findings by the investigators and in the other memos are slanderous, defamatory, and lack merit. Theyre trying to send a message that anybody cooperating as a whistleblower is going to be punished and have their career burned, Timmons said. The Raymond Bliss Medical Center didnt respond to a request for comment; Fort Wainwright couldnt be reached. For the first time, nations from the Indo-Pacific region will join a NATO meetingall because of China. Beijing may have realized its gone too far. A special envoy from China expressed the sentiment during a special trip to Europe. Beijings mouthpiece is taking aim at the upcoming NATO summit by making use of a tweet circulating online. In a summit between the worlds five largest developing countries, China helped Russia return to the international stage. It marks the first time since Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Shanghai residents speak up against repeated lockdowns, but authorities recently stepped in to stifle a public demonstration. Locals say its become hard to survive in the city. Topics in this episode: NATO to Focus On Chinese Regime U.S. Bans Xinjiang Forced Labor Imports Expert: China Trying to Change Tone Post-pandemic Beijing Mouthpiece Spreads Disinformation on Protest Russia Returns to the Intl Stage for BRICs Summit Church Shooting Suspect Charged, Hate Crimes Shanghai Residents Fight COVID-19 Restrictions China Allegedly Pulls Article w/ Omicron Details Musk: Tesla Parts Stuck in Port in China Swedish Court Upholds Ban on Huawei Sale of 5G Gear 23% Of European Companies Plan to Leave China: Poll S. Korea Expert: No Step Back on National Security Have other topics you want us to cover? Drop us a line: chinainfocus@ntdtv.org And if youd like to buy us a coffee: https://donorbox.org/china-in-focus Subscribe to our newsletter for more first-hand news from China. Follow China in Focus on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChinaInFocusNTD Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@chinainfocus Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/chinainfocus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTDChinainFocus Gab: https://gab.com/ChinaInFocus Telegram: https://t.me/ChinainFocusNTD Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List Follow EpochTV on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@EpochTV Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV Former Hong Kong governor Lord Chris Pattern, poses with his new book The Hong Kong Diaries at the end of a press conference to present it, in central London, on June 20, 2022. July 1, 2022 will mark 25 years since Hong Kong was handed over to China by Britain. (Daniel Leal/AFP) New Book Reveals 5-Year Diary Record of Hong Kongs Last Governor Patten: I do exist physically as solid confirmation of Hong Kongs status prior 1997 Lord Christopher Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong, responded to the controversy over whether Hong Kong was once a colony at the launch of his new book on June 20. He said, As the last Governor of Hong Kong, I do exist, and I am not a person made out of imagination. This question followed what happened a few days ago. The media discovered that several textbooks on Citizenship and Social Development (CSD) submitted for review, all stated that Hong Kong was not a colony, which aroused heated discussions in the society. Yeung Wing Yu, a historian, pointed out that the statement, Hong Kong is not a colony, is one hundred percent rewriting and tampering of history. He also mentioned that the Basic Principles of Revision of Textbooks formulated by the Hong Kong government as early as 1998 reminded teachers to note that China has never recognized Hong Kong as colonial. In other words, the requirement of tampering with history has existed for more than 20 years, and it was only seriously implemented when the National Security Law came into effect. Lord Patten, the last governor of Hong Kongknown by all in Hong Kong as just Chris Pattenat the launch of his new book The Hong Kong Diaries talked about the statement Hong Kong is not a colony, as mentioned in the Citizenship and Social Development (CSD) textbooks. Patten pointed out that the CCP did not call Hong Kong a colony, but called it occupied territory. Its a bit like an own goal, you have to ask yourself who occupied it. He added: I am delighted to be able to prove that, as the last governor of Hong Kong, I do exist, I am not a person made out of imagination. Patten recalled at the launch of his new book, that the Sino-British Joint Declaration was submitted to the United Nations for registration and archiving in 1985, and the one country, two systems principle mentioned there should have guaranteed Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy, its original way of life, freedom, and the rule of law. There were no serious problems in the first 10 years after the handover of sovereignty in 1997. Unfortunately, it started to go downhill afterward. Part of the reason, he argues, is that the CCP is afraid of the freedom and Hong Kongs civic consciousness that Hong Kong represents, which is important to all. He believes that Hong Kong is a great city and hopes to see it great again. Patten served as the last Governor of Hong Kong from 1992 to 1997. Born in 1944, he graduated from Balliol College, Oxford, in 1965, majoring in modern history. He joined the Conservative Party in 1966 and was first elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bath constituency in 1979. After the 1983 parliamentary election, he was appointed Deputy Minister of State for Northern Ireland; in 1985, he was Minister of Education and Science; in 1986, he was transferred to the Foreign Office as Minister of Overseas Development. In July 1989, Patten was promoted to the cabinet for the first time as Secretary of State for Environment. On July 9, 1992, Patten began to serve as the 28th Governor of Hong Kong. Unlike previous Hong Kong Governors, he had no experience in China and British colonial affairs. Shortly after taking office, he introduced the 1995 political reform plan to speed up the pace of Hong Kongs democracy but was denounced by Lu Ping (), then director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, as a sinner through eternity (). In the end, Pattens political reform plan was passed by the Legislative Council, but the elected members of the legislative council of 1995 were stopped from fully transferring it into the post-1997 Legislative Council, because of CCP interference. Siding With the Hongkongers In recent years, he has repeatedly and publicly expressed his solidarity with the people of Hong Kong, in their pursuit of democracy and freedom. For example, during the Umbrella Movement in Nov. 2014, when Patten gave a speech at the Oxford China Forum, he praised the participants in the occupation of Hong Kong, and referred to them as showing impressive dignity and seriousness. He also sent a message to Xi Jinping asking him not to let down the whole generation of Hong Kong youngsters. In 2017, Patten visited Hong Kong, and when he gave a speech at a luncheon, he praised the leaders and young people of the Umbrella Movement as the future of Hong Kong. On top of that he also sent a message to Joshua Wong Chi Fung (), who was in prison at the time, and to the other student movement leaders who were about to be imprisoned: stick to your beliefs, remain with the Hong Kong identity, strive for democracy and the rule of law, and adhere to one country, two systems. In May 2020, before the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong took effect, Patten and nearly two hundred global politicians issued a joint statement criticizing the impact of the NSL on Hong Kongs autonomy, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms. Later, Patten joined the British NGO Hong Kong Watch (), which was concerned about the human rights situation in Hong Kong, and became a patron himself. He often spoke in support of Hong Kong peoples pursuit of democracy and freedom, and in the House of Lords, where he himself is also a member, he repeatedly urged the British government to provide more support to Hong Kong people who hold BNO status. Textbooks Say Hong Kong Was Not a Colony A few days ago, the media discovered several textbooks of the Citizen and Social Development that had been submitted for review, all of which clearly stated that Hong Kong was not a colony, which aroused heated discussions in the society. Since 2009, the Hong Kong government introduced Liberal Studies as one subject in the secondary school curriculum. But in recent years it has been smeared by pro-CCP groups as the culprit behind students participation in social movements. After the anti-extradition campaign in 2019, the government decided to reform the curriculum. Starting from 2021/22, Liberal Studies (LS) will be replaced by CSD from Secondary 4 (S4) onward. The accredited S4 and S5 textbooks will be released this year for schools to choose from for the coming 2022/23 school year. Ming Pao reported in June this year (2022) that four CSD textbooks from three publishing houses that were submitted for review clearly stated that Hong Kong was not a colony. Some textbooks explain that although the United Kingdom governed Hong Kong in a colonial model, the Chinese government after the Qing Dynasty did not recognise all unequal treaties and never gave up Hong Kongs sovereignty; another textbook stated that China has always had Hong Kongs sovereignty, and the United Kingdom only practised colonial rule in Hong Kong. In this regard Hong Kong was not a British colony at all. On June 20, Leung Mei Fen (), member of the Legislative Council from the Business and Professional Alliance for Hong Kong () and a member of the Basic Law Committee, declared in the Legislative Council that Hong Kong was not a colony before the handover was not a new statement, because the 1972 United Nations resolution made it clear that Macau and Hong Kong had been excluded from the list of colonies. Article 1 and the preamble of the Basic Law state that the State resumes the exercise of sovereignty, which had never been lost before. In addition, Clement Woo Kin Man, member of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong ( ) and Deputy Secretary of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, declared at the meeting that Hong Kong was not a colony before the reunification, criticizing the publics misunderstanding of the fact. The CSD textbooks even point out further that in 1972, China requested the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation to remove Hong Kong and Macao from the list of colonies, which was approved by the General Assembly by a large margin, emphasizing that Hong Kong was not a colony. Government Websites Use Word Colonial On June 21, 2022, Lau Yung Wai, a member of the Tai Po District Council, posted on Facebook that the introduction on the Legislative Council website on the History of the Legislative Council reads, Hong Kong was a British colony from Jan. 26, 1841 to June 30, 1997. The first constitution of which was promulgated by Queen Victoria in the form of a Hong Kong Letters Patent, called the Royal Charter of the Colony of Hong Kong, and promulgated at Government House, Hong Kong on June 26, 1843. Our reporter found that although the current Legislative Council website has deleted the relevant pages, through the backup website Wayback Machine, the relevant website and the word colonial can still be seen. Our reporter also checked other government websites and found that the pages on the Audit Commission website on the history of the Audit Commission still use the word colonial, such as the early colonial years, and In 1844, Mr. A. E. Shelley was appointed as the first Director of Audit, he performed work in Hong Kong and reported to the then British Director of Auditing for Colonial Accounts. It was only from 1867 that local government officers took over audits of the colonial accounts and the likes. In addition, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) website on the history of the DSD also states that When the British occupied Hong Kong Island in 1841, not only did the island have no modern buildings, but also modern infrastructure such as roads and drainage systems were almost non-existent. There are many plans to build houses in this new colony, The layout of the colony conceived by the Governor is very different from that of the War Department. Scholar: 100 Percent Tampering With History Hans Yeung, a historian, recently posted on the Citizens of Our Times Learning Hub (COOTL) that after the CCP replaced the Republic of China in the United Nations in 1971, it was convenient for Hong Kong and Macau to be removed from the United Nations list of Non-Self Governing Territories in 1972 to ensure that the two places do not become independent. In his letter to the United Nations, the then representative of the CCP, Huang Hua (), did not specify that Hong Kong and Macao are not colonies, but only said that they are not colonies in the general sense. He made the analysis that the CCP has recognized the colonial status of both Hong Kong and Macau even in United Nations documents. After World War II, due to the rise of the decolonization movement, colonies could eventually become independent under the supervision of the United Nations. In that respect, the CCP had always worried about whether it can finally unify with Hong Kong and Macau. Our reporter checked the United Nations website and found a press release in May 2020 that still used the term former British colony to describe Hong Kong. Hans Yeung believes that Hong Kong was not a colony is one hundred percent falsification of history. In 1843, one year after the signing of the Treaty of Nanking, China and Britain exchanged treaty texts in Hong Kong, and the then Governor of Hong Kong, Henry Pottinger, read the Royal Charter of the Colony of Hong Kong. That conferred Hong Kong the full name as The Colony of Hong Kong. Hong Kong is not only a colony, but the word colony is part of the official name of Hong Kong. In addition, in 1999, the Hong Kong government passed the Adaptation of Laws Amendment Bill, which changed the word colonial to Hong Kong in all laws in one go. He also mentioned that the Basic Principles of Revision of Textbooks formulated by the Hong Kong government as early as 1998 already reminded teachers to note that China had never recognized Hong Kong as a colony. In other words, the requirement of tampering with history has existed for more than 20 years, and it is only seriously implemented today when the National Security Law came into effect. Test tubes labeled "Monkeypox virus positive and negative" are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/Reuters) New Monkeypox Study Holds Possible Clue to Fast Spread of Virus A new study into monkeypox holds a possible clue as to why the virus is spreading so quickly, with researchers saying they have discovered that the virus contains an unusually high number of mutations, which may represent accelerated evolution. The new monkeypox strain was found to have an average of 50 mutations in samples examined by Portuguese researchers, while only around 10 would normally be expected, according to the new peer-reviewed study, published on June 24 in the medical journal Nature Medicine. The unexpectedly high number of genetic variations in the currently spreading monkeypox variant suggests that the virus may be fast-adapting, with possible implications for transmission speed. Our data reveals [sic] additional clues of ongoing viral evolution and potential human adaptation, the research team wrote in the study. This 2003 electron microscope image shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions (L) and spherical immature virions (R) obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP) Accelerated Evolution The researchers found 50 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the new variant, noting that this is roughly 612 more than typical and that such divergence from the norm might represent accelerated evolution. While the researchers said some of the proteins identified in the samples are known to interact with the human immune system, more study is needed to determine whether the high number of mutations is causing increased transmissibility between humans. We do not know that, said Joao Paulo Gomes, co-author of the study and head of the Genomics & Bioinformatics Unit at the National Institute of Health in Portugal, in remarks to Newsweek. We just know that these additional 50 mutations were quite unexpected, he added, noting that further specialized lab experiments would be carried out on the virus in order to understand if this 2022 virus has increased its transmissibility. A section of skin tissue, harvested from a lesion on the skin of a monkey, that had been infected with monkeypox virus, is seen at 50X magnification on day four of rash development in 1968. (CDC/Handout via Reuters) Spread of Monkeypox Monkeypox, a viral disease that causes fever, skin lesions, and can sometimes be fatal, is endemic in a number of countries but has recently spread more widely, affecting regions where the virus was not historically known to be present, fueling concern. The current outbreak has seen a total of 2,103 lab-confirmed monkeypox cases, including one death, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The outbreak of monkeypox continues to primarily affect men who have sex with men who have reported recent sex with new or multiple partners, the WHO said. Health authorities in the UK recently announced a vaccine rollout specifically for this group. By expanding the vaccine offer to those at higher risk, we hope to break chains of transmission and help contain the outbreak, Dr. Mary Ramsay, head of Britains Health Security Agency, said in a June 21 statement. We are continuing to see a notable proportion of cases in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, Ramsay said, noting that contact tracing efforts were helping to limit the spread of monkeypox more widely in Great Britain. In the United States, health authorities said in a June 24 tally that theyve identified 201 cases of monkeypox. The Biden administration said on June 22 that it was expanding monkeypox testing capacity by shipping tests to five commercial laboratory companies. By dramatically expanding the number of testing locations throughout the country, we are making it possible for anyone who needs to be tested to do so, said Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). All Americans should be concerned about monkeypox cases, he added. Members of the Oath Keepers are seen during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jim Bourg/Reuters) Oath Keepers FBI Interviews Contradict Indictment Charges May 2021 interviews with Indiana leader say there was no plan to attack U.S. Capitol or interfere with transfer of power An Indiana Oath Keepers leader who was in charge of security operations for the group in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 24 on five counts related to violence at the U.S. Capitol. Michael Greene, 39, of Indianapolis, was arrested in Indiana on a warrant from Washington. An indictment unsealed on June 24 charges Greene with conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding (aiding and abetting), conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging any duties, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and tampering with documents or proceedings (aiding and abetting). Greene was added to a superseding indictment against seven other Oath Keepers, including Donovan Crowl, Sandra Parker, Bennie Parker, Laura Steele, Connie Meggs, William Isaacs, and James Beeks. Greene, who also goes by the name Michael Simmons, isnt accused of seditious conspiracy, a charge leveled in a different indictment against nine Oath Keepers, including the groups founder, Elmer Stewart Rhodes III. Rhodes and his eight co-defendants were named in the latest 13-count superseding indictment unsealed in Washington, also on June 24. The other defendants in the seditious conspiracy case include Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson, Jessica Watkins, Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett, David Moerschel, Thomas Caldwell, and Edward Vallejo. The overarching cases against the Oath Keepers allege that the group conspired to prevent the counting of Electoral College votes by a joint session of Congress at the Capitol on Jan. 6. The goal, according to federal prosecutors, was to keep then-President Donald Trump in office and prevent Joe Biden from assuming the presidency. All of the current 17 Oath Keepers defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Defense attorneys say the indictments are a vast misreading and twisting of communications between group members who came to Washington to do nothing more than keep event participants safe from attacks by Antifa radicals. At 1:42 p.m. on January 6, Greene sent a text message to an acquaintance stating, Storming the capital (sic) along with a photograph that depicted the advancing mob on the west side of the Capitol grounds, the Department of Justice said in a statement. Greene communicated with Rhodes and others during the afternoon. At about 3:09 p.m., Greene texted an acquaintance, Congress evacuated. FBI Notes Contradict Indictments Greenes indictment surprised some case observers, coming nearly 13 months after he was interviewed by FBI agents regarding his participation with the Oath Keepers at events in various cities. As a key leader at the Washington event on Jan. 6, his input cited in the FBI reports contradicts much of what is alleged against Rhodes and other Oath Keepers defendants. According to the FBIs case notes from interviews with Greene on May 4, 2021, and May 25, 2021, he told agents that there was no Oath Keepers plan to attack the Capitol. His role on Jan. 6, was to oversee security for speakers at various events at or near the Capitol, he said. Oath Keepers who entered the Capitol building didnt do so at his instruction or that of Rhodes, he told agents. Greene, who was identified in the redacted FBI notes as Person 10, told agents his job was providing VIP security at select stages where protectees would be giving speeches. The security detail encompassed stage security and the protection of those individuals as they returned to their vehicles, the FBI report reads. Person 10 cited the need for this protection after the Trump rally in December [2020] when individuals had been attacked by Antifa as they were leaving the rally. Greene was standing with Rhodes near a downed fence on the northeast side of the Capitol during part of the afternoon of Jan. 6, according to the report. Person 10 learned afterwards OKs had entered the U.S. Capitol, however, advised no plan by the OKs included anyone going inside the U.S. Capitol, the report reads. In his FBI interviews, Greene said the message he sent out stating they have taken ground at the capital (sic) was an effort to get the Oath Keepers to regroup and leave the area of the Capitol building. An Oath Keepers member gets in between a protester and a Capitol Police officer during a tense exchange in the Small House Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021. (Stephen Horn/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Greene also told FBI agents that no Oath Keepers assaulted any law enforcement personnel or forced their way into the Capitol. Person 10 heard the door was open and the group walked in, the FBI report reads. One group of Oath Keepers climbed the east steps of the Capitol below the historic Columbus Doors and went inside the Rotunda. Some of those Oath Keepers intervened in a potentially deadly standoff between a U.S. Capitol Police officer and a group of angry protesters inside the Small House Rotunda, witnesses said. Oath Keepers Prevent Shooting? Meggs allegedly told Person 10 that Meggs entered the U.S. Capitol to assist police, and those OKs who went inside assisted a police officer who was being surrounded by the crowd, the report reads. Video shot by independent journalist Stephen Horn shows Oath Keepers standing between the police officer and protesters. During the chaotic scene, a man was heard saying, Kill everybody, right? A female voice responded shortly after, We dont want to kill anybody. We want answers. We dont want to kill anybody. We just want answers. In an interview with The Epoch Times in March, Rhodes said Meggs reported that the Capitol Police officer was in a shooting stance and likely mere seconds away from firing on protesters in the small rotunda. Another group of Oath Keepers ascended the east Capitol steps on Jan. 6, at the request of U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Tarik Johnson, who asked them to help rescue a group of officers trapped in the Capitol. The Oath Keepers later emerged and escorted 16 officers in riot gear out of the Capitol. The rescue operation was documented by amateur filmmaker Rico La Starza. Capitol Police Lt. Tarik Johnson and two members of the Oath Keepers enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to rescue 17 trapped police officers. (Rico La Starza, Archive.org/Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Prosecutors allege in the Oath Keepers indictments that a group of Oath Keepers remained on standby in Virginia as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to assist with an attack on the Capitol. However, Greene told FBI agents that wasnt the purpose of the QRF. Person 10 advised if utilized, the purpose of the QRF would have been to evacuate protectees, the injured and/or assist in the extraction of OKs if attacked by Antifa or others, the report reads. Greene said neither he nor Rhodes mentioned bringing weapons into Washington or using boats in a Quick Reaction Force operation. No Oath Keepers are charged with possessing firearms at the Capitol on Jan. 6. According to the report, Greene told FBI agents that there was never an Oath Keepers discussion to take violent action on Jan. 6, or later if the presidential election did not produce the desired result. Greene said there was no planning for Oath Keepers to incite rioting or forcibly enter the Capitol on Jan. 6. There was also no plan to disrupt the transition of the presidency from Trump to Biden, Greene said, according to the report. Then Republican candidate Dave Yost gives his victory speech after winning the Ohio Attorney General race at the Ohio Republican Party's election night party at the Sheraton Capitol Square in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 6, 2018. (Justin Merriman/Getty Images) Ohios Heartbeat Bill Becomes Law Hours After Roe v. Wade Decision Hours after the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, a federal judge ruled that abortions in Ohio are now illegal as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) filed a motion to eliminate the injunction against Ohio Senate Bill 23, commonly known as the Heartbeat Bill, less than an hour after the Supreme Courts decision. The legislation, which bans abortions after the first detectable fetal heartbeat, was signed into law by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in April 2019 before it was blocked by a federal judge three months later. The Heartbeat Bill prohibits abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected, which is generally around six weeks into a pregnancy. Under the law, patients will not be prosecuted, but providers could be charged with fifth-degree felonies and face up to one year in prison. The law includes an exception to save the mothers life but no provisions for rape or incest. Before June 24, Ohio allowed abortions until after 22 weeks of pregnancy. Abortions were permitted after that point in specific cases, like when the mothers life was in danger or her health was compromised. The filing this morning was prompted by the Roe ruling, Yost said. Under the 14th Amendment, the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision authorized the right to get an abortion, asserting that abortions were constitutionally protected until around 23 weeks when a fetus can live outside the womb. The Supreme Courts June 24 majority opinion derived from Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which challenged the constitutionality of a Mississippi law passed in 2018 that banned abortion after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. The law here satisfies the easy-to-meet standard for the same reason as the Mississippi law at issue in Dobbs: it rationally promotes the States legitimate interest in protecting the life of the unborn, Yosts motion read. The ruling in Dobbs represents a substantial change in the law, and abrogates the prior legal basis supporting this Courts Order enjoining enforcement of the challenged law. The state would be irreparably harmed by any delay in dissolving the Heartbeat Bills injunction, Yost argued. Judge Michael Barrett agreed, granting Yosts request the evening of June 24. The heartbeat law has been sitting on the sidelines in federal court which couldve saved countless lives over the past several years, Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis said in a statement. Starting right now no baby with a beating heart can be aborted in the state of Ohio. Minutes after Yost filed the motion, DeWine talked about the Heartbeat Bill and Roe v. Wades reversal with 700 WLW Cincinnati talk show host Bill Cunningham. One would think that the federal court would lift that stay, but there could be additional litigation as well, DeWine told Cunningham. Once that stay is lifted, it will be the health departments responsibility to choose to follow up on that and we are prepared to do that. As protesters gathered in cities across the country after the Supreme Court ruling, DeWine called for civility. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in Bexley, Ohio, on Aug. 6, 2020. (Jay LaPrete/AP) We have to let the court process play out, I think the political process is going to play out in all 50 states. This is what we do in this country, DeWine said. We should not be afraid of democracy. We should not be afraid of the people being able to make decisions. Iris Harvey, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, decried the Supreme Court decision. This dangerous and chilling decision can have devastating consequences in Ohio, forcing people to travel hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles for care or remain pregnant, Harvey said in a statement. Because of the high courts decision, six of Ohios abortion clinics could close if the state bans abortion. The most important thing that Ohioans need to know today is that abortion is still legal in Ohio, Kellie Copeland, executive director of Pro-Choice Ohio, told reporters on June 24. There are nine clinics across the state and several in neighboring states that can safely and legally provide abortion care for patients. Todays ruling is devastating, but it is not the end. Ohio Republican state Sen. Steve Huffman, told The Epoch Times on June 24 that the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was not surprising. Thats been the goal for years. Its a good thing, Huffman said. Huffman also said that he believes a lot more appeals will be filed byAmerican Civil Liberties Union groups and Planned Parenthood groups that support abortion. I think theyre all going to start running to the courts, Huffman added. Nothing is going to happen in California or New York. The week beginning June 27, Huffman said he plans to submit a proclamation with a co-sponsor proclaiming June 24 as Life Day in Ohio celebrating Roe v. Wade being overturned. Huffman also told The Epoch Times that after Senate returns from its summer break in the fall, he expects that the Senate will pass the Trigger Bill, making abortion illegal in Ohio. Currently, 13 states have the legislation in place, and it will take effect in a month, but Ohio did not, Huffman said. The 13 states that have the Trigger Bill in place are Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wyoming, and Utah, according to the Guttmacher Institute Center for Reproductive Rights. With Roe v. Wades reversal, two bills in the Ohio General Assembly would ban abortion if they are passed. Ohio House Bill 598 would charge physicians with a fourth-degree felony if they perform medical or surgical abortions in Ohio. The proposed legislation does not include an exception for rape or incest. Doctors would be able to defend against the charges if the abortion was done to save the life of the mother, and specific steps were followed. The Ohio House Government Oversight Committee has hosted three hearings on HB 598. It remains in committee. SB 123, which has similar language to HB 598, saw two hearings last fall in the Senate Health Committee, where it remains. Ohio House Bill 480, which would permit individuals to file civil suits against people who perform or help a woman get an abortion, has languished in the Families, Aging, and Human Services Committee since November 2021. As Americans, we know people should have the fundamental freedom to make decisions about their bodies and health care, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, a Democrat, told reporters. Democrats will continue protecting womens freedom to access the health care they need, including abortion, Russo added. Lawmakers in the Republican-majority Ohio General Assembly are expected to pass a full ban on abortion later this year. They are on break until September. Michael Sakal contributed to this report. Does hell really exist? Jordan B. Peterson in a recent address to Hillsdale College said that if you dont believe in hell, then you havent thought about it enough! I am reminded of that wonderful moment in Christopher Marlowes play Doctor Faustus where Faustus asks Mephistopheles why, since he is a devil, he isnt in hell. Mephistopheles replies, Why, this is hell, nor am I out of it: Thinkst thou that I, that saw the face of God, And tasted the eternal joys of heaven, Am not tormented with ten thousand hells, In being deprivd of everlasting bliss? One implication of this remark is that hell as a place isnt somewhere only in the putative afterlife, but is already here on earth; that may or may not be what Jordan B. Peterson meant. But certainly, we can easily see hell all around us whether we consider the obviousthe war in Ukraine and the hell it is unleashing upon its peopleor domestically, if we consider the marriage of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Forget who is right or wrong temporarily; just ask how many other less famous people have such tumultuous marriages and relationships that are as destructive as these two? Quite a lot, I think. Its pure hell. Torment of St. Anthony, circa 15151520, by Giovanni Girolamo Savoldo. Oil on panel. Putnam Foundation, Timken Museum of Art, San Diego. (Courtesy of the Timken Museum of Art) Hell is already on earth, but we knew that, didnt we? Is it also in the afterlife, too? Indeed, is there an afterlife? There is plenty of evidence to suggest that there is. Hell in the Afterlife From the earliest times, peoples have affirmed hells existence. Right now, I have on my desk in front of me the Penguin Classic Poems of Heaven and Hell From Ancient Mesopotamia (translated by N.K. Sandars): There stands a house under the mountain of the world, a road runs down down, the mountain covers it And no man knows the way. It is a house that binds bad men with ropes and clumps them into a narrow space. It is a house that separates the wicked from the good The ancient Egyptians, too, certainly believed in hell. Those who fail to gain the paradise of The Field of Rushes find themselves subjected to knives and swords and to the fire of hell, often kindled by fire-spitting snakes, as The Oxford Essential Guide to Egyptian Mythology puts it. And, of course, once we come to the ancient Greeks, we find some of the most potent and memorable accounts of hell in tales of Herakles, Orpheus, and Odysseus, to mention only three. Illuminated manuscript of Lucifer torturing souls in hell from The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Berry circa 14111416, by the Limbourg brothers. Tempera on vellum. Conde Museum, in Chantilly, France. (PD-US) But we need not list any further mythologies or religions, for as Patrick Harpur in A Complete Guide to the Soul more generally observed: Even if we are not specifically religious we can all still resonate with the notion that there is some part of us which should not be sold, betrayed or lost at any cost. To be lost! Heck, even the most compassionate of religions, Buddhism, has a hellish feature: What is reincarnation but an endless cycle of punishment until one escapes the cycle through enlightenment, if one ever does so, for of course one can also reincarnate into a deeper hell! But secondly, a completely different strand of evidence for the afterlife is that of Near Death Experiences (NDEs), which came to prominence in the 1970s with the work of Raymond Moody. The most compelling book on this topic I have read is Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeons Journey Into the Afterlife by Dr. Eben Alexander, whose experience Dr. Moody himself described as the most astounding [he] had heard in more than four decades of studying this phenomenon. The extraordinary circumstances of his illness and his impeccable credentials make it very hard to formulate a mundane explanation for his case. Basically, Alexander had bacterial meningitis and seemed to be dead for some eight days. Naturally, what he saw and how he saw it have been disputed, but the fact is, this is not a sole testimony. There are hundreds and thousands of people experiencing these out-of-the-body moments, being technically dead and yet gaining insight or information that seems impossible to acquire through any naturalistic means. Indeed, The Epoch Times has just published an incredible article about the NDE of Tricia Barker, of whose experiences Dr. Jan Holden remarks: Any material explanation thats been attempted doesnt account for some of the things that happen in NDEs. Hell and Our Impudence The Harrowing of Hell, between 1586 and 1638, by Jacob van Swanenburgh. Oil on copper. (Public Domain) Why mention, then, this aspect of mortal existence, a heaven or hell beyond our individual deaths? Because it seems to me that the willpower of the West is weakening: We are all for heaven, we all want that, for we continue to believe that surely heaven is there. But hell? No way, thats not compatible with a loving God, and a loving God wouldnt do this and wouldnt do that, becausewhat?because we know better! We know better than God what he would or wouldnt do. We say that it would be unfair to put babies in hell because they havent been baptized; it would be unfair to put pagans in hell because they hadnt heard of Christianity; it would be unfair to condemn anybody, really, because they had reasons for doing what they were doing and it seemed right to them at the time. And so we generate lists of objections to the afterlife, which are entirely rational in that they are intellectual arguments, but these arguments always ignore the pervasive testimonies of human experiences. Its like arguing that the Declaration of Independence cannot have happened in 1776 because we cannot produce a double-blind experiment to demonstrate it. And the thing is, its not just atheists and secularists who are undermining the concept of hellthey simply mock it. But Christians themselves are getting into the actthe act of undermining not just a Christian belief, but also a belief (as I have outlined) endemic to human societies throughout the ages: that hell exists, that hell is real. Undermining Reality The fine theologian Professor Keith Ward, for example, who has written many powerful apologetics for Christianity, argues in his book Re-Thinking Christianity for universalism, the belief that everybody gets saved and no one is condemned. To justify this belief, he invokes various biblical texts. These generally run along these lines: Since God is all-powerful and wills only good, then everyone must conform to his will; ergo, nobody can be culpable because who can resist his will? But this argument is part of that process by which human reasoninglogical reasoningagain ignores or replaces both revelation and human experience; for whatever else they are, the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions are historical religions. They are based on testimonies of what actually happened. For me personally, the most terrifying line in the Bible that unmistakably demarcates the existence of hell is the almost throwaway remark that Christ makes when he says of Judas Iscariot: It would have been good for that man if he had not been born (Matthew 26. v 24). Better that he had not been born? Does that really sound as if there is no hell, even if the speaker is the Christ of love and mercy? I think not. The Fall of the Rebel Angels, circa 1554, by Frans Floris I. Oil on panel. Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, in Antwerp, Belgium. (Public Domain) All the great traditions from time immemorial have testified to the possibility of losing ones soul and its dreadful consequences. Here consequences is exactly the right word, because it is the avoidance of consequences that is at the root of why the modern world does not wish to accept this unpleasant reality or prospect. I say unpleasant but, of course, as Dorothy L. Sayers observed, Hell is the enjoyment of your own way forever. People who go to hell choose to; its what they want. Its their true hearts desire, so its not as if we have to think about it as something terrible that a vengeful God imposes on us or them. In a sense, we repay ourselves for our own sins; or as a traditional Buddhist aphorism puts it: You will not be punished for your anger. Youll be punished by your anger. To be clear, then, if you believe in the freedom of the human will and in God, it follows that there is a possibility of human beings turning away from God, eternally away. Hence, the logic of hell. Actually, the concept of hell is unpopular to the exact degree that freedom of the will is unpopular: Today, we all want to bewhat?victims. In other words, the abolition of the concept of hell is no more, no less, than our attempt to avoid any responsibility for our actions; we wish to assert all our rights, surely, we do, but our responsibilities? Their consequences? Theres the modern rub. We dont like them! The Bible quote is from the New American Standard version. Riot police surround the Arizona Capitol after protesters reached the front of the Arizona Sentate building following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, in Phoenix, on June 24, 2022. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo) Police Declare Unlawful Assembly, Deploy Tear Gas After Roe Protesters Disrupt Arizona State Legislature Police deployed tear gas late on Friday in efforts to disperse protesters who gathered at the Arizona Capitol building in Phoenix in the wake of a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that tossed out the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly after several among the thousands of protesters began hitting glass walls and doors of the state Capitol building, with one person having smashed a window at the state Department of Agriculture building on Adams Street, reported The Arizona Republic. Afterward, SWAT team members with the states Department of Public Safety fired tear gas from the building to disperse the protesters, KPHO-TV reported. It wasnt immediately known if there were injuries or arrests. Lawmakers in the Arizona Senate were forced to halt their meeting temporarily around 8:30 p.m. due to the commotion outside. The senators proceeded to huddle for about 20 minutes in a basement inside the building as they rushed to complete their 2022 session, said State Sen. Martin Quezada, a Democrat. Stinging tear gas wafted through the Capitol afterward via the system that circulates the air, forcing the Senate to move its proceedings to a hearing room instead of the Senate chamber. The tear gas lingered in the courtyard between the states Senate and House buildings. Crowds had left the area by 9:30 p.m., according to reports. Protesters threatened to break the AZ Senate entryway glass, State Sen. Wendy Rogers, a Republican, wrote on Twitter while she and other senators were voting on a series of bills. She said the protesters were a mix of anti-life protesters, anti-education choice protestors, and Antifa. According to the Arizona Daily Independent, a Planned Parenthood protest began at 6 p.m. at the Arizona Capitol, followed by a protest organized by the Phoenix Party for Socialism and Liberation and the Phoenix branch of Radical Women an hour later. State Sen. Kelly Townsend, a Republican, said on Twitter at the time: We are currently there being held hostage inside the Senate building due to members of the public trying to breach our security. We smell teargas and the children of one of the members are in the office sobbing with fear. I expect a J24 committee to be created immediately. She said later, Everyone is okay, and we are finishing our work. The Republican-led Arizona State Senate announced in a release that Violent pro-abortion protestors attempts of an insurrection at the Arizona State Senate were thwarted Friday night, thanks to the swift action from local and state law enforcement. While Arizona State Senate members were wrapping up passing important legislation for the session, extremist demonstrators made their way to the entrance of the Senate building and began forcibly trying to make entry by breaking windows and pushing down doors. The statement described the situation as terrifying. State Senate President Karen Fann thanked members of law enforcement and their quick response, and said the situation could have been a destructive and dangerous situation. Violence is never the answer, and we will not camouflage what was a blatant attempt at an insurrection as a rally or peaceful protest. We are calling on all state lawmakers to condemn these acts. There is a way to make your voice heard and violence is never the answer, she added. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets Friday in cities nationwide to protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Most carried signs, chanted slogans, and listened to speeches. A pregnant woman receiving an ultrasound exam in an illustration photograph. (Jasper Jacobs/AFP/Getty Images) Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, signed a measure in March banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. It is set to take effect in October. The 15-week timeframe in the law is the same as that of Mississippis law thats being upheld in the Supreme Courts ruling on Friday that repealed Roe, in a case called Dobbs v. Jackson. The Roe v. Wade ruling had for decades enabled abortion up to the 24th week of pregnancy nationwide. Roe v Wade was a poorly-reasoned ruling that had no Constitutional basis, Ducey said in a statement on Friday. The Supreme Court has made the right decision by finally overturning it and giving governing power back to the people and the states. I am proud that Arizona has been ranked the most pro-life state in the country. Here, we will continue to cherish life and protect it in every way possible. Arizona has a state law that was in place for over 100 years prior to the 1973 Roe ruling. The law automatically outlaws abortion except for when the mothers life is at stake. It has a mandatory prison sentence of two to five years for violators. Roe made Arizonas prohibition on abortion unenforcable. That law should now be enforcable in most Arizona counties, prohibiting abortions in the state except to save the life of the mother, Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, said in a statement. This will not only save innocent lives but will protect women from the undeniable emotional and physical harms of abortion. It is unclear which of the two lawsthe pre-Roe law or the one Ducey recently signed in March, will take effect in Arizona. State Senator Nancy Barto, a Republican who authored the 15-week abortion ban bill, said it will be the courts that decide, reported ABC15 Arizona. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Pro-Abortion Activists Protest in Cities, Burn American Flag Pro-abortion activists began to assemble in cities across America on Friday afternoon to protest in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade, a seminal ruling that made abortion legal nationwide in 1973. The activists congregated in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, as well as Chicago, Seattle, and other cities. In the nations capital, people dressed like members of the far-left extremist group Antifa held signs and chanted. At one point they burned an American flag and chanted about burning cities. In images circulating online, a burning U.S. flag can be seen on the ground next to a poster with the names of the conservative Supreme Court justices who supported the courts opinion penned by Justice Samuel Alito. A protester lights a cigarette on a burning American Flag while marching with pro-abortion activists in Washington, on June 24, 2022. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) They chanted, If we dont get it, burn it down, according to Fox News. They also reportedly chanted, Every city, every town, burn the precinct to the ground. A number of the protesters dressed in Antifas signature black, and they utilized a tactic used by Antifa to shield their faces using black umbrellas. Antifa played a driving role in violent, fiery protests that swept America and lasted for months after the death of George Floyd in May 2020 until around the time of the general elections in November of that year, when they petered out. Pro-abortion protesters block cameras with umbrellas as they gather in protest in Washington, on June 24, 2022. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) According to the Wall Street Journal, protesters began to gather outside of a federal courthouse in Los Angeles around noon and in Miami they congregated in a busy part of an arts district in Wynwood. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke at a protest in Union Square while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) joined demonstrators in Washington. A common sign seen at protests across the country read bans off our bodies. Violent Extremists The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly issued a memo on Friday to warn that government officials and judges could be at risk by violent extremists following the ruling. Government officials and judges probably are at most risk for violence in response to the decision, according to the memo, obtained by Axios and CNN. The warning was reportedly sent to DHS personnel, law enforcement, first responders, and private sector partners. Americans freedom of speech and right to peacefully protest are fundamental Constitutional rights. Those rights do not extend to violence and other illegal activity, a DHS spokesperson said in a statement obtained by The Hill. Places of worship and facilities that provide abortions in various states were mentioned in the memo as being at risk of being targeted by domestic violent extremists who are both pro-abortion and pro-life due to prior arson attacks. The memo reportedly stated that DHS was aware of at least 11 incidents of vandalism threatening violence targeting religious facilities perceived as being opposed to abortion. The White House has previously encouraged pro-abortion activists to protest within the law. Hours after the Supreme Court overruled the abortion case Roe v. Wade, President Joe Biden called on people who protest to do so peacefully. Nevertheless, the CEO of a pro-life pregnancy center in Buffalo, New York, says they are increasing their security because they could be attacked Friday night. A physician epidemiologist was suspended by Twitter after he shared a peer-reviewed study that found lower semen levels in men who received Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine. * Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List. Follow EpochTV on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@EpochTV Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV The underestimated architect of American expansion Shaking hands is one of the lesser known hazards of being an elected official. Politicians are required to perform this ritual frequently. And after an entire day of it, ones hand can hurt and could even be seriously injured in the hands of an overly zealous supporter. To efficiently avoid this risk, our 11th president, James K. Polk, developed a special method of shaking hands that allowed him to control the grip. He even wrote about the art of this practice in his diary, stating that a person should shake and not be shaken, grip and not be gripped, taking care always to squeeze the hand of his adversary as hard as he squeezed him. Polk said that he himself would try to be a little quicker when seeing a strong man approach, seizing him by the tips of his fingers, giving him a hearty shake, and thus preventing him from getting a full grip upon me. Such was Polks meticulous, disciplined nature that, amidst his grand accomplishments, he found time to improve the common handshake. During his four years in the White House, the constant stream of visitors ensured that his method came inwell, handy! Polks democratic beliefs led him to adopt an open-door policy that allowed ordinary citizens to meet with him at designated times based on the order of their arrival, which was the first and last time this custom was practiced. He soon found that the reality of this task did not measure up to his ideals, as many of his visitors arrived merely to make angry complaints, seek jobs, or even stoop to ask him for personal handouts. It is one of my most painful duties, he wrote in his diary, to receive citizens who are so patriotic as to desire to serve their country by getting into fat offices. A true man of the people, Polk also opened White House receptions to anyone without ceremony and without invitation. A ruffian who showed up expecting a wild party, however, would have been disappointed. The first lady, Sarah Polk, allowed no hard liquor or dancing at these eventsonly wine and lively conversation. A portrait of James K. Polk, the 11th president of the United States. (Public Domain) A woman of grace, charm, independent thinking, and regal stateliness, Sarah provided an affable counterpoint to the introverted, humorless disposition of her husband, who would usually attend these receptions only briefly before getting back to his desk. A true workaholic, if he stayed longer, he would wake up early to compensate for the lost time. While attending such social events, Polk was able to quickly and efficiently work the room in the short period of time he was thereoften to get his legislation pushed through Congress. With all the handshaking going on, and the corresponding numerous denials of daily requests for employment, one would think that Polk seldom had time for anything else. However, he was in fact one of the hardest-working men to ever inhabit the Oval Officeand one of the most consequential. The First Dark Horse President Samuel Morses telegraph lines had only been running from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., for five days in 1844 when news of the Democratic Partys compromise convention nomination went out over the wire: James K. Polk would be their candidate for president. Polk himself never sought that office, and he only learned the news of his nomination via the U.S. postal service after everyone in Washington had already heard about it through the new telegraph line. This news was so unexpected that some thought the newfangled communications technology must not be working properly. Across the nation, both supporters and detractors reacted to the news with the same question: Who is James K. Polk? Polk had been underestimated throughout his entire life. Far from expecting him to attain high political office, his family was doubtful whether he would even survive adolescence. A weak and sickly child, James underwent a dangerous surgical operation to remove urinary bladder stones that were negatively affecting his health as a teenager. Though he survived, he was never physically robust, and his childless marriage suggests that the surgery left him infertile. He was slight of stature. He lacked a charismatic personality. His imagination was limited, and his mind, while keen (he delivered his college commencement address in Latin), fell short of brilliance. Polks biographer, Robert Merry, described him as a smaller-than-life figure with larger-than-life ambitions. But he put his keen mind to good use, behaved with dignity and self-confidence, and through hard work and preparation won a seat in the Tennessee legislature when he was 27. A sketch of President Polks 1845 inauguration. (Public Domain) His world changed when he met and became a friend and supporter of Americas seventh president, Andrew Jackson. Tall, tough, and mesmerizing everyone he met with his intense blue eyes, Jackson, the hero of the War of 1812, was everything that Polk was not. The young lawyer recognized Jackson as a man of destiny and was inspired to cultivate his own ambitions. As Old Hickorys protege, Young Hickory hitched himself to Jacksons star. He followed his mentors advice to marry Sarah Childress, the affable socialite who would be instrumental in helping him rise in Washington social circles. At age 29, after serving his term in the Tennessee legislature, Polk was elected to the House of Representatives. Ten years later, he became Speaker of the House. After serving in that position for four years, Polk moved back to his home state of Tennessee and was elected governor for a single term. But after twice losing gubernatorial re-election bids, it seemed his political career was over. Fate had other plans for him, however. Former President Jackson, now in retirement and near death, summoned Polk to his Tennessee country estate, known as the Hermitage. The Democratic Partys preferred nominee, Martin Van Buren, was opposing Jacksons own ideals for Americas geographic growth, and no other men presented suitable options as candidates. Polk, as Old Hickorys most loyal disciple, was the only man for the job, the only person who could realize the principles of Jacksonian Democracy by championing the rights of the common man and achieving westward expansion. Up to this point, Polk had only considered trying to get back into the political game with a vice presidential nominationbut would he want to run for president instead? The gauntlet had been thrown at Polks feet, and he took up the challenge. Running against the much better-known Whig candidate, Henry Clay, many newspapers did not think that Polk could possibly win. But in a close election race, he beat Clay by a narrow margin of less than 40,000 popular votes (or a little more than 1 percent). Polk ran on a platform that promised he would achieve all of his goals in a single term and would not seek re-election. It was a promise that his opponents found laughable, because his goals were very ambitious indeed; but one that his supporters would later come to regret when President Polk proved to be incredibly effective at achieving those goals. Architect of Manifest Destiny Many Americans in the 19th century believed that they could and should spread their way of life across the country, settling the nation from sea to shining sea and ushering in a new age of progress that would eventually allow their nation to overtake Great Britain in power and prosperity. It was a confident, optimistic vision of purpose known as Manifest Destiny, and James Polk was its premier architect. The front and back sides of the James K. Polk peace medal, 1845. Such medals were often presented to Native Americans as part of negotiations over land. (National Museum of the American Indian) From the outset, Polk had four objectives as president of the United States: reestablish the Independent Treasury System, reduce tariffs, acquire the Oregon Territory, and obtain New Mexico and California from Mexico. He needed to move quickly, fearing losing the reins of government to his political opponents, some of whom were within his own divided Democratic Party. With his great mentor Andrew Jackson now dead, he found himself nearly alone in a sea of ambition and intrigue. In a slippery environment where he had no genuine friends, his wife Sarah continued to play a crucial role as his most trusted political adviser and personal assistant. During his first 18 months in office, Polk achieved more than nearly any previous president had achieved in two full terms. He impeded attempts by European powers to prevent bringing Texas into the American fold and oversaw that states annexation. He negotiated with Britain to acquire a large portion of Oregon while avoiding war with its parent nation. In 1846 he pushed two bills through Congress. The Walker Tariff Act increased trade by reducing tariffs. The Independent Treasury Act stabilized the nation by managing the federal money supply separately from the banking system. Unable to acquire California and New Mexico peacefully, he engineered a war with Mexico that, thanks to able generalship and superior resources, would defeat Americas southern neighbor within two years and obtain the territories necessary for the United States to span an entire continent. Polk left office in March 1849, relieved to be free of his duties, but vexed over Congresss unwillingness to compromise on the issue of slavery enough to set up governments in California and New Mexico. He had given his country everything, and his Herculean efforts sapped his remaining vitality. Never in very good health, and although one of the 10 youngest presidents ever elected, Polk succumbed to cholera in June, only 103 days after leaving office. Through iron-willed persistence, this frail farm boy had risen to the White House and increased his nations breadth by over a million square miles. Nevertheless, to this day, he remains one of the least known of Americas great presidents. This article was originally published in American Essence magazine. Trump campaign senior legal adviser Jenna Ellis (R) and former President Donald Trump at an event in May 2020. (Courtesy of Jenna Ellis) Roe v. Wade Overturn a Legacy of Trump Administration: Jenna Ellis A former senior counsel to President Donald Trump said the U.S. Supreme Courts overturn of Roe v. Wade on Friday is the legacy of Trumps first term. Jenna Ellis told The Epoch Times in an interview on June 24 that Fridays ruling on Roe v. Wade shows how Trumps Supreme Court nominations and federal-judicial appointments will be the 45th presidents most critical point and enduring legacy in his first term and will have a lasting impact. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 precedent that struck down a swath of federal and state laws restricting abortion, on June 24. The ruling came in the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision (court file 19-1392). I was able to call President Trump this morning and tell him from the bottom of my heart, Thank you so much for having the courage to stand by each of these justices, Ellis said. It was a hard-fought battle for each of them. He stood by them. And he knew that they were the right people for the job. And without his courage, and his decision-making and appointing these justices, we wouldnt be here as a country today, she added. I told him: thank you so much for having the courage to stand firm for life, for liberty, and for our Constitution. 45s Legacy Ellis said Roe v. Wade, a decision reflecting judicial activism at its core, could not have been overturned if Trump had not facilitated a conservative majority in the Supreme Court. The Dobbs case had been pendingin our American understandingreally, since Roe v. Wade was handed down, but the composition of the Supreme Court just couldnt get there until President Donald Trump, Ellis said. During Trumps presidency, the former president nominated Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. All three justices concurred in the highest courts judgment with Justice Alito, who described Roe as egregiously wrong and deeply damaging to America and said that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. This is why it is so incredibly important to have a conservative majority on the Supreme Court and conservativesnot Democrats or Republicans, but conservativesin every branch of government, from the federal to the state and the local level, Ellis said. Our rule of law requires us to follow these [constitutional] principles and recognize that we are a nation of rules, not a nation of rulers. Were seeing that not only with the Dobbs case, but also the Second Amendment case, and others that are starting to turn the country back towards actually implementing and preserving our highest law of the land: the United States Constitution, Ellis added. Likewise, Trump celebrated the Dobbs decision on social media Friday, saying that it was his great honor to elect Constitutionalist justices. Todays decision, which is the biggest WIN for LIFE in a generation, along with other decisions that have been announced recently, were only made possible because I delivered everything as promised, including nominating and getting three highly respected and strong Constitutionalists confirmed to the United States Supreme Court, Trump said in a statement published on Truth Social on June 24. Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Casper, Wyo., on May 28, 2022. (Chet Strange/Getty Images) These major Victories prove that even though the Radical Left is doing everything in their power to destroy our Country, your Rights are being protected, the Country is being defended, and there is still hope and time to Save America! the former president said. I will never stop fighting for the Great People of our Nation! Fundamentally American Ellis argued that it is fundamentally American for states and the American peoplenot any federal or judicial bodiesto regulate abortion. Having the states regulate abortion is absolutely consistent with originalism and with the principles of limited and separate powers, Ellis said. [Congress] is limited in what they can legislate on, pursuant to Article I, Section 8 the Ninth and Tenth Amendments go hand in hand with that, saying all powers not specifically given to the federal government are reserved to the states or to the people. So we have a very clear delineation of specific limited power and authority on the federal level and the state level, and no power is given to the judicial branch in any context to legislate, she explained. Ellis said the issue of abortionwhich she calls a question of truth and moralityis now left up to the individual states, many of which have laws banning abortion immediately coming into effect following Roes overturn or have legislated on the issue so as to able to pass similar abortion-restricting laws in the near future. NPR reported that North Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Missouri, Kentucky, Utah, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas are among those with trigger laws that could severely restrict abortion following the Dobbs decision. This battle now will go back to the states, Ellis said. Were seeing the greatest pro-life generation rising up with the advancement of medical technology. Were seeing that people understand that life begins at conception and that human beings are human beings with the same inherent dignity and worth, no matter how small. Beyond the legal considerations, Ellis added that those who perceive an inherent value in lifeChristians and faith-based individuals alikeshould advocate for morality in society, in accordance with what James Madison discussed as the concept of self-regulation in The Federalist Papers. We can, and we should, have abortion illegal. But we should strive to make abortion unthinkable, she said. [If] we as individuals understand and respect that life does begin at conception and that human beings are made in the image of God and have inherent dignity and worth from the moment of conception, all the way until natural deaththen we will respect life and it wont be the government forcing that upon us. As President Trump told me today on the phone, This is a big, beautiful day in America, and I love how he framed that, said Ellis. The skyline of the city centre can be seen through a destroyed office building that was hit by shelling, the area hadnt been hit in weeks, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on June 25, 2022. (Leah Millis/Reuters) Russian Missiles Strike Across Ukraine, Says Kyiv KYIVRussian missiles rained down across Ukraine on Saturday, hitting military facilities in the west and the north as well as a southern city. Russian artillery and air strikes pounded the twin cities of Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk in the eastern Luhansk region on Friday, smashing into a chemical plant where hundreds of civilians were said to be trapped, a Ukrainian official said on Saturday. Ukraine said on Friday its troops had been ordered to retreat from Sievierodonetsk as there was very little left to defend after weeks of intense fighting, marking the biggest reversal for Ukraine since losing the port of Mariupol in May. News of the withdrawal came four months to the day since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent tens of thousands of troops over the border. 48 cruise missiles. At night. Throughout whole Ukraine, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter. Russia is still trying to intimidate Ukraine, cause panic, and make people be afraid. The latest Russian advances appeared to bring Moscow closer to taking full control of Luhansk, one of Putins objectives, and sets the stage for Lysychansk to become the next main focus. Vitaly Kiselev, an official in the Interior Ministry of the separatist Luhansk Peoples Republicrecognized only by Russiatold Russias TASS news agency that it would take another week and a half to secure full control of Lysychansk. Serhiy Gaidai, governor of the Luhansk region, said Russian forces attacked Sievierodonetsks industrial zone and also attempted to enter and blockade Lysychansk on Saturday. There was an air strike at Lysychansk. Sievierodonetsk was hit by artillery, Gaidai said on the Telegram messaging app, adding that the Azot chemical plant in Sievierodonetsk and the villages of Synetsky and Pavlograd and others has been shelled. He made no mention of casualties at the Azot plant and Reuters could not immediately verify the information. Gaidai said 17 people had been evacuated on Friday from Lysychansk by police officers, rescuers, and volunteers. Military Facilities Kharatin Starskyi, the press officer of a Ukrainian National Guard brigade, said on television on Saturday that the flow of information about the withdrawal from Sievierodonetsk had been delayed to protect troops on the ground. A Ukrainian service member with a dog observes in the industrial area of the city of Sievierodonetsk on June 20, 2022. (Oleksandr Ratushniak TPX Images of the Day/Reuters) During the last (several) days, an operation was conducted to withdraw our troops, Starskyi said. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday that he feared Ukraine could face pressure to agree a peace deal with Russia. Johnson said the consequences of Putin getting his way in Ukraine would be dangerous to international security and a long-term economic disaster. On Saturday, Russia again fired missiles at military and civilian infrastructure in the north near Ukraines second-biggest city Kharkiv through to Sievierodonetsk in the east, said the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces. Several regional governors reported shelling attacks on towns across Ukraine on Saturday. Russia denies targeting civilians. The governor of Lviv region in western Ukraine, Maxim Kozytskyi, said in a video posted online that six missiles were fired from the Black Sea at the Yavoriv base near the border with Poland. Four hit the target but two were destroyed. Vitaliy Bunechko, governor of the Zhytomyr region in the north of the country, said strikes on a military target killed at least one soldier. Nearly 30 missiles were launched at one military infrastructure facility very near to the city of Zhytomyr, said Bunechko, claiming that nearly 10 missiles had been intercepted and destroyed. In the south, Oleksandr Senkevych, mayor of Mykolaiv near the Black Sea, said five cruise missiles hit the city and nearby areas on Saturday. The number of casualties is being clarified. Orderly Retreats Ukraine on Friday again pressed for more arms, with its top general, Valeriy Zaluzhniy, telling his U.S. counterpart in a phone call that Kyiv needed fire parity with Moscow to stabilize the situation in Luhansk. A tank of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is seen in the industrial area of the city of Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine, on June 20, 2022. (Oleksandr Ratushniak/Reuters) South of Sievierodonetsk, Ukrainian soldiers also withdrew from the towns of Hirske and Zolote in the face of overwhelming Russian forces, said Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraines foreign minister played down the significance of the possible loss of more territory in the Donbass. Putin wanted to occupy the Donbas by May 9. We are (there) on June 24 and still fighting. Retreating from a few battles does not mean losing the war at all, Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. The war has had a massive impact on the global economy and European security arrangements, driving up gas, oil, and food prices, pushing the EU to reduce its heavy reliance on Russian energy, and prompting Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership. The West has imposed an unprecedented package of sanctions on Russia, its top companies, and its business and political elite in response to Moscows invasion of Ukraine. In a major sign of support, European Union leaders this week approved Ukraines formal candidature to join the bloca decision that Russia said on Friday amounted to the EUs enslaving of neighboring countries. By Max Hunder and Tom Balmforth FILE PHOTO: Abortion rights protesters hold signs as they demonstrate after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Dobbs v Womens Health Organization abortion case, overturning the landmark Roe v Wade abortion decision in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 24, 2022. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Ukrainian service members patrol an area in the city of Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine, on June 20, 2022. (Oleksandr Ratushniak/Reuters) Sievierodonetsk Falls to Russia After One of Wars Bloodiest Fights KYIV/POKROVSK, UkraineRussian forces have fully occupied Sievierodonetsk, the mayor of the eastern Ukrainian city said on Saturday, confirming Kyivs biggest battlefield setback for more than a month, after weeks of some of the wars bloodiest fighting. Ukraine called its retreat from the city a tactical withdrawal to fight from higher ground in Lysychansk on the opposite bank of the Siverskyi Donets river. Pro-Russian separatists said Moscows forces were now attacking Lysychansk. The fall of Sievierodonetsk was Russias biggest victory since capturing the port of Mariupol last month. It transforms the battlefield in the east after weeks in which Moscows huge advantage in firepower had yielded only slow gains. Russia will now be hoping to press on and seize more ground on the opposite bank, while Ukraine will hope that the price Moscow paid to capture the ruins of the small city will leave Russias forces vulnerable to a counterattack in coming weeks. The city is now under the full occupation of Russia. They are trying to establish their own order, as far as I know they have appointed some kind of commandant, Mayor Oleksandr Stryuk said on national television. Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraines military intelligence chief, told Reuters that Ukraine was carrying out a tactical regrouping by pulling its forces out of Sievierodonetsk to higher ground across the river. Russia is using the tactic it used in Mariupol: wiping the city from the face of the earth, he said. Given the conditions, holding the defence in the ruins and open fields is no longer possible. So the Ukrainian forces are leaving for higher ground to continue the defence operations. The skyline of the city centre can be seen through a destroyed office building that was hit by shelling, the area hadnt been hit in weeks, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on June 25, 2022. (Leah Millis/Reuters) Russias Interfax news agency cited a representative of pro-Russian separatist fighters as saying Russian and pro-Russian forces had entered Lysychansk across the river and fighting was taking place in urban areas there. Russian missiles rained down on western, northern and southern parts of the country. The Russians crossed the river in force in recent days and have been advancing towards Lysychansk, threatening to encircle Ukrainians in the area. Moscow says Luhansk and Donetsk, where it has backed uprisings since 2014, are independent countries. It demands Ukraine cede the entire territory of the two provinces to separatist administrations. Ukraines top general Valeriy Zaluzhnyi wrote on the Telegram app on Saturday that newly arrived, U.S.supplied advanced HIMARS rocket systems were now deployed and hitting targets in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. Asked about a potential counterattack in the south, Budanov, the Ukrainian military intelligence chief, claimed Ukraine should begin to see results from August. Just wait a bit and well see what it brings, he told Reuters. Russian missiles also struck elsewhere across Ukraine overnight in an unusually large volley. The governor of Lviv region in western Ukraine said six missiles were fired from the Black Sea at a base near the border with Poland. Four hit the target but two were destroyed. In the north the governor of the Zhytomyr region said strikes on a military target killed at least one soldier. In the south the mayor of Mykolaiv near the Black Sea, said five cruise missiles hit the city and nearby areas on Saturday. Russia denies targeting civilians. Kyiv and the West say Russian forces have committed war crimes against civilians. A Ukrainian service member with a dog observes in the industrial area of the city of Sievierodonetsk on June 20, 2022. (Oleksandr Ratushniak TPX Images of the Day/Reuters) Western Support for Ukraine Despite battlefield setbacks, Kyiv has won support from the West which has imposed sanctions on Russia and is sending arms to Ukraine. Leaders of the Group of Seven rich democracies are expected to demonstrate long-term support for Ukraine and discuss how to tighten the screws on Russia at a three day summit in Germany starting on Sunday. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who will take part, said he feared Ukraine could face pressure to agree a peace deal, and the consequences of Putin getting his way in Ukraine would be dangerous to international security. In a major sign of support, European Union leaders this week approved Ukraines formal candidacy to join the bloca decision that Russia said on Friday amounted to the EUs enslaving of neighbouring countries. By Tom Balmforth and Marko Djurica The Nuri rocket, the first domestically produced space rocket, lifts off from a launch pad at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Korea, on June 21, 2022. (Korea Pool/Yonhap via AP) South Koreas Successful Rocket Launch Boosts Companies Aerospace Ambitions South Koreas successful launch of a domestically-developed rocket on Tuesday has spurred companies hopes to capitalize on prospects in the national space program. More than 300 private companies contributed to the development of the Nuri rocket, also known as Korean Space Launch Vehicle II (KSLV-II), which cost roughly 2 trillion won ($1.5 billion) in total. South Korea became the seventh country in the world to independently launch a satellite into space, boosting its growing aerospace ambitions and demonstrating its ability to launch spy satellites. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the national aerospace company, led the companies in developing the Nuri rocket and manufacturing the first-stage fuel tank and oxidizer tanks. A KAI official said the company aims to lead another space project which will begin this year to enhance Korean space launch vehicles, The Korea Times reported. Hanwha Aerospace, which manufactured all six engines for the Nuri rocket, has already completed developing the engines required for the space vehicles third launch. The company has also planned to invest 2.6 trillion won ($2 billion) into South Koreas defense and aerospace sector over the next five years, according to local reports. South Koreas Science Ministry awarded Korean Air Lines a 20 billion won ($15 million) project earlier this month to develop a 3-ton engine for the second stage of a small launch vehicle project, which is expected to complete by 2027. Korean Air will supervise engine system design, assembly and system management, and certification process. To successfully execute the project, the airline has formed a consortium with leading domestic aerospace companies and academia, the company said in a statement. South Koreas Second Attempt The recent launch was South Koreas second attempt of launching the Nuri rocket. In the first attempt last October, the rockets dummy payload reached the desired altitude but didnt enter orbit because the engine of the rockets third stage burned out earlier than planned. In a video conference with scientists and others involved in the launch, President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated them for their achievement and vowed to keep his campaign promise to establish a state aerospace agency, according to his office. Since the early 1990s, South Korea has sent a slew of satellites into space, but all used foreign rocket technology or launch sites. In 2013, South Korea successfully launched a satellite for the first time from its soil, but the first stage of the rocket was Russian-made. The country plans four more Nuri launches in coming years. It also hopes to send a probe to the moon, build next-generation space launch vehicles and send large-scale satellites into orbit. The Associated Press contributed to this report. People march as they protest the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, in New York on June 24, 2022. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Abortion Activists Protest Across the Country; Abortion Ban Takes Effect in Several States The latest updates after the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Police Fire Tear Gas to Disperse Protesters Outside Arizona Capitol Building Police fired tear gas from the windows of the Arizona Capitol building to disperse hundreds of people demonstrating outside, as lawmakers briefly huddled in a basement. The lawmakers were working to complete their 2022 session as thousands of protesters gathered on the Capitol grounds in Phoenix on Friday night, divided into groups condemning and supporting the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade decision. SWAT team members with the Department of Public Safety fired tear gas from the building to disperse the protesters. KPHO-TV reported the officers opened fire when several protesters started banging on glass doors of the building. It wasnt immediately known if there were injuries or arrests. The incident sent Senate lawmakers into the basement of the building for about 20 minutes, said Democratic Sen. Martin Quezada. Stinging tear gas wafted through the Capitol afterward, forcing the Senate to move its proceedings to a hearing room instead of the Senate chamber. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets Friday in cities nationwide to protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Most carried signs, chanted slogans, and listened to speeches. ___ Utahs Abortion Ban Takes Effect Utahs abortion ban has gone into effect, triggered by the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The move came Friday evening after the legislatures general counsel certified that the states 2020 trigger law met legal requirements. The ban contains narrow exceptions for rape and incest if those crimes are reported to law enforcement, and for serious risk to the life or health of the mother, as well as confirmed lethal birth defects. Legislative leaders said they had no plans to expand restrictions on abortion until they better understood the effects of Utahs law. State Sen. Dan McKay, the Republican who sponsored the trigger law, said it would be wrong for Utah women to pursue abortions in neighboring states but he had no immediate plans to press for limits on their ability to travel there. ___ Abortion Activists Protest in Multiple Cities Pro-abortion activists staged protests Friday in several major cities around the country, following the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Protests were taking place in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, as well as in Chicago, Seattle, and other cities. Abortion clinics, pregnancy centers, churches, and police are ramping up security measures in some areas. ___ Ohios Abortion Ban Becomes Law A ban on most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat became the law in Ohio on Friday following the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Enforcement of Ohios 2019 heartbeat ban had been on hold for nearly three years under a federal court injunction. The state attorney general, Republican Dave Yost, asked for that to be dissolved because of the high courts ruling, and a federal judge agreed hours later. ___ Abortion Providers in Arizona Halt Procedures Abortion providers across Arizona halted procedures Friday as they try to determine whether a law dating to pre-statehood days means their personnel could face prison time after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The possibility of prosecutions was just too risky, said Brittany Forteno, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona. She said the states largest abortion provider is working with its attorneys to understand Arizonas tangled web of conflicting laws. At least two other large providers in Tucson and Phoenix followed suit. At issue is a law that dates to at least 1901, 11 years before Arizona became a state. It subjects anyone who provides abortion care to a possible two to five years in prison. Republicans in the state Senate believe the pre-Roe law is enforceable. ___ Abortion Clinics in Alabama Stop Providing Services Abortions swiftly came to a stop in Alabama as a 2019 state abortion ban took effect, making it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape or incest victims. All three clinics in the state stopped providing services Friday morning after a federal judge granted the states request to lift an injunction and allow the state to enforce the ban, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The only exception to the states abortion ban is for the sake of the mothers health. Gov. Kay Ivey praised the Supreme Court decision. I could not be more proud as a governor, a Christian, and a woman to see this misguided and detrimental decision overturned, Ivey said. Alabama will continue standing up for our unborn babies, our mothers, and our families. ___ Abortion Ban Takes Effect in Arkansas The Arkansas Department of Health on Friday notified the states two abortion providers that its ban on the procedure had taken effect under a law triggered by the Supreme Court ruling. The law bans abortions except to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency. The notices advise the facilities that performing an abortion in violation of the law is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Planned Parenthood said it would no longer be able to offer abortions at its Little Rock facility. ___ Planned Parenthood Pauses Service in Texas Jeffrey Hons of Planned Parenthood South Texas said the groups abortion services in Texas have been paused statewide as they await guidance from their attorneys. The announcement comes Friday, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right established in Roe v. Wade to terminate a pregnancy. The issue reverts to the states, many of which have taken steps to curtail or ban abortions. A website affiliated with Planned Parenthood is advising that it is legal to travel out of state to get an abortion. ___ Mayor: Abortion Remains Legal in DC Mayor Muriel Bowser declared Friday that abortion remains legal in the nations capital despite the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. We are a pro-choice city, she said at a news conference held at the local branch of Planned Parenthood. Nothing has changed in Washington, D.C. But Bowser cautioned that the district is vulnerable because it is not a state and Congress retains oversight over it. She pledged to continue fighting to make sure we remain a safe city for abortion care and a legal city for abortion care. ___ California, Washington, Oregon Governors Vow to Help Women Seeking Abortions The Democratic governors of California, Washington, and Oregon on Friday vowed to help women who travel to the West Coast seeking abortions following the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The three states issued a joint multi-state commitment saying they will work together to defend patients and medical professionals providing reproductive health care. They also pledged to protect against judicial and local law enforcement cooperation with out-of-state investigations, inquiries, and arrests regarding abortions performed in their states. The liberal West Coast states anticipate an influx of people seeking abortions, especially as neighboring conservative states move to outlaw or greatly restrict the procedure. ___ Republicans, Democrats React to Overturning of Roe v. Wade Republican leaders are lauding the U.S. Supreme Courts overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion at a national level, while Democrats are decrying what they call the revocation of womens rights. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who played a role in preserving the seat left vacant by the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and paving the way for a Republican-appointed conservative majority, said Fridays ruling is a historic victory. The Court has corrected a terrible legal and moral error, like when Brown v. Board overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, McConnell wrote in a statement, referencing the 1954 decision that effectively ended racial segregation in public schools. The Justices applied the Constitution. They carefully weighed the complex factors regarding precedent. The Court overturned mistaken rulings that even liberals have long admitted were incoherent, restoring the separation of powers, he continued. I commend the Court for its impartiality in the face of attempted intimidation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said at her press conference that there was no point in saying Good morning, because it certainly is not one. Today, the Republican-controlled Supreme Court has achieved the GOPs dark and extreme goal of ripping away womens right to make their own reproductive health decisions, Pelosi said. Because of Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, the Republican Party, and their supermajority on the Supreme Court, American women today have less freedom than their mothers. Pelosi also made unsubstantiated claims about what the ruling means for other issues related to pregnancy. GOP extremists are even threatening to criminalize contraception, as well as in-vitro fertilization and post-miscarriage care, she said, although the justices explicitly said in the majority opinion that this will not undo cases on contraception. Read the full article here ___ Biden Responds to Supreme Court Ruling President Joe Biden on Friday criticized the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a 50-year-old ruling that characterized access to abortion as a constitutional right. Biden referred to former President Donald Trump in his speech by name, saying that three justices that voted to overturn Roe v. Wade were appointed by him. The current president then alleged that Fridays decision was the result of decades of conservative and religious groups attempts to get the law struck down. Its a sad day for the court and a sad day for the country, Biden said, adding that the 50-year-old ruling gave women the power to control their own destiny. Biden then claimed that womens reproductive health around the United States is now at risk, although states that choose to pass laws allowing abortions are still free to do so under the Friday ruling. Biden noted that women can still travel from a state that restricts abortion to another state that doesnt have such laws to obtain one. Later in his speech, Biden called on people to vote for candidates who will work to pass laws that support abortions during the 2022 midterms, suggesting that Democrats will likely use the Supreme Court ruling as a push to get their candidates elected to Congress. Read the full article here ___ DOJ Disagrees With Supreme Court Ruling Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a statement on Friday, disagreeing with the Supreme Courts majority opinion. The Justice Department strongly disagrees with the Courts decision, Garland wrote. This decision deals a devastating blow to reproductive freedom in the United States. It will have an immediate and irreversible impact on the lives of people across the country. And it will be greatly disproportionate in its effectwith the greatest burdens felt by people of color and those of limited financial means. The Supreme Court has eliminated an established right that has been an essential component of womens liberty for half a centurya right that has safeguarded womens ability to participate fully and equally in society, Garland wrote. And in renouncing this fundamental right, which it had repeatedly recognized and reaffirmed, the Court has upended the doctrine of stare decisis, a key pillar of the rule of law. Read the full article here ___ Trump Reacts to Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade Former President Donald Trump on June 24 praised the Supreme Court after a majority of justices overturned Roe v. Wade, delivering the ability to regulate abortion back to states. This is following the Constitution, and giving rights back when they should have been given long ago, Trump, a Republican, told Fox News. The courts decision was in a case brought by the state of Mississippi against Jackson Womens Health Organization, an abortion clinic. Justices found that Roe was wrongly decided in 1973, as was a ruling in 1992 that reaffirmed Roe. Three justices Trump appointedBrett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrettjoined with Justices Clarence Thomas, a George H.W. Bush appointee; John Roberts, a George W. Bush appointee; and Samuel Alito, a George W. Bush appointee to form the majority. Trump, asked by Fox whether he helped bring about the decision, said, God made the decision. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, decried the ruling, saying in prepared remarks that the court took away a right from the American people that it already recognized. It was three justices named by one president, Donald Trump, who were the core of todays decision to upend the scales of justice, he added later. The reaction among members of Congress largely split along party lines. Republicans joined Trump in cheering the decision while Democrats decried the ruling. Read the full article here ___ 2 Dozen States to Restrict Abortion More than two dozen states will move to restrict abortion following the Supreme Courts Friday ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The Guttmacher Institute, a research group, says that 13 states have trigger laws that bar most abortions that will take effect immediately after the ruling Friday. They are Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Five more states had respective bans on abortion from the time before the Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973. They include Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, and South Carolina, according to the Institute, have laws that ban abortions after the 6-week mark. Those laws will be revisited after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, the legislatures of Florida, Indiana, Montana, and Nebraska appear likely to ban abortion based on previous and current efforts, the group says. Overall, 26 of 50 U.S. states are likely or certain to ban abortion after the ruling was handed down Friday, the Institute says. Read the full article here ___ Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade The Supreme Court on June 24 overturned Roe v. Wade, the seminal 1973 precedent which struck down a swath of federal and state laws restricting abortion and largely legalized the procedure nationwide. The court, in a 63 ruling powered by its conservative majority, upheld a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and to overturn Roe. Chief Justice John Roberts concurred with the courts conservatives, but argued he would have upheld the Mississippi law without taking the additional step of erasing the Roe precedent altogether. Jack Phillips, Zachary Stieber, Bill Pan, The Associated Press, and Reuters contributed to this report. Texas AG Closes Offices Across State, Declares Annual Holiday to Mark End of Roe Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Friday he closed his offices statewide for the day in honor of the nearly 70 million unborn babies killed in the womb since 1973, and created an annual holiday to mark the Supreme Court decision that has overturned Roe v. Wade. June 24th will be an annual Office of the Attorney General holiday in recognition of this momentous decisionand the many lives lost before it, Paxtons office announced in a release. [W]e cannot forget the extraordinary violence that Roe and Casey unleashed on our nation, the Republican attorney general said. Because of those decisions, almost 70 million babies have been killed in the womb. And so, today at noon, I am closing all my offices as a memorial to these babies. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of them. Never again should something like this happen in America. Texas is among the 13 states that have trigger laws to ban most abortions. However, there may be delays to their taking effect due to legal action. Other states that have trigger laws are Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming. The Supreme Courts 63 decision on Dobbs v. Jackson strikes down the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling as well as a 1992 decision known as Planned Parenthood v. Casey. All Republican-appointed justices voted for the decision, while all Democrat-appointed justices dissented. Roe had prohibited states from banning abortions before the fetus is considered viablethat is, potentially able to live outside its mothers wombdeemed at the time usually around the second trimester of pregnancy at 24 weeks. Meanwhile, the Casey decision had reaffirmed the Roe ruling and prohibited laws that place an undue burden on a womans ability to obtain an abortion. Roe v. Wade and its successor case Planned Parenthood v. Casey have absolutely no basis in the U.S. Constitution, Paxton said in a statement. Nevertheless, for half a century, Americans have had to live under these illegitimate, illegal, and unconstitutional dictates of a partisan, willful Supreme Court. No more. Today, the question of abortion returns to the states. Paxtons office also released an official advisory (pdf) unpacking the Texas trigger law in light of the Supreme Court decision. Texans want to know what to expect now that Roe is overturned. The answer is that without further action by the Texas Legislature, abortion will soon be clearly illegal in Texas, the advisory reads. Texass trigger law, the Human Life Protection Act of 2021, was passed in 2021 via the Texas legislature. Paxtons office noted that the law would take effect 30 days after the Supreme Court issues an official judgment. Today, the [Supreme] Court issued its opinion reversing Roe, but it has yet to issue its judgment, the advisory reads. A judgment is a legal document distinct from the Courts opinion. The Court will issue its judgment only after the window for the litigants to file a motion for rehearing has closed. A judgment can issue in about a month, or longer if the Court considers a motion for rehearing. So while it is clear that the Act will take effect, we cannot calculate exactly when until the Court issues its judgment. My office will publicly announce an effective date for the Act as soon as possibleand we look forward to doing so. Texass trigger law says that a person may not knowingly perform, induce, or attempt an abortion except in certain cases such as when the mothers life is at risk due to the pregnancy. A person who violates the Act commits a first-degree felony if an unborn child dies as a result and incurs civil penalties of not less than $100,000 for each violation, Paxton said in the advisory. My office is specifically authorized to pursue and recover those civil penalties, and I will strictly enforce this law. Further, we will assist any local prosecutor who pursues criminal charges. Additionally, state licensing authorities are required to revoke any applicable license or permit of a health care professional who performs or attempts to perform an abortion in violation of the Act. In his advisory, Paxton said Fridays Supreme Court decision means abortion laws that were on the books before Roe v. Wade are technically back in effect because they were never repealed. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas sits during a group photograph of the justices at the Supreme Court in Washington on April 23, 2021. (Erin Schaff/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) The Deeper Significance of Justice Thomass Second Amendment Opinion Commentary The Supreme Courts decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Assn. v. Bruen (pdf) was a signal victory for the right to keep and bear arms. Reading Justice Clarence Thomass opinion for the court is a rich journey through constitutional law and history. The opinion may become a SCOTUS classic. However, the case has implications more important stillimplications that go well beyond the Second Amendment. Amid all the noise surrounding the courts holding, you probably wont read about those implications anywhere but here. First, though, Im delighted to report that Justice Thomas gave due credit to the work of Dave Kopel, my Independence Institute colleague who is probably the leading Second Amendment scholar on the face of the planet. Challenging Progressive Constitutional Method Most of the Supreme Courts constitutional-rights precedents date from the 20th century, when progressive justices dominated the bench. Those justices usually didnt pay adequate attention to the historical meaning of the Constitutions words and phrases. They usually didnt inquire, for example, into the historical meaning of terms such as the freedom of speech. Instead, they usually applied balancing tests. An early example was the 1944 case that upheld the mass detention, without charges or trial, of tens of thousands of American citizens of Japanese extractiona case I discussed in an earlier column for The Epoch Times. The Constitution says explicitly that the government shall deprive no person of liberty without due process of law. It also says that before the writ of habeas corpus (the traditional remedy for unlawful imprisonment) is suspended, certain conditions have to occur. Yet in Korematzu v. United States (pdf), the court balanced away all those rights. It did so under what we now call the strict scrutiny test: Government may override even an explicit constitutional right with a law necessary to further goals that the justices think are strong enough. After Korematsu was decided, the justices applied this balancing approach to free speech, free exercise of religion, and other constitutional liberties. Occasionally, as in some pornography cases, this approach shielded conduct the Constitution didnt really protect at all. More often, the balancing approach privileged government over individual citizens. As for rights that liberal justices didnt think as important as free speech (such as economic liberties), the court applied balancing tests that empowered government even more. To be sure, some parts of the Constitution do call for balancing. One example is the Fourth Amendment ban on unreasonable searches and seizures. But most parts of the Constitution reflect the documents own balances and compromises. There is no call for justices to replace those balances and compromises with their own notions of what is and isnt important. Despite all the misleading ballyhoo about the Supreme Court now having a conservative majority, the current justices generally have continued to apply the precedents and methods invented by their liberal predecessors. In 2008, the Supreme Court issued United States v. Heller (pdf). It ruled that the Second Amendment created an individual right to keep and bear arms. Lower federal courts then started applying balancing tests to the individual right. Even if a law or regulation exceeded governments traditional power to regulate firearm usage, judges still upheld it if they thought the law or rule was sufficiently important and narrowly tailored. Justice Thomass opinionand remember, he was writing as a representative of the court not merely for himselfaffirms, however, that the scope of the right to keep and bear arms is fixed by the words of the amendment. The law is reflected in those words, not in some judges idea of what is important. Of course, the opinion applies only to the Second Amendment. At this point, judges still may balance away other constitutional rights. Perhaps, however, his opinion marks the beginning of a return to a more accurate meaning of other rights as well. How Can You Show Original Understanding/Meaning? Many lawyers and commentators have an annoying habit of trying to prove constitutional meaning with evidence far removed from the time when the Constitution was adopted. For example, they may argue that the Constitution reflects a rule of English common law that prevailed in the year 1400, even though the rule was abandoned long before the Constitution was ratified (178790) or the Bill of Rights was adopted (1791). More commonly, they trot out evidence arising months, years, or even decades after the ratification was complete. Unfortunately, this is not just a bush league error: Some of the most prestigious constitutional law professors do this sort of thing. The Supreme Court is sometimes complicit as welland Justice Antonin Scalias opinion in the Heller case is a good example. It never seems to occur to these people that the understanding of the Constitutions ratifiers could not have been influenced by events that hadnt yet happened. Thomass opinion for the court in this firearms case recognizes that sometimes subsequent practice can clarify (liquidate) ambiguous phrases. But most cases are not in that category. One of the most refreshing parts of his opinion is his caution against evidence that is either too early or too late to be part of the constitutional bargain. In a concurring opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett underscored this: [T]odays decision should not be understood, she wrote, to endorse freewheeling reliance on historical practice from the mid-to-late 19th century to establish the original meaning of the Bill of Rights. On the contrary, the Court is careful to caution against giving postenactment history more weight than it can rightly bear. Original Meaning or Original Understanding? Another implication of Thomass opinion is more subtle. Heres some background: In our legal system, the traditional way of construing most legal documents is to inquire into how the parties to the document understood its terms. Only when understandings conflict, or are unrecoverable, do the courts apply the words of the document as a third party would read them. Those who wrote and adopted the Constitution expected it to be interpreted that way. We call this method original understanding (pdf). Examining how third parties would read the documentcalled original meaningis applied only if the original understanding cannot be recovered. For reasons too complicated to review now, during the 1980s, constitutional commentators began to invert the traditional rule of interpretation. They applied original meaning at the expense of original understanding. Although the framers didnt write the document to be read that way, this focus on original meaning has become orthodoxy. So its refreshing to report that, while Thomass opinion uses both concepts, it edges back toward the correct position: Of the Constitution, he writes, its meaning is fixed, according to the understandings of those who ratified it and the scope of the protection [of a provision in the Bill of Rights] is pegged to the public understanding of the right when the Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791. Time will tell if the court builds on this view, but a foundation has been laid. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses reporters during a news conference in New York on June 8, 2022. (Mary Altaffer/AP Photo) UN Chief Warns of Food Shortage Catastrophe BERLINThe head of the United Nations warned Friday that the world faces catastrophe because of the growing shortage of food around the globe. There is a real risk that multiple famines will be declared in 2022, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video message to officials from dozens of rich and developing countries gathered in Berlin. And 2023 could be even worse. Guterres noted that harvests across Asia, Africa, and the Americas will take a hit as farmers around the world struggle to cope with rising fertilizer and energy prices. This years food access issues could become next years global food shortage, he said. No country will be immune to the social and economic repercussions of such a catastrophe. Guterres said U.N. negotiators were working on a deal that would enable Ukraine to export food, including via the Black Sea, and let Russia bring food and fertilizer to world markets without restrictions. He also called for debt relief for poor countries to help keep their economies afloat and for the private sector to help stabilize global food markets. Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart speaks during a press conference in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Canada, on July 28, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press) Vancouver Mayor Briefed on Foreign Interference by Intelligence Agencys Expert on China Ahead of Municipal Election Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says he was briefed by national intelligence officials on foreign interference ahead of the October municipal elections, with a senior Canadian Security Intelligence Service official who was a subject expert on China meeting with him and his co-chief of staff, according to the Vancouver Sun. They briefed me for almost two hours on foreign interference in domestic politics, he said, noting that he was provided with past examples of risks and what to look out for going forward. Stewart said it raised concerns when the officials refused to tell him the specific reasons for requesting the briefing, and they only said that such a briefing was highly usual. CSIS spokesperson Brandon Champagne told the Vancouver Sun that the agency routinely reaches out to people, including elected officials, to provide briefings on the potential threats to the security and interests of Canada, as well as specific threats, although he declined to provide details of the agencys interaction with Stewart. CSIS delivers these briefings in order to promote awareness of foreign interference and the actions of other hostile actors to strengthen individual security practices and protect Canadians and their interests, Champagne said. Threats at the Federal Level Experts and intelligence officials have heightened alerts of foreign influence operations at different levels of politics in Canada in recent years, with China being top on their list of warnings. Last week, former Conservative Party leader Erin OToole said communist Chinas disinformation campaign had cost his party seats during Canadas 2021 federal election. In particular, he said the disinformation operation targeting members of his party was launched through WeChata Beijing-controlled social media platform, which OToole said has roughly 600,000 users in British Columbias (B.C.) Lower Mainland alone and affects roughly 2 million Canadians who are getting news through it. Marcus Kolga, senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and founder of DisinfoWatch.org, has warned about Beijings use of disinformation during the election that targeted Tory candidates, such as Kenny Chiu, who was seeking reelection in B.C.s StevestonRichmond East. WeChat disinformation that falsely accused Chiu of seeking to suppress the Chinese community sprang up after he introduced a private members bill aimed at increasing transparency by requiring entities working on behalf of foreign governments to register as foreign agents. Such disinformation is intended to influence Chinese-speaking voters and could affect the elections outcome, Kolga said in an article published in September 2021. Earlier this week, Yves Cote, commissioner of Canada Elections, told CBC News that foreign interference and disinformation campaigns targeting both Canada and its allies have a negative effect on defunctioning the basic institutions that are at the heart of the democracies. On June 23, The Canadian Press also reported that prior to the 2021 election, a federal research unit, Rapid Response Mechanism Canada, detected what was likely a Chinese Communist Party information operation to discourage Chinese Canadians from voting for the Conservatives. The analysis is another piece of evidence that the communist leadership in Beijing interfered in the last general election by spreading disinformation, Conservative MP and foreign affairs critic Michael Chong told CP. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Churches across the U.S. are tackling the big question of how to address homelessness in their communities with a small solution: tiny homes. On vacant plots near their parking lots and steepled sanctuaries, congregations are building everything from fixed and fully contained micro homes to petite, moveable cabins, and several other styles of small-footprint dwellings in between. Church leaders are not just trying to be more neighborly. The drive to provide shelter is rooted in their beliefs they must care for the vulnerable, especially those without homes. Its just such an integral part of who we are as a people of faith, said the Rev. Lisa Fischbeck, former Episcopal vicar and the board chair of Pee Wee Homes, an affordable housing organization building tiny abodes in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Fischbeck led the Episcopal Church of the Advocate when it added three one-bedroom units on its 15-acre campus. The first residents, including the organizations namesake, Nathaniel Pee Wee Lee, moved into them in June 2019. Before that Lee, 78, had spent years sleeping in alleys, cardboard shelters and cars after medical issues ended his masonry career. Today he enjoys watching TV in his home, growing tomatoes and fishing in the nearby pond. I thank the Lord because this is mine and nobody can run me out, Lee said, breaking out in laughter as he sat on the porch of his little white house. Fischbeck said tiny homes can fit nearly anywhere, and an advantage to building them on church properties is they already have electricity, water and other infrastructure in place. I just feel so passionately that churches have space, she said. Just consider it. Its a dire need. The embrace of tiny homes as housing solutions can be found in both sacred and secular spaces. Within the Christian sphere, their use spans denominations. Often the tiny homes projects build on related ministries such as providing parking space for people living in their cars. Beneficiaries are generally welcome to attend worship services but not required to do so. Some churches projects are already up and running, while others are still working toward move-in day, like the Church of the Nazarene congregation in St. Paul, Minnesota, which is assembling a tiny house community for chronically homeless people with local nonprofit Settled. We do not have a lot of property, said Jeff ORourke, lead pastor of Mosaic Christian Community in St. Paul. We have just strived to use every square inch of property that we have to be hospitable. This spring in El Cajon, California, Meridian Baptist partnered with local nonprofit Amikas to begin building emergency sleeping cabins on a slice of its property that Rolland Slade, the churchs pastor, said is usually unoccupied except by tumbleweeds. Mothers with children a hard-to-shelter demographic can stay for 90 days and be connected with the citys housing safety net for more permanent options. Bathrooms and a communal kitchen are in a nearby church building. Folks have said to me that six cabins are not going to make a difference, and I wholeheartedly disagree, Slade said. Well make the difference for at least six women. If they each have a child, thatll be six children. For help with construction, operation and dealing with bureaucratic hurdles, churches often turn to community organizations like Amikas, Pee Wee Homes and Settled. Firm Foundation Community Housing, in the San Francisco Bay Area, is another. It was launched by the Rev. Jake Medcalf, the former lead pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Hayward, when the congregation built transitional tiny housing in its parking lot. Houses of worship not only have land to spare, Medcalf said, but are positioned to provide community in a way that really is humanizing and is a part of anybodys basic healing and recovery. In 2020, First Christian Church of Tacoma in Washington state became a host site for a tiny home community set up by the nonprofit Low Income Housing Institute. The nonprofit operates the village, allowing the congregation to contribute without overextending itself. We dont have a lot of money. We dont have a whole lot of people but we care a lot about it, and weve got this piece of property, said the Rev. Doug Collins, the churchs senior minister. Not everyone welcomes these projects into their neighborhoods. In Nashville, Tennessee, plans to put up tiny homes by Glencliff United Methodist Church prompted backlash and a lawsuit by some neighbors. Ultimately the Village at Glencliff prevailed, and today an arc of multicolored micro homes greet congregants as they pull into the churchs driveway. It specializes in helping people with medical issues, like William Green Bay Scribner, 37, who spent seven months recuperating there. Not only was he able to leave in better health, he said, village staff helped him land a more permanent apartment where he can host his young daughter overnight. For people with medical vulnerabilities like Scribner, housing is lifesaving, said the Rev. Ingrid McIntyre, a United Methodist minister and village founder. A nationwide survey, the last conducted without being impacted by the pandemic, found that about 580,000 people were homeless on a night in January 2020, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Developments Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. The number, based on point-in-time counts, rose for the fourth year. So the tiny home movement on its own is too small to fix the whole problem, said Marybeth Shinn, a Vanderbilt University professor who has studied homelessness for decades. It would be hard to scale up to meet the overwhelming demand. Its good to help some people, but we need to figure out solutions that are going to help many more, Shinn said. Donald Whitehead, director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, said he supports churches using their spare space to help homeless people and sees tiny homes as a great emergency option, but added that homeless people deserve standard-size housing like everyone else. It can be included in a menu of resources that would help to address homelessness, Whitehead said. If theres an opportunity to build a regular home at the same price, we would prefer that people build the regular home. Meanwhile, churches also are finding tiny homes useful as temporary housing in the wake of natural disaster. Months after a deadly December tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, some renters were still displaced. Bread of Life Humanitarian Effort, a Churches of Christ nonprofit, stepped in to help. With buy-in from Mayfield congregations, the nonprofit used donations that were pouring in and started putting up tiny homes wherever they could secure permission including next to Northside Church of Christ. Youve got people that are hurting, said Joel Crider, Bread of Lifes treasurer. Its our Christian duty to look out for them. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. On Friday, Planned Parenthood of New Englands website carried two sentences in large white letters: Our doors are open. Abortion is still safe and legal in Connecticut and Rhode Island. They expect even hope the message will be read as an invitation by those who lost their access to reproductive services Friday when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion after almost 50 years. Following the announcement of the courts ruling, nine states immediately banned abortion, and seven more have trigger bans that will take effect in the coming days. Medical providers with Planned Parenthood of New England said they are planning accordingly and expect a surge of patients from out of state over the coming months. Abortion remains legal in Connecticut and Rhode Island. We are anticipating that we will see a continued surge in patients here in Connecticut, as abortion is legal, as we have the ability to provide abortion services at all of our health centers in Connecticut, said Amanda Skinner, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. We are accessible by airports; at a number of our health centers, we have airports within 20 or 30 minutes. We are working furiously with our colleagues across the country to make sure we have as seamless a system as possible for patients who need access to care. Skinner was quick to point out that not everyone will be able to afford this option, however, and that the Supreme Courts action will land most squarely on low income people and communities of color. The ability to travel thousands of miles is not something thats available to all people. These bans cause disproportionate harm to people who live in poverty, people who live in rural areas, Black and brown communities any communities that are already disenfranchised from the health care delivery system and marginalized in this country. It is devastating to think that where somebody lives is going to determine whether or not they have access to care, she said. Skinner said Planned Parenthood already has seen an influx of patients traveling from Texas since that state adopted Senate Bill 8 last year, banning abortions after six weeks except in cases where there is a medical emergency. We have already seen patients having to travel thousands of miles from Texas to receive safe legal abortion care in Connecticut and we have every reason to believe that as abortion bans are passed across the country, this will continue, she said. Dr. Nancy Stanwood, the organizations chief medical officer, said Planned Parenthood will expand its workforce and begin training advanced-practice clinicians to provide first-trimester abortions. The Connecticut General Assembly in April passed a sweeping bill strengthening the states existing abortion laws. In addition to providing a legal safe harbor to women from places with restrictive laws who get abortions in Connecticut and the clinicians who perform them the measure expands who can perform first-trimester abortions. Beginning July 1, advanced-practice clinicians such as APRNs and physician assistants are allowed to perform abortions by suction, also known as vacuum aspiration. Suction is the most common method of in-clinic abortions and can be performed by clinicians other than doctors in 14 other states. Our advanced-practice clinicians will now be able to train in first-trimester aspiration procedures, and were preparing to make that training happen, Stanwood said. Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, a key supporter of the recently passed legislation, said she was saddened by the Supreme Court decision Friday. My hope is, if it hasnt already started, that training will be underway for the expanded provider types who are able to perform aspiration abortion and that Connecticut can provide women across this country with the reproductive health care that they need and deserve, she said. My daughter and I are in Washington, D.C., today. Shes 10 years old, and I cant help but look at her and think about the future for her and her generation and what this means to so many women who will not be able to access the reproductive health care they so desperately need. Several organizations focusing on health disparities criticized the Supreme Court ruling Friday, saying it would exacerbate existing inequities and further harm communities of color, low-income women and people living in rural areas. People of color have historically experienced disproportionately poor health outcomes and poor treatment in the health care system, and todays ruling will likely have an outsized effect on people of color who will find their health care choices further constrained, said Tiffany Donelson, president and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation. Already, women of color have worse outcomes in maternal health, regardless of socioeconomic status. In Connecticut, Black women are 2.6 times as likely as white women to die within six weeks of childbirth, according to the state Department of Public Health. Changes that make it more difficult for people of color to make decisions about their reproductive health only stand to worsen inequities. We are fortunate that Connecticut has taken steps to preserve the right to abortion in the state. It will be critical to monitor access in the coming years. Outside of access to health care, the ruling will have other implications as well, advocates noted. The inability to choose whether or when to have children undermines a womans ability to finish high school or college. Educational attainment and earnings are linked, said Janee Woods Weber, executive director of the Connecticut Womens Education and Legal Fund. So the decision of whether or not to have children affects lifetime economic stability and security. Those are the kinds of decisions that can have generational impacts as well, especially when considered in the context of the income gaps and wealth gaps that already exist for women of color. Let me be clear that this decision to criminalize access to a safe abortion will cause more harm to Black, brown and low-income women across our nation and their loved ones, added Frances G. Padilla, president of Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut. Women have the wisdom to decide for themselves. Political barriers to care are harmful and discriminatory. Even as many decried the ruling Friday, others celebrated. Several anti-abortion groups in Connecticut said they were galvanized by the decision, despite abortion remaining legal in the state. Were overjoyed, said Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut. Regardless of the fact that it doesnt immediately change anything for Connecticut, the overturning of Roe v. Wade is what pro-lifers have prayed for, marched for, worked for, voted for, for 49 years. And now were going to do the same thing in Connecticut to hopefully overturn the 1990 law that still keeps abortion legal here. The Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference, which represents the states Catholic Bishops, issued a statement praising the decision. Today, with the U.S. Supreme Court reversing the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision on the right to abortion, we enter a new era of opportunity and responsibility to safeguard life and protect the most innocent among us, officials with the group said. We welcome this historic reversal, which affirms the right to life of an unborn child and we pledge to do all that is possible to support pregnant women who face serious challenges. As medical providers and pro-choice advocates contemplate a future without the protections of Roe v. Wade, some are calling for more action from Connecticuts lawmakers. Claudine Constant, public policy and advocacy director for the ACLU of Connecticut, urged state leaders to increase support and funding to address the Black maternal health crisis. Over and over again, we see the intersections of harm that happen in our systems. And the most impacted people are poor, marginalized, often Black and brown people, she said. Liz Gustafson, state director of Pro-Choice Connecticut, called for an expansion of the Medicaid program to include all people who meet the qualifying income limit, regardless of immigration status. The legislature so far has broadened the program to include all children 12 and younger, regardless of their immigration status. Constant also asked legislators and others to fight efforts to undermine reproductive care in their communities. Abortion care is one part of reproductive care and has honestly become synonymous with reproductive care, she said. When you start to see shutdowns on one thing, you can see shutdowns across the board. And thats happening right here in our state. Its important for our legislators to pay attention to whats happening locally so we can build up our defenses on a statewide level. Your morning rundown of the latest news from overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GAYAN, Afghanistan (AP) Afghanistans deadly earthquake this week struck one of the poorest corners of a country that has been hollowed out by increasing poverty. Even as more aid arrived Saturday, many residents have no idea how they will rebuild the thousands of homes destroyed in villages strung through the mountains. The quake, which state media says killed at least 1,150 people, hit hardest in a region of high mountains where Paktika and Khost provinces meet by the Pakistani border. There is little fertile land, so residents eke out what they can while largely relying on money sent by relatives who have migrated to Pakistan, Iran or further abroad for jobs. Every one of the nearly two dozen homes in one village, Miradin, were reduced to rubble by Wednesdays quake. In the rainy nights since, its several hundred residents have been sleeping in nearby woods and had still not received the aid that was slowly making its way into quake-hit areas. Miradin residents told the Associated Press they worried whether theyd be able to rebuild before the harsh winter hits, in only a few months. Summer is short in the mountains, nights are already chilly. Its a fear felt across the quake-hit region, where nearly 3,000 homes are believed to have been destroyed. The U.N.'s humanitarian coordinating organization OCHA said it had reports of 700-800 families in the area still living out in the open. We are facing many problems. We need all kind of support, and we request the international community and Afghans who can help to come forward and help us, said Dawlat Khan, a resident of Paktikas Gayan District. Five members of his family were injured when his house collapsed. Among the dead from Wednesdays magnitude 6 quake are 121 children and that figure is expected to climb, said the U.N. childrens agency representative in Afghanistan. He said close to 70 children were injured. An aftershock Friday took five more lives. The total toll of 1,150 dead and at least 1,600 injured was reported by the Afghan state news agency Bakhtar. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has put the death toll at 770 people. Either toll would make the quake Afghanistans deadliest in two decades. More aid was piling in on Saturday. At Urgan, the main city in Paktika province, U.N. World Health Organization medical supplies were unloaded at the main hospital. In quake-hit villages, UNICEF delivered blankets, basic supplies and tarps for the homeless to use as tents. In the district of Spera in Khost province on Saturday, UNICEF distributed water purification tablets along with soap and other hygiene materials. Aid groups said they feared cholera could break out after damage to water and hygiene systems. New cargo flights of aid supplies arrived in Afghanistan from Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, officials said. Pakistans government and a Pakistani charity had already sent 13 trucks carrying food, tents, life-saving medicine and other essential items, and Pakistan has opened some border crossings for injured to be brought in for treatment. Overstretched aid agencies said the disaster underscored the need for the international community to rethink its financial cut-off of Afghanistan since Taliban insurgents seized the country 10 months ago. That policy, halting billions in development aid and freezing vital reserves, has helped push the economy into collapse and plunge Afghanistan deeper into humanitarian crises and near famine. The effort to help the victims has been slowed both by geography and by Afghanistans decimated condition. Rutted roads through the mountains, already slow to drive on, were made worse by quake damage and rain. The International Red Cross has five health facilities in the region, but damage to the roads made it difficult for those in the worse-hit areas to reach them, said Lucien Christen, ICRC spokesman in Afghanistan. Aid groups said that while they are rushing to help the quake victims, keeping Afghanistan just above catastrophe through humanitarian programs is not sustainable. We are basically letting 25 million Afghan people to starve, to die, not to be able to earn their own living if we keep on with this financial blockade, said Rossella Miccio, president of the aid organization Emergency that operates a network of healthcare facilities and surgical centers across Afghanistan. Afghanistans economy had been reliant on international donor support even before the Taliban takeover last August as the U.S. and its NATO allies were withdrawing their forces, ending a 20-year war. World governments halted billions in development aid and froze billions more in Afghanistans currency reserves, refusing to recognize the Taliban government and demanding they allow a more inclusive rule and respect human rights. The former insurgents have resisted the pressure, imposing restrictions on the freedoms of women and girls that recall their first time in power in the late 1990s. The cut-off yanked the props out from under the economy. Now nearly half the population of 38 million cannot meet their basic food needs because of poverty. Most civil servants, including doctors, nurses and teachers, have not been paid for months, and salaries remain sporadic. U.N. agencies and other remaining organizations have kept Afghanistan away from the brink of starvation with a humanitarian program that has fed millions and kept the medical system alive. But with international donors lagging, U.N. agencies face a $3 billion funding shortfall this year. ___ Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed and Rahim Faiez contributed to this report. Vodafone Romania CEO Achilleas Kanaris stated the companys parent has no plans to exit the market as a repositioning of the unit is commencing. In an interview with local newspaper Ziarul Financiar, the chief executive denied the group had any intentions to leave Romania but said the government has to do its part in creating a sustainable environment for Vodafone to continue investments. Instead, Kanaris revealed the company will undergo a redesign of its current operating model which will result in some job cuts as the firm chases new revenue streams and diversifies away from providing connectivity as its main source of income. Kanaris stressed operators in Romania are in urgent need to find new revenue streams as market saturation rises. He noted operators are currently in pricing wars rather than competing through compelling products. Around 5% of total staff will be affected by the revamp, either being offered new roles or compensation packages. We do not expect massive layoffs, said Kanaris, we are attacking new sources of growth. Vodafone Group has no plans to leave Romania. The Romanian high court found Vodafone Romania guilty of being anti-competitive in 2021 and was fined RON111 million (US$23m), bringing an end to a case that spanned a decade. Vodafone entered the Romanian market in 1997 as the first GSM network in the country. It merged with Liberty Globals unit UPC Romania in April 2020. The University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, has suspended Senator Ike Ekweremadu as visiting professor following his arrest and his wife over an allegation of conspiring to harvest the kidney of 15 year old boy identified as Ukpo Nwamini David. Recall that senator Ekweremadu was appointed by the University as a visiting professor of Corporate and International Linkages. During his arraignment along with his wife, Beatrice, on Thursday in London, the prosecution counsel told the court that the victim, David, was trafficked from Nigeria and entered the UK with the passport of a 41-year-old man. A news report, the London Mail, quoted the universitys spokesperson as saying that Ekweremadus duties at the institution have been suspended till further notice. Visiting professors are often, as is in this case, non-resident at the university, unpaid and advisory, the universitys spokesperson said. We are deeply concerned about the nature of these allegations, but as this is an active police investigation, we cannot comment further at this stage. Whilst this matter is subject to investigation, this person will not be undertaking any duties as visiting professor at Lincoln." Meanwhile, the London Mail also reported that David who entered the UK with a passport of a 41-year-old man, did not know that he was being taken to London for the purpose of donating his kidney. The 15-year-old was given the passport of a 41-year-old in order to get into the UK, but did not know he was there to donate a kidney until he went for a hospital appointment in London, a court heard yesterday (Thursday), the Mail quoted Prosecutor Damla Ayas as telling the Uxbridge Magistrates Court. The prosecutor said the passport was obtained illegally. It added: After he (David) arrived in the capital in February, he had a string of medical appointments about kidney donation, but a consultant at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, North London, became concerned about the boys real age and if he knew he was there to donate an organ, it is alleged. He was provided with a medical travel visa saying the purpose of the travel was to provide medical treatment for the defendants daughter who was undergoing dialysis in relation to a number of health issues. It was premeditated, it was planned. Blood tests were obtained in Nigeria and he travelled to the UK in February this year. He was taken to several medical appointments, in particular a medical appointment at the Royal Free Hospital, and was spoken to by a consultant about the organ harvesting for a kidney transplant. The consultant was concerned about his actual age and was concerned he was not aware he was the donor of the kidney. He only found out that the purpose of his visit was for an organ transplant when he visited the hospital. The couple who now face a 10 year jail term if found guilty, are charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploit the person by organ harvesting. The kidney was meant for their daughter, Sonia, who requires a kidney transplant. David is reported to be under the care of safeguarding authorities and the Metropolitan Police, officials said while the accused persons are being remanded in custody. The next hearing in the case comes up on July 7 when the court will rule on jurisdiction. Recently, MS Keiso Matashane-Marite, the Chief Section, Gender Equality, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), says Africa is making progress on issues around gender equality and youth empowerment. Matashane-Marite, going by media reports, said this when a team from UNECA paid a courtesy visit to the National Population Commission (NPC) in Abuja on Wednesday. She said the UN commission was in Nigeria to evaluate the countrys commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment for Demographic Dividend. According to her, Nigeria and other African countries are doing their best to include women and youths in the development agenda. She expressed the determination of the commission to help the country to achieve demographic dividend. Of course MS Keiso Matashane-Marite may not be wrong as some public office holders in Africa and Nigeria have in the past seven years demonstrated deep commitment to the course. Thinking of such leaders that assisted Africa as a continent and Nigeria as a country achieve this feat, the likes of Senator (DR) Ifeanyi Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta state, pops up. Aside from the fact that his leadership process is among the few public office holders in the country that understands the true meaning of social, economic justice and social contracts with the governed, there are many examples of actions coming from the Governor Okowas led administration that supports this fact. First, aside from this is the tenacity with which the Governor has approached human capital development in the state/youth empowerment in the past six to seven years, the Governor has indeed demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that skill development remains the only major parameter through which the youths in the state who voted for him can achieve competitive advantage edge over their peers in other states and in other parts of the world. He has sustainably planned, organized and conducted skill development programmes for his subjects as a much better and effective way of adopting suitable corrective measures for controlling negative attitudes among youths in the state. Very key example is the recent ceremony held in place at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba Delta state where Senator (DR) Ifeanyi Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta state, doled out cash awards to 181 beneficiaries in the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP), as well as Girls Empowerment Skill Training (GEST). Governor Okowa stressed at the event that; the successes of the beneficiaries were part of the vision of building a new Delta, where the youths would be able to change the shape of the state. Okowa posited that even though his administration had recorded significant successes in different sectors of the state, what the youths had achieved in the different skills acquisition programmes was of great value and importance to him. While advising the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the state, he urged them to always keep records of their business dealings so they would be able to adequately monitor their growth and progress. He said; we also have a deliberate policy to tackle youth unemployment through skills training and entrepreneurship development programmes. I believe that the way out of the unemployment quagmire is to equip the youth with the technical know-how, vocational skills, values and resources to become self-employed, as distinct from one-off empowerment. This is what my administration has done by instituting various skills training and entrepreneurship development programmes, which include: - Skills- Training and Entrepreneurship Programme(STEP); - Youth Agricultural- Entrepreneurs Programme(YAGEP); - Graduate Employment Enhancement Programme(GEEP); - Rural Youth Skills- Acquisition Programme(RYSA); - Girls Entrepreneurship Skills Training (GEST); and - Women Entrepreneurship Skills Acquisition Programme (WESAP). These programmes are trainee-centred and service-oriented. The sectors and activities covered include agriculture, agricultural value chain services, vocational skills-based microenterprises and cottage enterprises. Furthermore, the training and mentoring processes aim beyond raising entrepreneurs to producing leaders and managers that have high levels of personal responsibility and effectiveness. I am pleased to let you know that after six years of faithful implementation of these programmes, we have trained and given business support packages to several thousands of youths. Following the success of these interventions and other efforts in promoting technical education, Delta State was ranked the Best State in Human Capital Development in the 2017States Peer Review by the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria. Also in 2020, Delta was adjudged to be the Second Least Poor State, coming only after Lagos, Nigerias business hub, according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS). There is still something worth mentioning about the Governor and that is his understanding of poverty as a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. Like the United Nations (UN) which also defines poverty as a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information, Poverty in the Governors estimation means a state of living where the income level from employment is so low that basic human needs cannot be met. When the leader protects and empowers a girl child in all aspects of her identity, he automatically assists her, takes her own decisions as well as ensures the future against absenteeism of women from different socio-political and economical spheres of the country. And demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that Okowa is a believer in the words of the late former Secretary General of the United Nation (UN), Kofi Annan, that there is no tool for development more effective than empowerment of women, and no other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity, or to reduce infant and maternal mortality. He has reached out to life. He has touched the untouchable. He has dropped Delta State from a point where the roads are not ploughable to a point where there is massive construction of roads everywhere. He has touched the youths in Delta State through several programmes. He has made sure that programmes for the girl child have emanated in Delta State where the girl child is no longer dependent on her parents. Business opportunities have been provided for them. Sen. Dr. IfeanyiOkowa has made sure that there is peace in all those areas. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has done well. Finally, while Africans and their leaders celebrate the above flashes of good comment from MS Keiso Matashane-Marite, the Chief Section, Gender Equality, UN Economic Commission, for Africa (UNECA), it has become overwhelmingly important for all to recognize that catalyzing the process of true/sustained development of the continent will necessitate African leaders borrowing body from Asian tigers in order to raise Africas industrial soul. They need to analyze and understand the essential ingredients of foresight in leadership and draw a lesson on how leadership decision making processes involve judgment about uncertain elements, and differ from the pure mathematical probability process. They should also find out why Asia, after grappling with the problems of unemployment in the region, came to the conclusion that the only way to survive was to industrialize. Utomi, is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via;[email protected]/08032725374. A civil rights group, Center for Reform and Public Advocacy, has written to the Inspector-General of Police to arrest the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, within a 48- hour ultimatum for allegedly supplying false academic qualifications to secure his nomination. The group threatened to go to court in order to compel the IGP, should he fail to effect the arrest of Tinubu at the end of the ultimatum. The Legal Adviser of the CRPA and human rights lawyer, Agu Kalu, made this threat during a press conference in Abuja on Saturday. He alleged that the former Lagos State governor was not legally qualified to become the next President of Nigeria in 2023 on grounds of supplying false information on oath in his form EC 9 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission. The legal practitioner alleged that in 1999 Bola Tinubu claimed to have attended Saint Paul Aroloya Children Home School, Ibadan between 1958 and 1964 and Government College, Ibadan between 1965 and 1969, only to say now that he never attended any primary or secondary school in his EC9 form. He said, We wrote a petition to the IG on June 16, demanding the prosecution of Tinubu for providing false information on oath in his INEC form CF 001 which he submitted in 1999. Since the IG is yet to act on the petition, we are using this press conference to call on the IG to do the needful, he is not above the law, nobody is above the law, Sections 191 and 192 makes it a criminal offence to provide false information on oath. We are also calling on President Buhari to direct the IG to arrest and prosecute Tinubu for perjury, it is a very serious issue. He further stated that the group in conjunction with other civil groups will approach a court of law for judicial review and order of mandamus to order the IG to do the needful, if he does act fast. Kalu presented a Certified True Copy ad-hoc report of the Lagos State House of Assembly, which investigated the former governor in 1999 said that Tinubu clearly admitted discrepancies in his academic qualifications. He said that the investigation of Tinubus academic qualification in 1999 was the aftermath of a petition written by a foremost legal luminary and social crusader, late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN). He added that CRPAs petition calling for arrest and prosecution of Tinubu was submitted to the IGP since June 16 and lamented that up till now, the police authority had not deemed it fit to effect his arrest. Kalu stressed that nobody was above the law under the constitution and demanded that the police must perform its constitutional role without fear or favour. The activist noted that in the event that he was found to have made false allegations against Tinubu, the Police should arrest him and charge him to court appropriately. He explained that the position of his group for the arrest of Tinubu was not politically motivated but predicated on the need for good governance and transparent leadership Nigeria deserved in the 2023 general election. Among vital documents attached to the petition delivered to the IGP and acknowledged by his office included the forms submitted to INEC by Tinubu in 1999 and 2022 for verification. Meanwhile, the Director (Legal Directorate), Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), told newsmen that they were ready to defend against the threats and allegations. He clarified that the APC presidential candidate has complied fully with the provisions of the Electoral Act. In his words, There is nothing to respond to them, the Electoral Act is clear. We are waiting, let them go, let them bring the writ, we will defend it. I think we have gone past this stage of some people on social media, for whatever reason in the media, issuing threats. If they have anything, let them bring it. As far as we are concerned, our candidate has complied fully with the provisions of the Electoral Act. If they want to go to court, let them go to court. But we must also let them know that we are not unconscious of the laws of defamation in the country. We know the difference between a court process that is privileged and making unfounded allegations in the Newspapers like they are doing now. But honestly, our candidate is not perturbed, he cant be bothered by all these threats. If they want to go to court, let them go to court. When they come, we will react appropriately to the court process. What we know, we have complied fully with the provisions of the law and we will not be blackmailed and intimidated. Baba Wedding Festival set to return PHUKET: After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Baba Wedding Festival will return to Phuket Town in September. culturetourism By The Phuket News Saturday 25 June 2022, 10:57AM The Baba Wedding Festival will be held in Phuket Town on Sept 3-4. Photo: Phuket City Municipality / file The festival will be held in the Phuket Old Town on Sept 3-4, Phuket Vice Governor of Amnuay Pinsuwan confirmed at a meeting held at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (June 23) to discuss preparations for the event. Chantana Sitthiphan of the Phuket office of the Ministry of Culture explained that the Ministry of Culture had dedicated funds and resources to supporting 16 cultural events throughout the country. The Baba Wedding Festival, which celebrates Peranakan, or Straits Chinese (also called Baba-Nyonya), is one of them. The Ministry of Culture will help promote the event both locally at both national and international levels, Ms Chantana said. Holding such cultural events helps to support the grassroots economy. They create jobs and generate income for the community and the country, Ms Chantana added. During this years festival five couples will be wed while observing Peranakan traditions. The festival will include the traditional procession along the streets of the Phuket Old Town area, she added. The festival also helps to preserve local customs and traditions by teaching the younger generations to value the importance of cultural heritage, local wisdom and community identity, Ms Chantana said. Doing so helps to preserve the traditions and cultural heritage of the nation to last forever, she said. Deep South Muslims say no to three key social bills BANGKOK: The League of Islamic Council of Southern Thailand has issued a statement opposing three draft bills - the Cannabis and Hemp Bill, Progressive Liquor Bill and Civil Partnership Bill - as going against Islamic law, saying practising Muslims cannot abide by them. alcoholdrugsnatural-resourcessex By Bangkok Post Saturday 25 June 2022, 02:15PM The League of Islamic Council of Southern Thailand does not support the Cannabis and Hemp Bill. Photo: Somchai Poomlard Representatives of the Islamic councils in the southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla, Satun and Pattani met on Thursday (June 23) to clarify their position on the three bills that have already passed their first readings in parliament, reports the Bangkok Post. During the first reading, the Prachachat Party - which counts most of its members as Muslims living in the deep South - opposed all three bills as well as the Marriage Equality Bill, several of which were sponsored by the Move Forward Party (MFP). Sugarno Matha, the Prachachat Partys MP for Yala, said it has already informed other political parties that practising Muslims should not have to follow any laws contrary to their religious or other beliefs. The Cannabis and Hemp Bill delisted the two plants as narcotic drugs, except for cannabis extracts with more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabis psychoactive ingredient. Meanwhile, the draft of the Progressive Liquor Bill aims to liberalise the liquor industry and allow small-scale producers to enter the market. The Civil Partnership Bill will, if enacted, makes same-sex marriage legal. According to the Quran, same-sex marriage, narcotics and alcoholic drinks go against Islam and its patriarchal values. As such, exceptions must be made for practising Muslims if the bills are passed, Mr Sugarno said. The issue has sparked much debate on social media leading to confusion among Muslims, which is why the councils hoped to clear the matter up, said Waedueramae Mamingji, chairman of the Islamic Council of Pattani. The League of Islamic Council of Southern Thailand does not support any of the draft laws, he said. Dr Ananchai Thaipratan, an Islamic medical professional at the meeting, said the UN still lists cannabis as a narcotic allowed only for medicinal use or research purposes. Opening the gate: Optimism shines as tourism barriers lifted PHUKET: Local hoteliers are feeling good about Phukets tourism revival prospects after the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) in Bangkok last Friday (June 17) announced the easing of major restrictions that were highly criticised for deterring tourism arrivals. tourismeconomics By The Phuket News Saturday 25 June 2022, 10:00AM Officials at Phuket airport organise tourists entering Thailand on visas on arrival. Photo: TAC Phuket The easing of restrictions will, among other effects, see the Thailand Pass Certificate of Entry no longer required from next Friday (July 1). Also already in effect is the lifting of the requirement to wear a face mask in general public areas outdoors. "Phuket is certainly seeing a gradual return of tourism, and were seeing more corporate mega events and weddings returning to the island this is encouraged by the ease of travel restrictions and increase in airlift and frequency of flights to the island, said Bjorn Courage, President of the Phuket Hotels Association. Phuket Sandbox was the first indication of positive international borders reopening in Southeast Asia. Our island is ready, businesses are back to normal business capacity and were ready to have tourists back, Mr Courage told The Phuket News. That said, our industry is facing a massive challenge in human resources. There has been a substantial talent flight out of hotels and shortages in skills hospitality is a clear and present danger, Mr Courage noted. Our focus at Phuket Hotels Association is now highly focused on upskilling existing staff and education in college and universities to provide a sustainable future in the industry. Brand Thailand is the face of the nation and our hotels are at the forefront of a global brand, so its a critical time for action." (See story here.) Following the CCSAs announcements last Friday, which includes nightlife venues to return to normal trading hours from July 1, Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan told reporters, The Kingdom is one of the worlds most popular travel destinations, but tourism businesses have long complained that its requirement for foreigners to submit multiple documents from vaccine and swab test certificates to medical insurance and hotel bookings was impeding the sectors recovery. Thailand was visited by nearly 40 million people in 2019, but received less than 1% of that number last year despite easing its quarantine requirements, Mr Phiphat noted. Though tourism has picked up in recent months, the industry is far from recovering, with huge jobs and business losses in a sector that typically accounts for about 12% of Thai gross domestic product, he added. MOVE PRAISED Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said businesses are likely to breathe a sigh of relief as they can resume normal operations after the government announced the relaxations. The battered tourism sector is expected to recover after the government approved the proposal to scrap the Thailand Pass requirement for overseas tourists. A tourism recovery will help boost the countrys economy in the second half of this year, he said, forecasting more than 6 million foreign arrivals this year, reported the Bangkok Post. According to Mr Sanan, the extension of service hours for bars, pubs and karaoke clubs beyond midnight will also be a sign for restaurants, taxis and other businesses to resume their services as normal. Income from nighttime businesses across the country is estimated at B30-50 billion per month. We expect B200-300bn worth of money circulation will resume in the second half, he said. In combination with income from foreign tourists, as much as B500-700bn is estimated to circulate in the economy in the second half, encouraging people to spend more in the remaining months of the year, he added. FURTHER EASING However, tourism businesses have urged the government to further relax restrictions to stimulate the economy. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, President of the Thai Hotels Association, said at the recent Thailand Moving Together seminar held in Bangkok that the greatest concern following the reopening of the country is a lack of workers, as many former employees are hesitant to return due to the instability of tourism demand. Phuket Tourist Associations Vice President of International Marketing, Nantida Atiset, stated that Thailands air connectivity must also be improved to increase capacity and provide support for chartered flights, particularly from India and major international destinations. Of note, the PTA is organising a tourism road show to Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore in early August. Echoing Ms Nantidas sentiments, Somsong Sachaphimukh, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand, noted that as many as 300-400 Indian couples are currently planning wedding ceremonies in Thailand for 2022. He added that the Diwali festival in October, as well as the 75th anniversary of India-Thailand diplomatic relations, will also drive this market. Prayut issues ganja ban for military BANGKOK: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) not to use cannabis and a Democrat MP has asked the House Speaker to ban any use of the drug in parliament. natural-resourcesmilitaryhealthSafety By Bangkok Post Saturday 25 June 2022, 08:13AM Photo: Bangkok Post. Deputy Defence spokesman Col Jittanat Punnothok said after a Defence Council meeting yesterday (June 24) that Prayut, who also serves as defence minister, instructed the three armed forces as well as the Royal Thai Police and the Public Relations Department to raise awareness among civilians about the risks involved in cannabis cultivation and consumption. Col Jittanat said Gen Prayut also enforced a strict ban on the recreational use of cannabis among servicemen, reports the Bangkok Post. Moreover, they were warned not to promote such usage on social media. All organisations under the Defence Ministry must follow the Public Health Ministry regulations on cannabis use. They are allowed to consume cannabis for medicinal purposes but not for recreational use, said Col Jittanat. Meanwhile, the Democrat Party pleaded with House Speaker Chuan Leekpai for a cannabis-free parliament as the use of it may cause fatigue and other health issues. Yesterday, Democrat Party MP Pisit Leeahtam said despite the plants delisting from the Category 5 narcotics list, parliament should be a cannabis-free zone, much like Mahidol University and all schools operating under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Bhumjaithai Party MP Supachai Jaisamut, president of the cannabis-and-hemp draft bill committee, stressed that people who grow cannabis can only cultivate 10 plants per household. Those regulations will be fleshed out in more detail in the bill, he said. He made the remarks on Monday after a spokesman for the committee, Panthep Puapongpan, said the majority of its members agreed to cap the number at 10 to limit the potential for abuse. However, Mr Supachai said cannabis has useful medicinal properties and economic potential. His committee will invite international organisations to vet the draft to protect the health and safety of the public, he said. Meanwhile, the Aviation Medicine Association of Thailand (AMAT) and the Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine issued a statement yesterday requiring all pilots and staff working in the aviation industry to refrain from using cannabis as it can impede pilots performance. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today A few clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 23C. W winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 14C. W winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. About 4,000 protesters have gathered in Munich as the Group of Seven leading economic powers are set to hold their annual gathering in the Germany's Bavarian Alps ORESTE P. DARCONTE is a former publisher of The Sun Chronicle. Reach him at opd999@gmail.com . EDWARDSVILLE A Collinsville man was charged Thursday with multiple weapons- and drug-related charges by the Madison County States Attorneys Office. Darren K. Irby, 49, of Collinsville, was charged June 23 with armed violence, unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, and two counts of unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, all Class X felonies; unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony; two counts of unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, both Class 2 felonies; unlawful residency of a child sex offender, a Class 4 felony; and resisting a peace officer, a Class A misdemeanor. The case was presented by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois. According to court documents, on June 21 Irby allegedly had more than 5,000 grams of cannabis, 15 or more hits of LSD, 200 grams or more of psilocybin and five grams or more of MDMA, all with intent to deliver. He also allegedly had a Smith & Wesson SW40F .40 caliber handgun and a Remington 870 Magnum 12-gauge shotgun, and was a child sex offender living within 500 feet of the Good Sheperd Lutheran School and Pre-school. Irby also allegedly resisted a special agents attempt to place him under arrest. Irby has a 2000 Madison County conviction for aggravated robbery making him ineligible to possess weapons. In 1995 Irby pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse of a victim between the ages of 13-16. Bail was set at 250,000. Other drug-related felony charges filed June 23 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include: Jessica D. File, 41, of Pontoon Beach, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 1 felony. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. According to court documents, on April 12 File allegedly had 5-100 grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $40,000. Ryan J. Schneider, 29, of Wood River, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 2 felony, and driving under the influence of a drug, a Class A misdemeanor. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On March 23 Schneider allegedly had more than five grams of methamphetamine and was driving a 2006 Dodge pickup on Homer Adams Parkway at Seminary Street, Alton, while under the influence of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $30,000. Deontae K. Shepard, 25, of St. Louis, was charged with unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a Class 2 felony, and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. According to court documents, on April 22 Shepard allegedly had oxycodone with intent to deliver, and was driving a Dodge Charger when he attempted to flee from an Alton Police officer, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted speed limit. Bail was set at $40,000. Courtney D. Lopez-McCurdy, 32, of East Prairie, Missouri, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. On April 16 Lopez-McCurdy allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $10,000. Charlotte L. Boomershine, 42, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On April 1 Boomershine allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000. Cody A. Gauntt, 27, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On June 21 Gauntt allegedly had less than 15 grams of fentanyl. Bail was set at $15,000. April Stamper, 38, of Linn Creek, Missouri, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. On April 15 Stamper allegedly had less than 15 grams of psilocin. Bail was set at $10,000. Aaron L. Wilcox, 21, of Alton, was charged June 22 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On June 21 Wilcox allegedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $30,000. Sparky Jr.s fire career short lived The career of Sparky Jr., the playful Dalmatian puppy acquired recently by the Marianna Fire Department, ended almost as early as it began Tuesday. He was returned to the Aquarium Pet Shop in Panama City where he had been purchased on June 18. Sparky Jr. was deaf he would never hear the wailing of a fire siren. A woman at the pet shop agreed to take him into her home. Jackson County Floridan, Friday, July 12, 1974 Graceville bank opens The New Peoples National Bank of Graceville held ribbon-cutting ceremonies yesterday before an audience of approximately 100. Mrs. W. D. McRae of Graceville cut the ribbon shortly after 3 p.m., officially opening the new bank, which will open with six employees and plans to expand in the near future. Jackson County Floridan, Friday, July 12, 1974 New shopping center coming along The new Grants Shopping Center on East Lafayette Street in Marianna is progressing on schedule, with windows having been added to the main store. The old, unoccupied warehouse at the corner of Dogwood and Lafayette is being torn down this week. Estimated opening date is Sept. 30. Jackson County Floridan, Friday, July 12, 1974 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HIGHLAND Friday's news that the Supreme Court had ended constitutional protections for abortion was bittersweet for Daniel and Angela Michael. For more than 29 years, the Highland couple's Small Victories Ministries has worked with women considering abortions "exposing the evil," as they describe it. They saw Friday's Supreme Courts ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion as great news for 26 states. But not Illinois. The ruling won't stop one abortion in Illinois, they said. Instead, they expect the Supreme Court decision will make Illinois an "abortion destination refuge state." "There are no abortion bans in Illinois," they noted. "Illinois will be open borders to those seeking abortions." According to the couple, Planned Parenthood in Fairview Heights and the Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City are promoting their services in surrounding states, offering to cover travel expenses, lodging and child-care for siblings. "Sadly, for Illinois, the over 63 million murdered will only increase," they said in a released statement. "So, too, the violence in our nation." About a dozen pro-life protesters gathered outside the Hope Clinic Friday morning, aware of the court's ruling. But it was hard to determine if their numbers were greater than any normal day at the frequently picketed clinic. Its (the ruling) great news, said one protester who did not want to be identified. Protesters using bull horns stood just off the clinic's property Friday, aiming their remarks at second floor windows. Some of the group shouted at, and took pictures of, women entering and leaving the clinic. People wearing vests that said "Sidewalk Advocate" tried to hand out water and literature to women coming and going from the clinic, careful not to step on clinic property. Some asked not to be photographed and declined to talk to the media. The Missouri Legislature passed an abortion ban in 2019 in case the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling was later tossed out. Under the 2019 law, if the ruling was overturned abortions would only be allowed in Missouri to save the life of the mother and would not be allowed in cases of rape or incest. Performing an illegal abortion would be a felony punishable by 5 to 15 years in prison. Shortly after the Supreme Court's ruling was announced Friday, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt issued an opinion to the Missouri Revisor of Statutes triggering the 2019 law. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson soon issued his own proclamation, effectively ending abortion in Missouri. Anticipating the action, in the fall of 2019 Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri opened a 18,000-square-foot clinic in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The site provides surgical and medication abortions, family planning services, annual exams, sexually transmitted infection testing and HIV prevention. Within an hour of Friday's announcement, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he will call a special session of the General Assembly to take swift action "to further enshrine our commitment to reproductive health care rights and protections." He noted the General Assembly's passage of the Reproductive Health Act, the removal of a trigger law that would have prohibited abortion in Illinois, and the expansion of health care to prevent finances from being a barrier to those receiving reproductive care. "In Illinois, weve planned for this terrible day, an enormous step backward and a shattering loss of rights," he said. "In Illinois, we are a state committed to expanding access to reproductive health care including abortion care, contraception access, fertility treatment and gender affirming care. Weve made it clear that we trust people to make the best decisions for themselves about their own reproductive health." Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, which includes Catholic schools and churches in the Riverbend, said the Supreme Court decision was "lifting a cloud that has hung over our country for nearly a half century. "There is no way to undo the tragedy of tens of millions of innocent lives lost or the decades of division sown by the Roe v. Wade decision," he said. "But, for the sake of future generations, we can now move forward with a more honest debate and efforts to advance policies and support programs that protect innocent life and promote stability and security for vulnerable mothers. "Much work remains to be done on both fronts, and that work will now necessarily have more of a local focus, particularly in our own home state of Illinois," Paprocki said. "Importantly, these efforts must include prayer and concerted efforts to preserve peace in the face of recent violence, intimidation, and criminal vandalism against churches and government officials. Alton Mayor David Goins, who also is a pastor at Morning Star Missionary Church in Alton, hoped both sides of the issue share their views peacefully. "It's one of those decisions where not everybody is going to be happy," Goins said. "But we've just got to respect the decision. Whether you like the decision or not, it's a decision that we have to live and move forward from." Randy Harris, head of the Madison County Democratic Committee, said the "destructive" ruling was about "who has power over you, who has the authority to make decisions for you, and who can control your future. "None of our rights are safe," he said. "The court overruling 50-years of established constitutionally protected right should terrify everyone. "The court is removing our power to control our own bodies, our lives, and personal medical decisions and handing it to politicians," he said. "This shameful and disgusting ruling is the result of a decades long battle by rightwing fringe Republican groups to limit the rights all of us, especially women, have in this nation. "Not only is this dangerous ruling completely without precedent, it goes against what the vast and clear majority of Americans believe," he said. "More than two-thirds of Americans say Roe v. Wade should be upheld. A Gallup poll finds that over 80% of the American public thinks abortion should be legal in at least some circumstances. A Reuters poll found that more Americans prefer the Democratic Party's approach to abortion policy than the Republican approach." State Rep. Amy Elik, R-Fosterburg, said the Supreme Court's ruling "will save innocent lives. "In Illinois, the Democratic majority continues to expand abortion and take away the rights of parents," she said. "I will continue my work to protect the life of the unborn and the rights of parents in their children's lives. State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, also praised the decision. "Todays ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court is a victory for the unborn," he said. "I support the decision by our nations highest court to let the states decide. I will always fight to protect the rights of the unborn. In Washington, Illinois lawmakers' reaction fell along party lines. "The Supreme Court now says a womans right to privacy does not extend to the most personal, private choice she'll ever face," said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL. "The courts decision to erase the right to an abortion will not only lead to the denial of critical health care services, but also criminal consequences for women and health care providers in states eager to embrace draconian restrictions. "I will keep fighting to enshrine into law a womans right to make her own reproductive choices," he said. "We cannot let our children inherit a nation that is less free and more dangerous than the one their parents grew up in." U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, also spoke of future generations. "I refuse to let my daughters grow up in a world with fewer rights than I had," she posted on Twitter. "I am outraged and horrified this outcome is a nightmare that robs women of their right to make their own choices about their healthcare and their bodies, and it paves the way for a nationwide abortion ban that Republicans have been seeking for decades," she said. "Now is the time for the Senate to codify Roe v. Wade into law so that every American in every state has equal access to basic, necessary healthcare regardless of their skin color, zip code or income." Conversely, U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, was happy with the ruling. "Rejoice! Our prayers have been answered!" she posted on Twitter. "A victory for Life, for the unborn babies who are children formed in God's image, and for all the women who have been deceived and victimized by the cruel abortion industry. "We mourn the unborn who were lost under Roe, and we celebrate those who will now be saved," she said. "Thank you President Trump for delivering a court that upholds the most sacred right of all, the right to Life!" U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, also praised the court's ruling, saying Illinois' "extreme abortion agenda" was out of step with the residents' beliefs. This is a historic and incredible day for Life and the unborn in America, a day that all of us in the pro-life movement have been praying for and working towards," he said. "The Supreme Court was absolutely right to overturn previous, wrongly-decided abortion decisions. Nothing in the Constitution confers the right to an abortion." State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said the issue is very personal to him and his wife, Tracy. "It's the reason we got involved in politics nearly 40 years ago," Bost said. "I agree wholeheartedly with the Supreme Courts decision to restore power to the American people to determine for themselves how abortion services are regulated in their state. Its a historic decision that will help save the lives of countless innocent unborn children." In a released statement, the Illinois Right to Life organization said it was celebrating the end of Roe v. Wade. "With todays ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health, states have regained the ability to protect preborn children and their mothers, the group said. While researching Independence Day history, I came across a July 4, 1986 address delivered by President Ronald Reagan while aboard the USS John F. Kennedy in New York Harbor. Reagan wasnt called the Great Communicator for nothing. Its an eloquent, powerful speech. Reading it in 2022, however, the sentiments expressed seem archaic, even mocking. All through our history, Reagan said, our presidents and leaders have spoken of national unity, and warned us that the real obstacle to moving forward the boundaries of freedom, the only permanent danger to the hope that is America, comes from within. Truer words were never spoken. The 9-11 attacks exacted a deadly toll, but they didnt endanger our nations freedom. If anything, those foreign terrorists brought us closer together as Americans. Yes, the only permanent danger to the hope that is America comes from within. Specifically, it comes from a president who was soundly defeated when he ran for re-election but refused to accept that fact. Instead, he concocted the pernicious lie that he was deprived of re-election by massive voter fraud. On Jan. 6, 2021, that soon-to-be former president held a rally in which he encouraged some of his most fanatical followers to storm the Capitol to prevent Joe Biden from being certified as the winner of the 2020 presidential election. Those zealots readily complied and our nations Capitol was breached for the first time since the War of 1812. That earlier breach was carried out by British troops. The 2021 breach was perpetrated by our fellow Americans. Reagan noted that two of our nations founding fathers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, had worked so closely together in Philadelphia for independence, but once that was gained and a government was formed, something called partisan politics began to get in the way. Politics in 2022 isnt merely partisan. Its deadly. Five persons died because of the attack that Trump instigated: four protesters and one police officer. Approximately 140 police officers were injured. Jefferson defeated Adams for the presidency in 1800, Reagan told the audience. And the night before Jeffersons inauguration, Adams slipped away to Boston, disappointed, brokenhearted and bitter. After retiring from politics, Adams and Jefferson began exchanging letters and eventually achieved a reconciliation. It was their last gift to us, this lesson in brotherhood, in tolerance for each other, this insight into Americas strength as a nation. And when both died on the same day, within hours of each other, that date was July 4th, fifty years exactly after that first gift to us, the Declaration of Independence. Tolerance for each other, at least in the realm of politics, was still possible in Reagans day. However, the Texas Republican party recently approved measures claiming that Biden was not legitimately elected and homosexuality is an abnormal lifestyle choice. Its still an article of faith among many Republicans that President Obama is a secret Muslim who was born in Kenya. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trumps most ardent supporters, believes that forest fires are caused by Jewish space lasers. Tolerating the purveyors of such malicious nonsense is a luxury our nation cant afford. Republicans dont even tolerate each other. Eric Greitens, who is running for Missouris GOP senate nomination, created a campaign ad that features him holding a shotgun. Today were going RINO hunting, he tells viewers. RINO is an acronym for Republican In Name Only and applied to Republicans deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump. Greitens and a team of uniformed armed men then break down the door of a house and toss what appear to be flashbang grenades into the first room. "Join the MAGA crew, Greitens tells viewers. Get a RINO hunting permit. There's no bagging limit, no tagging limit and it doesn't expire until we save our country." This is a blatant call for violence against fellow Americans. Reagan wound up his speech by saying that serving as president had convinced him the things that unite us.far outweigh what little divides us. America is one nation under God...indivisible. That Republican and Democrat, we are all Americans. We are no longer one nation, nor are we indivisible. In fact, we barely qualify to be called the United States. Daniel McCarthy, left, and Alana Ross, parents of premature born baby Everleigh, are interviewed, Monday, June 20, 2022 in Boston. Everleigh, who was born at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, survived less than two weeks and was accidentally thrown out with dirty linens, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday June 23, 2022. There are lots of dogs and cats at the Dothan Animal Shelter in need of good homes. To find out more about these or other animals, call the shelter at 334-615-4620. Ask about sponsorships, volunteer opportunities and the shelters ongoing wish list. Save-A-Pet helps find homes for animals at the Dothan Animal Shelter and can also provide information on how to be a sponsor, volunteer, donate items, or how to foster animals. Contact savapetdothan@yahoo.com. Save-A-Pet hosts regular adoption events at PetSmart in Dothan. DogsBama is an older gentleman who is looking for a new home to call his own. Dude is a very outgoing male that likes to play. King is another senior dog that would like a new home for his golden years. Poppy is a sweet girl with a pretty blue/gray and white coat. Rita has raised her family and is ready to start on a new adventure. CatsHershey is a big friendly boy who likes attention. Lexi is a younger girl who would like a new place to play. Marnie is sister to Lexi and is ready for her own home. Odessa is another sister who is ready to play. Ripley is the last sister in the group and has a beautiful gray coat. By Trend Amphibious aircraft of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan continues to successfully extinguish forest fires in the Marmaris region of the Turkish province of Mugla. Azerbaijan sent its BE-200CS amphibious aircraft of the Ministry of Emergency Situations with ten crew members to help the fraternal country in extinguishing the fires. Below is a Ministry of Emergency Situations footage of the aircraft in action. VIDEO: Fridays U.S. Supreme Court ruling dismantling precedents set by the landmark Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey didnt come out of the blue. A leaked draft of an opinion by Justice Samuel Alito last month telegraphed the high courts intent. Even before the leak, it was almost universally assumed that the end of Roe was just a matter of time. The high courts action sends the abortion question back to the state level, where several states, including Alabama, have already enacted laws that would all but outright ban abortion. Alabamas Human Life Protection Act, passed in 2019 exclusively by the state Legislatures Republican majority, defines all unborn children as persons and bans all abortion at any stage of pregnancy. The law also creates a felony charge equivalent to rape or murder for doctors who perform abortion. The law was stayed by U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson in 2019; Thompson lifted the stay later in the day Friday. Whether one agrees or not with the courts action or the logic and rationale behind it, this is the procedure under our form of government. There is nothing improper about the way this change unfolded. Five decades have passed since the landmark Roe v. Wade became law; in another half-century, law relating to abortion may well change again. In the coming weeks and months, there will surely be much debate about what the ruling means today and what it may mean in the future. There will be discussions about what other landmark cases may be challenged. From the Alabama Capitol, there will undoubtedly be an appeal to federal Judge Thompson to release the states Human Life Protection Act to allow its provisions to go into effect. We urge lawmakers to take the next logical step and address other related crises in our state, such as our infant mortality rate and other public health challenges, poverty, and the failure to expand Medicaid to provide health coverage to tens of thousands of Alabamians who currently have no medical insurance coverage. Kingsport, TN (37660) Today A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. The INS Sahyadri battleship at Nha Rong Port, HCMC on June 24, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Danh Two Indian battleships docked at HCMC's Nha Rong Port Friday, beginning a three-day visit to Vietnam that aims to strengthen relations between the two countries. "This visit is important as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishment of relations and the 75th anniversary of India's declaration of independence," Rear Admiral Sanjay Ballah, commander of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet, told VnExpress at a press meet on board the INS Sahyadri. During the three days that the two Indian naval vessels INS Sahyadri and INS Kadmatt will remain anchored at the Nha Rong Port, Indian sailors will engage in diplomatic activities, visit the city and exchange experiences with the Vietnam People's Navy and other agencies. Rear Admiral Ballah emphasized that the visit was testament to the robust relationship between Vietnam and India and an opportunity to strengthen connections between the people of both countries. By exchanging experiences with Vietnamese counterparts, the Indian side "expects to strengthen ties and mutual understanding between the two navies" and foster bilateral defense exchanges in the near future, he said. Rear Admiral Sanjay Ballah (L), commander of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy and Colonel Varadan Kumar, defense attache of the Indian embassy in Vietnam at Nha Rong Port, HCMC on June 24, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/ Thanh Danh Asked about the prospects of the Indian navy strengthening its role in the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia region, Rear Admiral Ballah affirmed that the Eastern Fleet regularly deploys throughout the region towards ensuring maritime stability and security. "The two battleships docking in HCMC also show the mutual trust that the two countries are building," he said. Colonel Varadan Kumar, defense attache of the Indian embassy, said Vietnam was an important factor in India's Act East policy that primarily targets strengthening security and defense cooperation between the two countries. "Both India and Vietnam are committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, of which defense and security cooperation is an important part," Colonel Kumar said. INS Sahyadri is the third battleship of the Shivalik-class multi-purpose stealth frigates built by India, commissioned by the navy in July 2012. The INS Kadmatt corvette prepares to dock at Nha Rong Port, HCMC on June 24, 2022. Photo by Thanh Danh The Shivalik-class battleship has a displacement of 6,200 tons, a length of 144 m, can move at a maximum speed of 59 km/h with a maximum activity range of 9,000 km, carrying two helicopters HAL Dhruv or Sea King Mk.42B. The ship has a crew of 257, is equipped with 32 Barak 1 air defense missiles, 24 Shtil-1 medium-range air defense missiles, 8 launchers containing Kalibr or BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles, one OTO Melara 76 mm cannon, two AK-630 close-range defense complexes, two clusters of DTA-53-956 530 mm torpedo tubes and two RBU-6000 213 mm anti-submarine rocket launchers. Accompanying the battleship INS Sahyadri on its Vietnam visit is the stealth light frigate INS Kadmatt. This warship was commissioned by the Indian Navy in January 2016. Its put in the Kamorta class of light anti-submarine corvettes made by India, with a displacement of 3,300 tons, a length of 109 m with a crew of 123. The INS Kadmatt corvette has a maximum speed of 46 km/h, a range of 6,000 km and carries a KA-28PL or HAL Dhruv helicopter. The ship is equipped with an OTO Melara 76 mm cannon, two AK-630 close-range defense complexes, two RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers, two clusters of 533 mm torpedo tubes and combat systems. Vietnam-India relations have developed strongly in recent years in the fields of economy, politics and security. The two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during a visit by the Prime Minister of India to Vietnam in September 2016. National defense is an important part of the relationship between the two countries. When Indias Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited Vietnam June 8-10, the two sides signed a joint vision statement on the Vietnam-India defense partnership up to 2030, setting development orientations in defense cooperation between the two countries for the next decade. MECHANICVILLE CSX Corporation has completed its long-sought purchase of Pan Am Railways, which serves parts of eastern New York and New England and has a railyard in Halfmoon. We are excited to welcome Pan Ams experienced railroaders into the CSX family and look forward to the improvements we will make together to this important rail network CSX CEO James Foote said in a prepared statement. The price of the sale, which was approved by the federal Surface Transportation Board in April, wasnt disclosed. Trains magazine, however, has previously reported that the price was estimated at $700 million. Publicly traded CSX is based in Jacksonville, Fla., and is one of the nations largest rail freight providers. They operate a large railyard in Selkirk. It wasnt immediately clear if the purchase would impact operations in either of those locations. Pan Am, based in North Billerica, Mass., is privately held, with financier Timothy Mellon as majority owner. It runs a 1,200-mile network throughout New England and has a joint venture with Norfolk Southern for an additional 600 miles of track, known as the Patriot Corridor between Mechanicville and Ayer, Mass. Through the Patriot Corridor, CSX will be in a joint venture with the rival Norfolk Southern line. The deal allows CSX to expand its service area into Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, as well as to Saint John, New Brunswick. Trains running through the Halfmoon railyard have been a source of complaints, with some of them backing up along West Street in Stillwater for long periods of time. Residents have complained of the idling and odor from some of the trains that haul residential and commercial trash on its way to landfills in South Carolina. Stillwater Supervisor Ed Kinowski said things have improved on that front, but the trains still occasionally park along West Street. He noted that hes been talking with all three lines, CSX, Pan Am and Norfolk Southern and they are working through the steps needed to keep the idling trains away from the neighborhood. Its being worked on, Kinowski said. Theyve been very cordial but its a bit of struggle in that its a big organization, he said of CSX. There are so many engineers involved that have to know the situation. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PHOENIX (AP) Police fired tear gas to disperse abortion rights supporters demonstrating outside the Arizona Capitol Friday night, forcing lawmakers to huddle briefly in a basement inside the building as they rushed to complete their 2022 session. Thousands of protesters had gathered earlier on the Capitol grounds in Phoenix, divided into groups both supporting and condemning the U.S. Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade. SWAT team members with the Department of Public Safety fired tear gas from second floor of the old Capitol building to disperse protesters in the mall between the current House and Senate buildings. KPHO-TV reported the officers opened fire when several protesters started banging on glass doors of the Senate building. Authorities said there were no injuries or arrests. The incident sent Senate lawmakers into the basement for about 20 minutes, said Democratic Sen. Martin Quezada. Stinging tear gas wafted through the building afterward, forcing the Senate to move its proceedings to a hearing room instead of the Senate chamber. Republicans had enacted a 15-week abortion ban in March, and a pre-Roe law that bans all abortions remains on the books, forcing providers across the state to stop providing abortions earlier Friday. Republican lawmakers had earlier approved a massive expansion of Arizona's private school voucher system with only Republican backing. Another top measure was approved with wide bipartisan backing: A major plan to shore up water supplies. The Senate and House both approved a $1 billion plan to increase supplies after adding another $200 million for water conservation efforts. Senate Republicans pushed though the voucher program that already passed the House. It allows every student in Arizona to take public money to attend private schools, even the nearly 60,000 whose parents are already paying for that instruction. The vote came after GOP leaders voted to block Democrats from debating or proposing changes to the voucher bill, touching off a heated procedural fight that left Democrats fuming. The plan would open the program to all 1.1 million public school students. Currently about 255,000 public school students qualify for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, although fewer than 12,000 participate. About 59,000 private school students would be eligible under the new plan championed by House Majority Leader Ben Toma. Toma and other advocates say money shouldnt be a barrier preventing children from attending private schools. Democrats fiercely oppose the bill, saying there is no testing or other mechanism to make sure children are actually learning. Their efforts to try to add accountability mechanisms, or at least force a vote on the issue, were thwarted when Republicans voted to suspend the rules that would typically allow such changes. Democrats railed against the measure, saying it would siphon away much of the more than $500 million in new K-12 spending lawmakers enacted earlier this week. Its going to cost the state an additional $125 million by 2025, said Sen. Christine Marsh, a Phoenix Democrat. This is not just fiscally responsibly for us to be trying to run two separate systems at the same time. Republican Sen. T.J. Shope of Coolidge said the measure does not go far enough. I think in an ideal situation, we would entirely fund the student wherever the parent chooses to send their students, Shope said. Lawmakers were also considering a massive new water bill Gov. Doug Ducey called for early this year that is designed to help the state pay for new water sources. Ducey called for a major new investment in water in his January state of the state address, implying some of that money would be used to build a desalination plant in Mexico. While the money may be used for that, it also can be used for conservation, developing groundwater or possibly importing water from other states. Best of the Capital Region 2022 Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. The House briefly voted down a measure allowing the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry to continue operating for another eight years over bipartisan concerns that the agency is overly secretive and failing to implement reforms suggested by the state auditor. Without the bill passing, the agency's authorization would expire at the end of the month. Lawmakers instead voted to impose new transparency requirements on the prison system. Im not asking the department to do anything that theyre not statutorily already required to do, said Rep. Shawnna Bolick, a Glendale Republican who pushed for the additional requirements. I just want to make sure that theres accountability at the end of the day. The House and Senate voted on dozens of other bills, most of them uncontroversial measures that passed with bipartisan majorities. But one of the final votes of the night was a Republican proposal that makes it illegal to teach so-called Critical Race Theory, a hot-button topic for GOP politicians. Democrats called it an assault on public school teachers that will scare them away from teaching about race in America but won't stop the students. If you tell a kid not to learn something, not to read something, what's the first thing they're going to do? Quezada asked. They're going to go study it, they're going to go get those books. Republican Sen. J.D. Mesnard said his bill was being misread, that while preventing divisive concepts it will allow subjects like slavery, race and others to be taught. I challenge anyone to explain again why promoting or advocating any of these things is OK, Mesnard asked. The Legislature adjourned at 12:26 a.m. Saturday. ___ This story has been corrected to show that those protesting were abortion rights supporters, not anti-abortion demonstrators. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MADRID (AP) The number of people who were killed after they tried to scale a border fence between Morocco and a Spanish enclave in North Africa rose to 23 Saturday as human rights organizations in Spain and Morocco called on both countries to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Moroccan authorities said the individuals died as a result of a stampede of people who attempted Friday to climb the iron fence that separates the city of Melilla and Morocco. In a statement, Moroccos Interior Ministry said 76 civilians were injured along with 140 Moroccan security officers. The ministry initially reported five deaths. Local authorities cited by Moroccos official Television 2M updated the number to 18 on Saturday and then reported that the death toll had climbed to 23. The Moroccan Human Rights Association reported 27 dead, but the figure could not immediately be confirmed. Two members of Morocco's security forces and 33 migrants who were injured during the border breach were being treated at hospitals in the Moroccan cities of Nador and Oujda, MAP said. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday condemned what he described as a violent assault and an attack on the territorial integrity of Spain. Spanish officials said 49 Civil Guards sustained minor injuries. If there is anyone responsible for everything that appears to have taken place at that border, it is the mafias that traffic in human beings, Sanchez said. His remarks came as the Moroccan Human Rights Association shared videos on social media that appeared to show dozens of migrants lying on the ground, many of them motionless and a few bleeding, as Moroccan security forces stood over them. They were left there without help for hours, which increased the number of deaths, the human rights group said on Twitter. It called for a comprehensive investigation. In another of the associations videos, a Moroccan security officer appeared to use a baton to strike a person lying on the ground. In a statement released late Friday, Amnesty International expressed its deep concern over the events at the border. Although the migrants may have acted violently in their attempt to enter Melilla, when it comes to border control, not everything goes," said Esteban Beltran, the director of Amnesty International Spain. "The human rights of migrants and refugees must be respected and situations like that seen cannot happen again. Five rights organizations in Morocco and APDHA, a human rights group based in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, also called for inquiries. The International Organization for Migration and U.N. refugee agency UNHCR also weighed in with a statement that expressed profound sadness and concern over what happened at the Morocco-Melilla border. IOM and UNHCR urge all authorities to prioritize the safety of migrants and refugees, refrain from the excessive use of force and uphold their human rights, the organizations said. Best of the Capital Region 2022 Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. In a statement published Saturday, the Spanish Commission for Refugees, CEAR, decried what it described as the indiscriminate use of violence to manage migration and control borders" and expressed concerns that the violence had prevented people who were eligible for international protection from reaching Spanish soil. The Catholic Church in the southern Spanish city of Malaga also expressed its dismay over the events. Both Morocco and Spain have chosen to eliminate human dignity on our borders, maintaining that the arrival of migrants must be avoided at all costs and forgetting the lives that are torn apart along the way, it said in a statement penned by a delegation of the diocese that focuses on migration in Malaga and Melilla. A spokesperson for the Spanish governments office in Melilla said that around 2,000 people had attempted to make it across the border fence but were stopped by Spanish Civil Guard Police and Moroccan forces on either side of the border fence. A total 133 migrants made it across the border. The mass crossing attempt was the first since Spain and Morocco mended relations after a year-long dispute related to Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1976. The thaw in relations came after Spain backed Moroccos plan to grant more autonomy to the territory, a reversal of its previous support for a U.N.-backed referendum on the status of Western Sahara. ___ El-Barakah reported from Rabat. ___ Follow AP's coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) The judge in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial made a jury's award official Friday with a written order for Heard to pay Depp $10.35 million for damaging his reputation by describing herself as a domestic abuse victim in an op-ed piece she wrote. Judge Penney Azcarate entered a judgment order into the court record after a brief hearing in Fairfax County Circuit Court. She also ordered Depp to pay Heard $2 million, the jury's award on her counterclaim that Heard was defamed by one of Depp's lawyers. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate TROY Sixty-one years ago, Clementina Vieira left high school to get married. She did not want to leave before graduation. But she had turned 18, and her mother had found her a husband. Now, after a lifetime of other accomplishments, she has finally finished school. She will receive her high school equivalency diploma and certificate of completion from the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center on Friday. Its been a long road 2,700 miles, in fact. She grew up in McKenzie, Guyana. After getting married, she had four children, then controversially got a divorce after 17 years when she said her husband cheated on her. My mother was not alive or it would have killed her, she said of the divorce. She made sure all four children graduated from high school, no matter what the cost. She got up at 2 a.m. every day to make their meals and get them on a bus to the city for school. After school, when she worked as a security guard, they would come to her guard station and walk home with her after she finished work. It was real hard, she said. I used to say I had to put match sticks in my eyelids to keep my eyes open. But the children helped. After they did their homework, they were guards too, because they played around the compound, she said. They would report thieves to her, and she would chase them away, using a gun that she had been issued. They didnt know she had taken the bullets out of the gun, fearing she might actually hurt someone. At least she was getting paid at that point. During another period, she caught an 11-foot anaconda and sold it to buy groceries for the week. There was a time I didnt have a job, so I went hunting for reptiles, she said, recounting how she saw the anaconda swimming in a river. She crocheted a loop on a stick and persuaded the snake that it was a fly. When it stuck its head through the hole, she pulled it tight. It wrapped its body around a dead tree stump in the water, but she tickled it with another stick to make it let go, and then carried it away in a bag. She still remembers the pay: $5 a foot. I could buy a whole gallon of rice, she said. The gallon of rice is a whole week. And I could buy some fish and some vegetables and some oil. During all that time, she wanted to go back to school. "Without an education you can't have a proper job," she said. But I was so busy." Her children grew up and two of them moved to the United States and married men here. One of her daughters moved her here, to help with the grandchildren. After that, she moved to Troy, to be near her youngest daughter. And that daughters child finally propelled her back to school. She is very smart, Vieira said. The questions she asks! I had to be able to answer, so I came to school. Best of the Capital Region 2022 Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. At age two, Argerlina asked, How far away is the moon? Why are frogs wet? Things I had never even thought to ask! Vieira said. I was inspired by her. But you know, I never did find out why frogs are wet. Her nemesis was math. In Guyana, she had learned the basics: addition to division. She had never encountered algebra or geometry. Why do they put letters in the middle of an equation? she said. And ... geometry, oh! It didnt come easy. I did so much math I dreamt of it, she said. But her granddaughter, who is now 6, loves math, and Vieira found that she still loved to learn, even when it was hard. I was so happy to keep on learning, she said. It took four years. She now wants to go to college and become a hospital chaplain, a job that often requires a masters degree, but thats not stopping her. I know how it feels to be sick without anyone to cheer you along and pray with you and make you laugh and forget about your illness and read the word of God to you and advise you about the afterlife, she said. In Guyana, she had surgery to remove fibroids, and the surgeon accidentally cut her bladder. She nearly died from internal hemorrhaging, and no one explained anything while they waited for a surgeon to arrive. She was left alone, in terror, unable to do anything but pray. My country is not like this country, where youll be taken care of, encouraged to do better, she said. MEXICO CITY (AP) The government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has authorized Russian troops, planes and ships to deploy to Nicaragua for purposes of training, law enforcement or emergency response. In a decree published this week, and confirmed by Russia on Thursday, Ortega will allow Russian troops to carry out law enforcement duties, humanitarian aid, rescue and search missions in emergencies or natural disasters. The Nicaraguan government also authorized the presence of small contingents of Russian troops for exchange of experiences and training. Russias foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, told the Russian news outlet Sputnik that the measure was routine. We are talking about a routine twice a year procedure for the adoption of a Nicaraguan law on the temporary admission of foreign military personnel to its territory in order to develop cooperation in various areas, including humanitarian and emergency responses, combatting organized crime and drug trafficking, Zakharova said. She noted the law also authorizes troops from the United States, Mexico and other Central American countries for such purposes. Ortega has been a staunch ally of Russia since his days in the leadership of the 1979 revolution that ousted dictator Anastasio Somoza. Ortega served as president from 1985 to 1990, before being re-elected to power in 2007. Best of the Capital Region 2022 Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. Ortegas government arrested dozens of political opposition leaders, including most of the potential presidential candidates, in the months before his re-election to a fourth consecutive term last year. His government has shut down dozens of nongovernmental groups that he accuses of working on behalf of foreign interests to destabilize his government. Tens of thousands of Nicaraguans have been chased into exile. ___ This story, which originally moved on June 9, corrects the spelling of Nicaragua in the headline. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Schenectady County Legislature Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Lori Van Buren/Times Union Show More Show Less 3 of 3 ROTTERDAM The Schenectady County Legislature said it has approved funding to pave 1.65 miles of the Empire State Trail in Rotterdam Junction. The section to be paved starts 300 feet west of Mabie Lane and continues along the trail to Leggiero Lane. The total project cost is $190,000. Of that amount, $180,500 will come from federal and state highway funds and $9,500 from county matching dollars. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Friday stripped away womens constitutional protections for abortion, a fundamental and deeply personal change for Americans' lives after nearly a half-century under Roe v. Wade. The courts overturning of the landmark court ruling is likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. The ruling, unthinkable just a few years ago, was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump. Both sides predicted the fight over abortion would continue, in state capitals, in Washington and at the ballot box. Justice Clarence Thomas, part of Friday's majority, urged colleagues to overturn other high court rulings protecting same-sex marriage, gay sex and the use of contraceptives. Pregnant women considering abortions already had been dealing with a near-complete ban in Oklahoma and a prohibition after roughly six weeks in Texas. Clinics in at least eight other states Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia stopped performing abortions after Friday's decision. In Ohio, a ban on most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat became the law when a federal judge dissolved an injunction that had kept the measure on hold for nearly three years. And Utah's law was triggered by the ruling, going into effect with narrow exceptions. Abortion foes cheered the ruling, but abortion-rights supporters, including President Joe Biden, expressed dismay and pledged to fight to restore the rights. Protests built into the evening in a number of cities, including thousands demonstrating against the decision outside the barricaded Supreme Court. Thousands more chanted We will rise up! in New York's Washington Square. At the White House, Biden said, It's a sad day for the court and for the country. He urged voters to make it a defining issue in the November elections, declaring, This decision must not be the final word. Outside the White House, Ansley Cole, a college student from Atlanta, said she was "scared because what are they going to come after next? ... The next election cycle is going to be brutal, like its terrifying. And if theyre going to do this, again, whats next? Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, agreed about the political stakes. We are ready to go on offense for life in every single one of those legislative bodies, in each statehouse and the White House, Dannenfelser said in a statement. Trump praised the ruling, telling Fox News that it will work out for everybody. The decision is expected to disproportionately affect minority women who already face limited access to health care, according to statistics analyzed by The Associated Press. It also puts the court at odds with a majority of Americans who favored preserving Roe, according to opinion polls. Surveys conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and others have shown a majority in favor of abortion being legal in all or most circumstances. But many also support restrictions especially later in pregnancy. Surveys consistently show that about 1 in 10 Americans want abortion to be illegal in all cases. The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take this momentous step. Alito, in the final opinion issued Friday, wrote that Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 decision that reaffirmed the right to abortion, were wrong had and to be be overturned. We therefore hold that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Roe and Casey must be overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people and their elected representatives, Alito wrote, in an opinion that was very similar to the leaked draft. Joining Alito were Thomas and Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett. The last three justices are Trump appointees. Thomas first voted to overrule Roe 30 years ago. Four justices would have left Roe and Casey in place. The vote was 6-3 to uphold Mississippi's law banning most abortions after 15 weeks, but Chief Justice John Roberts didn't join his conservative colleagues in overturning Roe. He wrote that there was no need to overturn the broad precedents to rule in Mississippi's favor. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan the diminished liberal wing of the court were in dissent. With sorrow for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection we dissent, they wrote, warning that abortion opponents now could pursue a nationwide ban from the moment of conception and without exceptions for rape or incest. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that the Justice Department will protect providers and those seeking abortions in states where it is legal and "work with other arms of the federal government that seek to use their lawful authorities to protect and preserve access to reproductive care. In particular, Garland said the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Mifepristone for medication abortions. More than 90% of abortions take place in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, and more than half are now done with pills, not surgery, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Best of the Capital Region 2022 Its the 25th anniversary of our Best of the Capital Region readers survey. Make sure your voice is heard by nominating your favorite people, places and businesses between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. Mississippis only abortion clinic, which was at the center of Friday's case, continued to see patients Friday. Outside, men used a bullhorn to tell people inside that they would burn in hell. Clinic escorts wearing colorful vests used large speakers to blast Tom Pettys I Wont Back Down at the protesters. Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri are among 13 states, mainly in the South and Midwest, that already have laws on the books to ban abortion in the event Roe was overturned. Another half-dozen states have near-total bans or prohibitions after 6 weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. In roughly a half-dozen other states, including West Virginia and Wisconsin, the fight will be over dormant abortion bans that were enacted before Roe was decided in 1973 or new proposals to sharply limit when abortions can be performed, according to Guttmacher. Outside the barricaded Supreme Court, a crowd of mostly young women grew into the hundreds within hours of the decision. Some shouted, The Supreme Court is illegitimate, while waves of others, wearing red shirts with The Pro-Life Generation Votes, celebrated, danced and thrust their arms into the air. The Biden administration and other defenders of abortion rights have warned that a decision overturning Roe also would threaten other high court decisions in favor of gay rights and even potentially contraception. The liberal justices made the same point in their joint dissent: The majority eliminates a 50-year-old constitutional right that safeguards womens freedom and equal station. It breaches a core rule-of-law principle, designed to promote constancy in the law. In doing all of that, it places in jeopardy other rights, from contraception to same-sex intimacy and marriage. And finally, it undermines the Courts legitimacy. And Thomas, the member of the court most open to jettisoning prior decisions, wrote a separate opinion in which he explicitly called on his colleagues to put the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage, gay sex and contraception cases on the table. But Alito contended that his analysis addresses abortion only. Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion, he wrote. Whatever the intentions of the person who leaked Alitos draft opinion, the conservatives held firm in overturning Roe and Casey. In his opinion, Alito dismissed the arguments in favor of retaining the two decisions, including that multiple generations of American women have partly relied on the right to abortion to gain economic and political power. Changing the makeup of the court has been central to the anti-abortion sides strategy, as the dissenters archly noted. The Court reverses course today for one reason and one reason only: because the composition of this Court has changed, the liberal justices wrote. Mississippi and its allies made increasingly aggressive arguments as the case developed, and two high-court defenders of abortion rights retired or died. The state initially argued that its law could be upheld without overruling the courts abortion precedents. Justice Anthony Kennedy retired shortly after the Mississippi law took effect in 2018 and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died in September 2020. Both had been members of a five-justice majority that was mainly protective of abortion rights. In their Senate hearings, Trumps three high-court picks carefully skirted questions about how they would vote in any cases, including about abortion. ___ Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko, Fatima Hussein, photographer Jacquelyn Martin and video journalist Nathan Ellgren in Washington, Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston, Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Mississippi, Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, Leah Willingham in Charleston, West Virginia, Michael Hill in New York and Kantele Franko in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. For APs full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion The distance between the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk and Chernivtsi, a larger community in the embattled nation's southwest just north of the Romanian border, is a little more than 600 miles. Google Maps tells me it would take about 16 hours to cover the distance by car, but I'm not sure that venerable website is properly accounting for delays caused by the Russian invasion. It's about the same distance from Albany to Detroit. I figured this out after checking in earlier this month with Valerii Garmash, the editor in chief of Maye Sense, which was not long ago the primary media outlet in Slavyansk and the surrounding region. As noted in this space in early March, the Times Union and Maye Sense were paired up near the outset of the pandemic for a series of shop-talk exchanges on journalism. We knew their community was close to the conflict zone where Russian-backed separatists who had been booted out of Slavyansk in 2014 were still a threat, but had no idea it would someday be caught between Russia's north-south pincer movement. For Ukraine's defenders, the past week might have been the worst since the invasion began. As I type this, Slavyansk is under heavy assault from the north, along with many other communities in the Donetsk and Donbas regions. On Friday, Ukraine pulled out of the nearby city of Sievierodonetsk, which is about 50 miles east of Slavyansk. Garmash and his editorial staff made the exodus to Chernivtsi several weeks into the invasion, and are trying to serve their former community now a diaspora spread across Western Ukraine while building a new business model in another place. When we spoke again earlier this month, I confessed that while the Times Union was still running regular reports from Ukraine, those stories had fallen off the front page, where they had been a steady presence through the opening weeks of the invasion. Garmash, speaking through our regular translator, said he understood the journalistic calculus the longer the war goes in, the less often it would rate 1A coverage. "The victory of Ukraine deserves to be on the front page," he said, "but we know it's not going to be any time soon." Maye Sense will not be back in Slavyansk any time soon, and Garmash knows that the place will never, ever be the same. He fears it will become another community like the brutalized southeastern port city of Mariupol, which was pounded to rubble by Russian forces before being overrun in mid-May. Garmash tried to return to the area around Slavyansk after his initial trip west, but was stymied by the lack of a safe corridor for refugees that could have afforded access. He takes what solace there is from the fact that his core team of less than a dozen journalists made it out. "It's time to move on," he said. " ... You have to build your new life with these people." Sign up for the Observation Deck newsletter Read the latest Times Union opinion, perspective and letters to the editor on Mondays by signing up for our Observation Deck newsletter. Garmash knows that his former neighbors are still reading Maye Sense: While the number of "unique users" (identifiable individual online news consumers) has remained steady on their site, the frequency of their visits has gone up. His reporters and editors have pivoted to utility journalism on topics such as how to find a place to live as a refugee, how to track down a missing person, and how to determine what's fake news pro-Russian disinformation and what's credible. They are trying to recruit a new videographer. They know this is the biggest story of their lives. Maye Sense is pursuing a three-pronged strategy for staying afloat financially that depends on short-term aid from non-govermental organizations; medium-term funds from grant applications and angel donors; and a sustainable long-term business model with a new base of advertisers in Chernivtsi. He's not the only Slavyansk entrepreneur trying to survive in new surroundings: One old client, a cafe owner, recently opened a new spot in their new city and is once again advertising. I asked how the legacy media in Chernivtsi felt about the new arrivals in their neighborhood, and Garmash smiled. "Competition is good, and the more competition the better," he said. I did not reach out to other regional outlets for their takes on that question. But I tried to imagine how a newspaper publisher in, say, 600-miles-distant Detroit would feel at the prospect of the traumatized staff of the Times Union arriving in the Motor City under similar conditions in cars loaded with pets and belongings, fleeing from ground forces and aerial bombardment, worried about their relatives, friends and colleagues left behind in the besieged Capital Region. How much common cause would their American analogs be able to maintain as the crisis went on and as Detroit itself was subject to the occasional air-raid klaxon? That's life in Chernivtsi these days. At the end of a long, long news week in this state and nation, with the prospect of another just ahead that will likely push reports from Ukraine off the front page once again, I would ask you to remember that these people are still doing their work in conditions that most of us would consider near-impossible. And in addition to the proximate physical threat of a lethal war machine chewing up their country, they're worried that the rest of the world is growing bored with their plight or worse, is willing to sacrifice them for cheaper gas. ELKO The FBI is now involved in the search for a Utah man who visited an Elko County town shortly before he went missing at the end of May. Meanwhile, national media including Fox News have been reporting on the disappearance of Dylan Rounds, 19, of Lucin. East Idaho News in Idaho Falls reported on Wednesday that the FBI had confirmed its involvement, saying the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office in Utah is still the lead investigator in the case. Box Elder County volunteer teams have logged over 300 hours searching, covering over 3,000 miles, the sheriffs office said in a June 15 statement. Box Elder County Sheriffs Office Detectives and Deputies have also been searching around the clock, weekdays and weekends. So far, detectives have spent over 650 hours investigating this case. If somebody is involved with Dylans disappearance, they need to know were not going to go away, Chief Deputy Cade Palmer, of the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office, told Fox News Digital Wednesday. If this takes months, if it takes years, well keep knocking on doors. The Elko County Sheriffs Office has also been involved but asks anyone with information to contact Box Elder officials at 435-734-3800. Fox News legal commentator and television journalist Nancy Grace has interviewed Rounds mother on her program. Jim Terry, a private investigator who has worked on many missing persons cases nationwide, says he has been retained by some of Rounds family members. He has spoken publicly about the case on the Tyler Feller YouTube channel. East Idaho News reported that Rounds had been farming in the desert town of Lucin, Utah during summer months over the past few years. His grandmother last spoke with him on May 28 and nobody has heard from him since then. There has been no sign of Rounds anywhere and no activity on his cell phone or bank account, according to his parents. Rounds reportedly told his grandmother in a phone call early on the morning of May 28 that he needed to move his grain truck out of the rain. A later search located his boots behind a pile of dirt about 300 yards from his grain truck. Fox News reported that the search by law enforcement officers has included K-9s, drones and on horseback. The surrounding area on the Utah and Nevada border is full of old mineshafts, caves and tunnels, and Rounds mother Candice Cooley said a professional cave diver had volunteered to help search some of those spaces, Fox reported. Dylans parents have offered a $20,000 reward for Dylans return, but they are not asking for financial assistance. They told Fox that there are a number of false rumors and fake fundraisers circulating on social media. Rounds was last seen at a cafe in Montello, Nevada, on May 26, where he ate before returning to Utah. The Elko County Sheriffs Office was first notified of the case on May 31, when deputies responded to Montello on a call that someone was being held hostage. Sheriffs Office Deputies responded to Montello and searched a residence with the consent of the owner, said a statement from ECSO. At that time, we reached out to Box Elder County and offered our assistance. We have been diligently working with the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office and providing them resources they have requested. We have also escorted their detectives into Nevada where they have conducted interviews with people that may be associated with Dylans case. The missing person case began one week after the Elko sheriffs office announced it had suspended the search for another missing 19-year-old. Aidan Clune of Sonoma County is known to have traveled from California to Utah on April 26. He then drove back to Nevada and stayed the night in Wells, checking out of a hotel room at approximately 6:23 a.m. April 27. He traveled south on U.S. Highway 93 and parked his pickup truck on the shoulder near mile marker 23. At approximately 8:50 a.m. on April 27 a Nevada State Police trooper found the vehicle abandoned. The Sheriffs Office was notified of the situation on April 28, and began a search for Aidan. His tracks were located leaving the area where the pickup was abandoned, and he was tracked for more than 10 air miles. During the tracking process Aidan was taking off his shoes and running part of the time. He would remove his shoes and walk across roads barefoot, stated the sheriffs office. There were no additional tracks near Aidans footprints, thus indicating he was alone as he walked. Aidan left the vehicle with no additional clothing or survival gear that would indicate that he was pleasure hiking. The investigation has revealed that Clune did not have any warrants or other criminal activity that would have caused him to run from authorities. It is our belief that Aidan was suffering from a mental episode that caused him to not only leave his vehicle, but that he made very intentional efforts to not be found, the sheriffs office said. His tracks were eventually eroded by rain and snow. The tracks were lost in the Cherry Creek Mountains several miles west of the highway. We will continue the investigation into his disappearance until the case is solved, the sheriffs office said on May 24. Clunes mother has been raising money for a reward. The gofundme account had topped $10,000 as of this week. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 3 Angry 2 Going into an election season word from a metro Democratic Party leader, this statement is worth consideration: Jackson County Executive issues statement on Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Courts ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade: Today, the Supreme Court got it wrong plain and simple. In the blink of an eye, 50 years of a womans fundamental right to choose what to do with her body is stripped away. And the State of Missouri was quick to follow such an erroneous decision by enacting its trigger law banning abortions. I am disgusted, saddened and quite frankly, scared of what could be next. As Ive said before, this reckless ruling sets a dangerous precedent that will almost certainly lead to attempts to roll back protections for the same-sex community, limit access to contraceptives and fertility treatments, and possibly even interracial marriage. We cannot allow the political ambitions of a few to control the reproductive freedom of millions of women. I remain committed to doing everything I can in Jackson County and across America to restore a womans right to make her own reproductive health decisions. ### You decide . . . This one might not count as a homicide, police are still investigating. Here's the report . . . Suspicious death 2400 block of NE Pence Avenue This morning at 10:30 AM officers were dispatched to the 2400 block of North East Pence in regard to a medical nature unknown. A neighbor called police stating they observed someone lying in a yard who might need help. Upon arrival officers observed an adult male lying in the front yard of a residence, who had been shot and was unresponsive. That victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. We do not have any suspect information at this time. We do not know yet if this is a Homicide but we are treating it as a suspicious death, due to circumstances found at the scene. Detectives and crime scene personnel have responded to the scene and are actively canvassing for witnesses and processing the scene for evidence. If you have any information please call the Homicide unit at 234-5043. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call the TIPS hotline at 474-TIPS, with up to a $25,000 reward for an arrest in this case. ############# Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . KCPD investigating suspicious death after man found shot to death outside a home The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is investigating the death of a man found outside a home Friday morning as suspicious.Officers were dispatched to the 2400 block of North East Pence on a medical call around 10:30 a.m., police said.When the officers arrived, they found a man lying in the front yard of a home. And so the outcry to "defund the police" actually inspired a wave of legislative pushback and MORE MONEY for the po-po in the end . . . So much for the power of protest. Here's a sneak peek at next week's Republican victory dance . . . The legislation increases the percentage of the Kansas City, Missouri, city budget that must be allocated to the Kansas City Board of Police from one-fifth of the budget to one-fourth of the citys general revenue. Missouri Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer (R - Parkville) was the bills sponsor. Luetkemeyer has been outspoken about the bill ever since KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas led a council effort to change the way police department funds were allocated last year. It increases the mandatory funding threshold for the KCPD from 20% of the city's general revenue up to 25%, that 25% number is more reflective of the modern funding needs of the department and also the amount that the city has funded the department in recent decades, Luetkemeyer said. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Today's debate over name change doesn't take into account constant violence that probably doesn't have much regard for history. The basics . . . "Officers found the victim in the parking lot of the Family Dollar store at 8215 Troost Ave., police said.No word on what led to the shooting.Homicide detectives and crime scene technicians are on the scene.This is the 72nd homicide of the year in KCMO compared with 71 at this time last year." Here's first report . . . Homicide 8200 block of Troost This evening just before 8 PM officers were dispatched to 8215 Troost in regard to a disturbance inside of the Family Dollar. As officers were in route the call was updated to a shooting. Upon arrival officers found an adult male who had been shot lying in front of the store. Officers began lifesaving measures at that time. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased. We dont have any specific details on a suspect at this time and are asking for the public help. Detectives and crime scene personnel have responded to the scene and are actively canvassing for witnesses and processing the scene for evidence. If you have any information please call the Homicide unit at 234-5043. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call the TIPS hotline at 474-TIPS, with up to a $25,000 reward for an arrest in this case. ################# Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . KC police investigating after man shot, killed outside Family Dollar KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police in Kansas City, Missouri are investigating after a man was shot and killed outside a Family Dollar Friday night. Officers responded to a disturbance at the Family Dollar near 82nd Street and Troost Avenue just before 8 p.m. Kansas City police investigate homicide near 82nd, Troost Friday Hide Transcript Show Transcript PAYTON. YEAH, I'M HERE IN FRONT OF THAT FAMILY DOLLAR JUST BEHIND ME AT THE CORNER OF 82ND IN TROOST. WE'RE TAKE A LOOK. THERE'S ABOUT 15 POLICE UNITS THAT HAVE RESPONDED. One person shot to death Friday night in a Family Dollar store parking lot KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Gunfire killed a man Friday night in the parking lot of a Kansas City discount store. Officers found the victim in the parking lot of the Family Dollar store at 8215 Troost Ave., police said. No word on what led to the shooting. Kansas City police investigate homicide near 82nd, Troost Friday Hide Transcript Show Transcript PAYTON. YEAH, I'M HERE IN FRONT OF THAT FAMILY DOLLAR JUST BEHIND ME AT THE CORNER OF 82ND IN TROOST. WE'RE TAKE A LOOK. THERE'S ABOUT 15 POLICE UNITS THAT HAVE RESPONDED. Developing . . . I don't know why many of our readers were expecting riots today . . . Abortion protesters typically don't wreck & loot nearby stores. To be fair . . . I'd be kinda worried about churches with loudmouth leaders . . . But that's a post for another day. Here's the protest postscript . . . "Protesters at Mill Creek Park vented frustrations and railed against the Supreme Court and Republican lawmakers late Friday afternoon, following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Hundreds gather in Kansas City to protest fall of Roe v. Wade: 'I haven't stopped crying all day' Hundreds of protesters gathered at Mill Creek Park near the Country Club Plaza Friday evening to rally against the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortions across the country. Kansas Citians rally at Mill Creek Park following abortion ruling KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Dozens of Kansas Citians were part of a rally early Friday night in protest of the Supreme Court's ruling that overturned abortion protections in Roe vs. Wade. Organizers handed out signs to those gathered at Mill Creek Park just off the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. Hundreds rally in KC after SCOTUS strikes down Roe V. Wade KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Supreme Court decision of striking down the Roe V. Wade abortion ruling has set in motion a variety of moves at the state level. Some states started taking action immediately to enact bans, including Missouri. Some feel like the Supreme Court ruling is criminalizing health care. Hundreds of people rally near Country Club Plaza after Roe V. Wade overturned Hundreds of people rallied Friday at Mill Creek Park near the Country Club Plaza after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.There were chants for change and calls for unity "I am frightened. I am pissed off. You decide . . . An ominous truism is a good place to start our discussion on the morning after a historic legal ruling. "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it." Any dude who has ever dated a half-crazy hottie like Miley might understand the accuracy in that statement. Here's a bit of professional explanation as to how it applies to the American political landscape . . . "Its a victory that will almost certainly come at a cost. In Republican circles, a consensus has been forming for weeks that the courts overturning of a significant and highly popular precedent on a deeply felt issue will be a liability for the party in the midterms and beyond, undercutting Republicans to at least some degree with moderates and suburban women." And so, to honor the Socratic method, we share a couple of relevant questions with readers . . . Do you REALLY think any woman will vote for disgraced "hot date" Eric Grietens when the abortion debate has captured the attention of women across the nation and ignited a wave of outcry & activism?!?! On the Kansas side . . . Will Guv Kelly or Rep. Sharice Davids lose a single supporter as they stand up for "reproductive freedom" as this issue threatens to summon a legion of young, female voters (and their simps) to the ballot box?!? We'd like to hear diehard Republicans attempt to explain this all away. However . . . Keep this in mind . . . According to just about every pollster . . . Female voters are more reliable and motivated than any other segment of the electorate and they've been the primary catalyst behind most social change in the modern era. This widely celebrated decision may very well have awoken a sleeping giant . . . And most dudes should be smart enough to realize that women HATE anybody messing with their nap time. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . 'The dog that caught the car': Republicans brace for the impact of reversing Roe The decision, issued Friday, was a landmark victory for conservatives who have held up overturning Roe as an ambition of near-biblical significance, fundraising, organizing and legislating off opposition to abortion rights for nearly half a century. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade The Supreme Court has voted to strike down Roe v. Kansas is geared up for a bitter, battleground abortion fight after Roe falls TOPEKA, Kansas - A state already gearing up for voters to decide whether to strike abortion rights from the Kansas Constitution reacted with both glee and dismay at the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the 49-year-old Roe v. Wade precedent on Friday. The high court left states relatively unfettered to limit, and even ban, abortion. Roe v. Wade overturned: Kansas election could determine abortion rights KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, weeks after a leaked draft authored by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito suggested it would happen. Missouri leaders have already put the state's " trigger law" into effect, meaning Missouri is the first state to make most abortions illegal since the court's decision. Eyes turn to Kansas on anti-abortion amendment post-Roe LAWRENCE, Kan. - Abortion rights advocates held a protest Friday evening in downtown Lawrence following the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in . The decision came just a few weeks before Kansans vote on an anti-abortion amendment - the first of its kind in a post-Roe world. Missouri and abortions post-Roe: What you need to know Abortion in Missouri is now legal only in cases of medical emergency. MISSOURI, USA - The United States Supreme Court voted in a 5-4 majority to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey in a landmark decision handed down Friday. Missouri's last abortion clinic finds itself in center of Roe fallout ST. LOUIS- Within hours of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, leaving legality of abortion to individual states, the last remaining abortion clinic in Missouri became divided ground, split between those celebrating the ruling and those protesting the loss of a right that had been protected for half a century. Women share abortion stories after Roe v. Wade is overturned KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Americans are reacting to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, including women who had an abortion. "This is a lifelong decision and there are lifelong consequences that can happen," Kelly Carter said. At 19, Carter decided to get an abortion. It's a decision she regrets. Tear gas used as Roe V. Wade protest disrupts last hours of 2022 Arizona Legislature Warning: The above video may be graphic in nature. Viewer discretion is advised.Police fired tear gas to disperse anti-abortion demonstrators from outside the Arizona Capitol Friday night, forcing lawmakers to huddle briefly in a basement inside the building as they rushed to complete their 2022 session.Thousands of protesters had gathered earlier on the Capitol grounds in Phoenix, divided into groups both supporting and condemning the U.S. Kansas City protest emphasizes impact of Roe v. Wade ruling on marginalized bodies - Kansas Reflector KANSAS CITY, MO - Hundreds of people came to Mill Creek Park on Friday despite the sticky summer heat to support reproductive rights and to protest the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Imije Ninaz, founder of the Nafasi Center, a nonprofit focused on providing resources to the Black queer, transgender, intersex and non-binary community, was the main speaker for Friday's protest. Midwest health clinics react to Roe v. Wade decision KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade led to tension outside a Planned Parenthood office in Overland Park, Kansas, on Friday. Planned Parenthood Great Plains officials held a press conference following the ruling and said they've been preparing their staff for this day even before the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion was released in May. KS, MO lawmakers react to SCOTUS decision overruling Roe v. Wade KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In the wake of the Supreme Court of the United States overturning Roe v. Wade , paving the way for states to ban abortions, lawmakers in Kansas and Missouri have weighed in. Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted about the importance of choosing leaders and allowing oneself to feel "bothered" in fighting for change within one's community. KC health care worker calls SCOTUS ruling 'terrible' for people of color KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Reaction to Friday's Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade has been as widespread as the consequences of the ruling. One of those consequences, according to experts, will be especially burdensome in communities of color. Pence calls for national abortion ban, as Trump, GOP celebrate end of Roe Placeholder while article actions load As Republicans across the United States are celebrating the Supreme Court decision Friday to overturn the fundamental right to an abortion established in Roe v. Wade, former vice president Mike Pence is calling for a national ban on the procedure, while former president Donald Trump argued the court's decision is "something that will work out for everybody." You decide . . . Each year the Supreme Court releases rulings for its biggest cases near the end of its term. It was no different this year as the nations highest court released decisions on cases involving abortion and gun rights. Late Thursday the Senate passed a bipartisan gun bill with the House passing its version Friday. The landmark compromise now goes to President Biden for his signature. That news came as more details from a deadly school shooting in Texas came to light. The House committee investigating the riots of Jan. 6, 2021, continued this past week and focused on pressure placed on the Justice Department. In related news, a former lawmaker was sentenced to prison for his role in the riot. Yellowstone National Park reopened this week and a brand of e-cigarettes was banned by the FDA. Gas prices and the economy remain a concern for many Americans. President Biden called on Congress to suspend the federal gas tax while mortgage rates continue to increase as home sales slow. The nations youngest children began receiving COVID-19 vaccines this week. Meanwhile, in other pandemic news, New York is giving city workers a chance to return to their old jobs. In international news, an earthquake hit Afghanistan, the need for the U.S. in Europe and money was raised from the sale of a Nobel Peace Prize. And finally, in environmental news, the Supreme Court has rejected an appeal tied to a weed killer a giant fish was caught in the waters in Cambodia. Compiled and narrated by Terry Lipshetz from Associated Press reports Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A highlight and part of the reason for such adamant protest today . . . Missouri law pretty much prevents most abortions now that the Dobbs decision has taken effect. Here's a summary and more resources . . . "The trigger law bill was passed in 2019 as HB 126, designed to be enacted if the Supreme Court ruled on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, in which Mississippi asked the court to uphold the states ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy and rule there is no consitutional right to abortion. The justices ruled 6-3 in favor of Mississippi, effectively overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling granting that constitutional right. "Missouri law now bans the ability to get an abortion after eight weeks of gestation except in the case of a medical emergency. The new statute makes no exceptions for rape or incest, and makes it a class B felony to induce an abortion. "(Governor) Parson and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt signed the proclamation within an hour of the Supreme Courts ruling. Missouri is one of 13 states that had such a trigger law in place before the court decision. Prior to Friday, abortions were legal up to 22 weeks of pregnancy in Missouri." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . With Supreme Court ruling Friday, Missouri 'trigger law' banning abortion now in place With Friday's landmark ruling, Missouri's "trigger law" effectively banning abortion is now in effect. Missouri was one of more than a dozen states with so-called trigger laws that will now outlaw abortion after the Supreme Court overturned the precedent set in Roe v. Wade.Missouri's trigger law was tacked onto another bill as an amendment. Missouri 8-week abortion ban takes effect after SCOTUS ruling KANSAS CITY, Mo. - With the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, a case originating in Mississippi that challenged Roe v Wade, most abortions are now illegal in Missouri. The law - House Bill 126 , which passed in 2019 - bans abortion after eight weeks of gestation except in the case of medical emergencies. Missouri's new abortion law: no exceptions for rape, incest, and doctors may face charges On Friday morning, Missouri moved quickly to effectively end abortions, with Gov. Mike Parson signing the Right to Life of the Unborn Child Act into law. No exceptions for rape, incest in Missouri abortion 'trigger ban' KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade means immediate action in Missouri where a "trigger ban" took effect Friday morning, prohibiting abortion in the state in almost all situations. The newly certified law makes no exceptions for rape or incest. What happens now that Roe v. Wade overturned? Missouri acts first The US Supreme Court's decision Friday to overturn the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wadeis expected to ban or restrict the procedure for over 40 million women across at least 26 states. Developing . . . I want a cooler haircut. Can I pull off the new mullet? Ask The Kit Thanks to Charlize Theron, its a "mixie" now and yes, yes you can Dr. Eric Hurowitz, seen at his home with his wife Beth and dog Cleopatra, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2019. The treatment meant his immune system was paralyzed and he was forced to isolate without leaving home to stay safe. Treated with Evusheld, he feels safe enough to socialize more. - Richard Lautens / Toronto Star Meghan travelled almost an hour to Francescos gym, then he left her alone to do legs: Dating Diaries Some dates stay firmly in the friend zone. Shaun even tried to set Monique up with his boss on their date. Delegates at the launching ceremony (Photo: VNA) At a meeting held in Naha city of Okinawa prefecture, delegates agreed to approve the charter and operational orientation of the association, and elected an executive board of 15 members and Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong was elected as the President of the association. According to AVO President Nguyen Thi Huong, with over 3,000 people, Vietnamese is the largest expat community in Okinawa. She said that the establishment of the association was an important milestone showing the strong development of the Vietnamese community in the prefecture. The President committed to work with the AVOs executive board to connect and support the Vietnamese community in Okinawa. Director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Okinawa Uechi Satoshi affirmed that Okinawa will continue to develop policies to create a convenient and safe living environment for OVs in the locality. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Binh expressed his hope that AVO will contribute to strengthening solidarity and mutual support among Vietnamese expats in Okinawa, and further developing the Vietnam Japan extensive strategic partnership. He also thanked local authorities, organizations and businesses for their recent support to OVs in the Japanese locality./. Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it. I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends. More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it. The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity. About me: I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS. Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line). Age: 42 Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed. I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it). Russia's threats to attack the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv again make the issue of closing the skies over the entire territory of Ukraine relevant. The press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence said this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. "The justification for such a step, from the point of view of a Russian MP, could be the supply of the latest Western weapons to Ukraine. In particular, HIMARS multiple rocket launchers," the press center added. It stressed that this threat is directed at both the United States and all civilized countries that support Ukraine. "So, it once again raises the issue of the need to close the skies over Kyiv and the whole of Ukraine," the agency added. Russian State Duma deputy Yury Shvytkin said on June 23 that the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv should be destroyed in retaliation for the U.S. supply of rocket systems to Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers resolutely suppressed the actions of the enemy assault group near the village of Udynashi. The enemy retreated. This is stated in the latest report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Russian invasion as of 06:00 on June 25, published on Facebook. In Volyn and Polissya direction, the situation regarding the activities of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus has not changed significantly. The threat of missile strikes from Belarus remains. In Siversky direction, the enemy holds up to three battalion tactical groups of the 1st guards tank and 20th combined arms army, as well as airborne units to shield the Russian-Ukrainian border in Bryansk and Kursk regions. The enemy fired artillery on the positions of Ukraines Defense Forces in the areas Buchka in Chernihiv region and Boyaro-Lezhachi in Sumy region. The occupiers continue to reinforce defensive positions in the border areas of Bryansk region. In Kharkiv direction, the enemy focuses its main efforts on holding previously occupied positions. Russians fired artillery on infrastructure elements in the area of Kharkiv city and the Vyalyi water reservoir. The Ukrainian troops resolutely suppressed the actions of the enemy assault group near the village of Udynashi. The enemy retreated, launched an air strike from Ka-52 helicopters near the village of Yavirske. In Slovyansk direction, the enemy focused its efforts on conducting an offensive towards Dovhenke and Dolyna. The enemy fired on the Ukrainian positions near Nova Dmytrivka, Khrestyshche, Dibrovne, and Bohorodychne. Russians try to carry out assault operations in the direction of Dovhenke Mazanivka, the battle continues. The enemy launched an air strike near Dibrovne. In Donetsk direction, the enemy's main efforts are focused on holding the occupied frontiers and regrouping troops. The enemy did not take any active actions in Kramatorsk direction, opened mortar and rocket artillery fire on the Ukrainian units in the areas of Raihorodok and Starodubivka. In Sievierodonetsk direction, the occupiers fired artillery on Lysychansk, Spirne, and Vovchoyarivka, launched an airstrike near Lysychansk, and tried to block the town from the south. In order to oust the Ukrainian units, the enemy carried out assault operations in the areas of Metiolkine, Syrotyne, and Voronove. In Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian soldiers stopped the enemy's offensive in the direction of Volodymyrivka Pokrovske. After fire damage was inflicted, the enemy retreated. The units of the 5th combined arms army go on the offensive in the direction of Pylypchatyne Pokrovske, the fighting continues. In the direction of Roty Vershyna, the enemy advanced one kilometer further. In order to facilitate the actions of the group in the direction of main efforts, the occupiers try to conduct restraining actions in Avdiivka, Kurakhove, and Novopavlivsk directions and hold the occupied frontiers. In Zaporizhzhia direction, the enemy defends itself. Russians tried to take control of the section of the road Yasynuvata Kostiantynivka and fought in the direction of Vasylivka Kamyanka. The Ukrainian defenders repelled the attack. The enemy retreated, suffering losses. In the Southern Buh direction, the occupiers focus their main efforts on holding the occupied frontiers. They conduct reconnaissance, reinforce the positions, and try to prevent the regrouping of Ukrainian troops. To regain the previously lost positions, the enemy launched an offensive in the direction of Potiomkine Vysokopillia, Kherson region, had no success, retreated. Russians conducted aerial reconnaissance near the village of Starosillia. In the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, the enemy keeps four carriers of Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles on alert to launch missile strikes on objects in the territory of Ukraine. "Ukrainian defenders inflict losses on the Russian occupiers in all directions where active hostilities continue. The guerrilla movement intensifies in the temporarily occupied territories, the General Staff emphasizes. ol The invaders are still attacking the industrial zone of Sievierodonetsk and trying to enter Lysychansk. "On June 24, the Russians attacked the industrial zone of Sievierodonetsk, tried to enter Lysychansk from the south and block the town. An airstrike was launched on Lysychansk. Sievierodonetsk suffered from artillery attacks. In particular, the villages of Synetsky and Pavlohrad, the territory of the Sievierodonetsk association Azot and Skloplastyka. Vovchoyarivka, Bilohorivka, and Loskutivka were also hit, Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration Serhiy Haidai posted on Facebook. The staff of Dnipro hospital save the lives of two children and a mother from Maloriazantseve near Lysychansk. All three members of the family were hospitalized at the Dnipropetrovsk Children's Regional Hospital. They were injured on Thursday. Children born in 2012 and 2016 are among them. They are provided with highly qualified assistance, Haidai added. Moreover, the Russian army carries out assault operations near Metiolkine, Syrotyne, and Voronove to oust Ukrainian military units from these areas. In addition, the body of a man, killed in enemy shelling, was found in Lysychansk yesterday. As reported, in Sievierodonetsk direction, the occupiers fired artillery on the areas of Lysychansk, Spirne, and Vovchoyarivka. Russians launched an airstrike near Lysychansk and tried to block the town from the south. ol This morning the Russian military have fired 20 missiles at the urban-type settlement of Desna, Chernihiv Region, and 24 more missiles at military objects near the city of Zhytomyr from the territory of Belarus. The relevant statement was made by Zhytomyr Mayor Serhii Sukhomlyn on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. This morning we have woken up to the loud blast sounds. Thankfully, Zhytomyr remained unharmed. The military objects located around Zhytomyr were hit. The missiles were launched with the aircrafts that entered from Belarus. In general, a total of 24 missiles were fired at military bases and objects around Zhytomyr, Sukhomlyn told. In his words, Ukrainian forces continue to build fortified areas at the border with Belarus and near Zhytomyr. According to the North Operational Command, Chernihiv Region also came under enemy fire early in the morning. At about 05:00 a.m., June 25, 2022, Chernihiv Region came under massive missile attack. Twenty missile strikes were launched on the urban-type settlement of Desna from the territory of Belarus with aircrafts and from the ground, the report states. As a result, some infrastructure facilities were destroyed. According to the preliminary data, no casualties were reported. The further details are yet to be updated. A reminder that, on June 24, 2022, Russian troops fired missiles at Mykolaiv Region, Odesa Region and Kharkiv Region. In particular, about 70 missiles were fired at Odesa Region, leaving 10 civilians killed and 29 injured. mk A military object situated in Yavoriv District, Lviv Region, has been hit with Russian missiles. The Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense units shot down two cruise missiles, but four missiles struck the target. The relevant statement was made by Lviv Regional Military Administration Head Maksym Kozytskyi on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. At about 04:00 a.m., a military object situated in Yavoriv District was hit with a missile strike. According to the preliminary data, the West Air Force Command shot down two missiles. Sadly, four missiles struck the target, Kozytskyi told. In his words, enemy missiles were launched from the Black Sea. Four persons were injured in Russias missile attack. Three of them received mild injuries; one is in moderately grave condition. All the injured were taken to hospital. Rescuers have already localized and extinguished a fire caused by Russian missile strikes. A reminder that, in the morning of June 25, 2022, Russian troops fired over 40 missiles at Chernihiv Region and Zhytomyr Region. Some explosions were also heard in Lviv Region, Ternopil Region, Kyiv Region and Kharkiv Region. mk National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (Photo:VNA) He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh and many other high-ranking officials in the visit that takes place in the context that bilateral relations saw positive developments after the two countries upgraded ties to a comprehensive partnership in 2018 during a visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, manifesting the determination of their leaders in pushing up the relations./. The Ukrainian military have launched an air strike on Russian troops and military equipment in the Zaporizhzhia direction. The relevant statement was made by Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Ukrainian defenders have launched an air strike on enemy troops and equipment. The losses suffered by the occupiers are yet to be checked, the report states. Over the past day, Russian invaders have opened fire on Ukrainian positions 44 times, using cannon and rocket artillery all over the contact line. According to the intelligence, the command of Russian troops uses the war in Ukraine for its personal enrichment, taking public and private property from the temporarily occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia Region by truck. A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russia started a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops are shelling and destroying infrastructure facilities, launching air and artillery strikes on residential areas in Ukrainian cities and villages. mk Russian troops continue using the territory of Belarus to fire missiles at Ukraine and, thus, the capacity of the Armed Forces of Ukraine needs to be expanded in response. The relevant statement was made by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Dozens of missiles have been fired by Russians at our territory this morning. They continue using the territory of Belarus. They have many missiles, including old, technologically obsolete. Our task is to expand the capacity of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in response to this. We are in constant communication with our allies regarding weapons, Yermak wrote. Yermak stressed that we need speed and quantities. We have success in arms supplies but keep going, Yermak added. A reminder that, in the morning of June 25, 2022, Russian invaders fired missiles at Zhytomyr Region, Lviv Region and Chernihiv Region. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine mk In the city of Mykolaiv, Russian missile strikes have caused damage to civil infrastructure, public enterprises and educational institution this morning. The relevant statement was made by Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. This morning Russian occupiers have fired missiles at Mykolaiv. According to the military commandants office, based on the preliminary data, missile strikes were launched from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, Sienkevych wrote. Sienkevych posted the photographs of damaged civil infrastructure, public enterprises and educational institution. Some missiles also hit the outskirts of Mykolaiv. The total financial losses are now being assessed. A reminder that a total of 48 educational institutions, 15 cultural facilities and 42 public utility objects have been damaged in Mykolaiv since the Russian invasion started. mk The Ukrainian military have repulsed all offensive and assault actions by Russian troops near such settlements as Pokrovske, New York and Marinka, forcing the enemy to retreat. The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. As of 06:00 p.m., June 25, 2022, in the Volyn and Polissia directions, Belarusian forces were performing tasks to cover the Belarusian-Ukrainian border in Brest Region and Gomel Region. The threat of missile and air strikes from the territory of Belarus is persisting. In the Siverskyi direction, Russian troops continue to improve defensive positions in the border areas of the Russian Federation. The enemy fired at Ukrainian positions near such settlements as Hrynivka and Yanzhulivka, Chernihiv Region, with artillery. In the Slobozhanskyi direction, the enemy is taking measures to provide its units with ammunition and replenish losses. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian invaders fired at Ukrainian positions and infrastructure facilities. In the Sloviansk direction, Ukrainian forces stopped an enemy attack near Bohorodychne and assault operations near Mazanivka. Russian occupiers suffered losses and retreated. In the Donetsk direction, the enemys main efforts are focused on maintaining the occupied frontiers and regrouping troops. Russian invaders did not take active actions in the Kramatorsk direction. The enemy fired at such settlements as Maiaky, Pyskunivka and Siversk. In order to identify the positions of Ukrainian forces and adjust fire, Russian troops conducted air reconnaissance with the Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In the Lysychansk direction, Russian invaders opened fire near such settlements as Vovchoiarivka, Loskutivka, Bila Hora, Verkhniokamianka, Verkhnyokamianske, Vyimka and Zolotarivka. In the Bakhmut direction, Russians fired at such settlements as Kostiantynivka, Pokrovske, Mykolaivka, Vershyna, Berestove, Zaitseve, Klynove, New York, Volodymyrivka and Ivano-Darivka with mortars, cannon and rocket artillery. Ukrainian defenders successfully repulsed all offensive and assault actions by Russian troops near such settlements as Pokrovske, New York and Marinka. Russian occupiers retreated. In order to restrain the actions of Ukrainian forces, Russian invaders carried out demonstrative actions in the direction of Vershyna. The enemy also launched air strikes with Ka-52 and Mi-24 helicopters near Pavlivka. After the withdrawal of Ukrainian units, the enemy is gaining a foothold near such settlements as Sievierodonetsk, Syrotyne, Voronove and Borivske. In the Southern Bug direction, Russian troops are focusing efforts to maintain the occupied frontiers. In order to deplete personnel and destroy fortifications, the enemy fired at Ukrainian positions with mortars, artillery and rocket artillery all over the contact line. In the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, two enemy high-precision weapons carriers are ready to fire 16 Kalibr missiles at the territory of Ukraine. Russian troops are having low morale. The Russian command promised them huge payments for involvement in hostilities, but they do not get paid for various reasons. Russian occupiers continue to suffer significant losses in battles with the Ukrainian defense forces. A reminder that, between February 24, 2022 and June 25, 2022, Russias total combat losses in Ukraine reached about 34,700 troops. Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine mk The Belarusian army is unable to launch an offensive into Ukraine on its own, without the participation of Russian troops but the Kremlin keeps a third of its battalion tactical groups in reserve. Thats according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR MO), Ukrinform reports. According to the agency spokesman Vadym Skibitsky, as of now, the Belarusian army keeps only seven battalions near the borders of Ukraine on a rotational basis. Today, separate units of the Russian special operations forces, together with those of Belarus, undergo joint exercises to work out action on the territory of Ukraine. Such drills are ongoing along the entire border line. Skibitsky noted that a similar exercise program was observed during all previous joint exercises of the Belarus and Russia armies. "That is why the main threat now is about sabotage and reconnaissance groups," the intelligence spokesman said. According to the GUR, given the experience gained from March to April, the formation of a strike group will take three to four weeks, of which two to three weeks will be needed to ensure the return of Russian army units to Belarus. At the same time, an offensive operation by the Belarusian armed forces are considered "extremely unlikely." According to intelligence, today the total number of Belarusian units on rotation along the border is estimated at 4,000-6,000. Also, there are some 1,500 Russian forces, including an air component, air defense, specopsm, and missile forces. As Ukrinform reported earlier, referring to Ukraines intelligence, Russia will try to draw Belarus into the war with Ukraine through a series of false flag operations targeting Belarusian infrastructure facilities and the civilian population. To this end, Russian sabotage groups had arrived in the Belarusian city of Mozyr, posing as civilians. Meanwhile, Belarus continues to provide its resources to assist the Russian Federation in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In particular, overnight Saturday, the Russians launched a massive missile and bomb attack on the territory of Ukraine, with some of the missiles having been fired directly from the territory of Belarus. Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko of Ukraine and his German counterpart Christian Lindner have signed an Agreement between the two governments on providing Ukraine with EUR 1 billion in grant funding. This was reported by the press service of Ukraines finance ministry, Ukrinform reports. "The funds will be directed to the state budget of Ukraine to finance priority social and humanitarian expenditures amid martial law," the statement reads. It is noted that the funds will be sent to Ukraine through the mechanism of the International Monetary Funds Administered Account. Read also: Scholz calls on world to keep up pressure on Russia According to Serhiy Marchenko, the grant is seen as an extremely important contribution to support Ukraine. Ukraine has reportedly received more than $6 billion in foreign aid in the form of grants and loans since the start of the full-scale war. In particular, Ukraine received long-term soft loans from the German government amounting to a total of EUR 300 million to finance the state budget. Dmytro Kuleba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, says Ukraine will support the people of Moldova and the countrys government in the wake of the latest threats coming from the Russian Federation. Thats according to the top diplomats tweet, seen by Ukrinform. We stand with the people and the government of friendly Moldova amid renewed threats coming from Moscow. All Russia has left is spitting out threats at other states after decades of failed policies based on aggression, coercion, and disrespect. This only shows Russias weakness, Kuleba tweeted. As reported earlier, Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, in response to Moldovas statement of its readiness to join EU sanctions targeting Russian energy, threatened Chisinau to sever energy supplies and recalled that nearly 220,000 Russian citizens live in Transnistria, the unrecognized entity that is formally part of Moldova. Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova Igor Grosu has stated that Moldova will be in solidarity with the European Union. "We will be in solidarity with the EU. Our status and our European aspirations require this," Grosu told NewsMaker in an interview. Asked if this meant that Moldova would join the new sanctions against Russia, he said: "Yes, of course. Because the purpose of these sanctions is to stop the war." According to him, the first stage is to stop hostilities so that people no longer die. After that, diplomats should sit down at a negotiating table and find a decision to stop this war. Grosu stressed that everything can be rebuilt and repaired but, unfortunately, human lives cannot be returned. As reported, on June 23, the European Council granted the EU candidate status to Moldova and Ukraine, calling this moment historic. ol Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal thanked the Parliament of Canada for passing a law that would allow confiscating frozen Russian assets and transferring them to Ukraine for recovery. Canadas Senate passed bill that allows to confiscate frozen russian assets & transfer to Ukraine for recovery. The mechanism has been introduced in the legislation for the first time. Grateful to Justin Trudeau, Chrystia Freeland for support! russia must pay for the invasion of Ukraine, Shmyhal posted on Twitter. On June 24, the Parliament of Canada completed ratification of legislative amendments that give the government the right to confiscate frozen Russian funds. The United States, Canada, the European Union, Britain and other countries have already imposed several packages of economic sanctions on Russia, the main purpose of which is to limit the Kremlin's ability to finance the "war machine" in Europe. ol Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Presidents Office are considering suspending visa-free travel for Israeli nationals. This was stated by the countrys Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk, who spoke with the Israeli newspaper Detaly, Ukrinform reports. According to the diplomat, this is due to the restrictions that Israel has been imposing on refugees from Ukraine. The envoy noted that the Israeli Interior Ministry has reduced the list of family members who have the right to visit their Israeli relatives. Healthcare-related invitations are not being considered. In addition, electronic visas have been introduced for the Ukrainian citizens willing to enter. Read also: Zelensky orders Shmyhal to consider introducing visas for Russians "And it would be okay if these (restrictions - ed.) concerned all those involved in the war. But Russian citizens enter Israel without restrictions and Belarusian citizens do, too, while Ukrainian nationals face these electronic visas. Neither I nor my superiors can help but take it painfully. I am told by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian Presidents Office that this is unacceptable. We are now considering whether we should suspend our visa-free travel for Israelis in response. It wont be noticeable at the moment but ahead of Rosh Hashanah, the Israeli government will feel it," Korniychuk said. According to the ambassador, due to this attitude on the part of the Israeli authorities, there has been a serious outflow of Ukrainians from Israel recently. "Since the onset of active hostilities, according to statistics, 38,500 have entered your country, of which about 13,000 people have obtained Israeli passports. Of this total, 14,100 have already left. In the last month, more than 5,000 people left. This once again confirms that the artificial restrictions are unjustified," the ambassador stressed. Korniychuk added that the situation in Ukraine remains difficult as the country is suffering huge losses and destruction. "We dont think Israel owes us anything. But from a moral perspective, shouldn't you be on the right side in this war? We are alone facing this great trouble and are waiting for help from our partners either paid or free, any kind, but we dont want them to just sit on the shore waiting out until someone starts winning. Cause when we do, then they will start helping us more, suggested the ambassador. As reported earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 23 that Ukraine is grateful to Israeli society for its support in countering Russian aggression, but also wants help from the Israeli authorities, which has not yet come. Photo: Emil Shleimovich Germany will grant Ukraine EUR 1 billion for priority expenditures of the government. The governments of the two countries signed respective agreement on June 24, Finance Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Marchenko has said. "I am grateful to my friend, Finance Minister of Germany Christian Lindner, for rapid implementation of this important decision. This financial assistance is important as never before and will help us to bring our victory closer," he said on Facebook. The Portuguese town of Cascais will allocate 500,000 for the reconstruction of a kindergarten in the town of Irpin, Kyiv region. "The Portuguese town of Cascais will allocate 500,000 euros for the reconstruction of a kindergarten in Irpin. In addition, one of the enterprises of this new sister town of Irpin offered assistance in restoring the roof of an apartment block damaged by Russians," Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn posted on Telegram. According to the mayor, all this became possible thanks to the meetings and negotiations. "We brought to Cascais the presentations of the destroyed social facilities and housing stock of Irpin prepared by the investment council of the town and received significant support," Markushyn stressed. He added that Cascais Mayor Carlos Carreiras and representatives of Portuguese business plan to come to Irpin in September to discuss attracting even more help to rebuild the town. ol Russians are trying to sow panic among inhabitants of the areas in Zhytomyr region bordering Belarus, circulating fake news of Russian tanks in the town of Ovruch or enemy saboteurs allegedly seen in the area. The head of the Korosten District Military Administration, Yuriy Tarasiuk, spoke with Ukraines Public Broadcaster Suspilne, addressing the issue, Ukrinform reports. There were no enemy tanks in Ovruch, and no one captured the city, the head of the District Military Administration emphasized. Such spins are part of Russias psyops targeting the Ukrainian population. "All this is being done in order to sow panic among the population of border areas. For example, now there is information that enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups intend to penetrate into Ukraine. But you understand that there are both border guards and the military here in order for these groups to have at least some chance to enter, much needs to be done including, for example, disorienting the population so that they start to panic and flee en masse, creating an atmosphere of chaos in the border areas. Chaos could serve as a cover for enemy sabotage groups to move in," Tarasiuk said. According to the official, construction of additional fortifications at the border has been underway since February 24. "This is a continuous process preparations are ongoing, the border areas are being reinforced. The walls on the border with Belarus are not being built yet, but fortification preparations are underway," Tarasiuk said. He urged the population of the border areas in Zhytomyr region not to succumb to panic or contribute to spreading Russian disinformation. As Ukrinform reported earlier, on the morning of June 25, Russian troops fired 24 missiles at military facilities around Zhytomyr, killing a serviceman and wounding another one. Ukrainian air defense forces shot down almost a dozen more missiles, which were targeting the regions infrastructure. The honorable Rhonda Jackson, Director General of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas, and Crispin Hall, UNHCR Protection officer in the Bahamas, address the theater before the screening of Simple as Water. UNHCR/A. Mucino-Sanchez Family has no borders. That is the powerful message behind the film Simple as Water. It follows Syrian refugee families across five different countries and provides insight into the plight of the 100 million people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence, or persecution. For World Refugee Day, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, hosted a special reception and screening of the film Simple as Water, to help bring awareness to the challenges refugees encounter on their journeys and to give a human face to their struggles. While the families in Simple as Water are far removed from the Bahamas, the adversity they face is familiar to that confronted by thousands of refugees and asylum seekers in the Caribbean region, some of whom find themselves on the shores of the Bahamas. World Refugee Day is about celebrating the resilience of refugees in the Bahamas and around the world. said Crispin Hall from the UNHCR office in the Bahamas. The themes of this film are relevant everywhere - we look forward to continuing our work with the government and our partners to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment for people who seek protection in the Bahamas. The event was attended by dignitaries, government officials, and partner organizations, including United Nations Country Coordinator, Aneesah Abdullah, Ms. Kenrah Newry, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs, Mr. Kayla Greene-Smith, Assistant Director of Legal Affairs, and the Honorable Rhonda Jackson, Director General of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas. That is why this years theme is so important, said Jackson. It calls on all of us to recognize that there is more to calling some place home, than it being a shelter. Its about a feeling of comfort and security knowing that one has the right to seek safety should the need arise. Ms. Liv Feijen, Head of UNHCRs Caribbean Unit in Washington, D.C. stressed that World Refugee Day is a day to highlight the importance of welcoming newcomers into our communities. It is imperative to see refugees as an asset and not a burden, that they bring hopes, aspirations, experiences, and pieces of their culture with them to their new homes, she said. According to a refugee, whos name has been omitted for protection reasons, it was important to him to be present at the event and share his story. For me home is a place where you feel accepted where you feel entitled and where you feel loved, he said. I feel like Im farther away from it because of where I am, the reason I feel so is because Im reminded, because of my accent or how I dress, that I dont belong. Coming here today was important because Im meeting people who are willing to listen. While World Refugee Day honors the contributions of the millions of people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to violence, war, or persecution, it is also a day to remember that we can all make a difference by standing with refugees. World Refugee Day Banner in the Fusion Superplex Theater, in Nassau, Bahamas UNHCR/A. Mucino-Sanchez UNHCR The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, express profound sadness and concern at the loss of life and injuries reported during attempted crossings of the fence between Nador in Morocco and Melilla in Spain on Friday morning. IOM and UNHCR urge all authorities to prioritize the safety of migrants and refugees, refrain from the excessive use of force and uphold their human rights. These violent events highlight more than ever the importance of finding durable solutions for people on the move, in the spirit of the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular Migration and the Global Compact for Refugees. IOM and UNHCR reiterate their call to the international community, in line with the principle of responsibility sharing, to strengthen access to safer, alternative pathways to mitigate the resort to dangerous journeys and reduce the risk of such tragic events from occurring again in the future. For more information on this topic, please contact: IOM: In Geneva: Safa Msehli, +41 79 403 5526, [email protected] In Brussels: Ryan Schroeder, + 32 492 25 02 34, [email protected] In Cairo Mohammedali Abunajela, +20 100 300 4406, [email protected] UNHCR: In January-May 2022, the Dobrobut medical network transferred UAH 111 million in taxes to the state budget and provided medical care to more than 150,000 patients. According to a press release from the company, in particular, since the beginning of the year, the medical network has provided medical care to 20,000 patients free of charge thanks to the support of U.S. charitable foundations and the Dobrobut Foundation. Dobrobut is one of the largest private medical networks in Ukraine. The company's portfolio includes 20 medical centers in Kyiv city and the region, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, emergency services, dentistry and pharmacies. The network's medical centers provide services for children and adults in more than 75 medical specialties. Every year, its specialists perform more than 7,000 operations. The network employs 1,500 employees, including more than 400 doctors of the highest category. During the war, thanks to cooperation with international charitable organizations Direct Relief International, Children of War Foundation, International Medical Corps and the University of Miami Global Institute, as well as the work of the Dobrobut Foundation charity fund, the clinics of the network, which continue their work during the hostilities, part of the medical services are provided free of charge, the company said. Like all great things, the 2021-22 editorial boards term has come to an end. Read more (@FahadShabbir) VIENTIANE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jun, 2022 ) APP):Laos held the final round of the 15th "Chinese Bridge" contest for non-Chinese secondary students in the capital Vientiane on Friday, and released the final result on Saturday. The annual Chinese proficiency competition was held in Liewtou Chinese school and participated by students from 12 Lao secondary schools in Vientiane, Savannakhet, Pakse and Muangxai. Under the theme of "Fly High With Chinese," the competition included recorded videos of speeches and talent shows, and an online real time Q&A, through which the contestants showed their Chinese language skill and understanding of the Chinese culture. Lin Junxiong, chairman of the Liewtou Chinese School and the Chinese Language education Association in Laos, said that the annual "Chinese Bridge" contest in Laos has provided more chances for Lao students to learn the Chinese language and get to know about the Chinese culture, and has been a bridge for the exchange and friendship between the two countries' young people. (@FahadShabbir) NANJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jun, 2022 ) :Airbus will establish the Airbus China Research Center in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, to strengthen the company's footprint and innovation partnerships in China, the company announced Friday. Airbus and Suzhou Industrial Park signed a framework agreement on Friday on the establishment of the center. The new move by Airbus is aimed at reaffirming its long-term commitment to cooperating with and investing in China, according to Airbus China. "China not only has a promising aviation market, but also has advanced technological advantages in many fields," said George Xu, executive vice president of Airbus and chief executive officer of Airbus China. "Airbus hopes to jointly contribute to the high-quality development of China's aviation industry by taking advantage of the high-quality business environment, unique industry chain and talent pool here," Xu said. The Airbus China Research Center is located in China's Yangtze River Delta, one of the country's economic hubs. It will carry out research work on advanced technologies, such as hydrogen energy infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and the aviation industry's upgrading with digitalization and intelligence. It is due to start operations in 2023, said the company. Airbus also said it is committed to leading the decarbonization of the aerospace sector, and aims to develop the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035, which is consistent with China's goal to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Established in 1994, Suzhou Industrial Park has attracted a dozen high-tech enterprises in fields such as AI, biomedicine, nanotechnology and intelligent manufacturing. In recent years, Suzhou has been striving to seize the strategic opportunities of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta and build a highland for its aerospace industry. Suzhou seeks to gather more than 500 enterprises in the aerospace industry chain, with operating income reaching 60 billion Yuan (about 9 billion U.S. Dollars) by 2023. CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th June, 2022) Turkey detained a Moldovan passenger plane at Antalya airport, Air Moldova said in a statement. The airline company confirmed on Saturday the detention of it's plane and specified that "Turkish provider referred to the alleged contractual debts," however the debt has already been settled. "According to the accounting data, which was adopted following the privatization of CA "Air Moldova," after internal audits, all invoices to the supplier were paid. At the moment, Air Moldova has no debts to the Turkish provider," the airline said on social media. The airline apologized to the passengers, who spent from 9 to 14 hours at the Antalya airport and noted that the problem is being addressed. "One of the flights to Antalya has already departed, the next ones will depart soon. Air Moldova apologizes to passengers affected by this situation," the statement read. According to the online schedule at the Chisinau International Airport website, five Air Moldova flights from Antalya have been canceled. During a mass missile attack on Zhytomyr region from the territory of Belarus on Saturday morning, the Ukrainian air defense system shot down around ten enemy missiles aimed at the infrastructure facilities, Head of Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Bunechko has said. "This morning, during a mass missile attack on Zhytomyr region fired by Russian aircraft from Belarus, our defenders shot down around ten missiles aimed at the infrastructure facilities in the region. I keep saying: when you hear a siren, go to the shelter!" he said on Facebook. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed on Saturday that the Beijing would provide 50 million yuan ($ 7.5 million) in emergency humanitarian aid including tents, sheets, convertible beds to quake-hit Afghanistan BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jun, 2022 ) :Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed on Saturday that the Beijing would provide 50 million Yuan ($ 7.5 million) in emergency humanitarian aid including tents, sheets, convertible beds to quake-hit Afghanistan. The first shipment of aid to be transported to the country on Monday by charter flight. China will also work closely with the Afghan interim government to ensure that aid reaches those affected in time and helps local people to overcome their current difficulties, Wang said. Wang noted with the concerted efforts of the Afghan interim government and all walks of life, with the help from the international community, we have faith that local victims will soon overcome these difficulties, rebuild their homes and return to their normal lives. The Chinese Foreign Ministry already said on Friday that China will send additional emergency humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan with cash, tents, quilts and other supplies being prepared, after the 5.9-magnitude earthquake that jolted parts of Afghanistan including the capital city Kabul on last Wednesday and resulted in at least 1,500 deaths, according to Global Times. China expressed sympathy to Afghanistan immediately after the earthquake and expressed readiness to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The food support promised by China has arrived in Afghanistan and is being distributed quickly, and China is also ready to strengthen cooperation with Afghanistan on disaster prevention and reduction, especially disaster monitoring and forecasting, Wang said. Haibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Taliban-run administration, has sought assistance from the international community. Countries like China, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey have pledged humanitarian assistance to quake-affected areas. We believe that with the concerted efforts of the Afghan interim government and all sectors of society and the help of the international community, the people in the quake-hit areas will overcome difficulties and return to normal life and work at an early date, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signalled on Saturday that no progress had been made in Sweden's bid to join NATO, urging Stockholm to take "concrete actions" to meet Ankara's concerns, his office said Istanbul, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jun, 2022 ) :Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signalled on Saturday that no progress had been made in Sweden's bid to join NATO, urging Stockholm to take "concrete actions" to meet Ankara's concerns, his office said. In a phone call with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, Erdogan reiterated that "Sweden should take steps regarding such fundamental matters as combatting terrorism", the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Turkey "wanted to see binding commitments on these issues together with concrete and clear action," he added. Finland and Sweden discussed their stalled NATO bids with Turkey in Brussels on Monday, but Ankara dashed hopes that their dispute will be resolved before an alliance summit next week. Turkish officials said Ankara does not view the summit as a final deadline for resolving Ankara's objections. Andersson, who became prime minister late last year, said the conversation with Erdogan went well. She tweeted that they had "agreed on the importance of making progress ahead of the NATO summit in Madrid next week, where I look forward to meeting President Erdogan and other allied leaders". Ankara has accused Finland and in particular Sweden of providing a safe haven for outlawed Kurdish militants whose decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Erdogan told Andersson that Sweden "should make concrete changes in its attitude" toward the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its Syrian affiliates, the presidency said. "In this regard no tangible action aimed at addressing Turkey's concerns was seen to have been taken by Sweden," it added. The Turkish leader also voiced expectations that Sweden would lift an arms embargo against Turkey that Stockholm imposed in 2019 over Ankara's military offensive in Syria. He also said he hopes that restrictions on Turkey's defence industry would be lifted, and that Sweden will extradite several people Ankara has accused of involvement in terrorism. The phone call comes after Erdogan discussed the two countries' bid with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. Erdogan also told Stoltenberg that "Sweden and Finland should take concrete and sincere steps" against outlawed Kurdish militants, the presidency said. Stoltenberg said he had a "good call" with "our valued ally" Erdogan. "We agreed to continue the talks in Brussels and Madrid next week," he tweeted. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday described a deadly migrant rush in the enclave of Melilla bordering Morocco as "an attack on the territorial integrity" of Spain which he blamed on "mafias that traffic in human beings". Madrid, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jun, 2022 ) :Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday described a deadly migrant rush in the enclave of Melilla bordering Morocco as "an attack on the territorial integrity" of Spain which he blamed on "mafias that traffic in human beings". Dramatic scenes on Friday saw some 2,000 migrants storm border fences separating Morocco from the Spanish enclave Melilla, leading to at least 18 deaths, according to the latest Moroccan official toll. "If anyone is responsible for everything that happened at the border, it is the mafias that traffic in human beings," he told a press conference. Melilla, along with fellow Spanish enclave Ceuta, are the European Union's only two borders with the African continent and both towns have long been magnets for migrants willing to risk their lives to reach the bloc. Sanchez condemned what he termed "a violent and organism assault organized by mafia who traffic human beings to a town situated on Spanish soil. As a result this is an attack on our territorial integrity."He added that "the Moroccan gendarmerie worked in concert with (Spanish) troops and security bodies to push back this so violent assault that we witnessed." Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda restates the Churchs commitment to work for peace through dialogue in Cameroons Northwest and Southwest regions where a separatist crisis has dragged on for over five years. By Benedict Mayaki, SJ The crisis in Cameroon which began five years ago between separatist forces and the government has plunged the English-speaking regions of the country into a deadly conflict that has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions, destroyed properties and is creating a growing humanitarian crisis. The immediate origins of the crisis stem from legal and educational grievances in 2016 which rapidly escalated into a secessionist political conflict with separatists calling for the creation of an independent state they call Ambazonia. The violence has taken a heavy toll on the civilian populations in the Northwest and Southwest region of the nation, with attacks against schools, extrajudicial killings, kidnappings and a general sense of insecurity forcing millions of Cameroonians to flee to neighbouring countries. In all this, the Church has been vocal, calling for an end to the violence and for reconciliation between the sides in conflict. Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda spoke to Vatican News on the sidelines of the 10th World Meeting of Families taking place in Rome, highlighting the Churchs role in the service of peace and dialogue in the country. Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda, president of the Bishops' Conference of Cameroon The people are most affected in the crisis Archbishop Nkea notes that the Churchs major difficulty in its advocacy during the crisis is navigating the thin line of neutrality in the sense of not belonging to any side of the conflict between the government and the separatists, while trying to advocate for peace and reconciliation. In fact, he explains, sometimes the government thinks we are not condemning the separatists enough, and most of the time the separatists think that we are not taking a tough enough stance against the government. However, the Archbishop insists that the focus is the People of God the suffering people, the students out of school and those who have been displaced by the conflict and forced to flee to neighbouring countries including Nigeria. For these people, he insists, I am ready to give my life not for separatists, not for the government! Listen to our interview with Archbishop Andrew Nkea The Church in service of peace, dialogue Since the start of the conflict, the Church has channeled her efforts towards restoring peace and reconciliation in the country, explains the Archbishop, who is also the president of the Bishops Conference of Cameroon. These efforts have also been complemented with humanitarian assistance to those affected by the fighting, including medical care backed by aid from international organizations including the WHO and the UN refugee agency. According to the UN, about 2 million people affected by the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon need humanitarian assistance and 1.4 million of the most vulnerable are targeted by humanitarian partners for assistance. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says over $139.9 is needed to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable and limited funding has been a major constraint in this regard. The Archbishop further reiterates the Churchs conviction that the only way to resolve the conflict in Cameroon is through dialogue which the Church has been trying to facilitate between the separatists and the government, in spite of challenges. We focus on what is right and we go on with what is right even to the point of death. We will talk to both parties and make sure that at some point they are able to dialogue and bring this crisis to an end. Violence begets more violence The crisis in the English-speaking regions has led to the deaths of more than 4,000 civilians and hundreds of members of security forces. Archbishop Nkea strongly condemns the killings, stressing that we cannot get peace and justice by killing each other. At the World Meeting of Families, Dr. Christauria Welland describes the lifelong harm that comes from domestic violence, and says the Church must respond to this reality in order to help form healthy families. By Devin Watkins Around 125 million Catholic women may endure physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. Dr. Christauria Welland offered that estimate based on statistics that about 30 percent of women worldwide have been victims of domestic violence. The US-based clinical psychologist and catechist told participants in the 10th World Meeting of Families in Rome that the pandemic has worsened the situation of domestic violence, often due to heightened stress. Violence in the family, she noted, includes physical aggression, sexual coercion, and psychological or economic abuse, all of which violate Gods plan for the family, which is for the smallest unit of society to be a place of love and communion. Does God still love me? On the sidelines of the event in the Vaticans Paul VI Hall, Dr. Welland told Fr. Benedict Mayaki that these terrible statistics should urge the Church to help victims of domestic violence to become survivors. Fortunately, the Church is much more aware of domestic violence, especially since Pope Francis pontificate began, she said, adding that many dioceses and parishes are beginning to offer help for victims. And her message for victims of domestic violence? I want all victims to know that God loves them. I want them to know that they can become a survivor. It takes time and work. You cant do it alone. You need God. You need other people to help you. What can priests do for victims? Noting that priests are often the first person to whom victims turn, Dr. Welland called for the Church to offer better training for priest to help them deal with this situation. With domestic violence, you cant just make the sign of the cross over someone and say, Well, you have to forgive and forget, so go home and carry your cross, said Dr. Welland. I have heard many people tell victims that, but they dont know what they are saying. The first step priests can take is to believe the person, even though the temptation is to trust outward appearances, since the priest may know the husband who appears to be a good guy. Priests then need to have a plan in place to find immediate shelter for victims of domestic violence, which may be a family who has offered to provide a confidential and temporary residence. Another step is to call emergency services, perhaps a special hotline dedicated to domestic violence. What leads someone to become an abuser? One of the main risk factors that lead people to abuse others is growing up in an abusive home, according to Dr. Welland. If you live in a family where there's a history of domestic violencewhat we call intergenerational transmission in families, where there's there has been violence in previous generationsI call that somebody crossing the line. And that line is being crossed, and it just continues to be crossed because there's nothing to stop it. The amount of violence in the surrounding culture can also contribute as well to someone becoming violent toward others. An abusive spouse or father is responsible for what they do, said Dr. Welland, but the Churchs ministers must also care for them. Hes also a human being. God also loves him, she said. We need to get to work because our families will never be healthy as long as we have abuse occurring in them. Catholic teaching, she concluded, reminds us that men and women are equal in dignity, and everyone in the Church has a role to play in responding to domestic abuse, from Bishops to priests to lay Catholics. Indigenous people from Canada present the Pope with a stole during an audience on 1 April 2022 (Vatican Media) The Bishops of Canada welcome the release of the schedule for Pope Francis 24-29 July Apostolic Visit, and express their hopes his visit will offer another step in the journey of healing, reconciliation, and hope. By Devin Watkins The Holy Fathers pilgrimage will focus on Indigenous healing and reconciliation, while also providing the shepherd of the worlds 1.2 billion Catholics an opportunity to encounter the faithful in Canada. The countrys Catholic Bishops Conference offered that take on Pope Francis scheduled Apostolic Journey in a statement on Thursday, shortly after the Holy See Press Office released the programme for his visit. The Pope is set to arrive in the western city of Edmonton on 24 July, before heading east to Quebec and then returning to Rome on 29 July. His will be the fourth papal visit to Canada and the first since St. John Paul visited in 2002. Limited length of events Canadas Bishops note that the Pope has relatively few appointments each day, due to his ongoing knee pain which forced him to postpone his visit to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, previously set for 2-7 July. Due to his advanced age and limitations, it is expected that participation by Pope Francis at public events will be limited to approximately one hour. The Apostolic Journey will be focused on the theme Walking Together, and will see the Pope hold various encounters with Indigenous peoples. Archbishop Richard Smith, the local General Coordinator of the visit, commented on the programme: We know that the Holy Father was deeply moved by his encounter with Indigenous Peoples in Rome earlier this year, and that he hopes to build on the important dialogue that took place. We pray this pilgrimage will serve as another meaningful step in the long journey of healing, reconciliation and hope. Read also 23/06/2022 Vatican releases programme for Pope Francis' Canada visit The Holy See Press Office releases the programme for Pope Francis Apostolic Journey to Canada, due to take place on 24-29 July. Pilgrimage in honour of St. Anne Pope Francis starts his Apostolic Journey to Canada in Edmonton, the capital city of the western Alberta province. The Bishops say Alberta is home to the largest number of former residential schools in Canada, and note that the Pope will meet with former residential school students from across the country. As the Church celebrates the feast of St. Anne, the grandmother of Jesus, on 26 July, the Pope will celebrate an open-air Mass in Edmonton. Canadas Bishops note that St. Anne is particularly venerated by Indigenous Catholics, adding that the Pope will travel to Lac St. Anne, which tens of thousands of pilgrims visit each year. Focus on healing and reconciliation After flying to the eastern city of Quebec on 28 July, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, one of the oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites in North America. Over a million visitors travel there each year, including annual Indigenous pilgrimages. The Popes meeting with the Bishops of Canada will then lead to the Bishops and Indigenous leaders holding a dinner focused on friendship and ongoing dialogue. Pope Francis wraps up his Apostolic Journey to Canada with a stop in Iqaluit on 29 July, where he will meet with Indigenous leaders and residential school survivors. The papal plane is scheduled to land in Rome on the morning of 30 July. Russia launches around 30 missiles at Zhytomyr region, one serviceman killed, one injured The enemy launched around 30 missiles at Zhytomyr region, one serviceman was killed and one injured, Head of Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Bunechko has said. "Today, like on the first day of the full-scale invasion, starting from 4:15 a.m., the enemy again mounted missile attacks on Zhytomyr region! This time around 30 missiles were fired against the region. One serviceman was killed, one injured," he said on the Telegram channel. Some military infrastructure facilities were insignificantly damaged, Bunechko said. Zhytomyr Mayor Serhiy Sukhomlyn, in turn, said that none of the missiles hit Zhytomyr, however, the military facilities around the city were attacked. The mayor said that aircraft fired 24 missiles from the territory of Belarus against the military units and facilities around Zhytomyr. "I cannot comment on where, how, and whether there are casualties. This is our military administration's task. Everything is calm in Zhytomyr," he said. Sukhomlyn also said that "Lukashenko is doing zigzags in front of Putin, his own army, and the West, but today we have seen that Belarus participates in the war like Russia." President Xi Jinping will participate in next week's celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China, the government said Saturday, but it left unclear whether he will visit the former British colony for the highly symbolic event after a crackdown on a pro-democracy movement. Xi, who also is general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, will attend a meeting for the anniversary and the inauguration of Hong Kong's government led by newly appointed Chief Executive John Lee, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The announcement gave no other details. The anniversary is one of the highest-profile political events in a year when Xi is widely believed to be trying to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as party leader. He already is the most powerful Chinese leader since at least the 1980s and wants to be seen as leading a national rejuvenation amid a military buildup and more assertive policy abroad. Xi hasn't made a trip outside the Chinese mainland since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago. Hong Kong faces a renewed rise in infections after a flood of cases earlier this year threatened to overwhelm its hospitals. Lee and his predecessor, Carrie Lam, both issued statements thanking Xi for participating in anniversary celebrations but didn't clarify whether he would visit Hong Kong. The anniversary follows a crackdown led in part by Lee, a former Hong Kong security chief. Activists have been sentenced to prison, scores of others arrested, and Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy newspaper was shut down. The tighter controls under a national security law imposed in 2020 have prompted some people to leave for Taiwan, Britain and other countries. That has led to concerns the ruling party is ruining Hong Kongs status as a global business and financial center. Hong Kong, one of Asia's richest cities and a global business center with thriving film, publishing and other creative industries, returned to China on July 1, 1997, under an agreement that promised a high degree of autonomy for 50 years. Activists and foreign governments say Beijing has reneged on that. The United States suspended agreements that treated Hong Kong as a separate territory for trade, saying the city no longer had enough autonomy from Beijing. Two years after Hong Kong, the neighboring Portuguese territory of Macao also returned to China in 1999, allowing the ruling party to say it had ended foreign colonialism. Since the Hong Kong handover, ordinary people in the territory have struggled with soaring living costs that inflamed political tension. Beijing imposed the sweeping national security legislation in 2020 following protests that erupted over a proposed extradition law and spread to include demands for more democracy. The territory has banned commemorations of the ruling party's violent 1989 crackdown on Beijing's Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement. Those sentenced to prison include Jimmy Lai, former publisher of the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Hong Kong's 90-year-old former Roman Catholic bishop, Joseph Zen, was among those arrested. The crackdown adds to tension between Beijing and the United States, Europe, Japan and other Asian governments over human rights, Taiwan and conflicts with its neighbors over Chinese territorial claims in the South China and East China seas. Hong Kongs final British colonial governor, Chris Patten, expressed heartbreak this month over the crackdown. I thought there was a prospect that (China) would keep its word, and Im sorry that it hasnt, Patten told The Associated Press on June 20 in London. I just find it intensely difficult. I do believe that Hong Kong is a great city, I hope it will be a great city again. Aid began reaching parts of eastern Afghanistan on Friday to help those injured and left homeless by this weeks deadly earthquake, as the death toll from the quake rose and an aftershock hit the same area. Afghan state media said Friday that Wednesdays quake killed 1,150 people, while a new aftershock left five more people dead. The United Nations has confirmed the deaths of 1,036 people from the earthquake. The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, said Friday it has rushed tons of relief items and support staff to the region. In a statement, the UNHCR said it had dispatched supplies that include 600 tents, 4,200 blankets, 1,200 water containers, 1,200 buckets, 1,200 plastic sheets, 600 kitchen sets and 1,200 solar lamps to the area. The agency said the supplies were sent from Kabul Thursday in nine trucks. The 5.9 earthquake struck Wednesday in remote areas of eastern and southeastern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan. The worst-hit provinces are Paktika and Khost, with nearly 3,000 homes in the provinces destroyed, according to state media. UNICEF, another U.N. agency, said Friday its teams were on the ground within hours of the quake. Speaking from the capital, Kabul, UNICEF Afghanistan representative Mohamed Ayoya, said the agency is providing emergency medicine and medical supplies, as well as kits to treat children with diarrhea and to help prevent the spread of cholera, a high risk because of damaged water systems and limited hygiene. He said 121 children died in the earthquake but said that figure is likely to rise. Another 70 children were injured. Aid also began arriving from Pakistan, Iran, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Other countries have announced they are sending aid, including India, Japan and South Korea. Afghan disaster ministry spokesman Mohammad Nassim Haqqani told Reuters news agency the country does not have enough supplies particularly drugs and other medical supplies to deal with the aftermath of such a massive earthquake. Haqqani told Reuters the search for survivors of the quake had ended just 48 hours after it struck, without detailing why the search was called off so quickly. The United States says the earthquake was the worst to hit the country in the last 20 years. Officials say in some areas the quake buried entire families, as it took place while many people were sleeping in mud houses. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters. Australia has begun urging Australians to get third or fourth COVID-19 vaccines in a bid to bring down alarming rates of infection and death. Around 30,000 new infections are reported each day in a country where most COVID-19 controls have been removed. In the face of stubbornly high case numbers, Australia on Thursday launched a campaign to encourage Australians to get a third or fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The government is also focusing on improving vaccination rates in First Nations communities where only 53% of the population have had two vaccine doses -- and among children aged 5 to 11. At 40%, their rates of inoculation are about half of those of 12- to 15-year-olds. More than 95% of those 16 and over are fully vaccinated, and most public health measures, including mask mandates at most airports, have been lifted. While officials are confident the country of 25 million people is through the worst of this pandemic, Australians are urged not to be complacent. Government data shows that more than 300 Australians die from COVID-19 every week. Epidemiologists say the health care system could struggle to cope with a severe winter flu season combined with high coronavirus rates. More than 30,000 new infections were reported Saturday. Health Minister Mark Butler Australians has said Australians had responded magnificently during the pandemic, but he has urged the country not to be complacent. "We are still seeing enormous loss of life, enormous dislocation and massive pressure on our health and our hospital systems, and on top of that, as we all know, influenza has returned to the country as well. Now, I am determined to increase our efforts to ensure that we get through this winter as safely as we possibly can," he said. Since the pandemic began almost 8 million Australians, or about a third of the population, have been infected with COVID-19. Nine thousand five hundred people have died. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the countrys longest bridge, which took eight years to build and was plagued by delays, political conflict, high costs and graft allegations. The opening of the bridge over the turbulent Padma River caps a key infrastructure goal by Hasina and has been billed by her government as the jewel in its crown, which shows the grit, determination and resilience of the administration in the face of international pressure and domestic criticism. Construction of the six-kilometer bridge by a Chinese company began in November 2015, with the aim of connecting the countrys southwestern region with the capital, Dhaka, via road and rail. The double-layer steel truss bridge incorporates a four-lane highway on an upper level along with a single-track railway on the lower level. Costing $3.86 billion, it is one of the largest projects Bangladesh has ever undertaken. The entire amount is financed by its own government after the World Bank and other global lending agencies pulled out of the project following a corruption scandal involving a Canadian construction company linked to the bridge. Canadian engineering firm SNC-Lavalin was accused of bribing officials overseeing the project and was banned from bidding on World Bank projects for a decade. Prosecutors in Canada eventually declined to pursue graft charges against company executives after a court ruled some wiretap evidence against them was inadmissible. Sheikh Hasina declared that her government would self-fund the project. Her decision faced a battery of skepticism from the countrys economists as well as political opponents, since Bangladesh didnt have any prior experience building such infrastructure without financial support from several donors. At Saturdays bridge opening ceremony, Hasina reminded a crowd about that skepticism. Some people said we would always be beholden to others but our father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, (Hasinas father) taught us the importance of self-respect. This Padma Bridge is not a pile of brick and cement, she said. This bridge is a symbol of Bangladeshs pride, honor and ability. Why is the bridge significant? Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, Bangladeshs highest circulated English daily newspaper, wrote in a commentary that the Padma Bridge marks the most public and direct defiance of a multilateral organization like the World Bank and through it, of donor practice in general. Anam, often a staunch critic of Hasina, wrote that, many countries make their own bridges and with their own resources but building this bridge is a significant step for Bangladesh, because it breaks down forever our image of a country dependent on handouts. With a national election slated to be held next year, the construction of the bridge is seen by political pundits as the most significant achievement of the Hasina-led Awami League (AL) government in its three consecutive terms in office spanning over a decade. The bridge will work as a direct gateway to the countrys poverty-stricken southwestern region, a major source of the partys political support, and will significantly reduce travel time. The mighty Padma River separates the southwest from Dhaka and people are forced to travel on ferries or launches that make slow journeys. Perishable goods transported by truck often rot because of the long trip. The bridge was built by the state-owned China Major Bridge Engineering Company, Ltd. and is seen by Beijing as a milestone for China-Bangladesh cooperation. Chinese state media attempted to claim it as part of the Belt and Road Infrastructure (BRI), an assertion the Bangladeshi government dismissed earlier this week. Encouraged by its growing economy and foreign exchange reserves, the Bangladesh government earlier also rebuffed Chinese proposals to fund the bridge's construction. Economist Mustafizur Rahman told VOA that Bangladeshs bureaucracy never had the capability to execute such a megaproject. It is reassuring to see that we can successfully complete structures like Padma Bridge. Its a great booster for us. He also said the bridge would help grow Bangladeshs gross domestic product (GDP) by 1.3% annually, and will increase jobs, service sector activity and tourism in the southwestern region. Experts say construction of the bridge, which involved more than 4,000 engineers, one-third of which were Bangladeshi engineers, is a major technical achievement. The bridges underwater pilings extend 122 meters deep, a world record, and it requires 41 support pillars. At some points in the river the water flow volume ranks second globally only after the Amazon River. Is the cost too high? The opposition criticized Hasinas government for increasing the bridges construction budget threefold from its initial $1.2 billion over the years and accused authorities of constructing the bridge with one of the highest costs per kilometer. Rumin Farhana, a lawmaker with the countrys main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), told the parliament the Padma Bridge will be a textbook example of corruption. If we compare the Padma Bridge with other bridges of similar or slightly longer length, we can call it golden bridge, she said. Rumin cited the cost of building the longest bridge in neighboring India, the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge, and said the construction of that nine-kilometer bridge cost only $156 million. It is possible to build 30 Bhupen Hazarika bridges in India at the cost of one Padma Bridge here in Bangladesh, she said. Dr. Shamim Z. Basunia, chairman of the Padma Bridge project's expert panel, however, told VOA that comparing the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge with the Padma Bridge is a massive mistake. There are bigger bridges in the world than the Padma Bridge, but there is no bridge on a river as big and as unpredictable as the Padma River. For river training alone, we needed to spend more than $1 billion, which added to the cost, he said. Speaking with VOA, Germany-based Bangladeshi financial analyst and researcher Zia Hassan said no two bridges in the world are the same, so cost comparisons between bridges would often be misleading. However, the comparison between the Crimean Bridge, built in three years at a cost of $3.69 billion across the Kerch Strait, with a similar pile depth (to the Padma Bridge) but three times as long (18.1 kilometers) brings the $3.868 billion spent on Padma Bridge into perspective, he said. The World Bank said that Bangladesh has the highest infrastructure costs in the world, which it attributes to a lack of competition in the bidding process and higher land acquisition costs. The same applies for Padma Bridge, where the main construction contract was awarded to a single bidder (China Major Bridge Engineering Company, Ltd.), when other bidders refrained from submitting full quotation (project bids). Land acquisition corruption has also been unearthed, Hassan said. Activists in Botswana have slammed the Kimberley Process, which is intended to prevent diamonds from financing wars, after meetings this week failed to censure Russia. The European Union (EU) and allies sought to expand the definition of conflict diamonds to include top supplier Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. A push to get Russian diamonds censured during a week-long meeting in the resort town of Kasane came up empty. The EU, Ukraine and the United States had wanted the Kimberley Process inter-sessional meeting to broaden the definition of conflict diamonds in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine in February. Russian is the worlds largest producer of diamonds. Speaking at the closing meeting Friday, Kimberley Process Chairperson Jacob Thamage said the efforts of the EU and its allies failed to go through due to lack of consensus. You will recall that when we started on Monday afternoon, it took quite an ordinate amount of time to reach consensus on the agenda as initially we had the EU proposing an inclusion of an agenda item around which there was no consensus," Thamage said. "Ideas and proposals were tabled for inclusion on the agenda. For instance, those who supported the EUs initial proposal, with a modified proposal that spoke to preventing diamonds from fueling conflict. World Diamond Council Chairperson Edward Asscher says there is a need for reforms, particularly with the definition of conflict diamonds. This year, throughout our engagement with many government participants here in Kasane, there seems to be strong support for further reforms, including that of the conflict diamond definition," Asscher said. "We joined an inter-session hosted by the civil society coalition and we were pleased to have been able to conduct an open and honest dialogue about the reform of the KP. We would like to see this dialogue continued within the KP. Asscher says he still has confidence and belief in the Kimberley Process despite recent criticism the diamond trade body is losing relevance. However, Hans Merket, a member of the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition, was disappointed with the outcome of the Botswana meeting. The consensus system makes it too easy for a small minority to hold everyone hostage," Merket said. "The consensus model is being used to veto any progress. The world is bypassing the Kimberley Process. Merket adds it is disappointing that discussions on Russias invasion of Ukraine were blocked. We had somewhat expected a discussion on whether Russian diamonds must be seen as conflict diamonds with the invasion of Ukraine," Merket said. "That discussion was blocked. We were prepared that veto power will be used to avoid KP to address that. What is worse is that we could not have a discussion on what the KPs general weakness are and how the KP falls short in breaking the link between diamonds and violent conflict." The worlds leading diamond producers, drawn from 85 countries, will return to Botswana in November for plenary discussions. From cover stories to burner phones, Myanmars journalists are resorting to unconventional methods to report on life under military rule. The space for media has shrunk drastically since Myanmars military seized power in 2021. More than 120 journalists have been detained, the junta revoked licenses at about a dozen outlets, and other media groups and reporters now work in exile. Those who remain say they are taking a range of precautions to stay safe under military rule. The junta, which refers to itself as the, says media and activists are spreading fake news. And spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun told VOA in June the junta never arrests any journalists for doing their job, as I have said repeatedly. But journalists who spoke with VOA described how they or colleagues have been targeted for arrest. One of those is Win Zaw Naing, who works for the independent news website Red News Agency. The military detained him briefly last year for his coverage of the coup. He later discovered the township police had a list of people to arrest. They are trying to arrest us because they want some of our sources, Win Zaw Naing said. They are investigating the neighborhood and the house where they [the sources] used to live. Under those circumstances, reporting takes careful preparation, said a journalist who goes by the alias KLT to protect his identity. The freelance journalist has created a set of safety measures, including moving regularly. So far, he has moved at least five times in Yangon. When I go outside of the place where I live, I usually bring another phone which is totally private and not related to my work at all like the contacts are only my wife, my mom, my non-journalistic friends and so on, he said. And when he does phone interviews, he uses secure methods. I make the calls to my sources through the Signal and Telegram [apps]. But at times when the sources are from the internet blackout areas, I make calls with non-registered Sim cards and so on, he added. The threats to journalist safety have prompted many to work undercover so they can keep reporting on the conflict. KLT explained to VOA how he created a cover story about being the owner of a mobile phone shop to try to avoid being detained. The journalist discussed his story with a friend who actually owns a shop. Now, the reporter said, If there is any emergency or interrogation, I can just make a call to him and prove that Im a mobile phone service shop owner. As he travels, so, too, does his cover story. Every time when I reach to a new ward, I let the neighbors know that Im a mobile shop owner, KLT said. But even with a cover story and safety precautions, gaining access to sources is hard. Journalists often have zero possibility to get out in the field, he said. We have to mostly work just by interviewing on phone and internet. And most of the times, it is very hard to get in touch with the sources, contacts and at times it is very hard to get a good photo or video footages, he said. Coverage blocked With Myanmars military accused of atrocities, gaining access to witnesses and footage is vital to document what is happening. The military has killed more than 2,020 people and detained more than 14,000, according to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Political analyst Aung Thu Nyein said the junta has no tolerance for free media in Myanmar. Generally, the environment of free media is shrinking, Aung Thu Nyein told VOA. They want to control the media outlets other than their state media. However, the analyst said the military isnt the only group concerned about negative reporting. The opposition, especially newly emerging resistance groups, such as People Defense Force [PDF] and local defense forces [LDFs] has the same tendency, to threaten the media reporting against them and their wrong deeds." A knock-on effect to the repression is a drop in the number of outlets still publishing. Some media agencies stopped working as they feel limited media freedom and see no profit from their business, Aung Thu Nyein said. There are almost fewer quality reports, as the quality of media agencies is decreasing and no promotion by their own agencies. The sharp decline for media freedoms has resulted in Myanmar falling to nearly the bottom of the World Press Freedom Index in 2022. The country now ranks 176 out of 180 countries, where one is the freest, according to Reporters Without Borders. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell was headed to Tehran on Friday night for a visit that could breathe new life into stalled talks on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Borrell was to meet with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials, said spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh of the foreign ministry. "Diplomacy is the only way to go back to full implementation of the deal and to reverse current tensions," Borrell tweeted as the EU confirmed his two-day trip in a statement. News of his previously unannounced visit came after Amir-Abdollahian said last week that Iran still believed the negotiations could succeed. The deal has been hanging by a thread since 2018, when then-U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord and began imposing crippling economic sanctions on Iran. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to return to the agreement, saying it would be the best path with the Islamic republic. The talks in Vienna, which began in April last year, aim to return the United States to the deal, including through the lifting of its sanctions on Iran, while ensuring Tehran's full compliance with its nuclear commitments. "We are ready to conclude this agreement and urge Iran to seize this diplomatic opportunity to conclude now, while this is still possible," a French foreign ministry spokeswoman said in a statement. The negotiations stalled in March amid differences between Tehran and Washington, notably over a demand by Iran to remove its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from a U.S. terror list. Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday said that Iran was serious about reaching an agreement. "I hope we can reach the final point of the agreement in the near future with realism from the American side," he said, adding that "the nuclear negotiations train has reached difficult stops as they near the end." 'Firm US commitment' On Thursday, Enrique Mora, the European Union's coordinator for the talks, tweeted a picture of himself dining together with Borrell and U.S. negotiator Robert Malley at a restaurant in Brussels. "In depth conversation about #JCPOA and regional perspectives in the wider Middle East. Malley reiterated firm US commitment to come back to the deal," he wrote, referring to the accord by its formal name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The agreement reached between Iran and six major powers Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.S. gave the Islamic republic relief from sanctions in return for guarantees it could not develop an atomic weapon. Iran has always denied wanting a nuclear arsenal. In April, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States still believed a return to the accord was "the best way to address the nuclear challenge posed by Iran." Blinken warned at the time that the "breakout time" for Iran to develop a nuclear bomb if it so chose was "down to a matter of weeks" after the deal pushed it beyond a year. The International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors adopted a resolution this month censuring Iran for failing to adequately explain the previous discovery of traces of enriched uranium at three sites that Tehran had not declared as having hosted nuclear activities. On the same day, June 8, Tehran said it had disconnected a number of IAEA cameras that had been monitoring its nuclear sites. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi later confirmed that 27 cameras had been disconnected, leaving about 40 still in place. The move by Iran, he warned, could deal a "fatal blow" to the negotiations unless the U.N. nuclear watchdog's inspectors were given access within three to four weeks. The visit by Borrell, his first to Tehran since February 2020, could be a determining factor in the fate of the deal. During the talks in Vienna aimed at reviving the accord, Iran has repeatedly called for guarantees from the Biden administration that there will be no repeat of Trump's pullout. Human rights organizations in Spain and Morocco called on both countries to investigate the deaths of at least 18 Africans and injuries suffered by dozens more who attempted to scale the border fence that surrounds Melilla, a Spanish enclave in North Africa. Moroccan authorities said the casualties occurred when a stampede of people tried to climb the iron fence that separates Melilla and Morocco. In a statement released Friday, Morocco's Interior Ministry said 76 civilians were injured along with 140 Moroccan security officers. Local authorities cited by Morocco's official MAP news agency said the death toll increased to 18 after several migrants died in the hospital. The Moroccan Human Rights Association reported 27 dead, but the figure could not immediately be confirmed. Two members of Morocco's security forces and 33 migrants who were injured during the border breach were being treated at hospitals in the Moroccan cities of Nador and Oujda, MAP said. Traffickers blamed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday condemned what he described as a "violent assault" and an "attack on the territorial integrity" of Spain. Spanish officials said 49 Civil Guards sustained minor injuries. "If there is anyone responsible for everything that appears to have taken place at that border, it is the mafias that traffic in human beings," Sanchez said. His remarks came as the Moroccan Human Rights Association shared videos on social media that appeared to show dozens of migrants lying on the ground, many of them motionless and a few bleeding, as Moroccan security forces stood over them. "They were left there without help for hours, which increased the number of deaths," the human rights group said on Twitter. It called for a comprehensive investigation. In another of the association's videos, a Moroccan security officer appeared to use a baton to strike a person lying on the ground. Rights groups protest In a statement released late Friday, Amnesty International expressed its "deep concern" over the events at the border. "Although the migrants may have acted violently in their attempt to enter Melilla, when it comes to border control, not everything goes," said Esteban Beltran, the director of Amnesty International Spain. "The human rights of migrants and refugees must be respected and situations like that seen cannot happen again." Five rights organizations in Morocco and APDHA, a human rights group based in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, also called for inquiries. The International Organization for Migration and U.N. refugee agency UNHCR also weighed in with a statement that expressed "profound sadness and concern" over what happened at the Morocco-Mellila border. "IOM and UNHCR urge all authorities to prioritize the safety of migrants and refugees, refrain from the excessive use of force and uphold their human rights," the organizations said. In a statement published Saturday, the Spanish Commission for Refugees, CEAR, decried what it described as "the indiscriminate use of violence to manage migration and control borders" and expressed concerns that the violence had prevented people who were eligible for international protection from reaching Spanish soil. The Catholic Church in the southern Spanish city of Malaga also expressed its dismay over the events. "Both Morocco and Spain have chosen to eliminate human dignity on our borders, maintaining that the arrival of migrants must be avoided at all costs and forgetting the lives that are torn apart along the way," it said in a statement penned by a delegation of the diocese that focuses on migration in Malaga and Melilla. Thousands tried, hundreds succeeded A spokesperson for the Spanish government's office in Melilla said that around 2,000 people had attempted to make it across the border fence but were stopped by Spanish Civil Guard Police and Moroccan forces on either side of the border fence. A total of 133 migrants made it across the border. The mass crossing attempt was the first since Spain and Morocco mended relations after a year-long dispute related to Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1976. The thaw in relations came after Spain backed Morocco's plan to grant more autonomy to the territory, a reversal of its previous support for a U.N.-backed referendum on the status of Western Sahara. Twenty-nine people kidnapped by gunmen two weeks ago as they returned from a wedding in northwest Nigeria have been freed, relatives told AFP on Friday. The victims, all mobile phone traders, were returning to the Zamfara state capital, Gusau, after attending the wedding of a colleague when one of their vehicles broke down late on June 11. "Twenty-nine of our members kidnapped two weeks ago were released on Thursday after we paid 20 million naira ($50,000) to their captors," said Kabiru Garba Mukhtar, the head of the Zamfara mobile traders' union. The day after the kidnapping, Mukhtar told AFP that 30 guests at the wedding had been kidnapped while 20 others managed to escape. In fact, 29 people were kidnapped and all were released, he said. "Their release followed intense negotiations with the bandits who had initially demanded 145 million naira for the hostages, said Mustapha Halifa, another union official. After their release, the victims were taken to a hospital to be treated for illnesses contracted because of the "difficult conditions" of their captivity, Halifa said. Heavily armed criminal gangs known locally as bandits are rampant in northwest and central Nigeria, attacking villages and carrying out mass kidnappings for ransom despite military operations to combat them. Gunmen on Wednesday kidnapped 22 farmers from their fields on the outskirts of Nigeria's capital Abuja, the latest in a long line of kidnappings in Africa's most populous country. The gangs operate for financial reasons with no ideological motive. But possible alliances with jihadi groups who have waged an insurgency in the northeast for 13 years have raised concerns. Morocco said 18 migrants died trying to cross into Spain's North African enclave of Melilla on Friday, after a violent two-hour skirmish between migrants and border officers that also led to scores of injuries. About 2,000 migrants stormed a high fence that seals off the enclave. This led to clashes with security forces as more than 100 migrants managed to cross from Morocco into Melilla, Moroccan and Spanish authorities said. Morocco's Interior Ministry initially said five migrants had died in the border raid, some after falling from the fence surrounding Melilla and others in a crush, and that 76 migrants were injured. It later said an additional 13 had died. Some 140 members of Moroccan security forces were also injured, it added, five seriously, though none of them died. Over the past decade, Melilla and Ceuta, a second Spanish enclave also on Africa's northern coast, have become magnets for mostly sub-Saharan migrants trying to get into Europe. Friday's attempt began about 6:40 a.m. in the face of resistance from Moroccan security forces. Two hours later, more than 500 migrants began to enter Melilla, jumping over the roof of a border checkpoint after cutting through fencing with a bolt cutter, the Madrid government's representative body there said in a statement. Most were forced back, but about 130 men managed to reach the enclave and were being processed at its reception center for immigrants, it added. Footage posted on social media showed large groups of African youths walking along roads around the border, celebrating entering Melilla, and the firing of what appeared to be tear gas by the authorities. Spanish authorities said the border incursion led to 57 migrants and 49 Spanish police sustaining injuries. 'Human trafficking mafias' Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez paid tribute to officers on both sides of the border for fighting off "a well-organized, violent assault" which he suggested was organized by "human trafficking mafias." He underscored the improvement in relations between Madrid and Rabat. In March, Spain recognized the position of Morocco toward the Western Sahara, a territory the North African nation claims as its own but where an Algeria-backed independence movement is demanding establishment of an autonomous state. "I would like to thank the extraordinary cooperation we are having with the Kingdom of Morocco which demonstrates the need to have the best of relations," he said. AMDH Nador, a Moroccan human rights group, said the incursion came a day after migrants clashed with Moroccan security personnel attempting to clear camps they had set up in a forest near Melilla. The watchdog's head, Omar Naji, told Reuters that clash was part of an "intense crackdown" on migrants since Spanish and Moroccan forces resumed joint patrols and reinforced security measures in the area around the enclave. The incursion was the first significant one since Spain adopted its more pro-Rabat stance over Western Sahara. In the weeks of 2022 prior to that shift, migrant entries into the two enclaves had more than tripled compared with the same period of 2021. In mid-2021, as many as 8,000 people swam into Ceuta or clambered over its fence over a couple of days, taking advantage of the apparent lifting of a security net on the Moroccan side of the border following a bilateral diplomatic spat. By Trend Turkiye and Israel have launched the process to raise mutual diplomatic relations to the ambassadors level, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavushoglu said Thursday while Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid paid a visit to the capital Ankara as the two countries enter a new phase in bilateral relations after a decade of animosity, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah. Both countries will continue mutual visits and political negotiations at various levels, Cavushoglu said at the joint press conference. Turkiye is in close contact with Israel on threats against Israeli citizens in the country and will not allow any terrorist attacks on its territory, he added. Turkish intelligence recently foiled an Iranian plot in Istanbul and these efforts are ongoing, Lapid said. The lives of Israeli citizens have been saved in recent weeks thanks to the security and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries, he added. The Russian occupation forces mounted a missile attack on the town of Desna in Chernihiv region, Head of Chernihiv Regional Military Administration Viacheslav Chaus has said. "Chernihiv [region]. June 25. The town of Desna got under another missile attack. More details will be reported later," he said on the Telegram channel, calling on everyone to refrain from posting photos and videos of the missile arrivals. North Korea on Saturday condemned "aggression moves" by Washington and Seoul, vowing to take revenge as it marked the 72nd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War at a time of rising tension on the Korean Peninsula. Amid concerns North Korea could be preparing to conduct its first nuclear test in five years, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed in May to deploy more U.S. weapons if it was necessary to deter the North. The North's state news agency KCNA said Saturday a number of workers' organizations had held meetings to "vow revenge on the U.S. imperialists," blaming the United States for starting the 1950-1953 Korean War. The war ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, meaning U.S.-led U.N. forces are still technically at war with North Korea. According to the KCNA report, Pyongyang denounced Washington over what it called "aggression moves" carried out with South Korea and Japan, and said the U.S. push to deploy "strategic assets" on the South was aimed at provoking another war. Strategic assets can typically include aircraft carriers, long-range bomber aircraft or missile submarines. "Such insolent behavior of the U.S. fans the anger and revenge of the Korean people," KCNA said. Marking the war anniversary in Seoul, Yoon pledged to do his utmost to protect freedom and peace. "We will maintain strong security posture based on South Korea-U.S. alliance and a strong military backed by science and technology," he wrote on Facebook. Saturday's anniversary came amid concerns Pyongyang could conduct what would be its seventh nuclear test, which U.S. and South Korean officials have said could take place "any time" now. Protesters are gathering in cities across the United States to demonstrate against the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overrule a constitutional right to abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years. The ruling by the court leaves it to states to decide whether to allow abortions, overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that had guaranteed women a right to an abortion in the initial stages of pregnancy. Crowds gathered in New York, Atlanta, Detroit and Los Angeles, among other cities. One person was hit by a truck in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Friday during a protest. The victims injuries were minor, police said. Hundreds of protesters in New York City chanted Overturn Roe, hell, no and Rise up for abortion rights. In Washington, both supporters and opponents of abortion rights began gathering outside the Supreme Court building after the court made its announcement Friday. The crowd is expected to increase in size throughout the weekend. A group of Democratic lawmakers addressed abortion-rights demonstrators outside the U.S. Capitol, with progressive U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez chanting "into the streets." Abortion-rights opponents cheered Fridays ruling, dancing, playing music and chanting Goodbye, Roe. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the citys chief of police is working with federal authorities to "make sure that people have the ability to exercise their First Amendment rights [to demonstrate] safely." Meanwhile, Washingtons local police department announced Friday that its force has been fully activated. U.S. President Joe Biden urged Americans on Friday to remain peaceful when protesting the Supreme Court decision. While he said he knows many Americans are frustrated and disillusioned, he said violence must be avoided. Violence is never acceptable. Threats and intimidation are not speech. We must stand against violence in any form, regardless of your rationale, he said. Department of Homeland Security officials warned in a new, updated analysis obtained by VOA that domestic violent extremists (DVEs) will likely seek to exploit the Supreme Court ruling "to intensify violence against a wide range of targets." "We expect violence could occur for weeks following the release, particularly as DVEs may be mobilized to respond to changes in state laws and ballot measures on abortion stemming from the decision," according to the analysis. "We base this assessment on an observed increase in violent incidents across the United States following the unauthorized disclosure in May of a draft majority opinion on the case." Friday's ruling came less than two months after an early draft of the courts opinion was leaked to a news site, setting off nationwide protests by abortion-rights activists. The governors of the West Coast states of California, Oregon and Washington issued a joint statement Friday saying their states will remain locations where reproductive health care will be accessible and protected. VOAs National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Russian President Vladimir Putin Saturday said Russia will supply Belarus with Iskander-M mobile guided missile systems within a few months. The Russian leader met with his Belarussian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, Saturday in St. Petersburg, where Lukashenko told Putin that Belarus is concerned by the "aggressive" and "confrontational" policies of its neighbors Lithuania and Poland. He asked Putin to help Belarus respond to what he said were nuclear-armed flights by the U.S.-led NATO alliance near Belarus's borders. Iskander-M systems have a range of up to 500 kilometers and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. The news followed reports from Ukraines northern military command that Russia had fired 20 rockets from Belarus, targeting the village of Desna in the northern Chernihiv region. In addition to rockets launched from the ground, Ukraine's air command said Russian long-range Tu-22 bombers were deployed from Belarus for the first time. The neighboring country hosts Russian military units and was used as a staging ground before Russia invaded Ukraine, but its own troops have not yet crossed the border. Ukraine military intelligence said the attack was directly linked to Moscows effort to pull Belarus into the war. To the west, Russian rockets hit a military object in Yavoriv, Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said. He did not give further details of the target, but Yavoriv has a sizable military base used for training fighters, including foreigners who have volunteered to fight for Ukraine. About 30 Russian rockets also were fired on the Zhytomyr region in central Ukraine Saturday morning, killing one Ukrainian soldier, regional governor Vitaliy Buchenko said. Ukraines nuclear regulatory inspectorate reported that Russian shelling damaged a nuclear research facility Saturday in the northeastern city of Kharkiv. In an online post, it said the strike damaged some of the site's buildings and infrastructure, but it did not affect the area housing nuclear fuel. For now, it said radiation levels remain within the normal range. "The probability of new damage ... which can directly affect the state of nuclear and radiation safety, remains high due to shelling by Russian troops," it cautioned. Sievierodonetsk falls Sievierodonetsk mayor Oleksandr Stryuk appeared on national television Saturday to say that Russian forces now fully occupied the city, which, after weeks of heavy shelling, is largely in ruins. Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said Saturday on Facebook that Russian and separatist fighters were now trying to blockade nearby Lysychansk from the south. The two cities and surrounding areas are the focal point of an offensive aimed at capturing all of eastern Ukraines Donbas region. Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a spokesman for the separatist forces, Andrei Marochko, as saying Russian troops and separatist fighters had entered Lysychansk and that fighting was taking place in the heart of the city. There was no immediate comment on the claim from the Ukrainian side. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is slated to speak via video link to Western allies at a G-7 summit in Germany on Sunday, as well as to a NATO summit in Madrid next week. U.S. President Joe Biden will attend both meetings. A senior White House official said Wednesday that Biden will discuss with G-7 leaders U.S. proposals for increasing pressure on Russia, and he will address the impact of the Ukraine war on global energy and food prices. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Members of Somalia's Parliament have approved the appointment of Hamza Abdi Barre as the new prime minister. More than 200 members of Parliament, who were present at a session held Saturday in Mogadishu, unanimously backed Barre, who also is member of the lower house of Parliament. After the vote, Barre told VOA in an exclusive interview he would form "an effective government to deal with the current situation." I will form a government that would advance the key priorities of my new government, including security, drought response, reconciliation, and development, Barre said. I thank the respected lawmakers for giving me the confidence, a confidence, I know comes with a burden and challenges, a confidence that makes me both happy and a little bit worried about its extent and the huge expectations. International humanitarian organizations and the Somalia's special presidential envoy for drought and climate, Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, continue to warn that Somalia faces a climate emergency and a famine. Our people are facing a severe drought as a result of an unprecedented fourth failed rainy season with catastrophic hunger, and we extremely fear that the situation may turn into a deadly famine, therefore my government will give the priority in dealing with drought response, Barre said. Somalia politics often include disputes between presidents and prime ministers, which is the product of a complex constitution intended to encourage power sharing, which forces an elected president to handpick a prime minister from a rival clan and then hand over certain powers to that unelected post. In the past, such disagreements often have paralyzed governments, leading to the eventual ouster of prime ministers by lawmakers. Unlike previous prime ministers, though, Barre is a close friend of the current president and served as secretary-general of the presidents Peace and Development Party from 2011 to 2017. Barre says this time around, if any political differences arise between him and the president it will not escalate into tension. It is the human nature. We can differ on a political issue, but I assure for Somalis that we will find a mechanism that we can solve our differences without political tension. Barre said. I assure you that the president will effectively work together for the betterment of the Somali people. Barre, 48, was elected to Parliament for the first time in December. Previously, he was the chair of the Jubaland regional electoral commission. He was nominated June 15 as prime minister by the newly elected president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. One of the biggest challenges facing his government is the al-Qaida-aligned Islamist group al-Shabab, which still controls large areas of rural southern and central Somalia, continuing to carry out suicide attacks and assassinations in the main cities, including the capital, Mogadishu. Falastin Iman contributed to this story. The Taliban renewed their call Saturday for the United States to unfreeze Afghanistans foreign funds and lift financial sanctions to help the war-torn country deal with its deadliest earthquake in more than two decades. The United Nations said humanitarian organizations, in coordination with Taliban authorities, are continuing to provide aid to families in Paktika and Khost, the two southeastern Afghan provinces hardest hit by Wednesdays 5.9 magnitude earthquake. There are, however, unconfirmed reports that between 700 and 800 families are living in the open across three of the six worst-affected districts, said a U.N. statement Saturday. Families living in non-damaged and partially damaged buildings have also reportedly resorted to living out in the open out of fear that there may be further tremors, the statement added. The quake killed 1,150 people, injured about 1,600 and destroyed nearly 3,000 homes, with hundreds more partially damaged, according to Taliban officials. The destruction hit some of the poorest and most remote mountainous Afghan areas near the Pakistan border which lacks the infrastructure to withstand calamities of this scale. At least 121 children were among those killed and the toll is likely to increase, according to the U.N. childrens fund UNICEF. Afghan authorities have called off the search for survivors, and they were struggling to deliver critically needed aid due to capacity challenges. In these testing times, we call on the United States to release Afghanistan's frozen assets and lift sanctions on Afghan banks so that aid agencies could easily deliver assistance to Afghanistan, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said Saturday, while speaking to reporters in the capital, Kabul. U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order in February that was aimed at freeing up half the $7 billion in frozen Afghan central bank assets on U.S. soil. The money would be used to benefit the Afghan people while the rest would be held to possibly satisfy terrorism-related lawsuits against the Taliban. We are urgently working to address complicated questions about the use of these funds to ensure they benefit the people of Afghanistan and not the Taliban, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Saturday. But she reiterated the Biden administration was not waiting and was working through international partners to urgently get aid to the Afghan people. The UNICEF representative in the country, Mohamed Ayoya, visited one of the worst-hit districts in Paktika and described the situation on Twitter. I saw despair, desolation, suffering, vulnerability but also resilience & acts of solidarity from national businessmen, international organizations & authorities, Ayoya wrote. More foreign aid arrives Meanwhile, Afghan officials said cargo planes from neighboring Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and the gulf state of Qatar, carrying relief supplies for survivors, landed at the Khost airport. Mansoor Ahmad Khan, the Pakistani ambassador in Kabul, said in a Twitter post that his country had also stationed 19 paramedics/doctorsat Khost Airport from 23 June with 3 ambulances & mobile hospital to treat injured & refer serious to hospitals in Pakistan. China said it would provide humanitarian assistance worth $7.5 million to Afghanistan, including tents, towels, beds and other supplies urgently needed in quake-devastated areas. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Saturday the first batch of supplies was scheduled to depart for the crisis-hit neighbor by charter flights Monday. In the next few days, China will coordinate closely with the Afghan interim government to ensure the rapid delivery of the relief supplies into the hands of the people in need, Wenbin said. Britain has also pledged to provide $3 million for immediate life-saving support to Afghans affected by the devastating earthquake. The international community has not yet recognized the Talibans interim government since the Islamist insurgent group took over Afghanistan last August, citing concerns over human rights and terrorism. The Taliban takeover came as U.S. and NATO partners withdrew their final troops, ending almost two decades of foreign military intervention in the South Asian nation. Washington and other Western countries have since halted financial assistance to largely aid-dependent Afghanistan, seized its foreign assets worth more than $9 billion, mostly held by the U.S, and isolated the Afghan banking system. The actions and long-running terrorism-related sanctions on senior Taliban leaders have thrown cash-strapped Afghanistan into a severe economic crisis, worsening an already bad humanitarian crisis blamed on years of war and persistent drought. The United Nations estimates that 97% of Afghanistans 40 million people will be living below the poverty line this year. U.S. Acting Political Counselor Trina Saha told a U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday that the Afghan earthquake was a devastating blow to a population that is already suffering gravely. We call for urgent donor assistance to relief efforts, she said. Saha added that the earthquake highlights the vulnerability of the Afghan people and underscores the dire need for continued humanitarian assistance." The heavily armed men appeared around the small farming village in Ethiopias Oromia region, frightening residents already on edge after recent clashes between government troops and rebels. The militants assured us that they will not touch us. They said they are not after us, resident Nur Hussein Abdi told The Associated Press. But in reality, they were surrounding our whole village for a deadly massacre. What happened the next day was a total bloodbath. Abdi escaped by hiding on a rooftop, a horrified witness to one of the worst mass killings in Ethiopia in recent years. Hundreds of people, mostly ethnic Amhara, were slaughtered in and around the Tole village June 18 in the latest explosion of ethnic violence in Africas second most populous nation. Multiple witnesses told the AP they are still discovering bodies, with some put in mass graves containing scores of people. The Amhara Association of America said it has confirmed 503 civilians killed. Ethiopian authorities have not released figures. One witness, Mohammed Kemal, said he has witnessed 430 bodies buried, and others are still exposed and decomposing. Kemal begged Ethiopias government to relocate the survivors, saying the armed men had threatened to return. They killed infants, children, women and the elderly, resident Ahmed Kasim said. The Amhara Association of America said the dead include a 100-year-old and a one-month-old baby, and some people were killed in a mosque where they had tried to hide. Residents and Oromia regional officials have blamed the Oromo Liberation Army, an armed group that Ethiopias government has declared a terrorist organization. An OLA spokesman denied it, alleging that federal troops and regional militia attacked the villagers for their perceived support of the OLA as they retreated from an OLA offensive. Again, Ethiopians are left wondering why the federal government failed to protect them from the violent side of the countrys ethnic tensions and why ethnic minorities in a federal system based on identity are left so vulnerable. Teddy Afro, Ethiopias much celebrated pop star, released two songs this week highlighting the crisis that has worsened in the past four years and dedicating his songs to civilians who have lost their lives. Its never an option to keep quiet when a mountain of death comes in front of me, one of his lyrics says. On Friday, thousands of students at Gondar University in the neighboring Amhara region protested the killings and demanded justice. Ethiopias Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has said security forces have launched a military operation against the OLA, but many Ethiopians appear skeptical after seeing the deadly cycle play out in the past. The president of the Oromia region, Shimelis Abdisa, on Thursday acknowledged that it will be difficult to arrange security in every location but said the current operation will cripple the enemys ability to move from place to place. Ethnic Amhara are Ethiopias second-largest ethnic group but have found themselves under attack in some areas where they are in the minority. Several dozen were killed in attacks in the Benishangul Gumuz and Oromia regions over the past three years alone. Ethnic Amharas who live outside of their region do not have legal and political representation, which results in no protection, said Muluken Tesfaw, a community activist who tracks abuses against the Amhara. There were even speeches by Oromia region government officials that seek to reduce Amharic-speaking people. An anti-Amhara narrative has been spreading for over 50 years now, said Belete Molla, chairman of the opposition NaMA party. The Amhara living in Oromia and Benishangul are hence being targeted. He also accused some members of the Oromia regions ruling party of working for or sympathizing with the Oromo Liberation Army. The latest mass killings brought international alarm. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has urged Ethiopian authorities to hold prompt, impartial and through investigations. The U.S. State Department called on Ethiopians to reject violence and pursue peace. Ethiopia continues to struggle with ethnic tensions in several parts of the country and a deadly conflict in the northern Tigray region that has severely affected the once rapidly growing economy, but the prime minister is adamant that better days are ahead. There is no doubt that Ethiopia is on the path of prosperity, he declared in a parliament address this month. But Ethiopians who escaped the latest attack seek answers. Nur Hussein said he and other Tole villagers had called nearby officials about the appearance of the armed men shortly before the violence exploded. Their response was muted. They said there were no specific threats to respond to. But look at what unfolded, he said. God willing, we will get past this, but it is a scar that will live with us forever. Here is a fast take on what the international community has been up to this past week, as seen from the United Nations perch. UN chief warns risk of multiple famines in 2021 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an international conference on food security Friday in Berlin that the world is facing the real risk of multiple famines this year and that 2023 could be even worse. He said rising fuel and fertilizer prices are dramatically affecting the worlds farmers. UN Chief Says World Faces Real Risk of Multiple Famines This Year Earthquake rocks Afghanistan as Security Council urges respect for rights The U.N. Security Council expressed sympathy for the Afghan people on Thursday in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, while it continued to press Taliban authorities to reverse restrictions on women and to stabilize the country. At UN, Taliban Are Pressed to Reverse Rights Restrictions Guterres appeals for renewal of cross-border aid operation for Syria Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Monday that it is a moral imperative for the 15 members to renew a cross-border aid operation from Turkey into northwest Syria that assists more than 4 million people. The council must vote on renewing the mechanism by July 10. Russia says it prefers all aid to go through Damascus. U.N. humanitarian officials say that would be inadequate to meet the scale of need, which is the highest it has been since the war started in 2011. UN Chief Appeals for Cross-Border Aid Into NW Syria In brief Friday marked four months since Russias invasion of Ukraine. The U.N. says more than 12 million Ukrainians have been uprooted by the conflict. It is scaling up its assistance and is now reaching nearly 9 million people with aid. In the east of the country, where fighting is intense, the organization says it needs access to civilians in need. The U.N. expressed concern Thursday at reports that Myanmars military junta has transferred ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest to prison, where she is being held in solitary confinement. Antonio Guterres spokesman said the development goes against everything we've been calling for, which was her release and the release of the president and all of the other political prisoners, and we are concerned for her state. The U.N. said Friday that across northern Ethiopias Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions, 13 million people need food and other assistance. The region had been cut off to aid for months, but since convoys started entering in early April, more than 120,000 tons of food and supplies have been delivered. But aid distribution is being hindered by fuel shortages. Two million liters per month is needed, but less than half of that has entered the region in the past three months. A U.N. study says 222 million children and adolescents worldwide have had their education disrupted by multiple crises. Education Cannot Wait said Wednesday that conflict, displacement, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate-induced disasters are the main culprits. The study found that 78.2 million children have dropped out of school a troubling development education, experts say, as they are unlikely to resume their education, which will have lifelong repercussions. Quote of note Access to safe, legal and effective abortion is firmly rooted in international human rights law and is at the core of women's and girls autonomy and ability to make their own choices about their bodies and lives, free of discrimination, violence and coercion. This decision strips such autonomy from millions of women in the U.S., in particular those with low incomes and those belonging to racial and ethnic minorities, to the detriment of their fundamental rights. Michelle Bachelet, U.N. high commissioner for human rights, reacting to the U.S. Supreme Court decision Friday removing a 50-year-old constitutional right to a legal and safe abortion for American women. Next week The United Nations said Thursday it will broker new talks between Libyan politicians from rival institutions in a bid to break a deadlock on the rules for long-awaited elections. Read more on the political situation here: UN to Hold New Libya Talks as Stalemate Persists Did you know? Friday was the first International Day of Women in Diplomacy. The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus on June 20 put forward by the Maldives making it an annual commemoration. Only one-fifth of the current ambassadors to the United Nations in New York are women about 44. U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said in a tweet that the international community must keep fighting for womens leadership. VOA Persians Katherine Ahn contributed to this report. U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday "there's a really good chance" he would meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the coming weeks to try to negotiate a new deal to curb Tehran's nuclear weapons program to replace the 2015 international deal that Trump withdrew from last year. Trump, speaking at the end of the G-7 summit of top world leaders in France, said, "I think Iran is going to want to meet." The U.S. leader said the economic sanctions he reimposed on Iran a year ago "are absolutely hurting them" as Trump has sought to sharply limit Iran's international oil exports. But Trump predicated any meeting with Rouhani on the condition that Iran not create more overseas tensions with military advances and attacks. He said a new deal would have to ban Iranian nuclear weapons and ballistic missile testing and cover a longer period than the 10-year time frame dictated by the 2015 accord. Trump added, "I have good feelings about Iran...incredible people." But he said it was too soon to meet over the weekend with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was a surprise visitor at the G-7 summit in the Atlantic coastal town of Biarritz, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The French leader has been trying to broker U.S.-Iran peace talks. Macron told a joint news conference with Trump that he has had conversations with Rouhani and that the Iranian leader is willing to meet with Trump. Macron said he had reached the "very cautious" conclusion that Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement if Trump and Rouhani meet. Macron said France "will play a role" in the U.S.-Iran talks if they occur, along with the other signatories to the 2015 accord Trump pulled out of -- Britain, Germany, the European Union, China and Russia. In a speech Monday before Trump's comments, Rouhani said his country would withstand sanctions and reduce its commitments to the nuclear deal, "but we will open the door for negotiation and diplomacy." "If I think that meeting with someone can resolve my country's problems, I will not hesitate, because protecting the national interests of my country is a principle for me," he said. In a Monday interview with VOA Persian, foreign policy researcher Luke Coffey of the Washington-based Heritage Foundation said Trumps expressed openness to talks with Rouhani indicates a possibility of such a meeting within the coming months. But I think that we need an extended period of calm in which we dont have Iranians taking ships in international waters and, lets say, the U.S. is not ramping up even more sanctions, Coffey added. Iran seized British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero in the Persian Gulf on July 19, accusing it of violating international maritime rules. Britain said it was Iran that violated international law by seizing the vessel in Omani waters. Speaking separately to VOA Persian, Washington Institute for Near East Policy senior fellow Barbara Leaf said a potential Trump-Rouhani meeting would not in itself resolve decades of hostility between the two sides. A meeting ... will be quite a seismic event if that is to occur. But a meeting is not a negotiation, which necessarily will be a long and complex task, she said. Trump said Zarif's visit to Biarritz was not a surprise to him. Trump said he was in contact with Macron and that, "I knew everything he was doing and approved whatever he was doing." Macron had met with Zarif on Friday in Paris before the G-7 summit opened, but Macron invited him back to the site of the summit after tense exchanges among the world leaders about Iran at their Saturday night dinner. Iran and the United States have been in a state of heightened strained relations since Trump withdrew last year from the international agreement that restrained Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump then added more sanctions, particularly targeting Iran's key oil sector, that have hobbled the country's economy. WATCH: Trump expects meeting with Iran Trump said Monday he is not seeking "regime change" in Iran, but wants the country to "stop terrorism." "I think they're going to change. I really do. I believe they have a chance to be a very special nation," Trump said. Macron had lunch with Trump Saturday, and, according to French sources, outlined his plan to ease the West's tensions with Iran. The French leader is calling for allowing Iran to export its oil for a short time, fully implement the 2015 agreement, reduce conflict in the Gulf region and open new talks. Macron on Monday said Iran would need new funding to help stabilize its economy. Trump said that would not include outright cash grants but rather letters of credit that "would be paid back very quickly." U.S. begins to enforce law on Uyghur forced labor prevention The United States on Tuesday began enforcing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which requires companies that import goods from Chinas Xinjiang region where the U.S. accuses Beijing of grave human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities to provide clear and convincing evidence that no component was produced with slave labor. Uyghur Japanese runs for a seat in Japans parliament A 33-year-old Uyghur Japanese national who emigrated from Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region is running for a seat in Japans parliament. Arfiya Eri, who was educated in China, Japan and the U.S., worked for the United Nations before returning to Japan to run in July elections. Uyghur American lawyer elected USCIRF chairman Nury Turkel, a Uyghur American lawyer, was unanimously elected by the panels eight commissioners on Monday to chair the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan independent federal government body that reviews reported violations of religious freedom internationally and makes policy recommendations to the White House, State Department and Congress. Turkel was first appointed commissioner two years ago by House Leader Nancy Pelosi. Foreign companies ask Beijing for third-party Xinjiang audits Foreign companies in China are urging Beijing to permit third-party audits to ensure compliance with a new U.S. law barring goods produced by forced labor in Xinjiang. US urges allies to rid global supply chains of goods made by forced labor Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that the country is rallying allies and partners to make global supply chains free from the use of forced labor, to speak out against atrocities in Xinjiang, and to join the U.S. in calling on China to end human rights abuses. Report: Apparel brands still importing Uyghur forced labor goods Dutch Daily on Friday reported that fashion brands such as C&A, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike and Calvin Klein are still selling clothing apparel made by Uyghur forced labor from Chinas Xinjiang region. New in brief A group of lawyers representing Uyghurs in exile called Monday for the International Criminal Court to investigate Chinas alleged rights abuses against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim ethnic groups in the Xinjiang region while submitting a third set of evidence to The Hague-based court. They asked court officials to use a precedent set when it probed cross-border crimes committed by nonmember state Myanmar after thousands of Rohingya people were forced to flee to Bangladesh, an ICC member state. Quote of note "We are rallying our allies and partners to make global supply chains free from the use of forced labor, to speak out against atrocities in Xinjiang, and to join us in calling on the government of [the People's Republic of China] to immediately end atrocities and human rights abuses." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. WASHINGTON The United States is bracing for weeks of possible violence following Friday's Supreme Court ruling that struck down the constitutional right to abortion, sparking emotional responses from those on both sides of the debate. In a new, updated analysis obtained by VOA, Department of Homeland Security officials warn that domestic violent extremists (DVEs) will likely seek to exploit the court ruling "to intensify violence against a wide range of targets." "We expect violence could occur for weeks following the release, particularly as DVEs may be mobilized to respond to changes in state laws and ballot measures on abortion stemming from the decision," according to the analysis. "We base this assessment on an observed increase in violent incidents across the United States following the unauthorized disclosure in May of a draft majority opinion on the case." The analysis notes that one network of "loosely affiliated" extremists has already called for a "night of rage," telling followers, "We need the state to feel our full wrath." Intelligence also found more calls to violence on social media earlier this week, and officials worry that a series of arson and vandalism attacks against facilities and religious institutions tied to both sides of the abortion debate could signal an increase in violence. "DHS will continue working with our partners across every level of government to share timely information and to support law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe," a Homeland Security spokesperson told VOA in a statement, when asked about concerns that the high court's abortion ruling could spark more violence. "Americans' freedom of speech and right to peacefully protest are fundamental constitutional rights. Those rights do not extend to violence and other illegal activity," the spokesperson added. Separately, the Federal Bureau of Investigation told VOA it is working with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our communities while respecting individuals' First Amendment rights. FBI personnel are assessing intelligence to detect potential threats of violence and are in constant communication with our partners, it said in a statement. We ask members of the public to maintain awareness of their surroundings and immediately report any suspicious activity to law enforcement." Earlier Friday, President Joe Biden and other top U.S. officials warned Americans against resorting to violence following the abortion ruling. The missile attack on Ukraine from the territory of Belarus on Saturday morning is a large-scale provocation by Russia aimed at further involvement of Belarus in the war against Ukraine, it was the first time when airstrikes were launched against Ukraine directly from the territory of Belarus, the Main Intelligence Agency of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine has said. "On the night of June 25, a mass missile attack was mounted on the territory of Ukraine. In particular, the Russian aircraft operated directly from the territory of Belarus. Six Tu-22M3 aircraft were used to launch twelve X-22 cruise missiles. The attacks were mounted from the district near the town of Petrikov, not far from Mozyr, approximately 50-60 kilometers from the state border of Ukraine. The aircraft took off from the Shaykovka Airport in Kaluga region, Russia. They crossed the territories of Kaluga and Smolensk regions and entered the air space of Belarus," it said. Having launched the missiles, the aircraft returned to the Shaykovka Airport in the territory of Russia, the intelligence agency said, adding that the attacks were targeted at Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions. "This was the first case of launching an airstrike on Ukraine directly from the territory of Belarus. Today's attack was directly connected with the attempts of the Kremlin authorities to involve Belarus in the war against Ukraine as a full participant," it said. NAIROBI, KENYA Ukraine's foreign minister says Kyiv is ready to export much-needed grain to Africa as soon as Russia lifts its Black Sea blockade. In a U.S.-arranged online briefing to journalists Thursday, he blamed Russia for the global food crisis affecting millions of Africans and called for more African support against Moscow. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dymtro Kuleba said his country and Africa need each other to overcome the global food crisis, which he blamed on Russias aggression. We want to export our agricultural products to you as badly as you want to receive them, Kuleba said, and there is only one reason why both ends of this supply chain which is us and you cannot benefit from these exports. Its the Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports as a result of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. Ukraine is a major supplier of wheat, corn and sunflower oil to African countries and, since Russias invasion began in February, Africa has faced food and cooking oil shortages that have left an estimated 400 million people on the continent food insecure. While drought and conflict have also played a role in the food crisis, Kaleba focused on the actions of Russia. He said Russian forces have taken 400,000 tons of grain crops from Ukraine. Russians also steal agricultural equipment from Ukrainian farmers tractors, combine harvesters, and other tools in Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv and Sumy regions of Ukraine, he said. Russian forces have riddled Ukrainian fields with mines to prevent farmers from cultivating their crops for years. According to the recent preliminary estimate, about 13 percent of Ukrainian territory has been contaminated by Russian mines and other explosive remnants. This creates threats of a multiyear global food crisis. Fred Munene, an agronomist and farmer in Kenya, said Africa, for now, should fight to get the food stuck in Ukraine out and invest in its farm economy to be food secure. The short term is getting the food that is already produced, Munene said. In the long term, look for other suppliers or industries in Africa that will supply fertilizers and other farm inputs because thats the biggest challenge. Kuleba said Africa can play a role in ending the conflict between the two neighbors. African states have a crucial role in this, and many already work together with us to achieve it, Kuleba said. African capitals matter and they do influence Russias position. However, African countries on the U.N. Security Council have been reluctant to pressure Russia based on historical ties to Moscow and current geopolitical concerns. Hassan Khannenje, head of the Horn Institute for Strategic Studies, said that Africas say in the conflict is limited. They do not have the leverage outside diplomatic engagement and are trying to appeal to both parties to see the need to unblock the wheat supply which Africa relies on heavily on, Khannenje said. Senegalese President and African Union Chairperson Macky Sall is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in coming days but no firm date has been set. User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale Contribute: Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it. Flag as inappropriate. Mark as helpful or interesting. Send your own user report! Translate Sharjah (193.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short : Felt a strong pull in bed. Ignored it for a second, but noticed the wall hanging swaying... | 9 users found this interesting. Dubai (198.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : sitting down, heard creaking then saw lights swinging | 9 users found this interesting. Dubai (195.5 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : I was in the bed going back to sleep.. while closing my eyes i felt my bed was shaking..i checked the water on my bedside table. And it is really shaking. | 6 users found this interesting. Dubai (198.8 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Laying in bed and it was moving then the light fixtures swung. It was slow to start then got to very visible Movement. Then stopped after five seconds. Some light tremors after. | 5 users found this interesting. near Sharjah (192.9 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Bed shaking | 6 users found this interesting. Ajman (192.5 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : I was sitting down working at my desk in my room on my computer all the sudden the windows started shaking then the whole building started shaking some stuff fell off on the floor for a duration less then a minute | 4 users found this interesting. near Sharjah (193.4 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : It was like strong push and a few shakes | 5 users found this interesting. Dubai / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I felt slight dizziness, the bed was moving sidewaysi rushed to the corridor to see if others felt it. Nobody was there | 4 users found this interesting. Khordad tower kish (33 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : We're in second floor of the khordad tower but the swinging were so strong that all of our objects fall | 3 users found this interesting. Dubai , Uae (193.3 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 30-60 s : It was quite alarming with that magnitude and it lasted for almost a minute...it may be in the range of 5 plus magnitude | 3 users found this interesting. In bed / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Laying in bed, when I started feeling the veg shaking sideways | 5 users found this interesting. Dubai (202.1 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s : I was on squat sitting when i felt it and water in the bottle was mildly shaking | 4 users found this interesting. Dubai (198.3 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Sitting and felt my sofa shake ... And then saw my drying laundry shake too | 4 users found this interesting. Dubai (198.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Small earthquake but definitely noticable | 4 users found this interesting. I felt itsofa was literally shaking / Weak shaking (MMI III) Dubai (203 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : It was a short quake not very strong but noticeable | 4 users found this interesting. SBO Tower, Al Barsha (193.8 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short : I was enjoying morning coffee, a balcony view from the living room along with my favourite song on Airpod and surfing the best family pics refreshing home memories in my MacBook. I felt something shaky, I removed my Airpod and turn off the music. But stil | 2 users found this interesting. Ajman (182 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Woke up from shaking in bed. Felt like someone was shaking their leg but we were both asleep. I was in my forth floor apartment bedroom | 2 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Sunshine 4 Bldg, Al Hamriya, Dubai (193.8 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : I was sleeping and I felt the bed rock. I woke up to check if my husband is shaking the bed intentionally but I was alone in the bed however I checked with him he didnt feel anything he was in the washroom | 2 users found this interesting. Dubai (198.8 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I was in bed and the mattress was shaking. | 3 users found this interesting. Ras al khaima airport (208.4 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Fel a light shake for about 10-15 seconds. | 3 users found this interesting. Yes i felt it too. First shake was about 10sec and stopped for a while and then another 5-8 secs until it fully stopped. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s Themaar 1 Dubai investment park (211.6 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : The bed and dresser was shaking | 3 users found this interesting. D (200.6 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : Small quake | 3 users found this interesting. Ajman / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : I live on the 7th floor in my building. Usually I am very doubtful when I feel tremors I tell my self that Im just hallucinating, but this one was very obvious that even my mother who was staying in Dubai felt it at the same time. (I live in Ajman univ | 2 users found this interesting. Kish, Hormozgan (33.4 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : It was very bad lm not good now a d im scered a lot all of things shaking a and i didnt know what i could did ???????????? | One user found this interesting. emirats grand hotel apartments (73.4 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 minutes : i was sleeping suddenly i felt my bed is shaking! i standup and i started looking at my wall maat it was shaking after 1/2 min it stopped | One user found this interesting. Business Bay dubai (199.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : The lamp was shaking & moving in rounds for seconds & I felt dizzy & unstable while sitting on my chair having coffee | One user found this interesting. Dubai marina (202.8 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : On the sofa at home. | 2 users found this interesting. Shabiya 12 (268.7 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : On bed.. Bed was shaking | 2 users found this interesting. Dubai (193.6 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s : Chandelier movement | 2 users found this interesting. Rumailah 1, Ajman, United Arab Emirates (187.8 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : My indoor lights Table and furniture were shaking | 2 users found this interesting. Doha, Baladiyat ad Dawhah (317.3 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Was in bed and felt some light shaking | 2 users found this interesting. The US State Department and USAID prevented their staff from interacting with Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko (pictured). Both managements advance the argument that the Inspector Generals mandate does not include their humanitarian action. John Sopko is a government inspector who has worked for the legislative and executive branches. He was appointed to his current position in 2012 by President Barack Obama. He is currently carrying out multiples audits related to the fall of Kabul in August 2021. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has decided to dismiss the head of his security service (SBU), Ivan Bakanov. The announcement has been delayed for lack of a successor. Bakanov is Zelenskys childhood friend. He became his producer when Zelensky was an acrobat, and was appointed head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) when Zelensky was elected president. According to his Western counterparts, he is grossly incompetent in the performance of his duties but is committed to covering up Zelenskys corruption and that of his cronies, which makes him particularly difficult to shake off. The Pandora Papers investigation revealed that he had played a major role in the offshore companies that helped Volodymyr Zelensky stash abroad the money he stole from his country. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukrainians should value and be proud of granting Ukraine the status of EU candidate. The head of state said that there is a dialogue on television, radio, on the Internet about what it means, what conditions Ukraine has to fulfill, how difficult it will be to fulfill and how many years it will take. "And I want to say the following on this day. Let's rejoice at least a little. In a quiet, modest way, silently, but rejoice. For ourselves, for our beloved state. Let's feel the moment and the taste of this moment. Imagine conquering Everest. You reached the penultimate point. You didn't look around, didn't even take a breath and talk about the further way to the top. How difficult it will be to overcome the last 1,848 meters," Zelensky said in a video address on Saturday night. Ukrainians should not devalue their own success, he said. "Maybe we should first recall that we have already covered 7,000 meters? Let's not be ashamed to talk about our achievements. Let's not be a nation with a short memory and inferiority complex. We say: Ukraine has been granted EU candidate status. Let's say: Ukraine has gained EU candidate status. Did it fall from the sky? Havent we endured and done a lot?" the president said. He also said Ukrainians should not be scared of the EU requirements. "Because before that we successfully fulfilled hundreds. Let's not forget about it. Not for bragging, but for the belief that we will definitely overcome this path. We have covered 7,000 meters, so we will not stop - we will reach our Everest. Let's talk at least for a moment not about what awaits us, but about what we managed to do. Because, forgetting about it, we underestimate the significance of this step," Zelensky said. He also recalled how many steps Ukraine has fulfilled: anti-corruption court, centers for providing administrative services, industrial visa-free regime, deoligarchization, land sale, digitalization, etc. "And that's why I want to see us in one family. We deserved it. Realized it. Smile, please," he said. Placeholder while article actions load Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the states will be free to criminalize abortion at any point in pregnancy. To get a sense of how the ruling will affect womens health, as well as the particular risks Black women face, I spoke with Joia Crear-Perry, a physician and founder of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, and Monica McLemore, an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Sarah Green Carmichael: In light of this ruling, what do you expect the impact to be on womens health, and on Black womens health specifically? Monica McLemore: Criminalization will mean that some physicians and organizations are going to get spooked and stop offering care, which may limit access for other reproductive care things like sexually transmitted infections, infertility care and a whole variety of other things. The places that will continue to provide abortion services are going to be so overrun that were going to be looking at long waiting periods for appointments. And thats not just on the abortion side. Its also on the pregnancy continuation side. Advertisement Joia Crear-Perry: There will also be an economic impact, and not just on the people forced to be pregnant. Think about all the people whove been working in restaurants, delivering food, driving Ubers if they have no control over their own bodies when it comes to reproduction, then that impacts those businesses. It impacts any employer who has an employee who cannot control their own body. Not that Black women shouldnt be centered or that our issues arent important, but this impacts everyone. SGC: Say more about the effect on other reproductive health services. I feel like there is an assumption that you can just draw a neat little box around an elective abortion and excise it. Why doesnt that work? MM: People assume that the people who provide abortion care are distinct from the people who provide pregnancy care and distinct from the people who provide sexually transmitted infection care. But theyre all connected, just like the people who have abortions and pregnancies and carry babies to term are not different patients they are just at different points in their lives. Advertisement SGC: The laws that would make abortion a crime sometimes have exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother or very severe health outcomes. Why doesnt that suffice to protect womens health in practice? MM: It means you only are entitled to bodily autonomy after somebody else violates it. But you have a human right to bodily autonomy. The way Ive explained this to students is this: Theres a reason you have to sign an organ-donor card when you get your drivers license. Thats because nobody can take your organs without your consent, even after youre dead. You have bodily autonomy in life and death. Thats irrefutable. And as long as thats true, then that means forced pregnancy is incongruent with human rights principles. SGC: Are there other misconceptions about abortion access you wish the broader American public understood? Advertisement JCP: What I really wish people would remember is that what we call private insurance is really employer-sponsored insurance. That means your employer can choose if they want to cover abortion services. We already have so many layers of people controlling access to a basic health-care function. In other high-income nations, abortion is free, covered by public insurance. When [Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the case that posed the challenge to Roe] was being argued, Chief Justice [John] Roberts stated that other nations that allow abortion have a first-trimester cut-off, but thats a cut-off for abortion being free; if you take longer than 12 weeks to decide you want an abortion, then maybe then you have to pay something. What were talking about in the US is just having access to it, period. SGC: There have already been more than 1,300 prosecutions for miscarriages in the US, and women of color are disproportionately targeted in those. Do you expect those numbers to increase if abortion becomes a crime?MM: We already know that Black people are over-criminalized in the US. Criminalization of abortion may mean more health-care workers or Child Protective Services calling the police on people they suspect of self-managing an abortion, even if its actually a miscarriage. But these are people who have experienced a loss. Criminalization isnt the way to deal with grieving people. Advertisement SGC: One of the biggest reasons that people seek abortions is because they feel like they cant afford to have another child I say another because most people who seek abortions already have at least one child. What is the role of economic and social policy in reducing the number of abortions? JCP: All of these things are tied together, from the child tax credit to paid leave. Its really about creating the infrastructure so that families can thrive. The states that are most likely to severely restrict abortion are the same states that have the absolutely worst rates of infant mortality and maternal mortality. And its the same states that didnt expand Medicaid, dont have paid leave, and dont protect equal pay. In the US, we have some of the worst health outcomes in the developed world. And thats not a coincidence. SGC: The US also has very high rates of maternal mortality in general, compared with other wealthy nations. And Black women are three times as likely to die from childbirth or related complications as White women. Do you think the repeal of Roe will see more Black women dying in childbirth? Advertisement MM: The health system we have in the US isnt functioning well for Black and brown communities. But its a more nuanced discussion; there are a whole lot of other things that can go wrong than just death. When we talk about maternal mortality, we arent even talking about the 50,000 near misses, [the women of all races who had] serious pregnancy-related complications, like a hemorrhage, an infection, a C-section wound coming apart. Were not talking about people like Serena Williams and Beyonce who live, but had trauma. Black women are less likely to be believed by their health-care providers, and they are undertreated and under-diagnosed. JCP: And I like to remind folks that we cant have the worst outcomes in the industrialized world just because Black women are dying. White women are also dying who wouldnt have died if they lived in any other industrialized nation. SGC: Some skeptics say that US maternal mortality rates just look higher than other countries because the US measures it over a year instead of six weeks post-birth. Advertisement JCP: Thats gaslighting. The World Health Organization sets the international standard for collecting data six weeks after birth. What the Centers for Disease Control does, in addition to collecting the international standard, is track the data up to a year because we know that people can die months after having a baby people like Erica Garner, who died from heart failure from pregnancy cardiomyopathy four months after giving birth. The United States is trying to push the WHO to extend it to a year because six weeks was always made up you need a year. But even looking at just six weeks, we are still the worst. SGC: What would help address some of those disparities? MM: Were never going to see improved health outcomes or achieve health equity if we dont have a robust social safety net. If we were serious about having reverence for the propagation of our species, we would treat childbearing families accordingly. But now we have Black moms going back to drive for Lyft and Uber 10 days after a C-section the last thing they should be doing with an abdominal wound because they need to generate revenue in our economy. But thats the reality of not having paid family leave. Thats the reality of not having postpartum health coverage. Thats the reality of limitations of employer-sponsored health insurance. Advertisement SGC: What would you like to see happen next? JCP: Id like to see more people acting up. And Id like to see us change the narrative; Id like our country to move forward and not try to pit states rights against human rights. Finally, Id like to see more people talking about how this affects men, too. There are plenty of men who have an abortion story, who have been able to climb the corporate ladder because they had access to abortion and birth control.MM: There are great bills that address many of the shortcomings weve been talking about that are languishing in Congress. Take the Momnibus Bill. Smart people have thought about where we can choose policies differently. Things dont have to be like they are now; we can make a different decision. Were at a precipice, and that requires courage. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Sarah Green Carmichael is a Bloomberg Opinion editor. Previously, she was managing editor of ideas and commentary at Barrons and an executive editor at Harvard Business Review, where she hosted HBR IdeaCast. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load Iraq is facing summer of discontent after its most popular politician pulled his party out of parliament, having failed to form a government. But even as Baghdad braces for months of turmoil in the streets, the wider world should gird for the economic and security fallout. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The likeliest outcome of Moqtada al-Sadrs decision to withdraw from the political process is a return to the violent protests that racked the country in late 2019 and early 2020. If anything, the coming upheaval will be even more disruptive, since Sadrs supporters who pulled out of the previous protests are better organized than the leaderless cohort at the core of those demonstrations. They are angrier, too. Having won a plurality in the general election last fall, Sadr was frustrated in his efforts to cobble together a governing coalition. He and his supporters will feel that the political process failed them, leaving the public square as the only stage for a demonstration of strength. Advertisement Protest, often violent, is Sadrs stock in trade. Hailing from a family of Shiite clerics who paid for their opposition to Saddam Hussein with their lives, he made his own name in 2003 by raising a militia, known as the Mahdi Army, against the U.S.-led coalition that toppled the dictator. Sadrs fighters were trounced, but his anti-American rhetoric never waned. More recently, he has cast himself as a nationalist, opposed to the malign influence of Shiite-majority Iran in Iraqi affairs. Although Sadr officially demobilized the Mahdi Army in 2008 after entering electoral politics, many of his supporters remain armed, organized and dangerous. But the political groups that stymied him in parliament, including his Iran-backed Shiite rivals, have militias of their own. Shiites make up 60% of Iraqs population and the weak central government under the caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi will be loath to intervene in any internecine conflict. These are grim tidings for Iraqis, who face the prospect of blood in their streets. But they also bode ill for the global economy: At a time of soaring oil prices, prolonged instability in OPECs second-largest producer is plainly the last thing anybody needs. (Remember that the market is already short of supply from another significant Arab producer wracked by political chaos: Libya.) Advertisement Buyers can only hope that Kadhimi will be able to secure Iraqs oil infrastructure and keep supply lines open if sectarian infighting breaks out in the Shiite-dominated southern provinces, which account for the majority of the countrys reserves. President Joe Bidens administration faces double jeopardy. Any loss of Iraqi supply will obviously undermine efforts to cool the crude market and reduce prices at the pump ahead if midterm elections in the fall. No less important, Sadrs withdrawal strengthens Iran at a delicate geopolitical moment when the president is seeking simultaneously to negotiate a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic while reassuring its Arab neighbors that they have nothing to fear. The political churn in Baghdad will, at least in the short run, yield butter for Tehran. By Iraqi law, the parliamentary seats abandoned by Sadr have gone to the candidates who polled the second-largest number of votes. In most cases, those were candidates from Iran-backed parties. That bloc, known as the Coordination Framework, is now in the strongest position to form a coalition government. Advertisement This would mean the return to the prime ministership of Nouri al-Maliki, whose two previous terms in the job, from 2006-14 were characterized by an open license for Iran to deepen its influence in Iraqi affairs, especially in the countrys security forces. Tehran also backed a parallel network of Shiite militias, which it has used to attack U.S. military forces in Iraq and launch missile and drone strikes into Saudi Arabia. Kadhimi, who is regarded as a pro-Western figure, has had only limited success in curbing the militias; Maliki is unlikely even to try. Instead, he will use the state security forces to suppress any uprising by Sadrs supporters. It may be weeks, even months, before a new government is formed. The non-Shiite parties are no more enamored of the Coordination Framework than they were of the Sadr faction. But Iran is in no particular hurry. If, as now seems increasingly likely, the nuclear negotiations fail, Tehran will have free use of Iraq to stir up trouble for the U.S. and its allies in the Middle East. And if intra-Shiite conflict interrupts Iraqi oil flows into the world market, that would suit Iran just fine, since a spike in prices would provide a welcome boost to its sanctions-restricted export revenue. Advertisement For the U.S., there are no good outcomes: Political chaos in Baghdad is as bad as an Iranian proxy government. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering foreign affairs. Previously, he was editor in chief at Hindustan Times, managing editor at Quartz and international editor at Time. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Valentyn Reznichenko has said that a 60-year-old woman was injured as a result of a shelling attack on the region by the Russian occupation forces. "The night of long air-raid alerts. Kryvyi Rih district came under fire again. Shyrokivska and Zelenodilska communities were shelled," he said on the Telegram channel. Reznichenko also said that a 60-year-old woman suffered injuries as a result of the attack. A cottage was damaged. The situation was quiet in other districts. Placeholder while article actions load The US Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that guaranteed the right to abortion, will set back reproductive rights for Americans by decades. Other hard-earned freedoms may come under threat. To regain and keep these basic liberties, rights campaigners, social justice activists and their allies will need to rethink abortion advocacy, build far broader grassroots movements across age, race and regional divides and mobilize more voters. They can begin by studying Irelands experience. Orla OConnor is director of the National Womens Council of Ireland and one of three co-directors of the Together For Yes civil society campaign for the provision of legal abortion services in Ireland. Along with Grainne Griffin of Abortion Rights Campaign and Ailbhe Smyth, convenor of the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, OConnor built a movement that secured an unequivocal victory in 2018, when more than 66% of voters backed a move to abolish the eighth amendment to the Irish constitution, which gave equal rights to the unborn and the pregnant person and acted as an effective ban on abortion. The conversation, which took place before the Supreme Court ruling, has been edited for length and clarity. Clara Ferreira Marques: For all the differences between Irelands trajectory and the backward slide in the United States, much will look familiar to Irish activists, from the traditionalist arguments to the way many ordinary people feel excluded from an increasingly polarized, politicized debate. What do you see when you look across the Atlantic? Advertisement Orla OConnor: One thing that is very striking is the difference between countries that have gained reproductive rights through legislative or judicial means, and those like Ireland, where there was a public vote. We see that when rights are gained through legislation, theyre not necessarily owned in the same way, and then theyre more susceptible to political change, through undermining and attacks. Im looking at this from the outside, of course, but the undermining of reproductive rights seems to be coming from a number of different places, and theres a definite threat in terms of far-right activism. We look at that with huge concern. Womens rights are always contested, you can never take them for granted, but there definitely is a movement to undermine them, and reproductive rights are on the front line of the attacks on womens rights. What will be the reality for women in the United States? What will be the reality for women in different states? There are some similarities to Ireland in terms of forcing women to travel, with the trauma that causes. Restrictions dont reduce the number of women having abortions, they make it much, much harder, they make it more traumatic, cause more harm but they dont stop women. There were anti-choice groups here who argued that if you didnt allow abortion, you stopped women having them. Well, no, you dont. You force them into more difficult situations. Ireland had a safety valve because of proximity to the UK, plenty of women traveled by boat but we know the harm that caused, and the stigma it built up. Advertisement CFM: The US is seeing a reassessment of abortion advocacy and campaigns as a result of the threat to Roe, and theres a lot of work underway to understand what has succeeded elsewhere. Your campaign in the run-up to the 2018 referendum has been among the most remarkable, not least because of the breadth of the coalition you built. What lessons can others take from that? OOC: Together for Yes was made up of three organizations: the National Womens Council, the Abortion Rights Campaign and the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth three quite different organizations came together, the womens movement, young women and the grassroots, and this combination of organizations primarily working on reproductive rights. We were three quite different organizations appealing to different sections of the population. Also, the abortion referendum came not long after the referendum for marriage equality(1) , so there were young grassroots activists who now turned to abortion rights. Really there were two big campaigns, because first, we had to campaign to get the government to agree to hold the referendum. That had gone on for three or four years before 2018, probably since the amendment to ban abortion was put in the constitution (in 1983). There were lots of organizations working toward that, and in the research we did, in the polling, we could see that there was the section of the population that wanted access to abortion, and there were the people who wanted the amendment kept. But the vast majority of people were in the middle, a lot were uncomfortable, didnt want to talk about it. So we had to devise a campaign that very deliberately was about those people in the middle. We worked on getting those people to the point where they felt exercised enough to go out and vote. So that meant we had to talk about abortion in a way that they could engage with, in the context of healthcare, as a necessary decision. Advertisement The abortion pill helped change the conversation too because we could say women are having abortions, but theyre doing it in secrecy, with shame, afraid to access our healthcare services, and thats not okay. It was also about appealing to people to think about the women they knew who might need it, even if they felt they themselves would not. CFM: And it worked. OOC: It wasnt just about winning the referendum, it was about the size of the vote, well over 60%. Thats been really significant, because people own this, and that public ownership is really important, even now as our legislation is being reviewed. Because there are still restrictions, (the law) is not good enough, in our view, it doesnt give wide enough access to women. But we can see already from our polling that support has increased so the referendum, the way the campaign was organized, left that for the long term. Advertisement CFM: One distinctive feature of your campaign was also your use of personal stories of ordinary women. Not just extreme cases. OOC: From the start to the campaign, we put this in a healthcare context. We also decided the campaign would be led by the experiences of women, and we did that in a number of different ways. It was women talking about having to travel, about the shame and stigma. And yes, the stories of fatal fetal anomalies. We tried to bring in all of the different realities. There were mixed views on that, as to how much the campaign should focus on experiences. Why do women have to keep telling their stories in order to gain to gain their rights? At the same time, we could see that the stories really made a difference. There is this myth of the woman who wants an abortion and is inconsiderate, generally young. But when the life stories came out? These are people in relationships, married women, women who already have children and decide it doesnt make sense where they are in their lives to have another child. Advertisement And when it got to the sort of the final stages, the messaging was Who Needs Your Yes. It was about the people still struggling with the decision. We encouraged men to think about the women in their lives, in their families. CFM: There were individual cases, of course, that really paved the way for the referendum, like the death of Savita Halappanavar in 2012, when she suffered a miscarriage and was denied an abortion, dying of sepsis. OOC: That was a moment when there was a shift. People saw her husband, out on the airwaves, and really connected with that. This was what the eighth amendment was doing to people. They could not believe that this could happen in Ireland. People had a sense of the legacy of the past, particularly in terms of the Church and how the Church had treated women, but there was a sense that we were not that Ireland any more and this put that up for question, a young woman in the prime of her life. Politically, also, you couldnt ignore it anymore. Advertisement The other big piece here was the citizens assembly. Citizens are selected randomly from the electoral register, 99 citizens and one chairperson. I dont think anyone, including ourselves, expected the assembly to be so far reaching in terms of their recommendations (in 2017) and to be so overwhelmingly supportive, recommending abortion on request. The government then really couldnt avoid it and it also gave them increased confidence that this referendum could be won. CFM: One thing that was absent in your campaign and indeed, surprisingly, was not prominent in the referendum was religion. OOC: Part of that was the experience of the marriage equality referendum. We could see the Catholic Church was there, but the more they had to say, the more it was backfired. People wanted to distance themselves from that old Ireland, where the Church did control our decisions. Advertisement They were there in the background, supporting the organizations who were involved, but not visibly upfront. So, it was not something we had to contend with. And even the anti-choice campaign, they used old arguments, but not around religion. CFM: You also avoided making it a political discussion, which again will be harder in the US, but making it about society writ large seems to have been vital to your levels of approval. OOC: That was really important. We knew from polling that when it came to trusted voices on abortion, people trusted doctors and they trusted women talking about their experiences. Politicians were less trusted. So we made it very clear that this was a civil society campaign. We knew, to be fair, that some political parties had a good long track record on supporting reproductive rights, and others didnt, but that wasnt going to help us. Advertisement CFM: Youve been very particular about your selection of words for the campaign, making it about a joint effort, something forward-looking. OOC: Its about creating our language, a language that resonates with people. We werent going to do this in the terms of the anti-choice campaign, so it was about creating a new conversation. We certainly used the word abortion in our meetings, in our leaflets, but a lot of the work we did in the run-up to the vote was understanding how people talk about abortion. We had to figure out what made sense in terms of having a conversation with the public, rather than maybe what made sense to us as activists because otherwise, were talking to ourselves. Thats a bit of a challenge for organizations that have been working on this for so long. Part of this was about putting it in the context of healthcare, but we also had a clear message that sometimes a private matter needs public support and that really resonated. People saw it is private, were uncomfortable talking about abortion, but at this moment, at this time, it could be public. The context in Ireland isnt the same as in other countries, so its about really finding out whats going on in the heads of people in the space that youre in. And particularly for activists and for people whove campaigned on this for a long time, its moving out of your own assumptions. And if we had to run this campaign now, wed have to do it again, because its a changing context. CFM: One of the biggest challenges for US campaigners is that they have to build up a wider movement and momentum without a referendum or indeed any deadline to work toward. What advice do you have for that more open-ended effort, which is so hard to sustain? OOC: Its (important to) figure out what people are thinking, what theyre concerned about, to help set the agenda, even though it is costly to do that. Obviously, there are some pieces that I think are constant experiences, harm. In the US, though, it can be about positive experiences, that are now being taken away. The challenge is in terms of momentum. Were facing that now in Ireland, with this legislative review, mobilizing people again, reminding people of what they voted for. But whats happening in the US with Roe v. Wade is such a critical moment that you can see people getting really active around it. Its a massive opportunity to really mobilize people around this right. And around not losing this right. More From Bloomberg Opinion: Anti-Abortion States Cant Ban Medical Travel: Stephen L. Carter If States Ban Abortion, How About Abortion Pills?: Lisa Jarvis Abortion Rights Falter As Democracy Slides: Clara Ferreira Marques (1) Ireland backed same-sex marriage in a popular vote in 2015. It became the first country to recognize marriage equality by referendum, rather than legislation or the courts. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Clara Ferreira Marques is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and editorial board member covering foreign affairs and climate. Previously, she worked for Reuters in Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the U.K., Italy and Russia. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load The world of crypto isnt just suffering from a market malaise that has seen the price of Bitcoin drop from $69,000 to around $20,000 today it also faces a troubling number of security risks. There have been dozens of breaches in the past few years showing that cybercriminals are gravitating toward the world of cryptocurrencies. In many cases, we dont know who the attackers are, but one culprit that keeps coming up is the band of state-backed hackers from North Korea known as the Lazarus Group. According to a new book by Geoff White, The Lazarus Heist, the regimes hackers have been become increasingly sophisticated over the past decade, managing to steal an estimated $2 billion worth of cryptocurrency to date. Crypto investors should expect the gang to continue exploiting blockchain targets, or the the soft underbelly of the financial system, according to White, who believes the $2 billion figure is a vast underestimate. Advertisement It stands to reason the hacker group would target crypto networks: Lazaruss modus operandi for years has been to generate as much cash as it could to help prop up the North Korean regime and its nuclear weapons program. In the past decade, its schemes have included sophisticated ATM hacks and ransomware, including the infamous WannaCry cyber attack. Now decentralized finance, or DeFi, has become a more lucrative target than banks, thanks to the billions of dollars locked up in its various applications. But the move-fast-and-break-things culture still prevalent in web3 development hasnt helped the security of those networks. Neither does the fact that building web3 apps is unusually hard for programmers, who can create gaping financial vulnerabilities with simple coding errors. Across the board, the amount of money lost through hacks of DeFi projects more than doubled in 2021, with security website CrytpoSec listing 102 reported breaches between Jan. 2020 and June 2022, totaling $3.4 billion lost. Advertisement Lazarus has gone after several crypto networks, including a Slovakian crypto exchange in 2020 from which it stole virtual currency worth $5.4 million. The hackers went on to launder the funds through the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, according a Reuters investigation. They were also behind the more-than-$600 million hack on play-to-earn-game Axie Infinity, which when measured by money stolen could be one of the biggest single hacks of all time. (The U.S. Treasury Department blamed Lazarus as being behind the attack.) I spoke to White in a Twitter Spaces discussion this past week about the group, and some of its strategies for targeting DeFi networks in the future. Below is an edited excerpt from that discussion: Parmy: Do we have any idea of how many people are in the Lazarus group? How are its members selected and trained? Advertisement Geoff: In terms of how many there are, theres a publicly quoted figure, which is 6,000, which has come from analysis of testimony from defectors whove come out of North Korea. To train these people, the North Korean government cant rely on hackers in hoodies in bedrooms, kids who just go on YouTube, because in North Korea you cant just pick up a laptop and go on the Internet. All the computer hackers in North Korea have come up through the school system. Theyve been spotted and groomed by the regime to go into elite universities, to hone their skills. A lot will go into either the nuclear program or government hacking. Parmy: North Korean hackers went after Axie Infinity in March. It seems that unlike other state-backed hackers theyre not targeting any particular country. Who or what do you expect them to go after in the future? Geoff: Cryptocurrency is absolutely the direction of travel. If youre looking at how much was stolen in one fell swoop, I think the $625 million stolen from Axie Infinity may be the biggest single hack of any amount of money from one company, in one hit, ever If you look at the banks that theyve hacked into, youre talking Vietnam, the Philippines, Chile, Bangladesh. They will go anywhere where the security is weakest. Advertisement Parmy: They seem opportunistic in terms of scope. Given that blockchain networks have experienced a number of breaches and vulnerabilities, thanks in part to their difficult coding environment, do you expect blockchain to become an attractive target to North Korean hackers in the next few years? Geoff: I think so. There have been reports coming out from alleged North Korean hackers advertising jobs and targeting cryptocurrency workers and saying, Hey, Ive got a great job for you. A perfect job. And then tricking cryptocurrency workers into downloading malware and getting into the cryptocurrencies that way. Bizarrely, it also seems that North Koreas hackers are trying to get jobs at cryptocurrency companies. Theres been an alert put out by the US Treasury warning cryptocurrency firms about North Korean hackers turning up and applying for jobs. Weve interviewed somebody who claims he actually interviewed a North Korean hacker who applied for a job at his company and realized halfway through the interview what was afoot. But when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. If youre inside a cryptocurrency company, you might be able to steal money from them directly. Advertisement You might be able to get the passwords, and even if you dont, you might be able to introduce a flaw or vulnerability into that companys code, which allows you to extricate money later on. And even if none of that works, if youve got a company email address, you can email other people in the crypto industry and say, Hey, I just started work for company X. Have you seen this exciting news? See attachment to the email. And thats how you get your viruses out. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. A former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes, she is author of We Are Anonymous. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2022 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load A federal judge sentenced Baltimore defense attorney Ken Ravenell to four years and nine months in prison plus three years of supervised release Wednesday after he was convicted in December on one charge of money laundering. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Federal prosecutors had asked U.S. District Judge Liam OGrady to sentence Ravenell to eight years in prison, whereas Ravenell sought probation. Ravenell is expected to appeal. This is a difficult day for everyone, including the court, OGrady said when handing down the sentence. Still, he called the conviction about as clear a case of money laundering that can be found. Ravenell and his attorneys declined to comment, and dozens of his family and friends showed up in court to provide support. He is ordered to report to Federal Bureau of Prisons custody Oct. 15. OGrady denied Ravenells request to stay his sentence until his appeal is heard, saying he didnt see a sufficient legal argument that would lead to a reversed conviction. Advertisement Federal authorities originally charged Ravenell with racketeering, drug conspiracy and money laundering for allegedly helping a multistate marijuana operation run by drug kingpin and nightclub owner Richard Byrd. Byrd was convicted in 2017 and he testified against Ravenell, as did other members of his organization. Sentenced to more than two decades in prison, Byrd no longer appears on online federal prison rolls and may have been released early, perhaps due to his cooperation with prosecutors. There are several sealed filings in his criminal case. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office did not respond to a request for comment about Byrds status. Ravenell had hired prominent attorney Josh Treem and investigator Sean Gordon for his legal defense, but the two men became a part of the case after a jailhouse interview with Byrd and also were federally charged. A jury found both men innocent. Advertisement With Treem and Gordon acquitted on all charges, and Ravenell acquitted on six of the seven charges against him, Ravenells attorneys lobbied OGrady to offer leniency on the grounds that the jury must not have found the evidence persuasive. OGrady, while praising the jurors for their thoughtfulness and consideration, disagreed. [The jury] very clearly could have convicted each of the defendants on all the charges, OGrady said. There was sufficient evidence. OGrady also ordered Ravenell to forfeit an unspecified amount of money as it relates to his criminal activity. The specific amount will be announced later, in a written ruling. Prosecutors pushed for a harsh sentence in the hopes it would serve as a deterrent to other high-profile defense attorneys who may be laundering money for their clients. Advertisement Whether Mr. Ravenell is an outlier or the tip of the iceberg, we dont know, said Leo Wise, the lead federal prosecutor, in court. OGrady agreed, saying deterrence is needed, thus the imprisonment. Prosecutors said Ravenell, then working as a partner at the law firm Murphy, Falcon and Murphy, used the firms bank accounts to launder $1.8 million in drug money through transactions involving other lawyers, go-betweens, shell companies and even a United Nations ambassador from Uganda. During and after the highprofile trial, members of the legal community were quick to criticize the U.S. Attorneys Office in Maryland and Wise for what they considered an overzealous investigation into one of the states most respected lawyers. Wise, in his remarks to the court Wednesday, seemed unfazed, calling Ravenell greedy and corrupt. Advertisement Without money launderers like Ken Ravenell, large-scale drug dealers like Richard Byrd wouldnt exist, Wise said. OGrady said he considered Ravenells significant contributions to the legal world, his community and his church, and his family support, when determining his sentence. Ravenell sent the court 88 letters from lawyers, judges, former clients, faith leaders, friends and his wife supporting him as he asked for leniency. New Antioch Baptist Church Pastor Kenneth Barney, defense attorney and close friend Randall Craig and sister Doris Brown-Ravenell all testified in court Wednesday on behalf of Ravenells character, money laundering conviction aside. We are asking you, your honor, by using your discretion to show mercy and leniency to restore Ken back to the community, Brown-Ravenell said. Advertisement Ravenell, 62, was born to sharecroppers and had 11 siblings, growing up in extreme poverty in South Carolina. He shared a room with his younger brother Paul, whom Ken taught how to feed the hogs, cut wood, tend to crops and pray. Ravenell attended South Carolina State University, a historically Black university, before graduating from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1984. Craig attended Maryland with Ravenell and said his friends nickname as a law student was Ken I love the law Ravenell. Barney said Ravenell joined New Antioch Baptist Church of Randallstown on March 24, 1996, and has stood out in a congregation of roughly 7,500 for his generosity and commitment. Many of the letters submitted on Ravenells behalf, as well as the testimony offered in court, centered on his faith and commitment to family. Advertisement I dont know another man like him who is so dedicated to the law and the community, Craig said. As a criminal defense attorney, Ravenell has handled numerous prominent cases, including that of a West Baltimore gunman who shot and killed 7-year-old Taylor Hayes. He also sued Baltimore County police on behalf of the young son of Korryn Gaines, the Randallstown woman killed by officers during a standoff. If his conviction is upheld, he probably will be stripped of his law license. Ravenell himself did not say much in court, knowing that if he commented on his case his words could be used against him in future court proceedings. What little he did say was to OGrady. I wish you knew me, Ravenell said. I really wish you did. I wish you knew me like my family and friends. OGrady passed judgment gently, telling Ravenell that he wishes he had known him and that he will be sorely missed by the community while he is in prison. That doesnt mean I dont admire the work youve done, OGrady said. I wish you well. Baltimore Sun GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load DHAKA, Bangladesh Bangladeshs Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday celebrated the opening of the countrys longest bridge, which took eight years to build amid setbacks involving political conflict and corruption allegations. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The 6.51-kilometer (4.04-mile) bridge spanning the Padma River cost an estimated $3.6 billion and was paid for with domestic funds after the World Bank and other global lending agencies declined to finance the project following a graft scandal involving a Canadian construction company. The bridge, which will open to the public on Sunday, will slash the distance between the capital, Dhaka, and Bangladeshs second largest seaport, Mongla, by 100 kilometers (62 miles). The bridge belongs to the people of Bangladesh. It encapsulates our passion, creativity, courage, endurance and perseverance, Hasina said at a ceremony in Mawa, about 31 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Dhaka. Advertisement While not directly part of Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, the bridge was built by the China Major Bridge Engineering Company Ltd. and is seen by Beijing as a milestone for cooperation with Bangladesh, according to a statement by Chinas Ambassador Li Jiming. The China Railway Group has said the Padma Bridge will later feature a rail network that connects with other Belt and Road projects and will serve as an important link between China and a pan-Asian rail network. Economists say the Padma Bridge will increase Bangladeshs gross domestic product by an additional 1.3% per year, adding to robust growth projections from the Asian Development Bank that predict Bangladeshs $465 billion economy will grow by 6.9% in 2021-22, and 7.1% in 2022-23. Officials said the bridge will connect at least 21 districts in the southern and southwestern regions of Bangladesh. Advertisement Experts say the construction of the bridge, which involved more than 4,000 engineers, was a major technical challenge. The underwater pilings extend 122 meters (400 feet) deep, a world record, and it requires 41 pillars. At some points in the river, the water flow volume ranks second globally only after the Amazon River. The World Bank said in 2012 that it found elements of corruption involving a Canadian construction firm in the plans for the Padma Bridge and decided to stay away from funding $1.2 billion for the project. The decision prompted other lending agencies including the Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency and Islamic Development Bank to distance themselves from the project. Hasina then said Bangladesh would build the bridge with its own funds. The corruption charges went to a Superior Court in Ontario, Canada, which acquitted three former top executives of SNC-Lavalin, the Canadian firm, in an international bribery case linked to the bridges construction in 2017. Hasina also defied bitter criticism by political opposition led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia during the construction of the bridge. The opposition criticized Hasinas government for increasing the budget threefold over the years and accused the authorities of corruption. Hasina rejected the allegations. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load ROME Congos Catholic bishops, coping with disappointment over a scrubbed visit by Pope Francis, said Saturday that his decision to go ahead with a trip to Canada was an encouraging sign that his knee treatment was working, as they held out hope for a rescheduled date. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight In the meantime, Francis is sending the Vatican secretary of state to Congo to celebrate a special Mass for peace and reconciliation next weekend, when Francis was due to have arrived, said Bishop Donatien Nshole, secretary general of the Congolese bishops conference. Nshole stressed that Cardinal Pietro Parolin wasnt replacing Francis and that Congo was awaiting word from the Vatican for a new date for a papal visit. But in a video statement, he said Parolins visit was further sign of the great consideration he (Francis) has for our country. Advertisement The Vatican announced June 10 that Francis had to postpone the planned July 2-7 visit to Congo and South Sudan because doctors said it could jeopardize the therapy he is receiving for strained ligaments in his right knee. The problem has forced him to use a wheelchair for over a month, and he uses a cane when walking or standing. At the same time, the Vatican on Thursday indicated Francis was going ahead with a planned July 24-30 visit to Canada by releasing the trip itinerary. The Vatican hasnt said why the Canada visit could go ahead but not the Africa one. For us, this is an encouraging sign of the positive evolution of the care he is taking, Nshole said. Without a doubt, the trip to Canada will also be a test for the pope and his doctors of the effectiveness of his care and will serve as an evaluation for the future and the activities of the pontiff. Nshole said Parolin will celebrate the Mass in Kinshasa on July 3, on the same day that similar Masses are held across Congo and Francis celebrates a special Mass for Romes Congoloese community at the Vatican. ___ Krista Larson contributed from Dakar, Senegal. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load CAIRO President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt held talks Saturday with Qatars emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who visited Cairo for the first time in years. The talks focused on ties between the two nations and a set of other regional and global topics, including U.S. President Joe Biden's upcoming trip to the Middle East in July, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency. Both leaders agreed to develop mutual cooperation, especially in the energy and agriculture sectors, and boost Qatari investments in Egypt, the statement said. Al Thani arrived at the Itihadiya presidential palace in Cairo for talks with el-Sissi. Both leaders inspected an honor guard and bands played the national anthems of Egypt and Qatar, a livestream of the welcoming ceremony posted by the Egyptian presidency showed. Advertisement Egypts state-run al-Ahram daily reported that the talks aim at ensuring the full normalization of ties between the two nations after resuming their relations early in 2021. Citing an unnamed source, the newspaper said the two countries would signed agreements to boost Qatari investments in Egypts battered economy. During the visit, an Egyptian-Qatari business council met with the aim of improving trade and investments between the countries. Qatar announced in March the investment of $5 billion in Egypts economy, which was hit badly by the repercussions of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister Nevine Gamea was in Doha last week for talks with Qatari officials on promoting trade and investment between the two nations. She met with Mansour bin Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud, head of the Qatar Investment Authority, to discuss its financing projects in Egypt, according to an Egyptian statement. Advertisement Energy-rich Qatar is a major source of investment in Egypt, focusing on the real state and oil sectors, including the building of a $1.3 billion luxury hotel on Cairos Nile Corniche. Qatar Petroleum also held a major stake in a $4.4 billion refining firm. Qatari investment would be another lifeline for Egypts economy, which is under pressure amid an inflationary wave triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and Russias war in Ukraine, which hiked oil prices to record highs. Other Gulf monarchies have in recent months announced billions of aid and investments in Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world. Al Thani landed in Cairo late Friday and was received by el-Sissi at the airport where they greeted each other with a handshake and cheek kisses on the tarmac. The Qatari leader departed the Egyptian capital later Saturday. Advertisement The visit, unthinkable just a few years ago, and the warm welcome showed the rapid improvement of ties between the two nations since the end of a boycott of Doha by four Arab states, including Egypt. El-Sissi said it consolidates the course of developing bilateral ties between the two nations in all fields in the coming period, according to the statement. The visit came ahead of Bidens July 13-16 Middle East trip, which will include stops in Israel, West Bank and Saudi Arabia. Both el-Sissi and Al Thani will attend a Saudi Arabia-hosted summit with the American president. The summit will include the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iraq and Egypt. Egypts ties with Qatar deteriorated in 2013 when el-Sissi, as defense minister, led the militarys overthrow of the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi after his short-lived divisive rule. Morsi, who hailed from the Muslim Brotherhood, was backed by Qatar. In 2017, Egypt joined Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in a boycott of Qatar in an effort to force Doha to change its policies. The rift finally ended in 2021, when Qatar signed a declaration with the four to normalize relations. Since then, ties have improved, and top officials have exchanged visits. The Egyptian president has since met twice with the emir of Qatar. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load BAGHDAD Iraqs caretaker prime minister arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, his office said, on a visit that an official said aimed at reactivating Baghdad-mediated talks between the kingdom and Iran. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The official said Mustafa al-Kadhimi planned to travel to Tehran after the visit to Saudi Arabia. The visit seeks to open new avenues that would reactivate dialogue between the two regional foes, according to the official, who is privy to the Iran-Saudi dialogue track. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to divulge the information to the press. Al-Kadhimis office later said he arrived in the Saudi city of Jiddah for an official visit during which he would meet Saudi officials. It is al-Kadhimis second visit since he took the post of prime minister in May 2020. The Saudi-Iran talks aimed at defusing yearslong tensions between the regional foes began quietly in Iraqs capital in 2021 as Saudi Arabia sought a way to end its disastrous war against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The conflict has spawned one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters and brought bombs from rebel drones and missiles raining down on Saudi airports and oil facilities. Advertisement A fifth and last round of talks was held in Baghdad in April before they were suspended again amid soaring Middle East tensions. Iran, the largest Shiite Muslim country in the world, and Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties in 2016 after Saudi Arabia executed prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Angry Iranians protesting the execution stormed two Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, fueling years of animosity between the nations. Iraq borders both Iran and Saudi Arabia and is often caught in the middle of the two nations proxy wars. Al-Kadhimi has stressed he wants balanced relations with the two neighbors. Improving relations with Saudi Arabia was a key policy of his administration when he took office. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load MEXICO CITY Even after five years of living together in the Pacific resort city of Acapulco, something as simple as holding hands or sharing a kiss in public is unthinkable for Dayanny Marcelo and Mayela Villalobos. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight There is an ever-present fear of being rejected or attacked in Guerrero, a state where same-sex relationships are not widely accepted and one of five in Mexico where same-sex marriage is still not allowed. But this week they traveled the 235 miles (380 kilometers) to Mexicos capital, where the city government hosted a mass wedding for same-sex couples as part of celebrations of LGBT Pride Month. Under a tent set up in the plaza of the capitals civil registry, along with about 100 other same-sex couples, Villalobos and Marcelo sealed their union Friday with a kiss while the wedding march played in the background. Advertisement Their ability to wed is considered one of the LGBT communitys greatest recent achievements in Mexico. It is now possible in 27 of Mexicos 32 states and has been twice upheld by the Supreme Court. Mexico, Brazil and Argentina top Latin America in the number of same-sex marriages. Mariaurora Mota, a leader of the Mexican LGBTTTI+ Coalition, said the movement still is working to guarantee in all of Mexico the right to change ones identity, have access to health care and social security and to let transsexual minors change their gender on their birth certificates. Walking around Mexico City a day before their wedding, Marcelo and Villalobos confessed to feeling strange holding hands in the city streets. Displays of affection between same-sex couples in the capital are commonplace, but it was difficult to shed their inhibititions. Advertisement I feel nervous, said Villalobos, a 30-year-old computer science major, as Marcelo held her hand. Villalobos grew up in the northern state of Coahuila in a conservative Christian community. She always felt an internal struggle, because she knew she had a different sexual orientation, but feared her family would reject her. I always cried because I wanted to be normal, she said. She came out to her mother when she was 23. She thought that moving to Acapulco in 2017 with a young niece would give her more freedom. Villalobos met Marcelo, a native of the beach town, there. Marcelo, a 29-year-old shop employee, said her acceptance of her sexual orientation was not as traumatic as Villalobos, but she still did not come out as pansexual until she was 24. She said she had been aided by the Mexico City organization Cuenta Conmigo, Count on Me which provides educational and psychological support. Advertisement Walking around the capital this week with massive rainbow flags hanging from public buildings and smaller ones flapping in front of many businesses, Villalobos could not help but compare it to her native state and her present home in Guerrero. In the same country the people are very open and in another (place) ... the people are close-minded, with messages of hate toward the community, she said. Elihu Rendon, a 28-year-old administrative employee for a ride-sharing application, and Javier Vega Candia, a 26-year-old theater teacher, grew up in Mexico City and coming out for them was not so complicated. Were in a city where theyre opening all of the rights and possibilities to us, including doing this communal LGBT wedding, said Vega Candia as he held out Rendons hand to show off a ring he had given him shortly before they moved in together. Advertisement When they walk through the citys streets they dont hesitate to express affection, sometimes hugging and dancing in a crosswalk while traffic was stopped. Im happy to have been born in this city thinking that we have these rights and not in another country where we could be killed, Vega Candia said. Villalobos and Marcelo do not expect much in their daily lives to change when they return to Acapulco as a married couple. But Marcelo said that with the marriage certificate, she will try to get Villalobos included on the health insurance she receives through her employer. With a marriage certificate it is easier, Marcelo said. If something happens to me or something happens to her, well have proof that were together. GiftOutline Gift Article Placeholder while article actions load OSLO, Norway A gunman opened fire in Oslos nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an Islamist terror act during the capitals annual LGBTQ Pride festival. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, was arrested after opening fire at three locations in downtown Oslo. Police said two men, one in his 50s and and the other his 60s, died in the shootings. Ten people were treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be in life-threatening condition. Eleven others had minor injuries. The Norwegian Police Security Service raised its terror alert level from moderate to extraordinary the highest level after the attack, which sent panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or trying to hide from the gunman. Advertisement The services acting chief, Roger Berg, called the attack an extreme Islamist terror act and said the suspect had a long history of violence and threats, as well as mental health issues. He said the agency, known by its Norwegian acronym PST, first became aware of the suspect in 2015 and later grew concerned he had become radicalized and was part of an unspecified Islamist network. Norwegian media named the suspect as Zaniar Matapour, an Oslo resident who arrived in Norway with his family from a Kurdish part of Iran in the 1990s. The suspects defense lawyer, John Christian Elden, said his client hasnt denied carrying out the attack, but he cautioned against speculation on the motive. He has not given any reason. It is too early to conclude whether this is hate crime or terrorism, Elden said in an email to The Associated Press. Advertisement Upon the advice of police, organizers canceled a Pride parade that was set for Saturday as the highlight of a weeklong festival. Scores of people marched through the capital anyway, waving rainbow flags. Police attorney Christian Hatlo said it was too early to say whether the gunman specifically targeted members of the LGBTQ community. We have to look closer at that, we dont know yet, he said. Police said civilians assisted them in detaining the man in custody, who was being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, based on the number of people targeted at multiple locations. Investigators seized two weapons after the attack: a handgun and an automatic weapon. Hatlo described both as not modern but did not give details. Not far from Oslos cathedral, crime scene tape cordoned off the bars where the shootings took place, including the London Pub, which is popular with the citys LGBTQ community. Advertisement Crowds gathered outside and dropped off cards and flowers at impromptu memorials. Martin Ebbestad, 29, had walked by earlier, seen the memorials and returned with flowers. London Pub is our go-to place. My boyfriend left 20 minutes before (it happened). He was sitting outside in the smoking area, Ebbestad said. We know this place so well. It doesnt feel unsafe, but it does feel very close. Norwegian television channel TV2 showed footage of people running down Oslo streets in panic as shots rang out in the background. Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting, Roenneberg told NRK. First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover. Advertisement Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere called the shooting a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people. He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. We all stand by you, Gahr Stoere wrote on Facebook. Christian Bredeli, who was at the London Pub, told Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. Many were fearing for their lives, he said. On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened. Desta G. Selassie, a co-owner of the London Pub, told AP that employees who witnessed the shooting were in shock and receiving psychological counseling. Police said the suspect had a criminal record that included a narcotics offense and a weapons offense for carrying a knife. Advertisement PST said it spoke to him in May this year because he had shown a certain interest in statements that were interpreted as insults to Islam. In these conversations, it was assessed that he had no intention of violence, but PST is aware that he has had challenges related to mental health, the agency said in a statement. Organizers of Oslo Pride canceled the parade and other scheduled events, and encouraged people all over Norway to show solidarity in their homes, neighborhoods and on social media instead. Well be back later, proud, visible, but right now its not the time for that, Inge Alexander Gjestvang, leader of FRI, a Norwegian organization for sexual and gender diversity, told TV2. Like its Scandinavian neighbors, Norway is considered progressive on LGBTQ rights. There is widespread support for same-sex marriage, which was legalized in 2009. In 2016, Norway became one of the worlds first countries to allow transgender people to legally change their gender without a doctors agreement or intervention. Advertisement Norways King Harald V offered condolences to the relatives of victims and said the royal family was horrified by the attack. We must stand together to defend our values: freedom, diversity and respect for each other. We must continue to stand up for all people to feel safe, the monarch said. World leaders condemned the attack on their way to a Group of Seven summit in Germany. The summits host, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, tweeted, The Norwegian people can be sure of our sympathy. The fight against terror unites us. French President Emmanuel Macron offered his condolences in a tweet in Norwegian. John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told reporters while flying with U.S. President Joe Biden to the G-7 summit, Our hearts obviously go out to all the families there of the victims, the people of Norway, which is a tremendous ally, and of course the LGBTQI+ community, there and around the world, quite frankly. Advertisement Norway has a relatively low crime rate but has experienced a series of so-called lone wolf attacks in recent decades, including one of the worst mass shootings in Europe. In 2011, a right-wing extremist killed 69 people on the island of Utoya after setting off a bomb in Oslo that left eight dead. In 2019, another right-wing extremist killed his stepsister and then opened fire in a mosque but was overpowered before anyone there was injured. Last year, a Norwegian man armed with knives and a bow and arrow killed five people in a town in southern Norway. The attacker, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was sentenced Friday to compulsory psychiatric care. ___ Ritter reported from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Jari Tanner in Helsinki and Sarah Hambro in Oslo contributed to this report. GiftOutline Gift Article Two enemy helicopters took off from the territory of Russia and launched six unguided missiles on the territory of Krasnopillia community in Sumy region, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has said. "Two Russian helicopters attacked a borderline district in Sumy region. The enemy helicopters took off on the Russian side and fired six unguided missiles on the territory of Krasnopillia community," it said on the Telegram channel. According to preliminary information, no casualties were reported. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The librarian often used to hear from readers that they wanted a book that didnt make them feel uncomfortable. What did that mean, she wondered. Didnt they want to read about confronting subjects? Yet the best stories often make readers uncomfortable. I see the role of fiction when its sometimes dark is to help readers understand or experience something through the safety of a book, she says. The librarian is award-winning author Sarah Schmidt, and hordes of her readers in Australia, Britain and the US share her view of dark fiction. See What I Have Done, her 2017 debut novel, was an international sensation. It reimagined the true story of Lizzie Borden, accused of murdering her parents with an axe. That story began with a dream in which Lizzie sat on the authors bed and began to tell her story. Sarah Schmidt at Ivanhoe Library, one of three she embraced when she moved to the suburbs. Credit:Simon Schluter Schmidts second novel, Blue Hour, also began with a dream. We talk about it over coffee in a Brunswick cafe near her home. She has relieved the Melbourne black uniform with a confident combination of rosy hair, red shoes and a bright blue coat. A long time ago, her book tells us, humans didnt have a word for the colour blue. In her dream, a sad and angry young woman was driving towards blue mountains. She kept looking in the rearview mirror, and Schmidt wondered what she was looking at, so she looked too, and discovered the womans baby daughter in the back seat. Then Schmidt woke, and discovered she was having a miscarriage. This was one of a series of miscarriages when Schmidt was trying to have a baby with her then partner. She was also wrestling with ambivalent feelings. Every time I had a miscarriage I just kept thinking, maybe motherhood is not for me. It started bringing up feelings about my own parents. Finally she went to an IVF clinic, where the doctor told her she had two really big eggs and that she should try again. She did, and gave birth to Alice, now 10. Advertisement As it turned out, Alice is a happy and loved child. But Schmidt struggled with anxiety that she might repeat her own experience of being parented. She remembers taking baby Alice for a walk on a cold morning, when an older woman came up to her. She touched me on the shoulder and said I know what its like, I thought about killing my son as well. Schmidt had never had such a thought, but the womans words stuck with her. Birth is a wonderful thing, but it makes connections and raises memories you havent even thought of. A few years later, See What I Have Done came out: That was the best and worst time in my life. It was great to have this achievement. But in the meantime I was starting to have a breakdown for a whole raft of reasons. It all came to a head when she went on her own to the US for a book tour. I was remembering my own childhood and realising I couldnt be in the relationship I was in any more we had grown apart. Almost every night, I wanted to die. Id had depression and anxiety before but Id never felt that way. She began to realise she needed to write about her feelings and memories. I wanted to be open about things, but how far could I go? Sarah Schmidts first novel followed a dream about Lizzie Borden. Credit:Simon Schluter The result is Blue Hour, at its heart a mother-daughter story about Eleanor, the young mother driving into the mountains in her dream, and her mother, Kitty, and their fraught relationship. Reading it is not so much uncomfortable as gut-wrenching, but in a good way. I want people to walk away from the book having a true feeling about something, Schmidt says. Its my complete and entire life. Its also nothing to do with my life. She set her story in the 1970s, with chapters from Kittys point of view going back to the 1940s, which gave her the illusion of distance from her own memories. Kitty was her favourite character: Shes awful; I dont like her. But I loved writing her. While Kitty is not her own mother, there are parallels. My mother was abused as a child by a family member, and I knew about it from a young age. There was no discussion, no therapy, no attempt to remove the sense of shame. As many children do, she felt responsible and tried to stop her mother from feeling sad. You can spend your entire life trying to make someone happy you feel thats your job. Advertisement Another thing that Schmidt knew from a young age was that her mother had tried to kill her. She told me many times, how she stopped it from happening. She had these overwhelming feelings and thoughts. She really struggled to talk about it. But at the same time, she told me everything. I love my mother. I have many happy memories of my childhood. I never felt unloved. But she was depressed. Her husband was often away in the navy, and she gave birth at just 19. I wish I could have hugged her and told her everything was okay, but thats a lot to process. She wanted to communicate something a lot of women dont ever talk about. Its just unfortunate that when I first heard it, I was too young. Loading In her book, Kitty is grieving for different reasons, and becomes bitter, even savage. Poor young Eleanor has an extra burden placed on her. I made a rule to myself that Kitty was never to tell Eleanor out loud that she loved her, Schmidt says. That helped to shape a different sense, a more complex trauma of someone feeling they are not loved. Schmidt is adamant that this is not an anti-mother book. It can be a very dark time in peoples lives ... I wanted to show that side of motherhood. If people read it and feel connected, I would be happy thats a shared feeling. I want people to feel theyre not alone. TAKE 7: AUTHOR SARAH SCHMIDT Worst habit? There are many but lets go with a tendency to overthink and over-analyse most things. Greatest fear? Reaching the end of my life and dying with regrets. The line that stayed with you? I know this should probably be something relating to literature but the first thing that popped into my head was something that was said to me in a traumatic situation a few years ago. But that needs to stay in the past. Instead, the best line from life that stays with me is when my daughter was very young learning sentences and told me, You make my heart. Biggest regret? Just one?! I think its probably not being as brave as I shouldve been at certain points of my life. Favourite room? Any room where Im alone, writing or thinking about writing, and an idea decides to visit and stay with me instead of someone else on its journey. The artwork/song you wish was yours? All Is Full of Love by Bjork. Everything about it is gold. If you could solve one thing? The crisis of capitalism! But also on my list: who killed the Bordens. I was hoping Id have more insight when I was with Lizzie all those years ago for See What I Have Done, but she gave me nothing. I just want to know. Through her time settings, Schmidt was also able to explore the damage done to men returning from war. George, Kittys husband, is horribly hurt inside and outside from his World War II days: he wears a facial prosthetic and has PTSD nightmares. Eleanors husband, Leon, already a violent man, returns from Vietnam even more fearsome. Advertisement In writing Leon, Schmidt could draw on another dark experience: I was raped and strangled in my sleep. She had allowed a visitor from overseas to sleep on her couch. He acted like nothing had happened the next day and I thought, youve done this before. For a long time she could not bear to tell anyone about it, not even her therapist. But one day when she heard people at work talking about rape, she picked up a stapler and threw it across the room. Then she told her manager. That was the beginning of becoming more comfortable and telling people what had happened. I realised there was nothing wrong with me. Writing Leon felt necessary, but was awful. Every time I got into that headspace I was traumatised. She would start her writing day with the recall of a memory she was going to borrow from her own life and allow myself to sit in that feeling the more I let myself open up, the more I connected with my characters and what they needed. It was very liberating, very cathartic. But there was this huge downside because youre sitting with trauma all the time. Loading Her therapist asked her why she was doing this to herself. Because she had to, she said. It had never occurred to me that at the end of the day I could check in with myself and say, Im Sarah, Im this person, Im not that person. You have got to be kind to yourself. After four years of writing, she handed a huge manuscript to her publishers: It was 270,000 words, it was out of control. Paragraphs werent even finished. I didnt know what was wrong with me. Working first with Robert Watkins (who later left Hachette for Ultimo Press), and then with Vanessa Radnidge, she refined the sprawling text to focus on the mother-daughter story. Advertisement In a city hooked on looking young, beauty specialists are reporting a rise in the number of people seeking natural anti-wrinkle alternatives to botox treatments. The move to natural alternatives has seen a boom in treatments such as micro-needling, where a medical-grade pen makes tiny punctures, generating new collagen and smooth skin tissue. Sabrina is feeling happier with herself now that shes given up botox. Credit:Louis Douvis Skin-needling early-adopter Sam Appel, the owner of The Skin Bar, said she had seen an increased interest in non-invasive alternatives to botox and was now treating more than 100 clients a week for needling alone. Its the ultimate facial, she tells The Sun-Herald. The market is flooded with options, and after the COVID vaccine came out people really began to question what they were putting in their bodies. Australias vaccine advisory panel is considering delaying a recommendation that more people get a fourth COVID booster shot until a better Omicron-targeting vaccine is available. Omicron sub-variants, including BA.4 and BA.5, are fast becoming the dominant COVID-19 variants in Australia and there is growing concern the sublineages are becoming more effective at reinfecting people. Moderna released preliminary results earlier this month on an updated coronavirus vaccine that targets Omicron. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Professor Allen Cheng, who is a voting member and the former chair of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, said the expert group was watching the United States closely, where Moderna will imminently file clinical data on its Omicron-containing bivalent booster to the drug regulator. One of the big considerations we are looking at is, do we recommend the fourth dose more broadly in Australia, knowing that there might be a better fourth dose to get down the line? he said. The man behind the high-profile and controversial Twitter account @PRGuy17 has publicly revealed his identity to head off attempts by a right-wing commentator to expose it and bring legal action against him. The Age and Herald spoke on the phone with a man purporting to be Jeremy Maluta, who provided identifying documentation and images proving he was the user of the account. Maluta went public after Twitter provided personal information connected to the account to right-wing rival Avi Yemini, who has previously pledged to pursue defamation action against Maluta. While this masthead confirmed he was the user of the account, Maluta would not reveal personal details, such as where he worked or lived. He said he wanted to maintain his privacy. I cant leave. I am 78 years old, she says. Whos going to look after me? There is nowhere for Bezaltysha to go; her other daughter lives in Russia and she cant go there. There is no power, running water or telecommunications in the city, and a food distribution centre has just been obliterated in a Russian airstrike. This is the industrial city of Lysychansk, once home to 100,000 people but now a wasteland on the front line of the war that has rocked the world. Lysychansk resident Lidia Bezaltysha cooks whatever she is given over a wood fire outside her home. Credit:Kate Geraghty We do not have anything to cook, anything to eat. Soon we will starve to death, the Russian-speaking 78-year-old says from outside her Soviet-era apartment building, as she and daughter Ludmila boil a few potatoes in a makeshift camping kitchen. We are dying of hunger. Kostyantynivka: Lidia Bezaltysha doesnt bother going to the bunker of her apartment building anymore. She says if a missile doesnt kill her, hunger will. In the fog of war, misinformation and confusion reigns. This city is split between those who feel patriotically part of Ukraine and those whose loyalties lie with Russia and the pro-Moscow separatists. But most of those who remain just want the carnage to stop. An unexploded missile on one of the main streets in Lysychansk. Credit:Kate Geraghty We have been escorted by the local police along narrow dirt roads into Lysychansk. They say we can only stay for a few hours. Ukrainian and Russian forces have been exchanging heavy artillery fire all morning and it is too dangerous to linger. By the time the Russians capture these cities, there will be nothing left. Smoke billows from the ruins of the city across the river. All around us are bombed-out cars and buildings. If Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk fall, Russian President Vladimir Putin will possess the industrial and agricultural heartland of the Luhansk region and a key supply route to march further west and south. Just across the Siversky Donets River is the city of Sievierodonetsk, where the Russians have Ukrainian soldiers pinned down in an old chemical plant. Throughout the day, artillery flies between the two cities as Ukrainian and Russian soldiers hammer each other. I am almost Russian myself. I am not afraid of the Russian army, she says. I have many friends in Russia, I have relatives in Russia. So we have no fear. What is there to be afraid of? Were all Slavs. Svitlana Vodolazska claims the Ukrainians bombed the Palace in an act of revenge, but there is no evidence for this. Credit:Kate Geraghty Vodolazska says she is not afraid of the Russians taking over her city. Outside the smashed palace, Svitlana Vodolazska, 55, claims Ukrainian soldiers fired on the building. There is no evidence for this, but she says the Ukrainian soldiers carried out the attack as revenge for the locals not letting them use the building as a base. On a bright summer day, brothers Serhiy, 11, and Timosha, 8, ride their bikes past the smoking ruins of the Stalin-era building. These two war-weary boys have the grimy hands and faces of children who havent been able to wash for weeks on end. They act as if the war is normal, but the older brother says Ukraine will win. The day before we arrive, the citys grand Palace of Culture was bombed. A food charity had been distributing parcels from its halls. At least four people were killed, including some who had moved there for shelter from Sievierodonetsk. There were no Ukrainian police left, only the military, he says, as Russians encircled the city and levelled homes. Chaotic shelling took place all the time. They completely blocked the district by artillery fire. Yuri Shyrokov fled Sievierodonetsk at the end of May clad only in his pants and slippers. Credit:Kate Geraghty It wasnt his job to collect the dead, he says. They were buried in peoples yards once it got too hard to take them away. For weeks before, he collected the wounded in his van between bouts of shelling. The hospital had been bombed, so he drove his makeshift ambulance to doctors operating out of bunkers. The jittery 43-year-old says he was the last volunteer left in the city, before fleeing, shirtless, across the river on May 30, taking only his pants and slippers. Yuri Shyrokov, who endured weeks under attack by the Russians just across the river in Sievierodonetsk, doesnt agree. She is nostalgic for the Soviet era, saying: We lived peacefully in our beautiful Ukraine. Everything was good. They call the main road out of Lysychansk the road of life, but right now it is too dangerous to use. This is because it is a key supply route between the two big eastern regions, Luhansk and Donetsk. If the Russians seize this route they can strike out at the rest of the region and take the entire Donbas. Days later, Russian forces break through defences near Lysychansk. Soon, they will be able to march in. Three more strikes hit the city we hear the whistle and then the bang as a policeman suggests that we leave. As were talking, incoming artillery whistles through the air. We fling ourselves to the ground and begin crawling, braced on our elbows. Fortunately, this one flies well over our head. Theres no humanitarian aid at all. According to our information, they now evacuate people to Starobilsk - which means to the territory occupied by Russians. Shyrokov does not know if he will ever be able to return. Just 30 kilometres down another road is the city of Siversk. Many homes have been abandoned after weeks of constant shelling. Liubov Nyzkorovna, 90, sits in a bunker all day. Her legs and arms were paralysed by a stroke, so she was brought here by relatives. Sitting in front of a mirror, her only view is of her frail self. She survived World War II but says the current war in Ukraine is worse. Back then the shelling wasnt as frightening as it is now. Now it all comes one after another, quick and fast, before the shells just fall here and there, she says. Liubov Nyzkorovna was brought to the basement by relatives after she was paralysed by a stroke. Credit:Kate Geraghty Asked what her message is for the people responsible for the daily attacks on her city, she says: Id tell them to stop playing the fool, create peace, make peace with the people. She says she is not for any side. The soldiers should make peace with soldiers and the civilians with civilians. I want nothing more, she adds. Go 45 kilometres further east and you reach Sloviansk, the jewel in the crown for the Russian-backed separatists. The city of more than 100,000 people was the first city seized by the separatists in 2014, but Ukraine retook it within a few months. Since the Russian invasion on February 24, the city has been battered by missiles and locals say only about 30,000 people remain. Loading One apartment building and a school that housed Ukrainian soldiers have been nearly completely destroyed, killing at least three people. Elena Voitenko, 59, says there are only four people left in her building. She has no sympathy for the Russians or the separatists. Her daughter, who lives in the separatist-controlled territory of Donetsk, is like a zombie, she says. Theyre traitors and killers ... Theyre coming here to kill us, she says. This is a Russian-speaking city. This used to be a pro-Russian city in the past. Its not any more. This apartment was destroyed by a missile strike but Lidia Svistunova sits here on a warm day because it has the best view. Credit:Kate Geraghty Lidia Svistunova, 89, sits by the window in the fourth floor of the apartment where a soldier was killed in the missile attack. Body parts and bone fragments still lie spattered across the floor and walls. Svistunova lives in one of the apartments across the hall, but its a better view of the city from here. She has been living in the building since it was built in 1965, but she doesnt know where to go now. With no electricity or heating, she knows she cant stay here in winter. If theres another strike like this, there wont be any Sloviansk left, she says. The brutality of this war is starting to take its toll on Ukrainian soldiers, who say they desperately need more heavy artillery and long-range missiles from Western nations. In the opening weeks of the invasion, the soldiers were fuelled with adrenaline as, against all odds, they repelled the forces of their bigger and more powerful neighbour. Now they are resigned to the fact that this will be a long, drawn-out conflict. They still believe they will win - eventually - but the price is high. One soldier, who doesnt wish to give his name, says only six out of 29 men in his platoon survived a recent battle. He is recovering from an injury he sustained to his head and spine nine days ago after a tank shot at him. It is not the first time I have suffered an injury to the head, its the 14th, he says. He says Ukraine desperately needs more long-range artillery and anti-aircraft missiles. Russias helicopters and aircraft give us a lot of trouble. If the sky was closed, Moscow would be burnt to the ground by now, he says. Ukrainian soldiers such as Roman have so far held the back the Russian advance further south in the Donbas. Credit:Kate Geraghty Further south in the towns of Pisky and Krasnohorivka, the Russians are trying to capture a key road to the strategic junction town of Pokrovsk. Through winding trenches, we are taken by Ukrainian troops to a frontline position. Russians and separatists are stationed only a few hundred metres away. The commander of the unit, Simon Salatenko, says his soldiers have so far held off the Russian advance. Three days ago, there were huge artillery strikes. We kicked their arses. And after that, they are quiet, he says. And theyre going to be quiet for a couple of days. They need this road. After they capture Sievierodonetsk, maybe they will try to capture this road. They have failed twice and maybe they will try a third time. It is impossible to understand Russias invasion without going back to 2014, when the world let Putin annex Crimea and invade the Donbas with the help of Moscow-backed separatists. Ukrainian forces here have been locked in an eight-year war with Russians and the separatists. But since Russia invaded on February 24, Moscow is no longer pretending its soldiers arent there, so its troops can unleash unprecedented levels of firepower. Salatenko, a veteran of the eight-year Donbas wars, says he is prepared for a long conflict. He is scathing of those who call for a ceasefire, arguing history would only repeat itself. He says Putin was emboldened after 2014 and the world cant let that happen again. If we have a ceasefire, in a couple of years its going to be the same even more inhumanity. We just need to win this war because they [Russia] are going to kill us all. One of his soldiers, Botnik, 48, rests in a bunker after an all-night shift on watch. A month ago, a Grad missile fired by the enemy landed right next to his bed. It didnt explode, so we were lucky, Botnik says. So we took the thing away and that was it. Zoya Shaposhnik stayed behind to care for her disabled husband, and has compassion for those suffering on both sides of the conflict. Credit:Kate Geraghty Back in Krasnohorivka, 67-year-old Zoya Shaposhnik stays to care for her disabled husband. Their children live in Russia. There is a hole in the roof above them, from an artillery strike the day before. I only fell and was hit by some kind of shrapnel or something. When I rose up I saw the smoke, the roof caught fire, she says. During the last week these attacks are happening quite often. Our troops fire and the Russians answer. Civilians and soldiers on both sides suffer in this horrible war, she says. I have relatives on the opposite side. That is why I pity them both, she says. Its proving difficult to create safe pathways to evacuate the wounded. Many are rescued on a medical evacuation train out of Pokrovsk, organised by Medecins Sans Frontieres. Viktor Teslenko, 57, lost his left arm when an artillery shell exploded next to his house in the village of Mykolaivka five days ago. He was on the balcony and couldnt make it back before his arm was torn apart by flying shrapnel. There were no soldiers there, no military targets, he says, as he boards the train with his wife Svitlana. Pokrovsk station master Iryna Serdyuk, left, is comforted by a Medecins Sans Frontieres staffer. Credit:Kate Geraghty As patients are loaded onto the train, the stations manager Iryna Serdyuk, 57, is overcome with sadness and falls into the arms of one of the medical volunteers. Ive been working here in this station for 33 years, she says. It is really sad to see all these wounded people arrive here. But what can I do except do what I must? Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here. Washington: The House has sent US President Joe Biden the most wide-ranging gun violence bill Congress has passed in decades, a measured compromise that at once illustrates progress on the long-intractable issue and the deep-seated partisan divide that persists. The Democratic-led chamber approved the election-year legislation on a mostly party-line 234-193 vote on Friday (US time), capping a spurt of action prompted by voters revulsion over last months mass shootings in New York and Texas. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, greets Representative Mike Thompson, chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force on Friday. Credit:AP Every Democrat and 14 Republicans backed the measure. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi underscored its significance to her party by taking the unusual step of presiding over the vote and announcing the result from the podium, to the cheers of rank-and-file Democrats on the chambers floor. The night before, the Senate approved the legislation by a bipartisan 65-33 margin, with 15 Republicans joining all Democrats in supporting a package that senators from both parties had crafted. Russia resumes attacks with Iskander missiles, uses Tu-22M3 long-range bombers for first time from territory of Belarus On June 25 at night, the Russian army mounted a massive missile attack on several regions of Ukraine, Russia resumed attacks using Iskander missiles from the territory of Belarus, and for the first time used Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the air space of Belarus, the Command of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has said. "In general, more than 50 various missiles were fired from air, sea and ground locations. For the first time the enemy used Tu-22M3 long-range bombers to attack Ukraine from the territory of Belarus. Also, it has resumed the use of Iskander missile systems from the territory of this country," it said on Facebook. The enemy launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the sea at the targets in the western regions of Ukraine. In the northern direction, the enemy fired X-22 missiles from Tu-22M3 aircraft and used Iskander and Tochka-U missile systems located on the ground. "It should be noted that X-22, Onyx, and Iskander missiles are extremely difficult targets for the air defense systems used by the Ukrainian Air Forces. The speed of Onyx and X-22 missiles exceeds 3,000 kilometers per hour. While Iskander missiles move on a ballistic trajectory. Their elimination is a non-typical and difficult task for the air defense systems available in Ukraine," the command said. A part of the missiles launched by the aggressor were shot down by the Ukrainian air defense system. The police have opened a criminal case on a shelling attack on a vehicle with volunteers inside in the liberated district of Kherson region, the National Police of Ukraine reported. "On June 24, a post about a shelling attack by the Russian army on a car with volunteers inside in the liberated district of Kherson region was made by an online media outlet. Having studied all available information, it was pre-established that in the morning on June 24, a minibus with volunteers came under fire of the Russian forces in the territory of Novovorontsovska territorial community," the police said on Facebook. The volunteers used this vehicle every day to deliver necessary goods from Kryvyi Rih to the liberated villages of the community. The territory is being regularly shelled by the enemy. The police did not provide any information about casualties as a result of the attack. The criminal case was opened under Part 1 of Article 438 (violation of the law and rules or war) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Festivals Rajasthan Festivals Mewar Festival Mewar Festival Time: April Significance: Spring Festival Date: 4.4.2022 - 6.4.2022 Mewar is celebrated in the beautiful city of Udaipur, Rajasthan to welcome spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur celebrated all over Rajasthan and has a unique charm about it. The festival is very significant for women. It is a time for them to dress up in their best clothes and participate in the festival. The main highlight of the festival is the procession of colorfully attired women carrying images of the Goddess Gauri ( Parvathi ) to the gangaur ghat of Lake Pichola. Festivities include joyous singing, dancing, devotional music concerts and firework displays. Once the religious part of the festival is over, it is time for cultural events where Rajasthani culture is portrayed through songs, dances and other programmes. The festival culminates with an impressive fireworks display. A procession of boats in the lake starting from the lake palace offers a fitting finale to this splendid celebration. How to get there : Air: Nearest Airport, the Dabok Airport, 21 kms from the city centre. Rail: Railway has trains from all over the country to Udaipur. The Palace On Wheels covers this magnificent city during its eight day package tour. The Russian occupation forces continue to shell Kharkiv and its region using artillery and multiple rocket launchers, one civilian was killed and several people suffered injuries, Head of Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Syniehubov has said. "As a result of Russian attacks, according to the Center for Emergency Medical Aid, five civilians were injured and one 59-year-old woman was killed in Izium district. In Chuhuyiv, two people were injured. An ambulance doctor suffered injuries in Chuhuyiv district. One person was injured in Kharkivsky district," he said on the Telegram channel. Kyivsky and Nemyshliansky districts of Kharkiv came under enemy missile attacks in the past 24 hours. Private houses and the ninth and tenth floors of a high-rise office building were damaged in city downtown. According to preliminary information, no casualties were reported. Bohodukhiv, Kharkivsky, Izium, and Chuhiyiv districts were shelled in the region. Private houses, household buildings were damaged and several fires broke out. If you know of local business openings or closings, please notify us here. PREVIOUS OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS Coal Winery and Kitchen at 81 Broad St., Bethlehem, has closed as its owner searches for a new location for the business, according to its Facebook page. Lowhill Township supervisors approved a 312,120-square-foot commercial warehouse and distribution center on a 43.4-acre tract on the west side of Route 100, south of the Kernsville Road intersection. The Mint Gastropub at 1223 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, announced that it has temporarily closed to undergo a merger with a "well-known restaurant group" from Bethlehem. The Slatington Farmers Market opened its 28,000-square-foot showroom, which includes space for 53 vendors, as well as a 4,000-square-foot event space. St. Luke's University Health Network opened a new pediatric inpatient unit next to the eight-bed pediatric intensive care unit at St. Luke's University Hospital Bethlehem. 25th Asian House opened at the location of the former Tin Tin Chinese restaurant in the 25th Street Shopping Center in Palmer Township. The Chick-Fil-A in Broadcasting Square shopping center in Spring Township was razed to make way for a new, expanded facility for the popular chicken sandwich restaurant. Plans for drive-thru locations of a Chipotle and a Starbucks at the intersection of Ivy League Drive and Kutztown Road were rejected by Maxatawny Township planners. Cumru Township plannes reviewed preliminary plans for NorthPoint-Morgantown Commerce Center, a 738,720-square-foot warehouse to be built on 75.2 acres at Morgantown Road (State Route 10) and Freemansville Road. Kutztown University has plans to expand its historic Poplar House to 13,161 square feet with an addition around its side and back, but keep the 129-year-old structure intact. A wine store and beverage outlet could be coming to a new two-unit building along the commercial strip of Blakeslee Boulevard Drive East in Lehighton, Carbon County. ChristianaCare, a Delaware health care organization, has announced it will buy the former Jennersville Hospital in West Grove, Chester County. Garden of Health Inc. celebrated the opening of the food bank's new warehouse at 201 Church Road, North Wales, in Montgomery County. Silverline Trailers Inc. opened its first location in Pennsylvania and in the Northeast at 223 Porter Road, Pottstown, where it sells utility, cargo, dump, equipment and car hauler trailers. A new smoothie and bowl restaurant, Sips & Berries, opened at 285 Maple Ave., Harleysville, in Montgomery County. Terrain on the Parkway offers 160 new 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments at 1625 Lehigh Parkway East in Allentown. Lehigh Valley native Don Wenner is moving his real estate investment and finance firm DLP Capital from Bethlehem to Allentown at 835 W. Hamilton St. While Wells Fargo has been the leader in closing banks lately, it will hold a ribbon-cutting for its new downtown Allentown office at 740 Hamilton St. on June 30. If you're in the market for sterling silver jewelry, minerals and semi-precious gemstones, C& I Minerals is now operating at the South Mall at 3300 Lehigh St. in Allentown. The Allentown-based utility company PPL Corp. bought a major Rhode Island utility. Ownership at Martellucci's Pizzeria in Bethlehem has changed, but Paul and Donna Hlavinka and their family are running the pizza place at 1419 Easton Ave., just as it has been operated for 49 years. Dr. Jacob Kasprenski's new Kasprenski Family Eye Care opened at 1088 Howertown Road, Catasauqua. Josie's New York Deli in downtown Easton closed early in the COVID-19 pandemic, but a June 13 Historic District Commission meeting approved a request for a new sign at its building at 14 Centre Square. Zekraft cafe has opened its second location in the Easton Silk Mill in Easton. The first Zekraft restaurant was opened in Bethlehem. The restaurants' menus change frequently, with a focus on local ingredients. Manta Massage at 319 Main St., Emmaus, will hold its grand opening on July 10 starting at 11 a.m. The former Iron Lakes Country Club, constructed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, will operate at 3625 Shankweiler Road in North Whitehall Township under its new name, The Club at Twin Lakes. Prologis, a titan in the logistics industry, will own and operate three warehouses proposed in Upper Macungie Township at the former Air Products headquarters campus at 7201 Hamilton Blvd. Lehigh Valley Health Network ceremonially opened its first Carbon County hospital a $78 million, 100,578-square-foot facility at 2128 Blakeslee Boulevard Drive East in Mahoning Township. Pocono Township commissioners voted to accept Swiftwater Solar's preliminary final plan for the $111 million, 80-megawatt field on a private 644-acre site on top of Bear Mountain that would include about 200,000 solar panels. Firetree Ltd. wants to expand its in-patient rehab operation at the former Sands Ford auto dealership at 440 N Claude A Lord Blvd. (Route 61), Pottsville. A Dunkin' in Schuylkill County located at 400 Terry Rich Blvd., St. Clair, has become just the fourth location of the donut and coffee chain to go entirely digital. The Conservatory music school in Bucks County will close after 34 years, and school officials say the COVID-19 pandemic is the cause. The nonprofit, located at 4059 Skyron Drive, Doylestown, will close June 30. A Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Arby's will be built on the site of the former Ahart's Market on Route 22 in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce offices and the Unity Bank Center for Business & Entrepreneurship will be located at 119 Main St., Flemington. Honeygrow opens Quakertown location, next to Chipotle on Route 309, on June 3. Dunkin' reopens remodeled restaurant at 1174 MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township Muse Modern Med Spa at 325 Fifth St. in Whitehall Township will hold a grand opening June 4. Around Again, a consignment store, opened at 154 S. Main St., Phillipsburg Steak and Steel Hibachi, a restaurant in the works at 44 W. Walnut St., Bethlehem, still plans on opening late this summer. Take It Outdoors Recreation Hub has moved to a spot along the Schuylkill River Trail at Riverfront Park in Pottstown, Montgomery County Pedego Electric Bikes has a new outlet in Lambertville, N.J. at 13 N. Union St. Amanda Vachris has opened a new Keller Williams Real Estate office at 15 St. John St. in Schuylkill Haven. Easton's new West Ward Market will open Wednesday and be open on Wednesday's through the summer from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The market, created by the Greater Easton Development Partnership, will sell fresh produce on 12th Street, next to Paxinosa Elementary School. Ciao Sandwich Shoppe is adding a second location, this time on College Hill in Easton. Ciao plans to open at 325 Cattell St. in late summer. Ciao already operates in downtown Easton at 12 N. Third St Ma's Crepes and Cakes will hold a grand opening and ribbon-cutting June 16 at 46 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe. The celebration starts at 5 p.m., with the ribbon cutting at 5:45 p.m. Bethlehem's Back Door Bakeshop will reopen as a wholesale operation at 7 E. Church St. in the city's historic district. The business was open for nine years as a retail outlet at Broad and Center streets, before announcing in March that it would close the storefront April 3 and "go back to its origins as a wholesale business." The Beef Baron on Catasauqua Road in Bethlehem is closed indefinitely for renovations The Brothers That Just Do Gutters are opening a new location in Allentown at 1302 N. 18th St. St. John Chrysostom Academy, an Orthodox school serving grades 1-9 starting this fall, held a grand opening at its St. Francis Center, Bethlehem, campus. Easton Commons, a shopping center anchored by Giant Foods at 2920 Easton Ave., Bethlehem Township, has a new name: The Shops at Bethlehem. Carbon County is getting a taste of Brazil at Uai Brasil BBQ at 315 Lehigh Ave. in Palmerton. The Keystone Pub in Bethlehem Township, at 3259 Easton Avenue, has reopened after a lengthy and expensive renovation. The Trading Post Depot opened at 401 Northampton St., Easton. The rustic furniture store makes custom tables for dining rooms, desktops, conference centers and more. The Easton area has a new gym: Homemade Fitness at 444 Cedarville Road in Williams Township. Il Gaetano Ristorante opened at its 665 Columbus Ave., Phillipsburg, location. Ciao! Sandwich Shoppe to open second location on College Hill in Easton, replacing The Kettle Room Rene and Grisellies Benique have opened Ezekiel 47 Cafe at 10 S. Fifth Ave., off Fifth and Penn avenues, in West Reading. Alter Ego Salon and Day Spa in Emmaus is holding a grand opening Sunday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a ribbon cutting at noon. Origen Latin Fusion has opened at the site of the former Tomcat Cafe in Sinking Spring, Berks County. Sellersville Senior Residences will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 24. The Bucks County affordable-housing community for adults 55 and older has 50 apartments, with eight allocated for people with behavioral health needs. The House and Barn in Emmaus has opened its Shed outdoor dining and cigar bar area. The House and Barn is at 1449 Chestnut St. in Emmaus. Realtor Amanda Vachris and the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at Vachris's new Keller Williams Real Estate office at 15 St. John St., Schuylkill Haven, at 4 p.m. on May 24. Il Gaetano Ristorante will hold a grand opening on Friday, May 20, at 5:30 p.m. The 665 Columbus Ave., Phillipsburg. First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union will hold a grand opening at its new headquarters in Trexlertown, 6126 Hamilton Blvd., on May 18. Vinyl Press Signs & Graphics has relocated within Emmaus. The new site is 15 S. Second St., not far from the former Sixth Street location. Pedro's Cafe in Emmaus to close SV Sports (formerly Schuylkill Valley Sports) to close Quakertown location Flemington DIY will host a Grand Re-Opening on May 14 at 26 Stangl Road, Flemington. The celebration will kick off at 10 a.m. Elpedios Ristorante at Seipsville opened at 2912 Old Nazareth Road in Easton. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday. Uai Brazil opened at 315 Lehigh Ave, Palmerton, offering both a seated or buffet option. Colombian Mex Restaurant opened at 107 E Union Blvd in Bethlehem, offering traditional Colombian cuisine. Precision Ink opened at 161 W Berwick St. in Easton. King Wing opened a location in Bethlehem at 129 E. Third St., serving wings and sandwiches. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate or offensive posts may be removed by the moderator. Posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language or memes are automatically removed, to the best of its ability, by a pre-programmed algorithm. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. The servicemen of the Center Air Command shot down an enemy drone that was carrying out reconnaissance following a massive missile attack on Ukraine on Saturday morning, the Command of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reported. "In the morning, on June 25, the servicemen of the air defense department of the Center Air Command shot down another Orlan-10 drone. The enemy drone was carrying out reconnaissance above the facilities that underwent missile attacks by the Rushists," it said on Facebook. A similar drone was shot down on June 24 as well. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Mostly cloudy and muggy with a few showers and a thunderstorm in the morning, then some afternoon sunshine and turning less humid late in the day. . Tonight Becoming mostly clear, cooler, and comfier. Antique furniture is new again: Stylish, green and available Official Kyiv is considering suspending the visa-free regime with Israel in response to Jerusalem's policy on Ukrainian refugees. The Ambassador of Ukraine to the State of Israel Yevhen Korniychuk stated this to Details. Artificial restrictions are unjustified. And it would be good if they concerned everyone involved in the war! But russian citizens enter Israel without restrictions, Belarusian citizens as well, and Ukrainian citizens have invented electronic visas. Neither I nor my management can help but take it painfully. My Foreign Ministry and the Office of the President of Ukraine tell me: this is unacceptable. We are now considering whether to suspend the visa-free regime for Israelis in response. It will be imperceptible now, but before Rosh Hashanah, the Israeli government will feel it, - the ambassador said. The head of the diplomatic mission explained that the disloyal attitude of the Israeli authorities led to the outflow of Ukrainian citizens from Israel. Since the beginning of active hostilities, according to statistics, 38.5 thousand Ukrainians have come to Israel, of which about 13 thousand people have received Israeli passports. Of this total, 14.1 thousand have left so far. In the last month, more than 5,000 people have left, - the ambassador said. Yevhen Korniychuk also added: We are face to face with a huge disaster and we expect help from our partners - paid or free, any, but do not sit on the shore waiting for someone to start winning. That's when we start - then they will help us more, I have the impression, - summed up the ambassador. By Trend The United States welcomes Turkiye's involvement in brokering an agreement to get grain out of Ukraine, John Kirby, the national security spokesman, said Thursday, Trend reports citing Reuters. The United States is working with allies and partners to get some grain out of Ukraine, Kirby said. "We certainly welcome Turkiye's involvement in trying to broker some kind of arrangement to allow shipping of grain," he said, noting there was a blockade in the Black Sea. The war caused and continues to cause significant damage to the economy of Ukraine. Today, perhaps, the construction and real estate markets suffered the most from the hostilities. Thus, the report of the National Bank of Ukraine On Financial Stability dated June 17, 2022 indicates that since the beginning of the war, the market has practically stopped, both in terms of construction and the sale of housing. At the same time, according to the NBU, the situation has begun to level off in recent weeks, and above all in the regions that are least affected by the destruction from the war. The most favorable situation is in the western regions of the country, while the National Bank notes that a number of significant problems remain there. First of all, this is a market imbalance, when the prices declared by sellers are not supported by demand and are supported artificially. As for construction, here, according to the regulator, the situation is more optimistic. Developers have restored work on almost 50% of the facilities in the country. The most positive dynamics is observed in the western regions, in the center and in the Odessa region. As for the office real estate market, according to the NBU, it suffered to a greater extent from the massive transition of staff to remote work. The Open4business portal asked financial expert Igor Stakovichenko to comment on the current situation. In his opinion, the severity of the crisis in the real estate market directly depends primarily on the intensity of hostilities in various regions of the country, as well as on the well-being of the population. We see that the demand for housing in the same Kharkiv and Dnipro collapsed almost equally. At the same time, housing construction in Kharkiv is at a standstill, while in Dnipro it is being restored. This is due to the risk assessment by developers, since the Kharkiv region is now under devastating shelling by the aggressor, the expert believes. In his opinion, most of the prices in both the primary and secondary markets are dictated by the overestimated expectations of developers who continue to hope to find a buyer for their goods despite changes in the economy and a decrease in the income of part of the population. Builders think in the old way, and form the price based on the cost and those mark-ups that were fair in the pre-war period. Buyers have become much more cautious and assess the risks, in particular, the presence of bomb shelters, evacuation routes, and so on. As for the secondary market, here prices are often drawn from the ceiling, hoping more for luck, said Stakovichenko. According to the expert, market recovery can be expected after the end of the war, when the demand for housing will increase and investors' fears will decrease. Greta Morrill has been waiting several years for a new knee. She has been suffering with pain in her right knee since 2012. Greta Morrill has been waiting several years for a new knee. She has been suffering with pain in her right knee since 2012. Instead of surgery, Morrill, 73, has undergone three scoping procedures. It helped ease the pain in the short term, but her condition deteriorated over time. By March 2021, her surgeon confirmed by X-ray there was little to no cartilage left in her knee. "I can feel when its rubbing and it makes a funny noise and thats where the pain is," says Morrill, who can barely walk and only manages to do so slowly with a cane. "Its like bones rubbing together, its very painful." Like many Manitobans in her situation, Morrill has no idea when shell get surgery. The last time she phoned her surgeons office in April for an update, she was told no date was set. The best they could do was promise her she would be contacted two months before her procedure. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Greta Morrill has been suffering with pain in her right knee for 10 years. Her surgeon says it needs to be replaced, but there is no timeline for the operation. The uncertainty of not knowing when she will get surgery is the hardest part, Morrill says, as her condition worsens. "I dont know how much more I can take," says Morrill, who worked for 17 years as a housekeeper at Grace Hospital and is now retired. "Its upsetting because Id like to get it done and carry on with my life and go places and see things. I have two nieces in B.C. Id like to visit; I have family in Quebec Id like to see, but I cant get on a plane because I cant walk." Winnipegger Randy Marchinko has been waiting two years for hip surgery. The pain in his hips, both of which have to be replaced, has been getting worse in recent years. Its limiting his mobility and making it increasingly difficult to perform physical tasks he used to do with ease, such as home renovations. The retired art teacher, 72, still likes to turn pottery. But even that is getting difficult to do. "In the last six months, this has worsened considerably," he says. "Its pretty severe." After a consultation with his surgeon at Concordia Hospital in January 2021, he was told he would be able to get his first hip replaced in January 2022. The timeline gave him hope; relief was within reach. ETHAN CAIRNS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Everyday life is becoming increasingly more painful for Randy Marchinko as he waits for both of his hips to be replaced. As the year went on and the pain worsened, Marchinko grew concerned when no one contacted him about his surgery. He expected a call towards the end of 2021 to confirm his January booking. When he called the surgeons office, the response he got was devastating: his procedure was pushed back to late 2022. Marchinko was given no date, not even an approximate month he could mark on his calendar. Its as if he wasnt even on a real waiting list. He was shocked and massively disappointed. Depression began creeping in. "As the pain gets worse you get ticked off," he says, adding even the simplest tasks, like getting out of his of car and walking to a store, is agonizing. "You want to get on with things and you cant." The uncertainty around when Marchinko would get his surgery was crushing his spirits. Given the long wait times for orthopedic surgery in Manitoba and the backlog of procedures that piled up during the COVID-19 pandemic, when thousands of surgeries were cancelled, Marchinko had no idea when he would see the inside of an operating room. "I dont know what their caseload is, I dont know the ins and outs of it," he says, adding he didnt know where he stood on the wait list. "Its really confusing to me why there cant be more specificity." Finally, a breakthrough: Marchinko received a letter June 10 informing him his first surgery date is set for Aug. 29, more than two years after his doctor said he needed surgery. Hope has been renewed as long as the date doesnt get pushed back again. According to Doctors Manitoba, which represents more than 4,000 physicians across the province, the estimated backlog for a wide range of surgical, diagnostic and other procedures in Manitoba was 166,903 cases for the months of March and April. The backlog was driven largely by the pandemic, as hundreds of hospital staff over the past two years were redeployed to treat COVID-19 patients. The provincial government has not released its own backlog estimates, nor has it established timelines or targets on how long it will take to clear them. The number of surgeries and diagnostic tests performed have returned to pre-pandemic levels in some areas. But in others, volumes are still below what they were prior to Manitobas first case of COVID-19 in March 2020. Doctors Manitoba has been calling on the provincial government for more than a year to publish more up-to-date wait time data, as well as specific targets, so the public can see when wait times are expected to fall. "Without this accurate, real-time data, its really hard to know if we do have the capacity (to reduce wait times)," says Dr. Kristjan Thompson, past president and current board chair of Doctors Manitoba. "I think they (the public) deserve to know how capacity is being built and with the capacity we have, how long their waits are going to be." Without this accurate, realtime data, its really hard to know if we do have the capacity (to reduce wait times). Dr. Kristjan Thompson There is some relief on the way for orthopedic surgery. However, its not expected to arrive until next year. The provinces diagnostic and surgical recovery task force, struck by Manitobas Progressive Conservative government last December, announced in March a plan to add a fifth operating room at Concordia Hospital, to boost capacity by up to 1,000 procedures a year a 20-per cent increase provincewide over pre-pandemic levels. The plan includes hiring an additional orthopedic surgeon and more staff. However, some of that new capacity possibly all of it will be absorbed by growing demand for hip and knee surgeries, driven largely by an aging population. According to a wait-time task force commissioned by the Tory government in 2016, the demand for hip and knee surgery is growing by about five per cent a year. It recommended in its 2017 report that the province increase hip and knee surgical capacity by 900 procedures a year. That was the estimate needed to bring wait times down to national standards by 2021-22. The province more than achieved that goal. In fact, it surpassed it in less time than recommended. It did so partly through increased funding, but also by finding efficiencies, including shorter hospital stays. Manitoba performed 4,063 hip and knee surgeries, including revisions, in 2017, according to five years of detailed wait time and surgical data obtained by the Free Press. That grew to 5,049 by 2019, exceeding the goal of 900 additional surgeries per year. It had little immediate impact on wait times, as demand for orthopedic surgery continued to grow. However, it was starting to move the needle in the right direction. Median wait times in 2019 dipped to 24.8 weeks in 2019 from 25.1 weeks in 2017. And then the pandemic hit. Whatever gains were made on surgical volumes between 2017 and 2020 were wiped out almost overnight because of COVID-19. Monthly data from 2020 shows the number of hip and knee surgeries plummeted from more than 400 procedures a month to only 50 in April 2020, as hospitals began shutting down operating rooms. Surgical volumes rebounded by summer, but fell dramatically again by the end of the year when the second wave of the pandemic ripped through Manitoba, killing more than 600 people in two months and forcing hospital officials to cancel surgeries again. Hundreds of surgical staff were redeployed to medical wards to treat COVID-19 patients. Only 125 hip and knee surgeries were performed in December of that year, less than a third of normal volumes. The cancellations, which continued in 2021 during the third wave of the pandemic, created a significant backlog, not only for orthopedic surgery, but for many other procedures, including diagnostic tests, such as MRIs and CT scans. The backlog for hip and knee surgeries grew by at least 2,000 cases between 2020 and 2021, given the rising demand for orthopedic surgery. Even as surgical capacity returns to pre-pandemic levels, the current volume of surgeries is doing little to reduce the backlog. Doctors Manitoba estimates the backlog for hip and knee surgery was 2,402 cases in March, up from 2,372 in February. The number of hip and knee procedures performed in April (the most recent data available from Manitoba Health) was 396, up slightly from the previous month, but less than the 406 surgeries performed in April 2021. Thats an annual rate of 4,752, still below levels reached prior to the pandemic. Even if the Manitoba government makes good on its pledge to add surgical capacity at Concordia Hospital, it will have no impact on wait times until 2023 at the earliest. The additional operating room is not scheduled to begin surgeries until next year. It was originally slated to open by the end of 2022, but has been delayed. Delay equals deterioration ADRIAN WYLD / CANADIAN PRESS FILES People often need an MRI to find out if they require surgery or if they have a disease. Posted: 7:00 PM Jun. 24, 2022 The longer people wait for medically necessary procedures such as surgery and diagnostic tests, the worse their conditions usually get. They tend to become sicker and often suffer from increased bouts of anxiety and emotional stress. Eventually, many end up at the emergency department because they can no longer stand the pain and anguish. Read Full Story "Its difficult at this stage to pin down the date, the month, as a result of supply chain issues and disruptions and construction and timelines," Manitoba Health Minister Audrey Gordon told a legislative committee May 20. "Its not always in the hands of the project team, but we are aiming for 2023 and know that it will be operational and that members of the public will be able to get their hips and knee surgeries." If the 2017 task force reports projections are accurate and demand for hip and knee surgery is growing by about five per cent a year (capacity would need to grow by some 250 to 300 surgeries each year), an additional 1,000 surgeries in 2023 would do little, if anything, to reduce the pandemic backlog. There were 5,049 hip and knee surgeries performed in 2019. A five per cent annual increase over four years would require 6,137 procedures by 2023 to keep pace with demand. An additional 1,000 surgeries per year would come close to covering that, but there would be no extra capacity to clear the backlog. Some efforts have been made to increase surgical slates during the summer months throughout the province (the number of surgeries usually falls in July and August as staff take vacation). However, no estimates have been released by the province on how many more surgeries are expected to be performed during that period, or even for 2022. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Dr. Jennifer Rahman says the longer patients wait for cataract surgeries, the more complicated they become. The situation is similar for other procedures, including cataract surgeries. The province increased the number of cataract surgeries (a procedure that includes implanting an artificial lens in the eye to correct vision loss) from 13,110 procedures in 2017 to 15,109 in 2019. Increasing cataract surgeries by 2,000 procedures per year was one of the recommendations in the 2017 task force report. Like most other surgeries, the volume of cataract procedures fell dramatically during the pandemic and is only now returning to pre-pandemic levels. As a result, the province is scrambling to figure out how to reduce a backlog that is likely well over 5,000 procedures. The province doesnt publish provincewide wait times for cataract surgery, but does so for each of the six facilities in Manitoba where cataract procedures are performed. At Misericordia Health Centre, which does the most cataract surgeries of any health facility in Manitoba, the median wait time for surgery fell from 14.4 to 13.2 weeks from 2017 to 2019. It rose again to just over 17 weeks during the pandemic, after thousands of surgeries were cancelled. The monthly wait time in 2022 so far is 17.5 weeks. The true wait time is longer. The way Manitoba Health calculates wait times for cataract surgery makes it appear shorter than it really is. The time it takes to get surgery on the first eye is usually longer than the second. It may take months or a year (or longer) to get cataract surgery on the first eye. However, the second eye is normally done within one to four weeks. Instead of reporting how long it takes for the first eye, Manitoba Health reports the average for both eyes combined. It doesnt capture the true length of time Manitobans are waiting for cataract surgery. If someone waited a year for the first eye and had the second eye done a week later, the wait time would be reported as six months. According to the Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, an independent advocacy group that represents ophthalmologists, the median wait time for the first eye in April at Misericordia was 29 weeks. However, the wait to see an ophthalmologist to determine whether a patient is a candidate for cataract surgery is 14.5 months. That number is based on clearance reports from all ophthalmologists working in Winnipeg, whether they are doing surgery through private or public facilities, according to EPSM. As a result, patients are waiting close to two years on average for cataract surgery. The wait to see an ophthalmologist to determine whether a patient is a candidate for cataract surgery is 14.5 months. Dr. Jennifer Rahman, EPSM president and an ophthalmologist who performs cataract and glaucoma surgeries at Misericordia Health Centre, said the longer patients wait for cataract surgery, the more complicated their procedures can become. Cataracts hang from fibres inside the eye. The longer the delay in getting surgery, the greater the chance those fibres can break loose from heavy and dense cataracts, she said. That can cause complications during surgery, resulting in longer recovery times and possible follow-up surgery. "Its more difficult to take out a late-stage cataract safely and it requires more time and effort," said Rahman. Long wait times for cataract implants also affect patients in other ways, she said. If they have poor vision, they may lose their (drivers) licence, they may be unable to work or they may have difficulty with depth perception and be more at risk for falls, and then sustain an injury from falls. Dr. Jennifer Rahman "If they have poor vision, they may lose their (drivers) licence, they may be unable to work or they may have difficulty with depth perception and be more at risk for falls, and then sustain an injury from falls," she said. Some patients vision is so poor while waiting for cataract surgery, theyre close to going blind, she said. Once doctors determine a patient needs cataract surgery, it should be done within the national benchmark of 16 weeks, said Rahman. Manitoba is nowhere near meeting that target. Instead, cataract surgeries are often characterized as "elective"and dont always get the urgent attention they deserve, she said. "Once we put somebody on the list, weve acknowledged that this person has a visually symptomatic cataract," said Rahman. "Were not putting people on the list that dont need surgery." The growth in health-care wait times is not unique to Manitoba. All parts of of Canada have experienced similar challenges. However, Manitoba has longer wait times than most other provinces, according to recent data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. CIHI data for 2021 released in May show Manitoba was well below the national average in meeting benchmarks for procedures such as cataract and hip and knee surgeries, as well as for diagnostic testing, including MRIs and CT scans. One of the key factors driving long wait times is a lack of centralized wait lists, including system-wide intake, said Dr. Michael Rachlis, a health policy consultant who co-chaired Manitobas 2017 wait time task force. While Manitoba has made some progress in that area, primarily in orthopedics, most specialists and surgeons still operate on their own, outside of a centralized model, he said. That makes it difficult for patients to navigate the system, leaving many in the dark about when they can expect surgery, or other interventions. It also causes some to wait longer than necessary because they may be unaware of shorter wait times elsewhere, either with a different specialist or at another facility, he said. Manitobans open to private help to clear backlogs: poll WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Some hospitals, such as Misericordia Health Centre, have had the capacity for several years to do more procedures, but have not always received the provincial funding required to do so. Posted: 7:00 PM Jun. 24, 2022 Nearly three-quarters of Manitobans think its a good idea for government to contract out more surgical and other medical procedures to private clinics to help clear the backlog created during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a Probe Research/Free Press poll conducted in early June, 74 per cent of respondents said its either a very good or somewhat good idea to increase capacity in the health-care system through private providers. Read Full Story For example, the wait time for bone density tests (which measure bone strength) at St. Boniface Hospital in April was 36 weeks. At Brandon Regional Health Centre it was only eight weeks. Given the option, some patients may choose to travel for quicker service. However, if theyre unaware of that option, they may wait longer than they need to, even though Brandon has excess capacity. "The system needs to be a whole lot more patient-friendly," said Rachlis, a former Manitoban now based in Toronto. "We found lots of examples of where people had no idea that they could go to a central referral for hip and knee instead of just going to an individual surgeon who had a long list." One of the task forces key recommendations was to develop central intake systems where people could get information about wait times, including a phone number to call where trained staff could help patients navigate the system. That recommendation was not acted on. As a result, patients often have an easier time tracking a parcel through a courier service than they do trying to figure out where they are on a health-care wait list, said Rachlis. "If I were a politician, thats the first part of the system I would work on changing," he said. "Consumers deserve so much better." tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca Almost immediately after landing in Winnipeg, Karla Atanacio began searching for Filipino associations. Almost immediately after landing in Winnipeg, Karla Atanacio began searching for Filipino associations. The then 13-year-old had travelled roughly 12,000 kilometres from her home country. "I didnt know anything about Winnipeg," Atanacio, now 22, said. "I didnt even know where it was on the map." She discovered Aksyon Ng Ating Kabataan (ANAK), a non-profit representing young Filipino-Canadians. The organization led Atanacio to "more opportunities to network," she said. She met Pinoys of various backgrounds and roles, which helped pave her career ambitions and life in Canada. Now, Atanacio is bringing it full circle with ANAK and the Manitoba Filipino Business Council (MFBC). The two organizations have partnered to host a community celebration this Monday honouring Filipino-Canadians ancestry. The event comes during Filipino Heritage Month. "We are so far away from our homeland, and we want to find out how we can still have that connection," said Atanacio, who volunteers as ANAKs director of human resources. She also volunteers as the MFBCs director of youth engagement. The Filipino community accounted for roughly 10 per cent of Winnipegs population, according to the national 2016 census. Ethnocultural data from 2021s census hasnt yet been released. "Representation is there but I think knowing somebody whos already in the place where you want to be brings a lot of confidence in you," Atanacio said of networking. "Somebody has your back, and theres somebody there that could guide you on how exactly they got there." Its an MFBC goal to ensure its business community is connected to each other and Filipino culture, said Jackie Wild, the councils president. "For so many decades, since Filipinx people started immigrating to Manitoba, many of our ancestors were told to suppress a lot of the things that made them so proud," she said. "I get emotional thinking about my mom and my dad coming here with very few connections and only a few dollars to their name, and not seeing enough resources available to them to empower them to be who they are." Society has changed dramatically, but "theres still a long way to go," Wild said. The MFBC saw a board change in the beginning of 2020. In February, the group set out a new strategic plan. It wanted to broaden the MFBCs offerings beyond the usual networking events on business topics like filing taxes and marketing. The idea is to be more community-based, Wild said. COVID-19 erupted in Manitoba before the council could lead an in-person shindig. The MFBC has since hosted several events online, even drawing crowds from Vancouver and Toronto. The June 27 event will be the first time attendees are in the same room. Up to 30 people will fill a section of 433 Main St. "Its going to be incredibly interactive," Wild said. "(We have) a limited amount of people so we can really dig in to those conversations that I think are going to be really meaningful, in regards to reconnecting with our Filipinx culture, heritage and identity." ANAK will lead activities. One will require participants to form three clusters based on their family background each group will represent one of the main regions in the Philippines. The Asian country has over 7,000 islands and many dialects. Connecting with Filipinos who have similar backgrounds can be comforting, Wild said. The Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Gardener What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. A monthly email from the Free Press with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Meditation is also on the agenda. "(Its) to help participants feel connected to our culture, the community around us and our ancestors," said Viz Cabrera, ANAKs director of development. "The activity is quite healing." The event could be useful to second and third generation Pinoys who dont know much about their culture, Wild said. Its also about unlearning assumptions surrounding Filipino culture. MFBC and ANAKs event is open to all Filipinos, including those not in the corporate sphere. The business council is planning to survey its community in the upcoming months "to exemplify why you should be investing in our local Filipinx business community," Wild said. gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com TORONTO - Some of the most active companies traded Friday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: TORONTO - Some of the most active companies traded Friday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (19,062.91, up 345.79 points.) Argonaut Gold Inc. (TSX:AR). Materials. Up one cent, or 1.8 per cent, to 58 cents on 11.6 million shares. Athabasca Oil Corp. (TSX:ATH). Energy. Up 19 cents, or 8.5 per cent, to $2.43 on 11.4 million shares. Baytex Energy Corp. (TSX:BTE). Up 53 cents, or 9.6 per cent, to $6.08 on 11.4 million shares. TC Energy Corp. (TSX:TRP). Energy. Up 41 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to $66.81 on 11.4 million shares. The Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Gardener What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. A monthly email from the Free Press with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. (TSX:CM). Financials. Up 92 cents, or 1.5 per cent, to $63.25 on 9 million shares. ARC Resources Ltd. (TSX:ARX). Energy. Up 19 cents, or 1.3 per cent, to $15.00 on 7.8 million shares. Companies in the news: Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B). Up 88 cents or 1.4 per cent to $62.43. Rogers Communications Inc., Shaw Communications Inc. and the Competition Bureau have agreed to participate in a mediation process next month regarding the companies' $26-billion merger. The first scheduled mediation period is July 4 and 5, according to the Competition Tribunal. Public hearings before the tribunal were previously scheduled to begin this fall. The mediation announcement comes just one week after Rogers announced it would sell Shaw-owned Freedom Mobile to Montreal-based Quebecor Inc. for $2.85 billion in an attempt to ease the Competition Bureau's concerns about the combination of Rogers and Shaw. The competition watchdog has been trying to block the deal, arguing that it would ultimately result in less choice in the telecom market and lead to higher bills for consumers. Rogers, Shaw and Quebecor argue the Freedom deal would keep alive a "strong and sustainable" fourth wireless carrier in Canada. Bausch Health Companies Inc. (TSX:BHC). Up $1.83 or 19.4 per cent to $11.28. Bausch Health Companies Inc. says hedge fund manager John Paulson has been named chairperson of its board of directors, replacing Joseph Papa. Paulson is president and portfolio manager of Paulson & Co. Inc., an investment management company, which he founded in 1994. He previously served on the board of Bausch Health from June 2017 to May 2022. The company says Papa's decision to resign from the board was not due to any dispute or disagreement with the company, its management or the board. Papa, who stepped down as chief executive of Bausch Health earlier this year, remains chairman and chief executive of Bausch + Lomb Corp., which recently completed its initial public offering and is being spun off from Bausch Health. Paulson is an independent director of Bausch + Lomb. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2022. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Gustavo Petro, Colombias first elected leftist president, will take office in August with ambitious proposals to halt the record-high rates of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Petro has promised to limit agribusiness expansion into the forest, and create reserves where Indigenous communities and others are allowed to harvest rubber, acai and other non-timber forest products. He has also pledged income from carbon credits to finance replanting. FILE - Then-Historical Pact coalition presidential candidate Gustavo Petro waves at supporters during a closing campaign rally in Zipaquira, Colombia, May 22, 2022. Petro, Colombia's first elected leftist president, will take office in August with ambitious proposals to halt the record-high rates of deforestation in the Amazon. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File) RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Gustavo Petro, Colombias first elected leftist president, will take office in August with ambitious proposals to halt the record-high rates of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Petro has promised to limit agribusiness expansion into the forest, and create reserves where Indigenous communities and others are allowed to harvest rubber, acai and other non-timber forest products. He has also pledged income from carbon credits to finance replanting. From Colombia, we will give humanity a reward, a remedy, a solution: not to burn the Amazon rainforest anymore, to recover it to its natural frontier, to give humanity the possibility of life on this planet," Petro, wearing an Indigenous headdress, said to a crowd in the Amazon city of Leticia during his campaign. But to do that he first needs to establish reign over large, lawless areas. The task of stopping deforestation seems more challenging than ever. In 2021, the Colombian Amazon lost 98000 hectares (more than 240,000 acres) of pristine forest to deforestation and another 9,000 hectares (22,000 acres) to fire. Both were down from what they had been in 2020, but 2021 was still the fourth worst year on record according to Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project (MAAP), an initiative of the nonprofit Amazon Conservation Association. More than 40% of Colombia is in the Amazon, an area roughly the size of Spain. The country has the worlds largest bird biodiversity, mainly because it includes transition zones between the Andes mountains and the Amazon lowlands. Fifteen percent of the Colombian Amazon has already been deforested, according to Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development, or FCDS. Destruction of the forest has been on the rise since 2016, the year Colombia signed a peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, that ended decades of a bloody armed conflict. The peace process allowed people to return to formerly conflict-ridden rural areas. As the returning population increasingly used the natural resources, it contributed to deforestation and increases in forest fires, especially in the Amazon and the Andes-Amazon transition regions, according to a new paper in the journal Environmental Science and Policy. The presence of the State is barely felt in Colombias Amazon. Once the armed groups were demobilized, they left the forest free for cattle ranching, illegal mining and drug trafficking, said Ruth Consuelo Chaparro, director of the Roads to Identity Foundation, in a telephone interview. "The State has not filled the gaps. The main driver of deforestation has been the expansion of cattle ranching. Since 2016, the number of cattle in the Amazon has doubled to 2.2 million. In the same period, about 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) of forest were lost, according to FCDS, based on official data. This cattle expansion goes hand in hand with illegally-seized land, said FCDS director Rodrigo Botero. The big business deal is the land. The cows are just a way to get hold of these territories, he told the AP in a phone interview. Experts affirm that illegally-seized lands are often resold to ranchers, who then run their cattle free of land use restrictions, such as the propriety's size. Most of the destruction occurs in an arc of deforestation in the northwestern Colombian Amazon, where even protected areas have not been spared. Chiribiquete, the world's largest national park protecting a tropical rainforest, has lost around 6,000 hectares (14,800 acres) since 2018, according to MAAP. During the campaign, Botero took Petro and other presidential candidates on separate one-day trips to the Amazon. They flew over cattle ranching areas, national parks and Indigenous territories. A very interesting thing Petro and other candidates said was that they never imagined the magnitude of the destruction." The feeling of ungovernability made a deep impression on each of them, Botero said. Almost 60% of Colombias greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, deforestation and other land use, according to the World Resources Institute. In 2020, under the Paris Agreement, Colombian President Ivan Duques government committed to a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030. To do that, it pledged to reach net-zero deforestation by 2030. The Amazon is the worlds largest tropical rainforest and an enormous carbon sink. There is widespread concern that its destruction will not only release massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, further complicating hopes of arresting climate change, but also push it past a tipping point after which much of the forest will begin an irreversible process of degradation into tropical savannah. Although it holds almost half of the nation's territory, the Amazon is the least populated part of Colombia, so historically it is neglected during presidential campaigns. The Free Press | Newsletter Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. This year's campaign was not a complete departure from that. But this year, for the first time, there was a TV presidential debate dedicated solely to environmental issues before the first round in the election. Petro, who was leading the polls then, refused to participate. In his government program, Petro further promises to prioritize collective land titles, such as Indigenous reservations and zones for landless farmers. He also promises to control migration into the Amazon, fight illegal activities, such as land seizures, drug trafficking and money laundering via land purchases. Petros press manager did not respond to requests for comment. Petro has studied and understands deforestation, said Consuelo Chaparro, whose organization works with Indigenous tribes in the Amazon. But the president alone can do nothing, she said. Her hope is that he will listen and move things forward. We dont expect him to be a Messiah." ___ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. KIGALI, Rwanda - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau headed to the G7 summit in Germany on Saturday without a consensus from the Commonwealth to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but with a chorus of countries calling for help to overcome the fallout of the war. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda on Friday, June 24, 2022. Joly says Canada will be bringing the concerns of smaller Commonwealth nations to the G7 leaders in Germany Sunday, particularly the growing threat of famine.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson KIGALI, Rwanda - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau headed to the G7 summit in Germany on Saturday without a consensus from the Commonwealth to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but with a chorus of countries calling for help to overcome the fallout of the war. Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly arrived in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, on Wednesday for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, which has been dominated by the concerns of nations that are suffering from food scarcity. Trudeau departed for the G7 talkslater in the day. In the final communique from the Commonwealth summit, the 54 participating countries said they discussed the conflict in Ukraine, " underscored the need to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states," and " emphasized that all countries must seek peaceful resolution to all disputes in accordance with international law." The countries stopped short of condemning Russia, as Trudeau and United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson have done throughout the summit. "I can assure you that the topic of standing up for Ukraine was much discussed," Trudeau said at a press conference following the conclusion of the summit, referencing "strong language" in the communique. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to questions during the closing news conference at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, Saturday, June 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson Most Commonwealth Nations condemned Russia's actions at a United Nations vote in March, but 10 abstained. Among them was India, whose Prime Minister Narendra Modi opted not to attend the Commonwealth summit and instead spoke virtually with the leaders of Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa. Trudeau said Russian President Vladimir Putin has run a disinformation campaign and has even been "telling outright lies," including blaming the food security crisis on Western sanctions against Russia. He said food shortage stems from Russia's illegal actions, including blockade at key ports, as well as the deliberate targeting of Ukrainian grain storage facilities through cruise missile strikes. "I was very clear with our friends and partners around the table, and not just clear on Russia's responsibility, but on how Canada and the West are stepping up," Trudeau said. Canada will be raising the growing threat of famine at the G7 in Schloss Elmau Germany, Joly said. She said Canada was in "listening mode" at the Commonwealth meetings, where leaders of smaller nations were able to speak without the dominating presence of the United States, Russia and China. "What is clear to us is that Russia is weaponizing food and putting a toll on many countries around the world, and putting 50 million lives at risk," Joly told reporters Friday in Rwanda. Trudeau had attempted to meet with the chair of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, for several days during the Commonwealth summit but the sit-down was repeatedly postponed and eventually cancelled. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Shortly after Trudeau arrived in Rwanda, the government announced Canada would dedicate a new ambassador to the African Union, which has suffered from the food shortages inflicted on the continent as a result of the warin Ukraine. Both Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin have met with representatives of the African Union, with Russia blaming sanctions against its government for stopping the flow of grain. At the conclusion of the Commonwealth summit, Trudeau announced $94 million in funding for various education initiatives and $120 million to support gender equality and women's rights in Commonwealth countries. Some of the other voices the prime minister has promised to centre at his international meetings, including the G7 summit, belong to youth leaders who spoke at a Saturday-morning event focused on issues facing young people around the world. Some of the delegates spoke about the devastating effects of climate change, particularly around remote island nations where infrastructure cannot withstand natural disasters and rebuilding efforts take years. The onslaught takes a toll on education and health services, one delegate told the forum. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2022. He was the son of glassblowers and bricklayers, a bodybuilding beatnik, and the first Manitoban to win the Governor Generals Award in Visual and Media Arts. Supplied Acclaimed artist Robert Archambeau, one of North Americas foremost ceramic artists, died in April at the age of 89. He was the son of glassblowers and bricklayers, a bodybuilding beatnik, and the first Manitoban to win the Governor Generals Award in Visual and Media Arts. After a life of acclaimed artistry, Robert Archambeau died April 25 at Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg, at age 89. SUPPLIED Archambeau joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 16. His heart had been failing for several years, son Robert Archambeau says, and it was simply no longer strong enough to do its job. Archambeau leaves behind a legacy as one of North Americas foremost ceramic artists. He specialized in wood-fired clay pots inspired by traditional pottery in Japan, South Korea and China, as well as the landscapes around his studio in Bissett, but to hear his son tell it, that legacy wouldnt matter much to him. "He was absolutely unconcerned with the art world and its reception of the kind of work he would do. He was unconcerned with reputation he won the Governor Generals Award eventually (in 2003), but none of that stuff mattered to him," Robert says. SUPPLIED As a young man, Archambeau lived in Maine. "I dont imagine that therell suddenly be a huge revival of interest in Japanese-oriented ceramic art. But I think people who know what theyre looking at will always recognize what he accomplished. I think he would be appreciative of that he gave a lot of work to people he could tell were really appreciative." Archambeau would insist people use the functional art bowls and teapots as things they could live with and use. "He didnt want them all behind glass in a museum." Archambeau was born April 18, 1933, in in Toledo, Ohio, into a family of blue-collar craftsman. Although he broke with his background, that tradition inspired his work. SUPPLIED Archambeau lived at Venice Beach, Calif., for a while and was a bodybuilder. "I think one reason he got into ceramics was you worked with tools and you worked with kilns and you got dusty and muddy," Roberts says. "Conceptual art, where its all the idea and the execution is unimportant, that was never something that really appealed to him. And I think that sort of work ethic of going into the studio and putting in an eight- or 10- or 12-hour effort, I think that was very appealing to him." Archambeau ran off to join the United States Marine Corps at 16, prior to the Korean War, spending his time in the service in the Mediterranean, North Africa and Turkey. During his service, he got into bodybuilding and wrestling. SUPPLIED Archambeau with his son and daughter. "What he liked about bodybuilding, his words: You couldnt bullst it. Either you could lift the weight or you couldnt lift the weight, you got out of it what you put into it. And there was no publicizing your way or networking your way into success in weightlifting," his son says. From there, Archambeau spent time as a "kind of beatnik" in Mexico and in California, where he lived on Venice Beach. "And I mean on the beach, and sometimes sleeping in a bar that a friend of his owned this was when he was a bodybuilder. And I think some of the people he met there, and that was a sort of really 50s bohemian environment, I think its through that that he got into art making," Roberts says. Archambeau went back to Ohio to study for his bachelor of fine arts at Bowling Green State University, where he met his wife Meri. He later obtained his masters from Alfred University in New York (which his son equated to Harvard or Oxford for ceramics). After teaching at the Rhode Island School of Design for four years, Archambeau and his family (which grew to include a son and daughter) moved north to the University of Manitoba in 1968. He stayed until retirement in 1993, but kept a studio as professor emeritus, alongside his studio in Bissett in eastern Manitoba. He spent time in Japan, where he lived for a time, and South Korea. "In Japan, ceramics is unquestionably a fine art. Here, its sort of a fine art with an asterisks on it saying, well its really a craft a difference in prestige from painting or sculpture. In Japan and Korea, where his work was well-received, they really see it as one of the central fine arts," Robert says. "He really liked Japanese esthetics, where things are plain and simple and perfect." Archambeau was awarded the Governor Generals Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2003. In 2008, the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts gave him a lifetime achievement award for "extraordinary contribution." SUPPLIED A celebration of Archambeaus life and work is planned at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in the coming months. In 2014, he took home the Manitoba Arts Councils Award of Distinction "for achieving the highest level of artistic excellence while building a monumental legacy in the field of ceramics on a provincial, national and international level." For Archambeau, however, it was about the work and the product and the appreciation, not the accolades. He would compare his work to the Japanese masters and think it came up short sometimes while later, it wouldnt, his son says. "A big part of it was this ethos he had: it wasnt about money, it wasnt about fame, it was about doing work that you believed in. It took me a long time into my adult life to realize how much trouble that saves you as a human being," says Robert, a poet and writer. Archambeau was a quiet and studious type, who gently commanded respect. The Free Press | Newsletter Passages Kevin Rollasons Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "He wasnt a loud person or anything like that, but hed walk into a room and he had a certain kind of authority to him It wasnt like a disciplinarian, he was there to tell you what to do, but he was a substantial person." Archambeau travelled widely and collected fine arts and crafted goods, always reflecting what was available locally. "Wherever we lived, whether it was in Manitoba or Maine or in his own travels, all over the place, he had this supernatural ability to walk into any kind of junk shop and walk out with something really amazing, like a 16th century Korean vase or a Turkish cavalry sabre," his son says, noting it made it difficult to buy him presents. "We would relate to each other via beautiful and rare handmade objects, which is what he found important in life." A celebration of Archambeaus life and work is planned at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in the coming months. passages@freepress.mb.ca Friday marked the 50th anniversary of a deadly plane crash in Winnipeg that still scars Bunibonibee Cree Nation. Friday marked the 50th anniversary of a deadly plane crash in Winnipeg that still scars Bunibonibee Cree Nation. On June 24, 1972, eight students six attending Stonewall Collegiate Institute, two from a residential school in Portage la Prairie and pilot Wilbur Scott Coughlin died after their Ilford Riverton Airways flight crashed, shortly after takeoff, in a vacant lot between two houses on Linwood Street. Mary Rita Canada, Wilkie Muskego, Roy and Deborah Sinclair, Iona Weenusk, Margaret Robinson, Ethel Grieves, and Rosalie Balfour (a Norway House member who grew up in Bunibonibee) were en route to the First Nation (then known as Oxford House) some 590 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. At the time, Bunibonibee students had to travel outside of their community to attend high school. Following the tragedy, the 1972 Memorial High School was established in Oxford House. The loss of these young people connects strongly with Canadas dark past, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said Friday in a news release. These young people from Bunibonibee were required to leave their home community to pursue their education. Our young people should be able to complete their education in their own First Nations. The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada announced its intention this week to establish a memorial at the site of the crash. As soon as we, at the museum, heard this tragic story from our Indigenous curator, Niigaan Sinclair, we felt a strong responsibility to help honour the victims, Terry Slobodian, museum president, chief executive officer and curator, said in a release. Vanessa Desorcy, marketing specialist at the Winnipeg-based museum, told the Free Press it currently has a few panels about the crash in its Northern Connections exhibit. The funding for the new memorial was secured with the Queens Platinum Jubilee Funds through Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage. Its a small step towards acknowledging the ways in which residential schools affected so many, recognizing the lives that were lost, and making people aware of how people were impacted, Desorcy said. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. A memorial plaque listing the names of the students and pilot will be permanently installed at Linwood Street in spring 2023. While memorials exist at Long Plain First Nation and Portage La Prairie, the plaque will be the first in Winnipeg. In September 2021, the Free Press interviewed family and community members about the tragedy. Sarah McKay recalled waiting for the sounds of the aircraft so she could meet her older sister Margaret. That day was so beautiful. When I did my house chores, I said to my mom, I want to go swimming. I went swimming and I kept looking towards the southern area of the sky to see if I could see a plane coming, but no sign no sign at all, McKay told the Free Press. I would go home and wait, thinking, She shouldve been home already. cierra.bettens@freepress.mb.ca Well, its happened. The thing so many people told us we were hysterical feminists for worrying about. The thing we were told would never happen. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, killing the constitutional right to abortion in America. The impact of this decision will be immediately felt, especially in the 13 states with "trigger laws" that ban abortion in the event Roe is overturned. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion The Supreme Court, Friday, June 24, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) Posted: 8:51 PM Jun. 24, 2022 WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Friday stripped away womens constitutional protections for abortion, a fundamental and deeply personal change for Americans' lives after nearly a half-century under Roe v. Wade. The courts overturning of the landmark court ruling is likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. The ruling, unthinkable just a few years ago, was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump. Read Full Story Several states already have near-total bans on abortion, making them illegal after six weeks, which is before many women even know they are pregnant. Some states are now empowered to blow the dust off their moldering abortion laws, such as Wisconsin, which has an 1849 abortion ban on the books. The Associated Press reported Friday that Planned Parenthood halted all scheduled abortions at its clinics in Madison and Milwaukee. In the 49 years it stood, Roe changed the lives of generations of American women. The right to safe, legal abortion gave women agency over their bodies and lives. The right to safe, legal abortion meant women could decide when or if they wanted to have children. The right to safe, legal abortion meant women could pursue higher education and careers. The right to safe, legal abortion meant women wouldnt have to risk infection or death trying to obtain an illegal abortion, because banning abortion doesnt lead to fewer abortions. It simply drives them underground. But, Ive written these words before. A group of abortion-rights protesters demonstrate outside the Supreme Court following its decision Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / The Associated Press) Ive written that abortion is health care, that abortion rights are human rights. Ive written that the reasons people who can get pregnant get abortions are myriad and, actually, none of your business. Ive written that no one should need to have undergone a traumatic experience, such as rape or incest, to access what is, again, a medical procedure. Ive written that, statistically, many of the people who get abortions are already parents. It is grotesque that there is more legislation for Americas uteri than there is for Americas guns. Its also grotesque that many states will essentially force people to give birth, only to offer them no maternity leave, no child care and, in what is truly a fresh hell, no baby formula. I cant think of more compelling evidence that this was never, ever about babies or children but rather about control. How is this, any of this, "pro-life?" The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / The Associated Press) But, you know. No one wanted to reopen the abortion debate. Abortion was treated like a non-issue, a case closed. I dont know what to say that hasnt been said that I havent said but I know that now is the time to be vigilant and vocal, to turn our reactions into meaningful action yes, even here in Canada, where we cant take our access to abortion for granted, since its clear it can be taken away. When the news broke on Friday, I was reminded of a powerful quote from Mariame Kaba, an American activist, grassroots organizer, and educator who advocates for the dismantling of the prison industrial complex: "Let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair." Then I thought about Dr. Suzanne Newman at Womens Health Clinic among the few abortion providers in Winnipeg who I interviewed last year. An anti-choice protest outside of the Morgentaler Clinic in the 1980s was what radicalized her. She just happened to be walking by, taking her small children for an ice-cream cone. "I hadnt really thought much about the issue before because, to me, it was a non-issue like yeah, of course, who is going to make that decision for somebody else?" she told me at the time. "But at that moment, when I saw all those ugly faces and they were ugly, they were distorted with rage and anger I grabbed my poor kids and walked up the steps and argued with those protesters." That moment didnt just inspire Newman to become a volunteer at the Morgentaler Clinic, it inspired her to become a doctor at the age of 41. She has been a physician provider of abortion services at WHC since 2007. A group of abortion-rights protesters march past U.S. Capital building to join a demonstration outside the Supreme Court Friday. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / The Associated Press) Im not saying everyone has to go to med school, but theres still so much we can do, right now. We can speak up. We can protest. We can volunteer. We can donate money. As Women's Health Clinic said in its official response to the ruling: "This is another reminder that we cannot ever take for granted the right to bodily autonomy we have in Canada. As it stands, WHC performs anywhere from 25 to 30 per cent more abortions per year then we are funded for. Our free/low-cost birth control program does not receive any health-care funding, and we provide that service using generous donations from our community." Friday was a dark day for reproductive rights, no question. Feel the disgust, the sorrow and the rage, but let it light a fire in you, especially if you are a millennial or member of Gen Z who has always had access to abortion. To evoke Kaba again: may the SCOTUS decision radicalize you. jen.zoratti@winnipegfreepress.com Twitter: @JenZoratti A small rally of elderly pro-russian activists without russian flags took place near the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel in Tel Aviv, which was skeptically assessed by Israeli observers. Journalist Shimon Briman gave an appropriate assessment of the event. Grand success of the russian Embassy in Israel! As many as thirty people from all over Israel have staged a protest picket in front of the Ukrainian embassy on Yermiyahu Street in Tel Aviv. Pro-russian activists, fed by various russian agencies, drowned each other, did not want to hold joint actions and quarreled over slogans and personal ambitions. From the right decisions of the organizers of the picket (in terms of picture and PR), I would note the use of Israeli flags and the total absence of russian flags, - he wrote. The columnist also stressed that those present held placards against Ukrainian Nazism. It was obvious that most of those who came to shout were of pre-retirement and retirement age. Whereas pro-Ukrainian rallies in Israel, which easily gather thousands of participants on ordinary days and, in the largest cases, 20,000 Israelis, consist mainly of young and middle-aged people. This is the generational difference between the past and the future, - said Shimon Briman. The journalist also noted that the Ambassador of Ukraine to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk addressed the audience. He did what russian diplomats never do, who are locked in the embassy building during real mass protests by Israelis. Ambassador Korniychuk was not afraid to shout. When he approached them, he politely asked how much they were paid per hour and whether the Israeli law on the minimum hourly wage was being violated, - the columnist concluded. OSLO, Norway (AP) A gunman opened fire in Oslos nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an "Islamist terror act" during the capitals annual LGBTQ Pride festival. Police gather at the site of a mass shooting in Oslo, early Saturday, June 25, 2022. Norwegian police say a few people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a mass shooting. (Javad Parsa/NTB via AP) OSLO, Norway (AP) A gunman opened fire in Oslos nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an "Islamist terror act" during the capitals annual LGBTQ Pride festival. Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, was arrested after opening fire at three locations in downtown Oslo. Police said two men, one in his 50s and and the other his 60s, died in the shootings. Ten people were treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be in life-threatening condition. Eleven others had minor injuries. The Norwegian Police Security Service raised its terror alert level from "moderate" to extraordinary the highest level after the attack, which sent panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or trying to hide from the gunman. The service's acting chief, Roger Berg, called the attack an extreme Islamist terror act and said the suspect had a long history of violence and threats, as well as mental health issues. Police stand guard at the site of a mass shooting in Oslo, early Saturday, June 25, 2022. Norwegian police say a few people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a mass shooting. (Javad Parsa/NTB via AP) He said the agency, known by its Norwegian acronym PST, first became aware of the suspect in 2015 and later grew concerned he had become radicalized and was part of an unspecified Islamist network. Norwegian media named the suspect as Zaniar Matapour, an Oslo resident who arrived in Norway with his family from a Kurdish part of Iran in the 1990s. The suspects defense lawyer, John Christian Elden, said his client hasn't denied carrying out the attack, but he cautioned against speculation on the motive. Police stand guard at the site of a mass shooting in Oslo, early Saturday, June 25, 2022. Norwegian police say a few people have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a mass shooting. (Javad Parsa/NTB via AP) He has not given any reason. It is too early to conclude whether this is hate crime or terrorism, Elden said in an email to The Associated Press. Upon the advice of police, organizers canceled a Pride parade that was set for Saturday as the highlight of a weeklong festival. Scores of people marched through the capital anyway, waving rainbow flags. Police attorney Christian Hatlo said it was too early to say whether the gunman specifically targeted members of the LGBTQ community. Police stand guard at the site of a mass shooting in Oslo, early Saturday, June 25, 2022. A few people were killed and more than a dozen injured early Saturday in a mass shooting in Oslo, Norwegian police said, as the city was gearing up for an annual Pride parade. (Javad M. Parsa/NTB via AP) We have to look closer at that, we dont know yet, he said. Police said civilians assisted them in detaining the man in custody, who was being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, based on the number of people targeted at multiple locations. Investigators seized two weapons after the attack: a handgun and an automatic weapon. Hatlo described both as not modern but did not give details. Flowers are left at the scene of a shooting in central Oslo, Saturday, June 25, 2022. Norwegian police say they are investigating an overnight shooting in Oslo that killed two people and injured more than a dozen as a case of possible terrorism. In a news conference Saturday, police officials said the man arrested after the shooting was a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin who was previously known to police but not for major crimes. (Hakon Mosvold Larsen/NTB Scanpix via AP) Not far from Oslos cathedral, crime scene tape cordoned off the bars where the shootings took place, including the London Pub, which is popular with the citys LGBTQ community. Crowds gathered outside and dropped off cards and flowers at impromptu memorials. Martin Ebbestad, 29, had walked by earlier, seen the memorials and returned with flowers. Flowers are left at the scene of a shooting in central Oslo, Saturday, June 25, 2022. Norwegian police say they are investigating an overnight shooting in Oslo that killed two people and injured more than a dozen as a case of possible terrorism. In a news conference Saturday, police officials said the man arrested after the shooting was a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin who was previously known to police but not for major crimes. (Terje Pedersen/NTB Scanpix via AP) London Pub is our go-to place. My boyfriend left 20 minutes before (it happened). He was sitting outside in the smoking area, Ebbestad said. We know this place so well. It doesnt feel unsafe, but it does feel very close. Norwegian television channel TV2 showed footage of people running down Oslo streets in panic as shots rang out in the background. Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting, Roenneberg told NRK. First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover. People pay their respects at the scene of a shooting in central Oslo, Saturday, June 25, 2022. Norwegian police say they are investigating an overnight shooting in Oslo that killed two people and injured more than a dozen as a case of possible terrorism. In a news conference Saturday, police officials said the man arrested after the shooting was a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin who was previously known to police but not for major crimes. (Terje Pedersen/NTB Scanpix via AP) Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere called the shooting a "cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people. He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. We all stand by you, Gahr Stoere wrote on Facebook. Flowers are left as a spontaneous pride parade arrives at the scene of a shooting in central Oslo, Saturday, June 25, 2022. Norwegian police say they are investigating an overnight shooting in Oslo that killed two people and injured more than a dozen as a case of possible terrorism. In a news conference Saturday, police officials said the man arrested after the shooting was a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin who was previously known to police but not for major crimes. (Hakon Mosvold Larsen/NTB Scanpix via AP) Christian Bredeli, who was at the London Pub, told Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. Many were fearing for their lives, he said. On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened. Desta G. Selassie, a co-owner of the London Pub, told AP that employees who witnessed the shooting were in shock and receiving psychological counseling. People react as they lay flowers at the scene of a shooting in central Oslo, Norway, Saturday, June 25, 2022. Norwegian police say they are investigating an overnight shooting in Oslo that killed two people and injured more than a dozen as a case of possible terrorism. In a news conference Saturday, police officials said the man arrested after the shooting was a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin who was previously known to police but not for major crimes. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) Police said the suspect had a criminal record that included a narcotics offense and a weapons offense for carrying a knife. PST said it spoke to him in May this year because he had shown a certain interest in statements that were interpreted as insults to Islam. In these conversations, it was assessed that he had no intention of violence, but PST is aware that he has had challenges related to mental health, the agency said in a statement. Women react as they stand at the scene of a shooting in central Oslo, Norway, Saturday, June 25, 2022. A gunman who opened fire in Oslos nightlife district has killed two people and left more than 20 others injured during the LGBTQ Pride festival in Norway's capital. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) Organizers of Oslo Pride canceled the parade and other scheduled events, and encouraged people all over Norway to show solidarity" in their homes, neighborhoods and on social media instead. Well be back later, proud, visible, but right now its not the time for that," Inge Alexander Gjestvang, leader of FRI, a Norwegian organization for sexual and gender diversity, told TV2. Like its Scandinavian neighbors, Norway is considered progressive on LGBTQ rights. There is widespread support for same-sex marriage, which was legalized in 2009. In 2016, Norway became one of the world's first countries to allow transgender people to legally change their gender without a doctors agreement or intervention. Norway's King Harald V offered condolences to the relatives of victims and said the royal family was horrified by the attack. We must stand together to defend our values: freedom, diversity and respect for each other. We must continue to stand up for all people to feel safe, the monarch said. World leaders condemned the attack on their way to a Group of Seven summit in Germany. The summit's host, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, tweeted, The Norwegian people can be sure of our sympathy. The fight against terror unites us. French President Emmanuel Macron offered his condolences in a tweet in Norwegian. The Free Press | Newsletter Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told reporters while flying with U.S. President Joe Biden to the G-7 summit, Our hearts obviously go out to all the families there of the victims, the people of Norway, which is a tremendous ally, and of course the LGBTQI+ community, there and around the world, quite frankly. Norway has a relatively low crime rate but has experienced a series of so-called lone wolf attacks in recent decades, including one of the worst mass shootings in Europe. In 2011, a right-wing extremist killed 69 people on the island of Utoya after setting off a bomb in Oslo that left eight dead. In 2019, another right-wing extremist killed his stepsister and then opened fire in a mosque but was overpowered before anyone there was injured. Last year, a Norwegian man armed with knives and a bow and arrow killed five people in a town in southern Norway. The attacker, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was sentenced Friday to compulsory psychiatric care. ___ Ritter reported from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Jari Tanner in Helsinki and Sarah Hambro in Oslo contributed to this report. I was devastated. I was saddened and blown away. Im pretty disgusted. These are the emotions Caitlin Nicholson, Brynne Schultz and Sarah Johnson, respectively, felt Friday when they learned the Supreme Court had overturned Roe v. Wade. That evening, the three of them along with about a dozen others gathered at the corner of Eighth and Main streets in Winona to share their thoughts on the Supreme Court decision during a rally. Attendees held signs sharing their heartbroken reactions with passing cars, and drivers honked in response. While the country knew the decision was coming due to a leak earlier this year that revealed much of the courts opinion, Nicholson and Shultz both said they were still shocked when the overturn was formally announced. All of a sudden, were going back 50 years, Nicholson, a local DFL officer, said. Nicholson stressed that people cannot tell women what they can and cannot do with their bodies. She also shared her fear of the future with this Supreme Court decision, saying, This is so important, because every time we take away a right, we threaten more rights. What rights are under attack next? Nicholson said. Dave Smith, another rally attendee, expressed a similar worry for other rights in the country, as he said that the overturning of Roe v. Wade sets a really bad precedent for the future. Its very alarming, especially as a minority member myself facing possible violence. Stuff like this just encourages that, Smith, who is transgender, shared. Smith is worried about suggestions that Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, may be overturned too in the near future. As a mother, Nicholson said she feels fear for the sake of her children after this Supreme Court decision. I am terrified of the world that my kids are going to grow up in with Roe v. Wade not existing, she said. While Minnesota still allows abortions, Nicholson fears this may not be the case as soon as next year if Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan do not stay in office. Both Walz and Flanagan have declared that they will protect abortion rights in the state as long as they are in charge, but they are up for reelection this year. Johnson shared that she and her coworkers agreed Friday that they do not feel like they have as many rights as guns inanimate objects do in the United States, as the Supreme Court continues to issue decisions that allow for the expansion of gun rights across the country. Johnson said she will continue going to rallies like the one Friday in Winona until she sees progress being made in support of abortion and women rights. Schultz, who uses the pronoun they, shared a similar thought to Johnson that they believe the United States favors regulating womens bodies much more than it favors regulating guns. Shultz said that leaders who say the Supreme Courts ruling protects babies, but who do not support putting limitations on guns, do not see that these children that theyre going to protect or that they say theyre protecting are going to grow up in a world where they have to be afraid of school shooters. Schultz also said that these babies will grow up dealing with another hot topic being discussed right now across the nation hatred and discrimination towards the LGBTQ community. To learn more about events scheduled in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, like the rally Friday in Winona, visit www.womensmarch.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SPRINGFIELD One patient from Iowa needed gas money and a place to stay. Another from Indiana, in a domestic violence situation, couldn't use her own funds for care. She also needed help with child care. These are among just a couple of the hundreds of individual cases Rose, the abortion patient navigator program manager at Planned Parenthood of Illinois, said she has helped steer in the past two years. Her job description is fairly simple: help patients, especially those from out-of-state, coordinate their visits to receive abortion services in Illinois. But the job itself is hardly that. "Deciding to get an abortion, making that decision, is about so much more than making an appointment and walking into a health center," said Rose, whose real name is not being used because of safety concerns surrounding her work. "There are just so many factors." As a "blue island" among its conservative neighboring states, Illinois has become a key battleground for abortion rights advocates and opponents. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state's Democrat-led General Assembly have enacted measures aimed at accommodating an expected influx of out-of-state patients, and more such steps are being planned. Abortion opponents, meanwhile, see gaining more political power in the outlier Midwestern state as a vital step in their fight against the procedure. Among the barriers to abortion access: transportation from home to a clinic, where to stay when you get there, how to maintain confidentiality if in an unsafe home situation and an issue that crosses over with so many others how to afford the procedure and associated expenses. Rose describes her job as "trying to take the onus and responsibility off of patients to have to identify all of their needs and resolve some of those barriers as best we can." Her job and that of those working at a regional logistics center that opened in the Metro East region earlier this year has become essential as obstacles facing people in need of abortion services grow, advocates say. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday in Dobbs v. Jackson Woman's Health Organization to uphold the constitutionality of Mississippi's law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks. And, in what was telegraphed via a leak in May, the nation's high court voted 5-4 to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that established a constitutional right to an abortion. Several conservative states have already enacted laws that essentially ban the procedure. At least half of U.S. states, including those surrounding Illinois, either have "trigger laws" that ban or severely limit abortion with Roe's overturning or have lawmakers who indicate a likelihood to enact such laws in the near future. Illinois has gone in the opposite direction, enacting laws in recent years that have expanded access. But the state's status as an island for abortion rights in the Midwest has the potential to put a strain on providers, who are preparing for "a tidal wave" of patients from surrounding states. "It's not something that will be a slow buildup," said Brigid Leahy, director of government relations for Planned Parenthood Illinois. "Back when Texas imposed its ban on Sept. 1 of last year, we saw our first patients at Planned Parenthood of Illinois health centers from Texas two days later." Though abortion will remain legal in Illinois, a steady influx of out-of-state patients may unleash "a massive ripple effect" that could potentially impact access. Abortion providers say physical capacity is not an immediate concern, but staffing clinics and resources to address logistical challenges faced by an increasing amount of patients will be paramount if Illinois is to be a true island for reproductive health. "Illinois is positioned to be protective of folks who need access to care," Leahy said. "The phase we are moving into is trying to ensure that there actually is access for folks." Influx of patients Planned Parenthood estimates that anywhere between an additional 20,000 to 30,000 people annually could travel from out-of-state to Illinois for abortion services with Roe's overturning, a massive influx that would place the number of abortions performed in Illinois at an unprecedented level. More than 46,000 abortions were performed in the state in 2020, according to state public health data. That's higher than in recent years but lower than the 1990s, when more than 50,000 procedures were performed some years. The numbers show a clear rising trend of out-of-state residents receiving care. In 2020, 9,686 such women terminated a pregnancy in Illinois, up from 7,534 in 2019 and 5,668 in 2018. Data from 2021 was not available. These numbers, abortion rights advocates say, are a reflection of the restrictions that have already been put in place to limit options in other states. With the writing on the wall, many have spent the past few years planning for this moment, whether that meant working to change Illinois laws or, for abortion providers, deciding where to locate new facilities. CHOICES Memphis Center for Reproductive Health, a Tennessee-based provider, is opening a clinic in Carbondale later this summer. The close proximity to the city's Amtrak station, which is along a line that runs through Memphis, wasn't a coincidence. Up north, Planned Parenthood of Illinois has opened clinics in Waukegan and Flossmoor in recent years, both just miles from bordering states. "Those areas were recognized to have a need for Illinoisans, but also they're fairly close to borders and five major highways that would allow people from other states to get to them," Leahy said. And in 2019, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region opened its 18,000-square foot facility in Fairview Heights, which replaced a much-smaller facility and is equipped to perform surgical abortions. Along with Hope Clinic in Granite City, the provider has seen a significant amount of patients come from across the river in Missouri. The Show-Me State has stood out thus far. In 2020, 6,578 more than two-thirds of all out-of-state patients came from Missouri, where lawmakers have placed severe restrictions on the procedure and attempted to make abortions illegal after eight weeks of gestation, a measure that was blocked by the courts. It is one of the states with a "trigger law" on the books, which went into effect minutes after the court's ruling. Illinois Right to Life executive director Amy Gehrke said Roe being overturned is like "the reverse of the Dred Scott decision," referring to the Supreme Courts 1857 ruling denying U.S. citizenship to Dred Scott and other Black Americans. "You'll have Missouri where pre-born babies are recognized as human and are protected and here, just across the river in Illinois, the Reproductive Health Act said pre-born children have no rights and no protection and in essence that they're not human," Gehrke said. Earlier this year, the Fairview Heights facility expanded again with the opening of a "regional logistics center" aimed at helping out-of-state patients arrange travel and lodging and connect them with resources, such as abortion funds. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, said they expect to care for up to 8,000 patients this year at the Illinois facility, which can handle up to 15,000 at full capacity. The regional logistics center, jointly run by Planned Parenthood and Hope Clinic, currently employs four case managers but may hire up to 10 more depending on demand. McNicholas said each patient aided by the logistics center typically receives between $900 and $1,500 in support, which comes from existing abortion funds and other groups. Planned Parenthood is "covering whatever gap remains for now," McNicholas said, though she acknowledged "that is not necessarily sustainable" long-term. "We have never in this country faced a reality where we have needed to mass mobilize millions of people for such basic health care," McNicholas said. "And we are doing it in a system where the infrastructure is already so fragile, where there isn't support, where public and private insurance in all of the states who are going to lose access doesn't pay for the care." No matter the amount of planning abortion rights groups have done, McNicholas acknowledges the post-Roe reality "is really going to put a strain on the public health system." At its current patient load, the Fairview Heights facility operates eight hours a day, six days per week. McNicholas said that will likely change with demand, with the first move to 10-hour days, then to 12-hour days and then even mixing in some Sunday hours. She said "a flag" for when these changes are needed would be when patient wait times hit one week. The current "gold standard," she said, is 72 hours. In order to maintain access, McNicholas said, they will need to beef up staffing to fill those extra hours and ensure that patients have everything they need to get to their appointment. "We don't need to build a bigger facility; we don't need to build another facility," McNicholas said. "What we need to do is ensure that we have a very tight system that helps folks get from A to B and then back to A. And that's really going to be the way that we are addressing this access crisis." Expanded access in Illinois Where much of the country has zigged to the right on abortion rights, Illinois has zagged to the left in recent years, enacting some of the most liberal reproductive health laws of any state. In 2017, then-Gov. Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 40, which permitted state health insurance and Medicaid coverage for abortions and removed "trigger law" language that could have made the procedure illegal in the event Roe v. Wade was overturned. This was followed up by Pritzkers signing of the Reproductive Health Act in 2019. The law enshrined reproductive health care including abortion access as a fundamental right in Illinois. And late last year, Pritzker signed legislation repealing a 1995 law that required an abortion provider give an adult family member at least 48 hours notice before the procedure is performed on a girl under the age of 18. Illinois lawmakers might not be done. Pritzker, with the support of Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, has called for a special legislative session next month to consider more abortion rights legislation. "Together, we are committed to taking swift action to further enshrine our commitment to reproductive health care rights and protections," Pritzker said. Among the bills that could be taken up is House Bill 1464, which would prevent a licensed doctor in Illinois from being disciplined in Illinois if another state suspends or revokes their license for performing an abortion. The legislation passed the Illinois House in late March but was not taken up by the Illinois Senate prior to its April adjournment. Abortion rights advocates have also urged the Pritzker administration to allow advanced practice clinicians such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform in-clinic abortions. Thirteen states allow this practice. Currently, advanced practice clinicians in Illinois can only prescribe abortion-related medications, which are typically only prescribed within the first 11 weeks of a pregnancy. But, by allowing them to perform "aspiration" abortions, which involve the use of suction to empty the uterus and typically occur 14 to 16 weeks into pregnancy, advocates believe this would help alleviate staffing shortages they are facing. Pritzker, in an interview with Lee Enterprises earlier this week, said he supports that change. "We certainly are looking at both using our own executive branch powers and also going to the legislature on the subject," Pritzker said. "We're working with the Attorney General and our own legal staff to determine what we can do." Either way, "we will do it," Pritzker added. "I am focused on making sure that we expand the number of professionals in our state to make sure that we're providing the health care that people are seeking," he said. However, do not expect any new flashy state abortion funds, such as those created by California, New York and Oregon, for clinics to prepare for the influx and beef up security. "In Illinois, we treat reproductive rights and abortion as health care," Pritzker said. "So it's included already in much of the health care dollars that we allocate to the women in our state." On the other side of the issue, Illinois Right to Life, the state's most prominent anti-abortion group, is gearing up in what they call "ground zero" in the fight against the practice. "Our work is just beginning now that Roe is going to be overturned because things, I believe, are possibly going to get worse before they get better," Gehrke said, acknowledging the incoming influx from surrounding states. Still, Gehrke believes "the state can be won back for life." "We were a pro-life state for the most part until 2017, just five short years ago," Gehrke said. "And with a lot of hard work and a lot of education, I really believe that the needle will move back." A lot may be riding on the results of the November election. All the candidates running in the GOP primary for governor have taken anti-abortion positions while Pritzker has been staunchly supportive of abortion rights. Gehrke believes abortion opponents would "only need to flip just a handful of seats" in the General Assembly to prevent more abortion rights legislation from passing. In the meantime, for navigators like Rose, getting woman across the river from Missouri and other states into Illinois is about ensuring they can access health care. "You can't make abortion go away by criminalizing it," Rose said. "It just makes it unsafe and harder to access. And birthing people are put at risk when abortion is criminalized, most especially people in marginalized communities, poor people, people of color, people who don't have the advantages of wealthy people who can easily buy a plane ticket and travel to get an abortion. "What energizes me is how discriminatory and unjust that feels and the opportunity to have an active role in assisting those patients is what really drew me to this position and kind of lit the fire for me to do what we can to support, really, bodily autonomy," she said. Contact Brenden Moore at brenden.moore@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter: @brendenmoore13 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Forty-six people were found dead after being abandoned in a tractor-trailer on a remote back road in San Antonio in what marked the latest tragedy to claim the lives of migrants smuggled across the border from Mexico to the U.S. Sixteen people were hospitalized, including four children. Dogs die in hot cars warning message to be displayed on Wales roads this summer Signs displaying messages to motorists about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars will once again be displayed on Wales roads this summer. The Welsh Government confirmed the news in a letter to RSPCA Cymru, who have led the campaign on the issue. Lee Waters, the Welsh Governments Deputy Minister for Climate Change, confirmed in the letter that messages will continue to be shown on the Variable Message Signs at appropriate times during periods of high temperatures. The message displayed on Wales roads will read: CEIR POETH YN LLADD CWN / DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS With all lockdown restrictions now over in Wales, the RSPCA fears the return of more regular day-trips and holidays over the summer could see more dogs left in cars during hot weather with the outcome potentially fatal for pets. Dogs left alone in a car on a hot day can quickly become dehydrated, develop heatstroke or even die but, sadly, calls to the RSPCA and Police about the issue remain commonplace. One RSPCA staff member put the rising temperatures to the test and saw the heat climb from 23.3C to more than 57C degrees in only 26 minutes. RSPCA campaigns manager Carrie Stones said: This is simply great news for canine companions. With normality returning to peoples lives this summer in Wales, its more important than ever that we spread the word dogs die in hot cars. Up to 30 million Brits are expected to holiday in the UK in 2022, and many of us will be taking our four-legged friends along so these reminders will be vital. Awareness raising measures like this from the Welsh Government will help save the lives of dogs. We welcome any steps to remind motorists that not long is too long when a dog is left in a car. Even a quick stop-off at a shop could prove fatal as temperatures escalate. If anyone sees a dog in distress in a hot car, they should dial 999 immediately but we hope, each year, more and more people will get the message about not exposing their dogs to the potentially fatal heat. We continue to urge Highways England to follow suit so drivers in England get the same life-saving reminders for dogs when journeying on the motorway and trunk road network there; just like is happening across Wales again in 2022. The Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for Transport, Lee Waters said: Leaving dogs in vehicles on hot summer days is a major animal welfare concern and a message that sometimes people forget, therefore I am very pleased to offer our continued support for this important campaign on our roads. RSPCA Cymru has been joined in their campaign by Senedd member Jayne Bryant, who also shared her delight at Wales continued commitment to spreading this key animal welfare message. The Newport West MS said: Im really pleased that the Welsh Government has again committed to display warning messages to motorists across the main roads in Wales, reminding owners of the risks of leaving their pets in cars during the summer months, and during times of particularly hot weather. The danger of leaving dogs in a hot car, even for a short period, can be fatal. I will continue to work with the Welsh Government to ensure that were doing all we can to protect animals from suffering, through no fault of their own. Free swimming scheme for the Armed Forces to continue in Wales The Armed Forces Free Swimming scheme will continue in Wales, the Welsh Government has announced. The initiative enables serving members of the Armed Forces and Veterans to swim for free at participating leisure centres and pools, using their Defence Privilege Card. The Armed Forces Free Swimming Scheme (AFFS) was first introduced in 2016 and represents the continued commitment to provide the Armed Forces community with access to services which meet their specific needs and recognise the service they have given to their country. Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said: Im very pleased that we are able to continue to support this scheme which is designed to ensure members of the Armed Forces past and present are able to benefit from the physical, and mental, health benefits swimming can offer. Deputy Minister for Social Partnerships, Hannah Blythyn, said: We are committed to supporting our Armed Forces personnel and recognise how initiatives like this can boost their mental and physical wellbeing. I hope they can enjoy the benefits from this scheme over the next three years. Chris Llewelyn, WLGA Chief Executive said: Local government is proud to deliver free swimming for our Armed Forces personnel and Veterans. We hope that even more people take part in the scheme in the coming year, taking advantage of the significant recuperative and social benefits physical activity offers. There are participating pools in each of Wales local authorities; to find out where your closet facility is, visit your local authority website. Throughout the 2021-22 financial year the scheme was taken up on average each quarter by 569 serving military personnel and veterans across Wales. The trend shows an increase in uptake as restrictions have been lifted, with the last quarter recording a peak of 879 people benefitting from 2641 visits to their local community swimming pools. To support the scheme, 45,000 to be issued every year over a three-year period; in 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25. Tesco thanks Armed Forces with free hot breakfast at its cafes Members of the Armed Forces will be able to get a free hot breakfast at Tesco cafes across Wales to mark the Armed Forces Day celebration in June. As a thank you for their service, on Sunday June 26, all serving Armed Forces personnel, around 159,000 regulars and 32,000 reservists, can present their MOD90 identification card at any Tesco cafe and get a free full cooked breakfast, vegan cooked breakfast, sausage bap or a bacon bap.* All 295 Tesco cafes across England, Scotland and Wales will be offering the promotion limited to one free breakfast per cardholder. Ashwin Prasad, Chief Product Officer at Tesco and Director Sponsor of the Armed Forces Network said: Were proud to be able to support National Armed Forces Day which celebrates the tremendous contribution that the armed forces make to our country. Its an exciting opportunity for store colleagues across the country to celebrate. Everyone loves a free breakfast and we thought it was a gesture that showed how much we value members of the Armed Forces. Rhys Little, Chair of the Armed Forces Network at Tesco, said: Weve got a long history of getting behind those who have been in the forces. Weve received the Gold award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme twice now (in 2016 and 2020), and we were also the first retailer to sign the Armed Forces Covenant in 2014. We also do our best to give anyone leaving the army, navy, or RAF a chance to forge a new career. Over the weekend of June 25 and 26, local events will be taking place in towns, cities, and villages up and down the country, and Tesco stores will be holding a nationwide collection for Help for Heroes. For more information on Armed Forces Day go to https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/ ** Cafes will offer serving members of the armed forces a free cooked breakfast, or free vegan cooked breakfast, or free bacon bap, or free sausage bap on presentation of an armed forces card on Sunday 26th June. One free item per cardholder. This offer is only available for serving members of the armed forces presenting their MOD90 card in Tesco cafes on Sunday June 26. Offer is subject to availability. No purchase required. Offer available at Tesco cafes in England, Scotland and Wales. Excludes Northern Ireland. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shocked NATO back to first principles. Moody's ratings agency has confirmed that Russia defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time in a century, after bond holders did not receive $100 million in interest payments. The fourth wave of the pandemic in Brazil is taking place amid an explosive combination of factors: stagnation in vaccinations, an end of the COVID-19 health emergency, increasing spread of the most infectious and vaccine-resistant BA.4/5 Omicron subvariants, the abandonment of the most basic mitigation measures, such as mask wearing in closed places, and the arrival of winter. On Tuesday, Brazil registered a moving average of 147 deaths and 40,174 cases, an increase of 21 percent and 10 percent, respectively, from two weeks ago. Besides the huge under-reporting, six of the 27 Brazilian states didnt release any pandemic data. For Lucas Ferrante, researcher at the National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA), with whom the WSWS spoke last Saturday, this situation has turned Brazil into a time bomb that could lead to a new health collapse in the coming weeks. Studies led by Ferrante showed that the late 2020 reopening of schools in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state, triggered the emergence of the Gamma variant, responsible for two-thirds of COVID deaths in Brazil. Today, particularly after all Brazilian states have ended mandatory mask wearing in classrooms, the role of schools as vectors of virus transmission is more than clear. The past few weeks have seen numerous outbreaks among entire school communities across the country. Schools and universities are the fastest accelerating ways for viral transmission, Ferrante explained. Today we are replicating this in a much more catastrophic scenario, with no mask wearing, overcrowded classrooms and low air circulation, as well with a more resistant variant and low vaccine protection.... We will experience an explosion of cases and mortality, including in children. Outbreak of other infectious diseases and fourth wave in Brazil The widespread reopening of schools late last year, when attendance of students in unsafe schools became mandatory, and the abandonment of mitigation measures in Brazil have led to unseasonable outbreaks of other infectious diseases. Last December, amid the beginning of the third wave caused by the BA.1 Omicron subvariant, Brazil experienced an outbreak of influenza A and B that flooded hospitals. Then, since March, with the beginning of the school year and the end of mask mandates in classrooms, there has been an increase in cases of acute bronchitis, caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which has filled pediatric ICUs since the beginning of May all over the country. However, Ferrante pointed to data from mid-May, when the Brazilian corporate media was still wondering whether Brazil would have a fourth wave, which showed that respiratory syncytial virus is predominant only in children under 9 years old. Now, according to him, we are seeing the very low test positivity rates for influenza A and B, stabilized syncytial virus and COVID-19 increasing exponentially in all age groups, especially in children and in middle-aged adults. Indicating that early June data from the Brazilian epidemiological institute FIOCRUZ showed a strong sign of growth in the trends of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases, Ferrante added: this increase in SARS every epidemiological week is COVID-19. We are in the midst of a wave of COVID-19 caused by a variant whose vaccines still have an efficacy to protect, however we are entering a phase in which new variants already introduced in Brazil will start to become prevalent and the vaccines dont perform as well against those variants. The danger posed by BA.4/5 Omicron subvariants Unlike many countries, which have experienced the outbreak of only the BA.2 Omicron subvariant, such as the UK in April, Ferrante pointed out that the more infectious and vaccine-resistant BA.2 and BA.4/5 Omicron subvariants are spreading across the country at the same time. Genomic sequencing has shown that the BA.1 Omicron subvariant has been replaced by BA.2. So, we are having a turnover of subvariants, Ferrante explained. However, we have already registered Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. In early June, data from Instituto Todos pela Saude showed that BA.4/5 already accounted for 44 percent of positive samples in Brazilian private laboratories. For Ferrante, this situation is worrying, as in late May a pre-print study was published with the results of a clinical trial of the efficiency of vaccines against the different variants that are circulating. [It] showed that the vaccines have a lower protection against BA.4 and BA.5. He explained: This image shows the family tree of the different variants of the coronavirus. In gray, I have the original pandemic variant, and this same variant was used so that we could produce the vaccines. The problem is that the new variants are moving genetically away from the variant that caused the pandemic and was used for us to make the vaccines. In other words, we are losing that link between the vaccines that we are using and the variants that are circulating, so we are experiencing a loss of efficiency of the vaccines right now. According to the study mentioned by Ferrante, this makes BA.4/5 4.2-fold more resistant [to sera from vaccinated and boosted individuals than BA.2] and thus more likely to lead to vaccine breakthrough infections. Family tree of the novel coronavirus. The further the new variants deviate from the original one (WA1), the more likely they are to be more resistant to available vaccines (Source: Wang, Q. et al. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 subvariants evolved to extend antibody evasion) Caption: Family tree of the novel coronavirus. The further the new variants deviate from the original one (WA1), the more likely they are to be more resistant to available vaccines (Source: Wang, Q. et al. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 subvariants evolved to extend antibody evasion) Stagnating vaccination rates in Brazil tend to make the spread of the more transmissible and vaccine-resistant BA.4/5 variants even greater. Ferrante noted that because of the slowdown of vaccination in Brazil and the lower efficiency of the vaccines against the new variants, the population today is less protected. Today, Brazil has 46 percent of the population with a booster shot, which can more effectively neutralize the Omicron subvariants. Ferrante projected two scenarios: either were going to see Omicron BA.2 explode along with BA.4 and BA.5, causing a further collapse of the health care system, or were going to have the peak of this wave decline a bit, were going to loosen up the measures even more, and then were going to quickly see the two much more transmissible variants, BA.4 and BA.5, become prevalent... And the worst thing is that this is going to happen at the beginning of the school return next semester. This is going to be catastrophic for Brazil, we are going to have a new collapse of the health system, the pandemic is not over, and we have a situation about to explode ... at the same time in several urban centers in Brazil. The end of the COVID-19 health emergency in Brazil Contradicting the claims of fascistic President Jair Bolsonaros government, Ferrante stated, We are far from the end of the pandemic. In addition to more vaccine-resistant variants, he added, those who have had natural contact with the virus cannot generate lasting immunity, they can even become infected by the same variant, and reinfection is always more severe. On April 22, the Bolsonaro government decreed an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, effectively declaring the pandemic over. According to Ferrante, We have just dismantled the only mechanism we had to lend quicker assistance of the population in the face of the upsurge of the pandemic, and we are already seeing an upsurge of the pandemic that is being ignored by the government. He continued, We had a major collapse of the health system even in the midst of a health emergency, and even then, the Brazilian government was not able to have an efficient opening of beds and produce enough medical supplies to avoid a catastrophe. Another artifice used by the federal and local governments to end the pandemic by decree is the blackout of COVID-19 data since last December, with an increase in under-reporting. Pointing to the situation in Manaus, which he has been following closely since the beginning of the pandemic, Ferrante said, We have already noted this in the third wave in Manaus, when we had eight times more deaths than officially reported. In an election year, what we see is a public policy of concealing deaths. Today, under-reporting can be higher, perhaps up to 15 times, according to some estimates, he said. Regarding the total number of deaths, which is approaching 670,000, Ferrantes studies show that Brazil has already surpassed 1.2 million COVID-19 deaths. With the end of the health emergency in Brazil, there is also increasing uncertainty regarding COVID-19 vaccinations next year. Bolsonaro himself is proud of not having taken the vaccination and has boycotted it since the first vaccines were available, including that of children, leading to one of the worlds highest rates of infant deaths. Ferrante warned that without other mitigation measures, we need an annual or biannual vaccination for the entire population. But he continued: worryingly, the health ministry updated the national immunization plan (NIP), and next year it is studying to make booster shots available only for health professionals and the elderly over the age of 60. In other words, educational professionals, children, and the rest of the population will be left out of the NIP against COVID-19, which is very serious. This will lead to an alarming resurgence of the pandemic, so that we will return to the same level that we had at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a gun restriction bill that had been approved the previous night by the Senate. The Senate vote was 65-33, with 15 Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, joining all 50 Democrats to overcome a filibuster and pass the measure. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who has led the Democrats in bipartisan Senate talks to rein in gun violence, talks with reporters, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 22, 2022. [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite] The House approved the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act by a 234-193 margin, with 14 Republicans, including Representative Tony Gonzales, who represents Uvalde, Texas, joining all of the House Democrats. The bill now goes to President Joe Bidens desk to be signed into law. It was passed just ahead of Congress two-week July 4 recess. The bill was approved one month to the day after an 18-year-old killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Just days before that massacre, a fascist gunman killed 10 people at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York. According to the Gun Violence Archive, so far this year 20,753 people in the US have died after being shot by a firearm. Of these, nearly half, or 11,418 people, used a gun to commit suicide. The bill is narrower than the package pushed through the House last month, which proposed, among other reforms, raising the minimum age to purchase a semiautomatic rifle from 18 to 21 and a ban on large-capacity magazines. The Biden administration and the Democrats have dropped any effort to impose a blanket ban on the purchase of semiautomatic rifles or universal and comprehensive background checks. The measures included in the bill were effectively dictated by the 10 Republican senators, headed by Texas Senator John Cornyn, who negotiated the legislation with 10 Democrats, headed by Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy. A significant portion of the $13 billion allocated for the bill goes to bolstering local, state and federal police. This includes $1.4 billion for state and local law enforcement assistance grants, calling on the Justice Department to administer $280,000,000 in grants per year. There is a provision incentivizing states to include mental health and juvenile records in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which would allow for more comprehensive background checks for those between the ages of 18 and 21. This is accompanied by $100,000,000 in new funds to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for salaries and expenses to meet the additional resource needs required to expand the program. Another $100,000,000 is appropriated for Community-Oriented Policing Services, also known as the COPS program, which is overseen by the Justice Department. The COPS program advances the practice of community policing by state and local police through information and grant resources. According to the COPS website, about $14 billion has already been spent on the program since 1994. The sections of the bill unrelated to bolstering the police provide meager social and health care spending, such as $750 million to help states implement and run crisis intervention programs. States can use the money to implement and manage red flag programs, which allow a judge to order someone deemed a threat to himself or others to relinquish his firearm. The funds can also be used for other crisis intervention programs like mental health courts, drug courts and veterans courts. Another provision closes the boyfriend loophole in domestic violence laws that bans anyone who is convicted of domestic abuse against a spouse or partner with whom he shares children or cohabitates from owning firearms. The new bill bars anyone who is convicted of a domestic violence crime against someone with whom he has a continuing serious relationship of a romantic or intimate nature from having a gun for at least five years. The bill includes a slight expansion of background checks, making the local juvenile records of people aged 18 to 20 available during required federal background checks. These examinations, currently limited to three days, will be expanded up to a maximum of 10 days to give officials more time to search records. Penalties for gun trafficking will be strengthened under the bill; money will be provided for behavioral health clinics and school mental health programs; and funds are to be allocated for school safety initiatives, which will mean a further militarization of educational facilities. Despite being touted by the media as the most substantial gun legislation in three decades, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will do little to reduce gun-related killings in the US. As the World Socialist Web Site noted previously, the gun law does not include the words gun, magazine, rifle, AR-15, M-16, semi-automatic, pistol, automatic, revolver or shotgun anywhere in the 80 pages of text. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, aware of the bills mainly token character, said, As I say to members all the time with legislation, do not judge it for what isnt in it, but respect it for what it is. Although the bill was opposed by the National Rifle Association, the few Republicans who voted for it were motivated by hopes of attracting more moderate voters the GOP will need to win control of Congress in the November elections. The Democrats are motivated by equally cynical electoral calculations. Moreover, even the meager provisions of the bill are certain to face multiple court challenges in the aftermath of this weeks Supreme Court decision striking down a New York law that restricts an individuals ability to carry concealed weapons. Neither capitalist party has any solution to the epidemic of gun violence in America, which is a product of the rot and decay of American capitalism. There is no discussion in the corporate media or the political establishment of the pathologies of American society rooted in malignant levels of social inequality, militarism and war, the promotion of anti-science and religious bigotry and the glorification of wealth. The US will double the number of medium to long-range missile launchers being sent to Ukraine in the US/NATO war against Russia, the Defense Department said Thursday. The US will send four more High Mobility Artillery Rocket (HIMAR) systems, in addition to the four that have already been deployed there, as part of yet another weapons package announced this week. The package includes, according to the Pentagon, four high-mobility artillery rocket systems, 36,000 rounds of 105 mm ammunition, 18 tactical vehicles to tow 155 mm artillery, 1,200 grenade launchers, 2,000 machine guns, 18 coastal and riverine patrol boats, spare parts and other equipment. The latest package is the thirteenth shipment of weapons to Ukraine since February. Since the outbreak of the war the US pledged $6.1 billion in arms shipments. The renewed escalation of US involvement in the war comes amid a series of significant military setbacks for Ukraine. On Friday, the Ukrainian military ordered its troops to withdraw from the city of Severodonetsk (or Sievierodonetsk), the main focus of the Russian offensive in East Ukraine. The city is the capital of the Lugansk (Luhansk) region, which is already more than 90 percent under Russian control. The nearby town of Lysychansk is the only remaining large settlement in the region not under Russian occupation. Russia is now in control of one fifth of Ukrainian territory, and Ukraine is suffering as many as 500 to 1,000 casualties per day. Unfortunately . . . it will be necessary to withdraw, said Serhiy Hayday, regional governor of the eastern Lugansk region, according to the Financial Times. We now have a situation where holding on to destroyed positions for many months just to be there makes no sense. Because with each passing day, the number of deaths in unsecured positions can grow proportionally, Hayday added. The New York Times reported that Ukrainian soldiers have been shuttling people across the river in small boats. Some soldiers have had to swim. But these military setbacks have only prompted the US and its NATO allies to redouble their involvement in the war. On Thursday, the European Union made Ukraine a candidate member. It will be joined by Moldova, home to a Russian-controlled breakaway enclave known as Transnistria. Next week, US President Joe Biden will attend the NATO Summit in Madrid, Spain. At the summit, Leaders will announce new force posture commitments to strengthen NATO's defense and deterrent posture, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. 'The US will announce steps to strengthen European security alongside expected major new contributions from allies, Kirby added. In the face of a series of disastrous setbacks in the war, the United States is planning to intensify the conflict, expanding both the scale of weapons shipments and the geographic scope of the war. Kirby said that, for the first time, the NATO summit will include official leaders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. Kirby stated that whether it's in Europe or the Indo-Pacific region, the United States and our allies and partners will defend the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The transformation of NATO from a European anti-Russian alliance into a full-scale fighting force operating in the Pacific as well points to the rapid acceleration of the US conflict with China, even as the Ukraine war surges out of control. A central aim of the summit will be to fast-track the application of Sweden and Finland, which share a vast land border with Russia, into the alliance. Noting the objections from Turkey to the countries membership, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg declared, My aim is to find a common way forward so that both countries can join our Alliance as soon as possible. Stoltenberg said the summit would focus on expanding the share of economic output devoted to military spending by member states. We must continue to invest more. And invest more together in NATO, he said. Amid the relentless military escalation by the United States and its allies, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov this week issued what was perhaps the most blunt assessment by any Russian official to date of the efforts of the US and NATO to intensify the war against Russia. Lavrov warned that the moves by the EU to accept Ukraine and by NATO to accept Finland and Sweden as members represent the formation of a new coalition targeting Russia. Hitler rallied a significant part, if not most, of the European nations under his banner for a war against the Soviet Union, Lavrov said. He continued, now, the EU together with NATO are forming another modern coalition for a standoff and, ultimately, war with the Russian Federation. Meanwhile, the economic consequences of the war continue to reverberate. The German public could face a tripling of energy prices in the coming months if Russia completely shuts off gas deliveries to the country, Klaus Muller, the head of Germanys federal network agency, said in an interview. Russia has already slashed output from the Russian-German Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, and there is growing speculation that it could shut off gas exports to Germany completely. Muller warned of enormous leaps in price, saying a doubling or tripling is possible. All over the world, the working class is being told to foot the bill for the rapidly spiraling war, both in surging prices and out-of-control military spending. As they enter into struggle, workers must take up the demand to end the war as a critical component of the defense of their social and economic rights. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles was in India for four days this week, shortly after visiting Japan and backing aggressive US accusations against China at the recent Shangri-la security forum in Singapore. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles. (Image: Facebook Richard Marles MP) Marless trips are part of a frenetic series of overseas missions by the recently-elected Australian Labor government, to assist the Biden administration to escalate its proxy war against Russia in Ukraine and to confront China in the Indo-Pacific. While insisting that he was not lecturing India, Marles called on the Indian government of Narendra Modi to align against Moscow as well as Beijing. He issued numbers of inflammatory statements, not only accusing China of aggressive behaviour, but bracketing it with Russia. In office since 2014, Modis Hindu chauvinist Bharatiya Janata Party government has increasingly committed itself to a military alliance with the US against China. That has included agreeing to the reactivation of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) coalition of the US, India, Japan and Australia against China. But Marles said the Ukraine war made it essential for India to go further. China was the largest security anxiety for Australia and India, and this made greater cooperation between Canberra and New Delhi absolutely imperative, Marles declared in briefing journalists on Thursday. He had met with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. In a speech to the National Defence College in New Delhi, Marles pointedly warned the Indian government over its refusal, so far, to align itself behind the US-NATO proxy war in Ukraine against Russia, with which India retains major economic and military ties. I do not come here to lecture India on how it should respond to this conflict, or how it should manage its relationship with Russia, Marles said. Every country needs to make its own choices. But Russias war on Ukraine does teach us that we cannot just rely on economic interdependence to deter conflict; and that deterrence can fail when one countrys determined military build-up creates an imbalance of military power. While once again denouncing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Marles did his utmost to draw India further into the similar US-led provocations against China throughout the entire Indo-Pacific region. Marles underscored the Labor governments total support for last Septembers AUKUS military pact between the US, UK and Australia, saying it was an essential response to Chinas assertiveness and suggested a similar partnership with India. Marles emphasised that the AUKUS treaty went beyond the provision of long-range nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. It extended to advanced military capabilities with the most impact, such as quantum technology, artificial intelligence, undersea warfare, hypersonics and counter-hypersonics. Marles added: But AUKUS is just one partnership. And when I look out at the world, India stands out. He proposed a major role for India in US-supported military activity in both the Indian and Pacific oceans. First, he unilaterally declared that Australia and India were stewards of the Indian Ocean region which accounts for about half the worlds container traffic and is a crucial conduit for global trade. Second, reflecting the Biden administrations demand for Australia to step up its US-backed military and diplomatic activity against China, Marles said the Labor government would place India at the heart of Australias approach to the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Marles specifically spoke of India playing a greater role in Fiji and across the Pacific. He claimed the recent vague security agreement between China and Solomon Islands was a cause of concern for Australia, as any move to establish a Chinese military base in the region would greatly change Australias national security landscape. Provocatively, Marles invoked the Ukraine war to accuse China of appalling behaviour during border clashes between India and China. His comments cut across efforts by Beijing and New Delhi to settle their border disputes. The assault on Indian forces along the Line of Actual Control in 2020 was a warning we should all heed. Australia stood up for Indias sovereignty then and continues to do so now. Marles said Australia was also anxious about the growing relationship between China and Russia, including joint military exercises in the Pacific. In this context, it was important for democracies to protect the rules-based order that had ensured stability and prosperity since World War II. The supposed rules-based order is that maintained by the US and its allies since the last world war, which established US hegemony over the Indo-Pacific. Marles called for intensified military exercises, cooperation and interoperability between India and Australia, and suggested a reciprocal military access agreement, allow planes and ships from both countries to use each others facilities. That would elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership struck between Modi and former Australian Liberal-National Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2020. In a joint statement, Marles and Singh, the Indian defence minister, welcomed the growing diversity and frequency of defence exercise and exchanges between India and Australia. They pledged to boost supply chain resilience and ties between the defence industrial bases in both countries. They looked forward to Indias participation in Australias Indo Pacific Endeavour exercise in October 2022. Despite Marles efforts, however, the joint statement made no mention of China or Russia. The Indian ruling class has long relied on Russia for military hardware and has growing trade volumes with China, as do many Asian countries. On the same day that Marles concluded his trip to India, Modi participated in the 14th summit of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), joining the leaders of the other members, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who hosted the virtual event. The summit issued a declaration that said the leaders supported talks between Russia and Ukraine, effectively cutting across the US-NATO escalation of the war against Russia. Marless visit was one of many pro-US missions undertaken rapidly by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and senior ministers since the government was sworn in less than five weeks ago, on May 23. These have included trips to the Quad summit in Tokyo, the Shangri-la forum, Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Pacific island states. Marless allegations against China, while not new, put paid to media claims that a brief meeting he had with Chinas defence minister on the sidelines of the Shangri-la event represented a breakthrough in the diplomatic freeze between the two countries over the past three years. Far from seeking a reset of relations with China, Australian capitalisms largest export market, the Albanese government is demonstrating its commitment to a potentially catastrophic US-led war against China to reassert Washingtons global dominance. This week, Albanese will attend the NATO summit, which will focus on expanding the military alliances operations from the war against Russia and into confrontations with China in the Indo-Pacific. Albanese will also travel to Paris to shore up relations with France, a major nuclear-armed power that retains colonies across the Pacific. In addition, he has been invited to visit Ukraine to underscore his Labor governments involvement in the moves against Russia and China. Mina is a resource teacher and a mother in New Brunswick, Canada. She has worked throughout the pandemic, including during a period when the provinces Progressive Conservative government implemented public health measures that came close to COVID-19 elimination, as well as the period following the dismantling of all measures by the same government. New Brunswick public sector workers' picket line from their 2021 strike. One sign reads Essential work. Essential wage?; another Study to be not paid (CUPE Facebook) The governments decision to abandon public health measures has led directly to a disastrous surge in sickness and death. A recent CBC report noted that New Brunswick had the highest excess death rate among all provinces for the latter half of 2021. Excess deaths measure the number of fatalities above the average based on previous years data. Mina recently to spoke to the Global Workers Inquest into the COVID-19 Pandemic about her experiences as an educator during the pandemic, her view of her unions and the governments pandemic policy, and what she thinks is in store for the province when classes resume in fall 2022. Since this interview was conducted, Mina has seen several health care providers, including visiting the emergency room numerous times and has been diagnosed with Post COVID condition (also known as Long COVID). Dylan Lubao: What duties does your job entail, compared to a regular classroom teacher? Mina: Resource teachers work outside the classroom to support students who have extra needs. Often running one-on-one or small group interventions and also taking the lead role in developing PLPs, or personal learning plans. DL: What were working conditions like before the pandemic hit? Did you enjoy your job? M: I was actually in a different position before the pandemic, similar in that I was not in the classroom though. It was good. I loved my job. I felt grateful to be able to make connections with my students. I could focus on my work when I was at work. There was generally a sense of community among the school, and at a different level, among the staff, although to be honest, I am a huge introvert and typically would be home outside of work. The biggest thing was just being able to focus on the students. I really enjoyed working one-on-one and with small groups of students. I liked the fact that I was able to make bigger gains with them that way and reaching that aha moment with them is the best! It is also easier to connect with students and learn their stories and just learn more about them. It helps to build interventions and plans when you know the students well, who would work well with who, what strategies will help that particular student, etc. DL: Atlantic Canada managed to avoid the worst effects of the pandemic during the first year and a half. What were working conditions like at your school during that period? M: Pretty good, considering. Students quickly adjusted to the new rules, and everyone seemed to be pretty supportive of each other. There were minimal disruptions in learning, which was nice. Students were in bubbles, including assigned seating in the cafeteria. We had universal and enforced masking, contact tracing and the rapid test program, isolation requirements, and vaccine requirements for staff. DL: When did the government and school board begin to dismantle these measures? What was the state of the pandemic at that time? M: Everything basically happened the same across the province. All districts are, apparently, supposed to follow the Department of Education, so measures basically changed everywhere at the same time. Schools did not fully go back after Christmas 2021. Only up to 20 percent of students came in person. The students were prioritized as those who needed to be in person for whatever reason, so basically the most vulnerable. Others did online or at home learning until the end of January. PCR tests became limited in early January 2022, so only those aged 50 plus, health care workers, and immune compromised. Around the same time, contact tracing stopped. When students came back to schools at the end of January, parents were to test students who had symptoms and report positive cases to the school and to the province. At this time teachers were no longer allowed to screen students. Towards the end of February, the government of New Brunswick announced that they would end the emergency order and every protection the first day school came back from March Break. Schools would no longer need to have positive cases reported. After March Break things got really bad. COVID burned through the school. We were often short-staffed and had a lot of student absences, but also a lot of students and staff came to school with COVID. Many students told staff that their parents did not bother testing anymore. I have done a lot of reading to make sure I have correct evidence-based info and I have had to correct a lot of myths, like, COVID is airborne, not droplet; you can catch COVID more than once, it is not one and done; many people do not fully recover or take a long time to recover, it is not like a cold where you are sick for a few days and that is it, etcetera. DL: As the pandemic waves this past winter and spring picked up, how did your colleagues react? What were the discussions like, when it came to safety conditions at school for education staff and students? M: All decisions were made above our heads. We had no say. Some contacted the union. The New Brunswick Teachers Federation did advocate for protections of teachers in January, but quickly switched gears in March when the government did. Instead of advocating for protections, they were solely advocating for more teaching staff to fill the unprecedented absences. My colleagues seem to be very out of the loop, so to speak. We are told to follow the folks at the provincial government, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Public Health, and our union, all of whom somehow seem to agree with each other, or pass the blame for the decision making. When questioned on Twitter, Education Minister Dominic Cardy refers to Public Health, saying that they made the recommendation to drop all protections based on evidence that, we have come to find out through an investigation by Telegraph Journal reporter Andrew Waugh, does not exist. Child and Youth Advocate Kelly Lamrock did a thorough investigation and was not able to find any evidence to support taking precautions out of schools, but no one from the government cared to listen. He actually urged the government to re-implement masking right away until further investigation could be made into the decision to remove them. Long story short, there were no discussions. My colleagues were concerned at first but trust Public Health. D: Why did you continue to study the science and use proper protocols even when your colleagues followed the advice of the Public Health office? M: Because Public Health was not providing any evidence to support their decisions and experts and those in the front lines were saying otherwise. Even my own family doctor told me not to stop masking; that people would act like things were normal, but they are not. Other places that had chosen to let er rip were not doing well. Places in Europe like the United Kingdom and Denmark. Science is ever changing. With all the research being done, I knew that we were learning new things about COVID all the time. When it came down to it, Public Health would not provide evidence to support their decision. And then it came out that there was, indeed, no evidence. I do not want to get and do not want my family to get COVID. This virus is still considered novel, and we just do not know what the long-term consequences from infection could be, let alone multiple infections. Looking at other viruses, especially other coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-1 and MERS, it is not a risk that should be taken lightly. DL: Can you describe your unions policy as the Progressive Conservative provincial government removed the remaining public health measures? M: They fought for protections in January 2022 but did not in March. A January article from the New Brunswick Teachers Federation informs members about their right to work refusal, whereas Marchs is basically, This is how it is, be kind! Everyone I know of who has expressed concerns was brushed off. I think most have given up, at least for right now. June is wildly busy, as you can imagine. I believe most, if not all, have continued to use precautions, though I speak about colleagues who work at other schools, so I cannot say for sure. Those same colleagues, as well as myself, are already concerned for next school year. A lot of district staff and those involved in the union, work on teachers contracts, so essentially nothing will be done during the summer. I say everyone, but it sadly refers to a low number. Teachers have never been given all the information about COVID and only follow those in a position of power or authoritythe provincial government, Public Health, the education department, and the unionall of whom are deflecting. Every avenue comes back to Public Health, but it does not have any evidence for their supposed recommendation to remove all health and safety measures. Public Health also does not have the authority to actually make decisions, save Chief Medical Officer of Health Jennifer Russell, who has been missing in action from the office for several months. New Brunswick also has a sketchy history of dismissing chief medical health officers who disagree with the government. I am referring to former Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Eilish Cleary. It is all just a huge mess of passing the buck while people get sick and cannot access proper health care. DL: Do you have children? What is their school situation like? M: One under five, in daycare. It has been a very stressful year. It is difficult to get a toddler to mask when nobody else is. It has been very frustrating hearing the government say that everyone needs to take personal responsibility and get vaccinated when everyone includes toddlers who cannot get vaccinated and who do not understand the importance of health measures. Schools are not that much better, to be honest. Many students who were masking coming back from March Break have since stopped due to peer pressure. I know of cases where teachers have told students to take their masks off. DL: Did many students and staff at your school get COVID? Did work become harder due to absences and other disruptions? M: I cannot really speak to student absences, except that there were a lot, and a lot of sick students coming to school. Staff were not allowed to ask why a student was absent, so we have no idea what COVID numbers were or are like within the student body. Some students did tell staff that they were COVID positive, but their parents told them to come anyway. A lot of staff were out. We had a lot of shortages, so much so that some staff came in COVID-positive because they felt bad leaving everyone so short-handed. It was stressful. It was hard to teach because so many staff and students were out. Even now, there are always a bunch of sick students around and I regularly get coughed or sneezed on at work. It was gross before the pandemic, now it is extra awful. We also have our premier Blaine Higgs telling the media that he speculates that everyone is getting sick because of all the masking, which is not true. Many experts have spoken out and said that immunity debt is not a thing. The media is spreading misinformation. When a complaint was filed, they came back basically saying the premier is allowed to share his opinion even though he has no knowledge or authority to speak on such things. DL: Did you get COVID these past two and a half years? Did you ever consider leaving the profession because of the stresses produced by the governments herd immunity policy? M: It did finally get me in March. It was not mild for me, though I was fully vaccinated and boosted. No regrets on the vaccines though and I do plan to get my next booster when eligible. I can imagine how much worse it wouldve been had I not had them. I am still not fully recovered and would be considered having Long COVID or Post COVID Condition as per the Health Canada definition. So, it is especially frustrating seeing so many people around me who just dont care. I have coworkers telling me how COVID is just like a cold or flu. Meanwhile, I have had to go for several tests and see specialists because of the lingering issues I am experiencing. For the first time ever, I have considered leaving the profession because of the stress and frustration caused by the New Brunswick government and their policies, or rather lack of policies. I honestly cannot see doing something else though. I love my career. I love my students. This is so much more than a job for me. These past few months have been both infuriating and heartbreaking. DL: What sections of society do you think have suffered the most from the ongoing pandemic? M: We know that marginalized groups, as usual, are struggling the most. With no health and safety protections in place, the medically and economically vulnerable, and disabled communities are especially suffering and taking on an extra burden. It is well known now that COVID is especially harmful to people with certain medical conditions, including disabilities. Not to mention seniors and young children who are unable to get vaccinated. I just read today that a child in Newfoundland died from COVID. It is absolutely tragic, and I cannot imagine going through that. Women, especially mothers, have taken on a much heavier burden. They are most often the primary caregiver and I know several women who left the workforce to stay home with their children because of COVID. As for those who benefited: the privileged and rich. The working classes cannot afford groceries, yet large companies continue to make record profits. They also have better access to things like paid time off and medical resources. The rich and privileged do not have the barriers that regular people do. They can afford all the testing and top of the line medications and care. I could go on. I have worked with marginalized folks before and come from a poor family, so I have seen firsthand how disgustingly this pandemic is being handled. DL: What do you think is in store for your region and community over the next few months going into winter and fall? M: Honestly? A lot of illness. I hardly see anyone else wearing a mask when I go out, not that I am out and about very much, because I try to limit my exposure. Lots of events like festivals and concerts are planned over the next few months, so lots of crowds gathering together. Unless Public Health finally does their job to protect the public, we are in for a rough ride. Protests erupted in Washington D.C. and in hundreds of cities following the US Supreme Courts decision on Friday overturning the 1973 Roe V. Wade ruling and eliminating the right to an abortion. The reactionary ruling has already effectively outlawed abortion in at least 21 states, with abortion providers canceling appointments and shutting their doors, leaving thousands of pregnant women without access to this basic democratic right. In anticipation of the ruling, which was leaked last month, US Capitol Police installed seven-foot high security fencing around the Supreme Court. As soon as the decision was announced, heavily armed riot police and snipers were deployed. The police deployment stands in stark contrast to the virtual police stand-down during the January 6, 2021 coup. Hundreds of people of all ages, races and genders marched in support of the right to an abortion in Detroit on June 24, 2022. [Photo: WSWS] Police have already responded to peaceful protests with massive deployments and wanton violence. In Los Angeles, police riot squads and Department of Homeland Security thugs, who last month attempted to run over abortion rights protesters, assaulted protestors and journalists as night fell. Social media videos show that in addition to deploying tear gas, Los Angeles police dragged a handcuffed protestor across the pavement. While an exact number is not known at this time, on-the-ground reporters are claiming that there have been multiple arrests. Video has emerged showing police shooting at least one unarmed protestor at close range with less-lethal ammunition. Reporters for the World Socialist Web Site interviewed workers and youth attending a number of demonstrations throughout the US. Washington D.C. Several thousand people attended a rally outside the Supreme Court. Protesters gather outside US Supreme Court following overturning of Roe V. Wade [Photo: WSWS] Kim, a protester at the D.C. rally, said, They want to show us that we don't have any rights and we arent entitled to anything and that we absolutely have to get our privileges from the government... We are here today to let them know were not going to accept it. Katy said, The Democrats have been in power many many times since Roe was passed and theyve done nothing to codify it. We cant vote our way out of this. We need to do something bigger. Kelly said, Wire hangers. We are back in those times again... People are going to die, either because they are giving themselves an abortion... or theyre going to commit suicide because they have to live with something they dont want to live with. Low income women cant afford afford to go to different states, another protester said. New York City Abortion rights demonstrators rally in protest to the overturning of Roe V. Wade in New York City on June 24, 2022. [Photo: WSWS] Over 10,000 people gathered at Washington Square Park in New York City in opposition to the courts decision. Maddie explained to reporters with the WSWS that the Democrats were equally as responsible for todays decision. Chicago, Illinois Thousands of protesters rallied in downtown Chicagos Federal Plaza to oppose the assault on abortion rights. Workers and young people spoke out against the attacks on democratic rights and were very concerned that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade would entail a turning back of the clock. Young people held up signs that read, They will not stop here, and, They wont stop at Roe. The protest in Chicago against the Supreme Court decision overturning the right to abortion. [Photo: WSWS] While Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker attempted to lead the protesters in a march around the Loop downtown, there was deep distrust among the protesters towards the Democratic Party and anger over its unwillingness to do anything to stop the attacks on democratic rights by their fascistic Republican counterparts, whom Biden calls his colleagues. Reporters from the World Socialist Web Site spoke to young workers, nurses and students. Im a nurse, said Yasmeem. This is very harmful to women. Whats going to end up happening in these southern red states could be women coming in with sepsis, uterine perforation, hemorrhaging and death. It just outlaws safe abortions. This just takes away our safety. Speaking of the RaDonda Vaught case and the conditions nurses face, she added, Especially with the pandemic, nurses are tired. Accidents happen every day in hospitals. Theyre able to get more safe staffing but the hospital CEOs dont want to get a pay cut. They want to keep allowing the units to be short-staffed so they can see more money. People who dont have primary care come to our hospitals. She continued, Same sex marriage is going to be under attack. Theres a lot of going back theyre going to be doing. This is 50 years old. This is very dangerous for the rest of our laws we have now. As a whole, we need to fight back. Detroit, Michigan Around 500 protesters gathered outside the Theodore Levin federal courthouse in Detroit and marched through the downtown area. The protest was heavily policed with barricades set up surrounding the court house before the event. A section of the protest in Detroit, Michigan [Photo: WSWS] Forced birth is a crime against not just women, but all of society, one protester said. This is a dangerous first step of an authoritarian Supreme Court that is infringing on every right we have. Another added, Roe was just the top. There are so many other rights that can be taken away. In a lead-up to the World Health Organizations (WHO) emergency meeting on Thursday to decide on whether the current global outbreak of the monkeypox virus should be declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the World Health Network (WHN), an independent international collaboration of scientists and concerned citizens, said on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, that the monkeypox outbreak conformed to the definition of a pandemic. The statement reads, The World Health Network (WHN) today announced that they are declaring the current monkeypox outbreak a pandemic given that there are now 3,417 confirmed monkeypox cases reported across 58 countries, and the outbreak is rapidly expanding across multiple continents. They explained that without a concerted global action, the outbreak would continue and move into vulnerable populations such as children, expecting mothers and the immunocompromised. They warned that all people 40 and under who have never previously been immunized against smallpox remain extremely vulnerable to monkeypox, and that spillage into animals such as rodents and domesticated pets would potentially make the pathogen endemic in a broad geographic region with significant long-term consequences. The WHN declaration states, Even with death rates much lower than smallpox, unless actions are taken to stop the ongoing spreadactions that can be practically implementedmillions of people will die, and many more will become blind and disabled. So far, only one death in Brazil has been attributed to monkeypox. As of June 24, there have been 4,118 confirmed or suspected cases spanning at least 65 countries and territories. Yesterday, 461 more cases were added to the growing total. The seven-day rolling average of new infections has grown to 280 per day and is climbing. Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea are the latest countries in Asia that have confirmed cases. Other non-endemic countries recently reporting monkeypox cases include South Africa, Croatia, Bulgaria, Colombia, and Gibraltar. Figure 1: Seven-day average and cumulative cases of monkeypox infections. Source @antonio_caramia gave the WSWS permission to use these figures. Please follow the hyperlink to the website. The case in Singapore involved a British Airways flight attendant who had attended several establishments on his layovers in mid-June. On June 20, he developed flu-like symptoms and pathognomonic skin rashes, prompting him to seek medical attention. Singapores ministry of health told the press that the man was being treated at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, 13 close contacts had been identified, and tracing was ongoing. The South Korean citizen who reported to the Korean CDC had just returned from Germany, where cases have been up-trending recently. He was symptomatic on his return flight with headaches, fever, sore throat, fatigue, and skin lesions. Another case is also being investigated. On Thursday, Health Minister for South Africa, Joe Phaahla, reported that they had confirmed a case of monkeypox in a 30-year-old man from Johannesburg without travel history, meaning it was community-acquired and the extent of infections remains unknown. The health minister assured the press that contact tracing was underway. With more than 900 cases, Britain leads all other countries in the sheer number of cases. According to the UK Health Security Agency, cases soared by more than 40 percent in less than one week. Europe remains the epicenter of the monkeypox outbreak, with Germany surpassing Spain and Portugal. However, in North America, Canada has seen 267 cases and the United States 173. Figure 2: Cumulative monkeypox cases across Europe as of June 24, 2022. Source: @antonio_caramia Professor Yaneer Bar-Yam, Ph.D., President of New England Complex System Institute and co-founder of WHN, stated emphatically, There is no justification to wait for the monkeypox pandemic to grow further. The best time to act is now. By taking immediate action, we can control the outbreak with the least effort and prevent consequences from becoming worse. The actions needed now only require clear public communication about symptoms, widely available testing, and contact tracing with very few quarantines. Any delay only makes the effort harder and the consequences more severe. Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, Ph.D., Epidemiologist and Health Economist, and co-founder of WHN, added, The WHO needs to urgently declare its own Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)the lessons of not declaring a PHEIC immediately in early January 2020 should be remembered as a history lesson of what acting late on an epidemic can mean for the world. The WHOs Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has previously acknowledged that the disease is more widespread than the official numbers suggest. At the emergency committee meeting on Thursday, he reaffirmed this fact stating, Person-to-person transmission is ongoing and is likely underestimated. His statement implies that public health officials lack a clear comprehension of where these cases arise and how widespread they are. Public health officials have been focused on tracing cases among men who have sex with men. The UK Health Security Agency noted that the monkeypox virus appears to be a threat in the sexual networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. David Heymann, a professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine present at the WHO emergency conference, told the Washington Post, Were beginning to understand how widespread it really is. We know its widespread in certain populations, and we need to know whether its spreading in other populations as well. Evidence is mounting that there are multiple routes of transmission that also include airborne routes, although it does not spread easily between people and requires close contact. Figure 3: Monkeypox cases by date and country as of June 24, 2022. Source @antonio_caramia. Genetic sequencing data places the origin of the outbreak back a few years. Trevor Bedford, an evolutionary biologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research center in Seattle, told the New York Times that genomic patterns would suggest this occurred around 2018, when the virus potentially became better at spreading from person to person. Anthropologist and Assistant Professor Sagan Friant at Pennsylvania State University, who has been studying the zoonotic interactions of monkeypox in Nigeria, said in May during an interview with WPSU public media for Central Pennsylvania, Many of the export cases that weve seen in the past have had one or few or zero subsequent cases due to human-to-human contact. But now as were seeing these multiple cases [in] multiple parts of the globe, youre seeing sustained human-to-human transmission that is very unexpected and something that were keeping an eye on. She also explained that the zoonotic interaction between humans and animals goes both ways. Spilling the monkeypox virus from humans back into animals such as rodents in countries outside of previously non-endemic regions would mean that the virus could find a permanent niche throughout the globe, threatening new outbreaks repeatedly. Genomic analysis of recent cases has surprised virologists. Monkeypox is a large double-stranded DNA virus with very efficient error correction mechanisms during replication. It acquires approximately one or two mutations yearly compared to the 20 to 30 mutations for RNA viruses. However, the current monkeypox virus has gained almost 50 mutations compared to the 2018 version, meaning it should have taken the monkeypox virus several decades to acquire these many changes to its DNA. Scientists are zeroing in on a family of enzymes called APOBEC3 based on their analysis of recent cases and the specific type of mutations associated with this enzyme. The enzymes are part of anti-viral defense systems that animals, including humans, possess that induce mutations in the virus when they encounter it. Richard Neher, a computational evolutionary biologist at the University of Basel, speaking with STAT News, explained that the idea behind such a sabotage scheme is that if you trigger enough mutations, certainly some of them will be deleterious. The virus wont be able to replicate, and what will be left is just a dead piece of DNA. Itd be like rearranging the letters on your enemys typewriter so they cant get a clear message out. However, the process is not foolproof, and mutations that incur an advantage may be passed to the next generation. Dr. Bedford said that while mice carry only one version of the APOBEC3 enzyme, humans possess seven. The implication is that the rapid accumulation of mutations may be a product of the monkeypox virus having shifted to spreading through people rather than from rodents to humans. Neher admitted, We dont have a good enough understanding of how this virus interacts with the host [people], or what these individual mutations could do. As urbanization, deforestation, and climate change have radically altered the natural habitats of animals and the pathogens that have colonized them, the jump into human hosts becomes ever more inevitable unless efforts are immediately undertaken to study and address this compelling question. Virologist Dr. Michael Malim at Kings College London, who discovered APOBEC3 in 2002, told the Times, These spillovers from other species, and what that means and what the trajectory isits very unpredictable. And its occurring more and more. Earlier this month the final autopsy report into the death of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson was publicized and confirmed the teens cause of death after taking a fatal plunge from the Orlando, Florida FreeFall amusement park ride on March 24. The autopsy came from the Orange County Medical Examiners Office, affirming that Sampson died of blunt force trauma to his head and body. Tyre Sampson, far right, on the ride from which he would soon fall. The chief medical examiner determined the teen suffered facial fractures, internal and external abrasions lacerations and numerous other injuries. The most notable part of the report was the conclusion that Tyre was almost 100 pounds over the rides suggested weight limit. The manufacturers manual for the ride suggested an upper limit of around 290 pounds, but Sampson stood more than six feet tall and weighed 383 pounds. The autopsy examination substantiates a forensic report conducted in April by Quest Engineering and Failure Analysis, an engineering firm that was hired to investigate the accident at ICON Park, which found that the ride operator had manually manipulated Sampsons seat, causing a severe error in the seats safety sensors. Sampsons death, according to the forensic report, was caused by a manual mis-adjustment of the rides seat harness that altered the seats sensor, which both improperly satisfied the rides safety mechanism and widened the opening between Sampsons seat and safety harness, thus allowing Sampson to slip through. Although the autopsy investigation ruled the death was an accident, an attorney for Tyres mother, Nekia Dodd, told the Washington Post no one could have survived this preventable fall form over a hundred feet in the air at that speed. The ride operator, Florida-based LLC Slingshot Group and its subsidiary Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot LLC, have faced wide public condemnation and calls for criminal accountability for recklessly abandoning safety protocols and endangering the lives of passengers. Dodds attorney, Michael Haggard, said in his statement, the negligence in this case in unrebuttable. The engineering firms report was a part of an ongoing state investigation being overseen by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The FDACS and state authorities have not publicly revealed who precisely it was that directed the manual adjustment of Sampsons seat. Orlando FreeFalls operations were immediately suspended after Sampsons death. The ride was previously advertised as the worlds tallest free-standing drop tower, raising passengers more than 400 feet above the ground and then drop[ing] them. Sampson, a gifted athlete with plans to begin high school in the fall, was visiting the Orlando area from Missouri over spring break and traveled to ICON Park with friends. Protests emerged after the teens death along with an outpouring of sympathy online. Dodd, along with Tyres father, Yarnell Sampson, joined the chorus over demands that Orlando FreeFall be permanently torn down. Personal injury attorney and lawyer for Yarnell, Benjamin Crump, told reporters at a press conference that the autopsy confirmed everything we suspected. Yarnell said he expected there would be a permanent memorial for Sampson at ICON Park but found none when he traveled there. Crump also noted that the Park was expected to erect a memorial but that there was no evidence [Yarnells] son ever died there. Upon visiting ICON Park, Yarnell wrote the words Tyre Sampson and Death Trap on a barrier surrounding the Orlando FreeFall at the Park. He spoke on Monday following the release last week of his autopsy reports and denounced the ride companies for their gross negligence and profit-seeking. Responding to the removal of the memorial honoring his son, Yarnell said, I just wanted to know, did the people know that a young man actually died right here? It blew my mind that 8 out of 10 I asked did not know. They had no clue. The reason why were here, Yarnell noted at the press conference, is to make sure this same situation doesnt happen later down the road. A $22.00 seatbelt could have saved my sons life. They let him die, it sounds like a suicide trap. Thats why I wrote on the wall a death trap. Condemning the executives who run both companies, Yarnell said, I just want to know these CEOs, they have kids as well, would they want their kids to be treated like this? Me and my sons mother deserve a public apology and I have gotten none of that. He continued, I feel like theyre trying to sweep it under the rug, to make it seem like this thing is business as usual, profit over safety, lets get some money and lets get another kid to get on this ride again so he can die next time. Trevor Arnold, a representative of Orlando Slingshot, told WFLA on the removal of the community made memorial, We have been coordinating with representative of Tyres family to return items from the memorial area to them, and we will continue to do so in the future. Thus far, Sampsons parents have filed wrongful death lawsuits against both the operator and manufacturer, Funtime Thrill Rides. However, no other action has been taken against the amusement ride corporations besides the pending state investigaiton. The noticeable indifference of part of park authorities to the harrowing incident and Sampsons grieving family is one element of the profit-driven and corrupt nature of the amusement industry nationwide which rakes in billions of dollars annually at the expense of ride safety. The most popular amusement parks and thrill rides are virtually exempt from any serious enforcement of regulatory standards on their operations, while whatever punishment is doled out, if they are given at all, amount to wrist-slap fines for the most egregious safety violations and accidents. This has resulted in thousands of riders falling victim each year to dangerously constructed rides and negligent safety measures. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, which collects data on incidents involving amusement park rides but does not regulate them, said in March that the most recent numbers showed an annual average of 34,700 injuries associated with amusement attractions, including waterslides, from 2017 to 2019. In 2020, 12,400 injuries associated with amusement rides were reported by hospital emergency departments. The staggering number for 2020 came despite the widescale closures of amusement parks because of the coronavirus pandemic. Since 2018, at least 15 deaths have been associated with amusement park attractions, according to the agency. Its entirely possible that any outcome from the state investigation will heavily water-down or whitewash the culpability of the ride companies, which already received uncritical approval from authorities last year when Orlando FreeFall was first unveiled. The thrill ride had reportedly passed an initial inspection performed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in December 2021. The three-page report noted no deficiencies had been found in the ride and no further details were given on the rides mechanics or recommendations for operation. The fact that Orlando Slingshot was rubber stamped with such ease at its initial inspection exposes the efforts of FDACS officials and various Democratic Party politicians to place all accountability for Sampsons tragic death on the ride companies and points to inadequate testing and inspection protocols. According to the FDACS website, state officials are only required to inspect permanent amusement rides once a year. The website states that the owner/operator is responsible for inspecting the amusement ride prior to opening each day of operation, but does not make clear if daily inspections are even required. There is no mentioning of guidelines or rules in place to ensure sufficient training for each employee authorized to operate, assemble and conduct maintenance on rides or ensure that ride operations fall in accordance with manufacturers standards. To date, no measures have been implemented to place restrictions or adopt renewed inspections on other amusement rides associated with either Slingshot Group of Companies or Funtime Thrill Rides. The Australian-based Funtime Thrill Rides has at least a dozen amusement rides in Florida. All the rides are owned, operated or advertised by the Slingshot Group. At Mondays press conference, Democratic State Representative Geraldine Thompson announced a bill to be introduced in the states next legislative session to take into account the safety record of any company that wants the operate a ride of this nature before a permit is issued for the rides operation. The likelihood of such a bill placing real limitations on dangerous rides are marginal, since taking into account a companys safety record does not guarantee that the companys proposal will be rejected. Moreover, it is more likely that any laws or statutes introduced will be saturated with exceptions and loopholes that tailor to the profit-driven motives of the companies in an environment where the amusement industry is already notoriously unregulated. Agriculture Commissioner and Democrat Nikki Fried has flatly rejected all calls for the Orlando Freefall to be torn down until the FDACS investigation is finished. She told reporters Wednesday, [Based on the results], well have to make a determination based on what I have the power to do. Although Fried indicated that authorities could not commit to action of any kind until her agency completes its investigation, a signal that Orlando Slingshot Group could resume Orlando FreeFalls operations came from the companys attorney, Trevor Arnold, who expressed the corporations intentions to reopen the Slingshot ride. We do hope to reopen the Slingshot ride, once we have all the necessary approvals from the Department of Agriculture, Arnold said. The World Socialist Web Site recently spoke with Gary Payinda, an emergency doctor in Whangarei in Northland, one of the poorest areas of New Zealand, about the out-of-control spread of COVID-19 and the crisis in public hospitals. Dr Gary Payinda In recent months, hospitals have been overwhelmed by COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses. There are numerous reports of long waiting times at emergency departments, sometimes with tragic consequences, including the recent death of a 51-year-old woman in South Auckland due to a brain bleed. The Labour Party-led government decided in October 2021 to lift its elimination strategy, which had kept the country free from COVID-19 for most of the pandemic. In 2022, lockdowns were abandoned and schools and non-essential businesses were reopened, as the highly-infectious Omicron variant spread across New Zealand. In November 2021, during the outbreak of the Delta variant, Payinda warned that New Zealand was risking a preventable catastrophe due to inadequate vaccination levels and a chronically under-resourced, rundown public health system. Now, more than 10 people are dying of COVID-19 each day. In a country of just five million people, there have been 1,431 COVID-related deaths, all but 59 of which have occurred in 2022. Nearly 1.3 million infections have been recorded, i.e. one quarter of the population. The real number is likely much higher. More than 300 COVID patients are in hospital. Graph showing the seven-day average daily deaths for New Zealand following the Ardern government's decision to abandon its elimination strategy (October 2021). With the arrival of Omicron and the reopening of schools in February 2022, infections and deaths shot up. (Source: Our World in Data, CC BY) The government is downplaying the situation, with Health Minister Andrew Little saying that the hospital system is under pressure but coping. Healthcare workers have responded angrily to such statements. Payinda told the WSWS: These are real human lives, and its not a very small number. Its a fair number of deaths each day, and we are doing so little to try to prevent that, its really awful. He said that with the ending of public health measures, what people didnt count on is just the incredible infectiousness, or transmissibility, of Omicron. Even though any one individual case may not be as lethal, when you have so many more people getting infected, it becomes overwhelming, so you end up seeing more deaths, more hospitalisations, more minor cases, more severe cases. The spread of COVID, combined with an already overwhelmed healthcare system that wasnt really able to deal with demand even as it stood pre-COVID, had created a perfect storm. Payinda observed that the same problems were now playing out in New Zealand as internationally: If I read about or talk to colleagues in Australia, the situations very bad over there as well. Overcrowded hospital wards mean that patients could not always be admitted, and were left stuck in emergency departments (EDs) for 6, 12, 24 or more hours. This slows everything down in ED and creates dangerous situations that youre reading about in the newspapers now: people calling ambulances and not having them arrive, showing up to ED and having to wait hours in the waiting room. Hospital staff are increasingly burnt out and some nurses are retiring earlier than they would have, because they say: I cant keep going at this pace. Part of the problem is that they dont see a light at the end of the tunnel and dont see any hope that it will improve in the near future. The out-of-control spread of the virus in schools is contributing to the shortage, as healthcare workers get infected by their children and are required to self-isolate. Despite the use of N95 masks and other precautions in hospitals, Payinda said, basically anyone who interacts with kids has no way of protecting themselves from COVID. Tens of thousands of patients are unable to access treatment, as hospitals defer non-urgent operations to try and cope with the winter surge. Those deferred patients dont just disappear: someone who needed surgery last year is still around, and theyre probably sicker now than they were a year ago. He warned that the situation could get even worse with the new BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron, detected in New Zealand in recent weeks: The new variants often prove our vaccination efforts less efficacious; you can get reinfected more quickly. In the United States, these variants caused an estimated 35 percent of new COVID infections last week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A large number of people are not fully vaccinated. About 95 percent of people aged over 12 have received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. According to the Ministry of Health, 2,676,744 people have received a third vaccine dose, which is essential to provide any protection against Omicronalthough even triple-vaccination does not prevent every severe case. This represents just over half the population. With the arrival of Omicron, Payinda said, we lost our way somewhere and failed, miserably, to get people boosted. There are so many millions that need boosters but havent received themlet alone childhood vaccination. Only 27 percent of children aged 5 to 11 have received two doses, and nearly half have not received even one shot. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her government have repeatedly described two doses as fully vaccinated. Payinda said: That doesnt apply whatsoever to Omicron. We should have said: to be fully vaccinated means youre fully vaccinated and up to date We would be having a very different conversation now had we got boosters out there with the same initiative that we did for the first two shots. Instead, the government had declared mission accomplished after almost all adults were double-vaccinated, and then we opened up everything and we got rid of public health measures that are absolutely essential. Payinda is one of hundreds of medical professionals and scientists who have signed a petition urging the government to adopt a Vaccines Plus strategy. Their demands include a renewed vaccination push, as well as mandatory masks in schools, better ventilation of indoor spaces and other mitigation measures, such as monitoring carbon dioxide levels and using HEPA air filters. HEPA filters are wonderful for pulling COVID out of the air, but cost about $600 to $800 per room, Payinda explained. Its very expensive and its not where we have chosen to deploy the funds, which is a bit scary if a variant arises that is much more deadly. Its going to become a real issue and were going to wish we had done adequate ventilation and filtration in our schools, in our public places, in our hospitals. While governments, in New Zealand and internationally, justified the reopening of schools by claiming that children have a low risk of getting sick and passing on the virus, Payinda said: We know that kids do get it, we know that kids end up with MIS-C [multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children], they end up with the long-term chronic symptoms of Long COVID, they end up getting hospitalised, young kids, at quite high rates. The thing that beggars belief is that were exposing people to these risks, especially kids, not really understanding the full impact of what these infections will do to their immune systems and their general health in the future. We dont know how theyre going to be affected by this, how it will modulate their response to other infections. Removing mask mandates in dense public places like schools, workplaces and whatnot, was really an incredibly poor decision, he said. Without masks, people are risking perpetual rounds of infection and reinfection. Regarding the growing complacency around mask use, Payinda noted that theres not much you can do that is as easy as putting on a mask. It weighs almost nothing, it costs almost nothing, it doesnt hurt you, and it may prevent you from infecting someone else and someone else from infecting you. So the fact that we cant do this most minimal of things, its almost like were going back in time to the days of Ignaz Semmelweis. In 1848, Dr Semmelweis, while working at a Viennese hospital, said to the doctors: You need to wash your hands, I think theres something on your hands thats causing women to die of puerperal fever, you need to maintain a level of hygiene. The people of his time made his life hell and said: Youre crazy, this is unnecessary, stop bugging us. I think were at that stage now. Ignaz Semmelweis (1818-1865), Hungarian physician and scientist. Wikipedia notes that "Semmelweis discovered that the incidence of puerperal fever (also known as "childbed fever") could be drastically cut by the use of hand disinfection in obstetrical clinics." (Source: Wikimedia Commons). There are now demands for New Zealands remaining public health measures to be ditched. The right-wing nationalist NZ First Party leader and former deputy prime minister Winston Peters recently called for the COVID vaccine mandates for healthcare workers to be removed, as they have been for other workers. This was an example of public health being weaponised for political gain, Payinda said. You have to ask yourself: where does this madness stop? Instead of saying we should be vaccinating healthcare workers against influenza so that we can protect vulnerable patients from getting influenzapatients on chemotherapy and compromised folkswere actually entertaining the idea of going backwards. Whats the next step? Stopping masking of healthcare workers? He also blamed the media for broadcasting the sort of anti-public health opinions of business people and tourism experts, [while] ignoring the actual impact on health. Payinda pointed to the growing complaints about the cancellation of flights around the world, which failed to make the connection with people onboard airplanes not being masked, staff not being masked, and staff getting sick and unable to work. How can you not draw the connection between that and the disruptions to your familys holiday or your business travel, or the greater expense? Payinda said there were not enough strong voices in the media debunking common myths about COVIDincluding false claims that the disease will become milder over time, and that if enough people are infected the population will achieve herd immunity. For a disease that doesnt create any lasting immunity, there cant be herd immunity, he said. Within a few months of infection, you could be infected again. Recent studies have found that in some cases, people whove been previously infected with a variant of COVID may actually be less well-protected against COVID than those who werent infected at all. In some groups of people, their immune systems are rendered weaker after the COVID infection than they would have been had they not had it. So theyre less able to fight off the next one. Thats a pretty sobering thought. Payinda is seeing a lot of patients stuck with the prolonged after-effects of a COVID infection. More and more, when you enquire: How did your COVID go three months ago? youre hearing: It went good, but I still have this residual cough or Im not exercising the way I did before. The number of people with Long COVID in New Zealand is not being tracked, but a recent US survey found that one in five people who get the virus develop long-term symptoms. Payinda referred to studies showing that once youve had COVID, youre at increased risk of stroke, of pulmonary embolism, blood clots in your legs, widespread problems related to clotting and to chronic inflammation and that risk seems to be elevated for as long as weve been studying it, so even out to 12 months people are still having more events than they would have otherwise, if they hadnt had COVID. Payinda stressed that practical measures can be taken now to prevent more severe illnesses and deaths. What I really fear is weve set ourselves up very badly for the future and we are going to lack all kinds of resiliencenot just within the health system, but generallyfor when we do get a worse variant. The odds are quite good that sooner or later we will, and hopefully well react at the time. He hoped more people would realise that this pandemic is affecting people profoundly, and theres something we can do about it. Its not like this is beyond us. We have the means to protect ourselves. Were just choosing not to employ them. In the wake of the inflammatory anti-China speech delivered a fortnight ago by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to the Shangri-la Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Washington has continued to escalate its confrontation with China over Taiwan. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (Wikimedia) Yesterday, the US Navy provocatively flew a US Navy P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance plane over the Taiwan Strait to underscore its rejection of Chinese claims, reiterated in the wake of the security forum, that the Taiwan Strait falls within its jurisdiction. At the Singapore event, Austin explicitly accused China of intimidation, coercion and aggression toward Taiwan in particular. He singled out the Taiwan Strait as an area where the stakes are especially stark, declaring that the US would continue to fly and sail in what it regards as international waters. Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe responded by denouncing the hegemony and power politics of the US and declared that China was ready for war, if necessary, to defend its sovereignty, including over Taiwan. Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province of China and has repeatedly declared that it would reintegrate the island by force if Taipei ever declared formal independence. Last week Chinas foreign ministry reiterated that it has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait and rejected the false claim when certain countries call the Taiwan Strait international waters. This week the Chinese air force reportedly flew 29 military aircraft, including fighter jets together with various surveillance, early warning and refuelling aircraft, into Taiwans self-declared air defense identification zone (ADIZ). The US and international media seized on the operation as further evidence of Chinas aggressive intentions toward Taiwan. In fact, Beijing is responding to ongoing US provocations, both diplomatic and military, over Taiwan. The extensive Taiwanese ADIZ, which covers parts of mainland China, has no standing in international law and no Chinese aircraft flew into Taiwanese airspace. The reaction to the Chinese operation is part of the broader US propaganda campaign accusing China of preparing to invade Taiwan, likening it to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Washingtons claims not only lack any evidence, but stand reality on its head. Just as the US goaded Russia into intervening in Ukraine, so it is seeking to drag China into a war over Taiwan and transform the island into a quagmire for the Chinese military. It is not China, but US imperialism, under the Trump and Biden administrations, that has deliberately upset the delicate diplomatic protocols surrounding the status of Taiwan adopted when Washington established diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1979 and ended its ties with Taipei. The US sought to transform China into an ally against the Soviet Union by de facto recognising Beijing as the legitimate government of all China, including Taiwan, in what is commonly referred to as the One China policy. Washington has deliberately undermined the One China policy by authorising top-level contacts between the US and Taiwan, boosting its arms sales to Taiwan, including of offensive weaponry, sending US special forces to Taiwan to train its military, and increasing the number and size of US and allied naval exercises near Taiwan. The number of supposed freedom of navigation operations by US warships through the Taiwan Strait has increased under Biden to roughly one a monththe most recent being on May 10 by the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal. Last week, the US State Department flatly rejected Chinese claims of sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait, declaring it to be an international waterway where freedom of navigation and overflight are guaranteed under international law. The US assertion of its right to sail through and fly over the Taiwan Strait is shot through with hypocrisy and contradictions. According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a country has exclusive rights within its territorial waters12 nautical miles from its coastlineand more limited rights within its 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Taiwan Strait is about 70 nautical miles at its narrowest point and 220 nautical miles at its widest. Moreover, if one accepts that Taiwan is part of China, as the US nominally still does under the One China policy, then the entirety of the strait falls under Chinese jurisdiction of one form or another. What can or cannot be done within an EEZ is in dispute between China and the US and its allies. Washingtons attempt to claim the higher ground based on international law is particularly two-faced given that it is one of the few countries not to ratify UNCLOS. Quite apart from the finer points of UNCLOS, the US is claiming the right to fly warplanes and sail its warships close to strategic military bases on the Chinese mainland and thousands of kilometres from the nearest American territory. At the same time, it denounces China for conducting similar operations in what the US insists are international waters and international airspace. The aggressive character of the US confrontation with China over Taiwan is underscored by President Bidens declaration on three separate occasions, most recently last month, that the US is fully committed to backing Taiwan in a conflict with China. Despite attempts by US officials to clarify the comments, Biden has effectively overturned the longstanding US policy of strategic ambiguity. By previously refusing to give a firm security guarantee to Taiwan, the US aimed at preventing conflict across the Taiwan Straitby, on the one hand, warding off a Chinese assault, while, on the other, constraining any move by Taiwan to declare independence and precipitate a war. The ambiguous status of Taiwan suited both Washington and Beijing while the two were de facto allies against the Soviet Union and subsequently close economic partners. US imperialism, however, is determined to prevent Chinas economic rise from threatening its global hegemony and Taiwan is vital to those plans. It is not only strategically located in the so-called first island chain, running from Japan through to the Philippines, that Pentagon strategists see as essential to blockading China. It is also home to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company that produces over 90 percent of the worlds most advanced computing chips, essential to both the US military and industry. While the Biden administration still maintains that it adheres to the One China policy, despite all its actions to the contrary, the most hawkish sections of the American political establishment are moving to decisively overturn it. Earlier this month, two senatorsDemocrat Bob Menendez and Republican Lindsey Grahamannounced the introduction of a bipartisan Taiwan Policy Act into Congress that would drop any pretence of strategic ambiguity and commit the US to a war with China over Taiwan. As well as providing almost $4.5 billion in military assistance to Taiwan, the bill would designate Taiwan as a Major Non-NATO Ally. By effectively treating the island as a sovereign nation, it would essentially overturn the One China policy and call US diplomatic relations with China into question. Even as it recklessly pursues its proxy war with Russia in Ukraine, the US is setting course for a confrontation and conflict with China that would transform the European war into a global conflict between nuclear-armed powers. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced on Friday an Egyptian-US partnership on a number of initiatives on adaptation to climate change in Africa throughout the year. The partnership comes as a contribution to building trust and creating favourable conditions to address the global phenomena, the Egyptian president said while addressing the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change Summit. The summit was held virtually under the auspices of US President Joe Biden, and included the participation of a number of heads of state and government as well as the UN secretary-general. The Egyptian-US partnership targets launching a new effective initiative to support climate adaptation efforts in Africa during the upcoming UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP27) that will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh this November, he added. Egypt has vowed to speak for African interests in combatting climate change at COP27. El-Sisi also announced via the event that Egypt has joined the Global Methane Pledge Initiative to enhance its efforts in reducing methane emissions from the petroleum and natural gas sector in cooperation with international partners in the sector. Established by the US in 2009, the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change Summit aims to support issues on combatting climate change and rally the necessary international momentum. The international communitys ability to move forward towards implementing commitments and pledges in alignment with the Paris Agreement depends on the level of trust among all countries and on the conditions that stimulate and support more constructive action to face climate change, El-Sisi explained. He also urged that the priorities of developing countries, especially in Africa, be addressed and taken into consideration, stressing thatt these countries should feel that they bear their responsibilities to the best of their abilities and to the extent of appropriate support and funding available to them. The success of the COP27 in producing desired outcomes and the success of the international multilateral system to face climate change are closely related to the level of satisfaction and contentment that developing countries and African countries feel about their position in this global effort. It is also related to the steps taken by developed countries to fulfil their pledges with regard to climate finance, supporting adaptation efforts, and addressing the issue of losses and damages caused by climate change in developing and least developed countries, he stressed. Furthermore, El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypts commitment to support and strengthen efforts to confront climate change, adapt to its negative effects, and build on the international momentum and the present political will from all parties for this purpose. Egypt is fully aware of the magnitude of the responsibility entrusted to it as the president of the COP27, he added. Cairo is also aware that all sides are looking forward to tangible results that contribute to creating real change on the ground that will move the world from the phase of negotiations and pledges to actual implementation on the ground to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement the most important of which is reducing the rate of warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The challenge posed by the phenomenon surpasses the ability of governments to act individually, El-Sisi reiterated, noting that Egypt will ensure during its presidency of the COP27 that all voices are heard, and all visions and orientations included. Moreover, Egypt will seek to establish real partnerships between governments and other non-governmental actors such as financing institutions, international organisations, and civil society. Egypt, El-Sisi added, urges all parties to raise the ambition of their climate action by updating their nationally determined contributions in implementation of the Paris Agreement, as well as supporting and strengthening their long-term plans and strategies to reduce emissions and address the negative impacts of climate change. In May, the Egyptian government launched the countrys 2050 National Strategy for Climate Change. The president said the country is currently finalising its updated national contributions, which he said will include specific and ambitious quantitative goals in a number of key sectors to achieve a fair transition to a green economy and renewable energy in a way that allows Egypt to be a regional energy hub. These contributions will demonstrate the responsibilities that Egypt undertakes to spare its people the negative impact of climate change as well as build their capacity to withstand and adapt to it, especially in light of the successive global crises and the ensuing repercussions on energy and food prices. Search Keywords: Short link: Louisiana will ban virtually all abortions in the state after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Friday overturned the long-standing Roe v. Wade decision. Louisiana becomes one of 26 US states that will now ban or severely restrict the right to abortion. President Joe Biden greets Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards as he arrives at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner, La., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, to tour damage caused by Hurricane Ida. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Anti-abortion laws have been signed into law in Louisiana by two Democratic governors. On Tuesday, the current governor, John Bel Edwards, a devout Catholic and long-time abortion opponent, signed two abortion bills that ban most abortions, criminalize them and impose draconian penalties for those who perform the procedure. The states criminal code defines person as a human being from the moment of fertilization and implantation. Senate Bill 388 strengthens the so-called trigger law from 2006 that went into immediate effect with the Supreme Court decision. That law, SB 342, was signed into law by then-Governor Kathleen Blanco, also a Democrat. Like the original law, it makes no exception for a pregnancy that results from rape or incest and imposes harsh sentences and fines on anyone who performs an abortion. The law increases penalties for doctors or anyone else found guilty of performing an abortion to one to 10 years of prison time and fines of $10,000 to $100,000. When the gestational age of the fetus is 15 weeks or more, a physician performing an abortion is subject to up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000. Edwards said that he signed the trigger law despite objecting to the lack of exceptions. I am pro-life and have never hidden from that fact, he said in a signing statement. This does not belie my belief that there should be an exception to the prohibition on abortion for victims of rape and incest. The law does allow for abortion in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus and cannot survive. It also provides for an exception for when giving birth would threaten the life of the mother. Suicidal thoughts or mental illness cannot be used to justify an abortion. Both exceptions require that two doctors sign off on the procedure. The bill does not ban Plan B, or morning after pills or other emergency contraception. A woman terminating her pregnancy supposedly would not face criminal charges. However, Senate Bill 388 prohibits the sale of abortion-inducing medication by prescribers outside the state. It effectively bans abortions facilitated by mail, expanding the definition of criminal abortion to include delivering, dispensing, distributing or providing abortion-inducing medications when the person administering the medication is not a doctor licensed in Louisiana. Violation of SB 388 is punishable by five to 10 years of prison time or a fine of $10,000 to $75,000, or both. If the medication is provided to a pregnant minor, the penalty ranges from 15 to 50 years of imprisonment or a $15,000 to $100,000 fine, or both. This law goes into effect on August 1. Thirty years ago there were 11 abortion clinics in Louisiana. The Supreme Court ruling will force the closure of the three remaining clinicsin New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport. Abortion clinics in the state have already closed their doors in response to operating requirements imposed by the state. They have faced more stringent building requirements than similar medical centers, and both a doctor and a nurse had to be present for a surgical abortion to be performed. Staff have been required to read a state-mandated script directing patients to consider alternatives to abortion. In May, the state-mandated waiting period increased from 24 hours to 72 hours, meaning that women had to wait three days between their initial appointment to the date the abortion was performed. Hope Medical Center, the clinic in Shreveport, has had a waiting list of 400 people, with abortion appointments booking at least two and a half weeks in advance. Women who called the clinic this week will now not be able to see a doctor. Clinic administrator Kathaleen Pittman told the Louisiana Illuminator that some patients are not aware of the immediate impact of the Supreme Court ruling. The Shreveport clinic has already seen a huge influx of patients seeking abortions from neighboring Texas, since the state banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, in 30 days abortions in Texas will be illegal except to save the life of the mother. Women seeking a surgical abortion will be forced to travel to states where abortion remains legal, such as North Carolina, Illinois or California. Florida currently allows abortions up to fetal viability. On July 1, however, a ban on abortions after 15 weeks takes effect. In 2021, 64 percent of the Louisianas abortion patients were African American, and 89 percent were unmarried, according to state health statistics. Fifty-eight percent were ages 20 to 29; 27 were under the age of 15, 66 were under 18 years old and 11 were over age 45. Pittman told the Illuminator that most patients receiving abortions at Hope Medical Center already have children and are seeking the termination of their pregnancies for financial reasons. Women simply know they cannot afford to have another child at this point, she said. The ban will have the greatest impact on poor and minority women in those states where abortion is now illegal or potentially illegal. Many will not be able to afford the travel expense or the time needed to obtain the procedure. Women will be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term or seek out dangerous and potentially deadly illegal abortions. According to Politico, abortion is now illegal in five states: Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. It is potentially or soon to be illegal in 11 states: Alabama, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Abortion is currently legal in Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. It is legal for the time being in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina. Ramin Toloui, the US assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, spoke to Ahram Online, answering questions about the best way to address the high food and energy prices resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war. Toloui made his comments during a phone briefing on Wednesday attended by a small number of reporters from Arab and North African countries. He opened by saying "President Putin of Russia has the power to end this war. He was the instigator of it and the source of this aggression and the source of all of these disruptions that are causing pain around the world." In the lead-up to this conflict, the United States made an extraordinary effort to try to prevent this war from happening, to find off-ramps and diplomatic solutions to address the stated concerns that Russia had, he added, saying at the same time, we warned that Russia was intent on prosecuting this war, and regrettably that was the decision that Putin made, and not only are the Ukrainians feeling the pain of that decision but also the tragedy is being felt by thousands of miles away from people who are far away from the warzone in the form of these higher prices for food and energy. Toloui went on to answer a question from Ahram Online about the opinion of some specialists who say that a boycott of Russsia could make the war continue for years, and whether it would be better to pursue negotiations to mitigate the economic harms, especially on non-OPEC countries like Egypt, especially when it comes to food shortages. In response, Toloui said "the United States will continue to advocate for a rapid end to this conflict, both for the sake of the people of Ukraine but also for the sake of all of the innocent people around the world that are being affected by Russias aggression." He also said that climate change is to blame for the global food crisis but the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic have made it worse, adding that the US government is working with global and regional partners to tackle the effects of the crisis, especially shortages resulting from the conflict in Ukraine. While acknowledging that the food crisis was already a concern before the war began, Toloui said the conflict has "exacerbated the problem and is having a particularly significant effect on countries in the Middle East and North Africa because they import about half of their grain from Ukraine. Through its Feed the Future Initiative, the US is working with countries around the world to increase food production and develop crops and seeds that are more resilient to climate change," he added The US is committing $1 billion a year for the program, he said, adding that Washington has also encouraged countries around the world to increase production of fertilisers, supplies of which have been disrupted by the conflict in Ukraine. In addition, Toloui said, the US has pledged $2.5 billion in global humanitarian aid to address food insecurity, and committed $11 billion as it spearheads efforts to help US farmers and global producers cope with the effects of climate change on food production. In the Middle East, he added, the US is working with local partners, including Saudi Arabia, to address the effects of the food crisis, help alleviate shortages, in particular in countries such as Yemen that are facing other crises and challenges, and provide assistance to Syrian refugees. He also noted that Washington is working with international financial institutions to help reduce the effects of the food crisis on the poor. All countries in the Middle East have a role to play in efforts to resolve the food crisis, and in collaborating with the international community to achieve sustainable production and supply of food, Toloui said. On the specific issue of the current inability of Ukraine to export its grain crops to global markets because of the war with Russia, Toloui said the US government is working with Ukrainian officials to help reopen sea ports so that shipping can resume. The US will continue to advocate a rapid end to the conflict, he added. Toloui added " If we take a step back at the causes of this crisis, armed conflict, climate change, and the impact of COVID-19 made global food insecurity a crisis even before Russias war of aggression against Ukraine. But Russias invasion of Ukraine has dramatically aggravated food insecurity, pushing tens of millions of additional people into the ranks of the food insecure. We know this pain is keenly felt in the Middle East and North Africa region, where most countries import at least half of their wheat from Ukraine. The war is increasing the price of bread in the region, taking money from the pockets of the hardest-working and most vulnerable families. The solution to this immediate crisis is thus straightforward. Russia needs to stop its brutal war against Ukraine. Meanwhile, the United States is committed to working with the international community to help mitigate the severe damage Putins war aims to inflict on vulnerable populations in this region and around the world. The United States has been a leader in this regard, announcing over $2.5 billion in humanitarian food assistance since Russias further invasion of Ukraine that will address urgent food security around the world, including countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The US is working with global allies and partners to get help where it is desperately needed. The United States has also been a leader through its Feed the Future programme, committing $1 billion per year to strengthen food systems in vulnerable countries. We are also working to cushion the macroeconomic impact of this crisis on the poor. At the urging of the United States and the G7, the international financial institutions, like the World Bank, IMF, and regional multilateral development banks, have developed an action plan to address food insecurity. That means more help is on the way. But the need is acute and it is urgent. We are maintaining the high-level governmental and diplomatic attention to critical food security needs and mobilising the resources to address them. Ahram Online also asked a question concerning the implications of whether the US would be able to ensure that there would be no food shortages globally if the Russia-Ukraine war lasts for months or even years. In response, Toloui said: There are multiple things which are important to this effort. I think the first thing is the United States is a large exporter of food, and American farmers can be part of the solution to this global food security crisis. The Biden-Harris administration has taken a number of steps to encourage greater food production and also greater production of fertiliser. For example, the administration has expanded insurance for farmers to do what is called double cropping that increases the amount of planting that is done over the course of the year. The administration has also increased its technical assistance for technology-driven precision agriculture, and other tools to manage fertiliser and nutrient use. And finally, the administration has doubled the funding actually, initially announced $250 million and then expanded to $500 million of funding to increase and incentivise the production of fertiliser, which of course can help increase agricultural yield. So those are some of the things that the United States is doing to be part of the production solution, but as I suggested in my opening remarks, there is a lot that needs to be done in collaboration with other countries. We are working to mobilise funding for emergency humanitarian assistance to meet urgent humanitarian needs. We are working to mitigate the global fertiliser crisis globally by encouraging other countries to temporarily increase fertiliser production and work with multilateral agencies to achieve that, particularly in developing countries. We are working with the other bilateral assistance organisations and the international financial institutions to invest in greater agricultural capacity and resilience. And as I mentioned, were working with the international financial institutions to cushion the impact of all of this on the poor. And so these are all different elements of the solution. I think that the key is that countries individually have steps that they can take, and it is also critical that we mobilise as an international community to address these issues. Since February, the US has committed almost $900 million in emergency food assistance to countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and that includes about $470 million for Yemen, about $450 million for the Syrian regional crisis a good portion of that is for deployment within Syria, but also some of that is for Egypt and also for Syrian refugees that are in Jordan and in Turkey and about $60 million is for Lebanon, of that assistance is for Lebanon, including for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. And so we are committed to through not only emergency humanitarian assistance, but the engagement of our agricultural experts throughout the region in our embassies, to engaging with countries to identify solutions to the unique problems that they are having because of this disruption in supplies from Russias war, and finding alternative sources to replace the lost imports from Ukraine and from Russia. Search Keywords: Short link: President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi emphasised that addressing the repercussions of the current economic crisis must not be at the expense of supporting the achievement of sustainable development in developing and least developed countries. El-Sisi made his remarks during his virtual participation in a high-level dialogue session on global development within the framework of the BRICS Plus on Friday. The summit was chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping and included the participation of a number of heads of state and government. El-Sisi expressed Egypts appreciation of the keenness of the BRICS grouping to adopt a common vision towards political and economic issues of interest to developing countries, particularly regarding the exploration of prospects for development cooperation and the support of development financing. Developing and least developed countries still suffer from a shortage in financing for development, he pointed out, adding that this obstructs their efforts to achieve tangible progress towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. He affirmed that the international community as a whole has to engage more effectively and positively in efforts to empower developing countries to achieve development and obtain the necessary financing. The president also stressed that the achievement of development goals has to come in parallel with the consolidation of all international efforts to address various challenges, on top of which are the issues of terrorism and climate change. Terrorism remains among the biggest challenges that humanity faces in our time, he underscored. This phenomenon violates the basic rights of citizens, mainly the right to life. It also hinders the efforts of governments towards achieving economic and social goals of their peoples, El-Sisi stressed. Furthermore, he called for adopting a comprehensive approach that includes various dimensions to dry up the sources of terrorism and prevent the provision of funding, safe havens, and media platforms to such organisations. He also called for addressing the economic and social conditions and factors that push some towards extremism and join terrorist groups. This approach, El-Sisi noted, requires intensifying international cooperation in order to ensure the sustainability of international peace and security. Additionally, the Egyptian president highlighted the ramifications of climate change, saying that they have become a reality. Climate change impedes development plans and threatens water and food security worldwide, he added, indicating that such impacts increase the frequency and complexity of conflicts and lead to a rise in irregular migration and internal displacement. Egypt will be hosting the UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh this November as part of its recent efforts to foster sustainability. The country will exert every possible effort to achieve compatibility among all parties concerned with international climate action to reduce harmful emissions and support developing and least developed countries to adapt to the negative effects of climate change, the president asserted. He also said that the COP27 will seek to contribute to the implementation of previous commitments and pledges regarding limiting the negative repercussions of climate change and addressing losses and damages. Furthermore, El-Sisi expressed Egypts aspiration to strengthen cooperation between Egypt and the BRICS and benefit from its experiences in various fields in terms of achieving economic growth and sustainable development. The BRICS include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Egypt previously participated as a guest in the BRICS Summit that was held in China in September 2017. During his speech, El-Sisi praised the growing position of the BRICS on the international scene, given that its member states represent more than 20 percent of the worlds GDP. The group also plays a prominent role at political and economic international forums as well as in enhancing cooperation between the countries of the global south, El-Sisi noted. The president also voiced Egypt appreciation for the Global Development Initiative proposed by China with the aim of refocusing on development issues through revitalising international development cooperation. Additionally, he expressed Egypts pleasure to become a member of the New Development Bank in December 2021. The bank can contribute through the financial instruments that it provides to increasing interaction among the BRICS and other developing non-member states, he said. Joining the banks membership at this time proves the strength and resilience of the Egyptian economy and its ability to withstand shocks and overcome challenges, he stressed. Moreover, Egypt looks forward to the bank supporting its efforts in achieving sustainable development, attracting foreign investment, and enhancing the role of the private sector, he added. El-Sisi highlighted that Egypt has worked on localising the industry, maximising exports, and increasing allocations for social protection and support along with pension funds, while continuing to implement initiatives that seek to achieve the comprehensive and sustainable development goals. He also highlighted that the Decent Life Presidential Initiative was launched in 2019 with the aim of improving the standards of living, infrastructure, and services in rural areas in addition to the 100 Million Healthy Lives Initiative, which was launched in 2018 to screen and eliminate hepatitis C and other non-communicable diseases. Finally, El-Sisi reiterated that Egypt is relentlessly seeking to turn into a renewable energy hub by diversifying its production sources and expanding the production of green hydrogen, solar energy, and wind energy. Search Keywords: Short link: Qatar is keen to continue boosting cooperation with Egypt in various fields in the near future by maximising investments in Egypt, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani told Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday. During their meeting in Cairo, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad affirmed to El-Sisi Qatars keenness to make use of the broad range of investment opportunities available in Egypt, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement. The Qatari leader visited Egypt for the first time since Cairo and Doha resumed diplomatic ties last year as part of Al-Ula agreement that ended an over three-year-long diplomatic rift. The two leaders held individual talks at Al-Itihadiya Presidential Palace today followed by expanded discussions between the two countries delegations, the statement said. Since the agreement, Egypt and Qatar have worked on restoring relations in various fields, including economic ties. Last week, Egypt and Qatar signed an MoU in Doha on financial policy coordination to foster cooperation and coordinate financial visions, positions and policies at the bilateral and international levels. On the sidelines of the Qatar Economic Forum, Egyptian Minister of Industry and Trade Nevine Gamea said she agreed with her Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, on reactivating the Egyptian-Qatari Business Council. Gamea pointed to industrial partnerships between 4,500 Egyptian and Qatari companies. In March 2022, Cairo and Doha agreed on $5 billion in Qatari investments in Egypt during a visit by Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to the Egyptian capital. Enhancing bilateral relations The emirs visit embodies the progress that the Egyptian-Qatari relations have gone through and paves the path for developing bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields, El-Sisi said. This comes within the framework of advancing the interests of both countries and their sincere mutual intentions, El-Sisi added. El-Sisi congratulated Sheikh Tamim on the anniversary of his assumption of the reins of power. For his turn, Qatars emir congratulated El-Sisi on the anniversary of the 30 June Revolution. During the meetings, the Egyptian and Qatari sides have agreed on enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially in the energy and agriculture sectors. This is in addition to enhancing cooperation regarding investment, trade exchange, and the flow of Qatari investments to Egypt. Sheikh Tamim widely praised Egypts policies under President El-Sisi at all internal, regional and domestic levels, the statement said. Sheikh Tamim also hailed the Egyptian communitys contribution in the process of construction and development in the Qatari state in different fields. There are nearly 230,000 Egyptians working and living in Qatar, according to the latest estimations. The emir expressed appreciation for Egypts pivotal role in serving the Arab issues and efforts to enhance Arab solidarity at all levels. Palestinian cause, regional issues During the meetings, the Egyptian and Qatari sides discussed developments in the Palestinian cause as well as the Russia-Ukraine war and counterterrorism efforts. They agreed on the need for concerted Arab efforts and enhanced joint coordination between Egypt and Qatar to tackle the various crises facing the countries of the region, the statement said. In this regard, Sheikh Tamim praised the ongoing Egyptian efforts within the process of Gaza reconstruction. The two leaders agreed on the need to work towards reviving the peace process to reach a fair and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause, which ensures the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and comes in line with the internationally legitimate resolutions. Egypt and Qatar have both played major roles in the reconstruction of Gaza after the 11 days of Israeli aggression on the enclave in May last year that destroyed hundreds of homes and caused damages to tens of thousands of buildings. The two countries have pledged $500 million each for Gazas reconstruction. In November, Egypt and Qatar signed agreements to supply fuel and basic construction materials to the Gaza Strip to contribute to improving living conditions. During the meetings, the Egyptian and Qatari sides discussed ways of tackling the negative repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine war on global economy, the statement said. The two sides discussed horizons of joint cooperation to counter terrorism and extremist thought. They stressed the need to intensify efforts of the international community within the framework of a comprehensive strategy that includes intellectual and developmental dimensions besides security confrontation. The two sides welcomed the upcoming summit hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which will gather leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in addition to Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and the United States. The GCC+3 Summit, chaired by Saudi Arabia, is scheduled for July in Jeddah. I was happy to visit the Sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and meet my brother, his excellency President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo, where we discussed ways to boost our bilateral cooperation in different fields Tamim wrote on his official Twitter account on Saturday shortly after El-Sisi bid him farewell at Cairo International Airport. We also exchanged views on bolstering and activating joint Arab work in a way that achieves the aspirations of our peoples in development and stability and supports the security of the region and the world. Search Keywords: Short link: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signalled on Saturday that no progress had been made in Sweden's bid to join NATO, urging Stockholm to take "concrete actions" to meet Ankara's concerns, his office said. In a phone call with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, Erdogan reiterated that "Sweden should take steps regarding such fundamental matters as combatting terrorism", the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Turkey "wanted to see binding commitments on these issues together with concrete and clear action," he added. Finland and Sweden discussed their stalled NATO bids with Turkey in Brussels on Monday, but Ankara dashed hopes that their dispute will be resolved before an alliance summit next week. Turkish officials said Ankara does not view the summit as a final deadline for resolving Ankara's objections. Andersson, who became prime minister late last year, said the conversation with Erdogan went well. She tweeted that they had "agreed on the importance of making progress ahead of the NATO summit in Madrid next week, where I look forward to meeting President Erdogan and other allied leaders". Ankara has accused Finland and in particular Sweden of providing a safe haven for outlawed Kurdish militants whose decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Erdogan told Andersson that Sweden "should make concrete changes in its attitude" toward the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its Syrian affiliates, the presidency said. "In this regard no tangible action aimed at addressing Turkey's concerns was seen to have been taken by Sweden," it added. The Turkish leader also voiced expectations that Sweden would lift an arms embargo against Turkey that Stockholm imposed in 2019 over Ankara's military offensive in Syria. He also said he hopes that restrictions on Turkey's defence industry would be lifted, and that Sweden will extradite several people Ankara has accused of involvement in terrorism. The phone call comes after Erdogan discussed the two countries' bid with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. Erdogan also told Stoltenberg that "Sweden and Finland should take concrete and sincere steps" against outlawed Kurdish militants, the presidency said. Stoltenberg said he had a "good call" with "our valued ally" Erdogan. "We agreed to continue the talks in Brussels and Madrid next week," he tweeted. Search Keywords: Short link: By Trend More and more disagreements can be noticed in the European Union, including among member states, so compromises should be found and the democratic model should not be abandoned, French President Emmanuel Macron said at a news conference on Friday after the EU summit in Brussels, Trend reports citing TASS. "The leaders of the countries can see that rifts are deepening, sometimes strongly, as was noticeable in our country. But compromises must be made to convince everyone and to keep a constructive majority," Macron said. The French president pointed out that the fact that the ruling party had lost a majority in National Assembly (the lower house of Frances parliament) would not be something new for the country. When asked about the problem of strong leadership in the EU, Macron said that of the 27 EU member states, about twenty have a coalition government, and that is a normal situation. "I believe that there is leadership in Europe, but all of us have to be vigilant and should not contrast leadership with the limitations imposed by democracy. Otherwise, it might be possible to cite to the countries with stronger leadership, but they are not as democratic as we are," the president said. "I will not be contrasting the political troubles within our countries amid the challenges our continent faces with the effectiveness of leadership in Europe. I think they enhance each other," he added. The Spanish prime minister on Saturday described a deadly migrant rush on the enclave of Melilla from Morocco as an attack on Spain's "territorial integrity", as human rights activists demanded an investigation. At least 18 African migrants died in the latest drama on the doors of the European Union, when around 2,000 mostly sub-Saharan African migrants approached the Moroccan border with the tiny territory at dawn on Friday. More than 500 managed to enter a border control area after cutting a fence with shears, Melilla authorities said in a statement. Moroccan officials said 18 migrants had died during the rush or succumbed to their injuries, some of which came from falling from the top of the barrier. Authorities said that 33 migrants and two security force personnel remained in hospital but in "stable condition" Saturday in the cities of Nador and nearby Oujda. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the incident was a "violent and organised attack by mafias who traffic in human beings, against a Spanish territory". But Morocco's AMDH human rights group said it was "a true catastrophe that shows the consequences of the latest Moroccan-Spanish entente", just weeks after the two sides resolved a year-long diplomatic rift. The death toll, which could still rise, is by far the worst recorded in years of attempts by migrants to cross into Melilla, one of Spain's North Africa enclaves which have the EU's only land borders on the continent. Images on Spanish media on Friday showed exhausted migrants lying on the pavement in Melilla, some with bloodied hands and torn clothes. By Saturday, calm had returned to the border area, with Moroccan security forces lightly deployed and no migrants to be seen. Mohamed Amine Abidar of the AMDH said migrants, who are often rounded up by authorities and taken to cities further south, had "probably moved away for fear of being displaced". The AMDH demanded a "comprehensive, quick and serious enquiry, while the Democratic Labour Organisation (ODT) trade union urged the Moroccan government "to investigate this tragedy and do what is needed" both for migrants and police. In Spain, Sanchez's left-wing coalition partner Podemos also called for a probe. The mayor of Melilla, Eduardo de Castro, said the stampede had been "violent" but called the Moroccan response "disproportionate". - Residents fear attacks - Residents of the Barrio Chino neighbourhood on the Moroccan side of the barrier said they were in shock. "This is the most violent attempt to cross into Melilla that I've ever seen," said Rachid Nejjari, a waiter in a cafe near the heavily fortified border fence. "I saw migrants armed with sticks and iron bars... I was afraid of being attacked." Friday's was the first mass incursion since Spain mended a year-long rift by backing Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara region, scrapping its decades-long stance of neutrality. Sanchez then visited Rabat, and the two governments hailed a "new stage" in relations. The row had begun when Madrid allowed Brahim Ghali, leader of Western Sahara's pro-independence Polisario Front, to be treated for Covid-19 in a Spanish hospital in April 2021. A month later, some 10,000 migrants surged across the Moroccan border into the Ceuta enclave as border guards looked the other way, in what was widely seen as a punitive gesture by Rabat. Rabat wants Western Sahara to have autonomous status under Moroccan sovereignty but the Polisario insists on a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination as agreed in a 1991 ceasefire deal. - Migration 'security threat' - In the days just before Morocco and Spain patched up their ties, there were several attempted mass crossings of migrants into Melilla, including one involving 2,500 people, the largest such attempt on record. Nearly 500 made it across. The mending of ties has meant a drop in migrant arrivals in Spain, notably in the Canary Islands. The number of migrants who reached the Canary Islands in April was 70 percent lower than in February, government figures show. Sanchez said earlier this month that "Spain will not tolerate any use of the tragedy of illegal immigration as a means of pressure". Spain will seek to have "irregular migration" listed as one of the security threats on NATO's southern flank when the alliance gathers for a summit in Madrid on June 29-30. Over the years, thousands of migrants have attempted to gain entry to the Spanish enclaves by climbing the barriers, swimming along the coast or hiding in vehicles. The two territories are protected by fences fortified with barbed wire, video cameras and watchtowers. Search Keywords: Short link: Talks to revive the Iran nuclear deal will resume within days after being stalled for months, the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said Saturday during a surprise visit to Tehran. The negotiations began in Vienna in April last year but hit a snag in March amid differences between Tehran and Washington, notably over a demand by Iran that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps be removed from a US terror list. Separate, indirect talks between Iran and the United States will be held under EU mediation in a Gulf Arab country to try to hammer out the remaining sticking points, Borrell said. "We will resume the talks on the JCPOA in the coming days... I mean quickly, immediately," Borrell told a news conference in the Iranian capital, referring to the accord by its formal name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The landmark nuclear deal has been hanging by a thread since 2018, when then US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord and began imposing harsh economic sanctions on America's arch enemy. The administration of incumbent US President Joe Biden has sought to return to the agreement, saying it would be the best path with the Islamic republic. Separate Iran-US talks "We agreed today that this visit will be followed by the resumption of negotiations also between Iran and the US facilitated by my team to try to solve the last outstanding issues," said Borrell. Negotiations between Iran and the United States would be held in a Gulf country to avoid confusion with the broader talks in Vienna, he said. "Because they're bilateral contacts between Iran and the United States, we prefer to do it in a different place," Borrell said. He said the contacts would begin "sooner than you can imagine" but would be indirect with his EU team on hand to establish contacts. The JCPOA itself was agreed after initial contacts between Iran and the United States in the neutral Gulf sultanate of Oman, which has long maintained good relations with both parties. The EU foreign policy chief was speaking after a two-hour meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, on the second day of a previously unannounced visit to Tehran. Amir-Abdollahian confirmed the resumption of the Vienna talks. "We will try to solve the problems and differences through the talks that will resume soon," Amir-Abdollahian said, adding the key for Tehran was "the full economic benefit of Iran from the agreement concluded in 2015", in other words the lifting of US economic sanctions. 'Meaningful diplomacy' On the eve of Borrell's trip, the US point man on Iran, Robert Malley, had "reiterated firm US commitment to come back to the deal" over a meal with the EU diplomatic chief, according to the EU's coordinator for the talks, Enrique Mora. "We remain committed to the path of meaningful diplomacy, in consultation with our European partners," Malley said in a tweet. In April, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States still believed a return to the accord was "the best way to address the nuclear challenge posed by Iran". Blinken warned at the time that the "breakout time" for Iran to develop a nuclear bomb if it so chooses was "down to a matter of weeks" after the deal pushed it beyond a year. The International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors adopted a resolution this month censuring Iran for failing to adequately explain the previous discovery of traces of enriched uranium at three sites which Tehran had not declared as having hosted nuclear activities. On the same day, June 8, Tehran said it had disconnected a number of IAEA cameras that had been monitoring its nuclear sites. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi later confirmed 27 cameras had been disconnected, leaving about 40 still in place. The move by Iran, he warned, could deal a "fatal blow" to the negotiations unless the UN nuclear watchdog's inspectors were given access within three to four weeks. During the talks in Vienna aimed at reviving the accord, Iran has repeatedly called for guarantees from the Biden administration that there will be no repeat of Trump's pull-out. Borrell came to "give a last-ditch ultimatum, declaring that if the negotiations do not lead to an agreement, the failure of the talks will be announced in the days and weeks to come", according to Iranian analyst Ahmad Zeidabadi. But he told AFP: "I think there are good chances that an agreement can be concluded" because it is in the interest of the various parties. Search Keywords: Short link: It was the last Real Time before a five-week break, and luckily for Bill Maher, he had one last show to discuss the hottest topic of the moment, the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. As much as the country was trying today to make sense of how the new order will affect life in these United States, so Maher and his guests struggled to understand the how and why of it. More from Deadline Maher began by referencing another recent Supeme Court ruling on carrying guns. Welcome to right wing America, where if you want to end a young life, you have to shoot them, he said, ruefully. We are now in a very different America, Maher noted. Its one where if you ask a drug dealer if they are holding, Its about the Morning After pill. The scariest part of this, Maher said, was the portion of Justice Clarence Thomass opinion that indicated the Roe v. Wade ruling may have broader applications to other states rights issues like gay marriage and birth control. Everything but interracial marriage, Maher joked. The US now will have essentially the same situation with abortion that it has with marijuana, where the drug is legal in some states and not others. Be careful where you get stoned and where you get boned, Maher said. Guest Christine Emba, columnist for the Washington Post and author of Rethinking Sex: A Provocation, allowed that todays Supreme Court ruling wont change lives, as women living in urban centers will likely always be able to get an abortion, especially if its done by a pill. Emba and Maher both lamented how technology is creating a gulf between the sexes. The author said the feminist movement has changed from wanting to be equal to men, but seen as women. But in the moden movements, it seems like weve defined everything down. Now women have to become the worse kind of man. I dont think thats better for women. Story continues Mahers panel discussion featured Andrew Sullivan, blogger of The Weekly Dish on Substack and author of Out on a Limb: Selected Writing, 1989-2021, and Katie Herzog, cohost of the podcast Blocked and Reported. In their discussion, Maher said the right played the long game. It was always about the Supreme Court. Sullivan disagreed, saying it was happenstance. If Hillary Clinton had won, if Ruth Bader Ginsburg had resigned and allowed a Democrat to appoint a judge It was luck, to some extent. This is about Trump adding three people. . Now, Were basically living in two different countries. So what do we do? America cant do that, Maher said. Again, Sullivan disagreed, pointing out that Alabama and Oregon always had differences. It doesnt have to be one consistent national opinion, he said. Herzog blamed the lack of a center in politics. The pendulum swings further and further to the left and right, she said. Theres no center.. Sullivan pointed out that The country is not in favor of banning all abortion. He asked for those opposed to todays ruling to go out and persuade people. Make the argument, build the coalitions, win the elections, and get pro-choice back. He added, Make sure these women will have access. There are things you can do. He noted, We need someone who can find the center. BIden isnt that person. He added later that current politics feels like a toxic marriage, where people are now doing things for spite. Concluding his night with his New Rules editorial, Maher pointed out the need for a good advocate for the issues that matter to people, likening it to having a good lawyer. The reason the Republicans won in a formely Blue Texas County, the reason Latino voters are rejecting the term Latinx, the reason Asian Americans are dropping their support for Democats, is that they view the Democrats as being the lawyer for the other side, not their issues. Democrats now face a choice they can seek to redress the past, or they can become the advocate for what people in this time frame want from their lawyer, Maher said. Maher brought it around to the abortion issue. When the woke-y end of the progressivs talk about abortion, they are talking in a language about birthing people and people who menstruate, instead of the first word most human animals understand: Mama. But youre supposed to be my lawyers, say the masses. Maher said the Dems need to be like lawyers on billboards. They are about winning. You know, what I want Dems to do win. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty On June 25, 1876, a village of some five thousand Lakotas and Cheyennes camped on the Greasy Grass River (todays Little Big Horn) was famously attacked by George Armstrong Custer and his vaunted Seventh Cavalry. The Indians were followers of the powerful Hunkpapa holy man Sitting Bull, and, like their leader, most of them wanted nothing to do with white men. They simply wanted to be left alone, to live separate from the Euro-Americans whod been steadily encroaching and trespassing upon Lakota lands for decades. With shouts of Hoka he! (Come on!) and The Earth is all that lasts! the Oglala war chief Crazy Horse and other Indian leaders rapidly gathered their warriors and galloped off to defend their families. And because Custer had unwisely divided his regiment into three battalions, more than a thousand Lakota and Cheyenne fighting men were able to strike these separated detachments individually. On a grassy ridge overlooking the Greasy Grass, the warriors completely overwhelmed Custer and some two hundred troopers of the Seventh. The Indians stunning victory was soon dubbed Custers Last Stand. The people in the States blame me for having killed Custer and his army, Sitting Bull said in 1878. He came to attack me, and in sufficient numbers to show me that they wanted to destroy me and my children. The Armys disaster on the Greasy Grass served only to intensify the U. S. governments efforts to force Sitting Bulls and Crazy Horses people upon reservationsor be exterminated. Less than a year later, and facing starvation, Crazy Horse and his band surrendered near Camp Robinson, Nebraska. But the transition to reservation life was difficult, especially for the great war chief Crazy Horse. So leery was he of being manipulated into trading away his peoples lands that he initially refused to receive his bands annuity goods. Too many chiefs had touched the pen, with the Lakota homeland diminishing each time. Story continues Larry McMurtry on the Villainous Custer and the Myths of the West Just four months after his surrender, a false rumor that Crazy Horse was plotting to assassinate General George Crook at an upcoming council meeting led to a botched arrest attempt. On September 5, 1877, the 34-year-old war chief was bayonetted in a struggle outside the Camp Robinson guardhouse. Crazy Horses holy man had told him a bullet would never kill him, and a bullet never did. Sitting Bull had fled to Canada with his people early in 1877 and remained there for four years, until the prospect of starvation also forced him to return to the United States with his followers and surrender. After twenty months as prisoners of war, they were located on the Standing Rock reservation, where Sitting Bull soon made an enemy of the Indian agent, James McLaughlin, by resisting many of his efforts to civilize them. Sitting Bull wasnt against educating his people, but he wanted the children taught to read and write in Lakota. Indian Bureau policy, however, prohibited government and missionary schools from teaching students to read and write in their native language. The Bureau wanted those barbarous dialects, along with all remnants of their traditional culture, stamped out. The log cabin studio that was next to the post traders store at Camp Robinson, Nebraska Nebraska State Historical Society When Sitting Bull accepted an offer to be a part of Buffalo Bill Codys Wild West exhibition for the 1885 season, his primary reason for going was a chance to speak with the Great Father, President Grover Cleveland. Sitting Bull told a reporter that he had nothing but justice to ask of Cleveland. He hoped the Great Father would grant him a section of broad prairie where his village would be safe and the white man wouldnt bother them, where he could die in peace. What he got instead was a simple handshake. In the winter of 1890, the powerful Ghost Dance religion swept across Sioux country. Adherents believed that by performing the specific dance, the buffalo would return, along with their dead families and friends, and whites would be sent away from Indian lands. Sitting Bull again defied the Indian Bureau by refusing to order his people to stop dancing. In a dictated letter to Agent McLaughlin, Sitting Bull said he didnt look down upon the way the agent prayed, so why did the agent question the way his people prayed? To McLaughlin, though, the Ghost Dance was a step back to paganism and Sitting Bull nothing but a troublemaking nonprogressive. When word reached McLaughlin that Sitting Bull was planning to leave Standing Rock to visit the Ghost Dancers at Pine Ridge, he ordered his Metal Breasts (Indian police) to arrest the holy man and chief. Tragically, the December 15 arrest attempt devolved into a melee between Sitting Bulls followers and the police, with Sitting Bull being shot and killed outside his cabin. McLaughlin subsequently wrote his superiors in Washington that the ending of Sitting Bulls career was most gratifying. But the deaths of the great Lakota leaders Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull were not the end of Lakota resistance, not by any means. And over the decades since, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull have often served as inspiration for those fighting for change and justice for the Lakotas and other native peoples, from the American Indian Movement (AIM) takeover of Wounded Knee in 1973 to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests of a few years ago. And a long-needed reexamination and reset of the way most Americans (and many historians and authors) have viewed the past from anything but an Indigenous perspective has resulted in a number of positive changes, if mostly symbolic. In 1991, the former Custer Battlefield National Monument was renamed Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and an Indian Memorial, recognizing all Indians who participated in the iconic fight, was dedicated at the park 12 years later. In the Black Hills, the highest peak had gone by the name of an Army general best known for his brutal attack on a Lakota village in 1855. The name was changed to Black Elk Peak in 2016 in honor of the famed Lakota holy man, Nicholas Black Elk (1863-1950). Today, under the direction of Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, the first Indigenous person to serve in a cabinet position, a process is underway to replace derogatory names of geographic features on federal lands, many of which, sadly, are pejorative references to Indians. Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski with a model for his proposed carving of Crazy Horse on Thunderhead Mountain, June 1948 Mark Lee Gardner Perhaps the greatest victory for the Lakotas since the Little Big Horn, however, occurred in the chambers of the U. S. Supreme Court in 1980. In United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians, the court affirmed that the Black Hills had been wrongfully taken and awarded a settlement to the Lakotas that has now, with interest, reached nearly $2 billion. Its reached that figure because the Lakotas refuse to accept the payment and thus relinquish their claims to the Hills and its resources, which they hold sacred. That stand, a forerunner of the present Land Back movement, echoes the policies of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, who violently opposed ceding any of their homeland to the U. S. government. What the eventual outcome will be is anyones guess, but the spirits of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull are ever present. As one Lakota man said some years ago regarding the effort to return the Black Hills to his people, We won the battle against Custer, but the war continues. Mark Lee Gardner is the author of The Earth Is All That Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation, Rough Riders, To Hell on a Fast Horse and Shot All to Hell, which received multiple awards, including a Spur Award from Western Writers of America. An authority on the American West, Gardner has appeared on PBSs American Experience, as well as on the History Channel, AMC, the Travel Channel, and on NPR. He has written for National Geographic History, American Heritage, the Los Angeles Times, True West, and American Cowboy. He holds an MA in American Studies from the University of Wyoming and lives with his family at the foot of Pikes Peak. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. WASHINGTON The gun safety legislation signed by President Joe Biden on Saturday showed the sharp divisions that remain among Texans in the wake of the mass shooting in Uvalde last month More: Sen. Cornyn, seeking to find compromise on gun violence legislation, draws GOP ire at home The bill was crafted by Texas' Republican Sen. John Cornyn in partnership with Democratic senators, and momentum to do something" as Cornyn and Biden have both said they heard from the public propelled Senate GOP leaders to act despite resistance from many in the party to new limitations on gun ownership. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, was one of the authors of the bipartisan gun violence bill that President Joe Biden signed on Saturday. Only one U.S. Texas GOP member in the House voted in favor of the bipartisan Safer Communities Act. That was Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, who represents Uvalde, where a mass shooting left 19 students and two teachers dead at Robb Elementary School. As a congressman its my duty to pass laws that never infringe on the Constitution while protecting the lives of the innocent, Gonzales said in a tweet announcing his support for the bill. More: 74 minutes, 8 seconds: Inside the police response to the Uvalde shooting Gun control bill passed a month after massacre in Uvalde, Texas In an interview Saturday with the American-Statesman, Gonzales said: To me it was very simple, would this legislation have prevented the Uvalde shootings?' The answer is yes.' Gonzales grew up near Uvalde and said he has felt the impact of the killings on the families and community. I have six children, he said. It is very personal to me. The Texas Republican was among 14 House GOP members who joined all Democrats in voting for the bill 234-193. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, voted in favor of the bill, while Republican Reps. Michael McCaul of Austin, Roger Williams of Austin, John Carter of Round Rock, Chip Roy of Hays County and Pete Sessions of Waco voted against it. In the Senate, Texas Republican Ted Cruz voted against the bill. Story continues Doggett said he was an unenthusiastic supporter of the bill, referencing the Uvalde shootings and an August 2019 attack in which a gunman killed 23 people at a Walmart store in El Paso I am reluctantly voting for this weak legislation, which offers little benefit to Texans endangered by gun violence. It wont stop another Uvalde or El Paso because implementing its major provisions are dependent upon Gov. Abbott and the Republican Legislature, who dont want it to work, Doggett said. Still, this first very limited victory over the gun lobby in decades does represent a modest step forward for gun safety advocates that may save some lives for those residing in areas with responsible state governments. Matthew McConaughey: America, the Land of And What does the Safer Communities Act include? The new law focuses on funding mental health programs and supporting "red flag" laws in states that enable law enforcement to seize weapons from a person who is thought to represent a danger to themselves and others. It also expands background checks for prospective gun buyers who are 18 to 21 years old. "So often around here, people do things and say things not with the intention of actually passing legislation, but with the intention of making a political statement or messaging, Cornyn said Saturday. That's not what we did here. This bill includes important targeted reforms, complete with robust due process protections that I believe will keep our children and our communities safe while respecting Second Amendment rights, he said. Law-abiding gun owners are not the problem. Roy said he voted against the bill because it was "negotiated with Democrats who have stated openly they wish to ban weapons," and he said it "encourages red flag provisions that are dubiously constitutional." Carter, a former judge, said that while he was in favor of parts of the bill, he opposed the new limitations on gun ownership The Constitution is clear that the Second Amendment shall not be infringed, and unfortunately, the Senates gun control legislation has several concerning provisions that will encroach upon law-abiding Americans constitutional rights," he said. "While I support the mental health and school safety provisions in this legislation, I cannot support these gun restrictions that unduly take away the rights of responsible gun owners, because of the actions of criminals. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Gun control bill signed by Biden reveals divide among Texas lawmakers Mariah Carey is thinking of the future for her 11-year-old daughter Monroe after the United States Supreme Court on Friday (June 24) overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that protected a womans choice to have an abortion. It is truly unfathomable and disheartening to have to try to explain to my 11 year old daughter why we live in a world where womens rights are disintegrating in front of our eyes, she tweeted. More from Billboard Carey shares Monroe and her twin brother Moroccan with ex-husband Nick Cannon. It is truly unfathomable and disheartening to have to try to explain to my 11 year old daughter why we live in a world where womens rights are disintegrating in front of our eyes. Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) June 24, 2022 States can now decide what a woman can do with her body and its expected that abortion will be illegal in at least 16 states moving forward. At least 21 states have laws or constitutional amendments already in place in an attempt to ban abortions, according to CNN. The vote was 5-4 in favor of overturning Roe. Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his majority opinion. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division. Click here to read the full article. As chronic wasting disease is discovered in new areas, more Mississippi counties will be added to CWD management zones, but a new change in the state's CWD management plan will also remove counties from CWD management zones. In its meeting on Wednesday, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks passed a regulation to remove any county from a CWD management zone that has not had a positive case in three years. Counties removed would no longer be under CWD management regulations such as a ban of supplemental feeding of wildlife. Counties coming out of CWD management zones include Sharkey, Leflore, Tallahatchie and Pontotoc. More counties have been added to Mississippi's CWD management zones while others have been removed. It was introduced by commissioner Bill Cossar. "What I'm saying is I believe in supplemental feeding and I also understand all there is about CWD, but when we adopted our plan, once you got into a CWD zone there wasn't an expiration date on that after this date you come out," Cossar said in the meeting. "We don't have an exit ramp to get off out of the CWD zone if you don't find any sick deer for a number of years." That wasn't exactly the case, though. Deer hunting: How to get more bucks on camera (and fewer pictures of other animals) CWD management zone exit plan was already in place Mississippi's CWD management plan already included a mechanism to remove counties from CWD management zones in as little as three years if no additional CWD-positive deer were found. It was adopted by the commission in 2021. It was an assessment tool that provided a score which indicated the probable prevalence of the disease. The tool took into account certain data collected by the department and factors like geographic features that could impede the spread of the disease. Any county that scored lower than 55 would have been taken out of a CWD management zone, and those scoring higher would have remained. Hunters played a key role in the process. Hunters in these counties were required to submit an average of 300 or more tissue samples for CWD testing per year from deer for three years before the department determined if the county remained in the CWD management zone or was removed. Story continues However, the assessment tool was not used because it was only in place for one year. Afterward, Cossar said he was unaware of the provision that could allow counties to be removed and made the motion to be fair to hunters and allow them to provide supplemental feed for deer if they want in counties where no additional cases have been discovered for at least three years. "If there's been only one deer found in five years, it's not a pandemic," Cossar said. "Chronic wasting disease is serious. It's probably the most serious thing wildlife has faced, but it's not everywhere." Deer hunting: Early velvet season for bucks set. Here's what you need to know Counties going into CWD management zones Claiborne, Lafayette, Prentiss and Tishomingo counties will now be included in CWD management zones and will be subject to supplemental feeding bans and other regulations designed to slow the spread of the disease, which is fatal to white-tailed deer and other cervids such as moose and elk. "It's effective July 1," said Russ Walsh, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Wildlife chief of staff. "That's when the new sampling year begins and that's when we're really going to roll these zones out." Although there are no known cases of the disease in those counties, "there were positives found within 10 miles of those counties," Walsh said. Under the CWD management plan, any county within 10 miles of a known positive becomes subject to CWD management practices. In the case of Claiborne County, it will be included in the Issaquena CWD Management Zone because a CWD-positive deer was found in Tensas Parish, Louisiana, close to the county line on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River. Subscriber exclusive: Want a hunting camp that's the envy of your friends? Here's what $13.9 million gets you CWD management zone basics Under Mississippi's management plan, supplemental feeding, mineral and salt licks are banned in CWD management zones to help prevent disease transmission. Also, transporting deer carcasses harvested in CWD management zones outside the zones is banned except for the following: Cut/wrapped meat Deboned meat Hides with no head attached Bone-in leg quarters Finished taxidermy Antlers with no tissue attached Cleaned skulls or skull plates with no brain tissue Hunters may transport deer heads to permitted taxidermists participating in the CWD sample collection program. A CWD sample number must be obtained from the participating taxidermist prior to transporting the deer head outside of the MDWFP-defined CWD management zone. For complete information on CWD in Mississippi, visit www.mdwfp.com. Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. Follow Clarion Ledger Outdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Wildlife commission makes changes to CWD management zones A judge issued a warrant Thursday for an eyewitness to the shooting death of rapper Nipsey Hussle for failing to appear to testify at the trial of the man charged in the slaying, and in his absence a police detective testified on the reluctance of witnesses that has marked the case. Evan Rimpau MacKenzie, a close friend of Hussles who was a pallbearer at his funeral and was standing next to him when he was shot, has repeatedly ignored subpoenas ordering him to appear and testify for the prosecution, resulting in Judge H. Clay Jacke II issuing a bench warrant with $500,000 bail. More from Billboard Mr. Mackenzie, did he express a reluctance to testify? Aaron Jansen, attorney for defendant Eric Holder, asked Los Angeles police Detective Cedric Washington, who answered that MacKenzie had said as much in phone conversations. The taboo against snitching has pervaded every part of the trial of Holder, who is charged with first-degree murder in the 2019 death of Hussle and with attempted murder because two bystanders were struck with gunfire. It was a conversation between Holder and Hussle on the subject in which Hussle told Holder there were rumors of paperwork suggesting hed been talking to authorities that prosecutors peg as Holders motive for returning minutes later to gun Hussle down. The shooting took place in a predominately Black South Los Angeles neighborhood where both men and most of the witnesses grew up, and where mistrust of police and courts runs deep. Even Hussles friends and fans, and people hit by Holders gunfire, have been reluctant to talk in the public venue. I dont know nothing, dont see nothing, Kerry Lathan, who was wounded in the shooting, said on the stand last week, refusing to identify himself in surveillance video that was played for jurors. He then declined to identify Holder as the shooter. Story continues You dont want to testify about what happened? Deputy District Attorney John McKinney asked him. Thats right, Lathan replied. On Thursday, Jansen sought to pin the hesitancy on Holder and Hussles ties to the Rollin 60s street gang. Typically in gang cases is there a reluctance to testify? Jansen asked. I wouldnt limit it to gang cases, Washington replied. Im asking about gang cases, Jansen said. I do believe it is common, yes, Washington said. Jansen continued, Several witnesses in this case have said they did not want to come to court, and they felt that their families would be in danger, right? Washington conceded that there were. In follow-up questions from prosecutors, Washington downplayed the gang aspect. Ive investigated many cases that are outside of the scope of gang cases. Ive found that a majority of people are reluctant to come to court or talk to law enforcement, Washington said. Everybody seems to think that from coming to court, they are going to be subject to retaliation. Has there been any threat to any witness in this case that accused them of snitching? McKinney asked. Do you know of any harm that came to anyone in this case for being a witness or talking to police? Washington said no to both questions, acknowledging there was a threat made last week by an anonymous caller to Bryannita Nicholson, who testified for the prosecution that she had acted as Holders unwitting getaway driver. Nicholson, who was given immunity in exchange for her testimony, had her identity kept secret when she testified before a grand jury in 2019. Last week, after her identity was revealed but before she took the stand, she received the phone call. A male voice was heard saying something to the effect that You had Nipsey Hussle killed, Washington said. Bryannita hung up. McKinney emphasized that the threat was not about her testifying, but about her role in Hussles death. Nicholson was given extra security, and was escorted through a special entrance for her two days of testimony this week, in which she appeared to speak freely and confidently, showing no reluctance. Others have been far more hesitant and tight-lipped on the stand, though several eyewitnesses have identified Holder as the shooter, making it unlikely the absence and silence of other witnesses will do much damage to a powerful prosecution case. The defense has acknowledged that Holder shot Hussle, but says there was no premeditation and he is not guilty of first-degree murder. Prosecutors have just one more witness before they rest their case, and the jury could have it soon. Unless Rimpau gets picked up, McKinney said after court. Click here to read the full article. Prince Charles expressed his personal sorrow over slaverys enduring impact in a speech to Commonwealth leaders in Rwanda on Friday. I want to acknowledge that the roots of our contemporary association run deep into the most painful period of our history, the Prince of Wales said at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting opening ceremony in Kigali. I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slaverys enduring impact, said Charles, heir to the throne. If we are to forge a common future that benefits all our citizens, we too must find ways new ways to acknowledge our past, he added. Quite simply, this is a conversation whose time has come. Prince Charles speaks on June 24 during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda. (Photo: SIMON MAINA via Getty Images) Prince Charles speaks on June 24 during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda. (Photo: SIMON MAINA via Getty Images) Charles comments echoed a speech he made in Barbados last year at a ceremony celebrating the countrys official designation as a republic and removal of the queen as its head of state. The creation of this republic offers a new beginning, but it also marks a point on a continuum, a milestone on the long road you have not only traveled, but which you have built, Charles said at the time. From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude. In both speeches, Charles did not formally apologize for the British royal familys involvement in the slave trade, or broach the subject of reparations. The Prince of Wales speaks as the president of Barbados, Sandra Mason, looks on during the presidential inauguration ceremony on Nov. 30, 2021, in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Photo: Pool via Getty Images) The Prince of Wales speaks as the president of Barbados, Sandra Mason, looks on during the presidential inauguration ceremony on Nov. 30, 2021, in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Photo: Pool via Getty Images) In his remarks on Friday, the Prince of Wales reiterated that it is up to the countries that make up the Commonwealth, some of them former British colonies, to decide how to govern themselves. Story continues I want to say clearly, as I have said before, that each members constitutional arrangement, as republic or monarchy, is purely a matter for each member country to decide, Charles said. He added that the benefit of long life brings me the experience that arrangements such as these can change calmly and without rancor. During Prince William and Kate Middletons controversial Caribbean royal tour in March, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized that his country has to become a republic. A Belize politician also announced that his country would begin talks toward becoming a republic. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... President Joe Biden departs for Europe on Saturday in an effort to stave off cracks in the Western alliance against Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- and shore up the global economy -- amid domestic turmoil over abortions and guns. Just after a historic Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade -- and a bipartisan compromise in Congress on guns the president turns to foreign policy with meetings in Germany and Spain. He plans to gather with the leaders of the other "Group of Seven" major economic powers in Germany before flying to Spain to confer with NATO allies. There, he'll seek to gain Turkey's approval of Finland and Sweden's bid to join the alliance in the face of Russia's attack. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to address both summits, according to a senior Biden administration official. With G-7 leaders, solidifying global unity against Russia When Biden last met in person with allies in Europe in March, they spoke with a unified voice about the need to harshly sanction Russia's President Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine. MORE: Where abortion stands in your state: A state-by-state breakdown of abortion laws Now, four months from the start of the war and as the global economy continues to suffer, Biden will seek to stave off any fractures -- particularly as Russia makes more gains on the battlefield and leaders worry about an even more protracted war. PHOTO: Remains of a destroyed house in the town of Chuhuiv, Ukraine, June 24, 2022, as Russia has intensified its offensive in the area in the past few days. (Sergey Bobok/AFP via Getty Images) Meeting with leaders at a resort in the Bavarian Alps on Sunday and Monday, Biden will push for "new commitments to further isolate Russia from the global economy, target the Russian defense supply chain and continue cracking down on the evasion of these unprecedented sanctions," White House spokesman John Kirby said Thursday. Kirby, who also said there would be "new commitments" related to energy and food prices, added Biden's trip was taking "at a watershed moment in transatlantic solidarity in the post-Cold War era, not just for European security, but for an alignment like we've never seen before in how we confront some of the biggest challenges of our time. " Story continues Convincing Turkey to allow Finland, Sweden to join NATO Biden will head to Madrid for a NATO leaders' summit on Tuesday. He'll again seek to keep the defense alliance united against Putin while also pushing for its expansion. PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in the BRICS Business Forum via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow. (Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik/AP) The U.S. has embraced Finland and Sweden's bids to join NATO, which would require all 30 current members' agreement. But Turkey has so far blocked their applications over what it says is those countries' support for Kurdish fighters it considers terrorists. MORE: Biden calls overturning of Roe a 'sad day' for Supreme Court, country Kirby told reporters Thursday the U.S. was "confident" ongoing conversations between Turkey, Finland and Sweden would lead to both countries eventually joining the alliance, although he said he could not predict when that would happen. Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand will also for the first time join the NATO leaders' summit. Domestic earthquakes overshadow trip Biden plans to depart one day after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which in remarks Friday he called a "sad day" and a "very solemn moment" for America. MORE: Gun safety package heads to Biden's desk after House passage He also is leaving just after Congress passed gun safety legislation -- the first major piece of federal gun reform in nearly three decades -- and after the Supreme Court struck down a century-old New York law restricting the concealed carry of handguns. These developments threaten to overshadow Biden's trip and potentially distract the president as the United States reels from historic upheaval. ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky, Justin Gomez and Molly Nagle contributed reporting. Biden heads to Europe amid domestic turmoil over abortion, guns originally appeared on abcnews.go.com 2 brides wore custom outfits to their desert elopement and had a wardrobe change for a photo shoot on horses Bridgette and Veronica Paige Young eloped in New Mexico on May 24. Veronica styled two custom outfits for each of them. The one-of-a-kind outfits included sheer fabrics, thigh-high slits, and an all-white suit. Bridgette and Veronica Paige Young met online on July 24, 2020. Bridgette Young, left, and Veronica Paige Young, right. Veronica Paige Young Bridgette, 34, works in capital operations in Atlanta, Georgia, and Veronica, 39, is an entrepreneur and founder of the Wild Child Society based in Miami, Florida. They crossed paths when Veronica was in Atlanta to host a party for a friend and hopped on Tinder. Luckily, Bridgette downloaded the app at the behest of her brother the same day Veronica was swiping. Veronica "super liked" Bridgette, and they set up a dinner date. "She held my hand at the end of the date and then I extended my trip," Veronica said. "We just hit it off." "It was just really effortless," Bridgette said of their connection. For their second date, Veronica cooked Bridgette an elaborate dinner from her Airbnb, complete with a menu and a playlist of music curated to Bridgette's taste. They've been together ever since. Veronica proposed to Bridgette on a trip to Tulum, Mexico, on their first anniversary in 2021. They got engaged last summer. Veronica Paige Young The couple had talked about marriage, and Bridgette had never been to Tulum. So Veronica planned a trip for them with the intention of proposing, inviting Bridgette's sister and some of their friends as well. She surprised her with a proposal at a villa, complete with fireworks when Bridgette said yes. "She's such a romantic person," Bridgette said of Veronica when discussing the proposal with Insider. The Youngs decided to elope in the New Mexico desert. They tied the knot on May 24, 2022. Veronica Paige Young The Youngs knew they wanted to have a private wedding, particularly because Bridgette wanted their declaration of love to be "intimate," as Veronica put it. After they decided to elope, Veronica started researching desert destinations for their nuptials. "Ever since I was a young adult, I just really had this captivation with the desert," Veronica said of what drew them to New Mexico for their wedding. Story continues "I ended up randomly on Google finding this rock formation made of sandstone called Alien Throne," she went on to say, which is in the Ah-Shi-Sleh-Pah Wilderness of New Mexico. "My heart just connected and I was like, 'This is the spot.'" They set the wedding for May 24, 2022. Veronica acted as the planner and stylist, and Veronica's sister was their only attendee and served as their officiant. They also hired the photography team Shutterfreek to document the day. Veronica curated an aesthetic for the wedding before she styled their outfits for the day. Veronica planned the wedding. Shutterfreek "I knew ever since I was a kid, I'm not a Disney princess," she said of her vision of a wedding. "I didn't want a big hoop, ballroom wedding dress. I didn't want to be in a hotel." The traditional bridal look wouldn't be a fit for Bridgette either, whose style Veronica described as "fluid androgyny." "I wanted her to be comfortable, and I wanted to be comfortable," she said. "I wanted to be the rock star that I am and I wanted the wedding to come off as authentically us." Veronica settled on a "boho, sci-fi, queer, lesbian, chic," style for the wedding, as she told Insider. The decor included silvers, golds, sparkly candles, pastel flowers, and succulents, including decor from Those Days. Their outfits were inspired by the neutral tones of the desert landscape. The brides on their wedding day. Shutterfreek Bridgette ended up in an off-white, strapless jumpsuit with an asymmetrical, lace train that added to the bridal feel of the look. Veronica's flesh-toned dress was form-fitting and covered in crystals, capturing the disco-chic feel of the day. Veronica customized both looks, so the Youngs' bridal ensembles were completely one-of-a-kind. Bridgette said the jumpsuit made her feel like she was in a fairy tale. Bridgette Young on her wedding day. Shutterfreek "It fit me so perfectly," she said of the jumpsuit designed by her wife. "I think it was super elegant, and I think it represented me well." "I honestly didn't really wanna be in a dress," she added. "I think it's just so traditional and I like to be different. I like to wear stuff that makes me feel super comfortable." "I was elegant," she went on to say of the look. "It made me feel like I was in a fairy tale. And with the setting, it really seemed very surreal." Veronica paired Bridgette's jumpsuit with white boots. Pops of jewelry completed the look. The brides got their makeup done for the wedding. Shutterfreek Veronica ordered Bridgette's earrings and statement choker online, both of which elevated the simple and stunning look. She wore her hair down and carried a bouquet of dried flowers from Eterea. Lizbeth Ruiz did Veronica and Bridgette's makeup. Veronica's dress didn't arrive until the day before they left for New Mexico and it needed quite a few changes. Veronica customized her dress. Shutterfreek Veronica's dress arrived the day before they left for the wedding and fit perfectly, but the color was wrong. "My dress came in a lighter skin tone," she said. "I used some RIT dye, and I got it down to my skin tone." "But once I put everything together, all the rhinestones and the glue from it with the dye stuck together," she said. Bridgette and Veronica had to hand-pull the stones from the fabric without tearing the gown, which was time-consuming and nerve-wracking. Veronica also ordered separate, larger applique embellishments to be added to the dress, but there was no time to have a seamstress attach them. Luckily, Bridgette knows how to sew and was able to attach them for her bride. The dress wasn't finished until the wedding day itself. The dress was done right before the wedding. Shutterfreek "When we got to New Mexico and were getting our makeup done, I asked my sister to put on my dress," Veronica said. "She's my size and my height. So she puts the dress on and we're literally sewing it to her arms as I'm doing her hair." "It came down to like the last minute," she said. Luckily, they managed to finish the dress, and Veronica looked stunning for the ceremony. The brides felt beautiful in their looks but they were freezing. The wedding was cold. Shutterfreek The Youngs said their vows at sunrise, which meant the desert was extremely cold. "She was shivering. Bridgette's whole arm was purple," Veronica said, adding that Bridgette was shaking throughout their ceremony. Despite the weather, Bridgette said the ceremony was one of her favorite moments of the day. Bridgette loved the ceremony. Shutterfreek "The exchange of vows was just so meaningful," Bridgette said. "And it was just so sweet and compassionate." "I'm a little softy, even though sometimes I really don't show it," she said. Veronica also loved the vows, saying she would have cried if it hadn't been so cold. The wedding day had some hiccups, but it was perfect for the Youngs. They loved the small wedding. Shutterfreek Bridgette, Veronica, and Veronica's sister had to hike to the ceremony location with their supplies for the wedding. They ended up forgetting a few things in the car including the rings and Bridgette's vow book so Veronica's sister had to go back for it. But the intimate ceremony was still everything they hoped it would be. After the ceremony, the Youngs rode horses in their second bridal outfits. They took photos with horses. Shutterfreek Bridgette and Veronica went to the Tamaya Horse Rehab and Stables in Albuquerque after the ceremony to ride the horses and take more photos. "I have a background of being an internationally ranked equestrian, and I saw this stable, which is attached to the Hyatt Regency outside of Albuquerque. So I wanted to shoot there," Veronica said. The hotel approved, so they headed to the stable after the ceremony and did a quick wardrobe change. The brides posed on horses throughout the shoot. For their second looks, both Bridgette and Veronica wore white. Their second outfits. Shutterfreek Veronica customized Bridgette's off-the-shoulder dress, which had a corset-style top and a thigh-high slit. Veronica opted for a suit for the second half of the day, which had an oversized lapel. She wore the suit with a crop top. Bridgette's dress brought out the ethereal feel of the day. The dress was ideal for horseback riding. Shutterfreek The gown had semi-sheer fabric that gave it a modern edge. The sexy slit was also practical for riding a horse. Bridgette wore knee-high white boots with the dress, and a garter with a turquoise detail that fit the desert vibe. "Bridgette's just so effortlessly beautiful that whatever she's in always looks amazing," Veronica said of her wife. "I wanted to rock a suit," Veronica told Insider. Veronica Young in her bridal suit. Shutterfreek She wore a turquoise bolo tie with the all-white look, which included pants from Maria Queen Maria, as well as white boots. "I loved my second look," Veronica told Insider. "I loved it so much that I actually tried to keep it on and Bridgette made me change because there was animal hair and dirt and everything on my pants." Veronica said she particularly loved the blazer, as she loves how blazers make her feel. Veronica also customized the shoes for their second looks. Their shoes matched. Shutterfreek Veronica attached decals to both of their shoes. Hers said "I do," while Bridgette's said "me too." The small touches Veronica added elevated their looks. Their outfits looked even better together. The outfits fit together. Shutterfreek "I like the fact that we complement each other," Veronica said of her and Bridgette's looks. The Youngs said their photo session at the stable was a highlight of the wedding day. They loved taking pictures. Shutterfreek "The whole thing was an adventure, but the horse-stable shoot was just so much fun," Bridgette said. Veronica also said she was grateful they were able to work with horses that had been rescued. "I think it's important to mention a lot of these horses have been abused," she said. "I'm just happy that he's in a safe environment," she added of her horse. Both Youngs loved how their photos at the stable turned out as well. Veronica was also excited when the planning was over and she got to enjoy the day. Planning was a bit stressful. Shutterfreek "It was like a weight lifted off of my shoulders as the planner," Veronica said of how she felt toward the end of their wedding day. "I was able to take that hat off and really just be a wife and look forward to the honeymoon." The couple took a three-week honeymoon so they could enjoy their first few weeks of marriage together to the fullest. Bridgette told Insider how well she and Veronica communicate is one of her favorite things about their relationship. Bridgette values communication in her relationship. Shutterfreek "We live in two separate locations. We are from two different backgrounds. I'm Jamaican, and our culture is so different," Bridgette said. "We have differences, and we just communicate really well." "We learn and we grow through our communication and our actions, and we've come a long way since we started dating," she went on to say. "We also trust each other. And I feel like if we don't have trust and if you don't communicate, the relationship is going to fall apart." Veronica said Bridgette brings out the best in her. Veronica thinks Bridgette makes her better. Shutterfreek "Before I met Bridgette, I was a part of many toxic and abusive relationships," she said. "I had so much love to give, and I knew what love shouldn't be, but I just never knew what it could be until I met her." "For me, I met this person, and they brought out the very best in me and she continues to do so," Veronica went on to say. "My profits have doubled since she's come into my life," Veronica also said. "I have a better relationship with my mother. I have an amazing relationship with my sister. I have a great relationship with her family. And we have this amazing, healthy bond." "This is the happiest I've ever been in my entire life," she added. "This is what I've always hoped for and always wanted." "I'm just so grateful," Veronica said. The Youngs. Shutterfreek "Everybody is deserving of love," she said. "Everybody can have everything that they ever wanted. It's out there for you, if you're ready to receive it." "I'm just so grateful that I put in the work to be able to have this relationship," Veronica said. "I just said to the world that I want to find somebody and I'm ready to love. And two weeks later, we matched on Tinder." "I will never stop trying to make her happy. I will never stop being romantic. I will never stop loving her since the day that I met her, because this is what I've always wanted," she added. "I'm so happy." You can see more of Shutterfreek's work here. If you wore an eye-catching wedding dress and want to talk to Insider for a story, get in touch at sgrindell@insider.com. Read the original article on Insider Protesters approach a pickup truck that attempted to run over abortion-rights protesters, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, US (Isacc Davis via REUTERS) Videos are circulating on social media which appear to show a truck hitting protesters in Iowa during a demonstration against the Supreme Courts ruling to overturn Roe v Wade. The black pickup truck reportedly drove through a crowd of pro-choice activists in the city of Cedar Rapids, hitting at least one person. The videos online show the aftermath of the collision as protesters tried to hold onto the vehicle driving away from the scene, with several people falling to the ground as witnesses screamed and shouted. A truck driver plowed through multiple pro-choice protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, sending at least one woman to the hospital. Video provided by Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker shows several victims all women trying to stop the driver as he careens into them pic.twitter.com/jcGTcfcK8X Andy Campbell (@AndyBCampbell) June 25, 2022 Police said that a group of protesters was crossing the street near the federal courthouse around 7:17pm local time when a protester was hit by the truck. The incident occurred after verbal confrontations between the protesters and a local driver, local media reported. Cedar Rapids council member Ashley Vanorny attended the protested and tweeted: Tonight a truck jumped traffic + plowed into peaceful protesters crossing the pedestrian walkway at the Federal Courthouse. I was walking along side them the crowd included children alongside me. She later explained in an interview with The Sun that everything was peaceful and that the collision occurred at the last leg of the demonstration. Police have confirmed that an injured pedestrian was taken to a local hospital for evaluation (Rachel Klosak via REUTERS) I think it was completely unrelated to anything that we were there for, and it [the truck] decided to jump out of line, sais Ms Vanorny. They werent even the first [vehicle] at the stop and plowed into people as they were crossing. Story continues She added that the driver of the truck initially nudged the protesters before deciding to do it again. The Councilmember claims that the driver ran over one persons foot and hit at least three people to the ground before driving away. One witness told local media that the truck charged into the crowd and that protesters tried to push the truck back before the driver sped away. Here's the woman who said the truck ran over her foot at protests today in Cedar Rapids. She says the driver "charged into the crowd" and she went over to try and stop the truck. More details: https://t.co/ukHYt8PpoF pic.twitter.com/miRyE7HDgy Iowa's News Now (@iowasnewsnow) June 25, 2022 Police have confirmed that an injured pedestrian was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, and the driver has since been interviewed and detectives are working to find surveillance video. No charges have been filed and police are trying to figure out if the incident was deliberate. Across the US, protests took place over the decision to scrap the constitutional right to an abortion, a ruling that came into effect almost 50 years ago. The Supreme Courts decision could lead to abortion bans in roughly half of US states. President Biden said in his remarks after the announcement that the government would seek to protect access to medication abortion, saying efforts to restrict it would be wrong and extreme and out of touch with the majority of Americans. By Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden and his G7 counterparts will agree on an import ban on new gold from Russia as they broaden sanctions against Moscow for its war against Ukraine, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday. The United States has rallied the world in imposing swift and significant economic costs on Russia to deny President Vladimir Putin the revenue he needs to fund his war in Ukraine. According to the source, the U.S. Treasury Department will issue a determination to prohibit the import of new gold into the U.S. on Tuesday, in a move aimed at further isolating Russia from the global economy by preventing its participation in the gold market. The U.S. Treasury Department declined to comment. Western sanctions on Russia have not directly targeted commercial gold shipments but many banks, shippers and refiners stopped dealing with Russian metal after the conflict in Ukraine began. Gold is a crucial asset for the Russian central bank, which has faced restrictions on accessing some of its assets held abroad because of Western sanctions. Shares of Russian gold miners traded abroad have collapsed this year amid difficulties including selling gold and repaying loans to sanctioned banks. Russia produces around 10% of the gold mined globally each year. Its gold holdings have tripled since it annexed Crimea in 2014. Banning the import of Russian gold would be the latest of several rafts of sanctions targeting Moscow since its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, which has killed or wounded thousands. Since starting what it calls a special operation to demilitarize Ukraine, Russia has bombed cities to rubble and civilian bodies have been found in towns where its forces withdrew. It denies targeting civilians and says, without evidence, that signs of atrocities were staged. (Reporting Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt; Writing by Daphne Psaledakis and Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Alistair Bell) Kate Middleton remained a hands-on mom while on her eight-day royal tour of the Caribbean with husband Prince William. Kate had been battling jetlag and "was up at dawn sending messages back home organizing Prince George and Princess Charlotte's after-school activities." The United Kingdom is five hours ahead of the Caribbean; so while Kate was beginning her daily activities, her kids were wrapping up their school day. Kate Middleton remained a hands-on mom while on her eight-day royal tour of the Caribbean with husband Prince William. According to People, Kate had been battling jetlag and "was up at dawn sending messages back home organizing Prince George and Princess Charlotte's after-school activities." The United Kingdom is five hours ahead of the Caribbean; so while Kate was beginning her daily activities, her kids were wrapping up their school day. The royal children attend Thomas's Battersea, a private school in London. Princess Charlotte started in September 2019she's now in Year 2and Prince George is currently in Year 4. At school, they are not called "prince" and "princess," rather, they go by George Cambridge and Charlotte Cambridge. Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images While in the Bahamas, Kate spoke about bringing her kids back to visit, saying, "Our three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, all love being by the sea, so I hope they will be able to experience your clear waters and beautiful beaches before too long." The Cambridges have a sweet tradition before Kate and William set off on a trip. "They are always asking us where we are going," Prince William said. "And we show them where we are on the map." While at a reception at Cahal Pech in Belize, Prince William said he's been keeping their eldest, George, in the loop. "We let them know where we are and he finds us on the map and puts a pin in it and shares with the others," he said. While Prince George and Princess Charlotte have joined their parents on royal tours, Prince Louis has yet to travel with them in an official capacity. The littlest Cambridge is only three years old; he currently attends Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington, and will likely follow in his older siblings' path in attending Thomas's Battersea this fall. You Might Also Like The Oklahoma City downtown skyline at sunset is reflected in the Oklahoma River on Sept. 19, 2021. Multiple bodies have been pulled from the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City in June, though identities of the individuals and the official causes of death are still to be determined. Reports from the medical examiner will hopefully help determine who these people were, and how they ended up in the river this month, officials said Wednesday. The three were recovered over the course of a nearly two-week span, according to police. Police said one person's body was pulled from the river between Pennsylvania and Agnew avenues about 6:30 p.m. June 8. The sex of that person was not determined, police said. The body of a man was discovered and pulled from the river near SW 15 and Walker Avenue 10 days later, on June 18, and then another man's body was recovered from the river near Interstate 40 and Wagner Avenue three days after that, on June 21. While Oklahoma City police Master Sgt. Gary Knight said Wednesday the agency hadn't yet identified any of the recovered bodies, he did say police have no reason to believe any of the three are homicide victims, so far. He referred The Oklahoman to the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office for additional information. An email sent to the state's chief medical examiner had not been answered Wednesday afternoon. "It is certainly unusual to recover three bodies from the river in such a short period of time," Knight said. Please support the work of Business Writer Jack Money and that of other Oklahoman journalists by subscribing to The Oklahoman. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Forensics pending after three bodies found in Oklahoma River President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Qatars Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani are holding a summit at at Itihadiya Presidential Palace, as the Qatari leader visits Egypt for the first time since Cairo and Doha resumed diplomatic ties last year as part of Al-Ula agreement that ended an over three-year-long diplomatic rift. The two leaders listened to the national anthems of both countries before starting summit talks. The Qatari emir was received by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi at Cairo International Airport on Friday evening. The summit today between the two leaders aims to ensure full normalisation of relations between the two countries, according to a diplomatic source. Tamims visit will see the signing of a number of economic agreements, and ensure Qatari investment in Egypt, especially in the energy field, added the diplomatic source. The two leaders are set to discuss during the summit the full scope of bilateral relations between the two countries and means of boosting them, according to the Egyptian presidency. They will also discuss a host of political, regional and international issues, the presidency added. On the sideline of Tamims visit, the Egyptian-Qatari Business Council meetings will be launched with participation of businessmen to enhance trade, investment and economic relations between the two countries. Tamim has met El-Sisi twice since the reconciliation agreement. The first meeting was in Iraq in August 2021 on the sidelines of the Baghdad Conference on Cooperation and Partnership. The second meeting took place on the sidelines of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November 2021. In January 2021, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain signed the Al-Ula agreement for Arab reconciliation with Qatar. The Arab quartet had cut ties and transport links with Qatar in June 2017, accusing Doha of backing radical Islamist groups and cooperating with Iran. Qatar has always denied these allegations. In the wake of the agreement, Egypt and Qatar held rounds of talks to develop relations, eventually forming the Egyptian-Qatari Joint Committee in March to foster and strengthen these ties. Both countries have worked on strengthening their newly-restored relations and reaching common ground on regional issues since the signing of the Al-Ula agreement. In March 2022, Cairo and Doha agreed on $5 billion in Qatari investments in Egypt during a visit by Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to the Egyptian capital. The Qatar emirs two-day visit comes days after the Egyptian president met Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and held a trilateral summit with Bahrains King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, and Jordan's King Abdullah II in the Egyptian Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh. On the sideline of Bin Salmans visit, 14 investment agreements worth $7.7 billion were signed between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Search Keywords: Short link: The Supreme Court handed down a decision reversing Roe v. Wade, a nearly 50-year-old ruling guaranteeing abortion rights. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Citi, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs responded to the Supreme Court's decision on Friday. Goldman said it will cover travel costs for employees seeking abortions, Insider first reported. In spite of these commitments, the industry has a history of donating to trigger law sponsors. The largest US banks are responding to the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, in some cases telling their employees that they would cover costs if they must travel to seek abortion care. Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Citi, and Wells Fargo sent emails to employees addressing the court's decision that ends the constitutional right to an abortion, according to memos viewed by Insider. JPMorgan, the largest US bank, said in a memo to employees that it would pay for travel to states where abortion is legal, CNBC reported on Friday. Deutsche Bank, which is headquartered in Germany with operations in the US, is updating its employees' health benefits to cover travel and lodging costs for medical treatments that are 100 miles away or more from the employee, a person familiar with the matter said. The responses reflect the way powerful firms in Wall Street's orbit, from banks and asset managers to influential consulting firms, are under pressure to respond to societal issues, like racial inequity and LGBTQ rights. And in an era of stakeholder capitalism, these firms walk a fine line, risking alienating shareholders, employees, and clients and losing their business if they appear to support one cause over another. The financial services industry has also played a role in advancing anti-abortion laws. Banks such as JPMorgan and Citi have long track records of donating to lawmakers who sponsored so-called trigger laws. These laws automatically criminalize abortion in 13 states, including Texas and Tennessee, now that Roe has been overturned. Here are how eight firms on Wall Street are responding. Wells Fargo The third-largest US bank has updated its benefits for US employees so that starting on July 1, it will reimburse employees for transportation and lodging costs related to seeking abortion care, the bank said in a memo to employees on June 27 that Insider viewed. Story continues Wells Fargo said that if an employee is enrolled in a medical plan through the bank and healthcare services they are seeking are unavailable within 50 miles of the employee's home, Wells Fargo will reimburse for such costs for the employee and a companion traveling with them. Goldman Sachs The New York-based bank said in an internal memo on Friday that it would reimburse costs for employees to travel out of state to seek an abortion, Insider first reported. "We have extended our healthcare travel reimbursement policies to include all medical procedures, treatments and evaluations, including abortion services and gender-affirming care where a provider is not available in proximity to where our people live," Bentley de Beyer, the firm's global head of human capital management, wrote in the memo to staff on Friday afternoon. Later on Friday evening, Goldman CEO David Solomon released a statement of his own backing up the firm's pledge to cover employees' costs tied to abortion-related travel. "This morning, the US Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, holding that the Constitution does not guarantee the right to choose to have an abortion," Solomon wrote in the statement posted to the company intranet which was seen by Insider. "Millions of women are right now grappling with a new legal reality. I know many of you are deeply upset, and I stand with you." The bank's "top priorities are the health and wellbeing of our people and their families," he added. Jefferies Jefferies Financial Group told staffers on Monday that it will pay for the costs of abortion-related travel in a memo first reported by Insider. "We have thought deeply these past few days about how to respond to the recent Supreme Court decision regarding women's rights. Jefferies will, of course, join other businesses around the US that will cover any employee-partners' costs should she decide to terminate a pregnancy and be forced to do so in a state other than the one in which she lives," CEO Richard Handler and President Brian Friedman wrote. The investment bank's two top leaders added that they will independently donate a combined $1 million to "causes that champion women's rights." Read the full memo here. Bank of America Bank of America said in an email to employees on Friday that it would expand coverage for US healthcare-related travel starting on July 1, according to a copy of the memo Insider reviewed. "For employees and their dependents who are enrolled in our US self-insured health plans, we are expanding the list of medical treatments that are eligible for travel expense reimbursement," the memo said, expanding this coverage to reproductive healthcare including abortion, cancer treatment, and hospital admissions for mental health conditions. Citi Sara Wechter, Citi's head of human resources, sent a memo to employees on Friday afternoon addressing the Supreme Court's decision, according to a memo Insider viewed. "While we are still assessing the impact of the Supreme Court decision and are aware that some states may enact new legislation regarding reproductive rights, we will continue to provide benefits that support our colleagues' family planning choices wherever we are legally permitted to do so," Wechter said. Wechter referred to the commitment the bank made in March to cover the costs of staff traveling to receive abortion care. At the time, it was the only such commitment on Wall Street. Deutsche Bank The German bank is updating health benefits to cover travel and lodging costs for medical treatments that are 100 miles away or more, a person familiar with the matter told Insider. This applies to all healthcare treatments, including abortion care. The update is not effective immediately, but it is being rolled out imminently, the person said. JPMorgan The bank told employees that it would pay for travel to states that allow legal abortions, according to a memo CNBC viewed. Morgan Stanley Starting on July 1, Morgan Stanley will incorporate coverage for travel costs tied to pregnancy care into its employee benefits offerings, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing a person familiar with the company policy. Do you work for a financial-services firm? How is your company responding to the reversal of Roe v. Wade? Contact these reporters. Rebecca Ungarino can be reached at rungarino@insider.com. Reed Alexander can be reached at ralexander@insider.com. Hayley Cuccinello can be reached out hcuccinello@insider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider Cai Youxiu (in red) and her daughter, Hu Jun (in green), had been separated for 24 years. Weibo, Getty Images A chance meeting led to a 78-year-old woman in China being reunited with her long-lost daughter. Cai Youxiu had not seen her daughter Hu Jun in 24 years since Hu moved to another province for work. They lost touch completely after Hu misplaced a piece of paper containing her family's phone number. When a 78-year-old woman asked a street cleaner for directions, she did not expect that the person would be her long-lost daughter whom she had not seen in 24 years. The incident took place in a small city in China's Sichuan province earlier this month, per The Cover, a Chinese news outlet. The older woman, Cai Youxiu, had recently managed to trace her daughter, Hu Jun, to Langzhong city with the help of the police, the outlet reported. While the police had arranged for the two to be reunited, Cai bumped into Hu entirely by chance a day before the scheduled meeting, per the outlet. "I was cleaning in front of a school entrance when an old lady came to ask me for directions, and I immediately recognized her to be my mother," Hu, 46, told The Cover. "I was so excited, but she didn't recognize me even after I called her, 'Mom.'" Cai was initially wary of Hu and had to phone the police for confirmation that the latter was her daughter, the outlet reported. The dramatic story captured Chinese social media this week, with many users comparing it to a scripted movie. On the Twitter-like Weibo platform, the hashtag "old person asks for directions and meets daughter missing for 24 years" has received more than 34 million views. Pictures of the mother and daughter, standing next to two officers in front of the local police station, have since made their rounds online. "Fate is such a mysterious thing I wouldn't even dare to write a novel with this plot because it's so incredible," a Weibo user commented. However, many social media users were also critical of Hu and said she should have tried harder to reconnect with her family. According to Chinese news outlet Red Star, Hu lost touch with her family after moving out of her hometown of Yunyang County to another province in 1999 to seek work at a jewelry factory. Story continues She was unable to telephone home after she misplaced the paper containing her family's phone number, the outlet reported. Later, she was cut off from them altogether after her family was forced to move out of their home to make way for the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, per the outlet. "I tried sending them letters, but they were all returned because the old address was invalid," Hu told The Cover. "I've lost too much time with my mother. I vow to spend as much time as I can with her now," she continued. Read the original article on Insider Former Mount Saint Joseph and Maryland mens basketball guard Darryl Morsell has signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Utah Jazz, he confirmed Friday. Exhibit 10 contracts are one-year deals worth the minimum salary that include bonuses of between $5,000 and $50,000 that kick in if the player is waived and they report to the teams NBA G League affiliate for at least 60 days. The contract counts toward the teams 20-man offseason roster limit, but doesnt count against the salary cap unless the player makes the regular-season roster. Morsell, 23, played one season at Marquette as a graduate transfer after a four-year career at Maryland. The Baltimore native averaged 13.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 2021-22 while helping the Golden Eagles reach the NCAA Tournament alongside teammate and former Poly star Justin Lewis, who agreed a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls early Friday after the 2022 NBA draft. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Morsell joins a talented group of undrafted players in Utah. UCLA star Johnny Juzang, Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn and Georgia Tech wing Jordan Usher have also signed with the Jazz, who have been one of the top teams in the NBA in recent years but parted ways with coach Quin Snyder earlier this month after failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Morsell, who worked out for the Jazz on June 15, will get a chance to compete in the NBA Summer League, which begins in Las Vegas in early July. During Morsells time at Maryland, he was one of 16 players in school history with at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 100 starts. Early in his college career, Morsell established himself as a lockdown perimeter defender and a valuable contributor, starting in 52 games in his first two seasons with the Terps. As a senior, Morsell was named the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year while helping Maryland advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, averaging nine points, four rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Morsell, a two-time Baltimore Sun All-Metro first-team selection, was a four-star recruit coming out of Mount Saint Joseph, ranking No. 74 in the nation and No. 3 in the state from the 2017 class, according to 247Sports composite rankings. Arkansas guard Stanley Umude, right, drives to the basket against Gonzaga guard Julian Strawther during the first half of a college basketball game in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament in San Francisco, Thursday, March 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Former South Dakota guard Stanley Umude has signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Detroit Pistons. A member of USD for four seasons, Umude will compete for an NBA roster spot after playing his final collegiate season at Arkansas. The deal is a one-year, minimum-salary contract that counts toward a team's 20-man offseason roster limit. If Umude were to make the regular-season roster, the deal could be converted into a two-way contract, where Umude would split time between the NBA and the NBA G League. After playing just 3.4 minutes per game in his first season at USD, Umude averaged 14.4 points per game in his sophomore year with the Coyotes. His scoring and overall game steadily rose each year and he averaged 21.6 points per game in his last year with the South Dakota. More: Sioux Falls Roosevelt girls basketball coach Chris Aggen steps down after one season Umude was an immediate impact player upon transferring to Arkansas. He averaged 11.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, averaging nearly a block and a steal per contest. The Razorbacks played their way into the Elite Eight, with Umude playing 35-plus minutes in all but Arkansas' Sweet 16 win over No. 1 Gonzaga. Follow Sioux Falls Argus Leader reporter Michael McCleary on Twitter @mikejmccleary. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Former USD guard Stanley Umude signs Exhibit 10 deal with Detroit Pistons Photo credit: McCormick While ketchup can often divide us, it's hard to deny the condiment's popularity in the summer. Slathered on burgers, hotdogs, and brats fresh off the grill, ketchup is basically essential at every summer barbecue. So, why not add it to a frozen treat? Seemingly very American and patriotic, Ketchup Ice Pops are actually a thing in Canada now. To celebrate the first week of summer, French's Ketchup has launched a limited-edition ketchup-flavored popsicle called the Frenchsicle. The ketchup pops are available at pop-up locations across Canada until June 24. Like any good ketchup, the pop's savory flavor is balanced with a bit of "salty sweetness." The popsicles were created in partnership with Happy Pops, a Canadian all-natural ice pop shop, and made with Canadian tomatoes. Frenchsicles will be given out at locations in Vancouver, Toronto, and Leamington. And, for each lucky recipient, French's will donate two meals to Food Banks Canada. About 79 percent of Canadians say that they like or love ketchup, and 78 percent of Canadians who like ketchup think it's important to purchase ketchup made from Canadian tomatoes, according to a survey commissioned by French's. While you won't be able to score a Frenchcicle outside of Canada (road trip, anyone?), you can make your very own ketchup-y frozen treat right at home with this easy recipe. Now, who's ready to barbecue? We have plenty of ketchup-worthy dishes for you to enjoy all summer, from juicy burgers to hot dogs (just don't put ketchup on a Chicago dog). You Might Also Like MARIUS BOSCH / Reuters Russias recent gains on the battlefield can be attributed in part to a quiet, nearly decade-long sabotage campaign to block Ukraine from vital ammunition supplies, according to several reports. The tactics include bullying ammunition sellers not to deliver to Ukraine and secretly blowing up depots across Eastern Europe prior to this springs invasion, The Washington Post reports, citing Ukraine Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar. Russia and Ukraine use the same artillery, thanks to their common military hardware that dates back to the Soviet era. Its a specific type of of ammo, mostly consisting of 122mm and 152mm caliber rounds, which are no longer common in modern warfare. The Post found that Russia has for years been making sure Ukraine is not only in short supply, but experiencing difficulty resupplying. Even if everyone gives us this ammunition, it will still not be enough, Malyar told the paper. Russia pops off around 60,000 rounds a day, which is tenfold more than Ukraine has the capacity to fire back. And since the inventory is so specific, the global supply does not have the capacity to meet Ukraines wartime demand. Weapons brokers who are working to covertly supply Ukraine told the Post that they are being regularly threatened with death if they make deliveries, which has acted as a successful deterrent. In other cases, Russian brokers working undercover outbid Ukraine suppliers, adding a further layer of delay. The Russians are working very hard to ensure that we cant sign contracts for this, Malyar told the Post. And then if we sign a contract, to prevent us from getting the shells delivered here. Putin Nemesis Warns of Sinister Twist in Russian Attack Plan The campaign to keep Ukrainian weapons in short supply began in 2014, after Russian separatists started fighting. That year, a munitions depot in the Czech Republic was sabotaged, which, at the time was hard to link to the Kremlin. A year later, a Bulgarian weapons executive who was selling artillery to Ukraine was poisoned by the same unit that sabotaged the Czech depot, according to the investigative group Bellingcat. Story continues And Bulgarian prosecutors now believe that four mysterious explosions at arms depots between 2011 and 2020 were sparked by Russia in preparation for the war now in its fourth month. Similar targeted attacks of weapons depots in Ukraine in 2017 are now thought to be tied to Russias shadow war, according to the Posts reporting. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A U.S. Navy destroyer escort sunk during World War II has been found nearly 7,000 meters (23,000) feet below sea level off the Philippines, making it the world's deepest shipwreck ever located, an American exploration team said. The USS Samuel B. Roberts went down during a battle off the central island of Samar on October 25, 1944, as U.S. forces fought to liberate the Philippines then a U.S. colony from Japanese occupation. A crewed submersible filmed, photographed and surveyed the battered hull of the "Sammy B" during a series of dives over eight days this month, Texas-based undersea technology company Caladan Oceanic said. Part of the dive on the Sammy B. It appears her bow hit the seafloor with some force, causing some buckling. Her stern also separated about 5 meters on impact, but the whole wreck was together. This small ship took on the finest of the Japanese Navy, fighting them to the end. pic.twitter.com/fvi6uB0xUQ Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo) June 24, 2022 Images showed the ship's three-tube torpedo launcher and gun mount. "Resting at 6,895 meters, it is now the deepest shipwreck ever located and surveyed," tweeted Caladan Oceanic founder Victor Vescovo, who piloted the submersible. With sonar specialist Jeremie Morizet, I piloted the submersible Limiting Factor to the wreck of the Samuel B. Roberts (DE 413). Resting at 6,895 meters, it is now the deepest shipwreck ever located and surveyed. It was indeed the "destroyer escort that fought like a battleship." pic.twitter.com/VjNVERdTxh Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo) June 24, 2022 "This small ship took on the finest of the Japanese Navy, fighting them to the end," he wrote. According to U.S. Navy records, Sammy B's crew "floated for nearly three days awaiting rescue, with many survivors perishing from wounds and shark attacks." Of the 224 crew, 89 died. The battle was part of the larger Battle of Leyte, which saw intense fighting over several days between U.S. and Japanese forces. Story continues Sammy B was one of four U.S. ships sunk in the October 25 engagement. Among the crew's victims was Gunners Mate 3rd Class Paul Henry Carr, from Checotah, Oklahoma. Images posted by Vescovo show the turret "where the brave and mortally wounded GM3 Paul H. Carr died trying to place a final round into the broken breech." Some additional photos from the Sammy B. The bow, the fallen mast, the gap between fore and aft where she was hit by a battleship round, and the aft turret . . . where the brave and mortally wounded GM3 Paul H. Carr died trying to place a final round into the broken breech. pic.twitter.com/3VcZoZyPo3 Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo) June 25, 2022 According to the Oklahoma History Center, the ship's executive officer wrote: "Paul's leadership and sterling qualitieswon for him the battle station of gun captain of one of the ship's five inch guns. His gun and gun crew were the pride of the ship." The USS Johnston, which at nearly 6,500 meters was previously the world's deepest shipwreck identified, was reached by Vescovo's team in 2021. In the latest search, the team also looked for the USS Gambier Bay at more than 7,000 meters below sea level, but was unable to locate it. It did not search for the USS Hoel due to the lack of reliable data showing where it may have gone down. The wreck of the Titanic lies in about 4,000 meters of water. Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the USS Samuel B. Roberts was a destroyer. It was a destroyer escort. 46 migrants found dead in back of truck in San Antonio How Roe v. Wade's reversal could impact fertility treatments What to expect from Tuesday's January 6 committee hearing Mikki Fox, 53, chants at abortion rights rally in downtown Asheville on June 24, 2022. "I'm doing this for my two daughters. My mother did back in the day for me. This is ridiculous," Fox said. ASHEVILLE - Western North Carolina residents reacted immediately to the U.S. Supreme Courts decision June 24 to overturn Roe v. Wade, erasing a reproductive right that had been in place for nearly five decades, by gathering at a Democratic rally at Rabbit Rabbit, and then marching to Pack Square and around downtown, including onto I-240. Many expressed anger at the court's decision and said they felt the traditional democratic system had failed. Crystal Coffie said her best friend died because of abortion-related complications. "It's a really charged issue," she said. "It's going to be really hard to find a female that hasn't been impacted." Coffie was walking from the rally to Pack Square with Corey Biskind and her three children, who said she's showed up for her kids. "We need to develop communities and networks of support," Biskind said, discussing options outside of voting and peaceful protesting. "We cannot count on any of the institutions to support us," Biskind said. "And the cops that we keep wanting to give money to, the cops are going to be arresting women, putting them in jail for trying to get an abortion." While Democrats at Rabbit Rabbit emphasized a need to fill more seats, protesters near the Buncombe County Courthouse called the U.S. Supreme Court "fascist." Hundreds showed up first at a rally spearheaded by Buncombe County Democrats, elected and hopeful, including Sen. Julie Mayfield, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, Planned Parenthood and Buncombe County Commissioner and District 11 Democratic nominee Jasmine Beach Ferrara, who said she had spoken to residents who told her, Im so mad I could spit nails. "Go vote," was the main theme at Rabbit Rabbit, officials encouraging rally goers to make sure North Carolina's political leadership never had the power to overturn abortion laws. More: Buncombe DA Williams: Will 'refuse to prosecute abortions' in wake of Roe v. Wade overturn Story continues A more vocal crowd of protesters later marched to Pack Square, where they held signs that read, "Bans of my body" and "Abort the Court," "Freedom = Choice," and "We need to talk about the elephant in the Womb." "Drink more water and make them regret what they did," yelled 20-year-old Juliette Downing. People gathered at Rabbit Rabbit and Pack Square Park and marched around Asheville in reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. Some marchers later entered Interstate 240 West around the downtown area, temporarily closing a portion of the road, the city of Asheville said around 9 p.m. on its Facebook page. A post at 9:15 p.m. said I-240 was open to traffic again. Biskind said wasn't surprised by the Supreme Court's decision. "I expected it," she said. "But I'm infuriated. I'm mad that the only suggestions they have for us are to vote or to peacefully protest. That's not enough." More: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, eliminating constitutional right to abortion People gather in Pack Square Park to react to the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. Beach-Ferrara after the rally at Rabbit Rabbit addressed those who didn't think a call to vote was enough. "I understand why they feel that way," she said. "A fundamental right was just rolled back in our country. And our vote matters more than ever now. We are holding on to a narrow ability to sustain a veto in North Carolina and that's the reason people can access health care and abortion rights." People gathered in Pack Square Park and marched around Asheville in reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. Cindy Bailey held a sign enumerating the constitutional rights the Supreme Court deprived her of and said she'd be showing up to similar pro-choice actions for 50 years and was there to support young people. "It affects everybody," she said. "It affects the whole culture." Jolyne, who did not give their last name and whose pronouns were she and they, held a transgeneder flag at Pack Square Park and said they felt "terrified" at the outlook for trans rights. They noted Justice Clarence Thomas' indication June 24 that gay marriage rights should be "reconsidered" was terrifying. "I have a lot of opinions on this, but one of my opinions is that voting is not enough," they said. "We need to affect direct change and people who are in power to not want to significantly change the system. If voting was enough, we would not be in this position." People gathered in Pack Square Park and marched around Asheville in reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. With chants of "f--- the court!" in the background, Nora Hartlaub, 45, said she believed the court had overstepped its bounds. "Fascism in the courts is a move toward total authoritarianism over not only my body but also other disadvantaged people within a social structure that historically has propelled systems of inequity and inequality and I'm f---ing done with it." But she said she believed that there was "hope for this generation. If there isn't then why are we here? What are humans for if you can't have that." Reaction from Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which has a health center in Asheville, has been sounding the alarm for months, even before the May leak of the draft opinion brought protests marching through the heart of downtown Asheville. Jenny Black, president and CEO of PPSA, was quick to remind people that for now, abortion is still legal. People gathered in Pack Square Park and marched around Asheville in reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. But this dangerous and chilling decision will have devastating consequences across the South, forcing people to travel hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles for abortion care or potentially be forced to remain pregnant against their will," Black said in a June 24 news release. "Our highest priority is making sure our patients can get the care they need. Our health center doors remain open, and we arent going anywhere. For Planned Parenthood clinics, were preparing for an influx of patients in North Carolina," said Jillian Riley, Planned Parenthood's director of public affairs for the South Atlantic. "Were extending our clinic hours, were expanding our services and were training more providers when possible. The Planned Parenthood clinic in Asheville is one of nine in North Carolina, and one of 14 abortion providers in the state, Riley said. Past reporting: 'Stand up and fight back': Abortion rights protest spills across downtown Asheville Asheville Planned Parenthood: Anti-abortion protesters ramping up clinic demonstrations, Asheville noise complaints show People gathered at Rabbit Rabbit and Pack Square Park and marched around Asheville in reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. Abortion rights would not face as immediate a threat in North Carolina as in some other southern states if Roe is ultimately overturned, Riley said. "I think, just generally, this is a scary and confusing time," she said. "But we are doing everything we can to be able to provide care. I will say that, in states like Texas, where we saw a near-outright abortion ban put in place ... unlike Texas, we have time to prepare (in North Carolina). And we have time to think through our strategy of how we're going to continue keeping our doors open." We are ready for an influx of patients when the decision comes down, and we will continue to provide care for our patients and access to abortions," Riley said. People gather in Pack Square Park to react to the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. In May, Gov. Roy Cooper vowed to veto any abortion ban bill that comes across his desk from the state legislature, during an Asheville visit shortly after the Supreme Court's draft decision was leaked. People gathered at Rabbit Rabbit and Pack Square Park and marched around Asheville in reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. I will veto those bills, and I believe the legislature will sustain those vetoes. The government should not be in the exam room with a woman and her doctor. And it is a tragedy that this court may absolutely, completely take away a womans right to reproductive freedom in all cases," Cooper said in Asheville May 5. On June 24, shortly after news of the Dobbs case, Cooper issued this statement: "I will continue to trust women to make their own medical decisions as we fight to keep politicians out of the doctors exam room." More: Facing abortion in a joyous pregnancy, Devin felt she made 'a choiceless choice' More: Roe Supreme Court draft opinion splits District 11 candidates on abortion, need for law People gathered at Rabbit Rabbit and Pack Square Park and marched around Asheville in reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. Abortion rights in North Carolina have long been challenged. The Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice organization, notes that a patient "must receive state-directed counseling that includes information designed to discourage the patient from having an abortion, and then wait 72 hours before the procedure is provided," that a patient has to undergo an ultrasound before getting an abortion and that abortion "is covered in insurance policies for public employees only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest." "This is an unprecedented time," Riley said. "Losing a constitutional right is outrageous, and abortion access in North Carolina is hanging by a thread, and that's just the truth. Our future depends on what happens in our elections this fall. If the Supreme Court gives states the green light to set their own laws around abortions, that means we need to elect state representatives who support abortion access, point blank." Reporters Sarah Honosky and Ryan Oehrli contributed to this story. Andrew Jones is Buncombe County government and health care reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at @arjonesreports on Facebook and Twitter, 828-226-6203 or arjones@citizentimes.com. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville protests Roe v. Wade decision, condemn Supreme Court Alan Guebert writes "Farm and Food" Oftentimes the simple answer to a simple question is the simple truth. Some people, however, dont want the simple truth, so they bend facts or shave figures so their square pegs replace roundly accepted reality. Its commonplace in ag. For example, on April 12, President Joe Biden traveled to Iowa to announce an expansion of the ethanol blend in summertime gasoline from 10% to 15%. Monte Shaw, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association boss, called Bidens action the single most important step the President is empowered to take to keep fuel prices down this summer. But Bidens political gambit and Shaws hefty hyperbole held more gas than any ethanol blend. Nationwide gasoline prices that day, according to AAA, averaged $4 per gallon. Today national gas prices hover around $5 per gallon, or 25% higher. Despite the effort, many in farm country continue to blame the Biden Administration for high fuel prices. One reason, some conservative critics cite, is that crude oil production is slowing due to the White Houses allegiance to the Green New Deal. Thats a stretch for two reasons. First, the Green New Deal isnt law and, second, data from the U.S. Energy Information Agency shows that average annual domestic crude oil production rose from 5.3 million barrels per day (mb/d) during the Bush administration to 7.2 million mb/d under Obama to 11 mb/d under Trump to 11.2 mb/d under Biden. But, hey, facts rarely sidetrack anyone committed to political railroading. The same goes for agriculture. For months, weve been warned of an impending global famine because of Russias invasion of Ukraine, an important wheat exporter. Indeed, reported Politico June 17, U.S. officials estimate the (Russian) blockade (of Ukrainian ports) is holding back more than 20 million tons of grain from the world food supply, driving food prices and world hunger to near-crisis levels. Twenty million metric tons (mmt), or about 740 million bushels, is a lot of wheat except when compared to global supplies. The U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) most recent World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates forecast 2022/23 world wheat production at 773.4 mmt, or 28.4 billion bu. Story continues As such, the bottled-up Ukrainian wheat is equal to about 2.5% of this coming years world production not nothing, but hardly enough to fuel a famine this year or any year. Some market worriers, though, continue to make a mountain out of that molehill. On June 20, Farm Journals AgWeb noted that a private forecaster had pegged current global wheat stocks at 20% of yearly production instead of USDAs recent estimate of 33%. Again, that sounds like a dramatic drop but, as the story goes on to note, even at 20 percent if accurate and theres little proof of that world stocks stand at over 10 weeks of wheat consumption in storage. Historically, thats average supply especially when compared to current and forecasted U.S. stocks of corn and soybeans. According to the same USDA June report, current American soybean stocks now stand at a slim 4.6% of total usage and, given a productive 2022, a year from now will still be only 6.8%. Likewise, this years U.S. corn stocks are just 10% of usage and, estimates USDA, will slip to 9.6% in 2022/23. And yet, despite very tight supplies of U.S. corn and soybeans in the coming year, no one sees either as cause for global concern. Instead, note the Cassandras, its wheat with at least a 10-week world supply and, more than likely, a 15-week supply as the problem. Im not alone in my doubt: Few in the futures market see 2022/23 wheat supplies as worrisome. From mid-May to late June, new wheat crop futures prices dropped 17% while new crop corn futures are just 9% lower and soybean futures are only 2% lower. Simple numbers. Simple facts. Simple truth. Simple, right? Alan Guebert is an agricultural journalist. See past columns at farmandfoodfile.com. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Farm and Food: The simple answer to the simple question In the wake of the Supreme Courts decision Friday overturning Roe v. Wade, which eliminates the constitutional right to abortion, Google has notified American employees that it will allow them to relocate to another state no questions asked. In a memo Friday (via CNBC), Fiona Cicconi, Googles chief people officer, reiterated that the internet companys U.S. benefits plan and health insurance covers out-of-state medical procedures that are not available where an employee lives and works. In addition, Google workers can apply for relocation without justification, and those overseeing this process with be aware of the situation. Google also will keep working to make information on reproductive healthcare accessible across our products and continue our work to protect user privacy, Cicconi wrote. This is a profound change for the country that deeply affects so many of us, especially women, she wrote in the memo. Please be mindful of what your co-workers may be feeling and, as always, treat each other with respect. With the landmark Supreme Court ruling, other media and tech companies including Meta, Amazon, Netflix, Apple, Disney, Comcast, Warner Bros. Discovery and Conde Nast have said they will pay employees expenses if they need to travel outside their home state to access reproductive healthcare services. Google lists 29 office locations in the U.S. including in four states Florida, Georgia, Texas and Wisconsin where abortion is currently illegal or where laws banning or restriction abortions are likely to soon go into effect. Per the New York Times, about half of U.S. states are expected to roll back abortion rights now that Roe v. Wade has been nullified. Much of Googles U.S. workforce is based in California, where abortion rights are protected. Google has not issued any public statements about the Roe v. Wade ruling. Susan Wojcicki, CEO of Google-owned YouTube, tweeted on Friday: As a CEO I recognize there are a spectrum of opinions on the SCOTUS ruling today. As a woman, its a devastating setback. I personally believe every woman should have a choice about how and when to become a mother. Reproductive rights are human rights. Story continues Heres the text of the memo from Googles Cicconi, per a copy obtained by the Verge: Hi everyone, This morning the US Supreme Court issued a ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization that rolls back Roe v. Wade. This is a profound change for the country that deeply affects so many of us, especially women. Everyone will respond in their own way, whether thats wanting space and time to process, speaking up, volunteering outside of work, not wanting to discuss it at all, or something else entirely. Please be mindful of what your co-workers may be feeling and, as always, treat each other with respect. Equity is extraordinarily important to us as a company, and we share concerns about the impact this ruling will have on peoples health, lives, and careers. We will keep working to make information on reproductive healthcare accessible across our products and continue our work to protect user privacy. To support Googlers and their dependents, our US benefits plan and health insurance covers out-of-state medical procedures that are not available where an employee lives and works. Googlers can also apply for relocation without justification, and those overseeing this process will be aware of the situation. If you need additional support, please connect 1:1 with a People Consultant via [link to internal tool redacted]. We will be arranging support sessions for Googlers in the US in the coming days. These will be posted to Googler News. Please dont hesitate to lean on your Google community in the days ahead and continue to take good care of yourselves and each other. Best of Variety Jennifer Sellars, left, director of community engagement and advocacy at The Lord's Place; League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County member Carol Carnevale, center, help Frances Tapia, right, fill out a voter registration form during an event at Cafe Joshua Joshua in West Palm Beach on June 16. Tapia will be registering to vote for the first time, she said. WEST PALM BEACH Frances Tapia hasn't considered voting one of her priorities. Tapia, a mother to six children and grandmother to three grandchildren, said she hasn't even had a moment to think about the coming elections after being in and out of motels and trying to fix up her new rental, for which she is paying $1,500 per month. "We couldn't find anywhere for the longest time," she said of her search for a home. "We stayed at a motel trying to find one." Her focus has been helping her kids, finding a home and setting up a home. Voting just didn't come into mind. More: West Palm nonprofit has a plan for the next wave of homeless, primed by COVID-19 More: Desperate Florida renters are 'downsizing or downgrading' as price increases top the nation More: Miss the world of you: Recalling the 65 homeless people who died in Palm Beach County this year But on Thursday afternoon, with the help of the Lord's Place, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding the homeless community in Palm Beach County, she finally filled out her voter registration. "I might as well try while I'm here," Tapia said. An assortment of informational literature sits on a table during a registration event June 16 at Cafe Joshua in West Palm Beach. Lord's Place says homeless citizens should have voice at ballot box Tapia, 46, was the first person to fill out her voter registration forms at the Lord's Place's first voter outreach and registration event at Cafe Joshua on Thursday afternoon. The voter drive is going to be held again July 21 at 11:30 a.m. and July 22 at noon to continue to encourage homeless residents to vote. Both dates are ahead of the close of voter registration for the Aug. 23 primary elections. "It's really important that every vote, every voice is counted," said Jennifer Sellars, the director of community engagement and advocacy of The Lord's Place. "We just want to make sure that everybody knows what their voting rights are, and that they have access and the information they need to participate so their voices can be heard." Aside from ensuring that each voice is counted, Sellars said the nonprofit wants to make sure that members of the homeless community are aware of their rights to take action on issues affecting their daily lives. She spoke to about 20 people to make them aware of their voting rights, and the Thursday event's focus was to educate the community on the importance of registering to vote. Story continues The Lord's Place helped keep Tapia out of the streets for a few weeks by paying for the motel rooms and helping to pay for initial deposits for her rental. It also is her source of food with its Cafe Joshua program, where homeless residents get a free meal between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Frances Tapia fills out a voter registration form during an event at Cafe Joshua in West Palm Beach. Her right forearm tattoos are the names of her children and grandchildren. People are being pushed out of their homes by spiking housing, rental costs "The housing crisis is definitely pushing people out of the community," Sellars said. Most of the homeless residents who were eating at Joshua's said they had been recently pushed out of their rentals due to extreme increases in rent. "People that have been evicted, they're not thinking about voting right now," said Danzell Madison, the outreach lead peer specialist for The Lord's Place. She said she works to provide resources to the homeless community and counsel its members on how they can receive help financially with moving costs and employment services. "They're angry right now and they're wondering, you know, as being a constituent, why this is happening to them. But I have to explain to them that this is not only happening here in Palm Beach County. It's happening all over the United States," Madison said. Florida Atlantic University's April review of 107 real estate markets showed that Southeast Florida which includes Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties increased in rental cost by 31.7%. The average rent in Southeast Florida, per the review, reached $2,846. Marcelle Terence, a 62-year-old disabled veteran who has lived in Palm Beach County for 20 years, said he fell victim to a sharp rise in rent, which soared to $2,000 from $1,150. Since March, he's been living in his car. "Voting is important for everybody, not just people in certain positions," he said. "Everybody should voice their opinion of what's going on, and they will be because they're going to find themselves out in the elements like I am." The Lord's Place also works with homeless residents to ensure they have the documentation they need when they go to the polls. The nonprofit provides transportation and bus passes to clients to make sure they have access to voting sites, and they also connect homeless residents to St. Ann Place in West Palm Beach and St. George's Center in Riviera Beach to use as addresses for their mail and for signing up to vote. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, only about 10% of homeless Americans vote each year. Want to vote? The Palm Beach County deadline to register to vote for the primaries is July 25. The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office lists has 991,030 voter registrations as of Wednesday evening, which is 400 voters lower than the number of active voters for the 2020 primary elections. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lords Place launches voter registration campaign for homeless citizens Jun. 10Over 60 community members gathered to hear Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell speak on commerce and tourism. Pinnell spoke at the Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce State of Legislative Affairs Luncheon held at the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center at Rogers State University on Thursday. Pinnell began speaking about the need for business accelerators and incubators to help build small businesses in Oklahoma. Accelerators and incubators are organizations and programs that help grow start-up business by providing office space, collaboration with experts, training and more. Some are for-profit and offer property development ventures and venture capital and others are non-profit and offer resources and mentoring. "We are behind sometimes, we need to admit this," Pinnell said. "There are 17 accelerators in the city of Houston. There are a couple in the state of Oklahoma on the level of where those accelerators are." When entrepreneurs in Oklahoma have an idea but not the resources to make their business a reality, Pinnell said they will often leave the state for places like Texas and grow their start-up in states that have necessary resources. "Once you get into an accelerator somewhere, if the business ends up being successful, most of the time they never come home," Pinnell said. Pinnell said 75% of the deal flow in America is invested in three states. It is Oklahoma's responsibility to change that, he said. "There is just as many smart people in the middle of the country with great ideas and we need to be making sure we are investing in those cities," he said. Oklahoma currently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in state history. Pinnell said low unemployment is great but local business owners are facing another issue; not being able to find quality workers. "Every business owner in this room knows we can have the lowest unemployment rate in state history but I can't find anybody to hire," he said. Story continues Pinnell said a solution to this is advocating for career-tech for young adults. He said young people who aren't going to college have 'a whole lot' of other options to create a career for themselves. During the legislative session, Pinnell said the state has made investments into Oklahoman industrial parks and infrastructure, which should also help the employment pool issue. The PREP fund is a $250 million investment that the state made to specifically develop industrial parks across the state, he said. The REAP program will help small towns with infrastructure improvements. "I think over the next 10 years with these funds being able to partner with local communities, a whole lot more deal flow can be happening," he said. Pinnell then shifted into talking about tourism in Oklahoma. He said tourism is the front door to economic development. With COVID-19 and rising gas prices, Pinnell said more people than ever are looking to travel to rural America. "Fourty-two precent of the nights booked by families on Airbnb last summer were in rural destinations," Pinnell said. "They wanted America, they wanted this. They wanted a town lined with American flags and boutique hotels, history, truly the history of America." He said Oklahoma has it all, minus an ocean. If the state can market itself well, it can be an international tourism destination, he said. "There is not another state that can match the heritage and history that we have," Pinnell said. "Thirty-nine sovereign nations to Route 66 to the Chisholm Trail to Black Wallstreet... we've got it all. Twelve different ecosystems in one state." When budgets are short, Pinnell said it is always the marketing budget that is cut. He said he has been working with legislatures to make sure the state is promoting the right things, even with its limited marketing budget. He said Claremore should do the same and the state will help. "If you are not inviting people to this town with as much as you have, I'm telling you, they wont show up," he said. "You still have to invite them." He concluded his speech by asking Claremore to promote supporting local businesses "365 days, 24/7." The state launched the OKHereWeGo campaign to encourage visiting local shops, restaurants and museums. "In 2021, we did a digital investment of about $700,000, which generated $38.8 million in projected lodging revenue," he said. Roughly half the US is poised to outlaw abortion through so-called trigger laws that take effect within 30 days after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v Wade, along with other anti-abortion laws that severely restrict access or eliminate legal abortions entirely. Republican officials across the US have signalled their readiness to file more restrictive legislation in the decisions wake, charge providers with felony crimes, and force millions of Americans to travel hundreds of miles to the nearest states or countries where care is protected. Without access to abortion care or financial support and guaranteed healthcare, the nations most vulnerable women could be forced to carry unwanted or unsafe pregnancies to term, or self-manage abortions, worrying health officials and physicians that the end of constitutional protections for abortion access will have a devastating impact to maternal health outcomes. The nations maternal mortality rate, defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the number of deaths from any cause related to pregnancy or its management, or with 421 days after a pregnancy is terminated, increased from 2019 to 2020, the latest year for which CDC data is available. Rates of pregnancy-related deaths have steadily risen in recent years, increasing from 20.1 in 2019 to 23.8 in 2020, and easily outpacing other industrialised nations with the worst maternal mortality rate. The Supreme Courts decision and its potentially life-threatening consequences will disproportionately impact Black women, who are three times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than white women. Black women are also more likely to be uninsured, according to a 2019 report from the National Partnership for Women & Families. Providers fear that the end of Roe and nationwide restrictions on abortion care without providing any maternal health support, guaranteed healthcare, paid family leave or other social safety nets to support patients health will only exacerbate a growing crisis. Story continues We know from data from many countries that when abortion is criminalized it doesnt stop people from seeking abortions, it just makes it unsafe, according to Terry McGovern, professor and chair of Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health. When you remove access to abortion and limit pregnant peoples health autonomy, the implications are profound and far-reaching, added associate professor Kelli Hall. People who do not have access to comprehensive care in their state are forced to go to extreme financial and logistical measures.This will exacerbate poverty, material hardship, and social inequities for generations of families. Emily Wales, interim president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, warned in the aftermath of the Roe decision on 24 June that states that have restricted abortion access have the highest rates of maternal mortality, stressing that pregnancy is 15 times more dangerous than abortion. The Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research group, found that maternal health access is far worse in the 26 states poised to outlaw or severely restrict abortion. In Louisiana, for example, a state where abortion patients will have to travel farther than patients in any other state to access legal care now that abortions are outlawed, huge swaths of the state have little to no access to hospital obstetric services, OB-GYN doctors, birth centres and other maternal healthcare, according to a 2020 report from March of Dimes. States with restrictive abortion laws had a 7 per cent higher maternal mortality rate than states with fewer restrictions, according to a 2021 study in the American Journal of Public Health. In states where abortion restrictions were based on gestational limits, maternal mortality rates stood at 38 per cent, according to a 2020 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. States that lost Planned Parenthood clinics between 2006 and 2015 also saw an average 8 per cent increase in their maternal mortality rates. Ms Wales told reporters that patients will have to manage time off work, childcare and travel arrangements, among other considerations that are potentially impossible hurdles for many patients who seek an abortion. That is a hard thing to say out loud and recognize, she said. Vice President Kamala Harris announces a White House plan to support maternal health on 24 June. (AFP via Getty Images) Dr Judette Louis, the chair of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Florida, recalled one patient who was hemorrhaging from her pregnancy and was forced to seek permission before she could terminate it. I was standing there watching her hemorrhage out, waiting for permission to do the termination, she told CNN. It is a disgusting feeling. It is a sad feeling. And youre sitting there literally watching her blood pressure going down while youre waiting for permission Its just sad to now know ... that that will be happening all over across the country where [abortion access] wont even be a possibility for a lot of states. On Friday, the Biden administration released its White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, which intends to expand healthcare coverage and expand a workforce that care for pregnancy people, support low-income patients with support during and after a pregnancy, and address biases in healthcare that prevent patients from getting the care they need. The administration is calling on Congress to expand Medicaid, the federal health programme for lower-income Americans. The programme covers roughly 42 per cent of all births in the US, but in many states it covers only the first 60 days after a birth. Only 14 states have expanded that coverage to a full year. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to cutting the rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, reducing the disparities in maternal health outcomes, and improving the overall experience during and after pregnancy for people across the country, according to a statement. This commitment will require bold, unprecedented action through a whole-of-government strategy. OSLO, Norway (AP) A gunman opened fire in Oslos nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an Islamist terror act during the capitals annual LGBTQ Pride festival. Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, was arrested after opening fire at three locations in downtown Oslo. Police said two men, one in his 50s and and the other his 60s, died in the shootings. Ten people were treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be in life-threatening condition. Eleven others had minor injuries. The Norwegian Police Security Service raised its terror alert level from moderate to extraordinary the highest level after the attack, which sent panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or trying to hide from the gunman. The services acting chief, Roger Berg, called the attack an extreme Islamist terror act and said the suspect had a long history of violence and threats, as well as mental health issues. He said the agency, known by its Norwegian acronym PST, first became aware of the suspect in 2015 and later grew concerned he had become radicalized and was part of an unspecified Islamist network. Norwegian media named the suspect as Zaniar Matapour, an Oslo resident who arrived in Norway with his family from a Kurdish part of Iran in the 1990s. The suspects defense lawyer, John Christian Elden, said his client hasnt denied carrying out the attack, but he cautioned against speculation on the motive. He has not given any reason. It is too early to conclude whether this is hate crime or terrorism, Elden said in an email to The Associated Press. Upon the advice of police, organizers canceled a Pride parade that was set for Saturday as the highlight of a weeklong festival. Scores of people marched through the capital anyway, waving rainbow flags. Story continues Police attorney Christian Hatlo said it was too early to say whether the gunman specifically targeted members of the LGBTQ community. We have to look closer at that, we dont know yet, he said. Police said civilians assisted them in detaining the man in custody, who was being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, based on the number of people targeted at multiple locations. Investigators seized two weapons after the attack: a handgun and an automatic weapon. Hatlo described both as not modern but did not give details. Not far from Oslos cathedral, crime scene tape cordoned off the bars where the shootings took place, including the London Pub, which is popular with the citys LGBTQ community. Crowds gathered outside and dropped off cards and flowers at impromptu memorials. Martin Ebbestad, 29, had walked by earlier, seen the memorials and returned with flowers. London Pub is our go-to place. My boyfriend left 20 minutes before (it happened). He was sitting outside in the smoking area, Ebbestad said. We know this place so well. It doesnt feel unsafe, but it does feel very close. Norwegian television channel TV2 showed footage of people running down Oslo streets in panic as shots rang out in the background. Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting, Roenneberg told NRK. First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere called the shooting a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people. He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. We all stand by you, Gahr Stoere wrote on Facebook. Christian Bredeli, who was at the London Pub, told Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. Many were fearing for their lives, he said. On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened. Desta G. Selassie, a co-owner of the London Pub, told AP that employees who witnessed the shooting were in shock and receiving psychological counseling. Police said the suspect had a criminal record that included a narcotics offense and a weapons offense for carrying a knife. PST said it spoke to him in May this year because he had shown a certain interest in statements that were interpreted as insults to Islam. In these conversations, it was assessed that he had no intention of violence, but PST is aware that he has had challenges related to mental health, the agency said in a statement. Organizers of Oslo Pride canceled the parade and other scheduled events, and encouraged people all over Norway to show solidarity in their homes, neighborhoods and on social media instead. Well be back later, proud, visible, but right now its not the time for that, Inge Alexander Gjestvang, leader of FRI, a Norwegian organization for sexual and gender diversity, told TV2. Like its Scandinavian neighbors, Norway is considered progressive on LGBTQ rights. There is widespread support for same-sex marriage, which was legalized in 2009. In 2016, Norway became one of the worlds first countries to allow transgender people to legally change their gender without a doctors agreement or intervention. Norways King Harald V offered condolences to the relatives of victims and said the royal family was horrified by the attack. We must stand together to defend our values: freedom, diversity and respect for each other. We must continue to stand up for all people to feel safe, the monarch said. World leaders condemned the attack on their way to a Group of Seven summit in Germany. The summits host, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, tweeted, The Norwegian people can be sure of our sympathy. The fight against terror unites us. French President Emmanuel Macron offered his condolences in a tweet in Norwegian. John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told reporters while flying with U.S. President Joe Biden to the G-7 summit, Our hearts obviously go out to all the families there of the victims, the people of Norway, which is a tremendous ally, and of course the LGBTQI+ community, there and around the world, quite frankly. Norway has a relatively low crime rate but has experienced a series of so-called lone wolf attacks in recent decades, including one of the worst mass shootings in Europe. In 2011, a right-wing extremist killed 69 people on the island of Utoya after setting off a bomb in Oslo that left eight dead. In 2019, another right-wing extremist killed his stepsister and then opened fire in a mosque but was overpowered before anyone there was injured. Last year, a Norwegian man armed with knives and a bow and arrow killed five people in a town in southern Norway. The attacker, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, was sentenced Friday to compulsory psychiatric care. ___ Ritter reported from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Jari Tanner in Helsinki and Sarah Hambro in Oslo contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. After a three-hour-long hearing, the executive committee of the South Carolina Democratic Party voted Thursday to certify Derrick Quarles' candidacy in the South Carolina House of Representatives District 25 primary. Quarles faces Wendell Jones in a runoff on Tuesday unless a legal challenge mounted by a former candidate stops that. Bruce Wilson said he's filed an injunction to request an emergency court hearing in Greenville County at 2 p.m. Monday to prevent Tuesday's runoff election. Wilson and another former candidate, Adrienne Atkinson, separately filed protests against the results of last week's primary, citing an unpardoned felony conviction for Quarles that they said occurred too recently to make him eligible to run for office before 2023. Derrick Quarles Questions about candidacy: Injunction filed to stop primary runoff for SC House of Representatives District 25 seat According to South Carolina's state constitution, a person convicted of a felony must either wait 15 years after completing a felony sentence or receive a pardon for their felony conviction before running for office. Quarles said he has received pardons for four of the five felony charges on his criminal record, but he said he did not apply for a pardon on the fifth felony charge because he believed it did not need pardoning as he was charged when he was a minor. "I dont want something I did at 16 to impact the rest of my life," Quarles said during the hearing. Check back for more on this developing story. Jones won 31.29% of the vote in the primary on June 14 to finish 28 votes ahead of Quarles' 29.84%. Atkinson, who finished third in the primary with 26.07% of the vote, 73 votes behind Quarles, said that her protest was not an attack on Quarles but to protect District 25 from voter disenfranchisement. "The main concern is the constituents," Atkinson said. "They deserve a fair election." Quarles said he has submitted a written request to the state parole board to amend his pardon to include the last felony conviction. He said he is confident the board will approve his request before August when the state Democratic Party must certify its candidates for the general election. Story continues Q&A for SC runoff candidates:: District 25 hopefuls discuss goals amid ruckus The executive committee also voted to have the party ensure Quarles has received his final pardon before the August certification date. Quarles told The Greenville News that an incident in 2003 with a stolen car resulted in a grand-larceny charge when he was tried as an adult at age 15. Obviously, I did it and am not proud of it, but it was something I did as a kid, Quarles previously said. Crowded field: Hotly contested Greenville election has crowded field in rare Democratic primary Since then, Quarles said, hes overcome his record, earned a Ph.D., helped lead local demonstrations, and worked on several political campaigns. He said he's taught college-level courses and served as an administrator. If you look at state statistics, the majority of crime comes out of District 25, so, for me, I think it gives me an edge because Ive been involved in the criminal justice system on both sides, he previously said. Caitlin Herrington contributed to this report. Tim Carlin covers county government, growth, and development for The Greenville News. Follow him on Twitter @timcarlin_, and get in touch with him at TCarlin@gannett.com. You can support his work by subscribing to The Greenville News at greenvillenews.com/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: SC Democratic Party declines to remove Greenville candidate from race Local pro-choice activist Lisa King holds a sign in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009 Alex Wong/Getty Images The Supreme Court overturned abortion rights established by Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24. Experts fear the decision could jeopardize other rulings, including those protecting interracial and same-sex marriages. These rulings are similarly protected under the 14th Amendment's due process clause. Experts fear the Supreme Court's ruling on June 24th to overturn Roe v. Wade could put the constitutional right to interracial marriage in jeopardy. When the nation's highest court nullified federal abortion rights that had been secured under Roe, Justice Clarence Thomas expressed that the Court should also "reconsider" rulings that protect contraception access, same-sex-relationships, and same-sex marriage. In a solo concurring opinion, Thomas argued the Court should reexamine what rights are protected under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. He explicitly names the Court's landmark Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell decisions, which protect contraception access, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage. The due process clause prohibits states from depriving Americans of "life, liberty, or property without the due process of law." In the past, the Court has used this clause to protect certain "substantive rights" that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution such as the right to same-sex marriage arguing that they are liberties that cannot be infringed upon. In his opinion, however, Thomas argues against this interpretation of the clause. "Because any substantive due process decision is 'demonstrably erroneous,' we have a duty to 'correct the error' established in those precedents," Thomas wrote. Notably, in his concurring opinion, Thomas stopped short of mentioning another ruling protected under the 14th Amendment: Loving v. Virginia, which protects interracial marriage. Other Court justices disagree with Thomas' opinion. In his own concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh splits from Thomas, appearing to suggest that the Court's overturning of Roe will not affect the standings of past rulings, including Loving, Obergefell, and Griswold. Story continues "I emphasize what the Court today states: Overruling Roe does not mean the overruling of those precedents, and does not threaten or cast doubt on those precedents," Kavanaugh wrote. Neither Thomas nor Kavanaugh's opinion were the Court's majority opinion, meaning they're not binding precedent. The dissenting justices, Justices Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan, warned in their opinion that "no one should be confident that this majority is done with its work," in stripping away prior precedent. Justice Samuel Alito struck back against the dissenters in the Court's majority opinion, accusing them of stoking "unfounded fear" that the Dobbs decision would imperil other rights, like same-sex marriage and contraception access. Nevertheless, the Court's conflicting opinions worried some legal experts, who told Insider they fear the high court could challenge the Loving decision in the future if the proper cases come before them. "What we see today is that there is very little that is sacred in terms of privacy," Michele Goodwin, a constitutional law professor at the University of California, Irvine, told Insider. Both Loving and Roe affirm the constitutional right to privacy. In 1958, two residents of Virginia, Mildred Jeter, a Black woman, and Richard Loving, a white man, were married in the District of Columbia, where interracial marriage was legal. When the newlyweds returned to Virginia, they were charged with violating the state's antimiscegenation statute, which banned interracial marriages in the state. The Lovings were found guilty and sentenced to a year in jail, though their sentence was suspended on the condition that they move away from Virginia for 25 years. They were also barred from traveling to the state as a pair. The couple appealed their conviction, which eventually made its way to the Supreme Court. In a landmark civil rights decision in June 1967, the Court issued a unanimous decision in the case Loving v. Virginia that ended all race-based legal restrictions on marriage in the US. It held that racial distinctions were "odious to a free people" and were subject to "the most rigid scrutiny" under the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. "Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual, and cannot be infringed by the State," Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote at the time. The right to marry was considered to be protected under the right to privacy. When Roe was decided in 1973, the Supreme Court ruled it was the right to privacy, found in the due process clause of the 14th Amendment, that protected "a woman's qualified right to terminate her pregnancy" until fetal viability. Several landmark rulings in the LGTBQ+ civil rights movement including Lawrence v. Texas, which protects same-sex relationships, and Obergefell v. Hodges, which protects same-sex marriage are similarly built on the right to privacy. With Roe overturned, some experts fear that Loving could be at risk. Rakim Brooks, an appellate attorney and the president of the Alliance for Justice, told Insider he believes Thomas' opinion on due clause precedents may be seen as a call-to-action for others to begin filing cases that challenge Obergefell, Griswold, and Lawrence. "He's trying to begin to turn the machinery of the court system to reconsider precedents that you've long since thought are illegitimate because they rely on the substantive due process clause," Brooks said. Thomas did not expressly mention the Loving decision in his opinion as a case to be overturned, but Brooks noted the Court could still revisit the precedents set by it in a future case. Thomas, himself, is in an interracial marriage with his wife, Ginni Thomas. "As the dissenters pointed out, the logic takes you all the way to [eliminating] any right," Brooks said. Similarly, Goodwin said that by overturning Roe, the Supreme Court has sent a "dog whistle" to states. "The Supreme Court doesn't have to engage itself with dismantling protections for interracial marriage. By sending the signal with Roe and by Justice Thomas undergirding that signal, it's now left to the county clerks," Goodwin said. Given the rise in white nationalistic sentiment in the US, Goodwin said she is afraid that "all it takes" is for those holding extreme views to become those county clerks making decisions that can undercut fundamental rights, like interracial marriage. "It's a cruel and painful joke," Goodwin said. Brooks, who previously clerked for Kavanaugh, told Insider he believes his former boss could still vote in favor of repealing Loving if given the opportunity, despite what he wrote in his concurrence. He pointed to Kavanaugh's time before the Senate Judiciary Committee where the justice said that Roe v. Wade was "an important precedent" before voting to overturn it years later. "To be clear, the Court has said there are guardrails that protect other areas of intimacy and privacy, such as contraception and marriage," Goodwin said. "These are the same justices that, during their confirmation hearings, led the Senate to believe that they would respect the precedents and precedential value of Roe v. Wade. They have done an about-face." Read the original article on Insider Weather Alert ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...High temperatures of 98 to 106 expected. * WHERE...In Washington, Lower Columbia Basin of Washington, Foothills of the Blue Mountains of Washington and Yakima Valley. In Oregon, Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon. * WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 11 PM PDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Widespread afternoon high temperatures between 98 and 106 degrees are forecast with the highest temperatures expected in the Lower Columbia Basin of Washington. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. && Abortion is still legal in WA. Here's what to know Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Somalia's parliament on Saturday unanimously endorsed Hamza Abdi Barre as new prime minister, paving the way for the creation of a new government for the fragile Horn of Africa nation. All 220 lawmakers present gave their blessing to Barre's appointment, and he was then sworn in to office, the parliament speaker said. Barre 48, told parliament he would form a government that would focus on "creating inclusive political stability (in line with) the president's motto of a reconciled Somalia that is at peace with the world". Somalia's new adminstration faces a raft of challenges including a looming famine and a grinding insurgency by the Al-Shabaab jihadist group. "We shall form a capable government that pursues our nation's developmental & humanitarian priorities reflecting our people's needs," Barre posted on Twitter. A crippling drought across the Horn of Africa has left about 7.1 million Somalis -- nearly half the population -- battling hunger, with more than 200,000 on the brink of starvation, according to UN figures. Al-Shabaab also continues to flex its muscles, waging an attack earlier this month that killed three soldiers in central Somalia, underscoring the difficult task ahead for the country's new leaders. Barre, an MP from the semi-autonomous state of Jubaland was chosen earlier this month by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected by parliament in May after a long-delayed and stormy voting process. 'Move forward together' "Our government has an ambitious policy programme which seeks to improve our security, strengthen our economy and deliver basic services for our people," Mohamud said on Twitter after Barre was approved. "Let us move forward together." There are hopes that Mohamud's presidency will draw the line under a seething political crisis that blighted the rule of his predecessor Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known as Farmajo, and threatened to plunge the country back into violent chaos. Barre replaces Mohamed Hussein Roble, who was appointed in 2020 by Farmajo but then fell out with the former president over the delayed elections and other political and security issues. The African Union's peacekeeping mission in Somalia known as ATMIS offered its congratulations to Barre, as did Roble, who called on all Somalis to support his successor. The 66-year-old president Mohamud did not appear at the parliamentary session after he said on Friday that he had tested positive for Covid-19. He made the announcement on Twitter after returning from the United Arab Emirates, his first official trip abroad since his election, saying he had no symptoms but would continue to self-isolate. Mohamud is a former academic and peace activist who was previously president from 2012-2017 but whose first administration was dogged by claims of corruption and infighting. Search Keywords: Short link: The Pragati Maidan Tunnel will be shut for vehicular traffic every Sunday as authorities have decided to let pedestrians visit the Rs 920 crore worth project and treat themselves to the mesmerizing artwork inside. The 1.3-km-long tunnel, which has eased connectivity between central Delhi with satellite towns of Noida and Ghaziabad, has turned into a selfie point as people are often seen clicking pictures with the murals depicting India's culture, flora-fauna, zodiac symbols, and six seasons in different parts of the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The Delhi Police took Twitter to keep people informed about the move. "Pragati Maidan Tunnel will be closed on Sunday, i.e. 26.06.22 for vehicular traffic. Only pedestrians will be able to access the tunnel. Kindly use Ring Road, Bhairon Road & Mathura Road as an alternative," the tweet read. In another tweet, the traffic police said, "Please note that even pedestrian movement will not be allowed. Kindly plan accordingly. Pragati Maidan Tunnel will be closed on Sunday, i.e. 26.06.22 for vehicular traffic. Only pedestrians will be able to access the tunnel. Kindly use Ring Road, Bhairon Road & Mathura Road as an alternative. Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) June 24, 2022 Officials of the International Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), a central government entity that is managing the tunnel, said the artwork inside the facility is a "feast to the eyes" and the public should be allowed to witness the splendid work. "We have decided to keep the tunnel closed for traffic every Sunday for the time being and allow the public to witness the mesmerizing artwork inside. Pedestrians will be allowed to walk around," ITPO Chairman and Managing Director LC Goyal told PTI. However, another ITPO official said the tunnel will remain shut even for visitors on the coming Sunday, i.e. June 26, as some basic arrangements need to be made so that people can visit the tunnel from next Sunday. Also read: Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder teased before unveil, to get hybrid powertrains - Video The prime minister, during the inauguration ceremony of the tunnel last Sunday, had lauded the artwork and suggested that they should be closed for traffic for a few hours on Sundays to allow schoolchildren and others to walk around and appreciate it. Besides the tunnel, Modi had also inaugurated the five underpasses of the Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor. The project is funded entirely by the central government. Officials said murals inside the tunnel were hand-painted and manufactured on a mild steel sheet, which enhances the look and quality. The colour of these murals changes every 250 meters in the tunnel, the official said. Delhi's first 1.3-km-long tunnel will allow commuters travelling to India Gate and other central Delhi areas from east Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad to ditch traffic snarls at ITO, Mathura Road, and Bhairon Marg. Officials said shutting the tunnel for traffic will not affect vehicular movement in the region as the other five underpasses will remain open for vehicles. "Since Sunday is a holiday, the traffic volume remains low. The other five underpasses will remain open so that traffic flow will not hamper due to the closure of the tunnel. Commuters can also use the conventional routes of Bhairon Marg, ITO, and Mathura Road to reach their destinations," a Public Works Department (PWD) official said. The tunnel project has been executed by the Delhi PWD. The official said guards will be deployed at the entry and exit points of the facility so that visitors do not face any inconvenience. (With inputs from PTI) Live TV Fuselage door warnings lit up on two separate Spicejet planes while taking off on Friday and Saturday, forcing the aircrafts to abandon their journeys and return, said officials of Indian aviation regulator DGCA, which ordered a probe into the incidents. There have been a total of four incidents -- including the aforementioned two -- on SpiceJet flights during the last one week. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating all the four incidents, officials stated. Fuselage is the central body of the aircraft where passengers and crew members sit. On June 19, an engine on SpiceJet's Delhi-bound aircraft carrying 185 passengers caught fire soon after taking off from the Patna airport and the plane made an emergency landing minutes later. The engine malfunctioned because of a bird hit. In another incident on June 19, a SpiceJet flight for Jabalpur had to return to Delhi due to cabin pressurisation issues. Officials said on Friday (June 24), the fuselage warning light on a SpiceJet Q400 plane illuminated when it was on 'rotation' -- when pilots pitched the nose of the aircraft up to climb in the air during take off. The pilots of the Q400 aircraft, which was heading from Guwahati to Kolkata, found that the warning was coming from the baggage door at the rear end of the plane, the officials said. The Q400 plane was levelled off at 5,000 feet and the pilots decided to return to Guwahati, the officials noted. An incident similar to the Friday one took place on SpiceJet's Patna-Guwhati flight on Saturday (June 25). A SpiceJet Q400 aircraft stopped its take-off roll at the Patna airport on Saturday after the plane's fuselage door warning light lit up, officials noted. Also read: Meet SpiceJet pilot Monica Khanna who saved 185 lives by safely landing a plane on fire In this case too, it was found that the warning had come from the baggage door at the rear end of the aircraft, they said. The Q400 plane returned to the parking bay of the Patna airport after cancelling its take off, officials noted. Regarding the Friday incident, SpiceJet said that "Q400 aircraft was operating flight SG-4126, sector Guwahati-Kolkata". At rotation, fuselage door warning light illuminated and take-off was continued. Subsequently aircraft was levelled off at 5,000 feet and pilot-in-command decided to return back to Guwahati," it mentioned. Air turn back was initiated in coordination with ATC (air traffic controller) and aircraft landed safely at Guwahati, it said. Regarding the Saturday incident, the airline said, "SpiceJet Q400 aircraft was operating flight SG-3724, sector Patna-Guwahati. During takeoff roll, fuselage door warning light illuminated. Subsequently, the take-off was rejected and aircraft returned to bay." Live TV NEW DELHI: The trailer of Yash Raj Films' much-awaited 'Shamshera' starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Vaani Kapoor was released on Friday (June 24). While Ranbir's fans were elated to see the actor doing an action film and performing some stunts for the first time in his career, a section of people have criticised the film for several reasons. Some people are calling 'Shamshera' a cheap copy of some iconic Hollywood movies like 'Thor', and 'Harry Potter', there are others who have called out the makers for once again showing the villain to be a Hindu wearing tikka. Many also compared Ranbir's 'Shamshera' avatar with that of Ranveer Singh as Khilji from 'Padmaavat'. A social media user wrote in Hindi, "Hindus are being targeted again by applying tilak on the forehead and then stupid Hindus will go to see it. (Maathe par tilak laga kar phir se Hinduo ko target kiya jaa raha hai aur phir bewkoof Hindu ise dekhne jayenge.)" "In old Bollywood movies Saffron Tilak symbolised the villains in the movie And now even Vaishnav Tilak and Tripundra are used to represent the villains!! It seems Bollywood has got some serious problem with Sanatan culture," another one wrote. "#Bollywood always try to show Hindus in negative role, why villain Sanjay Datta shown like Hindu sadhu. You can show villain without any Hindu symbol," a comment read. Another while trashing the Ranbir Kapoor film wrote, "History is the witness that movie plot based in British era has never gone well Mangal Pandey Thugs Of Hindostan RRR LAGAAN is exception! PS: not talking about Box-office!" A comment noted, "Trailer revealed more than it should as I was scared about the length of the film," before adding "shamshera trailer was big disappointment as it revealed half story in it." One netizen even tweeted t KRK asking, "Bhai #ShamsheraTrailer ka funny video ho jaaye." _ Bollywood has been defaming Hindu Dharma 4 many years by portraying villains as Brahmins, Sadhus, Saints, Priests... __Hindus r demanding that d govt should pay serious attention 2 this & stop issuing certificates 2 such films!#ShamsheraTrailer#BoycottBollywood pic.twitter.com/MlfwLT72X7 _ DIPTI _ (@__DIPTI__) June 24, 2022 #ShamsheraTrailer - Yet another propaganda movie where the villain is a Tilak sporting Shikha keeping #Brahmins Then why do such actors later go to temples to promote their films ? Shameless Hypocrisy at its best!!!https://t.co/o9oIkXuuOK Chandra Moger (@Cm_hjs) June 25, 2022 Hindu Tej Jago! Yash Raj Film's #Shamshera depicts #SanjayDutt wearing a 'Tilak' & keeping 'Shikha' (the tuft of hair on the head) as a villain ! How long will this mockery of Hindu Dharma & Hindu culture continue?#ShamsheraTrailer #Hinduphobic#BoycottBollywood #BanShamshera pic.twitter.com/jPWnKHJCUj Sanatan Prabhat (Kannada) (@Sanatan_Prabhat) June 24, 2022 #Bollywood always try to show hindus in negative role why villain Sanjay Datta shown like hindu sadhu. You can show villain without any hindu symbol.#BoycottBollywood #ShamsheraTrailer pic.twitter.com/YwSQyDz8wP Raje (@Raje96k) June 24, 2022 I didn't liked #ShamsheraTrailer, for me its a mixture of 4-5 films, undoubtedly its a big budget film, massive expense on sets, graphics, vfx and large in making BUT it fails badly as a OVERALL TRAILER PRODUCT, #RanbirKapoor looks bulky but unimpressive, #SanjayDutt REPETITIVE. Rohit Jaiswal (@rohitjswl01) June 24, 2022 Others even called out the makers of Shamshera owing to Vaani Kapoors look. One noted, "Another thing I hated was Vaani character there wasn't need of her character to be shown like that plus her character attire and some things felt of this generation than 1800s time so this was the only thing disappointing :)" Check out the trailer of action extravaganza 'Shamshera' below: Ranbir kaoor will be seen on the big screen after a gap of four years as he last starred in 2018 released 'Sanju'. As per reports, 'Shamshera' will have the most breathtaking visual experience that cine-goers have seen on screen. Director Karan Malhotra wanted to shoot some of the most crucial portions in Ladakh because it would add to the visual appeal of the film. "Since the movie is looking to transport viewers back to a period, huge sets have been built to recreate an era where Ranbir is pitted against Sanjay Dutt," DNA quoted a source saying. An action-adventure film, 'Shamshera' is directed by Karan Malhotra and produced by Aditya Chopra. Set in the 1800s, the film is about a dacoit tribe who take charge in the fight for their rights and independence against the British. Ranbir, for the first time in his career, will play a double role as central character Shamshera and his father while Vaani is playing a dancer. Sanjay Dutt, who also features in the film, plays Daroga Shuddh Singh, a merciless nemesis of Ranbir. The film, which was postponed several times, will be released on July 22, 2022, in IMAX theatres, in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, coinciding with the Bakrid holiday weekend. The film also features Ronit Roy, Ashutosh Rana, Sharat Saxena, Saurabh Shukla, Aahana Kumra among others in key roles. 'Shamshera' is a part of Yash Raj Films' (YRF) three-movie deal with filmmaker Karan Malhotra, who directed 'Agneepath' and 'Brothers'. It marks Ranbir's comeback to the Yash Raj Films (YRF) banner after nine years. Ranbir's last two outings with YRF were 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' and 'Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year'. Live TV NEW DELHI: Actor R Madhavan, who made his directorial debut with the film 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect', has been drawing flak after claiming that 'panchang', a Hindu calendar, helped ISRO to successfully launch a rocket into space. He was speaking about the ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission during a promotional event for his upcoming film 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect'. The actor made the comments while promoting his directorial debut which was recently screened at the 75th Cannes Films Festival in May. He made the comments in Tamil which was translated by musician T M Krishna. The actor said, "Indian rockets did not have 3 engines (solid, liquid, and cryogenic) which help western rockets propel themselves into the Martian orbit. Since India lacked, they used the information in the 'Panchangam' (Hindu Calendar). "It has the celestial map with all information on the various planets, their gravitation pulls, sun's flares deflection etc, all calculated perfectly 1000s of years ago and hence the micro-second [of] the launch was calculated using this Panchangam info," Madhavan further said as per Krishnas translation. As expected, social media users noticed his statement and attempted to school him. There were some who took a dig at the actor over his latest claims. Disappointed that @isro has not published this vital information on their website https://t.co/LgCkFEsZNQ Time to also consider a Mars Panchangam! https://t.co/VsD0xmswR9 T M Krishna (@tmkrishna) June 23, 2022 Madhavan, best known for films such as 'Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein', '3 Idiots', 'Tanu Weds Manu' and 'Vikram Vedha', said he is proud and satisfied of his first film 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect' as a director. He has written, produced and acted in 'Rocketry', a biopic on Nambi Narayanan, a former scientist and aerospace engineer of the Indian Space Research Organisation, who was falsely accused of espionage. The film's trailer was recently showcased at Expo 2022 Dubai where it received a positive response from the audience. The ISRO's Mangalyan mission was India's first interplanetary mission. ISRO's K Sivan said the Mangalyan mission was initially meant for only 6 months. India became the first country to reach the Martian orbit in the first attempt in 2014. "I started the film at the end of 2016 and it will be released in 2022. It has taken six years. Not just my role but I am satisfied with the way the film has turned out compared to the script we had written. So, it is as close to the script as possible. That is our victory," he was quoted by PTI. Releasing on July 1 in theatres worldwide, Madhavan said the film will have a substantial release in terms of screen count. 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect' was shot simultaneously in Hindi, Tamil, and English and will be dubbed in Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada languages. Live TV The world which has turned into a global village through the Internet has completely changed the world of education as well. Now instead of getting degrees, students are looking for a course after 12th, which can give them good employment as soon as possible and their career can grow in a better direction. In today's date, there are many such diploma and certificate courses available after 12th, which are in demand all over the world. But liking a course and joining and completing it successfully are two different things. The biggest obstacle in front of the students in such professional courses is the hefty fees of the institutes, which often becomes difficult for the students to afford. Dr. Tapan Kumar Rautaray, chairman of the world's leading distance education center 'World Peace Institute of United Nations' (WPIUN) in India, says that if a student has to do a diploma or certificate course from a private institution in the country, then for that Hefty fees have to be paid. Such institutes charge a hefty fee of two to 2.5 lakh rupees for a course of just six months. It is difficult for everyone to afford such a high fee. The best solution to this problem is the choice of distance learning, through which all kinds of national and international courses can be done at very low fees and good jobs can be achieved in the country and abroad. Many digital institutes like WPIUN are offering all such courses through online distance learning at very nominal fees which are internationally recognized. The method of teaching these courses is not only modern and scientific, but also convenient. This saves the time as well as money of the students. Online distance learning is also bringing international quality to professional courses and making it easier for the youth to access them. Dr. Tapan Kumar Rautaray explains that under WPIUN there are certificate and diploma courses in various fields like Business Management, Banking and Finance, Accounting, Healthcare, Computer Applications, Journalism, Corporate Law and Teacher Training, Nursing, Journalism, Marketing, Retail and Hospitality. A wide range of are provided. WPIUN also offers a variety of scholarships in the form of grants to encourage students. Dr. Tapan Kumar says that the aim of WPIUN is to provide an unprecedented learning experience to the students. For which the institute has a esteemed faculty of Teaching Professionals having wide knowledge and vast experience in their field. The Institute's effective computer-based examination and virtual classroom facilities facilitate learning by bridging the gap between learners and teachers. Students are provided with the facility of computer-based assignment submission, computer-based exam scheduling, doubt clarification, personal assistance and counseling sessions. To help the students, useful study materials are provided, designed by a team of respected industry professionals. Tapn kumar Rautaray came from Bhuvneshwar, Odisha and with their hard work he build himself he has running different organisation in the favour of social worker also in teaching sector. he own WHRPC, an international organization dedicated to the protection of human rights, awarding those people who are working silently to uphold and protect the rights of the world, society and common people. WHRPC unites individuals, educators, organizations and government bodies to adopt and promote human rights. Tapan Kumar Rautaray believes that Being successsful doen't require one to be exceptionally talented. It is just a matter of attitiude. this is his secret of success. (Written by- Dr. Tapan Kumar Rautaray) Live TV New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said on Saturday that she will support National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Droupadi Murmu in the presidential polls. We've decided to support NDA's Presidential election candidate Droupadi Murmu. We've taken this decision neither in support of BJP or NDA nor against opposition but keeping our party and movement in mind, BSP chief was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. We've decided to support NDA's Presidential election candidate Droupadi Murmu. We've taken this decision neither in support of BJP or NDA nor against opposition but keeping our party and movement in mind: BSP chief Mayawati pic.twitter.com/7QXbnVNXNj ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 25, 2022 The BSP chief further said that she was not invited to the meeting chaired by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar to elect an opposition candidate for the Presidential election ."Mamata Banerjee invited only selected parties in the meeting she called on June 15 to elect an opposition candidate for the Presidential election and when Sharad Pawar called a meeting on June 21, then also BSP was not invited. It shows their casteism motives," she added. This comes after, Murmu on Friday spoke to Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Droupadi Murmu is the first presidential candidate from Odisha of a major political party or alliance. She continues to break barriers and was the first woman governor of Jharkhand. She served as Jharkhand Governor from 2015 to 2021. Meanhwhile, Opposition candidate for the presidential election Yashwant Sinha reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, seeking their support for the July 18 polls. Sinha also dialled Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and reminded him of the commitment that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had made when he was named as the combined opposition candidate for the presidential polls. Mumbai: Amid the rising threat of the fourth wave of Covid-19, Maharashtra on Saturday reported 23 Covid cases infected with the Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5. After this the tally of such patients has risen to 49, PTI reported quoting a state health department official said. As per the report of the Mumbai-based Kasturba Hospital Central Laboratory, which has been evaluated by the National Institute of Virology in Pune, the 23 cases comprise 17 infections caused by BA.5 and six by BA.4. Out of all the patients, one is minor, two are in the 18-25 age frame, nine are in between 26 and 50 years and 11 patients are 50-plus. Of the 23 patients, 12 are women and the rest are men, the report added. The report informed that of the 49 samples, 28 are in Mumbai, 15 in Pune, four in Nagpur and two in Thane. The Kasturba laboratory has tested 364 samples, which were collected between June 1 and 18 and barring one, all have been of the Omicron variant, while BA.2 and BA.238 have been found in 325 samples, a state health department bulletin said. This comes after three patients of BA.4 and one of BA.5 Omicron sub-variants of coronavirus was found in Mumbai earlier this month. BA.4 and BA.5 are sub-variants of the highly transmissible Omicron strain of the coronavirus which was responsible for the third wave of the Covid-19 in India. The predominant variant in this surge is a sub-lineage of Omicron which is B.A.5 and B.A.4. Although these strains are more transmissible, the majority of the cases are mild and get managed with home isolation. Mumbai Covid cases today Mumbai on Saturday reported 840 COVID-19 cases, a fall attributed to the glitches in the ICMR portal, and three fatalities, taking the tally to 11,04,600 and the death toll to 19,594, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said. A day earlier, the metropolis had recorded 1,898 infections and two pandemic-related fatalities. New Delhi: As Maharashtra witnesses another surge in Covid-19 cases, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is considering making face masks mandatory in Mumbai suburban trains. The step was discussed on Friday (June 24) as the CM, who is battling a rebellion from party MLAs, reviewed the coronavirus situation with senior government officials. As per the official statement by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Thackeray held a virtual meeting with senior bureaucrats, wherein he discussed the possibility of making face masks mandatory for suburban train passengers, PTI reported. The mask mandate option was discussed as a measure to curb growing cases of the novel coronavirus infection in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the statement added. The Maharashtra government had struck down the mask compulsion in April this year as the cases declined. "Coronavirus cases are on the rise in the state, chiefly in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Raigad and Palghar districts. People should follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour on their own," Uddhav Thackeray said as per the official statement. In early June, the Maharashtra Chief Minister had urged people to use face masks and get vaccinated if they want to avoid Covid-19 curbs. Meanwhile, Maharashtra logged 4,205 new Covid-19 infections on Friday, which pushed the total tally to 79,54,445. With thee new fatalities, the death toll mounted to 1,47,896, the state health department said. Of the new cases, Mumbai alone reported 1,898 cases and the city currently has a test positivity rate of 12.70 per cent. On Thursday, Maharashtra had crossed the 5000-mark with 5,218 fresh coronavirus cases. Notably, the number of active Covid-19 cases has surpassed the 25,000-mark in the state. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: India witnessed a massive spike in daily Covid-19 cases on Saturday (June 25, 2022). With 15,940 new Covid-19 infections being reported in the last 24 hours, India's total tally of cases rose to 4,33,78,234, according to Union health ministry data updated today. The active caseload stands at 91,779. India recorded 20 new deaths in the last 24 hours. The country also reported 12,425 recoveries in a day. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,27,61,481, while the case fatality rate has been recorded at 1.21 per cent. #COVID19 | India reports 15,940 fresh cases and 20 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases 91,779 Daily positivity rate 4.39% pic.twitter.com/EjMC4GKIZv June 25, 2022 An increase of 3,495 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The ministry also informed that the active cases comprise 0.21 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.58 per cent. The cumulative doses administered under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 196.94 crore on Saturday at 8 am. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.39 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was 3.30 per cent, according to the ministry. (With agency inputs) Mumbai: Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde said that Sena workers must try to understand that all he is trying to do is to save the party from the clutches of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government - a coalition of Shiv Sena with Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Congress and several other parties and independent MLAs. "Shiv Sena workers must understand that I want to free Shiv Sena and its workers from the clutches of the dragon named MVA government and I have been struggling for the same. This battle is for the betterment of party workers," tweeted Eknath Shinde in Marathi. Shinde's appeal came after Sena workers loyal to party president and Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray staged protests against the rebel MLAs led by him by defacing their banners, hurling stones in some places and vandalising the office of an MLA in Pune. Shinde and his supporters have said earlier that they want the Sena to pull out of the "unnatural" Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition with the Congress and NCP, and revive the alliance with BJP. , , ... ..! MVA . .... .#MiShivsainik Eknath Shinde - (@mieknathshinde) June 25, 2022 In another video tweeted by Shinde, Shiv Sena rebel MLA Chimanrao Patil was seen saying, "We are traditionally the rivals of NCP & Congress, they are our primary challengers in constituencies. We requested CM Uddhav Thackeray that natural alliance should be done." "We are traditionally the rivals of NCP & Congress, they are our primary challengers in constituencies. We requested CM Uddhav Thackeray that natural alliance should be done" said Shiv Sena rebel MLA Chimanrao Patil in a video tweeted by Eknath Shinde pic.twitter.com/6n5gGWCGoL ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022 Meanwhile, another rebel MLA Mahesh Shinde on Saturday claimed that the NCP is planning to "finish off" Shiv Sena. He claimed that NCP MLAs were getting more funds than the Shiv Sena legislators for development work in their constituencies. The rebel MLA further claimed that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray failed to stop the disparity. "As a result, the MLAs urged Eknath Shinde to play a 'big role' to save Shiv Sena. Funds were unequally distributed and the CM was aware of it. CM`s directions were overturned by the Deputy CM. NCP was trying to systematically finish Shiv Sena in their constituencies. This led to the rebellion," stated Mahesh Shinde."NCP is planning to finish off Shiv Sena... We all MLAs repeatedly complained to CM about the injustice by NCP but to no avail. So we urged Eknath Shinde to play this big role to save Shiv Sena," said Mahesh Shinde."We weren't invited to any programme. We met the CM thrice. The CM assured us. He gave a stay on many things, but the Deputy CM didn't agree and did development work of our rivals and also inaugurated them. This continuously went on," he added. Also read: Uddhav Thackeray's warning for rebel Shiv Sena MLAs: Use your father's name, not my dad's, to win election Eknath Shinde claims to have the support of 38 MLAs of the 55 Shiv Sena legislators, which is more than two-thirds of the party's strength in the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. It means that they can either leave and form another political party or merge with another without being disqualified from the state assembly. According to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with the anti-defection law, any group of lawmakers can leave a party and form another or merge with another party without disqualification if they are together at least two-thirds of legislators of the party's original strength. (With ANI inputs) To address the issues brought on by the Russian-Ukrainian dispute and promote prosperity in the region, Jordan's King Abdullah II underlined the need for regional cooperation efforts on Friday, according to the Petra news agency. The Jordanian king also discussed the United States' role in the Middle East in his interview with CNBC Anchor and Senior International Correspondent Hadley Gamble, stressing the importance of intensifying peace efforts as a prerequisite for fostering regional cooperation. The kingdom works actively with NATO and sees itself as a partner of the alliance, having fought shoulder-to-shoulder with NATO troops for decades, the monarch told Gamble. "I would be one of the first people that would endorse a Middle East NATO," King Abdullah said, according to CNBC. But the vision of such a military alliance must be very clear, and its role should be well defined, he added. The mission statement has to be very, very clear. Otherwise, it confuses everybody, he stressed. In the interview, from which some clips were released on Friday and which will be broadcast in full in early July, King Abdullah spoke about Jordans Economic Modernization Vision for the next decade, and the parallel tracks of political, economic and administrative modernization. Search Keywords: Short link: Expressing satisfaction over the arrest of former IPS officer RB Sreekumar by Gujarat Police on Saturday, former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan said action had been taken against the retired police official for "fabricating stories and trying to sensationalise them" and "it is exactly what he did in my case also" over the 1994 ISRO espionage case. Former Gujarat Director General of Police RB Sreekumar was arrested by Gujarat Police on Saturday, a day after Supreme Court ruling on June 24 which upheld the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a Gujarat court in the 2002 riots case. Speaking to ANI over the phone, Narayanan said that the former officer was "crossing all limits of decency" and "there is limit to everything". "I came to know that he was arrested today for keeping on fabricating stories and trying to sensationalise them, there was a charge against him. It is exactly what he did in my case also. But our system is such that anybody can say any loose statement and get away with it. This is what some responsible people at bigger positions also keep on doing," Narayanan said. "Now that it is shown by Supreme Court that you can`t do it anymore. So they must be behind the docks. That way, I am very happy to know that he is being arrested because there is a limit for everything. I think he is crossing all the limits in terms of decency, in terms of judicial prudence," he added. Narayanan accused Sreekumar of making false statements about him. "I personally feel whatever he is charged with is applicable to my case also. One day he will say that I am corrupt. It has nothing to do with the case, it is closed. But again he will say, he will bring someone else to say this. This is what he has kept on doing. Now I hope that he will stop doing that. He should also be punished for that," he alleged. Narayanan said no one should be allowed to take advantage of loopholes of law. "When he was arrested I was very happy because he will keep on doing this kind of mischief all the time, there must be an end to such a thing. That is why I said, I am very happy. Same thing applies to me in all respects," he said. "He will keep on telling something. He will make use of the loopholes of the law and then try to play his cards in such a manner so that you get fed up and run away. So that whatever he is saying becomes true. This is what he has been doing with so many cases. I want to make it clear, this is not on," he added. The CBI had moved Supreme Court against the Kerala High Court order of August 2021 granting anticipatory bail to four persons including Sreekumar in a case relating to the alleged framing of Nambi Narayanan in the 1994 ISRO espionage matter.The high court had granted anticipatory bail to Sreekumar and two former police officers of Kerala and a retired intelligence official in connection with the case. Nambi Narayanan and another former ISRO scientist had in August last year told CBI team probing the ISRO conspiracy case that they were subjected to "mental and physical torture" by former Kerala police and Intelligence Bureau officers. Sreekumar was then the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Bureau. New Delhi: Zee Digital is holding the Edufuture Excellence Awards 2022 today, June 25, 2022 to acknowledge and applaud the efforts of educational leaders, institutions, teachers, and Students who went beyond the mile and demonstrated excellence in the field of education. Edufuture Excellence Awards celebrates the changemakers who rose above the challenges to create stories that inspire future generations. This is the second edition of the Edufuture Excellence awards. The second edition of Edufuture Excellence Awards takes this legacy forward by recognizing exceptional work in education at a time when online/hybrid education has become the New Normal along with the successful implementation of NEP by the Government of India. CBSE Secretary Anurag Tripathi, Sharad Vivek Sagar, CEO, Dexterity Global, Social Entrepreneur & Expert at KBC; Bani Paintal Dhawan, Head of Education, India and South Asia Google Cloud India Pvt. Ltd; Divya Arora, National Director, AFS Intercultural Program, India; Rohit Anand, Head HR CoEs are some of the esteemed speakers at the event. Additionally, workshops will also be conducted by admired personalities of the industry on varied topics for students. The first edition of Edufuture Excellence Awards set high standards and created an industry benchmark for recognizing best practices in education during the COVID-19 induced lockdown. A series of valuable sessions were arranged by the top mentors of the industry for the benefit of the students. Live TV Most of the students are of the myth that aptitude is nothing more than a test that we passed in earlier classes like ratios or proportions. Most of the students say that they should not worry regarding the aptitude test but this statement is absolutely wrong, actually students should worry upon this notion. Aptitude test consists of 15 marks. Engr. Maths gate 2023 is one of the most difficult tests. In every gate question you are allotted 2.5 minutes. There are many confusing and tricky questions in Engr. Maths gate 2023 exam. Marks division in aptitude test The Aptitude test is of 15 marks and it is fixed. Aptitude helps you in your interview clearing and most of the other course exams even include aptitude tests. There are about 5 questions of 1 mark each and 5 questions of 2marks each, overall, 15 marks. Now the question arises is there any negative marking in it? Yes, there is negative marking in this that is Negative marking is . The other problem that students face is which book to be referred to? You can look for various top authors reviewed books. They will help you in providing structured notes of Engr. Maths gate 2023. Understand the Engr. Maths gate 2023 Exam Pattern and Syllabus. The GATE Exam Syllabus is provided on the official GATE website; if you grasp the Syllabus, the exam will be a breeze for you. Determine which questions in the exam are worth two points and which are worth one point. You have 180 minutes to answer 65 questions, so start with the ones that are worth the most points. By repeated practice and determination, you can crack the exam. You should know how to divide your time to spend on every question. How many questions should you answer in order to get a high grade? Because there is negative marking in the Engr. Maths GATE 2023 exam, try to answer as many questions as feasible. However, keep in mind that you should attempt to answer with confidence in the smallest amount of time. Giving more time to any one question can disrupt the exam's rhythm of answering questions. Try to focus on that one question which you are confident of scoring good marks. Do not be nervous while attempting the question. Try to solve every question in the allotted time so that in the end you have time to check your answers. How To Prepare for Engr. Maths GATE 2023 Exam? If you want to get a good rank in Engr. Maths GATE 2023 then you should start preparing for it. Make a plan according to your syllabus before starting the preparation. This will help you identify the number of chapters that need to be covered. Divide your syllabus into difficult and easy subjects. Take sufficient breaks while studying in order to relax your mind. Set goals on a daily-weekly and monthly basis. Motivate yourself and challenge yourself. Divide the subject or chapter according to the days left for the exam. Thoroughly revise everything. Oswaal GATE 13 Years Solved Question Papers with Exam -Ready Cognitive Tools such as Mind maps, Mnemonics, On Tips Notes for Quick Revision, Tips& Tricks to crack the exam in one go. Oswaal books has been awarded with Product of The Year 2022, As Per The Neilson Nation-wise Survey. One of the most prominent consumer-voted awards for innovation in products, the "Product of the Year," has announced Oswaal Books as its winners for the year 2022. Here is the recommended link for GATE Exams Books | 13 Years Solved Question Papers for 2023 Exams: https://bit.ly/3ydnKb8 Take help from experts For preparation, it is critical to seek the advice of a professional. Experts can help you with alternate concepts or better explanations for each area, as well as strategic grading. They will help you in solving tricky questions in exams, moreover make you know how to divide the time accurately so that you can solve every question. You can find experts of gate exam preparation from various resources. Points to be remembered As much as possible, answer conceptual questions. This will improve your ability to use concepts in queries. Only about 15-20 questions out of 65 are difficult, and the rest are not too difficult. Make a list of formulas and concepts in brief form. It will assist you in completing your revision quickly. Mathematics and aptitude are high-scoring subject; thus, you should try as many questions as possible from these disciplines. Revise the subjects during the test series, and then move on to full-length tests after the subject test. This will help you stay on track with your preparation, as full-length tests teach you how to manage your time. (Above mentioned article is consumer connect initiative. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever.) New Delhi: Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde on Saturday (June 25, 2022) wrote a letter to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Home Minister, and the state DGP regarding "malicious withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs". In his letter, Eknath Shinde stated that the government is responsible for protecting them and their families. "The government is responsible for protecting them and their families," he said on Twitter. That we are current sitting MLAs, however, the security provided to us at our residence as well as to our family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge. Needless to mention, this sinister move is another attempt to break our resolve and arm twist us to give into the demands of the MVA government comprising the NCP and INC goons, Shinde said in the letter. Shinde alleged that Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut threatened the MLAs by stating that he would make it difficult for the MLAs who have left to return to Maharashtra and move around in the state. He said the impact of Raut`s statements was borne by two MLAs as their offices were vandalized by the carders of Shiv Sena merely after hours of withdrawing the security from MLAs. Check Maharashtra Political Crisis LIVE COVERAGE here Drawing the example of Punjab, Shinde said "the same scenario had happened in Punjab where the security of several high profile persona was removed by the state government due to which most of the high profile people became targets of gangsters/goons in the state and the withdrawal of security from MLAs is likely to create a similar impact in the state of Maharashtra as well." "We state and demand that the security which we are entitled to under protocol should be provided to our families with immediate effect. We further state that if any harm were to come to our family members, the Chief Minister and the leaders of the MVA government like Sharad Pawar, Sanjay Raut and Aditya Thackrey will be responsible for the same," he added. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, while responding to the letter, said, "You are an MLA, so security has been provided to you. Your family members can't be provided with the same. You are an MLA, so security has been provided to you. Your family members can't be provided with the same: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Eknath Shinde's letter over the withdrawal of security of family members of 38 MLAs pic.twitter.com/oR5Xn6Wc1u ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022 Mumbai Police on high alert Meanwhile, Mumbai Police has issued a high alert in the city and has asked all Police Stations to ensure security at all political offices in the financial capital. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety. Mumbai Police issues a high alert and asks all Police Stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety.#MaharashtraCrisis ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022 Navneet Rana urges Shah to provide security to families of rebel MLAs On the other hand, Amravati MP Navneet Rana also urged Home Minister Amit Shah to provide security to families of MLAs who are leaving Uddhav Thackeray. I request Amit Shah to provide security to families of MLAs who are leaving Uddhav Thackeray & making their own decisions, staying connected with Balasaheb's ideology. Uddhav Thackeray's goondaism should be ended...I request for President's Rule in state, said Amravati MP Navneet Rana. I request Amit Shah to provide security to families of MLAs who are leaving Uddhav Thackeray & making their own decisions, staying connected with Balasaheb's ideology. Uddhav Thackeray's goondaism should be ended...I request for President's Rule in state: Amravati MP Navneet Rana pic.twitter.com/gToy0V0Ugk ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022 Currently, Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam from June 22. Notably, CM Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of the party`s national executive committee on Saturday. The meeting will be held in Shiv Sena Bhavan which the Chief Minister will join virtually. Besides, Shinde has also called a meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati on Saturday afternoon to discuss further strategy, said sources. Eknath Shinde faction, earlier on Friday, gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs. On the other hand, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to "break the party". (With ANI inputs) New Delhi: The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on Covid-19, an expert panel of Indias central drug authority, on Friday (June 24, 2022) recommended Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for Serum Institute of India`s Covovax vaccine for children aged 7-11. "The Subject Expert Committee of Drugs Controller General Of India (DCGI) has recommended Serum Institute of India`s (SII) vaccine Covovax for children in the age group of 7-11 years," a source told news agency IANS. The expert panel recommendation has been sent to the DCGI for final approval. The two applications were submitted by Prakash Kumar Singh, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Serum Institute of India (SII) on March 16 and June 1. However, DGCI will review the recommendation before noding for final approval. The expert panel in its last meeting in April had sought more information from Serum Institute over the application, as per the source. India`s drug regulator had approved Covovax for restricted use in emergency situations in adults on December 28, 2021 and in the 12-17 age group with certain conditions on March 9. New Delhi: The BJP on Saturday cited the Supreme Court's critical comments against Teesta Setalvad to flay her, and alleged that Congress and its president Sonia Gandhi were the "driving force" behind the activist's campaign against then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi over the 2002 Gujarat riots. The BJP launched a scathing attack on Setalvad after she was detained by the Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) from Mumbai and taken to Ahmedabad in connection with an FIR registered against her at the Ahmedabad city crime branch. At a press conference, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra noted that the apex court had named Setalvad while blasting those responsible for keeping the "pot boiling" for their ulterior designs on the riots. The court had said that all those involved in the abuse of process need to be in the dock, he said. In its order on Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the clean chit given by the SIT to then Gujarat chief minister Modi and others in the 2002 post-Godhra riots cases. Setalvad's NGO had supported Zakia Jafri, who had filed the petition alleging a larger conspiracy behind the riots, throughout her legal battle. Jafri's husband and former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri was killed during the riots. The SC had spoken about a devious stratagem to keep the "pot boiling" for ulterior design. It had also said that disgruntled officers of the Gujarat government need to be in the dock and proceeded in accordance with law for creating a sensation by making false revelations. Patra cited records to say that Setalvad and her NGOs were allegedly behind producing some rather gruesome details, which later turned out to be incorrect, about what happened to some victims of the riots. She has also been accused of misuse and misappropriation of the money collected for riot victims and using them for personal pleasure and comfort, he said. The BJP spokesperson said the Congress-led UPA government, especially its education ministry, had given Rs 1.4 crore to an NGO run by Setalvad, and this money was used to run a campaign against Modi and also to "defame" India. "She was not alone. Who was the driving force? Sonia Gandhi and the Congress party," he said. Setalvad was also a member of the National Advisory Council, headed by Sonia Gandhi, he noted. "Was the kind of lies and corruption she was responsible for possible without the government's support?" he asked. While Setalvad spewed "venom" against Modi, he never lost patience and faced the judicial process without asking people to protest in his support, Patra said in a swipe at the Congress which has been rallying its supporters against the questioning of its leader Rahul Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate. "It is time for the opposition to face the truth," said Patra. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Zee News staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has hailed the Supreme Court's verdict on the 2002 Gujarat riots and in an interview with news agency ANI, Shah said that those who levelled "politically motivated" allegations against the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi should apologise for it. In the same interview, Shah also mentioned that it is not possible for him to convince West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Let's find out why Shah said this about Banerjee. Ever since the West Bengal Assembly elections in 2021, BJP has locked horns with TMC on numerous occasions, and more specifically, with the party's chief and firebrand Bengal CM, Banerjee. While the ANI interview was largely focused on the Gujarat riots, the interviewer asked about riot-like situations across India due to the recent Agnipath scheme, which caused damage to a lot of properties. Talking about this, Shah said that it is the responsibility of the state government to maintain law and order in the state. However, when required and if they don't have adequate resources, they can ask for the Centre's assistance. Shah said that the Center can send troops only if the state says so, and in that case, forces are immediately sent. The interviewer then pointed out that Opposition leaders, like Mamata Banerjee, have always claimed that it often gets politically motivated and central forces only take orders from the Centre. To this Shah replied, tongue-in-cheek, "Neither you, nor I have the power to convince Mamata Banerjee." He added that it's everyone's democratic right to express their political opinions. Meanwhile, Shah also lashed out at Teesta Setalvad after the Supreme Court dismissed the plea challenging clean chit to PM Modi. "I have read the judgement very carefully. The judgement clearly mentions the name of Teesta Setalvad. The NGO that was run being run by her - I don't remember the name of the NGO - had given baseless information about the riots to the police," Amit Shah, in the exclusive interview, told ANI. The apex court on Friday, while rejecting an appeal by Zakia Jafri, wife of Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was killed in the violence, said that the appeal was "devoid of merits." (With inputs from ANI) Ahead of his visit to Germany and UAE, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, I'll be visiting Schloss Elmau, Germany at invitation of Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, for G7 Summit under German Presidency. It'll be a pleasure to meet Chancellor after a productive India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Schloss Elmau, Germany for the G7 Summit on June 26-27 and will also travel to UAE while coming back to India. PM Modi is travelling to the country at the invitation of the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz. In an effort to strengthen international collaboration on important global issues impacting humanity, Germany has also invited other democracies such as Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa to the G7 Summit, PM Modi said. During the sessions of the Summit, I will be exchanging views with the G7 counties, G7 partner countries and guest International Organisations on topical issues such as environment, energy, climate, food security, health, counter-terrorism, gender equality and democracy, PM Modi added. "During the Summit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to speak in two sessions that include environment, energy, climate, food security, health, gender equality and democracy. In an effort to strengthen international collaboration on these important issues, other democracies such as Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa have also been invited," MEA said in a statement. After attending the G7 Summit, Prime Minister will be travelling to United Arab Emirates (UAE) on June 28, 2022, to pay his personal condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former UAE President and Abu Dhabi Ruler. The Ministry statement added, "PM Modi will also take the opportunity to congratulate Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as the new President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi." Live TV New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said India will not cede even an inch of its land to China and hoped that the remaining issues relating to the eastern Ladakh border standoff between the two countries will be resolved through dialogue. Singh also said that India will give a befitting reply to anyone threatening its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity as it no longer remained a "weak" country. "Our political opponents keep raising certain questions without fully knowing the facts," he said referring to the opposition's criticism of the government on the eastern Ladakh standoff. "I do not want to go into what happened during the 1962 Sino-India war. But I want to assure the country as its defence minister that not an inch of land can go to China's occupation when we are there (in the government)," Singh said at an event organised by the Zee News. He said the NDA government will never compromise on the country's pride and reputation at any cost. The defence minister also said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has shown that if war takes place in any part of the world, it will have to be fought between the parties engaged and no third country would get involved easily. The eastern Ladakh border standoff began in early May 2020 following violent clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Pangong Tso area. As a result of a series of military talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area. However, the face-off continues in certain friction points. The defence minister said friction between troops of the two sides takes place largely because of China's perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "Discussions have taken place on certain issues and we have succeeded on some of them. Discussions are underway on one or two issues. I am confident that we will achieve success on them as well. There is no need to get disappointed as yet," he said. Singh said India is now a powerful country and will deal with those who threaten its sovereignty and territorial integrity "India has not remained a weak country like before. It has become a powerful country. India has neither attacked any country in the world nor it has captured an inch of land of others...But I can say, India will give a befitting reply if anyone attempts to threaten its unity, integrity and sovereignty," he said. India has been insisting on the restoration of the status quo ante prior to the standoff in eastern Ladakh. India has been consistently maintaining that peace and tranquillity along the LAC were key for the overall development of the bilateral ties. About the ceasefire with Pakistan along the Line of Control, Singh said it has been in force for over a year. "Earlier, Pakistan used to violate ceasefire after entering into it earlier. It has been over a year since the ceasefire came into force but Pakistan has not been able to muster the courage to violate it. It is working," Singh said while talking about India's stature. The defence minister also said that the Left-wing extremism is in its lowest level now. The cycle of violence has almost come to an end in the North Eastern region as well. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Zee News staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: On this day (June 25), 47 years ago, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had imposed a nationwide state emergency which went down as one of the most notorious events in Indian history. It curtailed restrictions on civil liberties, press freedom and led to crackdowns against the Congress political oppositions. The order for imposing the Emergency was issued by President Fakhruddin Ali under Article 352 of the Constitution. Why did Indira Gandhi impose Emergency in 1975? He cited internal disturbances as the reason for invoking the order which cancelled elections and gave the Prime Minister unprecedented powers. The Indira Gandhi government also reasoned that there were threats to national security which required such strict measures. At the time, a war with Pakistan had recently ended due to which the economy had suffered leading to protests and strikes. This, the government, said that hurt the country to large extent. It is believed that the Emergency was imposed after the 1975 verdict of the Allahabad High Court which convicted Gandhi of electoral malpractices and disqualified her from the Parliament and stated that she wont be able to hold any elected post for the next 6 years. Soon after this verdict, she had declared the Emergency. What happened during the 1975 Emergency? During the Emergency, apart from the restrictions on civil liberties, there was a crackdown on trade unions as well. The government reportedly banned trade union activity, strikes by workers and imposed fixed wages with no scope for bonuses. The workers that protested against this faced strict repression. Another controversial aspect of this period was Sanjay Gandhis mass sterilization program across the country and demolitions of slums for beautification of cities with little to no prior notice to slum dwellers. The Emergency ended on March 21, 1977 before which Indira Gandhi had called for fresh elections on January 18, 1977. She had also ordered for the release of many opposition leaders from prison. Live TV A 16-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and killed by Israeli forces early Saturday in the occupied West Bank after soldiers opened fire at stone-throwing Palestinians, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa said that Mohammed Abdallah Hamed was wounded by Israeli gunfire in Silwad near the city of Ramallah and then taken away by Israeli occupation forces. It said the teen died in Israeli custody, and that the army was expected to release the body later Saturday. The Israeli military said soldiers had fired at a group of Palestinians who were throwing stones along the main highway. It confirmed shooting one person but gave no further details on his condition or whereabouts. Recent months have seen a rise in deadly violence in the West Bank. The military has carried out near-daily raids following a series of attacks inside Israel that killed 19 Israelis, with several attackers coming from the northern West Bank town of Jenin. Several dozen Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military raids. Most of the dead were alleged to have opened fire on Israeli forces or hurled stones or firebombs at them. The dead also includes two apparent passers-by. Nearly 500,000 Israeli settlers live in more than 130 settlements scattered across the West Bank, many of which are fully built up and now resemble suburbs or small towns. Nearly 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under Israeli military rule. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and the Palestinians want it to be the main part of their future state. Israel views the West Bank as the biblical and historical heartland of the Jewish people. Every government, including the current one, has expanded settlements. The Palestinians and much of the international community view the settlements as a violation of international law and an obstacle to peace because they absorb and divide up the land on which a future Palestinian state would be established. Search Keywords: Short link: Jammu and Kashmir: An Encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in South Kashmirs Shermal village. A police officer monitoring the operation said a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Shermal village after the police received input about the presence of terrorists in the area. As the joint team headed toward the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired upon the party, which was retaliated and the encounter started, the police official stated. IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar confirmed the exchange of fire.Encounter has started at Shirmal area of Shopian. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow, he tweeted. As per the sources, two to three terrorists are believed to be trapped in a cordon and all the entry and exit points have been sealed to make sure that the terrorists cant flee at the night. The anti-terror operation in Kashmir has seen pace for the last three weeks as the Amarnath yatra is approaching. Sources say that strict directions have been given by the home ministry to intensify the anti-terror operations before the Amarnath yatra starts to conduct the yatra in a safe and secure atmosphere. Notably, 70 encounters took place in Kashmir since January this year and the security forces have managed to neutralise 118 terrorists out of those 33 were Pakistani. However, 16 security personnel and 19 civilians too had lost their lives. Meanwhile 46 active terrorists mostly hybrid terrorists are also arrested alive, and 192 terrorists' supporters are also arrested this year in Kashmir. Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir will be hosting its first ever G-20 meeting next year in 2023. The Jammu and Kashmir government has formed a 5-member committee for overall coordination. The order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir government said that the Union Territory's housing and urban development department's principal secretary will be the chairman of the committee. The order further said that "Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a committee for overall coordination of G-20 meetings to be held in the Union Territory of J&K. The members of the committee include Commissioner Secretary (Transport), Administrative Secretary (Tourism), Administrative Secretary (Hospitality and Protocol) and Administrative Secretary (Culture).'' First international meeting after abrogation of Article 370 After the abrogation of article 370, this will be the first international meeting to be held in the Union Territory. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was appointed as India's Sherpa for the G-20. The Ministry of External Affairs had said that India will hold the G-20 presidency from December 1, 2022, and will convene the G20 leaders' meeting in 2023 for the first time. Political parties in the Kashmir Valley have welcomed the step Altaf Thakur, State Spokesperson BJP Said "The G-20 meeting is not only a proud moment for the Union Territory but for the whole country. It used to happen in foreign countries and now happening here is a great thing. They discuss the business plans and all strong nations like France, Britain and Germany are a part of it. They plan a roadmap for the future and it's a proud moment for Jammu Kashmir. The PM has been working on the development of Jammu and Kashmir and It proves it. After the abrogation of article 370, this meeting being held here is something no one would have dreamt of, there is a change on the ground in the Valley." G M Shaheen, JDU state President said, "Some leaders also congratulated the state and central government for managing to host this event in the Union territory. ''It's great news. We welcome this, holding a meeting here will give Jammu and Kashmir a push for peace. This also shows that peace is returning to the valley. We appreciate it and it's the hard work of the Delhi government as well as the state government." The meeting is likely to be held in January 2023. Live TV New Delhi: In a shocking incident, seven aborted fetal remains uses were found in a canister on the outskirts of the Moodalagi village of Karnataka`s Belagavi district on Friday (June 24, 2022), informed the police. The state health department has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The local residents found the fetuses near the Mudalagi town`s bus stop in the Belagavi district and informed the police. After receiving the information, police visited and inspected the site. "Seven fetuses were found in a canister. Five-month-old embryos were found to have fetal sex detection and murder. A team of officials will be formed and investigated immediately after informing the district authorities," Dr Mahesh Koni, District Health and Family Welfare Officer told media persons here. Karnataka | Dead bodies of 7 newborns found bottled in Mudalagi town drainage in Belagavi; case registered at Mudalagi PS. These 5-month-old fetuses were found to have undergone a fetal sex detection: District Health Officer (DHO) Mahesh Koni ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022 He further said, "The detected embryos were stored in a hospital and then brought to the District Functional Science Center for testing."A police case has been registered in this regard. Further investigation is underway. New Delhi: Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde is likely to announce a new party Shiv Sena (Balasaheb Thackeray), as per Zee News sources. The development comes as Shinde has called a meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati on Saturday (June 25) afternoon to discuss further strategy. "'Shiv Sena Balasaheb' new group formed by Eknath Shinde camp", rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar told ANI. Earlier, Eknath Shinde had written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged "malicious" withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 rebel MLAs. In his letter, Shinde claimed that the security provided to the MLAs at their residence as well as to their family members has been "illegally and unlawfully withdrawn". "Needless to mention, this sinister move is another attempt to break our resolve and arm-twist us to give in to the demands of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government comprising of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress goons," he added. Reacting to Shinde's allegation, Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil said no MLA's security has been withdrawn. "No MLA's security has been withdrawn. Keeping in view the prevailing situation, the Home Department has decided to provide security at the residence of MLAs to keep their families safe," Patil said. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has called a key meeting of the partys national executive committee today at Shiv Sena Bhavan at 1 pm, which will be convened by Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. Amid the ongoing political crisis, Shiv Sena workers ransacked the office of rebel party MLA Tanaji Sawant in Pune today. On Opposition parties accusing BJP for the ongoing crisis in the state, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said the former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has denied the saffron party's role in the political drama. "I spoke with Devendra Fadnavis. He said that we don't have anything to do with the internal conflict in Shiv Sena. Uddhav Thackeray & Eknath Shinde will themselves resolve the dispute between them, we don't have anything to do with that. We are waiting & watching," he said. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: As the Maharashtra political crisis deepens, Shiv Sena has called a key meeting of the partys national executive committee today (June 25). As per ANI, the meeting will be held at Shiv Sena Bhavan at 1 pm which Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will chair virtually. This comes after the Shiv Sena president on Friday convened a meeting of the partys district chiefs, wherein Thackeray said that the rebel MLAs camping in Guwahati want to "break the party". Addressing the party workers virtually, the Maharashtra CM said Shiv Sena has been "betrayed by its own people". The Shiv Sena-led MVA government is on the brink of collapse after state minister Eknath Shinde's rebellion. Shinde has been camping in a luxury hotel in Assam's Guwahati and has claimed the support of 38 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs. Addressing the Shiv Sena workers, Thackeray said in the meeting on Friday, "We gave these rebels tickets to contest assembly elections despite many of you being aspirants for the same. These people are disgruntled after getting elected owing to your hard work, and you are standing by the party in this crucial time. I can't thank you enough." Attacking the rebel MLAs' leader Shinde, the Maharashtra CM said, "I had told Eknath Shinde to look into complaints regarding alliance partners. He told me that legislators were pressurizing him that the Sena should join hands with the BJP. I told him to bring these MLAs to me, let's discuss this. BJP treated us badly, didn't honour promises. Many of the rebels have cases filed against them. So if they go with BJP, they will become clean, if they stayed with us, they will go to jail. Is this a sign of friendship?" ALSO READ: Shiv Sena workers will come on roads if: Sanjay Rauts warning to rebels Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar met Uddhav Thackeray at his private residence 'Matoshree' in Mumbai. Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil and NCP leader Praful Patel were also present in the meeting. As per ANI, the leaders discussed ways to prevent the toppling of the MVA government. Earlier, Ajit Pawar had said that the NCP stands with Uddhav Thackeray and they will try to "keep the government stable". (With agency inputs) Islamabad: An anti-terror court in Pakistan has quietly sentenced the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack mastermind and a senior member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Sajid Mir. Mir, who is among India`s most wanted for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was awarded 15 years in jail term. Mir was LeT`s operations manager for the attacks, playing a leading role in their planning, preparation, and execution. Mir, 44, was sentenced to Anti-terrorism court in Lahore this month after convicting him in a terror-financing case. He was also fined Pkr 4,20,000 and is currently serving sentence in Kot Lakhpat jail, the Dawn newspaper reported citing a source. As many as 10 individuals trained by LeT, carried out a series of coordinated terrorist attacks against multiple targets in Mumbai, killing 166 people. For his role in the Mumbai attacks, Mir was also indicted in the United States in April 2011. His sentencing comes as Pakistan is struggling to exit the Financial Action Task Force`s (FATF) terror-financing watchlist. Currently, Pakistan is on the `Grey List` of the watchdog for not fulfilling the parameters to counter terrorism in the country. Pakistan media reports said Mir`s court verdict was done so quietly that no one came to know about such a high-profile case, except for a very brief report in one of the newspapers, which too could not attract the attention. Even his detention was kept away from the media`s eyes, the report added. Earlier, Mir was believed to have died but when the western countries demanded proof of his death, this issue became a major sticking point in the assessment of FATF`s action plan last year. "Sajid Mir was LeT`s operations manager for the attacks, playing a leading role in their planning, preparation, and execution. Beginning from November 26, 2008, and continuing through November 29, 2008, 10 individuals were trained by LeT, who carried out the series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai, killing 166 persons, including six Americans," said Reward For Justice, US State Department`s counterterrorism rewards program. Pakistan`s response to the Mumbai attacks has been a series of about-turns. The country has failed to take adequate steps to counter-terrorism and prosecute terrorists including masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) founder Masood Azhar and LeT`s Sajid Mir, according to an earlier US report. Pakistan made limited progress on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter-terrorism, specifically in its pledge to dismantle all terrorist organizations without delay or discrimination," the US State Department had said in its 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism. The report recalled how in 2021, a Lahore anti-terrorism court convicted LeT founder Hafiz Saeed on multiple counts of terrorism financing and sentenced him to five years and six months in prison. "Pakistan did not, however, take steps under its domestic authorities to prosecute other terrorist leaders residing in Pakistan, such as JeM founder Masood Azhar and LeT`s Sajid Mir, mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks," it had said. The report goes on the mention the effectiveness of Indian security agencies in disrupting terror threats, although gaps remain in interagency intelligence and information sharing. Kullu: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday heaped praises on Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and said no other leader ever sent his own minister to jail for illegal activities. Kejriwal was referring to Punjab Health Minister Vijay Singla who was sacked by the state cabinet and was later arrested on charges of corruption. Bhagwant Mann at the time said that his government would have zero tolerance against corruption and himself announced Singlas removal from the council of ministers. Mann said the decision was made after he came to know that Singla was allegedly demanding one per cent commission in tenders and purchases of his department. While addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh, Kejriwal, whose party fights elections on the issue of corruption said, Did you ever hear about a CM sending his minister to jail? Mann Sahab found out that his Health Minister was involved in unscrupulous activities. Opposition and media didn't know. Had he wanted, he could've brushed it under carpet or asked for his share from the accused. But he sent him to jail. Did you ever hear about a CM sending his min to jail? Mann sahab found out that his Health Min is involved in unscrupulous activities. Oppn, media didn't know. Had he wanted, he could've brushed it under carpet or asked for his share from min. But he sent him to jail: A Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/Ul1XvlXeSA ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022 #WATCH | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says in Kullu, Himachal, "We don't know politics. Our journey started from Anna movement & then we formed a party. We vowed to eliminate corruption from the country. 1st, we ended corruption in Delhi & then started process (to end) it in Punjab." pic.twitter.com/QYY1emu0HM June 25, 2022 Adding that he and his party has vowed to eliminate corruption from India, Kejriwal further said, We don't know politics. We're not here to do politics. Our journey started from the Anna Hazare movement and then we formed a party. We vowed to eliminate corruption from the country. First, we ended corruption in Delhi and then initiated it in Punjab. AAP is gearing up for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election 2022, which is scheduled to take place this year. Earlier in April, the party suffered a setback after AAP Himachal Pradesh President Anup Kesari, the head of the partys women wing in the state, Mamata Thakur quit the party along with other leaders and joined the BJP. As part of its strategy to expand the electoral footprint in Himachal, the party also contested the local body polls in Shimla. (With ANI inputs) Guwahati: Amid allegations of the BJP being sponsoring the MLAs who have turned against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar, who is a part of the rebel Eknath Shinde camp on Saturday denied BJPs involvement in the rebellion and said that no party is paying for the expenses of the rebel Shiv Sena and other leaders, ANI reported. Talking to news agency ANI Kesarkar said, No party is paying for our expenses (of hotel accommodation), our leader Eknath Shinde called us and we came and stayed here (Guwahati hotel); will pay the expenses. BJP isn't behind all of this. Earlier today, the Eknath Shinde rebel camp named its group Shiv Sena Balasaheb to which, Uddhav Thackeray raised strong objections. Assam govt not footing rebel MLAs bills: CM Himanta Biswa Meanwhile, the Assam Chief Minister, who has repeatedly denied the role of his party and Assam government in the rebellion against Shiv Sena and its allies, clarified that his government is not footing the bills for the MLAs staying in Guwahati. The rebel MLAs have said that they themselves are bearing the expenses for their stay. The rebel MLA further demanded recognition for their faction and warned of going to court if it is not done and denied the role of the BJP behind their revolt. Addressing a press conference virtually, Kesarkar said, "We are still in Shiv Sena, there is a misunderstanding that we have left the party. We`ve just separated our faction. We have a two-thirds majority to follow the path we wanted. Our new leader has been chosen by the majority. They didn`t have more than 16-17 MLAs. Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde claims to have the support of 38 MLAs of the 56 Shiv Sena legislators, which is more than two-thirds of the party`s strength in the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. According to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with the anti-defection law, any group of lawmakers can leave a party and form another or merge with another party without disqualification if they are together at least two-thirds of legislators of the party`s original strength. On the other hand, The Uddhav Thackeray faction recently submitted a plea before the Maharashtra Assembly deputy speaker to disqualify 12 rebel MLAs.As rebels continue to camp in Guwahati, some of their offices were vandalised allegedly by Shiv Sena workers in Maharashtra. (With inputs from agencies) New Delhi: Opposition candidate for the presidential election Yashwant Sinha reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, seeking their support for the July 18 polls. Sinha also dialled Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and reminded him of the commitment that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had made when he was named as the combined opposition candidate for the presidential polls. Also Read: Droupadi Murmu vs Yashwant Sinha: Political careers of 2022 Presidential candidates Presidential Polls 2022: Yashwant Sinha called PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh "We have begun our campaign in earnest and will reach out to everyone to seek their support in the election," sources in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said. They said Sinha made calls to the offices of Modi and Singh and left a message seeking support for his candidature. The former Union minister also reached out to his mentor and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L K Advani. Sinha is scheduled to file his nomination papers on Monday afternoon in the presence of top opposition leaders. The JMM and the Janata Dal (Secular), led by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, are being seen as supportive of the NDA's presidential candidate, Droupadi Murmu, who filed her nomination papers on Friday. Sinha, who was expected to launch his campaign for the presidential election from his home state Jharkhand on Friday, was forced to delay it when it emerged that Soren is leaning in favour of Murmu, a fellow Santhal community member. Yashwant Sinha also wrote a letter to opposition leaders Meanwhile, Sinha wrote a letter to all the opposition leaders who have chosen him as their common candidate for the July 18 polls. "I assure you -- and the people of India -- that, if elected, I shall conscientiously uphold, without fear or favour, the basic values and guiding ideals of the Indian Constitution," Sinha said. He said he plans to launch his campaign after filing his nomination papers on Monday by visiting as many state capitals as possible. "I hope to meet you as well as the MPs and MLAs belonging to your party to seek your support and guidance," Sinha wrote in the letter. Live TV Expelled BJP leader Nupur Sharma was also summoned by the Amherst Street police station (West Bengal) after the Narakonda police station in the state. She was scheduled to appear at the police station on June 25, that is, today. But she didn't come today. Nupur has e-mailed and asked for some more time. Nupur Sharma has been accused of breaching communal harmony over her controversial remarks on Hazrat Mohammad. There have been protests against her all over the country, including in various districts of Bengal. Earlier this month, roads were blocked in several areas of Bengal, including Howrah. Complaints were also lodged against Nupur Sharma at several police stations in different cities. Of these, a total of 10 police stations in Kolkata alone have registered cases against Nupur. Today, she was ordered to appear before the Amherst Street police station. But Nupur Sharma did not respond to the summons. It is learnt that she has sought four more weeks time from the Kolkata Police through an e-mail. Not only that, the expelled BJP leader also expressed fear about her life in the e-mail. Also Read: Nupur Sharma Comment Row: Mamata Banerjee's BIG step, more trouble for ex-BJP leader on Prophet remarks An FIR was earlier lodged against Nupur Sharma at The Narakonda police station in connection with her controversial remarks on the Prophet. On the basis of this, she was summoned to appear before it on June 20. But Nupur Sharma has urged four weeks time citing security issues. In an e-mail, she said she was worried about her safety. So she needs four weeks' time to appear. This time, she gave the same reason in reply to Amherst Street police station's summon. Also Read: Prophet Comment Row: My life is in danger, PLEASE allow..., Nupur Sharma urges to Mamata Banerjee's police It should be noted that a censure motion has been passed against Nupur Sharma in the West Bengal Assembly because of her controversial remarks. It has been alleged that her remarks are ruining communal harmony, whereas Bengal has always been in favour of peace. The censure motion was presented in the West Bengal state assembly and was passed with the support of all. Also read: Prophet Comments Row: Nupur Sharma arrested? Fake video surfaces on social media, causes confusion Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi is due to visit Saudi Arabia and Iran "in the next few hours", as part of efforts to mediate between the two countries, a cabinet source said Saturday. Iraq has over the past year hosted five rounds of talks between the two regional rivals which have had no diplomatic ties since 2016. After the last round of negotiations in April, Kadhemi said he believed that "reconciliation is near" between Riyadh and Tehran, a further reflection of shifting political alignments across the region. "The official visit... comes in the context of the talks that Riyadh and Tehran recently held in Baghdad," the source within the prime minister's cabinet said in a statement. He said those talks "represented a road map for mending relations and returning to the right course of strengthening bilateral relations" between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which support rival sides in conflict zones around the region. The source added that the visits are "not related to internal Iraqi political affairs and the talks about the formation of the new government have nothing to do with the visit." Months after parliamentary elections, Iraq still has not formed a new government. Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and Shia-majority Iran have had no diplomatic ties for six years, since Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran after the kingdom executed Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Riyadh responded by cutting relations with Tehran. In early March, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said his country and Iran were "neighbours forever", and that it was "better for both of us to work it out and to look for ways in which we can coexist". Search Keywords: Short link: Anne Frank, a Jewish girl of German-Dutch origin, was one of the victims of the Holocaust and she wrote a memoir or diary, describing the devastating scenarios of the darkest times of humanity. Anne Frank was just 13-14 years old when she penned down the horrors of the holocaust while figuring out the life of a teenager. Anne wrote her day-to-day experience in her diary 'kitty' and though the girl was mere 13 years old, her journal holds the bitter-sweet truths of life and some important lessons that seem to come from a very mature and wise person. "Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones because regret is stronger than gratitude," isn't the only truth revealed by Anne. Here are the top 10 lessons one can learn from 'The Diary of a Young Girl': "A person who has courage and faith will never die in misery." "You can become a good person on your own without anyone to serve as a model." "Today's youth have it within their power to build a bigger, better and a more beautiful world, but they occupy themselves with superficial things, without giving a thought to true beauty." "We have many reasons to hope for great happiness but we have to earn it. There is no easy way out." "Laziness may look inviting but only work gives you true satisfaction." "Go outside and recapture happiness and think of all beauty within yourself." "It's hard enough to stand on your two feet, but when you also have to remain true to your character and soul it's harder still." "Your inner beauty remains even in the misfortune." "A quiet conscience gives you strength." "You have to shape your own character," "Always resolve to do better." Dear Kitty, Today, we are revisiting the day #AnneFranks greatest wish came true. Our #GoogleDoodle marks the day The Diary of a Young Girl was published, which held a first-hand account of Anne about the years she spent in hiding: https://t.co/kNmBipFoUb. pic.twitter.com/je8SkNuqpF Google India (@GoogleIndia) June 25, 2022 Born on June 12, 1929, in Germany's Frankfurtbut, Anne and her family moved to Amsterdam, Netherlands to escape the increasing discrimination and violence faced by millions of minorities at the hands of the growing Nazi party in the country. After millions of Jews were forced to flee their homes or go into hiding, Annes family went into hiding in 1942, in a secret annex in her fathers office building to avoid persecution. Today the world is celebrating 75 years of the publication of Anne Frank's diary and though the wise young lady did not survive the horrors of the Holocaust she is lived by her journal. Live TV Hyderabad: The Telangana state government is planning to fill 9,618 vacant Group-4 posts in state government departments in Telangana by releasing a single notification for Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) Group 4. According to the latest media reports, the file for the proposal of the single notification for TSPCS Group 4 has been sent to Chief Minister KCR for approval, and the final decision from Telangana CM is awaited. The TSPSC Group-4 includes the recruitment of junior assistants, junior stenographers, typists, accountants etc in all the districts, the Telangana. Chief Secretary to Government Somesh Kumar recently conducted a review on the recruitment of Group-4 posts. The recruitment on Group-1 posts is already under process under a long hiatus. The advice was sought from the Public Service Commission as well as other recruitment agencies for the single notification for Group-4. All were compiled into a file and sent to the CM for approval. Meanwhile, the Telangana government is expected to release the TS Intermediate result 2022 for 1st and 2nd year today.TS Intermediate Exams 2022 were given by approximately 9 lakh students. Telangana board conducted the intermediate exams in offline mode and in two shifts. Live TV Mumbai: The twists and turns in Maharashtra's political drama continue. As news started pouring in that rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde is naming their group 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb' amid the ongoing tussle with the Uddhav Thackeray faction, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra hit back, warning the rebels of using his father's name. Uddhav launched a scathing attack on purported attempts by the rebel group to christen itself after the party founder-patriarch, the late Balasaheb Thackeray. "Don't invoke my Dad's name, use your father's name, to win the elections," said a livid Thackeray, presiding over a meeting of the Shiv Sena's national executive in Mumbai today (June 25). His strong reaction came in response to unverified reports that the rebels led by Minister Eknath Sambhaji Shinde - currently camping in Guwahati - had allegedly decided to rename itself as "Shiv Sena-Balasaheb Thackeray Group". As a row built up with angst among Shiv Sainiks in Maharashtra, the rebels quickly backtracked and claimed they were the "real Shiv Sena". Thackeray also said that the party would write to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that the name of Shiv Sena or Balasaheb Thackeray is not misused by unauthorised persons or groups of such "turncoats" for their political interests, failing which they would face legal action. Addressing party leaders during the national executive committee meeting in the Shiv Sena Bhawan, Thackeray said, "Some people are asking me to say something but I've already said that they(rebel MLAs) can do whatever they want to do, I won`t interfere in their matters. They can take their own decision, but no one should use Balasaheb Thackeray's name." The Chief Minister later left the Shiv Sena Bhawan with Minister Aaditya Thackeray after the conclusion of the meeting. Notably, the decision of the Shinde faction comes at a time when Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was holding the executive meeting of Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government continues to be in a combative mode with 38 of its rebel MLAs camping in Guwahati. Meanwhile, rebel Shiv Sena leader and state cabinet minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged `malicious` withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs camping with him in a Guwahati hotel. Calling Shinde a "traitor", the Sena Tiger recalled how he did a lot for him (Shinde), yet he was hurling a series of baseless allegations against the Sena and Thackeray. "I did everything possible for Shinde.... I allotted him the Urban Development portfolio which I handled. His son (Dr Shrikant Shinde) is a two-time MP and now they are commenting on my son (Minister Aditya Thackeray), and levelling many allegations even against me," said Thackeray. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also said that strict action will be taken against those who have betrayed them. "Strict action will be taken against those who have betrayed the party. CM Thackeray has the authority to take action against those who left...We'll take legal action against those who have used Balasaheb Thackeray's name for their self-centred politics. Those who have left can't use our patriarch's name." PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti today said that J&K state government is trying disempower the locals of the state. Mehbooba Mufti termed BJP the "most corrupt system of Indian history."The BJP has created mess in a country built by blood and sweat of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Vihari Bajpai, Mufti said. The PDP chief added that the basic fundamental of India - democracy and secularism - are being turned upside down by the current government. "The way they are purchasing the MLAs after elections - be it Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan and now Maharashtra - there is no example of such corruption in the history of India," Mufti said. Mufti appealed people to get united and "never lose hope". If we lose hope and accept everything silently, Kashmir will become another Gaza Strip... and Kashmiris will be disempowered. What Israel has done in Gaza they want to do with us. Our situation would be worse than them. Is we lose hope, Mufti said. She appealed youth to shun the terrorism, alleging that security personals get incentives for killing them. I hear every day that three or four youths have been killed, which means the local recruitment here has increased, Mufti said. Mehbooba said: The youth who have been arrested and detained, details should be given about where they are being put." She alleged that: one Showkat sheikh was arrested in shopian and after ten days he was killed in an encounter in Kupwara. If he was arrested, how did he reach Kupwara and was killed there. PDP president said all the institutions have been bulldozed and it's now the responsibility of people to find a common cause and stand for their rights and get united and help each other. She said: My request to people is please stand by those whose houses are being sealed by police, raided by NIA and other agencies. Show solidarity with them. Don't let them feel isolated because of fear. She said we should learn to fight from Zakia Jaffrey who all alone is fighting with a mountain We should take lesson from Zakia Jaffery, I salute her for her stand despite all the adverse atmospheres. She said. After 5th august 2019, so many decisions have been taken by centre to disempower the locals. The land and jobs of this place have been put on sale. The land is either given to security forces or outsiders but no industrialisation as of now has happened here. Mehbooba alleged that now education system is being targeted she said 300 schools of FAT (Falah-e-Aam Trust) are closed, FAT schools are not RSS Shakha's where they are trained in swords and Trishul's etc. they all give modern education, but they ( BJP) want to snatch away the education from the youngsters of the valley. Mumbai: Amid the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra, Tourism Minister and CM Uddhav Thackerays son Aditya Thackeray on Saturday said that the Shiv Sena will not forget the betrayal by rebel MLAs who joined Eknath Shinde against the MVA alliance, reported ANI. While addressing the media after Shiv Senas Executive-level meeting amid the political turmoil, Thackeray said, Everyone already knows what was discussed in the meeting, the important thing is that we will not forget the betrayal done by rebel Shiv Sena MLAs. We (Shiv Sena) will win for sure. The meeting comes amid a crisis as more than 40 MLAs turned against the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance. Mumbai | You already know what was discussed in the meeting, the important thing is that we will not forget the betrayal done by rebel Shiv Sena MLAs. We (Shiv Sena) will win for sure: Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray pic.twitter.com/V2c83nd3U4 ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022 Earlier on Friday, a meeting between the top Maharashtra leaders, including NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, took place to decide the future course of action amid a rebellion. The MVA alliance might have to face a floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly soon as the rebel MLAs decide to launch a new outfit. Meanwhile, the national executive of the Shiv Sena on Saturday passed a resolution authorizing Maharashtra Chief Minister and party chief Uddhav Thackeray to take action against "those who have betrayed the party", but refrained from taking immediate action against rebel leader Eknath Shinde. "The executive decided that Shiv Sena belongs to Bal Thackeray and is committed to taking forward his fierce ideology of Hindutva and Marathi pride. Shiv Sena will never deviate from this path," party MP Sanjay Raut told reporters in Mumbai. "It passed a resolution, giving all powers to take action against those who have betrayed the party to Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray," he added. Meanwhile, Dissident Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Saturday alleged that the Maharashtra government has withdrawn the security cover from the residences of 38 party rebels, including himself, and their families, and dubbed the action as "political vendetta", although Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil denied any such move. Shinde, who is currently camping in Guwahati along with the rebel legislators, tweeted a letter signed by him and other MLAs that is addressed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Walse Patil. New Delhi: Union Railway Minister and Information and Technology Minister on Saturday addressed a question that everyone in the country has been asking about 5G internet services and said that the much-awaited 5G Network will be introduced in the country by the end of this year 2022. Addressing the Zee Sammelan, a mega event organised by the Zee Media, where top politicians speak and discuss the current burning issues and offer solutions, Vaishnaw said that the 5G internet network will reach several cities in India by the end of 2022. Vaishnaw also added that it is very important for the communication media to be equipped with smart and advanced technical means for security. He also added that the Centre will work on mobile connectivity issues in remote areas, especially near tribal areas and that the communication system will be strengthened. Addressing the ongoing Agipath Recruitment Scheme that led to nationwide outrage and resulted in the burning down of several trains as the protests turned violent, Railway Minister Vaishnaw said that strict actions will be taken against those involved in arson and burned down public property, including trains and buses. No one who is involved in violence and arson will be spared, Strict actions will be taken against those who vandalised public property and burned down trains, said Vaishanw during Zee Sammelan. He also advised youth and defence aspirants to focus on their studies instead of getting indulged in violence and arson. This apart, Union Transportation Minister Nitin Gadkari also addressed issues related to traffic rules and transportation. He said that the government will soon bring laws amd rules on the speed limit. Gadkari further added that improvements are being made in road engineering to eliminate road accident cases. The government is working fast to prevent road accidents so that the figure of road deaths every year can be brought under control. For this, every black spot present in the country is being marked and converted into a safe zone as soon as possible, the Union Minister said. New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday (June 25) assured the armed forces aspirants who have expressed concerns over the new Agnipath scheme that after their four years of contractual service ends, efforts will be made to accommodate them. Singh was speaking at Zee Sammelan, a mega event, where top politicians are discussing the current burning issues and offering solutions. The Defence Minister made the remarks in the wake of protests across the country against the Agnipath scheme under which 75% of the Agniveers will have to take voluntary retirement after four years. Singh said the youth is being "misled" on the Agnipath Yojana, adding that whenever a new scheme comes, there are many apprehensions among people. But whatever problems will come in it, it has been discussed. However, at the same time, I would like to say whether after spending lakhs when we get B.Tech or medical degree, is there a guarantee of a job after that? The answer is no, the senior BJP leader said. Watch Rajnath Singh at Zee Sammelan here: Further, he added that the government will ensure that Agniveers aspiring for jobs after four years of service will be suitably adjusted. You will get to see this in the coming time, he added. Singh, who was the first speaker at the Zee conclave, said that today India's voice is heard on the international stage. The condition and direction of the country have changed due to Narendra Modi government, the Union Minister stated. He also claimed that in the last 8 years of the Modi government, there has not been a single major terrorist incident in the country except in Jammu and Kashmir. The Defence Minister also spoke on the economy, the India-China conflict and Pakistan among other issues. In this special program of Zee News, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Rajya Sabha MP and AAP leader Sanjay Singh and Lok Sabha MP and BJP leader Manoj Tiwari are also participating. New Delhi: Hollywood actor Amber heard now officially owes USD 10.35 million to Johnny Depp after he won his defamation suit against her earlier this month. According to Fox News, Heard will have to post a bond for that sum, plus interest, if she wants to appeal, according to a written order filed on Friday. Following a six-week trial, a jury awarded Depp USD 10 million in compensatory damages and USD 5 million in punitive damages, finding that Heard had defamed him by referring to herself as a domestic abuse victim in a Washington Post op-ed. In accordance with Virginia law, the punitive damages were reduced to USD 350,000, bringing the grand total to USD 10.35 million. For Heard's counterclaim, USD 2 million in compensatory damages were awarded to her by the jury, who found that Depp had defamed her through statements made by his attorney, Adam Waldman, to the press. Fox News reported, on Friday, during a brief hearing, Judge Penney Azcarate entered a two-page ruling which stateed that both judgments are subject to 6 per cent interest per year. Lawyers for the feuding exes were present though Depp and Heard were not. The judge said that if Heard wants to appeal, she must post a bond for the full judgment of USD 10.35 million, plus 6 per cent interest per year, according to a source close to Depp's team. Heard was spotted last week in the Hamptons shopping at TJ Maxx and is reportedly in talks to write a tell-all book, as per Fox News. NEW DELHI: South star Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently slammed an allegations where netizens accused her PR team of spreading rumours about her ex-husband and actor Naga Chaitanya. Samantha, who has often been targeted on social media, be it for her divorce from Naga Chaitanya or her professional choices, is known to give it back to trolls, and she was no different this time too. Recently, media reports claimed that her former husband Naga Chaitanya has found love again and is dating actress Sobhita Dhulipala. After the report started doing rounds on social media, his's fans started accusing Samantha's PR team planting the story Naga Chaitanya-Sobhita Dhulipala's alleged romance. The 35-year-old star is took to Twitter to slam those spreading false information in a strongly-worded tweet. She wrote, "Rumours on girl - Must be true! Rumours on boy - Planted by girl! Grow up guys...Parties involved have clearly moved on... You should move on too. Concentrate on your work... On your families... Move on." Rumours on girl - Must be true !! Rumours on boy - Planted by girl !! Grow up guys .. Parties involved have clearly moved on .. you should move on too !! Concentrate on your work on your families .. move on!! https://t.co/6dbj3S5TJ6 June 21, 2022 Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who has been the center of brutal trolling, in an Instagram story last year, addressed speculation surrounding her separation from Naga Chaitanya in a powerful statement. An excerpt from her statement read, "Your emotional investment into a personal crisis has overwhelmed me. Thank you all for showing deep empathy, concern and for defending me against false rumours and stories that are being spread. They say I had affairs, never wanted children, that I am an opportunist and now that I have had abortions." Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya, who worked together in films like 'Manam', 'MajiliYe Maaya Chesave' and 'Autonagar Surya', got married in 2017 after dating each other for several years. However, in Octoer 2021, the duo broke hearts of millions of their fans after they announced their separation on social media in a joint statement. "To all our well-wishers. After much deliberation and thought Sam and I have decided to part ways as husband and wife to pursue our own paths. We are fortunate to have a friendship of over a decade that was the very core of our relationship which we believe will always hold a special bond between us. We request our fans, well-wishers and the media to support us during the difficult time and give us the privacy we need to move on. Thanking you for your support," their statement read. Speculations about their rift first started when Samantha Prabhu Ruth dropped her surname Akkineni on social media in July last year and also stopped posting photos with Naga. Live TV New Delhi: There is no doubt that Marvel Cinematic Universe has a huge fan base in India, but with the return of Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness on Disney+ Hotstar, a new Bollywood superfan has emerged. After Kartik Aaryan praised the film, now actor Vicky Kaushal watched the Benedict Cumberbatch starrer film and is mind-blown with terrific interpretations. Elaborating on his views on the movie, VK said, "Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is a real madness of multiple genres, fan theories and interpretation, it is a multiverse of movies! Every time you watch it, a new fascinating theory emerges, and it is an eye-opener. Its my favourite Marvel movie. I also really like Benedict Cumberbatch and his work. To play so many versions of the character Doctor Strange in one movie is remarkable and every superhero fan is bound to be amazed by this MCU masterpiece." Urging fans and new viewers to watch the latest Marvel film, he said that he is going to watch it for the second time. 'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness', directed by Sam Raimi is a sequel to 2016's Doctor Strange, which introduced Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, aka Doctor Strange. In the film, Doctor Strange's new adventure begins when Cumberbatch meets America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), a unique teenager who can open doorways from one universe to the other. A wild, mind-blowing adventure follows that sends Doctor Strange and his allies on a dangerous journey to alternate universes in the Multiverse. Along with Benedict Cumberbatch and Xochitl Gomez, the Marvel film features an ensemble cast including Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Sheila Atim, Adam Hugill with Michael Stuhlbarg and Rachel McAdams. Watch 'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness' only on Disney+ Hotstar in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. By Trend External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong here and also met several leaders and his counterparts from the Commonwealth nations to discuss bilateral ties and geopolitical trends. Jaishankar arrived here on Wednesday on a four-day visit to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). He will be representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the summit on June 24-25. Pleasure to call on PM @leehsienloong of Singapore. An interesting discussion on geopolitical trends, he said in a tweet. Jaishankar also called on Presidents of Maldives and Uganda Ibrahim Solih and Yoweri Museveni and discussed the broad-based bilateral cooperation with the two leaders. He also met his counterparts from the UK, Namibia, Jamaica, Sierra Leone and Cyprus and discussed a range of regional and global issues with them. Great to catch up with my British counterpart Foreign Secretary @trussliz. Always useful to exchange notes on the state of the world, he said in a tweet. Nice meeting Namibia Deputy PM and Min. of Intnl. Relations Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah. We noted the growing cooperation in health, IT, defence and education. Discussed possibilities in fintech and bio-diversity. Looking forward to receiving her in New Delhi, he said. A gunman opened fire in Oslo's night-life district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving 10 seriously wounded in what police are investigating as a possible terrorist attack during the Norwegian capital's annual Pride festival. Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, was arrested after opening fire at three locations in downtown Oslo. While the motive was unclear, organizers of Oslo Pride canceled a parade that was set for Saturday as the highlight of a weeklong festival. One of the shootings happened outside the London Pub, a bar popular with the city's LGBTQ community, just hours before the parade was set to begin. Police attorney Christian Hatlo said the suspect was being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, based on the number of people targeted at multiple locations. ``Our overall assessment is that there are grounds to believe that he wanted to cause grave fear in the population,'' Hatlo said. Hatlo said the suspect's mental health was also being investigated. ``We need to go through his medical history, if he has any. It's not something that we're aware of now,`` he said. The shootings happened around 1 a.m. local time, sending panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or trying to hide from the gunman. Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting. ``I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting,'' Roenneberg told NRK. ``First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover.'' Police inspector Tore Soldal said two of the shooting victims died and 10 people were being treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be life-threatening. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a Facebook post that ``the shooting outside London Pub in Oslo tonight was a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people.`` He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community. ``We all stand by you,'' Gahr Stoere wrote. Christian Bredeli, who was at the bar, told Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out. ``Many were fearing for their lives,'' he said. ``On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened.`` Norwegian broadcaster TV2 showed footage of people running down Oslo streets in panic as shots rang out in the background. Investigators said the suspect was known to police, as well as to Norway's security police, but not for any major violent crimes. His criminal record included a narcotics offense and a weapons offense for carrying a knife, Hatlo said. Hatlo said police seized two weapons after the attack: a handgun and an automatic weapon, both of which he described as ``not modern'' without giving details. He said the suspect had not made any statement to the police and was in contact with a defense lawyer. Hatlo said it was too early to say whether the gunman specifically targeted members of the LGBTQ community. ``We have to look closer at that, we don't know yet,'' he said. Still, police advised organizers of the Pride festival to cancel the parade Saturday. ``Oslo Pride therefore urges everyone who planned to participate or watch the parade to not show up. All events in connection with Oslo Prides are canceled,'' organizers said on the official Facebook page of the event. Norway has a relatively low crime rate but has experienced violent attacks by right-wing extremists, including one of the worst mass shootings in Europe in 2011, when a gunman killed 69 people on the island of Utoya after setting off a bomb in Oslo that left eight dead. In 2019, another right-wing extremist killed his stepsister and then opened fire in a mosque but was overpowered before anyone there was injured. Search Keywords: Short link: New Delhi: The State Bank of India (SBI) has informed that its customers will face disturbance in banking services for a couple of hours on Saturday. As per the bank's official notification, SBI's UPI services will be affected from 00:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Saturday June 25. Through a tweet, SBI said We will be undertaking technology upgrade in UPI between 00.30 hrs to 04.30 hrs midnight on 25-June-2022. During this period, services of UPI will not be available." Read More: Gold price today, June 25: Check gold rate in Delhi, Patna, Lucknow, Kolkata, Kanpur, Kerala and other cities To better serve its consumers, SBI has recently launched a new toll-free number for a variety of financial services. Customers can do important and fundamental banking activities from the comfort of their home or any other location by calling this new contact centre number, saving them the time and trouble of visiting a bank office or utilising an electronic medium. Read More: Garena Free Fire redeem codes for today, 25 June: Check website, steps to redeem In March, some SBI customers received incorrect messages on their phones via the bank's YONO app. After receiving numerous complaints about the bug, SBI had said in a statement, "Due to technical challenges, certain users are receiving incorrect notification messages in the Yono Lite programme." We are working hard to resolve the problem as soon as possible." New Delhi: As cryptocurrencies reel under the global downturn, Chinese state-run newspaper Economic Daily has warned investors that the price of leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin is "heading to zero". The warning came as the cryptocurrency market continued to face meltdown with Bitcoin hovering around $21,000 per digital coin on Saturday -- a substantial drop from its record high of $68,000 in November last year. "Bitcoin is nothing more than a string of digital codes, and its returns mainly come from buying low and selling high," the newspaper said. "In the future, once investors` confidence collapses or when sovereign countries declare bitcoin illegal, it will return to its original value, which is utterly worthless," it added, reports South China Morning Post. (ALSO READ: Pakistan raises tax rates for salaried class on IMF demands) The Chinese government banned Bitcoin mining in July last year. (ALSO READ: Bitcoin trading platform Bitpanda lays off 250 employees) It has plans to launch its central bank digital currency (CBDC) called the digital Chinese yuan (e-CNY). The country banned all cryptocurrency transactions last September and barred foreign crypto exchanges from operating within the country in 2018. The Economic Daily earlier justified China`s ban on cryptocurrency trading by taking examples of the collapse of stablecoins terraUSD and luna whose value reached zero. The price of Bitcoin tumbled to a new low of $17,958 this month, before recovering to over $20,000 this week. According to analysts, Bitcoin may hit a grim $14,000 this year. The likely bottom range at $14,000 would represent a drop of around 80 per cent for Bitcoin from the $68,000 all-time high. According to Coindesk, Bitcoin has historically experienced periods of asymptotic price run-ups followed by steep crashes, "typically played out over several months to two years". Cryptocurrency watchers refer to these periods as "cycles". New Delhi: Google CEO Sundar Pichai has made a big announcement to donate 30,000 Pixel phones to Ukrainian and Afghan refugees landing in the United States. Additionally, the search giant`s CEO has announced USD 1 million each in search advertising and grants. According to the reports, Pichai is making this contribution under Welcome.US CEO Council. From his official Twitter handle Pichai has shared a tweet confirming the news, as per Mashable. "Tools like Google Translate help refugees communicate with their new communities. Today we`re donating an additional 20,000 Pixel phones to @welcomeus so more Ukrainian & Afghan newcomers can feel at home in the US," read Sundar Pichai`s tweet. (ALSO READ: Deserves high valuation: Anand Mahindra praises Mumbai woman-led food business) In addition, the company revealed through an official blog post that Sundar Pichai has donated 30,000 Pixel phones to the refugees. The first 17 beneficiaries of the Google Ukraine Support Fund were confirmed in May this year. Recipients will receive financial support and mentoring from the search giant to launch their startups. The program will help recipients connect with the right people and kick-start start-ups at an early stage. (ALSO READ: Bitcoin trading platform Bitpanda lays off 250 employees) The blog post also added, "YouTube is partnering with the UNHCR and Welcome.US to raise awareness about the scale of communities affected by refugee crises, from Syria to Venezuela to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to support refugee resettlement around the world." It seems that Google is trying to provide all kinds of support to refugees and help them grow up in a new country. It would be interesting to see what else Google will add in the coming months to improve support. The three terrorists captured alive by Taliban fighters will spill the beans about the machination hatched by ISIS(Khorasan) to attack Gurdwara Kart-e-Parwan on June 18, which left one Sikh devotee and a Muslim guard of the Gurdwara dead and seriously wounding another Sikh. We managed to kill four attackers during the gun battle that ensued after they stormed the Gurdwara and arrested three attackers, who are injured and presently under medical treatment in the custody of the intelligence department," said Colonel Sher Abdul Hakim, party leader of Taliban fighters who had led and strategized the attack on assailants to neutralize them. Joginder Singh Salaria, who runs an NGO PTC Humanity from Dubai, and is currently visiting Afghanistan to hold meetings with Afghan Sikhs, Hindus, officials of Kabul administration, and the Taliban ministry, informed Zee News that Sher Abdul Hakim informed him that they wanted to capture all the terrorists alive so they could get to the bottom of the conspiracy behind attack on the Gurdwara and the persons involved. "Still they are hopeful to extract sufficient information from the three injured attackers," said Salaria. The leader of the Taliban fighters informed that they had deployed a sufficient number of security around Sikh and Hindu religious places besides their residential colonies to restore faith among them. Sher Abdul Hakim, however, said that terrorists were not only targeting minority communities including Sikhs and Hindus but they had also stormed several mosques. In past over two months time as many as 8 mosques have been attacked by unscrupulous elements leaving around 250 people, all Muslims, injured, he said. Meanwhile, Salaria informed that the Kabul administration had hailed his philanthropist work and even honored him with a certification of appreciation. He informed that on Saturday he met Chief Commander of Kabul Afghanistan Police Mullah Wali Jan Hamza to discuss the issue of the safety of minority Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan and protection of their properties and religious places. The certificate of appreciation issued by the Kabul police reads This is to place on record our appreciation and thank to PCT Humanity Organisation for efforts to meet their Sikh and Hindu Community in Kabul Afghanistan to support them along with the Kabul Police. We look forward to further cooperation with you and your Organisation in future. Government of Afghanistan always welcome appreciate in future. Any journalist now residing in Afghanistan must rely on the Taliban for security. Consequently, many of the stories the world reads about Taliban-controlled Afghanistan are fabricated, said Massoud Hossaini, a veteran Journalist, Pulitzer Award winner, and Human Rights campaigner. Massoud criticised the present administration, noting that the economic situation in Afghanistan is at an all-time low. Human rights, religious liberty, and fundamental human demands urgent attention as well. In the current terrible occurrence of natural calamities such as earthquakes, he noted, the foreign aid pouring into Afghanistan disappears into the hands of the Taliban, with no assistance reaching the ground level. According to him, the system is completely opaque, corrupt, and devoid of any genuine desire to assist poor Afghans. He also deplored the recent suicide assaults on the Hazara minority and the terrorist attacks on Afghanistan's last remaining Sikh population. He remarked on a recent event in which the Taliban slaughtered a woman just for their enjoyment. He finished by stating that there is now no accountability in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule. Participating in a webinar titled Has Afghanistan come to terms with the Taliban? hosted by Red Lantern Analytica, Roya Musawi, Former Spokesperson for International Committee of the Red Cross in Afghanistan, emphasized that the Taliban currently lacks a legal framework. They are still not acknowledged in the global community. However, a few nations have begun coordinating with the Taliban and opened diplomatic offices there. China has been one of these nations. She elaborated on the day-to-day difficulties Afghan women experience by stating that Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is a male-dominated society in which women are allowed very little room. Women are not permitted to study or walk freely, and the law and order situation is rapidly deteriorating as numerous individuals, including former soldiers of the Afghanistan Army, have been lately tortured by Taliban. Roya Musawi, further remarked that despite the Taliban's boasts that they engage in "Positive Talks," there is scarcely anything positive about their shady administration. According to her, Afghanistan is in dire straits under Taliban rule. Live TV New Delhi: Google Doodle on Saturday (June 25) honoured Jewish German Anne Frank, a 15-year-old victim of the Holocaust, whose diary became one of the most read books in the world. Franks diary spans her personal account of the Holocaust hiding from the Nazis. To mark the 75th anniversary of the publication of her diary, Google slideshow mentions excerpts from her diary, which recounts her life in hiding for over two years. The Diary of Anne Frank remains one of the most widely-read works of non-fiction ever published. Her memoir is being used to educate children about the horrors of the Holocaust. Born on June 12, 1929, in Germany's Frankfurt, Anne Franks family soon moved to Amsterdam, Netherlands in order to flee the growing discrimination and violence most of the minorities were subjected to by Adolf Hitlers Nazi party. When Frank was 10, World War 2 broke out and soon Netherlands was invaded by Germany. The Nazi party particularly targeted Jews who in millions had to flee from their homes or go into hiding to avoid imprisonment, execution or concentration camps. In 1942, Franks family went into hiding in a secret annex in her fathers office, where she then began writing about her daily life, including dreams and fears. Hoping that her diary could be published post the war, Anne Frank consolidated her writing into a story titled 'Het Achterhuis' ('The Secret Annex'). On August 4, 1944, her family was discovered by the Nazi Secret Service, arrested, and taken to a detention center later. Eventually, Anne and Margot Frank were shifted to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany, where they succumbed due to the inhumane living conditions. Many films have been made to highlight the horrors of the war and Holocaust, but Anne Franks story remains one of the most chilling accounts to apprise the world of the dangers of tyranny. New Delhi: Two people were killed and several more wounded in a shooting at a nightclub in Oslo, Norway, early Saturday morning, media reported citing Norwegian authorities. According to the Police at least two people were killed and several more seriously wounded. Media reports suggest that suspect was taken into custody after several shots were fired at a nightclub. Two killed, several wounded in shooting in central Oslo, Norway, reports AFP News Agency citing police ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022 Meanwhile, US has seen an upsurge in gun violence. On May 24, a mass shooting incident took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde in Texas in which several people including 19 children were killed. This was the deadliest attack since the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed, according to CNN. The final vote was 65 to 33 with 15 Republicans joining Democrats in support of the measure, marking a significant bipartisan breakthrough on one of the most contentious policy issues in the US. The bill will now go to the House for a vote and it could take up the bill as early as Friday, before it can be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. The bill comes with a USD 13.2 billion price tag and it includes millions of dollars for mental health, school safety, crisis intervention programs and incentives for states to include juvenile records in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The vote on the federal gun safety bill comes on the same day as the Supreme Court struck down a New York gun law regulating concealed handguns in public that mandated residents demonstrate a specific need to carry a handgun outside of the home. (With agency inputs) Washington: Former US President Barack Obama on Friday condemned the US Supreme Court ending constitutional protection for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years. Obama said on Twitter that the decision is tantamount to an attack on freedoms for millions of Americans. The court's conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday. The decision is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. Three of the court's liberal justices wrote in a joint dissent that the decision would bring 'sorrow' for the many millions of American women who will be losing a 'fundamental constitutional protection'. Across the country, states have already passed bills restricting choice. If you're looking for ways to respond, @PPFA, @USOWomen, and many other groups have been sounding the alarm on this issue for yearsand will continue to be on the front lines of this fight. pic.twitter.com/PpXBEcbL2S Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 24, 2022 ALSO READ: Explained: Roe v Wade overturned - Abortion rights struck down by US Supreme Court The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years. The decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take this momentous step. Russia will deliver missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads to Belarus in the coming months, President Vladimir Putin said Saturday as he received Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. "In the coming months, we will transfer to Belarus Iskander-M tactical missile systems, which can use ballistic or cruise missiles, in their conventional and nuclear versions," Putin said in a broadcast on Russian television at the start of his meeting with Lukashenko in Saint Petersburg. He also offered to upgrade Belarus' warplanes to make them capable of carrying nuclear weapons, amid soaring tensions with the West over Ukraine. "Many Su-25 (aircrafts) are in service with the Belarusian military. They could be upgraded in an appropriate way," the Russian leader said. "This modernisation should be carried out in aircraft factories in Russia and the training of personnel should start in accordance with this," he added, after Lukashenko asked him to "adapt" the planes. "We will agree on how to accomplish this," Putin said. Putin has several times referred to nuclear weapons since his country launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, in what the West has seen as a warning to the West not to intervene. Lukashenko said last month that his country had bought Iskander nuclear-capable missiles and S-400 anti-aircraft anti-missile systems from Russia. Search Keywords: Short link: The mayor of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv warned Saturday that an imposter is posing as him and communicating with other officials, including three European mayors who were duped into believing they were having a video call with the real Vitali Klitschko. ``Several mayors in Europe have been contacted by a fake mayor of Kyiv who has been saying absurd things,'' Klitschko told German daily newspaper Bild. ``This is criminal energy. It must be urgently investigated who is behind it.'' The office of Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey tweeted Friday night that she cut short a call with the reputed Kyiv mayor after his comments and questions made her suspicious. ``The course of the conversation and the setting of topics'' made Giffey wary, her office said without elaborating. The office published a photo that showed both the German capital's mayor and the fake Klitschko on a big screen. It said that initially, ``there was no evidence that the video conference was not conducted with a real person. To all appearances, it is deep fake.'' Police were investigating the incident, Giffey's office said. Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida also interrupted a video call with someone claiming to be Klitschko on Friday. The mayor of Spain's capital suspected he wasn't speaking with his Kyiv counterpart and has filed a complaint with police. Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig did not end his call with the imposter earlier this week because he didn't notice any suspicious behavior, Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported. ``Since no tricky topics were discussed in the conversation, this is certainly annoying in the specific occasion but not a big problem,'' Ludwig said. It was not clear who was behind the calls or what means were used to try to make the mayors think they were communicating with Klitschko. On Saturday, Berlin's mayor said her encounter with the fraudster means that ``in the future we will have to be even more scrutinizing, even more suspicious.`` She called the use of a phony Klitschko ``a means of modern warfare,'' referring to Russia's four-month war on Ukraine. Kyiv's actual mayor also made a link to Russia's war in Ukraine. ``Friends! The enemy does not let up and is waging war on all fronts - in particular by disinformation, by discrediting Ukrainian politicians,`` Klitschko said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. ``In order to quarrel with European partners, so that Ukraine would not be helped.'' In his remarks to Bild, he warned other European officials to be careful if they are contacted by someone claiming to represent his office. ``Please be careful in the future how appointments are arranged by me. Official conversations only come through official channels,`` he said. Search Keywords: Short link: Italy has managed to reduce its dependence on gas imported from Russia to 25 percent from 40 percent last year as it diversifies suppliers, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Friday. "The measures the government has put in place since the beginning of the (Ukraine) war are starting to pay off. In other words, other gas suppliers are beginning to replace Russian gas," Draghi told the Italian media in Brussels following the EU summit. To reduce its dependence on Russian gas following its invasion of neighbour Ukraine, Italy signed a major agreement with Algeria in April on increased gas supplies. Discussions have also been held with Qatar, Angola and Mozambique. In addition, Italy was thinking ahead to the winter season when gas demand is higher, and "storage is going very well", Draghi said. The measures planned by Italy "guarantee that there will be no (gas) emergency" in winter, he said. According to Italy's Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani, Italian stocks are currently at 55 percent and should reach 90 percent by the end of the year. "We are almost out of danger," he said Friday in an interview with La Stampa daily. Italy's tone contrasted with the concern expressed by Germany, which is similarly heavily dependent on Russian gas. Germany is facing a gas shortage and will have to make "very difficult social choices" for households and businesses if Russian supplies fall further, Economy Minister Robert Habeck warned Friday. Search Keywords: Short link: The campaign, held under the slogan of her marriage before 18 ruins her life, lasts until the end of July and aims to raise awareness in governorates across the country of the social, health and legal impacts of child marriage on minor girls. The campaign is part of the Waai Programme for Community Development launched by the ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in February 2020. The programme fights child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) and covers health and education issues, rights of persons with disabilities, and economic empowerment of marginalised families. Million of families targeted The campaign has been carried out in various governorates since its launch last year with the participation of a number of civil society groups, most recently in Gharbiya governorate. The campaign targets families with children of ages ranging from 12 to 18-years-old and who are part of the social protection programme Takaful w Karama, which includes around 1.4 million families. The Takaful w Karama programme conditions its cash support to families on the requirement that they do not marry any members under 18-years-old. In addition, the campaign also targets villages included in Haya Karima (Decent Life) initiative, which includes up to 4.1 million families nationwide. Illegal, dangerous phenomenon The campaign aims to mobilise public opinion against child marriage and raise awareness among targeted families of its dangers, including depriving parents of their civil and social rights. This is in addition to the health dangers that married minor girls face during pregnancy and delivery. The campaign also seeks to explain the link between child marriage, population growth, and increased economic and social burden on families and state and to shape public opinion to criminalise child marriage in Egypt. The marriage of a girl under 18 is a crime and a form of human trafficking, Maha El-Hefnawy, undersecretary of the social solidarity ministry in Ismailia, said during the seminar in Ismailia late on Thursday. Egyptian law does not allow the issuance of marriage certificates to anyone under the age of 18. In cases when husbands die, their underage wives who do not own marriage certificates often have to resort to other dubious actions like forging a birth certificate to say her child is the offspring of her own parents, El-Hefnawy said. A number of women from the village as well as social pioneers, professors at Suez Canal University, religious scholars, and professors of obstetrics and gynaecology attended the seminar. The seminar also touched on the health risks of underage marriage, saying that minors are 20 percent more vulnerable to recurrent miscarriage, hypertension, and eclampsia during pregnancy than a 20-year-old women, the ministry said, citing data by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In addition, deaths increase among women married before 18 years of age, the ministry said, noting that the second highest cause of death among girls aged between 15 to 19 are complications resulting from pregnancy. Competition, other efforts Under the campaign, the ministry holds a daily competition with a prize worth EGP 1,000 for one winner per day with competitors required to answer questions about health, educational, social, and legal dangers of child marriage. Participants can enter the competition by sending an SMS with the word via 1442 for free. The ministrys digital platform also sends daily informative messages on child marriage for the families covered by Takaful w Karama and other social protection programmes. This is in addition to the videos and infographs posted by the ministry on its Facebook page that aim to open a societal dialogue on the causes of child marriage and ways to eliminate it. Under the campaign, social pioneers also make field visits to the targeted families to shed light on the dangers of the social phenomenon. Egyptian space scientist and former-presidential scientific adviser Essam Heggy said on Twitter that he values all the participants and organisers of the national dialogue in Egypt and wishes them luck, but stated that he does not participate in any political movement because he serves the nation through science and education. I value all the participants and organisers of the national dialogue in Egypt... but my own way of serving the nation is through science and education, and I did not, nor will I have any participation in any political movement, whatever its affiliation or goals Heggy said on his official Twitter account on Friday. I am not in a rivalry with any party regardless of the extent of differences. I wish luck to all the participants. he added. Heggys tweet came after Diaa Rashwan, the general coordinator of the dialogue and head of the Journalists Syndicate, made an announcement on Thursday that an invitation was extended to Heggy to participate in the national dialogue that will kick-off in July. Rashwan also revealed that invitations to participate in the dialogue have been sent to hundreds of people, including member of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) George Ishak and well-known lawyer Essam El-Islamboly. The list of invitations also includes former ministers of health Amr Helmy and Ashraf Hatem, opposition MP Diaa El-Din Dawoud, and former jihadist turned Islamist writer Nageh Ibrahim, he added. Rashawn has previously stressed that no one will be excluded from the presidential call for national dialogue except those who have blood on their hands or practiced terrorism or violence. Furthermore, he noted that thousands of citizens have communicated with the dialogues administration and submitted dialogue-linked proposals, urging those willing to join it to submit their requests at the National Youth Conferences website. Parties like El-Wafd and the Free Egyptians also announced that they will participate in the dialogue. Egypt will hold its first sessions of the national political dialogue during the first week of July, according to a statement by the dialogues administration that was released on Wednesday. The dialogue is part of steps taken by the country to advance its human rights situation as part of the National Strategy for Human Rights that was launched in September. During the annual Egyptian Family Iftar Banquet on 26 April, El-Sisi assigned the National Youth Conference which is organised by the National Training Academy to conduct a dialogue on current national issues and deliver the outcomes to him. Search Keywords: Short link: Anyone over 65 is currently eligible for free subway rides and discounts on rail tickets and admissions to national and public museums since 1981. But at that time over-65s took up a mere four percent of the total population, and now they account for 16 percent. The government wants to raise the age when pensioners become eligible for public benefits like free subway passes from the current 65 as the population ages. According to Statistics Korea, the proportion of the elderly population will grow to more than 20 percent in 2025 and a whopping 47 percent by 2067. In a meeting on Thursday, the government decided to begin discussions on how to improve the benefits system for the elderly. Participants said there has been a change in the public perception on what age is considered old due to the extended life expectancy and healthcare. In a 2017 poll, 59.4 percent said that people are old when they are over 70. The government plans to launch a task force in the second half of this year to come up with a policy. In a workshop in January last year, Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo stressed the need to begin a public debate on ways to raise the pensionable age from 65 to 70 on a step-by-step basis in preparation for a forthcoming super-aged society. Some experts favor maintaining the current system because the over-65s typically have even less money than they used to even if they continue working. Prof. Yu Jeong-whon of Ajou University said, "Let's face it, the operating costs of subways don't jump enormously just because more elderly people take it. Elderly people can improve their health and contribute to boosting consumption if they take subway to engage in more social activities, which benefits everyone." In a statement, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department "strongly disagrees with the court's decision" and "will work tirelessly to protect and advance reproductive freedom." At the White House, President Joe Biden condemned the ruling but implored protesters to remain peaceful. "Let's be very clear: The health and life of women in this nation are now at risk," Biden said. "It's a sad day for the country." "[O]ne result of today's decision is certain: the curtailment of women's rights, and of their status as free and equal citizens," wrote Associate Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, the court's liberal members, in a spirited dissent. The Guttmacher Institute, an abortion-rights research group, estimates that 26 states, mostly in the South and Midwest, will ban abortion in the wake of Roe v. Wade's repeal. That could force millions of women seeking abortions to travel to states where abortion rights are protected. While the high court's overturning of its 1973 ruling in the case known as Roe v. Wade and a separate case called Planned Parenthood v. Casey does not impose a ban on abortion, its legal impact will ripple through the country almost immediately. The ruling came less than two months after an early draft of Alito's decision was leaked to a news site, setting off nationwide protests by abortion-rights activists. "The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision," Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his majority opinion, joined by four other conservative justices. "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives." The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overruled a constitutional right to abortion in America, leaving it to states to decide whether to permit the procedure that has been legal nationwide for five decades. The Supreme Court's ruling came in a closely watched case involving a Mississippi law that bans nearly all abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy, several weeks before the cutoff stage established under Roe v. Wade. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the only abortion clinic in Mississippi, challenged the 2018 law in federal court, arguing that it would violate nearly 50 years of Supreme Court precedent. After two lower courts sided with the clinic, the state of Mississippi, backed by 25 other Republican-controlled states, went to the U.S. Supreme Court, asking the justices to overturn both Roe and Casey. Their petition claimed that "nothing" in the Constitution "supports a right to abortion." Six of the high court justices, all appointed by Republican presidents, agreed. Chief Justice John Roberts concurred in upholding the Mississippi law but indicated he would not have gone further in ending the constitutional right to abortion. Few issues in America are as divisive as abortion. For the past 50 years, American conservatives, driven by a desire to protect unborn life, have campaigned against the Roe v. Wade ruling. But they lacked the votes on the high court to overturn it. That changed after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election and put three abortion-rights opponents on the high court. That gave conservatives a 6-3 majority on the powerful court, raising the likelihood that abortion rights would be overturned. Trump reacted with jubilation to Friday's ruling, saying in a statement, "Today's decision, which is the biggest WIN for LIFE in a generation, along with other decisions that have been announced recently, were only made possible because I delivered everything as promised, including nominating and getting three highly respected and strong Constitutionalists confirmed to the United States Supreme Court." Generally, the Supreme Court follows principles established in its prior rulings, a doctrine known as stare decisis. The dissenting justices wrote that the ruling violated this long-standing legal precept. But Alito said that there are circumstances where a precedent can be and has been overturned. In a landmark ruling in 1954, for example, the Supreme Court invalidated an 1896 decision that had legalized racial segregation in the United States, Alito noted. Alito wrote that the court's ruling was limited to abortion and would not affect other rights. But liberal critics of the decision worry the decision will open the door to overturn other rights recognized by the Supreme Court. "If you strike down a law based on a fundamental disagreement with the legal reasoning that underpins it, the same exact arguments will allow the other decisions to be overturned," said Caroline Fredrickson, a law professor at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice. Although Friday's ruling did not come as a surprise after the draft opinion had been leaked, it set off a tidal wave of reaction in Washington and across America. "This is a great day for preborn children and their mothers," Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, a prominent group opposing abortion rights, said in a statement. "The Court has correctly decided that a right to abortion is not in the [C]onstitution, thereby allowing the people, through their elected representatives, to have a voice in this very important decision." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, hailed the ruling as "courageous and correct" and "an historic victory for the Constitution and for the most vulnerable in our society." "Today is one of the darkest days our country has ever seen," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in a statement. "Millions upon millions of American women are having their rights taken from them by five unelected justices." "This decision is the worst-case scenario, but it is not the end of this fight. The 8 in 10 Americans who support the legal right to abortion will not let this stand," Mini Timmaraju, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, a leading abortion rights group, said in a statement. "There is an election in November, and extremist politicians will learn: When you come for our rights, we come for your seats." News of the ruling made headlines across the globe. While the Vatican's Academy for Life praised the Supreme Court's decision as a challenge to the world to reflect on life issues, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called it "a huge blow to women's human rights and gender equality." In a statement, Bachelet added, "More than 50 countries with previously restrictive laws have liberalized their abortion legislation over the past 25 years. With today's ruling, the U.S. is regrettably moving away from this progressive trend." In anticipation of the ruling, states across the country, depending on their legislatures' ideological leanings, have been changing their abortion rules. In conservative states, in addition to passing "trigger laws" designed to take effect after Roe is overturned, lawmakers have moved to tighten restrictions on abortion, with Oklahoma enacting a law in March that bans abortion at any point during pregnancy. For their part, some liberal-leaning states have responded by passing legislation to expand access to abortion, with some states considering laws that would allow nurses to carry out the procedure. The court ruling came despite growing public acceptance of abortion. A Gallup Poll conducted after the court's draft decision was leaked in May indicated that 55% of Americans identified as "pro-choice," the highest level of such sentiment since the mid-1990s. Still, abortion remains a politically divisive issue that is likely to live on well past Roe's demise. Abortion-rights groups are gearing up to challenge new state bans and restrictions in state courts, setting off protracted legal battles. "Part of the issue is that you have to find some protections within the state constitutions in order to bring these cases," said Elizabeth Nash, a state policy analyst for the Guttmacher Institute. Complicating efforts to challenge state abortion bans, four states -- Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee and West Virginia -- have passed constitutional amendments that say the state constitution does not recognize the right to abortion, Nash noted. In two others -- Kansas and Kentucky -- voters are expected to cast ballots on the issue later this year. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an international conference on food security Friday that the world is facing the "real risk" of multiple famines this year and that 2023 could be even worse. "The war in Ukraine has compounded problems that have been brewing for years: climate disruption; the COVID-19 pandemic; the deeply unequal recovery," Guterres said by video message to the Uniting for Global Food Security ministerial conference in Berlin. He said rising fuel and fertilizer prices are dramatically affecting the world's farmers. "All harvests will be hit, including rice and corn -- affecting billions of people across Asia, Africa and the Americas," Guterres said. "This year's food access issues could become next year's global food shortage." He warned that no country would be immune to the social and economic fallout. Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine has led to availability and supply chain disruptions. The United Nations says more than 36 countries get half or more of their grain supply from the Black Sea region. In addition to destroying and stealing some Ukrainian grain, Russia's military has blockaded the country's key southern port of Odesa, preventing more than 20 million tons of Ukrainian grain from being exported. The Kremlin has also held back some of its own grain and fertilizer production from global markets, claiming Western sanctions are obstructing their export. "Nothing -- nothing -- is preventing food and fertilizer from leaving Russia," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said of the sanctions. "And only one country is blocking food and fertilizer from leaving Ukraine and that is Russia." "I was relieved to see a different character. I made the transformation in just 10 minutes after an Italian stylist gave me the idea while filming in Hungary. It shows the traits of a warrior, while the old clothes reflect the repression the people on the planet suffer. The external transformation was a great help in finding the character." The transformation for the US$90-million sci-fi series produced by Steven Spielberg startled even her. "I didn't recognize myself," she told the Chosun Ilbo last Saturday. Korean-Australian actress Ha Ye-rin stars in Paramount+'s new science fiction series "Halo," where she is turning heads with her striking cropped hairstyle. Paramount Global's streaming platform is not yet in service in Korea, and the series has been shown through the local streaming service Tving since June 15. Ha grew up in Sydney but attended Kaywon High School of Arts in Korea before going on to Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Art. "I applied for the audition after a school friend messaged me about it while I was working on my graduation project" at NIDA, she said. "When I found out I had been cast, I thought I was dreaming." Acting runs in the family. Her maternal grandmother is veteran Korean actress Son Sook (78). "When I was young, I used to watch my grandmother's plays when I came to Korea. I thought it was amazing how my grandmother was able to make people laugh and cry. I think that's why I chose to follow in her footsteps," Ha said. "When I told her I wanted to be an actress, she told me to give it a shot. She advised me that the path of an actor is really difficult and you're constantly judged, so you have to be humble and be willing to accept new challenges. I try not to forget those words," she added. By Trend A humanitarian cargo sent from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan in connection with the devastating earthquake that occurred recently in the Afghan provinces of Khost and Paktika arrived in Kabul today. This action was carried out in accordance with the Order of the President of Turkmenistan, who immediately responded to the natural disaster that befell the fraternal people. Turkmenistan sent 24,700 tons of cargo, including food, medicines, hygiene products, household essentials. Sending humanitarian aid to the Afghan people is one of the components in the implementation of systemic comprehensive support to Afghanistan by the Turkmen state for many years. KYODO NEWS - Jun 25, 2022 - 17:07 | All, Japan Campaigning was heating up for Japan's July 10 upper house election on Saturday, with ruling and opposition party leaders pointing to rising prices of daily needs as a major issue. Entering the first weekend after the election's official campaigning kicked off Wednesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his rivals delivered stump speeches mainly in closely contested voting districts across Japan. Kishida, who heads the Liberal Democratic Party, blamed Russia's invasion of Ukraine for high energy and other prices. "To protect your livelihoods and work, the government will take full responsibility and do its utmost to take measures against price increases," he said in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture. Kishida, who will attend meetings with world leaders in Germany and Spain next week, later returned to Tokyo, where the LDP and the main opposition of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan are fielding two candidates each to vie for six seats up for grabs in the capital's district. Related coverage: Japan ruling bloc to secure majority in July upper house race: poll Campaigning starts for Japan's upper house election on July 10 Kenta Izumi, leader of the main opposition party, facing an uphill battle in the triennial House of Councillors election, criticized the government's economic policy. "The prime minister has not looked straight at price rises and also has no concrete measures," Izumi said in the major southwestern city of Fukuoka. "Let's raise our voice and change politics." Natsuo Yamaguchi, chief of the LDP's coalition partner Komeito, participated in a rally for young people in Nagoya, pledging to invest more in cultivating human resources and achieving sustainable wage increases. "We will do the same administrative and fiscal reforms in Japan that we have done in Osaka," Nobuyuki Baba, co-leader of the opposition Japan Innovation Party, said in a speech in Tokyo. Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii, speaking in Narashino, Chiba Prefecture, slammed the Kishida administration's plan to bolster Japan's defense forces, saying, "Let's use everyone's power to stop politics that crushes our lives." KYODO NEWS - Jun 25, 2022 - 13:32 | World, All President Xi Jinping will attend a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's transfer from British to Chinese rule, official news agency Xinhua said Saturday. The anniversary will be commemorated on Friday as Hong Kong's rights and freedoms, guaranteed at the 1997 handover, continue to diminish with Beijing tightening its grip on the semiautonomous Chinese city. Xi has not left mainland China since he traveled to Myanmar in January 2020 and Beijing acknowledged the rapid spread of the coronavirus. The news agency said the Chinese president will also take part in an event on Friday for the inauguration of John Lee, Hong Kong's former security chief, as the city's new leader, replacing Carrie Lam. Lee, known as a staunch supporter of crackdowns on pro-democracy activists, has vowed to maintain social order in the former British colony based on a national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. His five-year term will begin at the halfway point of Beijing's "one country, two systems" policy for Hong Kong that was set to last for 50 years until 2047. KYODO NEWS - Jun 25, 2022 - 12:09 | All, World The United States, Japan, Australia, Britain and New Zealand on Friday launched a new initiative to step up engagement with Pacific island countries, as China seeks to boost economic and defense cooperation with them. Under a mechanism named "Partners in the Blue Pacific," the five countries said they will pursue "more effective and efficient" ways to deal with challenges such as "growing pressure on the rules-based free and open international order." "As our countries -- Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States -- continue to support prosperity, resilience, and security in the Pacific, we too must harness our collective strength through closer cooperation," they said in a statement. The statement indicated areas for potential cooperation with Pacific island countries, such as Fiji, Micronesia and Tonga, including climate change, transport, maritime security, health and education. The United States and its allies like Japan have been alarmed by China's moves to bolster its influence in the Pacific, such as by signing a security pact with the Solomon Islands in April. The treaty reportedly allows the deployment of Chinese police, military and other armed personnel, as well as the docking of the Asian power's military ships in the islands. According to Australian media, China has also sought to persuade Pacific island countries to sign an agreement covering a wide spectrum of issues including trade, security and police cooperation, and fisheries, but failed in its attempt. The new initiative will aim to "deliver results" for the island countries and forge closer connections with the Pacific Islands Forum -- the premier driver of regional action, the five countries added. The United States intends to invite related foreign ministers later this year to review progress, according to the statement. In the broader Indo-Pacific region, China has been militarizing outposts in disputed areas of the South China Sea and carrying out repeated incursions into Japanese waters around the Senkakus, a group of East China Sea islets controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing. Fireworks celebrating the Maori New Year shine the sky over Wellington, New Zealand, June 24, 2022. New Zealanders celebrated Matariki, or the Maori New Year, as an official public holiday for the first time on Friday. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua) WELLINGTON, June 24 (Xinhua) -- New Zealanders celebrated Matariki, or the Maori New Year, as an official public holiday for the first time on Friday. Matariki will be a distinctly New Zealand holiday, a time for reflection and celebration, and the first public holiday that recognizes the Maori worldview, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said while joining the nation's celebrations at a traditional ceremony early Friday morning. In Maori culture, Matariki is also the name of the Pleiades star cluster that rises in mid-winter, marking the start of the Maori New Year. In recent years Matariki has become a time of celebration for many people across New Zealand. A Matariki Advisory Group has been established by the government to provide advice on future dates of the public holiday and how it should be celebrated because the date of Matariki changes each year depending on the appearance of the Pleiades in the sky. The New Zealand government also hopes Matariki will help boost the country's tourism sector as a unique New Zealand holiday experience to attract international tourists. Fireworks celebrating the Maori New Year shine the sky over Wellington, New Zealand, June 24, 2022. New Zealanders celebrated Matariki, or the Maori New Year, as an official public holiday for the first time on Friday. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua) Representatives of Maori people attend a celebration for Maori New Year in Wellington, New Zealand, June 24, 2022. New Zealanders celebrated Matariki, or the Maori New Year, as an official public holiday for the first time on Friday. (The Museum Te Papa Tongarewa/Handout via Xinhua) Fireworks celebrating the Maori New Year shine the sky over Wellington, New Zealand, June 24, 2022. New Zealanders celebrated Matariki, or the Maori New Year, as an official public holiday for the first time on Friday. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua) People look into the sky at seaside to celebrate the Maori New Year in Wellington, New Zealand, June 24, 2022. New Zealanders celebrated Matariki, or the Maori New Year, as an official public holiday for the first time on Friday. (The Museum Te Papa Tongarewa/Handout via Xinhua) Fireworks celebrating the Maori New Year shine the sky over Wellington, New Zealand, June 24, 2022. New Zealanders celebrated Matariki, or the Maori New Year, as an official public holiday for the first time on Friday. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua) People attend an event for the inauguration of a photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Omaruru, the Erongo region, Namibia, on June 24, 2022. Namibian state-owned utility, NamPower on Friday inaugurated the utility's first fully owned 20MW photovoltaic (PV) power plant at an event in Omaruru in the Erongo region. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua) OMARURU, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Namibian state-owned utility, NamPower on Friday inaugurated the utility's first fully owned 20MW photovoltaic (PV) power plant at an event in Omaruru in the Erongo region. The Omburu (means "white" in local language) PV project which took 15 months to complete, was constructed through a joint venture between Hopsol Africa and Tulive Private Equity. The plant, which occupies 40 hectares, is expected to supply 67.8 GWh of clean energy annually, said NamPower. Kornelia Shilunga, deputy minister of Mines and Energy, said Namibia continues to make strides towards transitioning to the use of renewable sources for energy supply. "We are all aware that Namibia is heavily reliant on importing electricity from South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, but the picture is changing, step by step," she said, adding that solar and wind are the answer to electricity independence. Kahenge Haulofu, Nampower managing director, said the utility adopted its Integrated Strategic Business plan in 2020 in which the company identified its strategic focus, application and prioritization of resources over the next five years. "Nampower ratified the implementation of the following projects, 20 MW Omburu power station and a 40 MW wind project which is currently in the bidding phase. We hope to award the EPC contract in the first quarter of 2023," he added. Haulofu further said a 40 MW biomass power project is currently in a bidding phase which is expected to be concluded in August 2022. Namibia is committed to increasing the local electricity generation capacity from 624 to 879 MW by 2025, through commissioning 50 MW of IPP projects and an additional 220 MW generation by NamPower by 2025, Shilunga concluded. Currently, various solar generation projects are underway in Namibia, including the construction of the new 5.7 MW Rosh Pinah Solar Park and another 20 MW solar plant to be developed by Hopsol near the Khan Substation in the Namib Desert amongst others. A person stands in front of photovoltaic panels at a photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Omaruru, the Erongo region, Namibia, on June 24, 2022. Namibian state-owned utility, NamPower on Friday inaugurated the utility's first fully owned 20MW photovoltaic (PV) power plant at an event in Omaruru in the Erongo region. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua) Latest updates on Ukraine crisis: -- UN chief urges reintegrating food, fertilizer products from Ukraine, Russia into world markets -- Italian PM says EU might convene extraordinary summit on energy Produced by Xinhua Global Service UNITED NATIONS, June 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday stressed the importance of reintegrating the food and fertilizer products from Ukraine and Russia into world markets. In a video message for a Berlin ministerial conference on global food security, Guterres warned that multiple famines could be declared in 2022 and that 2023 could be even worse. The main costs to farmers are fertilizers and energy. Fertilizer prices have risen by more than half in the past year, and energy prices by more than two-thirds. All harvests will be hit, including rice and corn, affecting billions of people across Asia, Africa and the Americas, he said. "This year's food access issues could become next year's global food shortage. No country will be immune to the social and economic repercussions of such a catastrophe." The current crisis goes beyond food and requires a coordinated multilateral approach, with multi-dimensional solutions, he said. There can be no effective solution to the global food crisis without reintegrating Ukraine's food production, as well as the food and fertilizers produced by Russia, into world markets despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, he said. Guterres said he has been in intense contact with Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, the United States, the European Union and others on this issue. UN Conference on Trade and Development Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan and UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths are continuing the talks, aiming to achieve a package deal that will enable Ukraine to export food, not only by land but through the Black Sea, and will bring Russian food and fertilizer to world markets without restrictions, he said. Solving the food crisis requires solving the financial crisis in the developing world, said Guterres. Hundreds of millions of people on the poverty line have been crushed by this crisis. Developed countries and international financial institutions need to make resources available to help governments support and invest in their people, he said. Developing countries that face debt default must have access to effective debt relief to keep their economies afloat and their people thriving. Financial institutions must find the flexibility and understanding to get resources where they are needed most, he said. "We need strong political and private-sector leadership for a coordinated multilateral response. We cannot accept mass hunger and starvation in the 21st century," said Guterres. At least 314 migrants trying to illegally cross into Europe have been detained in Turkey's western province of Izmir since last week, local media reported on Friday. Photo taken in Brussels, Belgium on May 24, 2021 shows the live stream of the 74th World Health Assembly held at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) The Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) agreed upon by health ministers of G20 members aims to build infrastructures to prevent and prepare for potential pandemics in the future. JAKARTA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Group of 20 (G20) expects to collect no less than 1.5 billion U.S. dollars by the end of this year to build infrastructures to prevent and prepare for potential pandemics in the future, said Budi Gunadi Sadikin, health minister of Indonesia and the current G20 host, on Thursday. The commitment to establishing the fund, called the Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF), was agreed upon by the health ministers of G20 members, along with the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), at the first Health Ministerial Meeting (HWG) held on June 20 to 21 in Indonesia's Yogyakarta. Sadikin told a Thursday press briefing that as of now, several countries and a few charity foundations had pledged to donate a total of 1.1 billion dollars. The fund will be housed by the World Bank, while the WHO will advise the implementation and allocation of the money. Sadikin elaborated several allocation plans for the fund, including building and improving access to emergency medical countermeasures, establishing a global network of genomic surveillance labs, and building global research and manufacturing hubs. People walk past a mural depicting health workers fighting against COVID-19 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 16, 2021. (Photo by Zulkarnain/Xinhua) Sadikin said the money will be used to produce emergency tools needed for timely and equitable responses to future pandemics, including vaccines, therapeutics, medicines, personal protective equipment (PPE), and testing kits, that will be equally distributed to all countries once another pandemic strikes. The minister said the G20 members agreed that they needed some connected sequence laboratories to identify and share genome sequence data from pathogens that can cause outbreaks. "By having such connected labs we can anticipate or overcome an outbreak better. We will be able to get information faster with stronger data sharing mechanisms, then diagnose faster, then we can produce vaccines faster." The minister said the G20 forum agreed to build several additional global research and manufacturing hubs in Southern countries for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Most of the countries in the Global South are underdeveloped and developing countries, which faced more difficulties in facing the pandemic and obtaining access to vaccines. Sadikin said that the ideal countries to build the hubs were those with large populations. Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati (2nd L, front) attends the opening ceremony of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 17, 2022. (Indonesian Finance Ministry/Handout via Xinhua) "So, the Global South countries can develop and supply vaccines to their populations in a more timely and equitable way." Local media reported that WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus directly attended the HWG, and he estimated that the financial need for strengthening global health security reached 31 billion dollars per year. "WHO and the World Bank have estimated that we need 31 billion dollars every year to strengthen global health security. Two-thirds of that amount could come from existing resources, but that leaves a gap of 10 billion per year," he said. Ghebreyesus suggested that the FIF be supervised by a council and an advisory panel that would be supported by the joint Secretariat of the World Bank and WHO, which is based in Washington. Technicians work in the Yongling No. 2 tunnel of the high-speed railway linking Shenyang with the Changbai Mountains in northeast China, June 25, 2022. The Yongling No. 2 tunnel on Saturday fully completed its construction. It is the first tunnel that saw construction completed along the under-construction Shenyang-Changbai Mountain high-speed railway. The 430.1-km-long Shenyang-Changbai Mountain railroad kicked off its construction in July 2021 with a designed speed of 350 km per hour. (Xinhua/Yang Qing) An excavator works in the Yongling No. 2 tunnel of the high-speed railway linking Shenyang with the Changbai Mountains in northeast China, June 25, 2022. The Yongling No. 2 tunnel on Saturday fully completed its construction. It is the first tunnel that saw construction completed along the under-construction Shenyang-Changbai Mountain high-speed railway. The 430.1-km-long Shenyang-Changbai Mountain railroad kicked off its construction in July 2021 with a designed speed of 350 km per hour. (Xinhua/Yang Qing) An excavator works in the Yongling No. 2 tunnel of the high-speed railway linking Shenyang with the Changbai Mountains in northeast China, June 25, 2022. The Yongling No. 2 tunnel on Saturday fully completed its construction. It is the first tunnel that saw construction completed along the under-construction Shenyang-Changbai Mountain high-speed railway. The 430.1-km-long Shenyang-Changbai Mountain railroad kicked off its construction in July 2021 with a designed speed of 350 km per hour. (Xinhua/Yang Qing) An excavator works in the Yongling No. 2 tunnel of the high-speed railway linking Shenyang with the Changbai Mountains in northeast China, June 25, 2022. The Yongling No. 2 tunnel on Saturday fully completed its construction. It is the first tunnel that saw construction completed along the under-construction Shenyang-Changbai Mountain high-speed railway. The 430.1-km-long Shenyang-Changbai Mountain railroad kicked off its construction in July 2021 with a designed speed of 350 km per hour. (Xinhua/Yang Qing) An excavator works in the Yongling No. 2 tunnel of the high-speed railway linking Shenyang with the Changbai Mountains in northeast China, June 25, 2022. The Yongling No. 2 tunnel on Saturday fully completed its construction. It is the first tunnel that saw construction completed along the under-construction Shenyang-Changbai Mountain high-speed railway. The 430.1-km-long Shenyang-Changbai Mountain railroad kicked off its construction in July 2021 with a designed speed of 350 km per hour. (Xinhua/Yang Qing) Photo taken on June 25, 2022 shows the construction site of the Yongling No. 2 tunnel of the high-speed railway linking Shenyang with the Changbai Mountains in northeast China. The Yongling No. 2 tunnel on Saturday fully completed its construction. It is the first tunnel that saw construction completed along the under-construction Shenyang-Changbai Mountain high-speed railway. The 430.1-km-long Shenyang-Changbai Mountain railroad kicked off its construction in July 2021 with a designed speed of 350 km per hour. (Xinhua/Yang Qing) Workers celebrate the completion of the Yongling No. 2 tunnel of the high-speed railway linking Shenyang with the Changbai Mountains in northeast China, June 25, 2022. The Yongling No. 2 tunnel on Saturday fully completed its construction. It is the first tunnel that saw construction completed along the under-construction Shenyang-Changbai Mountain high-speed railway. The 430.1-km-long Shenyang-Changbai Mountain railroad kicked off its construction in July 2021 with a designed speed of 350 km per hour. (Xinhua/Yang Qing) Aerial photo taken on June 25, 2022 shows the Yongling No. 2 tunnel of the high-speed railway linking Shenyang with the Changbai Mountains in northeast China. The Yongling No. 2 tunnel on Saturday fully completed its construction. It is the first tunnel that saw construction completed along the under-construction Shenyang-Changbai Mountain high-speed railway. The 430.1-km-long Shenyang-Changbai Mountain railroad kicked off its construction in July 2021 with a designed speed of 350 km per hour. (Xinhua/Yang Qing) Aerial photo taken on June 25, 2022 shows the Yongling No. 2 tunnel of the high-speed railway linking Shenyang with the Changbai Mountains in northeast China. The Yongling No. 2 tunnel on Saturday fully completed its construction. It is the first tunnel that saw construction completed along the under-construction Shenyang-Changbai Mountain high-speed railway. The 430.1-km-long Shenyang-Changbai Mountain railroad kicked off its construction in July 2021 with a designed speed of 350 km per hour. (Xinhua/Yang Qing) By Trend XI plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries (TurkPA) completed its work in Cholpon-Ata on Friday, Trend reports citing Kabar. Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan Talant Mamytov, Chairman of the Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Yerlan Koshanov, Chairwoman of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova, Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Mustafa Shentop took part in the work of the XI plenary session of the TurkPA, as an observer - Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary Sandor Lezhak, honorary guests - Chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majilis of Uzbekistan Tanzilya Narbayeva and Deputy Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Kasymguly Babayev. During the plenary session, the sides heard reports and considered the recommendations of the Commission on Legal Affairs and International Relations, the Commission on Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, the Commission on Economic Cooperation and the Commission on Environment, Natural Resources and Health. The final reports of the TurkPA observer missions on the results of the presidential elections in Uzbekistan in October 2021 and the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan in November 2021 were heard. In addition, the participants of the XI plenary session of the TurkPA considered and approved the draft model law on the development of social entrepreneurship, elected the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the commissions, the deputy secretary general. The sides considered the TurkPA budget for 2023. The participants of the XI plenary meeting of the TurkPA decided that the next XII plenary meeting of the Organization will be held in 2023 in Istanbul (Turkiye). As a result of the event, the Cholpon-Ata Declaration of the XI plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking countries was adopted. The signing ceremony of the document on renaming the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries into the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States took place. The participants of the meeting of the XI plenary session of the TurkPA made statements for the press. Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh stated that the main goal of the TurkPA is the mutual rapprochement and close cooperation of the Turkic peoples. I am sure that the parliaments of the member states of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States will make a significant contribution to strengthening the unity of the Turkic peoples, Mamytov said. The heads of the parliamentary delegations of Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan noted the successful and fruitful work of the TurkPA in Cholpon-Ata. ADEN, Yemen, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen shot dead a senior leader of Yemen's newly-formed pro-government forces in the country's oil-rich province of Marib, a security official told Xinhua on Saturday. The military commander, identified as Abdul-Razzaq Baqama, belonged to the newly-formed pro-government "Happy Yemen Brigades" backed by Saudi Arabia, the source said on condition of anonymity. "Brigadier Baqama was found dead in his car late on Friday night. He was shot by unknown gunmen's automatic assault rifles," said the security official. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the killing of Baqama, who was also a key tribal figure fighting the Houthi militia in Marib. In an attempt to seize oil resources, the Houthi militia repeatedly attacked the strategic Yemeni province of Marib, which is controlled by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed government out of the capital Sanaa. An Australian law professor who has lived in Hong Kong for more than 30 years says the booming Chinese economy has contributed to the development of the city. He also highlighted the improvement of democracy in Hong Kong after the handover in 1997. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), presides over a video conference to discuss the protection and inheritance of the excellent culture and art of ethnic minorities and delivers a speech in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, held a video conference on Friday to discuss the protection and inheritance of the excellent culture and art of ethnic minorities. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered a speech. The excellent culture and art of ethnic minorities are treasures of the Chinese culture, Wang said, calling for the coordinated efforts of the government, market and society to strengthen their protection and inheritance. Political advisors called for the correct concept of the history of the Chinese nation to be laid out, and for content that is in line with national unity, ethnic solidarity, and the exchanges and interactions among different ethnic groups to be highlighted. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), presides over a video conference to discuss the protection and inheritance of the excellent culture and art of ethnic minorities and delivers a speech in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) Examinees enter an exam site of the 2022 senior high school entrance examination in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, June 25, 2022. The 2022 senior high school entrance examination in Harbin kicked off on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Examinees enter an exam site of the 2022 senior high school entrance examination in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, June 25, 2022. The 2022 senior high school entrance examination in Harbin kicked off on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) Examinees enter an exam site of the 2022 senior high school entrance examination in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, June 25, 2022. The 2022 senior high school entrance examination in Harbin kicked off on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) *History abounds with formidable challenges from which the world has emerged as an even safer and better place, and those triumphs over adversity have testified that cooperation and common development are crucial in turning the tide. *"Where is the world headed: Peace or war? Progress or regression? Openness or isolation? Cooperation or confrontation? These are choices of the times that we are confronted with," Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum. *Experts told Xinhua that they are impressed by Xi's emphasis on and China's commitment to promoting global unity and cooperation, and the BRICS partnership has set an example of South-South cooperation and of seeking strength through unity among emerging markets and developing countries. * The BRICS mechanism has been taken by many around the world as an important cooperation platform for emerging markets and developing countries, which is expected to bring positive, stabilizing and constructive strength to the world. BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- History abounds with formidable challenges from which the world has emerged as an even safer and better place, and those triumphs over adversity have testified that cooperation and common development are crucial in turning the tide. The world is now living through drastic changes and a COVID-19 pandemic, both unseen in a century. Various security challenges continue to surface, while the global economy is still battling against significant headwinds on its path to recovery. Meanwhile, global development has experienced major setbacks. "Where is the world headed: Peace or war? Progress or regression? Openness or isolation? Cooperation or confrontation? These are choices of the times that we are confronted with," Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum. He then went on at that forum and later at two other related high-level events in the following days to share his thoughts on how to tackle global challenges and advance common development. Experts worldwide said they are inspired by Xi's insights into the choices of the times, and expect BRICS cooperation to add impetus to global prosperity. PROMOTING GLOBAL UNITY, COOPERATION Experts told Xinhua that they are impressed by Xi's emphasis on and China's commitment to promoting global unity and cooperation, and the BRICS partnership has set an example of South-South cooperation and of seeking strength through unity among emerging markets and developing countries. The first China-Europe freight train from Chengdu to St. Petersburg arrives at Shushary railway station in St. Petersburg, Russia, March 15, 2021. (Xinhua) In his keynote speech on Wednesday, Xi said despite changes in an evolving global environment, the historical trend of openness and development will not reverse course, and the shared desire to meet challenges together through cooperation will remain as strong as ever. When hosting the 14th BRICS Summit via video link on Thursday, Xi stressed that the Global Security Initiative (GSI), which advocates a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, follows the philosophy that humanity is an indivisible security community, and aims to create a new path to security that features dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance and win-win over zero-sum. "China would like to work with BRICS partners to operationalize the GSI and bring more stability and positive energy to the world," said Xi. Xi's call for global cooperation and solidarity, as well as true multilateralism, is a positive step toward world peace and security, said Samer Khair Ahmed, a Jordanian writer and expert on Arab-China relations. The experiences of recent years have demonstrated that global security is an integrated issue that cannot be achieved by antagonizing or isolating a country or a group of countries, and it has become necessary for the world to build true international solidarity for the sake of security and peace, said Ahmed. Photo taken on April 10, 2017 shows a solar power plant near Hyderabad, capital of India's southern state of Telangana. The plant was constructed with the assistance of Chinese enterprises. (Xinhua/Bi Xiaoyang) Jose Ricardo dos Santos Luzin Junior, CEO of Sao Paulo-based company LIDE China, said China has been playing a key role in upholding multilateralism and helping shape a new global governance order that stresses mutual cooperation. CHARTING COURSE FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT To muster concerted efforts and chart the course for global development ranks high on the agenda of the BRICS cooperation. When chairing the High-level Dialogue on Global Development on Friday in virtual format, Xi called for forging high-quality partnership for a new era of global development. "We must get a good grasp of the overarching development trend in the world, firm up confidence, and act in unison and with great motivation to promote global development and foster a development paradigm featuring benefits for all, balance, coordination, inclusiveness, win-win cooperation and common prosperity," he said. Xi noted that at last year's UN General Assembly session, he put forth the Global Development Initiative (GDI). "China will take pragmatic steps to give continued support to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Xi said. The medical supplies donated by China arrive at Or Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, April 14, 2020. (Chinese Embassy in South Africa/Handout via Xinhua) The GDI proposed by Xi sets out to tackle such development issues as food security, environment, climate change and poverty, said Charles Onunaiju, director of the Abuja-based Center for China Studies, hailing China for sharing Chinese expertise in the eradication of poverty and food security with the rest of the world. Xi's speech has demonstrated China's commitment to sharing development opportunities with the rest of the world in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, chairman of a Dhaka-based think-tank Research and Policy Integration for Development, told Xinhua. Describing China's proposals at the forum as "very timely and thoughtful," Razzaque stressed that China has already been playing a critical role in helping other countries integrate with the global economy. Photo taken on Jan. 18, 2021 shows Longping High-Tech Brazil, a Chinese-invested company owned by Longping Agriculture Science Co., Ltd., in Cravinhos, Brazil. (Xinhua) For Sudheendra Kulkarni, former chairman of Mumbai-based think-tank Observer Research Foundation, the GDI means development for all without any discrimination. "Whether the country is small or big, whether the country is rich or poor, whether the country is militarily strong or weak, all have to be treated equally, and the fruits of development, the fruits of technological revolution must reach all," he added. POSITIVE FORCE FOR A BETTER WORLD The BRICS mechanism has been taken by many around the world as an important cooperation platform for emerging markets and developing countries, which is expected to bring positive, stabilizing and constructive strength to the world. Aerial photo taken on June 17, 2022 shows the headquarters building of the New Development Bank (NDB) in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) At Wednesday's BRICS Business Forum, Xi noted that BRICS cooperation has now entered a new stage of high-quality development, calling on BRICS members to deepen cooperation to better safeguard food and energy security, seize opportunities presented by the new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, help developing countries speed up development of the digital economy and green transformation, and engage in cooperation on COVID-19 response to beat the virus at an early date. In the view of Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and chairman of German think tank Schiller Institute, BRICS countries respect each other, firmly support multilateralism, and are committed to win-win cooperation. BRICS cooperation in such fields as food supply and public health is of great significance to the world, Zepp-LaRouche said, adding BRICS countries can play an important role in eradicating global hunger and strengthening the construction of modern global health systems. Lawrence Loh, Director for Centre for Governance and Sustainability of the National University Singapore Business School, said another notable area for BRICS cooperation is in innovation, technology and education. In this regard, the BRICS can play a major role in spearheading new development for the next phase of post-pandemic global growth, said Loh. Noting that BRICS countries gather not in a closed club or an exclusive circle, but a big family of mutual support and a partnership for win-win cooperation, Xi said when hosting the 14th BRICS Summit on Thursday that BRICS countries need to uphold openness and inclusiveness and pool collective wisdom and strength. Herman Tiu Laurel, founder of a Manila-based think tank Philippine BRICS Strategic Studies, said the "BRICS Plus" cooperation model, which focuses on openness, inclusiveness, and mutual benefit and represents the voice and interest of the developing countries, will provide an essential impetus to global development. A worker operates on the refrigerator production line at Hisense South Africa Industrial Park in Cape Town, South Africa, June 1, 2022. Hisense is a Chinese consumer electronics company. (Xinhua/Lyv Tianran) Nourhan el-Sheikh, professor at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, said that China has a sound understanding of what the world is confronted with. "The world shares the same interests and challenges. We either live together or we will be ruined together," said El-Sheikh. "This is a very accurate vision and understanding of President Xi and China, stressing the need to co-exist and live together. It is a different vision from that of the West, which seeks to grow at the expense of others." (Video reporters: Xie Zhao, Wang Tiancong, Zhang Yadong, Mohammed Asif Ansari, Li Cheng, James Asande, Zack, Tian Hongyi; video editors: Yang Zhixiang, Yin Le) Modern water-saving irrigation technology is adopted in central China's Henan Province to assist the sowing of autumn grain amid drought caused by many days of high temperatures. Produced by Xinhua Global Service A helicopter carrying relief supplies arrives in Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 23, 2022.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) Life-saving items and other supplies of humanitarian assistance were flowing into an earthquake-hit mountainous region despite the tough terrain, according to Afghanistan's acting minister for refugees and repatriation affairs. GAYAN, Afghanistan, June 25 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and 11 others wounded in an aftershock hitting eastern Afghanistan on Friday as humanitarian aid continued to flow into areas affected by a 5.9-magnitude earthquake two days earlier. The earthquake on Wednesday left over 1,000 people dead and more than 1,500 others injured in the Paktika and neighboring Khost provinces. "We are terrified by many aftershocks. We are praying for an end to this calamity. All villagers, women and children are panicking," Qari Shakir, a survivor in Gayan district from Wednesday's earthquake, told Xinhua on Friday. "Unfortunately, once again an earthquake hit Gayan district of Paktika province roughly at 10 a.m. local time Friday (0530 GMT), and based on the initial information, five people were martyred and 11 others wounded," the Ministry of Public Health said on the social media platform Twitter. Shakir said he has felt several aftershocks after Wednesday's quake, the deadliest in 20 years in Afghanistan. "Early Friday morning I felt one but it was not strong, the second one occurred roughly at 10 a.m. local time. I saw a lot of stones sliding from mountains around our village when the ground was shaking by aftershocks," he said. People stand on the rubble of a house damaged in an earthquake in Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 23, 2022. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) Victims of the earthquake living in remote districts bordering Pakistan had a miserable life during two decades of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan, Shakir said. "They were very poor, they had no livelihood even before the destruction of the earthquake. These areas were the worst affected by the 20 years of wars," without clinics, schools and roads, he said. Life-saving items and other supplies of humanitarian assistance were flowing into a mountainous region despite the tough terrain, Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, acting minister for refugees and repatriation affairs of the Taliban-led caretaker government, told Xinhua on Thursday. All government agencies and domestic and international non-governmental organizations have been working together to respond to the natural disaster, he said. The minister urged humanitarian assistance from the international community. "We reach out to all countries in the world," he said. So far, 20,000 bread, 4,000 blankets, 3,000 tents, and 2,000 sacks of flour, as well as cooking oil and medical equipment have arrived in the affected areas, he said. "Cash money has also reached, every injured person will receive 50,000 afghani (1 Afghani equals 0.011 U.S. dollar), and for families who lost their loved ones, 100,000 afghani will be distributed. People whose houses are destroyed will be supported and all of them will receive assistance, as the assistance supplies are flowing in and will be sent to all affected people," Haqqani added. Earthquake survivors receive relief supplies in Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 23, 2022. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) On Thursday, 15 trucks loaded with life-saving items and food aid were dispatched from a local airport in eastern Khost province to Paktika after Acting Minister of Interior Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani demanded the delivery of humanitarian aid at the earliest time. The minister also traveled to the quake-affected region Friday and met with the injured people in Paktika and Khost provinces. He asked hospital officials to treat the injured by all possible means and transfer them to Kabul," the ministry said on social media. "The (Wednesday's) earthquake rattled two times. The first shock was not so strong. The second quake was strong. It was very strong, and the second shock destroyed our homes," a Gayan resident, Yasin Jan, told Xinhua on Thursday. "From my family and relatives 12 people have died. They included my two brothers, my father, my nephews and nieces, my wife, my three kids, my brother's wife and kids," Jan said. "We received some assistance supplies so far...we need much for foodstuff," he said. "We demand the government's help as a lot of people now have no caretaker. We do not have access to daily necessities anymore." "We need food, we need clothes, we also need support for rebuilding our homes, all of our belongings and home appliances are under the debris now," Jan added. Photo taken on June 23, 2022 shows tents in an earthquake-striken village in Paktika province, Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) Mawlawi Hamid Shah, another resident from Gayan who lost two dozens of his family members and close relatives, told Xinhua that villagers have given up searching for their loved ones as they believed no people could be alive now under the debris. "We are shocked by the heavy loss of lives. We do not know how to manage and deal with this catastrophe," he said. Shah said: "24 people from our house and 34 people from our neighborhood were killed and 10 were injured." "We have buried 30 bodies. My brothers, cousins, nephews among my relatives have died," he said. According to him, there were 30 houses in the community he lived, and at least four families were living in each house. "All the houses were destroyed. We are thankful to the government as it shifted all our wounded from the area to hospitals." Earlier on Friday, several cargo planes from the United Arab Emirates and Iran arrived at the airport in the provincial capital Khost with food and other humanitarian assistance supplies, according to Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesperson for the Taliban-run administration. People of Yao ethnic group celebrate the Zhuzhu Festival in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 23, 2022. The Zhuzhu Festival is celebrated in the fifth Chinese lunar month every year among Yao people in Dahua, which involves various traditional folk activities such as crossbows, cockfights and spinning tops. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) People of Yao ethnic group celebrate the Zhuzhu Festival in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 23, 2022. The Zhuzhu Festival is celebrated in the fifth Chinese lunar month every year among Yao people in Dahua, which involves various traditional folk activities such as crossbows, cockfights and spinning tops. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) A participant of Yao ethnic group aims the crossbow at a competition during a celebration of the Zhuzhu Festival in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 23, 2022. The Zhuzhu Festival is celebrated in the fifth Chinese lunar month every year among Yao people in Dahua, which involves various traditional folk activities such as crossbows, cockfights and spinning tops. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) A girl of Yao ethnic group performs in celebration of the Zhuzhu Festival in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 24, 2022. The Zhuzhu Festival is celebrated in the fifth Chinese lunar month every year among Yao people in Dahua, which involves various traditional folk activities such as crossbows, cockfights and spinning tops. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) A participant of Yao ethnic group shoots the target by a crossbow at a competition during a celebration of the Zhuzhu Festival in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 23, 2022. The Zhuzhu Festival is celebrated in the fifth Chinese lunar month every year among Yao people in Dahua, which involves various traditional folk activities such as crossbows, cockfights and spinning tops. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) A girl of Yao ethnic group performs in celebration of the Zhuzhu Festival in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 23, 2022. The Zhuzhu Festival is celebrated in the fifth Chinese lunar month every year among Yao people in Dahua, which involves various traditional folk activities such as crossbows, cockfights and spinning tops. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) People of Yao ethnic group enjoy a long-table banquet during a celebration of the Zhuzhu Festival in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 23, 2022. The Zhuzhu Festival is celebrated in the fifth Chinese lunar month every year among Yao people in Dahua, which involves various traditional folk activities such as crossbows, cockfights and spinning tops. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) In this aerial photo, people of Yao ethnic group celebrate the Zhuzhu Festival in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 24, 2022. The Zhuzhu Festival is celebrated in the fifth Chinese lunar month every year among Yao people in Dahua, which involves various traditional folk activities such as crossbows, cockfights and spinning tops. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) People of Yao ethnic group celebrate the Zhuzhu Festival in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 23, 2022. The Zhuzhu Festival is celebrated in the fifth Chinese lunar month every year among Yao people in Dahua, which involves various traditional folk activities such as crossbows, cockfights and spinning tops. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) URUMQI, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Figures from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have condemned the United States' enforcement of its so-called "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act," saying it is a move of hurting others' interests without benefiting oneself and gravely damaged the international business environment. The United States' imports ban against Xinjiang is an act of blatant robbery, zero-sum hegemony and Cold War mentality, said Xu Guixiang, spokesman for the regional government, at a press conference on Friday. It poses a big threat to the security of global industrial and supply chains, and seriously undermines a fair and just international business environment, he added. "The so-called 'forced labor' is simply nonsense," said Shang Xiaoke, labor union official of a chemical company in Xinjiang. "Corporate employment is a matter of the market." China's legal system provides strong support for the protection of workers' rights and interests, and workers of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang freely choose their occupations and workplaces, said Hamiti Abdurehei, a researcher at the Xinjiang Development Research Center. "They enjoy freedom, equality, safety and dignity in their work, and a comfortable and reassuring life," he said. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (R) meets with his visiting Slovak counterpart Ivan Korcok in Amman, Jordan, June 24, 2022. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) AMMAN, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Friday met with his visiting Slovak counterpart Ivan Korcok over ways to increase cooperation in various sectors. During a meeting in Amman, they underlined the need of unifying the legislative framework to raise the level of cooperation between the private sectors in both countries, according to a statement by the foreign ministry. The two ministers highlighted the need to hold a meeting in the near future between concerned authorities to finalize the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement, which they said will help enhance trade and investment collaboration between the two countries. They also talked about increasing cooperation in the field of education and tourism, according to the statement. During the meeting, Safadi explained Jordan's efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive solution between Palestinians and Israelis on the basis of the two-state solution. Korcok, who visits Jordan heading an economic delegation, commended Jordan's role in preserving peace and security in the Middle East. The two sides also discussed the latest developments in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine. By Trend Thousands of protesters in Tbilisi today demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Trend reports citing Georgian media. The protest action is a continuation of the "Home, to Europe" rally held on June 20 in support of European integration, but is held under the slogan "Georgia without oligarchic rule!". The action is attended by students from 15 Georgian universities. The demands of the protesters were announced by the activist of "Sirtskhvilia" Shota Digmelashvili: Prime Minister Garibashvili must resign. A National Accord government must be formed that will implement the recommendations of the European Commission. The deadline for fulfilling the requirement is one week. Argentine Ambassador to China Sabino Vaca Narvaja said that the BRICS mechanism contributes to building a more balanced and fairer world. Vaca Narvaja attended the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum held on Wednesday. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Protesters gather at Shiba Park in Tokyo, Japan, May 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) In essence, the IPEF is nothing but a tool created by the United States to extort geopolitical gains, instead of a trade agreement that guarantees market access and tariff exemptions, which is genuinely wanted by regional countries. by Yi Xin BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden formally announced the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) on May 23 in Tokyo during his first Asia tour, revealing what Washington enshrined as a key component of its so-called Indo-Pacific economic strategy. Cameras on the launching event caught a lot of smiles, clapping, nodding and back-patting, all for a show of strength, leadership and solidarity behind the current U.S. administration's nostalgic touting of "America is back." Flagrantly admitting that Washington is aimed at "writing the new rules for the 21st century economy," Biden claimed that the agreement would make the participants' economies "grow faster and fairer." U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo depicted the framework as "the most significant international economic engagement that the United States has ever had in this region." Can this "first-of-its-kind initiative," as the U.S. government calls it, put its "stamp on this critical region for decades to come" and help build a stronger, fairer, and more resilient economy for all in the region? The answer is yes and no. It certainly will leave some sort of a U.S. mark on the region. But it might not be a framework that benefits all. The logic behind this conclusion is simple and clear. For any new economic cooperation initiative to succeed, it should first and foremost be reciprocal and include tangible benefits for all participating partners, not just fancy words and vague promises. As for the IPEF, it is anything but a reciprocal and mutually beneficial agreement. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend the summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) in Tokyo, Japan, on May 24, 2022. (Yamazaki Yuichi/Pool via Xinhua) The framework has not involved, nor has it promised to involve in the future, negotiations to remove tariffs or increase market access because of Washington's fear of manufacturing outsourcing and massive job losses, which would surely lead to considerable domestic political backlash. As a result, this initiative cannot offer countries in the region what they crave -- wider access to the U.S. market and more trade. Yet at the same time, the United States is asking the participants to change their laws, regulations and the way they operate only to serve U.S. interests. In a nutshell, signatories to this framework are making concessions in exchange for no gains. Secondly, a successful economic agreement should be open and inclusive. Although the Biden administration has insisted that the IPEF is an open framework that welcomes participation, take a look at the list of countries not included -- China, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, to name but a few. It is all too obvious that the IPEF is neither open nor inclusive, not to mention that the IPEF contains exclusive and even punitive clauses which might well disrupt global supply chains and hinder technological cooperation. Given the fact that U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has publicly declared the IPEF to be "an arrangement independent of China," no one will be surprised if the trajectory of this framework turns out to be more defined by the United States' geopolitical agenda rather than the actual economic dynamics in the region. Despite all the purely ornamental diplomatic talk, the IPEF is actually an exclusive framework designed to counter China's rising influence in the region -- a tool created by Washington to tip the geopolitical balance to the advantage of the United States rather than to achieve common prosperity for all. Thirdly, a successful economic agreement should have stable, consistent and durable working mechanisms. The IPEF is purposefully designed by the Biden administration into a framework that needs no congressional approval as the White House itself knows that the framework stands little chance of winning bipartisan support. Protesters hold placards outside the South Korean presidential office in Seoul's central district of Yongsan, South Korea, May 21, 2022. (Photo by James Lee/Xinhua) Without congressional approval, whether the framework will be legally binding for the United States remains an open question. Given the volatility of U.S. domestic politics, it is understandable that potential participants are raising legitimate concerns about the stability, consistency and durability of the IPEF and questioning whether the United States would make good on its commitments under this framework. After all, the memory of a strong U.S. leadership within another U.S.-framed trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and its abrupt withdrawal after Donald Trump became president still haunts many regional partners. What makes things worse is that the United States had a spotty record when it comes to keeping its promises, such as championing efforts to reverse climate change first, and later becoming the first and indeed the one and only nation in the world to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, or violating its obligations by willfully walking away from the Iran nuclear deal, to name just a few. Though this lack of substance and teeth is spun as a feature instead of a bug by U.S. politicians, we can find few -- indeed no -- historical precedent of such a vague and loose initiative creating enough obligations and commitments to spur game-changing momentum. In essence, the IPEF is nothing but a tool created by the United States to extort geopolitical gains, instead of a trade agreement that guarantees market access and tariff exemptions, which is genuinely wanted by regional countries. This nonreciprocal, potentially transitory and exclusive IPEF goes against the trend of free trade, contradicts the established principles of openness, inclusiveness, equality and mutual benefits in the region, and fails to meet regional countries' aspiration to promote trade liberalization and facilitation and peaceful development. Such an all-for-one framework is doomed to failure once and for all. (Yi Xin is a Beijing-based observer.) Fighters of Libyan army's 444th brigade of the Government of National Unity are seen in Tripoli, Libya , June 10, 2022. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua) Political instability will likely persist in Libya as a United Nations-backed transitional phase, outlined in a roadmap for the North African country in 2020, has expired this week, Libyan analysts say. TRIPOLI, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Political instability will likely persist in Libya as a United Nations-backed transitional phase, outlined in a roadmap for the North African country in 2020, has expired this week, Libyan analysts say. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) facilitated the first round Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in November 2020 in Tunis. The 75 participants in the LPDF, representing all spectrum of Libyan society, agreed on a political roadmap for the country. However, several milestones of the roadmap were missed in the past year, including the holding of national elections scheduled for Dec. 24, 2021. The LPDF roadmap also set the expiration of the transitional phase on June 22 this year, provided that presidential and parliamentary elections are held by then, which has not been the case. Jalal al-Fituri, a Libyan law professor based in Tripoli, believes the rival Libyan parties' failure to reach a final agreement after the expiration of the roadmap will further complicate the country's politics. Army forces gather in Tripoli, Libya, May 17, 2022. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua) Libya is currently at a political impasse. The eastern-based House of Representatives, the parliament, withdrew confidence from Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah's Government of National Unity in Tripoli, which was backed by the UN, and voted on March 1, 2022, to install a new government led by Fathi Bashagha. Dbeibah has rejected the legitimacy of the March vote and said he would only transfer power to an elected government. Bashagha has since sworn in a new cabinet, which held its first meeting on April 21. In Mid-May, the parliament-approved government, headed by Fathi Bashagha, entered Libya's capital Tripoli and tried to take over the power from Dbeibah's Government of National Unity. Shortly afterward, clashes erupted across central Tripoli between armed groups affiliated with the two sides. The head of Libya's Tripoli-based High Council of State and the speaker of the House of Representatives have agreed to meet in Geneva next week to discuss a constitutional framework for elections after talks in Egypt's Cairo on a constitutional basis for elections ended without a breakthrough. The current political scenario is the result of both sides attempting to hold onto their power. To resolve the impasse, there needs to be an international agreement on a solution or new roadmap, said Tripoli-based political analyst Imad Jalloul. Photo taken on Feb. 12, 2022 shows a view of Tripoli, Libya. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua) "The rival parties are waiting for their respective supporting countries to reach a consensus on a new, workable proposal. It is impossible to overlook certain countries that have the ability to influence Libyan politics, whether negatively or favorably," he said. "Security assurances cannot be provided in Libya. The country is comparable to a dormant volcano that might erupt at any time. Therefore, an international consensus-based new solid roadmap and solution are urgently needed. Support must be given to the Libyan people's decision to organize presidential and parliamentary elections," said Jalloul. Omran al-Najah, a Tripoli-based expert on security affairs, believes that the failure of reaching a quick political agreement between rival parties in Libya may lead to an armed flare-up at any time. Efforts must be made to defuse the tension between the rival parties and urge them to agree on a solid framework to prevent them from contesting political legitimacy, he said. People gather at an event marking the 11th anniversary of the Libyan uprising in Tripoli, Libya, on Feb. 17, 2022. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, June 25 (Xinhua) -- A 16-year-old Palestinian succumbed to his severe wounds on Saturday after Israeli soldiers shot him in a village east of Ramallah in the West Bank, medics said. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement Mohammed Hamed died of severe wounds after he was shot in the village of Silwad on Friday. Clashes erupted on Friday evening between Israeli armed forces that stormed the village and dozens of Palestinian young men, Palestinian eyewitnesses said. The Israeli soldiers arrested Hamed after he was injured, and then transferred him to an Israeli hospital for intensive medical treatment. However, the boy was announced dead due to his severe wounds, according to the eyewitnesses. Hamed's body would be handed over on Saturday afternoon through one of the security barriers, the Israeli authorities informed the Palestinian liaison office. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah Party said in a statement that it condemned the boy's killing and declared a general strike on Sunday to protest the killing of the teenager. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the death of Hamed "the crime of field execution" committed by the Israeli soldiers. The Israeli army said that some Palestinians had thrown rocks at civilians driving on a major road near the city of Ramallah and had refused to obey instructions to stop. Israeli soldiers had to stop the suspects and used live fire as a last resort, media quoted the Israeli army as saying. On Friday, around 130 Palestinian protesters were injured during clashes with the Israeli soldiers in several West Bank towns and villages, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Among the injured, three were shot by live ammunition, nine by rubber bullets, and others suffered from inhaling teargas, according to the organization. Fierce clashes broke out near the villages of Beita and Beit Dajan, south and east of Nablus city, respectively, and near the village of Kafr Qaddum, east of Qaqilya city, according to Palestinian eyewitnesses. RAMALLAH, June 24 (Xinhua) -- At least 130 Palestinian protesters were injured on Friday during clashes with Israeli soldiers in several West Bank villages, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Among the injured were three shot by live ammunition and nine by rubber bullets, while the others inhaled teargas fired by Israeli soldiers. Fierce clashes broke out between anti-settlement protesters and Israeli soldiers in the villages of Beita and Beit Dajan, south and east of Nablus city respectively, and in the village of Kafr Qaddum, east of Qaqilya city, said eyewitnesses. The protesters burned tires and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed on the perimeters of the villages, they added. Murad Eshteiwi, coordinator of popular resistance in Kafr Qaddum village, told Xinhua that the Israeli soldiers used rubber bullets, teargas and sound bombs to attack the Palestinian protesters rejecting the measures against their village. The popular resistance in the village will continue until its full goals are achieved as part of the national aspiration to end the occupation of the Palestinian territories and establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, Eshteiwi noted. Israeli authorities have not commented on the incidents yet. Beita, Beit Dajan and Kafr Qaddum see weekly protests by Palestinians against the expansion of Israeli settlements. Israel occupied the West Bank and Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. Ghassan Daghlas, in charge of Israeli settlement's affairs in the northern West Bank, said the Israeli army provides protection for the settlers to control the lands in Nablus' villages and try to expel the Palestinian owners. HONG KONG, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said Saturday that it will distribute around 220,000 sets of COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits as part of a follow-up on the recent detection of the COVID-19 virus in sewage samples. The test kits will be distributed to residents, cleaning workers, and property management staff working in the areas with positive sewage testing results showing relatively high viral loads, in order to help identify infected persons. The HKSAR government also urged RAT kit users to report any positive results for COVID-19 via the government's online platform. On Saturday, Hong Kong registered 1,680 confirmed locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 and 114 imported cases, official data showed. ISLAMABAD, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China has always stood with Pakistan and supported it on political and diplomatic fronts in the promotion of peace, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday. "I am saying it with absolute certainty that China is a very good and trustworthy friend of Pakistan, which has always supported us in good and bad times," the prime minister said during an event in the port city of Gwadar in the country's southwest Balochistan province. He said Pakistan was going through a severe power crisis about a decade ago, during which it suffered up to 12 hours of electricity load shedding. China, under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), made investments in Pakistan and built power plants generating thousands of megawatts of electricity with its own capacity, resources, technology, machinery and expertise, which helped Pakistan overcome the crisis, Sharif added. Sharif said China is helping Pakistan in its development while the enemies of Pakistan target Chinese investors and engineers, but neither the Pakistani government nor the public accepts it. "I request the people to help the friendly country which is investing in Pakistan. We should protect them more than our own selves because they are contributing to the development of Pakistan," he said. A pedestrian walks past a bank's digital screen displaying the Hang Seng Index in Central district of Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 19, 2021.(Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) Hong Kong can withstand all challenges and maintain its status as an international financial center as long as it continues to capitalize on its unique advantage of leveraging support from the motherland while engaging the world, integrates into the national development, deepens its connection with the mainland's financial market, and develops green and sustainable finance, said Laura Cha Shih May-lung, chairperson of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX). HONG KONG, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has published an official commemorative book to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in the book's foreword that the experiences and success stories of the interviewees vividly resonate with the theme of the 25th anniversary "A New Era -- Stability, Prosperity, Opportunity." The book "not only captures Hong Kong's impressive achievements over the past two and a half decades, it also underscores everyone's eager anticipation for a brighter future, Lam said. Looking ahead, Hong Kong will capitalize on the opportunities presented by the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and spare no effort in developing the Northern Metropolis for better integration into the national development, she said. The following are some highlights in the book. Photo taken on June 22, 2022 shows the view at the Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Li Gang) INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER Laura Cha Shih May-lung, chairperson of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) and a veteran in Hong Kong's financial sector for more than three decades, has full confidence in the sector's future development. She thinks that Hong Kong can withstand all challenges and maintain its status as an international financial center as long as it continues to capitalize on its unique advantage of leveraging support from the motherland while engaging the world, integrates into the national development, deepens its connection with the mainland's financial market, and develops green and sustainable finance. "Being a relatively small economy with a population of just over 7 million, Hong Kong would not have developed into the international financial center it is now without the strong backing of the mainland's continuous development," she said. Hong Kong, while maintaining its strengths, should ride on the mainland's development and make room for favorable conditions for boosting growth, said Cha. "We will continue to deepen our mutual market access with the mainland and expand the scope of investment products on both sides. By so doing, we will be able to cater for the needs of our country, and benefit from our integration into the national development," she added. File photo taken on Feb. 5, 2016 shows the Kwai Chung container port in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING CENTER Sabrina Chao, president of the Baltic and International Maritime Council, said under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong retains the common law system and the legal commonality is one of the pros that enables Hong Kong's maritime industry to thrive. The strength of the mainland lies in hardware, as the speed with which facilities are constructed is beyond compare, and there are talents in new economy and technology too, she said, adding that Hong Kong, on the other hand, has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the realm of shipping. She calls for "combining the mainland's manpower resources with the experience of Hong Kong shipowners for new measures that tie in with the development of the GBA and also for the benefit of the long-term development of the industry." Hong Kong's status as an international maritime center is already shipshape, but Chao has higher ambitions. The biggest challenge that lies ahead is "green shipping." She believes that with Hong Kong's vast experience, the maritime industry can offer great ideas and suggestions, and collaborate with the GBA in promoting environmental protection and related research and development. Chao is pleased that the HKSAR government has stepped up efforts in promoting the development of the maritime industry in recent years. Coupled with the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), which expressly supports Hong Kong in enhancing its status as an international transportation center, it is believed that new policies and measures are in the pipeline to help fuel the development of the maritime sector. Visitors consult at the booth of Hong Kong Trade Development Council during the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 6, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Ting) INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER Victor Fung, chairman of the Fung Group, and his family have been trading in Hong Kong for over a century. With a profound knowledge of Hong Kong's trade development, Fung believes that closer collaboration with other cities in the GBA will enable Hong Kong to play a vital role as the global supply chain orchestrator. Fung thinks that Hong Kong, as a member of the GBA, should ride on its global networks, international trade experience and well-developed service industry, and collaborate with other GBA cities to promote the development of digital economy of the country. He hopes that Hong Kong can give full play to its unique advantages, continue to enhance its service standard and intensify its role as the connector. For example, Hong Kong's product standard is highly recognized, and it can provide testing and accreditation services for mainland manufacturers, creating a new collaboration model which transforms Hong Kong into the key connecting platform under the country's new development pattern of "dual circulation," he said. The 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in enhancing its status as an international trade center. With its status and experience in the global financial market, Hong Kong can develop the trade finance business worldwide to become the leading trade finance hub in Asia, and integrate finance, data and technology to facilitate the digital transformation of the supply chain financing, in order to further strengthen its status as the world's international trade center, Fung noted. Protesters gather outside the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 24, 2022. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that established a constitutional right to abortion in the nation nearly half a century ago. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) A protester holds a placard outside the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 24, 2022. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that established a constitutional right to abortion in the nation nearly half a century ago. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) People protest along the Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 24, 2022. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that established a constitutional right to abortion in the nation nearly half a century ago. (Xinhua) Protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 24, 2022. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that established a constitutional right to abortion in the nation nearly half a century ago. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) Photo taken on June 24, 2022 shows the online opening ceremony of the 6th World Intelligence Congress and Summit on Innovation and Development in north China's Tianjin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) TIANJIN, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The sixth World Intelligence Congress (WIC), a major artificial intelligence (AI) event in China, kicked off in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Friday. The two-day event, with the theme of "New Era of Intelligence: Digitalization Drives Growth, Intelligence Wins Future," will display the latest achievements in the intelligence industry at an exhibition area of 3,000 square meters. A total of 30 parallel forums will be held online, focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as XR, AI, 3D and motion capture. Since its inauguration in 2017, the event has offered a platform for scientists, entrepreneurs and economists from home and abroad to discuss the frontier trends of intelligence technologies. At the event this year, entrepreneurs and economists said that the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation represented by artificial intelligence will reconstruct the global innovation map and reshape the global economic structure. Participants visit an exhibition of the 6th World Intelligence Congress in north China's Tianjin, June 24, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Zhou Ji, director of China's National Manufacturing Strategy Advisory Committee, said the application of the new generation of artificial intelligence technology will promote the deep integration of advanced manufacturing and modern service industries, and will boost the fundamental transformation of the manufacturing industry from the product-oriented model to user-oriented model. Data released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology showed that the scale of the global artificial intelligence industry has reached 156.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. The current scale of China's artificial intelligence core industry has exceeded 400 billion yuan (about 59.7 billion U.S. dollars), with over 3,000 enterprises, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. "The current 'digitization' is equivalent to the 'electrification' about a century ago," said Wang Jian, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, adding that "China is still in the earliest stage of digitization, and the dividends have not been fully released." RTHK: Man arrested after attack targeting gays in Oslo Norwegian police have arrested a man suspected of "Islamist terrorism" after two people were killed and 21 wounded in shootings near a gay bar in Oslo on Saturday, causing the city's Pride march to be cancelled. But despite the official march being called off, thousands spontaneously gathered throughout the day to march through the Norwegian capital in a display of unity also seen at Pride marches across Europe. The suspect, who was already known to security services, was arrested quickly after the shooting started around 1:00 am (0700 HKT on Saturday) in central Oslo. Norway's domestic intelligence service PST, which is responsible for counter-terrorism, said it was treating the attack as "an act of Islamist terrorism". The suspect "has a long history of violence and threats," PST's chief Roger Berg said. The suspect had been on the PST's radar "since 2015 in connection with concerns about his radicalisation" and membership "in an Islamist extremist network", Berg told a news conference. Intelligence services spoke to the suspect last month, but did not consider him to have "violent intentions", Berg said. He added that the PST was also aware the suspect had "difficulties with his mental health". The suspect's lawyer, John Christian Elden, told Norwegian news agency NTB he expected his client to be put under "judicial observation" to determine his mental state, as is usually done in such cases. The suspect has so far refused to be interviewed by investigators. Police had earlier said the suspect was a 42-year-old Norwegian man of Iranian descent. Norwegian media named him as Zaniar Matapour, describing him as a father of Iranian Kurdish origin who arrived in Norway as a child. The two victims were men in their 50s and 60s, the police said, adding that the injuries of the wounded were not life-threatening. Police said they received the first reports at 1:14 am and the suspect was arrested just five minutes later, adding that he was quickly apprehended thanks to the "heroic contribution" of bystanders. Organisers of the Pride march due to take place on Saturday afternoon called it off, saying they were following "clear" recommendations from the police. Oslo Mayor Raymond Johansen later said that the Pride march -- the first for three years because of the pandemic -- was only postponed and would be held at a later date. Those who did march on Saturday could be heard shouting: "We're here, we're queer, we won't disappear." "I think it's fantastic that this march is taking place, otherwise he would have won," a visibly upset participant in her 50s told AFP. Many people, some in tears, laid rainbow flags and flowers near the scene of the attack, which was cordoned off by police. Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit struggled to hold back her tears when she went to the scene, which was also visited by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and other politicians. "Today is a day that reminds us that Pride is a day we have to fight for -- the goal has not yet been reached," Trond Petter Aunas said near the scene. The shootings happened near the London Pub gay club, the Herr Nilsen jazz club and a takeaway food outlet in a central area packed with people on a warm summer night. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2022-06-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Trend Beijing calls on the international community to speed up low-carbon transition and facilitate global green development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said during a BRICS+ video conference meeting on Friday, Trend reports citing TASS. "We need to jointly foster new drivers of global development. There is a need to speed up low-carbon transition, facilitating robust, green and healthy global development," the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying. Xi Jinping also emphasized the need to promote scientific, technological and institutional innovation, step up technology transfer, advance new industries and bridge the digital gap. The BRICS+ meeting involves the political leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Algeria, Argentina, Cambodia, Egypt, Fiji, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Senegal, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Ethiopia. MOGADISHU, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Somali Parliament on Saturday unanimously approved the appointment of Hamza Abdi Barre as the country's new prime minister. Speaker of the Somali Federal Parliament, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madobe) said 220 members who attended the session endorsed Barre who was appointed on June 15 by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. "All 220 Members of Parliament present in the House today responded to the newly appointed prime minister's request for approval and all the parliamentarians voted in favor of Hamza Abdi Barre as the prime minister. No one voted against or abstained. Therefore, he got a vote of confidence," the speaker said after the vote. Barre who was present during the motion was immediately sworn in and lauded the lawmakers for having confidence in him. The new PM now has 30 days to form his new cabinet that will be tasked with transforming the country amid security, severe drought, and COVID-19 challenges. Barre, who was voted in as an MP in Kismayo, the commercial capital of Jubaland in December 2021 said he will form a cabinet that will steer Somalia forward. "I wish to thank Members of the Parliament for giving me their confidence as prime minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, it is a big responsibility that I took and I promise to build a qualified cabinet that is up to the task," Barre said. The new premier who also spoke before the vote promised to prioritize security, reconciliation, and political stability in Somalia which is also facing an escalated drought that has left 7.7 million people in need of humanitarian aid. He also promised to initiate dialogue with Somaliland. Barre, who has previously served in various public roles, is a humanitarian activist and champion for education. He was educated in Yemen and Malaysia and had headed the local electoral management body in Jubbaland. He also held various advisory roles in government. President Mohamud won the presidency for the second time on May 15, having previously served from 2012 to 2017. TRIPOLI, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Political instability will likely persist in Libya as a United Nations-backed transitional phase, outlined in a roadmap for the North African country in 2020, has expired this week, Libyan analysts say. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) facilitated the first round Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in November 2020 in Tunis. The 75 participants in the LPDF, representing all spectrum of Libyan society, agreed on a political roadmap for the country. However, several milestones of the roadmap were missed in the past year, including the holding of national elections scheduled for Dec. 24, 2021. The LPDF roadmap also set the expiration of the transitional phase on June 22 this year, provided that presidential and parliamentary elections are held by then, which has not been the case. Jalal al-Fituri, a Libyan law professor based in Tripoli, believes the rival Libyan parties' failure to reach a final agreement after the expiration of the roadmap will further complicate the country's politics. Libya is currently at a political impasse. The eastern-based House of Representatives, the parliament, withdrew confidence from Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah's Government of National Unity in Tripoli, which was backed by the UN, and voted on March 1, 2022, to install a new government led by Fathi Bashagha. Dbeibah has rejected the legitimacy of the March vote and said he would only transfer power to an elected government. Bashagha has since sworn in a new cabinet, which held its first meeting on April 21. In Mid-May, the parliament-approved government, headed by Fathi Bashagha, entered Libya's capital Tripoli and tried to take over the power from Dbeibah's Government of National Unity. Shortly afterward, clashes erupted across central Tripoli between armed groups affiliated with the two sides. The head of Libya's Tripoli-based High Council of State and the speaker of the House of Representatives have agreed to meet in Geneva next week to discuss a constitutional framework for elections after talks in Egypt's Cairo on a constitutional basis for elections ended without a breakthrough. The current political scenario is the result of both sides attempting to hold onto their power. To resolve the impasse, there needs to be an international agreement on a solution or new roadmap, said Tripoli-based political analyst Imad Jalloul. "The rival parties are waiting for their respective supporting countries to reach a consensus on a new, workable proposal. It is impossible to overlook certain countries that have the ability to influence Libyan politics, whether negatively or favorably," he said. "Security assurances cannot be provided in Libya. The country is comparable to a dormant volcano that might erupt at any time. Therefore, an international consensus-based new solid roadmap and solution are urgently needed. Support must be given to the Libyan people's decision to organize presidential and parliamentary elections," said Jalloul. Omran al-Najah, a Tripoli-based expert on security affairs, believes that the failure of reaching a quick political agreement between rival parties in Libya may lead to an armed flare-up at any time. Efforts must be made to defuse the tension between the rival parties and urge them to agree on a solid framework to prevent them from contesting political legitimacy, he said. TUNIS, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied on Friday held a phone conversation with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier to reinforce the relationship between the two countries. During the phone call, the two presidents talked about the bilateral relations and the means to further develop them, according to a statement by the Tunisian presidency. "This bilateral cooperation has led to the realization of many projects and may produce others in the future," said the statement. The conversation focused on a number of issues, including the possible post-pandemic global situation and the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the production and distribution of cereals. SYDNEY, June 25 (Xinhua) -- As the global aviation industry pledges to meet 2030 and 2050 emissions targets, Australia is preparing to seize on what will be a growing global demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a biofuel alternative to traditional jet fuel. Last week, a major investment into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Australia's national airline Qantas is the latest step of the company to tap into the growing market. Qantas in partnership with Airbus announced a 200-million-U.S. dollar investment to "kickstart" Australia's burgeoning SAF biofuels industry. "The use of SAF is increasing globally as governments and industry work together to find ways to decarbonize the aviation sector. Without swift action, Australia is at risk of being left behind," said Qantas CEO Alan Joyce alongside the announcement. During the International Air Transport Association (IATA) 77th General meeting in 2021, the body and its airline members committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050. According to the pledge, reaching net zero emissions by 2050 would require 65 percent of all jet fuel to come from SAFs, about 449 billion liters. In 2021 there was only an estimated 100 million liters of SAFs produced globally -- just 0.02 percent of the 2050 target. Both to reach these targets and to capitalize on what would be a massive global surge in demand for SAFs, companies and governments are also joining the push. In May, oil and gas producer BP Australia announced the multi-billion-dollar conversion of one of its oil refinery sites in Western Australia to what could be Australia's first commercial scale production of SAFs. Similarly in April, the government of the state of Queensland joined the SAF race after pledging 500 million Australian dollars (about 345 million U.S. dollars) to open a plant in the state, which as early as next year could produce over 350 million liters of SAF. Logistics and transport expert from the University of Sydney, Prof. Rico Merkert, told Xinhua that Australia's move to SAFs over the last several years was a clear sign that governments and airlines are realizing that "the status quo is not going to be sufficient to get them to net zero." "To combat global warming something needs to happen soon and in my view 10 percent SAF in 2030 is likely not going to be enough. That said, it is a starting point." Biofuel researcher and lecturer in the University of Queensland's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Anthony Halog told Xinhua that Australia's newly elected Labor government's stronger stance on environmental issues was likely a contributing factor to Australia's increasing investment in SAFs and other biofuels. "It looks like this government we have right now is more interested to advance the climate policy agenda of Australia, and I think Australia is really behind on all of this, it has to catch up," said Halog, noting that Australia was already about 5 years behind in the development of biofuel production compared to other major players such as Britain and the United States. "If SAFs can be developed inland with a circular economy or a 'circular bio economy', I think that would be good for Australia." Halog added that Australia's biofuel potential was heightened by the fact that it had ample land to farm materials, such as canola oil and other biomass feedstock, and establish renewable energy sources to power the biofuel plants. Nonetheless, analysts stressed that SAF cannot solve the environmental problems of the aviation industry once and for all. Merkert said in addition to the ramping up of SAF use, which is purported to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 percent, airlines would need to invest in technologies such as electric aircraft for shorter flights and more efficient aircraft for long-haul flights. He added that while biofuels did greatly reduce carbon emissions, they also released other harmful particulates including nitrogen oxides and sulfate aerosols. Halog also called for a holistic approach to biofuel and SAF production, noting that the large-scale production of biofuels would have broader implications for the environment. PHNOM PENH, June 25 (Xinhua) -- A truck transporting garment workers to their factory flipped onto its side in the southwestern Kampong Speu province on Saturday morning, leaving 27 people wounded, a senior police officer said. The accident took place in Oudong district when the truck, carrying a total of 50 workers, skidded off a curving road and overturned, said Brigadier General Tap Lorn, deputy police chief of Kampong Speu province. "Twenty seven workers were hurt, with 11 sustaining serious injuries," he told Xinhua. "Speeding was blamed for the accident." The driver fled the scene soon after the crash, Lorn said, adding that the injured, including 26 women and one man, had been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Transporting workers in open trucks to and from factories is not uncommon in the southeast Asian country. On March 30, about 20 garment workers got injured when their truck collided with a car in the southeastern Svay Rieng province. The country's multi-billion U.S. dollar garment industry comprises some 1,000 factories, employing around 750,000 workers, mostly female, according to the Ministry of Labor. COLOMBO, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's central bank on Saturday announced that the amount of foreign currency an individual can hold has been reduced from 15,000 U.S. dollars to 10,000 or its equivalent in other foreign currency. The central bank said the decision was taken to attract foreign currency into the formal banking system. An amnesty period of 14 working days effective from June 16 is granted for persons holding foreign currency notes, during which they can deposit them into a foreign currency account or sell them to an authorized dealer, according to the central bank. At the end of the amnesty period, the central bank said, it will initiate actions against anyone who violates the order, in terms of the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Act. Sri Lanka has been facing crippling foreign currency shortages, which has made it hard to import essential items. Bhagyashree, who has made everyone crazy with her performances in Bollywood, is in the news these days for her personal life. Yes and let us tell you all that she is holidaying in Thailand these days with her husband Himalaya Dasani. Yes and from here the actress has shared the videos of her dream vacation on her Instagram handle, which is going viral on the internet. Which you can see too. Sharing the video on Insta, Bhagyashree wrote in the caption, "Last night with the Himalayas. At the same time, in this video, she is seen taking a walk inside the restaurant and comes with him for Himalayan drinks. Let us tell you all that even before this, the actress had shared a video from a restaurant in Bangkok. Yes, and with this, he wrote in the caption- "My darling with My Darling in the resto-bar. # in Bangkok. Now if we talk about work, Bhagyashree made her Bollywood debut in the year 1989 with 'Maine Pyaar Kiya'. Yes, and in this film, she was seen with Salman Khan. At the same time, Bhagyashree also worked with Himalaya in the films 'Kaaid Mein Hai Bulbul (1989'), 'Tyagi Aur Payal (1992)'. Along with this, the actress also appeared in many other films like 'Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi (1993)', 'Soutan Ki Soutan (1997)', 'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)', 'Red Alert: The War With (2010)' and 'Sitaram Kalyan (2019)'. The last time you all would have seen him in Star Plus' show Smart Jodi. The show was well liked and in this show, Bhagyashree had also made many revelations. Shahrukh's dangerous look came out from Pathan, fans were happy to see " Varun Kiara's movie didn't even earn 10 crores on First Day Backless dress.. Janhvi sets fire to cherry lipstick Mumbai: TheCentral Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Lok Sabha member Mohammed Faisal in the alleged tuna fish scam. Abdul Razzaq, a relative of the MP, is also said to be on the CBI's radar along with a Colombo-based company in the case. The vigilance department of the Lakshadweep administration is also involved in this investigation with the CBI. The involvement of some local officials of the concerned department is also being suspected in the scam. According to media reports, a 25-member CBI team led by a DIG rank officer is probing the alleged corruption. The price of tuna fish in the international market is around Rs 400 per kg. It was purchased by LCMF (Lakshadweep Corporate Marketing Federation) from local fishermen. It was later sold to a company named SRT General Merchant, based in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo. However, in lieu of this, the ART company did not give money to the LCMF. The local fishermen suffered a lot due to this. The CBI says that some government employees and officials may also be responsible for this loss of fishermen. The investigating agency said that the rules were flouted while selling the fishes to the SRT company and the LCMF used ncp MP Mohammad Faisal's rasuk to buy large quantities of fish from local fishermen. Faisal's relative Abdul Razzaq was a representative in the same Sri Lankan company who is accused of not paying LCMF money in lieu of fish. At present, the CBI team is examining all the new and old files of this fish deal. At the same time, ncp MP Mohammad Faizan's relationship with a Sri Lankan company is also under investigation. In addition to the LCMF, fisheries department, PWD, Khadi Board and Animal Husbandry department are also under the scanner of the CBI. At the same time, while talking to the media, NCP MP Mohammad Faisal has denied having knowledge of the CBI investigation. He said that there is no corruption in this whole case and if the CBI's investigation is taking place, then the truth will come out. Eknath Shinde appointed as CM of Maharashtra! Sanjay Raut made this big statement after shiv sena's national executive meeting Fadnavis comes to Indore and secretly goes to Vadodara, intensifies exercise of 'BJP government' in Maharashtra Russian invaders launched more than 20 rockets on military bases in Zhytomyr Oblast 25 June, 01:12 PM The occupiers attacked military units and facilities near Zhytomyr with missiles (illustrative photo) (Photo:Ukraine Air Force Command) Russian forces launched 24 cruise missiles from the territory of Belarus against military bases and other facilities around Zhytomyr, reported the mayor of Zhytomyr, Serhiy Sukhomlin, on his Facebook page on June 25. We were all woken up this morning by loud explosions," he wrote. "Nothing was launched into Zhytomyr itself, but the military facilities around Zhytomyr were attacked. Rockets were launched from aircrafts that came from Belarus. A total of 24 missiles were fired at military bases and facilities around Zhytomyr. I can't comment on whether there are casualties, thats a task for the military administration. In the city of Zhytomyr itself, everything is quiet." On the morning of June 25, the Zhytomyr military administration reported explosions in the oblast. Read also: Several casualties reported as Russia strikes a town in Zhytomyr Oblast The village of Desna, in Chernihiv Oblast, was also attacked with missiles. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News France denies Russian reports of a captured Caesar artillery piece 25 June, 11:30 AM Ceaser self-propelled howitzer (Photo:commons.wikimedia.org) Frances General Staff has denied reports of a French Caesar self-propelled howitzer being captured by Russian forces in Ukraine, Russian media outlet TASS reported on June 24. Earlier, French politician Regis de Castelnau said that one of the Caesar howitzers France had supplied to Ukraine was captured by Russian troops. This information is false, said the General Staff of France. We categorically deny it. Weve discussed this with our Ukrainian partners. According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, no evidence was provided to support the claim. Read also: German and Dutch artillery finally arrives in Ukraine This indicates that the supply of weapons to Ukraine is a major blow to our enemy, and they are attempting to discredit the AFU with the French and suggest that its futile to keep arming our country, the Armed Forces Strategic Communication Center said in a statement. Caesar is a modern French-made self-propelled howitzer, capable of striking targets up to 42 kilometers away. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News By Trend Jordans King Abdullah II said Friday that he supports a military alliance in the Middle East similar to the Western-led NATO, Trend reports citing Al Arabiya. Speaking to CNBC, King Abdullah said that the charter of such an alliance would need to be very clear. I would be one of the first people that would endorse a Middle East NATO, but the linkages to the rest of the world and how we fit in has to be very, very clear. Otherwise, it confuses everybody, he said. Closer cooperation on the military front between Arab countries and Israel has been pushed by the US for several years. Friday morning's U.S. Supreme Court announcement that they had decided to overturn its 1973 Roe v. Wade opinion that the U.S. Constitution protects a pregnant woman's choice to have an abortion has been met with significant immediate response by many Nashville-based musicians. Names including Joy Oladokun, Margo Price, husband and wife Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires, plus Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini and Taylor Swift, posted on social media to offer opinions on the impactful news. Oladokun and Price's caustic statements arrived earliest. throw the whole court away. joy oladokun is doing a puppet show. (@joyoladokun) June 24, 2022 Oladokun has been a very vocal pro-abortion advocate, most recently participating in Third Man Records' ROCK FOR ROE virtual concert and text-a-thon, which raised over $20,000 for Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood. Notably, Price has been vocally pro-abortion rights of late. On March 22, via Bandcamp, the artist released a cover of Lesley Gore's six-decade-old single "You Don't Own Me." She stated proceeds from sales of the single were being given to Noise for Now, "a national initiative that enables artists and entertainers to connect with and financially support grassroots organizations that work in the field of Reproductive Justice, including abortion access." riot girl summer Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) June 24, 2022 Also, in December 2021, Price partnered with Arizona-born and formerly also Nashville-based Solstice Intimates on a limited-run, limited-edition underwear line called "Hands Off." The proceeds were also given to Noise for Now. As for Isbell and his wife, Shires, they have been active protestors of late, participating in pro-abortion rights rallies in downtown Nashville. Always willing to lend their social media voices to amplify political causes, their posts this morning including Shires reposting a 2020 Yahoo conversation regarding her then just-released single, "The Problem" fit expectations. Story continues Notably, "The Problem" 's lyrics include the following: If youre gonna talk about how divided we are as a nation, youll want to mention SCOTUS decisions like this one, handing power to state reps in crazy-ass gerrymandered districts and completely ignoring the will of the majority of US citizens. This is not what the people want. Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) June 24, 2022 Eggs aint chicken. Something has to be born before it can be murdered. Thats about as simple as it gets. https://t.co/wg5vwDj5mw Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) June 24, 2022 Morris is a native of Texas, a state where a "trigger law" signed by Gov. Greg Abbott will outlaw abortion within 30 days of Friday's ruling. Texas and 12 other states (Tennessee included) have trigger laws that would prohibit or almost completely ban abortions. Also important to note regarding Texas is that the 1973 Roe decision stems from a case that originated in Dallas County. Also, Taylor Swift has weighed in. She re-tweeted a statement made by former First Lady Michelle Obama- in which she notes that she is "heartbroken" by the decision while noting that those who wish to support the rights of those wanting to seek abortions to support organizations including Planned Parenthood and The United State of Women. In a 2020 Guardian interview, Swift offered the following thoughts. I mean, obviously, Im pro-choice, and I just cant believe this is happening. I cant believe were here. Its really shocking and awful. And I just wanna do everything I can for 2020. I wanna figure out exactly how I can help, what are the most effective ways to help. Cause this is just This is not it. Im absolutely terrified that this is where we are - that after so many decades of people fighting for womens rights to their own bodies, todays decision has stripped us of that. https://t.co/mwK561oxxl Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 24, 2022 Country star Kelsea Ballerini called the overturning of Roe v. Wade 'horrifying' on her Instagram stories. Two-time 2021 Country Music Association Award-winning vocalist Kelsea Ballerini also added thoughts via Instagram stories, reposting Glamour Magazine's statement that 18,050 days of abortion rights for women "ended today." This is one of the 28-year-old artist's first public statements in regards to her feelings on the pro-choice versus pro-life issue. LIVE UPDATES: Abortion in Tennessee updates: Leaders react to Supreme Court decision; push for ban to go in effect before 30 days Recent CMA Fest breakout star and country radio chart number-one artist BRELAND added a thoughtful note he typed on his cell phone and posted to social media. He's from a family of acapella gospel vocalists, plus has always shown particular sensitivity to framing Black civil rights in conversations about his music in a timeless historical and social context. "This Supreme Court ruling requires both men and women to use their platforms to speak out," he stated. "This is a civil rights issue, and all signs point toward this decision being the beginning of a set of similar rulings that could also affect the rights of many other communities of Americans. I've always dreamed my music would heal the divisions from which these decisions were made, but today it seems only the age-old melodies of our forefathers were heard. Its the same song that accompanied slavery, the wicked backing track of Jim Crow and segregation, a hymn of oppression and control." Moreover, Allison Russell both posted a long poetic statement on Twitter, plus reposted a statement shared by her professional ally and friend Brandi Carlile. I have spent the last 20 years of my life traveling to every state, city and every corner of the American landscape pic.twitter.com/7Wy5unSRpu Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile) June 24, 2022 "I have spent the last 20 years of my life traveling to every state, city and every corner of the American landscape. From Alabama to Georgia, Texas to Tennessee, from New York to California, I have sung songs of hope, inclusivity and love to audiences reflecting those sentiments right back at me by singing along to every word. The harrowing and unprecedented decision made by SCOTUS today does not represent the heart and soul of the faces I see everyday in America. The politics and policies dont match the people. We outnumber the oppressors and we are unstoppable when we realize that and vote as a revolutionary body. This can be undone." Also notable to this story is that many of the state's conservative lawmakers are applauding the decision and posting their thoughts on social media. However, the artists known to support them have yet to make public statements of similar support as of press time. This story is still breaking and will be updated. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Taylor Swift, Kelsea Ballerini and others react to abortion decision Wilmington's port is set to get more cold storage space. Plans for the refrigerated space were submitted to the city of Wilmington earlier this month. With promises of below freezing cold temperatures and a more than 280,000 square foot distribution center, an Idaho-based company is moving forward with plans to bring a new refrigerated distribution center to Wilmington's port. Cold chain real estate developer Cold Summit Development submitted design documents to the city of Wilmington earlier this month for a new 289,209 square foot facility at 187 Raleigh St. in Wilmington a more than 20-acre site owned by North Carolina State Ports Authority. The port is leasing the land to Cold Summit Development to build the facility, according to Christina Hallingse, the communications manager for the North Carolina State Ports Authority. More: NC Ports proposes Morehead City site as hub for offshore wind industry A growing corridor: New York firm looks to bring modern industrial park to U.S. 421 Cold Summit Development is a cold chain logistics developer focused on "delivering innovative cold storage real estate solutions," according to the company's website. The StarNews reached out to Cold Summit Development to learn more about the project's plans and timeline but did not hear back before publication deadline. The new facility will be able to hold 40,000 pallets and house products that require refrigeration. That could range from pork, poultry and produce to life sciences materials. Plans are underway to bring more than 280,000 square feet of refrigerated space to Wilmington's port. The authority announced its partnership with the firm in an August 2021 press release but recently submitted design documents show details of the facility's layout and other design details. A 55-foot tall distribution center makes up the bulk of the facility. Plans also show space for a loading dock with areas for semi-trucks to back up to the facility and areas for offices. Temperatures inside the facility's distribution center will range from minus 20 degrees to 57 degrees Fahrenheit, according to a press release announcing plans for the facility. Story continues This partnership represents continued investments in our strategy to become a leader in cold chain logistics," Executive Director of the N.C. State Ports Authority Brian Clark wrote in the release. "We are particularly excited that this announcement gives more options and capacity to North Carolinas significant and rapidly expanding cold business sectors, including agriculture, food processing, grocery and life sciences. Traffic travels along Raleigh Street Tuesday June 21, 2022 near the State Port/ Wilmington's port is adding a cold storage facility. Plans for the facility along Raleigh Street have recently been filed with the city. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS The port's partnership with Cold Summit Development also includes a second phase in which the company plans to build 160,000 square feet of refrigerated warehousing space with room for 17,000 pallets. Storage temperatures will range from minus 70 degrees to 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Plans for the new refrigerated space follow a recent focus on shipping refrigerated cargo through Wilmington. In the last five years, the city's port has seen more than 250% growth in its refrigerated import and export volumes, according to the press release. This, in addition to other recent area announcements, demonstrates that this area is an attractive market for cold chain logistics, wrote the port's Chief Commercial Officer Hans Bean in the release. Wilmington's port imports chemicals along with products used in the auto and apparel industry, among other things. They export agricultural products and refrigerated cargo Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at 910-343-2096 or edill@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New cold storage space coming to Wilmington port Welcome to Startups Weekly, a fresh human-first take on this weeks startup news and trends. To get this in your inbox, subscribe here. Just as one companys success shouldnt cast a halo on its verticals brethren, one companys layoffs dont quite mean that its competitors are equally screwed. Instead, I think that changes within a particular startup can be used as benchmark questions for their larger market; in other words, we can use the micro to better understand the macro. With that in mind, I want to talk about MasterClass decision to lay off 20% of its staff, around 120 people, across all teams. The workforce reduction, per CEO David Rogier on Twitter, was made to adapt to the worsening macro environment and get to self-sustainability faster. Put differently, the company which sells subscriptions to celebrity-taught classes -- is in search of operating discipline and needs to cut staff in order to get there The layoffs place a spotlight on the premise behind MasterClass. When I first covered the company in March 2020, I got stuck on its pitch of aspirational learning. [MasterClass] also touches on the publics innate curiosity about how famous people think and work. MasterClass tugs on that idea a bit by also offering classes that fundamentally do not make sense to be digitized. Think high-contact sports, like a tennis lesson from Serena Williams or a basketball lesson from Steph Curry. Or just general pontifications from RuPaul on self expression and Neil deGrasse Tyson on scientific thinking and communication. Despite its flashy lineup of stars, MasterClass doesnt sell access but instead sells a window into someones work diary. Celebrities are not interacting with students on a day-to-day basis, and sometimes, not at all. Around a year later, I returned to this idea while trying to extract what MasterClass prominence meant for edtech. Fiveable founder Amanda DoAmaral said at the time that MasterClass raises the bar for content quality across all of edtech, while Toucan founder Taylor Nieman pointed out that MasterClass faces the same issues as so many other consumer products that try to steal time out of peoples very busy days. Story continues So what is MasterClass? A high bar for edtech quality? Or a more educational Netflix? For my full take, read my TechCrunch+ column, Startup layoffs, the art of reinvention and a MasterClass in change. In the rest of this newsletter, well talk about multiplayer fintech and the grocery delivery world. As always, you can support me by forwarding this newsletter to a friend or following me on Twitter or subscribing to my blog. Deal of the week Well, this is a first-ish: Accel is rolling out a new, $4 billion late-stage fund, just as certain rivals lose momentum, Connie Loizos reports. This is my deal of the week namely because it's a subtweet at Tiger Global and SoftBank's slow down, but in the classy way that only a 39-year old firm would dare. Heres why its important: For venture history nerds, this news isn't just about a big number. As Loizos explains below, Accel has a history of giving money back to its investors during a moment of market uncertainty. In 2001, Accel raised what was then its biggest fund ever a $1.4 billion vehicle only to reduce the fund size to $950 million in 2002 after the tech market which first soured in the spring of 2000 failed to bounce back and frustrated limited partners, or LPs, proceeded to make a stink. LPs seem highly unlikely to push back this time around considering what happened next. Before cutting back that $1.4 billion fund, Accel proposed splitting it into two $700 million funds: One to invest as planned and a second $700 million fund to begin investing in 2004. The LPs who voted against that idea and the majority of them did are probably still kicking themselves. One of them is Chris Douvos, an investor for Princetons endowment fund at the time. After the kerfuffle over the 2001 fund, he passed on Accels next fund, out of which Accel led Facebooks $12.7 million Series A round in 2004. It became one of the best-performing venture funds of all time (ouch). Meanwhile, Douvos lost his access to Accel. (Lets just say Im not on their speed dial, he joked to this reporter in 2016.) Image Credits: Bryce Durbin/TechCrunch Tech companies respond to US Supreme Court abortion decision After a leak just months prior, The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, declaring that the U.S. Constitution doesnt guarantee the right to abortion. Companies including Microsoft, eBay, Zillow, Airbnb, Netflix, Twilio, Lyft, Momentive, Bumble, The Match Group and others have shared statements in response to the overturn. Twitter declined to comment. Heres why its important: I mean, it's both surreal and self-explanatory. Here's a quote from Wiggers: Its important to note, of course, that many companies even those publicly supporting abortion rights or offering benefits to that effect have donated to campaigns advocating for abortion restrictions. As Slate recently reported, Citigroup has given over $6.2 million to the Republican Party and nearly half a million to various GOP candidates in Texas alone. JPMorgan donated more than $100,000 to sponsors of abortion bans. Yelp, Uber and Lyft have also contributed tens of thousand of dollars combined to anti-abortion lawmakers over the last few years. light bulb flickering on and off Image Credits: Bryce Durbin / TechCrunch Across the week Seen on TechCrunch Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Unity and others form Metaverse Standards Forum Bill Gates doesnt know how Elon Musk finds the time and other TC news Box CEO Aaron Levie on where web3 doesnt make sense Brex says it did a poor job explaining its decision to cut off SMBs SoftBank Group Internationals new CEO is leaving, just five months after being appointed Seen on TechCrunch+ Forests are a multitrillion-dollar asset. Vibrant Planet bets SaaS can save them 3 views on why startup math may soon get a lot more creative A second wave of consumer BNPL startups is taking the model to new markets Until next time, N Phoebe Bridgers led chants of f*** the Supreme Court during her Glastonbury set, in response to todays (24 June) decision to overturn constitutional rights to abortion in the US. The US Supreme Court ruled in favour of a Mississippi law that outlaws abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy while also overturning key precedents established by the 1973 decision in Roe v Wade. Bridgers, who recently shared that she had an abortion last year, stopped her performance on the John Peel Stage to say: Its super surreal, but Im having the s****iest time. After asking if there were any fellow Americans in the audience, Bridgers said: Who wants to say, F*** the Supreme Court? One, two... F*** THE SUPREME COURT, to bellows of agreement from her audience. All these irrelevant old motherf***ers trying to tell us what to do with our fucking bodies. F*** it, she said. After an initial draft majority opinion from the Supreme Court was leaked in May, Bridgers posted an Instagram Story writing: I had an abortion in October of last year while I was on tour. Phoebe Bridgers (AFP via Getty Images) I went to Planned Parenthood where they gave me the abortion pill. It was easy. Everyone deserves that kind of access. Bridgers statement came shortly after one issued by fellow US artist Taylor Swift, who said she was absolutely terrified by the ruling. BEBA_STILL_00 Rebeca Huntt in BEBA Credit - NEON With the autobiographical documentary BEBA, filmmaker Rebeca Huntt crafts a story that feels universal while remaining all hers. The movie, Huntts debut feature, explores her identity through an intimate moving self-portrait. Huntt, whose mother is Venezuelan and father Dominican, walks viewers through a coming-of-age tale in BEBA. The film follows her life as an Afro-Latina child growing up in New York as one of the poorest people on the Upper West Side. Through BEBA (Beba is Huntts nickname) she explores the universal truths that connect us, and the intimacies most families try to keep secret. As she navigates everything from love and death to mental illness and violence, Huntt anchors the story of searching for a path forward. Nominated for the Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, BEBA is out on June 24. Below, Huntt speaks with TIME about her identity, family, and whats ahead for her career. BEBA is a cinematic memoir that chronicles your lifefrom childhood to early adulthooddetailing both the intimate life experiences of you, and your loved ones, while also exploring your identity as an Afro-Latina growing up in New York City. What initially made you want to tell this story? The space and time I was in, it was a very specific moment in New York and I felt very isolated. And I just wanted to really connect with people. That was like the main drive for making a film like this. You feel more loved when someone loves you, when you can be your honest self. And I felt like if I could, maybe if I could be honest, that other people would be able to feel like they could be too. At 32-years-old, why did you decide to release BEBA now? Why not continue to chronicle your life for years to come? Because its torture. But also because it serves a specific purpose, the fact that its a sort of existential coming of age, in this moment, where were thrust into adulthood, and to an absurd society. We live in absurdity at all times. To go from that moment in your early 20s, when youre constantly going through quantum leaps, but also having to navigate being fully responsible for yourself is fascinating. Story continues Rebeca Huntt in BEBA NEON The film does not shy away from detailing incidents many people, and families, might try to hide from the worldespecially as it relates to mental health and physical violence. Did you have any reservations about sharing specific stories? I did. But every single thing that is shared in the film has an intention. And that is what helped me move past anything that I was like, Oh, no, Im embarrassed. Doing all of it with as much love as possible made it so that those kinds of reservations felt small. Interviewing family and friends can be incredibly challenging. What was it like interviewing those closest to you? My mother was very challenging. Like you saw on the film, it wasnt even an interview. And actually, we did it twice. And that was the better interview. The first time it was so hard for us to communicate. That was a very, very complex moment in our relationship. So communication wasnt at its best. My father actually surprised me. He was a natural on the camera. He answered all the questions. He was really easy to interview, my sister as well. Shes great on the camera. She has a great chemistry with it. The one thing that has stuck with me since watching the film is your apology to your family at the end where you promise not to snitch again because you reveal so many personal details about them. Did you have to have difficult conversations with your loved ones before the films release? I thought throughout the entire making of the film that they would just never talk to me again. But, in a way, it was a driving force, because it made me make the film the best it could be. Then, I finished the film. The last day, Im in sound mix, watching it, and I found out that we got into the Toronto International Film Festival. I hadnt even told my parents yet. Of course, I wanted them to come to the premiere. So eventually, I told them and it was incredible. [When they saw the film] I was able to witness such a vast spectrum of human emotion with two of the people I love most in the world in such a short time. There was, in both of them, a sense of betrayal, anger, pride, unconditional love, happiness, gratitude, freedomall these things at once. Did you see a shift in the dynamic of your relationships? Its very subtle. I just got back from Peru. I liked hiking through the Andes and I called my dad on the last day. I was thinking about our relationship on the hike and I called him and talked to him about it. I love my father, we have a great relationship, were very close, but its also a complex relationship. And so I told him something that was really true, and something he probably even two years ago before the film wouldnt have been able to hear. And he heard it. I dont know what hes gonna do with it. But he heard it. What has the reaction been like from those closest to you in making this? My parents reaction is a freedom and pride. My dads family did see it in Miami. My uncles and aunts and cousins, and they loved it. My cousins felt like it was super cathartic, because they were like, Our parents can be like that, too. I was nervous about what my family would think. Aside from the beautiful story it tells, BEBA is quite aesthetically pleasing. Why did you decide to shoot the film on 16mm and were there any unique challenges, or opportunities, that came with this decision? The very nature of 16 mm is limited, its limited what it can actually capture. When I visualize the concept of intimacy, its a limited and pulsating view. Thats what intimacy is. And when youre shooting on 16 millimeter, it has this pulsating quality to it. This film is eight years in the makingand for eight years only a handful of people have seen it at various stages. With the films release, I am curious if, in some ways, the hardest part has just begun. How does it feel knowing so many people are going to see these very intimate parts of you, and your story? Other filmmakers, they werent really able to do the festival circuit last year, the way I was able to do it this year. I feel very grateful to have had those experiences, because I was able to see how people reacted to the film. This film is bigger than my fear and what I think people are gonna think of me. People are coming up to me and telling me really intense and intimate stories about themselves and their lives. They will start talking to me about their relationships with their parents, or things that we are ashamed of in society. Having people come and talk to me about these things that otherwise would be shameful is like, thats why I did this. What is my fear in the face of that? What did you learn about yourself, your family, while making BEBA? We are infinitely complex, and that people love and do their best in the different capacities that they are able to do. Childhood is really the seed of everything for like any one human being. And that family patterns are real, like generational patterns are very real. It is something that we definitely as human beings should pay attention to. I really [learned] that Im a lot stronger than I could have ever imagined. I have a very profound capacity for love. Im doing what Im supposed to be doing. Being a film director this is where Im supposed to be. I am very, very grateful and very humbled. You recently stated In BEBA, Im not asking for you to like me, or even for you to identify with me. What do you ultimately hope people take away from the film? That its okay to be authentic Hours after access to abortions in Kentucky ended abruptly, hundreds gathered outside Louisville's federal courthouse in protest of the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade. The 1973 landmark ruling established abortion as a constitutional right for all Americans. But the reversal, after a 6-3 decision released Friday, effectively outlaws the procedures in Kentucky and more than a dozen other states. Gut-wrenching, disbelief and fear were a few words used to describe the emotions of attendees. The ban is immediate due to a so-called "trigger law" put in place by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2019 that calls for an end to all abortion services should Roe v. Wade be struck down. The procedures are now allowed only to save the life of a patient or prevent disabling injury. Downtown Louisville's EMW Women's Surgical Center, Kentucky's only full-time abortion clinic, has ceased offering services "as a precaution," the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky said in a statement. Roe v. Wade is overturned: Here's what abortion laws look like in each state The organization also immediately announced plans to file a lawsuit to "allow all providers to resume providing abortions as soon as possible." At the protest, attendee Malea Young said she came out so she wasn't alone with her emotions. She saw the leaked opinion in May, she said, but she still wasn't prepared when Friday's announcement was released. I was so angry about the ruling that I needed to be in community, with others who feel the same as me," she said, standing with her young son as temperatures swelled past 90 degrees. ... I knew it was coming. I wasnt surprised it was coming. I was surprised by how angry I felt that I lost a tangible right in a second. It was more of a gut punch than anything. Kentucky abortion: Reactions and updates from Louisville: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade abortion ruling Story continues Irie Ewers was in the crowd as well, with a sign that said "'Lives' only matter until they're born." It was a "statement to the systemic violence that's always happening," she said, on "a day of grief." Alex Torres held up the other end of Ewers' sign. She had personal reasons for coming out, she said, but as a social worker, she held a grim view of what happens next if abortion access is cut off. "I understand how our systems work and the reality is they are not working," Torres said. "Im very concerned with the wellbeing of people if this stands." The impact on children who are in "constant crisis," she said, is especially concerning, including those in the foster care system. It's personal for attendee Catherine Rhodes, too, who called the ruling "an attack on humans, on every single human being." Rhodes has lupus and had to get an abortion when she was younger due to the medical risk, she said, and Friday's ruling made her think of others who may be in a similar position. "It terrified me, and the emotional impact it had on me still impacts me today and that was 15 years ago," Rhodes said. "I think of all the little girls and what they could be facing." The group marched along Broadway from the courthouse to Metro Hall in downtown Louisville, where they at one point blocked a portion of Jefferson Street. For many in the crowd, this was their second time in about two months time rallying outside Metro Hall in support of a woman's right to an abortion many had gathered after a draft Supreme Court opinion leaked in early May. Despite that foreshadowing, many spoke of grief for their lost right to a safe abortion. When Rhodes heard the news today, she said she felt Uncontrollable emotions that I couldnt sort out and still cant. "This is a literal war on generations to come and we are stepping on the backs of everyone before us who made this happen in 1973," she said. Kentucky patients seeking abortions won't be able to find one in most nearby states, either. Roe v Wade: 'We are not your vessels': Hundreds rally in Louisville after leaked draft on Roe v. Wade Of Kentucky's seven surrounding states, only Illinois and Virginia will continue to allow largely unrestricted abortion services moving forward, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health policy group. Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri already have restrictions or are likely to soon eliminate abortion access, according to the institute. Indiana, the nearest state to Louisville, did not have a trigger law on the books, but Gov. Eric Holcomb has said he plans to call the General Assembly to meet next month in an effort to ban abortions. Contact reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Roe vs Wade: Louisville abortion advocates protest Supreme Court ruling Abortion-rights and anti-abortion advocates gathered at Crogan Park before marching to the Summit Mall entrance and back on Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Fairlawn. Following the Supreme Court's ruling Friday overturning the right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade, reaction was intense and immediate throughout the area. What follows are statements issued by groups and individuals in the Akron area and across Ohio. Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan I know the Supreme Court's decision today is causing very difficult feelings in our community and across the nation. Ive personally struggled with this issue from the very beginning of my public service career. As a man of faith and also as a public servant, I strongly believe my faith belongs solely to me and I would never trade it in for political purposes. Ive also sworn an oath to the public and I believe the ruling in Roe v. Wade was a 50-year precedent for womens rights which has now been erased. Disregarding what has long been considered established law is deeply destabilizing for our country. While today's decision is not a surprise given the current court, Im afraid the struggle for real equality took another set-back today." LeBron James Its ABSOLUTELY ABOUT POWER & CONTROL!! https://t.co/Bx9VJH1PTj LeBron James (@KingJames) June 24, 2022 State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) Todays devastating news affirms what we knew was coming and the consequences are dire. Right now in Ohio, state lawmakers are pushing forward a bill that would ban abortion, even in instances of rape and incest, criminalizing women seeking an abortion, as well as doctors who provide them. "Todays decision from the United States Supreme Court and the extreme anti-choice policies to follow are not only morally wrong, but are out of touch with the views of the majority of Ohioans and Americans. As a state lawmaker I am fighting attacks like these on our reproductive freedom and right to privacy, and Ill continue that fight as a Member of Congress. This election is critical, and the stakes couldnt be higher. Ohioans must get out and vote to have their voices heard and prevent us from going backwards. Story continues Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) "This is a historic day for our nation, one that is long overdue. The highest court in the land has reaffirmed our belief in the sanctity of life that every life is precious and deserving of dignity and respect. Our country was established with the intent for every individual to enjoy the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right to life for untold generations of future Americans." "This ruling does not outlaw abortion but rather returns this decision to the states where it belongs. Some states will choose to continue to permit abortion. Others will not. I am thankful that Ohio is a pro-life state. Now more than ever, it is important that we ensure pregnant women and families have the support they need as well as streamline the adoption process. "I have fought long and hard for the pro-life movement, so I am particularly gratified by this historic decision restoring the right to life. Todays ruling deepens my faith in this nation today justice was done. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade: The U.S. Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade. What does it mean for Ohio? Abortion in Ohio: Supreme Court decision: Abortion will be regulated by states. Here's what Ohio lawmakers have done Akron City Council Ward 8 Representative Shammas Malik For more than 50 years, women have relied on the right to an abortion - a fundamental choice about one's own body. Today's decision will cause incredible harm in so many lives. And further, it robs women of basic freedom and dignity. It is a shameful day in our country's history. Shammas Malik (@shammasmalik) June 24, 2022 State Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) The GOP wants to control every aspect of our lives. Our bodies. Our minds. They ARE the big government theyve always told us to fear. WE MUST RESIST. Rep. Casey Weinstein (@RepWeinstein) June 24, 2022 Right to Life of Northeast Ohio Executive Director Allie Frazier Roe v. Wade, one of the most egregious Supreme Court decisions in our nation's history, has finally been overturned. This incredible moment comes after decades of pro-life advocacy grounded in compassion, conviction and unwavering hope. "As we celebrate this moment of justice, we also look with anticipation towards the future. For the pro-life movement, this is only the beginning. We will continue to fight tirelessly for every woman and baby targeted by the predatory abortion industry. We will put everything on the line to protect women and babies in crisis. "We will advocate for community support systems and do whatever it takes to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. Abortion is violence against women and their babies, and it has no place in our community, our state or our nation. We are completely committed to ending abortion. For whatever comes next, we are ready." Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio CEO and President Iris Harvey By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has now officially given politicians permission to control what we do with our bodies, deciding that we can no longer be trusted to determine the course for our own lives. This dangerous and chilling decision can have devastating consequences in Ohio, forcing people to travel hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles for care or remain pregnant. Make no mistake this decision goes beyond abortion. This is about who has power over you, who has the authority to make decisions for you and who can control how your future is going to be. Nevertheless, you can still seek an abortion in Ohio today. Our patients have and will remain our highest priority. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-13) The Supreme Court has just struck down the freedoms of millions of women and girls in this country in what will be known as the largest, most extreme governmental overreach in our lifetime. Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) June 24, 2022 U.S. House Republican candidate Madison Gesiotto Gilbert Today will go down in history as one of the greatest legal and moral wins/corrections in the history of the United States. I am proud of our Supreme Courts 6-3 decision, Madison Gesiotto Gilbert (@madisongesiotto) June 24, 2022 U.S. House Republican candidate Max Miller "Todays historic United States Supreme Court decision has been nearly 50 years in the making. Thanks to President Donald J. Trump's Constitutionalist appointees, Ohioans can protect the lives of the unborn through policies enacted by their elected officials. This returns power to the people and away from Washington DC. "There is no more significant family issue than protecting human life. Organizations like Ohio Right to Life and Cleveland Right to Life have fought for this day and I will continue their mission in the halls of the United States Congress, where I will always stand for the sanctity of all human life. "Ohio has nearly 200 pregnancy resource centers that assist women in crisis pregnancies. All Ohioans should support these centers that primarily serve low-income Ohio women." Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost This decision returns abortion policy to the place it has always belonged: to the elected policy branches of government. Roe was poorly reasoned, a doctrine of shifting sands that invited perpetual litigation. We will continue to debate this issue. But passion is not a license to violence. I call again on my federal colleague, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and my fellow states attorneys general to publicly commit to holding violent protesters accountable under the law, no matter which side they are on. Ohio Lt. Gov. John Husted "As we transition as a nation from Roe to Dobbs, we all need to do our best to understand and respect the heartfelt, genuine differences of opinions among our families, friends, neighbors and communities. Being an adoptee who started life in a foster home, my own experience helped shape my views on this issue. Im here today because my birth mother chose life and put me up for adoption, which I know could not have been an easy decision for her. My prayer for all of us is this collective experience will build a more compassionate nation that values life." Ohio Sec. of State Frank LaRose Roe v. Wade is overturned. A win for states rights, the constitution, and most importantly, life itself. I lend my full support to the Ohio General Assembly moving quickly to establish the sanctity of life into law. Frank LaRose (@FrankLaRose) June 24, 2022 U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11) Today is a dark day in American history. The Supreme Courts devastating decision overturning Roe v. Wade is a deliberate attack on reproductive rights and an individuals fundamental right to make decisions about their body and their health care. Now, the most personal decision someone can make will be subjected to the impulses of politicians and partisans. For the first time in our history, girls growing up today will not have the same rights as their mothers. And there is no doubt that this disgraceful decision will take the greatest toll on poor women, women of color and marginalized communities who already face systemic barriers to accessing to health care. Today, the Supreme Court not only delivered a smack in the face to five decades of precedent; it also turned back the clock on decades of progress on human rights. This decision is a blow not just to women, but to all of us who cherish the freedoms and rights we hold as Americans. Combined with yesterdays ruling on guns, this decision displays the Courts glaring hypocrisy for the country to see. According to the Court, states cannot decide how to regulate guns yet only the states can decide how to regulate a womans body. They will stop at nothing to foist their extreme agenda on the American people. My heart is heavy today. Yet lets be disappointed, not devastated. We can be down, but we arent out. The House has already passed legislation to make Roe v. Wade the law of the land, and I urge the Senate to pass this critical bill now. We cannot and we will not go back. U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-14) As someone who spent over 25 years practicing law, I always believed Roe v. Wade was a stretch of legal theory. The Constitution does not confer the right to abortion. It does, however, provide states with the power to regulate the practice as they see fit. (1/2) Dave Joyce (@RepDaveJoyce) June 24, 2022 The Supreme Court's #DobbsvJackson decision is a long overdue victory for states rights and the sanctity of #life. The power to protect the unborn has been rightfully returned to the people and those they elect to represent them. (2/2) Dave Joyce (@RepDaveJoyce) June 24, 2022 U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) Todays ruling is consistent with my view that policy questions regarding abortion should be decided by the elected representatives of the people, not the Supreme Court. Through its ruling today, the Court made this clear. The states already play a significant role in abortion policy, but have been constrained by various Supreme Court rulings. Now the issue of abortion will be decided by the states and the elected representatives closest to the people. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the beaconjournal today to access all of our content online at cm.beaconjournal.com/specialoffer. While abortion is a very sensitive and emotional issue with strong feelings on both sides, I think most Americans agree that human life is precious and should be protected wherever possible. To that end, we should do more to work together in a bipartisan manner to promote adoption, reduce the number of abortions and provide support for pregnant women in difficult circumstances. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) For fifty years, women in America had the right to make their own personal health care decisions. Today, five judges handed that right over to politicians. This will be the first generation of women to grow up with fewer rights and freedoms than their mothers and grandmothers, and this burden will be disproportionately carried by low-income women and women of color. "This is a radical decision by an increasingly out-of-touch court, and Americans wont stand for it. When, how, and whether to have a family is one of the most personal and meaningful decisions we make in life, and the freedom to make those decisions for yourself, free from political interference, should be available to everyone. The president and Congress must take action restoring protections for women to make their own health choices, and women will make their voices heard in voting booths around Ohio and the country this November. Ohio Republican Party Chair Bob Paduchik "A grave injustice of judicial activism has been overturned, and the right to govern is restored to the people of Ohio. This is a historic day for all Americans who worked for decades to defend unborn children." Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters Ohioans fundamental right to reproductive care, including abortion and birth control, is on the line in this years election. This disastrous decision lays squarely at the feet of Ohio Republicans from J.D. Vance to Mike DeWine to extremists in the statehouse who have spent years working to strip women of their basic rights and enacting new, cruel restrictions that would punish survivors of rape and incest. It is critical that Ohioans elect Tim Ryan, Nan Whaley and pro-choice Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in November who will protect the right to abortion. We will continue to fight so that women can make these personal decisions with their doctors and without unwanted and unnecessary interference from politicians. This November, Ohioans will take their outrage to the polls and defeat the extremist Republicans who gutted our freedom to choose. Cuyahoga Falls Democratic Club President A.J. Harris Were angry. Were tired. But, were going to continue the fight. pic.twitter.com/GbiVDOBa8X Cuyahoga Falls Democratic Club (@CFDemocrats) June 24, 2022 U.S. Senate Republican candidate JD Vance "I am 37 years old, and for my entire life abortion on demand decreed by an unelected panel of judges has been forced on the nation. Today is a great day. It vindicates a half century of work, and gives us an opportunity to live up our founding creed that all of us are truly created equal. "We now enter a new phase of the pro-life movement. We will continue the fight to ensure that every young mother has the resources they need to bring new life into the world. We will build an economy where its possible to sustain and support our children. We will expand adoption and promote pregnancy centers, so that every child has the loving home they deserve. Some of our efforts will be federal, and others local, but all will be focused on the simple principle that life is worth protecting from the moment it begins until its natural end. "In the Hebrew Bible, God tells Jeremiah: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.' This wisdom echoes through the ages in our hearts and in our minds; now it falls to us to ensure it is reflected in the laws of our nation." Ohio governor Democratic candidate Nan Whaley Ohio is a pro-choice state. A 60% majority of Ohioans support abortion access. This year, Ohioans have an opportunity to elect a pro-choice governor who wont interfere with our right to make decisions about our own bodies. pic.twitter.com/EQOsECTLcJ Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) June 24, 2022 Nan Whaley here, candidate for #OHGov. As someone whose mother fought for these rights and who has had this basic autonomy over my body my whole life, I am absolutely heartbroken. Im angry beyond words. And I have also never been more committed to this fight. We can do this. pic.twitter.com/SoRA6tx2T7 Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) June 24, 2022 Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Bishop Edward C. Malesic "Science confirms that the human life of an individual begins at conception and our experience tells us that all human life is precious, fragile and given directly to us as a gift from God. We are brothers and sisters in our human family, made in the image and likeness of God. We are all called to live out our responsibility to protect and care for one another, whether born or unborn. "I wholeheartedly applaud todays decision by the U.S. Supreme Court which reverses the grave injustice of 1973, when Roe v. Wade decided that a whole class of human beings, the preborn, are outside the protection of the law and had no constitutional right to life. Since that decision, more than 60 million innocent lives have been sadly ended. Now that Roe is overturned, states will again be able to protect the lives of preborn children and in doing so, also protect millions of women from the tragic consequences of abortion. "The consistent teaching of the Church regarding the intrinsic evil of abortion seeks to secure all other rights as well. We are not a 'single issue' Church; there are other extremely important rights that we must defend, to be sure; but these additional rights flow from and are rooted in the fundamental right to life itself. "Now that the bane of Roe has been addressed, we must ensure that the rights of parents and their children are protected so that they may have what they need to prosper with dignity and hope. The Church is redoubling efforts to accompany women and couples who are facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies, offering them loving and compassionate care. The Diocese of Cleveland has developed many ministries to serve expectant mothers who face difficult pregnancies and those who find it difficult to care for their children after they are born. "Pregnant women can find help at local pregnancy centers, where they can get information about the pregnancy, undergo an ultrasound and receive assistance during their pregnancy. After birth, there are many resources available from nonprofit groups like the Christ Child Society, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland and others that can supply infant necessities like layettes, diapers, formula, cribs, strollers and more, as well as follow-up medical and mental health assistance for the mother and baby. And as the baby grows, other agencies like Help Me Grow offer additional assistance, including educational resources. "Catholic Charities offers foster care and adoption services, as well. Another rapidly growing initiative is Walking with Moms in Need, sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This parish-based process helps parishioners connect with local mothers facing difficult or challenging pregnancies, identifying local resources and filling the gaps so that pregnant and parenting women receive the material, spiritual and emotional support they need. "People of faith also offer compassionate care for those women and men who have been affected by a procured abortion in the past. We offer Gods consistent mercy and reconciliation, especially through the Bethesda House of Mercy as well as programs such as Project Rachel and Rachels Vineyard, whose ministries offer compassionate accompaniment and healing support. "I know that there are those who will disagree with todays ruling by the court. I pray for their conversion of heart because this decision is a major step forward in protecting all human life. As people of faith, we must be prepared to be patient with those who will continue to oppose us on this preeminent life issue. In all things, we will continue to proclaim the truth with charity. Let us pray together that God grant us the courage and wisdom to protect the gift of human life from conception to natural death and respect the lives of our brothers and sisters both born and yet to be born with great love. May our faithful witness soften the hearts and minds of those who reject the gift of life in any way. This we pray through Christ, our risen Lord." This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio, Akron-area reaction to Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade With the U.S. Supreme Courts official reversal of Roe v. Wade Friday, Americans constitutional right to abortion, which was enshrined in national law for nearly 50 years, has come to an end. In Colorado, however, the new Reproductive Health Quality Act, signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis in April, ensures Coloradans right to legal abortion, regardless of the courts decision. In Colorado, we will continue to choose freedom and we stand against government control over our bodies, Polis said Friday in a statement addressing the court's decision. State leadership matters now more than ever and in Colorado we will not retreat to an archaic era where the powerful few controlled the freedoms over our bodies and health decisions. 'We have so much work to do,' Rep. Daneya Esgar says One of the prime sponsors of the Reproductive Health Quality Act was Pueblo Democratic Rep. Daneya Esgar, who represents House District 46. Esgar took to social media Friday to share her thoughts, saying, We knew overturning Roe vs. Wade was a real possibility, which is why she led the charge to solidify reproductive rights in state law because we trust people to make their own private medical decisions. We have so much work to do, Esgar wrote. Please know a woman's right to abortion, and ALL reproductive healthcare is on the ballot this November. This is a long-term plan to take power back from us. 'New era' or 'dark day'? Americans divided as they react to Supreme Court overturning Roe. Demonstrators gather at the Pueblo County Courthouse for the Women's March for Southern Colorado on October 2, 2021. The rally was in response to restrictive abortion laws passed in Texas. Another Pueblo Democrat, Sen. Nick Hinrichsen, of Senate District 3, said on Facebook he strongly condemns the courts ruling. EVERYONE in this country should have the freedom to decide when to start a family & the liberty to seek out critical, life-saving medical care without government interference. PERIOD, Hinrichsen wrote. The lone Republican representing parts of Pueblo County in the state legislature, Rep. Stephanie Luck, of House District 47, did not immediately respond to The Chieftains request for comment. Story continues Rep. Donald Valdez, a Democrat who represents parts of Pueblo County in House District 62, also could not be reached for comment prior to the Chieftains press deadline Friday. Rep. Lauren Boebert celebrates Supreme Court ruling In Congress, Rep. Lauren Boebert, who represents Pueblo and most of Colorados Western Slope as the representative for CD3, celebrated the ruling on Twitter. Weve worked for this. Weve voted for this. Weve prayed for this, Boebert said. Roe v. Wade is dead, and as a result, millions of children will live. Praise God! Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both Democrats, echoed their fellow party members condemnations of the courts decision, which demolished fifty years of legal precedent, Bennet said in a statement. This activist ruling, strips women of their individual liberty to make intensely personal decisions about their bodies and futures, and eviscerates their Constitutionally protected rights to freedom and equality, Bennet wrote. This ruling is not the last word. In the months ahead, the American people have the opportunity to elect pro-choice majorities in the Congress and in state legislatures across the country to codify in law the fundamental right to choose. Hickenlooper said that the ruling threatens not just a womans physical health and control over their own futures, but it also threatens to put them and their doctors in jail. The vast majority of Americans support the right to an abortion, he said. Republicans should join Democrats today and vote to keep politics out of reproductive health care decisions. Chieftain editor Zach Hillstrom can be reached at zhillstrom@gannett.com or on Twitter @ZachHillstrom This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Here's how Pueblo politicians reacted to Roe v. Wade being overturned Hundreds of abortion-rights advocates gathered in Cincinnati at the Hamilton County Courthouse on Friday, venting anger, grief and fear after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Krystal Schemmel of Green Township said she felt devastated when she heard the decision. With two wire hangers hooked on a belt loop of her jeans, she headed downtown before the protest started at 6 p.m. to do what she could. I felt like a second-hand citizen when the decision came down, she said. Its just the religious right telling us that we are not capable of making our own decisions. Abortion rights: The U.S. Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade. What does it mean for Ohio? Women whod had abortions were among those who shared stories on the courthouse steps. A protest that started outside the Hamilton County Courthouse marches along Walnut Street in downtown Cincinnati Friday, June 24, 2022 after The U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn the Roe v. Wade rolling back nearly 50 years of protections for those seeking abortions. Abortions-rights advocates speak in Cincinnati: 'If abortion rights are not codified, countless lives will be lost' Members of Cincinnati Socialists and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio were among those who spoke to the crowd. JP, the first to speak, warned the crowd that the decision could impact other rights including same-sex marriage. "If abortion rights are not codified, countless lives will be lost just to placate a few religious extremists, JP said. "Consider the language of todays decision. The loss of abortion rights very well may not be the only causality. A whole host of fundamental rights are now in jeopardy. This decision attacks the legal framework of the right to privacy and the decades of progress on social issues all by the stroke of a pen by unpopular, unelected leaders. Cincinnati leaders speak out: Local leaders, elected officials react to Roe v. Wade decision Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine: Debate in 'a civil way' after Supreme Court abortion decision Nearby, Kelly Livingston of Cincinnati Socialists was at a table with pins, masks and stickers. The Supreme Court is not there to protect poor and working people. It is an institution of power, she said. Livingston said the courts decision Friday caused her fear. Fear for myself, fear for all of us. It makes us all less safe, less healthy and puts all of our lives at risk. Story continues Cincinnati Socialists and other groups held a protest outside the Hamilton County Courthouse and later marched to the Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse on Friday, June 24, 2022, after The U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn the Roe v. Wade rolling back nearly 50 years of protections for those seeking abortions. Cincinnati protesters rally against U.S. Supreme court decision, Ohio abortion ban Clutching signs emblazoned with slogans including Bans off our Bodies and Abortion is healthcare and some with profanity, the protesters started marching around 6:30 p.m. to the Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse on East Fifth Street. What do we want? Choice. When do we want it? Now, they chanted. Some people walked their dogs, others held childrens hands or boosted them to their shoulders as the group marched and chanted. Most of the protesters appeared to be younger adults, although there were people of all ages involved. Colorful hair and clothing dotted the crowd. People wore rainbows on their clothing and draped flags over their shoulders. Ohio bans abortion: States six-week abortion ban becomes law hours after Supreme Court's Dobbs decision Kroger: Employee benefits include travel costs for abortion And as they walked the streets of downtown, drivers honked horns and cheered, people on sidewalks and in restaurants cheered. Several patrons of Taqueria Mercado on East Eighth Street stood inside at the restaurants windows and lifted their fists or clapped as the protesters marched by. At the federal courthouse they stopped, and again, advocates and activists fired up the crowd with speeches and information telling them that abortion was still legal in Ohio seemingly unaware that news just broke that the heartbeat bill, which allows abortion only up to six weeks, went into effect. The final speakers told the crowd while news of the court's decision might have left them feeling hopeless, they can organize and join local organizations that are pushing for reprodcutive rights. Then the energized crowd walked back to the Hamilton County Courthouse before many dispersed. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Abortion-rights protesters rally after Roe v. Wade overturned A group of Democratic senators is urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Apple and Google over their collection of mobile users' information. In a letter addressed to FTC Chair Lina Khan, the lawmakers Senators Ron Wyden, Elizabeth Warren, Cory A. Booker and Sara Jacobs accuse the tech giants of "engaging in unfair and deceptive practices by enabling the collection and sale of hundreds of millions of mobile phone users' personal data." They added that the companies "facilitated these harmful practices by building advertising-specific tracking IDs into their mobile operating systems." The senators specifically mentioned in their letter how individuals seeking abortions will become particularly vulnerable if their data, especially their location information, is collected and shared. They wrote the letter shortly before the Supreme Court officially overturned Roe v. Wade, making abortion immediately illegal in states with trigger laws. They explained that data brokers are already selling location information of people visiting abortion providers. The senators also stressed how that information can now be used by private citizens incentivized by "bounty hunter" laws targeting individuals seeking an abortion. Android and Google were built with tracking identifiers that are used for advertising purposes. While the identifiers are supposed to be anonymous, the senators said data brokers are selling databases linking them to consumer names, email addresses and telephone numbers. Apple rolled out an update for iOS last year to implement stricter app tracking privacy measures, requiring apps to ask for permission before collecting users' unique Identification for Advertisers device code. Google, they said, still enables that tracking identifier by default. The company previously introduced features to make it harder to track users across apps, though, and it recently vowed to refine Privacy Sandbox on Android, "with the goal of introducing new, more private advertising solutions." The tech giant told Ars Technica: "Google never sells user data, and Google Play strictly prohibits the sale of user data by developers... Any claims that advertising ID was created to facilitate data sale are simply false." Despite the solutions the companies had introduced, the lawmakers said they'd already caused harm. They're now asking the FTC to look into the role Apple and Google played in "transforming online advertising into an intense system of surveillance that incentivizes and facilitates the unrestrained collection and constant sale of Americans personal data." Wyden and 41 other Democratic lawmakers also urged Google last month to stop collecting and keeping location data that could be used against people who've had or are seeking abortions. More recently, another group of lawmakers led by Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Elissa Slotkin asked the company to "crack down on manipulative search results" that lead people seeking abortions to anti-abortion clinics" instead. By Trend World Bank has approved three loans totalling $562 million to fund an education project in Gujarat, a social protection programme in Tamil Nadu and a project to help recovery in the fisheries sector post the pandemic, the multilateral funding agency said on Thursday, Trend reports citing NDTV. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved additional financing of $250 million for Outcomes for Accelerated Learning (GOAL), a programme which aims to improve education results for children across the state of Gujarat, it said in a release. The financing towards GOAL will benefit an additional 3,000 schools that have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides, the board of executive directors of the World Bank approved a $150 million funding to support the recovery of India's fisheries sector and a $162 million for the RIGHTS project to strengthen the social protection systems and capability of Tamil Nadu to promote inclusion, accessibility, and opportunities for persons with disabilities. In 2020-21, the fisheries sector saw losses of about $5.5 billion and fish production fell almost 40 per cent in one year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, said the multilateral funding agency. GOAL project financing complements the original loan of $500 million, which was approved in March 2021. It is in line with the Bank's Rapid Response Framework that seeks to reach every child and retain them in schools, assess learning levels regularly, prioritize teaching the fundamentals and increase catch-up learning, World Bank said. It also aims to develop psychosocial health for students and teachers. "This additional financing will scale-up the coverage of the original programme from a total of 9,000 to 12,000 schools, while also supporting new efforts to test the efficacy of the program's interventions," said Shabnam Sinha, Lead Education Specialist and Task Team Leader for the project. Under the $150 million loan to support the recovery of India's fisheries sector, World Bank said it currently employs about 12 million people directly and another 13 million through associated activities. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) on Friday filed a motion asking for the states high court to quickly take up her lawsuit, which aims to stop a decades-old abortion ban from being enforced and considers abortion a constitutional right in the state. We need to clarify that under Michigan law, access to abortion is not only legal, but constitutionally protected. The urgency of the moment is clearthe Michigan court must act now, Whitmer said in a statement. With todays U.S. Supreme Court decision, Michigans extreme 1931 law banning abortion without exceptions for rape or incest and criminalizing doctors and nurses who provide reproductive care is poised to take effect, she added. If the 1931 law goes into effect, it will punish women and strip away their right to make decisions about their own bodies. Whitmers remarks came after the federal Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion. The ruling gives states the authority to determine abortion rights, creating a patchwork of different rules across the country. Michigan has a 1931 law on the books that outlaws the medical procedure in the state unless necessary to preserve the life of the patient; the Michigan Court of Claims last month issued a preliminary injunction against that law after a doctor and Planned Parenthood of Michigan filed a legal challenge against it, Michigan Radio reported. Whitmer on Saturday reiterated that abortions are still legal in the state. Because of a temporary injunction, abortion is still legal in Michigan, she tweeted. The Supreme Courts decision is already having far-reaching consequences for a handful of states that have immediately banned abortions, or have caused uncertainty in states like Wisconsin over old laws that had previously been unenforced amid Roe v. Wade. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Campaigners in El Salvador have demanded decriminalisation of abortion - completely illegal since 1998 (AFP via Getty Images) The United States long a beacon to reproductive rights activists in Latin America will now start to resemble those countries without Roes guarantee of a right to legally access abortion, say campaigners. For activists in places such as El Salvador, where abortion is entirely banned, and Venezuela, where there exists on the statute an exception to save the life of a woman though in practice is equally criminal, the decades-long success of campaigners in the US was often an inspiration. For women in Argentina, where Green Wave activists succeeded in their own landmark victory to secure legal abortion in late 2020, there was support from counterparts in the US, whose own victory dated back all the way to 1973. But some of those activists now say parts of the US will come to resemble Central American nations when it comes to abortion laws. Women in the US, even in those states where it is now banned, will likely have greater access to help that their counterparts in countries such as Honduras. Nevertheless, the activists say women in the US may now suffer injury and even death if they resort to trying to perform abortions at home, or else turn to clandestine and unsafe procedures. What is happening today with Roe v Wade, is worrying because what is going to happen in the United States, unfortunately, is that it will become Central America, says Sara Garcia Gross, an activist in El Salvador. The absolute criminalisation of abortion that we live with in our Central American countries is serious it generates great obstacles to access reproductive justice. Speaking from San Salvador, Garcia, of coordinator of political advocacy for the Citizen Group for the Decriminalisation of Therapeutic, Ethical, and Eugenic Abortion (CFDA), says the experience of women in her country suggests women in those parts of the United States where abortion is illegal will be very challenging. Story continues Those who face the worst consequences are young women, she adds. They are women who live in poverty. They are rural women.What is going to happen in the United States is going to affect the bodies of women who are already vulnerable. El Salvador is among a handful of countries where abortion is entirely illegal, with no exceptions for even rape, intent or even the health of the mother. Yet, it is perhaps singular in the aggressive way the state seeks to enforce the law. It is estimated that between 1998 and 2013, more than 600 women were jailed after being accused of having had an abortion. One of them was Maria Teresa Rivera, who was jailed for 40 years in 2011 after she says she suffered a miscarriage, and found herself handcuffed to a hospital bed. She was eventually released after seeing four-and-a-half years in jail and now lives in Sweden. In an interview with The Independent in 2016 she said she was delighted to be reunited with her son, Oscar. But I am fearful because not all of society agrees with what happened. Many of the states in the US among them Arkansas and South Dakota, which will only now permit abortions to save a womans life have made clear they intend to prosecute women, doctors and even providers of medication abortion drugs. The impact of criminalisation is very hard, Garcia says of the experience in El Salvador. It is very painful because women face stigmatisation. Women face violence. The presumption of innocence is denied. They are denied access to justice. And this stigatisation is also transferred to their communities, to their families. Prior to 1998, El Salvador permitted exceptions in which abortions were allowed in cases of rape, incest, or in which the health of the woman was threatened. Laws were changed under pressure from conservatives in the government and with the support of the powerful Catholic church. Argentina won right to legal abortion after decades-long campaign in 2020 (Getty Images) Garcia says that abortions have not stopped, but rather been driven underground, where they are needlessly dangerous. Women with means, or education, can still obtain such procedures, or else get drugs to end abortions in their homes, Abortions are going to happen because it is part of womens lives. It is an obstetric event that women face throughout history, and not just this generation, she adds. What is going to happen is that it is going to happen in more insecure contexts, probably in contexts where women have to resort to methods where they do not have enough information. Women will probably have to travel to other states. There are probably women who have to continue their pregnancies, though the United Nations Committee Against Torture has already said that a forced pregnancy constitutes a form of torture. Giselle Carino, is an Argentinian political scientist who took part in the campaign for legal abortion in her country, now serves as the New York-based CEO of Fos Feminista, a feminist alliance of more than 170 organizations around the world. She was part of the Marea Verde, or green wave, that helped secure the right to legal abortion in a similarly heavily Catholic nation in December 2020. She said it took several decades, and required a broad coalition. Maria Teresa had no idea she was to be set free (Center for Reproductive Rights) She also says some women in the US will now likely be forced to risk their lives to obtain abortion. She says she is disappointed that the ruling by the Supreme Court puts the United States out of step with other parts of the Americas on reproductive rights not only Argentina, but Mexico and Colombia have also made it legal for women to get abortions. We tend to see regression of rights, particularly of sexual and reproductive rights, as an indication of weakening of democratic institutions and processes, the tells The Independent. So one cannot think of this regression in the US outside of that context. And one needs to wonder the impact the Trump administration had, not just on the years that he was ruling, but in this case for the many years to come for the next 20 years, for women and girls and others who have babies in the United States. Luisa Kislinger, an activist originally from Venezuela where abortion is in practice entirely illegal but where women resort to clandestine means, says women in those parts of the US are likely to still be able to access some help. In Venezuela, there is no discussion about this topic. No politician will come out and speak in support of it, says, the former diplomat. And she says the actions by the US Supreme Court will embolden those in Latin America seeking to further suppress womens rights. Garcia says she believes women in El Salvador will somehow want to offer their support to their sisters in the United States, however limited or symbolic it may be. We are alert, we are vigilant, she says. And we are also in solidarity with human rights organisations in the United States. Jan S. Ortmeier was happy when she heard Friday that the U.S. Supreme Court had overturned Roe v. Wade. The ruling removed the federal constitutional right to an abortion. Individual states will have the authority to determine if or when an abortion is legal or can ban the procedure altogether. Pro-Life advocates and Pro-Choice proponents across the nation have expressed their views. Protests have broken out across the country in reaction to the ruling. We are aware of the ruling and we dont anticipate any major problems, but we continue to monitor the situation, Capt. Kurt Bottorff of the Fremont Police Department said late Friday afternoon. News of the ruling was met favorably by Pro-Life proponents. Finally, theyre coming to realize that it is a real life, a real human being from conception until death, said Ortmeier, who with her husband, Don, are part of Fremont Area Right to Life. Ortmeier said she remembers when talk about Roe v. Wade surfaced before the ruling in 1973. We talked among our friends about how awful that was going to be, she said. The Ortmeiers helped start the local Right to Life chapter in the 1970s. We felt we had to do something and educate people and stand up for the babies and the mothers and help them as much as we could, she said. Not everyone was pleased about the recent ruling. Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, which includes Nebraska, called the ruling a devastating blow to reproductive freedom. The U.S. Supreme Court decision is wrong and will harm millions of people, Stoesz said. This decision is an unconscionable rollback of fundamental rights for all people in the United States. Because peoples right to access abortion is no longer guaranteed by federal law, it now depends on where you live and how much money you have to travel out of state for abortion care. Forced pregnancy is a grave violation of human rights and dignity. United Women in Faith, formerly United Methodist Women, issued a statement Friday expressing concern about the recent Supreme Court decisions impact. The statement said banning of abortions wont end them and that poor and working-class women will resort to unsafe procedures that could cost them their lives, which happened too often prior to the Roe decision. We call on federal and state legislators to act to protect the lives of women and girls by codifying their right to privacy, to legal and safe contraceptives, and, in tragic conflicts of life with life, to abortions, the statement said. Politicians have expressed their views against and for the ruling. State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks is the Democratic candidate in Tuesdays special election to fill former Rep. Jeff Fortenberrys vacated 1st District House seat. In a Facebook statement, Pansing Brooks denounced the decision. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court made an unconscionable decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, giving the government the seat at our daughters exam tables for which many have long coveted, Pansing Brooks said. A majority of Americans and Nebraskans do not agree that abortion should be illegal. Pansing Brooks said the special election would be a first opportunity for voters to fight back at the ballot box against this extreme effort to push us back into the Dark Ages. She decried the stance of pro-life Republican candidate Mike Flood, whom she said doesnt even support exceptions for rape or incest. In May, the Fremont Tribune reported that Flood said hed work to ban abortions and expand prohibitions on taxpayer subsidies for abortion. Flood said in a Facebook statement on Friday that the High Court has returned abortion-related policy decisions back to the states and people where they belong. I am proudly pro-life, and am proud to have sponsored and passed the nations first Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which banned abortions at 20 weeks, when babies can feel pain, Flood said. We helped pave the way for this landmark decision. U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse said the Supreme Court righted a Constitutional wrong and that the pro-life movements work has just begun. The pro-life movement is pro-baby, pro-mom, and pro-science, Sasse said. We cant call this legal victory the end, because our movement has never been primarily about lawsuits and laws its about love and compassion. Lets support and love all pregnant women. Lets come alongside them and give the support they need. Lets support babies regardless of the situations they face and build communities around them that will love and cherish them. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts added his thoughts. Roe v. Wade took away the states right to regulate abortion and cost millions of babies their lives, Ricketts said. Todays Supreme Court decision restores the rights of the people, and as a result our future generations will have a chance at life. I will be working with our legislative leaders to determine what more we can do to protect our preborn babies. Ortmeier recalled when she became a volunteer years ago at Problem Pregnancy, a center in Fremont. She said the entity provided free pregnancy tests and then diapers and parenting classes. Counselors talked to women. We tried to help them realize its a real life growing within them and there would never be another person with those characteristics and talents and to get rid of that life would just be devastating, Ortmeier said. In a Tribune article in May, Ortmeier also said theres now a Pro-Life center in every state that will help women facing an unplanned pregnancy. She cites Life Choices, a nonprofit organization in Fremont. Suzanne Schneider, executive director of Life Choices, talked about that nonprofit agencys work. At Life choices, our work has always been and will continue to be Her every woman deserves compassion and support in the face of an unexpected pregnancy and Life Choices provides that, she said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Tents, food, and medical supplies are arriving in eastern Afghanistan following a deadly earthquake and powerful aftershock. The death toll resulting from the June 22 earthquake rose to about 1,150 on June 24, according to Abdul Wahid Rayan, the Taliban director of the state-run Bakhtar News Agency. Rayan said at least 1,600 people were injured when the earthquake hit three mountainous regions near the Pakistani border. An aftershock on June 24 killed five more people shortly after the Taliban authorities announced that search-and-rescue operations had ended. The death toll makes the earthquake, which was measured at a magnitude of 6.1, Afghanistan's worst natural disaster in two decades. A Pakistani military cargo plane carrying relief supplies landed early on June 25 in Khost Province, one of the three eastern regions along with Paktika and Nangarhar that were most affected by the earthquake. The disaster has posed a challenge for the Taliban-led government, which is not recognized by any country and is already battling a severe humanitarian disaster. On June 24, Mohammad Nassim Haqqani, a spokesman for the Taliban's Ministry for Disaster Management, told the media that 10,000 houses were partially or completely destroyed in the earthquake. On June 23, Haqqani told RFE/RL that it was difficult to get accurate information about the damage because of the poor condition of the telephone network in some areas. He said supplies of medicine and other critical aid were inadequate. Aid organizations such as the local Red Crescent and World Food Program have stepped in to assist the most vulnerable families with food and other emergency needs like tents and sleeping mats in Paktika and Khost provinces. Wahidullah Amani, a spokesman for the World Food Program (WFP) for Afghanistan, told RFE/RL that the WFP and other partners were on their way to the affected areas. Taliban rulers on June 25 pledged that they would not interfere with international efforts to distribute aid to those affected by the earthquake. Aid organizations in the past have complained that Taliban authorities have tried to divert aid to people who supported their insurgency. No country has as of yet officially recognized the Taliban government following its takeover of the country last year. But Khan Mohammad Ahmad, a top official in Paktika Province, said international groups aiding in relief efforts would be left free to conduct their work. "Whether it is WFP, UNICEF, or any other organizations...the international community or the United Nations...they will do the distribution by themselves," he said. Rescuers struggled earlier to reach remote areas as efforts were hampered by bad roads and heavy rain and as the country's Taliban rulers called on the international community to make donations to help with relief efforts. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter that eight trucks carrying food and other supplies had arrived from Pakistan. Aid also arrived by air from Iran and Qatar, he said. The United Nations said it was deploying health teams and providing medical supplies, but it said it does not have search-and-rescue capabilities in Afghanistan. The World Health Organization has also warned that the crisis could add to the risk of cholera developing across the country. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Equipped with a science laboratory, library, and computer lab, the Abdul Hai Habibi High School was considered one of the most modern and prestigious government schools in southeastern Afghanistan. But since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, the secular school in the city of Khost has been converted into a madrasah, or religious seminary, forcing many of its 6,000 students and 130 teachers to leave. "It has upset people," Sainullah Siyal, a graduate of the school, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. "It is wrong to turn secular schools into madrasahs. Abdul Hai Habibi is among the dozens of state schools, public universities, and vocational training centers that the Taliban has turned into Islamic seminaries across the country. Critics say the aim of the Islamist militant group is to root out all forms of the modern secular education that thrived in Afghanistan after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 toppled the Talibans first regime. Transforming Afghanistans education system has been one of the Talibans main goals since it regained power. The militants have banned girls from attending high school, imposed gender segregation and a new dress code at public universities, and vowed to overhaul the national curriculum. The Taliban has also unveiled plans to build a vast network of madrasahs across the countrys 34 provinces. Madrasahs have a special place in the Talibans worldview. The word "taliban" means students of madrasahs. Many members of the Taliban, which first emerged in the 1990s, studied at radical Islamic seminaries in neighboring Pakistan. During the Talibans brutal rule from 1996-2001, the group banned secular education and replaced it with religious schooling. No girls were allowed to go to school and women could not attend university. The Taliban-run madrasahs promoted militant ideologies and taught boys to recite the Koran from memory. During its nearly 20-year insurgency, the Taliban reestablished its madrasahs in mostly rural areas under its control. It also bombed or burned secular schools in government-held territory. 'A Major Tragedy' A teacher in eastern Afghanistan, who spoke to Radio Azadi on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said the Taliban was converting training centers for teachers into madrasahs. He said the centers, which follow the existing curriculum devised by the former government, provided training to new teachers. Each province has at least one training center for teachers. "In certain provinces, the [Talibans] Education Ministry has already handed over training centers to be converted into jihadist madrasahs," he said. He said the Taliban has already converted training centers in the northern province of Baghlan and the eastern province of Kunar into madrasahs. "This is a major tragedy and amounts to a war on education," another teacher in eastern Afghanistan, who also requested anonymity due to safety concerns, told Radio Azadi. "The Taliban's attitude towards education is destructive." The Taliban, however, has showed no sign of halting its policy. Earlier this month, the Taliban transformed the offices of Metra, a private television station in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif, into a madrasah. Noorullah Munir, the Taliban's education minister, has said that religious education is a priority for the group. "We have 20,000 [secular] schools across Afghanistan, but the seminaries registered with the Islamic Emirate are not more than 1,000," he was quoted as saying by the private TOLOnews television station, using the official name of the Taliban government. Earlier this month, the ministry announced plans to build state-run madrasahs accommodating 1,000 students in each province. "The claims that we are converting schools into madrasahs are incorrect," Aziz Ahmad Rayan, a spokesman for the Talibans Education Ministry, told Radio Azadi. "[Secular] schools are important in their own right." Rayan said the aim of the plan is to prevent Afghan students from seeking religious education abroad. Over the years, many Taliban fighters have studied at hard-line madrasahs in Pakistan that are often blamed for providing foot soldiers for militant groups in the region. But Afghans are not convinced. Mohammad Mohiq, an Islamic scholar, accused the Taliban of employing "social engineering." He said the Taliban has a systematic plan to "brainwash" the next generation in madrasahs by undermining secular schools. "This way, they can keep recruiting [madrasah] students to be their soldiers and build a medieval theocratic system, he said. Written by Abubakar Siddique, based on reporting by RFE/RLs Radio Azadi. Health care providers at the Pfc. Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic were recognized for their work during a visit Friday by Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough. McDonough, visiting the Colorado Springs facility for the first time, also discussed plans on how to respond to demand for veteran care that has more than doubled since 2010. Data from surveys is published in a quarterly Veteran Trust in VA report. According to the latest report for January-March 2022, the VA-wide trust score was at 78%. Quality of care and interactions with staff were among the areas praised the most, while the top reported concerns were appointment cancellations and issues with prescriptions. What we see here is the Colorado Springs team doing things right, and theyre doing things right in the provision of care, ensuring timely access to world-class care, even in a remarkable fast-growing market, McDonough said. Im super proud of the work here. McDonough said providers in Colorado Springs have expanded availability in recent years to accommodate more patients, but acknowledged that some demand remains unmet. One physical therapist at Lindstrom who is an expert in womens health has worked at the VA for three years and works more hours now, given that female veterans seeking care make up the fastest-growing patient cohort. (The physical therapist) works three full days a week and still has demand that she cannot entirely meet, McDonough said. Access is not a new issue for the VA. The Gazette previously reported on a slew of issues including care coverage and appointment availability for veterans seeking health care in 2020. In 2014, a VA-wide audit revealed that more than 57,000 veterans waited at least 90 days to see a doctor, and another 63,000 who sought care never received an initial appointment. During his visit Friday, McDonough discussed long-term goals to meet current demand by adding services to existing facilities and expanding into new ones. Earlier this year, the VA made a recommendation to build a new full-service, inpatient VA hospital in Colorado Springs. The thing that we spent the most time talking about today is the challenge of our workforce, McDonough said, citing a tight labor market for health care providers and mental health professionals. He said a top priority is connecting Colorado veterans with world-class providers. McDonough praised one dentist at Lindstrom, who begins accepting patients for appointments 7 a.m. I dont know what its like in the rest of Colorado Springs, but I do know that in the rest of the country, it is not common practice to allow the veterans schedule, the patients schedule, to drive our access. McDonough stressed that VA decisions are driven by critical veteran feedback through surveys offered after every interaction. Were also asking that question to veterans every day and making sure that were responding, as that physical therapist is responding, as that dentist is responding, to make sure that our services fit into the lives of these courageous veterans who put everything on the line for us, he said. Mikaele Ju'Shawn Poloa, who had been on the run since allegedly attempting homicide in an apartment-noise dispute in April, has been arrested. The Colorado Springs Police Department on Friday said Poloa, 21, who was wanted on arrest warrants for parole violation and attempted homicide, was seen on Wednesday walking in the area of 1800 Presidential Heights in the Broadmoor neighborhood by officers with the Colorado Department of Correction Fugitive Unit. The CSPD's Tactical Enforcement Unit and K9 Unit assisted parole officers in the arrest of Poloa, who they advised was potentially armed and would resist arrest, police said. Law enforcement converged, and Poloa attempted to run but was apprehended. Poloa had been erroneously freed from the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center after posting a $4,000 bond in April. Upon release, he was still facing felony charges of allegedly attempting to rape a woman at gunpoint, stealing a car, and committing a carjacking while armed with a handgun. Poloa had previously been arrested on July 3, 2021, on the aforementioned charges and was incarcerated. Colorado Springs police also charged him in September of last year for a third criminal case regarding an alleged armed carjacking that had occurred before his incarceration. Because of what officials say was a paperwork error, Poloa was eligible to bond out and renew his parole supervision. A few weeks after his release from jail, police said, Poloa confronted a couple on April 18 in the Bonfoy Apartments, located in the 100 block of Bonfoy Avenue near Union and Palmer Park boulevards in Colorado Springs, after the couple tried to get Poloa and his friends to cut their loud noise in the adjoining apartment. Poloa reportedly aimed and fired a sawed-off shotgun at them but missed. A parole fugitive apprehension unit contacted Poloa's parole officer to alert him that Poloa was a suspect in the attempted murder and had fled parole supervision. On his arrest on Wednesday, police said, Poloa was taken to the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center where he is being held without bond. By Trend Two Azerbaijani citizens have been extradited from Russia, the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan told Trend. On the basis of a petition from Azerbaijan's Office, the Prosecutor General's Office of Russia adopted decisions to extradite Azerbaijani citizens Gunduz Hasanli and Elnur Shahsuvarov in accordance with the Convention on legal aid and legal relations in civil, family and criminal cases, dated January 22, 1993. According to the Office, the criminal case initiated by the Shirvan city Prosecution Officegave grounds for suspicion of Gunduz Hasanli, who worked as a sales representative in the Shirvan city branch of Bollug LTD LLC, of ??embezzling funds from the sale of food products. Hasanli was brought to justice under Articles 179.2.3 and 179.2.4 of the Criminal Code, as on November 6, 2021 a measure of restraint in the form of detention was chosen against him, he was put on the international wanted list. Gunduz Hasanli was detained on March 21, 2022 in Russia's Moscow city and arrested. Furthermore, grounds were established for suspecting Elnur Shahsuvarov of fraudulently misappropriating someone else's property. In this regard, a criminal case was initiated in the Sumgait City Police Department under Article 178.3.2 CC. Shahsuvarov was put on the international wanted list and detained on October 21, 2020 in Russia's St. Petersburg city and arrested. On June 24, Hasanli and Shahsuvarov were extradited from Russia to Azerbaijan, accompanied by a special convoy of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday morning overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey, concluding the U.S. Constitution "does not confer a right to abortion." Here are five takeaways from the ruling. Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country Sign Up View all of our newsletters. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks before signing S. 2938: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law from the Roosevelt Room at the White House, in Washington, U.S., June 25, 2022. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz By Trend The first passenger bus from Baku has arrived in liberated Fuzuli, Trend reports. The bus departed Baku International and Intercity Bus Terminal on the morning of June 25. Firstly, passengers will visit the Merdinli village mosque, Fuzuli city center, and Fuzuli International Airport. Head of the State Road Transport Service under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Anar Rzayev has recently outlined plans to improve the frequency of bus trips to the liberated areas. According to him, all tickets for the first Baku-Fuzuli trip have been sold. The regular bus is designed for 59 people. My kids and I used to love playing Mad Libs, the storytelling game in which you ask somebody for a list of random verbs and nouns and adjectives to inject into blank spaces in a story, and then you read the hilarious result aloud. The more creative the subbed-in words the better, so that you end up with colorful stories like this: Ladies and Gentleman, and members of the Raspberry, it is my pleasure to speak to you today. Ours is a gooey country and I will work hard to make it even weirder. If you elect me as President, I promise to put a licorice in every Studebaker and two platypuses in every garage. I will set aside each Monday as Bananas Foster Day and I will lower taxes forever. I propose a 3-day school week and propose jousting be a required class in school. I'm Esmerelda and I approve of this message. Ive been thinking about Mad Libs during this convergence of two Washington scandals: the Jan. 6 Capitol riot hearings happening now, and the anniversary of the Watergate break-in exactly 50 years ago, which led to its own rather famous hearings that we watched like a Netflix binge back in the day. I cant help but wonder how Watergate might have played out today, in the current political climate. What if we plugged the nouns and verbs and adjectives of Watergate into the framework were operating in today, with two parties that cant even agree on the facts of the election results, the nonstop snark of the Twitterverse, and the polarized bunkers everyone has retreated to? Im not sure Bob Woodward's and Carl Bernsteins story would even be paid attention to by many people, let alone believed. If Woodward and Bernstein were writing about all the misdeeds of President Richard Nixons men in todays mediascape, surely wed see an alternate train of reporting from other opposing media outlets, and maybe even Nixons own media outlet. And cable TV talking heads would have dissected and likely countered every one of Woodward and Bernsteins findings with questions about the reporters, their sources, The Washington Post, its owner Jeff Bezos, and its political leanings. And that kind of daily sandblasting of the truth of their reporting would have raised questions in peoples minds about the truth of the whole Watergate conspiracy, I have to believe. At the time, Woodward and Bernstein were often out there alone with their reports, facing artfully worded nondenial denials from the White House, but no challenges from other media. Today, it would be a they said, we said kind of dialectic, instead of a long, steady uncovering of deep-rooted corruption. Of course, its not just media that has changed. Parties have changed and we, the people, have changed since then, too. We are all much more siloed into our ideological camps and less likely to believe each other, and social media seems to have made us nastier to each other. Alas, Watergate is probably responsible for initiating that changed landscape, in that it broke public trust in government. In a recent Q&A, Bernstein zeroed in on how the accountability faced by President Donald Trump has been far different from that faced by Richard Nixon. Many people in the Republican Party still embrace or excuse Donald Trumps behavior, Bernstein pointed out. This is a dangerous equation, probably unique in our history, where such a president has had the enthusiastic support of his party and so many people, even after his criminality and corruption has been exposed, Bernstein said in a Washington Post chat. In the case of Richard Nixon, a criminal president was forced to resign because courageous Republicans in the House and the Senate were willing to vote for his impeachment and, if he didn't resign, his conviction in a Senate trial. I imagine Nixon would still have enormous support in todays climate even after Woodward and Bernstein revealed that he actively participated in the cover-up of the Watergate break-in as well as a massive campaign of political espionage, sabotage and disinformation. Both presidents sought to subvert our electoral process. Nixon did it stealthily, in back rooms and behind closed doors. Trump did it out in the open for everyone to see, and many people just didn't care. Given that, I have to conclude that Richard M. Nixon would have never resigned in the current climate, and wed have a very different country than we have today, if wed have a country at all. Thats pretty scary. Len Downie, an editor I used to work for who was in charge of much of the editing of the Watergate stories during the scandal, told me the way Watergate ended, with Nixons resignation, was actually a relief. So the country was relieved; shocked that it had happened, but relieved that it had been resolved in a peaceable and in an orderly fashion, he once told me. It was a reinforcement of American democratic institutions. I dont see that weve had such a satisfyingly peaceful conclusion or reinforcement of our institutions yet this go-round. Those institutions are still pretty wobbly, and I think were all still waiting for more moral clarity on what happened on Jan. 6. Maybe these hearings will give us that. Ive been lucky enough to talk some with Woodward over the years about the reporting of the original Watergate story, and about how that reporting was able to help spotlight and eventually lead to repairs of a very broken system in Washington. We were the local paper, Woodward told me. We had great editors who were curious about what was this about a break-in into the Democratic headquarters? The clues were quite substantial, and Carl Bernstein and I were young, unmarried, and they turned us loose on it and quite frankly, I think it was the culture of The Washington Post at the time, and continues to be that culture of we have a responsibility to dig into things. And thats the job of a newspaper. Responsibility thats not a word you hear much in the context of Jan. 6. Now Katharine Graham, who was the publisher and owner of the Post at the time she thought we had maybe a triple, quadruple responsibility to dig into it because it involved the president of the United States, that gave us a greater responsibility, Woodward said. When the Senate launched a bipartisan investigation of Watergate, the vote was 77-0 to set up an investigative committee. Forty-eight years later, only two House Republicans Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, joined Democrats in voting 222-190 to establish a committee to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Where is the responsibility in that? In a commemorative, 50th-anniversary edition of their famous book, "All the President's Men," Woodward and Bernstein have penned a fresh foreword comparing Jan. 6 and Watergate. They conclude that Both Nixon and Trump created a conspiratorial world in which the U.S. Constitution, laws and fragile democratic traditions were to be manipulated or ignored, political opponents and the media were 'enemies,' and there were few or no restraints on the powers entrusted to presidents." They dont like to engage in Mad Lib history really, but it is clear from the new edition of their book they believe what happened on Jan. 6 and the current corrosion of our American institutions might actually be worse than Watergate. Donald Trump not only sought to destroy the electoral system through false claims of voter fraud and unprecedented public intimidation of state election officials, they wrote, but he also then attempted to prevent the peaceful transfer of power to his duly elected successor, for the first time in American history. "Both Nixon and Trump have been willing prisoners of their compulsions to dominate, and to gain and hold political power through virtually any means. In leaning so heavily on these dark impulses, they defined two of the most dangerous and troubling eras in American history." The leader of the Douglas County school board told his then-superintendent that, if he resigned within five days, he would advocate for him to get paid through the end of the school year. Otherwise, the board leader said, he would seek to have the superintendent fired for cause, according to a newly released audio recording. Combating terrorism, global food shortages, climate change, pandemics, and supply chain disruptions requires cooperation among many nations. No one, or even a few nations, can do these things alone. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin noted these realities on two recent trips to Colorado Springs. He hosted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a tour of NORAD, the U.S.-Canadian jointly run North American Air Defense Command housed in Cheyenne Mountain. Before that, giving the graduation speech at the Air Force Academy, Austin explained that the U.S. is building a rules-based international order. He noted our unrivaled network of allies and partners. He cited as an example the 90 countries that joined together in a Defeat ISIS Coalition. This power of partnerships idea is further being worked on, he added, with the possible addition of two or three nations to NATO. Yet international trust and cooperation are being severely tested in Ukraine and in Iran. The United Nations often proves ineffective, as can a polarized United States. British historians like Arnold J. Toynbee promoted for years the idea that the United States and its allies should be striving for a more cooperative and collaborative set of alliances aimed at world peace. Austin sounded much like Toynbee, who called for building a world civilization. Toynbee argued that periodically in human history there emerges a civilization, a group of nation-states whose ideas and ways of doing things come to influence the world. Often, one nation-state is the most powerful leader in the civilization and comes to lead it and symbolize it. Toynbee studied many centuries of human history and concluded there had been at least 20 major civilizations. Three of the most important were the Egyptian civilization in the ancient world, the Roman Empire, and our present world civilization. Planet Earth is filled with the ruins of past civilizations. The pyramids in Egypt, the Parthenon in Athens, the Roman Forum in Rome, the Mayan ruins in Mexico, and the Inca ruins in Peru are a few. According to Toynbee, the birth of our world civilization occurred at the time of the Renaissance and the Reformation. A creative minority began using scientific thinking and technological advances to break away from tradition-dominated ways of doing things. It was the dawning of an age of geographical exploration as well as all kinds of experimentation. A capitalistic economy developed which, as time went by, became regulated in many instances by democratic governments. There thus was the rise of the great democracies alongside the monarchies and despotisms of old. Toynbee saw industrialism and democracy as the two greatest developments of our present world civilization. He wrote that modern manufacturers and technicians spread modern values more than governments and armies. He traced the birth of democracy in our world civilization to the development of Parliament in England. He believed democracy is the political expression of humanitarianism. At the beginning of our civilization, there were many nation-states. A prolonged series of wars including two great world wars resulted in the concentration, in 1945, of power in two large and populous nation-states, the United States and the Soviet Union. Because of the development of nuclear and hydrogen weapons during World War II, the expected final confrontation between the two nation-states (to establish single nation-state control of the civilization) was horrifying to contemplate in terms of destroyed cities and human casualties. Faced with a military challenge from the Soviet Union, the United States began negotiating bilateral and multilateral military treaties with other nations to counterbalance the military power of the Soviets. These military treaties were soon followed by well-financed economic aid programs to other nation-states (the Marshall Plan, etc.) and major trade agreements (the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, etc.). The plausible universal state that the United States has been building since the end of World War II is unique in this regard. It has not been adding other nation-states to an empire and sending its own people to govern them, as did the Roman Empire and many other universal states. The United States has been using voluntary treaties and confederations, such as the U.N., NATO and NAFTA, to try to build an orderly world. Toynbee died in 1975, just at the time when there had been a major cooling-off in the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and the break-up of the Soviet Union into its constituent states two years later in 1991, were notable markers for Toynbee followers. The main competitor of the United States for control of the world civilization had been weakened. The final horrific military battle for mastery of the civilization, fought with nuclear and hydrogen weapons, had been avoided. The United States, since 1991, has been the leading force for collaboration among most nations. As Toynbee predicted, the United States has been troubled by small wars on the fringes of the world civilization, in places such as Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. The United States has had to deal with troublesome and rebellious small powers in North Korea and Iran. That is the typical role of the nation-state that succeeds in leading the final universal state phase of a civilization. The U.S. coalition of alliances is impressive and qualifies as a Toynbee-style civilization. Yet it is struggling. More cooperation and collaboration are necessary to confront the handful of crises facing the United States and its allies. The rise of China poses opportunities as well as threats to the United States. The idealistic Toynbee would have agreed with a local bumper sticker that says: One People, One Planet, One Future? but nationalism and competing religious ideologies are deep-seated forces that compete with Toynbee-style internationalism. Toynbees theory of world civilization is a good theory for explaining world events in the 20th and early 21st centuries and perhaps for hundreds of years to come. Although the Colorado Supreme Court has established that prosecutors cannot imply criminal defendants are guilty for exercising their Fifth Amendment right to silence or their Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial, the justices on Tuesday decided an Adams County prosecutor's comments to a jury did not cross that threshold. Angry outcries on one side and joyous celebrations on the other erupted with Friday's anticipated U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the decades-old law guaranteeing women's ability to get an abortion. The ruling on a 2018 Mississippi state law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of gestation effectively overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and returns crafting abortion policy to state legislators. That means hard work lies ahead, both sides of the debate say. Revoking the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade will create enormous geographic gaps in abortion care, said the Rev. Katey Zeh, a Baptist minister from North Carolina and CEO of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Many people seeking abortions will have to leave their homes states, potentially traveling hundreds of miles to reach a provider, she said in an email. States like Colorado will likely see an influx of patients, and weve already seen the impacts of abortion bans like Texas SB-8 on abortion providers in neighboring states. Abortion-rights supporters have been preparing for the possibility abortion laws would revert to state control after a Supreme Court draft opinion was leaked to the public in early May. Anti-abortion advocates, too, have been anticipating the ruling. At a large event Focus on the Family hosted June 14 with nationally known conservative speakers and live Christian music, syndicated talk show host and Fox News contributor Ben Shapiro disputed arguments that abortion is a right, saying the right to kill an unborn human being is not in the Constitution. We have this thing called abstinence, we have this thing called marriage, and if you dont want to have kids, dont have sex, he said to a live audience of 1,170 people at the Colorado Springs campus of Christian ministry and another 20,000 watching online. The number of abortions has been increasing since 2017 in the U.S., according to the Guttmacher Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based organization research institute that promotes abortion rights. One in five pregnancies ended in abortion in 2020, the organization reported in a recently released study using data collected from abortion providers. That 20.6% national abortion rate reflects an increase over 2017s 18.4%. A total of 930,160 abortions were performed nationwide, up from 862,320 in 2017, the institute added, reversing a 30-year trend of decline. But anti-abortion advocates are convinced the tide is turning in their direction. Speakers at the Focus on the Familys SeeLife rally urged advocates to financially support pregnancy centers and ultrasound equipment, which a 2014 study in California showed led about 5% of women with medium or low certainty of having an abortion to change their mind and complete the pregnancy. Ultrasound images should be required for women who are pregnant, conservative commentator Candace Owens said in a video interview shown during the event. I used to be pro-choice. It wasnt because I was evil or wanted to murder babies. It was because I was taught the wrong thing, she said. You cannot deny what is in your face. It destroys the lie with such a magnitude that you cant come back from it. Zeh, the minister and author of a new book, A Complicated Choice: Making Space for Grief and Healing in the Pro-Choice Movement, called for more abortion providers to be trained to fill the need in states that will uphold abortion rights. She also advocated for women seeking abortions to not only have assistance with paying for the procedure but also for expenses, such as travel, meals, lodging and childcare. Both addressing the immediate needs of people who need abortion care and strategizing how we can work together to create a world in which every person lives with reproductive freedom and dignity will be essential in the days, months and year ahead, Zeh said. Colorado is among four states plus the District of Columbia that have the most lenient codification of abortion operations throughout an entire pregnancy without state interference. On the other hand, four states have passed a constitutional amendment to not secure or protect abortion rights or use public funds for abortion. In all, 16 states and D.C. have abortion-rights policies, 17 states are poised to restrict abortion procedures and 17 states neither ban nor protect the legality of abortion. While 61% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most circumstances and 37% say it should be illegal in all or most circumstances, according to a Pew study conducted earlier this year, public sentiment on exceptions such as how far into the pregnancy an abortion can occur or whether rape and incent are considerations introduces shades of gray into the issue. One issue both sides can agree on: anti-abortion and abortion-rights groups will get more vocal in campaigning for state laws that back their beliefs. America was convulsed with anger, joy, fear and confusion Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The canyon-like divide across the U.S. over the right to terminate a pregnancy was on full display, with abortion rights supporters calling it a dark day in history, while abortion foes welcomed the ruling as the answer to their prayers. In eliminating the constitutional right to abortion that has stood for a half-century, the high court left the politically charged issue up to the states, about half of which are now likely to ban the procedure. Some states, such as Oklahoma and Louisiana, had bans already on the books that automatically went into effect when Roe fell. Hundreds of people surrounded the barricaded Supreme Court in Washington, some questioning the high court's legitimacy, while others cheered the ruling and proclaimed the dawn of a "post-Roe" world. Many young people in the crowd wore red shirts that read "The Pro-Life Generation Votes," while chanting, "Pro life is pro woman!" Others involved in the decades-long fight for women's rights felt an acute setback to the movement but remained hopeful it might prove temporary. Carol E. Tracy, the executive director of the Women's Law Project in Philadelphia, was "absolutely furious" over the ruling. "They want women to be barefoot and pregnant once again," she said. "But I have no doubt that women and like-minded men, and people in the LGBTQ community, who are also at great risk, ... we're going to fight back. I think it's going to be a long, hard fight." The reaction across the country largely fell along predictable political lines. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat in a state where abortions are available with few restrictions, called the ruling a "war on women" and vowed to stand as a "brick wall" to help preserve the right. Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vowed to seek a ban on abortions after 15 weeks. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a conservative Republican widely considered a potential candidate for president in 2024, tweeted: "The Supreme Court has answered the prayers of millions upon millions of Americans." The issue is certain to intensify the fall election season. Both sides intend to use the issue to energize supporters and get them to vote. "This country is lurching to the right, taking away rights. The voters are going to have to intervene," said Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the U.S. House majority whip. "We're headed to an autocracy with women being subservient to the wishes of men." In Alabama, the state's three abortion clinics stopped performing the procedure for fear providers would now be prosecuted under a law dating to 1951. At the Alabama Women's Center for Reproductive Alternatives in Huntsville, Alabama, the staff had to tell women in the waiting room Friday morning that they could not perform any more abortions that day. Some had come from as far away as Texas for an appointment. "A lot of them just started breaking down crying. Can you imagine if you had driven 12 hours to receive this care in this state and you are not able to?" clinic owner Dalton Johnson said. Patients were given a list of out-of-state places still doing abortions. Garrett Bess, who works with a lobbying arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation, said his group will continue to press states to restrict abortion. "We'll be working with grassroots Americans to ensure the protection of pregnant mothers and babies," Bess said outside the Supreme Court. "This has been a long time coming, and it's a welcome decision." Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds released the following statement in response to the ruling in the Dobbs case: The Supreme Courts greatest moments have come when it allows America to embody more perfectly the enduring truth on which it was founded: that all human beings, without exception, are created equal. By that measure, todays historic decision is clearly one such moment. But the fight for life is not over. As Governor, I wont rest until every unborn Iowan is protected and respected. In North Iowa, feelings are mixed throughout the community. Caring Pregnancy Center Director Jo Hafermann commented on the decision, saying I am happy with the decision but feel this is an issue that needs to be changed in hearts and lives of individuals We believe in maintaining life, but more than that, we are here to help our clients. If a client decides to have an abortion, we help them after that as well. Caring Pregnancy Center has a program to help parents get babies through their fifth birthday. Hafermann maintained that they are a pro-life agency that does not leave any parents behind whether they choose to have an abortion or not. Cerro Gordo GOP Chair Julie Billings said she was happy to hear that Roe v. Wade was overturned. Billings added this decision was something her and others she knew have been "praying" for. "They upheld the constitution and they are protecting life. We believe that life starts at conception," said Billings. Going forward, Billings wants to make sure there is a deep conversation at the state level. Billings said she will be reaching out to legislatures to "broadscope" their actions. "We need to get back to that God centered place and, as a Christian, there is no mistake we need to make him the center," said Billings. Tif Mussman of local social action group Mason City Voices of Inclusion expressed anger over the ruling. "Today's decision overturning Roe v. Wade makes it very glaringly obvious that we as American women do not have any rights," Mussman said. "If what we have is contingent upon who is in office, which nine justices we have, and their religious affiliation and how they feel when they wake up in the morning, then what we have is an illusion." Mason City Voices of Inclusion held a pro-choice rally last month when it was leaked that the Supreme Court's opinion may lean toward reversing Roe, at which Mussman said, "The ability to make choices for my body does not infringe on your civil liberties, ever. Your moral dilemma about whether life begins at conception has nothing to do with me. Opinion polls show that a majority of Americans favor preserving Roe. They include Alison Dreith, 41, an abortion activist in southern Illinois, where the governor has vowed to keep the procedure accessible. She said she fears for the safety of abortion workers, especially those who help people from states where the procedure is banned. Dreith works with the Midwest Action Coalition, which offers gas money, child care and other practical support to women seeking abortions. "I absolutely believe that they will try to come after me. I'm not built for prison, but I'm ready," she said, "and I say, 'Let's do this.' You want to pick that fight with me? I'm fighting back." Boston's Roman Catholic Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the spiritual leader of about 1.8 million Catholics, called the ruling "deeply significant and encouraging." But he also cautioned against stigmatizing or making criminals out of women who have had abortions or are considering them. "Too often isolated and desperate, women have felt they had no other choice," O'Malley said. Medical student LaShyra Nolen, the first Black woman to become class president of Harvard Medical School, said she fears the effect of abortion bans on minority and poor women, among others. "In the past month, we've seen that this country is not prepared to make sure that babies have access to formula, to be fed everyday. We've seen that our children are not safe at our schools, because of a lack of gun control. We also continue to see devastating statistics that Black women are more likely to die in childbirth compared to white women," Nolen said. "So when you have these harrowing disparities that exist in our country, and you force someone to give birth," she said, "I think it's going to lead to really dangerous measures and really dangerous conclusions." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Masdar City, a world-class technology and innovation hub and a pioneering sustainable community in Abu Dhabi, along with its consulting partners Woods Bagot and Faithful+Gould, has advanced its contribution to the UAE Net-Zero by 2050 Strategy with the groundbreaking ceremony of its latest development the Masdar City Square (MC2). Faithful+Gould, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been awarded a project management consultancy services contract, while global architectural and consulting firm Woods Bagot will handle design and construction supervision consultancy for the MC2 project. Woods Bagot previously designed the Irena Headquarters in Masdar City. The MC2 development covers an area of 29,000 sq m and Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 50,000 sq m, extending Masdar Citys commitment to net-zero, sustainability, technology, and wellbeing by nurturing an expanded community of businesses operating in harmony with the environment. The development includes seven single- and multi-tenant office buildings and a parking facility, all reflecting innovative design. Work is scheduled for completion in 2024, it stated. Masdar City said six of the buildings will be built to the highest green construction specifications while the MC2 Headquarters building will be Abu Dhabis first net-zero energy office building, meaning it will use no more energy than it produces by integrating energy efficiency-focused design and systems and renewable energy technologies. This contribution to net-zero is of great importance to the UAE, which in 2021 became the first country in the Middle East and North Africa region to commit to achieving net zero emissions through its UAE Net-Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. The MC2 Headquarters building will be immediately identifiable by its innovative solar photovoltaic panel canopy. Speaking at the groundbreaking, Acting Executive Director Ahmed Baghoum said: "Masdar City is already home to one of the worlds largest clusters of green buildings with Estidama and Leed certifications. With the completion of MC2, and its seven new green buildings, including Abu Dhabis first net-zero energy office building, we are further demonstrating how urban development can be both economically and environmentally sound and sustainable." "Masdar City is proud to serve as a testbed for sustainable urban development and we look forward to seeing how MC2 enriches Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, and the UAE," he added. The groundbreaking was attended by key representatives from Masdar, Masdar City and development partners, including Abdul Aziz Bin Shafar, CEO of ASGC. Six of the MC2 buildings will be 4-Pearl Estidama, Leed Platinum, and WELL Gold certified. Leed Platinum is the highest certification provided by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, the most widely used program to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable design. WELL Gold is the second highest certification provided by WELL, the world's first building standard that focuses exclusively on human health and wellness. Estidama Pearl Rating System is the green building rating system developed by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, with 1-5 pearls awarded depending on how many sustainability points the project achieves. The innovative buildings in MC2 add to Masdar Citys legacy as a regional pioneer in net zero and green construction. In 2017, Masdar City announced the completion of its Eco-Villa Project, the UAEs first net-zero energy villa. The 405-sq-m villa was the first in the country to achieve a Four-Pearl rating, using around 72% less energy and 35% less water than a conventional villa of the same size in Abu Dhabi, mitigating 63 tonnes of carbon dioxide. MC2 will be located adjacent to Masdar Citys existing development centered around the Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and the Siemens Middle East Headquarters. MC2 will incorporate the existing International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Headquarters and will include courtyards, a daycare, an amphitheater plaza, shaded pedestrian boulevards, a fitness center, a meditation room, and more.-TradeArabia News Service The leader of the Danville chapter of the NAACP blasted the U.S. Supreme Courts decision Friday overturning Roe V. Wade. Its absolutely horrible, said Danville NAACP President Tommy Bennett. I just cant believe it. We go two steps forward and 10 steps back. The courts 6-3 ruling Friday leaves the question of how to legislate abortion to individual states. Roe v. Wade established the constitutional right to abortion nearly 50 years ago in 1973. It allowed abortion during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, wants to outlaw abortions in the state after the 15th week of pregnancy, permitting exceptions in cases of rape, incest or if the womans life is in danger past that point. Under current law in the commonwealth, abortions are allowed up to the 25th week, or through the second trimester. Mirroring a nationwide trend, local reaction to Fridays ruling was mixed amount Dan River Region leaders. State Sen. Frank Ruff, R-15th District, expressed support for the high courts decision Friday afternoon. It is my firm belief that Roe was wrongly decided originally, Ruff told the Danville Register & Bee. In the legislature, I have proudly voted for pro-life policies. I will continue to support life, and in the legislature, I will work to pass legislation that protects the unborn here in Virginia. The constitution does not prohibit citizens from each state from regulating or banning abortion, Pittsylvania County Republican Committee Chairman William Pace, who praised the courts decision, said Friday. I have been praying for this moment for a long time, Pace said. In Dobbs v. Jackson, the U.S. Supreme Court acknowledges that the decision of abortion is not left up to the courts, but rather the legislature, as it should have been in the first place. The courts ruling returns authority on abortion back to the people and their elected representatives, Pace added. The fight to end abortion in Virginia will continue, he suggested. Sadly, abortion is still legal in Virginia, and the decision from Dobbs v. Jackson reinvigorates my will to fight for life, Pace said. I hope that those who value life and the unborn will join us in this cause as it is far from over. Danville Democratic Committee Chair Clem Oliver declined to comment for this story. Pittsylvania County Democratic Committee Chairman Roy Ford said of the ruling, Im not really surprised, especially in light of the leak that came out and also the way the appointments have been made to the court. Ford, who said he was in favor of a womans right to choose whether to have an abortion, said it is a complicated, uncomfortable issue. There is too much involved when it comes to personal medical decisions, and they should be left up to the individual, he said. I really dont like the idea of dictating medical decisions to people, Ford said. Delegate Les Adams, R-Chatham, said, Its certainly a historic day, its a monumental decision in terms of jurisprudence and Im certainly glad to see it. The constitution does not grant a right to an abortion, Adams said. Its simply a matter to be determined by the people and their representatives, he said. It's the right decision and certainly welcome and a good day for the pro-life position. Bennett said all the Supreme Court justices appointed by former President Donald Trump Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade are doing exactly what he wanted them to do. And the court will not stop there, Bennett added. Thats only the beginning, he said. National media outlets reported that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has aimed his sights on other rulings that have affirmed gay rights and contraception rights in the past, saying they should be reconsidered. Thomas wrote that those rulings were demonstrably erroneous decisions. The cases he mentioned are Griswold vs. Connecticut, the 1965 ruling in which the Supreme Court said married couples have the right to obtain contraceptives; Lawrence v. Texas, which in 2003 established the right to engage in private sexual acts; and the 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which said there is a right to same-sex marriage. You cant tell me who to marry, who to love, said Bennett. When you start stepping into my house and into my bedroom and telling me what I should and shouldnt do, you are truly out of order, you are really out of order. Fridays ruling affects all women, Bennett said, adding that Black women during slavery were raped and impregnated by slave owners. Strom Thurmond, the U.S. senator from South Carolina who fought against civil rights in the mid-20th century and died in 2003, fathered a child with a Black woman, he added. Are we going to go back to that now? Bennett said, adding that voting rights for Black people could also be in danger. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Email special events to news@registerbee.com. The deadline is noon Wednesday. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY Abdeel Temple, 3919 Westover Drive, will have pastor Michelle Fitz, of New Hope Baptist Church, 351 New Hope Church Road, Leasburg, North Carolina, as guest preach for the 20th church anniversary celebration at 10 a.m. June 26. For more information, contact overseer Michael E. Harris at (434) 489-3542 or Pastor Sandra D. Harris at (434) 713-4684. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Hillcrest Baptist Church, 4401 Westover Drive, will hold vacation Bible school from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 26-30. For information, call 434-685-4594. FOOD & CLOTHING MINISTRY Union Hall Baptist Church Food & Clothing Ministry, 6861 Strawberry Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon July 2 with food and clothing. For questions, call 434-724-4354 or 434-250-8964. SERVICE CHANGE Bennett Memorial Missionary Baptist Church will not hold parking lot services until further notice. Services can be heard by via conference call at 10 a.m. on Sundays and 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Phone number is 1-774-220-4000, ID number 608-2009. IN PERSON/ONLINE SERVICES Ascension Lutheran Church, 314 West Main St., worships Sundays at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary and Live on Facebook, www.facebook/ascensionlutherandanville. Mount Vernon United Methodist Church now offers in-person services at 10 a.m. each Sunday as well as online worship services every Sunday at mtvernonumc.org or www.facebook.com/MountVernonUMC. These will be held until further notice. IN-PERSON SERVICES Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1172 Franklin Turnpike, will have in-house worship services on Sundays at 11 a.m. Masking requested if not immunized. Social distancing except for family members. Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, 406 Gay St., has in-person services at 10 a.m. for their hour of power on the first and third Sundays. North New Hope Baptist Church, 123 Old Piney Forest Road, has resumed in church worship services at 11 a.m. and Sunday school at 9:30 p.m. Mount Sinai Glorious Church of God, 716 Jefferson St., will hold services in the sanctuary with Sunday school at 10 a.m. and morning worship at 10:30 a.m. Participants are asked to wear a mask and to practice social distancing. The service also will be streamed on Facebook. Mount Freeman Baptist Church, 2100 Laniers Mill Road, will resume in-person service at 11 a.m. Sunday. There will be no Sunday school. ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICES Sacred Heart Catholic Church will livestream worship service at 9 a.m. Sundays in English and noon in Spanish at www.facebook.com/sheartchurch. DRIVE-IN SERVICES Staunton River Baptist Church, Long Island, will hold drive-in services at 10 a.m. each Sunday. ONGOING SERVICES Sacred Heart Catholic Church celebrates Mass every weekend with a vigil Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday and at 9 p.m. Sunday in English and noon in Spanish. Watson Level Missionary Baptist Church holds Sunday worship services each week at 11 a.m. Because of COVID-19, a face mask is required for all attendees and social distancing is mandatory. Calvary Church of the Nazarene, 2450 Franklin Turnpike, from 6 to 7 p.m. every Sunday, will hold Ladies Need Encouragement, an hour of worship and prayer. Participants are asked to bring a Bible and practice social distancing. The event is for ages 10 and up with adult supervision. For more information, call 540-907-8836. Mount Zion Temple, now located at 503 Hughes St., presents The Word Homelitic Institute at 10 a.m. every Sunday. Transportation is provided by calling Bishop David K. Fuller at 434-429-8960. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Abortion remains legal in North Carolina despite the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade, but there are ways that could change. In every scenario, the outcome depends on the will of Republican legislators in Raleigh. While many in the GOP say they support eliminating or severely curtailing access to abortion, their ability to do anything about it has been limited. That political equation changed Friday. The Supreme Court decision gives state legislatures broad authority to rule on abortion how they see fit. Because of its current composition, North Carolina government appears to protect abortion rights. Governor can veto bills from NC General Assembly Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, can veto anti-abortion bills that come to his desk. Overriding his veto requires the votes of three-fifths of the members in each chamber. In the state House, it takes 72 of the 120 members; in the state Senate, it requires 30 of the 50 members. Republicans currently hold 69 seats in the House and 28 seats in the Senate. While abortion remains legal in North Carolina, our access here is hanging by a thread, and it all depends on the outcome of the November elections, Jillian Riley, public affairs director for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic in North Carolina, said in a news release. Reproductive freedom is on the ballot for North Carolinians, and who we elect to the General Assembly will determine the future of abortion access for generations. Two ways for abortion rights to change Those are tight margins, and they reveal two ways for North Carolina Republicans to eliminate or curtail abortion rights. First, they could win the governorship. An anti-abortion, Republican governor could sign any bill that the General Assembly passes. Without a Democrat in the governors mansion, theres little Democrats could do to prevent any legislation from becoming law. In 2021, for example, a bill that would have required doctors to try and save the lives of children who survived botched abortions called the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act passed the state Senate but had little hope of becoming law because of Coopers veto power. Second, the GOP could win a veto-proof majority in both chambers. The party is just a few seats away from that at present. The Republicans last held a veto-proof majority in both chambers in 2018. N.C. House and Senate seats are up for election in November. The election to replace Cooper is in 2024 he is not able to run for reelection. It wont just be the 2022 or 2024 elections. With Fridays Supreme Court decision, abortion could be on the ballot every two years for the foreseeable future. Its really impossible to predict the seismic impact this decision is going to have on the election, Jenny Black, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, told The Charlotte Observer in May. State legislature action in 2022? Republican House Speaker Tim Moore said in a statement Friday the Supreme Court decision was long overdue and a major win for protecting life! The end of Roe v. Wade rightfully returns authority back to the states to determine abortion law. He added that the House wont pursue abortion laws during the legislatures short session. However, North Carolinians can rest assured that we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that current restrictions on the books will be enforced, Moore said. North Carolinians can also expect pro-life protections to be a top priority of the legislature when we return to our normal legislative session in January. High gas prices continue to put a squeeze on many Americans, including North Carolina drivers, leading some to call for a gas tax holiday to provide some relief at the pump. The national average for a gallon of regular gas sat at $4.926 as of Friday, according to AAA, with North Carolinas average a slightly lower $4.566. Guilford County was even lower at $4.545. President Joe Biden has called for a three-month federal gas tax holiday, and some have called for North Carolina to also suspend its state gas tax. But that doesnt mean either suspension will happen. Heres what to know about the gas tax situation in North Carolina and what changes may be made in light of rising gas prices: Whats a gas tax? What is the federal gas tax in the US? Gas taxes are taxes levied on gasoline, diesel, and gasohol (a mixture of ethanol and unleaded gasoline), according to the Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization. Revenue from gas taxes typically goes toward transportation-related costs, such as highway maintenance. At the federal level, the current gas tax rate is 18.3 cents per gallon for regular gas and 23.4 cents per gallon for diesel. Does North Carolina have a gas tax? In addition to the federal gas tax, North Carolina also has its own gas tax, which is 38.5 cents per gallon, according to the state Department of Revenue. That means that folks filling up in North Carolina pay 56.8 cents in total gas taxes on each gallon of regular gas and 61.9 cents per gallon of diesel. Gas tax funds account for about half of the N.C. Department of Transportations state revenue every year, the News & Observer reported previously. Will gas taxes be suspended? Biden on Wednesday called for Congress to enact a gas tax holiday by suspending the federal gas tax for three months. But, political experts say, the odds of that happening are relatively low, especially considering theres opposition to the idea among congressional Democrats. The president also called on states to enact similar suspensions on their state-level gas taxes in his Wednesday statement, and similar calls have already been made in North Carolina. Debate is ongoing over whether thats feasible among state legislators, with some calling for rebates and others looking to make longer-term tax cuts. How much money would a suspended gas tax save North Carolina drivers? NCDOT estimates the average North Carolina driver currently travels 12,000 miles annually in a vehicle that burns one gallon of motor fuel every 22 miles. That means the average North Carolina driver pays $4.04 a week in gas taxes, which adds up to about $210 in gas taxes a year. What are the potential side effects of a gas tax holiday? Those pushing for gas tax holidays say they will help drive down the prices of common goods since theyll be less expensive to transport in addition to saving drivers money at the pump, but others caution there could also be consequences. A gas tax suspension would result in construction and maintenance project delays, NCDOT spokesman Jamie Kritzer previously told the News & Observer. Grass mowing, litter pickup, pothole patching and other operations that are less essential or not directly related to safety would also be impacted in ways similar to what we saw when COVID-19 impacted the motor fuel tax due to lower traffic volumes in 2020. With Fridays Supreme Court decision to overturn its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, North Carolina is now one of the last states in the South to protect a pregnant persons ability to get an abortion. A leaked opinion indicating the Supreme Court would overturn the 1973 abortion ruling sent shockwaves through the country in early May. But even with the decision to overturn Roe, abortions remain legal in North Carolina. And because Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is not facing a veto-proof Republican-led legislature, that will likely hold for now. But that could change if Republicans gain a super majority in the upcoming November elections. For now, abortion clinics will likely see a spike in out-of-state patients. At least 26 states are certain or likely to quickly ban abortion, according to data collected by the Guttmacher Institute. And 13 of those states have laws in place designed to be triggered automatically or by state action following the overturn of Roe. And as other Southern states further restrict abortion access, more people will need to travel to North Carolina for abortions. Texas, Mississippi patients head to NC A Preferred Womens Health Center, one of three abortion clinics in Charlotte, performs more than 100 abortions each week, clinic executive director Calla Hales told the Observer last month. Its already very common for the clinic to see patients from Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia, she said. And theres been a recent increase in patients from further states, like Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. And since the May opinion leak, theres been a slight increase in out-of-state patient numbers at the Latrobe clinic, Hales told the Observer Friday in an email. But that will only increase as Southern states continue to restrict abortion access. What is abortion law in NC? North Carolina also has some laws on the books restricting abortions. In N.C., people seeking an abortion must receive state-mandated counseling and wait 72 hours before receiving an abortion. That will still be the case with the overturn of Roe v. Wade. But there are still questions around abortion access in the state. An N.C. law banning abortions after 20 weeks put on hold after passing and later ruled unconstitutional could be allowed to go into effect for the first time with Roe overturned. But its unclear how quickly that could happen. Travel for abortion Even some North Carolina residents need to travel long distances for abortion access. Just nine of North Carolinas 100 counties have abortion clinics. All are in the states more populous areas, including Guilford, Forsyth, Mecklenburg, Wake, and Cumberland counties. But some residents on the N.C. coast have to drive more than 150 miles to the closest state clinic, the Observer previously reported. About 25,000 people get abortions in North Carolina. Nearly one out of five of those people come from other states. For out-of-state patients, that can mean added cost, time and stress to the procedure. Its a lot of logistical needs for a provider as well, because youre having to balance time constraints, Hales told the Observer in May. We do have patients that fly in and do their procedure and theyre like, I have to be out of here by 4 p.m. or Im gonna miss my plane. Theres this added level of stress. Martin should testify in D.C. Regarding the Mark Martin cover-up, beyond the latest dubious, megalomaniacal move by High Point University President Nido Qubein to birth another law school (America needs more refineries and semiconductors, not another third-tier law school), this question: Why wont Martin tell us the details of the bogus, legally bankrupt, anti-American, anti-constitutional advice he gave to Trump leading up to the violent, insurrectionist coup attempt we all witnessed? Several days after Jan. 6, the New York Times reported, Mr. Trump told the vice president that he had spoken with Mark Martin, the former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, who he said had told him that Mr. Pence had that power (to summarily reject Electoral College votes to cause chaos to reinstall Trump). Martin should be testifying in Washington, like other Republicans who resisted Trumps dictatorial edicts. But he cant because he didnt resist. He enabled. Martins seemingly golden resume, including being former chief justice, is moot. Noteworthy: The writer of the Wednesday column Mark Martin committed to rule of law admits he has no knowledge about the allegations. In possibly the most important rule of law moment ever, Martin was MIA. Sad. Bradley Krantz Greensboro Sanctioned On June 20, the News & Record ran a column by Cal Thomas, Jailing Trump would hurt the nation, in which he attempted to make the case that jailing Donald Trump would somehow hurt the nation by creating even deeper divides. He cited the Watergate situation, where Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon. Thomas fails to mention that Nixon was confronted by members of his own party, led by Barry Goldwater, who made it abundantly clear that if he didnt resign he would be impeached and removed from office and that the Republicans had the votes to insure it. Unless Ive missed something fundamental, the majority of Republicans still believe that Trump should be in office because the election was stolen. I also didnt notice Republicans of conscience coming forward during the Trump administration to protest his outrages and crimes (including extorting a foreign leader and inciting insurrection). As Leonard Pitts suggested a couple of weeks ago, the Republicans own this. Theyve sanctioned this behavior for many years, going back to the scorched earth policies of Newt Gingrich. I cannot imagine anymore division. Apply the rule of law. David B. Wilcox Greensboro A modern mayor The job of a modern mayor is about more than photo ops and public appearances. Its about understanding our challenges, having a vision for the future and bringing people together. Justin Outling is uniquely prepared to meet the challenges of this moment. With his leadership as our mayor, we can begin to make up the gaps between Greensboro and the cities with which we compete for jobs and opportunity. A graduate of UNCG and Duke Law School, Justin has clerked for a federal judge and practiced at top law firms in New York and North Carolina. As a partner at Brooks Pierce, he deals with complex matters related to commercial litigation. Greensboro is no small town. It now has a $689 million budget. We need a mayor with experience digging into complex regulations and financial planning a mayor who understands how good government works. The times require experienced, competent, smart leadership. We are fortunate to have in Justin Outling, someone with experience, knowledge, depth and an extraordinary work ethic. He is the clear choice to tackle tough problems with crime, housing, taxes, transportation and education. On July 26, lets go to the polls and elect him as mayor of Greensboro. Gail Cutter Greensboro Gun control Have you ever heard a politician, Democrat or Republican, say they want to get guns out of criminals hands? They only try to pass laws to infringe on law-abiding citizens. The answer is they have no ideas that is why they go after law-abiding citizens. Government makes problems but has no idea how to fix them. All along, the American citizens suffer. Funny, but they keep getting elected when they do not to their job. Go figure. J.P. Lester Reidsville Praise for McLaughlin As a journalism major, I will always love newspapers. I have subscribed to the Greensboro News & Record since moving here in 1997. I read (or at least skim) the entire paper every day, including the letters to the editor. It pains me that many letters consist of grandstanding and complaining by my fellow citizens. In the midst of so much negativity, Nancy McLaughlins frequent articles are absolutely invaluable. I am so grateful to her for uplifting us during these difficult times when we are constantly pitted against each other. Its a big world, and as fortunate residents of Greensboro, we all have a lot in common. Nancy consistently emphasizes our shared humanity. She is an outstanding asset to the News & Record and to our entire community. Judy Hansen Peters Greensboro Troubling revelation Of all the troubling revelations from testimony and video presented in the Jan. 6 House committee hearings, a portion of Georgia election official Gabriel Sterlings testimony from the fourth hearing was the most troubling. He expressed frustration, feeling like a shovel trying to empty the ocean, as he tried to explain the truth to people, against the barrage of Trumps lies on his social media megaphone. As an example, he related taking an attorney step by step, refuting lie after lie about election fraud. Sterling recounted their dialogue, This wasnt true. OK, I get that. This wasnt true. OK, I get that. This wasnt five or six things. But at the end (the attorney) goes, I just know in my heart they cheated. Its troubling that so many folks let their hearts override their brains. I recall Leo Tolstoys words: Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but where it is absent, discussion is apt to become worse than useless. The land of the free has a freethinking deficit! Kim Carlyle Greensboro A few hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, nearly 30 people gathered Friday outside Helenas Planned Parenthood, holding a "praise service" to celebrate the decision. We are here to rejoice in the Supreme Courts decision to correct a wrong made over 50 years ago, and that life is being valued and protected, said Heather Buckley, one of the attendees at the noon event. Roe v. Wade, a 1973 Supreme Court decision, is best known for legalizing abortions nationally. It provided a framework for states to follow regarding abortion laws, but struck down laws banning abortions before "fetal viability." In Montana, abortion remains legal following today's decision, protected by a 1999 state Supreme Court case. The decision in Armstrong v. State, the 1999 case in Montana, held that abortion access is protected by Montanans constitutional right to privacy. The 30 people who gathered outside of Planned Parenthood were from the group Pro-Life Helena. Pro-Life Helenas goal is to make abortion unthinkable in our community, according to its website. The praise service on Friday was organized in conjunction with anti-abortion events taking place across the country. The group 40 Days for Life a nonprofit that aims to end abortion through methods like prayer, fasting and demonstrations in front of clinics that provide the service called for these events to take place across America as the Roe decision came out Friday. Attendees said they were glad the Roe decision had been overturned and decisions about the laws returned to states. It feels like unbelievable grace, said Peggy Sorden. Sorden said shed had two abortions in the 1970s, and she felt she was in a darker place than she had been after them. She said that she understands the fear of being a mother and the reasons someone would have an abortion, but that those reasons are based on lies. Sorden said culture has told young women that abortions are a good thing that doesnt have consequences, but in her experience, those are lies. Sharon Nason, another event attendee, said that even with Roes overturn, members of Pro-Life Helena will need to continue to pray, since Montanas laws still allow abortion. You can pass all the laws you want, but you need to change hearts, Nason said, adding that women who get abortions arent thinking about the long-term repercussions and that Pro-Life Helena provides resources for them. The Resources page of Pro-Life Helenas website offers up adoption services, a pregnancy crisis helpline, the national domestic violence hotline, along with resources for abortion pill reversal and abortion workers who want to leave the industry. Planned Parenthood of Montana offers a number of services, including reproductive health exams, pregnancy testing and services, birth control and testing for sexually transmitted infections and diseases. Only the Billings locations, Helena location and Great Falls locations provide abortion services. Martha Fuller, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Montana, emphasized in an emailed statement today that abortion access in Montana didn't change with Roe's overturn. "We are proud to uphold (our) mission to provide patients with the health services they need and deserve, including abortion care," Fuller wrote. "Their doors are open and will continue offering the non-judgmental, high-quality care our patients depend on them for regardless of who they love, where they live, and how much money they make." According to the PEW Research Center, 61% of Americans favor the right to an abortion in all or most cases, while only 38% believe abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. Further, 7-in-10 Americans didnt want Roe v. Wade to be overturned, though this concern has become a reality. Love 16 Funny 0 Wow 3 Sad 1 Angry 18 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. German airline Lufthansa is cancelling more than 2,000 additional flights at its Frankfurt and Munich hubs due to staff shortages, said a report. The company announced two weeks ago that it would cancel 900 connections in July. Now it will take out of the system a further 2,200 of a total of 80,000 flights, Lufthansa said on Thursday, dpa news agency reported. The cancellations will affect domestic German and intra-European flights in particular, but not the classic holiday destinations that are well utilised during this season, the company said, adding that flight schedules could also change. The USS Montana was commissioned Saturday during a ceremony at a shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, making it the first Navy ship named after the Treasure State in more than 100 years. Today the USS Montana is tested and battle ready, Chris Jessel, executive officer of the submarine, said as more than 100 Montanans sat in the audience at Naval Station Norfolk. The $2.6 billion Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine will add the next generation of stealth, surveillance and special warfare capabilities to the Navy fleet, officials said. Gov. Greg Gianforte spoke as he stood near a banner for the submarine that read: Vigilantes of the deep, a nickname adopted by the crew in an homage to the states period of vigilante justice in the 1800s. Now more than ever, American strength on the world stage is needed, he said. Today, the worlds most powerful, advanced and capable Navy adds to its fleet one of the most sophisticated submarines ever built. Gianforte said missions conducted on the USS Montana SSN 794 will make the nation and world more secure. He hoped the submarines crew members would draw strength from the states value of resilience, talking about recent flooding that ravaged communities. I am proud, honored and humbled you will carry that resilience to all corners of the world in the service of our nation, he said, adding he knew the submarine would live up to its name. The 70-minute ceremony was held dockside with the submarine serving as a backdrop. It was christened Sept. 12, 2020, by former secretary of the interior Sally Jewell. She attended Saturdays ceremony which included a performance by a Native American drum group from Montana. Also, a C-130 from the Montana Air National Guard in Great Falls flew overhead toward the end of the ceremony. Gianforte said several of Montanas tribal nations were represented at the ceremony. Tribal communities in Montana have a long and decorated history of military service, he said. Jewell noted Mariah Gladstone, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe is serving as maid of honor. She said Gladstone gave a blessing and smudged the vessel using bird sage to bless the boat. With awe, I have witnessed the USS Montana emerge as an extraordinary element of our national defense, she said, praising all those who worked on the submarine and their families. I am confident the USS Montana will play a key role in furthering freedom around the world and also confident she will live up to the spirit of adventure and resilience of her namesake state, Jewell said. Admiral Frank Caldwell said the Montana would patrol the frontiers of the worlds oceans. This is a great day for Montana and a great day for our submarine force, he said. Bill Whitsitt, chair and director of the USS Montana Committee, a nonprofit which has raised nearly $200,000 over five years for the submarine, said Saturday the commissioning was the peak the group has been looking forward to. It was a powerful, emotional and joyful time to see the ship come to life and see the sailors a number of us have gotten to know it was truly amazing, he said. He said the committee changed its bylaws several days ago to say its mission does not end with the commissioning and plans to be the support group for the submarine for its entire 30-year life. Some speakers compared the vastness of the ocean to Montanas skies. The Montana big sky spirit will carry our vigilantes of the deep through many challenges and the missions ahead, even when its crew cannot see the sky, Erik Raven, under secretary of the Navy, said. Raven officially placed the ship into commission. May God bless and guide this warship and all who sail in her, he said. Jon Quimby, commander of the USS Montana, said the submarine has undergone sea trials and the crew has put in more than 6,000 nautical miles already. I am proud to serve with you and for you and I know we are ready to take on any challenges thrown our way, he told the crew. The 7,800-ton Virginia-class submarine was built by Newport News Shipbuilding Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics Electric Boat. Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding, said Saturday the USS Montana commissioning was particularly special as much of its construction took place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said even in the most trying of times, Montanans kept in touch virtually on the submarines progress. We felt the spirit of the whole state of Montana all the way, she said, adding the commissioning was a testament to the dedication by the shipbuilding and Navy team. Virginia-class submarines, which are nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines, will replace the Navys Los Angeles-class submarines as they are retired. The submarines incorporate dozens of new technologies that increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth and enhance their warfighting capabilities. They have 12 Tomahawk missile tubes and four torpedo tubes, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. It is the 21st Virginia-class submarine to be delivered to the Navy. The submarine has a Montana theme throughout. Passageways are named for Montana rivers, such as the Missouri, Flathead, Gallatin, Jefferson, Madison and Yellowstone. The lowest part of the boat, which has one hallway, is called Bitterroot. Berthing areas, where sailors sleep, are named for Montana places and towns such as Helena and Kalispell. The crew mess area includes a Glacier Park panorama requested by Quimby. And the crew dining area is called the Big Sky Saloon. Currently, two of the 135 crew members are from Montana, but that number fluctuates. Other Montana touches include a genuine peace pipe to be presented by Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes elder and made by a Blackfeet artist. For the past five years members of the crew have visited Montana and attended rodeos in Bigfork and parades in Kalispell. And committee members have taken the ships bell around the state. Its a replica of the bell aboard the first USS Montana and honors the state motto of oro y plata (gold and silver). Melted into it are Montana gold and silver as well as gold and silver dolphin pins worn by submariners. The first and only commissioned USS Montana was an armored cruiser added to the U.S. Navy fleet in 1908. Known as armored cruiser No. 13, it was decommissioned in 1921. It was renamed the Missoula and served in the reserve fleet until 1930. The USS Montana will remain in the shipyard for a few months, where it will have its software updated. It will then be moved to the Pacific fleet and be based in Hawaii. Saturdays ceremony included a closing prayer to the Creator by Gene Sorrell, an elder with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. "The USS Montana, I pray you become one with the water, work together for protection of our homelands," he said. Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR The Rev. Kevin Horath had already planned a sermon series on hot topics for the summer and one of those topics was abortion. He didn't know, of course, that the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade. I know this is a sensitive subject for a lot of people, but I have to look at things from a Biblical world view, said Horath, lead pastor at Hillside Bethel Ministries. From my perspective, life does begin at conception, and from what I understand of this ruling is that it's taking this law from the federal level and putting it back at the state level. As a pastor, Horath stays out of the political side of the situation, but from a pastoral standpoint, he said the question is how can the church step in and help people process their feelings and the decisions they have to make. His favorite Biblical example that life begins at conception is the account of Mary, the mother of Jesus, visiting her relative Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. The Bible says Elizabeth's baby leapt in her womb for joy. That shows me, at least from a Biblical perspective, of human life beginning at conception and that even children can point us to Jesus, Horath said. That's what I want to take from these situations, these 'hot topics,' if you will. How do we take these real life examples, learn from them, and apply them to our lives with a Biblical perspective. Megan Gogerty, 30, did not celebrate Friday's Supreme Court ruling. Its not about abortion, she said. Its about womens health. And youre taking away all womens rights. Theyre not taking away abortions. They are taking away safe abortions, said Brianna Eaton, 27. Eatons youngest child was tested at high risk for Downs Syndrome before she was born. During the genetic tests, a counselor asked if she wanted to continue her pregnancy. It was my choice. My choice was yes, she said. That doesnt change the love I have for my unborn child. Although she chose to continue the pregnancy, Eaton does not condemn anyone who would have decided differently. Thats their choice, she said. Decatur resident Hailey Grider, 28, said she disagrees with the decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade. I dont agree with anybody telling anybody how to live their own life, she said. Youre in charge of your self. Grider used the example of a pregnancy from rape as a reasoning behind some abortions. Mental health is such a hot topic in this country now, she said. Most people looking to get an abortion are not people that are wanting to abuse that operation. They are needing it for medical reasons or mental health reasons. There's no question that women faced with an unwanted pregnancy need compassion, said the Rev. Rob Goodwin, senior pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. My heart breaks for those who find themselves in a position of an unwanted pregnancy, Goodwin said. We as Christians need to support and love those on all sides of the issue of the sanctity of human life. We need to care for the most vulnerable and those unable to protect themselves. This means caring for the very young and the old. Caring for all life no matter the age or situation. This also means caring for those who are less fortunate and find life to be very difficult. I pray that this judgement will bring a focus on the sanctity of all human life. I also pray that peace would prevail as we move forward as a country, and we would unify around the need for Jesus in our lives and community. Michelle Wagner, from Altamont, was not surprised by the Supreme Court ruling. I think it's a good thing, she said. We cant just say I dont want my kid anymore. As a special education teacher, Wagner has worked with families and children with disabilities. Children or adults of any status have capabilities and the possibilities of achieving anything that they set their minds to, if they have the support, she said. Wagner understands Fridays ruling will have little effect on Illinois. Were not in that status of Pritzker doing that, she said. Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield released a statement lauding the Supreme Court's decision and calling on the church to promote policies and support programs to provide stability and security for vulnerable families. Much work remains to be done on both fronts, and that work will now necessarily have more of a local focus, particularly in our own home state of Illinois, the bishop said. Importantly, these efforts must include prayer and concerted efforts to preserve peace in the face of recent violence, intimidation, and criminal vandalism against churches and government officials. Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Valerie Wells Education Reporter Education reporter for the Herald & Review. Follow Valerie Wells 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 CLINTON Opening a bakery is a popular dream for kids in The Vaults culinary career exploration class held this past week. Connie Unruh, treasurer and a volunteer with the organization, said she knew at least a few of the kids hoped to have their own bakery someday. The class gave them a chance to learn how culinary businesses work, from what it takes to run an operation to some of the kitchen skills they'd need to get into the industry. The Vault is a community space for students in sixth through 12th grades, located on the square in Clinton. It provides events, adult mentorship and services like tutoring, as well as giving kids space where they can meet up with friends and make new ones. Owen Rexshell, 14, is already known in the community for his pies, Unruh said. Rexshell, who will begin his freshman year this fall, has been going to The Vault since he was in sixth grade. He also volunteers at the cafe on site, which is open for the kids who are visiting. Its really nice, he said. Yeah, we dont get paid, but it teaches us a lot about work ethic, and how to treat customers. Cadence Wyatt, 12, also volunteers at the cafe. She said it is fun, but can get stressful during the school year when there are more customers. Like Rexshell, she said she would like to open a bakery someday, inspired in part by a friend of her mothers who runs a bakery business out of her home. Campers were working Friday morning to put together an appreciation luncheon for The Vaults supporters, helped by pastor and chef Paul Stroup, who preaches at Clinton Presbyterian Church. Earlier in the week, the kids visited Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican restaurant in town, and made breakfast quesadillas. They also visited Dairy Queen to learn what it's like to own a fast-food franchise and to try their hands at making their own soft-serve cones. They didnt realize how hard it is to get that little twist and the cure at the top, Unruh said. Layne Miller, 13, said students learned a lot of safety skills, throughout the week, as well as soft skills for how to run a business. We learned how to be a good boss and everything, how to stay calm in sticky situations, he said. A Taco Bowl Tuesday event during the culinary week brought in around $700 for the organization, Unruh said. Founder, and now community connections coordinator, Michelle Witske said The Vault offers its programming for free, adding it could not exist without support from the community. The Vault opened in 2018 and, along with the summer career camps, offers services like tutoring, as well as times when kids can come just to hang out. Its just fun and I get to hang out with friends, Layne said. The goal is to support students and give them opportunities so they don't just spend all their time on their phones or playing video games, Witske said. She hopes it helps students going through mental health troubles, something she said has been on the rise visibly in the Clinton community. The adult mentors at The Vault are all trained in mental health first aid, she said. If they notice something wrong, they can then refer the student and their family to mental health professionals. At the same time, she wants The Vault to be a place where kids can learn more about themselves and what they want to do with their lives. The Envision U Career Camp Weeks are a part of that, she said. We give them as many opportunities as we can for them to discover who they are, she said. The camps let students be more intentional about what they plan to do after high school, Unruh said. Other camps this summer include construction and trades, theater arts and law enforcement. Sometimes we stumble into a career, and sometimes we choose a career, she said. She hopes The Vault helps equip kids with the knowledge and skills they need to choose the career that will be best for them. The Vault is open to students in sixth through 12th grades, with more information and the form to sign up at thevaultclinton.org. Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter:@connorkwood Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PLAINFIELD - Vice President Kamala Harris had planned to discuss the Biden administrations plan to improve maternal health care during her visit Friday to C.W. Avery Family YMCA in Plainfield. But Harris revised her remarks after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and allows states to enact abortion bans a move she called a health care crisis. For nearly 50 years, we have talked about what Roe v. Wade protects. Today, as of right now, as of this minute, we can only talk about what Roe v. Wade protected. Past tense, she said. This is a health care crisis, because understand millions of women in America will go to bed tonight without access to the health care and reproductive care that they had this morning, without access to the health care, reproductive health care that their mothers and grandmothers had for 50 years. Harris, who learned of the decision while traveling on Air Force Two to Aurora Municipal Airport, said it was the first time in the history of our nation that a constitutional right has been taken from the people of America. ... It is the right to privacy. Think about it as the right for each person to make intimate decisions about heart and home, decisions about the right to start a family, including contraception and the morning-after pill. Decisions about whether to have a child ... decisions to marry the person you love. She warned of a slippery legal slope that calls into question other rights that we thought were settled, such as the right to use birth control, the right to same-sex marriage, the right to interracial marriage. But she cited the ballot box as a place citizens can effect change. The great aspiration of our nation has been to expand freedom. But the expansion of freedom clearly is not inevitable. It is not something that just happens, not unless we defend our most fundamental principals, not unless we elect leaders who stand up for those principals, she said. You have the power to elect leaders who will defend and protect your rights ... so this is not over. Harris began reading the decision during her flight to Illinois and discussed it with the states senior U.S. senator, Dick Durbin, who was with her, a White House official said. Durbin chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and announced in a statement Friday that the panel will conduct a hearing July 12 that will examine a post-Roe America. Todays decision eliminates a federally protected constitutional right that has been the law for nearly half a century. As a result, millions of Americans are waking up in a country where they have fewer rights than their parents and grandparents, Durbins statement said. Around two dozen protesters waved Donald Trump flags outside the entrance to the YMCAs parking lot as the vice presidents motorcade arrived. Elsewhere in the Chicago area, anti-abortion and religious groups praised the Supreme Courts action while abortion rights activists protested. Just Thursday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and other state attorneys general met with Harris at the White House for what was billed as a roundtable discussion on reproductive rights. After the Dobbs decision was announced Friday, Raoul issued a statement saying, As I assured Vice President Kamala Harris yesterday at a White House roundtable on reproductive health, Illinois has been and will continue to be a proud reproductive health care oasis where women have the right to make their own highly-personal reproductive health decisions with their families and medical professionals. Raoul reiterated that abortion remains legal Illinois, regardless of todays decision. In anticipation of an influx of women from neighboring states coming to Illinois for abortion, Raoul said his office is working with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the legislature to address concerns triggered by the courts decision. Specifically, we must expand safeguards under state law to ensure that women and providers are protected from those who would use this decision to obstruct access to abortion care. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD One patient from Iowa needed gas money and a place to stay. Another from Indiana, in a domestic violence situation, couldn't use her own funds for care. She also needed help with child care. These are among just a couple of the hundreds of individual cases Rose, the abortion patient navigator program manager at Planned Parenthood of Illinois, said she has helped steer in the past two years. Her job description is fairly simple: help patients, especially those from out-of-state, coordinate their visits to receive abortion services in Illinois. But the job itself is hardly that. "Deciding to get an abortion, making that decision, is about so much more than making an appointment and walking into a health center," said Rose, whose real name is not being used because of safety concerns surrounding her work. "There are just so many factors." As a "blue island" among its conservative neighboring states, Illinois has become a key battleground for abortion rights advocates and opponents. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the state's Democrat-led General Assembly have enacted measures aimed at accommodating an expected influx of out-of-state patients, and more such steps are being planned. Abortion opponents, meanwhile, see gaining more political power in the outlier Midwestern state as a vital step in their fight against the procedure. Among the barriers to abortion access: transportation from home to a clinic, where to stay when you get there, how to maintain confidentiality if in an unsafe home situation and an issue that crosses over with so many others how to afford the procedure and associated expenses. Rose describes her job as "trying to take the onus and responsibility off of patients to have to identify all of their needs and resolve some of those barriers as best we can." Her job and that of those working at a regional logistics center that opened in the Metro East region earlier this year has become essential as obstacles facing people in need of abortion services grow, advocates say. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday in Dobbs v. Jackson Woman's Health Organization to uphold the constitutionality of Mississippi's law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks. And, in what was telegraphed via a leak in May, the nation's high court voted 5-4 to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that established a constitutional right to an abortion. Several conservative states have already enacted laws that essentially ban the procedure. At least half of U.S. states, including those surrounding Illinois, either have "trigger laws" that ban or severely limit abortion with Roe's overturning or have lawmakers who indicate a likelihood to enact such laws in the near future. Illinois has gone in the opposite direction, enacting laws in recent years that have expanded access. But the state's status as an island for abortion rights in the Midwest has the potential to put a strain on providers, who are preparing for "a tidal wave" of patients from surrounding states. "It's not something that will be a slow buildup," said Brigid Leahy, director of government relations for Planned Parenthood Illinois. "Back when Texas imposed its ban on Sept. 1 of last year, we saw our first patients at Planned Parenthood of Illinois health centers from Texas two days later." Though abortion will remain legal in Illinois, a steady influx of out-of-state patients may unleash "a massive ripple effect" that could potentially impact access. Abortion providers say physical capacity is not an immediate concern, but staffing clinics and resources to address logistical challenges faced by an increasing amount of patients will be paramount if Illinois is to be a true island for reproductive health. "Illinois is positioned to be protective of folks who need access to care," Leahy said. "The phase we are moving into is trying to ensure that there actually is access for folks." Influx of patients Planned Parenthood estimates that anywhere between an additional 20,000 to 30,000 people annually could travel from out-of-state to Illinois for abortion services with Roe's overturning, a massive influx that would place the number of abortions performed in Illinois at an unprecedented level. More than 46,000 abortions were performed in the state in 2020, according to state public health data. That's higher than in recent years but lower than the 1990s, when more than 50,000 procedures were performed some years. The numbers show a clear rising trend of out-of-state residents receiving care. In 2020, 9,686 such women terminated a pregnancy in Illinois, up from 7,534 in 2019 and 5,668 in 2018. Data from 2021 was not available. These numbers, abortion rights advocates say, are a reflection of the restrictions that have already been put in place to limit options in other states. With the writing on the wall, many have spent the past few years planning for this moment, whether that meant working to change Illinois laws or, for abortion providers, deciding where to locate new facilities. CHOICES Memphis Center for Reproductive Health, a Tennessee-based provider, is opening a clinic in Carbondale later this summer. The close proximity to the city's Amtrak station, which is along a line that runs through Memphis, wasn't a coincidence. Up north, Planned Parenthood of Illinois has opened clinics in Waukegan and Flossmoor in recent years, both just miles from bordering states. "Those areas were recognized to have a need for Illinoisans, but also they're fairly close to borders and five major highways that would allow people from other states to get to them," Leahy said. And in 2019, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region opened its 18,000-square foot facility in Fairview Heights, which replaced a much-smaller facility and is equipped to perform surgical abortions. Along with Hope Clinic in Granite City, the provider has seen a significant amount of patients come from across the river in Missouri. The Show-Me State has stood out thus far. In 2020, 6,578 more than two-thirds of all out-of-state patients came from Missouri, where lawmakers have placed severe restrictions on the procedure and attempted to make abortions illegal after eight weeks of gestation, a measure that was blocked by the courts. It is one of the states with a "trigger law" on the books, which went into effect minutes after the court's ruling. Illinois Right to Life executive director Amy Gehrke said Roe being overturned is like "the reverse of the Dred Scott decision," referring to the Supreme Courts 1857 ruling denying U.S. citizenship to Dred Scott and other Black Americans. "You'll have Missouri where pre-born babies are recognized as human and are protected and here, just across the river in Illinois, the Reproductive Health Act said pre-born children have no rights and no protection and in essence that they're not human," Gehrke said. Earlier this year, the Fairview Heights facility expanded again with the opening of a "regional logistics center" aimed at helping out-of-state patients arrange travel and lodging and connect them with resources, such as abortion funds. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, said they expect to care for up to 8,000 patients this year at the Illinois facility, which can handle up to 15,000 at full capacity. The regional logistics center, jointly run by Planned Parenthood and Hope Clinic, currently employs four case managers but may hire up to 10 more depending on demand. McNicholas said each patient aided by the logistics center typically receives between $900 and $1,500 in support, which comes from existing abortion funds and other groups. Planned Parenthood is "covering whatever gap remains for now," McNicholas said, though she acknowledged "that is not necessarily sustainable" long-term. "We have never in this country faced a reality where we have needed to mass mobilize millions of people for such basic health care," McNicholas said. "And we are doing it in a system where the infrastructure is already so fragile, where there isn't support, where public and private insurance in all of the states who are going to lose access doesn't pay for the care." No matter the amount of planning abortion rights groups have done, McNicholas acknowledges the post-Roe reality "is really going to put a strain on the public health system." At its current patient load, the Fairview Heights facility operates eight hours a day, six days per week. McNicholas said that will likely change with demand, with the first move to 10-hour days, then to 12-hour days and then even mixing in some Sunday hours. She said "a flag" for when these changes are needed would be when patient wait times hit one week. The current "gold standard," she said, is 72 hours. In order to maintain access, McNicholas said, they will need to beef up staffing to fill those extra hours and ensure that patients have everything they need to get to their appointment. "We don't need to build a bigger facility; we don't need to build another facility," McNicholas said. "What we need to do is ensure that we have a very tight system that helps folks get from A to B and then back to A. And that's really going to be the way that we are addressing this access crisis." Expanded access in Illinois Where much of the country has zigged to the right on abortion rights, Illinois has zagged to the left in recent years, enacting some of the most liberal reproductive health laws of any state. In 2017, then-Gov. Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 40, which permitted state health insurance and Medicaid coverage for abortions and removed "trigger law" language that could have made the procedure illegal in the event Roe v. Wade was overturned. This was followed up by Pritzkers signing of the Reproductive Health Act in 2019. The law enshrined reproductive health care including abortion access as a fundamental right in Illinois. And late last year, Pritzker signed legislation repealing a 1995 law that required an abortion provider give an adult family member at least 48 hours notice before the procedure is performed on a girl under the age of 18. Illinois lawmakers might not be done. Pritzker, with the support of Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, has called for a special legislative session next month to consider more abortion rights legislation. "Together, we are committed to taking swift action to further enshrine our commitment to reproductive health care rights and protections," Pritzker said. Among the bills that could be taken up is House Bill 1464, which would prevent a licensed doctor in Illinois from being disciplined in Illinois if another state suspends or revokes their license for performing an abortion. The legislation passed the Illinois House in late March but was not taken up by the Illinois Senate prior to its April adjournment. Abortion rights advocates have also urged the Pritzker administration to allow advanced practice clinicians such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform in-clinic abortions. Thirteen states allow this practice. Currently, advanced practice clinicians in Illinois can only prescribe abortion-related medications, which are typically only prescribed within the first 11 weeks of a pregnancy. But, by allowing them to perform "aspiration" abortions, which involve the use of suction to empty the uterus and typically occur 14 to 16 weeks into pregnancy, advocates believe this would help alleviate staffing shortages they are facing. Pritzker, in an interview with Lee Enterprises earlier this week, said he supports that change. "We certainly are looking at both using our own executive branch powers and also going to the legislature on the subject," Pritzker said. "We're working with the Attorney General and our own legal staff to determine what we can do." Either way, "we will do it," Pritzker added. "I am focused on making sure that we expand the number of professionals in our state to make sure that we're providing the health care that people are seeking," he said. However, do not expect any new flashy state abortion funds, such as those created by California, New York and Oregon, for clinics to prepare for the influx and beef up security. "In Illinois, we treat reproductive rights and abortion as health care," Pritzker said. "So it's included already in much of the health care dollars that we allocate to the women in our state." On the other side of the issue, Illinois Right to Life, the state's most prominent anti-abortion group, is gearing up in what they call "ground zero" in the fight against the practice. "Our work is just beginning now that Roe is going to be overturned because things, I believe, are possibly going to get worse before they get better," Gehrke said, acknowledging the incoming influx from surrounding states. Still, Gehrke believes "the state can be won back for life." "We were a pro-life state for the most part until 2017, just five short years ago," Gehrke said. "And with a lot of hard work and a lot of education, I really believe that the needle will move back." A lot may be riding on the results of the November election. All the candidates running in the GOP primary for governor have taken anti-abortion positions while Pritzker has been staunchly supportive of abortion rights. Gehrke believes abortion opponents would "only need to flip just a handful of seats" in the General Assembly to prevent more abortion rights legislation from passing. In the meantime, for navigators like Rose, getting woman across the river from Missouri and other states into Illinois is about ensuring they can access health care. "You can't make abortion go away by criminalizing it," Rose said. "It just makes it unsafe and harder to access. And birthing people are put at risk when abortion is criminalized, most especially people in marginalized communities, poor people, people of color, people who don't have the advantages of wealthy people who can easily buy a plane ticket and travel to get an abortion. "What energizes me is how discriminatory and unjust that feels and the opportunity to have an active role in assisting those patients is what really drew me to this position and kind of lit the fire for me to do what we can to support, really, bodily autonomy," she said. Contact Brenden Moore at brenden.moore@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter: @brendenmoore13 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Modern constitutional law as we have known it ended Friday. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood, it repudiated the very idea that Americas highest court exists to protect peoples fundamental liberties from legislative majorities that would infringe on them. What the dissent aptly called a catastrophic decision is not only a catastrophe for women, who now can be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term. It is a catastrophe for all Americans and for people all over the world who have built their own modern constitutional courts on the U.S. model. The tyranny of the majority won the day. The right to an abortion was based on the principle of a living Constitution that evolves to expand liberty and equality. That same master principle of modern constitutional law provided the grounding for Brown v. Board of Education, ending segregation. It was the basis for Obergefell v. Hodges, finding a right to same-sex marriage. It is the same principle that undergirds dozens of other decisions establishing rights we today consider fundamental, from sexual freedom to stop and seizure, that were not considered similarly basic in 1791 when the Bill of Rights was ratified or in 1868 when the 14th Amendment was. In place of the living Constitution that protects liberty and equality from the tyranny of the majority, the court in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization announced a Constitution that only protects rights that already existed in the distant past. The majority considered it irrelevant that the people who ratified the original constitutional provisions did not include women, whose rights are at issue in Dobbs and whose equality is derogated by the decision. According to the majority, the dead hand of the past rules our constitutional future. It is no exaggeration to say that the Dobbs decision, written by Justice Samuel Alito and joined by four other conservatives, is an act of institutional suicide for the Supreme Court. The legitimacy of the modern court depends on its capacity to protect the vulnerable by limiting how the majority can infringe on basic rights to liberty and equality. The Dobbs majority not only takes the court out of that business. It holds that the court should never have expanded the protection of liberty and equality in the first place. The most basic argument of the Dobbs decision is that, in 1868, states did not consider abortion a fundamental right. That is accurate, as the magisterial dissent, co-authored by Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, acknowledges. But in 1868, there was also no clearly established right to contraception. There were no Miranda rights to protect arrestees. There was no right to choose your own sexual partner, let alone to marry the person you love. And there is no definitive historical evidence that the people who ratified the 14th Amendment thought that doing so prohibited segregation. If you take Dobbss logic seriously, all the landmark decisions establishing these rights are wrong. Will the court now undertake a major effort to revisit these core rights? Alitos majority opinion, which is not significantly different from his leaked draft, tries to suggest the court will not do that. Its only basis for that suggestion is to say that abortion is unique because it involves life. Justice Clarence Thomas, in a separate concurrence, called openly for revisiting rights to sexual freedom and gay marriage. The dissenters argued cogently that it is now open season on those and similar basic rights. It is hard for me to imagine that the rest of the conservative justices actually plan to roll back many of our most fundamental rights. Unfortunately, that hardly matters. State legislatures can and will now pass laws that violate or eliminate those rights. The lower courts will have to adjudicate them. Ultimately the Supreme Court will have to weigh in again. The reason all this will happen is that the court didnt just overturn Roe. By overturning Casey, it called into question the core idea that the justices follow precedent. Casey stood for the idea that the court would uphold its past decisions absent a major, transformative reason to do so. Under Casey, lower courts would leave precedent in place. That norm is now gone. Its open season on fundamental rights. Finally, a dead, non-living Constitution is a catastrophe because history doesnt actually limit the justices discretion. Originalism was supposed to deliver judicial restraint. It doesnt. The majority can read history however it wants and does. A conservative majority with no respect for precedent could easily be the most activist court we have ever had. Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 As Ive been telling my newsletter subscribers for several weeks now, talks began in mid-May about a possible special state legislative session to address the abortion issue. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Chris Welch had some brief chats about bringing legislators back to town back then. Illinois is already an abortion rights oasis in the region, but the Democratic leadership wants to do more, so they talked about possibly having the legislature submit a constitutional amendment for voter approval in November to protect abortion rights. They also talked about passing some additional legislation that would, for instance, make sure abortion providers are protected from retaliatory action by other states (like revoking licenses, for instance). Democratic state Senators then met privately about the issue and their leadership eventually decided to wait until they saw what exactly the U.S. Supreme Court did about the topic. Then, in mid-June, as the deadline for the U.S. Supreme Court was fast approaching to issue its ruling on overturning Roe v. Wade, Democratic Senators were again surveyed on when they could come to Springfield for a special session. The following week, just ahead of the Supreme Courts striking down the decades-old precedent, House members were polled. Gov. Pritzker announced that hed call a special session the day the high court finally acted. As I write this, Senate Democrats have been advised to keep open July 6 and 7 as possible return dates. So, what will they do? Planned Parenthood of Illinois has a list of demands that is worth looking at as a possible roadmap. The groups political arm, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, recently told its supporters that abortion rights are meaningless without the resources to access abortion, and their list reflects that belief. For instance, they want the state legislature to allow nurse practitioners to provide early abortion procedures. According to the group, doing so would quickly expand the pool of qualified providers. The group also wants to streamline the process for out-of-state health care professionals to be licensed and credentialed in Illinois, to help increase the number of abortion providers. Gov. Pritzker said on the Meet the Press Now program that perhaps as many as 30,000 people a year will travel to Illinois to receive an abortion, which is up from 10,000 last year. We're going to need to expand capacity in our state, Pritzker said. We're going to need to make sure that we have the healthcare personnel that are necessary to perform these procedures and to guarantee that medical abortion is available. Despite campaign claims by several House and Senate Democratic legislators that the General Assembly fully funded Planned Parenthood earlier this year, the group wants a lot more state money spent on things like helping providers to build capacity in existing and new locations. Planned Parenthood also wants the legislature to provide funding for practical and logistical support for patients who face barriers to access because they have to travel, calling the money essential to ensuring that people can access abortion. Gov. Pritzker told reporters last week that the state doesnt provide direct subsidies to people coming from other states, saying folks who come from other states benefit from the capacity building that we do, from support that we provide to providers. The idea of subsidizing travel and even temporary housing for out-of-staters could be a tough sell in the General Assembly, even among many pro-choice Democrats. But I was told by the governors office that nothing is yet off the table. Something that Planned Parenthood hasnt asked for but is being actively discussed is a non-binding statewide referendum on the topic this November, now that its too late to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot. The question could be as simple as asking voters if they want a constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights. It would have the benefit of helping Democrats drive voter turnout. But Planned Parenthood issued several warnings last week that made clear it wanted more than a few feel-good measures, including an official telling a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter that if the governor wants to join the ranks of other haven states that are truly protecting access and putting money behind that promise, then [funding] is a critical component of that work. In other words, political moves and simple changes to state law will not be enough for Planned Parenthood. And so the Democrats have now somehow found themselves looking at a potential political minefield during the special session instead of what they likely thought would be a quick and easy layup. Rich Miller publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Thunderstorms likely, especially this evening. Low 72F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely, especially this evening. Low 72F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 90F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low around 70F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Things appear to be settling down a bit at New Peoples Bank, over a week after a technological issue resulted in the temporary outage of all its banking services. The bank, with main offices in Honaker, Virginia, announced on Facebook Friday morning that all of its branches have reopened and that access to a number of services such as mobile banking and electronic funds transfers has returned. In a Facebook post on June 15, New Peoples Bank reported a disruption that had disabled all of its banking services. The bank later said that the interruption was due to a network incident. New Peoples Bank is working diligently to address and investigate a recent network incident that temporarily resulted in an interruption to our computer systems and banking services, reads a most recent update from the bank. We are working alongside third-party technical experts to resolve these issues quickly and safely, and have made continued progress. Although there have been limited details released to date about what exactly happened to cause such a major disruption, New Peoples Bank maintains that an investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, customers have voiced concern online about whether or not their personal information was compromised in the incident. The topic has not been directly addressed in the banks Systems Update and FAQs document as of yet. According to New Peoples Bank, all transactions through the present have posted, and other services like online banking, ATM access, text alerts and debit/credit cards are working. The bank says some debit card users may be seeing duplicate postings in their transaction history, but that it should be resolved within three business days. The banks phone systems and corporate emails were also disabled in the outage; however, phone lines have been restored. While the Khargone administration argues that barricading will help maintain peace in the city, the local residents told TwoCircles.net that it has added to their woes. Muhammad Raafi | TwoCircles.net Support TwoCircles NEW DELHI Two months after anti-Muslim violence-ravaged Madhya Pradeshs Khargone city, Muslims from the city complained of living like prisoners. Locals told TwoCircles.net that the district administration has constructed a wall and at some places installed concrete barricades apparently to separate Hindu and Muslim neighbourhoods. The walls are one foot wide and over 10 feet high. Anti-Muslim violence broke out in the area on April 13, the day of Ram Navami. Two months later, the city is quiet and slowly moving towards normalcy following an economic boycott of the Muslim traders. While the Khargone administration argues that barricading will help maintain peace in the city, the local residents told TwoCircles.net that it has added to their woes. Abdul Rahman, a resident of Khaswadiwala Mohalla told TwoCircles.net that the administration has barricaded the neighbourhood with a 15-20 feet barricade making it impossible for the residents to use the road to the local market. Earlier, he said, it would take me two minutes to reach the market that is just behind Sarafa Bazar. But now I have to travel around 1500 metres to reach the market. Children cannot even go to school. Elders cannot go to mosques. The administration maintains that the barricades have been installed after a due approval of the local residents. A senior administration officer of the Khargone district told TwoCircles.net that they met with the respectable citizens from both the communities and established the barricades. However, the residents said that the administration spoke to their own people without consulting the majority population in the area. Rahman said the police had orally told the local elders that the barricades will remain till the people named in various cases after the anti-Muslim violence surrendered. There is no substantial reason for the barricades. The majority of the people are scared to even ask the question. If anyone by any means has asked the administration, they have been told to surrender the people named in various cases, Rahman said. No room for dissent Since the anti-Muslim violence in the district on April 10, 2022, the Muslims from the city said that those among the community who even think of protesting against the injustices and demanding rights are harassed and summoned to police stations. There is absolutely no room for dissent, Rahman said. Whoever raises his voice is summoned to the police station. Even those who express their dissent on social media are called for questioning and framed in different cases. As per Rahman, Muslims have been living in the areas since 1947. Another local Abdul Razzaq said that he, his father and grandfather have never witnessed such brazenness. We have been living here since 1947. There have been instances of communal tensions but the issues would be resolved amicably after a few days. This is different. Razzaq claimed that on June 8, a group of Muslim boys from the area were abused when they were coming out of a mosque after prayers. The video of the boys was released on social media explaining that they were abused for being Muslims and wearing a skullcap. A day later, those who had posted the video were called to a local police station, he said. Rahman said that they were asked not to share such content as it vitiates the atmosphere and they shall be booked under stringent laws in future. We were made to delete the video later. A local police officer told TwoCircles.net that the boys were not abused for being Muslim. There was some fight between two groups, he said. To a question about summoning the boys who shared the video on social media, he said, they were spreading concocted stories. Economic boycott of Muslims Days after the anti-Muslim violence in the city, there were calls for a boycott against Muslims. On April 25, videos went viral on social media in which a man could be heard asking Hindus to give a befitting reply to those who hurled stones at a Ram Navami procession in the Khargone. On a loudspeaker mounted on a truck, a man who cannot be seen in the video urged women not to buy things from their shops. #ViralVideo Alleged calls to boycott #Muslims plague #Khargone post #KhargoneRiot "Appeal to all Hindus to oppose them and mothers and sisters to not buy any item from them"@TheQuint @QuintHindi pic.twitter.com/AbunVoPbfd Vishnukant (@vishnukant_7) April 26, 2022 Rameez Ahmad, a political activist and a resident of Khargone said that there were apprehensions among the Muslim community that the boycott calls will have long-term implications. What we feared has happened. Muslims are being forced to vacate shops owned by Hindus, Ahmad said. There is a palpable tension. Posters are pasted on Hindu shops threatening Muslims. Shakeel-ur-Rahman, a local trader said that since the boycott calls the Muslim traders business has taken a severe hit. The business has reduced by almost half. Hindus do not buy from Muslims, he said. What next? Saleem Khan (name changed), a political activist said that since the violence on April 10, the leaders of the Muslim community have attempted to reach out. Unfortunately, there isnt a positive response from the other side, he said. Whatever happened, happened. Nobody is playing a role to calm the tempers. We dont see anyone from the other community doing that, Khan said. Locals complained that even the political parties have failed to bridge the gap between the communities. They are treading a cautious path as no party wants to agitate the majority Hindu community, Razzaq said, adding, that the two major political parties, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress havent given tickets to any Muslim candidate for the upcoming local body polls yet. Although there are rumours that Congress will give tickets to a few Muslim candidates but the party has not officially announced it, he said. There are 33 wards in Khargone city among which around 12 are Muslim-dominated. Khan believes that all the differences could be resolved when both communities sit together. Barricading the area keeps the wounds alive and it wont resolve anything, he said. We want to forget that, he said. Khan claims to have spoken to the people from the Hindu community. The members of the (Hindu) community were not willing to even talk about barricades, he added. Muhammad Raafi is a journalist based in New Delhi. He covers politics and human rights. He tweets at @MohammadRaafi Northeast State Community College students will not see an increase in tuition for the 2022-23 academic year. The announcement was made Friday afternoon in a press release from the school. The Tennessee Board of Regents voted to keep current tuition rates unchanged during its quarterly meeting held last week at Columbia State Community College. The decision keeps Tennessees public community and technical colleges stable for the second time in three years. Northeast State is grateful to the Tennessee Board of Regents for their decision to keep college accessible and affordable to all students, Dr. Connie Marshall, interim president of Northeast State, said. We celebrate this news with our students who are striving to make the best use of their financial resources. Last year, the board approved a tuition increase of 1.83% the smallest such increase in the last 30 years at the community colleges. The TBR did not raise any other mandatory fees and suspended the campus-specific online course fee for the past year. Northeast State is hosting open registration events throughout the summer. The college offers more than 135 academic programs. From math to theater to nursing, the colleges six academic divisions cover a variety of fields to help prepare students for their career or continuing education. The college operates campuses in Elizabethton, Kingsport, Johnson City, and Unicoi County. Preventing unplanned pregnancies ought to be common ground among anti-abortion and pro-abortion rights forces. Thats why a pragmatic new proposal from the nations doctors making birth control pills available over the counter instead of prescription-only should inspire broad support. The commendable call for this shift came during the American Medical Associations annual meeting earlier this month. The AMAs membership includes more than 250,000 U.S. physicians. The organizations over-the-counter (OTC) push is timely after the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was announced Friday. Making oral contraceptives easier to obtain, with effectiveness ranging from 91% to 99%, is a logical step. A doctors visit to obtain a prescription can be a hurdle to using birth control pills. Getting to clinic locations may be inconvenient, especially for those without transportation or too young to drive. Appointments may not be readily available. Being able to buy birth control pills as easily as ibuprofen or aspirin would reduce the number of steps needed to get them into the hands of those who need them. Its also worth noting that some forms of emergency contraception, such as Plan B, are already available without a prescription. Providing patients with OTC access to the birth control pill is an easy call from a public health perspective as the health risks of pregnancy vastly outweigh those of oral contraceptive use, Dr. David H. Aizuss, an AMA board member, said in a statement. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also supports OTC status and has backed it for many years, according to a spokeswoman. It said the AMAs support makes a clear statement that physicians are united in their strong support for improved access to safe, effective birth control without requiring physician or pharmacist prescribing, which may present a barrier for individuals especially when time is of the essence. The AMAs call to action is aimed at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where it says a regulatory pathway exists for switching oral contraceptives to OTC. A manufacturer application for such a switch is required but is expected to be submitted before the end of 2022, an AMA spokesman said. The FDA declined to comment on whether an application has been submitted or is expected. Birth control pills are sold over-the-counter in many countries, including Mexico, most Asian countries and most of South America. At least one study suggests that women able to buy the pill OTC had higher continuation rates than those who obtained the drugs through a clinic. Continuation is a way to gauge proper use vs. inconsistent use, with the latter undermining this contraceptive methods effectiveness. Minnesota is one of several states that have eased access to birth control pills by allowing pharmacists to prescribe them. Legislators did so in 2020, and the measure went into effect in August of that year. There is an age restriction 18 and up. In addition, pharmacists who decide to offer this must undergo training. Its not clear how many pharmacists completed training. The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy doesnt track it. In other states that have taken a similar step, a limited number of pharmacists have exercised this new capability. Only 11% of community pharmacies in California are prescribing [oral contraceptives] due to barriers such as reimbursement, liability, time available and lack of knowledge, according to a University of Minnesota report. Clearly, broader steps are needed to ease access. OTC availability would shift the responsibility of evaluating the risks of birth control pills from medical providers to individuals. Like any medication, there can be rare complications. For a complete list, go to tinyurl.com/w4k6tan4. But oral contraceptives have been available and studied for decades. In this digital age, women have the information they need to make an informed decisions. OTC status would empower them to make that critical and personal calculation. GREENSBORO Local colleges are expecting the discussion about the reversal of Roe v. Wade to soon continue in classrooms. Jeannette Wade, an associate professor of sociology at N.C. A&T, teaches a class on social aspects of human sexuality. She shared her thoughts in an email with the News & Record about how the U.S. Supreme Court's decision will impact class discussion: "As a sociologist, my focus is on societal norms and how they impact what is deemed normal and/or deviant in the realm of sex and sexuality. Abortion access has been a point of contention in the US for decades," she said. "We do not have a clear sense of 'normative' or 'deviant' when it comes to this medical procedure as seen in the ongoing anti-abortion/pro-choice debates. "In my next class, we will focus on the social implications of limiting access to safe and regulated procedures," she said. "As with most policy changes in our country, Black and brown communities and low- and no-income Americans will likely be hit the hardest. Although these communities do not seek abortions at greater rates, having limited resources means limited autonomy to travel to find safe, regulated facilities. So, they will be more likely to carry their babies to term." Wade said she expects further discussion into many other aspects, such as: Sociodemographic shifts and trends in adoption; Will this influx of babies be adopted or linger in foster care? Sociodemographic shifts and trends in social service utilization. Prenatal care will this cohort of women receive proper care? How will their mental health impact their pregnancy and ability to care for their children? Strategies used by individuals who can seek care out of state. Implications for birth control broadly. Implications for school and health care-sponsored sex education. Also at N.C. A&T, programs such as the School of Nursing will need to address some of the changes graduates will now face. "Many times nurses are the first point of contact with patients that are seeking information about reproductive health and health care options," Amelia D. Davis, the school's interim director of nursing, said Friday. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, she said nurses will face barriers regarding what education they can provide to patients because of fear of legal ramifications. "Additionally, nurses who specialize in reproductive health may find themselves without jobs or at least a reduction in their scope of practice," Davis said, noting it may also influence where they choose to reside. Lisa Levenstein, director of UNCG's Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, said the program "offers incredibly valuable and rare opportunities for students to learn and think about monumental decisions about gender such as today's Supreme Court decision." Levenstein, who teaches courses on U.S. women's history and reproductive politics, said she finds that students are clamoring to learn about the history of abortion and contraception, as well as the social movements that have sought to restrict and promote women's bodily integrity. "They are fascinated to learn that abortion and contraception have been features of women's lives throughout human history," she said. "They learn that making abortion illegal doesn't make it go away. History shows that legal restrictions drive abortion underground and make it harder for women to end their pregnancies safely but don't stop them from attempting to do so." In the 1960s, some of the leading advocates for legalizing abortions were physicians because they saw the harms inflicted by unsafe illegal abortions, Levenstein said. In some cities, she said hospitals devoted entire wards to care for women suffering from botched abortions. "My students often assume that all churches were anti-abortion and are surprised to learn about the history of underground abortion referral networks organized by priests, who wanted to help the many women who approached them seeking assistance in ending their pregnancies," Levenstein said. "To help understand the political struggles that are raging today, we explore the history of the conservative anti-abortion movement, which has been incredibly successful in convincing politicians to outlaw abortion at the state level," she said. "We also learn about the movement for reproductive justice, conceived of and led by US women of color, which affirms that all people have the right to choose to have children, to not have children, and to parent the children they have in healthy environments." Contact Annette Ayres at 336-373-7019. NEWTON Addison Parker has been awarded the Glenn E. Barger Scholarship, offered by the Rotary Club of Catawba Valley in honor of Glenn E. Barger, superintendent of Catawba County Schools for many years. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who has exhibited high academic achievement combined with a strong pattern of service to the community, exemplifying the Rotary motto, Service Above Self. Parker is the daughter of Curt and Carol Parker of Catawba, and graduated from Bandys High School. Aside from an excellent academic record and active involvement in school activities, Parker has been active for years as a volunteer in community activities, such as the Hickory Soup Kitchen and Samaritans Purse, while showing a focus on young children through teaching, caregiving, and being active with the Claremont Youth Council Board. She has been accepted at Liberty University and is looking forward to beginning her collegiate career there this fall. The Glenn E. Barger Scholarship was established by the Rotary Club of Catawba Valley to honor Glenn Barger for both his long service to education in Catawba County and as a long time member of the club. The Rotary Club of Catawba Valley meets weekly at 7 a.m. Thursday mornings at Narrow Coffee and Nosh on the courthouse square in Newton. With the new movie "Elvis" opening in theaters this week, there's no better time to remember a unique moment in the history of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. On June 24, 1977 45 years ago today Presley arrived in Madison, Wisconsin, for a concert. Shortly after, the music legend had his limousine pull over so he could intervene in a fight he saw while they were driving. In this episode of Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles from last year, host Chris Lay reads the original June 25, 1977, story from the Wisconsin State Journal and talks with Tom Still, the former reporter and editor (and current president of the Wisconsin Technology Council) who took the call and wrote the front page story just weeks before Presley's death on Aug. 16, 1977. For more on the movie "Elvis" starring Austin Butler in the title role, Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker and directed by Baz Luhrmann, listen to the latest episode of Streamed & Screened. Lay is joined by co-hosts Bruce Miller and Jared McNett to discuss the film and other related projects. True crime stories as reported by journalists for the dozens of various Lee-Enterprises owned publications from around America. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that came down Friday, people who want an abortion in North Carolina can still get one for now, experts and advocates said. "While abortion remains legal in North Carolina, our access here is hanging by a thread, and it all depends on the outcome of the November elections," Jillian Riley, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic in North Carolina, said in a statement. North Carolina has 14 clinics, including clinics in Asheville, Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Charlotte, that provide abortion care, according to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. People seeking abortion already face barriers to health care due to systemic discrimination and racism, particularly people in Black, Latino and LGBTQ communities as well as those who live in poor communities, who are young and who live in rural communities, the agency said in a news release. In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court officially overturned the 1973 Roe V. Wade decision. Thirteen states, mostly in the South and Midwest, have laws on the books that would ban abortion when Roe v. Wade is overturned, the Associated Press reported. Another six states have either near-total bans or laws that prohibit abortion after 6 weeks of pregnancy, before many people know they are pregnant, according to the Associated Press. But for now, North Carolina does not have a law in place banning abortion, though the state does have restrictions. And on Friday, Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore, both Republicans, sent a letter to Attorney General Josh Stein, asking Stein to reinstate the state's ban on abortion after 20 weeks. "Right now, it doesn't change anything in North Carolina (in regards) to abortion access," said Julia Jordan-Zachery, a professor and chair of the Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department at Wake Forest University. Jordan-Zachery said it is important for people to understand that the Supreme Court's decision Friday is part of a long fight over reproductive justice and human rights that dates back to at least the 1960s. "There have been a series of attempts to overturn (Roe v. Wade) at the local, state and national levels," she said. "This did not just happen. This is very much planned and has been in the political works from 1973 until now." The push against Roe v. Wade is part of a larger conservative movement going back to efforts back in the 1960s when Black women and women of color advocated for reproductive justice, Jordan-Zachery said. According to the Guttmacher Institute, efforts to pass abortion restrictions have increased since 2010. Between Jan. 1, 2011 and July 1, 2019, states have enacted 483 new abortion restrictions, the institute said. As of June 17, North Carolina has a number of restrictions on abortions. Health plans offered in the state's health exchange under the Affordable Care Act cover abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest. A patient also must receive state-directed counseling that includes information designed to discourage the patient from getting an abortion, and the patient must wait 72 hours before getting an abortion. North Carolina also requires abortion clinics to meet certain standards related to their building, equipment and staffing. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic said in its news release that Friday's decision could lead 26 states to quickly ban abortion. Dr. William Pincus, an ear nose and throat specialist, is the president of North Carolina Right to Life, which is headquartered in Greensboro. He said he was elated at Friday's decision. "We're very pleased that the court recognized that abortion on demand was not part of the Constitution," he said. He said the decision should mean that North Carolina reverts back to the state law prior to Roe v. Wade women would be able to get abortions only before 20 weeks. The only exception would be for the health of the mother. Pincus said he believes the language regarding the "health of the mother" is too vague. He does not support abortions for people who have been victims of rape or incest. Pincus said those crimes are violent and unjustified but that it would also be unjustified for a woman who was a victim or rape or incest to have an abortion. "I personally know two women who were the product of rape," he said. "They are glad that their mothers did not abort them." He also opposes late term abortions. He said that Roe v. Wade allowed people to have abortions all the way up to nine months, but he also acknowledged that late term abortions made up a minority of all surgical abortions. Pincus said there should be more financial and other support for women so that they can take care of their children. Fathers should be required to support their children, and that the state does not adequately support what he called pregnancy care networks that provide parenting classes and help with housing. He said women should not be penalized for having an abortion. "We think the woman is the second victim in abortion," he said. "The baby dies and the woman is a victim." The N.C. Medical Board issued a statement affirming its support of people seeking abortion. "The North Carolina Medical Society position remains that an abortion is a personal health and medical decision to be made by a qualified doctor and patient," Chip Baggett, CEO of the medical society, said in a statement. Jenny Black, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, said in a statement Friday that the Supreme Court decision will have "devastating consequences across the South, forcing people to travel hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles for abortion care or potentially be forced to remain pregnant against their will." "Our highest priority is making sure our patients can get the care they need," she said. "Our health center doors remain open, and we aren't going anywhere." What N.C. lawmakers and their challengers are saying about Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling on abortion rights: "Throughout history the Court has pushed the arc of history towards justice. Today, the court has broken its sacred promise to protect the basic constitutional rights of all Americans. Tomorrow, the defense of freedom moves to the states, and I am all in." N.C. Sen. Michael Garrett, a Democrat representing District 27 "The U.S. Supreme Courts' action is very disappointing, and Women should have the right to make their own personal reproductive decisions." N.C. Sen. Paul Lowe, a Democrat representing District 32 Im angry. Im disappointed. But Im not defeated. Here in NC, abortion is still legal. But we must elect pro-choice lawmakers to maintain that right. We will continue to fight. Rep. Kathy Manning, a Democrat representing North Carolina's Sixth Congressional District. Read the full statement here. "We hope the era of elective abortions, spurred by bomb-throwing political opportunists on the left, will be closed, and collectively deemed one of the darkest chapters in American history." Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican representing North Carolina's Fifth Congressional District. Read the full statement here. "... We should all have the right to choose." Kyle Parrish, Democratic candidate for N.C.'s Fifth Congressional District, who shared his family's story via social media. See the video here. "I will continue to trust women to make their own medical decisions as we fight to keep politicians out of the doctor's exam room." N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper, Democrat See the full statement here. "I have a message for the women of North Carolina: you still have a legal right to an abortion in our state." Josh Stein, N.C. Attorney General, Democrat "I am overjoyed with the decision by our Supreme Court - for decades we have been praying for a day like today and it is finally here. I have experienced the pain of abortion in my own life and know the long-term effects it can have on families." "Despite today's win for the most vulnerable among us, more work remains toprotect the lives of those who cannot defend themselves." Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Republican representing North Carolina's 10th Congressional District. See the full statement here. "Five decades of prayer have been answered, as this ruling is overdue news for life and the unborn." Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican representing North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. See the full statement here. "Roe v. Wade overturned. The Supreme Court just killed women." Scott Huffman, a Democrat running for North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. What lawmakers are saying I am overjoyed that the Supreme Court has finally overturned this egregiously wrong decision and recognized that abortion on demand was never a part of our Constitution. I will continue to fight to protect life in North Carolina and ensure that we are not a destination for abortion in this country, Republican Sen. Ralph Hise, N.C. District 47. Throughout history the Court has pushed the arc of history towards justice. Today, the court has broken its sacred promise to protect the basic constitutional rights of all Americans. Tomorrow, the defense of freedom moves to the states, and I am all in," Democratic N.C. Sen. Michael Garrett, N.C. District 27 It is a victory for pro-life advocates all over North Carolina. I expect when we go into the long session next year (in January) we will look at trying to determine what additional measures are needed for North Carolina, Republican Rep. Dudley Greene, N.C. District 85. The U.S. Supreme Courts action is very disappointing and women should have the right to make their own personal reproductive decisions, Democrat Sen. Paul Lowe Jr., N.C. District 32. I think Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided to begin with. I think the decision today is correct. It doesnt eliminate abortion it just returns the decision back to the states, Republican Rep. Hugh Blackwell, N.C. District 86. The Supreme Court decision today is historical. Roe v. Wade is one of the few decisions in history that has never been settled. Many on both sides, including many pro-choice legal minds have felt that this decision was wrongly decided. Even Ruth Badger Ginsburg, who was a big pro-choice supporter, is on record questioning this decision. North Carolina had a 20-week abortion ban that was stayed by the court because it was in conflict with Roe. Im not a lawyer so Im not certain of the entire process to reinstate the 20 week law. My understanding is that legal counsel is preparing a presentation to the court to have the stay removed, because of the Roe decision. There is little chance that North Carolina will be able to pass any more restrictive abortion laws over the veto of Governor Cooper. Republicans do not have veto proof majorities. We need support from Democrats to override a veto and that wont happen. The governor vetoed a bill to protect babies who survived an abortion attempt and no Democrats voted for the override. If a Born Alive Abortion Survivor bill couldnt pass, there is no chance of anything more restrictive being passed, Republican Sen. Joyce Krawiec, N.C. District 31. "Today's decision in the Dobbs case overturning Roe v. Wade is a victory for the American republic. It returns power seized 49 years ago by unelected judges to its rightful place, with the elected representatives of each state, Republican Sen. Warren Daniel, N.C. District 46. I have always been a pro-life Christian, so with this ruling my prayers have been answered. This should have always been a states rights issue. As a legislator, I look forward to leading North Carolina as we become an anti- abortion state, Republican Rep. Jeff McNeely, N.C. District 84. MATTOON The divisive nature of the issue of abortion nationally can be seen in the different perspectives of Coles County community members on the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe vs. Wade. "We are certainly very happy with the decision that came out today because it provides protection to the unborn," said Pastor Andrew Herzberg of St. John's Lutheran Church in Mattoon. "I'm not surprised (about the ruling). I'm sad and I'm angry and I'm resolved not to accept this but to fight it," said Jeannie Ludlow, professor of English and women, gender and sexuality studies at Eastern Illinois University and a longtime abortion rights activist. Herzberg said the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, which includes St. John's, believes that each life is sacred from the moment of conception all the way through its natural end, so it opposes anything that would stand in the way of that life being lived. That belief is symbolized in the small white crosses that St. John's places every year on its campus along Charleston Avenue/Illinois Route 16 in memory of the unborn, Herzberg said. The Mattoon church will continue such efforts while abortion continues to remain legal in Illinois. "I don't think our work in going to change in Illinois given the state of where Illinois is at on this issue. We certainly pray that might change, but understand it might not in our lifetimes," the pastor said. Herzberg said the church should always strive to offer compassion and forgiveness to those who seek it regarding abortion and to advocate against hate and violence on all sides of this issue, which is very politically charged. "My prayer right now is for peace," Herzberg said. "Violence is in no way what you want." Ludlow, who is a trained pregnancy options counselor, said she is worried about friends who own and operate clinics that provide abortions and the patients they serve. She said she has a friend in North Dakota who will have a 30 day buffer and be able to continue providing care through that period, but recognizes the states that have immediate trigger laws will not have that opportunity. Though Ludlow cautions against leaning on the fact that Illinois is currently a safe state for abortion, she wants people to remember that if they live in Illinois, their rights are still protected. "When abortion was illegal, in almost in all of the United States, except in very particular circumstances, people had to resort to some very scary and sometimes dangerous actions in order to stop their pregnancies," Ludlow said. Ludlow said a surge in patients coming from out-of-state to receive abortion care is expected, something that has been seen across the country as states sign into law stricter abortion legislation. "In Illinois, we're seeing patients from Texas, we're seeing patients from Oklahoma and so it's important to get on the appointment calendar as early as possible," Ludlow said of those seeking an abortion. No clinics in the immediate area provide abortions, but Ludlow said there are still clinics around Illinois and she expects more will in the states where it is still legal. Ludlow said people will need to focus on abortion in the upcoming election, even if they are not typically single issue voters. "This is a Supreme Court decision about a particular law. That does not mean that we can never have legal abortion nationwide again," Ludlow said. "So, what we need to do now is we need to elect people to our Congress, who will support reproductive justice and reproductive rights." Ludlow said she is concerned that the Supreme Court seems to believes that it can overturn old established case law. She said people should come together at this time. "This is not a done deal. This one case is done and it sets really scary precedents. But we still have the power, we the people, and so we really need to use that power. We need to use it in talking to each other and we need to use it to vote," she said. Mattoon resident Todd Farris, who attended the annual March for Life two years ago in Washington, said he feels like Roe vs. Wade was bad precedent, as he feels that Ruth Bader Ginsburg did too. Farris said he believes that the ruling on Dobbs that strikes down Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood was the only recourse that the Court had on the matter. "On a personal level, the fight has only begun, as we now will march on Springfield and state capitols across the United States to protect the most innocent of our citizens, those in the womb of their mothers," Farris said. "We won't stop until abortion is unthinkable in the conscience of the American people." Coles Progressives member Silver Damsen of Charleston said while the Supreme Court says it is concerned about the Constitution and the intents of the Founding Fathers, she feels they are ignoring precedent in the U.S., in other wealthy countries, and in the process clearly violating privacy and the separation of church and state. "That the Supreme Court is going against the will of the majority and a will that is in keeping with the standards of European and other wealthy countries because of the philosophical/religious idea that official human life begins at conception, not only is an obvious violation of Church and State but of democracy itself," Damsen said. "Such actions justify increasing the number of Supreme Court justices so that a minority of extremists don't govern the actions of the majority of Americans." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Some Illinois legal experts say the Supreme Courts legal reasoning in overturning Roe v. Wade indicates it is willing to revisit landmark cases that legalized contraception, consensual sex between adults and same-sex marriage. The courts majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, issued Friday, said the decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right. But in a concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that other cases stemming from the Constitutions due process clause should be reconsidered as well. Because any substantive due process decision is demonstrably erroneous ... we have a duty to correct the error established in those precedents, he wrote. University of Chicago Law School professor Mary Anne Case took that to be a clear invitation for red state lawmakers to push the legal envelope on matters other than abortion a campaign that might eventually affect blue states like Illinois, too. Ive seen indications that there are state legislators that now want to outlaw some form of contraception, she said. There are plenty that would like to overturn same-sex marriage. Thomas singled out three cases: Griswold v. Connecticut, which in 1965 overturned a ban on contraception; Lawrence v. Texas, a 2003 decision that threw out the states criminalization of sexual intimacy between same-sex couples; and Obergefell v. Hodges, which in 2015 legalized same-sex marriage. All rest on the due process clause of the 14th Amendment, which has been taken to mean people have privacy rights that arent spelled out in the Constitution. With the courts majority now finding that abortion isnt one of them, Illinois activists and politicians warned other seemingly settled issues are also at risk. Privacy rights are being eviscerated right before our very eyes, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. If they can take away your ability to control your own body, theres not much that stops them from making marriage equality illegal and taking away employment protections for your beliefs or your orientation. Concern over the courts direction is expected to be a theme at Sundays Pride Parade in Chicago. Camilla Taylor, deputy legal director for litigation in the Midwest office of Lambda Legal, called the Dobbs decision deeply threatening to LBGT protections, particularly for people of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people. Our focus today is on damage done by this travesty of a decision, and we will work in future days to make sure the protections for LGBT people are not rolled back, she said. Mony Ruiz-Velasco, deputy director of Equality Illinois, an organization that works to advance rights for LGBTQ+ people, said the court appears poised to go after many other rights that hinge on privacy rights, including long-held protections for the LGBTQ+ community. I can tell you, based on conversations Ive been having throughout the day, even though many of us were expecting the decision ... it doesnt hurt less to see it in writing and to see our country moving backward, Ruiz-Velasco said. Ruiz-Velasco encouraged people to get organized to fight to both protect current rights and expand protections, even in progressive states. She said Equality Illinois has been working with the states lawmakers to remove obstacles for obtaining a legal name change. She noted that Congress could pass a marriage equality law to protect it from a Supreme Court reversal. As for contraception, lawmakers in several states have tried to ban IUDs and the so-called morning-after pill, which they see as tantamount to abortion. Some have indicated they might try again. Andrea Tone, a history professor at Quebecs McGill University and author of Devices and Desires: A History of Contraceptives in America, said the lack of universally legal birth control prior to the Supreme Courts intervention resulted in unplanned pregnancies, illegal abortions and the use of ineffective over-the-counter methods. We often think of the 1960s as an era of sexual freedom and liberty, but thats not how all Americans experienced it, she said. I interviewed one woman who lived in Massachusetts in the 1960s, and she hadnt heard of the pill before she got pregnant. Legal experts interviewed by the Tribune knew of no cases in the pipeline that could overturn the decisions identified by Thomas. But Steven Schwinn, a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, said its likely conservative states will start looking for test cases. We may see states start to enact laws that ban same sex marriage or restrict contraception or criminalize certain consensual adult sexual behavior in a way thats designed to tee up a case like that, he said. I fully expect state legislations will move in that direction very quickly. Chicagos Thomas More Society, a conservative legal organization that protested the Obergefell decision as sheer judicial activism and politics run amok, declined to comment on whether it should be revisited. Today is about the binding majority opinion, not the various concurrences and dissents, senior counsel Peter Breen said in a statement. As for Justice Thomas, he agreed that the majority opinion which he joined doesnt impact any of those other decisions, as abortion is unique because there are two lives involved. Northwestern University law professor Ronald Allen said he didnt think the court decisions dealing with same-sex marriage and consensual sexual relations were in jeopardy, given the broad range of legal issues entwined within them. These cases involve subtle and complex and ambiguous questions, he said. They wont be straightforward or able to be dispatched with a magic bullet. He identified a different decision the justices might go after Miranda v. Arizona, which requires police to advise suspects of their right to remain silent (the court put new limits on it Thursday). That has been a longtime target of conservative lawmakers, he said, and like Roe, it has been criticized as an example of legislating from the bench. While Illinois and other blue states have strong abortion protections, some Republicans have said they want to push for a national ban. Case said the Dobbs decision doesnt rule that out. (The conservative majority) is now at the point where the raw exercise of power is enough for them, she said. Giving reasons, let alone good ones, doesnt seem to be part of the project. Tribune reporter Angie Leventis Lourgos contributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Two men were shot and wounded Friday night and early Saturday morning in Winston-Salem, authorities said. The most recent incident happened shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday as Winston-Salem police responded to a report of discharging firearms in the 400 block of East Monmouth Street, police said. When officers arrived, they found a large party and evidence that guns had been fired, police said. David Sanchez Peace, 23, of Lexington, arrived at a local hospital suffering from a single gunshot wound, police said. Peaces injuries are not considered life-threatening. Investigators learned that Peace was at the party and struck by gunfire as he was attempting to leave the party, police said. The party on East Monmouth Street was shut down because of gunfire in the parking lot, police said. Investigators havent identified suspects in connection with this shooting. Earlier at 9:56 p.m. Friday, officers responded to the Burger King restaurant at 2100 Peters Creek Parkway to a reported shooting there, police said. When officers arrived, they found Garrod Lamont Oakes, 30, of Butterfield Drive in Winston-Salem, with a single gunshot wound to his leg, police said. Oakes was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries, which are considered non-life threatening, police said. Investigators determined that Oakes was at the restaurant when a disturbance occurred between Oakes and two women in the parking lot, police said. During the disturbance, one of the women produced a gun and shot Oakes in his leg, police said. The suspect was seen leaving the scene in a Ford passenger vehicle, police said. The Winston-Salem Police Departments gun crime reduction unit is investigating this incident. Anyone with information about these shootings can call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904. Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County is on Facebook. The Text-A-Tip program at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and videos to the police. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. More than 1,000 abortion rights supporters protested Saturday throughout downtown Winston-Salem, loudly chanting My Body; My Choice, and "We won't go back" in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling that eliminated constitutional protections for abortion. Saturday night's demonstrators initially gathered at Bailey Park on Patterson Avenue, where they heard speakers denounce the courts ruling and urged the participants to vote in the November elections for candidates that support abortion rights. Along Patterson Avenue, two demonstrators wrote abortion rights slogans on the sidewalk. Abort the Court, declared some of the slogans, and Keep Ur Paws Off Our Drawers, We Will Not Go Back, Anti-Abortion Laws Kill Us. Stay Out of My Uterus, and Pro Life is a Lie When No Cares that Women Die. The protesters marched from Bailey Park to City Hall at 101 N. Main St., filling six city blocks at a time as they walked on Fourth, Liberty, Second and Main streets. The rally and march were staged by Winston 4 Peace, a local social justice organization. Quamekia Shavers, an adviser with the organization, said the protesters turned out to make their voices heard. Protest without action is useless, Shavers said. When its time to go vote, it is imperative that you are informed, that you educate your friends and family and you encourage them to come to the polls so your voice is really heard. Whether its in North Carolina or in Texas, it is an injustice, Shavers said, referring to proposed bans on abortions in the wake of the courts ruling. Shavers said women control their bodies in spite of the courts ruling. Carla Catalan Day of Winston-Salem, a Democratic candidate running for the N.C. House District 74 seat, encouraged protesters to look strategically at the abortion rights landscape. House Speaker Tim Moore, Republican, has said that he will work to pass "pro-life protections" in North Carolina when the N.C. General reconvenes in January 2023. We have 18 seats to flip, and we need to make the whole state blue to protect abortion access, said Day, who is running against State Rep. Jeff Zenger, R-Forsyth, in the November election. As a mother by choice, Day said she has considered what the courts ruling means for her daughter. What kind of country, what kind of state do I want her to grow up in? Day said. What kind of opportunities do I want for her? Voters need politicians who will do the right thing to uphold abortion access in the state, Day said. I am here to fight for you, Day said. Ana Wilson, a protester and a single mother, said she was distressed when she learned about the courts ruling. Wilson considered getting an abortion three months into her pregnancy, but she decided to give birth to her daughter. I decided to be a mom, Wilson said. Organizers allowed about 20 protesters from the crowd to speak to the demonstrators at Bailey Park. Some female protesters talking about the hardships they have endured by giving birth to their children and their decisions to undergo abortions to protect their health. Green Street bridge Earlier on Saturday, about 30 abortion rights advocates gathered on the Green Street pedestrian bridge to protest the Supreme Court's Friday ruling. The demonstration marked the second consecutive day that protesters gathered on the bridge to speak out against the high court ruling that overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Some 20 people gathered on the bridge Friday and about 30 on Saturday to rally for abortion rights. The decision by the court's conservative majority toppled the 49-year-old landmark abortion rights ruling and is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half of the nation's states. The demonstrators pointed signs at the drivers traveling east and west on Salem Parkway beneath the bridge. Their signs read, "Vote out GOPs," "Unapologetically Pro-Choice," "We Can't Go Back," My Body; My Choice," "Their Bodies; Their Choice," "I Dissent," and "Bad Laws Turn Good People Into Criminals." A sign posted on the fence above the bridge proclaimed, "Keep Your Hands Off My Uterus." Saturday's local protest coincided with demonstrations from abortion-rights supporters in Washington, D.C., and other U.S. cities. Leslie Vance of Loretto, Tenn., was visiting Winston-Salem to attend a family reunion and decided to take part in the protest. "No matter what you believe about abortion and when life begins, you still should be pro-choice," Vance said. Katlyn Proctor of Winston-Salem, who helped organize the demonstrations, said she supports health care for all people. "I'm out here today because it is important not to be silent during this important time in history," Proctor said. Some drivers on Salem Parkway honked their horns as vehicles passed under the protesters. The loudest honking noises came from drivers of tractor-trailers and smaller trucks on the highway. One passing driver yelled "bulls***," to the demonstrators. The court's ruling means that legislators in North Carolina and other states will be in a position to shape the future of abortion access. Abortions are still legal in North Carolina. "I was a teenager in the 1970s, and I remember the news about girls using coat hangers and Clorox, killing themselves," said LeAnne Teske of Clemmons, a protester on hand Saturday. "We can't go back." Her husband, Mike Jeske, said he is "upset that the court is taking away another right that is important to women." Mary Michael Garlichs of Olympia, Wash., also demonstrated on the Green Street bridge. "I want my grandchildren to have the same rights I did have," said Garlichs, who is staying in Winston-Salem for the rest of June for the family reunion. Three of Garlichs' grandchildren are girls, she said. Susan Carlisle, a Winston-Salem native who lives in Los Angeles, said abortion rights are an important issue for her. "I didn't think I would live to see the day when the Supreme Court started taking away our rights," said Carlisle. 336-727-7299 @jhintonWSJ The Associated Press contributed to this story. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Bojangles Restaurant Inc. of Charlotte issued a statement Friday in response to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services shutting down the companys restaurant this week at 3411 Olivers Crossing Drive in Winston-Salem for health-code violations. Bojangles takes food safety very seriously, the company said. And our customers deserve the best from us. We have corrected all issues and are awaiting a reinspection from the local health department to reopen as soon as possible, the company said. We are also working with our staff to ensure the restaurant stays in compliance. The N.C. Division of Public Health and Environmental Health Section issued a notice of suspension Wednesday of the restaurants permit to operate. You must cease operations immediately and cannot operate your establishment while permit is suspended, a state document says. Daniel Lemons, the environment health director for the Forsyth County Department of Public Health, said that his agency cannot confirm that the Bojangles restaurant on Olivers Crossing Drive has corrected the issues that led to its business being suspended from operating. Im not sure if we received a phone call or a request to come back out, Lemons said. When state and local health officials find health code violations at restaurants, those businesses typically contact local health departments for re-inspections after the restaurants employees fix those problems, Lemons said. The restaurants permit will remain suspended until the state health department determines that the violations have been corrected or there is a final decision in the case, the agency said. Bojangles officials can appeal the ruling by the state health department. Nora Sykes, a Forsyth County health official, inspected the fast-food restaurant on May 16. In her inspection report, Sykes pointed to 17 violations of the states food code. Among the violations, Sykes found flour residue on restaurant equipment, including sheet pans, drink nozzles and pans. The restaurant also violated the food code in preparation of its fries, according to the report. Flies were present in the restaurant, the report said. A box of Bo rounds sat on the floor beside a freezer. The report said that one employee had no hair restraint, and another had a long, unrestrained ponytail. Multiple utensils used for food dispensing were stored in unclean spaces, the report said. A bag of tea containers was stored on the floor in the rear of the restaurant. The report noted that a freezer door and a biscuit oven needed repairs, and toilets and urinals in its restrooms need cleaning. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. With Christmas approaching, a sweet but doomed 48-year-old mother of two arrived in my office back in 2018 seeking medical care. For the past year, she said, she had experienced bleeding. But she had no insurance and her budget was tight. So she waited until she had health care coverage to see a doctor. My heart broke when I found that cancer had already eaten away half of her cervix. Privately, I wept for her. Yes, now that she had insurance, she would receive care. But it was too late; all of that care could not save her life. No more Christmases. No more hugs with her two sons. Had her cancer been diagnosed and treated sooner or before it became invasive, the cost would have been under $1,000 and she would likely be alive today. But her lack of health insurance made her hold off. Instead, her late-stage care was much more expensive, typically running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it failed to save her life. I weep for her still and for the thousands of other mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who suffer in North Carolinas deadly health care coverage gap. Now, theres a glimmer of hope. The N.C. Senate has overwhelmingly voted in favor of closing the gap by expanding Medicaid. Next, well see if the life or death stakes involved move the N.C. House to take action. The coverage gap refers to people who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to qualify for a subsidy on the health insurance marketplace. Like my late patient with cervical cancer, many North Carolinians clock in at jobs day after day, but dont receive health insurance from their employers. And hundreds of thousands of working people still fall below the federal poverty line, which is around $26,000 for a family of four, even though they are working full time. Prior to the pandemic, approximately 400,000 North Carolinians lacked access to affordable health insurance. Now, the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates the number of North Carolinians who would benefit from closing the gap has grown by over 200,000. So far, 38 states have moved to close their gaps by expanding Medicaid, with the federal government paying 90% of the cost. This would be not just an astoundingly good deal for North Carolina, but life saving. Medicaid funding is a key tool in screening for common diseases like cancer and fighting for recovery once a disease is detected. The goal is first and foremost to make sure that all who need it, will benefit from it. A recent study showed that cancer patients in holdout states like ours experienced lower survival rates including a 31% increase in mortality risk among breast cancer patients. The outlook improves the sooner one can be screened, diagnosed and treated. Yet for too many in our state, including those with cancer, access to timely, high-quality health care is out of reach because of financial issues. Sadly, the story of the doomed mom who arrived in my office too late is not singular in my experience. I can share other stories of how our states coverage gap has swallowed up hard working people and destroyed lives. Recently, I joined faith leaders and policy makers at a prayer breakfast steps away from the N.C. General Assembly to urge legislators to finally remedy this malignancy. On behalf of so many patients, families and doctors, I again urge the N.C. House to join the N.C. Senate and expand Medicaid. Dr. Eleanor Greene earned a B.S. degree in medical technology from the former Bowman Gray School of Medicine (now Wake Forest University School of Medicine) in Winston-Salem, and her M.D. and Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from UNC-Chapel Hill. She founded her own practice at Triad Womens Health and Wellness Center, where she currently focuses on gynecology. More than two dozen former employees have brought lawsuits against Mayo Clinic and related entities alleging they were wrongly terminated after the clinic did not grant them religious exemptions to a policy mandating COVID-19 vaccination. Nine lawsuits against Mayo, listing a total of 27 plaintiffs, have been filed in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota during May and June. Former workers say the clinic failed to undertake an individual and interactive process for evaluating their requests for religious exemptions. The clinic "put itself in the position of deciding the sincerity of the religious belief of the plaintiffs and, whether a belief was 'religious' or not," says the first of the lawsuits, which was filed by Sherry Ihde, a supervisor in the bacteriology lab who worked at Mayo for 23 years. "Defendant Mayo did not provide information about its process for determining whether the employees sincerely held religious beliefs would be accommodated," her lawsuit states. Mayo says it disputes many of the allegations in the lawsuits and will defend its vaccine program implementation. "Mayo Clinic recognizes that some employees have deeply held religious beliefs that led them to seek exemption from COVID-19 vaccination," the clinic says. "In compliance with established laws, Mayo offered its employees the option to request a religious accommodation. The majority of religious exemption requests were granted." In January, the clinic said that about 700 workers were losing their jobs for failing to comply with its policy, which called on employees to either receive their first shots or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. The clinic introduced its policy in 2021, saying it was necessary to provide the safest possible environment at Mayo, which treats patients who come from around the world for complex care. Some plaintiffs, however, argued that they either worked remotely, didn't work directly with patients or had shown they could provide care safely without being vaccinated. A few months after the workers were terminated, plaintiffs say Mayo reversed a testing requirement within its vaccine mandate policy a move the former employees argue shows their terminations were either unnecessary or a pretext. Some plaintiffs say the clinic granted religious exemptions to younger and lesser-paid employees. In a statement, Mayo said its vaccination program remains in effect. The lawsuits bring claims under religious discrimination statutes, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Plaintiffs say they've suffered economic and other damages, including financial losses that exceed $75,000 each. "There are 90 more (plaintiffs) that are going to be filed for a total of approximately 120 wrongful terminations," Gregory Erickson, the lead attorney on the lawsuits, said in an email. Some cases are being brought against Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester, said Erickson, a lawyer with the Minneapolis-based firm Mohrman, Kaardal & Erickson, P.A. In the lawsuits against Mayo, most plaintiffs are Minnesota residents, although a few live in Arizona and Wisconsin two other states where the Rochester-based clinic operates. Terminations primarily involved employees who didn't get vaccinated, although Erickson estimated that about 15% received religious exemptions to the vaccine but not from a requirement that they undergo routine testing. One such former employee CT technologist Kristin Rubin, who worked at the clinic for more than 25 years questioned the fairness of testing only unvaccinated workers. "Mayo's vaccinated employees were contracting and transmitting the Omicron and Delta variants at substantially similar rates to their unvaccinated employees and were not required to submit to weekly testing," she said in her lawsuit. Mayo said it would not comment further on pending litigation. In general, the clinic said it implemented a required COVID-19 vaccination program in order to prioritize patient care needs. "Based on science and data, COVID-19 vaccinations prevent hospitalizations and save lives among those who become infected with COVID-19," the clinic said in a statement. "That's true for everyone in our communities and it's especially true for the many patients with serious or complex diseases who seek care at Mayo Clinic each day." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Ionic columns, barrel vaults and capstones are not words you might typically hear tossed around by second graders in the 21st century. So it warmed the Rev. Jamie Hottovy's heart to watch students from St. Teresa Catholic School in Lincoln confidently answering questions about the Ancient Greek and Roman influences on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's architecture during a tour this past school year. Just look at the Temple Building with its columns, the priest pointed out. Or Memorial Stadium and the debt it owes to the Roman Coliseum. The field trip coincided with a unit on Ancient Rome and STEM the second graders were studying, just one of the new features of an educational approach the Diocese of Lincoln is piloting at St. Teresa. It's called Catholic Liberal Education, a new or rather "old" curriculum based on the liberal arts and sciences and the classical method of learning cultivated by the church for centuries. Beauty, truth and a deeper understanding of the faith are an especial focus of the curriculum, which has been touted as the "gold standard" of education and a way for Catholic schools which have long faced enrollment concerns to renew and revive their central mission. "It's all about coming to Christ. That's first and foremost," said Hottovy, the pastor of St. Teresa until this month, when he was reassigned to parishes in Lawrence and Deweese. The curriculum, elements of which teachers tested out this past school year, will be introduced in phases over the next few years at the school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students near 37th and Randolph streets. If all goes well, it may be introduced to other schools in the diocese, officials say. "It's more of a return to what Catholic education always was in the past," said Matthew Hecker, chief administrative officer of the Diocese of Lincoln's schools. "(It's) the Catholic education that is responsible for things like the training of St. Thomas Aquinas, responsible for the training of and formation of musicians like Mozart and Beethoven and artists like Michelangelo. I don't think God quit making those kinds of artists. I think we quit forming them." The first phase, which will start in August, will focus on history, language arts and religion, with nature studies, science and math to follow. The lower grades will study the Age of Antiquity Ancient Greece and Rome and will be introduced to literary fairy tales, in addition to stories about the early church. As students progress, they'll track the history of Western Civilization and Christendom from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and also American history. Third graders will read stories about King Arthur and the saints of the medieval period. Lessons in Latin will also be incorporated at the school. Students in junior high will revisit many of the topics introduced in earlier grades but on a deeper level, including studying the emergence of democracy and other forms of government. Science and math curriculum will include more experiential learning, including nature journaling and observing how mathematical principles play out in real life. "You can learn about Newton's laws in a textbook, but you can learn about them by engaging in them," said Sister Mary Cecilia, the principal at St. Teresa. The curriculum also includes the study of sacred art and architecture. In addition to the field trip to UNL, students visited churches in Omaha this past school year. Fourth graders will still learn about Nebraska history, and lessons about other peoples and civilizations outside the West will still be taught. But make no mistake, Catholic Liberal Education will be a new approach for teachers and students. For one, it places less of an emphasis on textbook learning and more on primary sources. And while school officials say students still will be prepared for a 21st century world, teachers are expected to be more discerning with screen time. The use of discussions, such as Socratic seminars which involve students asking open-ended questions and working through the answers collectively is encouraged, too. Bishop James Conley first approached school officials about implementing Catholic Liberal Education at St. Teresa in the spring of 2021, Sister Mary Cecilia said. It was classical education that, in part, led to Conley's conversion to Catholicism when he was a student in the Integrated Humanities Program, a classical literature program at the University of Kansas. And St. Teresa already had a strong track record in the arts especially its strings program and Hottovy's interest in sacred art and especially architecture, which he studied in college before entering the seminary. The school has worked closely with the Institute of Catholic Liberal Education, a national organization that offers teacher training, professional development and classroom materials. Staff from the institute have provided webinars and on-site training for teachers, many of whom will be traveling to the institute's national conference next month. While officials say the change will not affect tuition, the shift has not been entirely smooth. When officials announced that St. Teresa would implement the new model, some parents who felt they had not been properly consulted raised questions about the rollout of the program. Others wondered if teachers would be properly supported. In response, school leaders held a town hall meeting to address concerns. A committee of parents was also formed. "I think in large part when people see the results of this, many of those concerns will go away," Hecker said. The classical approach to education has been on the rise in the past two decades or so, Hottovy said. While many schools across the U.S. and internationally are using the curriculum, St. Teresa is the first school in Lincoln to fully make the shift to the model. St. Peter's in Lincoln is also listed as a member on the Institute of Catholic Liberal Education's website. It's been in use elsewhere in Nebraska, including St. James Catholic School in Crete and Christendom Academy in Omaha. Hecker said other schools may be invited to adopt the curriculum if it goes well at St. Teresa, but stressed that it would not be a top-down mandate. The curriculum is in line with state standards, and the same yearly assessments will still be administered, Hottovy said. While the pandemic hit Catholic schools hard, Nebraska fared relatively better than other states. St. Teresa, which has about 280 students, did see a drop in enrollment during COVID-19. Sister Mary Cecilia is hopeful that Catholic Liberal Education will reverse that trend and lead to a revitalization of Catholic schools. "We're not looking to change everything," she said. "But we've got new families coming because of this. And I think we will continue to have more families come as this grows." Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @HammackLJS Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. New York Times bestselling author Candice Millard will deliver the 27th annual Governor's Lecture in the Humanities at the Lied Center for Performing Arts on Sept. 28. Millard will discuss each of her four books, all on the bestseller list, including "The River of Doubt," a story about Theodore Roosevelt; "Destiny of the Republic," which highlights President James Garfield; "Hero of the Empire," about Winston Churchill; and her most recent story, set on the Nile River, "River of the Gods." She has been the recipient of the William Rockhill Nelson Award, Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime, One Book-One Lincoln award and the Kansas Notable Book award. Millard previously was a writer and editor for National Geographic. The lecture, which is sponsored by Humanities Nebraska, will also mark the start of the Thompson Forum on World Issues series on Creativity to Solve Global Challenges. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Mindy Rush-Chipman doesnt remember the attorneys name, cant picture her clearly all these years later. But she's come to realize, in the 25 years since she was a 17-year-old girl on her own, barely making ends meet, in a relationship she knew wasnt healthy what an impact that woman had on her life. The attorney, working as a volunteer, met a young, scared Rush-Chipman at the courthouse, accompanied her to a district judges chambers and helped her walk through intensely personal details of her life shed never disclosed to anyone, that she was now telling a stranger in a black robe weighing her fate. Nebraska law requires anyone under 18 who doesn't have their parent's consent to get a judge's permission before getting an abortion, a process called judicial bypass. Rush-Chipman left the judges chambers that day able to access abortion care, something she knew she needed to do as soon as she realized she was pregnant. That she was in an abusive relationship was just one factor. I was barely supporting myself. I didnt have access to traditional health care or health insurance. I wanted to further my education. I needed to continue to work the survival job just to survive, she said. Ultimately, it was just my decision that I needed to make for myself. That decision and the role that attorney played in the process helped set her life on a different trajectory, away from her abuser and poverty to a husband, four kids and a successful legal career. Years later, she told her husband and children shed had an abortion, and about the abuse and addiction in her family, but shed never told anyone else. Until she did. Shed thought for months about how important it is, in the fight for reproductive freedom, for women to tell their stories, and for others to hear them. On her first day as legal director of ACLU Nebraska in March surrounded by supportive and receptive colleagues a 42-year-old Rush-Chipman decided it was time to tell her story. Maybe she could change someones perspective. Maybe it would encourage others to tell their stories. The rights that I utilized 20 years ago are under attack right now, she said. And so were in this unprecedented time where the decisions that I was able to make for myself and my future and my family might not be there moving forward. She wrote a column for the Journal Stars opinion page. She agreed to talk to a reporter. Friday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court as expected overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion after almost 50 years. Rush-Chipman was in a meeting when the decision came down. Her team had spent weeks planning its response and next steps top among them to remind Nebraskans that abortion is still legal here, to contact their senators, to get involved. She spent the day finalizing and sending out news releases, executing social media pushes, giving a pre-planned presentation on employment law, attending a rally at the County-City Building. Although we had the leaked decision and we tried to be as prepared as possible, it was still shocking, disappointing, frustrating, heart-wrenching. All the emotions, she said. And always, on the periphery, forcing its way into the whirlwind of a day, was the memory of her own experience years ago. * * * Rush-Chipman was born in Minnesota and her childhood was marked by domestic abuse and her fathers addiction an addiction that sent him to prison or jail several times and ultimately led to his death by overdose four years ago. Her parents divorced when she was young, her mom remarried and the family traveled around a lot before landing in Lincoln, where Rush-Chipman went to Randolph Elementary School, Lefler Junior High and Lincoln High. In high school, she was active on student council, a cheerleader, in gymnastics. She liked school, but a chaotic home life led her to decide to graduate a year early and move out. It was not a supportive or happy environment in my home at that time, she said. And so I moved out, kind of flailing, not having a solid place to land and what ultimately happened is a person who was abusive took advantage of that situation. Rush-Chipman met her abuser when she was staying at a friends house, sleeping on the couch. She thought he could offer her stability. She was wrong. Now that Rush-Chipman understands more about the dynamics of power and control, she understands just how abusive he was, but even at 16, she knew it wasnt a good situation. She always intended to go to college she wasnt sure what she wanted to do, but she was convinced education was the path out of poverty. It was a goal, but that was about it. A very far-fetched, unclear goal, she said. The road was very bumpy and it wasnt perfect and I had to stop and start, but I always started again. It stopped for a while, when she moved away from home, and in with the man she'd met at her friend's house. Shed started working at Amigos when she was 14 and she stuck with that job. A good friend there had once mentioned abortion during a casual conversation the first time Rush-Chipman had ever heard the subject mentioned. When she suspected she was pregnant she turned to that friend. Shes still grateful for her support. The friend took Rush-Chipman to Planned Parenthood, where staffers confirmed the pregnancy and connected her with an attorney. She stayed with the friend for a short time afterward. Though she returned to her abuser, she eventually left him for good. Breaking the cycle of domestic abuse was hard, she said, and several factors played into her eventually getting out of the situation. She called the police more than once. The support she got when she was pregnant was part of it. Now, looking back, I think one of the things, knowing that there were support systems I could rely on, was very powerful, she said. You know, there was this pro bono attorney who didnt know me that was helping me, and my friend, the folks at Planned Parenthood. Getting a better-paying job as a correctional officer at the Nebraska Department of Corrections was another factor, she said, because it allowed her to be more financially independent. There was another, unintended benefit: it helped set her on a path to becoming a lawyer. She started working at what was then the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center, then got a promotion to work in the prison library, which was also a law library. She saw so many prisoners, she said, still working through the appeals process. She was struck by how different the sentences were for the same crime, how some inmates had no access to attorneys. She thought about the attorney whod helped her. And something sparked. She wasnt aspiring to be a lawyer just yet, but maybe, she thought, a legal assistant. She started attending the Lincoln School of Commerce, where she earned a paralegal degree, then got a job at an attorneys office and went to Doane College, where she earned a bachelors degree in paralegal studies. She took the law school entrance exam, and when she got a scholarship, started law school at the University of Nebraska. After her first year, she worked at the Lancaster County Public Defenders office as a clerk. By that time, she had a young daughter. Shed been in a relationship with the father when her daughter was born, but the relationship ended. She met her husband in law school he was in the Air Force at the time, a year ahead of her. They got married during her last year of law school. She did a short stint in private practice once she graduated, but she was drawn to work that involved helping those who couldnt afford it, who needed someone to advocate for them. She worked for Legal Aid of Nebraska and the Immigration Legal Center, then became director of the Lincoln Human Rights Commission. She started work at ACLU Nebraska this spring. And she has realized, she said, just how much that pro bono lawyer impacted the trajectory of her career and her life. I mean, that was my first experience with a lawyer, right? * * * Today, Rush-Chipman and her husband have a blended family: her daughter, two of his children from a previous relationship, and a 15-year-old son together. Two of their oldest children are in college, one is joining the military. For the last decade, theyve lived on an acreage with a pot-bellied pig named Penelope and a fainting goat. In a nearby small town, they own a junk/antique store they recently converted to an Airbnb. She knows trauma is part of her story, including the death by suicide of her brother 15 years ago, but that's not the only justification for women making the same choice because all women's stories are valid. Stigma made it feel impossible for me to share (my story) for 25 years, she said. And that shouldnt be the case. The reason somebody decides to access abortion care is the only reason that matters. To me, anyone else's expectation is inappropriate. Rush-Chipman hopes to find the attorney who helped her all those years ago. She wants to thank her. She would tell her how what she did might have seemed a small thing, but it helped put a 17-year-old girls life on a different path. She doesnt know where shed be now had she not had access to those services, certainly not legal director of the ACLU. She would tell that attorney that she's the reason she does pro bono work, why she encourages other lawyers to do the same. You just never know how that one pro bono act could have an amazing ripple effect in (someones) life, she said. Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSreist Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Abortion foes, supporters map next moves after Roe reversal CHARLESTON, W. Va. (AP) A day after the Supreme Courts bombshell ruling overturning Roe v. Wade ended the constitutional right to abortion, emotional protests and prayer vigils are turning to resolve as several states enact bans and both supporters and foes of abortion rights map out their next moves. A Texas group that helps women pay for abortions has halted its efforts while evaluating its legal risk under a ban it says will disproportionately hurt poor and minority women. Mississippis only abortion clinic is continuing to see patients while awaiting a 10-day notice that will trigger a ban. Some elected officials are vowing to protect womens access to abortion, while opponents of the procedure say their fight is far from over. Supreme Court conservatives flex muscle in sweeping rulings WASHINGTON (AP) Sweeping Supreme Court rulings on guns and abortion this past week have sent an unmistakable message. And that message is that conservative justices hold the power and aren't afraid to use it to make transformative changes in the law. It was never clearer than when the court took away a womans right to abortion that had stood for nearly 50 years. The conservative majority said no more half measures when they overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states to outlaw abortion. And the day before, they ruled for the first time that Americans the right to carry handguns in public for self-defense. The decisions are the latest and perhaps clearest manifestation of the court's control by an aggressive conservative majority. Biden signs landmark gun measure, says 'lives will be saved' WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden has signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades. The bipartisan compromise seemed unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school. The House gave final approval Friday, following Senate passage Thursday, and Biden acted just before leaving Washington for two world leader summits in Europe. The legislation will toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders and help states put in place laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged to be dangerous. Most of its $13 billion cost will help bolster mental health programs and aid schools Russia fires missiles across Ukraine, cements gains in east KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian forces are seeking to swallow up the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the eastern Luhansk region while pressing their momentum following the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the charred ruins of Sievierodonetsk. The military said Moscow-backed separatists were now in full control of the chemical plant that was the last Ukrainian holdout in the city. Russia also launched dozens of missiles Saturday on several areas across the country far from the heart of the eastern battles. Ukraine's air command says some of the missiles were fired from Russian long-range Tu-22 bombers deployed to Belarus for the first time. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that Moscow plans to supply Belarus with the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile system. 'Mitt Romney Republican' is now a potent GOP primary attack SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Mitt Romney isnt up for reelection this year, but his name is surfacing in Republican primaries throughout the nation. Candidates are using the label Mitt Romney Republican to frame opponents as insufficiently conservative and enemies of the Trump-era GOP. Candidates have employed the concept in attack ads and talking points in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In Romney's home state Utah, Republican challengers taking on incumbent congressmen are using the attack, even though Romney won overwhelmingly only four years ago. The fact that Romney remains potent attack fodder reflects his singular position in politics and ongoing divisions within the Republican Party. Pope hails families, blasts 'culture of waste' after Roe ROME (AP) Pope Francis is urging families to shun selfish decisions that are indifferent to life as he closed out a big Vatican family rally a day after the U.S. Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion.Francis didnt refer to the ruling or explicitly mention abortion in his homily Saturday. But he used the buzzwords he has throughout his papacy about the need to defend families and condemn the culture of waste that he believes is behind the societal acceptance of abortion.Francis has strongly upheld church teaching opposing abortion, equating it to hiring a hitman to solve a problem. At the same time, he has expressed sympathy for women who have had abortions and has made it easier for them to be absolved of the sin of abortion. Guns and abortion: Contradictory decisions, or consistent? They are the most fiercely polarizing issues in American life: abortion and guns. And two momentous decisions by the Supreme Court in two days have done anything but resolve them. Instead, they've fired up debate about whether the courts conservative justices are being consistent to history and the Constitution or citing them to justify political preferences, To some critics, the rulings represent an obvious and deeply damaging contradiction: How can the court justify restricting the ability of states to regulate guns while expanding the right of states to regulate abortion? To supporters, the courts conservatives are staying true to the countrys founding principles and undoing errors of the past. Guns in paradise: Ruling could undo strict Hawaii carry law HONOLULU (AP) A U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down a New York gun law could mean big changes thousands of miles away in Hawaii, which has strict restrictions on carrying firearms. In 2020, Hawaii had the nations lowest rate for gun deaths. Chris Marvin is a Hawaii resident with the gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety. He's concerned minor scuffles over things like surf spots could escalate if more people are carrying guns in public because of the high court decision. As Marvin says, Guns and aloha don't mix." Hawaii and California are among states with strict laws limiting carrying guns in public. Those laws will now need to be loosened. WHO panel: Monkeypox not a global emergency 'at this stage' LONDON (AP) The World Health Organization said the escalating monkeypox outbreak in more than 50 countries should be closely monitored but does not warrant being declared a global health emergency. In a statement, a WHO emergency committee said many aspects of the outbreak were unusual and acknowledged that monkeypox, which is endemic in some African countries, has been neglected. WHO nevertheless pointed to the emergency nature of the outbreak and said controlling its spread requires an intense response. The committee said the outbreak should be closely monitored and reviewed after a few weeks. Norway shaken by attack that kills 2 during Pride festival OSLO, Norway (AP) A gunman who opened fire in Oslos nightlife district has killed two men and left more than 20 other people injured during the LGBTQ Pride festival in Norway's capital. The Norwegian security service called the attack early Saturday an Islamist terror act and raised the country's terror alert level from moderate to extraordinary, the highest level. A suspect was arrested. Investigators identified him as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran. The security service's acting chief says the gunman had a long history of violence and threats, as well as mental health issues. A defense lawyer cautioned against speculating on on a motive but says the suspect hasnt denied carrying out the attack. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian forces were seeking to swallow up the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the eastern Luhansk region, pressing their momentum after taking full control Saturday of the charred ruins of Sievierodonetsk and the chemical plant where hundreds of Ukrainian troops and civilians had been holed up. Russia also launched dozens of missiles on several areas across the country far from the heart of the eastern battles. Some of the missiles were fired from Russian long-range Tu-22 bombers deployed from Belarus for the first time, Ukraine's air command said. The bombardment preceded a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, during which Putin announced that Russia planned to supply Belarus with the Iskander-M missile system. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said late Saturday that Russian and Moscow-backed separatist forces now control Sievierodonetsk and the villages surrounding it. He said the attempt by Ukrainian forces to turn the Azot plant into a stubborn center of resistance had been thwarted. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk province, said Friday that Ukrainian troops were retreating from Sievierodonetsk after weeks of bombardment and house-to-house fighting. He confirmed Saturday that the city had fallen to Russian and separatist fighters, who he said were now trying to blockade Lysychansk from the south. The city lies across the river just to the west of Sievierodonetsk. Capturing Lysychansk would give Russian forces control of every major settlement in the province, a significant step toward Russias aim of capturing the entire Donbas. The Russians and separatists control about half of Donetsk, the second province in the Donbas. Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a spokesman for the separatist forces, Andrei Marochko, as saying Russian troops and separatist fighters had entered Lysychansk and that fighting was taking place in the heart of the city. There was no immediate comment on the claim from the Ukrainian side. Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk have been the focal point of a Russian offensive aimed at capturing all of the Donbas and destroying the Ukrainian military defending it the most capable and battle-hardened segment of the countrys armed forces. Russian bombardment has reduced most of Sievierodonetsk to rubble and cut its population from 100,000 to 10,000. The last remaining Ukrainian troops were holed up in underground shelters in the huge Azot chemical plant, along with hundreds of civilians. A separatist representative, Ivan Filiponenko, said earlier Saturday that its forces evacuated 800 civilians from the plant during the night, Interfax reported. Ukrainian military analyst Oleg Zhdanov said some of the troops were heading for Lysychansk. But Russian moves to cut off Lysychansk will give those retreating troops little respite. Some 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) to the west, four Russian cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea hit a military object in Yaroviv, Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said. He did not give further details of the target, but Yaroviv has a sizable military base used for training fighters, including foreigners who have volunteered to fight for Ukraine. Russian missiles struck the Yaroviv base in March, killing 35 people. The Lviv region, although far from the front lines, has come under fire at various points in the the war as Russia's military worked to destroy fuel storage sites. About 30 Russian missiles were fired on the Zhytomyr region in central Ukraine on Saturday morning, killing one Ukrainian soldier, regional governor Vitaliy Buchenko said. He said all of the strikes were aimed at military targets. In the northwest, two missiles hit a service station and auto repair center in Sarny, killing three people and wounding four, the Rivne regional governor, Vitaliy Koval, said. He posted a picture of the destruction. Sarny is located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the border with Belarus. In southern Ukraine along the Black Sea coast, nine missiles fired from Crimea hit the port city of Mykolaiv, the Ukrainian military said. In the north, about 20 missiles were fired from Belarus into the Chernihiv region, the Ukrainian military said. Ukraine's military intelligence agency said the Russian bombers' use of Belarusian airspace for the first time for Saturday's attack was directly connected to attempts by the Kremlin to drag Belarus into the war. Belarus hosts Russian military units and was used as a staging ground before Russia invaded Ukraine, but its own troops have not crossed the border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address that as a war that Moscow expected to last five days moved into its fifth month, Russia felt compelled to stage such a missile show." He said the war was at a difficult stage, when we know that the enemy will not succeed, when we understand that we can defend our country, but we dont know how long it will take, how many more attacks, losses and efforts there will be before we can see that victory is already on our horizon. During his meeting in St. Petersburg with Lukashenko, Putin told him the Iskander-M missile systems would be arriving in the coming months. He noted that they can fire either ballistic or cruise missiles and carry nuclear as well as conventional warheads. Russia has launched several Iskander missiles into Ukraine during the war. Following a botched attempt to capture Kyiv, Ukraines capital, in the early stage of the invasion that started Feb. 24, Russian forces have shifted their focus to the Donbas, where the Ukrainian forces have fought Moscow-backed separatists since 2014. A senior U.S. defense official, speaking in Washington on condition of anonymity, on Friday called the Ukrainians withdrawal from Sievierodonetsk a tactical retrograde to consolidate forces into positions where they can better defend themselves. The move will reinforce Ukraines efforts to keep Russian forces pinned down in a small area, the official said. After repeated Ukrainian requests to its Western allies for heavier weaponry to counter Russias edge in firepower, four medium-range American rocket launchers arrived this week, with four more on the way. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry released a video Saturday showing the first use of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, in Ukraine. The video gave no location or indication of the targets. The rockets can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometers). The senior U.S. defense official said Friday that more Ukrainian forces are training outside Ukraine to use the HIMARS and are expected back in their country with the weapons by mid-July. Also to be sent are 18 U.S. coastal and river patrol boats. The official said there is no evidence Russia has intercepted any of the steady flow of weapons into Ukraine from the U.S. and other nations. Russia has repeatedly threatened to strike, or actually claimed to have hit, such shipments. Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Game-changer? That's what Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, the Democratic nominee in Tuesday's special election to fill the eastern Nebraska House seat vacated by the resignation of former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, is hoping. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision Friday to end abortion rights previously guaranteed by its 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade means that the Tuesday election in Nebraska provides the first opportunity in the country to "fight back at the ballot box," Pansing Brooks said at a hastily arranged news conference. "I'm angry, sad, mostly angry," she said. "Now we need to channel our anger into votes." The two-term state senator appeared at her downtown Lincoln campaign headquarters dressed in white, which she said represented an expression of hope. The court's decision, which she described as Draconian, transports women "back to the world where we were chattel," or property, second-class citizens, Pansing Brooks said. "It means safe abortions will not happen. "Many women will now die," she said. "It's a sad day." The court's decision has the effect of "push(ing) women back into the Dark Ages," she said. The news conference attracted the kind of intense media coverage that will give her targeted message wide distribution as voters in the 1st Congressional District prepare to go the polls Tuesday in a battleground that structurally favors Republicans. Flood praised the court's decision to "return abortion-related policy decisions back to the states and the people where they belong." Noting that he sponsored "the nation's first pain-capable unborn child protection act" as a state senator, a bill that has banned abortion in Nebraska after 20 weeks, Flood said "we helped pave the way for this landmark decision." Later, during an interview in the Capitol Rotunda, Flood said he believes the court ruling can spark decisions in the states that "create a culture of life," which includes support for prenatal care, adequate nutrition and a determination to "make sure pregnant women have the support they need." "Not in the last 50 years have Nebraskans had the opportunity to have such a discussion," Flood said. "This begins a journey and we need to listen to both sides." Flood recalled the political criticism he encountered in 2012 when he supported legislation that included prenatal care benefits for illegal immigrants living in Nebraska. "I chose the pro-life path," he said. "And I stand by that as part of a bigger discussion about providing women the resources they need to be able to deliver a healthy child. "My position is that life begins at conception," Flood said. "My pro-life record is clear. I believe the state has an obligation to help children who may not be wanted." Flood said he encourages a big voter turnout next week. Republicans hold a voter registration advantage over Democrats that tops 67,000 and have recorded 27 straight victories in the district, although it has been reshaped every decade to reflect changes dictated by U.S. census figures. Pansing Brooks said she is reaching out to moderate Republicans and independent voters, as well as members of her own party. Lincoln is the district's largest city and viewed in Nebraska's political terms as moderate, and it presumably would need to be a key element in shaping a potential upset. The district is composed of 10 counties and parts of two other counties and includes Bellevue, Norfolk, Fremont and Columbus in addition to Lincoln. Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Gov. Pete Ricketts and Speaker Mike Hilgers of Lincoln said they would work together to determine when to call the Legislature back into special session to consider enacting a ban on abortion in the state. "I am keen to protect pre-born babies, but I'll have to work with the speaker with regard to what he thinks we will be able to accomplish," Ricketts said Friday during an event celebrating the completion of new state offices in the Fallbrook development in Lincoln. Abortion remains legal in Nebraska up until 20 weeks after fertilization, according to current state law. Friday's Supreme Court ruling leaves the decision on how to restrict abortion up to individual states. Thirteen states had trigger laws in place that will automatically ban abortion within one month of the ruling. The governor would not predict when the session would be scheduled but indicated he'd rather call state senators back than wait until the next session begins in January. He pointed out that Tuesday's special election to replace Rep. Jeff Fortenberry would change the makeup of the Legislature. State Sens. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln and Mike Flood of Norfolk are seeking to fill the remainder of the 1st District congressman's term. In the closing days of this year's legislative session, a bill to ban abortion in Nebraska if states were given full regulatory authority by the court was trapped by a filibuster. A cloture motion to free the bill for consideration fell two votes short on a 31-15 count, with Flood voting yes and Pansing Brooks voting no. Ricketts also mentioned that Sen. Tom Brewer had just left for a trip to Ukraine. Brewer, a Republican who supported the bill to ban abortions, had said he would return for a special session. Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln said a special session is "all-but-guaranteed," and will likely take place later this summer. Had the trigger bill senators considered this past session passed, it would have made it a felony for anyone to provide any medication or undertake any procedure with the intent of ending the life of an unborn child, starting at fertilization. The woman undergoing an abortion, however, could not be charged. Lawmakers who opposed the bill have vowed to continue their opposition in the event of a special session. Several of them repeated those promises Friday in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling. "We have stopped an abortion ban before, and we will do it again together," Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, who led an eight-hour filibuster on the failed trigger bill earlier this year, wrote on Twitter on Friday. Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, who introduced the trigger bill, said she has been negotiating with some lawmakers on alterations that would address sticking points of opposition in the previous legislation mainly that the bill would have inadvertently banned in vitro fertilization, or IVF, and hindered doctors attempting to perform life-saving operations. "We have to be certain that we cover all our bases," Albrecht said. Albrecht said she isn't sure what the new bill would look like, because it will largely depend on a full analysis of the Supreme Court's ruling. Two other abortion-restricting bills were proposed during this year's session, but neither made it out of committee. One, introduced by Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, would have banned chemical abortions after seven weeks. It would not have regulated surgical abortions. The other, introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, would have banned abortions after a fetal heartbeat could be detected. That usually occurs about six weeks after fertilization. Slama said Friday she would support any abortion-restricting bill in a special session, as long as it is capable of reaching 33 votes to end a filibuster. Albrecht said she does not expect Ricketts to call for a special session if he isn't confident a proposed bill will pass. "We should not walk away empty-handed," Slama said. The fate of any bill will ultimately depend on the makeup of the Legislature, which has already changed from the end of last session because of the death of Sen. Rich Pahls of Omaha. Pahls was not present for the vote on the trigger bill because of illness, though Morfeld said Pahls likely would have voted for the bill. Ricketts appointed Omaha businesswoman Kathleen Kauth as Pahls' replacement earlier this month. At her appointment ceremony, Kauth said she would have voted for the trigger bill had she been serving at the time. Nebraska Family Alliance policy director Nate Grasz called for legislative action. "Pre-born babies who can smile, yawn, suck their thumbs and have their own heartbeat can be legally aborted up to 20 weeks in our state," he said. "We will immediately begin working with our state lawmakers to pursue the strongest protections possible for every unborn child in Nebraska, because every life should be cherished and protected," Grasz said. Morfeld, a candidate for Lancaster County Attorney, also issued a statement Friday declaring that "I will not criminalize doctors or women for reproductive decisions" if he is elected to that office. "I will not turn every miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, IVF procedure and split-second, life-saving decision by a doctor into a criminal investigation. "These are private decisions that should be left to a woman and her doctor, not politicians and lawyers." Reporters for the Omaha World-Herald contributed to this story. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Don Walton Political reporter/columnist Don Walton covers politics and the Legislature along with writing a weekly column. Follow Don Walton 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 The Kiwanis Club of Lincoln-Capital City and the Capital City Kiwanis Club Foundation formally awarded their 2022 scholarships in person for the first time in a couple of years due to COVID-19. Usually there are five winners, but this year the applicants were so close, club members pitched in and supported a sixth scholarship. Students and their families were invited to attend either the May 24 or June 7 Capital City Kiwanis meetings at Second Baptist Church to receive their $1,000 scholarships. Kenton Brass, Pius X High School, received a Capital City Foundation Scholarship and is headed to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to pursue a Business Management degree. Carson Brodersen, Norris High School, was awarded the Bob and Dottie Orshek Scholarship and will attend UNL to pursue a civil engineering and business degree. Heather Jean Riensche, Norris High School, received a Capital City Foundation Scholarship and will pursue a degree in Microbiology at UNL. Thomas Svoboda, a Lincoln Christian High School graduate, was awarded the Gwen Farmer Memorial Nursing Scholarship and will attend the Bryan College of Health Sciences to pursue a Nursing degree. Gionna Weber, Norris High School, was awarded the Beverly Carlson Education Scholarship and is headed to UNL to earn a degree in elementary education with a minor in cultural affairs. Brianna Wemhoff, Pius X High School, received a Capital City Foundation Scholarship and plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha to earn a degree in Physical Therapy. All of the students were chosen based on their academic achievements and service to their communities. The applicants must be from Lancaster County and plan to attend a Nebraska college to be eligible for these scholarships. The Capital City Kiwanis Foundation and Club Scholarship program started in 1977 and continues to help local students further their education. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON The business world is divided over whether the Securities and Exchange Commission should require emissions data from corporations suppliers and customers when the agency finalizes a rule on climate-related financial risk disclosure. While the SEC sees broad support for its proposed rule to mandate standardized information on companies direct emissions and other material risks from climate change, agency staff members reviewing comments face a difficult task in striking a balance in the coming months on emissions from suppliers and other third parties. A wide range of billion-dollar asset managers, investor coalitions and boutique firms focused on environmental, social and governance investing told the SEC they support the agencys provisions to include Scope 3 emissions, meaning indirect releases from supply chains. But several trade groups say there is strong opposition. The SEC has also taken the correct approach by incorporating many of the elements set forth by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures and by requiring disclosure of [greenhouse gas] emissions, including disclosure (for many companies) of Scope 3 emissions and third-party assurance of Scopes 1 and 2 emissions, Ceres, a nonprofit organization that works with ESG investors and companies to address climate risk and other sustainability issues in capital markets, said Friday in a letter to the SEC. Other supporters include BNP Paribas, the California Public Employees Retirement System, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management, Seventh Generation Interfaith Inc. and Christian Brothers Investment Services Inc. As a starting point, the basis for the rulemaking initiative that climate change poses a significant financial risk is surely clear and unmistakable, Ceres said in the letter. It is likewise reasonable for the Commission to conclude that this risk is, or can be, material to investors. This is not a matter of conjecture; investors have repeatedly and emphatically expressed this view. If finalized, the rule would require public companies to report to the SEC on Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, which address direct and indirect emissions from purchased electricity and other forms of energy. But they would have to report Scope 3 emissions only if they are material or if companies have set reduction goals that include Scope 3. The proposal contains a broad safe harbor for liability for Scope 3 emissions disclosure and exemption for smaller issuers on Scope 3 emissions. Scope 3 challenge Scope 3 emissions have been a particularly controversial area in the proposal. During the agencys information-gathering period, companies and industry coalitions voiced concern about lawsuits over emissions outside of companies direct control. Some legal experts have said the proposals provisions surrounding Scope 3 emissions would indirectly create disclosure requirements for third-party, nonpublic companies that work with major public corporations. For many issuers, it would be extremely difficult to access downstream information on customers use of their products, the National Association of Manufacturers, which represents 14,000 member companies, wrote in a letter to the SEC on June 6. For others, upstream emissions attributable to commodity production would present the biggest challenge. The unifying theme is that Scope 3 emissions are outside of a companys control. That debate has trickled over to Congress. Eight Democratic senators, led by Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, called on the SEC to include a quantitative threshold for Scope 3 reporting to prevent underreporting in sectors that have most of their emissions coming from supply chains. But 32 Republican senators, including John Hoeven of North Dakota, Tim Scott of South Carolina and Michael D. Crapo of Idaho, told the SEC that such requirements would be overly burdensome for farmers and agricultural producers. At press time, public comments from some companies that would be affected by the proposal were available. Salesforce, Dell Technologies and Etsy were among the top firms that filed letters with the SEC, largely in support of the proposal. But dozens of major corporations met with SEC Chairman Gary Gensler and Commissioners Caroline Crenshaw, Hester Peirce and Allison Herren Lee, as well as agency staff, in the weeks after the agency announced its proposed rule in March. According to memos published by the SEC, the agency held more than 50 meetings after it released the proposed rule. The SEC met with General Motors CEO Mary Barra twice to discuss the climate risk disclosure proposal, including Scope 3 emissions and the safe harbor provision. SEC staff also focused on companies concern with Scope 3 emissions with chief accounting officers and controllers from dozens of corporations, including Google parent Alphabet, Bank of America, Mars, Verizon Communications and Wells Fargo in a May 17 meeting. The agency held talks with representatives from Dow, Amazon.com, The Goldman Sachs Group and JPMorgan Chase & Co. throughout the comment period. Other corporations may have relied on trade associations to advocate on their behalf. A large majority of our members believe that the Commission should not require companies to report Scope 3 emissions at this time, because of significant data gaps and the absence of agreed-upon methodologies to measure Scope 3 emissions, the Investment Company Institute, an association for regulated investment funds representing $29.7 trillion in U.S. assets under management, wrote in a June 16 letter to the SEC. These deficiencies seriously undermine the ability of most companies to report consistent, comparable, and verifiably reliable data, the ICI wrote. Any company calculating Scope 3 emissions will have to make a number of assumptions that can vary greatly in magnitude and will use different methodologies. The ICI and several other groups, including the Committee on Capital Markets Regulation, a nonpartisan research group, suggested that the SEC should put off Scope 3 requirements while the agency works with the private sector to develop better calculations for indirect emissions from suppliers and other third parties. But several ESG investors are pressuring the SEC to expand the Scope 3 reporting requirement beyond large issuers, arguing that the discretion around Scope 3 emissions being material to a firm may be an easy way out for companies to ignore impacts from their supply chains. Many companies fail to fully understand or assess the full impact of their Scope 3 emissions; leaving the determination of materiality up to companies is likely to lead to underreporting of these risks, said Mercy Investment Services Inc., the asset management arm for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 RACINE A recent study from the American Cancer Society reports that the COVID-19 pandemic reduced breast, cervical, colorectal cancer screenings by millions in 2020. The number of women in the United States who reported having a recent (in the past year) breast cancer or cervical cancer screening dropped by 2.13 million (6%) and 4.47 million (11%) respectively in 2020 compared to 2018. The study is the first of its kind to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screenings nationally using population-based data. Racine resident Amanda Lipke had never had a mammogram but during the pandemic had felt something unusual during a self-exam. Amanda immediately made an appointment and was given a mammogram and subsequent tests that revealed stage 2 breast cancer. One month later she had bilateral mastectomy. Today, she is cancer-free and is sharing the important message of getting screened and supporting others. I am so thankful that I went to get checked but was overwhelmed when I learned of my diagnosis, said Lipke. I never did any testing prior and wished I had someone to talk to who had gone through the same procedures so I could know what to expect. After her experience, Lipke became a positive resource for others who are going through the experience of cancer. It is important to have a support network during the battle against cancer, especially when someone has never gone through the experience. Im grateful to be cancer-free and hope my story will remind people about the importance of getting routine screening to detect cancer early-when it can be easier to treat, said Lipke. Screening is safe, effective, and accessible. Facilities that offer screening services have COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Relay for Life Lipke is the Racine honorary survivor and will speak at this years American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Racine on Friday, July 15, at Grace Church from 5 p.m. to midnight. The event is supported by local businesses and organizations including the Kohls Healthy Families program, a partnership between the American Cancer Society and Kohls which supports families through the prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Relay For Life is grateful to all our partners and to Kohls for their continued partnership and support of several Relay For Life events, including Racine, said Maddie Petre, senior development manager from the American Cancer Society. Other community businesses supporting the Relay For Life of Racine through event sponsorships include SC Johnson, Educators Credit Union and InSinkErator. I invite everyone to join us at this years Relay For Life of Racine event to hear Amandas story and cheer on our survivors as they walk the first lap, said Amy Helvick, event lead. My favorite moment at Relay each year is to see the sea of purple shirts, knowing that each one has a unique story and struggle. It is my motivation to continue fundraising for the American Cancer Society. For more than 35 years, Relay For Life has joined communities together to remember loved ones lost, honor survivors of all cancers and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives from cancer. Dollars raised each year by over 500,000 relay participants across the country help attack all cancers in countless ways funding and conducting breakthrough research, providing education, and advocating for the needs of cancer patients and their families, and providing essential services throughout their cancer journey. To learn more about Relay For Life, visit relayrorlife.org or Relay for Life of Racine. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 RACINE The man charged with multiple felonies on the allegations he shot his marijuana dealer following an attempted robbery gone wrong was found not guilty on all charges in Racine County Circuit Court on Thursday. Darius Banks, 26, was acquitted of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and attempted armed robbery, as a party to a crime on both counts, and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony. Banks denied being involved in the enterprise to rob the accuser. Attorney Laura Ann Walker, who represented the defendant, argued there was simply no physical evidence linking Banks to the crime scene In fact, the fresh blood at the scene did not belong to Banks or the accuser. The only person who puts Mr. Banks there is the (accuser), she told the jury. There is no physical evidence. Case history Officers from the Racine Police Department were dispatched on April 19, 2020, to the area of Roe Avenue and Riverside Drive on the report of shots fired and a vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers located a man lying just outside the wrecked vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. Initially, he did not cooperate with investigators. Later, the accuser told investigators that he met up with Banks to complete a marijuana deal. The accuser had been Banks dealer for quite some time and the two knew each other well. However, almost immediately after the accuser arrived at the prearranged spot, a gray van pulled up and Banks allegedly jumped into the accusers car. The dealer told investigators that Banks was armed and then a suspect got out of the van with a gun. The suspect was later identified as Keyontae Howard, who will go before the jury in August. Banks allegedly said to the accuser, Give it up. Dont die for this. The accuser thought he was going to be robbed, he told investigators, so he reversed the car to get away. Banks then put the gun to his face and the two began to struggle, he said. During the struggle, the car hit several other cars and ended up on the embankment at Roe and Riverside. The second armed suspect came running up to the car and then the accuser heard shots being fired and pain in his arm and leg. During the course of the investigation, officers located 2.5 pounds of weed in the accusers vehicle. Credibility During closing statements on Thursday, Walker called the accuser a liar multiple times. She also alleged that, on social media, the accuser had said that for $2,500 he would drop the allegations. She added the jury would have to believe the accuser in order to convict Banks, due to the lack of other evidence. But on top of that, the accuser had credibility issues, repeatedly denying he was a drug dealer but admitting to trading marijuana for money. Walker reminded the jury the civilian witness who did not know anyone involved saw only one person in the vehicle after the crash. The civilian witness fled the scene when the shooting started. Brian Van Schyndel, the assistant DA, reminded the jury that someone called Banks in the accusers phone was texting to buy some marijuana shortly before the robbery and the same person was communicating with Howard, the co-defendant, immediately before and after the attempted robbery. In fact, a text from Banks in the accusers phone indicated he sought to meet with the dealer in an alley, which the dealer declined to do. The ADA called Banks the unluckiest man alive if there was in fact another Banks who perpetrated the crime. However, the state could not link the recovered gun or the phone to the defendant. Although a fingerprint was recovered, Banks had been in the vehicle many times before to make purchases. The co-defendant in the case, Keyontae Howard, has a jury trial scheduled to begin Aug. 2, 2020. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. RACINE Anger directed at conservative policymakers and justices is growing as gun rights expand and access to abortion has been heavily restricted due to U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the past week. More than 100 people, most of them young adults, marched through the streets of Milwaukee Friday night after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. "Regulate guns, not my body!" they chanted through Wisconsin's most populous city. Friday's decision by the Supreme Court's conservative majority gives decisions over whether abortion should be legal up to the states. In Wisconsin, that means an 1849 law appears to be the law of the land, making the performing of abortion a felony. With tears on her face outside the state Capitol in Madison, Victoria Gutierrez said "It's not over." The 55-year-old, carrying a sign with a union colleague that read "Labor for abortion rights," was among a crowd of 1,000 who gathered in the heart of Wisconsin's capital city to protest abortion becoming illegal here. "It's not just about abortion rights. It's about women having agency to start their families. It's about childcare." At the Capitol, protestor Gracie McGovern, 26, held a sign that said "not your body, not your choice." Other demonstrators held signs that read "keep your religion out of politics" and "Abortion saves lives." "I'm mad," McGovern remarked. "I'm very, very mad. We shouldn't be in this situation in 2022." Holly Myrup of The Journal Times contributed to this report, as did Lee Newspapers Reporters Elizabeth Beyer, Avani Kalra and Lucas Robinson. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Indian Navy's frigates start three-day visit to HCM City Two Indian naval ships with more than 500 crewmembers arrived at Nha Rong Wharf on Friday, beginning a three-day friendship visit to HCM City. INS SAHYADRI ship of the Indian Navy docked at Nha Rong Wharf in HCM City. VNA/VNS Photo Xuan Khu The visit by the INS SAHYADRI and INS KADMATT is part of bilateral defence cooperation activities to enhance ties between the two navies and also mark the 50th anniversary of the countries diplomatic relations this year. During their stay, the Indian delegation is set to pay courtesy calls to HCM City leaders, visit the high commands of Military Region 7 and Naval Region 2, pay tribute to Viet Nam's late President Ho Chi Minh, visit local historical relic sites, and take part in sport exchanges with officers and soldiers of Naval Region 2. The Indian ships will also join the Vietnam Peoples Navy in a joint passage exercise (PASSEX). Addressing a press meeting held on INS SAHYADRI, Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Commander of the Indian Navys Eastern Fleet and head of the delegation, said the friendship trip to HCM City held great significance as it took place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of India - Vietnam diplomatic ties and the fifth anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Speaking highly of their growing bilateral relations, including defence cooperation, he said the two countries shared a common viewpoint on the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, along with the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Killeen, TX (76540) Today Thunderstorms, some locally heavy early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 71F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some locally heavy early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 71F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1. Yes. Roe was bad law and never should have been enacted. Last weeks ruling was just. 2. Yes. The court ruling correctly leaves the question of reproductive rights to the states. 3. No. Roe v. Wade was established law. The ruling will cause a womens health crisis. 4. No. The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was more about politics than the law. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether it was the right ruling; it depends on your perspective. Vote View Results PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) A Rhode Island police officer accused of punching a woman at an abortion protest while he was off-duty was suspended from his job with pay Saturday while the Providence Police Department conducts a criminal investigation into his actions. Jennifer Rourke, Rhode Island Political Cooperative Chairwoman and a state Senate candidate, told the Providence Journal she was punched in the face at least twice by Jeann Lugo, who had been running for the GOP nomination for a Rhode Island state senate seat. Lugo told the Journal he was not going to deny the punching allegation, but added that everything happened very fast. As an officer that swore to protect and serve our communities, I, unfortunately, saw myself in a situation that no individual should see themselves in, he said in the email to the Boston Globe. I stepped in to protect someone that a group of agitators was attacking. Lugo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. Video of the event posted online shows two other individuals involved in a physical altercation at the protest right before a woman, apparently Rourke, is seen being hit. The video does not show what happened between Lugo and Rourke prior to Rourke being hit. Rourke is seeking the Democratic nomination in the September primary to run for the Rhode Island state Senate. Lugo had been seeking the Republican nomination to run for the same seat. Im a Black woman running for office, Rourke told the Journal. There was no need, no need for any of this. Im not going to give up. A spokesperson for Rourke said the nominee sought medical care and received a CT scan on Saturday afternoon following the violent altercation. At midday Saturday, Lugo tweeted that he was dropping out of the race. I will not be running for any office this fall, he said. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza addressed the conflict in a tweet but said he was limited in what he could say. Ive seen the video and its immensely disturbing, Elorza said. Those responsible will be held fully accountable. In a news release announcing the suspension, Providence police said the suspended officer was a three-year veteran. The altercation occurred during a Friday protest outside the Rhode Island State House in Providence that was in response to the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. This version has been corrected to show Rourke and Lugo were each seeking their partys nomination to run for the same Rhode Island state senate seat, but that they were not direct political opponents. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 "Seeing characters have abortions on television [or in film] may be the first time someone sees abortion as a personal issue, not just a political issue." The top contenders in Nebraska's Republican gubernatorial primary shelled out the big bucks in the days leading up to the May 10 election, according to the latest round of campaign finance reports. The filings, which include donations and expenses from April 26 to June 14, show the three leading GOP candidates hog producer Jim Pillen, Falls City businessman Charles W. Herbster and state Sen. Brett Lindstrom spent millions of dollars during the reporting period. Spending surged at such a rate that both Pillen, who won the Republican primary, and second-place finisher Herbster loaned their campaigns hundreds of thousands of dollars. In total, Pillen has received nearly $9.5 million in contributions since he launched his campaign in 2021, with more than $1 million collected in the seven weeks covered in the latest filing. He has spent almost as much as he has raised, with nearly $9.1 million in expenditures. Of that total, Pillen's campaign spent nearly $2.2 million during the most recent reporting period. Pillen's campaign manager could not be reached for comment. Herbster's campaign received about $13.2 million in overall contributions, including nearly $575,000 during the reporting period. He spent over $12.7 million during the course of his campaign, with more than $1.5 million of those expenditures coming in the latest filing period. Herbster largely self funded his campaign, though he didn't report contributing any of his own money in the latest filing. He previously reported contributing $11.3 million cash to his campaign since the start of 2021. Lindstrom, who finished third in the primary, didn't come close to Pillen or Herbster in terms of funding. In total, Lindstrom received more than $3 million in contributions, including more than $391,000 in the most recent reporting period. He spent $3 million overall, and about $650,000 during the recent reporting period. Lindstrom's campaign reported an ending cash balance of nearly $56,000. The Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, received far less funding than the top three Republicans. She has brought in nearly $191,000, including about $43,000 in the latest reporting period. Blood has spent nearly $152,000, with about $53,000 of that coming in the latest reporting period. Blood, who will face Pillen in the November general election, reported having just over $39,000 cash on hand at the close of the recent reporting period. Pillen reported having just over $373,000 cash on hand. The latest filings encompass a period after the GOP gubernatorial primary was rocked by allegations from eight women who claimed Herbster groped them at public events in recent years. The allegations were reported by the Nebraska Examiner, an online news site. Herbster's deputy campaign manager, Rod Edwards, said the article did not play a role in their campaign's final expenses. Instead, he said most of their money went to competing with attack ads that aired on television. "There was a lot more money against Charles than Charles was able to spend," Edwards said. Both Herbster and Lindstrom were the target of negative ads from third-party groups. One group, Conservative Nebraska, had the backing of Gov. Pete Ricketts, who supports Pillen. Ricketts contributed nearly $1.3 million to Conservative Nebraska. His parents, Joe and Marlene Ricketts, contributed a total of $250,000 to the group, according to the latest report. Conservative Nebraska reported spending more than $950,000 opposing Lindstrom and $858,000 opposing Herbster. For all three Republican candidates, advertising made up the lion's share of their last-minute expenses. Pillen paid more than $1.5 million for advertising between three different companies before the election. Lindstrom spent over $467,000 on television advertisements. Herbster's campaign spent more than $1 million with one company, the Louisiana-based marketing firm People Who Think. Edwards said the campaign worked with the company throughout the election on campaign advertisements. All three candidates loaned their campaign thousands of dollars. Pillen made two loans to his campaign totaling $550,000 one $250,000 loan May 4 and one $300,000 loan June 10. Lindstrom loaned his campaign $50,000 in late April. Herbster loaned his campaign $350,000 May 9, the day before the primary election. Edwards said Herbster did this to cover recent expenses and balance the campaign's budget. The Herbster campaign reported having nearly $524,000 cash on hand at the end of the recent reporting period. " " Destination weddings are hugely popular in the U.S. Image Source/Getty Images An invitation to a wedding in the Caribbean at a beachside resort sure sounds lovely. It also sounds expensive. Destination weddings used to be a rarity, but today they account for 23 percent of all weddings in America, according to The Knot. Seven out of 10 destination weddings take place outside the continental U.S., with Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean as the top three locations, according to the website GroupTravel.org. So, what's behind the increase in these weddings? Good weather is the No. 1 factor, according to GroupTravel.org. But wedding planners have more fascinating answers. "More [couples] are deciding that they want to throw the most important party (their wedding!) their way!" emails Catherine Bachelier, a Southern California wedding planner. "This means politely saying 'no' to the standard 200-person party when they really want to have their favorite 50 people to indulge." For Emilie Dulles, a calligraphy and event printing expert who has worked on hundreds of destination weddings via her company Dulles Designs, the reason comes down to changing lifestyles. "Nowadays, with couples meeting later on in life and in more diverse settings such as college, graduate school, workplaces, and exotic vacations it is rare today that both families are located so closely to one another, or share the same background. More often than not, the engaged couple's families reside in different towns, states, or even countries," she says via email. "So, over the last 20 years, more couples have been opting for destination weddings. This gives the couple and both families an even playing field in terms of travel, logistics, and event influence." Advertisement The Guests' POV So the bridal couple may be loving the exotic setting. But what about the guests? Fifty-six percent of respondents to a 2019 Bankrate survey said it was "in poor taste" for a couple to plan a ceremony where the guests had to pay all the travel expenses to attend. Thirty percent added that not attending a wedding because of cost had negatively impacted their relationship with the couple. That kind of makes the destination wedding sound presumptuous. Denver-based destination wedding planner Katherine Frost says she often fields this concern from bridal couples. Her take? "Consider that many people are out of state and will have to travel to join your nuptials anyway. Now, instead of having to book a hotel in Pasadena, they are booking one in St. Croix. If you give guests enough time to plan ahead, many will be happy for the excuse to travel someplace fabulous," she says via email. "What keeps a destination wedding from becoming presumptuous is when the engaged couple is self-aware and mindful of how their expectations, tastes, time, travel, and costs will impact their guests," adds Dulles. "A wedding is not only about the engaged couple, but also their family and friends, so destination decisions have to be considered carefully." She remembers being invited to a wedding on a remote Greek island that could only be reached by ferry two days a week "assuming local boat captains are in the right mood and ocean conditions are cooperative. My husband and I politely declined due to the risks. So did most of the other guests." To avoid being the type of bride or groom that goes viral with over-the-top expectations, experts suggest following a few rules of thumb: Advertisement 1. Run the Idea by Your Closest Folks Most people have an A-list of must-have attendees, and everyone else who's able to come is gravy. Pose the destination idea with your main squad first, suggests Jenna Miller, creative director of national wedding website Here Comes The Guide. First, lay out the thought process for the location choice. "Explaining the reasons behind having a destination wedding whether it be the 'neutral' territory rationale or simply wanting a more intimate affair will help alleviate any frustration or confusion guests may experience right off the bat," she says in an email. Then, discuss the potential dates and costs. "Asking your VIP guests (parents, siblings, future bridal party members, etc.) if they would be able to attend before moving forward with any destination wedding plans will help circumvent unwanted absences," Miller says. "If your nearest and dearest can't be there, it's definitely worth reconsidering your far-flung destination (unless you want to elope, of course!)." Advertisement 2. Keep it Real You might want to haul off to France for a decadent affair a la Halle Berry, Avril Lavigne or Mark Ronson, but don't expect many of your guests to follow suit. "Choosing a destination location that's actually affordable will enable more guests to attend. Planning a wedding in the south of France will eliminate much more of your guest list than a wedding in Miami, right?" Miller says. Advertisement 3. Give Lots of Notice The experts suggest a minimum of nine months' notice for destination weddings, to give guests time to plug it into their calendars, save their pennies and make all of the necessary arrangements. Also be sure to provide all pertinent details on a wedding website, and be mindful of the wording. "Gauge what the feelings are when you send out the initial save-the-dates prior to formal invitations," suggests Kylie Carlson, CEO, International Academy of Wedding & Event Planning. "Make sure that the wording is personal and sincere, noting that you hope everyone can attend, but completely understand if it's asking too much. This will help you determine who can likely come and who can't. That way you can reserve the RSVPs for the wedding invitations without making anyone feel bad for having to opt out." Advertisement 4. Sweeten the Deal While it's not protocol for the couple to pay for guests' travel expenses, it helps if the couple provides ways to lessen them. Creative director Miller suggests hiring a travel agent. "Travel agents have extensive knowledge of many popular destinations and are often able to negotiate with resorts or other venues to secure the best pricing and perks!" Footing the bill for some group activities (and meals, if it's not at an all-inclusive resort) is also welcome. Advertisement 5. Be Graciously Understanding Even with all this prep, it's likely that someone important won't be able to make the trek, for whatever personal reason (lack of vacation time, limited finances, health, and so on). "It's important that the bride and groom not get offended if friends and family cannot join them," notes Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert with The Protocol School of Texas in an email. "A destination wedding is costly for guests who have their own family budgets and travel plans to consider." No matter how disappointed the couple might be by the absence of a childhood best friend or two, it's vital to the health of the future relationship that they maintain some perspective. "You have to understand that less people are going to attend [your destination wedding] and you have to be OK with that," emails Whitney Cox, wedding coordinator at Vegas Weddings. "Typically, you are asking people to take a day or more off work and spend money on a flight, so be gracious if you find out friends can't attend." Now That's Devious Some couples deliberately plan destination weddings as a way to invite "everyone" while expecting (make that hoping) that most guests won't show up. In Oregon they call it the Tin Man the restored, silver water tank that towers 100 feet high over the heart of the villages downtown. The Tin Man rises from a stone pump house, built in 1899 and brimming with a new purpose: It now houses the Oregon Art Center, the home of an artist-run nonprofit called 14 South Artists. The buildings official reopening will take place with an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Juried works by 22 area artists are on display and available for purchase in the quaint, sun-bathed interior, which 14 South Artists president Francine Tompkins describes as intimate. A lot of people come in and say, How sweet! or, Its so cute!, she said. So many people in the community have never been in the building before, so thats exciting. Owned by the village of Oregon, the pump house joined both the state and national registers of historic places in 2007 after residents rallied to save it. For a while recently, it served as the village welcome center, but then went vacant during the COVID-19 shutdown. Village President Randy Glysch contacted 14 South Artists and the group jumped on the opportunity to put an art gallery there, Tompkins said. Tompkins, a painter with several acrylics in the art center show, joined 14 South Artists in 2019. The group had traditionally run a fall art tour and other outdoor shows. We thought it would be really nice if we had an inside space that was ours, she recalled. She became president of the group in 2020 and decided to start moving in that direction. The groups new home is allowing it to expand its mission beyond furthering the skills of its 36 members most of whom live in communities up and down Highway 14, including Oregon, Stoughton and Brooklyn, as well as Mount Horeb, Fitchburg and Verona. 14 South Artists now plans to do more outreach, community collaboration and public art classes, and to host additional events in its new space, Tompkins said. The group was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Madison Regional Economic Partnership to help with rent and overhead, plus a $5,000 tourism grant from the village to update signage, she said. There are plans to work with local businesses and to create a foundation to ensure the art center is sustainable. The opening of the art center coincides with another art project for Oregon, Glysch said. The village received a $100,000 state tourism grant to install a rotating display of public art, probably starting next spring. The effort is modeled on a successful existing public sculpture project in Eau Claire, he said. Now with outdoor sculpture tours that draw tourists, Its amazing what theyve done, he said of Eau Claire. Inside the Oregon Art Center, the art on display will remain up until August, Tompkins said. The center will often be open during community events, such as this weekends Oregon SummerFest. More programming will be added step by step, she said. For me, one of the exciting things about this process is that its been so organic, Tompkins said. Lets take a step and learn from that, before we take the next step. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Even before a gunman opened fire Saturday at an annual LGBTQ Pride festival in Norway, police officials in a Florida city that hosts one of the largest Pride celebrations in the southeast U.S. were gearing up for all hands on deck" to make sure the three days of festivities went off safely. St. Petersburg Police Department Chief Anthony Holloway said that officers in uniform and plainclothes would have a huge presence" at the weekend celebrations. Though there were no credible threats, St. Petersburg police officers were working with state and federal agencies to monitor intelligence and an emergency operations center was activated. A marine unit was monitoring the waterfront with jets-skis and boats, the police agency said in a statement. The Department will deploy extra resources, including monitoring downtown street cameras, video trailers, as well as Skywatch, the Police Departments raised video platform," the statement said. Organizers expected Saturdays parade to draw more than the 260,000 attendees who went to the parade in 2019. Concerns over safety have grown in recent weeks. A gunman opened fire in Oslos nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an Islamist terror act during the capitals annual LGBTQ Pride festival. Earlier this month, 31 members of a white supremacist group, carrying riot gear, were arrested over accusations that they were plotting a major disruption at a Pride event in Idaho. Also this month, a group of men allegedly shouted homophobic and anti-LGBTQ slurs during a Drag Queen Story Hour at a San Francisco Bay Area library. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. BEIJING (AP) President Xi Jinping will participate in next week's celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China, the government said Saturday, but it left unclear whether he will visit the former British colony for the highly symbolic event after a crackdown on a pro-democracy movement. Xi, who also is general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, will attend a meeting for the anniversary and the inauguration of Hong Kong's government led by newly appointed Chief Executive John Lee, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The announcement gave no other details. The anniversary is one of the highest-profile political events in a year when Xi is widely believed to be trying to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as party leader. He already is the most powerful Chinese leader since at least the 1980s and wants to be seen as leading a national rejuvenation amid a military buildup and more assertive policy abroad. Xi hasn't made a trip outside the Chinese mainland since the start of the coronavirus pandemic 2 1/2 years ago. Hong Kong faces a renewed rise in infections after a flood of cases earlier this year threatened to overwhelm its hospitals. Lee and his predecessor, Carrie Lam, both issued statements thanking Xi for participating in anniversary celebrations but didn't clarify whether he would visit Hong Kong. The anniversary follows a crackdown led in part by Lee, a former Hong Kong security chief. Activists have been sentenced to prison, scores of others arrested and Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy newspaper shut down. The tighter controls under a national security law imposed in 2020 have prompted some people to leave for Taiwan, Britain and other countries. That has led to concerns the ruling party is ruining Hong Kongs status as a global business and financial center. Hong Kong, one of Asia's richest cities and a global business center with thriving film, publishing and other creative industries, returned to China on July 1, 1997, under an agreement that promised a high degree of autonomy for 50 years. Activists and foreign governments say Beijing has reneged on that. The United States suspended agreements that treated Hong Kong as a separate territory for trade, saying the city no longer had enough autonomy from Beijing. Two years after Hong Kong, the neighboring Portuguese territory of Macao also returned to China in 1999, allowing the ruling party to say it had ended foreign colonialism. Since the Hong Kong handover, ordinary people in the territory have struggled with soaring living costs that inflamed political tension. Beijing imposed the sweeping national security legislation in 2020 following protests that erupted over a proposed extradition law and spread to include demands for more democracy. The territory has banned commemorations of the ruling party's violent 1989 crackdown on Beijing's Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement. Those sentenced to prison include Jimmy Lai, former publisher of the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. Hong Kong's 90-year-old former Roman Catholic bishop, Joseph Zen, was among those arrested. The crackdown adds to tension between Beijing and the United States, Europe, Japan and other Asian governments over human rights, Taiwan and conflicts with its neighbors over Chinese territorial claims in the South China and East China seas. Hong Kongs final British colonial governor, Chris Patten, expressed heartbreak this month over the crackdown. I thought there was a prospect that (China) would keep its word, and Im sorry that it hasnt, Patten told The Associated Press on June 20 in London. I just find it intensely difficult. I do believe that Hong Kong is a great city, I hope it will be a great city again. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. There's always been a taste for antique furnishings. These days, a widely acquired taste. Antiques are hot partly because of supply chain delays and higher prices for many custom or mass-market pieces. There's also the public's turn toward sustainability: Environmentally conscious buyers are averse to throwaway furniture and are trying to reuse and recycle. And as always, pop culture plays a role. Period-specific shows like "Bridgerton," "Downton Abbey" and "Outlander" have given the styles of bygone eras a romantic glow. "Mad Men" stoked a hot market in midcentury modern furniture. And designers cite renewed interest in '70s and '80s decor, too. It's all led to crowds of designers and regular people at auctions, antique shops and estate sales. Online platforms, like vintage furniture retailer Chairish and collectibles site 1stDibs, also say sales are up. The good news from a design perspective is that it's easy and trendy to blend antiques into any room and mix them with pieces from any era, designers say. A classic 18th century cherry dresser might be given glamorous, brushed-copper modern handles. A curvy '60s floor lamp might light a room wrapped in prim Laura Ashley wallpaper. More 20th century vintage pieces are popping up, whether it's a finely carved Edwardian side table, a Le Corbusier chaise, a Pop Art-era mirror, or something as charming and small as a vintage book or ceramic. The variety of old stuff is swelling beyond the boundaries of "traditional" decor. And a mix creates interesting stories in a room. Antiques aficionados past and present Designers who became famous for expertly blending periods include Billy Baldwin, whom Architectural Digest called "America's dean of interior decoration in the 1950s and 1960s." He created swanky homes for society figures and favored a mix of modern and antique furniture. Baldwin said an older piece "gives a room flavor." Jay Spectre, known for sleek, dramatic interiors, was enamored of Art Deco. And female decorators like Elsie de Wolfe and Sister Parish excelled at giving elegant, turn-of-the-century European furniture room to breathe in light-filled modern spaces. Today, designer Kelly Wearstler, for instance, brings an adventurous style to homes as well as to boutique hotels. "My aesthetic is about mixology; always something old and something new, raw and refined, masculine and feminine," she says. Georgia Zikas, a designer in West Hartford, Connecticut, says modern art and an achromatic rug create a nice foundation for mixed furniture styles and dispel any dowdiness. An example of an easy update: One of Zikas' clients had a beautiful pair of vintage, crystal, Waterford lamps from her mother. They replaced the dated pleated shades with crisp, white, tapered ones. Regional accents Different parts of the country seem to lean in certain directions concerning antiques. "For example, in the South, where I'm based, French antiques are most coveted because of our historically French heritage," says Lance Thomas, lead designer at Thomas Guy Interiors in Lake Charles, Louisiana. "I've found that coastal cities like West Palm Beach in Florida, and Malibu in California, gravitate toward vintage and antique Italian contemporary pieces. The Midwest leans toward American antiques." Thomas says more clients than ever are asking for antiques. He and his team recently took a two-week buying trip to France to seek them out. How to buy If you're purchasing antiques sight unseen, Thomas says, use a reliable auction site. "There are some very good fakes, and reproductions that would fool even the most experienced buyers," he says. "A reputable auction site will usually vet and list whether or not the item is authentic." Some of his tips for identifying true antiques: With mirrors, "pay attention to spotting. Old mirrors were made of tin and mercury or silver, and over time have oxidized to create a waviness and splotching on the front. This patina is a good sign that it's an antique." For cabinets and dressers, check how well they're constructed. Look at the back of the piece, where it's less likely to be painted. "Are there dovetail joints rather than well-hidden Phillips screws? And look for the hinging mechanisms are they hand-forged or machine-made?" says Thomas. Carved and painted details can help confirm a piece's age because they indicate the furniture-making capabilities of the era. "Many pieces in the 18th century will have similar embellishments to those of their 20th century counterparts. But the precision and exactness improved drastically between these two time periods," says Thomas. Curvy floral details, for example, probably won't be as rounded on an 18th century piece, because they didn't have the tools to create a perfect curve. Beau Ciolino, who with Matt Armato wrote the new book "Probably This Housewarming" (Abrams), recommends the app www.estatesales.net to get alerts about sales in your area. "The best part about antiquing is that it can be so accessible," says Ciolino. "While the old-school auction houses have a reputation for fine antiques, we also love perusing Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, consignment stores and estate sales." Other options include eBay, Etsy and ZZ Driggs, which both sells and rents vintage furnishings. You might not be able to swing the $3,000 for a James Mont Art Deco leather lounge chair, but maybe you can afford its $75 monthly rent for a year. One source that used to be reserved for the design trade has opened its doors to the public in New York City. The Gallery @ 200 Lex is 33,000 square feet of vintage and antique furniture from dozens of dealers. You can also see what The Gallery's dealers have posted on Incollect. Furniture flipping Ciolino and Armato say they've seen a "furniture flipping" trend. "While house-flipping may require a large amount of cash and time, many furniture flippers are taking worn pieces and either revitalizing them to their original glory or creating a completely new piece by re-staining, painting and replacing the hardware, and then selling them or keeping them for their own homes," says Ciolino. He says it's usually best to leave reupholstering to the pros. Wooden items, especially those without intricate details, are perfect for beginner DIYers, says Armato. "Dressers or side tables can typically use just a light sanding, paint or stain if you like, and a coat of sealant like clear enamel or linseed oil. Some metal pieces like outdoor iron chairs are also very DIY-friendly." Mary Maloney of Bee's Knees Interior Design in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, reawakens old wooden furniture by painting it in cheery hues. "My mom taught me how to spot great pieces in need of a little love and reinventing," Maloney says. "I still treasure my first purchase a sweet little dresser that I found on an antique excursion with her over 40 years ago. When I was updating our guest bedroom, I painted it a sunny yellow." Antique furniture usually needs a gentle overall cleaning before any removal or covering of unwanted scuffs and scratches. Unless antique lamps have already been rewired, it's best to bring them to a pro. And you'll probably want to update the shades. Kim Cook writes frequently for The AP about design, decor and lifestyles topics. She can be found on Instagram at @kimcookhome and reached at kim@kimcookhome.com. Amid a persistent housing crunch in many parts of the U.S., some people are finding a solution in Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs: A man was shot in a Janesville park Thursday evening, Janesville police said. Officers responded to Bond Park at 201 N. Oakhill Ave. at 7:19 p.m. where they found a 19-year-old with a gunshot wound, said Sgt. Aaron Dammen. The gunman shot the victim while they were in a vehicle together, Dammen said. The assailant fled the scene and officers were unable to locate him, Dammen said. The 19-year-old victim was taken to Mercy Hospital and later released. Police asked anyone with information to contact police at 608-755-3100 or Crime Stoppers at 608-756-3636 or P3Tips.com. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Three Madison residents who already face homicide charges in Columbia County for a mans shooting death were also charged Friday in Dane County, two of them with kidnapping the man before his death. Jesse J. Freiberg, 28, and Laura M. Johnson, 38, were each charged with kidnapping Manuel M. Martinez, 68, of Madison, and taking him to the Portage area. They were also charged with attempted armed robbery. The third person, Jakenya J. Patty, 21, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, for allegedly trying to run over Freiberg with Martinezs SUV during an argument on Williamson Street on June 15, according to a criminal complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court. Last week, Freiberg, Johnson and Patty were charged with being parties to first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting death of Martinez, whose body was found near a road west of Portage. A criminal complaint filed in Columbia County Circuit Court states Freiberg told police he shot Martinez at the urging of Johnson and Patty, after Martinez had tried to escape from them. Freiberg and Johnson were jailed on $250,000 bail after appearing in court Friday, while Pattys bail was set at $150,000. According to the complaint filed Friday: Police were called to Few and Williamson streets early on June 15 for a couple fighting. An officer spotted a Jeep Patriot go onto a sidewalk toward a man, picking up speed. The man, later identified as Freiberg, narrowly missed being struck, but the Jeep struck a home in the 400 block of South Ingersoll Street. The driver, Patty, was arrested but told police Frieberg had tried to kill someone the night before. At her direction, police found a bag in the Jeep that contained a gun. Patty told police about being at the apartment of a friend of Freibergs, later identified as Johnson, at Porchlight in the 300 block of North Brooks Street. There was a man at the apartment, later identified as Martinez, and Johnson was demanding money she said he owed her. Patty told police Johnson beat the man half to death. Martinez, tied up, was driven in his own SUV while Johnson burned him, Patty told police. Freiberg was found by police after the Williamson Street incident, said he didnt know where he and Patty got the Jeep, but said they are homeless and had been sleeping in it. Man in chokehold Investigating the possible kidnapping of Martinez, police spoke with a woman at the Porchlight apartments who said that a few days earlier she had been woken up about 3:30 a.m. by a woman, likely Johnson, who was yelling, Give me my drugs! Give me my money! When the woman opened her apartment door, she told police, she saw Johnson in the hall, holding a man in a chokehold, trying to drag him back into her apartment. She said Johnson was also stabbing the man with a box cutter. She said his blood was all over the place. The woman said she didnt call police because she was terrified of Johnson. The woman said she saw Johnson drag the man toward the elevator, yelling, does someone want to make $200? She also heard Johnson yelling for someone to grab the mans wallet. Interviewed by police, Patty also described the attack on Martinez at Johnsons apartment. She said Johnson was hitting the man with a metal bar and demanding money from him. A gravel road Later, after she and Freiberg had tried to leave, they ended up going with Johnson and Martinez to use Martinezs debit card. Patty drove Martinezs Jeep, while Johnson was in the back seat with Martinez. At one point, she said, they stopped for gas, and Johnson went through all of the cards in Martinezs wallet. He continued to tell Johnson he didnt have any money. Johnson said they were going to drive around until Martinez gave her some money. Patty, now in the passenger seat while Freiberg drove, said she tried to calm Johnson down. She said Johnson grabbed Freibergs gun from his backpack. Later, Martinez tried to get the gun away from Johnson, Patty said, and begged her not to shoot him. During the struggle, Johnson dropped the gun on the floor, and Freiberg grabbed it and put it on his lap. They ended up in Portage, Patty said, then went down a gravel road until they ended up near a ditch with water in it. They got Martinez out of the car, Patty told police, and Johnson told Martinez, Since youre not going to give me what Im asking, Im going to off your (expletive). Patty told police she was in the Jeep, while Johnson, Martinez and Freiberg were outside. She heard Johnson continuing to yell at Martinez, then she heard a gunshot. She said she saw Martinez trying to go into the water, as Johnson shined her cellphone light on him. She said Freiberg then fired the gun. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Within minutes of the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional protection to an abortion, Wisconsin politicians and organizations spoke to the decision and a 1849 state law banning abortions in Wisconsin in nearly all circumstances. Quotes have been edited for length. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers This is an absolutely disastrous and unconscionable decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, the consequences of which I hoped to never see again in my lifetime." I will never stop fighting to make sure that every single Wisconsinite has the right to consult their family, their faith, and their doctor to make the reproductive healthcare decision that is right for them, and without interference from politicians or members of the Supreme Court who dont know anything about their life circumstances, values, or responsibilities. State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester Safeguarding the lives of unborn children shouldnt be controversial. Todays decision reaffirms their lives are precious and worthy of protection. I agree with the justices in their opinion when they say, The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives. Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin An activist majority of the Supreme Court has overturned Roe and nearly 50 years of precedent, taking away the constitutional rights of American women to make their own personal choices about their body, their health, and their family. Republicans have taken Wisconsin women back to 1849 and it is Republicans who want to keep us there. Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson Today is a victory for life and for those who have fought for decades to protect the unborn. For almost fifty years the decision of nine unelected Justices have prevented a democratically derived consensus on the profound moral issue of abortion to be formed." Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, one of several Democrats vying to challenge Johnson in November This decision will punish women and cost people their lives. The American people deserve elected leaders who will go to the mat to protect our basic freedoms and thats what I intend to do. Its past time to abolish the filibuster and make Roe the law of the land. State Treasurer and Democratic Senate candidate Sarah Godlewski Today, millions of women and families in Wisconsin and across America are waking up to this devastating news: we no longer have the right to make our own health care decisions. Its time to act, to mobilize, and to take back our rights and freedoms." Outagamie County Executive and Democratic Senate candidate Tom Nelson "In the post-Roe America that is now our reality, the Senate is the frontline for abortion rights. We are just one Senate vote away from codifying a womans right to choose into national law and ensuring every American can make their own decisions about their body and their future." Democratic Senate candidate Alex Lasry "Sadly, today will be remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of the Court, as women will die as a result of this destructive decision by these Trumpian Justices. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway "They have also fundamentally damaged and undermined the right to privacy upon which many other rights rest. Get readythey will come for contraceptives; they will come for marriage equality. They are clearly ready to turn back the clock, and they do not care who is harmed in the process." "We will not be arresting abortion providers in Madison. Our City stands opposed to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and opposed to the 1849 statute banning abortions in Wisconsin." Dane County Executive Joe Parisi "People need abortions when their birth control fails, after a sexual assault, to save their life, or simply because they dont want to be pregnant. To force people some of them children themselves to give birth when they dont want to is inhumane and appalling." Dr. Wendy Molaska, president of Wisconsin Medical Society "Todays decision raises concerns that could result in significant interference with the physician-patient relationship the sanctity of which is the bedrock of our healthcare system." The Wisconsin Medical Society supports legislation that would acknowledge the right of a physician to perform and give advice on this medical procedure or refuse to do so according to the physicians training, experience and conscience." The health and safety of our patients is our top priority. Wisconsin law should reflect that priority and ensure physicians can have full and frank discussions with patients about their health care without fear of imprisonment. Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Republican candidate for governor One day, we will all look back on Roe v. Wade as one of the U.S. Supreme Courts most egregious cases that allowed the killing of more than 60 million babies over nearly half a century. Tim Michels, Republican candidate for governor It is important that we continue to compassionately work on winning hearts and minds ... Life must always be protected. We should not demonize those who do not believe that, but rather redouble our efforts to show how they can provide a high quality of life for their children. Julaine Appling, president of anti-abortion organization Wisconsin Family Action "For my entire adult life, I have worked and prepared for this day. I remain hopeful that Wisconsins pre-Roe prohibition on abortion will only be eclipsed by an authentic respect for life ethic." "We call upon Attorney General Josh Kaul and all county district attorneys to uphold the 1849 law that is still enforceable. We ask simply that you do your job and set aside your personal political agendas." State Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison This is a horrible day for our country ... Now, in our dystopic reality, our children will have fewer freedom than their parents." Every person must have the right to make reproductive healthcare decisions that are best for them. No government should interfere with complex medical decisions made privately between a person and their doctor." Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, 1st Congressional District Im proudly pro-life. Todays decision will bring this important issue back to the states. This is a great victory for life. State Sen. Janet Bewley, Democratic minority leader A sad day, and a harbinger of what might be in store in the future. What is next? The right to marry? The right to contraceptives? Paul Farrow, chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin "Republicans have always believed in the sanctity of life that it is precious and worth defending. As we continue to push for recognition of the value of human life, Republicans will continue to speak up for unborn children and vulnerable mothers and families." Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Tears streamed down the face of Victoria Gutierrez as she stood on the Capitol lawn and held a banner alongside a union colleague that read "Labor for abortion rights." Gutierrez and hundreds of others had gathered in the heat of an early summer evening to protest the U.S. Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade Friday, a watershed moment in the country's battle over abortion rights. "It's not over," said Gutierrez, 55. "It's not just about abortion rights. It's about women having agency to start their families. It's about childcare." A crowd of over 1,000 people had swelled at the top of State Street Friday night to protest the high court's decision. Speakers from community groups like Freedom Inc. gave impassioned speeches on the steps of the Capitol for over an hour on Friday, leading demonstrators in repeated chants of "Shame!" and "Abort the court!" Freedom Inc.'s Crystal Ellis likened the Supreme Court decision to an attack on people of color, women and marginalized groups, calling it a "gender-based violence issue." "It's just another example of state violence against our most marginalized communities," Ellis said. The protest disbanded around 6:30 p.m. to march around the Capitol. The Roe ruling by the Supreme Court's conservative majority strikes down nearly 50 years of federal abortion protections. The fall of the court's landmark 1973 decision paves the way for state abortion law to govern reproductive rights. In Wisconsin, a 173-year-old near-total abortion ban has taken effect. Because the 1849 law is still in place, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin halted all abortion services as of Friday due to the Supreme Court ruling, until the organization receives clarification from a court regarding the enforceability of the 19th century law. At the Capitol, protestor Gracie McGovern, 26, held a sign that said "not your body, not your choice." Other demonstrators held signs that read "keep your religion out of politics" and "Abortion saves lives." "I'm mad," McGovern remarked. "I'm very, very mad. We shouldn't be in this situation in 2022." While some brought signs and musical instruments to Friday's protest, some brought guns. Lilith Kievskaya arrived to the demonstration with an off-brand AK-47 and a pistol with the stated purpose of deterring right-wing groups or agitators who might arrive. Kievskaya said she was part of America United, a Madison-based organization focused on "anti-racist community defense." Madison police have said they are collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to respond to demonstrations over the weekend, said spokesperson Stephanie Fryer. The department is not granting leave requests for Friday and Saturday, and extra patrols will be outside "organizations and businesses that may generate interest" because of the Supreme Court's decision, Fryer said. State Journal reporter Lucas Robinson contributed to this report. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Elizabeth Beyer | Wisconsin State Journal Elizabeth Beyer is a digital producer for the Wisconsin State Journal. She joined the team in 2019 and was formerly a data, video and audio reporter at the La Crosse Tribune. Follow Elizabeth Beyer | Wisconsin State Journal 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 RABAT, Morocco (AP) Eighteen Africans seeking to cross into Spain were killed and scores of migrants and police were injured in what Moroccan authorities called a stampede of people surging across Morocco's border fence with the Spanish North African enclave of Melilla on Friday. A total of 133 migrants breached the border between the Moroccan city of Nador and Melilla on Friday, the first such mass crossing since Spain and Morocco mended diplomatic relations last month. A spokesperson for the Spanish governments office in Melilla said about 2,000 people attempted to cross, but many were stopped by Spanish Civil Guard police and Moroccan forces on either side of the border fence. Moroccos Interior Ministry said in a statement that the casualties occurred when people tried to climb the iron fence. It said five migrants were killed and 76 injured, and 140 Moroccan security officers were injured. Thirteen of the injured migrants later died in the hospital, raising the death toll to 18, according to Moroccos official news agency MAP., which cited local authorities. The Moroccan Human Rights Association reported 27 dead but the figure could immediately be confirmed. Spanish officials said 49 Civil Guards sustained minor injuries. Four police vehicles were damaged by rocks thrown by some migrants. Those who succeeded in crossing went to a local migrant center, where authorities were evaluating their circumstances. People fleeing poverty and violence sometimes make mass attempts to reach Melilla and the other Spanish territory on the North African coast, Ceuta, as a springboard to continental Europe. Spain normally relies on Morocco to keep migrants away from the border. Over two days at the beginning of March, more than 3,500 people tried to scale the six-meter (20-foot) barrier that surrounds Melilla and nearly 1,000 made it across, according to Spanish authorities. Friday's crossings were the first attempt since relations between Spain and Morocco improved in March after a year-long dispute centered on the Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1976. Morocco loosened its controls around Ceuta last year, allowing thousands of migrants to cross into Spain. The move was viewed as retaliation for Spains decision to allow the leader of Western Saharas pro-independence movement to be treated for COVID-19 at a Spanish hospital. Tensions between the two countries began to thaw earlier this year after Spain backed Moroccos plan to grant more autonomy to Western Sahara, where activists are seeking full independence. Ciaran Giles reported from Madrid. Follow AP's coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. ISTANBUL (AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told Sweden's prime minister that he has not seen any tangible moves to address Turkeys concerns about her country joining NATO, Erdogans office said Saturday. Erdogan called in a phone conversation with Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson for binding commitments from Sweden, as well as a concrete change of attitude in the country's approach to fighting terrorism. He added that Turkey had not seen any tangible initiative from Sweden that would alleviate Turkeys concerns at this point about the Nordic nation's request to become a NATO member, the presidents communications directorate said in a statement. Sweden and Finland applied to join the Western military alliance in May following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Turkey, which is a NATO member, has so far blocked the applications, citing what Ankara considers to be a soft approach to organizations such as the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. The PKK has waged a 38-year insurgency against Turkey that has left tens of thousands dead. Turkey is demanding that Sweden and Finland grant extradition requests for individuals who are wanted in Turkey. Ankara claims the countries are harboring PKK members as well people it says are linked to a failed 2016 coup. Turkey also wants assurances that arms restrictions imposed by the two countries over Turkeys 2019 military incursion into northern Syria will be removed. Finland and Sweden's membership requests and Turkey's objections are expected to be a central theme at a June 28-30 NATO summit in Madrid. Erdogan earlier reiterated Turkey's demands in a phone call with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the presidency said. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. SPRINGFIELD A burgeoning Illinois nonprofit has begun providing free flights aboard small passenger airplanes to help patients travel to their abortion appointments, a new means of reproductive health care access thats emerged just as the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that legalized the procedure nationwide. The Springfield-based charity Elevated Access was incorporated in late April, according to Illinois secretary of state records. The Supreme Court on Friday reversed nearly a half-century of federal protections for abortion rights, leaving the matter of reproductive freedoms to individual states. Roughly half of all states are now expected to ban or nearly outlaw the procedure, including nearly every state in the Midwest. In early June, the nonprofit flew its first abortion patient from Oklahoma to the Kansas City area, enabling the passenger to terminate a pregnancy in Kansas, the organizations executive director said. Just days before the flight, the governor of Oklahoma had signed the nations strictest abortion measure into law, requiring the patient to travel out of state for the procedure. While voting and giving money are important to try and stop this backslide of peoples rights in this country, doing something directly to try and help people get out of that burden is very important to me, said the nonprofits executive director, who asked to remain anonymous for his safety, citing the heightened threat of violence surrounding reproductive rights. The charity recruits licensed pilots with access to light aircraft, who volunteer their time and planes to fly patients heading to abortion clinics trips that increasingly require long-distance travel, often across state lines. We know you are already stressed, the organizations website says. Let us relieve some of that with a free flight from a volunteer pilot. The executive director of Elevated Access said he has been working on the nonprofits concept for over a year with leaders of the Chicago-based organization Midwest Access Coalition, which provides patients traveling for abortion care with lodging, transportation, meals, rides to clinics and other logistical support. Alison Dreith of Midwest Access Coalition described the new transportation model as a potential game changer for some traveling patients, especially with the demise of Roe. Peoples lives are complicated and getting them to their care isnt always a straight shot, she said. She ticks off the many barriers to more conventional forms of travel: Sometimes patients are too young to book a rental car. Commercial airlines, trains and buses often have limited schedules, or take too long for patients who need to watch their children or cant miss an extra day of work. Travel by cars and planes has also become more expensive due to rising fuel costs, an added burden for patients who arent wealthy. The first Elevated Access patient earlier this month traveled aboard a Cirrus SR20, a single-engine propeller plane with four seats. Driving from Oklahoma City to the Kansas City region would have taken about 10 hours round trip, and the patient had child care constraints that prohibited overnight travel, the executive director recalled. Instead, the patient left home at 8 a.m. to get to the airplane and then returned by 6 p.m. the same day, eliminating the need for multiday travel. They were able to get back to their life and their kids, the executive director said. It was someone who had never flown before. A commercial flight to and from the same two cities would have cost about $900, added Dreith, who coordinated the patients travel with Elevated Access. The new nonprofit works with established abortion networks to connect with patients, according to the website. The planes typically have a single-propeller engine and can fly one to three passengers over 100 miles per hour, the website says. The aircraft take off and land at small, private airports, which can be more flexible to schedule and eliminate some of the bureaucracy of commercial flights; the experience also tends to offer more privacy compared with commercial airlines, the executive director said. At most small airports, there is a small office where you can wait for the pilot if they are not already there to greet you, the website says, in a section with information for passengers. If anyone asks what you are doing, you tell them that youre meeting someone for a flight. You dont need to tell them anything more than that. There is no security to scan your baggage or requirement to show any identification. Elevated Access also provides flights for patients seeking gender-affirming health care, another area of medicine that more states are increasingly restricting or threatening to curb. Volunteers must be licensed pilots over 21 years old with a minimum of 200 hours flight experience and meet other standards, according to the nonprofits website. There are also Federal Aviation Administration requirements and regulations governing the planes that are used. Volunteer pilots are vetted to ensure they support the nonprofits mission and are required to provide references and statements about their position on abortion rights and transgender care; their social media profiles are screened as well, the executive director said. As of the end of May, over 150 pilots from around the country had expressed interest in volunteering, and about a third have completed the vetting process, the executive director said. Abortion will remain legal in Illinois, which has strong reproductive rights protections. In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act, which established abortion as a fundamental right statewide. Illinois abortion providers predict a massive influx of patients traveling here. In 2020, roughly 10,000 patients crossed state lines to terminate a pregnancy in Illinois. The number of out-of-state patients has risen every year since 2014, according to the latest available Illinois Department of Public Health data. This goes beyond bodily autonomy, the executive director of Elevated Access said. Its trying to help people who are really struggling with equality in our country. Wisconsin state law has outlawed abortion since 1849. That law has gone unenforced for nearly 50 years since Roe v. Wade, but other restrictions have been approved by the Legislature since 1973. Heres a look at the history of abortion law in Wisconsin, from the 1800s to today. Early history Wisconsins first restrictions on abortion came from an 1849 bill regarding homicide, large parts of which were copied from Massachusetts, New York and Michigan laws, according to a brief by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Initially, the law outlawed the abortion of a quickening child when a mother feels the fetus move as opposed to Michigans restrictions on abortion on any pregnant woman, the brief said. Quickening typically takes place anywhere from 16 to 24 weeks into a pregnancy, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The 1849 law deemed the willful killing of an unborn quick child by any injury to the mother of such child to be first-degree manslaughter, according to the Reference Bureau. And it made procedures with the intent ... to destroy such child second-degree manslaughter. But by 1858, the Legislature removed the word quick from abortion law, outlawing the procedure at any point during pregnancy. In the states new statutes, any woman who aimed to procure a miscarriage would face imprisonment of up to six months, or a fine up to $500. Wisconsins 1878 statutes softened the penalties, cutting the maximum prison term and lowering the maximum fine from $500 to $100. The penalties remained the same until the 1940s, when the Legislature increased fines and prison terms again. In 1953, the Legislature separated the penalties for abortion of an unborn child a fetus from the time of its conception and an unborn quick child. By 1955, the maximum penalty for abortion was a $5,000 fine and three years in prison. Roe v. Wade era At the turn of the 1970s, courts began to peel back restrictions. In 1970, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin ruled in favor of a physician who argued that Wisconsins abortion statutes were unconstitutional. And in 1973, the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in Roe v. Wade made any statutes banning abortion in Wisconsin unenforceable, according to the Reference Bureau. Still, the law was never removed. And the Legislature continued to add restrictions to abortion through the 2020s, some enforceable and some not. Shortly after Roe, in 1974, the state added conscience protections for medical employees that allowed medical employees to object to participating in an abortion if they felt uncomfortable. And in 1978, the state prohibited public funding of abortions using state, local and federal funds, save for cases of assault and incest, or when the mother faced risk of injury or death. The Legislature then created a new statute in 1985 that prohibited abortion after the fetus or unborn child reaches viability, according to the Reference Bureau. It also passed a law that prevented anyone except for physicians from performing abortions. A 1992 law prohibited abortions for minors without parental consent unless the minor received a court-issued waiver. Four years later, the state required physicians to issue materials about fetal development, child support and anti-abortion pregnancy help centers to women receiving an abortion, in addition to mandating a 24-hour period for the woman to reflect on the decision. In 1997, the state banned so-called partial-birth abortions, which the federal government also outlawed in 2003. It also prohibited funding for abortion-related activities. Two years later, Wisconsin banned the states Private Employer Health Care Purchasing Alliance from covering abortions not deemed medically necessary. Gov. Walker After Republicans swept to power in 2010, winning a state government trifecta, the Legislature passed a host of anti-abortion bills that former Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed into law. In 2011, budget provisions prevented the University of Wisconsin from performing abortions in its hospitals and paying medical students to learn to perform the procedure. In 2012, the state required physicians to conduct an assessment of whether a woman had been coerced into an abortion. The law also added restrictions on medical abortions, induced by pills, requiring that physicians perform an exam before giving information about abortion and watch the patient take the medication outlawing telemedicine for abortion. A 2013 law required that women receiving an abortion undergo an ultrasound before an abortion, viewing the heartbeat and hearing a description of what is on the screen, with the option of turning away. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Farewell to the Reverends Schoeck The Episcopal Church of the Ascension will celebrate the final service of Holy Communion with the Reverends Lauren and Rob Schoeck at 9 a.m. Sunday. All are invited to come bid goodbye. The Schoecks and their son, Stephen, came to Ascension in 2018, and will be moving to Winnipeg, Canada, where Fr. Rob will become rector at All Saints Anglican Church. A fellowship reception will follow the service. The service will be online as well as in person. To view, click on the link at episcopaltwinfalls.org or go to Ascensions YouTube channel The Episcopal Church of the AscensionTwin Falls. Ascension Episcopal Church is handicapped accessible and is located at 371 Eastland Drive N. More information about Ascension can be found at ascension.episcopalidaho.org or 208-733-1248. Being religious without doctrine Rev. Jenny Peek explores religion not a specific example but the evolution of the term. How does this apply to liberal Unitarian Universalism and to us today? Join us this Sunday for worship. Our service Sunday will be both in person at our location 160 Ninth Ave. E. in as well as on Zoom. To access Zoom, please email mvuuf83301@yahoo.com for sign-in information. In the subject line write Zoom Service June 26th. Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome. Unitarian Universalists believe in the dignity of every person regardless of race, creed or none at all, immigrant status or sexual orientation. Everyone is welcome, no exceptions. We believe in justice, equality and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another. We are handicapped accessible in rear. Please park in the rear of the building or on the street in front or the side of the building. Child care is available. Join us at 10:30 a.m., Sunday. For further information, please call 208-410-8904, email us at mvuuf83301@yahoo.com or visit magicvalleyUU.org. When calling, please state your name in order to be connected To submit an item, email it in plain text to frontdoor@magicvalley.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Just when we had gotten used to that feeling of not having a mask on our face, the debate over whether to mask in public has resurfaced with a resurgence of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this month determined that Ada, Elmore, Valley and Lewis counties are at high community risk, because of an increase in new hospital admissions per 100,000 people in the past seven days, the percent of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and the number of new COVID-19 cases per capita in the past seven days. Based on those numbers, the CDC recommends all residents in those counties wear a well-fitting mask in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. That raises the debate once again whether to institute a mask mandate. Boise city officials already discussed the possibility this week but chose to hold off on making any changes. We all know where the Central District Health board stands. Led by Raul Labrador and Ryan Cole, that board last month voted to remove any language about wearing a mask from its website and literature, referring instead to the CDC and letting people make up their own minds about whether they should wear a mask. When it comes to wearing a mask, people are tired. When it comes to mandates, its clear some people wont listen, and because Idahos public health laws provide for only a misdemeanor for violations rather than a citation and a ticket, like for speeding enforcement is untenable. We still dont know if this latest wave of COVID-19 will be as severe as previous waves, which at times put Idaho in a state of emergency standards of care. We hope that doesnt happen again, as predominantly unvaccinated COVID-19 patients took up so many resources in Idahos our health care system, it limited the delivery of health care to non-COVID patients. Thats why your decision not to mask and not to get vaccinated affects others, not just yourself. Issuing a mask mandate in high-transmission areas is the right thing to do, but its likely a waste of time, effort and angst. We hate to let the bullies win, but the blowback and temper tantrums that mask mandates would set off wouldnt be worth the trouble. And a mandate without enforcement wouldnt compel scofflaws to do the right thing, anyway. That leaves the rest of us reasonable people to do the right thing. Weve said it before and well say it again: Wearing a mask works in slowing the spread of coronavirus. Study after study has shown masks work. A large, randomized trial led by researchers at Stanford Medicine and Yale University found that wearing a surgical face mask over the mouth and nose is an effective way to reduce the occurrence of COVID-19 in community settings. The researchers enrolled nearly 350,000 people from 600 villages in rural Bangladesh. Those living in villages randomly assigned to a series of interventions promoting the use of surgical masks were about 11% less likely than those living in control villages to develop COVID-19, and the protective effect increased to nearly 35% for people over 60 years old, according to the study, published in September. Yes, it would be better if everyone wore a mask, but barring that, the more of us who wear a mask, the better off well all be. Unfortunately, in the absence of a mask mandate, it will be left once again to businesses to encourage mask wearing indoors, at concert halls, shops and grocery stores. In the meantime, lets all do our part for the benefit of all. Wear a mask indoors around others, and lets stem the next wave of COVID-19 before it gets out of control. Love 1 Funny 7 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 TWIN FALLS The U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade on Friday, a nearly century-old case protecting abortion rights. This decision is sinful, ACLU of Idaho Executive Director Leo Morales said. Its going to cause irreversible harm and trauma for generations to come. We are not going to stand for it, we are going to organize, we are going to be in the streets, go back to the courts and organize community members across the country. Representatives from Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Legal Voice and ACLU of Idaho held a press conference to break down what the decision means for Idaho. Idaho is one of 26 states that are poised to ban abortion. In 2020, the state legislature passed a law making it a felony to perform an abortion. This law was written to begin 30 days after either the U.S. Constitution was amended or the Supreme Court gave the right back to the states. While Idahos law includes an exemption for cases of rape or incest, major obstacles are still in the way. Mistie DelliCarpini-Tolman, Idaho director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, said the first concern is that the law requires victims to file a police report. Most assaults are not reported for a variety of reasons including fear for physical safety, emotional stress or protecting the mental-wellbeing of a survivor. The second concern, which she said the organization confirmed with law enforcement, is information about an active case cannot be released. Getting a report to the physician is a process that can take weeks or months. We all know that abortion is a time-sensitive procedure, DelliCarpini-Tolman said. These exceptions become really in name only. The panelists were also concerned that the rationalization and justification used in the decision means the court will be coming after other rights. Kim Christensen Clark, senior attorney at Legal Voice, highlighted one passage in particular from the dissenting opinion in which three liberal justices, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, disagreed with the majority opinion. So one of two things must be true, they wrote. Either the majority does not really believe in its own reasoning. Or if it does, all rights that have no history stretching back to the mid-19th century are insecure. Either the mass of the majoritys opinion is hypocrisy, or additional constitutional rights are under threat. It is one or the other. Locals react to Supreme Court decision, not all agree While Governor Brad Little welcomed the decision, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and local Magic Valley women voiced concerns. Justice Clarence Thomas, who wrote a concurring opinion, called for the reconsideration of Griswold v. Connecticut, which protects the right for married people to obtain contraceptives; Lawrence v. Texas, which ruled states could not ban consensual same-sex sex; and Obergefell v. Hodges, which established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. For whole swaths of the population whose rights were not recognized at the time of 14th Amendment, that clause becomes literally meaningless which really underscores the problem with the way the court is approaching constitutional interpretation in this case, Clark said. DelliCarpini-Tolman confirmed Planned Parenthood will not be closing its locations in Boise and Twin Falls. I want to say to our patients who need care, I wanted to name that we know how devastating this moment is and were here with you, she said. We stand with you and we will stay hand in hand with you to make sure you can get the care that you need no matter what so please reach out if you need abortion care. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 KYIV, Ukraine (AP) After weeks of ferocious fighting, Ukrainian forces have begun retreating from a besieged city in the country's east to move to stronger positions, a regional official said Friday, the four-month mark in Russia's invasion. The planned withdrawal from Sievierodonetsk, the administrative center of the Luhansk region, comes after relentless Russian bombardment that has reduced most of the industrial city to rubble and cut its population from 100,0000 to 10,000. Ukrainian troops fought the Russians in house-to-house battles before retreating to the huge Azot chemical factory on the city's edge, where they remain holed up in its sprawling underground structures in which about 500 civilians also found refuge. In recent days, Russian forces have made gains around Sievierodonetsk and the neighboring city of Lysychansk, on a steep bank across a river, in a bid to encircle Ukrainian forces. Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk have been the focal point of the Russian offensive aimed at capturing all of the Donbas and destroying the Ukrainian military defending it the most capable and battle-hardened segment of the countrys armed forces. The two cities and surrounding areas are the last major pockets of Ukrainian resistance in the Luhansk region 95% of which is under Russian and local separatist forces' control. The Russians and separatists also control about half of the Donetsk region, the second province in the Donbas. Russia used its numerical advantages in troops and weapons to pummel Sievierodonetsk in what has become a war of attrition, while Ukraine clamored for better and more weapons from its Western allies. Bridges to the city were destroyed, slowing the Ukrainian military's ability to resupply, reinforce and evacuate the wounded and others. Much of the citys electricity, water and communications infrastructure has been destroyed. Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai said Ukrainian troops have been ordered to leave Sievierodonetsk to prevent bigger losses and move to better fortified positions. The head of the regional administration, Roman Vlasenko, said the withdrawal has already begun and will take several days. As of now, the Ukrainian military still remains in Sievierodonetsk, Vlasenko told CNN. They are being withdrawn from the city at the moment. It started yesterday. Ukraine's military spokesman declined to confirm the retreat order, saying government policy prevents comments on Ukrainian troop movements. Regrettably, we will have to pull our troops out of Sievierodonetsk, Haidai told The Associated Press. It makes no sense to stay at the destroyed positions, and the number of killed in action has been growing. A senior U.S. defense official, speaking in Washington on condition of anonymity, on Friday called the Ukrainians' move a tactical retrograde to consolidate forces into positions where they can better defend themselves. This will add to Ukraines effort to keep Russian forces pinned down longer in a small area, the official said. Haidai noted that while the retreat is under way, some Ukrainian troops remain in Sievierodonetsk, facing Russian bombardment that has destroyed 80% of buildings. As of today, the resistance in Sievierodonetsk is continuing, Haidai told the AP. The Russians are relentlessly shelling the Ukrainian positions, burning everything out. Haidai said the Russians are also advancing toward Lysychansk from Zolote and Toshkivka adding that Russian reconnaissance units conducted forays on the city's edges but its defenders drove them out. The governor added that a bridge leading to Lysychansk was badly damaged in a Russian airstrike and is unusable for trucks. Ukrainian military analyst Oleg Zhdanov told the AP that some of the troops moving away from Sievierodonetsk are heading to the fight in Lysychansk. In other battlefield reports, the Russian Defense Ministry declared Friday that four Ukrainian battalions and a unit of foreign mercenaries totaling about 2,000 soldiers have been fully blocked near Hirske and Zolote, south of Lysychansk. The claim couldnt be independently verified. Following a botched attempt to capture Kyiv, Ukraines capital, in the early stage of the invasion that started Feb. 24, Russian forces have shifted their focus to the Donbas, where the Ukrainian forces have fought Moscow-backed separatists since 2014. After repeated requests to its Western allies for heavier weaponry to counter Russias edge in firepower, four medium-range American rocket launchers have arrived, with four more on the way. The senior U.S. defense official said Friday that more Ukrainian forces are training outside Ukraine to use the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, and are expected back in their country with the weapons by mid-July. The rockets can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometers). Also to be sent are 18 U.S. coastal and river patrol boats. The official said there is no evidence Russia has been successful in intercepting any of what has been a steady flow of military aid into Ukraine from the U.S. and other nations. Russia has repeatedly threatened to strike, or actually claimed to have hit, such shipments. IN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: The day after Ukraine was approved as a candidate to join the European Union, Zelenskyy urged Ukrainians not to focus on all that still must be done before the country is accepted into the EU but to quietly celebrate the moment and be proud of how far Ukraine has already come in moving away from its Soviet past. Do not be happy that this is a slap in the face for Moscow but be proud that this is applause for Ukraine," he said in his nightly video address. "Let it inspire you. We deserve it. Please smile and let God bless us all with a quiet night. Then tomorrow, again into battle. With new strength, with new wings. In Tbilisi, Georgia, another former Soviet republic that has applied to join the EU, thousands of people rallied on Friday to demand the resignation of the prime minister over his government's failure to implement the necessary reforms for Georgia to join Ukraine in being accepted as a candidate for EU membership. The European Council this week said Georgia had more work to do before it would be given candidate status. Zelenskyy addressed the rally by video, expressing his support for Georgia and thanking the Georgians who have come to Ukraine to join the fight against Russia. Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and now effectively controls two breakaway territories. Zelenskyy urged music fans at the Glastonbury Festival to spread the truth about Russias war. Speaking to the crowd at the British music extravaganza by video on Friday before a set by The Libertines, Zelenskyy said, We in Ukraine would also like to live the life as we used to and enjoy freedom and this wonderful summer, but we cannot do that because the most terrible has happened Russia has stolen our peace. An official with the pro-Moscow administration in the southern city of Kherson, which was captured by Russian troops early in the invasion, was killed in an explosion Friday. The pro-Russian regional administration in Kherson said that Dmitry Savlyuchenko died when his vehicle exploded in what it described as a terror attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Yuras Karmanau reported from Lviv. Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Rangeley Ruritan Club The Rangeley Ruritan Club held a scholarship pizza party June 16. Nineteen people shared the pizzas which had been donated by Jerrys Pizza, Papa Johns, Little Caesars and Pizza Hut. Scholarships were presented to Scott Harmon, son of the Rev. J.D. and Susan Harmon and grandson of Jean Moore; Hanna Vaughn, who was unable to attend due to classes, but was represented by her mother Kristie Vaughn and her grandfather Mac Gordon; and Nicholas Shelton, who was unable to attend do to an internship, so was represented by Fay Moore. Proceeds from Saturdays breakfast will go towards upgrades that will make the building more handicap accessible. The club will celebrate the Fourth of July with a hotdog meal. Sovah Health Sovah Health-Martinsville announced its community benefit report for the 2021 calendar year to publish how the hospital is contributing to the health and wellness of Martinsville and Henry County communities. The report highlights the hospitals efforts to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community through welcoming new providers, adding and expanding service lines and investing in its facilities and healthcare technology, a release said. In 2021, Sovah Health-Martinsville added 10 providers in hospital medicine and orthopedics and made more than $2 million in capital improvements, such as in-house COVID-19 testing technology, mammography services upgrades and facility equipment upgrades, the release said. Our mission of Making Communities Healthier has always been a fundamental part of succeeding as a community leader in our region, Sovah HealthMartinsville CEO Spencer Thomas stated in the release. We accomplished this thanks in no small part to the hard work and dedication of our remarkable team of providers, employees and volunteers, and the support of those we serve. The hospital also made a donation of almost $17 million in health services to people in need, demonstrating its continuous commitment to ensuring everyone has access to care, regardless of their ability to pay, the release added. The hospital also distributed more than $56 million in salaries, wages and benefits to it over 670 employees, while also contributing more than $120,000 in professional development and tuition assistance to it employees. Last year, the hospital paid more than $11 million in local, state and federal taxes and continues to support local activities and organizations including Boys and Girls Club of the Blue Ridge, Caring Hearts Free Clinic, Henry County Parks and Rec and Martinsville Henry County Farmers Market, the release said. We are proud to call this community our home and feel truly privileged to contribute to its well-being, Thomas stated. We are also incredibly grateful for and inspired by the support our communities have shown us in recent years. As we consider the future of Sovah HealthMartinsville, we are so excited to continue improving the way we serve our neighbors and communities. The full report can be read at https://www.sovahhealth.com/community. WPPDC West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC) has awarded funding to launch a Regional Agritourism and Agribusiness Development Program. With funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC), the program will market and brand the regions agritourism and agribusiness sites and activities. The program will identify and create a regional inventory that includes location(s), products and services offered, according to a press release. That inventory will then be used to create an interactive agribusiness website for the region that allows users to search specific products, services and activities. A group of agritourism and agribusiness owners and agriculture stakeholders will guide the programs development and sustainability, and the WPPDC will conduct an economic impact study to determine the impact on the regions economy. The primary focus will be to determine the value of agricultural products and agritourism but will also include the number of jobs supported and an assessment of future market growth, the release said. During the development of the West Piedmont Pandemic Recovery and Resiliency Plan some of our local jurisdictions and partner organizations made us aware of the need to assist our agritourism and small farm businesses that had suffered financially during the Covid-19 shutdowns, WPPDC Executive Director Michael Armbrister said. We have already worked with some of our Farmers Markets and their vendors through other projects. We are excited to expand on those relationships with this project while helping them increase their farm income. Henry County Fair Tickets are now on sale for the Second Annual Henry County Fair. The fair will take place Sept. 21-24 at the Martinsville Speedway. Tickets will cost $30, which covers gate admission, concerts, unlimited rides, the Pompeyo Family Amazing Dog Show, Rock N Curious Show and interactive animal exhibits. The fair will feature local music such as The TC Carter Band on Wednesday, We Are Messengers on Thursday and Celeste Kellogg on Friday. The concerts alone are worth the price of admission, stated Fair Director Roger Adams in a press release. For more information, contact Henry County Parks and Recreation at 276-634-4640. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. This copilot is stupid and wants to kill me This week, Microsoft released an AI-based tool for writing software called GitHub Copilot. As a lawyer and 20+ year participant in the world of open-source software, I agree with those who consider Copilot to be primarily an engine for violating open-source licenses. Still, Im not worried about its effects on open source. Why? Because as a matter of basic legal hygiene, I expect that organizations that create software assets will have to forbid the use of Copilot and other AI-assisted tools, lest they unwittingly contaminate those software assets with license violations and intellectual-property infringements. (Before we go further: I am not your lawyer, nor anyones lawyer, and you should not take anything on this page as legal advice.) Its licenses all the way down Those versed in open-source history might recognize my argument as similar to the one Microsoft pushed for many years to deter organizations from adopting open source at all. How can you trust that the code doesnt contain IP violations?, they asked. This was often derided as pure FUD (= the marketing tactic of spreading fear, uncertainty, and doubt about a competitor). But as a legal matter, its a fair question to ask of any new technology that by design contains portions of other peoples work. As applied to open source, what made the question unfair was its implication that the open-source world is some kind of sloppy mosh pit of IP rights, carelessly remixed. On the contrary, the growth of open source over 20+ years has only been possible because of its fastidious insistence on explicit, enforceable software licenses. For instance, as an author of open-source software, I dont just dump my code on some website and invite others to guess what they can do with it. Rather, everything I make is accompanied by a simple but explicit licenseIve always preferred the one known as the MIT licensethat invites certain kinds of uses, forbids others, and sets the conditions. Likewise, though open-source licenses allow redistribution and modification of code, I still have to honor the specific terms of other open-source software that I use in my projects. Again, its not a mosh pit. There are many open-source licenses in use. Not all of them are compatible. For instance, the GNU General Public License (GPL) is much more limited than the MIT license. Thus, I cant embed GPL-licensed software within my MIT-licensed projects, because it would amount to relicensing that software under an MIT license, which would violate the GPL. This shouldnt seem arcane: as a logical and legal matter, I cant pass along to others permissions I never had in the first place. GitHub Copilot is different GitHub Copilot is an AI-based system that has been trained, according to Microsoft, on billions of lines of public code. In use, it acts as a fancy autocomplete. As you type into a code editor, Copilot reads what youve writtensay, the name of a functionand suggests code that implements it. For instance, I started a Copilot session to write a JavaScript function for calculating the nth prime number. So I typed this: 1 2 3 function calculateNthPrime(n) { } After a pause, Copilot filled in the rest: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 function calculateNthPrime ( n ) { var primes = [ 2 ]; var i = 3 ; while ( primes . length < n ) { if ( isPrime ( i )) { primes . push ( i ); } i += 2 ; } return primes [ n - 1 ]; } This code doesnt work, however, because it relies on a function called isPrime that doesnt yet exist. Being a good sport, I forgave Copilot and typed that wish next: 1 2 3 function isPrime(n) { } Once again, Copilot produced the rest: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 function isPrime ( n ) { for ( var i = 2 ; i < n ; i ++ ) { if ( n % i === 0 ) { return false ; } } return true ; } This is the code I would expect from a talented 12-year-old who learned about JavaScript yesterday and prime numbers today. Does it work? Uhmaybe? Notably, Microsoft doesnt claim that any of the code Copilot produces is correct. Thats still your problem. Thus, Copilot essentially tasks you with correcting a 12-year-olds homework, over and over. (I have no idea how this is preferable to just doing the homework yourself.) The big nowhere But this generated code raises an even more vexing question: if Copilot was trained on software code that was subject to an open-source license, what license might apply to the code produced by Copilot? MIT? GPL? Something else? No licensein the sense of public domain? No licensein the sense that the underlying pieces are under incompatible licenses and theres no way to combine them? Microsoft makes no claims about this either. Rather, it explicitly passes the risk to users, who must carry the entire burden of license compliance (emphasis added below): We recommend you take the same precautions when using code generated by GitHub Copilot that you would when using any code you didnt write yourself. These precautions include rigorous testing, IP scanning By IP scanning I assume Microsoft is speaking of intellectual-property scanning, meaning the process of verifying that the code doesnt contain IP violations. (Unfortunately the phrase IP scanning is also commonly used to mean IP-address scanning in the network sense.) On the one hand, we cant expect Microsoft to offer legal advice to its zillions of users or a blanket indemnification. On the other hand, Microsoft isnt sharing any of the information users would need to make these determinations. On the contraryCopilot completely severs the connection between its inputs (= code under various open-source licenses) and its outputs (= code algorithmically produced by Copilot). Thus, after 20+ years, Microsoft has finally produced the very thing it falsely accused open source of being: a black hole of IP rights. Copilot is malware CTOs and general counsels of organizations that generate software IP assets now have an urgent problem: how to prevent the contamination of those assets with code generated by Copilot (and similar AI tools that will certainly emerge). Lets be very clearthis has not been a practical problem for open-source software over the last 20+ years. Why? Because open source was designed around license-based accountability. Have there been instances where open-source software has violated IP rights? Sure. Just like there have been instances where proprietary software has also done so. The point of open source was never to create a regime of software licensing that was impervious to IP litigation. Rather, it was to show that sharing and modification of source code could become part of the software industry without collapsing the existing regime. Open-source software has successfully coexisted with proprietary software because it plays by the same legal rules. Copilot does not. Whereas open source strives for clarity around licensing, Copilot creates nothing but fog. Microsoft has imposed upon users the responsibility for determining the IP status of the code that Copilot emits, but provides none of the data they would need to do so. The task, therefore, is impossible. For this reason, one must further conclude that any code generated by Copilot may contain lurking license or IP violations. In that case, the only prudent position is to reject Copilotand other AI assistants trained on external codeentirely. I imagine this will quickly be adopted as official policy of software organizations. Because what other position could be defensible? We put our enterprise codebase at risk to spare our highly paid programmers the indignity of writing a program to calculate the nth prime number? Still, Im sure some organizations will try to find a middle path with Copilot on the (misguided) principle of developer productivity and general AI maximalism. Before too long, someone at these organizations will find a giant license violation in some Copilot-generated code, and the experiment will quietly end. More broadly, its still unclear how the chaotic nature of AI can be squared with the virtue of predictability that is foundational to many business organizations. (Another troublesome aspect of Copilot is that it operates as a keylogger within your code editor, sending everything you type back to Microsoft for processing. Sure, you can switch it on and off. But it still represents a risk to privacy, IP, and trade secrets thats difficult to control. As above, the only prudent policy will be to keep it away from developer machines entirely.) Can Copilot be fixed? Maybeif instead of fog, Copilot were to offer sunshine. Rather than conceal the licenses of the underlying open-source code it relies on, it could in principle keep this information attached to each chunk of code as it wends its way through the model. Then, on the output side, it would be possible for a user to inspect the generated code and see where every part came from and what license is attached to it. Keeping license terms attached to code would also allow users to shape the output of Copilot by license. For instance, generate an nth-prime function using only MIT-licensed source material. As the end user, this wouldnt eliminate my responsibility to verify these terms. But at least Id have the information Id need to do so. As it stands, the task is hopeless. In the law, this concept is critical, and known as chain of custody: the idea that the reliability of certain material depends on verifying where it came from. For instance, without recording the chain of custody, you could never introduce documents into evidence at trial, because youd have no way of confirming that the documents were authentic and trustworthy. What Copilot means for open source If Copilot is vigorously violating open-source licenses, what should open-source authors do about it? In the large, I dont think the problems open-source authors have with AI training are that different from the problems everyone will have. Were just encountering them sooner. Most importantly, I dont think we should let the arrival of a new obstacle compromise the spirit of open source. For instance, some have suggested creating an open-source license that forbids AI training. But this kind of usage-based restriction has never been part of the open-source ethic. Furthermore, its overinclusive: we can imagine (as I have above) AI systems that behave more responsibly and ethically than the first generation will. It would be self-defeating for open-source authors to set themselves athwart technological progress, since thats one of the main goals of open-sourcing code in the first place. By the same token, it doesnt make sense to hold AI systems to a different standard than we would hold human users. Widespread open-source license violations shouldnt be shrugged off as an unavoidable cost. Suppose we accept that AI training falls under the US copyright notion of fair use. (Though the question is far from settled.) If so, then the fair-use exception would supersede the license terms. But even if the input to the AI system qualifies as fair use, the output of that system may not. Microsoft has not made this claim about GitHub Copilotand never will, because no one can guarantee the behavior of a nondeterministic system. We are at the beginning of the era of practical, widespread AI systems. Its inevitable that there will be litigation and regulation about the behavior of these systems. Its also inevitable that the nondeterminism of these systems will be used as a defense of their misbehaviorwe dont really know how it works either, so we all just have to accept it. I think that regulations mandating the auditability of AI systems by showing the connection between inputs and outputsakin to a chain of custodyare very likely, probably in the EU before the US. This is the only way to ensure that AI systems are not being used to launder materials that are otherwise unethical or illegal. In the US, I think its possible AI may end up provoking an amendment to the US constitutionbut thats a topic for another day. In the interim, I think the most important thing open-source authors can do is continue to bring attention to certain facts about Copilot that Microsoft would prefer to leave buried in the fine print. For now, Copilots greatest enemy is itself. Further reading The lawlessness and chaos prevailing in the polisario-controled Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria pose a serious threat to the security and stability of neighboring countries and the entire region, international experts warned. Meeting in a virtual panel on human rights in Algerias Tindouf camps, organized on the sidelines of the ongoing 50th session of the Human Rights Council, the experts drew attention to the situation of insecurity and systematic violations of human rights in the camps of Tindouf, a closed field that evades any international control. They stressed that the responsibility for these violations falls mainly on the host country, Algeria. The panel highlighted by the adoption of a communique in which the participants express their deep concern about the increasing violations committed against the population of the camps of Tindouf, by the polisario and the Algerian security forces. During the debates moderated by the Chairperson of IOPDHR, Aicha Douihi, lawyer and human rights defender, Naoufel Bouamri, described the camps populations general discontent, frustration, terror and uncertainty due to insecurity, repression and inhumane practices of the Polisario militias against these populations squared in the middle of the desert in the camps of Tindouf, in a bid to stifle, by all means, the protest and popular anger, in defiance of the charters and rules of international humanitarian law. In the same vein, the president of the International Center for Diplomacy, Karima Ghanem, denounced the refusal of the polisario and Algeria to cooperate with the United Nations mechanisms on the subject of enforced disappearances, abductions, extrajudicial executions, torture in detention centers and other cruel, inhuman or degrading practices in the Tindouf camps. She criticized, in this sense, the attitude of the Algerian regime which opposes the census of the population of the camps of Tindouf, despite the requests made to this effect by the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and the resolutions of the Security Council on this issue. For his part, the researcher in business law, Badr Zaher Al Azrak, noted that the Tindouf camps are in reality areas of forced military recruitment where the armed militias of the polisario sequester a civilian population, with the complicity of the Algerian state. Professor of political science, Mohammed Al-Zahrawi, denounced the evasion of Algeria of its international responsibility towards the Tindouf camps population. In this regard, he noted that these camps escape the criteria for classification as refugee camps, especially in view of the lack of a census of inhabitants, in addition to their military character, in total contradiction with the terms of the Geneva Convention on refugees. Other speakers, including Noureddine Oubad, president of the NGO PDES, and experts in human development and human rights, Matteo Dominici and Damien Reggio, called for intervention to end the plight of the people of the Tindouf camps, who are deprived of their most basic rights, including the right to travel, expression and work, in violation of the charters of the United Nations and procedures of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Morocco are joining forces against cancer and pandemics, the Vienna-based UN agency said. In an article on the visit of IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi this week to Morocco, published on its website, the Agency said an agreement was signed with the Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection to strengthen cooperation in the fight against cancer and zoonoses, i.e. diseases transmitted to humans from other animals. Morocco is a strong supporter of the promotion of nuclear science in Africa and an important player in access to cancer care and response to epidemics of zoonoses on the continent, the IAEA article points out. The agreement sets out areas of cooperation in which the IAEA and Morocco will work together under the Agencys Rays of Hope initiative, the article explains. It further notes that the initiative, launched last February at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, aims to improve access to cancer care in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, where more than 70 percent of the population lacks access to radiation therapy. Morocco will participate in this initiative and promote the use of radiotherapy, an essential tool for the treatment of more than half of all cancer patients, the Agency maintains. The IAEA-Morocco agreement also brings the countrys support to the IAEAs ZODIAC (Integrated Action against Zoonotic Diseases) Initiative aimed at the integration of all actions against zoonotic diseases, the article says. Quoted in the article, Grossi stressed that Morocco is a key player in Africa for the triangular transfer of expertise, skills and technologies for sustainable development. The IAEA supports Moroccos efforts to promote nuclear science for a safer, healthier and fairer world, he added. While praising Moroccos nuclear facilities and radiotherapy centers, the article reviewed all the exchanges that Grossi had with Moroccan officials, including with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the acting director of the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR). A woman exhales while vaping from a Juul pen e-cigarette in Vancouver, Wash., April 16, 2019. Juul has asked a federal court, Friday, June 24, 2022, to block a government order to stop selling its electronic cigarettes. Federal health officials on Thursday, June 23, ordered Juul to pull its electronic cigarettes from the U.S. market, the latest blow to the embattled company widely blamed for sparking a national surge in teen vaping. Credit: AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer, File Juul can continue to sell its electronic cigarettes, at least for now, after a federal appeals court on Friday temporarily blocked a government ban. Juul filed an emergency motion earlier Friday, seeking the temporary hold while it appeals the sales ban. The e-cigarette maker had asked the court to pause what it called an "extraordinary and unlawful action" by the Food and Drug Administration that would have required it to immediately halt its business. The FDA said Thursday that Juul must stop selling its vaping device and its tobacco and menthol flavored cartridges. The action was part of a sweeping effort by the agency to bring scientific scrutiny to the multibillion-dollar vaping industry after years of regulatory delays. To stay on the market, companies must show that their e-cigarettes benefit public health. In practice, that means proving that adult smokers who use them are likely to quit or reduce their smoking, while teens are unlikely to get hooked on them. The FDA said Juul's application left regulators with significant questions and didn't include enough information to evaluate any potential health risks. Juul said it submitted enough information and data to address all issues raised. An electronic cigarette from Juul Labs is seen on on Feb. 25, 2020, in Pembroke Pines, Fla. Juul has asked a federal court, Friday, June 24, 2022, to block a government order to stop selling its electronic cigarettes. Federal health officials on Thursday, June 23, ordered Juul to pull its electronic cigarettes from the U.S. market, the latest blow to the embattled company widely blamed for sparking a national surge in teen vaping. Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted Juul's request for a hold while the court reviews the case. While Juul remains a top seller, its share of the U.S. e-cigarette market has dipped to about half. The company was widely blamed for a surge in underage vaping a few years ago, but a recent federal survey showed a drop in the teen vaping rate and a shift away from Juul's products. The devices heat a nicotine solution into a vapor that's inhaled, bypassing many of the toxic chemicals produced by burning tobacco. The company said in its Friday court filing that it submitted a 125,000-page application to the FDA nearly two years ago. It said the application included several studies to evaluate the health risks among Juul users. Juul said that the FDA cannot argue that there was a "critical and urgent public interest" in immediately removing its products from the market when the agency allowed them to be sold during its review. The company noted that the FDA denied its application while authorizing those submitted by competitors with similar products. The FDA has OK'd e-cigarettes from R.J. Reynolds, Logic and other companies, while rejecting many others. In 2019, Juul was pressured into halting all advertising and eliminating its fruit and dessert flavors after they became popular among middle and high school students. The next year, the FDA limited flavors in small vaping devices to just tobacco and menthol. Explore further Juul seeks to block FDA ban on e-cigarette sales in US 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain China reported zero new COVID-19 infections in Shanghai for the first time since March on Saturday, as the country's latest outbreak subsides after months of lockdowns and other restrictions. China is the last major economy committed to a zero-COVID strategy, stamping out all infections with a combination of targeted lockdowns, mass testing and long quarantine periods. The economic hub of Shanghai was forced into a months-long lockdown during a COVID surge this spring driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant, while the capital Beijing shuttered schools and offices for weeks over a separate outbreak. But infections have slowed to a trickle in recent days, with Shanghai on Saturday reporting zero locally transmitted cases for the first time since before the outbreak in early March. "There were no new domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases and no new domestic asymptomatic infections in Shanghai," the city said in a statement. The lockdown on Shanghai's 25 million residents was mostly lifted in early June, but the metropolis has struggled to return to normal as individual neighbourhoods have reimposed restrictions over new infections. Millions of people in the city were temporarily locked down again two weeks ago after the government ordered a fresh mass testing campaign. In Beijing, restrictions imposed in May were later eased as cases declined, but tightened again this month after a nightlife-linked infection cluster emerged. After days of mass testing and localised lockdowns, the "Heaven Supermarket infection chain"named after a popular bar visited by the patientshas now been effectively blocked, Beijing authorities said last week. The city's education bureau said Saturday that all elementary and middle school students could return to their classrooms for in-person schooling on Monday. Beijing reported only two new local infections on Saturday. However, China's southern manufacturing powerhouse of Shenzhen said Saturday it would close wholesale markets, cinemas and gyms in a central district bordering Hong Kong for three days after COVID cases were discovered there. Chinese officials insist the zero-COVID policy is necessary to prevent a healthcare calamity, pointing to unevenly distributed medical resources and low vaccination rates among the elderly. But the strategy has hammered the world's second-largest economy and heavy handed enforcement has triggered rare protests in the tightly controlled country. China's international isolation has also prompted some foreign businesses and families with the financial means to make exit plans. Explore further Beijing delays school reopenings after new COVID outbreak 2022 AFP The annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association was held this year from June 3 to 7 in New Orleans and attracted more than 15,000 participants from around the world, including clinicians, academicians, allied health professionals, and others interested in diabetes. The conference highlighted the latest advances in diabetes research and improving patient care, with presentations focusing on treatment recommendations and advances in management technology. In one study, Elizabeth Lundeen, Ph.D., of the Vision Health Initiative (VHI) at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and colleagues found that declines in vision impairment among individuals aged 18 years or older with diabetes plateaued during 2012. The CDC VHI works to improve vision health in the United States through collaborations with state and national partners to strengthen science and develop interventions that promote eye health and prevent vision loss and blindness in groups at high risk. For this study, the authors examined data from 52,000 respondents, 18 years and older, with diagnosed diabetes, using self-reported data from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey during a 20-year period from 1999 through 2018. The researchers found that the prevalence of vision impairment among individuals with diabetes decreased significantly from 1999 to 2012. However, this trend began to change in 2012. From 2012 to 2018, there was an increase in prevalence in this population. "While this latter trend of increasing vision impairment prevalence from 2012 to 2018 did not reach statistical significance, it could be an early warning that trends in vision impairment among those with diabetes are headed in the wrong direction," Lundeen said. "These findings are worth noting because they suggest that declines in vision impairment among adults with diabetes seen in the first decade of the century may have ended around 2012. A number of factors could influence these findings, such as changes in glycemic management among those with diabetes or changes in vision screening or health care utilization in this population. Future research exploring these possible causes could help us to better understand these trends and design appropriate interventions." In another study, Deborah Ellis, Ph.D., of Wayne State University in Detroit, and colleagues found that racial residential segregation has independent effects on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) among Black youth with type 1 diabetes after controlling for family income and neighborhood adversity. The authors evaluated the effects of racial residential segregation on the health of Black youth with type 1 diabetes. The study looked at the effects of living in highly segregated neighborhoods on HbA1c, while controlling for factors such as age, insulin delivery method, family income, and other aspects of adversity in the neighborhood. The researchers found that higher levels of racial residential segregation were associated with higher HbA1c even after controlling for family income and neighborhood adversity. "The study demonstrates the influence of social determinants of health on health outcomes in youth of color with type 1 diabetes," Ellis said. "It shows the importance for health care providers to ask about and address factors that affect youths' diabetes health beyond daily diabetes management." One author disclosed financial ties to Boehringer Ingelheim. ADA: Diabetes May Quadruple Risk for Long COVID WEDNESDAY, June 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Diabetes may increase the risk for long COVID symptoms fourfold, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, held from June 3 to 7 in New Orleans. ADA: Insulin Delivery Systems Compared in Type 1 Diabetes WEDNESDAY, June 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- An open-source automated insulin delivery system appears to be safe and effective for use in people with type 1 diabetes, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, held from June 3 to 7 in New Orleans. ADA: Once-Weekly Dulaglutide Ups Glycemic Control in Youth With T2D TUESDAY, June 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- For youth with type 2 diabetes, dulaglutide is superior to placebo for reducing mean glycated hemoglobin level, according to a study published online June 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, held from June 3 to 7 in New Orleans. ADA: Once-Weekly Tirzepatide Yields Lasting Weight Loss in Obesity TUESDAY, June 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- For individuals with obesity, tirzepatide is associated with lasting weight loss, according to a study published online June 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, held from June 3 to 7 in New Orleans. ADA: Elevated BMI in Adolescence Linked to T1D in Young Adulthood MONDAY, June 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Elevated body mass index in adolescence is associated with an increased risk for type 1 diabetes in young adulthood, according to a study published online June 5 in Diabetologia to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, held from June 3 to 7 in New Orleans. ADA: Tirzepatide Improves Kidney Outcomes in T2DM With Increased CV Risk MONDAY, June 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- An exploratory analysis of data from the SURPASS-4 trial has shown that adults with type 2 diabetes and increased cardiovascular risk receiving tirzepatide experience fewer renal complications, especially new onset of macroalbuminuria; these findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, held from June 3 to 7 in New Orleans. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states, although the timing of those laws taking effect varies. Some Republican-led states will ban or severely limit abortion immediately, while other restrictions will take effect later. At least one state, Texas, is waiting until after the Supreme Court issues its formal judgment in the case, which is separate from the opinion issued Friday and could take about a month. In anticipation of the decision, several states led by Democrats have taken steps to protect abortion access. The decision also sets up the potential for legal fights between the states over whether providers and those who help women obtain abortions can be sued or prosecuted. Here is an overview of abortion legislation and the expected impact of the courts decision in every state. ALABAMA Political control: Alabama has a Republican-controlled legislature and a Republican governor who want to ban or restrict access to abortions. Background: In 2019, Alabama lawmakers approved what was then the most stringent abortion ban in the country, making it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy with no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. The only exception would be when the womans health was at serious risk. A federal judge issued an injunction, under the precedent of Roe v. Wade, blocking the state from enforcing the law. In 2018, voters agreed to amend the Alabama Constitution to say the state recognizes the rights of unborn children and does not protect the right to an abortion or require the funding of abortion. A 1951 law made it a crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to induce an abortion, unless it is done to preserve the life or health of the mother. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Abortions became almost entirely illegal in Alabama on Friday. A 2019 state abortion ban took effect making it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy, with no exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. All three clinics stopped providing abortions Friday morning under fear of prosecution under the 1951 state law. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson hours later granted Alabama's request to lift an injunction and allow the state to enforce the 2019 abortion ban. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said it is now a felony to provide an abortion in Alabama beyond the one exception allowed in the 2019 law, which is for the sake of the mothers health. Doctors who violate the law could face up to 99 years in prison. Marshall said the state would also move to lift other injunctions that blocked previous abortion restrictions, including a requirement for doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges. Whats next: Some Republican lawmakers have said they would like to see the state replace the 2019 ban with a slightly less stringent bill that would allow exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Proponents said the 2019 ban was deliberately strict in the hopes of sparking a court challenge to Roe. ALASKA Political control: Republicans currently hold a majority of seats in the state Legislature, but the House is controlled by a bipartisan coalition composed largely of Democrats. Fifty-nine of the Legislatures 60 seats are up for election this year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican who believes life begins at conception, is seeking reelection. Background: The Alaska Supreme Court has interpreted the right to privacy in the state constitution as encompassing abortion rights. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court's decision is not expected to immediately affect abortion rights in Alaska, given the existing precedent in the state. Whats next: Voters in the fall will be asked if they want to hold a constitutional convention, a question that comes up every 10 years. Many conservatives who want to overhaul how judges are selected and do away with the interpretation that the constitutions right to privacy clause allows for abortion rights see an opportunity in pushing for a convention. Recent efforts to advance a constitutional amendment through the Legislature have been unsuccessful. ARIZONA Political control: Both legislative chambers are controlled by Republicans, who regularly pass abortion restrictions that for the past eight sessions have been quickly signed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, an abortion opponent. Background: Arizona law allows abortion through about 22 weeks, but the Legislature passed a 15-week abortion ban in March mirroring the Mississippi law that was contested before the U.S. Supreme Court. It will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which it did Saturday. Current restrictions include bans on abortions because of gender and a 2021 law that makes it a felony for a doctor to terminate a pregnancy because the child has a survivable genetic abnormality. Arizona also has a pre-statehood law still on the books that would ban all abortions, although it has not been enforced since Roe was decided. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Ducey has argued in media interviews that the law he signed in late March takes precedence over the total ban that remains on the books. But the law he signed specifically says it does not overrule the total abortion ban in place for more than 100 years. Ducey is term-limited and leaves office in January. Abortion providers across the state stopped all procedures after the court ruled Friday because of concerns that the pre-Roe ban could put doctors, nurses and other providers at risk of prosecution. Whats next: Abortion-rights supporters in Arizona have launched a long-shot bid to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. Rolled out weeks after the draft U.S. Supreme Court decision showing Roe could be overturned was leaked, backers must collect more than 356,000 signatures by July 7 to get the initiative on the November ballot. Voters would then be able to decide. ARKANSAS Political control: Arkansas legislature is controlled by Republicans who have supported dozens of abortion bans and restrictions in recent years. Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson also has supported bans on abortion with some exceptions. Hes term-limited and leaves office in January. Republican nominee Sarah Sanders, press secretary to former President Donald Trump, is widely favored in the November election to succeed him. Background: Arkansas already had a law banning most abortions 20 weeks into a womans pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. The state has several other bans that have been struck down or blocked by courts in recent years, including an outright abortion ban enacted last year that doesnt include rape or incest exceptions. That ban has been blocked by a federal judge, and the state has appealed. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Arkansas has a law it enacted in 2019 that bans nearly all abortions now that Roe is overturned. That ban, along with the outright ban thats been blocked by a federal judge, only allows exceptions to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency. Hutchinson has said he thinks bans should include rape and incest exceptions, but he has not called on the Legislature to add those to either of the bans. Whats next: Hours after Fridays ruling, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge signed certification that Roe had been overturned. That certification allows the states trigger ban to take effect immediately. The only exception in that ban is to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency. The Legislature isnt scheduled to meet until January, but Hutchinson is considering calling a special session to take up tax relief proposals. The Republican governor said Friday he does not plan on asking lawmakers to consider adding rape and incest exceptions to the states ban. CALIFORNIA Political control: Democrats who support access to abortion control all statewide elected offices and have large majorities in the state Legislature. Background: California outlawed abortion in 1850, except when the life of the mother was in danger. The law changed in 1967 to include abortions in the case of rape, incest or if a womans mental health were in danger. In 1969, the California Supreme Court declared the states original abortion law to be unconstitutional but left the 1967 law in place. In 1972, California voters added a right to privacy to the state constitution. Since then, the state Supreme Court has interpreted that right to privacy as a right to access abortion, allow minors to get an abortion without their parents permission and use public funding for abortions in the states Medicaid program. California now requires private health insurance plans to cover abortions and does not allow them to charge things such as co-pays or deductibles for the procedure. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Abortion will remain legal in California prior to the viability of a fetus. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has vowed to make California a sanctuary for women who live in other states where abortion is outlawed or severely restricted. The number of women who travel to the state for abortions is expected to rise significantly. Whats next: The state Legislature is considering 13 bills that would strengthen or expand access to abortion. The bills are based on a report from the Future of Abortion Council, which Newsom formed last year to study reproductive rights in California. They include proposals that would help pay for women from other states to come to California for abortions, ban enforcement of out-of-state civil judgments on California abortion providers and volunteers, and increase the number of people who can offer abortions by authorizing some nurse practitioners to perform the procedure without the supervision of a doctor. Lawmakers also plan to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would explicitly guarantee the right to an abortion and contraceptives. COLORADO Political control: The Democrats who control the Colorado Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: A 1967 state law legalized abortion up to 16 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion has been accessible ever since, despite repeated legislative attempts and ballot initiatives to restrict or abolish the procedure. Colorado voters have consistently rejected such initiatives, the latest in 2020 that would have banned abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy. In 2022, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a law placing the right to abortion in state statute. The law guarantees access to reproductive care before and after pregnancy and bans local governments from imposing their own restrictions. It also declares that fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses have no independent rights. Abortion rights advocates plan a 2024 ballot initiative to add abortion rights to the state constitution and repeal a 1980s constitutional amendment that bans public funding for abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The decision wont have any immediate impact on Colorado law -- but providers are preparing for a surge of out-of-state patients. Democratic House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar says lawmakers must consider how to invest in a health care workforce to ensure Colorado has the capacity to meet that anticipated demand. Colorados health department reports there were 11,580 abortions in the state in 2021; of those 14% were for non-residents. More than 900 of those non-residents were from Texas, Wyoming and Nebraska. Whats next: Its impossible to predict how many more patients from states surrounding Colorado will potentially seek care now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. But the Texas law could induce more people to come. Oklahoma now has an early pregnancy abortion ban; Utah and Wyoming have trigger laws banning abortion now Roe is overturned; the Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights, but Republican lawmakers placed on an August primary ballot an initiative to overturn it. CONNECTICUT Political control: Democrats who control the Connecticut General Assembly support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: Connecticut passed a law in 1990 giving women the legal right to abortion. Having passed with strong bipartisan support, it was lauded at the time for being a rare compromise between abortion rights advocates and opponents. It affirmed a womans unqualified right to an abortion prior to viability of the fetus, as well as later-term abortions necessary to preserve the life and health of the pregnant woman. It also repealed state laws predating Roe v. Wade that had made it a felony to have an abortion or to perform one and required that patients under 16 receive counseling about their options. This year, Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation to protect medical providers and patients from out-of-state legal actions. The same law allows advanced practice registered nurses, nurse-midwives or physician assistants to perform aspiration abortions in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, has vowed to challenge any attempt to nullify Connecticuts abortion rights law. Lets not mince words. They will come for us, Tong warned abortion rights supporters during a recent news conference. We will fight that effort tooth-and-nail. Any court, any place, Connecticut will be there and will fight. The state is already involved in major abortion cases across the country. And while Connecticut is surrounded by mostly pro-abortion states, its still bracing for out-of-state patients seeking abortions now that Roe has been overturned. Whats next: Connecticuts new law protecting abortion providers from other states bans takes effect on July 1. It creates a legal cause of action for providers and others sued in another state, enabling them to recover certain legal costs. It also limits the governors discretion to extradite someone accused of performing an abortion, as well as participation by Connecticut courts and agencies in those lawsuits. Theres discussion of possibly amending the states constitution to enshrine the right to abortion, making it more difficult to overturn, but that would be a multi-year process. DELAWARE Political control: Democrats control the governors office and both chambers of the legislature in Delaware and have taken several steps to ensure access to abortion. Background: In 2017, Delaware became the first state following the election of President Donald Trump to codify the right to an abortion. A bill signed by Gov. John Carney, a Catholic, guarantees the unfettered right to an abortion before a fetus is deemed viable. The law defines viability as the point in a pregnancy when, in a physicians good faith medical judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the fetus can survive outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures. The law also allows abortion after fetal viability if, in a doctors good faith medical judgment, abortion is necessary for the protection of the womans life or health, or if there is a reasonable likelihood that the fetus cannot survive without extraordinary medical measures. The law eliminated existing code restrictions on abortions, much of which had already been declared unenforceable by Delawares attorney general in 1973 following the Supreme Court rulings in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. In April of this year, Carney signed a bill allowing physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to prescribe abortion-inducing medications including mifepristone and misoprostol. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: In Delaware, the privacy protections of Roe v. Wade are codified in state law, guaranteeing residents have access to legal abortion services even if Roe were to be undone at the federal level, Democratic lawmakers noted earlier this month in unveiling legislation further broadening access to abortions. The bill, which is likely to pass before the end of June, allows physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners and nurse midwifes to perform abortions before viability. It also includes various legal protections for abortion providers and patients, including out-of-state residents receiving abortions in Delaware. Those provisions include protections from civil actions in other states relating to the termination of a pregnancy, and protecting individuals from extradition to other states for criminal charges related to terminating a pregnancy. Whats next: According to state health officials, 2,042 abortions were performed in Delaware in 2019, with 1,765 involving Delaware residents and 277 involving nonresidents. Delaware is not likely to see a huge influx of women traveling from out of state to get abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned, given that neighboring Maryland and New Jersey also have liberal abortion-access laws. In neighboring Pennsylvania, where Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature, future abortion access could hinge on the outcome of this years gubernatorial contest. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Political control: The local government in the nations capital is completely controlled by Democrats, with a Democratic mayor and the D.C. Council split between Democrats and nominal independent politicians, who are all, invariably, Democrats. Background: Abortion is legal in the District of Columbia at all stages of pregnancy, a status that was upheld in the 1971 Supreme Court case United States v. Vuitch. However, the U.S. Congress has oversight power over D.C. laws and Congress has already banned the city from using local funds to pay for abortions for women on Medicaid. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Elected officials in Washington, D.C., fear Congress could move to restrict abortion access, particularly if Republicans recapture the House of Representatives in midterm elections later this year. President Joe Biden could theoretically veto such a move, but that protection is subject to political calculations and is not guaranteed. Whats next: Local officials have pledged defiance against any sort of Congressional move to restrict local abortion access. The D.C. Council is considering legislation that would declare Washington, D.C., a sanctuary city for those coming from states where abortion is banned. According to federal data, most of the women getting abortions in Washington already are coming from out of state. Those numbers could increase, particularly if new Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin moves to restrict abortion access in neighboring Virginia. FLORIDA Political control: Republicans control both chambers of the Florida Legislature and this year passed a ban on abortions after 15 weeks, which was signed into law by the states Republican governor. Background: Abortion was legal in Florida until the 24th week of pregnancy, though lawmakers have been tightening access in recent years with bills requiring a one-day waiting period and requiring parents of a pregnant minor to be notified before an abortion can be provided. This year, in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, the Legislature passed a ban on abortions after the 15th week, except to save the mothers life, prevent serious injury or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. It does not allow for exemptions in cases where pregnancies were caused by rape or incest. Gov. Ron DeSantis called the legislation the most significant protections for life that have been enacted in this state in a generation. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The decision places Floridas 15-week ban on firm legal ground, at least under federal law. However, the legislation is already being challenged in state court on arguments that it violates a guarantee of the right to privacy under the state constitution. Whats next: Floridas 15-week ban goes into effect on July 1, but challenges to that legislation are pending. Though only about 2% of Floridas abortions take place after 15th week, abortion rights advocates have expressed concern over declining access to the procedure not only for Floridians but for residents from nearby Southern states where restrictions have historically been stricter than in Florida. GEORGIA Political control: Georgia has a Republican legislature and governor who support abortion restrictions, but all are up for election this November. Republicans are likely to retain legislative control, but theres a possibility a Democrat could become governor. Background: Georgia lawmakers in 2019 passed a law by one vote that would ban most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, when fetal cardiac activity can be detected. The measure is unlike other so-called heartbeat bills in that it also contains language designating a fetus as a person for certain state-law purposes such as income tax deductions and child support. A federal judge quickly put the law on hold, saying it was unconstitutional, and the state appealed to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The 11th Circuit said it would wait to rule on the appeal pending a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Mississippi case. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The day the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Georgias attorney general asked the 11th Circuit to reverse the lower courts ruling and allow the states abortion law to take effect. That same day, the 11th Circuit directed the parties to file briefs within three weeks addressing what effect, if any, the Supreme Court decision has on the Georgia appeal. If the law takes effect, it would ban the large majority of abortions that currently take place in Georgia about 87%, according to providers. The change could happen in the middle of tightly contested races in Georgia for governor and U.S. Senate. Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and challenger for governor Stacey Abrams say they want to secure abortion rights. Republican Senate challenger Herschel Walker and incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp support restrictions. Whats next: Some Republican lawmakers and candidates want Georgia to go further and ban abortion entirely, but Kemp is unlikely to call a special session before this Novembers general election. Lawmakers are likely to consider further action when they return for their annual session in January. The Legislature or courts will have to sort out whether the provisions designating a fetus as a person are workable. HAWAII Political control: Hawaiis governor is a Democrat and Democrats control more than 90% of the seats in the state House and Senate. Background: Hawaii legalized abortion in 1970, when it became the first state in the nation to allow the procedure at a womans request. The state allows abortion until a fetus would be viable outside the womb. After that, its legal if a patients life or health is in danger. For many years, only licensed physicians could perform the procedure. Last year, the state enacted a law allowing advanced practice care nurses to carry out in-clinic abortions during the first trimester. This helps women on more rural islands who have been flying to Honolulu to obtain abortions because of doctor shortages in their communities. The law allows the nurses to prescribe medication to end a pregnancy and to perform aspiration abortion, a type of minor surgery during which a vacuum is used to empty a womans uterus. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Existing Hawaii law allows abortions, but Gary Yamashiroya, a spokesperson for the state attorney generals office, has said the attorney general was carefully considering measures Hawaii might take to protect and strengthen reproductive rights if Roe ended. No matter the outcome, our state remains committed to reproductive freedom and choice, he said. Whats next: Political support for abortion rights is strong. Anti-abortion bills are rarely heard at the state Legislature. When they have been, they havent made it out of committee. Gov. David Ige issued a statement supporting abortion rights when the Supreme Courts draft opinion overturning Roe leaked. No matter what the Supreme Court decides, I will fight to ensure a womans right to choose in the State of Hawaii, he said. The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women earlier this month said 72% of the state Senate and 53% of state House members signed a pledge supporting abortion rights. IDAHO Political control: Republicans hold super-majorities in the House and Senate and oppose access to abortion, as does the states Republican governor. Background: Following the U.S. Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, Idaho passed a law generally allowing abortions in the first and second trimester up to viability at about 23 to 24 weeks. The law allows abortions after viability only to protect the mothers life or in cases of nonviable fetuses. This year, lawmakers passed a Texas-style ban prohibiting abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and authorizing family members to sue medical providers for performing an abortion. That law is on hold following a challenge by Planned Parenthood. The Idaho Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in August. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: It triggers a 2020 Idaho law banning all abortions except in cases of reported rape or incest, or to protect the mothers life, to take effect in 30 days. Under the law, the person performing the abortion could face a felony prosecution punishable by up to five years in prison. In cases of rape or incest, the law requires pregnant women to file a police report and provide a copy of the report to the provider prior to an abortion. If the Idaho Supreme Court upholds the states Texas-style abortion ban and Roe v. Wade is tossed aside, a medical provider who performs an abortion in Idaho could face a lawsuit and criminal charges. Whats Next: Pregnant women seeking abortions will have to travel out of state; the nearest abortion providers would be in Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado. Planned Parenthood is renting space in the town of Ontario on the Idaho-Oregon border and says its preparing for an influx of patients seeking abortions. Some Republican lawmakers in Idaho might propose new legislation in January to outlaw abortion pills and emergency contraception. ILLINOIS Political control: Illinois is overwhelmingly Democratic with laws providing greater access to abortion than most states. Democrats hold veto-proof supermajorities in the House and Senate, and the Democratic first-term governor seeking reelection this year, J.B. Pritzker, has promoted peaceful street protests to protect the constitutional right to an abortion. Background: Abortion is legal in Illinois and can only be restricted after the point of viability, when a fetus is considered able to survive outside the womb. Medical science determines viability at 24 to 26 weeks, but the Illinois law does not specify a timeframe, saying a medical professional can determine viability in each case. Abortions are also allowed after viability to protect the patients life or health. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: It won't change access to abortion in Illinois. After the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the Illinois Abortion Act of 1975 legalized abortion but enacted a trigger law that would reinstate the ban if Roe were overturned. That trigger law was repealed in 2017 in legislation that also required Medicaid and state employees group health insurance to cover abortions. The 2019 Reproductive Health Act replaced the 1975 law, large parts of which were never enforced because they were found to be unconstitutional. Whats next: Like other states providing access to abortions, Illinois has seen a steady influx of patients crossing the state line for abortions in recent months and those numbers are expected to increase. Planned Parenthood of Illinois says it expects to handle an additional 20,000 to 30,000 patients in Illinois in the first year following the reversal of Roe. INDIANA Political control: Indiana has a Republican-dominated Legislature and a Republican governor in favor of restricting abortion access. Background: Abortion in Indiana is legal up to about 20 weeks, with some provisions for medical emergencies. Before an abortion, patients must undergo an 18-hour waiting period. Medical providers must tell patients about the risks involved in abortion and must say the fetus can feel pain around 20 weeks, which is disputed. Providers must report complications related to abortion; failure to report can result in a misdemeanor, 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Federal courts have blocked several restrictions in Indiana, including an attempt to ban a common second-trimester abortion procedure and a law that would have required doctors to tell pregnant women about a disputed treatment to potentially stop a drug-induced abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: No immediate changes are expected, but legislators unwilling to wait until the 2023 session could ask Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to call a special session this summer to start modifying the states abortion laws. Whats next: Republican legislative leaders said Friday they expected lawmakers to act on tightening Indianas abortion laws during a special legislative session starting July 6, but gave no details about what restrictions would be considered. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb earlier this week called the Legislature into a special session to take up a tax refund proposal, but state law allows legislators to consider any subject. ___ IOWA Political control: Iowas legislature is controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access and a Republican governor who agrees and is up for reelection this year. Background: Iowa allows most abortions until the 20th week of pregnancy, when theyre banned except to save a patients life or prevent a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. In 2018, the state Supreme Court declared access to abortion a fundamental right under the state constitution, granting stronger protections to abortion rights than the U.S. Constitution. The states high court, now with a conservative majority, overturned that decision June 17, thus allowing a state law requiring a 24-hour waiting period to go into effect immediately. That requirement is being challenged in district court. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing is expected to change immediately in Iowa. The GOP-controlled Legislature has been working to get an amendment on the ballot in 2024 that would declare the state constitution does not grant a right to abortion but, with Roe overturned, Iowa lawmakers can ban abortion without completing that lengthy process. Whats next: Now that the Iowa Supreme Court has struck down its 2018 ruling, the state Legislature can convene a special session this summer and pass abortion restrictions. Republicans could still move to get the constitutional amendment on a public ballot in 2024. KANSAS Political control: Kansas has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions but a Democratic governor who supports access and is up for re-election this year. Background: Under current law, Kansas does not ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy, when theyre allowed only to save a patients life or to prevent a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. The state Supreme Court in 2019 declared that access to abortion is a fundamental right under the state constitution, granting stronger protections to abortion rights than the U.S. Constitution does currently. State law, however, doesnt allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Kansas. The state Supreme Court blocked enforcement of a 2015 legislative ban on a common second-trimester procedure, and abortion opponents fear a host of other rules could fall to legal challenges in the near future. The GOP-controlled Legislature responded by putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot during the Aug. 2 primary, when turnout is expected to be much lower than in a general election and will likely see a higher proportion of Republicans voting. The amendment would declare that the state constitution does not grant a right to abortion. It would allow lawmakers to restrict abortion as much as the federal courts will allow . Whats next: If voters approve the amendment, the Legislature would still have to approve the new restrictions, and lawmakers are out of session until January 2023. They can call themselves in to special session with two-thirds majorities, but theyre likely to wait until after voters decide in the November general election whether to give Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly a second term. KENTUCKY Political control: Republicans have a supermajority in the Kentucky Legislature and have been restricting abortion rights since the 2016 election over the vetoes of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who supports abortion rights and will seek a second term in 2023. Background: Kentucky bans abortions after 20 weeks, but all abortion services were temporarily halted in April after the legislature imposed new restrictions and reporting requirements on the states two abortion clinics. The clinics, both in Louisville, said they suspended abortions because state officials hadnt written guidelines on how to comply with the new law. Noncompliance could result in stiff fines, felony penalties and revocation of physician and facility licenses. Abortions resumed after a federal judge temporarily blocked key parts of the law, including a provision banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Abortion services in Kentucky immediately became illegal under a trigger law enacted in 2019. The measure contains a narrow exception allowing abortion to prevent the death or permanent injury of a pregnant woman. Kentuckians will be able to vote this November on a proposed amendment declaring there is no right to an abortion in the state constitution. Whats next: Abortion-rights activists say the suspension of abortion services in April foreshadowed what would happen in Kentucky and other Republican-leaning states if Roe v. Wade was overturned. It likely ends several legal challenges pending against other Kentucky abortion laws including a 2018 measure that abortion-rights supporters say would effectively ban a standard abortion method in the second trimester of pregnancy. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in March that Kentuckys Republican attorney general, Daniel Cameron, can defend the measure that was struck down by lower courts. LOUISIANA Political control: Louisianas legislature is controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access. Its Democratic and Catholic governor also opposes abortions, though he supports exceptions for victims of rape or incest. Background: Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2020 stating that a right to abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution. Of the about 2 million people who voted, 62% approved the amendment. Abortion had been legal in Louisiana through the 19th week of pregnancy. After that, it was legal only if the fetus would die anyway or if continuing the pregnancy would threaten the mothers life or health. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Louisiana has a trigger law that immediately outlaws abortions. There is no exception for rape or incest. The only exception is if there is substantial risk of death or impairment to the woman. Earlier this week, Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, signed a bill updating various aspects of the law and subjecting abortion providers to up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $100,000. Edwards office said the bill allows the use of emergency contraception for victims of rape and incest prior to when a pregnancy can be clinically diagnosed." Edwards signed another bill that would require the doctor to certify that a drug used for abortion was being prescribed for another medical reason. The bill makes it illegal to deliver abortion medication to a state resident by mail-order, courier, or as a result of a sale made via the internet. Whats next: Louisianas three abortion clinics in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport were no longer providing abortions to patients as of Friday and instead are recommending pregnant patients seeking the procedure to go to states where it remains legal. MAINE Political control: Both chambers of the Maine Legislature, which has adjourned, are controlled by Democrats. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has vowed to protect the right to an abortion, saying she will fight with everything I have to protect reproductive rights. Background: A Republican governor in 1993 signed a Maine law affirming the right to abortion before a fetus is viable. After that, abortion is only allowed if the life or health of the mother is at risk, or if the pregnancy is no longer viable. In 2019, lawmakers eliminated a physician-only rule and Mills signed it into law, allowing nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other medical professionals to perform abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change in Maine. Any attempt to restrict abortions when lawmakers reconvene next year would face fierce pushback. Abortion providers, meanwhile, said there could be an influx of patients seeking abortions from states that outlaw the procedure. Whats next: Any major changes are unlikely unless former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, unseats Mills and Republicans take control of both chambers of the Legislature in November. LePage, a Catholic who opposes abortion rights, has said its up to lawmakers to address the abortion issue as they see fit. MARYLAND Political control: Marylands legislature is controlled by Democrats who expanded abortion access this year by ending a restriction that only physicians can provide them and requiring most insurance plans to cover abortion care without cost. The legislature overrode Republican Gov. Larry Hogans veto of the bill in April. Background: The right to abortion is protected in Maryland law. The state approved legislation in 1991 to protect abortion rights if the Supreme Court should ever restrict access. Voters approved the right in 1992 with 62% of the vote. Maryland law prohibits restrictions on abortion prior to viability. Maryland does not have a gestational limit. After viability, clinicians make the determination, based on clinical standard of care. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Maryland law. Whats next: Marylands new law that will enable nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants to provide abortions with training is set to take effect July 1. However, $3.5 million in state funding to provide training isnt mandated until fiscal year 2024. Hogan, who is term limited, has indicated he will not approve the money sooner. Some nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants already have received training on medication abortion and will be able to provide those services starting next month. MASSACHUSETTS Political control: The Democrats who control the Massachusetts Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Republican governor, although they differ on specific policies. Background: Massachusetts once had a contentious relationship with abortion in part due to the powerful influence of the Catholic Church, which opposes abortion. In recent years, that influence has waned and Massachusetts has become a strong supporter of abortion rights. In 2018, in anticipation of the conservative tilt on the U.S. Supreme Court, the state removed an 1845 abortion ban from its books that was not enforced. Two years later, Democratic state lawmakers clashed with Republican Gov. Charlie Baker who says he supports abortion rights over an effort to codify abortion rights into state law, allow abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases where the child would not survive after birth, and lower from 18 to 16 the age at which women could seek an abortion without consent from a parent or guardian. Lawmakers passed the bill dubbed the Roe Act over Bakers veto. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Baker has vowed to fight to keep abortion legal in Massachusetts, but it is his last year in office. Both Democratic candidates for governor state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz and Attorney General Maura Healey support abortion rights. Republican candidate Geoff Diehl said he believes in the need to protect human life wherever and whenever possible. Fellow GOP candidate Chris Doughty said he would not seek any changes to our states abortion laws. Whats next: There is little chance Massachusetts will restrict abortion rights. Baker signed an executive order Friday barring state agencies from assisting another states investigation into people or businesses for receiving or delivering reproductive health services that are legal in Massachusetts. The state also wont cooperate with extradition requests from states pursuing criminal charges against such individuals. As of 2017, there were 47 facilities providing abortion in Massachusetts, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. With Roe v. Wade overturned, its unclear how many people will travel there from states that ban or restrict abortion. MICHIGAN Political control: Both chambers of Michigans legislature are controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access, but the states Democratic governor supports access. Background: A dormant 1931 law bans nearly all abortions in Michigan but it hasnt been enforced since Roe v. Wade. The law made it a felony to use an instrument or administer any substance with the intent to abort a fetus unless necessary to preserve the womans life. It has no exceptions in cases of rape and incest. Anticipating that Roe could be overturned, Planned Parenthood of Michigan filed a lawsuit challenging Michigans ban. A state judge suspended the law in May, saying it violates the states constitution. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel, both Democrats, hailed the decision. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The injunction granted in the Planned Parenthood case ensures that abortion does not immediately become illegal. Planned Parenthood of Michigan and other supporters hope the injunction indicates abortion rights in the state will be preserved. But in a statement to The Associated Press, Nessels office said given the ongoing lawsuits, we cannot speculate what the state of abortion rights will be in Michigan after Roe. Whats next: Whitmer also filed suit asking the states Supreme Court to declare the 91-year-old law unconstitutional. It has not acted yet. Michigan abortion rights supporters hope to put the issue on ballots this fall. Their proposed constitutional amendment would affirm the right to make pregnancy-related decisions without interference, including about abortion and other reproductive services such as birth control. The Reproductive Freedom for All committee needs to collect about 425,000 valid voter signatures by July 11 to make the November ballot. The measure would become law if voters approved it. The issue also is expected to shape statewide elections Whitmer and Nessel are both up for reelection in the fall and legislative races. MINNESOTA Political control: The Minnesota Legislature is divided; Anti-abortion Republicans control the Senate and Democrats have the House, but the majorities are slim in both chambers, so control will be up for grabs in the November elections. Most legislative Democrats support abortion rights. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has said no abortion ban will ever become law while hes governor. But he faces a challenge this year from Republican Scott Jensen, who opposes abortion rights. Background: Abortion is legal in Minnesota up to the point of fetal viability, around the 24th week of pregnancy. The state has some restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period with state-mandated counseling, both parents generally must be notified prior to a minor getting an abortion, and only physicians can perform abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Minnesota because the state Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that the state constitution protects abortion rights. If Republicans take control of both chambers, they could put a constitutional amendment on the ballot as soon as 2024 to reverse that ruling, but its not clear yet if they would take that path. Minnesota governors cant block constitutional amendments with vetoes. But amendments are hard to enact because they require the backing of most of the citizens voting in that election, not just those voting on the amendment. Leaving the ballot blank counts as a no. Whats next: Providers are preparing for a surge in women coming from other states to get abortions. Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said before the ruling that her organization was fortifying its delivery systems, including telemedicine. Dr. Sarah Traxler, the groups medical director, has said demand in Minnesota is expected to rise by up to 25%. MISSISSIPPI Political control: Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and leaders of the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature have been working for years to chip away at abortion access. Background: Mississippi already had a law banning most abortions at 20 weeks, although the states lone abortion clinic offered the procedure only through 16 weeks. The state tried to enact a law in 2018 to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. That law is the basis for the case that the Supreme Court has now used to overturn Roe v. Wade. A federal district judge blocked Mississippis 15-week law from taking effect in 2018, and an appeals court agreed. The Supreme Court agreed to take the case in 2021. Justices heard arguments in December, with the Mississippi attorney generals office saying the court should overturn Roe v. Wade. Mississippi has one abortion clinic, and it stops offering abortions at 16 weeks. Reeves was lieutenant governor in 2018, when Mississippi tried to enact the 15-week ban, and in 2019, when the state tried to enact a six-week ban. Mississippi law does not allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Mississippis only abortion clinic, Jackson Womens Health Organization, is expected to close by early July unless a judge blocks a trigger law. The clinic filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the 2007 law that bans most abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned. That law is set to take effect July 7. Abortions still would be allowed if the womans life is endangered by the pregnancy or if the pregnancy was caused by a rape that was reported to law enforcement. Any person who knowingly performs or attempts to induce an abortion, except the pregnant woman, could be punished by up to 10 years in prison. Whats next: Mississippis 2007 law says the state attorney general must publish a notice in a state administrative bulletin after the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Mississippis ban on most abortions will take effect 10 days after that publication. MISSOURI Political control: Both GOP Gov. Mike Parson and the Republican-led Legislature support laws against abortion. Background: Missouri law previously allowed abortions up until 22 weeks of pregnancy. But a 2019 state law banned abortions except in cases of medical emergency, contingent upon the U.S. Supreme Court overturning its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Under that Missouri law, performing an illegal abortion is a felony punishable by 5 to 15 years in prison, though women receiving abortions cannot be prosecuted. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The 2019 law contained a provision making it effective upon notification by the attorney general, governor or Legislature that the U.S. Supreme Court had overruled Roe v. Wade. Moments after Fridays Supreme Court decision, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Gov. Mike Parson filed the necessary paperwork for Missouris law to kick in. State statutes were subsequently updated online Friday saying the abortion-ban law had taken effect. Whats next: Some Missouri residents wanting abortions are likely to travel to neighboring states, including Illinois and Kansas. A new Illinois logistics center near St. Louis helps women from out of state find travel, lodging and childcare if they need help getting to the area for an abortion, and it connects them with funding sources. The Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 declared that access to abortion is a fundamental right under the state constitution. Even without the ban in Missouri, the number of Missouri patients seeking abortions in Kansas has gone up in recent years, increasing about 8% from 2020 to 2021. MONTANA Political control: The Republicans who control the Montana Legislature and Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte want to limit access to abortion. Background: Abortion used to be legal in Montana up until viability, or about 24 weeks of pregnancy, but the state Legislature passed a bill in 2021 to reduce that to 20 weeks, arguing that is when the fetus can feel pain. That law, along with one that requires chemical abortions to be done with in-person medical supervision, are being challenged in court. A state judge temporarily blocked enforcement in October 2021 while the challenges move through the courts. The state has asked the Montana Supreme Court to vacate that injunction and overturn a 1999 Montana Supreme Court opinion that found the states constitutional right to privacy guarantees a womans access to abortion care. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The effect is unclear because of the unresolved legal challenges to the 2021 state legislation. Montana does not have an abortion ban that was triggered when Roe v. Wade was overturned, but the Legislature could seek to further restrict access in the next session. Whats next: The Montana Supreme Court will issue a decision on the preliminary injunction. The Montana Legislature also passed a referendum to ask voters this November whether they support a state law to require abortion providers to give lifesaving treatment to a fetus that is born alive after a botched abortion. Opponents argue federal law already offers those protections. NEBRASKA Political control: Nebraska has an officially nonpartisan legislature with a Republican majority, but not a super-majority that would let the party unilaterally pass an abortion ban. Democrats appear to have enough votes to block such a bill, but just one defector could swing the vote. Nebraskas Republican governor vehemently opposes abortion. Background: Nebraska allows most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy, although a few small towns have voted to outlaw the procedure within their borders. The state requires doctors to be physically present when patients take the first of two drugs that are used in medication abortions. Lawmakers have rejected attempts to allow abortion medications to be administered remotely, which would provide easier abortion access in rural areas. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: A ruling that lets states set their own abortion laws will trigger an immediate push by Nebraska conservatives to ban the procedure, but its not clear whether they could do it this year. Unlike other conservative states, Nebraska doesnt have a trigger law that automatically outlaws abortion. Gov. Pete Ricketts and other top Republicans have said theyll seek a special legislative session, but its not clear whether they have enough votes to pass anything. Whats next: If Ricketts calls a special session, attention will likely shift to state Sen. Justin Wayne, an Omaha Democrat who has declined to specify where he stands on abortion. Wayne was notably absent from a vote on the issue this year; his support would give Republicans the super-majority they need to enact a ban. He has struck deals with senators from both parties in the past. If a proposed abortion ban fails during a special session or if no special session is called, the issue will likely become a factor in the November election. NEVADA Political control: Nevadas governor and state attorney general are Democrats who are up for reelection this year. Democrats control the state Senate and Assembly. Background: Nevada voters enshrined the right to abortion in the state constitution in 1990. The law says a pregnancy can be terminated during the first 24 weeks, and after that to preserve the life or health of the pregnant person. It would take another statewide vote to change or repeal the law. Most Republican candidates for Congress, governor, state attorney general and other statewide posts say they oppose abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Here in Nevada, overturning Roe would not be felt immediately, state Attorney General Aaron Ford said in a position paper released after the draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion became public. Ford noted that a federal ban on abortion would supersede state law and said it would be naive not to recognize that some people want to ban abortions or make them more difficult to obtain. But he said his office will fight attacks on abortion rights, rights to birth control access and rights for LGTBQ people. Gov. Steve Sisolak promised in a statement to continue to protect reproductive freedom. Whats next: Anti-abortion advocates are not expected to focus on trying to repeal Nevadas abortion law. But they will seek laws affecting waiting periods, mandatory counseling or requiring parental notification or consent. Melissa Clement, executive director of Nevada Right to Life, said she believes there is strong support for parental involvement. NEW HAMPSHIRE Political control: New Hampshire has a Republican governor and the GOP controls the 424-member Legislature. All face reelection this fall. Background: Any abortion restrictions New Hampshire had on the books before Roe v. Wade were not enforced after the landmark 1973 ruling, and they were repealed altogether in 1997. The state had no restrictions until January, when a ban on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy was enacted. In June, an exemption was added for cases in which the fetus has been diagnosed with abnormalities incompatible with life. Anticipating the Supreme Court action, Democrats this year tried unsuccessfully to enshrine abortion rights into state law and the state constitution. Gov. Chris Sununu calls himself pro-choice and says he is committed to upholding Roe v. Wade, but he also has boasted Ive done more on the pro-life issue than anyone. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in New Hampshire. The Legislature wont return until fall, when there will be a one-day session to take up vetoed bills, and it would take a two-thirds majority vote to introduce new legislation then. Whats next: The majority leader of the New Hampshire House has said the public should not expect Republicans in the Legislature to further tighten state abortion laws. But anti-abortion lawmakers who have filed bills in the past are expected to try again. NEW JERSEY Political control: Democrats control both houses of the state Legislature and the governorship. Gov. Phil Murphy started his second consecutive term this year. Background: Murphy ran for reelection on the promise that he would sign legislation to enshrine abortion rights into state law, and he fulfilled that promise in January. The measure also guaranteed the right to contraception and the right to carry a pregnancy to term. It stopped short of requiring insurance coverage for abortions, something advocates had sought. Instead, it authorizes the state Banking and Insurance Department to study the issue and possibly adopt regulations if a need is discovered. Under Murphys predecessor, Republican Chris Christie, state funds to womens clinics, including Planned Parenthood, were slashed. Murphy restored those and has been a strong supporter of abortion rights. New Jersey doesnt have any significant restrictions on abortion, such as parental consent or a mandatory waiting period. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Officials, including the governor, have said the end of Roe would not lead to any rollback of abortion services in the state. Instead of hoping for the best, we prepared ourselves for the worst, Murphy said in May, addressing reports of a leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling. Whats next: Murphy has proposed several abortion-related measures. On the Monday after the ruling, the Legislature began considering a pair of bills to expand abortion rights. One would allow the state to block extradition of someone facing a criminal charge in another state related to reproductive services obtained legally in New Jersey. Another clarifies that out-of-state residents may access abortion services in New Jersey, as well as allowing those facing liability judgments stemming from abortion services to countersue. ___ NEW MEXICO Political control: The Democrats who control the New Mexico Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Several conservative Democratic state senators who voted against the repeal of the abortion ban in 2019 were ousted from office in 2020 by more socially progressive primary challengers. Background: In 2021, state lawmakers repealed a dormant 1969 statute that outlawed most abortion procedures as felonies, thus ensuring access to abortion even after the federal court rolled back guarantees. Albuquerque is home to one of only a few independent clinics in the country that perform abortions in the third trimester without conditions. An abortion clinic in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, is just a mile from the state line with Texas and caters to patients from El Paso, western Texas and Arizona. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: There will be no immediate change in New Mexico now that the high court has overturned Roe v. Wade. It is unclear if Democrats, who control the state Legislature, will pursue additional guarantees to abortion access when lawmakers convene in January. Possible avenues of legislative reform include enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution, which requires approval by voters. Abortion rights activists say the states equal rights amendment could be harnessed to guide more public funding for abortion-related programs. Raul Torrez, the district attorney in Albuquerque and the Democratic nominee for attorney general, is urging lawmakers to take further steps to protect access to abortions, including protections for women coming from other states. The state Republican Party said its time to elect more anti-abortion candidates to the Legislature. Whats next: The state can expect to continue to see a steady influx of people seeking abortions from neighboring states with more restrictive abortion laws. It already hosts patients from Texas and Oklahoma where among the strictest abortion bans in the country were introduced this year. NEW YORK Political control: The Democrats who control the New York Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: Abortion has been legal in New York state since a 1970 law was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller. The law allows abortions within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy or to preserve the mothers life. The 2019 Reproductive Health Act removed abortion from the states criminal code, codified Roe v. Wade and allowed abortions after 24 weeks if a fetus isnt viable or to protect the mothers life or health. Lawmakers have passed laws extending legal protections for people seeking and providing abortions in New York. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Roe v. Wade protections are enshrined in state law. New York is planning to give abortion providers $35 million this year to expand services and boost security in anticipation of an influx of out-of-state people seeking abortions once any ruling comes down. Its unclear how many more people from neighboring states could travel to New York to receive abortion care. New York had 252 facilities providing abortions as of 2017, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. Whats next: Planned Parenthood and civil liberty groups are urging lawmakers to start the process of passing a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion care in case a future Legislature repeals the state law. NORTH CAROLINA Political control: Republicans hold majorities in the state House and Senate, but the party lacks the margins to defeat a veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, a strong abortion-rights supporter. Since 2017, Cooper has vetoed a born-alive abortion measure and a bill prohibiting abortion based on race or a Down syndrome diagnosis. He cant seek reelection in 2024 due to term limits. Background: A 1973 North Carolina law that banned most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy is currently unenforceable after federal judges struck it down as unconstitutional in 2019 and 2021. Instead, abortions can be performed until fetal viability. A state law approved in 2015 provides for post-viability abortions only in a medical emergency, which means the woman would die or face a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment without the procedure. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, the 20-week ban could be restored. Legal experts say formal action would have to be taken to cancel the earlier court rulings striking it down. Republican legislative leaders late Friday asked state Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat and abortion rights supporter whose agencys lawyers defended the 20-week law, to act. Otherwise, they said they would seek to intervene. Whats next: Republican General Assembly leaders dont plan to consider additional abortion restrictions during the soon-to-end legislative session, meaning a likely intensification of electoral efforts to gain the five additional seats the GOP needs to reach veto-proof margins come 2023. Cooper and other Democrats already are making abortion rights a key campaign pitch. Abortion politics are also expected to figure in two state Supreme Court seat elections in November. Republicans would gain a majority on the court if they win at least one of them. NORTH DAKOTA Political control: North Dakota has a legislature dominated by Republicans who want to ban abortion, and the GOP governor had hoped to see Roe v. Wade wiped off the books in favor of states rights. Background: The state has passed some of the nations strictest abortion laws, including one that would have banned abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can happen before a woman knows she is pregnant. The law never took effect because the states lone abortion clinic successfully challenged it in court. One failed Republican proposal would have charged abortion providers with murder with a maximum sentence of life in prison. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: North Dakota has a trigger law that will shut down the states sole abortion clinic in Fargo after 30 days. That 2007 state law makes it a felony to perform an abortion unless necessary to prevent the pregnant womans death or in cases of rape or incest. Violators could be punished with a five-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine. Whats next: The owner and operator of the Red River Womens Clinic in Fargo said she would explore all legal options to ensure abortion services are available in North Dakota. Should that fail, clinic leader Tammi Kromenaker plans to move across the river to Moorhead, Minnesota, where abortion has not been outlawed. Planned Parenthood says it can provide abortions in Moorhead until Kromenaker gets up and running. OHIO Political control: The Ohio Legislature is controlled by Republicans who support restricting or banning abortions, and the Republican governor backs those efforts. He is up for reelection this year against a former mayor who supports abortion rights. Background: Before Friday's ruling, Ohio did not ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy; after that theyre allowed only to save a patients life or when their health is seriously compromised. But the state imposes a host of other restrictions, including parental consent for minors, a required ultrasound, and in-person counseling followed by a 24-hour waiting period. Abortions are prohibited for the reason of a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis. Ohio also limits the public funding of abortions to cases of rape, incest or endangerment of the patients life. It limits public employees abortion-related insurance coverage and coverage through health plans offered in the Affordable Care Act health exchange to those same scenarios. Clinics providing abortions must comply with a host of regulations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: A ban on most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat became the law in Ohio hours after the ruling. Enforcement of Ohios 2019 heartbeat ban had been on hold for nearly three years under a federal court injunction. The state attorney general, Republican Dave Yost, asked for that to be dissolved because of the high courts ruling, and U.S. Judge Michael Barrett agreed hours later. Two trigger bills are on hold in the Legislature, but a key legislative leader has said he anticipates needing to write new legislation after the decision is reversed that more carefully reflects the actual ruling. That all but certainly would not happen until lawmakers return to the capital after the November election. Whats next: Activists are considering how to help Ohioans get abortions elsewhere. They may also mount a statewide ballot initiative that would embed the right to an abortion in the state constitution, though that could not happen before next year. Abortion opponents are weighing strategies for imposing a statewide abortion ban. OKLAHOMA Political control: Republicans in Oklahoma have a supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature and a Republican governor up for reelection this year who has vowed to sign every pro-life legislation that came across my desk. Background: Abortion services were halted in Oklahoma in May after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill that prohibits all abortions with few exceptions. The ban is enforced by civil lawsuits rather than criminal prosecution. Republican lawmakers have been pushing to restrict abortion in the state for decades, passing 81 different restrictions since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: It will have little practical effect given that abortions are no longer being provided in Oklahoma. Oklahoma also has a trigger law that outlawed abortion as soon as Roe was overturned. Whats next: Given the fierce opposition to abortion from the governor and Legislature, Oklahoma will continue to prohibit the practice if states are given the option to do so. Meanwhile, abortion providers who had been operating in the state are taking steps to help patients seek abortions out of state, including coordinating funding for these women and developing a referral network of therapists to help address complications before or after a woman receives an abortion. OREGON Political control: The Democrats who control the Oregon Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: The Oregon Legislature passed a bill legalizing abortion in 1969. In 2017, Gov. Kate Brown signed into law a bill expanding health care coverage for reproductive services, including abortions, to thousands of Oregonians, regardless of income, citizenship status or gender identity. Oregon does not have any major abortion restrictions and it is legal at all stages of pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The Guttmacher Institute has estimated that Oregon will experience a 234% increase in women seeking abortions arriving from out of state, especially from Idaho. In March, Oregon lawmakers approved $15 million to expand abortion availability and pay for abortions and support services such as travel and lodgings for residents and out-of-state patients. Whats next: Brown said after the draft Supreme Court decision was leaked that access to abortion is a fundamental right and that she will fight to ensure access to abortion continues to be protected by state law in Oregon. Democratic state lawmakers recently formed the Reproductive Health and Access to Care Work Group of providers, clinics, community organizations and legislators that will make recommendations for the 2023 legislative session and beyond. Recommendations may include proposals to protect, strengthen, and expand equitable access to all forms of reproductive care. PENNSYLVANIA Political control: Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature are hostile to abortion rights, but the states Democratic governor is a strong supporter and has vetoed three GOP-penned bills in five years that would have added restrictions beyond the states 24-week limit. The race for governor this year could tilt that balance. Background: Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania under decades of state law, including a 1989 law that was challenged all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. That produced the landmark Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling that affirmed the high courts 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide, but also allowed states to put certain limits on abortion access. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to protect access to abortion for the remainder of his time in office, through January. Running to replace him is the states Democratic attorney general, Josh Shapiro, who supports abortion rights, and Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who has said he supports banning abortion altogether, with no exceptions. The Legislature is expected to remain in Republican hands next year. Whats next: Legislation to outlaw abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat which can happen at six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant has passed a House committee and is awaiting a floor vote. The state Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers aiming to overturn a 1982 law that bans the use of state dollars for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. In response, Republican lawmakers are advancing a proposed amendment that would declare there is no constitutional right to an abortion in Pennsylvania or to public funding for an abortion. RHODE ISLAND Political control: The Democrats who control Rhode Islands General Assembly support access to abortion, as does the Democratic governor. Background: Rhode Islands governor signed legislation in 2019 to enshrine abortion protections in case the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. The law says the state will not restrict the right to an abortion prior to fetal viability or after if necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant woman. It repealed older laws deemed unconstitutional by the courts. The Rhode Island Supreme Court upheld the 2019 law in May, just two days after the Supreme Court draft opinion was leaked suggesting that a majority of the justices were prepared to overturn Roe. Abortion opponents had argued the law violates the state constitution. In 2020, there were 2,611 abortions in Rhode Island, according to the state health department. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Rhode Islands attorney general believes the 2019 Reproductive Privacy Act will continue to protect access to abortion. Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island also said abortion will remain legal regardless of the decision because the right was codified in state law. Whats next: On the Monday after the Supreme Court decision, Rhode Islands Democratic governor said he will sign an executive order to shield abortion providers in the state from lawsuits by anti-abortion activists in other states. McKees office didnt have a date for the signing, but said the governor wants to act as soon as possible. Two of his opponents in September's Democratic primary for governor, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Matt Brown, had urged McKee to sign such an order. They also want state lawmakers to return for a special session to add abortion coverage to Rhode Islands Medicaid program and to the insurance coverage for state employees. Legislative leaders said they plan to address abortion coverage next year because it has financial implications and wasnt included in this year's budget. SOUTH CAROLINA Political control: South Carolina has a Republican governor, and its General Assembly is dominated by the GOP. However, the party doesnt quite have the two-thirds majority in either chamber needed to overcome procedural hurdles or a veto if a Democrat wins the 2022 gubernatorial election. Background: In 2021, South Carolina passed the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act that requires doctors to use an ultrasound to try to detect a fetal heartbeat if they think a pregnant woman is at least eight weeks along. If they find a heartbeat, they can only perform an abortion if the womans life is in danger, or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. The law is currently tied up in a federal lawsuit. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a federal judge allowed the state to begin enforcing the 2021 law. Planned Parenthood and others dropped their lawsuit, but the organization said it would continue to perform abortions in South Carolina under the parameters of the new law. Whats next: The South Carolina General Assemblys regular session ended in May, but Republican leaders had agreed they could return for a special session to take up more restrictive abortion bills if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. They have yet to announce a special session, despite Friday's ruling. Some Republican lawmakers have opposed a complete abortion ban, especially without exceptions for victims of rape and incest. SOUTH DAKOTA Political control: Republicans hold super-majorities in both Statehouse chambers. Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is up for reelection this year and has been an ardent opponent of abortion rights. Background: Under current law, South Dakota bans abortions after the 22nd week of pregnancy. The state has only one clinic that regularly provides abortions, a Planned Parenthood facility in Sioux Falls. The legislature has worked over the years to make it more difficult for women to get abortions, passing mandatory waiting periods and requiring them to review and sign paperwork that discourages them from ending their pregnancies. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: South Dakota has a trigger law that immediately banned abortions except if the life of the pregnant woman is at risk. Whats next: Noem has said she planned to call a special session to craft laws for the new legal landscape if Roe v. Wade was overturned. She hasnt commented on specific legislation, but lawmakers have floated proposals that would make it more difficult for women to seek an abortion out of state. However, South Dakota voters rejected outright bans in 2006 and 2008, and abortion rights advocates are preparing for a similar referendum on abortion access. An outright ban on abortions could eventually be challenged through a citizen-initiated ballot measure. TENNESSEE Political control: Tennessee has a Republican governor who is consistently vocal about his opposition to abortion. The GOP holds a supermajority in the state legislature and has steadily chipped away at abortion access. Background: In 2020, Tennessee passed a law banning most abortions when the fetal heartbeat can be detected at about six weeks, before many women know theyre pregnant. The measure has never been enforced because it was promptly blocked by a federal court. Tennessee voters approved an amendment in 2014 declaring that the states constitution doesnt protect or secure the right to abortion or require the funding of an abortion, and empowering state lawmakers to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion. State law also doesnt allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. There are six abortion providers in Tennessee. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Thirty days after the decision, a so-called trigger law will go into effect that bans all abortions in Tennessee except when necessary to prevent death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. Doctors could be charged with a felony for providing an abortion under this law. Whats next: Its unclear if the trigger law conflicts with the 2020 law banning most abortions at about six weeks. The states attorney general, a Republican, has not publicly weighed in. Meanwhile, Republicans are expected to continue to have supermajority control after this years midterm elections. Reproductive rights activists say they will direct patients seeking abortion to clinics in Illinois if Roe v. Wade is overturned, or to Florida, which would ban abortions at 15 weeks. North Carolina and Virginia could also be options for women in eastern Tennessee. TEXAS Political control: The GOP has commanding majorities in the Texas Legislature and has controlled every statewide office for nearly 30 years. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is up for reelection in November and is favored to win a third term. Background: Texas has given the nation a preview of the landscape of abortion access without the protections enshrined in Roe v. Wade. A new Texas law banning most abortions after about six weeks before many women know they are pregnant took effect in September and makes no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Because of how Republicans wrote the law, which is enforceable only through lawsuits filed by private citizens against doctors or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion, Texas has essentially outmaneuvered decades of Supreme Court precedent governing a womens constitutional right to an abortion. State data shows the number of abortions performed in Texas roughly two dozen clinics fell by half in the five months after the law came into effect compared to the same period a year earlier. Effect of the Supreme Court ruling: Texas had more than 40 abortion clinics in 2012 before a decade of Republicans chipping away at abortion access began forcing providers to close. Without Roe v. Wade, Texas plans to ban virtually all abortions 30 days after the Supreme Court issues its judgment in the case, which could take about a month. Abortions would only be allowed when the patients life is in danger or if they are at risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. Whats next: Many Texas women have already traveled out of state for abortions since the law took effect, but they would likely have to travel much farther now that Roe is overturned as more states outlaw abortion. Some Republican lawmakers also want to punish companies that help their Texas-based employees get abortions elsewhere, although its unclear how much support that idea will have when the Legislature returns in 2023. UTAH Political control: Utah is deeply conservative and the Legislature is controlled by a Republican supermajority. Background: The state has been restricting abortion for years, including a ban after 18 weeks passed in 2019 thats now blocked in court. The following year, lawmakers passed a trigger law that would outlaw nearly all abortions if Roe v. Wade was overturned. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The trigger law banning nearly all abortions became enforceable Friday evening, after the legislative general counsel certified the Supreme Court ruling to lawmakers. It does have narrow exceptions for rape and incest if those crimes are reported to law enforcement, and for serious risk to the life or health of the mother, as well as confirmed lethal birth defects. Whats next: Utah law makes performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. While its aimed primarily at providers, lawmakers have acknowledged that a woman who self-administers an abortion, including through medication, could potentially face charges. VERMONT Political control: The Vermont Legislature is controlled by Democrats, but Republican Gov. Phil Scott is a firm supporter of abortion rights. Background: Vermont has a 2019 law guaranteeing the right to an abortion and voters will consider a proposal in November to amend the state constitution to protect abortion rights. Also in 2019, the Vermont Legislature began the process of amending the constitution to protect abortion rights, known as the Reproductive Liberty Amendment or Proposition 5. Vermonts proposed amendment does not contain the word abortion. Proponents say thats because its not meant to authorize only abortion but also would guarantee other reproductive rights such as the right to get pregnant or access birth control. Opponents say vague wording could have unintended consequences that could play out for years. Lawmakers approved the proposed amendment in February, leading the way for a statewide vote. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Vermont. Whats next: Vermont voters will cast ballots in November to decide if the state will amend its constitution to protect abortion rights. VIRGINIA Political control: Virginia has a Republican governor who says he would support new state-level restrictions on abortion. Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday that he will seek legislation to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. Youngkin told The Washington Post he has asked four antiabortion Republican lawmakers to draft the legislation. He told the Post that a cutoff at 20 weeks might be necessary to build consensus in the divided Virginia legislature, where Republicans control the House and Democrats control the Senate. Youngkin generally supports exceptions to abortion restrictions in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. Background: In recent years, when Democrats were in full control of state government, lawmakers rolled back abortion restrictions. They ended strict building code requirements on facilities where abortions are performed and did away with requirements that a patient seeking an abortion undergo a 24-hour waiting period and ultrasound. Advocates said the changes would make Virginia a haven for abortion access in the South. Republican victories in the November elections shook up the states political landscape, but Senate Democrats defeated several measures that would have limited abortion access during the 2022 legislative session. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: There will be no immediate change to abortion laws in Virginia now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. Some abortion providers expect to see an uptick in patients seeking care in Virginia from neighboring states with trigger laws that would ban abortion. Whats next: The future of abortion access is Virginia is murky. Senate Democrats say they intend to continue blocking attempts to roll back abortion access, though they control the chamber by the narrowest possible margin and have one caucus member who personally opposes abortion and says he is open to new restrictions. Republicans also have a narrow hold on the House, with several moderate members. Every seat in the General Assembly will be on the ballot in 2023. WASHINGTON Political control: The Democrats who control the Washington Legislature support access to abortion, as does the states Democratic governor. Background: Abortion has been legal in Washington state since a 1970 statewide ballot referendum. Another ballot measure approved by voters in 1991 declared a womans right to choose physician-performed abortion prior to fetal viability and further expanded and protected access to abortion in the state if Roe v. Wade was overturned. And in 2018, the Legislature passed a measure that would require Washington insurers offering maternity care to also cover elective abortions and contraception. Earlier this year, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure that grants specific statutory authorization for physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners and other providers acting within their scope of practice to perform abortions. Supporters say the move is designed to help meet the demand from the potential influx of out-of-state patients. That same measure also prohibits legal action by Washington state against people seeking an abortion and those who aid them. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The state will use every available tool to protect and preserve Washingtonians fundamental right to choose, and protect the rights of anyone who wants to come here to access reproductive health care, said Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat. Data from the Washington state Department of Health from 2020 shows that of the 16,909 abortions performed in the state that year, 852 involved non-residents. The majority of those people came from neighboring states such as Idaho and Oregon. Whats next: Its impossible to predict how many more non-resident patients will potentially seek care in Washington now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, but the increase will likely be in the thousands, said Jennifer Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. The state has more than 30 in-person abortion clinics, though the vast majority are in western Washington along the Interstate 5 corridor. WEST VIRGINIA Political control: West Virginia has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions. Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, opposes abortion access and has signed two anti-abortion laws since taking office in 2017. Background: West Virginia currently bans abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy unless a patients life is in danger, or they face substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. Patients seeking abortions must wait 24 hours after undergoing legislatively mandated counseling designed to discourage abortions. A minor who wants an abortion must obtain parental permission. The use of telemedicine to administer a medication abortion is outlawed. The state also bars patients from getting abortions because they believe their child will be born with a disability. The House of Delegates this year passed a 15-week abortion ban, but it died in the Senate. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Its unclear what the effect the ruling will have on abortion access in West Virginia. The state has had a law banning abortion on the books since 1848; Under that law, providers who perform abortions can face felony charges and three to 10 years in prison, unless the abortion is conducted to save a patients life. In 2018, West Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment to declare patients do not have the right to abortion and banning state funding for abortions. Whats next: West Virginia lawmakers could introduce new legislation restricting abortion access when they return to the Capitol in January, but they could return sooner if called into a special session. West Virginia only has one clinic that performs abortions. Womens Health Center of West Virginia Executive Director Katie Quinonez said if abortion access is outlawed, the clinic will continue to provide reproductive care, such as birth control and STI diagnosis and treatment. She said the clinic will help women travel to other states for abortions through its abortion fund. ___ WISCONSIN Political control: Wisconsin has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions but a Democratic governor who supports access and is up for reelection this year. Background: Wisconsin has allowed most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy to save the health or life of the mother. A woman seeking an abortion must meet with a counselor and doctor before obtaining an abortion and wait at least 24 hours before having it done. Anyone under age 18 must have an adult relative over age 25 with them to obtain an abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, it is presumed that a state law passed in 1849 making an abortion a felony offense could go into effect, and doctors have halted procedures. However, Wisconsins Democratic attorney general argues that the law is so old that its unenforceable. The language allows a woman to legally destroy her own fetus or embryo and grants immunity if an abortion is needed to save a womans life and is performed at a hospital. Another state law, passed in 1985, prohibits abortions performed after a fetus reaches viability -- when it could survive outside the womb -- conflicting with the 1849 ban. Whats next: Republican lawmakers are expected to attempt to clarify the 1849 law to ensure there is a ban in place, even as that issue is fought in the courts. However, lawmakers efforts would be stymied if Democratic Gov. Tony Evers wins reelection. Wisconsins Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has said he supports an exception in cases of rape and that a ruling on Roe could force lawmakers to consider other related reproductive issues such as contraception. Other Republicans will push for more restrictive abortion laws. WYOMING Political control: Wyoming has one of the most Republican legislatures in the U.S. and a long tradition of libertarian-type if not always social or religious conservatism. That may be changing. In March, Republican Gov. Mark Gordon signed into law a bill that would ban abortion in nearly all instances should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. Background: Current Wyoming law allows abortions up to when a fetus might be able to survive on its own outside its mothers body. The law does not specify when that happens, but it is generally considered to be at around 23 weeks into pregnancy. Wyoming currently doesnt allow abortions after then except to protect the mother from substantial risk to her life or health. Wyoming Republicans have traditionally taken a hands-off approach to abortion but have proven more willing to limit the practice lately. The number of Democrats in the Legislature has dwindled from 26 in 2010 to just nine out of 90 total seats now. A 2021 law requires physicians to provide lifesaving care to any aborted fetus born alive. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The new state law that bans abortion only provides exceptions in cases of rape or incest or to protect the mothers life or health, not including psychological conditions. Though Wyoming has no abortion clinics, abortions still occur. Ninety-eight took place in Wyoming in 2021, according to state officials. Whats next: A planned womens health clinic in Casper that would have been the only one offering abortions in the state was on track to open in mid-June but an arson fire May 25 delayed those plans by around six months. Clinic founder Julie Burkhart said Friday that, despite the ruling, she still plans to open the clinic and will continue to seek legal means to keep abortion legal in Wyoming. Police continue to look for a suspect in the arson investigation, and have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Associated Press statehouse reporters from across the U.S. contributed. For APs full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Theres a week left in June and already many Montana farmers are done worrying about the rain. For Brett Nedens, outside of Hardin, thats a good thing, but for Collen Pegar and farmers up north in Hill County, it couldnt be worse. Four months ago, Nedens and Pegar both were staring down the barrel of severe to extreme drought, with 85% of the state appearing headed for crop failure if things didnt turn around. Drought conditions did turn around for Nedens. Hardin has now received more precipitation than it did in all of 2021, according to federal weather data. A full 56% of Montana is currently normal to abnormally dry. The thick, dark green stands of winter wheat in Nedens southeast Montana region come at a time when drought and war have sparked a global grain shortage. Winter wheat futures prices for September delivery hover around $10 a bushel range, a rare double digit showing. Our crop is made, Nedens said Thursday. I dont think another inch of rain would mean more bushels at this point. A little more heat to bring his sugar beets along, a few lucky breaks with the hail, and this year could turn out better than anyone expected during early spring planting. There have been challenges, Nedens said. A super cell with hurricane-force wind gusts and horizontal hail toppled grain bins and flattened 1,000 of Nedens farm acres. But, thats a high-class problem he wouldnt trade for drought or the flooding thats strip-mined roads and bridges across much of south-central Montana. Pegars famers quit worrying about rain on the regions winter wheat because the crop had turned brown before the spring rains arrived. The extension agent for Hill County keeps an eye on crop conditions, which can make or break the economy. Theres some crops that were a week too late on rain and you can tell, she said. Other stands of wheat are just 18 to 24 inches tall and headed early. Theres a chance those stunted crops will put their energy into filling out grain heads with any moisture that falls. Hill County is one of five northcentral Montana counties where extreme drought has settled in. Until June 3, the Havre area had only recorded 1.45 inches of moisture, after which 3 inches of rain feel. The data confirms Pegar's observation that rain arrived too late for many crops. Some 43 miles west of Havre, in the heart of the drought, Rudyard has received just 2.64 inches of precipitation so for this year, according to the National Weather Service, about 41% of average. Back in March, when 71% of the states winter wheat crop was rated poor to very poor, this area wasnt an outlier, but the drought here has been stubborn. The rest of the state, which has done better for rain, rotates around this region in lesser degrees of drought severity that disappear entirely to the west and south. A two-hour drive from the worst of the drought, the snow-packed northern Rockies start a band of drought-free Montana stretching to the Idaho Panhandle. Also, drought free is a belt of southern Montana. Longer than a six-hour drive, it starts in the highest elevations of Park County where floodwaters punched holes in federal highways feeding into Yellowstone Park. The band of spring moisture eventually breaks green to the east, all the way to Biddle, which like Nedens's farm has seen its share of super cells this spring. From there the moisture belt runs north 340 miles up the Montana-Dakota border all the way to Canada. Travel inward from the southern belt and things start drying up again. As the crow flies, theres only 120 miles between Nedenss farm near Hardin and Brett Daileys place outside of Jordan, but storm clouds havent been made the trip very often this spring. Garfield County, where Dailey farms, is in moderate drought, which is better than the crop-killing extremes of a year earlier. However, moisture there hasnt been broadly distributed this spring. We were late getting any moisture to speak of, and then when we did it was extremely spotty, Dailey said. Its amazing, within this county theres some areas that have done very well with moisture and the crops have some promise, but there are other areas where theyve got some moisture but its not going to produce anything. The northern portions of the county, which skirts the saw-toothed southern edge of Fort Peck Reservoir, has done better for moisture, as did the east earlier in the spring, the farmer said. No one there was expecting major turn around from the drought of 2021, which was historically bad. The National Weather Service has no accumulated precipitation data for Jordan, but its information for the rest of Garfield County illustrates the varying amount of rainfall to which Dailey speaks. In Circle, where 7.37 inches of precipitation had been measured through June 23, the moisture for the year so far is slightly above average. But the soil is still parched, having finished 2021 with just 60 of the precipitation it would normally receive. Closer to Jordan, Brockway was about 76% of average through June 15, still down more than an inch of normal. The pastures have greened up, but its a little bit like fools gold. The green sheen gives way to thin forage further down, Dailey said. Surface water for livestock remains scarce. Ranchers in this area have long ago switched to wells and piped water to keep stock tanks full. The weather-fed reservoirs that ranchers once dammed into prairie creases to assure cattle had water every mile, have become less reliable and turned into magnates for problems like blue tongue, spread by biting insects at low-water, no-water mudholes. Still, theres more optimism in this part of central Montana than there was a year ago. The right weather could pull some people through, but its going to take more than one year to erase the scars of drought this area has incurred. The region in is in recovery mode, Dailey said. You know, some of this range, its not going to recover this year, Dailey said. It wouldnt matter how much water youre dumping on it. It was just too much extreme heat last summer and drought. I remember this from the drought of '80s. It took a year to two for it to get back to normal. Theres no deep moisture and thats what its going to take. The thing is, Dailey said, at this time last year central Montana was dead brown. Theres a lot more smiles than there were last year. Theres a grasshopper problem hidden by the states cool June temperatures. Much of Montana east of the Rockies produced eight to 14 adult grasshoppers per square yard in a 2021 survey by the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. That population was just one step below the most extreme threshold for the insects, though the most drought-scarred areas of the state in 2021 did rank in the worst category of 15 hoppers or more. Where central Montanas beige landscape caught fire in 2021, witnesses on fire lines reported flaming grasshoppers flying from the fires like embers. In Philips County, the insects chewed fields so clean that by July it appeared nothing had been planted. Based on those 2021 numbers, APHIS forecasted another bad year for grasshoppers in 2022. Terry Angvick, who farms in the northeast corner of the state near Reserve, knows grasshoppers will show up as soon as the weather warms, emerging from the roadside ditches and field edges, the last areas to give up their green in 2021. Anything that was green is where they lay their eggs and they come out of those areas, Angvick said. The cold weather delays them. Theyre a cold-blooded creature and they dont move around very well when its cold. And, if it rains, they dont move around much and they dont eat as much. Then they start catching diseases, some fungal diseases and things that raise hell with them. Thats what we want to see. In March, Angvicks corner of the state was so dry, it didnt appear there would much green for grasshoppers to eat, let alone grain for the farmers to truck to the elevator. All of Sheridan County was in extreme drought at the start of the year, according to U.S. Drought Monitor data, which suggested widespread water shortages and major crop and pasture losses if things didnt turn around. By the time farmers considered what they were going to plant this year, Angvicks area faced severe drought, still in the realm of crop and pasture losses, water restrictions and shortages. But in late spring the rains came, pulling the eastern half of Sheridan County out drought status entirely. The western half of the county is now rated abnormally dry. Fields in Sheridan County illustrate like an erratic bar chart the challenges farmers have faced. Farmers who seeded in the early spring have stands of grain a few feet tall. Those who waited a few weeks, only to be sidelined by fields muddied by rain, have crops standing just a few inches tall. There are still farmers planting now, Angvick said. In Plentywood, things started turning around in mid-April, from then to the end of May, 3 inches fell. The National Weather Service has no information for precipitation for this region since the end of May, though it has continued raining. This is spring-crop country. Unlike farmers in most of Montana, who seed winter wheat in the fall to avoid the worst of a hot summer, Angvick and his neighbors seed in the spring, when they get most of their moisture. They raise durum wheat, a hard specialty grain used in Mediterranean pasta, as well as spring wheat, peas and lentils. Their products may turn up in Italy, India, or North Africa. Because these crops have been in the ground for just a few months, their challenges are far from over. You dont have to dig too deep to hit dry earth, but Angvick said a few timely rains would pull farmers through to harvest. After a cool start, farmers are starting to wish for warmer weather. Angvick isnt in a hurry. Our whole world revolves around 68-degree temperatures. I tell people, if youre not comfortable, nothing else is either, Angvick said. Famers tell me all the time we need some heat for this stuff to grow. I tell my neighbors, if I know them well enough, I tell them dont wish for that. We raise cool-season crops. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Another domino has fallen on the way to realizing an ambitious vision held by community members and city planners to redevelop a large swath of West Broadway avenue near the corner of Broadway and Russell. The city intends to demolish several aging structures, including a decrepit former business building and the vacant Sleepy Inn motel, in order to facilitate the construction of new high-density housing, commercial buildings and green space. Its all part of a plan called The West Broadway Master Plan, which was created in 2021 after a lengthy public engagement process. The area hasn't seen much in the way of new development over the last few decades, but it is in a desirable central location near the river, parks, major roads and trail connections. Last week, the Missoula Redevelopment Agencys board of commissioners approved spending $60,722 in Tax Increment Financing to demolish the city-owned former Wooden Images building at 1359 W. Broadway. The city council approved spending $225,000, less than its appraised value, in 2021 to purchase the building in order to consolidate a large chunk of land next to the city-owned Missoula Water headquarters facility. The money came from a city treasury loan that was paid back by selling some Missoula Water properties. This (Wooden Images) building is becoming a safety hazard because of the condition of it, Marchesseault said. It is in decrepit condition. Marchesseault said demolishing the site aligns with the citys goals of eventually developing the entire corridor south of Broadway and north of Cedar Street. "This is a parcel of publicly owned property within the West Broadway Master Plan study area, and I just wanted to show you that its contiguous, MRA project manager Annette Marchesseault said, showing the board a map of all the city-owned property in the area. And one of the benefits to having this much publicly owned property contiguously is that it allows the city a lot of control over how that parcel of property develops. She said that the Master Plan envisions the Sleepy Inn site being developed into housing first. Which I think is starting to move, she said, meaning that plans are underway behind the scenes to get that going. The city bought the 34-room Sleepy Inn in 2020 for $1.1 million and used it as a shelter for houseless people needing to quarantine with COVID, but the long-term plan is to demolish it to allow a nonprofit or other organization to build housing. Also, the Missoula Water headquarters, which is currently on West Broadway, will eventually be vacant. The city is working on a plan to move the citys Department of Public Works into a new headquarters on Scott Street, and when that happens the water staff will move there as well. And that will free up this entire parcel of property for redevelopment and that redevelopment in the Master Plan is envisioned to have this new Main Street as a spine to this new neighborhood, a lot of green space and then mixed-use residential commercial, she said. Once the Wooden Images building is gone, Missoula Water is looking to do something temporary on the site that would be a benefit to the neighborhood, such as a coffee kiosk or a food truck. In the master planning process, something planners heard was a desire for more restaurants in the area, according to Marchesseault. Earlier this spring, the citys impact fee advisory committee voted to approve spending $150,000 for planning improvements to the nearby Downtown Lions Park. Eventually, the city plans to spend another $850,000 to add a playground, a toilet, better trails and other improvements to the park. In 2018, the Missoula Redevelopment Agencys board voted to spend $555,000 in Tax Increment Financing to build a new bridge to the West Broadway Island and add a trail and other improvements. Other work is being done in the area to improve lighting and sidewalks. Board member Tasha Jones said she fully supports the demolition of the Wooden Images building and the boards vote was unanimous. The sooner we move to redevelop this area the better in my opinion, she said. Weve invested a lot of public time and resources in improving safety in the area. Im thinking the island, the park space and trails in that area. The more development that occurs, the safer and more usable it will be for our public. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 5 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Glen "Hooligan" Smith worked at the Bonner sawmill for his entire 45-year career. He was there in 1972 when the cultural landmark underwent a seismic shift. Thats when the rumors started," Smith recalled. "Anacondas selling. The rumors were true. Sunday, June 26 marks the 50-year anniversary of the Anaconda Company selling the Bonner sawmill to Champion International Corporation. Stories like Smiths will be shared at a reception Sunday, hosted by the Bonner Milltown History Center from 1 to 4 p.m. at the KettleHouse Bonner taproom. A memory booth will record stories from community members who remember the sale. Its kind of like a memorial service for Anaconda, said Tony Liane, who worked as a forester on Anaconda and then Champion timberlands throughout the 1970s. Liane and his contemporaries remember the historic sale as a traumatic period for the Bonner community. The mill dominated community life from the time the first log ran through the operation on June 6, 1886. By 1889, it was considered the largest mill between Wisconsin and the West Coast, according to the Bonner Milltown History Center. The Anaconda Company, run by industrialist Marcus Daly, purchased the mill in 1898, and the company proceeded to prevail over the local community for the next 74 years. By the 1950s, 75% of Bonner families were employed by the mill. Local residents like Liane and Smith remember the 1972 sale as one of the most influential events in Bonner history. Just thinking about it after 50 years, it (the Anaconda sale) still affects me to this day, how disruptive it was to my world, selfishly, and also to my dads, said Joe Peterson, a former mill worker who now lives in Butte. He worked in the Lands Department, and I was out in the woods with him a lot. I felt an ownership of the timberlands. Probably shouldnt have but I did. And I still feel that today. At first, it was kind of devastating, said Kim Briggeman, who serves as part of the Bonner Milltown History Center. The tight-knit community kind of unraveled during the Champion years. The mill only shut down for a few months as a result of the sale, and the company hired back many of its former employees when it resumed operations. The workforce expanded from 650 people to 1,100. Liane and Smith both found themselves back in Bonner under Champions ownership. It was like nothing had changed, said Liane, who stayed in the area for the sense of place he felt in Bonner. It was the only place I wanted to come back to this is where I wanted to be." Dennis Sain started at the mill in 1960, then moved to the timberlands in 1963. In 1972, he left to work road construction on the interstate between Montana and Idaho. Sain returned for a steady job and a chance to run a bulldozer in the Champion timberlands. But he still remembers the Anaconda years with fondness. Anaconda, I may have cussed them, but they were a damn good company, said Sain. It was so easy just to come right back here." Smith, who remained in Bonner during the shutdown, said he stayed on with Champion to continue working together with many of his former colleagues. It was fun to come back, Smith said. I had a ball doing it. Sain, too, cherished the camaraderie he had with his fellow foresters. You knew who you worked for and with, he said. Liane echoed those sentiments. We grew up together, he said. It was so much fun working for the company, he added. It was hard to accept when Champion finally sold. It was like tearing the family apart. Champion sold its timberlands to Plum Creek Corporation and its mill to Oregon-based Stimson Lumber Company in 1993. The mill finally closed in 2008, giving way to an industrial park. Now the legacy of the storied mill lives on in the numerous businesses that operate out of the historic site, where an estimated 650 people are employed by 20 to 30 individual companies, according to one of the current property owners. Its still doing great for the economy, said Liane. But its not a company town anymore. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Hundreds gathered in the Wilma on Saturday to hear from writers, leaders and experts in the fourth biennial Norman Maclean literary festival, which, this year, focused on public land and sacred ground. Speakers, Native and non-Native, addressed the extraction of resources in the west, origin myths and historic truths and falsehoods, among other things. Rosalyn LaPier, who is Blackfeet and has a Ph.D. in environmental history, spoke of the creation of Glacier National Park and how Native people ceded the territory to the federal government. In exchange, she said, Native people were promised to have continued access to the land to hunt, fish and hike. But when the area became Glacier National Park in 1910, Native people were suddenly forbidden from using the land they once called home. John Taliaferro, author of Grinnell: Americas Environmental Pioneer who shared the stage with LaPier on a panel, said when George Bird Grinnell visited the land that would become Glacier National Park, he saw it as a people-less place. Taliaferro said Grinnell thought the area was an unnamed place, and he envisioned using the land for conservation and preservation. He had a shortsightedness, a blindness, an Anglo-European-centric view of it, Taliaferro said. LaPier said Grinnells ideas of Glacier were false, and yet, still persist today. When Americans came, including Grinnell, they looked at places like this and thought, Wow, what an amazing, untouched place, she said. Not untouched. But yes, it is an amazing place, and thats because Indigenous people have been maintaining it for years. LaPier encouraged people to be thoughtful when choosing language to describe national parks and public land. We think of these lands as pristine. But we need to think of them as a place that people lived, managed and stewarded for more than 30,000 years, she said. For Indigenous people, these are places we live in. These are not places that are separate from us. State Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula, echoed LaPiers sentiment in another panel. As Native people, were nomadic, he said. We have cultural connections and mutual respect for wildlife, our lands and resources. Morigeau, who is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, said the tribes recent bison reclamation is proof of that. The tribes recently celebrated the reclamation of management of the Bison Range after more than a century of federal management. Bison are woven into our DNA. Weve always believed we have a responsibility to protect them in perpetuity, he said. Who owns a story? An afternoon panel grappled with questions of who can write Native history and how should it be told? Peter Stark, who is white and the author of Tecumsehs Promise, said he feels no one and everyone owns the story. A story, any story, can be told from an almost infinite number of point of views, with almost infinite levels of integrity or respect, he said. M.L. Smoker, a member of the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes and former Montana co-poet laureate, said when she thinks about who gets to tell a story, she feels the need to be vigilant and protective of that material and content. Smoker spoke of colonization and the federal governments efforts to remove and assimilate Native people. While assimilation efforts aimed to erase Indigenous stories, Smoker said Native people are alive today, in part, because their ancestors resisted and held on to their collective stories of origin and survival. She said Native stories have long been ignored in favor of alternative, often untrue, narratives. With this in mind, she argued that non-Native storytellers will always have biases when writing about Native people. One cannot simply grow an Indigenous mindset through appreciation or even research, she said. Debra Magpie Earling, who is Salish and the author of Perma Red, agreed. Let us tell our stories, she urged. Give young Native writers a chance to be paid for writing their own histories. Smoker acknowledged the issue is complex, saying that some white historians, anthropologists and others recorded key parts of Native history. Some of that information we wouldnt have if it werent for that intervening, she said, adding that these non-Native people also got critical things wrong. Earling said she used to share the same thoughts but has since changed her perspective. Im no longer grateful for those people that decimated our stories and then came back and got those stories and got paid for those stories, she said. Its time that we get paid for our stories and for our stories to pull us out of poverty. The festival, which is free and open to the public but requires registration, continues through Sunday and will feature speakers, including Terry Tempest Williams, Doug Peacock, Tracy Stone-Manning, Rick Bass, Shane Doyle, Rob Chaney and John Maclean. The Norman Maclean Literary Festival began in 2015 in Seeley Lake to honor renowned author of A River Runs Through It, Norman Maclean. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Lindi OBrien doesnt like to cry in front of people. She keeps the mood on her eight-acre property in Fromberg upbeat with jokes. She reassures visitors that the mosquitos blossoming out of the floodwaters that plowed through her hometown wont hurt you, theyll just make you a few pounds lighter. When she comes across reminders of her nearly 50 years of living in Fromberg, family photos, books and keepsakes strewn about her property, theres no tears, but there is a pause. Its like Im finding little pieces of my dad everywhere, she said. Theres still a house on the OBrien property with at least an inch of water in its basement. Up on the ground floor, the skeletal frame of the home is visible. Crews have ripped away the dry wall and insulation. It was soaked a little over a week ago by the historic flood that hit the Carbon County towns dotting the waterways leading from the Beartooth and Absarokee mountains. This past Wednesday, Lindi OBrien was focused on rebuilding a coop for her dozens of fowl, which include several chickens, geese and at least one turkey. The OBriens arent working alone. Since Saturday, people with AmeriCorps, a federal volunteer agency, have been sifting through the damage, helping to peel away soaked and rotted flooring. Others who have come to help Lindi include the kids active in FFA and a member of the Joliet Volunteer Fire Department. Those volunteers represent only a portion of those who are donating food, tools and labor in Fromberg. Some, like the AmeriCorps members, are here on assignment from government or religious organizations. Others are neighbors from next door, the next town or the next county. At least one is a 73-year-old Missouri man who drove straight to Montana when the floods made national news. Squeaking like the wet hens that we are, weve had help. AmeriCorps, they have been unbelievable. The people who live in this valley are so intertwined though, said Lindi OBrien. During a lunch and water break from the cleanup work, Winnie Berckmoes drove up with an SUV full of fans, shovels and burritos. Berckmoes said shes been making runs back-and-forth from the schoolhouse in town, where supplies have been stockpiled, dropping off whatever her neighbors might need. Its not awesome what happened, but doing this makes me happy, she said. Fromberg officials have estimated that 100 homes have been damaged by the flood, all within a town with a population of about 400. As of Friday morning, residents were still under a boil order for their water supply and Gov. Greg Gianforte requested individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency just a day prior. If that assistance does arrive, it wont be for another few weeks at least. Last week, the White House declared a major disaster following Gov. Greg Gianfortes request that President Joe Biden expedite the process. The declaration opens up funding relief for the three Montana counties most impacted by flooding: Carbon, Park and Stillwater. The federal government will now be able to provide up to 75% of the total cost of the damage to public infrastructure like roads and bridges, according to the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The governor visited Fromberg on Tuesday. Several residents told him about their frustrations that for the past week theyve had to rely on one another, as most of the emergency responses went to Red Lodge and Gardiner, the Gazette reported. Earlier on Wednesday, three people looked over an annotated map of Fromberg. Stones held down stacks of paperwork. Local resident Lynn White directed trucks loaded with the soaking innards of homes to the dump at the town park and answered questions from the handful of people who walked under the lumber shade structure off Highway 310. Within a few days after the flood, the Bridger middle school teacher unexpectedly found herself in the position of a volunteer coordinator. When floodwaters breached the eastern part of town June 13, White said she was bagging sandbags for the next two evenings. When she joined the team going door-to-door to assess the damage to homes in Fromberg, she eventually started organizing the volunteer effort, tracking who needed what and where. There really hasnt been a whole lot of guidance, so the cleanup has really just been a community effort Were still mucking out houses, then theres going to be a drying out period. Theres debris that's still scattered all over the place, but our highest priority right now is to get people back in livable conditions, White said. With two people from the U.S. Forest Service who came in from Red Lodge to assist, most of the morning was dedicated to determining which homes needed volunteers. Many residents were hesitant to accept any help in clearing out their homes, White said, not wanting to deprive others who might need it more. Since Saturday, she said, that hesitation has subsided now that homeowners have seen volunteers able clear out an entire basement in less than a day. As volunteers trickled in to get their assignment, they were handed packets to document their work. Documenting volunteer hours is one way to get more compensation from the federal government. Although that compensation wont be available immediately, its an investment stressed by officials to alleviate the financial burden on the county. FEMA will match the cost of documented volunteer hours spent in a disaster, whether used to clean up a road or a home, offsetting the 25% of costs that typically fall on a county government to pay. With this flood, we have a bunch of people mucking out basements or sandbagging, so FEMA will provide what a laborer would make at the local rate, plus the benefits, said Jamie Porter, the finance section chief for Western Montana All Hazard Incident Management Team. Porter said volunteers can provide their name, what they did and where they were to assist in offsetting costs. They can also document whatever vehicles or machinery they used, like trailers, tractors and pumps. White said all of the volunteers shes worked with have been receptive of logging their hours. On Wednesday, the Shaws were among those getting a team of volunteers. The family of four live on Second Avenue in Fromberg, well within the path of the water surging from the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone. The half-dozen volunteers stepping inside the Shaws home pass through a wall of chilled air, with the flooded basement and network of fans at several windows turning the house into a massive swamp cooler. The chill is a relief for the skin, but a look through the rooms that once housed Rebecca, James and their two kids is an assault on the eyes. Mud is caked to nearly every surface from the waist down, and their wooden floor is already starting to curl. The couples mountain of computer hardware, used both professionally and for their hobbies, is now useless scrap. The volunteers empty out a bedroom, piles of what used to be where the two Shaw boys slept were dragged onto the front lawn to either dry out in the sun or end up in a garbage heap. Robert Leon Kennedy, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and several natural disasters in and outside of the United States, was at his home in Branson, Missouri, when he saw national coverage of the floods in Montana. Kennedy made the 1,200-mile trip to Red Lodge last Saturday. Hes been sleeping in his vehicle ever since, and after helping to muck out homes in Red Lodge, hes on his second day of mucking out houses downriver in Fromberg on Wednesday. [Hurricane] Dorian was the worst ever down in the Bahamas, because the whole island was destroyed by that cat-five hurricane, Kennedy said, wiping sweat from his tanned head while taking a water break. Wed go muck out houses like this and theyd be full of sea water and sewage. Youd work for 15 minutes and go outside and try to not hurl Disasters basically all run together, though. Youre with people seeing their whole world destroyed. As of Friday morning, roughly a dozen homes still needed to be cleared of debris, White said. Although other volunteer groups have reached Fromberg in the past week, she said resources are still needed in the form of labor. Those interested in volunteering in Carbon County can contact the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation at 406-446-2820. Potential volunteers can also find coordinators in Fromberg under the volunteer tent off Highway 310 for an assignment. Bring muck boots, White said. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Almost 104,000 acres spread across three designated wilderness study areas would be removed from their current protected status under a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on Thursday by Montana Sen. Steve Daines. Of the three wilderness study areas the largest is the 82,127-acre Middle Fork Judith in the Little Belt Mountains, managed by the Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest. In its 2021 Forest Plan, the Forest Service decided not to recommend the Middle Fork Judith for wilderness due to existing uses occurring adjacent to the area that impact solitude, according to the agencys Decision Notice. However, the decision notice also stated the WSA meets the intent of the 1977 Wilderness Study Act, and as such would remain eligible for inclusion in the wilderness system. The other two WSAs are the 11,380-acre Hoodoo Mountain and the 11,580-acre Wales Creek WSAs. Both are located in Powell County, north of Drummond, in the Garnet Mountains and are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. In 2020 the BLM released a proposed Resource Management Plan that encompassed the two areas, identifying them as not having wilderness characteristics because they did not have 5,000 acres of roadless and contiguous BLM-managed land. The plan was challenged by the state of Montana and Wild Montana, formerly the Montana Wilderness Association, because the decision was authorized by William Perry Pendley. At the time, Pendley was only the acting BLM director and was never confirmed by the U.S. Senate. A federal judge agreed. A 1984 U.S. Geological Survey report identified the southwest corner of the Wales Creek WSA to have high potential for gold and base metals. Mining occurred in the area in the 1890s, now memorialized by the historic ghost town of Garnet. The BLM has indicated Hoodoo Mountain would be managed as a Backcountry Conservation Area to promote and support wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities and facilitate the long-term maintenance of big game wildlife populations, Daines press release stated. Portions of Wales Creek would be managed similarly, while other portions would receive further protections under an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) designation. Conservationists have denounced Daines proposal as once again skirting public participation, although Daines said the bill was developed with the help of 19 groups. Among the supporters of the bill that Daines cited are the Judith Basin and Powell County commissioners, motorized user groups, the Montana Farm Bureau and the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association. Within the past two years, following a multi-year collaborative process with robust public comment, and using the best available science and spanning multiple Administrations, these areas were deemed unsuitable for wilderness management once again, Daines said in a statement. Now its past time we respond to this locally led planning direction and release them to general management of public lands. The proposal also resurrects hard feelings from 2017 when Daines introduced a bill to eliminate 500,000 acres of WSAs in the state. That bill also targeted the Middle Fork Judith. At the same time, then Rep. Greg Gianforte who is now governor of Montana introduced legislation in the U.S. House to remove protections from 24 BLM-managed WSAs in Montana totaling 240,000 acres. Critics at the time denounced the proposals for not including constituents in the planning process. Becky Edwards, executive director of Mountain Mamas in Bozeman, called Daines new bill a top-down approach. She pointed to a 2018 poll by the University of Montanas Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Initiative showing support for the states wildlands. Walker Conynham, president of Hellgate Hunters and Anglers in Missoula, called the WSAs proposed for withdrawal great elk habitat. Daines bill threatens some of Montanas best hunting country, he said in a statement. Montana hunters and Montana elk need more critical habitat protected, and this bill is a misguided leap in the wrong direction. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 5 A proposal to add new environmental protections to stretches of the Gallatin and Madison rivers is dead for now, after failing to gather enough signatures to appear on the November ballot. Initiative 191 failed to attract enough support by the June 17 deadline for ballot initiative petitions to be submitted to county election offices, Cottonwood Environmental Law Center Executive Director John Meyer acknowledged Friday. Cottonwood, along with the Gallatin Wildlife Association and Montana Rivers last month decided to stop working on the measure, Meyer wrote in a May 25 letter to Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan. The letter was a response to pending complaints against the groups for failing to report their spending in support of the proposed initiative. We took a realistic perspective and the fact that we had to fight the Attorney General for two months in court, we just lost all that time, Meyer said. That was the deciding factor. In March, the Montana Supreme Court unanimously reversed a decision by Attorney General Austin Knudsen that had temporarily halted I-191 from going out for signature-gathering. I-191 sought to designate 35 miles of the Gallatin River, from the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the Spanish Creek confluence, and about 55 miles of the Madison River, from Hebgen Lake to Ennis Lake, as outstanding resource waters. The designation affords the states highest protection and would prohibit any new or increased pollution adversely affecting water quality. The permitting prohibition would also be extended to temporary changes causing an adverse change in water quality only permanent changes are prohibited under current law. The extensive protections being proposed generated intense opposition from developers, industry groups and others who argued it would stymie development and economic growth in the area. Several conservation groups also came out against it, including Montana Trout Unlimited. The groups conservation director told lawmakers earlier this year that he had concerns the designation could prohibit permitting for some restoration work. Dozens of organizations in the state including economic development groups, businesses in the area and trade groups for major industries lined up to fight the proposal. In a Friday press release from a coalition formed in opposition to I-191, Montana Chamber of Commerce President Todd O'Hair said the initiative went too far. Nearly every segment of our Montana economy depends on clean, healthy water, he stated. Montanans have done a tremendous job of working together to make sure our water resources are protected that's why we have some of the toughest water quality laws in the country. That collaborative approach has served us well and is the reason that the radical I-191 initiative failed to gain any traction. Under a new law passed in 2021 that requires legislative panels to weigh in on proposed ballot initiatives, the proposal also received bipartisan opposition from the Water Policy Interim Committee in April. Three of the panels five Democrats joined all five Republicans to oppose the measure, although the vote didn't directly affect whether an initiative could move forward. The initiative needed more than 30,000 signatures by last weeks deadline. Meyer said he didnt have a final tally of the signatures, but knew they were well short of that threshold. He also acknowledged not initially filing campaign finance reports required under state law for groups that engage in significant political fundraising and spending. The sponsors of the proposal spent just $10,000, he said, adding that the reports have since been submitted to the state's political practices office. State records show a ballot issue committee for I-191 registered earlier this month, but no finance reports were available Friday. The coalition opposing the initiative has reported raising $175,000 since April from the state Chamber, developers and agriculture groups. Proposals to protect portions of the upper Gallatin and Madison rivers have been pursued by conservation groups in the state for the past two decades, and the effort likely isnt over. Meyer said he plans to try again to get it on the ballot in 2024. The Montana Supreme Court is also weighing an appeal from Cottonwood and other environmental groups who sued the state after the Board of Environmental Review rejected a petition that sought to add environmental protections to the waterways. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Up to $5 million in grant funding from Montanas bed tax fund is being made available to businesses impacted by the destructive flooding in southern Montana, Gov. Greg Gianfortes office announced Friday. Additionally, more than $3 million in federal COVID relief funds will be made available for responding to flood impacts, his office stated. The $5 million program will award grants of up to $25,000 to tourism-dependent businesses including restaurants, bars, hotels, guides and private campgrounds. They must describe how they stand to be negatively impacted by a lack of visitors due to severe flooding that has indefinitely closed two of Montanas three entrances to Yellowstone National Park. The grant program will give businesses in this area much-needed support to get them up and running so they can give in-state and out-of-state guests their best possible Montana experience, Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman stated in a Friday press release. Businesses can get more information and apply by visiting commerce.mt.gov. The other funding being made available follows recommendations passed unanimously by a panel of lawmakers and executive branch representatives on Thursday. The ARPA Infrastructure Commission is responsible for overseeing a portion of the funds Montana received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) passed by Congress last year. Following a proposal offered by Rep. Jim Keane, D-Butte, the panel voted to recommend up to $2 million in interest generated by the federal cash received by the state for responding to emergencies caused by the flooding. The panel also approved a proposal from Sen. Doug Kary, R-Billings, to redirect $1.2 million in money for irrigators that hadnt been awarded during a previous meeting to be used for repairing irrigation systems damaged by the floodwaters. The governors office also announced Friday that it was awarding 10 grants of $15,000 to chambers of commerce in 10 cities and towns near Yellowstone National Park that had been affected by the flooding. The money is intended to help the local tourism-dependent economies weather the lack of access to Yellowstone. That can be done through increased additional staff hours at visitor centers, signs and social media communications, according to a press release from the governors office. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WASHINGTON Five-dollar-a-gallon gas isn't a good deal in the United States, but in other parts of the world, it's a bargain. Drivers in Hong Kong pay over $11 a gallon at the pump. Filling up in Finland costs over $10 a gallon. In Iceland, Norway, Greece, Denmark, the Netherlands, Monaco and the Central African Republic, the price of petrol tops $9 per gallon. In fact, compared to the rest of the world, the U.S. is in the middle of the pack when it comes to gas prices even as inflation takes its toll on the American economy. Prices are higher in 93 countries and cheaper in 74 others, according to an analysis by GlobalPetrolPrices.com, which tracks the retail prices of motor fuel across the globe. That may not be much consolation for President Joe Biden, whose approval ratings have tanked as petrol prices have spiked and inflation has soared. Four in 10 Americans blamed Biden and his policies for higher gas prices in a Quinnipiac University poll in March. But energy analysts say the rising cost of oil is fueling gas prices across the globe and at home, not Biden or his policies. How can the president of the United States be responsible for $8-a-gallon gas in France? He has no real effect on world oil prices, said Christopher Knittel, an energy economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 'AMERICANS ARE ANXIOUS': Unrelenting inflation puts pressure on Biden ahead of midterms Gas prices are near $5 a gallon in the United States, but motorists in 93 other countries are paying even more. Biden has taken several steps to try to give Americans relief from gas prices, which on Thursday averaged $4.94 a gallon nationwide but stood at over $5 a gallon in more than a dozen states, according to AAA. Biden has released over 180 million gallons of oil from the nations emergency reserves, called on Congress to suspend the federal gas tax for three months and tried to cajole energy companies into boosting oil production. On Thursday, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm held an emergency meeting in Washington with executives from seven major oil companies to explore solutions to sky-high gas prices. Story continues Granholm reiterated Bidens call for them to do more to ensure that their companies are passing savings onto their customers and directed her team to continue working with the companies to pursue solutions to supply and price challenges, her office said in a statement. In reality, theres not much Biden can do to lower prices at the pump, Knittel said. Even the things he has already done and has suggested are short-term, marginal impacts on the price of gasoline, he said. Its hard for Americans to see this, but the world market is so big and so vast, its hard for even a big country and an economic powerhouse like ourselves to have a large impact on prices. RELATED: With gas prices at $5 a gallon, Biden tells oil companies to cut costs for Americans Oil prices impact the cost of gas across the globe, and the price of crude has surged to over $110 per barrel since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February. Whenever oil prices jump, youll see gas prices in just about every country increase, except for those that actually administratively keep their prices at a predetermined level, Knittel said. Gas prices can vary widely across the world. But in general, richer countries have higher prices while poorer countries and those that produce and export oil have significantly lower prices, according to GlobalPetrolPrices.com. Gas prices in the U.S. are driven by the market. But in some countries, oil companies are owned by the state, which provides fuel subsidies to keep gas prices low or prevent price fluctuations. In Venezuela, Iran and Libya, all of which offer fuel subsidies, gas costs less than $1 per gallon. Any country that sells gas for less than $2 per gallon is subsidizing it, said Neven Valev, owner of GlobalPetrolPrices. RECORD PROFITS: Oil giants reap record profits as war rages in Ukraine, energy prices soar: Here's how much they made Dirt-cheap gas prices may be good for consumers but can lead to other problems. In Venezuela, we see how thats gone for them, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, which tracks the price of fuel. Infrastructure is failing left and right because of a lack of revenue. When you charge vastly under-market rates, its hard to keep up infrastructure. Taxes are the biggest reason for the wide variation in global gas prices. In the United States, the federal gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon, and state gas taxes average about 30 cents a gallon. So when a motorist pays $5 per gallon at the tank, roughly 50 cents of that cost is in taxes. Many other countries impose higher gas taxes. In Hong Kong, which tries to discourage people from driving, the gas tax can run as high as $6 per gallon. European Union countries are required to levy a minimum excise tax of $1.55 per gallon on gas in hopes of steering more people to take mass transit. Theyre trying to keep cars off the road by disincentivizing people to have a car, De Haan said. While current gas prices are not Bidens doing, his administration has aggravated matters by villainizing the energy industry and pursuing policies that limited oil production and injected uncertainty into energy markets, De Haan said. Thats not doing a credit to anyone, he said. Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS. FUEL-EFFICIENCY TIPS: 7 tips to help your fuel tank last longer as gas prices soar: A visual guide This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden feels the heat for higher gas prices. But is he to blame? The U.S. Supreme Court's decision Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade could have long-standing ripple effects on women in Michigan, disrupting their participation in the labor force and pushing them into financial trouble, experts say. Without resources like access to quality child care and paid leave, the move to restrict abortions could hit low-income women even harder, they say. Abortions are still legal in Michigan because of a temporary injunction blocking a state ban, but that could change if the injunction is lifted or removed. The decision to end access to safe, legal abortion will place yet another harsh barrier to opportunities and prosperity for millions of Michiganders and further threaten their financial stability and security, Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, said Friday in a statement. More: Detroit area protests, celebrations planned after Roe v. Wade overturned More: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, leaving abortion questions for millions in Michigan Eboni Taylor, Michigan executive director of the advocacy group Mothering Justice, said it's a "horrific day." She wonders what other protections will unravel. "Black women, poor women, women of color are the ones that will suffer the most," she said. She pointed to a lack child care options and protections around maternity leave. "To force a mom through these uncertain economic times, without any real safety nets at the state or federal levels, it seems like a type of torture ... it's unconscionable," Taylor said. Corbin also said a "lack of national paid parental leave, fully funded child care and equal pay for women" will mean that the Supreme Court decision "will have lasting, detrimental ripple effects that will hurt the health and wealth of our people and our economy. Affordable child care is already difficult for Michigan families to access. Detroit needs another 23,000 high-quality child care seats as of January to match demand, according to Hope Starts Here, a connector for early childhood efforts in Detroit. Story continues Across the state, 44% of Michigan residents lived in "child care deserts," or areas with a lack of child care options, the Washington, D.C.-based Center for American Progress reported. Some research illustrates the economic impact of abortion access and financial well-being. A working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research in January said women who weren't able to get an abortion saw a "significant increase in financial distress" compared with those who did have access. Unpaid debt that was more than a month past due more than doubled and public records related to evictions and bankruptcies increased as well, researchers found in the study of 1,000 women in 21 states. "Access to this care was really important for women's financial independence, resiliency, well-being," said Sarah Miller, co-author of the research and an assistant professor of business economics and public policy at the University of Michigan. Having a child affects earnings and job participation, she said. "If there's going to be more births, more unintended pregnancies that result in birth, then that's going to be pulling people out of the labor market," Miller said. Women were already hit hard by the economic whiplash of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor, of Mothering Justice, said. "This further stunts the growth of women's participation in our economy and in the labor force," she said. The Supreme Court's decision could further disparities between higher- and lower-income women. "There are ways to obtain this kind of care if you can afford a plane ticket," Miller said. Ending abortion access could increase cycles of poverty, said William Lopez, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health. "Those who are pregnant, preparing to give birth, are good judges of when they're ready to economically support their infants and forcing pregnancy forces these people into an economic position that they may not be ready for or not be may not prefer to start at his time," Lopez said. Kim Trent, deputy director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, who also leads the state's Poverty Task Force, said in a statement Friday that "forcing people to become parents while denying them access to resources is cruel and immoral." Nushrat Rahman covers issues related to economic mobility for the Detroit Free Press and Bridge Detroit as a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/freepRFA. Contact Nushrat: nrahman@freepress.com; 313-348-7558. Follow her on Twitter: @NushratR. Sign up for Bridge Detroit's newsletter. Become a Free Press subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Roe decision could hit low-income Michigan women hard financially Some of the biggest obstacles for investigators going after Russian assets amid the countrys now three-month-long invasion of Ukraine are the legal mechanisms for preserving anonymity that are built into the U.S. tax and financial code. The most powerful of these rules is the designation known as beneficial ownership, which allows asset owners to remain unregistered on legal documents as long as they name a third party to act on their behalf. That means beneficial ownership laws can allow billions of dollars worth of illicit property to remain invisible to financial investigators. Theyre also one of the main reasons the U.S. now ranks above Switzerland and the Cayman Islands as the most financially secretive country in the world, according to a list published this month by the Tax Justice Network, a U.K.-based nonprofit. The U.S. has climbed to the top of a global ranking of countries most complicit in helping individuals to hide their wealth from the rule of law, earning the worst rating ever recorded since the ranking began in 2009, the group said in a statement. The top international ranking has had an impact among financial transparency advocates in the U.S. While the U.S. has committed to being a leader in cracking down on global corruption, these rankings show how corrupt actors are weaponizing our financial system against democracy here and abroad, said Ian Gary, head of the U.S. non-profit Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition. Despite these hurdles, investigators from the Department of Justice-led interagency KleptoCapture task force are pressing ahead in their search for assets belonging to Russian oligarchs and decision-makers within the Kremlin. The IRS criminal investigations division said it has initiated 19 sanctions-related criminal investigations since March. The agency continues to use its financial and cyber expertise to assist the tax force and our international partners with identifying assets/entities tied to individuals on the Special Designated Nationals (SDN) List, deconflicting of sanctions-related enforcement efforts and developing new sanctions-related investigations, the division said in a statement. Story continues This may seem like quixotic work in a country portrayed by its own Treasury chief as the money-laundering capital of the world. Theres a good argument that, right now, the best place to hide and launder ill-gotten gains is actually the United States, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said during a State Department Summit last year. And thats because of the way we allow people to establish shell companies. Since Andrew Jackson, individual states have been free to set their own rules for incorporating companies, and since the early 20th century, some states have allowed anybody to establish a shell company without disclosing who really owns it, what we term the beneficial owner, Yellen said. Two states well known for their secretive ownership laws are Delaware and Nevada, where corporate lawyers can name third parties, or nominee entities, to own something in the eyes of the government, while the true owner stays off the books. But that may be changing. As part of the landmark Corporate Transparency Act of 2020 (CTA), the U.S. is now rolling out a registration database for beneficially owned companies and implementing other rules aimed at showing who owns what assets. Transparency advocates, however, say the regulations outlined by the law are still riddled with loopholes and will remain ineffective without blunter, less nuanced language from regulators. For example, according to the American Bar Association, its still unclear whether limited partnerships are included in the types of companies that need to register. Since the CTAs focus is on shell companies and other entities with limited or no operations, the CTA provides numerous exceptions for entities from undergoing reporting, including those in a regulated industry (where existing regulatory regimens would already include beneficial ownership reporting), publicly traded companies, investment vehicles operated by investment advisors, nonprofits, and government entities, Lawrence A. Goldman and David J. Marella wrote for the association. One of these exemptions thats of particular concern to transparency groups is referred to in regulatory language as pooled investment vehicles, but more commonly known as hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital firms. These are vehicles that in many cases have no anti-money laundering obligations, do not make known their ownership whether to a government regulator or to the public, FACT Coalition advocate Erica Hanichak said in an interview. An FBI document leaked to Reuters in 2020 warned that criminals referred to as threat actors may be taking advantage of the anonymity afforded to investors by the laws around private investment funds. The FBI assumes AML [anti-money laundering] programs are not adequately designed to monitor and detect threat actors use of private investment funds to launder money. Additionally, the FBI assumes threat actors exploit this vulnerability to integrate illicit proceeds into the licit global financial system, the leaked memo said, according to Reuters. In March, Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) wrote to. Yellen and the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission to demand more transparency in the investment sector. The exemption for the private investment industry, which includes hedge funds and private equity firms, allows companies and their advisers to accept and manage huge sums of money without needing to know basic information about their investors or clients, undermining anticorruption, counterproliferation, and counterterrorism programs and letting criminals and sanctioned individuals like Russian oligarchs hide and grow their wealth, they wrote. However the CTA is hashed out into practicable rules, the current reality for investigators seeking Russian assets is still murky and hard to navigate. Theres been talk about the use of beneficial ownership structures and nominees, Don Fort, former head of the IRS criminal investigation division, said in an interview about the current investigation. Its not easy to crack those types of financial transactions. FACT Coalitions Hanichak agreed. Often these chains of ownership can span four or five different continents and are intentionally opaque. Having better visibility into the U.S. piece of that puzzle is incredibly important, to be able to put together the broader picture of where Russian oligarchs assets could be invested, Hanichak said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A drive-by shooting left a door shattered and a bullet hole in a window at a local hotel this week. Officers with the Morganton Department of Public Safety were called to the Days Inn on Burkemont Avenue a little after 11 a.m. Wednesday for a report of shots fired, according to a release from the department. The front door was shattered and there was a bullet hole in the window of an adjoining room, the release said. No injuries were reported from the incident. Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the departments criminal investigation division at 828-437-1211. The decision handed down Friday by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and return abortion access to the states hands brought mixed feelings from some Burke County residents. The News Herald asked several people around downtown Morganton their opinions on the decision Friday, and received a mix of responses across the spectrum on the polarizing issue. Here are some of those responses. Braydon Curry I think its dumb Well, first of all, its not their place, literally, at all, and everyone, I can guarantee, that voted yes will be dead in 10 years and it wont matter. It just really pisses me off. Im thinking about how this is gonna affect everyone moving forward. Kaye BowmanA babys a baby from the very beginning. Joyce Nelson(Finishing Bowmans statement) And if you abort the baby, no matter what stage, youre aborting a person, a child. Youre killing. Elizabeth Walker That is a deeply personal issue, and you shouldnt dictate to a person what they can do with their body regardless of how you feel about it and what personal choice you would make. I think when we take away peoples choice, we are reducing freedom in this country and were moving toward a more fascist type of society and that bothers me deeply. Autumn Leder Its really up to the states now. Thats what the whole bill was about. I think that will be good. Its not going to totally dismiss all of the abortions, but its not gonna say you can do it, so its up to the states, so thats good. Katie CarterIm just really upset right now, especially since I have two young girls. There were several residents who spoke privately to the newspaper about their opinion on the topic, but did not wish to be quoted. Their opinions varied across the spectrum. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Sharon McBrayer Follow Sharon McBrayer 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 BETHESDA, MARYLAND A Morganton hotel recently received a top honor during an industry association awards ceremony. On June 6, 2022, at the virtual awards ceremony, Marriott International announced award winners for its 2020-21 Select Brand Hotels which include Courtyard by Marriott; Fairfield by Marriott; Residence Inn by Marriott; Springhill Suites by Marriott and Townplace Suites by Marriott. The Marriott Select Brands Awards program recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of hotel teams and individuals at Marriott Select Brand hotels across the globe. The awards honor top performers annually for their dedication to excellence. There were many changes to the type and quantity of awards and their required criteria due to the business disruption from the global pandemic. Awards are based on customer feedback received throughout the year, hotel performance and individual nominations received. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Morganton Historic Downtown was the recipient of the prestigious 2021 Silver Circle Award. To receive this honor, the hotel must be open for a minimum of one year and consistently rank in the top 20% of the brand globally in guest satisfaction. This is an incredible accomplishment for this hotel as it opened two weeks prior to COVID-related shutdowns in March 2020. The hotel, led by General Manager Rebecca Randolph and her team, persevered through the pandemic and provided outstanding service, exceptional and clean accommodations and an appetizing breakfast to guests. I am proud of the work performed and the service provided by our associates every day of the year and I am especially overjoyed today to receive this award, said Randolph. Our team works hard to deliver the Fairfield Inn guest promises for each and every guest. I can praise the team all day but this award, it came from our guests it cant be bought or altered; it is a true testament of the service being provided within these walls. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Morganton Historic Downtown is a franchisee operated by North Star Lodging Management Inc., with a license by Marriott International and owned by Morganton Lodging Associates LP, a real estate investment group local to the Morganton area. Theres a week left in June and already many Montana farmers are done worrying about the rain. For Brett Nedens, outside of Hardin, thats a good thing, but for Collen Pegar and farmers up north in Hill County, it couldnt be worse. Four months ago, Nedens and Pegar both were staring down the barrel of severe to extreme drought, with 85% of the state appearing headed for crop failure if things didnt turn around. Drought conditions did turn around for Nedens. Hardin has now received more precipitation than it did in all of 2021, according to federal weather data. A full 56% of Montana is currently normal to abnormally dry. The thick, dark green stands of winter wheat in Nedens southeast Montana region come at a time when drought and war have sparked a global grain shortage. Winter wheat futures prices for September delivery hover around $10 a bushel range, a rare double digit showing. Our crop is made, Nedens said Thursday. I dont think another inch of rain would mean more bushels at this point. A little more heat to bring his sugar beets along, a few lucky breaks with the hail, and this year could turn out better than anyone expected during early spring planting. There have been challenges, Nedens said. A super cell with hurricane-force wind gusts and horizontal hail toppled grain bins and flattened 1,000 of Nedens farm acres. But, thats a high-class problem he wouldnt trade for drought or the flooding thats strip-mined roads and bridges across much of south-central Montana. Pegars famers quit worrying about rain on the regions winter wheat because the crop had turned brown before the spring rains arrived. The extension agent for Hill County keeps an eye on crop conditions, which can make or break the economy. Theres some crops that were a week too late on rain and you can tell, she said. Other stands of wheat are just 18 to 24 inches tall and headed early. Theres a chance those stunted crops will put their energy into filling out grain heads with any moisture that falls. Hill County is one of five northcentral Montana counties where extreme drought has settled in. Until June 3, the Havre area had only recorded 1.45 inches of moisture, after which 3 inches of rain feel. The data confirms Pegar's observation that rain arrived too late for many crops. Some 43 miles west of Havre, in the heart of the drought, Rudyard has received just 2.64 inches of precipitation so for this year, according to the National Weather Service, about 41% of average. Back in March, when 71% of the states winter wheat crop was rated poor to very poor, this area wasnt an outlier, but the drought here has been stubborn. The rest of the state, which has done better for rain, rotates around this region in lesser degrees of drought severity that disappear entirely to the west and south. A two-hour drive from the worst of the drought, the snow-packed northern Rockies start a band of drought-free Montana stretching to the Idaho Panhandle. Also, drought free is a belt of southern Montana. Longer than a six-hour drive, it starts in the highest elevations of Park County where floodwaters punched holes in federal highways feeding into Yellowstone Park. The band of spring moisture eventually breaks green to the east, all the way to Biddle, which like Nedens's farm has seen its share of super cells this spring. From there the moisture belt runs north 340 miles up the Montana-Dakota border all the way to Canada. Travel inward from the southern belt and things start drying up again. As the crow flies, theres only 120 miles between Nedenss farm near Hardin and Brett Daileys place outside of Jordan, but storm clouds havent been made the trip very often this spring. Garfield County, where Dailey farms, is in moderate drought, which is better than the crop-killing extremes of a year earlier. However, moisture there hasnt been broadly distributed this spring. We were late getting any moisture to speak of, and then when we did it was extremely spotty, Dailey said. Its amazing, within this county theres some areas that have done very well with moisture and the crops have some promise, but there are other areas where theyve got some moisture but its not going to produce anything. The northern portions of the county, which skirts the saw-toothed southern edge of Fort Peck Reservoir, has done better for moisture, as did the east earlier in the spring, the farmer said. No one there was expecting major turn around from the drought of 2021, which was historically bad. The National Weather Service has no accumulated precipitation data for Jordan, but its information for the rest of Garfield County illustrates the varying amount of rainfall to which Dailey speaks. In Circle, where 7.37 inches of precipitation had been measured through June 23, the moisture for the year so far is slightly above average. But the soil is still parched, having finished 2021 with just 60 of the precipitation it would normally receive. Closer to Jordan, Brockway was about 76% of average through June 15, still down more than an inch of normal. The pastures have greened up, but its a little bit like fools gold. The green sheen gives way to thin forage further down, Dailey said. Surface water for livestock remains scarce. Ranchers in this area have long ago switched to wells and piped water to keep stock tanks full. The weather-fed reservoirs that ranchers once dammed into prairie creases to assure cattle had water every mile, have become less reliable and turned into magnates for problems like blue tongue, spread by biting insects at low-water, no-water mudholes. Still, theres more optimism in this part of central Montana than there was a year ago. The right weather could pull some people through, but its going to take more than one year to erase the scars of drought this area has incurred. The region in is in recovery mode, Dailey said. You know, some of this range, its not going to recover this year, Dailey said. It wouldnt matter how much water youre dumping on it. It was just too much extreme heat last summer and drought. I remember this from the drought of '80s. It took a year to two for it to get back to normal. Theres no deep moisture and thats what its going to take. The thing is, Dailey said, at this time last year central Montana was dead brown. Theres a lot more smiles than there were last year. Theres a grasshopper problem hidden by the states cool June temperatures. Much of Montana east of the Rockies produced eight to 14 adult grasshoppers per square yard in a 2021 survey by the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. That population was just one step below the most extreme threshold for the insects, though the most drought-scarred areas of the state in 2021 did rank in the worst category of 15 hoppers or more. Where central Montanas beige landscape caught fire in 2021, witnesses on fire lines reported flaming grasshoppers flying from the fires like embers. In Philips County, the insects chewed fields so clean that by July it appeared nothing had been planted. Based on those 2021 numbers, APHIS forecasted another bad year for grasshoppers in 2022. Terry Angvick, who farms in the northeast corner of the state near Reserve, knows grasshoppers will show up as soon as the weather warms, emerging from the roadside ditches and field edges, the last areas to give up their green in 2021. Anything that was green is where they lay their eggs and they come out of those areas, Angvick said. The cold weather delays them. Theyre a cold-blooded creature and they dont move around very well when its cold. And, if it rains, they dont move around much and they dont eat as much. Then they start catching diseases, some fungal diseases and things that raise hell with them. Thats what we want to see. In March, Angvicks corner of the state was so dry, it didnt appear there would much green for grasshoppers to eat, let alone grain for the farmers to truck to the elevator. All of Sheridan County was in extreme drought at the start of the year, according to U.S. Drought Monitor data, which suggested widespread water shortages and major crop and pasture losses if things didnt turn around. By the time farmers considered what they were going to plant this year, Angvicks area faced severe drought, still in the realm of crop and pasture losses, water restrictions and shortages. But in late spring the rains came, pulling the eastern half of Sheridan County out drought status entirely. The western half of the county is now rated abnormally dry. Fields in Sheridan County illustrate like an erratic bar chart the challenges farmers have faced. Farmers who seeded in the early spring have stands of grain a few feet tall. Those who waited a few weeks, only to be sidelined by fields muddied by rain, have crops standing just a few inches tall. There are still farmers planting now, Angvick said. In Plentywood, things started turning around in mid-April, from then to the end of May, 3 inches fell. The National Weather Service has no information for precipitation for this region since the end of May, though it has continued raining. This is spring-crop country. Unlike farmers in most of Montana, who seed winter wheat in the fall to avoid the worst of a hot summer, Angvick and his neighbors seed in the spring, when they get most of their moisture. They raise durum wheat, a hard specialty grain used in Mediterranean pasta, as well as spring wheat, peas and lentils. Their products may turn up in Italy, India, or North Africa. Because these crops have been in the ground for just a few months, their challenges are far from over. You dont have to dig too deep to hit dry earth, but Angvick said a few timely rains would pull farmers through to harvest. After a cool start, farmers are starting to wish for warmer weather. Angvick isnt in a hurry. Our whole world revolves around 68-degree temperatures. I tell people, if youre not comfortable, nothing else is either, Angvick said. Famers tell me all the time we need some heat for this stuff to grow. I tell my neighbors, if I know them well enough, I tell them dont wish for that. We raise cool-season crops. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Disturbing events Officers were called to the 2500 block of Elm Street to investigate a disturbance between a man and a woman at around 1 a.m. Thursday. Allegedly, Shaina Claire Melton, 31, of Dillon was throwing rocks into the glass windows of the home of a 34-year-old man she had formerly dated. He reportedly woke up, thought it was someone shooting into his home and ran outside with his gun. He alleged that Melton then came at him and he fired into the grass as a warning. She was jailed for misdemeanor partner or family member assault (reasonable apprehension) and criminal mischief. Several warrants A trooper with the Montana Highway Patrol arrested Sarah Margaret Mulcahy, 39, of Butte at around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on a misdemeanor Montana Highway Patrol warrant, along with the misdemeanor warrants of theft, two counts of criminal contempt, deceptive practices for financial gain, failure to wear a seatbelt and driving with a suspended or revoked drivers license Man bites woman Jacob Adam Cox, 38, of Butte was taken to jail just before 3:30 a.m. Friday for the misdemeanor offenses of partner or family member assault with minor injuries and tampering with a communication device. The incident occurred in the 2900 block of Yale, where Cox reportedly bit a 32-year-old woman. Officers found him hiding in a garage behind the residence. Not Mr. Congeniality Police were called to the 100 block of West Granite Street on a report of a man sleeping in the yard of a home not his own. Scott Gerald Bradley, 38, of Butte would not identify himself and was repeatedly asked to leave. When asked once again to leave the premises, he reportedly said to the officer, Screw you man! Since he wasnt exactly Mr. Congeniality, Bradley was arrested for the misdemeanor offenses of criminal trespass to property and obstructing a police officer. Miscellaneous reports Late Wednesday morning, a woman camping out at the Lazy H campground west of Rocker returned to find that her two stabilizing jacks had been broken. It was discovered late Wednesday afternoon that a .22 revolver and some tools had been taken from an unlocked car parked in the 300 block of West Broadway Street. A woman living in the 1200 block of East Farrell Street called dispatch late Thursday afternoon to report she was in a dispute with her husband and was headed for Missoula. A couple of sisters were heard arguing near the Napton Apartments, 25 E. Granite St. One sister was yelling from the window of her apartment and the other was yelling back from the window of her car. The two went their separate ways. It appears that someone deliberately ran over a handicapped sign late Thursday night behind the Butte Plaza Mall. Just after 6 a.m. Friday, the owner of a 2003 Chevy pickup found that it had been stolen from the 1100 block of Farrell Street. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Saturday, June 25 NEW EXHIBIT AT BEAVERHEAD COUNTY MUSEUM The Beaverhead County Museum in Dillon will celebrate the grand opening of its new exhibit, Indigenous Peoples of Southwest Montana An Archaeological History, with special events including tours, atlatl-throwing demonstrations, stone-tool making, bison hide procession, fire making and more. For details, call the Beaverhead County Museum at 406-683-5027. COMEDY SHOW The Mother Lode Theatre presents live stand-up comedy at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 316 W. Park St. Comedians performing will be Sarah Aswell, Alex Kaufman, Kaiser Leib, Amalia Rose and more. For details, call 406-723-3602. CLUBS AND MEETINGS The Butte Farmers Market is in full bloom Uptown from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. thru Oct. 8, offering fresh produce, other foods, all kinds of plants and a variety of arts and crafts. The Whitehall Farmers Market is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Legion St. June 11, 18, and 25. On hand will be vintage items, arts & crafts, fresh produce, baked goods and more. The Butte Public Library will offer our bargain basement books free for the entire month of June. The room is overflowing with great, if slightly worn books. They still have lots of life in them. Visit any day the library is open. For details, please call 406-723-3361 Butte Public Library hosts its Cleaning Crew from 2 to 4 p.m. The Cleaning Crew focuses on areas of Butte that need attention. Please follow the event on Facebook for details on where to be. Bring gloves and walking shoes. For details, please call the library at 406-723-3361. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The fate of hard-nosed technology executive Ramesh Sunny Balwani is now in the hands of a jury that will weigh criminal charges alleging he joined disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, his former partner, in an elaborate fraud that jarred Silicon Valley. U.S. District Judge Edward Davila handed the case to the jury Friday afternoon after federal prosecutors in San Jose, California, finished a rebuttal to more than 11 hours of closing arguments methodically laid out by one of Balwanis lawyers, Jeffrey Coopersmith. The jury will pore over testimony, emails, salacious texts, and other evidence submitted during a three-month trial as they sort through the 12 counts of fraud and conspiracy filed against Balwani for his role at Theranos, a blood-testing company founded by Holmes when she was just 19. Balwani, 57, began dating Holmes, now 38, around the same time she dropped out of Stanford University in 2003 to found her startup. He helped Holmes behind the scenes until 2010 when he became Theranos' chief operating officer while he was living with Holmes. The couple broke up in 2016 as Theranos began to collapse amid revelations about serious problems with Theranos' technology that they had concealed from investors and patients. A separate jury spent seven days deliberating over the evidence in Holmes trial before convicting her on four counts of investor fraud and conspiracy and acquitting her on four counts of patient fraud and conspiracy earlier this year. She could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison by Davila in a hearing scheduled for late September. The jury in Balwanis trial is aware of Holmes conviction but has been ordered not to consider that in their deliberations. The case revolves around allegations that Holmes and Balwani duped investors and patients about a Theranos blood-testing technology that they bragged would revolutionize health care and generate huge profits. But the blood tests never consistently worked as Holmes and Balwani had promised, even as prominent investors such as Silicon Valley billionaire Larry Ellison and media mogul Rupert Murdoch poured nearly $1 billion into Theranos. Meanwhile, Theranos was running tests of its technology as part of a partnership with Walgreens that were delivering inaccurate results to patients that threatened to jeopardize their health. By 2014, the Theranos stakes of Holmes and Balwani were worth a combined $5 billion. Holmes, who served as Theranos star attraction and chief visionary, owned $4.5 billion of that amount, with the rest belonging to Balwani, who oversaw the companys day-to-day operations with a sometimes-abrasive management style. All that wealth evaporated once it became known Theranos' technology wasn't living up to Holmes' brash promises. The downfall transformed Theranos -- and the couple that once ran it -- from a Silicon Valley sensation into a cautionary tale about how horribly things can spiral out of control when ambitious entrepreneurs exaggerate the capabilities of a nascent technology. Federal prosecutors provided evidence showing Balwani grossly exaggerated Theranos revenue projections that helped Holmes woo investors while also overseeing the company lab and covering up flawed tests of patients blood. The plan here was not to get caught," federal prosecutor John Bostic told the jury Friday. The plan was not for the company to fail. The plan was to get away with it." To underscore Balwanis influential role, prosecutors used their closing arguments to highlight a July 2015 text that he sent to Holmes. I am responsible for everything at Theranos, Balwani reminded Holmes. All have been my decisions too. Balwanis lawyers countered by depicting him as a loyal soldier who not only pledged about $15 million of his own money to help prop up Theranos from 2009 to 2011, but also a tireless worker focused on doing everything to help Holmes achieve her goals. They also insisted Balwani fell under the same spell that Holmes cast while wooing investors and convincing powerful men such as former U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz and former U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis to join the Theranos board of directors. Holmes certainly has to be as charismatic a person as you can possibly be, Coopersmith, Balwanis lawyer, told the jury at one point during a closing argument that unfolded over the course of three days this week. In his rebuttal, Bostic argued Holmes leaned heavily on Balwani's advice because he was older and more experienced than her, having previously sold a startup that made him rich. They were partners in every sense of the word," Bostic said of Holmes and Balwani. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Rock Island Arsenal could receive up to $85 million in funding to go toward military readiness after the House Appropriations Committee approved additional spending this week. The House of Representatives is currently in recess except for committee work, but members are expected to vote on the defense appropriations markups sometime in July. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, helped advance the additional defense funding that would bring millions more in federal investments to the Arsenal. "Communities in northwest and central Illinois are playing a critical role in advancing our nations defenses and developing new technologies to keep our nation secure and our service members safe," Bustos said in a news release. "The defense appropriations package we advanced today will continue to bring significant federal investments to facilities in the Quad-Cities, Rockford and Peoria all while creating jobs and driving economic growth in our region. Im proud to secure this funding, and I look forward to delivering these results back home." President Joe Biden asked Congress for $813 billion in defense-related spending in March. Among the proposed funding is $20 million for large-scale additive manufacturing prototyping. The bill would continue to fund programs at the Rock Island Arsenal Center for Excellence for Additive and Advanced Manufacturing that develop components like the jointless hull for the Next Generation Combat Vehicle. The ability to manufacture combat vehicles without joints will increase manufacturing efficiency and the ability of a vehicle to survive combat situations. This represents a $5 million increase over FY2022 funding levels. Another bill would provide $25 million for soft recoil and extended-range artillery systems. Additionally, it would fund the work of the Rock Island-based Mandus Group, which tests soft recoil technology to be used by U.S. Army Humvees. Other funding includes: $15 million for a Manufacturing Center of Excellence joint initiative. This bill would continue to fund an initiative focused on expeditionary additive construction between the University of Arkansas, Applied Research Associates (ARA) and the Armys Center of Excellence for Additive and Advanced Manufacturing that is critical to the Armys use of autonomous construction technologies. $20 million for the Quad City Manufacturing Lab. This bill would continue to fund the lab's work with Temple University to develop personal protective equipment to provide service members with greater, lightweight protection. $5 million for an online military real estate inventory tool pilot program. This bill would continue to fund a pilot program to utilize unused space on Army installations for future military needs. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Iowa Democrats argued Thursday the state offers a path to victory for long-shot candidates and opportunities for meaningful conversations with rural Americans and Iowans from every walk of life as they made their pitch to hold onto their place at the front of the partys presidential nominating calendar. State party officials presented proposed changes for caucuses to the Democratic National Committees Rules & Bylaws Committee in Washington in an effort to hold onto their first-in-the-nation status. Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Ross Wilburn told committee members Iowa presents a unique opportunity for presidential candidates to connect with voters distributed across urban, rural and suburban areas in a presidential swing state where a majority of congressional districts are competitive. A robust Democratic nomination process in the state introduces voters to candidates and surrogates early, and the organizations they help build in Iowa keep us competitive in the general election, Wilburn said. Iowa is among 16 states and Puerto Rico vying to be included in Democrats early presidential nominating window ahead of Super Tuesday in early March 2024. The DNC rules committee voted in April to reopen the presidential nominating window, forcing all interested states including the current early-nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina to apply for a spot. The move came after the current lineup of early-nominating states led by the largely rural and predominantly white states of Iowa and New Hampshire came under increasing fire for a lack of diversity that many Democrats say doesnt represent the partys true strength. And it follows a chaotic 2020 caucus night for Iowa Democrats when a smartphone app meant to make reporting results easier failed. As a result, the official Democratic caucus results were not reported for several weeks. Iowa Democratic Party officials touted the states pockets of diversity and argued Iowa serves as an inexpensive and accessible playing field for lesser-known candidates to establish themselves. There are diverse communities living, thriving and dealing with complex political issues in both urban and rural areas of Iowa, Wilburn said. Party officials played a video of Black, brown and LGBTQ candidates and party leaders talking about their caucus experience and the importance of the Iowa caucuses. Iowa is the sixth-least diverse state in the country. Wilburn, though, pointed to the urban demographics of Iowas larger public school districts, notably Des Moines. The district, Iowas largest, reported that among its 31,023 enrolled students in the last school year, 34.7 percent were white, 29.2 percent Hispanic, 20.6 percent Black, 8 percent Asian and 6.8 percent multiracial, Wilburn said. When taken individually, these districts look a great deal more like America as a whole and reflect the future of Iowa, he said. He also cited figures from the Iowa State Data Center, stating 13 of Iowas 99 counties have a Latinx population of more than 10 percent. Wilburn, too, told DNC members that it is essential potential presidential candidates be tested on their ability to communicate with rural voters across this entire population. One of the forms of diversity that Iowa brings, frankly, is the rural working-class diversity. And its a group of folks Democrats have forgotten how to talk to, Scott Brennan, a former Iowa Democratic Party chair and the only Iowan on the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee, told The Gazette ahead of Thursdays presentation. And if we cant figure that out, under the Electoral College system, well be doomed to win popular votes and lose the Electoral College. And thats criminal, and thats on us if we cant figure that out. National Democrats, too, have complained the party caucuses compared with state primaries are too opaque and inaccessible, requiring in-person attendance that can make them difficult for Iowans who work late shifts, lack access to child care or transportation or have health or mobility problems. To make their caucuses more accessible, Iowa Democrats proposed eliminating the requirement for in-person attendance and are reorganizing the caucus practice of identifying candidates viability over multiple rounds. Under the proposed changes, an Iowa Democrat would request a presidential preference card in the mail and would have 14 to 28 days to either mail it back or return it in person caucus night. On caucus night, the Iowa Democratic Party would report the results publicly. The caucuses themselves would focus primarily on conducting party business, such as electing delegates. The state party also would contract with either a DNC-approved election vendor or with a county auditor or the Iowa Secretary of States Office to ensure a fair and trustworthy process. Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst, of Windsor Heights, told the committee keeping Iowa first would also help ensure Iowa Democrats stay competitive up and down the ballot noting Republicans have already voted to keep Iowa at the front of the line in the GOPs presidential selection process. Every time a Republican candidate comes to Iowa and visits the district of one of my members or one of my candidates, theyre building an organization on the other side and theyre building enthusiasm and engagement among voters, she said. DNC rules committee members also questioned how New Hampshire would react to the proposed changes, and whether the caucuses would in effect function as a primary. New Hampshire state law requires its secretary of state to set its presidential primary before any other "similar" primary contest. Iowa's caucuses have traditionally been different enough from New Hampshires primaries not to conflict. Iowa Code requires political parties hold caucuses at least eight days before any other states primary. It does not say how those caucuses must be conducted. We are focused on complying with our state law, which mandates that we are a caucus, Brennan told fellow rules committee members. And we believe that what we have proposed meets the requirements of state law. Members of the committee expressed appreciation of the Iowa delegations proposed changes. "I really applaud the Iowa delegation for a willingness to rethink the caucus process, one committee member said. I've been fairly critical about Iowa. So I think that was a needed recognition." The DNC rules committee is expected to meet in early August and recommend a slate of up to five states for the early nominating window. The full DNC would then convene in Sept. to vote. Asked what Iowa Democrats would do should they lose their first-in-the-nation spot, Konfrst replied: We didnt come here to run for second place. We came here to be first and to remain first, and thats really what were focused on, she said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Vumacam will invest R60 million to roll out and maintain 1,850 security cameras across Johannesburg as part of the SafeCity initiative. The roll-out includes 350 cameras in underserved areas such as Alexandra, Soweto, and Diepsloot. These new CCTV cameras will also cover strategic, critical public infrastructure and areas that have been recently targeted by criminals, such as the Braamfontein Spruit. Vumacam said the Spruit area would be protected in collaboration with City Parks. Vumacam also announced support for the Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2) a coordinated joint crime-fighting initiative between the South African Police Service, Business Against Crime South Africa, and the private security industry. With these initiatives, Vumacam promised its security partners greater city-wide access to camera networks outside their standard operation areas. The company said this is a critical requirement where investigations or urgent responses are required. Vumacams systems use automatic licence plate recognition and machine learning algorithms that help detect criminal activity. It forms the backbone of the monitoring component of the initiatives, while key private security companies and SAPS can respond, investigate, and analyse footage where criminal events have taken place. The recent crime statistics announced by police minister Bheki Cele earlier this month are indicative of the dramatic need for interventions supported by world-class technology and stronger collaboration between public and private entities to tackle crime, said Vumacam CEO Ricky Croock. Cele announced earlier this month that statistics for Q4 2021 and Q1 2022 show significant increases in murder (up 22.2%), sexual offences (13.7%), cash in transit heists (up 26.2%), and kidnappings (up 109.2%). Croock told MyBroadband that the security industry had universally welcomed Vumacams support for the SafeCity and E2 initiatives. He said it was unfair that only certain neighbourhoods have access to these cameras and that the investment allows them to go into underprotected areas that cant necessarily afford to pay for the service. With this investment, Vumacam would also be putting cameras in arterial routes and green belt areas, he said. Croock said the wider network coverage into underserved areas gives their security partners a much-enhanced ability to protect their clients and serve broader South African communities. This ensures all South Africans benefit from the technology and the collaborative power of private and public law enforcement in fighting crime. SafeCity is a critical step in ensuring that access to innovative solutions enables all South Africans to live safer lives, Croock said. The time has come to firmly put forward a concerted, collaborative effort to tackle the escalating crime pandemic in this country. Now read: Big success in stolen vehicle recoveries thanks to Vumacam Russia is resuming missile launches from Belarus and, for the first time, using Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic bombers from the airspace of this neighboring country. This was reported by the Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces. On the night of June 25, Russian troops launched a massive missile strike on the territory of Ukraine. According to the Air Force, a total of more than fifty missiles of various types were released: air, sea and ground. Self-propelled launcher OTRK "Iskander-M" of the Russian Armed Forces. Photos from open sources It is noted that for the first time from the territory of Belarus the enemy used Tu-22M3 long-range bombers against Ukraine . And also resumed the use of operational and tactical complexes "Iskander" from this country. Russian Caliber missile Sea-based Caliber cruise missiles were mainly aimed at targets in western Ukraine. In the northern direction from Tu-22M3 aircraft, the bombers launched X-22 missiles. The Russians used six Tu-22M3 strategic bombers. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian planes took off from Shaykivka Airport in the Kaluga region of the Russian Federation, then entered the airspace of Belarus through its territory and the Smolensk region. The missiles were launched near the town of Petrykiv, near Mozyr, 50-60 km from the border with Ukraine. After launch, the bombers returned to Shaykivka. Soviet supersonic strategic bomber Tu-22M3. Alexey Fedoseev / RIA Novosti The enemy also used ground-based missiles from Iskander and Point-U operational and tactical complexes. According to Ukrainian intelligence, this was a large-scale provocation by Russia to further involve Belarus in a direct war against Ukraine. In the southern direction, the occupiers used Onyx missiles of the Bastion coastal missile complex. PKR launch from the Bastion complex. Freeze frame from buckets of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia. The Air Force noted that the X-22, Onyx and Iskander missiles are extremely difficult targets for air defense systems in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After all, the speed of Onyx and X-22 missiles is over 3,000 km / h. Iskander missiles fly on a ballistic trajectory. Their defeat is an atypical and difficult task for the air defense facilities available in Ukraine. Read also: The occupiers kidnapped the mayor of Kherson Igor Kolikhaev Russia lost another 15 tanks and 250 occupiers per day - the General Staff of the Armed Forces Kraken special unit defeats occupiers' headquarters in Kharkiv region (VIDEO) Poltava region: as a result of rocket fire, a shopping center in Kremenchuk was occupied Ukrainian paratroopers from Martlet MANPADS hit an enemy helicopter PzH 2000 is already at the front - BILD showed the first video with howitzers in Ukraine Unique footage of UAF strikes on the captured Snake Island has appeared (VIDEO) As the news of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to strike down Roe v. Wade rippled through Napa Valley on Friday morning, locals reacted both in support and against the ruling, though the area's state and federal elected officials unanimously decried it. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. At 11 a.m. at Napas Planned Parenthood health center, it seemed like business as usual. Two women, standing on the sidewalk in front of the clinic, held rosary beads and prayed. The older woman, Marcia Ryan, offered brochures that included information about abortion methods, birth control and sexually transmitted diseases. Im out here four times a week, Ryan said. She thinks that the Supreme Court did the right thing, in reversing Roe. Now it will be left up to each state to decide to permit abortion or not, she said. Of course, California and New York will be two places where it will be hardest to stop abortions, said Ryan. They will promote themselves as an abortion sanctuary, and its unfortunate. Only a few clients were seen going into the health center that morning. At one point, when a young woman walked down the sidewalk, Ryan tried to give her a brochure, but the young woman waved her away. Planned Parenthood volunteer clinic escort Suzanne Gibbs escorted the patient inside. Several minutes later, two neatly dressed young men, also holding rosaries, joined the two women in the bright sun on the sidewalk. I agree with the decision, said Cesar Gonzalez of Napa. It should be up to each state, to offer abortions or not. Gonzalez companion, Samuel Nassiri, said the two decided to meet at the Planned Parenthood, to keep the peace. Whenever theres an announcement about abortion the other side can get more aggressive and so we need to make sure things dont get heated, he explained. Nassiri said that he gathers and prays in front of the Planned Parenthood as often as two to four times a week, particularly during Lent or special events such as 40 Days for Life. Its important, to keep the vigil, he said. Its a matter of life and death. The group wasnt alone. Gibbs, wearing a bright orange clinic escort volunteer vest, stood nearby. Holding a cane because she is visually impaired, Gibbs was ready to accompany patients to and from the health center. Im disappointed but not surprised, about todays decision, said Gibbs, who wears dark glasses because of her eyesight. But California is a strong supporter of women and womens rights and I dont think anything will change here. Thats why Im so glad I live in California. Julie Murillo is the executive director of Napa Womens Center, which is located next to Planned Parenthood. She wasnt surprised at the Supreme Court news, said the director. We were pretty sure this was what was going to happen. I thought it was a very good decision and Im very happy about it, said Murillo. Now people in (different) states are going to be able to decide when and how and if they will have abortions, said Murillo. Yet, she doesnt expect California to change. California is not going to ban anything, she said. But the Womens Center will remain. Were here to help moms and babies and we will keep doing that. Reached by phone on Friday morning others shared their reaction to the decision. Chris Henneberg, who lives and works in Northern California, and is a first and second trimester abortion provider, said she felt sadness for my colleagues in other states who can no longer preform the job they are trained to do and feel conscientiously compelled to do. Additionally, I feel sadness for pregnant people in other states who are not going be able to access care (which) will impact the rest of their lives. As someone who was born after the Roe v Wade case and trained in abortion care after that, this reversal, just feels like a blow that I could never have really imagined, said Henneberg. Eileen Guerard of Napa said her first reaction to the news was physical nausea. Im a high school teacher and when I think about this I think about a lot of my students who may find themselves, faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Its just going to make things harder for everybody. Its a tragedy for all of us, she said. Guerard said she was also worried about the precedent such a reversal sets. What other decisions (such as gay marriage) could be overruled after this? she wondered. Irit Weir of Napa described the courts decision as very triggering for women in the sense that it takes us back to a day where we did not have the power to make a decision about our own bodies. For 50 years abortion has been legal, she noted. To lose that choice, Its like going back in time, she said. We fought so hard to make a difference and to think that our daughters are going to fight for basic right is infuriating. But we women are very strong and we are resourceful and women find ways to help others and we will continue doing this work, said Weir. Elected officials give their reactions U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, said the Supreme Court made a terrible decision" that erased 50 years of legal precedent. Hes heard from constituents on the issue. This has really eroded Americans confidence in the court, he said. Other court decisions have used the same legal underpinnings as Roe v. Wade. Thompson sees potential challenges to contraception access and same-sex marriage. This opened Pandoras Box, Thompson said. The Napa Valley Register asked him for some words for constituents who are anti-abortion. Ive been very clear, Thompson said. Im one who believes that abortions should be legal, safe and rare. This is not some willy-nilly decision that people are making every two or three months. This is a very serious issue, that decision, that individual women need to come to a conclusion on with their family, their faith and their doctor. Its as simple as that. State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, said the Supreme Court has adopted a dangerous policy that puts the lives and freedoms of millions of women at risk. But having said that, clearly in California, we have done the work necessary to continue these freedoms for Californians, Dodd said. But as Americans, were all in this together. Dodd said the state has strong laws supporting women and is strengthening them. He noted he is a co-author of a proposed California Constitutional amendment that would guarantee reproductive freedom, calling this a protective firewall. When asked, he too had words for anti-abortion constituents, saying he sees both sides of the issue. While I would prefer that no abortions be necessary as a Catholic this is a difficult situation but I was selected as a representative from my district, not a representative of (only) Catholics, Dodd said. I believe the decision should not be a governments, but a decision by a woman over control of her own body. At the end of the day, that will be a decision between that woman and God. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, said by email that this is a devastating moment. The Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, coupled with its ruling on firearm regulation in New York, has shaken her faith in one of the countrys most sacred institutions. It is time to reform a court that has proven itself to be another casualty of the political discord in our country, she said. We have yet another reason to fight like hell to protect California's standing as a beacon of justice in a dark time. You can reach reporter Jennifer Huffman at 707-256-2218 or jhuffman@napanews.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Jennifer Huffman Business Editor Jennifer Huffman is the business editor and a general assignment reporter for the Napa Valley Register. I cover a wide variety of topics for the newspaper. I've been with the Register since 2005. Follow Jennifer Huffman 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 Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Bayern demand EUR 60 million from Barcelona for Lewandowski Biden leaves G7 summit ahead of schedule 'ER' star Mary Mara drowns in river State Duma vice speaker: Goods flow from Armenia to Russia via Upper Lars checkpoint will be considerably increased Erdogan announces possibility of meeting with Biden at NATO summit in Madrid Alen Simonyan to Nora Arisian: I am glad that diplomat of Armenian origin represents Syria in Armenia CNN learns about US doubts about return of lost territories by Ukraine Armenian parliament elects 3 new judges of Cassation Court Lawmakers Menendez, Schiff alarmed that Biden again approves US military aid to Azerbaijan Alec Baldwin's daughter says she has abortion after being raped US envoy to Armenia meets with head of Yezidi Center for Human Rights Russian State Duma Vice Speaker: Commodity turnover with Armenia will approach $3 billion in near future Yerevan, Marseille expanding 30-year partnership (VIDEO) Iran and Argentina apply to join BRICS Scientists develop robotic arms for partially paralyzed people Koeman: Barcelona live in the past with the 4-3-3 and the 'tiki-taka Armenia, Turkey special representatives next meeting slated for July 1 Turkish company intends to transfer three Bayraktar drones to Ukraine FLYONE Armenia to operate regular direct flights between Yerevan, St. Petersburg Families of Armenian captives in Azerbaijan protesting outside Russia consulate in Gyumri Why is cyberbullying dangerous for teenagers? State Department: OSCE MG mediator from Russia didn't accept invitation to discuss Karabakh Armenia parliament speaker to Russia State Duma deputy chair: Key of success is effective dialogue of our leaders Armenia premier congratulates Georgia colleague Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong to renounce US citizenship Another case of high treason exposed in Armenia Upper Lars motorway section leading to Georgia-Russia border is closed to all vehicles Armenia parliament special session continues Copper rises in price Casillas positively assesses Tchouameni and Rudiger transfers to Real World oil prices on the rise Armenian FM and Greek President discuss Karabakh issue Barcelona asks Lewandowski, Silva and Kounde to wait few weeks while it looks for money Newspaper: Why are authorities in hurry to hold snap elections in Yerevan? Alec Baldwin to interview Woody Allen Newspaper: Armenia Supreme Judicial Council acting chair uses colorful expressions against PM Pashinyan France proposes to import oil from Iran, Venezuela Moscow Exchange starts trades in Armenia national currency Roma decide not to play Barca in Joan Gamper Cup match Instagram scanning faces of its users Axel Witsel to play at Atletico Madrid Iran FM meets with Turkeys Erdogan White House announces conversation between Biden and Jinping in coming weeks Georgia confirms: Traffic restored at 136th km of the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Lars road EU countries agree to fill all gas storage facilities to at least 80% by next winter Traffic restored at Lars, road is open Erdogan promises to document 'hypocrisy' of Sweden and Finland Armenia Economy Minister: Transport communication with Russia will be restored within two hours EU energy ministers agree on energy conservation laws Increased imports force Armenian producers out of domestic market What foods are dangerous to heat in microwave? Candidates Tournament Caruana and Nepomniachtchi play to a draw Scholz says return to pre-war relations with Russia is impossible Armenia FM: Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian POWs and civilians hostage EC: Homeros Arakelyan loses in semifinals Israel to work with world powers to influence any deal with Iran Azerbaijanis moving cross-stone on road of Berdzor NATO to increase size of its rapid reaction force by almost eight times 'Armenian Genocide: Evidence from the German Foreign Office Archives, 1915-1916' published in Persian Mohammad Bagheri says Iran will respond to Israeli intervention in region Representatives of ICRC office in Baku visit Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan Robert Habeck: Gas shortage this winter could lead to 'serious economic crisis in Europe' Frenkie de Jong wants to move to Manchester United Armenia FM: OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs play key role in Karabakh conflict settlement How can you help someone with heat stroke? US, European officials look forward to NATO summit to make progress on Finnish and Swedish accession Lucien Favre replaces Christophe Galtier as head coach of Nice Leaders of NATO, Turkey, Sweden and Finland meet in Madrid Zelenskyy tells G7 leaders he wants war in Ukraine to end by the end of 2022 Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia to hold joint military exercises Dmitry Gunko takes over as head coach of Urartu G7 leaders to support Ukraine for as long as it takes EEU to provide duty-free import quotas for cheese, alcohol infusions to Serbia in 2023 Turkey announces creation of grain operations center Dollar, euro go up after long decline in Armenia Can you get warts from frogs? Armenia premier: Reforming education sector is one of governments absolute priorities NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg promises to protect Baltic countries from external threats Upper Lars checkpoint on Georgia-Russia border to be closed for 1 week? EC: Homeros Arakelyan and Vigen Nazaryan reach semifinals Armenia ruling force lawmaker submits resignation from parliamentary seat Artsakh FM pays working visit to Russia Armenian FM meets Greek President Azerbaijan-Turkey-Kazakhstan transport working group to be set up Armenia legislature secret ballot for electing new judges to cassation court to kick off at 3pm Welt: Putin is preparing a new raw material trap for the West through lithium mining in Bolivia CNN: US intends to supply Ukraine with medium and long-range missile defense systems Armenian FM's visit to Greece begins Ben Affleck's 10-year-old son crashes into expensive car Armenia economy ministry does not say when Lars motorway will reopen Birmingham explosion leaves 5 people injured PROFAL company 20th anniversary is marked, new regional mega-project O2 Gardens official opening is held (PHOTOS) Armenia Supreme Judicial Council member presents Court of Cassation candidate judges biographies What foods trigger migraines? Israel may allow Iran to export oil under US supervision Armenia appellate court considering appeal against PM Pashinyan Ibrahim Kalin says Turkey has no enmity with Armenia Heavy rain hits northern Turkey Turkey doesn't impose sanctions on Russia because of its energy dependence Cavusoglu says they are waiting to open Zangezur corridor as soon as possible The West and Russia, especially the United States and Russia, see the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict differently. The director of the Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan told about this to Armenian News-NEWS.am. "It is difficult to imagine a well-coordinated work of the US and the Russian Federation today. It has nothing to do with the South Caucasus; it has to do with the conflict over Ukraine and the level of tension between Russia and the West," he added. The European Union cannot be a serious competitor to Russia in what the latter is doing in the region, the political scientist assured. "Russia is not just a moderator or a neutral party that can help the parties in the negotiations; it is a regional power that sells arms to both sides of the conflict. Its peacekeepers ensure the physical security of the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The EU cannot play that role in the security sphere. The EU has no security, it gets its security from NATO, it is a consumer of security, not a supplier. Therefore, the European Union cannot be a threat to everything that Russia is doing in the region. Accordingly, the EU-Armenia-Azerbaijan and Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan formats are different; so, it is unlikely that Russia will be able to completely oust the EUand vice versa. And if so, those projects can work at the same time. The problem is not where the meeting will take place, but the fact that the [Armenian and Azerbaijani] parties are so different that it is not possible to move from the deadlock through the mediation of either one or the other. "Azerbaijan says it is not ready to talk about the Karabakh issue at all; it says that there is no Karabakh," Iskandaryan said. According to the analyst, in this situation it is difficult to work in the paradigm that has been developed until 2020; and therefore, attempts are being made to develop a new paradigm, including by the European Union. "I do not see any supernatural activity by the European Union. And the reason why the European Union is trying to do something is the vacuum existing in the negotiation process, and I connect it not with February 24, but with November 9. The situation in which the Minsk Group was working and trying to solve the problem in the paradigm in which it was to be solved has been eliminated by the second Karabakh war," Iskandaryan said. "The OSCE Minsk Group does not really work, but formally it exists, they have not separated once and for all, its revival in the future is not ruled out. If there will be an opportunity for the US and Russia to work together, it is possible. The OSCE Minsk Group has died and been reborn many timesand this is not the first time at all. The region should not be overestimated, but it should not be underestimated either. The South Caucasus is located between Iran and Russia, in the neighborhood of Turkey, and not far from the Middle East, between the Black and Caspian Seas, on the way of various communications. In addition, this is one of the largest regions in the world in terms of being equipped with conventional weapons. Therefore, the attention of global players to it is quite natural. But this does not increase, but decreasesfocusing on China and Ukraine and what is happening around it, Alexander Iskandaryan said. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict and its repercussion have had a significant impact on supply chains around the world. Sanctions on Russia and closed borders force to look for new routes to move goods and people. The whole "charm" of these changes was also felt by Armenias exporters and importers, who use the road through Georgia to Russia, whereby the flow of cars has also increased sharply. The overload of vehicles at the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border has also dealt a serious blow to the import of bird feed, especially during the last 10 days. And without it, the import was slow, and trucks were idle for 10-15 days. Now, as chairman Sergey Stepanyan of the Union of Poultry Breeders of Armenia told Armenian News-NEWS.am, the Russian side says that the corn quota for Armenia within the EEU has been exhausted, and therefore the production of chicken meat in Armenia is decreasing because farmers are unable to buy fodder, whereas there is no respective domestic fodder. Before the start of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, corn was imported to Armenia from Ukraine as well. In addition, half of the imported frozen poultry meat also came from Ukraine. In the case of wheat, there are no problems with the quota, but there are difficulties with the speed of cargo transportation and the import of goods. The only way is through the Upper Lars checkpoint. Here, the Russian government recently decided to open a second customs clearance zone, which, according to the Armenian Ministry of Economy, should increase the service capacity of this checkpoint by 30 percent. But now there is a quota problem. The sharp fluctuation of the exchange rate is a separate issue. In addition, natural gas costs are very high and also have a big impact. The situation around Ukraine will most like be settled via negotiations, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in his interview for El Pais, published Saturday, TASS reported. "Most likely, this war will end at the negotiations table," he said, according to El Pais. "We are responsible for providing the strongest possible position to Ukraine and for helping it to remain a sovereign and independent European nation." "The best way to do so is to provide a strong military and economic support and to promote harsh sanctions against Russia," the official said. "We help [Ukrainians], because they ask for it," he continued. According to Stoltenberg, "there is no total war between NATO and Russia." "It is always risky to take peace for granted," Stoltenberg said, according to El Pais. The situation in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) is quite stable compared to February-April. Artsakh Minister of State Artak Beglaryan told about this to Armenian News-NEWS.am. According to Beglaryan, the aforesaid is thanks to the preventive and restraining actions of the Artsakh Defense Army and the Russian peacekeepers, as well as the additional geopolitical guaranteesmainly by Russia. "However, on the other hand, Azerbaijan does not refrain from nor has abandoned in any way its anti-Armenian and Armenophobic policy. And [Azerbaijani president] Aliyev does not hide that he can launch a new aggression, not only against Artsakh, but also against the Republic of Armenia, as needed. This means that the situation cannot be considered long-term safe or stable, the Artsakh official added. Referring to bringing the "era of peace" to the agenda, Artak Beglaryan said. "The position of the authorities of the Artsakh Republic is that, yes, we want peace in the whole region. But that peace must be through the unlimited, unconditional exercise and respect of our rights, our freedoms, including our right to self-determination. And there can be no peace simply by debasing the Armenians of Artsakh and Armenia and striking at our vital interests. From this point of view, I still do not see any positive preconditions that Azerbaijan is ready for a dignified peace." And referring to the statement by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan that the state budget of Artsakh has increased by an unprecedented amount in the last two years, and this is because of the financial assistance provided by the government of Armenia, the Artsakh Minister of State said, in particular: "The Republic of Armenia has provided quite considerable assistance in the restoration of post-war Artsakh and the ensuring of social stability." The third President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, did not attend the 31st meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund, on Saturday in Yerevan, as he had recently turned down official proposal to be a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, 168.am has learned from the office of the third president. Sargsyan had turned down as well the proposal to participate in the Fund's session in October last yearconsidering it inexpedient. "Until the Fund and the Government of Armenia ensure proper accountability and provide our people documented, credible data on the directions, effectiveness of the spending of the billions of drams they collected, compliance with the Fund's statutory objectives, and restore confidence in the Fund as a result of a thorough scrutiny, the Fund's activities will unfortunately continue to be carried out in the conditions of shattered reputation and distrust, which is a great blow to this important organization that assists in the implementation of the pan-Armenian goals," the third President of Armenia had said at the timeand in response to the proposal to attend the Fund's session. Hanoi proposes state-owned businesses for relocation Hanoi Peoples Committee has proposed the relocation of 10 state-owned enterprises out of the citys centre within the next five years. Hanoi Alcohol Beer and Beverage Company covers a 52,000-square metre site on Hoang Hoa Tham Street in Ba Dinh District Hanoi. After being relocated, the area would be used to build houses, a high school and a parking lot. The headquarter of HABECO on Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Hanoi In Hoan Kiem District, 1,500-square metre Nhan Dan Newspaper Printing Company, a 359-square metre office of Lao Dong Newspaper and the 1,800-square metre Hanoimoi Newspaper Printing Company will also be moved. In Thanh Xuan District, the 5,000-square metre printing facility of Vietnam News Agency and other facilities in the districts of Long Bien, Bac Tu Liem and Dong Da will also be moved. The proposal will be considered by the municipal peoples committee at a meeting early next month. Massive floods triggered by heavy downpours have devastated northeastern Bangladesh and India over the past week, killing dozens of people and displacing thousands. Meanwhile, in the Horn of Africa, the worst drought conditions in more than four decades have persisted, raising the likelihood of severe famine for millions of people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. And in the United States, a relentless heat dome recently baked the Northern and Central Plains, breaking record daily highs before moving eastward. Almost at the halfway point, 2022 has already witnessed a torrent of extreme weather events around the world. Unprecedented heat waves that have cooked Europe and the U.S. and rainfall that has spawned historic flooding from Yellowstone to South Asia are dominating the headlines. And with the hottest months of summer and the peak of a projected above-average Atlantic hurricane season approaching, the worst is probably yet to come. Though it is difficult to pinpoint whether climate change is giving a boost to extreme weather events, some scientists agree that the link is a strong possibility. The way to think about these events is that theres a climate change component and then theres a component that it is just the atmosphere and the ocean doing their own thing naturally, without the influence of humans, said Amy Clement, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, who studies the causes of climate change on all timescales, from the glacial period to the future. While paleoclimate data show that there have been extreme droughts and floods over millennia, the influence of humans on climate today is clear, Clement explained. Theres no getting around it: a warmer atmosphere holds more water. And when it rains in a warmer atmosphere, it will rain more. Ben Kirtman, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the Rosenstiel School, also leads the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, where he works with researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to build more accurate global forecasts. In particular, Kirtman leads efforts to build improved weather prediction models that forecast a few weeks out to a year ahead of time, including anticipated climate and predicted sea level rise. Therefore, Kirtman has a unique pulse on how our weather is changing. You get much more contrasts and extremes increasing as a result of climate change, Kirtman said. Brian Soden, a professor of atmospheric sciences who specializes in the use of satellite observations to test and improve computer simulations of Earths climate, agreed. Heavy rain events, extreme temperatures, and droughtall of those things are consistent with what youd find in a warming climate, Soden said. Kirtman said that people should expect more extreme weather events during the summer, including tropical cyclones. And not just in North America. He noted the extreme heat in Hungary a few summers back, along with Mediterranean drought, which was associated with the floods in Germany last summer. We should expect a lot more extremes going forward, and thats what we are going to have to adapt to, he added. Earths atmosphere is only getting warmer as concentrations of greenhouse gases continue to rise. In May, carbon dioxide measured at the NOAA Mauna Loa Atmospheric Baseline Observatory peaked for 2022 at 421 parts per million, the highest levels in human history, according to scientists from NOAA and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Theres every reason to think that what were seeing right now with extreme rainfall and the resulting floods has a climate change signal to it thats linked to an increasingly warm atmosphere, Clement pointed out. The same connection, she added, can be applied to worsening drought conditions, as warmer temperatures increase evaporation, reducing surface water and drying out soil and vegetation. The wet will only get wetter, and the dry, drier, Clement said. Also, according to Kirtman, because of a developing La Nina weather pattern that is starting to affect North America already, the U.S. can expect more heat waves throughout the summer, along with more drought this winter, and an active wildfire season late this summer and into the fall. Drought is also taking a devastating toll on the Horn of Africa, where four consecutive failed rainy seasons have left millions of people facing severe famine, the United Nations World Food Programme has warned. The places that are most susceptible to climate change are countries that really rely on local agriculture, so they are the ones that are more likely to suffer the socioeconomic effects of climate change, Kirtman said. The climate emergency is here, Clement warned. Were already experiencing the impacts, whether its tidal flooding in Miami, extreme drought in Africa, or wildfires in California. And what we can expect to see in the future is that these trends of extreme weather will worsen as the atmosphere keeps warming and if nothing is done to ramp down greenhouse gas emissions, she said. Kirtman suggested that one thing people can do in the immediate future is to conserve water, since it is likely that the entire southern tier of the United States will be drier this winter. But will the catastrophic weather of 2022 spur greater action on climate change? Whats leading to inaction on climate change now is not an information deficit, Clement said. For decades, weve had enough information to act. Whats happening now is that theres a motivational deficit. Kirtman is hopeful that the U.S. will become a leader in cutting carbon emissions, but he recognizes the challenge. Thats the problem with climate change and mitigationwhen countries do things that are harmful locally, the response is global, so the U.S. cant change climate by itself, he said. What is clear is that the effects of climate change are indisputable and widespread, not only for the environment but also for world economies, said Renato Molina, an assistant professor of environmental science and policy at the Rosenstiel School, who has a courtesy appointment at the Miami Herbert Business School. Changes in weather patterns can make agriculture significantly less productive, which impoverishes farmers and their families, Molina said. Some fisheries might become more productive, but others might plainly collapse. Ecosystems and populations that rely on coral ecosystems might see those resources go away as corals bleach, for instance, he added. It is hard to pin down all the specific impacts, as they are distributed throughout the whole economy, Molina continued. But what we know is that climate change is extremely costly for society as a whole. Dr. Morgan Stanley Stanley earns highest honor Media Contact: Kaylie Wehr | Coordinator, Marketing and Public Relations | 405-744-6740 | kaylie.wehr@okstate.edu Morgan Stanley of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was named the 2022 Dean Clarence H. McElroy award recipient. Selected by the graduating class and fourth year instructors, the award is the highest honor an Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine student can achieve. I was completely shocked, Stanley recalls. At that exact moment, I was actually looking around the room trying to guess who it was going to be. I was overwhelmed and I kind of froze. My mother, who came to the ceremony with me, had to give me a little nudge to snap me out of it. Its an incredible honor. I want to rise to the challenge of winners before me and that just increases my passion and motivation to do the best that I can. A love of animals and interest in medicine led Stanley to pursue a DVM degree. Ive always had a love for animals and my parents are in human medicine, Stanley said. Those two concepts kind of melded together and led me to want to become a veterinarian. My parents encouraged me to explore medicine but didnt pressure me to do the human side of it. They let me follow my specific passion and Im forever grateful for that. As she moves on to the next chapter, Stanley will leave with fond memories of Oklahoma State. Im definitely going to miss the people you get to be around the classmates and the faculty and staff, she said. As for as specific memory, I cant think of just one. There have been too many amazing clients and amazing things to see and learn. As she reflects on her four years of veterinary education, Stanley had some advice for those who may interested in pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. I would say that its not a decision to make lightly, she said. I feel like there are challenges that people need to be aware of just so its an informed decision, but if its what you want to do, dont let anything stop you. It is truly, in my opinion, the best career field in the world and I wouldnt trade it for anything. In addition to the Dean McElroy Award, Stanley also received the Butch and Luella Ruth Curtis Scholarship and the Judy M. Averill and Dr. Collette Crotty Endowed Scholarship. Following graduation, Stanley plans to continue her veterinary education as a life-long learner. I am wanting to see what more I can learn and get exposure to, maybe through an internship, she said. Whatever I end up doing in the future, I know that I want surgery to be a big part of it. I just want to say again that I am very, very honored to receive this award. It means so much to me and I will be forever grateful, and Oklahoma State will forever hold a special place in my heart. Stanley is the daughter of Keith and Jane Stanley of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Man arrested after attack targeting gays in Oslo Man arrested after attack targeting gays in Oslo Norwegian police have arrested a man suspected of "Islamist terrorism" after two people were killed and 21 wounded in shootings near a gay bar in Oslo on Saturday, causing the city's Pride march to be cancelled. But despite the official march being called off, thousands spontaneously gathered throughout the day to march through the Norwegian capital in a display of unity also seen at Pride marches across Europe. The suspect, who was already known to security services, was arrested quickly after the shooting started around 1:00 am (0700 HKT on Saturday) in central Oslo. Norway's domestic intelligence service PST, which is responsible for counter-terrorism, said it was treating the attack as "an act of Islamist terrorism". The suspect "has a long history of violence and threats," PST's chief Roger Berg said. The suspect had been on the PST's radar "since 2015 in connection with concerns about his radicalisation" and membership "in an Islamist extremist network", Berg told a news conference. Intelligence services spoke to the suspect last month, but did not consider him to have "violent intentions", Berg said. He added that the PST was also aware the suspect had "difficulties with his mental health". The suspect's lawyer, John Christian Elden, told Norwegian news agency NTB he expected his client to be put under "judicial observation" to determine his mental state, as is usually done in such cases. The suspect has so far refused to be interviewed by investigators. Police had earlier said the suspect was a 42-year-old Norwegian man of Iranian descent. Norwegian media named him as Zaniar Matapour, describing him as a father of Iranian Kurdish origin who arrived in Norway as a child. The two victims were men in their 50s and 60s, the police said, adding that the injuries of the wounded were not life-threatening. Police said they received the first reports at 1:14 am and the suspect was arrested just five minutes later, adding that he was quickly apprehended thanks to the "heroic contribution" of bystanders. Organisers of the Pride march due to take place on Saturday afternoon called it off, saying they were following "clear" recommendations from the police. Oslo Mayor Raymond Johansen later said that the Pride march -- the first for three years because of the pandemic -- was only postponed and would be held at a later date. Those who did march on Saturday could be heard shouting: "We're here, we're queer, we won't disappear." "I think it's fantastic that this march is taking place, otherwise he would have won," a visibly upset participant in her 50s told AFP. Many people, some in tears, laid rainbow flags and flowers near the scene of the attack, which was cordoned off by police. Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit struggled to hold back her tears when she went to the scene, which was also visited by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and other politicians. "Today is a day that reminds us that Pride is a day we have to fight for -- the goal has not yet been reached," Trond Petter Aunas said near the scene. The shootings happened near the London Pub gay club, the Herr Nilsen jazz club and a takeaway food outlet in a central area packed with people on a warm summer night. (AFP) The country's forex reserves had dropped for the third consecutive week. It has slumped by $10.785 billion in the past three weeks under review. The forex reserves had declined by $4.59 billion in the week ended June 10, 2022. According to the Reserve Bank of India's weekly statistical supplement, India's foreign currency assets, which are the biggest component of the forex reserves, slumped by $5.362 billion to $526.882 billion during the week ended June 17. The foreign currency assets had dipped by $4.53 billion in the previous week. Expressed in US dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-dollar currencies like Euro, UK's Pound Sterling and Japanese Yen held in the foreign exchange reserves. All components of the country's foreign exchange reserves declined during the week under review. The value of gold reserves fell by $258 million to $40.584 billion during the week ended June 17. The value of India's Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund fell by $233 million to $18.155 billion during the week under review, the RBI data showed. India's reserve position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dropped by $17 million to $4.968 billion during the week ended June 17, as per the RBI Weekly Statistical Supplement. (ANI) Dredging Corporation of India has inked an agreement with the Centre's Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Animal Husbandry, and Dairying and Fisheries for developing fishing harbours, reservoirs, ponds or other water bodies across India through dredging and other marine activities. Dredging Corporation of India is a listed and premier dredging organisation of India catering to the dredging and allied services to major ports, minor ports, Indian Navy, fishing harbours and other maritime organisations by deepening and maintaining the safe navigational channel for export-import (EXIM) activities. MD & CEO of Dredging Corporation of India G Y V Victor signed the agreement on Friday with the departments in the presence of Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and J Balaji Joint Secretary Ministry of Fisheries, the company said in a statement. Speaking on the occasion MD and CEO of the company said this agreement will provide big opportunities to venture into long-term contracts with States and Centre to develop fishing harbour and maintain it. He further said that the earlier Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the company and Director of Fisheries, State Government of Gujarat, work for which has already commenced at Mangrol Fishing harbour rock dredging. It will further enable the company to qualify for all future rock dredging projects that otherwise was not possible as it did not have any prior rock dredging experience, Victor added in the statement. This agreement is another step towards expansion and diversification of the corporation into new business vertical which is aiming at a record highest ever turnover of Rs 1,000 crore for this current financial year 2022-23, the company said. (ANI) Ludhiana (Punjab) [India], June 25 (ANI/PNN): Class On, the fastest-growing school management ERP solution in the country that offers the answers to the various challenges faced by schools, has launched seven new features. Developed specifically for Indian schools, the Class On software has been adopted by more than 100 schools in just last 6 months. It is the brainchild of Milan Hans, who has developed extensive insights into the IT requirements of schools in a career spanning more than 17 years. "Our mission is to provide quality ERP solutions to schools at affordable prices and help them become smarter and more efficient by automating various processes with the use of technology. As we expand to more areas and cater to more schools, we are continuously expanding the modules and features of our school software. We have recently added seven more features to Class On and more very intelligent and useful features are in the pipeline," said Hans, Managing Director at Smartway Media Pvt. Ltd. The newly launched features include Visitor Pass, Library Management, Postal Enquiry, QR Based Attendance, Inventory Management, Complaint System, and WhatsApp Message Sender. "We are committed to providing a new updated module to Class On each month. In July, we will be launching 7 new features which will give additional help to schools in more fields," Hans said further. Class On, which is available in 10 languages including English, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, and Marathi, is helping schools become better and more efficient in areas such as curriculum, admission procedure, school management, administration, fees, and others. Class On also has mobile apps that act as a bridge between schools and parents. Class On ERP school software provides detailed video tutorials for the users and a chatbot to assist them. The software also provides customer support through 10 different modes, including ticket raising, toll-free helpline, email, SMS, WhatsApp, and more. An extensive amount of data was collected from schools about the issues they face. The data was thoroughly analysed to understand the challenges schools face and the findings were used while developing Class On ERP. "It has been specifically designed and created keeping in mind the requirement of Indian schools. The solution helps them tap more opportunities and grow. We are already working with more than 300 schools in Eight States and are in talks with more schools," added Hans. For more information, visit: http://www.classonapp.in/ This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) Surat (Gujarat) [India], June 25 (ANI/PNN): Over 100 entrepreneurs from different parts of Gujarat have become 'Aatmanirbhar' (self-dependent) and they are giving employment to more than 450 people. Thanks to Ajay's Takeaway Food, Gujarat's fastest-growing Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain from Navsari town for opening a record number of 111 franchise outlets across Gujarat in the two years post-pandemic. Ajay's Takeaway Food (https://ajays.co.in/ ) is the brainchild of the two Gujarati brothers-Ajay Solanki and his elder brother Jaideep Solanki. Ajay's started with a single outlet in Navsari in 2014 and has now expanded to 111 franchise (https://ajays.co.in/franchisee.php ) locations. Surat, Navsari, Valsad, Vapi, Daman, Silvasa, Ankleshwar, Bharuch, Anand, and Vadodara are just a few of the cities where Ajay's has opened outlets. Ajay's Takeaway Food has become popular in Gujarat for its Cold Coffee, Burgers and Desi Pizzas. The Solanki brothers aim to open 500+ franchisee-owned stores by 2025 with one mission- Serving Good Quality Food at Affordable rates and access to all through their Franchise that empowers the youth to become entrepreneurs and generate employment and great profits. Recently, on June 10, 2022, Ajay's Founder - Director Ajay Solanki had a chance to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Chikhli in Navsari district. (https://youtu.be/YSqdBIyxwVE ) PM Modi appreciated the efforts of Ajay's Takeaway Food in generating employment for over 450 people and making more than 100 entrepreneurs Aatma-Nirbhar. "It was a memorable moment for me to meet our PM, Modiji. Ajay's Takeaway Food provides a unique opportunity for individuals to become an entrepreneur through our franchise model. This makes us move towards our vision of Serving Good Quality food at affordable rates to the Common Man of India," said Ajay Solanki, founder-director of Ajay's Takeaway food. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajayvsolanki/ ) This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], June 25 (ANI/PNN): FLO endeavours to promote women entrepreneurs and professionals and assist them in growing professionally. The launch of this chapter will help bring entrepreneurs, both existing entrepreneurs and potential, and other professionals under the FLO umbrella. "Often known as the 'Jewel of Western India', Gujarat represents the vibrance of India, while Vadodara is one of its leading industrial hubs known for its entrepreneurial spirit. This is the result of old-established business houses and the business acumen ingrained in the culture and tradition of Gujarat, and we look forward to working actively in Vadodara." said Jayanti Dalmia, President FLO. FLO Vadodara is an addition to the 18 existing chapters of FLO across the country, with its headquarters in New Delhi. The new Chapter will aim to enhance the capabilities of women through appropriate awareness, training and development programmes that enable women to contribute to India's socio-economic growth by fulfilling their individual potential. Reshma Patel was announced as the Founder Chairperson of the new Chapter along with her dynamic team of Office Bearers, Barkha Amin (Sr Vice-Chair), Avni Bhayani (Vice-Chair), Rati Desai (Treasurer), and Avni Patel (Executive Secretary). Talking to the media, Reshma Patel said, "I am thankful to FLO for giving me this opportunity. The FLO Vadodara Chapter will work towards this direction and create the right thrust for women empowerment in the region with special emphasis on supporting entrepreneurship." The ceremonial event was further enhanced by the inauguration of the FLO Bazaar, 'Ariso' and was very well attended with a strong turnout of Vadodara Chapter members as well as the Presidium, Past Presidents and National Governing Body Members from around the country. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) London [UK]/New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI/BusinessWire India): The UK-India Week is organised by India Global Forum (IGF) annually as a celebration of the myriad facets of this important bilateral relationship, which is poised at a critical point this year with the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations going full steam ahead towards a Diwali timeline. According to official estimates, an FTA with India is expected to nearly double UK exports to India and massively boost jobs in both economies. A trade deal is expected to boost Britain's total trade by as much as 28 billion a year by 2035 and increase wages across different parts of the United Kingdom by 3 billion. The ongoing FTA discussions are expected to be central to the wide-ranging deliberations and interactions over the course of UK-India Week (June 27 to July 1). However, the UK-India partnership goes beyond just trade and economic exchanges and touches upon every sphere of life - from the cultural and creative to collaboration in crucial sectors such as climate action, healthcare, technology, innovation and much more, with the vibrant Indian diaspora in the UK acting as the living bridge of this deep bond. UK-India Week 2022 is themed as Reimagine@75 to celebrate the scale and multi-faceted aspect of this winning partnership while celebrating 75 years of bilateral relations. Some of the highlight speakers confirmed: - Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, UK Government- Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Government of India- Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, UK Government- Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of India- Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India- Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India- Dr Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Electronics and IT, Government of India- Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for External Affairs of India- Alok Sharma, President, COP 26- Lord Gerry Grimstone of Boscobe, Minister of Investment, Government of UK- Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, UK Government- Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered- Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO, Thrive- Harmeen Mehta, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, BT- Dr Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram, Lok Sabha- Bhavish Aggarwal, Co-Founder & CEO, OLA- Amit Kapur, Country Head, TCS UK and Ireland, Tata Consultancy Services- Sadhguru, Founder, Isha Foundation Complete list of a galaxy of high-level speakers here. Prof Manoj Ladwa, Founder and CEO of IGF, said: "We desperately need to reimagine the mutual value and potential of UK-India relations in the face of growing global mistrust in the established multilateral world order." "UK-India Week 2022 comes at an opportune moment in this winning partnership, just as we are in the process of reimagining our trading relations with an FTA in the works. The sheer breadth and depth of the programme of this high-power week reflects the ambitious scale to which this relationship can be elevated and reimagined!" Here is the shortlist for this year's UK-India Awards Shortlist, slated for 1 July 2022 with UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak. *Full UK-India Week 2022 programme is here. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India) New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI/NewsVoir): Established in 2012, Bliss Healthcare is an outpatient service provider offering 360 degrees of healthcare services. They have partnered with some of the most reputed medical insurance providers and clients in the country, including the Teacher's Service Commission (TSC), National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and so on. Bliss Healthcare was founded by a second-generation Kenyan, Jayesh Saini. With the help of his father, a medical professional, he began his career in the medical industry by establishing Nairobi West Hospital. Jayesh Saini intends to provide Kenyans access to high-quality, affordable healthcare through his wide network of hospitals and healthcare services. He has invested a lot of money into healthcare over the past 20 years. Additionally, he owns Medicross Limited, which has 10 outpatient facilities outfitted to provide complete, high-quality services. "A country cannot purport to have a good healthcare system without the services being easily accessible, affordable, and of acceptable quality. The three must go together," Quoted Jayesh Saini on why he decided to open healthcare facilities across the country. In his opinion, there is no point in having affordable services that are 100 kilometres away or accessible services that are of poor quality or quality services that are not reachable. The majority of healthcare providers in Kenya were concentrated in the urban towns with many of them being out of reach for most people in terms of charges. Even with the accessible government facilities, there is the issue of a lack of medicines and equipment for diagnostics which means that most treatments are based on clinical assessment. Reflecting on the journey, he stated, "Bliss began its journey with an aim of patient satisfaction and a goal of saving and enriching lives. We work to improve efficiency, flexibility, and accountability in healthcare. We have developed models of healthcare that meet the health-related needs of the diverse population. Over time, the immense public approval of services offered by our employees has led to our growth." Jayesh has managed to make sure the clinics have over 1,100 healthcare professionals working throughout the facility to serve more than 960,000 patients per year. It has an unmatched array of equipment, spread across the country. This allows Bliss Healthcare to offer standardized healthcare throughout the country, making it the largest and fastest-growing healthcare provider in Africa. Bliss Healthcare's network of clinics includes all the services designed to increase accessibility to advanced primary, specialty, and ambulatory care services at an affordable cost. Bliss serves clients from all segments including TSC, NHIF, insurance companies, and direct walk-in clients. In 2017, Jayesh Saini added inpatient care by setting up two hospitals under LifeCare Hospitals Limited. In line with his passion, he is currently setting up another 6 hospitals bringing the total bed capacity to 2000. On what he perceives to be the direction of healthcare in Kenya, Saini quickly pointed out that there was a great challenge of affordability and accessibility of quality healthcare amongst the majority of the people. He believes that healthcare is not a preserve of the rich and that the services should be expanded even into the remotest areas noting that falling ill is not a choice issue but can and happens to people of all walks of life. He sees a future of accessible healthcare to all at rates that will be affordable, especially for basic lifesaving primary healthcare. That, he believes, is an idea whose time has come. Bliss Healthcare is at the forefront, supporting the Government of Kenya's initiative of Universal Health Coverage through affordable quality services spread throughout the country. Besides his primary work in healthcare, Jayesh Saini has also invested in Community Engagement. Bliss Healthcare routinely conducts free medical camps and health talks all around the country annually. It was also remarkable to note that soon after the declaration of the first COVID-19 case in Kenya, Bliss Healthcare continued to cover Teachers (TSC) and their dependants against Coronavirus, as per the Guidelines issued by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) of Kenya. With an extraordinary array of resources for the provision of compassionate, state-of-the-art care, Bliss Healthcare is poised to identify and respond to the health-related needs of the diverse population they serve. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said that the government is mulling over coming up with one more Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the textile sector soon. The minister made the announcement while addressing SIMA Texfair 2022 here in Coimbatore. "The textiles sector also has PLI scheme in which a large amount of investment is coming up all across the country including in Tamil Nadu. We are coming up with one more PLI scheme in Textiles Sector," he said. "We will create crores of jobs in Textiles Sector so that our compatriots get a better quality of life and more prosperity and our farmers get a higher price for wonderful cotton that they are producing," Goyal added. The minister said that the textiles sector which has a big role to play in the economy of Tamil Nadu, providing jobs and coming up with research and innovation to expand the exports from Tamil Nadu. "Some of the products made in Coimbatore and Tirupur are exported to world-class brands like Puma, Zara, etc," he said. Goyal reminded that when there was a shortage of PPE kits, PM Narendra Modi made a clarion call to Textiles Sector to start manufacturing of PPE kits in India. The minister complimented the textile manufacturers for the wonderful work they did to develop so many products related to fighting COVID-19 in India. "Today we are the second-largest manufacturers of PPE in the world. We are not only Aatmanirbhar in PPE kits but we are also exporting it to other parts of the world," he said. "Textile industry converted COVID crisis into an opportunity. And now it will help us in becoming a global player in medical and health-related products," Goyal added. Goyal said that India's textile sector will grow to become a USD 250 billion industry in the next five years, 40 per cent of which will be exported. "The government supported the textiles industry throughout the COVID-19 with 20 per cent additional collateral-free loans and upto 5 per cent interest subvention, extension of time limit for repayment of loans and government dues and funding EPF. Tamil Nadu is a big beneficiary of various schemes that we have come up with in the last few years and will continue to benefit from the Government of India's various initiatives to support Textiles Sector." "South India Textile Research Association is a good example of industry-sponsored research, which benefits all players & promotes cooperative competition," he said. Responding to a question on cotton prices, Goyal said that cotton textiles prices have already started easing and cotton is becoming more affordable. "Cotton prices are driven by international markets." Talking about the importance of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with foreign countries, he said, machinery manufacturers have told that the FTAs have become very useful for them. "They are confident that machinery export will grow as these FTAs finalize." Goyal said that the government have already finalized two FTAs with UAE and Australia. "We are now finalizing FTAs with Israel, the UK, Canada, European Union. We are working to support and promote entrepreneurs and startups. We are working to reduce compliance and make it easier to run a business. Over 31,000 compliances have been eliminated." Addressing a press conference here later in the day, Goyal said, "We have announced that the Government has no business to be in business. NTC runs on the government taxpayers' money For textile to flourish in fair competition we are examining whether NTC can run professionally and profitably." "Cotton textiles prices have already started easing and cotton is becoming more affordable. Under the Samarth scheme 2 lakh beneficiaries have been trained, out of which 1.7 lakh candidates have been provided placement opportunities in Tamil Nadu," he added. (ANI) On Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adanis 60th birthday, a record 14,000 Adani employees donated blood at various locations across the country. Every year on Chairman's birthday, the Adani Foundation organises a voluntary blood donation drive in line with the Adani Group's philosophy of serving the nation and its people in multiple ways. The Adani Foundation's blood donation drive collected 14,000 blood units, which is almost 5,000 units more than the volume collected last year. Blood donation centres were arranged at 152 locations in 115 cities covering 20 states across India. More than 138 blood banks were engaged in collecting the donated blood. This massive nationwide blood donation drive came just a day after the Adani Family committed Rs 60,000 crore to support a range of social causes. This corpus to be administered by the Adani Foundation will be utilised for charitable activities, especially in the rural regions of the nation. "It is heart-warming to see so many Adani employees come forward to donate blood on the Chairman's birthday," said Priti Adani, Chairperson, Adani Foundation. "The social work the foundation is doing, the commitment of Rs 60,000 crore for healthcare, education and skill development sectors by the Adani family, and the number of employees participating in the blood donation camps are all testimony to the belief and expectations of the younger generation in social causes as well as their support for the nation-building philosophy of the Adani Group. I feel proud and am thankful for the affection our people show towards us," Priti Adani added. For patients facing medical emergencies, blood has no substitute. The collected blood is safely stored and preserved by designated agencies and will be made available to patients for emergency medical transfusions in a wide range of circumstances, including serious injuries, surgical procedures, blood disorders, cancer treatment, and many others. --IANS san/arm ( 317 Words) 2022-06-25-20:28:06 (IANS) Actor Emilia Clarke of 'Game of Thrones' fame described her debut theatre performance in Broadway theatres as a 'catastrophic failure'. Clarke made her debut Broadway performance with 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' opposite Cory Michael Smith and George Wendt in 2013. According to the actor, she was 'inexperience' and 'not ready' at that time, reported Variety. "[It was a] catastrophic failure. It was just not ready. Was I ready? No, I was definitely not ready. I was a baby. I was so young and so inexperienced" confessed Clarke. Clarke admitted that she was widely criticized for her acting. The New York Times reported that the actor performed like 'an under-age debutante' who was trying too hard to fit the role of a sophisticated grown-up., reported Variety. Other film critics panned her to be miscast in the character. Meanwhile, the 'Game of Thrones' actor is preparing for her role as Nina in the play 'The Seagull', directed by Anton Chekhov, to be showcased on the West End stage. Although 'The Seagull' was supposed to launch in March 2020, the play got delayed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Clarke takes to stage yet again for 'The Seagull', she feels it to be '10 times more frightening', reported Variety. "It's 10 times more frightening because there'll be people wanting to go and say, 'Well she can only act on camera, she clearly can't act on stage,' which is obviously the biggest fear" hoped the actor. 'The Seagull' is all geared up to run in the Harold Pinter Theatre from June 30 to September 10. (ANI) Dastmalchian plays the role of a talk show host in 'Late Night With the Devil', reported Variety. The film depicted in the era of 1977, follows the story of a live broadcast of a late-night talk show which goes terribly wrong. "unleashing evil into the nation's living rooms" reads the synopsis of the film. 'Late Night With the Devil' is co-written and co-directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes with the collaboration of a multi-picture deal between Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures production houses reported Variety. In a statement both the writers and directors revealed that the horror flick was based upon an interesting concept, typical of the 70s and 80s era when late-night talk shows had 'something slightly dangerous' about them. "In the '70s and '80s there was something slightly dangerous about late-night TV. Talk shows in particular were a window into some strange adult world. We thought combining that charged, live-to-air atmosphere with the supernatural could make for a uniquely frightening film experience" said the Cairnes duo. The founders of the Spooky Pictures production company, namely, Roy Lee, Derek Dauchy, Steven Schneider, Adam White, John Molloy, and Mat Govoni would be producing the film while Rami Yasin, David Dastmalchian, and Australian filmmaker Joel Anderson will serve as executive producers, reported Variety. 'Late Night With the Devil' is slated to release next year in 2023. Talking about actor David Dastmalchian, he featured in many noteworthy movies like 'The Suicide Squad', 'Prisoners', and 'Ant-Man'. (ANI) Actor Ranveer Singh never fails to gather all the eyeballs with his unusual dressing sense, and now the actor has again come into the limelight after a video of his has gone viral where was 'showing off' his Versace undergarments at an award function. At the recently Pinkvilla Style Icon Awards, the 'Padmavat' actor stood up to the stage and shared a hilarious incident that happened between him and his close friend and 'Gunday' co-actor Arjun Kapoor regarding 'sasti chaddi' (cheap undergarments) at a mall in Dubai. The 36-year-old actor stated that Arjun Kapoor plays a very big role in his style evolution. "He was the first person to tell me that I could actually buy expensive clothes. 3 years into the show business and he sat me down in a mall in Dubai and said, 'baba you can afford to buy this underwear. Tu sasti chadiya kyu pehen raha hai? Movie star hai tu movie star'. Today Arjun Kapoor will be very proud that I am head-to-toe in Versace." Ranveer stated in his speech. Later on, the 'Gully Boy' actor was seen flaunting his Versace undergarment on stage which made everyone laugh. This video of Ranveer's hilarious speech has gone viral on social media and fans flooded the comment section with laughter emoticons, meanwhile many netizens even slammed the 'Jayeshbhai Jordaar' actor for his on-stage behaviour. "Being hero doesn't mean u speak shit come on man show some decency" a user commented on the video. Another user wrote, "kuch b Sharam ati h bollywood me aisi harkatein dekh k...(Ashamed to see these kind of behaviour in Bollywood) Ranveer and Arjun share a very strong bond and fans often see their love for each other on social media. Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranveer Singh was recently seen in 'Jayeshbhai Jordaar' and now he has Rohit Shetty's 'Cirkus' and Karan Johar's 'Rocky Aur Rani ki prem kahaani' with Alia Bhatt in his kitty. (ANI) Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor turned a year older on June 25 and in her long journey, she has gathered a lot of love and appreciation from the fans. The actor was said to be the strongest contender in the '90s among actors like Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit Nene. From romantic to comedy she has proved her versatility with each of her stellar performances. On her 48th Birthday, take a look at the actor's top 5 performances of her career. 1. Hero No. 1 Karisma portrayed the role of an innocent Indian girl who tries to convince her family to get married to the love of her life. Released in the year 1997, along with Karisma the film also starred Govinda, Paresh Rawal, Kader Khan and Himani Shivpuri in prominent roles. The actor was nominated for the 'Zee Cine-Best Actor actor award- Female'. 2. Raja Hindustani The actor played the role of a rich Indian girl who falls in love with a taxi driver, later her family tries to create misunderstandings in between them. The cult cinema 'Raja Hindustani' was a blockbuster hit and became the highest-grossing film of the year. It gathered a lot of appreciation from the fans for its amazing storyline and songs. She won the 'Filmfare Best Actor Award-Female for her role in Raja Hindustani. 3. Coolie No. 1 She portrayed the role of Kader Khan's daughter who later marries a coolie. Fans lauded Karisma's performance in the film. Directed by David Dhawan, 'Coolie No. 1' was a confusing comedy which was a remake of a hit 1993 film 'Chinna Mapillai'. Emerged as a blockbuster hit and was again remade by director David Dhawan in 2020 with Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan as the lead pair. The new version premiered on Amazon Prime Video. 4. Dil To Pagal Hai In the triangular love story, Karisma portrayed the role of a dancer who later falls in love with his best friend (Shah Rukh Khan). Directed by Yash Chopra, 'Dil To Pagal Hai' was a musical romantic film in which also Madhuri Dixit Nene was in the lead role, whereas Akshay Kumar was seen in a special appearance. Karisma Kapoor won the 'Filmfare Best Supporting Actor -Female' and National Award for 'Best actor in supporting role- Female' award for her role in 'Dil to Pagal hai'. 5. Biwi No. 1 Karisma played the role of a strong housewife, who stood up against her husband who falls into an extramarital affair with another woman. The David Dhawan masterpiece, 'Biwi No. 1' was a remake of the 1995 hit Tamil film 'Sathi Leelavathi ', which also starred Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen, Anil Kapoor and Tabu in the lead roles. Karisma was nominated for the 'Filmfare Best Actor-Female award for her role in this film. Meanwhile, Karisma Kapoor will be next seen in director Abhinay Deo's next thriller 'Brown', the film is based on the book 'City of Death' by Abheek Barua. (ANI) Chris took to his Instagram handle and penned a note as a tribute to the phone. He captioned the post and wrote, "RIP iPhone 6s. We had a good run. I'll miss your home button. I won't miss the nightly battle of trying to get you to charge. Or your grainy pictures. Or your sudden drops from 100 per cent battery, to 15 per cent, to completely dead all within minutes. It was a wild ride. Rest easy, pal." Replying to the post, actor Octavia Spencer took to the comment section and wrote, "OMG! I just gave up my home button last week. Transitioning to the 13 has been easier than I thought. So.... #IFeelYouBuddy." Actor Lizze Broadway commented, "Why does this bring me so much joy." While actress Kate Beckinsale wrote, "Not the grainy pictures," Yvette Nicole Brown exclaimed, "Please tell me you didn't still have the 6?! HOW did that happen to you?!" Chris Evans, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, and Jessica Henwick all appear in The Gray Man. A crucial part in the movie will also be played by Tamil actor Dhanush. (ANI) According to Fox News, Heard will have to post a bond for that sum, plus interest, if she wants to appeal, according to a written order filed on Friday. Following a six-week trial, a jury awarded Depp USD 10 million in compensatory damages and USD 5 million in punitive damages, finding that Heard had defamed him by referring to herself as a domestic abuse victim in a Washington Post op-ed. In accordance with Virginia law, the punitive damages were reduced to USD 350,000, bringing the grand total to USD 10.35 million. For Heard's counterclaim, USD 2 million in compensatory damages were awarded to her by the jury, who found that Depp had defamed her through statements made by his attorney, Adam Waldman, to the press. Fox News reported, on Friday, during a brief hearing, Judge Penney Azcarate entered a two-page ruling which stateed that both judgments are subject to 6 per cent interest per year. Lawyers for the feuding exes were present though Depp and Heard were not. The judge said that if Heard wants to appeal, she must post a bond for the full judgment of USD 10.35 million, plus 6 per cent interest per year, according to a source close to Depp's team. Heard was spotted last week in the Hamptons shopping at TJ Maxx and is reportedly in talks to write a tell-all book, as per Fox News. (ANI) According to People magazine, at this year's ceremony John was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 37-year portrayal of Victor Kiriakis on 'Days of Our Lives'. Suzanne Rogers, John's 'Days of Our Lives' co-star, introduced the award before a video of Jennifer played on the screen at the ceremony. In the clip, Jennifer praised her father's illustrious career. "This is truly a special moment for me. It's an opportunity to not only pay tribute to a true icon in the daytime television world, but it's also a chance to recognize the lifelong achievements of a great and well-respected actor, who also happens to be my dad," Jennifer said. "John Aniston has been working in television consistently for over half a century," Jennifer continued, before listing her father's lengthy list of credits. The actress said her father worked on all these projects "all while simultaneously appearing in every soap opera imaginable. You name it, I'm sure he's been on it." As per People magazine, though John was unable to be there in person, he received a massive round of applause from the crowd for his iconic career. (ANI) Hollywood actor Tiffany Haddish expressed her desire to be a 'present parent', readily available for her kids, and adopt children post her remaining two films. Speaking on the difficulties for Black women to adopt white babies, the 'Bad Trip' actor revealed that 'it's hard out here', reported People magazine. "As a black woman, trying to adopt a white baby, it's hard out here. They won't let you. They let white people adopt black babies, Asian babies, and Mexican babies, but they don't let black people do that. Why is that? Come on, people," Haddish shared her disappointment. She added that after she completes two of her undisclosed movies, she would be adopting kids, reported People magazine. "Anyways... I got two more movies to do and then I'll adopt. Because I want to be present, If I'm going to be a parent, I want to be a present parent," confessed the actor. Giving her opinion on the US Supreme Court's decision on overturning the abortion bill, Haddish admitted that she felt th decision was to 'control women's bodies', reported People magazine. She wished to join the 'Congress' party and write a bill making the Supreme Court's verdict as 'illegal'. "I think it's about locking up people of colour. I think it's a way to put more people in jail, and I also think it's a way to control women's bodies. That's why I'm going to run for Congress. I'm going to write a bill to make it illegal for men to masturbate. How about that?" said the 42-year-old. Haddish is known for voicing strong opinions. Earlier, she defended Will Smith after the actor smacked comedian Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith on stage at the Oscars 2022. She described the whole incident as 'the most beautiful thing I have ever seen', as according to Haddish it made her 'believe that there were still men out there that love and care about their women, their wives." (ANI) American broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper shared that Hollywood actor Richard Gere played a major role in making Cooper realize that he was a gay man. Recalling an incident, the 55-year-old journalist in interaction with Andy Cohen of the radio show, Radio Andy revealed that when he was 11 years old, he attended a play with two other gay men, photographer Paul Jasmin and his boyfriend, who both were Cooper's mother's friends, reported Page Six. Cooper said that actor Richard Gere starred in the play, titled 'Bent' and explained that the opening scene of the play was the 'gayest scene' he had ever seen. "And they took me to see in 'Bent,' which if anyone doesn't know about the play 'Bent,' it's about two gay guys in the concentration camp," Cooper recounted. "I mean the opening scene... It is the gayest thing you can imagine," recollected Cooper. Talking about Gere, the journalist admitted that Gere looked quite 'beautiful' in the play, reported Page Six. "And this was Richard Gere in 1977, 'Looking for Mr Goodbar.' He was so beautiful. And I'm there. My mom didn't go. It was just me and my mom's two gay friends," Cooper confessed. As soon as the opening scene ended on the stage, Cooper realized that he was gay, reported Page Six. "And I just remember being like, 'Oh my God, I'm gay... I'm totally gay,' recalled the 55-year-old. Further, Cooper said that since Paul Jamin was friends with Gere, they went backstage where the actor was shirtless in the dressing room, seeing which Cooper lost his ability to 'speak'. However, after becoming a journalist, Cooper admitted that he had interviewed Gere and narrated the whole incident to him as well, reported Page Six. "And I couldn't speak...I had my Playbill and I wanted to get him to autograph it, but I... couldn't... fast forward to 10 years ago, I was interviewing Richard Gere and I took out the Playbill ... and I told him the whole story and I had him sign it. Yeah. He was very tickled with it," concluded Cooper. Presently, Anderson Cooper and his ex-partner Benjamin Maisani co-parent their sons Sebastian and Wyatt. The couple parted ways in 2018 (ANI) The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton shared some unseen pictures of herself, dressed in military wear, during her visit to a British Army training camp. Taking to social media, the pictures went live on the official Twitter and Instagram pages of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, reported Page Six. Kate Middleton visited a training camp on the occasion of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces Day, celebrated annually. In the first picture, the Duchess could be seen leaning forward, inspecting some equipment. She was dressed in full army attire from head to toe. In another picture, Kate donned a helmet, speaking on a mike and flashing a smile while sitting on a tank. In the third image, Kate could be seen interacting with the armed officers, as they patiently listened to the Duchess. Along with the string of pictures shared on social media, Kate also penned down a heartfelt message for the brave warriors, who sacrifice their lives only to keep others safe, reported Page Six. "Today on Armed Forces Day, William and I would like to pay tribute to the brave men and women, past and present, serving in all of our armed forces, at sea, on land and in the air, here in the UK and around the world. Thank you for all you and your families sacrifice to keep us safe," captioned the Duchess on Instagram. Kate concluded by stating that she had a 'wonderful' experience witnessing the 'important and varied roles' the military play on a daily basis, reported Page Six. "It was wonderful to see first-hand the many important and varied roles the military plays day in, day out to protect us all, and I look forward to discovering more about the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force UK in due course," signed off the Duchess. (ANI) According to a new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York, living at higher latitudes, where there is also less sunlight, could result in a higher prevalence rate of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Professor of psychology at Binghamton University, Meredith Coles, said, "The results of this project are exciting because they provide additional evidence for a new way of thinking about OCD." To compile data, Coles and her research team read through many papers that addressed OCD prevalence rates in certain places and then recorded the latitudes of each location. Individuals with OCD commonly reported not being able to fall asleep until later than desired. Often they slept very late in order to compensate for that lost sleep, thus adopting a delayed sleep-wake pattern that had adverse effects on their symptoms. "This delayed sleep-wake pattern may reduce exposure to morning light, thereby potentially contributing to a misalignment between our internal biology and the external light-dark cycle," Coles added. This misalignment is more prevalent at higher latitudes areas where there is reduced exposure to sunlight which places people living in these locations at an increased risk for the development and worsening of OCD symptoms. Additionally, the team of researchers hopes that further study exploring exposure to morning light could help develop new treatment recommendations that would benefit individuals with OCD. The full findings are present in the Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. (ANI) He also conducted on-site inspection of facilities on both travel routes and chaired review meetings at the base camps, to discuss lodging, health care, communication network, sanitation, water supply, weather forecasting, emergency response, fire safety, and all other basic necessities. At Baltal, the Lt Governor inaugurated 70-bedded fully-equipped DRDO hospital for quality healthcare services to the Amarnath pilgrims. The hospital, funded by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, will house facilities like x-ray, general ward, OPD, ICU, oxygenated ward, pharmacy, laboratory, and ultrasound. "Better coordination among various agencies is of utmost importance for better facilities, seamless journey and spiritual experience for Yatris. All the departments involved in Yatra management should ensure the best possible facilities as a high number of devotees footfall is expected for the annual pilgrimage," the Lt Governor said. --IANS zi/vd ( 181 Words) 2022-06-24-21:34:03 (IANS) Educationists in Tamil Nadu want vacant teacher's posts to be filled in schools run by Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department after students of Class 10 and 12 fared poorly in the recent board exams. There are around 1,466 schools in the state that are being run by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, and there have been demands to bring these schools under the state school education department following the poor performance of the students. People from the Adi Dravidar community belong to the Seduled Caste category. There are 95,103 students in Adi Dravidar Welfare schools and 28,263 in Tribal Welfare Residential schools. In the Class 10 board exams, Adi Dravidar Welfare schools recorded a pass percentage of 78.11 while the Tribal Welfare schools recorded 78.37 per cent, while government schools had a pass percentage of 85.25. Similarly, Adi Dravidar Welfare schools had a pass percentage of 82.21 in Class 12 board exams, while Tribal Welfare schools recorded a pass percentage of 86. The government schools fared better at 89 per cent in Class 12 board exams. Social activists and voluntary organisations, which are working for tribal and Adi Dravida students, said that in many schools, there is an acute shortage of teachers and in some schools, headmasters or headmistresses are not posted once the incumbent teacher retires. Saraswathi Hema, an educationist and activist who is working for tribal children, told IANS, "The reduced pass percentage of Adi Dravida Welfare schools and Tribal Welfare schools in the recent board exams is mainly due to the woeful shortage of teachers and in some instance, even the headmaster or headmistress' post remains vacant in such schools." She said that either these posts should be filled on a war-footing or the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare schools be brought under the state school education department. Saraswathi said a scientific system of transfers and postings should be applicable to these schools also. Sources in the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department told IANS that in Salem district alone, there are vacancies of two headmasters, 28 B.Ed teachers, four secondary school teachers and two post-graduate teachers in 19 tribal residential schools. While activists and educationists are batting for bringing these schools under the state school education department, there are challenges ahead as several teachers are apprehensive to work in SC/ST schools. In some cases, these teachers simply refuse to work in SC/ST schools. Presently, the posts of elementary school teachers in the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare schools are entirely reserved for teachers from SC/ST communities. It is learnt that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will call a meeting of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department officials, state school education department officials, educators and activists to bring out a solution to this issue and to improve the education of SC/ST students. --IANS aal/uk ( 486 Words) 2022-06-24-21:40:01 (IANS) The Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee announced its decision to make the eco-friendly Ganesh idol with organic colors and clay for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi in 2022. The committee official informed that the Ganesh idol will be 50 feet tall this year. "Khairatabad Ganesh idol is tallest in our country for Vinayaka Chaturthi procession. In this 68th year, we'll make it 50 feet tall for the first time. It'll have an iron body with mesh, clay and water-based paint," S Sudarshan, Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee Chairman told ANI. He said that the preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi 2022 have already begun. "The preparation work has already begun after Pooja, three months prior to the Ganesh festival. Khairatabad Ganesh is the biggest idol in the country. During the COVID, two years ago, 20 feet clay Ganesh idol was made. So this time, we are making a 50 feet Ganesh idol made of clay," Sudarshan said. "According to the supreme court and PCB norms, we don't have permission to immerse in the idols made of POP in Hussain Sagar lake. So, for the first time, we are making the idol of clay and we will also take out the procession. The festival is to be celebrated on August 31 and the preparation works have already begun," he added. G Sandeep Raj, Convenor, Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee said that the making of the Ganesh idol includes an iron body covered with the mesh, then dry grass will be put over to cover and finally, the clay finishing will be done. "The clay is brought from Rajasthan. The paint used is also water paint and it is going to look very beautiful he added. The paints used are water-based, not oil-based," Raj said. The committee also held a meeting with the Police Commissioner, and GHMC Commissioner about the same. "The Supreme Court ordered not to immerse POP idols and we are following it, according to PCB we have permission to do immersion in Hussain Sagar. The work is going on day and night, the idol will be ready four days before the festival with colors," he added. (ANI) Rujira Narula Banerjee coming to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office on Thursday with her son in lap to face questioning in connection with the coal smuggling scam has taken the agency officials by surprise. After Rujira, the wife of Trinamool Congress national General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, was grilled for six hours with her two-and-a-half-year-old son Ayansh in her lap, two questions are haunting the officials of the central probe agency. Was this action on her part just an attempt to draw public attention or sympathy? Or was it a well thought out plan to close all future possibilities of being summoned for questioning outside Kolkata. According to ED sources, initially the agency had summoned Rujira for questioning in New Delhi. However, she challenged that in the Supreme Court, where her counsel argued that it will not be possible for her to stay away from her kid in the current situation. The apex court accepted that argument and directed the ED to question her in Kolkata. "Was her appearance at the ED office on Thursday meant to prove her argument that her son cannot stay without her? It seems that to prove that point, she kept her son close to her through out the course of questioning," said an ED official, who did not wish to be named. He added that on humanitarian ground, the interrogating officials on Thursday had to give breaks to Rujira at more frequent intervals than generally allowed during any normal interrogation, thus limiting the actual questioning time to an extent. The ED officials are also not ruling out the possibility of Rujira making an attempt to draw public sympathy. --IANS src/arm ( 293 Words) 2022-06-24-22:46:04 (IANS) Sudipta Sen, the promoter of chit fund entity Saradha Group that embezzled multiple crores of rupees through its multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes, alleged in a court on Friday that he was extorted a number of times by the current leader of opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, who was then associated with the Trinamool Congress. On Friday, Sen was brought to the MP-MLA court in Salt Lake on the outskirts of Kolkata. While coming out of the court, he told mediapersons that he has informed the court in detail how he was extorted a number of times by Adhikari. "I had gone to Contai to meet Adhikari for the purpose of land plan sanction where I was extorted. I have informed the court all the details," he said. Soon after Sen's allegations went viral, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh and senior party legislator Tapas Roy called a press conference and demanded immediate arrest of Adhikari by the CBI sleuths probing chit fund scams in West Bengal. "If the CBI claims to be unbiased, their officers should immediately take Adhikari into custody. Sudipta Sen had named Adhikari as an accused earlier also. But he (Adhikari) is still moving around freely," Roy said. Ghosh said that Adhikari has joined the BJP to save himself from the clutches of the central agencies. "Now the BJP is giving him political protection," Ghosh alleged. Till this report was filed, there was no reaction from Adhikari on this count. However, BJP spokesman Shamik Bhattacharya said that the matter is under investigation. "Already some people have been behind the bars in this connection, and we know who they are," he said. Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar alleged that Sudipta Sen has named Adhikari under pressure from the Trinamool Congress and the police. --IANS src/arm ( 310 Words) 2022-06-24-23:10:02 (IANS) During the searches, digital devices (mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards, DVRs), ammunition, and other incriminating documents/materials have been seized, the official said. The case relates to an explosion that took place on a bike near Punjab National Bank, in Jalalabad city of Fazilka district. According to the official, the investigation into the case has revealed that accused involved were in touch with Pakistan-based terrorists and smugglers and were recruited for executing the conspiracy for carrying out terrorist attacks. --IANS uj/vd ( 125 Words) 2022-06-24-23:10:03 (IANS) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday paid a courtesy call to Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi. Dhami requested to give approval for the proposed project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (Massive Irrigation) to start the work on the Jamrani Dam project at the earliest, according to a statement by Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office. He also requested for early approval for the implementation of the 300 MW Bawla Nand Prayag Hydroelectric Project and to include some provisions in the MoU of the Kisau project. The Chief Minister told the Union Minister that under the ambitious Jamrani Dam multipurpose project of Uttarakhand state, a 130.60 m high concrete gravity dam is to be constructed on Gaula river in district Nainital, 10 km upstream from Haldwani city, the statement read. With the construction of the dam, an additional irrigation capacity of 57065 hectares will be created in 150027 hectares command in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and availability of 117 million litres of water will be ensured for meeting the drinking water requirement of Haldwani city and its adjoining area. The Chief Minister said that in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti on June 10 this year, a recommendation has been made for investment approval of the Jamrani Bach project. He said that the approval has been obtained from various directorates of the Central Water Commission and Central Electricity Authority, Government of India for the 300 MW Bavla Nand Prayag Hydroelectric Project of State Government Undertaking UJVN Ltd. The Chief Minister said that a meeting was held between the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India in October 2021 in which the proposed 10 hydropower projects (Bawla Nand Prayag and nine other projects) on the Ganga and its tributaries. UJVN Ltd. was directed by the Ministry of Power, Government of India to contact the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India in January 2022 by the Ministry of Power, according to CMO. In addition, he also urged the Union Minister for early approval for the implementation of Bavla Nand Prayag Hydroelectric Project. Referring to the Kisau project, the Chief Minister said that for the implementation of the said project, a Memorandum of Understanding has to be signed between the six beneficiary states. The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to take necessary action regarding the signing of the said MoU by including some points in the inter-state agreement to speed up the implementation of the Kishau Multipurpose Project. (ANI) Incriminating materials, explosives, ammunition and vehicles were recovered from their possession, according to a press note by police. Police in Budgam along with 53RR and 181Bn CRPF arrested four terrorist associates identified as Younis Manzoor, Mehboob Ahmed, Irshad Ahmad Ganie and Muzaffar Ahmad. The preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested terrorist associates were involved in providing logistic support to the proscribed terror outfit LeT by distributing proceeds of narcotics to active terrorists and terror operatives of the outfit. Further investigations also revealed that the module has been working on the directions of terror operatives for the collection of narcotics and subsequently distributing the proceeds of narcotics among the terrorists, the press note read. Moreover, five vehicles have also been seized which have been purchased from the proceeds of narcotics sales with the intention of keeping the money or proceeds safe and were set to be sold on the directions of active terrorists or terror operatives (handlers) as and when the payment was required by the terrorists. Besides this, incriminating material of proscribed terror outfit LeT, explosive substances including three grenades, two AK-Magazines and 65 rounds of AK-47 were recovered from their possession. A case under relevant sections of law has been registered at the Chadoora Police Station. Further investigation is in progress. (ANI) Condemning the attack on Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran on Friday said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should take action against the police officers who allowed the SFI workers to vandalise the office. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's office in Kainatty near Kalpetta in Wayanad was vandalized on Friday allegedly by the Students Federation of India (SFI) activists. "The attack on Rahul Gandhi's office is heinous. This is a dirty job that not even the kids in the market do. We are not surprised that all this is happening in our country. We have seen, heard, experienced and survived a lot of things like this," Sudhakaran told media persons. Appreciating the Kerala CM for condemning the attack, the KPCC president said, "It is good that the CM has condemned this. This is the first time he has said so. The CM should take action against the police officers who allowed the SFI workers to vandalise the office. Congress will not back down with such activities." "Congress has the capacity and strength to smash any office of the CPIM. We do not think that way because it is not a step towards democracy. We have the capacity to do that. If they play too much, we will play too. Then we are not responsible for whatever happens," he added. Congress MP for Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor shared a video of the vandalised office. He tweeted, "Visuals of the trashing of [?]@RahulGandhi's Wayanad office by activists of [?]@CPIMKerala student wing, SFI. Would [?]@pinarayivijayan & [?]@SitaramYechury [?] take disciplinary action or let their silence condone such behaviour? Is this their idea of politics?" A protest march of the SFI, the students' wing of ruling CPI(M), against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi turned violent as a group of protestors allegedly entered the Lok Sabha member's office and vandalized it. The student organization was protesting against the creation of buffer zones around forests in the hilly areas of Kerala. According to SC, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks should have a one-km buffer zone around them. This will affect the people of Rahul Gandhi's constituency in the Wayanad and Malappuram districts. Following the incident, Kerala CM condemned the attack and said that strong action would be taken against the accused. "There is freedom for democratic protests and expressing an opinion in our land. But going in the direction of attacks is the wrong tendency. The government will take strong action against the accused," Vijayan said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is a Lok Sabha MP from Kerala's Wayanad. Meanwhile, Congress marched at night in Kochi and blocked MG road which created tension between passengers with the protestors. The agitators also poured black oil into the graffiti of SFI on the wall during the protest. (ANI) Taking a jibe at Congress' 'satyagraha' over ED questioning Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Narendra Modi as Gujarat Chief Minister appeared before the SIT in relation to probe over post-Godhra violence but the BJP did not resort to "drama or dharna" during the questioning. Shah made the remarks in an interview with ANI after the Supreme Court dismissed the plea challenging the clean chit given by Special Investigation Team (SIT) to then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and several others in 2002 riots. The plea had been filed by Zakia Jafri. Amit Shah also referred to his facing arrest in Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, in which he was subsequently acquitted, and said no "dharna" was carried out. "In a democracy, PM Modi presented an ideal example of how the Constitution should be respected by all political persons. Modiji was also questioned, but nobody protested, and (BJP) workers from across the country did not gather in solidarity with Modiji. We cooperated with the law. I was also arrested. There was no protest or demonstration," he said. "This is not the first clean chit to PM Modi. Nanavati Commission has also given a clean chit. Still the SIT was formed. And Modiji did not appear before the SIT doing drama... come in support from every village if not then call MLAs, MPs and ex-MPs, hold dharna," Shah added in a jibe towards the Congress party's decision to hold demonstrations in national capital during Rahul Gandhi's questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in the National Herald case. "We believe that we should cooperate in the judicial process. There was a Supreme Court order, and an SIT was there. If the SIT wants to ask questions from the Chief Minister, he himself said that he is ready to cooperate. Why stage a protest? No person is beyond the law," he said. Shah said that protest cannot be justified against the judicial process. "No protest is justified against any judicial process because our view is considered right when the judiciary says so. I was put behind bars. I used to say that I am innocent. But when the court said that a fake case was filed against me and there was a politically motivated conspiracy by the CBI to frame me, then my words proved right," he said. A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar said on Friday that it found the appeal by Zakia Jafri was devoid of merit. "After cogitating over the matter, we uphold the decision of the Magistrate in accepting the stated final report dated February 8, 2012, submitted by the SIT, as it is and rejecting the protest petition filed by the appellant. We do not countenance the submission of the appellant regarding infraction of rule of law in the matter of investigation and the approach of the Magistrate and the High Court in dealing with the final report. Accordingly, we hold that this appeal is devoid of merits and resultantly, deserves to be dismissed in the aforementioned terms. We order accordingly," the bench said in its judgement. Ehsan Jafri was among 69 people killed during the violence at the Gulberg Society in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002. Zakia Jafri challenged the SIT's clean chit to 64 people including Narendra Modi who was the Gujarat Chief Minister during the riots in the State. Answering a query on the Gujarat government's response after the riots and how he would have dealt with the situation if he was the state Home Minister, Amit Shah said "whosoever was there, they had worked well." "But the anger was on such a large scale due to the (Godhra) incident, which could not be sensed by anyone including the police." Amit Shah said the court has made it clear that the state government tried hard to stop the riots and the Chief Minister made repeated appeals. He said the court had noted in its judgement that incidents after the Godhra violence were not pre-planned. The minister said It also dismissed Tehelka's sting operation because when the footage before and after it came to light, it was found that the sting operation was politically motivated. He said the apex court chose the officers in SIT after hearing from the NGO. "Officers who were chosen weren't from BJP-ruled states, they were from Central Govt, UPA had come to the power by then," added Shah "It (June 24 SC judgement) is very significant. The manner in which an attempt was made to victimise my party's tallest leader, Court tore it down. I believe this judgement is a matter of pride for all party workers, false allegations against our tallest leader have been dismissed," he said. Amit Shah said the BJP governments had better law and order compared to governments run by parties opposed to the BJP and records of any five years can be compared, to prove the same. Answering a query, he said no parade (of bodies of Godhra train burning victims) was done. "It's false. They were taken to Civil Hospital and bodies were taken by families to their homes in closed ambulances." He said the people of Gujarat had never accepted false allegations in relation to the 2002 riots and the BJP has repeatedly been returned to power in the state. (ANI) With the Supreme court upholding the clean chit to then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 Gujarat riots case, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the troika of BJP's political rivals, politically motivated journalists and NGOs, together made false allegations against the BJP and its leaders. In an interview with ANI, Shah said despite false allegations, the BJP had the trust of the people of Gujarat who kept voting the party to power. The apex court on Friday, while rejecting an appeal by Zakia Jafri, wife of Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was killed in the violence, said that the appeal was "devoid of merits." "I have read the judgement very carefully. The judgement clearly mentions the name of Teesta Setalvad. The NGO that was being run by her - I don't remember the name of the NGO- had given baseless information about the riots to the police," stated Shah. The Union Minister said that the public was not hoodwinked by the nexus of the "trikut". "No it (the nexus) did not run for 20 years. The mandate of the people is the biggest thing, the public sees everything. The 130 crore people in the country have 260 crore eyes and 260 crore ears. They see and hear everything, we have never lost an election (In Gujarat). The public never accepted these allegations," he said. "BJP's political rivals, Kuch ideology ke liye rajneeti mein aye patrakar (journalists who came to politics to pursue their ideology) and some NGOs together (aaropon ko pracharit kiya) publicised the allegations. They had a strong ecosystem so everyone started believing the lies as truth," he added. On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea filed by Zakia Jafri, the widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and several others in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Asked about his mention of NGOs, Shah said: "I have read the judgment hurriedly but it clearly states the name of Teesta Setalvad. It was Setalvad's NGO that gave an application involving BJP workers in every police station and the pressure by the media was so immense that every application was treated as truth." Shah also dismissed allegations that BJP had "influenced" the SIT constituted to probe the case. "The SIT was not constituted by us. It was done by the apex court. Neither did we select the officials, it was done by the apex court after hearing from the NGO. The officers were not from the BJP-ruled states, they were from the Central government. By that time the Central government was changed, it was UPA," the union minister said. On June 24, Supreme Court while upholding the clean chit to Modi in the Gujarat riots case, said that co-petitioner and activist Teesta Setalvad exploited the emotions of petitioner Zakia Jafri. "... it was a court-monitored case, how could it have been influenced? Costly lawyers appeared for the NGO," Shah said. He added that the Supreme Court said Zakia Jafri worked on someone else's instructions. "NGO signed affidavits of several victims and they (victims) didn't even know," said Shah. He said people (officers-administration) had done a good job. "But there was anger due to the incident (Godhra train burning), and nobody had an inkling - neither the Police, nor anyone else. Later it wasn't in anyone's hands," added Shah. When asked about the allegation that the BJP had brought in lawyers who were paid hefty fees as opposed to lawyers who were representing her NGO, Shah said: "From our side, there were law officers and they are not that heavily paid. There is a system for their fees." A three-judge bench of the Apex court headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar Friday said there is no merit in Zakia Jafri's petition while upholding the 2012 order passed by the Gujarat magistrate accepting the SIT report. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jafri, had told the bench also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and CT Ravikumar, that they have not argued at all about any alleged involvement of the former chief minister and they are on the issue of a larger conspiracy which was not probed by the SIT. SIT had opposed the plea of Jafri saying there is a sinister plot behind the complaint to probe the "larger conspiracy" behind the 2002 Gujarat riots and the original complaint by Jafri was directed by social activist Teesta Setalvad, who levelled allegations just to keep the pot boiling. (ANI) There was no delay on part of the Gujarat government in requisitioning the Army to deal with post-Godhra 2002 Gujarat riots, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said and noted that former Punjab DGP KPS Gill had termed the state government's action as "prompt and neutral". He also attacked Congress over anti-Sikh riots in 1984, saying that so many Sikhs were killed "but nothing was done for three days". "The Gujarat government did not delay in anything. When the Gujarat Bandh was declared, we called the Army. The Army needed some time to reach. There was not even a day's delay by the Gujarat government and this was also appreciated by the court," Shah told ANI in an interview. The minister's remarks came after the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the plea filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and several others in 2002 Gujarat riots. "The Army headquarters is situated in Delhi and there are a lot of armymen in the city but despite that so many Sikhs were killed (during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots) but nothing was done for three days. How many SITs were constituted then? An SIT was constituted after our government came to power. How many were arrested?" Shah said while questioning the Congress led government during the 1984 Sikh riots. "I think PM Modi did everything because I was observing the situation very closely. I think no CM would have dealt with the situation in this way. For example, there are 100-150 cops in one police station, if we put additional force, then it amounts to only 400. If there is a gathering of around two lakh people it takes time to control the situation in the state. Every action including lathi-charge, firing etc was taken to control the riots in Gujarat riots, 900 people were killed in firing ," Shah said. He referred to remarks of KPS Gill, who was among the officers credited with ending terrorism in Punjab. "It takes time for the government to make arrangements to control a situation like riots. Gill Sahab had also come to help the Modi government at that time in Gujarat. I also had dinner with him. He himself told me that he had not seen such a prompt and neutral action in his whole life. However, allegations were raised even against Gill Sahab," the union minister said. A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar on Friday said that it found the appeal by Zakia Jafri as "devoid of merit." Speaking about Friday's ruling of the apex court, Shah said: "The state government made all the efforts to control the Gujarat riots and had taken the right decisions at the right time. The court also said that the state government had controlled the situation with less damage." Shah said all allegations against Modi were "politically motivated." "First of all, this is not a clean chit. The Supreme Court has dismissed all allegations and also commented on why the allegations were levelled. In a way, the Supreme Court verdict has proved that these allegations were politically motivated," the union minister said. Ehsan Jafri was among 69 people killed during violence at the Gulbarg Society in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002. Zakia Jafri challenged the SIT's clean chit to 64 people including Narendra Modi who was the then Gujarat Chief Minister. The Home Minister said the Supreme Court bench has dismissed all false charges against Modi. "It was also said that some politically motivated people with vested interest levelled those allegations. The blot on the BJP government's image was also washed." The Union Home Minister rubbished allegations against the then BJP-led Gujarat government and said that such allegations were propagated in a big way by certain journalists, political parties and NGOs. "What was the allegation? It was alleged that the government and Chief Minister were also involved. This was the allegation. Nobody is denying that riots did not take place. Riots took place in many parts of the country." "Political parties opposed to the BJP, some people who become journalists due to a specific ideology and some NGOs - the troika together propagated such allegations in a big way. Their ecosystem was so strong that people started to believe lies as truth," Shah said. The Home Minister said that the government never interfered in the functioning of the media. "This is not our attitude, we had neither done such a thing then nor do we do so at present. But the ecosystem of that time presented lies in front of the people in such a way that it influenced everyone," Shah added. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday attacked Congress over the Emergency, which was declared 47 years ago, and said that the grand old party snatched the Constitutional rights of every Indian overnight for power. On the midnight of June 25, 1975, an Emergency was declared due to the prevailing "internal disturbance". Taking to Twitter, the Home Minister saluted all the patriots who sacrificed everything to re-establish democracy and defeat the dictatorial mindset. "On this day in 1975, the Congress snatched the Constitutional rights of every Indian overnight for power, imposed an Emergency and left the foreign rule behind in terms of brutality. I salute all the patriots who sacrificed everything to re-establish democracy and defeat the dictatorial mindset," Shah said in a tweet. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed the 1975 emergency as a "dark chapter" in the history of the country, which can never be forgotten and asked all Indians to take a pledge to maintain the dignity of the Constitution and institutions. "The imposition of emergency in India 47 years ago is such a dark chapter in the history of this country, which can never be forgotten. On this day, all Indians should not only dedicate themselves to the defence of democracy but should also take a pledge to maintain the dignity of the constitution and institutions," Singh said in a tweet. Emergency was declared for a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Officially issued by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Constitution due to the prevailing "internal disturbance", the Emergency was in effect from June 25, 1975, until its withdrawal on March 21, 1977. The order vested upon the Prime Minister the authority to rule by decree, allowing elections to be suspended and civil liberties to be curbed. The final decision to impose an Emergency was proposed by Indira Gandhi, agreed upon by the President, and thereafter ratified by the Cabinet and the Parliament (from July to August 1975), based on the rationale that there were imminent internal and external threats to the Indian state. The Emergency is considered to be one of the most controversial periods of independent India's history. (ANI) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday backed Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu. Addressing a press conference, Mayawati said the BSP has taken this decision neither in support of BJP or NDA nor against opposition but keeping her party and movement in mind. "We have decided to support NDA's Presidential election candidate Droupadi Murmu. We have taken this decision neither in support of BJP or NDA nor against opposition but keeping our party and movement in mind," said the BSP chief. The BSP chief further said that she was not invited to the meeting chaired by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar to elect an opposition candidate for the Presidential election. "Mamata Banerjee invited only selected parties in the meeting she called on June 15 to elect an opposition candidate for the Presidential election and when Sharad Pawar called a meeting on June 21, then also BSP was not invited. It shows their casteism motives," she added. This comes after, Murmu on Friday spoke to Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and NCP chief Sharad Pawar. According to the sources, Mamata did not make any commitment to Murmu but wished her all the best for the election. BJP president JP Nadda also spoke to Sonia Gandhi and HD Deve Gowda for unanimous support for the NDA's presidential candidate in the upcoming election, according to sources. On the other hand, Yashwant Sinha has been nominated as the presidential candidate of the opposition. Meanwhile, Murmu filed her nomination papers at the Parliament Library Building in the national capital on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed her name for the nomination, which was seconded by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The second set of proposers were the chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, the third proposers were MLAs and MPs from Himachal and Haryana and the fourth set were MLAs and MPs from Gujarat. Droupadi Murmu, who was declared BJP-led NDA's presidential candidate, is a former Governor of Jharkhand and a former Odisha minister. If elected, she will be the first tribal President of India and the country's second female President. Droupadi Murmu is the first presidential candidate from Odisha of a major political party or alliance. She continues to break barriers and was the first woman governor of Jharkhand. She served as Jharkhand Governor from 2015 to 2021. (ANI) "One passenger namely Amit Jain, Indian National arrived at IGIA by flight no. EK-516 from Dubai is detained at immigration," a senior Punjab police official told ANI. The Emaar Group issued a statement and stated that he was later released after brief questioning at the airport. "Mr Amit Jain had a brief interaction with the authorities concerned. Further, he is not involved in day-to-day management and control of Emaar India affairs," an Emaar India spokesperson told ANI. Earlier, the Punjab Police had issued a LookOut Circular (LOC) against Emaar in a case where the Group CEO was booked in an FIR registered in November 2019 on the basis of a personal complaint regarding a delay in delivery of the plot purchased by the complainant. "Amit Jain is wanted in FIR no. 200/2019 u/s 420/406/120B IPC at Police station City Rupnagar (Punjab) vide LOC no. 2022412989 originated by SP (INV) Rupnagar, Punjab with text as Detain and handover to local police and inform," a senior Punjab official told ANI. "Punjab Police had written to the immigration authority on June 17 regarding the FIR registered against Amt Jain," sources said. Emaar Properties or Emaar Developments is an Emirati multinational real estate development company based in the United Arab Emirates. It is a public joint-stock company, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, and has a valuation of USD15.5 billion as of June 2021. The company provides property development and management services internationally. With six business segments and 60 active companies, Emaar has a collective presence in 36 markets across the Middle East, and North Africa. (ANI) Shiv Sena workers ransacked the office of rebel party MLA Tanaji Sawant in Pune on Saturday, amid intensifying political turmoil in the state. Sawant is one of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs of the Eknath Shinde faction and is currently camping in Guwahati, Assam. The Shiv Sena workers allegedly vandalised Sawant's office in Balaji area of Katraj in Pune "Our party workers vandalised Tanaji Sawant's office. All traitors and rebel MLAs who have troubled our chief Uddhav Thackeray will face this type of action. Their office will also be attacked. No one will be spared," said Sanjay More, Shiv Sena Pune city head. Following this, Pune Police issued an alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at offices related to Shiv Sena leaders in the city. Mumbai Police also issued a high alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, rebel Shiv Sena leader and state cabinet minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged 'malicious' withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs camping with him in a Guwahati hotel. In his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Shinde claimed that the security provided to the MLAs at their residence as well as to their family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge. However, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil refuted Shinde's claim of withdrawal of security. "Neither the Chief Minister nor the Home Department has ordered the withdrawal of security of any MLA. The allegations being levelled through Twitter are false and completely baseless," said Patil. Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam from June 22. Notably, CM Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of the party's national executive committee on Saturday. The meeting will be held in Shiv Sena Bhavan which the Chief Minister will join virtually. Besides, Shinde has also called a meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati on Saturday afternoon to discuss further strategy, said sources. Eknath Shinde faction, earlier on Friday, gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs. On the other hand, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to "break the party". (ANI) Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Saturday condemned the attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad and said that the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered the state police to take action against those involved in this irresponsible act. Speaking to ANI, Yechury said, "Whatever happened in Wayanad is something which we have said is completely unacceptable. We have condemned it. CM of the state and state Government also condemned it and State Police has already begun taking action against those involved in this irresponsible act. The Chief Minister of Kerala has ordered the police to take action and arrests have also taken place, such things do not happen in the democratic system." Reacting to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran's statement, CPI(M) leader said, "Whatever happened is wrong and action is going on. Police is acting there and if the allegation is made against the party then our leaders will speak on it." Indian Youth Congress protested on Saturday outside CPI(M) HQ in Delhi over vandalisation at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad. After the Youth Congress protest at CPI(M) Headquarters, Yechury said, "What is the point of it. On the one hand, the Congress party accuses the SFI there. Whatever happened has been in Wayanad. Something is condemned by the party, Chief Minister condemns it and action has been taken. The action has been initiated by the police against some of those who are involved in the responsible acts. Action has already begun and it happen last time after that what is the meaning of this protest nobody can understand." He further said, "Secondly what is the point of coming here to protest. When the Youth Congress tried to assault the Kerala Chief Minister in an aeroplane did the CPI(M) or anybody go to the AICC headquarters to protest? what are they trying to convey? That is very unclear and the protest is no purpose behind it." Earlier on Friday, Rahul Gandhi's office in Kainatty near Kalpetta in Wayanad was vandalized. The grand old party has alleged the involvement of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) in the attack. Indian Youth Congress, in a tweet, alleged that "goons held the flags of SFI" as they climbed the wall of Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad office and vandalized it. Congress leader KC Venugopal had also said that a group of SFI workers and leaders forcefully encroached on the office of Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi. "They attacked the office people, Rahul Gandhi's staff brutally. We don't know the reason," he said. Venugopal has accused the police of being a mute spectator when the "SFI workers were vandalising the office." "This happened in the presence of the Police. It's a clear conspiracy by CPM leadership. For the past 5 days, ED is questioning him after that I don't know why Kerala CPM is going in the way of Narendra Modi to attack him. I think Sitaram Yehcury will take necessary action," he added. A protest march of the SFI, the students' wing of ruling CPI(M), against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi turned violent as a group of protestors allegedly entered the Lok Sabha member's office and vandalized it. The student organization was protesting against the creation of buffer zones around forests in the hilly areas of Kerala. (ANI) The Shiv Sena rebel MLAs of Eknath Shinde faction on Saturday named their group as 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb'. Former Minister of State for Home and rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar told ANI that Eknath Shinde-led MLAs formed a new group 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb'. The decision comes at a time when Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was holding the executive meeting of Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government continues to be in a combative mode with 38 of its rebel MLAs are camping in Guwahati. There have been reports of Shiv Sainiks allegedly ransacking the offices of rebel legislators. Shiv Sena workers ransacked the office of rebel party MLA Tanaji Sawant in Pune on Saturday. Sawant is one of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs of the Eknath Shinde faction and is currently camping in Guwahati, Assam. "Our party workers vandalised Tanaji Sawant's office. All traitors and rebel MLAs who have troubled our chief Uddhav Thackeray will face this type of action. Their office will also be attacked. No one will be spared," said Sanjay More, Shiv Sena Pune city head. Following this, Pune Police issued an alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at offices related to Shiv Sena leaders in the city. Mumbai Police also issued a high alert and directed all police stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, rebel Shiv Sena leader and state cabinet minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged 'malicious' withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs camping with him in a Guwahati hotel. In his letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Shinde claimed that the security provided to the MLAs at their residence as well as to their family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge. However, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil refuted Shinde's claim of withdrawal of security. "Neither the Chief Minister nor the Home Department has ordered the withdrawal of security of any MLA. The allegations being levelled through Twitter are false and completely baseless.No MLA's security has been withdrawn. Keeping in view the prevailing situation, the Home Department has decided to provide security at the residence of MLAs to keep their families safe," said Patil. Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam from June 22. Notably, CM Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of the party's national executive committee on Saturday. The meeting will be held in Shiv Sena Bhavan which the Chief Minister will join virtually. Besides, Shinde has also called a meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati on Saturday afternoon to discuss further strategy, said sources. Eknath Shinde faction, earlier on Friday, gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs. On the other hand, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to "break the party". (ANI) Taking to Twitter, Sarma said, "In a recent operation, Kokrajhar Police seized 447 kg ganja and apprehended two accused from another state. Great work Assam Police. With your continued efforts, we have come a long way in our drive to combat the drug menace. Keep it up!." Earlier in June, Assam police seized 1,480 kilograms of Ganja from a goods carrier and apprehended its driver, police said. Last month, the Assam police seized 1,183 kg of ganja from a truck in the Karimganj district along the Assam-Tripura border and arrested two persons including the driver. (ANI) Taking to Twitter, he said, "On the way to Wayanad where SFI-CPI(M) goons attacked Rahul Gandhi's MP office. Congress and UDF will continue our protest. Goondaism thrives in Kerala with Pinarayi Government's active support." Earlier on Friday, over 100 Students of Federation of India (SFI) workers marched into the office of Gandhi at Kalpetta, headquarters of Wayanad district. The protests by the SFI workers turned violent. The protestors assaulted office staff and damaged the office furniture. Indian Youth Congress, in a tweet, alleged that "the goons held the flags of SFI" as they climbed the wall of Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad office and vandalised it. The student organization were protesting against the Supreme Court directive that made it mandatory for every protected forest tract and wildlife sanctuary to have an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of one kilometre from its boundaries. If such a buffer zone is implemented, a large tract of Wayanad district would fall within that zone. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the attack on Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad. Late at night, the Chief Minister ordered the Additional DGP at the state police headquarters to probe the incident and suspend the Kalpetta Deputy Superintendent of Police. The CM also directed the Home Secretary to submit a report within a week. (ANI) The Supreme Court has asked the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to file an affidavit related to the bond tenure of its Junior Resident Doctors and its consequential impacts. The vacation bench of Justices CT Ravikumar and Sudhanshu Dhulia has listed the matter for further hearing on July 22. "Counsel appearing for the Employees State Insurance Corporation shall file a short affidavit on the submission that in 2020, the policy with respect to bond and tenure was changed and also its consequential impacts," the Court said. The counsel for the ESIC has submitted a 5 year-term bond and the tenure was changed following a decision taken in November 2020. The Court was hearing a plea seeking to direct the concerned authorities to declare that the petitioners, who are Junior Resident Doctors, are eligible "in-service" doctors of ESIC/ESIS for the purposes of inclusion in reservation for the PG courses. The petitioner was represented by advocate Sachin Patil. The petition was moved by Junior Resident Doctors, including one Hemant Kumar Verma, who completed their MBBS courses from Institutions/ Hospitals run by the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). The petition stated that as per the prescribed regulations, the petitioners have to serve Hospitals of ESIC as in-service candidates for a period of five years, and for that, the petitioners have to give a UG bond to that effect the ESIC. Accordingly, the petitioners have executed bonds in favour of the respondent ESIC. They were appointed as Junior Residents in the ESIS/ ESIC institutions. The petition submitted, "similarly the ESIC institutions recruit Insurance Medical Officers grade -II, (IMO-II) for the ESIC/ ESIS institutions." It further submitted that qualifications, entitlements, duties and responsibilities, and the pay scale of junior resident doctors and IMO-II are the same. "As per the policy, IMO-II working in the ESIC institutions has been given 50 per cent reservation in PG medical seats in the ESIC Hospitals," it submitted. The petition also submitted, "though the petitioners are similarly placed junior resident doctors like IMO-II, they are not held to be eligible for said 50 per cent quota of ESIC Hospitals and therefore they called the policy of ESIC as arbitrary and discriminatory as it violates the Article 14 of the Constitution." "It is submitted that ESIC has been granting benefit of reservation to one set of in-service candidates and denying the said benefits to another set of in-service candidates when both are at par and similarly placed," the petitioners said. Hence, they have claimed that they are eligible "in-service" doctors of ESIC/ESIS for the purposes of inclusion in reservation for PG courses and sought direction to the respondents ESIC and others to extend 50 per cent "in-service" doctors' reservation for PG courses to the Junior Resident Doctors serving in ESIC/ESIS institutions. (ANI) Renowned Odia and Bengali film actor Raimohan Parida was found hanging at his residence at Prachi Vihar in Mancheswar police limits in Bhubaneswar on Friday. As per the initial reports, Parida died by hanging himself to death. However, the reason behind this remained unclear and has created many doubts among the people as his leg was found touching the ground. The police officials of Mancheswar recovered the body from his residence and sent it to the Capital Hospital for post-mortem, after which the body was sent to Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. Over the actor's demise, state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took to Twitter and expressed grief and said, "I am saddened to learn about the untimely demise of Raimohan Parida. His absence will always be felt in various fields of art, from drama to Jatra and film. He will be remembered for his impeccable acting. My sincere condolences to the bereaved family." The student and actor Sairam, popularly known as the Silver Gandhi of India, paid his last tribute to the deceased 58-year-old film actor and demanded a CBI or crime branch probe into the suspicious death of Parida. The entire Odia film industry is currently shocked by the news of Parida's untimely death. Hundreds of Odia actors, co-actors and fans thronged his residence after receiving the news. Odia film director, Chandi Prasad who had directed a number of films with the late actor said, "Why would Raimohan commit suicide? He had his own home, conducted the marriage of one daughter and was a monetary sound person. I don't find any source that can force him to take such an extreme step." Expressing grief, noted actor and former Member of Parliament Siddhant Mahapatra said, "It is hard to believe that an actor, who has seen several ups and downs in life, can think of doing something like this... as he was quite successful." Meanwhile, Odia film actress Usasi Mishra said, "We Odia film artists are very strong mentally because we got kicks and struggled so much to survive during the initial days in the industry. Raimohan Parida was an established artist and a mentally strong person, why would he do so?" "We met him on last Thursday during the morning and he appeared quite normal. We cannot believe that Raimohan, who is loved by all, has committed suicide," one of the late actor's neighbours said. Parida, who was known for his negative roles, is a native of the Keonjhar district and had played roles in more than 90 Odia and 15 Bengali films. (ANI) Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting flood relief operations in Assam and Meghalaya, and has rescued 253 stranded persons since June 21. Since then, the IAF has flown around 74 missions, rescued 253 stranded persons and dropped more than 200 tonnes of relief material as part of the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation, conducted in aid to the civil administration of the affected areas, according to the IAF. IAF has deployed C-130J Super Hercules, An-32 transport aircraft, Mi-17V5 helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv and Mi-17 helicopters to provide relief aid and supplies to the people stranded in these areas. Operations are under progress in coordination with the civil administration. The overall flood situation in Assam has improved but over 33.03 lakh people in 28 districts continue to remain affected due to the natural calamity in the state, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) informed on Saturday. According to ASDMA, a total of 117 people have lost their lives so far in the flood and landslides in the state this year; of which 100 people died in flood alone, while the remaining 17 died due to landslides. As per the reports, at least 10 people, including four children died after drowning in the flood water in the last 24 hours. The report also stated that 8.76 lakh people have been affected in Barpeta district alone, followed by 5.08 lakh people in Nagaon, 4.01 lakh in Kamrup, 2.76 lakh people in Cachar, 2.16 in Karimganj, 1.84 lakh in Dhubri, and 1.70 lakh people have been affected in the Darrang district of Assam. Notably, 3,510 villages under 93 revenue circles of the state and nearly 91,700 hectares of cropland is still reeling under the flood water. 2,65,788 people affected by flood water are still lodged in 717 relief camps set up by the administration of 22 districts in the state, ASDMA reported. Two drones have been deployed in Silchar of Cachar district for carrying out the flood inundation mapping as well as to provide the relief materials in the inaccessible areas. 85.2 MT of GR items including packaged drinking water, rice, etc. have been air transported from Guwahati and Jorhat to Silchar. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel along with SDRF, Fire and Emergency personnel, Police Force and AAPDA MITRA Volunteers have been helping the district administrations in the rescue operation and relief distributions. However, the ASDMA earlier reported that many areas under the Raha revenue circle in the Nagaon district are still under flood waters. Nearly 1.42 lakh people of 155 villages under the Raha revenue circle have been affected by the current wave of floods. In the Nagaon district, children have participated in preschool activities in the relief camp itself. "We're making children participate in preschool activities in relief camp (Nagaon) itself, with morning prayers, physical exercises, drawings. Union Mininster Sarbananda Sonowal visited this camp earlier," NP Doley, Integrated Child Development Services supervisor had told ANI. The flood situation in Kampur area in Assam's Nagaon district has slightly improved, but many areas under Kampur revenue circle are still under flood waters. The devastating flood damaged many houses, roads, bridges, and embankments in Kampur revenue circle areas. (ANI) Google CEO Sundar Pichai has made a big announcement to donate 30,000 Pixel phones to Ukrainian and Afghan refugees landing in the United States. Additionally, the search giant's CEO has announced USD 1 million each in search advertising and grants. According to the reports, Pichai is making this contribution under Welcome.US CEO Council. From his official Twitter handle Pichai has shared a tweet confirming the news, as per Mashable. "Tools like Google Translate help refugees communicate with their new communities. Today we're donating an additional 20,000 Pixel phones to @welcomeus so more Ukrainian & Afghan newcomers can feel at home in the US," read Sundar Pichai's tweet. In addition, the company revealed through an official blog post that Sundar Pichai has donated 30,000 Pixel phones to the refugees. The first 17 beneficiaries of the Google Ukraine Support Fund were confirmed in May this year. Recipients will receive financial support and mentoring from the search giant to launch their startups. The program will help recipients connect with the right people and kick-start start-ups at an early stage. The blog post also added, "YouTube is partnering with the UNHCR and Welcome.US to raise awareness about the scale of communities affected by refugee crises, from Syria to Venezuela to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to support refugee resettlement around the world." It seems that Google is trying to provide all kinds of support to refugees and help them grow up in a new country. It would be interesting to see what else Google will add in the coming months to improve support. (ANI) In a joint operation, personnel of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and Uttarakhand Police rescued two youths trapped in the Mandakini River, officials said on Saturday. The Sonprayag Police Station said that two youths were trapped in the Mandakini river between Sonprayag and Gaurikund and SDRF team was required. "When the water level of the Mandakini river was low, the youths had crossed the river to get essential goods. On their return they got stuck on the other side of the river as the water level of the river suddenly rose to a great extent," said the officials. Upon receiving information, a rescue team under the leadership of Inspector Karan Singh from SDRF Post Sonprayag was dispatched to the spot. The SDRF team reached the spot and acted swiftly to rescue the youth by using a life buoy, life jacket and rope, the police added. Earlier this week, five injured women of Uttarkashi were airlifted and admitted to AIIMS Rishikesh. "Five women who went to the forest in Naugaon of Uttarkashi district were buried under debris due to mudslide, when the information of this incident reached the Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, he without delay, sent his government helicopter to Uttarkashi," the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's office stated on Thursday. The injured women have been airlifted from this helicopter and admitted to AIIMS Rishikesh.Of the five women, one woman who died succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital, while the others are being treated at AIIMS. The Chief Minister has wished for a speedy recovery of the injured. (ANI) A new DNA analysis reveals the reason behind odd mating habits, body features and evolutionary future of mites that live in the hair follicles of humans. According to new research, tiny mites that live in human pores and breed on our faces at night are becoming such simplified organisms due to their unusual lifestyles that they may soon become one with humans. The research was led by Bangor University and the University of Reading, in collaboration with the University of Valencia, University of Vienna and the National University of San Juan. The findings of the research were published in the journal 'Molecular Biology and Evolution'. The mites are passed on during birth and are carried by almost every human, with numbers peaking in adults as the pores grow bigger. They measure around 0.3mm long, are found in the hair follicles on the face and nipples, including the eyelashes, and eat the sebum naturally released by cells in the pores. They become active at night and move between follicles looking to mate. The first-ever genome sequencing study of the D. folliculorum mite found that their isolated existence and resulting inbreeding is causing them to shed unnecessary genes and cells and move towards a transition from external parasites to internal symbionts. Dr Alejandra Perotti, Associate Professor in Invertebrate Biology at the University of Reading, who co-led the research, said: "We found these mites have a different arrangement of body part genes to other similar species due to them adapting to a sheltered life inside pores. These changes to their DNA have resulted in some unusual body features and behaviours." The in-depth study of the Demodex folliculorum DNA revealed: Due to their isolated existence, with no exposure to external threats, no competition to infest hosts and no encounters with other mites with different genes, genetic reduction has caused them to become extremely simple organisms with tiny legs powered by just 3 single cell muscles. They survive with the minimum repertoire of proteins - the lowest number ever seen in this and related species. This gene reduction is the reason for their nocturnal behaviour too. The mites lack UV protection and have lost the gene that causes animals to be awakened by daylight. They have also been left unable to produce melatonin - a compound that makes small invertebrates active at night - however, they are able to fuel their all-night mating sessions using the melatonin secreted by human skin at dusk. Their unique gene arrangement also results in the mites' unusual mating habits. Their reproductive organs have moved anteriorly, and males have a penis that protrudes upwards from the front of their body meaning they have to position themselves underneath the female when mating, and copulate as they both cling onto the human hair.One of their genes has inverted, giving them a particular arrangement of mouth-appendages extra protruding for gathering food. This aids their survival at young age. The mites have many more cells at a young age compared to their adult stage. This counters the previous assumption that parasitic animals reduce their cell numbers early in development. The researchers argue this is the first step towards the mites becoming symbionts. The lack of exposure to potential mates that could add new genes to their offspring may have set the mites on course for an evolutionary dead end, and potential extinction. This has been observed in bacteria living inside cells before, but never in an animal.Some researchers had assumed the mites do not have an anus and therefore must accumulate all their faeces through their lifetimes before releasing it when they die, causing skin inflammation. The new study, however, confirmed they do have anuses and so have been unfairly blamed for many skin conditions. Dr Henk Braig, co-lead author from Bangor University and the National University of San Juan, said: "Mites have been blamed for a lot of things. The long association with humans might suggest that they also could have simple but important beneficial roles, for example, in keeping the pores in our face unplugged." (ANI) Telugu Desam Party (TDP) National President and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday urged the state Director-General of Police (DGP) to take action against cops for the alleged attack on Chittoor ex-mayor Katari Hemalatha. In a letter to the DGP, Naidu alleged that the Chittoor police were intimidating witnesses and filing false cases in order to cover up the murder of Katari Mohan and Katari Anuradha. "Appallingly, a section of police was blatantly siding with the ruling Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government goons and harassing key witnesses in various cases," he stated. The TDP chief condemned the police for running the jeep over Katari Hemalatha, who was injured. Earlier on June 22, Lavanya, the sister-in-law of Hemalatha, complained to Chittoor Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) P Jagadeesh and Chittoor Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) about extending protection to witnesses in the gruesome murder of a couple. On June 23, it was learnt that Chittoor II Town Police were inquiring about the whereabouts of Satish Naidu, a key witness in the murder case of a couple. Naidu said. He further said that the police threatened Prasanna, an aide of Hemalatha to reveal the whereabouts of Satish Naidu. The TDP chief claimed that on June 23, the police raided the house of Poorna, a brother of Prasanna in order to threaten Prasanna to tell the whereabouts of Satish. Naidu objected to foisting a false case of marijuana against Purna by showing a pack of green grass in the police jeep. He urged DGP to inquire and take stringent action against the erring police officials in foisting false cases against Purna and for manhandling Hemalatha. If this trend of targeting and harassing key witnesses continues, the police in Andhra Pradesh will be mocked and will be seen with contempt, he said. He further warned that the TDP would not spare the police officers who were committing serious offences by turning into the ruling YSRCP activists. Meanwhile, TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh also said, "TDP party would fight a legal battle on behalf of the victimised TDP leaders." After coming to power, the TDP would take all the necessary action against all the errant officers, Lokesh said. He termed it unjust saying that the police put ganja in the pockets of Poorna and then arrested him by making false charges. (ANI) Noting that India is at the forefront of the world in the field of disaster management, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted that the country will further strengthen its position in this field by the completion of the centenary of inde pendence in 2047. Regarding this, the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are making full efforts, Shah said. "The Ministry of Home Affairs, NDMA and NDRF are working diligently to reach this goal," said the Home Minister while chairing a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs on 'Disaster Management' in Gujarat's Kevadiya. Shah said an early-warning system has been developed through innovative technologies such as SMS, mobile app and portal so that early warning of natural calamity can be conveyed to the people. He also said that the 'Common Alerting Protocol' project is being implemented across the country to strengthen the last mile spread of early warnings. Due to the successful efforts of the government, the loss of life and property during the various calamities that have occurred in the last few years have been brought down to the minimum level, Home Minister said. He said that its importance can be understood from the fact that around 10,000 people lost their lives in the super cyclone in 1999, while in contrast, only a few people lost their lives in recent cyclones. The meeting was attended by Ministers of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, Ajay Kumar Mishra, Nishith Pramanik and Union Home Secretary, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, NDMA and NDRF. The present government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has adopted a holistic approach to disaster management and has been made relief-centric, early warning-centric, proactive and early preparedness-based. He said that earlier the country had only a relief-centric approach toward disaster management which did not involve minimizing the loss of life and property, but this approach changed after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister. Shah informed the members of the committee that the budgetary provision for disaster management has been increased by 122 per cent in the last eight years by Prime Minister Modi, which shows the priority given by Modi to disaster management. He said that under the leadership of Modi, the Union Government has given priority to disaster management and climate change in the last eight years. The Union Home Minister said that the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with NDMA and NDRF, is playing an important role in helping the States and Union Territories by providing logistics and financial assistance and coordinating response and relief measures during natural calamities. Shah said that to tackle disasters on a priority basis, the spirit of public participation imbibed under the Aapda Mitra Yojana launched at the local level is very important because, till the time people do not join it, the work of disaster management does not reach the bottom. Amit Shah said that the concept of disaster management in India has been in existence since ancient times and in ancient times, it was taken care of at the time of the establishment of cities. The Union Home Minister informed that the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) are being deputed to States immediately after they are affected by a severe calamity, without waiting for the memorandum from the states. He also informed that for the first time mitigation funds have been constituted at the National and State level. The central government has also allocated Rs 13,693 crore for the National Disaster Mitigation Fund and Rs 32,031 crore for the State Disaster Mitigation Fund for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26. The NDRF is being strengthened, modernized and expanded throughout the country. Shah apprised the committee members of the important projects initiated in the field of disaster management. In order to reduce the suffering caused to the coastal community by cyclones and other calamities, the Modi government is implementing the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) in eight coastal states. Also, under the 'Aapdamitra' program for capacity building of the community, 1 lakh community volunteers in 350 disaster-prone districts are being trained for disaster response and preparedness. He said that best practices from all over the world are being brought to India and along with this, India is providing best practices in the field of disaster management to the world. The Central government has prepared a pre-disaster preparedness protocol in the last eight years, he said. The Home Minister talked about including it as a subject in 12th and graduation level education to sensitize the children to various aspects of disaster management. "There are many challenges before India in disaster management, but at this point of time we are in a position where we can prepare to deal with the next phase of these challenges," he said. Targets have been fixed for every five years and every year till 2047, for which the Ministry is working with full readiness. He requested members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee to give their suggestions for detailed reforms in the Disaster Management Act, 2005. He said that on the lines of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar at the national level, the states can give awards in the field of disaster management and can also send suggestions for the names of individuals and institutions for the award to the Centre. The Members of Parliament who attended the meeting of the committee were NK Premachandran, Kunwar Danish Ali, Professor (Dr.) Ram Shankar Katheria, CM Ramesh, Rajendra Agarwal, Locket Chatterjee, Vijay Kumar Hansdak, NeerajShekhar, PP Choudhary, KC Ramamurthy, Naba (Hira) Kumar Sarania, K Ravindra Kumar and K Gorantia Madhav. (ANI) Hyderabad police have apprehended one person for executing a theft by employing attention diversion techniques to steal an ATM card of a customer at an ATM in the Mangalhat police station limits of the city. According to the police, the complaint was received on June 18 from a person namely Gayakodu Shankar who said that he sought help from an unknown man standing outside the ATM centre to withdraw cash. "The accused took the complainant's ATM card to withdraw Rs 10,000/, which he handed to the complainant. While the latter was counting the money the unknown person diverted his attention and exchanged the complainant's ATM with a duplicate bank ATM and fled from the spot. Rs. 70,000/- net cash was also withdrawn from the complainant's account," said the police. The accused, a native of Bihar is a habitual property offender, police said. Detailing the accused's modus operandi, police said that he waits near ATM centres and observes the old and illiterate people who are not familiar with withdrawing cash from ATMs. "The accused approaches them offering his help to withdraw the money and diverts their attention and exchanges the ATM with duplicate one," the police said. The accused was arrested on Saturday morning at a bank ATM. (ANI) Earlier today, the JMM had called a meeting of all his legislators to take a decision on whether they would support her in the presidential election. However, the meeting was inconclusive, sources said. JMM was among opposition parties which had extended support to former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha in the presidential election. Since the NDA named Murmu, a leader from the tribal community, pressure has been mounting on several opposition leaders including the Jharkhand Chief Minister to extend her support. Jharkhand has a lot of tribal population. The BJP-led NDA had declared Droupadi Murmu as the presidential candidate on June 21. Murmu had on Friday made calls to senior opposition leaders including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and TMC chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to seek their support. Murmu has also got support from Biju Janta Dal as well as YSR Congress. BJP chief JP Nadda had on Friday reached out to leaders of some opposition parties in an effort to build consensus on Murmu's candidature. He spoke to Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah and former Prime Minister and JDS leader HD Deve Gowda. The elections for the President of India will take place on July 18 and the results will be out on July 21. The term of present Rashtrapati Ram Nath Kovind concludes on July 24. (ANI) The drugs were seized by police in recent times from different locations in the Biswanath district. According to the Biswanath district police, 56.70 kg of ganja, 500 grams of heroin, cough syrup bottles, and tablets were destroyed in presence of senior police and district administration officials. Navin Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Biswanath district police said that the seized drugs have been destroyed following the direction of the Court and drugs disposal committee order. "Our anti-drugs operations will be continued," Navin Singh said. Earlier on June 11, Assam police seized 1480 kilograms of Ganja from a goods carrier and apprehended its driver. In April, Police seized drugs worth around Rs 3 crore and apprehended three persons in Assam's Morigaon district. In February this year, Kokrajhar Police organised a special program to destroy the seized drugs and psychotropic substances weighing 1477 kg Ganja and 1.28 Kg heroin along with 33 tablet packets. The drugs destroyed by the police were seized since 2018 from different parts of the Kokrajhar district and set to fire in the presence of Special DGP L R Bishnoi, Superintendent of Police. (ANI) Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer Sanjay Popli, who has been arrested on corruption charges, on Saturday alleged that the Vigilance Department has murdered his son and he is an eyewitness to the incident. "I am an eye-witness, they (police officials) are taking me....my son was shot by them," said Popli. The IAS officer's son died of gunshot injuries on Saturday. While the police said Kartik Popli, died by suicide, his family, however, has claimed he was murdered. "They tortured my child and killed him. They tortured my domestic help for evidence. The entire vigilance bureau and the DSP are under the pressure from the chief minister. This is the way they are killing people," the mother of Kartik Popli said. The incident comes days after the Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested IAS officer Popli and his accomplice on corruption charges. Anu Preet Kular, a relative of Sanjay Popli alleged that the "Vigilance people murdered him". "Vigilance team asked Sanjay Popli to sign on something otherwise it won't be good for his son. They locked him in a room and took his son upstairs. We were standing downstairs and after some time we heard the sound of gunshots. The Vigilance people murdered him." SSP Kuldeep Chahal said that the boy allegedly shot himself in the head with his father's licensed pistol. "The vigilance team had arrived (at IAS Sanjay Popli's house) for an enquiry and heard a gunshot. After verification, they realized that his son had shot himself with his licensed gun. He was taken to a hospital," SSP Chahal said. The Vigilance Department of Punjab on Saturday recovered over 12 kg gold among other items from arrested Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sanjay Popli's house. "Four days after the arrest of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sanjay Popli in corruption case, the Vigilance Bureau on Saturday recovered over 12 Kg gold, 3 Kg silver, four Apple iPhones, one Samsung fold phone and two Samsung smartwatches from storeroom of his house at Sector 11, Chandigarh," stated the Vigilance Department release. IAS officer Sanjay Popli was arrested on June 20, for allegedly demanding a 1 per cent commission as a bribe of Rs 7 lakhs for clearance of tenders for laying of sewerage pipeline at Nawanshahr. His accomplice identified as Sandeep Wats was also arrested from Jalandhar. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday launched a book titled 'Modi@20: Dreams Meeting Delivery' at Sankardev International Auditorium in Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati. It may be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed 20 years in 2021 as the head of government from becoming Chief Minister to Prime Minister of India. First, he became Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001 and remained in that post till he became the Prime Minister of India in 2014 and was re-elected in 2019. A book titled 'Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery' which was already launched at the national level, witnessed the state-wide launch in Assam, as per a statement from the Assam Chief Minister's Office. Published by Rupa Publications India, the book is written by eminent intellectuals and writers like Nandan Nilekani, Sudha Murty, Sadguru, P.V. Sindhu, Amish Tripathi among others, the statement added. The book is an anthology of chapters written by eminent writers elaborating and depicting the fundamental transformation that the country has gone through under the leadership of Narendra Modi as the head of the government in the last 20 years. The book also elaborates on Modi's model of governance which has touched the lives of a cross-section of the people of the society. Speaking on the occasion, Sarma said, 'Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery' is undoubtedly an incredible book. "This book which encapsulates the journey of the last two decades of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the head of a democratically elected government is in fact an informative historical document of contemporary India. I am very happy and proud to be a part of the launch of this epoch-making book," he said. He said that PM Modi after taking over the rein of office of the Chief Minister on October 7, 2001, unleashed a new model of development termed as Gujarat model in the country. Bringing a turnaround in all sectors including agriculture, PM Modi projected the Gujarat model as a success story before the world. After being in the Chief Minister's office for nearly four terms, he with the blessings and support of all sections of the people in the country became the Prime Minister of India in 2014. Before 2014, no government at the Centre came to power with a majority. However, ending this phenomenon, PM Modi made the turn around as the BJP-led NDA government came to power with a thumping majority, the CM said this during the event. Sarma said that there were coalition governments in India for twenty-five years between 1989 and 2014. All the governments had a policy of compromise for political interests. It created disappointment among the common citizens. "Many critics said public support for the BJP was a reflection of the temporary sentiments of the people. Their views were that Prime Minister Modi could never fulfil the dreams and hope that he had shown to the people. But proving such critics wrong, PM Modi was elected Prime Minister of the country for the second consecutive term with more public support in the 2019 general elections, which was unprecedented in the last five decades," he said. The overwhelming mandate towards PM Modi in the 2019 elections was undoubtedly a reflection of the fulfilment of his dreams and hopes that he had shown to the people and his promises made to them, Sarma added. The Chief Minister said that in October 2021, Prime Minister has completed two decades of his political career as head of a democratically elected government. "In a country as diverse as India, it is rare to keep stirring public imagination for nearly two decades with a single thought. However, in the last twenty years, a name, an idea, has fascinated the countrymen by making such an impossible possible. That is Narendra Modi," Sarma said. "Today PM Modi is the name of a change, Modi is the name of hope, Modi is the name of a conviction. The countrymen believe that everything is possible if Modi is there. People believe that 'Modi hai to mumkin hai'," the Chief Minister added. Speaking on the book, Sarma said that it was undoubtedly a formidable challenge to cover through a book on the twenty eventful years of the rise of Narendra Modi to the most powerful post in the country and how this period has affected the lives of Indians. It is quite natural for individuals to differ in their opinions on this. But there is no doubt that the articles that the Bluekraft Digital Foundation has incorporated in the book in the context of the views and personal experiences of familiar, influential and knowledgeable people in various fields have been able to successfully capture the personality of PM Modi and his contribution to the social life of India in the last two decades, Sarma added. According to the statement, he, therefore, congratulated every functionary of the Bluekraft Digital Foundation involved in editing and compiling the book. He on this occasion also requested Rupa Publications India for taking initiative in getting the book translated into Assamese to enable readers from cross section of the society to read the book. (ANI) Expressing dissatisfaction over Shiv Sena's alliance with its "traditional rival" parties, Congress and NCP, party's rebel MLA Chimanrao Patil on Saturday said that they had urged Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to stitch a "natural alliance". The leader, however, added that there was no response from the Chief Minister which is why Eknath Shinde, who is leading the faction, "took a stand". "We are traditionally the rivals of NCP and Congress, they are our primary challengers in constituencies. We requested CM Uddhav Thackeray that natural alliance should be done," said Shiv Sena rebel MLA Chimanrao Patil in a video tweeted by Eknath Shinde. Patil claimed that the faction has the support of two-thirds of the Shiv Sena MLAs along with 10 independents. "As there was no response from CM, our leader Eknath Shinde took a stand because every Shiv Sena worker wants a natural alliance. Rebellion being supported by over two-thirds of Shiv Sena MLAs and 10 independents," he said. Earlier today, Rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar told ANI that the faction has named its group 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb'. He further said that they are still with the Shiv Sena and claimed that they have a two-thirds majority. The rebel MLA further demanded recognition for their faction and warned of going to court if it is not done and denied the role of the BJP behind their revolt. Addressing a press conference virtually, Kesarkar said, "We are still in Shiv Sena, there is a misunderstanding that we have left the party. We've just separated our faction. We have a two-thirds majority to follow the path we wanted. Our new leader has been chosen by the majority. They didn't have more than 16-17 MLAs." Reacting sharply to the naming of the group after the name of Balasaheb Thackeray, party chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the former faction can take their own decisions but no one should use the party patriarch's name. Addressing party leaders during the national executive committee meeting in the Shiv Sena Bhawan, Thackeray said, "Some people are asking me to say something but I've already said that they(rebel MLAs) can do whatever they want to do, I won't interfere in their matters. They can take their own decision, but no one should use Balasaheb Thackeray's name." Notably, Eknath Shinde claims to have the support of 38 MLAs of the 55 Shiv Sena legislators, which is more than two-thirds of the party's strength in the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. It means that they can either leave and form another political party or merge with another without being disqualified from the state assembly. The Uddhav Thackeray faction recently submitted a plea before the Maharashtra Assembly deputy speaker to disqualify 12 rebel MLAs. As rebels continue to camp in Guwahati, some of their offices were vandalised allegedly by Shiv Sena workers in Maharashtra. Following this, Shinde on Saturday wrote to Uddhav Thackeray over the alleged 'malicious' withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs camping with him in the Guwahati hotel. In his letter to Thackeray and State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Shinde claimed that the security provided to the MLAs at their residence as well as to their family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge. "Needless to mention, this sinister move is another attempt to break our resolve and arm-twist us to give in to the demands of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government comprising of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress goons," he said. (ANI) Expressing satisfaction over the arrest of former IPS officer RB Sreekumar by Gujarat Police on Saturday, former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan said action had been taken against the retired police official for "fabricating stories and trying to sensationalise them" and "it is exactly what he did in my case also" over the 1994 ISRO espionage case. Former Gujarat Director General of Police RB Sreekumar was arrested by Gujarat Police on Saturday, a day after Supreme Court ruling on June 24 which upheld the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by a Gujarat court in the 2002 riots case. Speaking to ANI over the phone, Narayanan said that the former officer was "crossing all limits of decency" and "there is limit to everything". "I came to know that he was arrested today for keeping on fabricating stories and trying to sensationalise them, there was a charge against him. It is exactly what he did in my case also. But our system is such that anybody can say any loose statement and get away with it. This is what some responsible people at bigger positions also keep on doing," Narayanan said. "Now that it is shown by Supreme Court that you can't do it anymore. So they must be behind the docks. That way, I am very happy to know that he is being arrested because there is a limit for everything. I think he is crossing all the limits in terms of decency, in terms of judicial prudence," he added. Narayanan accused Sreekumar of making false statements about him. "I personally feel whatever he is charged with is applicable to my case also. One day he will say that I am corrupt. It has nothing to do with the case, it is closed. But again he will say, he will bring someone else to say this. This is what he has kept on doing. Now I hope that he will stop doing that. He should also be punished for that," he alleged. Narayanan said no one should be allowed to take advantage of loopholes of law. "When he was arrested I was very happy because he will keep on doing this kind of mischief all the time, there must be an end to such a thing. That is why I said, I am very happy. Same thing applies to me in all respects," he said. "He will keep on telling something. He will make use of the loopholes of the law and then try to play his cards in such a manner so that you get fed up and run away. So that whatever he is saying becomes true. This is what he has been doing with so many cases. I want to make it clear, this is not on," he added. The CBI had moved Supreme Court against the Kerala High Court order of August 2021 granting anticipatory bail to four persons including Sreekumar in a case relating to the alleged framing of Nambi Narayanan in the 1994 ISRO espionage matter. The high court had granted anticipatory bail to Sreekumar and two former police officers of Kerala and a retired intelligence official in connection with the case. Nambi Narayanan and another former ISRO scientist had in August last year told CBI team probing the ISRO conspiracy case that they were subjected to "mental and physical torture" by former Kerala police and Intelligence Bureau officers. Sreekumar was then the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Bureau. (ANI) The officials seized a large amount of cash from Drug Inspector's possession that took them several hours to count. Apart from cash, the officers found documents of many properties, a huge amount of gold and silver and four luxury cars, informed Surendra Kumar Maur, DSP Monitoring Department. "A team of surveillance department raided the residence of Drug Inspector Jitendra Kumar in the disproportionate assets case. A huge amount of cash, many land papers, gold, silver and four luxury cars were recovered," said the DSP Monitoring Department officer. In the video, the officials were seen counting the bundles of notes of all denominations between Rs 100 and Rs 2,000 piled up on the table and bed. More details are awaited. (ANI) The national capital witnessed a dip in the new COVID-19 cases with 666 fresh infections recorded in the last 24 hours, according to a health bulletin by the Delhi government on Saturday. The city had recorded 1,447 new cases on Friday. With this, the active cases in the city have gone down from 5,507 cases on Friday to 4,717 today. As many as 8,544 COVID tests were conducted in the last 24 hours with a daily case positivity rate of 7.80 per cent. According to the bulletin, 1,450 patients recovered from the disease during this period. The total number of recoveries in the city since the beginning of the pandemic rose to 18,98,541. Six COVID patient succumbed to the virus. The death toll stands at 26,249. As far as the vaccination is concerned, 27,699 beneficiaries were vaccinated during this period. The cumulative vaccine doses administered in the city so far increase to 3,48,15,494. Meanwhile, India reported 15,940 fresh COVID cases and 20 deaths in the last 24 hours. With this, India's active cases surge to 91,779 and the daily positivity rate is currently at 4.39 per cent. Earlier this month, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had chaired a meeting through video conferencing with Health Ministers and senior officials of States and Union Territories (UTs) to review the progress of the vaccination exercise HarGharDastak 2.0 campaign. Highlighting increased case positivity in some districts and States and reduced COVID-19 testing, Mandaviya had stated that increased and timely testing will enable early identification of COVID cases and help to curb the spread of the infection among the community. He had urged States and UTs to continue and strengthen the surveillance and focus on genome sequencing for identifying new mutants/variants in the country. He stated that the five-fold strategy of Test, Track, Treat, Vaccination and Adherence to Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB) needs to be continued and monitored by States/UTs. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday installed a countdown clock at its Telangana state headquarters here, saying the countdown has started for the end of KCR government in the state. BJP national general secretary and in-charge of party affairs in Telangana, Tarun Chug formally inaugurated the countdown clock and declared that 529 days are remaining for Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government. "The countdown has started for the KCR government today. It has 529 days left. It's time to say bye bye KCR," said Chug, who was accompanied by state BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar and other party leaders. The BJP will install similar countdown clocks at all its offices in the state. The party has also launched a website with the slogan 'Saalu Dora Selavu Dora' which has a ticking countdown clock. It also highlights the failures of TRS government. Tarun Chug exuded confidence that BJP will come to power in Telangana and will build a Telangana of the dreams of martyrs. The BJP leader alleged that Telangana has become slave in the hands of one family. "KCR, his ministers and MLAs all have become like Ali Baba chaalees chor who are looting the state," he said. He said that the July 3 public meeting to be held at Parade Grounds and to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to declare that BJP is coming to power in the state. He alleged that KCR, who promised a Bangaru or golden Telangana, has turned only his family into Bangaru family. "Youth, women, farmers, SCs, STs, all sections have been betrayed by the TRS government. KCR had made many promises and did not fulfill even one of them," he said. The BJP leader alleged that KCR government is oblivious of the problems faced by the people. "The Centre reduced prices of petrol and diesel twice. All states reduced the prices but the KCR government in Telangana is in deep slumber. It has not slashed VAT to provide relief to the people," he said. --IANS ms/pgh ( 346 Words) 2022-06-25-19:34:01 (IANS) Kerala Police on Saturday initiated the department level enquiry against three cops for allegedly allowing the Student's Federation of India (SFI) workers to felicitate its State Secretary, PM Arsho before going to prison in Kochi district. "A department-level enquiry has been initiated against three policemen for allowing the workers of SFI, the student wing of CPIM to felicitate PM Arsho before going to prison," informed CH Nagaraju, Kochi City Police Commissioner. SFI workers felicitated PM Arsho by raising slogans and putting garlands just before entering the sub-jail in Kakkanad district. He was felicitated when the police brought him to the sub-jail. Earlier, Kerala Police had arrested Ernakulam state secretary of the Students' Federation of India, the student wing of CPIM, PM Arsho in connection with an attempt to murder case, following which he was remanded to 14-day judicial custody. The Kerala High Court had cancelled the bail of Arsho in connection with an attempt to murder case observing that he was involved in the 12 cases during the bail period. The case against the leader was registered in 2018. The case against the SFI leader was registered in 2018. He was arrested for a case registered under sections 308, 355, 323, 324, 506, and 427 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for allegedly attacking a student. Arsho was involved in 12 cases after obtaining bail in the murder attempt case. Observing this, a Single Bench of Justice Sunil Thomas issued an order cancelling his bail in February this year. The court also asked the police to arrest him immediately. But police submitted in the High Court that he was absconding. But recently, Arsho participated in the SFI state conference held in the Malappuram district and got elected as state secretary. (ANI) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday held a meeting with over 200 principals from government schools of the national capital to set the targets and strategy for the new academic session. Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, asked the principals to set minimum benchmarks in their schools regarding infrastructure, cleanliness, and school environment. "In the last seven years, the government has done a lot of work on schools and has set up a great model of education. But now it is the responsibility of the school heads to set their own accountability for their schools and ensure that nothing falls below the minimum benchmark set by the schools," he said, adding that the government will provide all the necessary facilities and funds to the schools. The Deputy CM said that it is the responsibility of the principals to ensure that no student is left behind. Along with the implementation of various academic activities, the principals need to ensure that they set a minimum benchmark of quality of education, cleanliness and maintenance of infrastructure in their schools, Sisodia said. "The aim of the Delhi government is to provide dignified education space to all children coming to Delhi government schools and not paying attention to them will be an injustice to the children who have chosen our schools over others," he said. "Apart from this, the principals must also take the responsibility of maintaining the positive classroom culture. They should encourage teachers and students to turn classrooms into their area of expression and thoughts," Sisodia added. --IANS avr/arm ( 275 Words) 2022-06-25-22:24:04 (IANS) Congress leader and senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said on Saturday that the Gujarat police is politicising the Supreme Court judgment which upheld a Special Investigation Teams (SIT) clean chit to then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 63 others in the 2002 post-Godhra riots. Singhvi's remarks came after the Ahmedabad Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) on Saturday arrested retired state DGP R.B. Sreekumar, whose role was questioned by the top court, and Mumbai-based activist Teesta Setalvad, who had backed Zakia Jafri, the petitioner. In a series of tweets, Singhvi said, "Shd never politicise #sc judgements violated by all #Bhakts suggesting sc held tht bjp/#Modi/guj Govt is "tussi great ho"! SC simply upheld #SIT which found no conspiracy & tht violence ws spontaneous reaction. Reading pol jumlas &unconnected clean chits into sc V misleading." "Don't forget many convicted of murder post #Godhra in guj riots. Individual culpability established. #SC only rules out conspiracy or statements by #PM in presence of certain police officers found to be absent. Tht must be respected as apex court order. No more no less," he added. In another tweet, Singhvi said, "Para 88 of #SC clearly 4 police officers who gave false evidence incl their presence not being established; #zakia family incl widow which pursued case relentlessly & orher disgruntled govt officers. Cannot and shd not be expanded to political sphere generally." Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch after registering a case against former DIG Sanjiv Bhatt, former DGP R.B. Sreekumar and human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, arrested Sreekumar from Gandhinagar, Teesta from Mumbai, while Sanjiv Bhatt, who is right now lodged in Palanpur jail, will be brought under transfer warrant. The allegation against Sanjiv Bhatt is that the documents submitted by him before the Nanavati Commission were forged/fabricated/manipulated with an intention to implicate various persons under grave sections of the law. --IANS miz/arm ( 318 Words) 2022-06-25-22:48:03 (IANS) Researchers at the University of California describe how the microbiomes of people and the homes they live in interact and change each other. Writing in the June 24, 2022 issue of Science Advances, scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and elsewhere report on the molecular impact of life indoors, describing how the presence of humans interacts with their microbial roommates, changing the home's biology and chemistry. The findings, suggest the authors, should influence future building designs. Modern Americans spend approximately 70 percent of their time inside, reshaping the indoor microbiome with inputs from their bodies. Limited research has investigated the interaction between humans and indoor exposures to specific pollutants, toxins and particles, but the new study more ambitiously documents how people influence the entire molecular and chemical composition of a home through routine activities. An experimental test home was erected in Austin, Texas during the summer of 2018. The house was designed for ordinary use and included bathrooms, a kitchen, gathering and work areas. Overnight stays were prohibited, but 45 study participants, plus visitors, spent time in the house, occupying it for approximately six hours per day for 26 days, during which they performed scripted activities, such as cooking, cleaning and socializing. Researchers sampled the distribution of detectable molecules and microbes throughout the occupied areas of the house at the beginning of the experiment, dubbed T1, and again 28 days later, dubbed T2, largely by swabbing surfaces and conducting different genomic, metabolic and chemical analyses. Before T1, the house was deep cleaned with a bleach solution. Nonetheless, researchers said traces of molecules associated with humans were still present. At T2, after almost of month of human occupation, the house was alive with molecular and microbial abundance and diversity, albeit unevenly distributed. Researchers found molecules associated with skin care products, skin cells, drugs (such as antidepressants and anabolic steroids), food-derived molecules (such as terpenes and flavonoids), human or animal metabolites (molecules generated during the process of metabolism, such as bile and fatty acids), amino acids, sugars and microbial metabolites. Most of the indoor surface molecules were natural products (biologically produced molecules rather than synthetic compounds), food, molecules associated with the outdoors, personal care products and human-derived metabolites, often traced to fecal matter. Food, human-associated microbes, feces, building materials and the microbes that grow upon them and building materials in humid conditions were deemed the likely primary sources. Not surprisingly, the kitchen and toilet were hotspots of molecular and microbial diversity, though numbers fluctuated with surface cleaning and sanitation. "It appears that, even when a subset of chemistry is removed because of the cleaning, it is only temporary and/or partial, as the sum total of cleaning and human activities overall results in an increase in accumulation of richer chemistry," the authors wrote. Surfaces routinely touched by people, such as tables, light switches and knobs, were more abundant in molecular and microbial chemistry. Floors showed less molecular diversity, perhaps because they were cleaned more often. Windows, chairs and doors not routinely touched by human occupants displayed the least change in chemical diversity between T1 and T2. Other residents Of course, people weren't the only occupants of the test home. Researchers found indoor surfaces covered with bacteria, fungi and other microbes, plus their metabolites. Regular cleaning altered these microbial populations and diversity over time, allowing different species to recolonize cleaned spaces. At the end of the test period, less than half of the house's original microbiome remained, but it accounted from more than 96 percent of all microbial life counted. Most of the detected microbiome at T2 was derived from human occupants, mainly commensal species that reside on human skin or in the gut. Free-living, environment-associated microbes had been depleted by human activities. In other words, cleaned or pushed out. "We don't know exactly how the human-related microbes squeezed out the environmental microbes because there are many ways this could happen, but it's clear that they do," said Rob Knight, PhD, one of the study's principal investigators and director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation at UC San Diego. "Understanding this phenomenon will be a key goal of future research on the microbiology of the built environment." The authors noted that at least 1 percent of the detected indoor molecules may pose an outsized health effect. For example, the bacterial species Paenibacillus was associated with molecules from coffee, one of the dominant sources of food-derived indoor molecules detected. In the home, especially at T2, Paenibacillus was observed in and around the area where coffee was prepared and the genus has been found to grow in coffee machines. Paenibacillus species have been used as probiotics in chickens and bees, and may also contribute to human health, consistent with recent reports that coffee drinking is associated with improved cardiovascular health and longevity. "Understanding specifically how our observations that both human and microbial occupants change the chemical make-up of a home should influence building material design to improve human health will require additional studies," said co-principle investigator Pieter Dorrestein, PhD, director of the Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center at Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego. (ANI) Leaders of more than 59 Commonwealth nations gathered in the Rwandan capital on Friday for the official opening of the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held under the theme "Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming'. Presidents, Prime Ministers and their representatives from across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific and Europe assembled in person at the Kigali Conference Centre for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic spread globally and delayed the meeting for two years. It is also the first CHOGM to be held on the African continent since Uganda in 2007. In the morning, The Prince of Wales, representing Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth, emphasised the great value she has placed on the common friendship, humanities and values of the Commonwealth. He said: "As we build back from the pandemic that has devastated so many lives, as we respond to climate change and biodiversity loss that threatens our very existence, and as we see lives destroyed by the unattenuated aggression from violent forces, such friendships are more important than ever. "Our Commonwealth family is and will always remain a free association of independent self-governing nations. We meet and talk as equals, sharing our knowledge and experiences for the betterment of all citizens of the Commonwealth, and indeed the wider world." The host and new Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, President of Rwanda Paul Kagame warmly welcomed delegates, saying: "We join together to pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen, the Head of the Commonwealth, and its most devoted champion. Over her 70 years of service, the Commonwealth has grown both in number and the scope of its ambition. "The fact of holding this meeting in Rwanda, a new member with no historical connection to the British Empire, expresses our choice to continue reimagining the Commonwealth for a changing world. "The Commonwealth we need is on the frontlines of global challenges, not on the peripheries, watching events unfold. Our special strength is to bring issues into focus that might otherwise be overlooked." He highlighted the existential threat of climate change to small islands and developing states, and unlocking potential for new technologies to create jobs for young people as some of these issues. In her address, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, underlined the shared values of the group. "(The Commonwealth) has shared interests and practical advantages, but we are the most significant grouping of countries in the history of the world which is bound, above all, by values which we all aspire to. "These values of peace and justice, of tolerance, respect and solidarity - and our role as the foremost international champion for small and vulnerable states - remain our enduring responsibility. They express a vision for the world that will outlast all of us. They make us different. They make us special. "Honouring these values, and that vision, is our most sacred trust - and our gift to the generations which will follow." UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, highlighted the various global challenges confronting global leaders, including climate change, ensuring girls' education and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As outgoing Chair-In-Office, he thanked member countries, stating: "As I pass on this responsibility (as Chair-in-Office) to President Paul Kagame, a close friend and a partner, I know that he shares my boundless optimism about the future of the Commonwealth at the forefront of the international agenda and benefitting all our peoples." The opening ceremony featured performances by the National Ballet of Rwanda and the Rwanda School of Creative Arts and Music. It follows four days of Commonwealth forums on youth, women, business and civil society, high-profile side events and preparatory ministerial meetings. Over the next two days, heads and their representatives will meet in executive sessions and a leaders' retreat to discuss shared priorities that will shape the work programmes of the organisation. Discussions will cover issues related to democracy, peace and governance, sustainable and inclusive development, and post-Covid 19 recovery. Leaders will also decide on the post of Secretary-General. A final communique capturing the outcomes of their deliberations will be issued at the conclusion of CHOGM on Saturday. Meanwhile, leaders of the Commonwealth have made a decision by consensus to reappoint Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, for a further two years to complete the balance of her period in office. --IANS vg/vd ( 719 Words) 2022-06-24-23:02:02 (IANS) Pakistan political party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) held demonstrations in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday over the brutal killing of four youth activists and a "conspiracy to destroy peace" in North Waziristan tribal district area, local media reported. Notably, at least four volunteers of a social organisation were killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire at their car in Pakistan's North Waziristan district on Sunday. All the deceased activists were part of a social organisation, the Youth of Waziristan. The bodies were shifted to a hospital in Mirali town, reported Dawn. The Youth Organisation, formed after the Zarb-i-Azb military operation, has worked for the restoration of peace in the militancy-hit region. The organisation has also staged a protest and sit-in against target killings. About two years ago security agencies took action against a sit-in organised by the Youth of Waziristan and arrested its founding president, Noor Islam Dawar. JI district emir Mohammad Ajmal Khan, general secretary Dr Naser Khan, Haji Akhtar Ali Shah and JI youth provincial deputy chief Dr Abdul Rauf Qureshi led the demonstrations protesting the killing of the youth. The protesters were holding banners and they passed through different markets of the city. During the demonstrations, the speakers said that Al-Khidmat Foundation president and Youth of Waziristan activist Asadullah Dawar and his friends, including, Waqar Ahmad Dawar, Suneed Ahmad Dawar and Ammad Dawar were murdered brutally in the North Waziristan tribal district a few days ago, as per the media portal. According to the speakers the killed youth was educated and was a peace activist. While speaking of the incident, they added that the motorcar they were travelling in was attacked by armed motorcyclists. Citing a conspiracy, they claimed that the tribal youth and intellectuals are being killed to deliberately destroy peace in the region. Furthermore, expressing concerns over the law and order situation and incidents of targeted killing in the tribal district, they asked the government to take the perpetrators of the slain youth to task and provide justice, as per the media portal. District Police and residents said that unidentified men on two motorcycles opened fire on a moving car in the Haiderkhel area of Mirali tehsil. (ANI) Australia sees India as one of its most important partners to deter China in the Indo-Pacific as Beijing has been very brutal in the way it is behaving, said former Australian MP Ivan Trayling. In a telephonic conversation with ANI, Trayling said, "India-Australia relationship is important in trying to deter the Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific area and the Chinese brutality." Speaking on the ground that newly elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holds with respect to Chinese aggression in the region, the former Australian politician Trayling said, "I think Prime Minister Albanese will be a very strong partner with the US, India and Japan in working against the Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific. I particularly think and I certainly hope that he will be working very closely with India in terms of combatting the Chinese aggression and Chinese ambitions." "I am very intrigued by the current way the Albanese government is moving in terms of recognizing what China is trying to do," he added. Upon the huge strides made in the relationship between the two countries, the former Australian lawmaker Trayling said, "After the emergence of China, it has caused more of an awakening about the importance of the Indo-Pacific area. India-Australia relation is mutually very beneficial, especially for Australia .. to have a much better, closer and meaningful relationship with India. I think with time it is happening." When asked about how Australia sees the deals that China signed with the Solomon Islands and Samoa along with Beijing's ambitions on its deal with the Pacific Island nation of Fiji, Trayling noted, "Australia is a medium-sized economy. We have only got 25 million people. We are a wealthily well-off country but we do not compare to the size and economy and the might of China today. It is kind of a huge force but they are brutal in the way they are behaving." "They have been brutal in the way they have been behaving with India up in the Himalayas. They are trying to override India in any way they can. China is trying to submit India to be a lesser influence in the Indo-pacific area and that is why they are taking these positions in the Indo-pacific.. with the Solomon Islands and other areas. They are trying to create a situation where they can have places in the Indo-Pacific and China is using money as a primary way in doing so." Drawing a comparison, the former Australian lawmaker Trayling said that though US has bases in Australia, the country still needs the support of India. "US is using Australia in a positive way to counter China and they are putting bases here and we are accommodating that. However, we need the cooperation of India which is a big path in the area and worldwide. India eventually could become a match with China." Speaking further over the deal that Australia made with China in leasing out the Darwin Port for 99 years, Trayling termed the deal "most ridiculous". "I think the Darwin issue is a very delicate one. The 99-year lease is the most ridiculous thing that was ever done by Australia. It was done for about 500 million Australian dollars. There is a lot of delicacy about these agreements. If Australia has the legislative ability to go in and stop it and get that lease cancelled they can do it," Trayling told ANI. He continued saying, "But there will be a whole world of other consequential actions which will follow the cancellation of the Darwin agreement. I think it will happen but it is a matter of timing .. and what could cause the least penalty for Australia. If we did it right now then the Chinese would take some pretty dramatic action against Australia and that's what the government is conscious of. But it is a situation that is untenable in the future. There is no way that this deal is going to stay over for long term.. at some stage it can be cancelled." Replying to a question on the possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan, Trayling said, "I think the world is very much against China taking over Taiwan. Americans have indicated serious strong support. US president Joe Biden said that they will use military force to defend Taiwan. It would cause a massive anti-China sentiment." "Australia supports Taiwan and it would be a crazy move for China to invade the island nation," he added. Ivan Trayling also spoke briefly on Pakistan as well. "I think the Australian government is very aware of Pakistan as a breeding ground for terrorism. Australia is also very aware of the provocations that Pakistan provides to India on its border. The duplicity of the Pakistani government over the period is well known and well established." "The former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan is very anti-India and he was supported by the ISI which is forever trying to work out ways to engage with India and causing problems to India. The terrorism that Pakistan has provided over the years including the Mumbai terror attack.. I do not think anyone trusts Pakistan ..quite frankly ..on anything." Australian MP Ivan Trayling also defended India's reliance on Russia for its defence aid. In a positive tenor, Trayling said, "India has a very strong reliance on Russia for its military.. for aircrafts and submarines." Trayling said, "Australia understands the delicate position that India is in because India relies heavily on Russia for its defence hardware. India is also in a delicate position in terms of its reliance on Russia for importing oil. I think Australia understands this delicate position and will give India a lot of time...which India needs..the time to get more balanced in terms of its reliance. If India did not get oil from Russia its economy will suffer.. its people will suffer." Trayling said that he sees a huge opportunity in trade between India and Australia. "There is a huge opportunity for India and Australia to get a very advanced position in terms of trade. If they have the will and want to get on with it they have a great opportunity. So many products between India and Australia are there that could be enhanced in terms of establishing a great trade relationship. Both imports and exports. It will benefit the countries immensely." With great enthusiasm, Trayling also spoke about the Indian Diaspora in the country. He called the Indians in Australia the "best immigrants" who have come to Australia. "Indians have been just about the best immigrants who have come here in Australia. They are very productive and very good citizens and they really made a great contribution to Australia. I am happy with the community in Australia and what they have achieved and what they are doing and the support they give to Australia." Notably, In 1972 Trayling became the Australian Labor Party member for the Legislative Council seat of Melbourne Province, which he held until 1982. On September 3, 1975, Trayling had a meeting with India's former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in New Delhi, during "Emergency" period and discussed Delhi's political situation. He was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II, Silver Jubilee Medal, in 1977. (ANI) New York [US], June 25 (ANI/Xinhua): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday launched an action agenda to galvanize efforts to help internally displaced persons. "Our world is facing a crisis of internal displacement. Record-high numbers of people around the world have been displaced within their countries by tragedies such as conflict, disasters and the climate crisis," he said in a video message for the launch of the action agenda on internal displacement. Many internally displaced persons have been uprooted for years, even decades, and often multiple times. Others have been forced to flee more recently. In just three months, the conflict in Ukraine drove 13 million people out of their homes and communities, nearly two-thirds of whom remain in Ukraine, he said. The action agenda has three key objectives: to help internally displaced persons find durable solutions, to better prevent future displacement crises, and to ensure stronger protection and assistance for those currently facing displacement, he said. "Let me be clear: the duty to end displacement lies first and foremost with governments. However, we all have a responsibility to act. The plight of internally displaced persons is more than a humanitarian issue. It takes an integrated approach -- combining development, peacebuilding, human rights, climate action and disaster risk reduction efforts," said Guterres. "The action agenda sets out clear commitments for the United Nations system. I urge member states, civil society and international financial institutions to do their part to help drive change. Together, we can ease human suffering and deliver a better future for internally displaced persons around the world," he said. (ANI/Xinhua) Emergency lifesaving aid relief continued to flow into quake-hit eastern Afghanistan on Friday, as UN humanitarians and partners rushed to help the most vulnerable communities. Afghanistan's interim authorities report that most search and rescue operations had been completed already by Wednesday evening, but due to the remoteness of the affected areas and with additional assessments taking place, the number of casualties and damage estimates could rise. Heavy rains have swept the region in recent days, compounding the misery, according to UNHCR. One of the UN teams on the ground transported tons of relief items into the provinces of Khost and Paktika, where several thousand houses were destroyed or damaged by the 5.9 magnitude quake that struck early on Wednesday. The latest tally from Thursday evening indicated that at least 1,036 people have been killed and more than 1,643 injured, in the worst earthquake to hit the country in two decades. "At least 121 of these deaths were children and 67 of those injured were also children," said Mohamed Ayoya, Representative for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Afghanistan. "The total number of people killed or injured is not yet confirmed. Verification is ongoing and we expect these numbers [to be] going up in the hours and days to come." Critically needed items arriving from the capital, Kabul, include hundreds of tents, thousands of blankets, jerry cans, buckets, plastic sheets, kitchen sets and solar lamps - enough to help 4,200 survivors in Giyan, Bermal, Zerok, and Nika districts in Paktika province, and Spera district in Khost province. To ensure distribution to the most needy, UNHCR has set up three supply hubs in Giyan, Bermal and Spera districts so that humanitarian support can be shifted to communities affected by the earthquake. Heavy rains have also swept across the region in recent days, compounding the misery, UNHCR warned. UNICEF has also dispatched life-saving supplies, including 500 first aid kits, along with treatment for acute watery diarrhoea to help prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. "Much more support is urgently needed to avert a humanitarian disaster in the affected areas," said UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo, who noted that millions of people in the country face hunger and starvation, after four decades of conflict and instability. "Already some 24 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian assistance due to the hunger and economic crisis, lack of development aid, and the impact of the changeover in government authorities 10 months ago," Ms. Mantoo told journalists in Geneva. Across Afghanistan, some 3.5 million people have been displaced by conflict and violence, and another 1.57 million have had to leave their homes because of climate shocks. (ANI) Friday's decision by the US Supreme Court which overturns the 50-year-old Roe vs Wade judgement guaranteeing access to abortion across the United States, is being described by the UN experts as "a huge blow to women's human rights and gender equality." The top court's decision to eliminate the universal right to abortion is a watershed moment in US history. The widely anticipated Supreme Court decision, by six votes to three, was made in the specific case of Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization, a historic decision which returns all questions of legality and access to abortion, to the individual states. UN Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet said in a statement described this decision was a "major setback" for sexual and reproductive health across the US. "The US Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization delivered today represents a major setback after five decades of protection for sexual and reproductive health and rights in the US through Roe v Wade. It is a huge blow to women's human rights and gender equality," Bachelet said. "Access to safe, legal and effective abortion is firmly rooted in international human rights law and is at the core of women and girls' autonomy and ability to make their own choices about their bodies and lives, free of discrimination, violence and coercion," she added. UN human rights experts denounced a shocking and dangerous decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to strike down a nearly fifty-year-old legal precedent that has protected women's right to choose to have an abortion, describing it as a serious regression of an existing right that will jeopardize women's health and lives. "Today, with the stroke of a pen and without sound legal reasoning, the Supreme Court of the United States has stripped women, girls and all persons capable of becoming pregnant in the country, of existing legal protections that are necessary to ensure their ability to determine the course of their lives and to live with dignity," they said. According to the UN experts, the Supreme Court has completely disregarded the United States' binding legal obligations under international human rights law, including those stemming from its ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protects a woman's right to life from the harmful impact of abortion restrictions. Legal protections for abortion access and abortion rights have been established under international law as a matter of ensuring women's ability to enjoy their legally protected human rights to life, health, equality and non-discrimination, privacy, freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment and to ensure their freedom from gender-based violence. The UN experts said the right of a woman to make autonomous decisions about her own body and reproductive functions is at the very core of her fundamental right to equality and privacy, concerning intimate matters of physical and psychological integrity. Experts noted that access to legal abortion is essential health care and pivotal to women's enjoyment of a full spectrum of their human rights. The right to make autonomous decisions about the termination of a pregnancy must be supported by equitable access to dignified care, trained healthcare workers and accurate information, they said. Countries, where access to abortion is decriminalized or legal and contraception is widely available, have the lowest rates of maternal mortality. According to the World Health Organization, abortion is a common procedure with 6 out of 10 unintended pregnancies ending in induced abortion globally. "An estimated 45 per cent of these abortions are unsafe. Restrictive laws do not reduce the individual need for abortion but are likely to increase the number of women and girls seeking clandestine and unsafe abortions," according to UN experts. They say this fuels abortion stigma, and lead to the abuse of women in need of post-abortion care and their incarceration. The stigma also affects healthcare workers who face the threat of violence in the execution of their expertise. (ANI) Pakistan government's negotiations with the proscribed outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has created fear in the Upper House of its Parliament. The parliamentarians on Thursday noted that lawmakers were unaware when the negotiations began and between whom were they taking place, reported The Frontier Post. They demanded clarity from the government over the matter. The outlawed TTP that overlooks the country's national security briefed an important meeting a day earlier at the Prime Minister's Office, with high-level political leadership in presence. In Thursday's session of the Upper House of the Parliament, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) member Mushtaq Ahmed said a session on negotiation with the TTP took place at the PM's Office yesterday in which representatives of some political parties were present but not everyone was invited. "This session took decisions related to the talks with TTP. Therefore, there should be clarity and the house should be informed that which committee's session was it?" Ahmed questioned. The parliament member said that if the session was of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) then he is a member of it and he was not invited to the meeting. "Was this a session of a parliamentary committee? If not, then where does the Parliament stand on this matter?" the JI senator wondered. Senator Ahmed added that the government has said that it will brief the Parliament on the negotiations. "What will be the use of it once the (state) finalises it themselves?" Following the meeting, the PM's Office said all negotiations with the TTP will be held as per the Constitution and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah assured that an in-camera session of the Parliament will be called to take lawmakers into confidence regarding the decisions related to national security, reported The Frontier Post. Ahmed slammed the government and asked it whether the Parliament was a mere "rubber stamp". For his part, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member Raza Rabbani, whose party is a major stakeholder in the coalition government, said the Parliament is "always used as a rubber stamp". Rabbani said an in-camera session of the Parliament should be called to inform lawmakers about the terms and conditions of the negotiations with the TTP, reported The Frontier Post. "I am surprised that we can speak to the TTP, but production orders for Ali Wazir, a member of the Parliament, could not be issued so far despite several requests," Rabbani added. In response, Azam Nazeer Tarar, who is the Law Minister and a member of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) which is the biggest stakeholder in the government, said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made it clear that negotiations will be in line with the Constitution. "Talks with the TTP will be held in consultation with the Parliament and the Parliament will be part of it," he said. (ANI) An anti-terror court in Pakistan has quietly sentenced the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack mastermind and a senior member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Sajid Mir. Mir, who is among India's most wanted for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was awarded 15 years in jail term. Mir was LeT's operations manager for the attacks, playing a leading role in their planning, preparation, and execution. Mir, 44, was sentenced to Anti-terrorism court in Lahore this month after convicting him in a terror-financing case. He was also fined Pkr 4,20,000 and is currently serving sentence in Kot Lakhpat jail, the Dawn newspaper reported citing a source. As many as 10 individuals trained by LeT, carried out a series of coordinated terrorist attacks against multiple targets in Mumbai, killing 166 people. For his role in the Mumbai attacks, Mir was also indicted in the United States in April 2011. His sentencing comes as Pakistan is struggling to exit the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) terror-financing watchlist. Currently, Pakistan is on the 'Grey List' of the watchdog for not fulfilling the parameters to counter terrorism in the country. Pakistan media reports said Mir's court verdict was done so quietly that no one came to know about such a high-profile case, except for a very brief report in one of the newspapers, which too could not attract the attention. Even his detention was kept away from the media's eyes, the report added. Earlier, Mir was believed to have died but when the western countries demanded proof of his death, this issue became a major sticking point in the assessment of FATF's action plan last year. "Sajid Mir was LeT's operations manager for the attacks, playing a leading role in their planning, preparation, and execution. Beginning from November 26, 2008, and continuing through November 29, 2008, 10 individuals were trained by LeT, who carried out the series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai, killing 166 persons, including six Americans," said Reward For Justice, US State Department's counterterrorism rewards program. Pakistan's response to the Mumbai attacks has been a series of about-turns. The country has failed to take adequate steps to counter-terrorism and prosecute terrorists including masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) founder Masood Azhar and LeT's Sajid Mir, according to an earlier US report. Pakistan made limited progress on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter-terrorism, specifically in its pledge to dismantle all terrorist organizations without delay or discrimination," the US State Department had said in its 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism. The report recalled how in 2021, a Lahore anti-terrorism court convicted LeT founder Hafiz Saeed on multiple counts of terrorism financing and sentenced him to five years and six months in prison. "Pakistan did not, however, take steps under its domestic authorities to prosecute other terrorist leaders residing in Pakistan, such as JeM founder Masood Azhar and LeT's Sajid Mir, mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks," it had said. The report goes on the mention the effectiveness of Indian security agencies in disrupting terror threats, although gaps remain in interagency intelligence and information sharing. (ANI) Just days after 29 Chinese warplanes entered Taiwan's self-declared air defence identification zone, a US Navy P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance plane flew over the Taiwan Strait on Friday (local time). The flyover of surveillance plane over the Taiwan Strait was a demonstration of the US "commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," amid recurrent Chinese incursion in Taiwan's ADIZ, US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement. "A US Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on June 24. The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows including within the Taiwan Strait. By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations. The aircraft's transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the statement read. The issue of Taiwan has been at the forefront of US-China relations in recent months. Tensions between Washington, which is committed to supporting the island's self-defence, and Beijing over Taiwan were in the open earlier this month when their respective defense chiefs met at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense conference in Singapore. Taiwan and mainland China have been governed separately since the defeated Nationalists retreated to the island at the end of the Chinese civil war more than 70 years ago. But China's ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) views the self-ruled island as part of its territory -- despite having never controlled it. Beijing has not ruled out military force to take Taiwan and has kept pressure on the democratic island over the past few years with frequent warplane flights into the island's ADIZ. An ADIZ is unilaterally imposed and distinct from sovereign airspace, which is defined under international law as extending 12 nautical miles from a territory's shoreline. On Tuesday, the Chinese Defense Ministry said the 29 People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force planes were a mix of fighter jets, early warning and control aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, anti-submarine aircraft, electronic intelligence aircraft, and aerial refuelling aircraft. It was the third-highest daily number of Chinese jets entering Taiwan's self-declared air defense identification zone (ADIZ) since the start of the year and comes less than a month after China sent 30 warplanes on a similar mission, reported CNN. The US Federal Aviation Administration defines it as "a designated area of airspace over land or water within which a country requires the immediate and positive identification, location and air traffic control of aircraft in the interest of the country's national security." In a keynote speech in Singapore, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe accused the United States of being a "bully" in the region and vowed the PLA would "fight to the very end" to stop Taiwanese independence. After the Shangri-La conference, China's Foreign Ministry reasserted previous statements that the Taiwan Strait "is not international waters." "The waters of the Taiwan Strait extend from the coasts on both sides of the Strait to the centerline of the Strait, and are China's internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone in that order," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a briefing on June 13, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and China's domestic law. (ANI) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the country's new landmark multipurpose 'Padma Bridge' on Saturday. This is the longest bridge in Bangladesh that will significantly reduce the distance between the capital city of Dhaka to the Mongla sea port, which is important for regional and international trade. "The completion of the Padma Bridge is a dream come true for the 170 million people of Bangladesh. It is a unique infrastructural initiative of the Government of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," the Bangladesh government told ANI. "Our Money, Our Bridge, Our Pride- Padma Bridge," posters with Slogans are decorated in the capital here. After forming the government in 2009, PM Hasina faced a setback when the World Bank cancelled a USD 1.2 billion loan on grounds of corruption and cancelled the loan for the Padma bridge. Although a Canadian court later dismissed the allegation, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also completely dismantled the project at a time when Hasina's grip on power was weak. "The construction was actually delayed due to the false and conspiratorial allegation of corruption brought by the World Bank which was the main financier of the project along with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), and Japan," a Bangladesh PMO official said. "It is a mega project of Bangladesh completely financed by the Government of Bangladesh. With the construction of the Padma bridge, the Bangladesh government has set an example for other countries in South Asia by constructing the bridge on its own money which will no doubt encourage other countries to come forward in order to develop good regional connectivity by taking on more projects like this." The government said Padma Bridge is the pride of the nation which connects the country's southwest region in Bangladesh to the rest of the country. The bridge has reduced the gap between Dhaka to Mongla sea port which is important for regional and international trade. The Benapole land port and Payra seaport will also be benefited due to the construction of the Padma bridge. "The final major geographic barrier has been eliminated and, more crucially, the backward Southwest region in Bangladesh is now linked with the rest of the country. In fact, it has connected 21 districts of Bangladesh's Southwest region with Dhaka and the rest of the country," the Bangladesh government said. The Padma multipurpose bridge is ranked 122nd longest in the world. The main bridge is 6.15 kilometres long, while the railway viaduct is 0.532 kilometres long. The bridge stretches for a total of 10.642 kilometres with 41 spans attached to 42 pillars. The distance between pillars is 150 meters with a pilling of 128 meters deep, which is the deepest pilling in the world. The construction of the 6.15 km long bridge began in 2015, and the last span was built in December 2021. (ANI) The latest telephonic exchange between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 15 highlights the growing ties between the two countries in the wake up of the Ukraine conflict. Hemant Adlakha, writing in The Diplomat said that Xi on his 69th birthday called up his "bosom buddy," Vladimir Putin, to reassure the Russian leader that "bilateral relations have maintained a sound development momentum in the face of global turbulence and transformations." Xi pledging Moscow more support on "sovereignty and security" is tantamount to the Chinese leader disdainfully dismissing all earlier warnings from the West that China risked major reputational damage by not condemning the Kremlin. But what is more worrying for the leaders in the West is that Xi doubled down still further, pledging to deepen strategic coordination between the two countries. Xi's birthday call to Putin is highly significant when viewed in the immediate backdrop of reports from Beijing confirming the removal of Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng a day earlier. Reports late last month began suggesting that Le had left China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The 59-year-old Le - the leading "Russia expert" in the foreign policy decision-making system in Beijing - was said to have been demoted to the National Radio and Television Administration, becoming the first political casualty as the war in Ukraine grinds on, reported The Diplomat. There was a broad consensus in global media circles that the sudden move to remove Le meant that he was being blamed for his inaccurate assessment of Russia's war in Ukraine. In other words, in the opinion of the media and the leaders in the West, Le's removal was a sign of Beijing softening its support to Moscow for the fear of "major reputational damage... in Europe," said Adlakha. By calling up Putin and assuring him of further development of economic, military, and defense ties between the two countries at a time when the Russian presence in Ukraine is not showing any sign of ending, Xi has not only totally ignored the Western warnings but he has also put to rest speculations that the image of China moving too close to Russia has been causing concern in Beijing. Moreover, the timing of Xi's phone call to Putin came on the eve of a European summit aimed at putting up a good show of solidarity with Ukraine and just two weeks before a NATO summit that is expected to underscore the potential challenge from China to the North Atlantic alliance for the first time. Japan and South Korea have both been invited for the first time to the June 29 NATO summit to be held in Madrid. At the same time, it is pertinent to point out that Xi's rebooting of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership enjoys both the full backing of the CCP Political Bureau and the support of the country's strategic affairs community. Lastly, instead of being cowed by the mounting Western pressure to refrain from offering economic and military aid to a struggling, crippled Moscow, Xi's phone call to Putin has been received in China as a doubled-down pledge that China will support Russia on security. The birthday call on June 15 was more than a social and cultural engagement. It was for all practical purposes a political call, with the communist leader from Beijing leaving no one in doubt that his friendship with Putin truly "knows no limits," said Adlakha. (ANI) Owing to the demand of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) withdrawing relief given on June 10, Shehbaz Sharif government on Friday increased the tax rates for the salaried class. It had withdrawn the tax relief to the salaried class announced on June 10 and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR's) collection target was increased to Rs 7,470 billion, reported Geo News. On Personal Income Tax (PIT), the government raised a tax amount of Rs 80 billion as first, the government abolished tax relief of Rs 47 billion and then raised a tax amount of Rs 35 billion, so the FBR was going to collect Rs 235 billion from salaried class in the next budget against a collection of Rs 200 billion in the outgoing fiscal year. The Ministry of Finance high-ups disclosed to The News that all IMF's demands on the fiscal front were almost fulfilled and now it was expected that the Fund staff would share a draft of the Memorandum of Financial and Economic Policies (MEFP) next week on Monday. The IMF and the Ministry of Finance as well as the State Bank of Pakistan are holding parleys continuously. Finance Minister Miftah Ismail also chaired a meeting related to the government's strategy for hiking power tariffs, reported Geo News. The Fund has objected to the government's estimates of allocating Rs 225 billion for Price Differential Claims (PDCs) for the next budget as the IMF assessed that it might escalate to over Rs 350 to Rs 450 billion. The government, to collect the amount, took some drastic measures by increasing the tax rate on high-income earners to fetch Rs 120 billion for poverty alleviation and Rs 35 billion by raising tax rates for the salaried class. The government slapped a 10 per cent super tax on 13 high-earning sectors with a revenue impact of Rs 80 billion for the next financial year 2022-23. The Poverty Alleviation Tax, a one-time tax, which was levied at the rate of 2 per cent of the income of over Rs 300 million through the Finance Bill on June 10, has been proposed to amend as a 1 per cent tax on the income between Rs 150 million to 199.99 million, 2 per cent tax on the income between Rs 200 million to 249.99 million, 3 per cent tax on the income between Rs 250 million to 299.99 million and 4 per cent tax on the income of 300 million and above, reported Geo News. The government slapped a 10 per cent super tax on 13 big industries including cement, sugar, steel, oil and gas, RLNG Terminal, textiles, banking, auto industry, tobacco, fertilizer, aviation, chemicals and beverages. The government has proposed a tax on jewellery shops as on-premises of shops, it has been fixed at Rs 40,000 per shop of jewellery. There are nearly 30,000 jewellery shops and only a few shops are registered. The Withholding Tax on the sale of gold by consumers was cut to 1 per cent from 4 per cent, reported Geo News. The Imran Khan-led PTI government had made a commitment with the IMF for raising the tax amount of Rs 335 billion through an increased rate of slabs for the salaried class but the PDM-led coalition government convinced the IMF for collecting Rs100 billion less than agreed by the previous PTI-led government with the IMF. (ANI) A 5-month-old baby girl was fatally shot Friday evening in South Shore, authorities said. Cecilia Thomas, who was 5 months old, was in a car in the 7700 block of South South Shore Drive around 6:45 p.m. when another car approached and someone inside fired shots, according to Chicago police and Natalia Derevyanny, a spokeswoman for the Cook County medical examiners office. Advertisement The baby was struck in the head and taken to Comer Childrens Hospital, police said. She was pronounced dead at 7:10 p.m., Derevyanny said. Andrew Holmes, a crisis responder, said the family is asking for community members who may have seen something to speak up, and for police to use every resource possible to find the shooter, including nearby traffic cameras. Advertisement I did talk with the mother before the baby was pronounced and all she wanted to do was just be by her babys side, Holmes said. She was just waiting on the father to get there. A 41-year-old man in a separate car also was injured during the Friday shooting. Police said he arrived at University of Chicago Medical Center in a private vehicle with a gunshot wound to his eye. He initially had been listed in good condition, police said. The baby girl would have turned 6-months-old in four days, according to Derevyanny, making her among the youngest victims to be fatally shot in Chicago. In June 2020, 20-month-old Sincere Gaston also was fatally shot while riding in a car in Englewood when he someone in a passing car opened fire, striking him. In October 2020, a woman who was 8 months pregnant was fatally shot. The baby was delivered but died days later. And in 2013, 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins was killed and her father was injured in a retaliatory shooting over a stolen video game system. One-month-old Terriana Smith was shot in Englewood last summer on July 1. She survived, and celebrated her first birthday last month with community members and loved ones. An earthquake of magnitude 5.6 hit Iran on Saturday at 03:37:13 GMT, days after a powerful seismic activity was recorded in Afghanistan that claimed around 1,000 lives in war-ridden country. As per US Geological Survey (USGS) the quake hit 30 km NE of Kish and the epicenter, with a depth of 10.0 km, was initially determined to be at 26.7253 degrees north latitude and 54.2613 degrees east longitude, reported Xinhua. The quake comes after a major magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan's Paktika province in the early hours of Wednesday morning. To date, around 1000 people are estimated to have been killed across Barmal and Giyan districts in Paktika province, and Spera district in Khost province. In addition, at least 1,455 people have been injured across three of the six most affected districts of Barmal, Giyan, and Spera - many of them seriously. Further, nearly 1,500 homes have now been verified as destroyed and damaged in Giyan district, Paktika province. The disaster comes as Afghanistan continues to struggle with a severe economic crisis since the Taliban took over, as US-led international forces withdrew following two decades of war. A UN agency said Afghanistan had asked humanitarian agencies to help with rescue efforts, and teams were being dispatched to the quake-hit area. Over this incident, India expressed condolences to the victims and their families impacted by the tragic earthquake in Afghanistan. India said it remains committed to providing assistance and support in this hour of need. In the wake of the tragic earthquake that struck Afghanistan on June 22, Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (PAI), JP Singh handed over India's humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan on Friday in the presence of Taliban officials. The first consignment of India's earthquake relief assistance reached Kabul on Thursday followed by the second consignment of relief assistance that reached Friday morning to support the people of Afghanistan in quake-affected regions. The relief assistance consists of essential items including family ridge tents, sleeping bags, blankets, sleeping mats, etc. The European Commission has announced 1 million euros in humanitarian funding to address the most urgent needs of affected Afghans in response to the powerful earthquake. "An estimated 270,000 people living in the affected areas will require emergency assistance. In response, the EU is mobilising an initial 1 million euros in emergency support. Our trusted humanitarian partners will deliver the aid to those most affected in an already extremely fragile country. The EU stands ready to provide further assistance," said Janez Lenarcic, Commissioner for Crisis Management. "In Afghanistan, an already devastating humanitarian crisis has been now further aggravated by a deadly earthquake. With EU field staff on the ground still assessing the extent of the destruction, first reports indicate that more than 1,000 Afghans have lost their lives and an even greater number has been injured," he added. To ensure a quick intervention in areas that are remote and difficult to access, EU humanitarian funding will be implemented by humanitarian partners who are already active in the country, including non-governmental organisations and the United Nations. The funding will address the most immediate needs of Afghans, such as the provision of medical assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene services, shelter, and protection services for the most affected and disadvantaged communities. (ANI) Pakistan witnessed a surge in Covid-19 cases with 435 infections and one death reported in the last 24 hours. As many as 87 patients have been in precarious condition across the country, while the overall case count has touched 15,33,482, according to ARY News citing Pakistan's National Institute of Health. Pakistan's coronavirus test positivity ratio remained 3.19 per cent in the last 24 hours as 13,644 diagnostic tests were conducted across the country, the National Institute of Health (NIH) shared. Health experts have feared another wave of coronavirus cases across the country, according to ARY News. After the death of a COVID patient, the death toll reached 30,386. Currently, the country has an overall 4,231 active cases of the pandemic. The National Institute of Health earlier shared that the case count has increased across the country, particularly in Karachi and Hyderabad. In May, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif restored National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), an umbrella body that led Pakistan's fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The step was taken after the emergence of a new sub-variant of the Omicron strain of coronavirus, in the country, reported ARY News. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health of Pakistan reported the first case of COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. on May 9. This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries, the National Institute of Health (NIH) had said in a statement. "NIH has detected the first case of Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1. This new sub-variant is causing an increasing number of cases in different countries," the health body had tweeted. In view of this, NIH advised people to take preventive measures to avoid contracting the virus, which is vaccination against it. "We strongly recommended getting vaccinated and all those due for boosters must get the shots immediately," it added. Director General Health Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar said that the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 was detected in a traveller who had returned from Qatar. He added that this sub-variant is seen in the recent spike in cases in the US. "The disease severity and hospitalisation remain the same as Omicron but data is limited as of now." The WHO (World Health Organisation) designated Omicron as a Variant of Concern on November 26, 2021, while the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Karachi was reported on December 13. Since then, the Ministry of NHSRC (National Health Systems Resource Centre), NCOC, NIH (National Institute of Health) and the provincial health departments have remained vigilant to detect the variant in Pakistan," read an official statement. (ANI) A high-level UK health official asked British citizens to remain vigilant against the symptoms of Monkeypox when getting involved with new or multiple sexual partners amid the rising number of cases. On Friday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published another technical briefing on the Monkeypox as it stated that the outbreak continues to grow and cases remain primarily in gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men (GBMSM). The latest epidemiological data, findings from interviews with patients and preliminary analyses are included to understand how the outbreak is evolving and to inform timely and effective public health interventions. "UKHSA continues to work with partners including the Terrence Higgins Trust, Stonewall and the GBMSM community to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of Monkeypox. The LGBT Consortium and Pride organisers across the UK have been encouraged to help share public health messaging during Pride month," the UK Health Security Agency said. As many as 79 per cent of England cases are known to be London residents and 99 per cent of all confirmed cases are male, with 5 confirmed female cases. The median age of confirmed cases in the UK was 37 years old. "Of the 813 cases identified in England up to 22 June, 321 (39.5%) had enhanced surveillance questionnaires. The majority (96%) of cases were GBMSM, with further data to indicate transmission is occurring in some sexual networks both internationally and domestically," the health agency said. It further said cases frequently reported a history of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the last year and 10 or more sexual partners in the last 3 months. Existing links between cases and sexual health services will be used to identify those at the highest risk who are eligible for pre-exposure vaccination. Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, UKHSA said: "If you've recently had new or multiple sexual partners, please be vigilant to the symptoms of Monkeypox. Currently, the majority of cases have been in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with men. However, anyone who has had close contact with an individual with symptoms is also at increased risk." "If you are concerned that you may have Monkeypox, don't go to events, meet with friends or have sexual contact. Instead, stay at home and contact 111 or your local sexual health service for advice," she added. Dr Chand further encouraged UK citizens to ensure they exchange contact details with sexual partners, to help them limit further transmission where cases occur. (ANI) An expert Hon-Shiang Lau, Retired Chair Professor, City University of Hong Kong, exposed "forged" claims of China on Tibet. He said that Tibet was never part of China anywhere in its pre-1949 history, reported Tibet Rights Collective (TRC). He also proved that the PRC's evidence of sovereignty over Tibet is based on not only distortions but outright fabrications and forgeries of pre-1949 Chinese records. In a written testimony for the Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing on 'Tibet: Barriers to Settling an Unresolved Conflict', Hon-Shiang observed that China's pre-1949 official historical records clearly show that, before the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) invaded Tibet in 1950, Tibet was never part of China. He stated that this is an important issue because China is a signatory to the relevant covenants of the League of Nations and the United Nations; which means that, since 1919, China has promised not to gain territories through military conquest thereafter. Moreover, the PRC incessantly condemns other countries for their past colonial conquests and their past "bullying" of China, reported TRC. Hon-Shiang added that PRC needs to cover up its 1950 Tibet conquest as a "unification" of a territory that has been "part of China since antiquity." "Sadly, today many governments incorrectly believe this ridiculous lie, and this is part of the reason why many western democracies fail to provide adequate support for upholding Tibet's sovereignty," added Hon-Shiang. This means that a current permanent member of the UN Security Council militarily conquered a foreign country in 1950 and continues to subjugate it today. "This crime obligates the intervention of the international community," urged Hon-Shiang. He mentioned that there are two important foundation concepts behind this theme, which are: Foundation A: "There is an abundance of authentic and reliable pre-1949 Chinese official historical records. The PRC-version of "Chinese history" is very different from the version of "Chinese history" reflected in these pre-1949 official Chinese records, and Foundation B: "We use a comprehensive range of objective criteria to examine whether Tibet was part of China. Thus, to judge whether Tibet was part of China during China's Ming dynasty, we use official classical Chinese records to examine". (ANI) The move will effectively put the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk almost fully under Russian control, reported CNN. Serhiy Hayday, a top military commander in east Ukraine, said the military made the decision to evacuate "because the number of dead in unfortified territories may grow every day." "It makes no sense to stay," Hayday said. However, it's unclear if Ukrainian forces are currently leaving the city, or if they have already evacuated, reported CNN. Russian forces have diverted much of their firepower toward overrunning the city, simply destroying every defensive position the Ukrainians have adopted. The strategy played out slowly, with the Russians making labored and sluggish gains around Severodonetsk throughout the spring and early summer. Ukrainian forces were, little by little, pushed into a few square blocks around the Azot chemical plant, where some 500 civilians, including dozens of children, have taken shelter, reported CNN. Hayday, the head of the Luhansk regional military administration, has repeatedly accused Moscow of scorched-earth tactics, flattening cities with little regard for casualties as it attempts to take them. "All the infrastructure of the city is completely destroyed," he said of Severodonetsk on Friday. The battle now moves across the Siverskyi Donets river to Lysychansk, the last city in Luhansk held by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine's control over Lysychansk has become more tenuous in recent days. Russian forces have advanced into several villages south of the city, though not without sustaining losses from Ukrainian artillery fire. The Ukrainian military claims that some Russian battalion tactical groups are being consolidated or withdrawn to restore their combat capabilities, reported CNN. Luhansk and neighbouring Donetsk together make up Ukraine's Donbas region, an industrial heartland dotted with factories and coal fields. Shortly before invading Ukraine in February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two separatist territories as independent states, ordering the deployment of Russian troops there in defiance of international law. (ANI) The Human Rights Council (HRC) is set to convene an urgent debate on July 1 to address the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. "The Human Rights Council is convening an URGENT DEBATE on 1 July 2022 to address the human rights of women and girls in #Afghanistan. The meeting is taking place during #HRC50, the 50th regular session of the Council," said UN Human Rights Council. This comes as civil society organisations urged for an urgent debate at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council regarding the women's rights crisis in Afghanistan. Since August 2021, when the Taliban took control of the country, there has been an enormous deterioration in the recognition and protection of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, including with respect to the rights to non-discrimination, education, work, public participation, health, and sexual and reproductive health. The Taliban has also imposed sweeping restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly and movement for women and girls. Afghanistan is now the only country in the world to expressly prohibit girls' education. Amid the plummeting humanitarian and economic conditions, women and girls in Afghanistan are being deprived of their most basic human rights -- employment and education, speakers told the Security Council on Thursday, as they examined the restrictive policies of the Taliban who took control of that country in August last year. "Women are collectively being written out of society in a way that is unique in the world," said Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and officer-in-charge for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), briefing the Council via video-teleconference. The Taliban -- the de facto authorities -- have increasingly restricted the exercise of basic human rights, including freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of opinion and expression, quelling dissent and restricting civic space in the country. These restrictions, he underscored, aim at the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls, limiting their involvement in social, political and economic life, including the ban on secondary schooling for girls and the decision to impose face coverings on women. He also stressed that UNAMA will remain a vocal and visible voice to safeguard the rights of the people of Afghanistan, especially women and girls. Yalda Hakim, international correspondent and news presenter for BBC News, said she was speaking to the Council as someone who has been reporting from Afghanistan for the past 15 years, as well as "a daughter of Afghanistan" with a personal and deep connection with the nation. Yalda Royan, Consultant for VOICE Amplified, said the Taliban have announced more than 30 policies that are systematically eliminating women from all aspects of society and imposing them through violence. In April, the Taliban tortured and killed a midwife in Mazar-e-Sharif, amputating her legs, stabbing her and shooting her 12 times -- simply because she was a woman and a Hazara. A massive 25 million people in Afghanistan are now living in poverty -- more than double from 2011. (ANI) Amid the looming economic crisis, Sri Lanka on Saturday limited the amount of foreign currency an individual can hold to USD 10,000. Sri Lanka's central bank amended limit on foreign currency possession from 15,000 US dollars to 10,000 to attract foreign currency into the formal banking system, reported Daily Mirror Online. An amnesty period of 14 working days effective from June 16 is granted for persons holding foreign currency notes, during which they can deposit them into a foreign currency account or sell them to an authorized dealer, according to the central bank. At the end of the amnesty period, the central bank said, it will initiate actions against anyone who violates the order, in terms of the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Act, reported Xinhua. Sri Lanka has been facing crippling foreign currency shortages, which has made it hard to import essential items. Meanwhile, a team of high delegations representing the US Department of the Treasury and the US Department of State will be visiting Sri Lanka on Sunday. Members of the delegation included Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Asia Robert Kaproth and Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, who is also the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Daily Mirror reported. The visitors will meet with various political representatives, economists, and international organizations, the US embassy said in a statement. According to the statement, during their meetings, they will explore the most effective ways for the US to support Sri Lankans in need. "This visit underscores our ongoing commitment to the security and prosperity of the Sri Lankan people," said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung adding "As Sri Lankans endure some of the greatest economic challenges in their history, our efforts to support economic growth and strengthen democratic institutions have never been more critical." Over the past two weeks, the U.S. has announced USD 120 million in new financing for Sri Lankan small and medium-sized businesses, a USD 27 million contribution to the island country's dairy industry and USD 5.75 million in humanitarian assistance to help those hit hardest by the economic crisis. The United States also committed USD 6 million in new grants to provide livelihood assistance to vulnerable populations, and technical assistance on financial reform that will help stabilize the economy. In the coming months, the US will continue to support Sri Lankans as they revive their economy, combat food insecurity, and promote public health and education. The United States also strongly supports Sri Lanka's decision to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund, which can provide the most durable resolution to the present crisis, the statement added. Due to an acute shortage of foreign exchange, Sri Lanka recently defaulted on the entirety of its foreign debt amounting to about USD 51 billion. (ANI) Ten years ago, thousands of Hong Kong students took to the streets to protest against proposed curriculum changes, which they believed were designed to brainwash and push critical thinking out of the classroom, but surprisingly, now their schools have become more patriotic. Books are part of China's effort to instil a particular historical narrative and to stress patriotic education in a city. In new textbooks, it was written Hong Kong was "occupied" but never a "British colony", according to the Washington Post. Under China's principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong initially retained its education system when it came under Chinese rule in 1997 and lacked the focus on mainland "national security" dedicated to building national identities and patriotism. The most notable change in Hong Kong came on New Year's Eve when primary and secondary schools began holding weekly ceremonies to raise the Chinese Communist Party's flag. And these all changes began shortly after the national security law was imposed in Hong Kong in 2020 that banned protests in the city for one year and urged campus schools to promote "national security," reported The Washington Post. Carrie Lam, the CEO at the time, said many students participated in pro-democracy protests. The promise to do more to popularize national education and instil patriotism in young people was something Beijing wanted. Christine Choi, one of the officials responsible for the failed 2012 education overhaul, will be taking over the education department in July and has said one of her key goals is to foster a sense of national identity among young people. Publishers have developed such textbooks that fit in the Chinese government's favourite narrative in which Britain was an occupying power in Hong Kong and the Communist Party a benevolent force, while the homegrown struggle for democracy never existed. At least four new textbooks sent to Hong Kong's schools for pre-publication review no longer call Hong Kong "a colony" but an occupied territory. "Even though Hong Kong was occupied by the British after the Opium War, it is still a territory belonging to China," according to The Washington Post citing a textbook released by Hong Kong publisher Modern Educational Research Society. The 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, in which Chinese forces cracked down on a month-long pro-democracy demonstration in Beijing, was included in textbooks in 2014. In one of the Chinese History textbooks, it was reduced to a paragraph, with no photograph or there was no mention of the annual damages or kidnapping ever held in Hong Kong. Beijing is "re-engineering Hong Kong education in full force," said Ho-Fung Hung, a professor of political economy at Johns Hopkins University. "It's turning a subject that used to cultivate critical thinking into mainland-style patriotic education inculcating the party line to children," the professor added. Lo Kit-ling, a secondary school teacher, said front-line teachers found the guidelines unclear and said there was a pervasive "sense of helplessness" among colleagues. "We are still observing and tend to act conservatively and censor ourselves more because we do not want to violate the security law," she said, adding that in the current atmosphere, parents are encouraged to file complaints against teachers. "It seems like Hong Kong's education system is a train that goes backwards," Lo added. (ANI) A new survey has revealed that the human rights situation in the city has deteriorated since Beijing's crackdown after the pro-democracy protests of 2019. A survey released this week shows a fall in human rights in Hong Kong, which now ranks close to Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, Voice of America (VOA) reported citing the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI). The survey data show that civil society in Hong Kong has shrunk, and freedom of speech and assembly has been suppressed since the imposition of the Hong Kong version of China's National Security Law in 2020, Chung Kim-wah, honorary director of Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute, told VOA in a phone interview. "Watching events in Hong Kong over the past couple of years has been quite harrowing, and so I doubt that Hong Kong's scores will come as a surprise to any Hong Kong watchers," said HRMI spokesperson Anne-Marie Brook. The data from an unspecified sample size shows that Hong Kong's freedom of assembly and association, freedom of expression and political participation continued to decline for the third consecutive year. According to VOA, the freedom of assembly and association is evaluated on a 10-point scale. Hong Kong scored 4.5 points in 2019 and 2.5 points in 2021, results the survey describes as "very bad." Freedom of expression fell from 4.7 in 2019, to 2.7 in 2021, while suffrage dropped from 4 to 2.4 over the same period, VOA reported. "Hong Kong's scores over the last three years are converging on China's very low scores," Rowden told VOA Cantonese via email Thursday evening. "Hong Kong's empowerment scores [freedom of assembly and association; freedom of opinion and expression; participation in government] have fallen dramatically, so that they are nearly the same as China's." Dr K. Chad Clay, an HRMI co-founder told VOA Cantonese since the advent of National Security Law, "speaking out is likely to result in arrest and detention, which has likely led many people to self-censor in order to avoid their own arrest in response." "Backing this up," he added, "our data absolutely show a continued precipitous decline in the rights to opinion, expression, assembly, and association." This visit comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's Hong Kong visit next month. Xi Jinping will visit Hong Kong next week to mark the 25th anniversary of the city's handover to China, the leader's first trip outside the country since the COVID-19 pandemic began. His visit will include the attendance of the swearing-in ceremony of the city's new leader John Lee. Hong Kong authorities have banned select media outlets from covering incoming leader John Lee's inauguration, citing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and security reasons. Many of the barred outlets are registered and regularly attend government press conferences, the Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) reported. (ANI) An anti-abortion demonstrator, left, argues with an abortion-rights activist outside the Supreme Court in Washington on June 25, 2022. (Jose Luis Magana / AP) Some legal experts in the Chicago area say the Supreme Courts legal reasoning in overturning Roe v. Wade indicates it is willing to revisit landmark cases that legalized contraception, consensual sex between adults and same-sex marriage. The courts majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, issued Friday, said the decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right. But in a concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that other cases stemming from the Constitutions due process clause should be reconsidered as well. Advertisement Because any substantive due process decision is demonstrably erroneous ... we have a duty to correct the error established in those precedents, he wrote. University of Chicago Law School professor Mary Anne Case took that to be a clear invitation for red state lawmakers to push the legal envelope on matters other than abortion a campaign that might eventually affect blue states like Illinois, too. Advertisement Ive seen indications that there are state legislators that now want to outlaw some form of contraception, she said. There are plenty that would like to overturn same-sex marriage. Thomas singled out three cases: Griswold v. Connecticut, which in 1965 overturned a ban on contraception; Lawrence v. Texas, a 2003 decision that threw out the states criminalization of sexual intimacy between same-sex couples; and Obergefell v. Hodges, which in 2015 legalized same-sex marriage. Then-Cook County Clerk David Orr, left, looks on as Anthony Aranda, center, and his partner Terry Beauchamp, right, of the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago, hold a cake they received for being the 10,000th same sex couple to get a marriage license in Cook County on Aug. 31, 2016. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) All rest on the due process clause of the 14th Amendment, which has been taken to mean people have privacy rights that arent spelled out in the Constitution. With the courts majority now finding that abortion isnt one of them, Illinois activists and politicians warned other seemingly settled issues are also at risk. Privacy rights are being eviscerated right before our very eyes, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. If they can take away your ability to control your own body, theres not much that stops them from making marriage equality illegal and taking away employment protections for your beliefs or your orientation. Concern over the courts direction is expected to be a theme at Sundays Pride Parade in Chicago. Camilla Taylor, deputy legal director for litigation in the Midwest office of Lambda Legal, called the Dobbs decision deeply threatening to LBGT protections, particularly for people of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people. Our focus today is on damage done by this travesty of a decision, and we will work in future days to make sure the protections for LGBT people are not rolled back, she said. Mony Ruiz-Velasco, deputy director of Equality Illinois, an organization that works to advance rights for LGBTQ+ people, said the court appears poised to go after many other rights that hinge on privacy rights, including long-held protections for the LGBTQ+ community. I can tell you, based on conversations Ive been having throughout the day, even though many of us were expecting the decision ... it doesnt hurt less to see it in writing and to see our country moving backward, Ruiz-Velasco said. Advertisement Ruiz-Velasco encouraged people to get organized to fight to both protect current rights and expand protections, even in progressive states. She said Equality Illinois has been working with the states lawmakers to remove obstacles for obtaining a legal name change. She noted that Congress could pass a marriage equality law to protect it from a Supreme Court reversal. As for contraception, lawmakers in several states have tried to ban IUDs and the so-called morning-after pill, which they see as tantamount to abortion. Some have indicated they might try again. Andrea Tone, a history professor at Quebecs McGill University and author of Devices and Desires: A History of Contraceptives in America, said the lack of universally legal birth control prior to the Supreme Courts intervention resulted in unplanned pregnancies, illegal abortions and the use of ineffective over-the-counter methods. We often think of the 1960s as an era of sexual freedom and liberty, but thats not how all Americans experienced it, she said. I interviewed one woman who lived in Massachusetts in the 1960s, and she hadnt heard of the pill before she got pregnant. Legal experts interviewed by the Tribune knew of no cases in the pipeline that could overturn the decisions identified by Thomas. But Steven Schwinn, a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, said its likely conservative states will start looking for test cases. Advertisement We may see states start to enact laws that ban same sex marriage or restrict contraception or criminalize certain consensual adult sexual behavior in a way thats designed to tee up a case like that, he said. I fully expect state legislations will move in that direction very quickly. Chicagos Thomas More Society, a conservative legal organization that protested the Obergefell decision as sheer judicial activism and politics run amok, declined to comment on whether it should be revisited. Today is about the binding majority opinion, not the various concurrences and dissents, senior counsel Peter Breen said in a statement. As for Justice Thomas, he agreed that the majority opinion which he joined doesnt impact any of those other decisions, as abortion is unique because there are two lives involved. Northwestern University law professor Ronald Allen said he didnt think the court decisions dealing with same-sex marriage and consensual sexual relations were in jeopardy, given the broad range of legal issues entwined within them. These cases involve subtle and complex and ambiguous questions, he said. They wont be straightforward or able to be dispatched with a magic bullet. He identified a different decision the justices might go after Miranda v. Arizona, which requires police to advise suspects of their right to remain silent (the court put new limits on it Thursday). That has been a longtime target of conservative lawmakers, he said, and like Roe, it has been criticized as an example of legislating from the bench. Advertisement While Illinois and other blue states have strong abortion protections, some Republicans have said they want to push for a national ban. Case said the Dobbs decision doesnt rule that out. (The conservative majority) is now at the point where the raw exercise of power is enough for them, she said. Giving reasons, let alone good ones, doesnt seem to be part of the project. Tribune reporter Angie Leventis Lourgos contributed. jkeilman@chicagotribune.com mabuckley@chicagotribune.com Sri Lankan government had given its approval to make the use of another USD 70 million from the USD 1 billion Line of Credit (LoC) extended by India during the ongoing crisis to import essential food items. Sri Lanka's Trade Minister Nalin Fernando said that this would be in addition to USD 180 million worth of food commodities that were already imported from India under the same facility. "Once we get these items, we will have food required for at least another couple of months. Besides, we got approval to use another USD 70 million from the same credit facility to import food commodities in the near future," Fernando said as quoted by Daily Mirror. A day earlier, India provided a humanitarian consignment worth more than SLR 3 billion to Sri Lanka, which is facing the worst economic crisis since its independence. According to the High Commission of India in Colombo, the consignment comprises rice, milk powder and essential medicines. "From the people of #India to the people of #SriLanka!!! High Commissioner, Hon'ble Ministers @Keheliya_R, Nalin Fernando, MPs, various dignitaries and officials welcomed a large humanitarian consignment worth more than SLR 3 billion from #Tuticorn today. The 15,000 MT consignment consists of rice, milk powder and essential medicines," the High Commission said in a tweet. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the high-level Indian delegation led by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra visited Sri Lanka and underscored that the recent economic, financial and humanitarian assistance of over USD 3.5 billion to the island country was guided by New Delhi's "Neighbourhood First" Policy. The delegation comprising Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor and Kartik Pande, Joint Secretary, Indian Ocean Region, Ministry of External Affairs was in Colombo on Thursday. The delegation had meetings with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the visit. The talks between the two sides were held in a frank, cordial and constructive manner, the High Commission of India Colombo said in a statement."The Indian delegation underscored that the unprecedented recent economic, financial and humanitarian assistance of over USD 3.5 billion to the people of Sri Lanka was, guided by 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi," it said in a statement. Both sides had a productive exchange of views on the current economic situation in Sri Lanka as well as India's ongoing support. Under its Neighbourhood First policy, India was among the first few countries to extend its aid to Sri Lanka to mitigate the unprecedented economic crisis. New Delhi has provided a concessional loan of USD 1 billion to Sri Lanka for the supply of food, fuel, medicines, and other essential items. Moreover, United Nations-backed multi-sector agencies are also responding to the most urgent needs arising from the recent crisis. (ANI) Mogadishu [Somalia], June 25 (ANI/Xinhua): Somali Parliament on Saturday unanimously approved the appointment of Hamza Abdi Barre as the country's new prime minister. Speaker of the Somali Federal Parliament, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madobe) said 220 members who attended the session endorsed Barre who was appointed on June 15 by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. "All 220 Members of Parliament present in the House today responded to the newly appointed prime minister's request for approval and all the parliamentarians voted in favour of Hamza Abdi Barre as the prime minister. No one voted against or abstained. Therefore, he got a vote of confidence," the speaker said after the vote. Barre who was present during the motion was immediately sworn in and lauded the lawmakers for having confidence in him. The new PM now has 30 days to form his new cabinet that will be tasked with transforming the country amid security, severe drought, and COVID-19 challenges. Barre, who was voted in as an MP in Kismayo, the commercial capital of Jubaland in December 2021 said he will form a cabinet that will steer Somalia forward. "I wish to thank Members of the Parliament for giving me their confidence as prime minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, it is a big responsibility that I took and I promise to build a qualified cabinet that is up to the task," Barre said. The new premier who also spoke before the vote promised to prioritize security, reconciliation, and political stability in Somalia which is also facing an escalated drought that has left 7.7 million people in need of humanitarian aid. He also promised to initiate dialogue with Somaliland. Barre, who has previously served in various public roles, is a humanitarian activist and champion for education. He was educated in Yemen and Malaysia and had headed the local electoral management body in Jubbaland. He also held various advisory roles in government. President Mohamud won the presidency for the second time on May 15, having previously served from 2012 to 2017. (ANI/Xinhua) Chinese Premier slammed the weaponization of the global financial system and vowed to meet domestic growth goals, and called for the healthy development of China's fintech sector. "Those who politicize, leverage and weaponize global economy and willfully impose sanctions by taking advantage of dominance in international financial and monetary systems will eventually harm others and themselves and bring disasters to people around the world," China Daily reported quoting Xi. Xi was chairing the 26th meeting of the central commission for deepening overall reform on Wednesday. State media further reported that Xi said China will strengthen macro-policy adjustment and adopt more effective measures to strive to meet the social and economic development targets for 2022 and minimize the impacts of COVID-19. China has reported disappointing economic data for the month of April, according to CNN. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, had also urged efforts to accelerate the construction of basic systems for data and improve work on administrative divisions. The meeting reviewed and adopted guidelines on the above-mentioned issues, as well as work plans to conduct pilot reforms of scientific and technological personnel evaluation and strengthen supervision over major payment platform enterprises. He also highlighted the importance of building an evaluation system for scientific and technological personnel that is oriented toward innovation, capability and contribution, Xinhua News Agency reported. Regarding large payment and fintech platform enterprises, Xi called for efforts to improve regulations, strengthen institutional weak links, ensure the security of payment and financial infrastructure, and guard against and defuse potential systemic financial risks, the local media reported. He also called for these enterprises to be supported in better serving the real economy and smoothing the "dual circulation" of domestic and international markets. Li Keqiang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy heads of the central commission for deepening overall reform, also attended the meeting. (ANI) Uzbekistan sent 74 tons of humanitarian aid to neighbouring Afghanistan in order to address the most urgent needs of affected Afghans following a deadly earthquake and subsequent floods, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry press service said Saturday. The humanitarian aid that consisted of food, necessities and medicines was organized following Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's instructions, reported Xinhua. Uzbekistan's government announced the humanitarian aid in response to the earthquake that hit the southern parts of Afghanistan in the wee hours of Wednesday, with a particularly devastating impact in Paktika and Khost provinces, killing more than 1,000 people and injuring more than 1,500. Strong quakes destroyed buildings and homes, severely damaged hospitals and schools and disrupted water networks, roads and bridges. In wake of this, India handed over the second batch of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan on Friday in the presence of Taliban officials. The relief assistance handed over by the Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (PAI), JP Singh consisted of essential items including family ridge tents, sleeping bags, blankets, sleeping mats, etc to support the people of Afghanistan in quake-affected regions. The first consignment from India was handed over on Thursday. India also deployed a team to the Embassy in Kabul to coordinate the efforts of stakeholders for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Taliban welcomed India's decision to return its technical team to continue humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. Over this incident, India expressed condolences to the victims and their families impacted by the tragic earthquake in Afghanistan. India said it remains committed to providing assistance and support in this hour of need. Earlier, the European Commission also announced 1 million euros in humanitarian funding for an estimated 270,000 people living in the affected areas requiring emergency assistance. Janez Lenarcic, Commissioner for Crisis Management told that the funding will address the most immediate needs of Afghans, such as the provision of medical assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene services, shelter, and protection services for the most affected and disadvantaged communities. The earthquake struck an already extremely fragile country, marked by decades of conflict, recurrent droughts, and a sharp economic decline due to recent political developments since the Taliban take-over of power in August 2021. To date, around 1000 people were estimated to have been killed across Barmal and Giyan districts in Paktika province, and Spera district in Khost province. In addition, at least 1,455 people were injured across three of the six most affected districts of Barmal, Giyan, and Spera - many of them seriously. Further, nearly 1,500 homes have now been verified as destroyed and damaged in Giyan district, Paktika province. Immediate humanitarian assistance was dispatched to affected areas on June 22, including 10 tons of medical supplies sufficient for 5,400 surgeries and medical treatments covering 36,000 people for three months by WHO. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday approached the country's top court to challenge the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government's recent amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance, contending that they will "virtually eliminate any white-collar crime committed by a public office holder". The Amendment was criticised by Imran and his party. "They should be put in jail for their shamelessness. Nobody can pass such laws shamelessly -- as this government did," he said, Geo News had reported. Imran Khan had explained how the leaders of the two big political parties, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would be "saved" after the changes. He said the government amended section 14 of the law, which now states that a person will only be held accountable for the "money left in the fake accounts (when a person is arrested)". "If I am a public office holder earning an income of Rs 50, then I will have to explain why I have assets worth Rs 100 and where did I get the extra Rs 50 from. But now, they have reversed the role and the NAB will have to explain how did a public office holder get extra assets," he said. Khan said after the NAB law amendments, the watchdog will have to prove whether a person accumulated wealth illicitly -- as the government has shifted the burden from the person to the watchdog, reported Geo News. The second change, Khan said was made to the assets beyond means -- section 9 -- of the NAB law, which will provide relief to "major government leaders". The PTI chairman had said under the current tax laws, a person has to provide the trail of his money as the onus lies on them, not the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The bill, along with the one on election reforms, was passed by the National Assembly and Senate last month. After its approval from both houses, the president's assent was required for it to become law, Dawn newspaper reported. (ANI) Ahead of the G7 Summit where he will be meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that it will be a pleasure to meet Scholz again after the productive India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) which was held last month. "I will be visiting Schloss Elmau, Germany at the invitation of Chancellor of Germany, H.E. Mr. Olaf Scholz, for the G7 Summit under the German Presidency. It will be a pleasure to meet Chancellor Scholz again after the productive India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) last month," PM Modi said in his departure statement. In an effort to strengthen international collaboration on important global issues impacting humanity, Germany has also invited other democracies such as Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa to the G7 Summit. During the sessions of the Summit, PM Modi will also exchange views with the G7 counties, G7 partner countries and guest International Organisations on various topics including energy, climate, food security. "I will be exchanging views with the G7 counties, G7 partner countries and guest International Organisations on topical issues such as environment, energy, climate, food security, health, counter-terrorism, gender equality and democracy. I look forward to meeting leaders of some of the participating G7 and guest countries on the sidelines of the Summit," he said in the official statement. PM Modi said that in Germany he also looks forward to meeting members of the Indian Diaspora in from across Europe, who are contributing immensely to their local economies as also enriching our relations with European countries. "On my way back to India, I will make a brief stopover in Abu Dhabi, UAE for a meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi on June 28, 2022 to convey my personal condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," he added. (ANI) The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) on Friday called upon the Pakistan government to abolish the taxes on raw materials concerning the industry citing a shortage of 40 types of medicines and fearing 100 more if their demand is not accepted. PPMA Chairman Qazi Mansoor Dilawar during a meeting at the Pakistan Parliament apprised the federal ministers of the difficulties being faced by the pharmaceutical industry. "The prices of raw materials have more than tripled. Abolish taxes on our raw materials," Dilawar said. He urged the Pakistan government to refund Rs 48 billion collected as sales tax on import of raw material and withdraw 17 per cent sales tax on import of raw material, the Express Tribune reported. He also demanded an increase in the prices of medicines by up to 25 per cent to prevent the collapse of the pharmaceutical industry. The industry had been suffering from a severe crisis for the last six months but the government was constantly showing a lack of seriousness, Dilawar said. "Sales tax was imposed and promised to be refunded in this regard ... both the governments have so far collected our refunds of Rs48 billion which the government is not ready to give back due to which they have no more resources to import raw materials. Dilawar said that the increasing prices of gas, electricity and petroleum products and manpower wages had led to a 45 per cent increase in production costs. He suggested that Pakistan government impose taxes on raw materials used for other purposes than Pharmaceutical products, the Express Tribune reported. Pakistan Finance Minister Miftah Ismail assured the PPMA chairman that he would get Rs 48 billion refunds released from the Federal Board of Revenue. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue, Asim Ahmad claimed that the FBR has released Rs 40 million in refunds in the last week. He accused the pharmaceutical companies of buying raw materials tax-free and selling them in the market. Ismail announced holding another meeting on Monday to resolve the issues, the Express Tribune reported. During the meeting, Pakistan Ministers Khursheed Shah, Miftah Ismail, Naveed Qamar, Ayaz Sadiq and Nazir Tarar along with the Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Asim Ahmad were present. (ANI) The Philippines has terminated talks with China for a joint energy project in the South China Sea after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an end to negotiations, according to a media report. According to Teodoro Locsin, the foreign secretary of the Philippines, Manila has terminated talks with Beijing over joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, NHK World reported. During a speech in Manila on Thursday, Teodoro Locsin said that outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered the complete termination of the discussions. The Philippines and China have conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea. But in 2018 Duterte signed a memorandum with Chinese President Xi Jinping on joint resource exploration. China later proposed a joint project in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. One condition set by Beijing was to put aside an international arbitration ruling that rejected China's claim over most of the South China Sea. The two countries had been discussing how to realize the plan. "Three years on and we had not achieved our objective of developing oil and gas resources so critical for the Philippines but not at the price of sovereignty. Not even a particle of it," Locsin has said, as per NHK World. He also called on the incoming Philippine administration to protect the country's sovereignty. President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr is set to take office on June 30. For decades, China has been in disputes with several countries in the Asia-Pacific region over the territorial belonging of a number of islands in the South China Sea, on the shelf of which significant reserves of hydrocarbons have been discovered. The situation in the region is often complicated by the passage of US warships here, which, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, violate international law and undermine China's sovereignty and security. Despite protests from Beijing, Washington has repeatedly said that the United States will float wherever international law permits. (ANI) As Ukrainian authorities assessed the damage from dozens of missile strikes overnight, the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate said that many of the missiles were fired from Belarusian airspace, CNN reported. "Missile strikes from the territory of Belarus are a large-scale provocation of the Russian Federation in order to further involve Belarus in the war against Ukraine," the Directorate said. "Russian bombers hit directly from the territory of Belarus. Six Tu-22M3 aircraft were involved, which launched 12 Kh-22 cruise missiles," it said. The Directorate said the missiles had been launched from airspace above the district of Petrikov in southern Belarus. Meanwhile, the eastern Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk is "completely under Russian occupation," the city's head of military administration said Saturday, CNN reported. Ukraine's control over Lysychansk has become more tenuous in recent days. Russian forces have advanced into several villages south of the city, though not without sustaining losses from Ukrainian artillery fire. The Ukrainian military claims that some Russian battalion tactical groups are being consolidated or withdrawn to restore their combat capabilities, reported CNN. Luhansk and neighbouring Donetsk together make up Ukraine's Donbas region, an industrial heartland dotted with factories and coal fields. Shortly before invading Ukraine in February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two separatist territories as independent states, ordering the deployment of Russian troops there in defiance of international law. (ANI) Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit Vietnam Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will pay an official visit to Vietnam on June 26, the Australian Embassy to Vietnam has announced. Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong. Photo by the Australian Embassy According to a press release from the embassy, this will be the second trip to Southeast Asia of the new foreign minister since she took the position one month ago. The visit is expected to deepen these ties, building on existing partnerships for the benefit of the two countries and the region. In Vietnam minister Penny Wong will meet with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. "Ahead of next years 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, our discussions will focus on climate change cooperation, our shared trade and investment ambitions and Australias continued support for Vietnams COVID-19 recovery," the embassy said. After her visit to Vietnam, the Australian foreign minister will travel onto Malaysia, where she will meet Malaysian Minister for Foreign Affairs Dato Sri Saifuddin bin Abdullah, as well as Defence Minister Dato Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Minister for International Trade and Investment, Dato Seri Azmin Ali. The Rev. James Meeks sprawled out on the sidewalk in front of the controversial Chucks Gun Store at a die-in protest Wednesday, taking up space in front of the doorway just like the police said not to do. His hands rested on his stomach. His elbows touched the white, hot concrete. As fellow faith leaders prayed for an end to gun violence, he responded, Yes. Yes, with eyes closed under his polarized shades. Advertisement The Rev. James Meeks, far right in brown, along with dozens of clergy and community members, stage a die-in outside of Chuck's Gun Shop on June 22, 2022, in Riverdale. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Meeks might be retiring in January as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church, but he said he has no plans to stop lending his voice to fight any kind of injustice that needs it. This is a national conversation that we must have as it relates to guns, and the conversation is going to have to be held over and over again until we get it right, he said. Advertisement Meeks, 65, announced his retirement from ministry during last Sundays service at Salem Baptist nearly 38 years after starting the Pullman church, one of the largest African American churches in the state with nearly 10,000 members. A video he posted on Facebook announcing his retirement currently has almost 60,000 views, thousands of likes and hundreds of comments, and he said reading some of the comments made him realize he was given the opportunity for more than 40 years in ministry to connect people with God. All of the people who said they did not know God prior to being introduced to our ministry, and now they have a relationship with God that has been life-forming and transforming to them, and the very fact that God uses some of us to connect other people to him, he said. Thats been the most rewarding thing ever. The Rev. James Meeks prays with fellow religious leaders and anti-violence advocates at Pioneer Square before holding a prayer walk along Michigan Avenue to bring awareness to gun violence problems on May 28, 2022, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) Along with the news of his retirement came the announcement of his successor, the Rev. Charlie Dates, 41, who has known Meeks since before he started fifth grade at the churchs now-closed Salem Christian Academy. Dates has served under Meeks leadership for decades. Dates said he and other children at the school had a reverential fear of Meeks, knowing he was someone remarkably special who was doing something big for the city and for us. My relationship began and remains with him on those terms, just with a great deal of admiration and respect, Dates said. Dates was primary preaching assistant, pastor of adult ministries and director of church operations at Salem Baptist for five years before moving to Progressive Baptist Church to be the senior pastor there in 2011. He said Meeks is a uniquely gifted, charismatic leader who has helped build Black churches worth joining, that transform culture and society, something he hopes to emulate while carrying on in Meeks footsteps. Advertisement Meeks said Dates was the only choice to take his place, and he hopes the church gives Dates the same kind of dedication that they gave to me. The Rev. James Meeks jumps on top of a table during his exuberant Easter morning sermon at Salem Baptist Church on April 4, 1999, in Chicago. (Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune) One of worst things that we do in society from politics to ministry is to hold on to leadership positions and not give the younger generation that we asked to go and become educated, they come back to society and theres no room for them because people hold onto positions, Meeks said. Im trying to be an example to people of my generation to say its OK to trust the next generations with leadership. Meeks first thought about retiring two years ago, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he said it was not even a question that he needed to stay and keep the church going with strong leadership. He founded the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago in 1985 after five years of serving as the pastor at Beth Eden Baptist Church in East Wilken Park. Salem Baptist started out with 193 members before growing to the monolith its known as today. Meeks won a state Senate seat as an independent in 2002. He later switched to Democrat and held onto the seat before retiring in 2012. He also ran for mayor twice, in 2003 and 2011, but dropped out of both races. He was chairman of the Illinois Board of Education in 2017. When asked if he sees himself getting back into politics, Meeks was quick to say no, but said he does see himself helping a lot of young politicians make good choices. Advertisement To run for an office takes a pound of flesh that I dont have to give, he said. I just dont think that Im cut out for that anymore. Throughout his 40-plus years in ministry, Meeks has traveled the world with his messages of hope and change, including Africa, China, Argentina and Australia. A friend of Meeks for some 40 years, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, said Meeks has always been a driver with a vision. In front of a live video projection, the Rev. James Meeks, left, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson join hands during Jackson's remarks at Salem Baptist Church service on March 19, 2000. Meeks and Jackson Jr. discussed the Chicago Police Board's ruling to fire three officers involved in the LaTanya Haggerty shooting and call for federal charges against the officers. (Jose More/Chicago Tribune) Jackson said Meeks always insisted on being involved with the church from the ground up, from washing dishes to attending church meetings and leading worship. He was always dedicated to making people better off, he said. Hes been with me since he was a child. Now hes a grown man, and hes stayed very humble. Thomas Henderson and his wife, Patricia, have been members of Salem Baptists congregation since the start and have been led by Meeks since before that. They work in the churchs marriage ministry, having counseled married couples for 37 years. When they first got to know Meeks in the early 1980s, the couple themselves were newly married with a small child. Advertisement They said Meeks education-style, theologically based leadership in the church all while always infusing humor into his messages were the elements that brought and kept them with Meeks at Salem Baptist. Henderson said he and his wife were shocked at Meeks retirement announcement but had a feeling it was coming. He said he feels mostly excited for Meeks to walk whatever path is next while also feeling a slight sense of loss. Our families have grown together, Henderson said. Just knowing the fact that hes had such an impact personally, professionally, spiritually on our lives, you dont get all that wrapped up in one person. Meeks plans to officially step down on Jan. 15, which will be almost 38 years to the day he began Salem Baptist. After that, he said he has decided to stay away from Salem Baptist for the rest of 2023 to give Dates room to become the new leader. I think that the only way to give the new pastor an opportunity to come in and lead is to not be in his shadow or to be in the way, Meeks said. He said hell stay in Chicago and attend other churches around the city in the meantime but other than that, he is not 100% sure whats next. He said he is looking forward to spending time with his family and working with The Hope Center Foundation, the philanthropic branch of Salem Baptist. Advertisement About seven months ahead of his retirement, Meeks said he is least looking forward to the last day hell stand in front of the congregation at the church as Salems first and only pastor. But he is most looking forward to taking the time until then to properly say goodbye to all those he has served and served with. Blood, sweat, tears, prayers, its difficult to give up, Meeks said. But it was not difficult to give up in that I want to see the church continue to grow. I feel that at this time in life, its also time for new leadership. I pastored the church through my 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, and now Im halfway into my 60s. In order for the church to grow and reach younger families, they will need a younger leader. Tribune reporter Jake Sheridan contributed. sahmad@chicagotribune.com In a quest to gain control over Taiwan and suppress the island nation under its authoritative regime, China has decided to attack the country's economy by banning the import of fish and pineapples continuing its military bullying tactics. According to Hong Kong Post, China's PLA air force sent two dozen aircraft into Taiwan's air space, according to social media announcements by the Taiwanese Defense Ministry in Taipei out of which twenty-nine aircraft of nine different kinds participated in the drills, which included 17 fighter jets, 6 bomber planes, and an anti-submarine aircraft. The 29 aircraft that Taipei identified were Yun-9 communication countermeasure aircraft 1 sortie; Yun-8 reconnaissance aircraft 1 sortie; H-6 aircraft 6 sorties; One Y-20 Aerial Refueling craft; Air Police-500 aircraft 2 sorties; Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft 1 sortie; J-16 8 sorties; Sukai-30 aircraft 4 sorties; J-11 5 sorties. However, the Chinese sorties withdrew soon after Taiwan dispatched "air patrol forces to respond, broadcast expulsion, and monitor anti-aircraft missiles" while issuing radio warnings at the same time. On May 30, the Defence Ministry in Taipei announced an intrusion by 32 Chinese aircraft on May 30 claiming it to be the third illegal intrusion by multiple Chinese aircraft into Taiwanese air space this year, the Hong Kong Post reported. Showcasing its support to Taiwan, the US State Department said, "We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure, and intimidation against Taiwan. We have an abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defence capability," stating further that the US is committed to Taiwan in every possible way and will continue to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region." Following the ban on Taiwanese pineapples from entering the mainland, China has now also gripped Taiwan on the economic front by banning all imports of the famous Grouper fish from Taiwan. Hundreds of Taiwanese fishermen who depend on the export of this fish which is declared a national delicacy in both countries have gone bankrupt. It had previously restricted the island's access to China's vast consumer market, also banning Taiwanese wax apples saying the fruits brought in pests. Taiwan's Council of Agriculture is thinking of complaining about the Grouper ban to the World Trade Organization as the farmers cannot thrive without access to the Chinese market because both the products - fresh fruits and fresh fish - are highly perishable and need to be dispatched in no time after harvesting them. "The government had reached out to their Chinese counterparts to discuss the inspection process but had not heard back. China's General Administration of Customs did not respond to an emailed request for comment," Lin Kuo-ping, the deputy director-general of the official Fisheries Agency, said in a statement. In fact, Taiwan's Council of Agriculture (COA) Chief Chen Chi-Chung has raised the issue previously that China has violated the international trade rule with their decision of suspending the imports of grouper fish from his country. China's General Administration of Customs on Friday without giving any prior notice announced that it would suspend the grouper fish imports from June 13, citing several findings that stated that prohibited chemicals and excessive levels of Oxytetracycline been used in the grouper fish imports since last December. (ANI) New school textbooks in Hong Kong have become a subject of controversy after the learning materials stated the city was an "occupied territory rather than a British colony", the media report stated. Generally, most of the schoolchildren around the world have long been taught that Hong Kong was once a colony of the British Empire. But now students in Hong Kong will soon learn a different lesson. British had handed over Hong Kong in 1997. Now, as the city prepares to commemorate 25 years since its handover to China on July 1, 1997, that narrative -- which rejects how the British saw their relationship with the city -- will be explicitly taught to Hong Kong high school students through at least four new textbooks that will be rolled out in the fall, The New York Times reported. However, the textbook material is still under review by principals, teachers, scholars and employees of Hong Kong's Education Bureau, but it seems destined for classrooms. According to The New York Times, the material is part of a wider campaign by China's top leader, Xi Jinping, to overhaul Hong Kong's schools, "protect young minds" and raise loyal, patriotic citizens. Jeffrey Ngo, a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and a doctoral candidate in history at Georgetown University, said that the government's position "is a shorthand for saying, 'Hong Kong was always a part of China, thus Hong Kongers never could claim a right of self-determination.'" "It's about trying to make sure the next generation of young kids are going to be supportive or at least sympathetic to what the government is saying," Ngo added, as per the outlet. "This is part of the remake of Hong Kong in the national security era," he said. In 1946, the United Nations included Hong Kong on a list of "non-self-governing territories," and in a 1960 resolution said the people there should be granted "the right to self-determination." In 1972, after Beijing took over China's seat in the world body, it successfully pushed the UN to remove Hong Kong from the list, arguing that it was within China's sovereign right to decide Hong Kong's future. (ANI) Chinese authorities have locked down several residential buildings in Macau to contain the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. The city on Friday reported 39 fresh cases of the infections, bringing the total tally for the recent outbreak to 149, with around a dozen buildings locked down and residents banned from leaving, China Daily reported citing a statement from the local government. It said that more than 5,000 people in the city are in quarantine, China Daily reported. Besides, the city also extended the restriction on the closure of bars, cinemas, hair salons and outdoor parks from Thursday. Macao is testing its more than 600,000 residents for the coronavirus for a second time this week, China Daily reported. Meanwhile, it was reported that China-manufactured vaccines have turned out ineffective, making already-vaccinated people prone to new infections. The helpless Beijing government now has warned of an "explosive" COVID-19 outbreak. A Chinese study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal has shown that Chinese vaccines were unable to detect Omicron sub-variants, reported Asian Lite International. In wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, Chinese authorities have tried every possible measure including the controversial zero-covid policy to bring the viral transmission down. But everything is in vain. The number of cases is rising at a high rate, crippling normal life in China. Around 400 million people in China are affected, which amounts to over a quarter of the country's population. As many as 45 cities including the financial hub of Shanghai were placed under strict lockdown in recent times in the wake of Chinese vaccines' failure to tame the coronavirus. The deteriorating situation in China has negatively impacted global companies as well as local businesses in the country. Many economists fear an economic recession in China now. The high-handed approach of the Beijing government to COVID-19 management has caused huge inconvenience to people who are stuck in their homes. Food shortage and loss of jobs due to forcefully-induced lockdowns have infuriated them. (ANI) Erdogan told NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg in a phone call that Finland and Sweden had to take sincere and tangible steps over the harbouring of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Syria's Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) within their borders, the Turkish presidential office said in a statement. The Turkish leader pointed out that the military and industrial sanctions on Turkey should be lifted and not be put back into effect after the accession. In a separate call, Erdogan told Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson that there was no change of attitude by Sweden regarding PKK and YPG and the Nordic country had yet to take solid steps aimed at quelling Turkey's concerns. According to the statement, Erdogan also reiterated Turkey's expectations of lifting all sanctions on the Turkish defence and weapons industries. Ambitions by Finland and Sweden to join NATO were blocked by Turkey, which accused the two countries of hosting outlawed separatists and putting sanctions against their would-be allies. (ANI/Xinhua) In a radical step, a group of lawyers has knocked on the doors of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against China's increasing atrocities toward Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim populations in the Xinjiang region. Subjecting minority groups to genocide, including mass arbitrary detention, forced labour, torture, forced sterilization, separation of children from parents and destruction of minority culture, China has been a major cause of human rights abuses against the community, reported local media. However, Beijing has vehemently denied all accusations of human rights abuses in the region and says that all ethnic groups in Xinjiang live happily. The lawyers, who represent Uyghurs in exile, said that on Monday they presented the ICC with new evidence of Beijing's efforts "to round up Uyghurs in neighbouring countries, including an ICC member state, and elsewhere, to force them back" to China. "It also very sadly shows what happens to them once back in detention camps," lead lawyer Rodney Dixon said in a statement emailed to VOA. The ICC has jurisdiction over these crimes that commence on ICC territory and continue into China, and is urged to act immediately to open an investigation, newsletter, global security.org stated. This is the third dossier of evidence submitted to the ICC by the legal team since it filed an initial complaint two years ago. The complaint was submitted on June 6, 2020, and the submission of additional evidence took place on July 10, 2021; November 2021; and this past Monday, according to the legal team. After the first submission of evidence, ICC prosecutors said the court was unable to take up the case because the alleged abuses happened in China, which is not an ICC member state. The last submission of evidence to ICC includes "firsthand evidence from a witness" who was deported to China, detained in internment camps and subjected to "interrogation and torture" before escaping from China in 2018, globalsecurity.org said, citing the lawyers. "It shows that the Chinese government is implementing a policy of rounding up Uyghurs and other ethnically Turkic people from outside China, including ICC member states such as neighbouring Tajikistan, and forcefully deporting them back to China," the legal team said in a statement provided to VOA. Other Uyghur witnesses who fled from Tajikistan to Turkey in 2018 described how China pressured police and immigration officials in Tajikistan to deport Uyghurs back to China. For over two decades, Uyghurs living outside China have faced efforts by Chinese authorities to pressure foreign governments to detain and forcibly transfer them back to China. Research shows that more than 1,500 Uyghurs, including many who are human rights defenders, have been detained or forcibly returned to China where many have faced imprisonment and torture in custody. Since 2016, the Chinese government has intensified repression and carried out a policy of mass, arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples, subjecting them to severe policies including the prohibition of most religious, linguistic, and cultural practices; state-sponsored forced labour; imprisonment; and forced sterilization and birth prevention policies. (ANI) Sri Lanka has decided to limit fuel for private vehicles as the fuel shortage continues to worsen in the Island nation. Sri Lanka will not receive the shipments of petrol, diesel and crude oil, scheduled for this week and next week due to banking and logistic reasons. "Sri Lanka will not receive shipments of petrol, diesel and crude oil, scheduled for this week and next week," Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on Saturday. The minister said that suppliers have informed state-owned fuel importer and distributor Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) that they will not make the scheduled deliveries due to banking and logistic reasons. In a further statement, Wijesekera said that public transportation, power generation and industries would be given priority until the next shipments arrive. Therefore, limited stocks of diesel and petrol will be distributed to a few gas stations throughout next week. The minister urged the general public not to queue up for fuel., adding that the refinery operations will also be halted until the next crude shipment arrives. "We are working with all new and existing suppliers. I apologize for the delay and inconvenience," he said. Sri Lanka has been facing the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948, leading to an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and fuel across the island nation.The nearly-bankrupt country, with an acute foreign currency crisis that resulted in foreign debt default, had announced in April that it is suspending nearly USD 7 billion foreign debt repayment due for this year out of about USD 25 billion due through 2026. Sri Lanka's total foreign debt. The economic crisis has particularly impacted food security, agriculture, livelihoods, and access to health services. Food production in the last harvest season was 40 - 50 per cent lower than last year, and the current agricultural season is at risk, with seeds, fertilizers, fuel and credit shortages. Sri Lanka is one of the few nations named by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) which is expected to go without food due to the global food shortage expected this year. A total of 22 per cent of the Sri Lankan population or 4.9 million people live in need of food assistance at the moment and as per the latest surveys, 86 per cent of households are using at least one coping mechanism such as reducing food intake, including skipping meals. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday departed for Germany to attend the G7 Summit, scheduled from June 26-27, where he will hold meetings with G7 and guest countries and exchange views on contemporary issues. PM Modi will also travel to UAE while coming back to India. "I will be exchanging views with the G7 countries, G7 partner countries and guest International Organisations on topical issues such as environment, energy, climate, food security, health, counter-terrorism, gender equality and democracy. I look forward to meeting leaders of some of the participating G7 and guest countries on the sidelines of the Summit," the Prime Minister said in an official statement. After attending the G7 Summit, Prime Minister will be travelling to United Arab Emirates (UAE) on June 28, 2022, to pay his personal condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former UAE President and Abu Dhabi Ruler. The Ministry statement added, "PM Modi will also take the opportunity to congratulate Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on his election as the new President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi." Prime Minister Modi will depart from UAE the same night on June 28.On the sidelines of the Summit, PM Modi will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of some of the participating countries.The G7 Summit invitation is in keeping with the tradition of strong and close partnership and high-level political contacts between India and Germany.PM Modi's last visit to Germany was on May 2, 2022, for the sixth edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). Before his departure for the G7 Summit, PM Modi said that it will be a pleasure to meet Scholz again after the productive India-Germany IGC. "I will be visiting Schloss Elmau, Germany at the invitation of Chancellor of Germany, H.E. Mr. Olaf Scholz, for the G7 Summit under the German Presidency. It will be a pleasure to meet Chancellor Scholz again after the productive India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) last month," PM Modi said in his departure statement. PM Modi said that in Germany he also looks forward to meeting members of the Indian Diaspora in from across Europe, who are contributing immensely to their local economies as also enriching our relations with European countries."On my way back to India, I will make a brief stopover in Abu Dhabi, UAE for a meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi on June 28, 2022 to convey my personal condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," he added. (ANI) Condemning the tragic shooting in Norway, the United States on Saturday (local time) expressed solidarity with the family of the victims and said that the country remains committed to advance a world that is free from violence. Notably, two people were confirmed dead and 21 others wounded after a series of shootings rocked Oslo early Saturday morning, according to reports from the Norwegian capital. "The horrific shooting in Norway this morning has been felt around the world. The United States strongly condemns this act of terror. We stand in solidarity with the families of the victims, the diverse and strong LGBTQI+ community of Oslo, our close NATO ally Norway, and all who have been devastated by this senseless act," said the State Department in a press release. "The United States has been in touch with the Norwegian government and offered to provide assistance. We remain committed to continuing to partner with Norway to advance a more equitable and just world for all, free from violence and discrimination," it added. In the Oslo shooting, the Norwegian police confirmed that a 42-year-old man was arrested for the shootings and that the incident is being investigated as a terror attack based on the assumption of a lone gunman. The suspect is known by both the police and the Norwegian Secret Police (PST). "We now contribute all relevant information we have to the Oslo police and work to clarify whether more acts of violence may have been planned. So far, we have no indications of that," the PST tweeted. The perpetrator arrived at the London Pub, a nightclub with a large gay clientele, outside which he took out a firearm from a bag and started firing, NRK quoted an anonymous eyewitness as saying. As people fled in panic, the shooter continued the carnage at a small street kitchen, and outside a nearby jazz club. All three crime scenes were in close proximity to one another and located in central Oslo. The attack comes hours before a planned Pride parade in the Norwegian capital on Saturday. "The shooting outside the London Pub in Oslo last night was a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people. My thoughts go to the victims and their relatives," NRK quoted Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store as saying. (ANI) Five-term Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville is taking on freshman Rep. Mary Miller of Oakland in the newly drawn 15th Congressional District. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune and Kevin Dietsch/Getty) President Donald Trump four years ago hosted a late campaign rally in southern Illinois to endorse a Republican congressman. Sitting on bleachers behind the stage was Illinois then-governor, hoping to get a mention to boost his reelection bid and shore up support from the conservative GOP base. In the end, one-term Gov. Bruce Rauner, who had been loath to even utter Trumps name until his political fate was in jeopardy, got nothing not a chance to appear onstage, not even a presidential shoutout. He lost to Democrat J.B. Pritzker days later. Advertisement A sign for U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, right, lies next to a Trump/Pence sign at Republican Day on the Director's Lawn at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Aug. 19, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) On Saturday, Trump comes to far west-central Illinois for a late primary campaign stop to support another incumbent, first-term U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of Oakland. And, another GOP governor candidate will be waiting in the wings. But unlike Rauner, state Sen. Darren Bailey of Xenia has been a vocal Trump supporter and has actively courted his backing. A Trump endorsement of Bailey at the Adams County Fairgrounds outside Quincy could persuade primary voters Tuesday to select Bailey as the GOP nominee for governor to challenge Pritzker in the fall. Advertisement Donald Trump endorses Darren Bailey in GOP primary for governor during downstate rally. Read more here >>> In the days leading up to the rally, Trump has made supportive comments about Bailey but has stopped short of an endorsement. I think maybe Bailey would be the one, Trump told the conservative media outlet Center Square on Wednesday when asked about a favorite in the GOP primary contest. He seems to be formidable and could maybe give it a good shot because you know its a little bit hard to win up there for a Republican in that way. So well see what happens. But I think Bailey maybe, Trump said. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, second from right, at Republican Day on the Director's Lawn at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Aug. 19, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Pritzker has been a terrible, terrible governor, Trump said. He has done such a bad job and with the lockdowns and with everything else. Pritzker often referred to Trump during his tenure in the White House as a racist, misogynist homophobe. Bailey, a 2020 Trump presidential nominating delegate, comes from a Downstate region of Illinois where voters have solidly supported the former president, and he has sought to cultivate their backing for his bid for governor as a base of support that has gradually grown across the state. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 21 Republican candidate for governor state Sen. Darren Bailey participates in a debate at WGN-TV in Chicago on May 24, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) Hes also been the most demonstrably outspoken critic of Pritzker, starting with lawsuits ultimately unsuccessful that sought to block the Democratic governors pandemic mitigation orders while promoting an evangelical rural populist candidacy that decries the cultural policies of urban Chicago. Regardless of an endorsement, Trump is expected to use his rally to revisit his history of attacking Chicago over its gun violence. In the interview, he likened the city to a Third World country. Advertisement Youve always had poverty. Youve always had difficulty in Chicago and every other city, but it doesnt mean everybody gets shot. Ive never seen anything like it. So I know the police in Chicago, and theyre great. They could do the job but I think theyre not allowed to do the job, he said. You have to give the police back their respect. And you have to give them dignity and you have to give power back because they are really the ones that can solve the problem and theyre not allowed to solve the problem, he said. First and foremost, though, Trumps visit is aimed at bolstering support for Miller, whose first term has been buffeted by controversy, as she challenges five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville in the newly drawn 15th Congressional District. It is the states lone one-on-one GOP congressional primary matchup after Democrats redistricted the state and Miller chose to run against Davis. Miller, 62, who was born and raised in suburban Naperville, has aligned herself with the far-right extremes of the national GOP. She is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, which was established out of the Tea Party movement, with Mark Meadows later Trumps chief of staff serving as an early caucus chairman. She is also an ally of conspiracy-spinning U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. Shes somebody Ive gotten to know. Shes a high-quality person. Shes been all for me, all the way. You have to remember that. And shes just a very good person and a very MAGA person, said Trump, who values loyalists, using the acronym of his Make America Great Again theme. Advertisement Marys been just terrific. A tremendous supporter, said Trump, who endorsed her on Jan. 1 and later held a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser for her. Davis has said some very negative things about me at points, Trump said, but did not offer specifics. Demonstrating how times have changed, Davis was a speaker on the stage of Trumps 2018 rally in Murphysboro and was a 2020 Illinois co-chair of his campaign. Now, Miller is billed as the special guest speaker on Saturday. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis at Republican Day on the Director's Lawn at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Aug. 19, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Davis has argued he has been a strong supporter of Trump, including his White House policies involving law enforcement and tax changes. But Davis, the senior Republican on the House Committee on Administration, was one of 35 Republicans to back a bipartisan independent 9/11-style commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. That plan was rejected by the Senate. The House approved its own select committee and Davis was named to it by House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy. But McCarthy yanked his five picks after Pelosi rejected two of them. Davis has called the select committee a sham. But Miller has gone after Davis for supporting the original 9/11-style investigatory panel and has warned that President Trumps supporters remember his betrayal and will not be fooled. Advertisement While the Trump factor hangs heavy in the new district, the primary also will be a test of the areas GOP establishment. Davis has the backing of 31 GOP county chairmen in the 35-county district as well as the support of neighboring Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro, who was the congressman Trump campaigned for in 2018, and Darin LaHood of Peoria, along with several state legislators. rap30@aol.com jgorner@chicagotribune.com India is rapidly emerging as a preferred country for foreign investments as the steps taken by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the last eight years have borne fruit as is evident from the ever-increasing volumes of FDI inflow setting new records. The FDI inflow in India was at its highest ever at USD 81.97 billion in 2020-21. The information was given by the government during a parliament session. Among the global investors, the government said, these trends in India's FDI are an endorsement of its status as a preferred investment destination, reported Saudi Gazette. The government reviews the FDI policy on an ongoing basis and makes significant changes from time to time, to ensure that India remains an attractive and investor-friendly destination. India's FDI policy is liberal and transparent. Most of the sectors are open to FDI under the automatic route. To further liberalize and simplify FDI policy for providing ease of doing business and attract investments, reforms have been undertaken recently across sectors such as Coal Mining, Contract Manufacturing, Digital Media, Single Brand Retail Trading, Civil Aviation, Defense, Insurance and Telecom. Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Som Prakash, informed in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha (country's Upper House in the Parliament) that the country's FDI under the current government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at its highest-ever inflow. This came in a response to a question posed by CPI (M), Member of Parliament, John Brittas and Loktantrik Janata Dal MP M. V. Shreyams Kumar. These MPs from Kerala questioned the government on the steps it has taken to bring global business into the country. MoS Prakash in a written statement said, "Various initiatives/schemes have been launched by the government for promoting growth and attracting investment in India." He also highlighted that because of these initiatives India jumped to 63rd place in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business [EODB] ranking as per World Bank's Doing Business Report (DBR) 2020 from a rank of 142 in 2014. The Minister also spoke of having started a comprehensive reform exercise in states and union territories to attract investors. He said that these reforms were started after consultations between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) with the state governments under Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP). It is noteworthy that under this plan all states and union territories are ranked on the basis of reforms implemented by them. There are certain designated parameters which are taken into consideration post which the ranking is done. "This exercise has helped in improving the business environment across states," he said. Speaking on other steps taken by the government to attract investors, Prakash listed an Empowered Group of Secretaries that had been constituted to fast-track investments in the country. He also stressed on the constitution of Project Development Cells (PDCs) to handhold investors and spur sectoral and economic growth. A GIS-enabled India Industrial Land Bank has been launched to help investors identify their preferred location for investment. National Single Window System (NSWS) has also been soft launched in September 2021 to facilitate clearances for investors, he said. According to data released by the DPIIT, India's highest ever foreign direct investment (FDI) was up by 1.95 percent on year. In terms of top investor countries of FDI Equity inflow, 'Singapore' is at the apex with 27 per cent, followed by the US (18 per cent) and Mauritius (16 per cent) for the Fiscal Year 2021-22. The top recipient sector of FDI Equity inflow during FY 2021-22 was Computer Software and Hardware. It emerged on top with around 25 per cent share followed by services sector (12 per cent) and automobile industry (12 per cent) respectively, as per the media portal. Interestingly, despite the COVID-induced pandemic, the FDI inflow into the country in 2020-21 was USD 81.97 billion. Total FDI includes equity capital of unincorporated bodies, reinvest earnings and other capital. Manufacturing sector is also seeing a boost with global investors seeing India as a preferred destination. In a major boost to the economy, FDI Equity inflow in the Manufacturing Sectors has increased by 76 per cent in FY 2021-22 (USD 21.34 billion) compared to previous FY 2020-21 (USD 12.09 billion). The FDI inflow has increased by 23 per cent post-COVID (March 2020 to March 2022: USD 171.84 billion) in comparison to FDI inflow reported pre-COVID (February 2018 to February 2020: USD 141.10 billion) in India. Under the sector `Computer Software & Hardware', the major recipient states of FDI Equity inflow are Karnataka (53 per cent), Delhi (17 per cent) and Maharashtra (17 percent) during FY 2021-22. Karnataka is the top recipient state with 38 per cent share of the total FDI Equity inflow reported during the FY 2021-22 followed by Maharashtra (26 per cent) and Delhi (14 per cent). Majority of the equity inflow of Karnataka has been reported in the sectors 'Computer Software & Hardware' (35 per cent), automobile industry (20 per cent) and 'Education' (12 per cent) during the FY 2021-22. (ANI) World Health Organization (WHO) after convening a meeting said on Saturday that the Monkeypox presently does not amount to a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. "The WHO Director-General concurs with the advice offered by the IHR Emergency Committee regarding the multi-country monkeypox outbreak and, at present, does not determine that the event constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)," said WHO in its press release. The developments came after a meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the multi-country monkeypox outbreak. However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concerns over this. Taking to Twitter, Tedros wrote, "The response requires urgent coordinated action now to stop the further spread of Monkeypox virus, using public health measures & ensuring health tools are available to at-risk populations & shared fairly. The full list of the Committee's recommendations." WHO DG said that he is deeply concerned by the spread of monkeypox, which has now been identified in more than 50 countries, across five WHO regions, with 3000 cases since early May. The Emergency Committee shared serious concerns about the scale and speed of the current outbreak, noted many unknowns, gaps in current data and prepared a consensus report that reflects differing views amongst the Committee. Overall, in the report, they advised WHO DG that at this moment the event does not constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, which is the highest level of alert WHO can issue, but recognized that the convening of the committee itself reflects the increasing concern about the international spread of monkeypox. The Emergency Committee expressed their availability to be reconvened as appropriate. Since May 11, 2022, the WHO Secretariat alerted the States Parties to the IHR in relation to this event, through postings on the Event Information Site (a secured platform established by the WHO Secretariat for information sharing with States Parties to the IHR). These postings aimed to raise awareness about the extent of the outbreak, inform readiness efforts, and provide access to technical guidance for immediate public health actions recommended by the WHO Secretariat. Convening an IHR Emergency Committee signals an escalation of the level of alert for States Parties to the IHR and the international public health community, and it represents a call for intensified public health actions in response to this event, WHO said. Transmission is occurring in many countries that have not previously reported cases of monkeypox, and the highest numbers of cases are currently reported from countries in the WHO European Region. Initial cases of monkeypox, detected in several countries in different WHO Regions, had no epidemiological links to areas that have historically reported monkeypox, suggesting that undetected transmission might have been ongoing for some time in those countries. The majority of confirmed cases of monkeypox are male and most of these cases occur among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in urban areas and are clustered social and sexual networks. (ANI) Asian American and Pacific Islander business owners gathered to call for action from the police after multiple break-ins and vandalisms have left their community helpless in Portland. The Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association gathered members of the AAPI community in the Jade District for a meeting with law enforcement and elected officials at Powells Seafood Restaurant on Thursday. Business owners in the area complained about constant break-ins that have left them living in fear. They pleaded with police and city officials to put an end to the crimes. Manna Chen, the owner of Powells Seafood Restaurant, told KPTV that a bullet flew through her businesss front door and one of her windows was smashed on Sunday night. Chen has reportedly spent over $5,000 to repair damages from five vandalism attacks in the last six months. More from NextShark: UK judges withdraw from top Hong Kong court in opposition to Chinas security law Twenty-nine years the situation was all good. Just these past two years, security is really bad, Chen said. This area, 80 percent are businesses owned by Asian people. But Im not sure if everybody [who vandalizes businesses] is against Asian people or not. At the meeting, business owner Mr. Jing also spoke about how he was robbed at gunpoint in his bar on Wednesday night. To have my father experience this just last night is heartbreaking, Jings son Keith said. More from NextShark: Man With 5 Priors Arrested for Stabbing 94-Year-Old Asian Woman in SF Portland police have pledged to hire officers on overtime to help support missions with the city's Neighborhood Response Teams despite low staffing levels. The city will be looking to hire 300 more officers in the next three years to reduce crime in the area. A funding of nearly $1 million has also been allocated to help business owners pay for damages caused by property vandalism. I understand that call times and wait times sometimes can be hours or maybe even the next day but please dont stop calling us, Captain David Abrahamson of the Portland Police Bureau said. Story continues More from NextShark: Elderly Couple Allegedly Struck With Coronavirus Says Goodbye to Each Other Featured Image via KPTV Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Asian restaurant owner who fatally shot attempted robbery suspect will not face charges Eliza Cussen of Green Bay hugs Naomi Allen of Green Bay while gathering with a group at Kavarna Coffeehouse on Friday in downtown Green Bay following news that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion legal for the last 50 years. GREEN BAY - Just a few hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a group of women, members of the LGBTQ community, and Planned Parenthood advocates gathered Friday at Kavarna Coffeehouse on Broadway to process the news. Stacey Burkhart of Pulaski, artist and founder of three organizations in downtown Green Bay, said she felt the need to get out of the house when she saw the news and made the 30-minute drive to downtown Green Bay. "To facilitate something like this where people can come and know that theyre not alone, that theyre not the only ones feeling the way they are right now, is very important," Burkhart said. "Today is just not a day to feel very great," Burkhart said. "And I think to dismiss the pain, the hurt, the anger, would be to deny who we are as individuals. Meanwhile, a few miles away at the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay's campus in Allouez, the Very Rev. John Girotti held a news conference praising the Supreme Court's decision for "supporting the right to be born and the right to live." The Very Rev. John Girotti, vicar general/moderator of the Curia Diocese of Green Bay, speaks during a press conference Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion legal for the last 50 years. Girotti told reporters he hopes the momentum from the Supreme Court decision continues and the current generation actively rejects abortions. "As a country we must get to a point where every life is respected no matter what it looks like, how it comes about, where the person lives, is born or unborn," he said. Bishop David L. Ricken said that despite the decision, there's still work to do. While the announcement by the Supreme Court is met with gratitude from all of us who have been dedicated to protecting the lives of children in the womb, we know that there is still much work to be done, so that all life, in every stage, might be reverenced and protected, Ricken said in a news release. The court's decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, a landmark ruling that made abortion legal for the past 50 years, puts back into effect an 1849 state law banning abortions in Wisconsin except when saving the life of the mother. Story continues RELATED: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade these maps show how access to abortion will change RELATED: Is abortion legal in Wisconsin? Here's how the overturning of Roe v. Wade affects Wisconsin abortion laws It's a decision that comes from the minority, Burkart said. A Marquette University Law School Poll in October showed 61% of Wisconsin voters said abortion should be legal in all or most cases and 34% said it should be illegal in all or most cases. Burkhart added that although she has always been a supporter of abortion rights, she wasn't as actively vocal about them because she didn't want to hurt loved ones with whom she didn't share the same opinion or religious dogma. But that changed Friday. "It just hits you. And you press that green light, and you step inside something incredibly uncomfortable because you know that reaching beyond your comfort zone is what is going to facilitate that change." Part of her motivation is that she's mourning and fighting for the future of her three daughters, a 10-year old and 7-year old twins, while also empowering them to fight alongside her. Steph Guzman, a local educator and member of the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities, also went to the gathering after hearing the news. She said that she was not only in shock, but also feared for what this decision portends for the rights of the LGBTQ community and people of color in the future. "It's very hard to process the news, because I don't think people really understand how much control has been put over the people," Guzman said. Sam Birkett of Green Bay makes a poster Friday opposing the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down the Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion legal for the last 50 years. In addition to being a member of the LGBTQ community and a person of color, Guzman said she is also a person of faith. Her parents were born and raised Catholic in Mexico, and while she has had an internal fight with religion, she still maintains Christian values. I am a person of faith, but I choose to let people choose their lives, that is what I was taught: not to judge and to help the person next to you, Guzman said. They taught me in my religion that God is love. So love would be to support each other, and if were not going to help each other, at least not hurt each other," she said. "And this hurts people." Anne Tretinyak, executive director for Vida, a parenting help and medical clinic, told reporters at the same press conference that the U.S. Supreme Court decision only emphasized the need for Vida services. "If you are a woman who is facing an unexpected pregnancy, (Vida) is here, we can help and we want to listen to your story," she said. MORE: 'I tried to be a good Christian': Rape and incest survivors say Wisconsin abortion law would subject victims to more trauma Contact Kelly Smits at (920) 431-3632 or ksmits@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kellymsmits. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay abortion rights activists, opponents react to Roe overturned Chandrika Metivier with a "Cancel SCOTUS" sign at City Hall during an abortion-rights protest June 25 in downtown Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Several hundred demonstrators gathered and marched through downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, channeling anger, frustration and grief as they denounced the Supreme Court's decision to end a constitutional right to abortion. In Grand Park in the heart of downtown's Civic Center more than 200 people had assembled by mid-morning, with scores chanting, "My body, my choice," on the steps of nearby City Hall. Signs waved by protesters declared, "You are only banning safe abortions" and "I am woman watch me vote." Through the morning and early afternoon, the crowd grew and hundreds trooped through the city streets, stopping at Crypto.com Arena and L.A. Live before returning to the steps of City Hall. "I had to literally come down here today because I have nowhere to put my emotion, my fear, my anger, and my sorrow, said 52-year-old Jennifer Jonassen. Jonassen said she was on Zoom Friday attending a professional development course when she learned of the courts decision, which left her in tears. Anger propelled her and others to join Saturday's protest: Clearly being submissive and quiet has done nothing," she said. The move by the Supreme Court's conservative majority to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision closely followed a leaked draft of the ruling published this spring by Politico. Still, the final ruling shocked and saddened scores across Southern California. "I felt we were going backwards, said Therese Zipperman, 33, describing her response to the ruling. I worried about my future womens future. Hundreds marched through downtown Los Angeles on Friday, protesting the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade. (Care Dorghalli / Los Angeles Times) Zipperman drove from her residence in Burbank to join demonstrators Saturday in downtown L.A., where women chanted, "Two-four-six-eight, separate the church and state." To Zipperman, attendance at the rally was a way to fight back, along with voting and supporting organizations that advocate for abortion rights. Congress, she said, should make abortion legal across the country: "Legal, accessible, and affordable," calling it "basic healthcare." Story continues For Jessi Martinez, 22, coming to downtown from her home in Santa Monica was born out of a need to be around like-minded people. "It gives people hope hope in numbers," said Martinez, who marched Saturday with a 1973 sign that she made herself and hung around her neck. Martinez lamented the influence of religious views on government policies and how lawmakers were imposing their beliefs on the wider citizenry: "Your religion cannot dictate the laws of the country." Helen Li, 25, of Virginia, said the reversal of Roe vs. Wade sparked a conversation in her own family about abortion, and on Saturday she carried a sign outside City Hall that read, My mother had an abortion so that my sister and I could have a right to life. The right to life, in my opinion, doesnt just mean conception, Li said. It also means, after the baby comes out of the womb, do we have enough resources to support this child? She said she attended the rally to find community and speak to people who have experienced abortion. I think bringing these stories to light is important to start discussions, even within families, because theyre kind of taboo, she said. Los Angeles police had not made any arrests in connection with the demonstration as of 4:30 p.m., said Officer Norma Eisenman, an LAPD spokesperson. A group had attempted to march on the southbound 101 Freeway but was blocked by officers on the ramp at Broadway. In the hours after the ruling in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization was released, thousands of protesters in Southern California took to the streets in Hollywood, Westwood, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Fullerton, Irvine and across the Inland Empire. From Friday morning until just before midnight, scores flocked to downtown L.A., rallying in Pershing Square and outside the 1st Street courthouse. Several marched on the 110 Freeway and later, the 101 Freeway, temporarily blocking traffic. By 9 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly, with officers in riot gear forming skirmish lines and warning protesters to leave or face arrest. Crowds protesting the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade marched Friday on the 110 Freeway, temporarily blocking traffic. (Care Dorghalli / Los Angeles Times) Times reporters were turned away and not permitted to observe detentions or arrests. One person was arrested after people threw fireworks and other objects at officers near 5th and Main streets, said LAPD Chief Michel Moore. Two officers were injured from the fireworks, and they were released to go home after receiving medical treatment, said Eisenman, the LAPD spokesperson. The vast majority of protesters were peaceful, but "a much smaller group of individuals took to the streets with the intention of creating chaos and destruction," Moore told The Times. The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing LAPD officers, blasted police and city leaders on Saturday for failing to condemn the throwing of fireworks, rocks and bottles at officers. "The silence is deafening from our so-called communitys leaders," the union said in a statement. "This type of raw violence on display in Los Angeles and across the nation from dangerous mobs hell-bent on destruction has nothing to do with a womans right to choose." Hundreds protest the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday in Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) The rallies on Saturday saw far less of an obvious police presence. As the crowd stepped through the streets, a Times reporter observed a handful of LAPD cruisers trailing behind. Several attendees said the rally offered a form of catharsis and portended more intensive organizing and activism in the months ahead. You have to get active thats the only thing we have, said Maureen Toth, 53, of Studio City. The right has been very active in what they attempted to do, and they succeeded for the moment. It needs to galvanize and energize people. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Daily Beast Paramount+According to everyone featured in Secrets of the Oligarch Wives, Vladimir Putin is a ruthless, greedy, sociopathic monster who cares only about his own power, wealth, and legacy as a titan who united and restored the glory of Mother Russia. The ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as the continued imprisonment and mistreatment of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, corroborates those claims, although the true hook of the Paramount+ documentary about the Russian president is its insider commen A pro-choice counter-protester holds a sign on the sidelines of the pro-life National March for Life in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 12, 2022. Lars Hagberg / AFP Access to abortion is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Many abortion facilities are located in major cities, which creates barriers for those in rural areas. Abortion care cannot be accessed in Canada after 24 weeks. Abortion is legal in Canada, but access to care remains an issue for Canadians who live in small towns or rural parts of the country. Access to abortion is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The landmark decision, R v. Morgentaler was made in 1988 when the Supreme Court of Canada decided restrictive criminal laws on abortion violated the Charter rights of women, specifically the security of the person. Michelle Fortin, the executive director of Options for Sexual Health, based in British Columbia, told Insider that advocates like herself don't necessarily want it to become a law. "Laws can be changed, but to change the charter would take a whole lot of work," she said. Fortin said about one in three Canadians will have an abortion in their lifetime and nearly 60% of people who seek an abortion already have children. She said ensuring equitable access should be top of mind, especially for those who are racialized, Indigenous, living in poverty, or part of the LGBTQ community. "Supporting choice doesn't mean supporting abortion. It means supporting other people's choices for their own bodies," she said. Most abortion facilities in the country are located in major city centers near the Canada-US border, which leaves large swaths of the population without access to providers. Jill Doctoroff, the executive director of the National Abortion Federation Canada told Insider that NAF helps with abortion-related travel costs for those who may have financial difficulties. Another barrier facing Canadians wanting to access abortion care depends on what province they reside in. For those who live in Prince Edward Island, abortion care can be accessed up to 12 weeks and six days gestation. Anyone wanting an abortion after that time must travel to another province. "It's not all perfect here either and as you can imagine, the barrier-issues folks have are important and real to them," Doctoroff told Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams said Friday he wouldnt be mayor if his former partner hadnt gotten an abortion when they were teenagers. The revelation came after Adams, flanked by dozens of members of his administration on the steps of City Hall, announced new initiatives to improve abortion access in response to the U.S. Supreme Courts unraveling of Roe v. Wade. I was 15, and I just got home from being arrested, and [my partner] came to me. She said, Eric, I'm pregnant, and look at your life,'" recalled the mayor, who has said his arrest and beating at the hands of police inspired him to later spend 22 years as an NYPD cop. Adams said his gut reaction was to keep the baby, but his partner urged him to reflect on the quality of life they could provide. Eric, youre arrested, youre not going to school. What future is this baby going to have? the mayor recalled her saying. Ultimately she made the empowered decision that was smart for both of us, he said. Later, when asked during an appearance on 1010 WINS whether he thinks hed be mayor today if the child was born, Adams said: No, I dont. My life would have been different, he said an hour later on CNN. Outside City Hall, Adams announced a slate of plans to expand access to medication abortion at city sexual health clinics and grow the number of medical professionals who perform the procedure within the public hospital system. The city will also provide transportation, food and housing options for out-of-staters who come to New York for the procedure from states where it is outlawed, city Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said at Fridays news conference. After today, young women will come of age with fewer rights than their parents, Adams said. The far right, enabled by this court, has declared war on the American people, war on public safety, and our pursuit of happiness. The revocation of Roe v. Wade which city and state officials had anticipated since POLITICO first reported the initial draft majority opinion in May has prompted New York politicians to take widespread action to improve abortion access. They passed a law that shields abortion providers and people who travel to New York seeking legal abortions from extradition and subpoenas issued by states that have outlawed the procedure. Lawmakers also set up abortion-access funds. Story continues Both the city and state are rolling out public service announcements, hotlines and other resources to connect those seeking an abortion to trusted providers, which will combat a longstanding issue about pregnant people being unknowingly directed to anti-abortion clinics. The state Legislature is expected to return as early as next week for a special session to address SCOTUS ruling Thursday overturning a strict New York gun law. That brief return to the statehouse could provide lawmakers another chance to pass a stalled equal rights amendment to the states Constitution that would add pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes to a list of classes protected from discrimination. Despite the growing access and funding for abortions, Adams dismissed the suggestion that New Yorkers and those who come to the state are safe in a post-Roe America. He called on Congress to codify abortion into law. If we pass something in the state, we are leaving our sisters behind in other states. This is a national problem, and its time for national leadership to step up and solve this problem, Adams said. What does it say to my auntie in Alabama? What does it say to my family members in Florida? I am not going to say, We should only have the right in New York. We should have the right in our country. A handful of female deputy mayors and an agency head opened the news conference, speaking about their experiences with motherhood and abortion, some of whom tearfully detailed their choices now that Roe was overturned. The final woman to speak, Adams closest confidante, Chaplain Ingrid Lewis-Martin, brought the perspective of someone who is deeply religious and focused her comments narrowly on women who need abortions after rape. As the mayor and other officials spoke, a heckler screamed from the sidelines, calling Adams a hypocrite and repeatedly yelling save the children and get over it. Raul Rivera, a 52-year-old taxi driver, said he comes to City Hall all the time not to disrupt, but if theyre not going to let me participate, then I will disrupt. He said he is a registered Democrat, but he called the moderate Democratic mayor the last Democrat I vote for, noting he now supports Republican gubernatorial candidate Andrew Giuliani. Rivera claimed it was hypocritical for city officials to support individual choice in abortions but not vaccinations against Covid-19, though he later said he approved of the courts ruling and found it hard to support abortion rights, particularly after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Nine out of 10 abortions happen before 12 weeks in many high-income countries, and the proportion of abortions performed by nine weeks has grown in the past decade, according to research published in BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health. The lone protester at City Hall Park, Rivera clashed with officers and other onlookers, some of whom openly referred to him as crazy. His voice, which at times drowned out the voices of female city officials, served as a metaphor for the moment, Adams said. Hundreds of us are on the steps. You have one idiot out there, and you may think this is what Americans are feeling, Adams said. Thats just noise. And notice its not a woman. San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit police officers, from left, Nick Luzano, Eric Kelly and Eric Hofstein wear masks while patroling a train. Alameda County is dropping its short-lived mask mandate, but BART riders are still required to wear face coverings. (Jessica Christian / Associated Press) Three weeks after becoming the first California county to reinstitute a mask mandate in most indoor public settings amid climbing coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, Alameda County has rescinded the order citing improving conditions. The move, effective at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, coincides as the San Francisco Bay Areas second most populous county progresses from the high to medium COVID-19 community transmission level as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That agency recommends public indoor masking for counties in the high level, but not for those in medium. In a statement Friday, county officials didn't directly tie the fate of the local mask order to the CDC tiers, but instead said they closely monitored local trends and have determined the mandate can now be lifted. "Conditions have stabilized following the sustained increases in case reports and hospitalizations we saw throughout May," said county Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss. "While we expect continued impacts from COVID-19 in the coming weeks, and masks remain strongly recommended, it is appropriate to step down from the health officer masking order at this time." Over the seven-day period ending Thursday, Alameda County reported an average of 858 new coronavirus cases per day down 9% from two weeks ago, according to data compiled by The Times. As of Thursday, 141 coronavirus-positive patients were hospitalized countywide, including 15 in intensive care. Alameda's renewed mask mandate, which went into effect June 3, marked the first time a California county had reissued such an order since the initial winter Omicron surge faded. Though transmission has remained elevated since then, Alameda County ultimately proved to be an exception, rather than a harbinger. No other sizable county followed its lead. Even with the order soon to be lifted, Alameda County, like California as a whole, continues to strongly recommend public indoor masking. Story continues Masks work and are still an important tool to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, especially when rates are high, Moss said. We strongly encourage everyone to continue masking to protect themselves and others from COVID. Health officials in Los Angeles County have said they would reimpose a public indoor mask mandate should the region fall in the high COVID-19 community level for two consecutive weeks. That category, the worst on the CDC's three-tier scale, indicates not only significant community transmission but also that hospital systems may grow strained by coronavirus-positive patients. Based on current hospitalization trends, L.A. County would likely not reach that category until mid-July. However, that projection is "based on that assumption of a continued rate of increase that doesn't change, and that's really impossible to predict," said Dr. Paul Simon, chief science officer for the L.A. County Department of Public Health. "We're cautiously optimistic that we may level off and, in the best of all worlds, we will begin to see a decline in hospital admissions sooner rather than later," he told reporters Thursday. "But it is hard to predict." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Facing high medical costs and pressure to reconsider, a single mother living in California turned to activists across the border in Mexico who helped her have an abortion. "We're supposed to be in a free country, in a state where you can smoke marijuana, but abortion is still somewhat taboo," the 31-year-old said, shortly before the US Supreme Court ended the nationwide right to the procedure. The woman, of Mexican descent, believes terminating a pregnancy will now become ever harder, although the liberal West Coast states of California, Oregon and Washington jointly vowed to defend abortion rights. The Supreme Court's decision on Friday to overturn the nationwide right to abortion gives all 50 states the freedom to ban the procedure, and nearly half are expected to do so in some form. Even before the ruling, accessing a safe abortion in the United States was already "complicated if you don't have money," said the mother of three, who works in a restaurant in San Diego. She initially visited two clinics in the United States, but at both the cost of the procedure was almost $1,000, which she could not afford. At one of the facilities, which had religious links, she was discouraged from having an abortion. "They told me there were other options, that I could give it up for adoption. But I was determined, desperate," she told AFP by telephone, explaining that she got pregnant because contraceptives failed. - 'Huge setback' - Through a friend, the woman learned about Colectiva Bloodys, a non-government organization in Tijuana just south of San Diego that is part of a cross-border network providing free assistance to women in the United States who cannot access an abortion. "I was surprised that they helped me from Mexico. I thought that we were more liberal here," she said. "Everything moved very quickly there. In less than a day they said 'here's the solution,'" the woman said. She was sent a combination of medication that ends a pregnancy by causing the uterus to contract, a method considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO), mainly for up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Story continues The NGO responded quickly to any follow-up questions and "was always supportive," she added. Colectiva Bloodys has sent these treatments to conservative-led US states such as Oklahoma, Texas and Georgia for a few years and expects more requests following the Supreme Court ruling, said one of its members, Crystal Perez Lira. "It's very unfortunate, a huge setback; but we are going to have the capacity and the will" to offer support, Perez Lira said. Mexican activists had already been surprised by the amount of interest from women in the United States in the cross-border network, launched in January in the face of obstacles to accessing a safe abortion. "As of May, we had assisted 200 women who crossed the border and sent 1,000 sets of medicine. We didn't expect so many," said Veronica Cruz, founder of Las Libres, one of some 30 groups in the network. - Financial constraints - While the activists had expected mainly Latinas to seek their help, they have also been approached by non-Spanish speakers. "Most turn to us for financial reasons. Over there the medication costs about $600 or they have to wait weeks to get it from organizations. We give it for free," Cruz said. Some of the women seeking assistance in Mexico are reluctant to go to a clinic in the United States because they lack the necessary immigration documents. "We don't invade their privacy. We don't question their legal status or their nationality," said Perez Lira. In contrast to the US ruling, Mexico's Supreme Court last year declared the laws criminalizing abortion unconstitutional, authorizing it de facto throughout the conservative Latin American country. In Mexico City, which decriminalized abortion in 2007 and provides free care regardless of place of residence, authorities pledged to support women from the United States following the court ruling. "It's truly regressive, sad and outrageous that in a country where these rights had been recognized they are going backwards. We'll be ready to help," the city's health secretary, Oliva Lopez Arellano, told AFP. "We have the capacity for around 25,000 legal terminations a year and now we're at half that," she said. One in 10 of the 247,000 abortions carried out in the city in the past 15 years have been for migrants heading to the United States, most of them Central Americans, she added. In addition to Mexico City, eight more of Mexico's 32 states have decriminalized abortion. sem/dr/mdl/bfm KC McQuaid, right, of Naperville leads a chant during a rally along Washington Street in Naperville to support women's choice in health care June 24, 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) A woman dressed as a character from Margaret Atwoods novel The Handmaids Tale stood in silence at the busy Naperville intersection Friday afternoon holding a simple message written on paper: VOTE. She was one of the hundreds of people lining Washington Street from Chicago Avenue to south of Aurora Avenue in defense of a womans reproductive freedom after a U.S. Supreme Court opinion earlier that day struck down what protesters said was nearly a half-century of protections. Advertisement The Supreme Court voted 6-3 on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, upholding a 2018 Mississippi law that banned abortion past 15 weeks gestation and thus overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion across the country. A supporter displays a sign during a rally for women's reproductive choice June 24, 2022 in Naperville. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) Fridays rally was organized by the League of Women Voters of Naperville, Naperville AAUW, the National Council of Jewish Women and Illinois NOW. Advertisement Susan Craighead, president of the Naperville LWV, said reproductive health care is essential health care and a fundamental right that the Supreme Court has undermined by stripping women and pregnant women of their personal autonomy. All people deserve access to quality health care, including abortion and the privacy to make reproductive choices, Craighead said. The league will fight to preserve the individual rights of women to make their own reproductive choices. We are standing here with our allies to support womens access to health care, reproductive rights, and individual liberties and privacy. Protestors line the Washington Street bridge in Naperville with signs in support of abortion rights June 24, 2022 in Naperville. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) Susan Calderwood, of Naperville, said pro-choice doesnt mean a person supports abortion. A woman has a right to choose because shes not a second-class citizen in this country, and men cant be deciding rules for womens bodies when we dont put rules on their bodies, Calderwood said. Barb Vernon, president-elect of the AAUW Naperville Area, said the organization strongly supports choice in determining ones reproductive life as well as increased access to health care and family planning services. AAUW Naperville Area trusts that every woman and person who can become pregnant has the ability to make their own informed choices regarding their reproductive life within the dictates of their own moral and religious beliefs, Vernon said. While we recognize and are grateful for the protections granted in the state of Illinois, we will continue to fight to protect reproductive rights which include access to contraceptive care, abortion, sexual health education and family planning services for all Americans, she said. Advocates display signs on Washington Street during a rally to support abortion rights in Naperville June 24, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) Rome Beling, 17, of Batavia, said banning legal abortions does not stop abortions. Advertisement It just stops safe ones. Women are going to start doing whatever they can to keep their body autonomy and that includes unsafe things, said Beling. She said just because people dont support abortion does not give them the right to take away someone elses right to choose. I know plenty of people who are anti-abortion for themselves who are pro-choice because they believe in everyones right to choose and they know that they dont have the right to choose for someone else, Beling said. Olivia Zary, 17, of Plainfield, said she no longer has faith in the Supreme Court. I think it tells our generation that they dont really take into account how we feel and our opinions and beliefs, Zary said. Dinah Smith, of Aurora, attended a rally in Naperville June 24, 2022, to show support for women's reproductive rights. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) Dinah Smith, of Aurora, said shes terrified for America because this is just the beginning. Advertisement This is just one right thats been taken away. Theyre not stopping, Smith said. Jill Lexier, state policy advocacy chair with the National Council of Jewish Women said its cruel and shameful to wipe out 50 years of precedent and leave millions of people without health care We are outraged. Every person deserves the ability to make decisions about their own bodies and their futures. This decision supports forced pregnancy, and it endangers the lives of people who will no longer have access to the care they need without having to travel hundreds of miles and pay thousands of dollars, Lexier said. She said the decision harms those already facing barriers to accessing health care, particularly people of color, women, young men, young people, disabled people and those working to make ends meet. Proponents of these restrictions often claim that theyre acting based on their religious conviction, but we know that most people of faith support access to abortion, she said. Colleen Kuemmel, of Naperville, participated in a rally supporting women's reproductive choice June 24, 2022 in Naperville. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) Lexier said Jewish tradition not only permits abortion, but in some cases when the pregnant womans well-being as at risk, requires it. Advertisement By overturning Roe, the court has codified one narrow religious ideology into law, abandoning our constitutional right to religious freedom and trampling on the rights of Jews and other religious individuals, Lexier said. The Rev. Ronald Hicks, bishop of the Diocese of Joliet that oversees many of the Catholic churches in Naperville, said in a statement the courts decision is an answer to decades of prayer and upholds the protection of the unborn, which has long been a tenet of Catholic social teaching. I celebrate this ruling yet mourn the fact that here, in our home state of Illinois, it will have no immediate impact given the states 2019 enshrinement into law of abortion as a misguided fundamental right, Hick said. Perhaps the courts ruling and recent public conversations, coupled with our own prayers, will stir within the hearts, minds and souls of our elected political leaders a greater respect for the beauty and dignity of human life from conception to natural death, he said. subaker@tribpub.com Protestors line the Washington Street bridge in Naperville in support of abortion rights June 24, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) Anderson Cooper attends CNN Heroes: All-Star Tribute in New York City on December 12, 2021; Richard Gere attends the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on January 6, 2019. Dominik Bindl/Getty Images; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Anderson Cooper opened up about the moment he realized he was gay Friday on "Radio Andy." Cooper said he came to the conclusion after watching Richard Gere in the 1979 Broadway play "Bent." Cooper said he met a shirtless Gere backstage after the show and "couldn't speak." Anderson Cooper opened up about the moment he realized he was gay on Friday during the "Andy Cohen Live Pride Special" on SiriusXM's "Radio Andy." The CNN host sat down with Cohen and actor John Hill at the iconic Stonewall Inn in New York City. People reports Cooper recalled watching the Broadway play "Bent" in the late 1970s with photographer Paul Jasmin and Jasmin's boyfriend, who were friends with Cooper's mother, the late fashion designer, and socialite Gloria Vanderbilt. Richard Gere starred in the play about the persecution of homosexuality in Nazi Germany. "And this was Richard Gere in 1977, 'Looking for Mr. Goodbar.' He was so beautiful. And I'm there. My mom didn't go. It was just me and my mom's two gay friends," he said. Cooper called the opening scene, in which a man gets out of bed completely naked and puts on a uniform, "the gayest thing you can imagine." "And I just remember being like, 'Oh my God, I'm gay. ... I'm totally gay," he said. After the play ended, Cooper said Jasmin took him backstage to meet Gere, who he worked with on the film "American Gigolo." Cooper shared that Gere was shirtless in his dressing room when Cooper met him for the first time. "I couldn't speak. I had my playbill and I wanted to get him to autograph it, but I just couldn't stop staring at his chest," Cooper told Cohen. The moment came full circle for Cooper when he later interviewed Richard Gere and asked him to sign the original playbill. He said Gere was "very tickled" by the story. Representatives for Cooper and Gere did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, and John Hill record a live broadcast of 'Andy Cohen Live' at The Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 24, 2022. Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM Cooper also shared more about how he came out to his mom. He said he didn't tell her he was gay until he graduated college, and although she was "cool about it," she told him not to make any "definite decisions." Cooper publicly came out in 2012. Story continues In a 2016 interview with Entertainment Weekly's Jess Cagle and People, Vanderbilt shared with Cooper that she had a "brief so-called lesbian relationship" when she was 13. Vanderbilt also said her understanding of LGBTQ issues was shaped by the gossip surrounding her mother, who was "accused" of being a lesbian during a 1932 custody battle between Vanderbilt's parents. "I think almost everybody goes through at one point of course, the thing is, now we realize there's no difference," Vanderbilt told People and EW at the time. "Love is love." Read the original article on Insider Antifa members in Washington, D.C., threatened to "burn it down" while demonstrating against the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday. Members of the far-left militant movement joined protests in the nation's capital against the court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. "If we dont get it, burn it down," the demonstrators chanted. In another chant, they said, "Every city, every town, burn the precinct to the ground." SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS ROE V. WADE: LIVE UPDATES The protesters wore black attire and carried umbrellas, a strategy Antifa has used to shield their identities from the press and law enforcement. A group of protesters also spray-painted "bans off our bodies" on the street outside the Supreme Court. Antifa gathering in front of the Supreme Court comes after a day of protests ahead of what has been warned will be a "Night of Rage" by far-left radicals. Abortion clinics, pregnancy centers, churches and police are ramping up security measures in some areas to brace for the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's Friday decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Several pro-life organizations and churches have been vandalized in the weeks leading up to the landmark decision that was preceded by an unprecedented leak from the Supreme Court signaling the overturn. This week, an office building shared by pro-life organization Jackson Right to Life and Michigan Republican Rep. Tim Walberg's campaign was vandalized in an attack that appeared to be linked to the pro-choice extremist group Janes Revenge. However, the vandals had initially targeted the wrong address, vandalizing a random person's home before actually making it to the office space. Janes Revenge claimed responsibility for vandalizing Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life last week with the same modus operandi of tagging the outside of the building with graffiti and breaking windows. The Supreme Court followed through with their ruling on Friday, striking down Roe v. Wade in a 6-3 decision on the case Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Fox News Digitals Adam Sabes contributed reporting. LOS ANGELES (AP) Los Angeles FC has reached a deal with Welsh forward Gareth Bale to move to Major League Soccer after his departure from Real Madrid, a person close to the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because the details of the 12-month deal are still being finalized between Bale and MLS-leading LAFC, which also added Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini to its roster this month. The 32-year-old Bale is moving stateside after spending most of the past nine years with Madrid. His contract expires this summer, making him a free agent after his up-and-down tenure with the current Champions League winners finally ends. Bale essentially confirmed the move with a tweet Saturday, writing, See you soon, Los Angeles," alongside a video of himself in an LAFC jersey and hat. Bale is among the most dynamic attacking players of his generation when healthy and on a top team. He scored 106 goals in 258 appearances for Madrid, which won five Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns during his tenure. But Bale has played sparingly and occasionally ineffectively for Madrid in recent years. He made only seven appearances for the European champions this past season while struggling with several injuries. Bale also went on a season-long loan to Tottenham in 2020-21, scoring 16 goals in 34 appearances for Spurs. The brilliant goal-scorer joined Madrid from Spurs in 2013 for a then-record transfer fee. Bale will get a fresh start in the Southern California sunshine alongside Chiellini, who joined LAFC after 17 seasons at Juventus and an impressive international career for Italy. Bale was rumored to be considering retirement if Wales hadn't qualified for the World Cup, but his national team earned a place in Qatar last month. Bale will be able to chase a trophy in Los Angeles while staying in shape for the rigors of the World Cup competition. The MLS regular season ends Oct. 9, while the MLS Cup Final the last potential game of the MLS season is scheduled for Nov. 5, just over two weeks before the start of the World Cup. Story continues Bale and Chiellini both would be eligible to debut for LAFC after the secondary transfer window opens July 7. LAFC hosts the archrival LA Galaxy on July 8. They are expected to join a formidable core alongside Mexican striker and former MLS MVP Carlos Vela, whose tenure at LAFC is expected to be extended after his own contract expires this summer. LAFC is signing both Chiellini and Bale with targeted allocated money, a distinction that leaves open a designated player slot if the club decides to add yet another star player who can be paid above the MLS salary cap. LAFC has been among MLS' top teams since its founding as an expansion franchise in 2018, but while it won one Supporters' Shield as the regular-season champions, the club has yet to raise the league's postseason trophy. ___ More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Bangladesh on Saturday opened an important bridge near the capital Dhaka after a long construction plagued by delays, graft allegations, and even deadly lynchings sparked by rumours of human sacrifice. The inauguration of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge -- now officially the country's longest -- caps a key infrastructure goal by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the nearly eight years since construction began. It ends an economic bottleneck that required freight destined for the country's poverty-stricken south and the Indian megacity of Kolkata to be slowly ferried over the Padma river, a major tributary of the mighty Ganges. "This bridge is not just bricks, cement, iron, and concrete," Hasina told a crowd of nearly a million people who had gathered along the river's banks for its opening ceremony. "This bridge is our pride, a symbol of our capacity, strength and dignity," the leader added. But the project was also burdened by other, more vexing associations even before work began. Bangladesh financed the $3.87-billion project itself after corruption allegations saw the World Bank and other lenders withdraw finance. Canadian engineering firm SNC-Lavalin was banned from bidding on World Bank projects for a decade after it was accused of bribing officials over the project. Prosecutors in Canada eventually declined to pursue corruption charges against company executives after a court ruled some wiretap evidence against them was inadmissible. Engineers said building challenges for the project were "immense" as siltation left the bottom of the Padma river unstable, making it difficult to place spans and helping blow out the bridge's finish date by four years. And in 2019, eight people were killed in vigilante lynchings sparked by social media rumours of children being kidnapped and sacrificed as offerings for the bridge's construction. More than 30 others were attacked in connection with the rumours, mostly spread on Facebook, that said human heads were needed to help finish the project. Story continues Despite its troubles, the 6.2-kilometre (3.8-mile) road and rail link has long been signposted as one of the most significant endeavours of Hasina's tenure. Local media reported breathlessly on minor construction milestones, such as the completion of one of its 41 concrete spans. Major roads across Dhaka were festooned with lights, lasers and decorations to mark Saturday's inauguration. sam/gle/ssy President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the the White House on April 1, 2022. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images Biden is pushing off implementing the "gainful employment" rule in his regulatory agenda. The rule would prevent student-loan borrowers from taking on too much unaffordable debt post-grad. Biden has opposed advocates' efforts to reinstate the rule that was repealed under Trump. President Joe Biden's to-do list for the upcoming year has a lot of things on it, and a rule preventing for-profit student debt from growing isn't one of them. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama established what was known as the "gainful employment" rule, which cut off federal aid for schools that offer career and certificate programs that left their students with a large of amount of student debt compared to their likely post-graduation earnings. The rule aimed to prevent students from borrowing an excessive amount that they wouldn't be able to pay off based on their career prospects after graduating. Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos repealed the rule in 2019, and despite advocates' calls for Biden to reinstate it, the president's latest regulatory agenda pushed it off to July 2024 at the earliest. An Education Department spokesperson told Insider that the "administration is committed to preventing a future student debt crisis by holding colleges and universities accountable if they leave students with mountains of debt or without good jobs." "That vision included strengthening the standards for career training programs and require that programs leave graduates earning more than those who never attended college, a move that would ensure students get value for their tuition dollars," the spokesperson said. "The Gainful Employment rule is a cornerstone of our ambitious regulatory agenda. We look forward to publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking in Spring 2023 to produce the best, most durable rule possible to protect students and borrowers." The administration typically releases a list of proposed regulatory actions for federal agencies twice a year. But putting together the priorities for the Education Department can be a yearslong process that involves negotiated rulemaking sessions, in which experts gather to discuss higher-education policies they would like to see the department implement. Story continues The gainful employment rule is one of the topics under discussion, and despite student-loan-borrower advocates pushing for the rule to be reinstated, representatives of the for-profit education industry didn't want that to happen quite so fast. For now, it looks like the latter won, and the administration is tapping the brakes. Jason Altmire, the president and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, which represents for-profit institutions, said in a statement that he is "pleased that the Department of Education is taking the time necessary to reconsider their ill-conceived plans to propose an accountability measure that exempts the vast majority of institutions of higher education." "We look forward to working with the Department in the months ahead to craft a meaningful and fair rule that applies to all institutions in all sectors," Altmire said. For-profit education-industry leaders have criticized the gainful employment rule for singling out for-profit schools, although the rule applies to almost all programs offered by for-profit schools and nondegree programs at public and nonprofit schools, where students can earn certifications for cosmetology, medical or legal assistant, and vehicle repair and maintenance, among others. But advocates are confounded that the rule is being pushed off especially as Biden's undersecretary of Education, James Kvaal, who helped shape the rule as the deputy undersecretary under Obama, called failure to implement it under former President Donald Trump "negligent" in 2018, when he was serving as the president of the Institute for College Access and Success. "It's one thing to say we're struggling to implement this," Kvaal said at the time. "But to say we're going to ignore this regulation because we've encountered logistical problems, I think it's negligent and failing to carry out their responsibilities." Biden has rejected advocates' efforts in court to reinstate the rule The Education Department published data in 2017 about gainful-employment accountability measures essentially a comparison of post-certification earnings versus student debt and it found that more than 800 programs were set to fail the rule, with 98% of them for-profit colleges. After the rule was officially repealed, advocates went to court in an attempt to reinstate it and prevent bad outcomes for student-loan borrowers. Student Defense, a group that advocates for borrowers' rights, filed a lawsuit in 2020 on behalf of the American Federation of Teachers, the California Federation of Teachers, and individual members requesting the Education Department reinstate the Obama-era gainful employment rule. "This error-ridden repeal would be comical if the stakes weren't so high, but for borrowers confronting a lifetime of debt and worthless degrees, their lives are literally on the line," Randi Weingarten, the AFT president, said in a statement at the time. "We are confident the court will reject this illegal gambit and back the students DeVos has shafted over and over again." But Biden's lawyers filed a brief in October opposing the request, and alongside the brief, Kvaal filed an affidavit saying that reinstating the rule would "cause considerable disruption and diversion of resources from the Department's priorities, which include restoring the student protections in this rule." To be sure, Biden has taken a number of actions to help borrowers who attended and were defrauded by for-profit schools. His Education Department has approved over billions of dollars in relief for defrauded borrowers, and improving that process is on the department's regulatory agenda. Still, the department is delaying implementation of the gainful employment rule, and for now, it will go back to the rulemaking process with the potential of going into effect July 2024 at the earliest. "Over the past few weeks, the Department has announced more than $11 billion in debt relief for defrauded students," Dan Zibel, vice president at chief counsel of Student Defense, told Insider. "This is great news and long overdue for those were scammed. But at the same time, the Department has now delayed moving forward with its signature proposal to ensure that students and taxpayers won't pay this price again. This is disappointing and could prove costly." Read the original article on Business Insider A controversial measure that would have given businesses power to sue cities and counties to recoup lost profits was among five bills that Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed Friday. While the veto of the business measure (SB 620) drew praise from local-government and environmental groups, DeSantis left open the door for lawmakers to consider similar, but more targeted, legislation in the future. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] DeSantis on Friday also signed 32 bills that passed during the legislative session that ended in March. They included a bill that will allow cities and counties to restrict smoking at beaches and parks that they own (HB 105) and a pandemic-related measure that will prevent emergency orders directly or indirectly blocking religious institutions from conducting services or activities (SB 254). In addition to the business bill, DeSantis vetoes included nixing a high-profile measure (SB 1796) that would have revamped the states alimony laws. Senate leaders made a priority of the business bill, which would have allowed businesses to sue cities and counties if ordinances caused at least 15 percent losses of profits. In a veto letter, DeSantis suggested lawmakers take a different approach in the future to assist businesses. DeSantis said local governments sometimes unreasonably burden businesses through policies that range from the merely misguided to the politically motivated. Indeed, this was illustrated by the bizarre and draconian measures adopted by some local governments during COVID-19, necessitating the state to overrule these edicts to protect freedom and opportunity for Floridians, DeSantis wrote. But DeSantis took issue with the bill being broad and ambiguous, which he said could result in unintended and unforeseen consequences and costly litigation. He suggested lawmakers pursue targeted preemption legislation when local governments act in a way that frustrates state policy and/or undermines the rights of Floridians. Story continues Read: DeSantis turns down alimony overhaul for Florida Generally, preemption bills give the state control over issues that otherwise might be decided by local governments. In supporting the veto, Dominic Calabro, president and CEO of Tallahassee-based Florida TaxWatch, echoed that the legislation could have had many unintended, yet significant, consequences. In an already exceptionally litigious state like Florida, it would have resulted in an influx of financially motivated and malicious lawsuits, costing local governments more than $900 million annually, Calabro said in a statement. Local governments only response would have been to either increase taxes or reduce services, and in both cases, this bill would have hurt hard-working taxpayers across the state. Paul Owens, president of the growth-management group 1000 Friends of Florida, called the veto a clear victory for local leaders and their constituents. 1000 Friends previously argued the measure would have a chilling effect on the ability of local governments to regulate noise ordinances, parking, puppy mills, bar hours and more, and to address sea level rise and other critical issues facing our communities. The bill would have applied to businesses that have been in operation for at least three years and would have allowed them to file lawsuits seeking lost profits for seven years or the number of years the businesses had been in operation, whichever was less. Before the bill passed in March, House sponsor Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, said it would cause local governments to pause before they enact ordinances that would hurt businesses. Read: Florida court set to consider blocking 15-week abortion ban Monday City and county governments argued it would tie the hands of local governments from making changes sought by residents and even a majority of businesses. Local governments from Escambia County to Palm Beach County requested DeSantis veto the measure. Of 275 bills approved during the regular legislative session, two continued to await action Friday from DeSantis. They were a bill (HB 461) about student-service requirements for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program and a bill (SB 898) that would require apartment landlords to conduct background checks on all employees. The background-checks bill is dubbed Miyas Law, after Miya Marcano, a Valencia College student who was killed in September. The suspected killer, who later committed suicide, worked as a maintenance worker at her Orlando apartment complex. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Bill Gates voiced opposition to the Roe v. Wade decision, while Warren Buffett is reportedly planning a big investment in abortion rights. Spencer Platt/Getty Images The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, stripping back abortion rights nationally. Billionaires including Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and George Soros tweeted their opposition. Warren Buffett could huge sums to a foundation funding abortion rights: The Wall Street Journal. Some of America's most prominent billionaires have denounced the overturning of Roe v. Wade, as Warren Buffett reportedly sets in motion plans for big donations to reproductive rights. Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and George Soros all tweeted their opposition to the Supreme Court decision to roll back abortion rights nationally, overturning a near-50-year precedent. Abortion was automatically banned in 13 states that have trigger laws, while others are expected to follow. Bill Gates tweeted: "This is a sad day. Reversing Roe v. Wade is an unjust and unacceptable setback. And it puts women's lives at risk, especially the most disadvantaged." Gates' ex-wife French Gates, who shares the Gates foundation with the Microsoft co-founder, tweeted: "Today, a government in which women have never had an equal voice reached deep into the most private corners of a woman's life to tell her the choice over what she does with her body is no longer her own. This is America taking a big step backward." She added: "But one court decision was never going to be enough to protect women's equality. And it will not be enough to dismantle it either. Right now, there are people all over the U.S. who are recommitting to the work ahead." Melinda French Gates (@melindagates) June 24, 2022 George Soros, who according to the Bloomberg Billionaires' Index is worth $8.5 billion said: "The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn #RoeVWade ends federal protections for abortion, diminishes human rights, and greatly threatens reproductive care. We have invested in reproductive rights organizations that are fighting back at this moment." Story continues Other billionaires have joined Soros - who has significantly more wealth tied up in his Open Society foundations - in investing heavily in access to abortion prior to the Supreme Court's decision. Jeff Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott has been another proponent of reproductive rights, and donated a record $275 million to Planned Parenthood last year. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has planned to invest $1 billion in family planning by 2030. But a reported windfall from Warren Buffett - worth $97 billion - could pump tens of billions of dollars into the ongoing battle. In 2006, Buffett pledged to donate 85% of his shares in Berkshire Hathaway to charity. Most of that has gone to the Gates Foundation. But according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation named after Buffett's late wife is preparing for a huge windfall. According to tax filings, the bulk of the Buffett Foundation's funds have gone to abortion and reproductive rights. The Wall Street Journal reported that Buffett could donate in excess of $70 billion to his late wife's foundation, according to filings the paper reviewed. Read the original article on Business Insider Oxygen An Arizona grandmother and food delivery driver used her final moments to help police catch her suspected killer, authorities say. Pamela Rae Martinez, 60, was able to snap a photo of the man believed to have shot her to death along West Bell Road on Saturday, June 11, shortly after she had completed her last food delivery for the night. Rusty French, 62, is now facing charges of second-degree murder in Martinezs death after investigators found the tell-tale photo on the womans phone, accordin Canelo Alvarez, left, stares intently at Gennadiy Golovkin onstage with fight promoter Eddie Hearn during a news conference in Hollywood on Friday to promote their Sept. 17 boxing match in Las Vegas. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images) Canelo Alvarez arrived Friday in a black velour polo and white pants with an entourage too deep for the Hollywood conference room. The Mexican cash cow was there to promote his next fight the too-long-in-the-making third clash with Gennadiy Golovkin and brought his talking points. He explained that the bout, scheduled for Sept. 17 in Las Vegas, was personal for him because Golovkin has continued taking verbal shots since they last met in 2018. Alvarez promised he will knock out the 40-year-old world champion, right into retirement. He spoke with a controlled rage about his biggest rival. He always talks about I'm scared, I'm going away, when I'm fighting the best guys out there and he's fighting with Class D fighters, Alvarez said. He's talking a lot of things about it. So that's why it's personal for me. Alvarez (57-2-2) believes he didnt receive proper credit for beating Golovkin in their second fight after a draw in the first. Golovkin believes the judges favored Alvarez in both results but said at Friday's event that the experience wont push him to be more aggressive to remove the judges from the equation. Alvarez, 31, has been the far more active fighter since they last clashed, winning seven of eight fights between 168 and 175 pounds. Golovkin (42-1-1) has fought just four times, winning all four. He went more than a year without fighting before a TKO victory over Ryota Murata in Japan in April. He wants his last payday, Alvarez said. That's what he wants. You look at my fights after GGG and look at what he fought after me. Not much to think about it. Canelo Alvarez lands a punch against Gennadiy Golovkin during the 12th round of their fight in September 2018, won by Alvarez. (Isaac Brekken / Associated Press) Alvarez spoke with media members for more than 30 minutes before taking the stage with Golovkin for a news conference and two long staredowns designed to illustrate his animosity toward his rival. What Alvarez didnt want to discuss Friday was what happened six weeks ago. But that night hung over his attempt to turn the page anyway. In his first public appearance since his one-sided loss to Dmitry Bivol, Alvarez described the defeat his first in nearly nine years as difficult to absorb. He admitted to watching the video of the beating, though he thought that agonizing exercise was unnecessary. He climbed a weight class and lost. Time to move on. Yet Alvarez indicated there was more to the story. Story continues I don't want to talk a lot about that because, obviously, I don't want to make excuses, but only us on the team know what happened and why I got tired, Alvarez said. If you guys watch the first five rounds, I won them. But after that, I started getting tired. A lot of things happened, but I don't want to give pretext. I lost and that's it. Asked if he was sick before the fight, Alvarez sidestepped the question. I lost, he said, and that's how I got to take it. Golovkin said hes only watched highlights from Bivols upset win and theorized that the loss was a valuable wake-up call for Alvarez. I think it's good for Canelo because that loss kind of brought him back to reality, Golovkin said. If he makes the right conclusions from that fight, he'll be a better boxer. Alvarez scoffed when informed of Golovkins analysis, the response again highlighting his disdain for Golovkin. He always pretends to be a nice guy in front of people, Alvarez said. He's an a. It is what it is. I don't pretend to be nice or not. This is the way I am. I'm not pretending to be another person. Golovkin emphasized he didnt share the same hard feelings as Alvarez. He said he thought the beef between the two fighters, largely stemming from Alvarez testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug before their second fight, was behind them once they hugged after Alvarezs narrow win. Golovkin repeated over and over that this was just another fight for him. He refused to answer any provocative questions about Alvarez, though he added that Alvarezs positive drug test cannot be completely forgotten. He didnt want to play the faux anger game. He did, however, have one question. If it's so personal for him, my question is, why was he putting off the fight for so long? Golovkin asked. Alvarez argued he was fighting the best opponents available while Golovkin was playing it safe, waiting for another big payday. The cynics wonder if Alvarez just waited out Golovkin until he was too old to present a challenge resembling the first two meetings. Ultimately, Golovkin will have waited four years and agreed to fight at 168 pounds for the first time Alvarezs most comfortable weight class where hes the undisputed champion. The fight, in other words, will happen on Alvarezs terms. When he wants it, how he wants it, where he wants it. He controls the show for the long-awaited finale. It makes me feel good, Alvarez said with a grin. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A group of hikers described their escape amid dangerous flash flooding at Capitol Reef National Park, calling it "insanely lucky." Noah Gremmert, Orrin Allen and Cooper Allen were visiting the Utah park during a church campout, according to KUTV. They told the station on Friday that it started to rain five minutes from making it to the top of a mountain. "We're wandering down, we're having a blast, we're watching water gush off the sides of the canyon and it's looking really cool. I'm following one of the waterfalls down with my eyes, and I was like 'Oh shoot, the road's gone,'" Orrin reportedly said. FLASH FLOODING IN UTAH'S CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK WASHES AWAY VEHICLES, TOURISTS AIRLIFTED TO SAFETY Three of their five trucks were totaled and two of the cars drifted amid the flood waters and the trail had flooded out below them. 50 to 60 others individuals were also trapped with them, KUTV said, and the group worked together to safely get down the mountain. "Everybody all worked together to get everyone safely down the mountain," Gremmert told them. A mother with a six-month-old was also stranded, and the group was able to provide her with an emergency blanket. The three young men said a park ranger had told them it was the worst flash flood she had seen in 15 years of working there. YELLOWSTONE FLOODS: FUNDING INCREASED FOR DISASTER "The Scenic Drive, Grand Wash, [and] Capitol Gorge all experienced flash floods yesterday," Capitol Reef National Park said in a tweet. "These roads remain closed. Search [and] Rescue teams were able to rescue all visitors from these areas by 10 p.m. last night." Parkgoers are advised to take caution during monsoon season. "A reminder that during monsoon season thunderstorms can develop quickly causing dangerous flash floods. Always check the forecast and avoid canyon areas when storms threaten. Thunderstorms are forecast through the weekend and more flash flooding could be likely," it noted. Story continues According to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, while assisting others, some park rangers were stranded. Eventually, they were able to get to high ground. The office noted that the park service said there were no medical issues at the time, with the only injuries reported being minor cuts and lacerations. DPS Aero Bureau was contacted to see if they could assist in the effort. The DPS helicopter was able to make contact with people stranded at Capitol Gorge where the road was washed out and hoist them to a parking area. "There were approximately 60 people in that parking lot that almost had to spend the night, however, the park rangers worked diligently to clear the roads, making them passible," the sheriff's office noted. Around seven to eight vehicles were disabled in the flood areas. Fox News' Timothy Nerozzi contributed to this report. You are here: Arts China and Mongolia signed a memorandum to jointly translate and publish 50 classic books from both countries in the coming five years, to provide more excellent cultural products for the two peoples. Officials from cultural authorities of the two countries signed the memorandum on Friday, a move to further boost cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend events to celebrate 25 years since Hong Kong's handover to China, state media reported Saturday, with the Communist Party looking to showcase its control over the city after crushing a democracy movement. If Xi attends in person, the trip would be his first outside of the Chinese mainland since the pandemic began. But state media and Hong Kong officials did not explicitly say whether he would travel to the city or attend virtually. A trip would also coincide with the inauguration of Hong Kong's new administration, led by former security chief John Lee. The Chinese Communist Party places great importance on anniversaries, and Hong Kong's handover presents Xi with an opportunity to emphasise China's authority over Hong Kong after three years of political upheaval there. Hong Kong is at the halfway point of the "One Country, Two Systems" political model, which promised that the former British colony's way of life would remain unchanged for 50 years after its handover. But a national security law imposed after huge and often violent pro-democracy protests in 2019 has seen dissent quashed, with scores of opposition figures arrested in an ongoing political crackdown. The new Hong Kong government, to be sworn in on July 1, will be led by Lee, who oversaw the controversial police response to the democracy protests. Lee on Saturday said he was delighted by the news of Xi's attendance and thanked the Chinese leader for his "caring and support" for Hong Kong. "Hong Kong is at the crucial stage of advancing from chaos to governance, and gradually towards prosperity," Lee said in a statement. - Covid concerns - Xi last visited Hong Kong in 2017 to swear in city leader Carrie Lam, a three-day trip marked by heavy public police presence. China's top leaders have attended the swearing-in of every Hong Kong chief executive since the 1997 handover, but Xi has not left the mainland since January 2020, when the coronavirus first emerged from the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Story continues Ongoing virus outbreaks in both mainland China and Hong Kong have prompted doubts over whether Xi would risk travelling, with Beijing committed to a zero-Covid strategy. State news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday that Xi "will attend a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland", but did not specify whether it would be in person. Two top officials in the incoming Hong Kong administration tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday and had to go into quarantine. Daily case numbers in Hong Kong have climbed to nearly 2,000, though hospitalisations have remained low, with outgoing city leader Lam earlier reassuring the public that the situation was "not an alarm bell". Hong Kong has its own version of zero-Covid, which has kept the international business hub isolated for much of the pandemic, but it is less strict than what is practised in the mainland. The difference in policy means Hong Kongers coming into close contact with Chinese officials will likely be required to undergo quarantine. Senior government officials have entered a "closed-loop" system to minimise infection risk ahead of their attendance of handover celebration events, according to local media. Last month, Lee was chosen as Hong Kong's leader by a small group of political elites, after being the sole candidate in the race and facing no opposition. Xi and Lee have already met, when the latter travelled to Beijing to receive the central government's blessing. "I believe that the administration of the new government will definitely bring forth a new atmosphere, and compose a new chapter in Hong Kong's development," Xi said at the time, according to Xinhua. hol/reb/aha SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China's military said on Saturday that the recent fly through of a U.S. maritime plane through the Taiwan Strait deliberately disrupted the regional situation and endangered peace and stability. Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman for the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, said in a statement that the military had organised air and ground forces to monitor the U.S. aircraft's operation, which had taken place on Friday. He added that they firmly opposed the actions by the United States and that their troops remained high on alert. The U.S. navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Taiwan Strait has been a frequent source of military tension since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with the communists, who established the People's Republic of China. China has said previously that it has sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait while the United States and Taiwan assert that the strait separating the island from China is an international waterway. The latest tension over the strait comes after Taiwan on Thursday said it had scrambled jets to warn away 22 Chinese aircraft in its air defence zone, the second large scale incursion reported during the week. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained in recent years of repeated missions by the Chinese air force near the democratically governed island, often in the southwestern part of its air defence identification zone, or ADIZ, close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. (Reporting by Brenda Goh and Ella Cao; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Michael Perry) Jun. 25For many who go into the ministry, the call comes early in life. But for the Rev. Scott Stanfill, it came after he already established a career. The Albany native and University of Georgia graduate earned a bachelor's degree in environmental resources with an emphasis in soil science. That led to work as an environmental consultant for a number of years. But throughout it all, the pull of the church remained strong. "I was always very active in the First United Methodist youth group growing up in Albany. I actually felt the call on a mission trip during spring break when we were in Kentucky," he said. "At the time though, I really didn't know what to do with that call. I knew I wanted to be involved in the ministry, but I didn't know what that would look like." After completing graduate school and entering into the workforce, Stanfill continued to pray for direction. Eventually, that became quite clear, and he went to seminary school. "I was about 30 years old when I finally yielded to the call to join the ministry," he said with a chuckle. "I went to Asbury Theology in Kentucky, and while doing that, I was on stage at our home church as an associate pastor until 2018 when I was sent to Colquitt. I was there for four years." Recently, however, Stanfill received a new appointment College Place United Methodist Church in Brunswick. Over the past few weeks, Stanfill and his family which includes wife, Amber, and children Grace, 8, and Luke, 6 relocated to the Golden Isles. As they settle into the community, Stanfill is also settling into his role at the church. "It's been absolutely wonderful. Being on the other side of the state, I didn't know all that much about the coast. We did have our annual conference of Southeast Georgia Pastors here. I had so many active and retired pastors who approached me to brag on the College Place family," he said. After a little time with his new congregation, he can attest that all the things promised were true. Story continues "It's a great congregation with a heart for worship, mission and outreach. We have certainly been overwhelmed in a positive way with the generosity of the College Place family. We're very excited," he said. For his first time in the church's pulpit last Sunday, Stanfill chose to focus his sermon on his favorite Biblical passage, Matthew 28:20. It reads, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." It will be the foundation for a series he plans to share over the coming weeks. Stanfill says that he feels Christ's words here are particularly relevant in these difficult times. "In the world in which we live, there is a lot of chaos and bad news going on around us, both locally and on a global scale. But of course, everyone is carrying a heavy load and a heavy burden. We need to remember that and be reminded that Christ has not abandoned or forsaken us," he said. In addition to sharing the Gospel, Stanfill is also using this introductory period to get a better understanding of the community and its needs. He says that is done in large part by taking the time to meet with church members and those outside his congregation to learn how he can best serve. "Really, listening is always in our job description. We have to focus on listening to God, of course, but also listening to people ... not only in the church but the leaders in the community. We also learn how God is already at work in people's lives and the church as a whole," he said. "As pastors, we play the long game so to speak. We know that transformation happens but it takes time. God doesn't transform us through a microwave, it's more like a crock pot." Stanfill is eager to hear how that change is happening in the lives of others. He is also trying to connect and network beyond the doors of College Place. And as is the case with many pastors, he is still trying to find his footing after the coronavirus pandemic transformed churches. "I think we're all trying to figure out how to worship and serve in a post-pandemic world. We're collectively walking one step at a time in faith. We do have Vacation Bible School in July here so we're excited about that. It's one way that we're inviting people to come get back in the regular rhythm of church," he said. "Church, of course, is not just on Sunday morning. We do so many other things, from small groups to getting out in the community in Glynn County and beyond. We want to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus." That's a message he shares in the sanctuary but it's also at the forefront at home. Stanfill credits his family with helping support that work and is proud of the way they all strive to be examples to others. "Being a pastor is challenging, but there's nothing more joyful. I'm very grateful to have the love and support of my family. I'm very blessed. They're on this journey with me ... the ministry includes the whole family. They're my biggest support," he said. State Department of Environmental Protection personnel and others continue their search for a man who went missing on Candlewood Lake on Friday night, authorities said. The unidentified 20-year-old male went missing while swimming in Candlewood Lake near Chicken Rock, according to authorities. According to authorities, the search was suspended late Sunday night. Due to the inclement weather forecast for Monday, the search was scheduled to resume Tuesday morning. Members of the public are advised to stay away from Chicken Rock while the search is ongoing, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Communications Director Will Healey said. DEEP Environmental Conservation Police, and the Candlewood Lake Authority, along with the Sherman, Danbury, New Milford, and Brookfield fire departments, and the Newtown, Danbury, Brookfield, and Connecticut State Police dive teams, responded Friday night to a Connecticut State Police Troop A report of the missing male, according to authorities. Earlier this month, state police recovered the body of a Bristol man in Candlewood Lake on June 16 after an extensive search, according to Healey. The victim in that case was identified as Larry Kwokpo Chan, 24, of Bristol, Healey said. That case is being investigated as an accidental drowning. Denise Richards launched an OnlyFans account this week. Gisela Schober/Getty Images Denise Richards announced that she launched an OnlyFans account on Thursday. Richards and Charlie Sheen's daughter, Sami, created her account on June 13. Richards previously defended Sami from online critics and Sheen. Actress Denise Richards officially launched an OnlyFans account. On Thursday, the former "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star announced her OnlyFans account with an Instagram post. "Readyhere we go," Richards, 51, wrote in the caption. An accompanying video showed Richards wearing a billowing white dress as she frolicked in the ocean. Richard's move to join the NSFW content subscription site came after her daughter, Sami, 18, created an account earlier this month. Richards shared how excited she was on her OnlyFans account. "Hey loves, so I'm trying to figure this site out," she shared on Thursday. "It's all new to me. I'm overwhelmed and grateful for all the love and support! I really enjoy connecting with you." Representatives for Richards did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Following news of Sami's account, Richards and Sami's father, Charlie Sheen, appeared to be at odds over their daughter's venture. Sheen and Richards wed in 2002 and filed for divorce three years later after the birth of their two daughters: Sami, and Lola Rose, 17. In a statement sent to Insider via his publicist, Sheen said that he didn't "condone" the account and suggested Richards was at fault. "I do not condone this, but since I'm unable to prevent it, I urged her to keep it classy, creative, and not sacrifice her integrity," he said in the statement, adding, "She is 18 years old now and living with her mother. This did not occur under my roof." Richards later responded in a statement shared with People. "All I can do as a parent is guide her and trust her judgment, but she makes her own choices," she said. On June 18, Richards shared an Instagram post in which she defended Sami from online critics and suggested Sheen shouldn't be judgemental. Story continues "Lots of negative comments on my social this past week. I have to say, I wish I had the confidence my 18 yr old daughter has," Richards, 51, wrote. "And I also can't be judgmental of her choices. I did 'Wild Things' & Playboy, quite frankly her father shouldn't be either." Richards also applauded Sami's ability to navigate online hate and trolls at her age. "It took me many years & I still sometimes struggle. I'm in awe of her ability to be able to shut out the noise. Because it can destroy you," Richards wrote. Denise Richards, Charlie Sheen, and Sami Sheen in 2012. Elsa/Getty Images In September 2021, Sami claimed in a now-private TikTok that she was previously "trapped" in an "abusive household." Sami didn't clarify which household she was referring to, but People reported that she was living with Richards at the time. Richards previously said that she and Sami had a "strained" relationship. "It's very difficult," Richards told SiriusXM's Jeff Lewis Live in February 2022. "I know we'll get back to where we were eventually, but right now, it is strained," Richards told Lewis. Read the original article on Insider Acting on one of the most emotionally charged issues of the 2022 legislative session, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday vetoed a measure that would have overhauled the states alimony laws. DeSantis veto marked the third time that supporters of changing the alimony system have successfully shepherded bills through the Legislature only to have them nixed. Former Gov. Rick Scott twice vetoed such legislation, with a standoff over the issue leading to a near-fracas outside Scotts office in 2016. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The bill this year, in part, would have done away with permanent alimony and set up maximum payments based on the duration of marriage. As in the past, the measure drew emotional debate during the legislative session that ended in March. One of the most-controversial parts of the bill (SB 1796) would have changed the process for modification of alimony when people who have been paying seek to retire. Critics argued the proposal threatened to impoverish older ex-spouses who have been homemakers and depend on the payments. DeSantis veto letter Friday pointed to concerns about the bill allowing ex-spouses to have existing alimony agreements amended. If CS/CS/SB 1796 were to become law and be given retroactive effect as the Legislature intends, it would unconstitutionally impair vested rights under certain preexisting marital settlement agreements, the governor wrote. Many ex-spouses who appeared before legislative committees to speak against the bill said they agreed to give up assets at the time of their divorces in exchange for permanent alimony awards. Read: Florida court set to consider blocking 15-week abortion ban Monday But proponents of the overhaul argued the bill would modernize Floridas alimony laws by making the process more equitable and predictable for divorcing families. We are incredibly disappointed by the veto of this much needed bill. Today, Gov. DeSantis chose divorce lawyers over Floridas families and parents who love their children and who want to be a part of their lives, Marc Johnson, a Tampa lawyer who is president of the pro-overhaul group Florida Family Fairness, said in a prepared statement. Story continues Under the measure, people married for less than three years would not have been eligible for alimony payments, and those who had been married 20 years or longer would have been eligible to receive payments for up to 75 percent of the terms of the marriage. Another part of the bill would have required judges to begin with a presumption that children should split their time equally between parents. Scott largely pinned his 2016 veto of an alimony bill on a similar child-sharing provision. The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, which lobbied against the bill, thanked the governor for understanding the bad precedent the retroactivity of the measure would have established. If signed into law, this legislation would have upended thousands upon thousands of settlements, backlogging the courts and throwing many Floridians lives into turmoil, the statement, attributed to the sections chairman, Philip Wartenberg, and immediate past chairwoman, Heather Apicella, said. Read: Congress passes bipartisan gun control bill, community speaks out People and organizations on both sides of the issue heavily lobbied DeSantis office. The First Wives Advocacy group tweeted Friday that it had delivered a petition to DeSantis with more than 2,000 signatures asking for a veto. As of Friday, the governors office had received 5,939 emails in support of the bill and 1,250 in opposition, along with 349 phone calls in favor and 289 against the measure. When asked for a tally of phone calls and emails about the bill, DeSantis office also provided excerpts from messages pleading with the governor for a veto. A message from Felice Schulaner argued that the alimony changes would primarily hurt women and families. The likely consequences are that women will largely be the most impacted, particularly women who divorced after long marriages where they might have put their careers on hold to support their now ex-husbands. How many women will be forced into poverty? How many women will lose their homes? part of Schulaners message said. I get that your rich male friends might want to divorce their wives for a new model, but the injustice of this is extraordinary. In another message, Murielle Fournier wrote that she made an amicable global settlement with her ex-husband in good faith. Under the agreement, her ex-husband isnt allowed to modify his payments. Its a contract that I made under the current law. I work and have to rent a room because I cant afford to rent my own place. I dont own a home, no retirement plan. No nest egg. This bill will devastate me financially, she wrote. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The Daily Beast Fox NewsKari Lake, the Trump-endorsed candidate for Arizona governor, was far from happy on Monday when Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked her about a report that linked her to drag queens.The interview, which was fairly tame on Baiers end, began with Lake falsely claiming that the 2020 election was fraudulent and that President Joe Biden is illegitimate. Baier responded by playing a tape of Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers testifying before the House Jan. 6 committee last week that the ele Several community organizations came together Saturday morning to help feed Washingtons military families. The Military Family Advisory Network, Food Lifeline and Nourish Pierce County hosted a free drive-up food distribution event at Clover Park High School in Lakewood, serving more than 700 military families. We believe that no family should ever have to worry about how to put food on their table, said Delia Johnson, Director of Programs at Military Family Advisory Network. Here in the JBLM area, our partners, Nourish Pierce County and Food Lifeline, are always looking for volunteers. All three organizations are a part of the Washington Military Family Coalition, launched by Food Lifeline in 2021, a coalition of organizations working to solve hunger problems for veterans and military families across the state. One in five military families reported experiencing food insecurity last year, according to a recent survey. You are here: China President Xi Jinping will attend a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will also attend the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Jun. 25Former Northwest Missouri State Bearcat standout Trevor Hudgins agreed to a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Hudgins is a two-time Division II men's basketball Player of the Year and won three Division II national championships in his decorated career with the Bearcats. Hudgins two-way contract with the Rockets means he is expected to spend most of his time this upcoming season on the Rockets' G-League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Hudgins will be featured on the Rockets' Summer League roster next month. His first game would be July 7 against the Orlando Magic, who took Duke's Paolo Banchero with the number one overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday night. Aside from Hudgins, the Rockets also added Jabari Smith Jr, Tari Eason and TyTy Washington Jr. in Thursday night's draft. Jacob Meikel can be reached at jacob.meikel@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter @NPNowMeikel. Ceaser self-propelled howitzer Earlier, French politician Regis de Castelnau said that one of the Caesar howitzers France had supplied to Ukraine was captured by Russian troops. Read also: Poland delivers Krab self-propelled artillery to Ukraine This information is false, said the General Staff of France. We categorically deny it. Weve discussed this with our Ukrainian partners. According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, no evidence was provided to support the claim. Read also: German and Dutch artillery finally arrives in Ukraine This indicates that the supply of weapons to Ukraine is a major blow to our enemy, and they are attempting to discredit the AFU with the French and suggest that its futile to keep arming our country, the Armed Forces Strategic Communication Center said in a statement. Caesar is a modern French-made self-propelled howitzer, capable of striking targets up to 42 kilometers away. It is the best-preserved woolly mammoth discovered in North America, experts say A whole baby woolly mammoth has been found frozen in the permafrost of north-western Canada - the first such discovery in North America. The mummified ice age mammoth is thought to be more than 30,000 years old. It was found by gold miners in Yukon's Klondike region on Tuesday. The area of the find belongs to the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation. The Yukon government compared it to Russia's discovery of a baby mammoth in the permafrost of Siberia in 2007. It said it was "the most complete mummified mammoth found in North America", and only the second such find in the world. The baby, thought to be female, has been named Nun cho ga, meaning "big baby animal" in the Han language spoken by Native Americans in the area. "Nun cho ga is beautiful and one of the most incredible mummified ice age animals ever discovered in the world," said Yukon palaeontologist Grant Zazula. It is about the same size as the Siberian baby Lyuba found in 2007, which was some 42,000 years old, the Yukon government said in a press release. It is the best-preserved woolly mammoth discovered in North America. The partial remains of a mammoth calf, named Effie, were found in 1948 at a gold mine in neighbouring Alaska. CBC News says Nun cho ga was unearthed after a miner called his boss over to examine something that was hit by his bulldozer in the mud at Eureka Creek, south of Dawson City. The story behind the small but passionate group of protestors that gathered Saturday outside Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach is almost as impressive as their energy. Their signs and chants protesting Fridays U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that made abortion legal in the United States, werent ignored by passersby. Many blew their horns and waved in approval. At its height, the crew might have only numbered about 20, and that includes the dominatrix who donated her days earnings to Planned Parenthood. But those who participated showed passion, and they had that passion returned. People are very fired up, said Stephanie Ueng, the groups organizer. People have been honking and showing their support. Weve only had a few boos from people who are like, Donald Trump, 2024! Ueng, a San Francisco resident, was in South Florida for a bachelorette party Friday, when she decided to take action. The 35-year-old mother of two children went online and organized a protest rally at Mar-a-Lago, where ex-President Donald Trump resides. Ueng holds Trump responsible for Fridays decision because he appointed three of the conservative judges who were key to Fridays opinion. I thought, If Im here, I might as well go to his house, she reasoned. Ueng put the word out online at 5 p.m. Friday, a time when many in the area and nation had already hit the streets to protest the Supreme Court decision. She said she had 40 people registered as of Saturday morning. As the group held signs and chanted slogans such as, 2-4-6-8, We wont be forced to procreate! and Who decides? We decide! they slowly grew in numbers as a few others arrived. Gigi Mansfield, a Delray Beach resident and dominatrix, said she wanted her message to be heard by legislators. She said she had an emotional reaction to the Supreme Court decision. I was incredibly hurt and I had a deep feeling of terror, she said. Mansfield said she feels womens rights are at risk nowadays as well as the rights of trans people. Story continues As soon as I heard yesterday [about the Supreme Court decision], I knew I needed to do something, she said. So, along with pledging her days earnings to Planned Parenthood, she decided to protest. The total, as of noon, was $200. There was a similar call to action from Patrick McCann, a 70-year-old Lake Worth resident. I have been involved with the struggle for abortion rights for the last 60 years, he said. McCann said he went to Washington, D.C., for the March For Our Lives rally after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting in 2018. He said he was tipped off to Saturdays rally by an email from the League of Women Voters. Uengs passion made the day possible. I was very incensed by the decision, she said, and by thinking my daughter is going to grow up with less rights than me. BERLIN (Reuters) - German sugar producer Suedzucker plans "significant" price hikes to offset rising costs and prepares to shift to coal as Russian gas supplies to Western Europe slow in the wake of the Ukraine war, the Mannheimer Morgen newspaper reported on Saturday. "The costs of beet cultivation and energy are rising, and these are two significant blocks of production," Chief Executive Niels Poerksen said in an interview with the newspaper. "If there was no price increase, it would be difficult to come out of the business with any profit," he said. The company is also ramping up stocks for use at the plants where coal can also be used as not all Suedzucker factories are equipped to run on other energy sources if there is no more gas, Poerksen told the newspaper. (Reporting by Zuzanna Szymanska; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Photograph: Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images Ghislaine Maxwells lawyers are fighting to keep several accusers from providing victim impact statements at her sentencing for sex trafficking on Tuesday. The British socialites legal team argued in court filings on Friday that four accusers ages meant that they were not statutory crime victims who would have the right to speak at sentencing. In making their arguments, Maxwells legal team publicly included three impact statements, which were submitted to Judge Alison Nathan in advance of sentencing; this appears to be an unusual move, as prosecutors typically file these remarks. This seemingly unusual move also means that Maxwells lawyers not the victims and not those representing them made the decision about when the victims words would be public. Related: Ghislaine Maxwell: US prosecutors urge 30-year minimum prison sentence Maxwells team said that they were provided with statements from Annie Farmer, Kate, Virginia Giuffre, Maria Farmer, Sarah Ransome, Teresa Helm and Juliette Bryant. Annie Farmer and Kate, who both testified at trial, were victims in the indictment against Maxwell; Giuffre was a minor during her interactions with her and Jeffrey Epstein. The defense has taken issue with Maria Farmer, Ransome, Helm and Byrant providing statements, arguing that Maxwell was not charged and convicted based upon their allegations. They contend that Maria Farmer, Ransome and Helm were adults during their alleged encounters with Maxwell and that Bryants then age remains unknown further undermining their legal right to speak at sentencing. Allegations alone do not serve to automatically qualify the individuals as statutory victims under the CVRA, Maxwells team wrote, referring to the Crime Victims Rights Act, later arguing, Neither the superseding indictment nor the courts jury instructions support a position that anyone who was not a minor is a victim of the counts of conviction. The involvement of a minor is an essential element of the federal offense conduct, they also said. None of these individuals testified at trial and their credibility remains unexamined. Regarding the charges in this case, they do not qualify as victims under the CVRA. Story continues Maxwell was convicted on 29 December of sex trafficking and related charges in her Manhattan federal court case for procuring girls, some as young as 14, for Epstein to abuse. She faces up to 55 years imprisonment when Nathan hands down her punishment. Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender, was arrested in July 2019 for sex trafficking; he killed himself in jail about one month later. Maxwell was arrested one year after his arrest. The victim statements submitted to Nathan that were made public describe the harrowing emotional impact of abuse. Annie Farmer, who testified that Maxwell gave her a nude massage at Epsteins New Mexico ranch when she was just 16, said: This toxic combination of being sexually exposed and exploited, feeling confused and naive, blaming myself all resulted in significant shame. That sickening feeling that makes you want to disappear. Once arrested, Maxwell faced another choice. She could admit her participation in this scheme, acknowledge the harm caused or even provide information that could have helped hold others accountable, Annie Farmer wrote. Instead, she again chose to lie about her behavior, causing additional harm to all of those she victimized. Kate, who testified that Maxwell lured her into sexual encounters with Epstein at age 17, said: The many acts that were perpetrated on me by Epstein, including [redacted] sexual assault, were never consensual, and would have never occurred, had it not been for the cunning and premeditated role Ghislaine Maxwell played. The consequences of what Ghislaine Maxwell did have been far reaching for me. I have struggled with, and eventually triumphed over, substance use disorder, she wrote. I have suffered panic attacks and night terrors, with which I still struggle. I have suffered low self-esteem, loss of career opportunities. Giuffre did not testify, but trial evidence supported that she was a minor when Maxwell and Epsteins abuse occurred. Together, you damaged me physically, mentally, sexually, and emotionally, said Giuffre, who as 16 when Maxwell brought her into Epsteins orbit. Together, you did unthinkable things that still have a corrosive impact on me to this day. I want to be clear about one thing: without question, Jeffrey Epstein was a terrible pedophile. But I never would have met Jeffrey Epstein if not for you, she said. For me, and for so many others, you opened the door to hell. And then, Ghislaine, like a wolf in sheeps clothing, you used your femininity to betray us, and you led us all through it. In their filing, Maxwells team also included blacked-out versions of statements from those whom they allege are not victims, and argued that they should remain secret. Their victim impact statements are unduly prejudicial, contain allegations not previously before the court which serve to inflame the emotions of the court and public. Their airing during sentencing or any consideration by the court in imposing sentence, would violate Ms Maxwells due process rights, they also said. We object to the publication of the impact statement of the individuals. Maxwells lead attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Maxwell maintains her innocence. Former Gophers guard Payton Willis has signed with the Golden State Warriors and will compete in the NBA Summer League. The Minnesota graduate begins competition July 2 in the California Classic at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Willis, an all-Big Ten honorable mention pick as a senior, will continues Summer League play July 7-17 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He averaged a career-high 15.9 points and 4.3 assists a game as a senior. The California Classic showcases rookies selected in the 2022 NBA Draft competing in their first NBA games, plus sophomores, select free agents and other players competing to make NBA and NBA G League regular season rosters. All 75 games of the 11-day NBA Summer League will air live on ESPN networks or NBA TV. Related Articles The Daily Beast Nathan Howard/GettyA female Republican congressional candidate claimed on the campaign trail in Virginia last month that rape victims are less likely to become pregnant because its not something thats happening organically.Yesli Vega made the eyebrow-raising comments while being asked for her thoughts on what then promised to be a Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the federal right to abortion.An audio recording of the remarks, which took place at an event in Stafford Co Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng on Friday called for new progress on building the Hainan free trade port. Han, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of a leading group on deepening all-round reform and opening-up in south China's Hainan Province, made the remarks while presiding over a meeting of the group. Highlighting the building of the Hainan free-trade port as a major strategic move, Han demanded a greater sense of responsibility and urgency in fully implementing the overall plan for developing the free trade port. He called for unswerving efforts to achieve the goal of island-wide independent customs operation by the end of 2025 and to firmly grasp the focus of integrated institutional innovation. Attention should be directed to key areas and difficult issues, and work should be advanced in an orderly manner, the vice premier said. He urged efforts to conduct stress-testing before the independent customs operation, expand the pilot areas of import and export policies, and make data-sharing plans based on the demands of different departments and sectors. Coordination should be enhanced at central and local levels to deliver policy measures in a better manner and at a faster pace, he said. China released a master plan in June 2020 to build the island province into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. Reuters GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (Reuters) - Hundreds of protesters marched in the southern German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Sunday, near where leaders of the Group of Seven countries are meeting, demanding action on climate change. Leaders of the G7 - the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Japan - started a three-day summit on Sunday at Schloss Elmau in the Bavarian mountains, set to be dominated by the war in Ukraine. Under a banner reading "Global Justice, Saving Climate Instead of Arming" several speakers addressed a crowd of protesters, calling for more action to fight climate change. If you want to know who really controls Meridian Energy Limited (NZSE:MEL), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. Large companies usually have institutions as shareholders, and we usually see insiders owning shares in smaller companies. Companies that have been privatized tend to have low insider ownership. Meridian Energy is a pretty big company. It has a market capitalization of NZ$11b. Normally institutions would own a significant portion of a company this size. Our analysis of the ownership of the company, below, shows that institutions are noticeable on the share registry. We can zoom in on the different ownership groups, to learn more about Meridian Energy. See our latest analysis for Meridian Energy What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Meridian Energy? Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Meridian Energy. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Meridian Energy, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Meridian Energy. New Zealand Government is currently the largest shareholder, with 53% of shares outstanding. This implies that they have majority interest control of the future of the company. With 3.3% and 2.0% of the shares outstanding respectively, BlackRock, Inc. and Accident Compensation Corporation, Asset Management Arm are the second and third largest shareholders. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too. Story continues Insider Ownership Of Meridian Energy The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of Meridian Energy Limited. It is a pretty big company, so it would be possible for board members to own a meaningful interest in the company, without owning much of a proportional interest. In this case, they own around NZ$7.8m worth of shares (at current prices). It is good to see board members owning shares, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 35% stake in Meridian Energy. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Meridian Energy you should know about. If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Left: Jack White; Right: Donald Trump Left: AP Photo/Evan Agostini; Right: Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP Jack White on Friday blamed former President Donald Trump directly for the overturn of Roe v. Wade. The 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision legalized abortion nationwide. "Well trump, you took the country backwards 50 years," White said in a lengthy Instagram post. Musician Jack White blasted former President Donald Trump on Friday, blaming him directly for the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. In a lengthy Instagram post, White called Trump an "unchecked egomaniac" who took the US down "the worst, regressive path to the point of an insurrection in our capital building threatening the lives of the vice president and congress members, and in turn made our govt. an embarrassment to the entire world." He also lashed out at Trump for appointing three conservative justices to the Supreme Court during his single-term presidency. "The two party system by proxy puts this clown in a position to pick THREE conservative supreme court justices, THREE," White wrote. "And now these three judges, completely disinterested and unaffected by what the actual majority wants and needs, have just taken the country back to the 1970's to start all over again fighting for women's rights." White's remarks come after the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to overturn Roe v. Wade. The ruling was feared since May when Politico published a leaked draft opinion in which Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito called the decision "egregiously wrong from the start." Abortion, however, remained legal in the United States until the court handed down the final verdict. But the draft itself was enough to put reproductive rights activists and doctors who perform abortions on edge. By overturning Roe, the Supreme Court has put the question of the legality of abortion in the hands of individual state legislatures and has essentially made it illegal in at least 22 states to obtain an abortion. There are expected to be added restrictions in several others. Story continues "Well trump, you took the country backwards 50 years," White said. "I hope your dad is smiling and waving down on you from heaven, while his other hand holds a record of all the abortions you secretly paid for behind closed doors." Others have also credited Trump directly for Roe v. Wade's demise, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. "Thank you President Trump," Greene said. "God bless you. This got overturned today because of your great work as president, and we want him back." White with his remarks joins a slew of other prominent individuals who've blasted the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Read the original article on Business Insider Razia, 25, and her six-month-old daughter Tamanna cool off during a heatwave in Jacobabad, Pakistan (Reuters) Heavily pregnant Sonari toils under the burning sun in fields dotted with bright yellow melons in Jacobabad, which last month became the hottest city on Earth. Her 17-year-old neighbour Waderi, who gave birth a few weeks ago, is back working in temperatures that can exceed 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), with her newborn lying on a blanket in the shade nearby so she can feed him when he cries. When the heat is coming and were pregnant, we feel stressed, said Sonari, who is in her mid-20s. These women in southern Pakistan, and millions like them around the world, are at the searing edge of climate change. Pregnant women exposed to heat for prolonged periods of time have a higher risk of suffering complications, an analysis of 70 studies conducted since the mid-1990s found. For every 1 degree Celsius in temperature rise, the number of stillbirths and premature deliveries increases by about 5 per cent, according to the meta-analysis, which was carried out by several research institutions globally and published in the British Medical Journal in September 2020. Heavily pregnant Sonari collects muskmelons during a heatwave at a farm on the outskirts of Jacobabad (Reuters) Rehmat, 30, helps Razia, 25, bathe her six-month-old daughter Tamanna to cool off during a heatwave (Reuters) Cecilia Sorensen, director of the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education at Columbia University, said the unfolding impact of global warming on the health of women was highly underdocumented, partly because extreme heat tended to exacerbate other conditions. Were not associating health impacts on women, and oftentimes its because were not collecting data on it, she said. And often women in poverty are not seeking medical care. Heat is a super big deal for pregnant women. Women are especially vulnerable to rising temperatures in poor countries on the frontlines of climate change because many have little choice but to work through their pregnancies and soon after giving birth, according to interviews with more than a dozen female residents in the Jacobabad area as well as half a dozen development and human rights experts. Further adding to the risks, women in socially conservative Pakistan and many other places typically cook the family meals over hot stoves or open fires, often in cramped rooms with no ventilation or cooling. Story continues If youre inside cooking next to a hot open fire you have that burden of that heat in addition to the ambient heat, which makes things that much more dangerous, Sorensen added. Men sleep on charpoy rope beds on a roof early in the morning during a heatwave (Reuters) A woman walks to fetch water from a nearby hand-pump with a water cooler on her head (Reuters) EXTREME HUMID HEAT EVENTS South Asia has suffered unseasonably hot temperatures in recent months. An extreme heatwave that scorched Pakistan and India in April was 30 times more likely to happen due to climate change, according to scientists at World Weather Attribution, an international research collaboration. Global temperatures have risen by about 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. As temperatures continue to rise, extreme heatwaves are only expected to increase. Jacobabads roughly 200,000 residents are well aware of their reputation as one of the worlds hottest cities. If we go to hell, well take a blanket, is a common joke told in the area. Few places are more punishing. Last month, temperatures hit 51 degrees Celsius (124 degrees Fahrenheit) on May 14, which local meteorological officials said was highly unusual for that time of year. Tropical rains can also conspire with warm winds from the Arabian Sea to drive up humidity later in the year. Rehmat stitches a Sindhi ralli quilt while sitting in front of a fan to cool off (Reuters) Women and children wash themselves after work at a muskmelon farm (Reuters) Gulam Mohammad, 37, a vegetable seller, sprays water from his mouth to cool off his chicken (Reuters) The more humid it is, the harder it is for people to cool down via sweating. Such conditions are measured by wet bulb temperatures, taken by a thermometer wrapped in a wet cloth. Wet bulb temperatures of 35C or higher are considered the limit to human survival. Jacobabad has crossed that threshold at least twice since 2010, according to regional weather data. And, globally, such extreme humid heat events have more than doubled in frequency in the last four decades, according to a May 2020 study in the journal Science. Sonari, who is in her 20s, and Waderi work alongside about a dozen other women, several of them pregnant, in the melon fields about 10 km from Jacobabads centre. They begin work each day at 6 a.m. with a short afternoon break for housework and cooking before returning to the field to work until sundown. They describe leg pains, fainting episodes and discomfort while breastfeeding. It feels like no one sees them, no one cares about them, aid worker Liza Khan said more broadly about the plight facing many women in Jacobabad and the wider Sindh region, which straddles the border of Pakistan and India. Liza Khan, project manager at the Community Development Foundation (CDF), walks to her office (Reuters) A grandmother visits her grandson while he sleeps (Reuters) Khans phone rings constantly as she drives to one of three heatstroke response centres she has helped set up in recent weeks as part of her work with a nonprofit group called the Community Development Foundation. With a finance degree, Khan has lived in cooler cities across Pakistan but returned to her hometown because she wanted to be a voice for women in the conservative area. Nowadays Im working 24/7, said the 22-year-old, adding that her organization was finding the impact of extreme heat increasingly intertwining with other social and health issues affecting women. THE FRONTLINES OF SUFFERING The harsh conditions facing many women were brought into tragic focus on May 14, the day temperatures in Jacobabad hit 51 C, making it the worlds hottest city at that time. Nazia, a young mother of five, was preparing lunch for her visiting cousins. But with no air conditioning or fan in her kitchen, she collapsed and was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead from a suspected heat stroke. District health officials did not answer requests for comment about Jacobabads record of heat-related deaths in recent years, or more specifically about Nazias case. Zahida, 16, washes clothes during a heatwave (Reuters) One-month-old Vamar Kumar sleeps at home under a mosquito net (Reuters) Her body was taken the following day to her ancestral village to be buried and her children, the youngest a one-year-old who was still breastfeeding, regularly cried for their mother, a relative said. Widespread poverty and frequent power cuts mean many people cant afford or use air conditioning or at times even a fan to cool down. Potential strategies recommended by experts include providing clean-energy stoves to replace open-fire cooking, offering womens medical and social services during early morning or evening hours, when it is cooler, and replacing tin roofs with cooler material in white to reflect solar radiation away from the home. NO WATER, NO POWER, WE PRAY In a residential neighbourhood, a donkey-drawn cart stacked with blue plastic jerrycans stops near the entrance to warren-like lanes leading to a cluster of homes. The carts driver runs back and forth delivering 20-litre containers of water from one of a few dozen private pumps around the city. Most residents of Jacobabad rely on such water deliveries, which can cost between a fifth and an eighth of a households meagre income. Still, its often not enough, and some families are forced to ration. A woman drinks a plum and tamarind drink to cool off (Reuters) Kaloo, 60, repairs a fan with a spoon while at work in a cafe (Reuters) For young mother Razia, the sound of her six-month-old Tamanna crying in the afternoon heat was enough to persuade her to pour some of her precious water over the baby. She then sat Tamanna in front of a fan, and the child was visibly calmer, playing with her mothers scarf. Local officials said water shortages were partly due to electricity cuts, which mean water cannot be filtered and sent via pipes throughout the city. There are also severe water shortages across Sindh, with climate change minister Rehman flagging shortfalls of up to 60 per cent of what is needed in the provinces key dams and canals. Rubina, Razias neighbour, fried onions and okra over an open fire, explaining she usually felt dizzy in the heat and tried to soak herself in water each time she cooked to prevent herself from fainting. There was not always enough water to do so, though. Most of the time, it ends before its time to buy more and we must wait, Rubina said as she closely supervised her children and grandchildren sharing a cup of water. On the hot days with no water, no electricity, we wake up and the only thing we do is pray to God. Reuters. Photography by Akhtar Soomro. Reluctant star: Trintignant in 1975, shortly before retreating from the spotlight (AFP/Getty) Jean-Louis Trintignant, who has died aged 91, was a star of French new wave cinema and burst onto the international scene in the 1966 film Un Homme et Une Femme (A Man and a Woman). He played a racing driver who found new love with a widow, played by Anouk Aimee, following the suicide of his wife. Their sensitive performances, alongside director Claude Lelouchs visually stunning imagery and Francis Lais sentimental music, helped it to win two Oscars and the Cannes Film Festivals top prize, the Palme dOr. But Trintignant insisted he preferred his hairpin racing turns in Monte Carlo to the love scenes with Aimee, which he found embarrassing because she was a friend of his second wife, director Nadine Marquand. Ten years earlier, Trintignants career in France had taken off with Et Dieu... Crea la Femme (And God Created Woman) when he took the role of the uncool Michel, who beats his brother, in the lush surroundings of Saint-Tropez, to the hand in marriage of Brigitte Bardots free-spirited young woman but finds she continues to bestow her favours on other men. The film made a star and sex symbol of Bardot, and Trintignant had a much-publicised affair with her that signalled the end of his first marriage, to Stephane Audran. After the success of A Man and a Woman, one of the new waves leading directors, Claude Chabrol, brought an added interest to the menage a trois story Les Biches (1968) by casting Trintignant alongside Audran, by then his own wife. He played an architect drawn into a relationship between Jacqueline Sassards poor student and Audrans rich older woman. Breakout role: Trintignant with Anouk Aimee in A Man and a Woman (1966) (Alamy Stock Photo) Romance was traded for edge-of-your-seat drama when Costa-Gavras directed him in Z (1969) as a tenacious prosecutor investigating the death of Yves Montands politician based on the real-life story of a Greek pacifists assassination. Trintignants performance won him Cannes Best Actor award. He then reversed roles and played the assassin taking orders from the fascist government in pre-Second World War Italy when director Bernardo Bertolucci cast him in another political thriller The Conformist (1970). Story continues But the actor noted for his innate shyness turned down an offer from Bertolucci to star in Last Tango in Paris (1972), leaving Marlon Brando to navigate the controversial film. Trintignant returned to both the romance and dramatic heights of his early films in the 2012 Oscar- and Bafta-winning heartbreaker Amour. Austrian director Michael Haneke persuaded him to come out of screen retirement to play the retired piano teacher caring for his wife (Emmanuelle Riva) as her health slowly deteriorates, a moving performance that switches between love and frustration. Encore: with Aimee promoting the 1986 sequel A Man and a Woman: 20 Years Later (AFP/Getty) Jean-Louis Xavier Trintignant was born in the Piolenc commune of Vaucluse, in the south of France, to Claire and Raoul Trintignant. Like his character in A Man and a Woman, two of Trintignants uncles, Maurice and Louis, were professional racing drivers, while the actor himself took to the wheel for fun as a rally driver. He left law school in Aix-en-Provence after a year when he became stage-struck after seeing a theatre production of Molieres comedy The Miser and moved to Paris to study acting at the national film school IDHEC Institute for Advanced Cinematographic Studies. Stage roles came his way and, in 1955, he made his film debut in Si Tous les Gars du Monde (titled Race for Life internationally), playing a radio operator receiving signals from a distressed fishing boat crew dying of food poisoning. He survived his affair with Bardot not only by trooping off for national service for two years but, on his return, being cast in a new wave version of Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1959) as charming music teacher Danceny. Late great: with third wife Marianne Hoepfner at Cannes in 2017 (Getty) Trintignant was reunited with Aimee and Lelouch for the film sequels Un Homme et Une Femme: 20 Ans Deja (A Man and a Woman: 20 Years Later, 1986) and 2019s Les Plus Belles Annees dUne Vie (The Best Years of a Life), with Trintignant ailing in a care home and Aimee running a shop. His other significant film roles included Simone Signorets lover in the Costa-Gavras-directed detective thriller Compartiment Tueurs (The Sleeping Car Murders, 1965), a drug smuggler in Trans-Europ-Express (1966) and a devout Catholic engineer resisting the advances of an alluring widow in Eric Rohmers Ma Nuit Chez Maud (My Night With Maud, 1969) while keeping himself for a woman he is certain he will marry but has never met. Trintignant turned down roles in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Apocalypse Now (1979) after moving back to the south of France to live in a medieval house in Uzes. Becoming more of a recluse himself, he only occasionally stepped out of his rural lifestyle when he was tempted by parts such as a reclusive judge in Red (1994), the last in Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowskis Three Colours trilogy. Later, Haneke brought him out of retirement again for Happy End (2017) to revive his Amour character, now suffering from dementia and determined to end his own life. His autobiography, Du Cote dUzes, was published in 2012. Trintignants first two marriages, to Audran (1954-56) and Marquand (1960-76), both ended in divorce. He is survived by his third wife, Marianne Hoepfner, an endurance driver whom he married in 2000, and Vincent, the son from his second marriage. He and Marquands other children, Pauline and Marie, predeceased him. Jean-Louis Trintignant, actor, born 11 December 1930, died 17 June 2022 Commander Collin Winter, the executive officer of Naval Station Mayport pauses to read the headstone of one of the veterans buried in the Jacksonville National Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day weekend last month. June is national Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness month and the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone remains committed to assisting veterans and military families affected by the condition. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about PTSD and how to access treatment, with June 27 serving as National PTSD Awareness Day. According to the National Center for PTSD, 7 to 8 percent of the population will experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime. For some veterans, PTSD is a harsh reality. Those deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, for example, have an 11 to 20 percent risk of developing PTSD. That number may also go up with time, as evidenced by the fact that Vietnam veterans face a 30 percent risk of developing PTSD. Veterans develop PTSD in many ways. Combat-exposed veterans face increased risk, as do veterans who experience military sexual trauma. A veteran may also develop symptoms after learning that a friend was injured in the line of duty. These varied ways in which veterans develop PTSD mean each veteran is affected differently. For National PTSD Awareness Month, its important to know that this condition comes in many different forms and affects different people in different ways. Bielman While PTSD may be commonly associated with military veterans, it can happen to anyone who experiences a frightening or traumatic event, such as a serious accident, a physical or sexual assault, or a natural disaster, as well as seeing someone killed or seriously injured. Men, women, and children can experience PTSD due to trauma in their lives. Events due to combat, accidents, disasters, and abuse are just a few of the causes of PSTD, though not everyone seeks treatment for the disorder. In fact, nearly one in four Americans 23 percent believe PTSD is not treatable. Thats according to the 2021 Americas Mental Health PTSD Pulse Survey from Cohen Veterans Network. Story continues There are multiple therapy options available, however, that have been proven effective for treating PTSD. There are also resources available to help diagnose PTSD and get help. There is no shame in seeking assistance. Guest column: Strength of veteran health care multiplies through community partnerships How can you help? First, learn about PTSD to understand the condition. Education enables a better understanding of the issues faced by veterans and others affected by PTSD. If someone you care about is dealing with trauma, encourage them to seek help. For veterans, National Guard, Reserves, active-duty members, and all military families, the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone in Jacksonville provides outpatient care that can address PTSD and its effects. Many other organizations, like the VA, offer tremendous treatment and support that can positively change lives. The key is to take the first brave step and seek help. Together we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by PTSD. No matter who you are or what you do in life, you can help veterans with PTSD. All you have to do is be open to the opportunity to show that you care. Jodie Bielman, clinic director, Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone, Jacksonville This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jodie Bielman: Learning about PTSD is first step in helping veterans Associated Press Former South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, in his first public comments since being removed from office last week, appeared before a state ethics board Monday to press for an investigation of fellow Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, the person he blames for his impeachment over his conduct surrounding a 2020 fatal car crash. As attorney general, Ravnsborg last year filed a pair of complaints against Noem to the state's Government Accountability Board alleging she abused the powers of her office by interfering in a state agency as it evaluated her daughters application for a real estate appraiser license and by misusing state airplanes. The board, which is comprised of retired judges, has not decided whether to investigate Noem and is working with an attorney to evaluate the merits of the complaints. A federal appeals court froze the FDA's ban on Juul products Friday after the company sought an emergency administrative stay. On Thursday, the U.S. regulator took sweeping action against the e-cigarette maker, effectively killing its access to the U.S. market. The temporary stay will be in place essentially to buy time until the case can properly be heard by the court, though it "should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits," according to the court documents. The FDA took action against Juul after the company failed to provide adequate evidence that its products were safe enough alternatives to smoking. The regulatory agency said that Juul's documentation left it with "significant questions." According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Juul is considering filing for bankruptcy if it can't get the FDA's order reversed. Following the FDA order, Juul's chief regulatory officer Joe Murillo said that the company would pursue a stay and planned to appeal the regulator's decision. "In our applications, which we submitted over two years ago, we believe that we appropriately characterized the toxicological profile of JUUL products, including comparisons to combustible cigarettes and other vapor products, and believe this data, along with the totality of the evidence, meets the statutory standard of being 'appropriate for the protection of the public health,'" Murillo said. Juul rivals Reynolds American and NJOY Holdings will continue to sell their own vape products in the U.S. after previously receiving the FDA authorization that Juul itself failed to secure. A man was fatally shot Friday night outside of a Family Dollar in Kansas Citys Marlborough Heights neighborhood, according to police. Officers were dispatched shortly before 8 p.m. to a reported disturbance inside the store, located at 8215 Troost Ave., said Capt. Leslie Foreman, a spokeswoman for the department. As they were responding, she said, officers received information that a shooting had taken place. When they arrived police found a man with gunshot wounds near the storefront. He was pronounced dead by emergency medical personnel there. Police say the homicide victim was an adult male. No other information about his identity was immediately released. Police had no suspect information to provide. It was not immediately known, Foreman said, whether detectives were seeking more than one suspect, the precise sequence of events that led up to the shooting or whether the person or persons responsible fled the area on foot or in a vehicle. Shoppers and at least one employee were present in the store during the disturbance and when the shooting unfolded, Foreman said. Detectives were also collecting surveillance camera footage with the hope of finding suspect information. The killing Friday marks the 74th recorded homicide in Kansas City so far this year, according to data maintained by The Star. Last year, there were 157 killings, the vast majority of which were fatal shootings, as the city saw the second-deadliest year of violence in its history. Kansas City police were asking anyone with information about Fridays killing to call homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or submit an anonymous tip to the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. A reward of up to $25,000 was being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case. Jun. 24GRAND FORKS They've been called "The Ladies from the River" by at least one person who read about their canoe trip down the Red River on the first leg of a three-year excursion that eventually will take them to Hudson Bay. Now, these ladies from the river all in their late 60s are on the homestretch of a journey that began Thursday, June 9, on Lake Traverse, the southernmost point in the Hudson Bay drainage. The plan, they say, is to canoe to the Manitoba border at Pembina, North Dakota, this year, pick up where they left off in Manitoba next year and finish the trek to Hudson Bay in the summer of 2024. At their current pace, the trio Ann Sherve-Ose of Williams, Iowa; Deb White of Rosemount, Minnesota; and Deb Knutson of Owatonna, Minnesota will reach the Manitoba border sometime this weekend. They've been averaging about 30 miles a day, and the farthest they've paddled to date was 34 miles, White said. They paddled into East Grand Forks on Tuesday afternoon, June 21, a full week ahead of schedule, thanks to lingering high water and fast current from spring and early summer flooding on the Red River. But the mud oh, the mud they say. Trying to find a place to camp along the river that isn't coated with gooey, sticky Red River mud left behind from receding floodwaters has been nearly impossible. "Some days, we just go on because we can't find any place to stop it's just nasty," White said. "We went swimming the other day, and I couldn't get out (of the river). I had to crawl up the embankment, and I was covered with mud my knees, my feet I almost lost both shoes. "You can't get anyplace it just sucks you down," she added. "It's everywhere." No wonder, then, that White and Knutson opted to spend Tuesday night in an East Grand Forks motel rather than camp with Sherve-Ose at the Red River State Recreation Area. Checked in and cleaned up after long showers, the women were completely mud-free late Tuesday afternoon when they gathered for dinner and conversation at Little Bangkok in East Grand Forks. Story continues "You wouldn't be sitting this close to me if I hadn't had an hour-long shower," Knutson joked. The ladies from the river became friends while attending St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and kept in touch over the years. They canoed the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico over a 13-year stretch beginning in 2004, so canoeing the opposite direction to Hudson Bay seemed like a logical progression. So far, they say, the biggest difference between paddling the Mississippi and paddling the Red has been the mud. "We crawl out of the river up to a campsite and you're filthy," Sherve-Ose said. "There's no way to wash your hands because you'd have to go back in the water." And the mud. ... Still, they say, the trip has been enjoyable, despite the extreme heat they encountered Sunday, June 19, that took its toll both physically and emotionally. "We keep it fun, and in the evening we play cards or something," White said. "Sometimes we sing. We haven't done as much singing this year as we have in the past." The abundance of wildlife has been the highlight. There's something new, it seems, around every bend, whether it's ducks, eagles, swans, pelicans or geese. The bird life has been spectacular, Knutson says, especially early in the mornings. The women get up early and try to be on the water paddling by 7 a.m. "It's just chorus after chorus," Knutson said of the birds. "We watched swans take off, and their wingspans are huge. They were just so beautiful flying against the blue sky." While canoeing and camaraderie definitely play a part in the women's motivation for the trip, White also is using the trip as an opportunity to raise funds for the Himalayan Cataract Project, a cause "near and dear" to her heart because she also suffers from poor eyesight. So far, White says, she's raised $40,000 for the cause from the canoe trip and "various other means," and hopes to raise another $10,000. She has a GoFundMe page called "Canoeing 2,000 Miles to Cure Blindness." Wednesday night, the women were camped along the river about 5 miles downstream from Oslo, Minnesota. "What a mudfest getting a campsite," White said Wednesday night in a text message. They're on the homestretch now, though at least for this year. They've paddled about 300 miles since launching at Lake Traverse and had "just a little over 100 miles to go" when they hit the river Thursday morning. The women all have different reasons for the adventure. For Sherve-Ose, it's the accomplishment; for Knutson, it's the camaraderie; and for White, it's both the adventure and the cause she supports. Sherve-Ose also posts daily updates on her website at annesherveose.com. "We have good camaraderie and good times together," White said. "We've never had like big arguments or fights. I think our long-term friendship has really blossomed being on the river together. "So it's really nice that way." BERLIN (Reuters) - Lufthansa does not expect its global airline operations to return to normal until 2023 after staff shortages and booming demand amid the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions forced it to cancel some flights, Die Welt newspaper reported on Saturday. "Unfortunately, a short-term improvement now in the summer is hardly realistic," Lufthansa board member Detlef Kayser told Die Welt, adding the problem is global rather than exclusive to Germany and the only way out is to reduce the number of flights. Lufthansa has announced plans to scrap around 3,000 flights, or some 15% of its capacity, at its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich this summer. The German flag carrier is trying to ensure vacation routes are affected as little as possible, opting to cancel instead short- and medium-haul flights with many alternative travel options, Kayser told Die Welt. (Reporting by Zuzanna Szymanska;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) The Daily Beast via Facebook/Rudy GiulianiFormer New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani doubled down Monday on his wildly overblown characterization that he was brutally assaulted by a Staten Island grocery store worker over the weekend, despite security footage showing the man only tapped his back.Speaking to about 200 people in a Facebook Live, Giuliani called the viral security footage deceptive. He claimed the pat packed so much vigor it nearly knocked him and a friend to the ground, but he was able to stay upright Martha Stewart is a huge animal lover. Bryan R. Smith / AFP via Getty Images Martha Stewart's cat was killed by her four dogs, who she suspects mistook the cat for an intruder. Stewart told Insider that her dogs thought Princess Peony was a squirrel. She said she shared the news of Princess Peony's death because it was a "fact of life." Martha Stewart said her four dogs thought her cat was a squirrel when they killed her. "Poor little Princess Peony she got locked out of the house," Stewart said in an interview with Insider promoting her new podcast. "It was a big mistake, and she could not get back into the house," she added. "That's why the dogs thought she was a squirrel." Stewart said she shared the news with her 1.6 million Instagram followers because the death was "a fact of life." Stewart announced the news of Princess Peony's death in April, sharing an image of three men burying her cat. "Burying the beautiful and unusual Princess Peony," she wrote in the caption. "I will miss her very badly, RIP beauty." Stewart had also written about Princess Peony on her website, describing the cat as a "dominant calico Persian." Princess Peony was the sister of Empress Tang, another one of Stewart's cats. Both Princess Peony and Empress Tang were born on May 11, 2009, and moved in with Stewart in September, according to her website. Stewart has a house and farm full of pets, and she frequently shares pictures of her dogs, cats, peacocks, horses, and pigeons. The first episode of "The Martha Stewart Podcast," featuring her conversation with Snoop Dogg, is now available on streaming services. Read the original article on Insider The governors of Massachusetts and Minnesota have signed executive orders to implement legal protections for reproductive health care providers who serve out-of-state residents, and for those who come to their states seeking such care. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) said in a release on Friday that he was deeply disappointed in the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which made abortion a federally-protected right. He said he signed the order in response to the courts decision and the subsequent and expected actions of numerous states to ban or severely restrict access to abortion. In light of the Supreme Courts ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, it is especially important to ensure that Massachusetts providers can continue to provide reproductive health care services without concern that the laws of other states may be used to interfere with those services or sanction them for providing services that are lawful in the Commonwealth, Baker said. More than a dozen states have trigger laws on the books that would criminalize abortion either immediately upon Roe v. Wade being overturned or shortly after. Since the courts ruling on Friday morning, about half of those states bans have already gone into effect. State governments placing bans or severe restrictions on abortion could lead to a greater number of residents of those states seeking to travel to other states where the procedure is legal. The release states that the order also prohibits any executive agency from aiding another states investigation into anyone receiving or providing reproductive health services that are legal in Massachusetts. Abortion is legal in the commonwealth up until the 24th week of pregnancy, and physicians may perform an abortion after that if the life of the mother is at risk or if the fetus is not expected to survive outside the womb. Browns order also protects Massachusetts health care providers from being in jeopardy of losing their licenses based on out-of-state charges. The commonwealth will also not cooperate with any extradition requests from other states pursuing criminal charges against anyone who received or performed reproductive services in Massachusetts. Story continues We are proud of the Commonwealths history of ensuring access to reproductive health care, and will continue to do so, Massachusetts Lt. Governor Karyn Polito (R) said in the release. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed a similar order on Saturday providing protection for people seeking, obtaining, assisting and providing abortions in his state from legal repercussions in other states. The order directs all Minnesota state agencies to work to the fullest extent of their lawful authority to provide those protections and not to assist in efforts to penalize people over reproductive health services that are legal in the state. It also says the governor will to the maximum extent permitted decline extradition requests in such cases. My office has been and will continue to be a firewall against legislation that would reverse reproductive freedom, Walz said in a statement. This order shows our administrations commitment to protecting patients and health care providers. Our administration is doing everything we can to protect individuals right to make their own health care decisions. Your reproductive freedom will remain protected in Minnesota as long as I am in office, he added in a Twitter post. Updated at 10:31 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. People gather to protest in front of the Supreme Court following their 5-4 decision to overturn Roe v Wade on June 24, 2022 in Washington, D.C. Credit - Jason Andrew for TIME On the heels of the Supreme Court decision that struck down the national right to abortion, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a statement proclaiming that the Justice Department disagrees with the verdict. In addition to vowing to work tirelessly to protect and advance reproductive freedom, it indicated a potential avenue for the legal fight for abortion rights. [W]e stand ready to work with other arms of the federal government that seek to use their lawful authorities to protect and preserve access to reproductive care, he said. In particular, the FDA has approved the use of the medication Mifepristone. States may not ban Mifepristone based on disagreement with the FDAs expert judgment about its safety and efficacy. Attorney General Merrick Garland at the Department of Justice on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in Washington, DC. Jabin BotsfordThe Washington Post/Getty Images Mifepristone has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for more than 20 years and is authorized for use during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. It is taken in a regimen with the drug misoprostol and together the two drugs can safely induce an abortion. More than half of abortions in the U.S. are medication abortions. Until recently, mifepristone had to be dispensed in person, but in December the FDA did away with the requirement, allowing the drug to be prescribed via telehealth and shipped by mail. While this change has expanded access to the drug, there has also been a push to reduce it. In September, for instance, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed SB4, which banned abortion-inducing drugs after seven weeks and prohibited them from being mailed in the state. At least 19 states ban the use of telemedicine visits for medication abortion despite the FDA allowance, and many still require that a doctors prescribe the medication, even though the FDA does not. Read More: What to Know About Abortion Pills Post-Roe Story continues Garlands mention of the FDA approval of the drug is a nod toward the federal preemption argument, says Rachel Rebouche, interim dean of Temple University Beasley School of Law. That argument is based on the premise that where federal and state laws conflict, the federal law prevails. In this case, that would mean a safety and efficacy determination by the FDA, a federal agency, would take precedence over a states tighter restrictions on a given drug. But while its clear that states cannot legalize drugs that the FDA does not approve, explains Greer Donley, assistant professor at the University Pittsburgh Law School, the legal question here lies in the reverse scenario. The argument is that FDA regulation of mifepristone is not only the national floor, which everybody accepts, Donley says. The question is whether the FDAs regulation is also the national ceiling. Can a state regulate the drug more harshly than the federal government? Doses of Mifepristone, the abortion pill, and Misoprostol, which is taken the day after to cause cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus, are pictured at Dr. Franz Theards Womens Reproductive Clinic in Santa Teresa, New Mexico on May 7, 2022. Paul RatjeThe Washington Post/Getty Images If a court were to decide FDA regulation is the national ceiling, and that no state may regulate drugs more strictly than the federal government, then even states with total state abortion bans and, according to the Guttmacher Institute, 26 states are likely to or certain to ban abortion without Roe would have to make exceptions for medical abortions. For that reason, Donley was glad to hear Garland and President Joe Biden reference mifepristone in their responses to the Dobbs ruling. It indicates that they are aware of the theory, and that they support it, Donley says. The question is whether or not theyre actually going to move forward and file a lawsuit, and whether theyre going to support these lawsuits moving forward. Read More: What the Supreme Courts Abortion Decision Means for Your State Medical abortions may be the next frontier of the legal fight for abortion rights across the country. GenBioPro, the generic manufacturer of mifepristone, had already filed a lawsuit based on the preemption argument in federal court against Mississippi for its ban on telemedicine for abortion. Earlier this month, the judge said he would consider waiting for the Supreme Court to issue its Dobbs ruling before deciding how to proceed. Rebouche says she expects more people to turn their attention to mifepristone and the question of whether states can legally outlaw the use of abortion pills now that Roe has officially fallen. Medication abortion is going to take up a lot of our thinking and time and advocacy on both sides of the question, Rebouche adds. I think what a lot of people are thinking is its a pretty key aspect to what abortion services actually look like moving forward. A Miami-Dade police officer has now been placed on desk duty, with an internal investigation underway, after being captured on camera telling a Black motorist, this is how you guys get killed out here. Theres now a @MiamiDadePD Internal Affairs investigation after an officer last week said this is how you guys get killed out here man, during a traffic stop in which a man was pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt. The driver says he was targeted because he is Black. @wsvn pic.twitter.com/75O0ETPDDI Sheldon Fox-7 News (@fox_sheldon) June 20, 2022 The encounter was captured during a traffic stop by the driver, Gerardson Nicolas, while he was on his way to work last week in the North Miami Beach region. Give me your drivers license, registration and insurance. If not, you will not be going to work today, the officer said. Simple thing, man. This is how you guys get killed out here, man. What? Say that again. Say what you just said, Nicolas responded. Registration and insurance, the officer insisted. According to NBC Miami, Nicolas admits that he wasnt wearing his seat belt when he was stopped on Northeast 159th Street near 18th Avenue. This leaves some social media users divided on whether or not the police officers remarks were threatening or how not wearing a seat belt can be deadly. People die from not wearing seat belts every day, Steadman Stahl, president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, told reporters at The Miami Herald. Yet, George A. Perez, the Miami-Dade Police Interim Director and the man who ordered the probe, says the inference is bothersome to him. Nicolas says he started recording because he was scared for his life. Story continues I was scared, I was scared. I didnt think my life was going to make it, he told reporters. When he asked me for my license, open the door, I started recording. I was looking for my stuff, my license, because I didnt see my wallet. I was looking for my wallet and that wasnt my car, that was my moms car and I didnt know where the registration was, I was looking, looking. He got mad. The Miami Herald reports that Nicholas received a ticket for driving while his license was suspended, not having a valid license tag and not having insurance. Nicolas was not arrested, nor was his car towed. He also spoke with officers earlier this week and filed an official complaint. The Miami-Dade police department is currently reviewing 30 minutes of body camera footage and promises to address all matters of public concern equitably, fairly and in accordance with applicable laws. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asked the Michigan Supreme Court to rule on whether abortion is protected by the state's constitution, just hours after the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade and returned the issue of abortion to the states. Before Roe v. Wade, abortion was illegal in Michigan under a 1931 law that criminalizes the practice without exceptions for rape or incest. That 91-year-old law will not immediately take effect because a Michigan judge issued a preliminary injunction last month, ruling that abortion is protected under the state's constitution. Supreme Court Police officers erect a barrier between anti-abortion and pro-abortion rights protesters outside the Supreme Court. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Now, Whitmer wants the Michigan Supreme Court to settle the issue. MORE THAN 2 DOZEN STATES TO RESTRICT ABORTIONS AFTER ROE V. WADE OVERTURNED "We need to clarify that under Michigan law, access to abortion is not only legal, but constitutionally protected," Whitmer said in a statement. "If the 1931 law goes into effect, it will punish women and strip away their right to make decisions about their own bodies." Michigan's legislature is controlled by Republicans, who celebrated the Supreme Court's opinion on Friday. "Life has and always will be protected by our Constitution, as proven today by the high court, and we will continue defending the most vulnerable among us here in Michigan, too," Michigan GOP Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock said in a statement. "This is a cause for celebration as many innocent babies will no longer have their lives cut short and will be allowed a chance that many others were not given life." Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office The search for a missing Missouri woman ended this week when her body was found buried inside her uncles barn, authorities said. Now, after an autopsy revealed 20-year-old Jessi Wilfongs cause of death was homicide, deputies are said to be honing in on her uncle, Lawrence Schanda, and his girlfriend, Teresa Baumgartner, as potential suspects. Baumgartner was arrested Thursday on a charge of evidence tampering, with deputies saying additional charges are to come against one or more individuals. No other charges were added by Friday evening, and Schanda has not been charged. The discovery of Wilfongs body under Schanda and Baumgartners barn wasnt the only thing that linked her disappearance to the couple. Schanda was interviewed over his nieces disappearance on June 8, when he told investigators his last interaction with Wilfong was an argumentearly in the morning on May 19because he believed she was implicating him in drug activity to law enforcement, the Southeast Missourian reported. That argument was the last time Wilfong was seen alive. Her mother reported her missing on May 25. Friends and family took to Facebook to ask for help in finding Wilfong. After her death was ruled a homicide, loved ones changed their profile pictures to a photo of Wilfong with a banner reading JUSTICE FOR JESSI. We all loved you so much, posted Jayci Sharrock on Facebook. We were all praying this wasnt going to be the outcome. Deputies said they decided to search the barn after receiving a tip earlier this month. Once they arrived there on June 18, they discovered an area of dirt that appeared disturbed compared to the rest of the ground. Investigators excavated the area on June 18 to find their suspicions validatedburied there were the remains of Wilfong. Also located nearby was an augera tool used to drill holes into the groundthat was rented by Baumgartner on May 24, the Southeast Missourian reported. Baumgartner, 59, was arrested Thursday and made her first appearance in court, records show. A judge denied her bail as more charges are expected to arrive soon, reported KFVS 12. Story continues Multiple messages to friends and family of Wilfong were not returned Friday. The Cape Girardeau County Sheriffs Office did not respond to messages left with the agency seeking additional details. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The Sacramento Kings have nabbed Iowa forward Keegan Murray in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft with hopes of upgrading their roster for the upcoming season. "It's a dream come true," Murray said Thursday night. The 21-year-old becomes the Univesity of Iowa's first, first-round draft pick since 1998 when Ricky Davis was selected. Murray, who was a first-team All-American as a sophomore, was projected to be picked fifth, according to ESPN's mock draft. In 2022, Europe stands at a historic juncture, and its decisions on political and economic partnerships will shape Europe and the world for decades to come. Moreover, sustainability increasingly and unavoidably underlies and shapes these political and economic choices. According to Nicolas Chapuis, the EU's ambassador in China, high-level dialogues between China and the EU are expected to occur in the coming weeks. "We need to talk, and we need to find where we can solve issues. For this, we need to have a shared account of facts which is missing today sometimes," he noted. But solving common issues requires more than just a shared account of facts, and William Shakespeare may offer important lessons on a better way forward. Shakespeare is viewed as making the most significant and most enduring contributions to the canon of literature in the English language. Given his importance, his life and work are widely studied and analyzed, so we can better appreciate his work and understand why he is excellent. Many academics cite his remarkable ability to create new words to explain his stature. For example, well over two thousand English words were first recorded by Shakespeare, either plucked out or invented by him. However, I contend that the actual source of his greatness lies in his ability to truly and deeply understand people from every station of life, from the noblest monarch to the plainest commoner and every personality type, from the naive and softhearted to the worldly and calculating. Therefore, his greatness lies in his empathy. A famous American movie is based on a line from one of Shakespeare's sonnets: "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing." And like love, sustainability is a many-splendored thing. It is also a many-faceted thing. The UN World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainability as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." But we usually view sustainability mainly through the lens of the environment because a basic assumption of sustainability is that resources are finite, and should be used conservatively and wisely with a view to long-term priorities and consequences of how resources are used. However, sustainability is a multi-splendored and multi-faceted thing. Besides the economic facet, which the United Nations explicitly recognizes, we must also consider the political, domestic, international, and human characteristics. Without solutions politically acceptable to domestic and global constituencies which can be sustained through transfers of political power, sustainability can't, well, be sustained for very long. Similarly, ultimately sustainability requires, in essence, individuals' willingness to adopt behavioral changes to effect lasting change. Moreover, especially in the case of China and Europe, there are many different types of players at times pursuing other objectives, seeking to express different values, and holding different beliefs about how the world should work and how it actually does work. So, this brings us back to the idea of empathy and, in particular, strategic empathy and its opposite, strategic narcissism. In the words of a former American military leader, "Strategic narcissism is the tendency to define challenges to national security as we would like them to be and to pay too little attention to the agency that others have over the future." On the other hand, strategic empathy calls for imagining the hopes, dreams, desires, and fears of others. A chess player only has to foresee an opponent's moves. One practicing strategic empathy has to leverage the wishes of others to create positions that will win friends, supporters, and allies. The gift of empathy is a purely human attribute. It doesn't come from our senses. It comes from our self-awareness. Most animals have keener senses than we do, but their strategies are limited to flight or fight because they lack the depth of self-awareness needed for genuine empathy. They cannot imagine the range and variety of desires we humans can. Good strategy begins with our ability to imagine the range and variety of desires in others that allows us to accomplish our goals. Both China and Europe have recognized the multi-splendored nature of sustainability. But they have also recognized the complexity in its multiple facets and how it encompasses so many human differences. Only through the application of strategic empathy can these differences be bridged. What made Shakespeare great was not his verbal virtuosity but his ability to truly understand so many varied characters and facets of the human experience. By cultivating our empathy, we can also achieve a measure of greatness in moving forward in our global quest for sustainability and a stable and prosperous future for Europe, China, and the world. Andy Mok is a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea on Saturday condemned "aggression moves" by Washington and Seoul, vowing to take revenge as it marked the 72nd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War at a time of rising tension on the Korean Peninsula. Amid concerns North Korea could be preparing to conduct its first nuclear test in five years, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed in May to deploy more U.S. weapons if it was necessary to deter the North. The North's state news agency KCNA said on Saturday a number of workers' organisations had held meetings to "vow revenge on the U.S. imperialists", blaming the United States for starting the 1950-1953 Korean War. The war ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, meaning U.S.-led U.N. forces are still technically at war with North Korea. According to the KCNA report, Pyongyang denounced Washington over what it called "aggression moves" carried out with South Korea and Japan, and said the U.S. push to deploy "strategic assets" on the South was aimed at provoking another war. Strategic assets can typically include aircraft carriers, long-range bomber aircraft or missile submarines. "Such insolent behaviour of the U.S. fans the anger and revenge of the Korean people," KCNA said. Marking the war anniversary in Seoul, Yoon pledged to do his utmost to protect freedom and peace. "We will maintain strong security posture based on South Korea-U.S. alliance and a strong military backed by science and technology," he wrote on Facebook. Saturday's anniversary came amid concerns Pyongyang could conduct what would be its seventh nuclear test, which U.S. and South Korean officials have said could take place "any time" now. (Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Helen Popper) An Ohio father was caught on video attacking the man who is accused of killing his girlfriend and three-year-old son. In surveillance video footage from the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, the man identified by WCPO as Antonio "Tonio" Hughes, is seen sitting in the back of the righthand side of the courtroom. The father gets up and rushes toward 22-year-old Desean Brown, swinging at the side of his head. Hughes is then tackled to the ground by law enforcement before he gets up again and struggles to reach Brown. OHIO MAN SUSPECTED OF KILLING 2 FOUND DEAD IN ALABAMA Deputies bring him to the ground and Brown is led out of the courthouse. Shortly after, Hughes is escorted out. FOX 19 reported that Hughes was charged with contempt of court following the altercation, and that he has been ordered to serve a week in the Hamilton County Justice Center. Brown is facing charges for the death of Nylo Lattimore and his mother, 29-year-old Nyteisha Lattimore, in December 2020. "Judge Megan Shanahan and the Hamilton Sheriffs Office would like to emphasize that this behavior will not be tolerated in the courthouse," Kyla Woods, a spokesperson with the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, reportedly told FOX 19. KY OFFICIALS READY TO BEGIN FIRST PHASE OF OHIO RIVER BRIDGE PROJECT Brown was charged with having killed Nyteisha Lattimore on or about Dec. 5 in her apartment in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati. Her body was found about a week later near a bridge in downtown Cincinnati. The county coroner said she died of stab wounds. The body of Nylo Lattimore was never recovered even after a search of 180 miles of the Ohio River, although police say the child's blood was found on a blanket recovered with his mothers body and his stroller was found in the river nearby. According to WCPO, Cincinnati Police told Judge Megan Shanahan that it appeared Nyteisha was pregnant with Brown's child, but had a miscarriage. Story continues "He chose to kill Nylo in an incredibly barbaric method," Prosecutor Joe Deters said at a press conference in February 2021. "I still have nightmares about this." Brown who pleaded not guilty earlier to charges in the case would face the death penalty, if found guilty. His trial is set to start in August. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Orlando Police Department honored some outstanding officers this week for their work in the community. WATCH: Florida may see more help to ease pain from high gas prices The officers were spotlighted at an awards ceremony at Orlando Police Headquarters. Chief Orlando Rolon said the officers have shown a deep commitment to protecting and serving the community through the neighborhood patrol program. The officers said they help more by getting to know the people they serve. WATCH: Puppy sales now banned at Orange County pet stores They call us by our first name. We know the kids. They want us to come to school events and birthday parties. There is definitely the connection now we were lacking before, an officer said. The officers in that unit partner with businesses and neighborhood watch groups who help them solve crimes with tips. READ: Can your ability to balance on one leg predict how long you live? Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV. ANAHEIM, Calif. At V Spehar's first VidCon, the TikTok creator behind @UnderTheDeskNews continued to do what they do best: The news. This week, though, many of their news video updates weren't presented from under their desk at their upstate New York home. The videos were instead filmed near or at the Anaheim Convention Center, where the massive annual social media convention takes place. "Hey there, so, it happened," Spehar says at the start of a video they posted on Friday, referring to Supreme Court's latest decision. "They overturned Roe v. Wade." In the last two years, Spehar has become known for delivering the news in a short, digestible way. The creator, who uses they/them pronouns, has become a trusted source for those who turn to TikTok for the news, especially among Gen Z and younger Millennials. They've amassed nearly 2.5 million followers, and earned spots working with traditional news outlets like The TODAY Show and The Los Angeles Times. Like many creators at this year's convention, Spehar, 39, joined TikTok during the pandemic. That meant VidCon was their first time meeting their fans at a convention, and soaking in their newfound fame in a very public environment. (NBC News is a sponsor of VidCon). It was an exciting change of pace for the creator, who welcomed juggling posting videos with meeting fans and fellow creators at the convention, which is considered the go-to for the internet's biggest stars. Everyone has been so nice, they said on Thursday. I dont know that I knew what to expect. Battling imposter syndrome At VidCon, Spehar, dressed in a crisp peacock blue suit and signature sky-high bouffant hairdo, experienced being famous IRL first-hand while perusing booths on the convention center floor on Thursday. Hailee and Kendra, a pair of TikTokers who are married, were among those who stopped Spehar to share that they are big fans of their account. The three chatted for a few moments before Spehar decided to return to the press lounge. Story continues There, other creators like Drew Afualo (@DrewAfualo, 7.4 million followers) Kris Collins (@KallMeKris, 44.5 million followers) and Celina Myers (@CelinaSpookyBoo, 25.6 million followers) were hiding out from the crowds and the California heat. Im having imposter syndrome, Collins, who was also experiencing VidCon for the first time, shared with Spehar about the experience so far. The two wondered whether their fans would even recognize them in-person without the TikTok schticks that made them famous. Collins, for example, wasn't sporting the pair of tiny hands she normally uses in her videos. While she did have them with her at VidCon, they were in a bag, not on her hands, as she walked around. Spehar worried whether people would recognize them when they weren't providing updates from under a desk. They, clearly, did not lug around a desk at the conference. Its the first time were out of our phones, Spehar noted. The birth of @UnderTheDeskNews Before TikTok fame, Spehar had worked at the James Beard Foundation as the head of Womens Leadership Programs and Impact. Their background in food policy meant they followed many chefs on the platform. One day, a friend of their sent them meat that couldnt be sold to restaurants due to closures during the height of the pandemic. So I started making hamburgers on TikTok, and that was my original TikTok fame, they said, adding that one of their hamburger videos reached 100,000 views. The pivot to news came later. While working in food policy, Spehar was trying to help doctors and nurses figure out how to eat on the job, realizing that removing their masks for lunch would expose them to Covid. During one webinar where they were discussing ways this issue could be mitigated, the Jan. 6 insurrection was being played on a TV over Spehars shoulder. After jumping off the webinar, Spehar was inundated with other calls from friends asking them to explain what was going on. Those calls inspired them to make a video, addressed to former vice president Mike Pence, which they made under their desk. From there, they continued making videos explaining hard topics to their followers. Spehar, who has dyslexia, said having to put things in simple terms for themselves allowed them to take hard concepts and make them tangible for their followers. Going under the desk, rather than sitting at a desk, was also intentional. I didnt want people to think I was a real news anchor, some sort of authority figure, they said. Under the desk feels like a very safe place to hear about terrible things. Spehar began regularly doing news updates from under their desk right around when President Joe Biden hit his first 100 days in office. Becoming a go-to news source Spehar said they didnt intend to become an authoritative news figure. But, they speculate that people were likely drawn to UndertheDesk because they offer less "spin" than traditional media. Roughly 53% of adults in the United States are more likely to get their news from social media, according to a Pew Research report published in January 2021. For Spehar, joining a platform like TikTok also helped remove the barrier to entry that often exists in traditional media. With legacy media its like, Whats your pedigree? Why should I trust you? they said. Now, they said, "I dont have to survive a tradition newsroom." Back in the VidCon press room, where nearly half a dozen mega-famous TikTokers had taken refuge on Thursday, Grammy-winning content creator Abigail Barlow jokingly asked Spehar how it felt to come out from under their physical desk. How does it feel to be out in the air? asked Barlow, who won critical acclaim for her TikTok album The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical. The air feels good," Spehar replied. In case you're wondering what Pitch Perfect star Rebel Wilson is up to, she's enjoying life in paradise. In between announcing her new relationship with girlfriend Ramona Agruma and promoting her Netflix film Senior Year, it's impossible to believe she has any downtime. While she has been relaxing on vacation, her followers couldn't help but obsess over keen fashion sense. Earlier this month, on June 16, the Bridesmaids comedienne took a second to post on Instagram from her European getaway, looking absolutely beautiful under the sun. Posing against the backdrop of a pristine blue ocean, Rebel paid homage to the 1960s with an orange three-piece bikini, white shades and blond wavy hair. " ," she captioned her pic. Given how she's been super active lately, it's nice to see Rebel take a breather for herself while lounging on a boat. And we get it she's been jet-setting to Italy with Ramona, swimming in Iceland and attending numerous public events. She also got the chance to meet and take a snap with Prince Harry during a recent Santa Barbara polo match! If that doesn't scream a more inclusive social life, then we don't know what does. Reacting to Rebel's stunning bikini Instagram, fans and celebrity friends alike headed over to her comments section to let her know just how much they loved her look. "," Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kathy Hilton wrote. "Beauty!!" commented actress Melanie Griffith. "Hellooooo ," her Pitch Perfect co-star Brittany Snow added. Related video: Rebel Wilson's fans are praising her for emotional Instagram post "You look amazing Rebel! What I love the most though is how confident and comfortable with yourself you look! Thank you so much for sharing x," wrote one fan. "Beautiful ," another replied. And one follower just wanted to know what we're all wondering: "Where is that suit from? Love it!" Story continues Enjoy your time away, Rebel, and if you want to let us know where you got your bikini from ... we wouldn't mind knowing a few details too! You Might Also Like As thousands of pro-choice protesters took to the streets across the U.S. Friday to make their voices heard following the Supreme Courts ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, some demonstrators were met with violence. At a protest in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a pickup truck driver plowed into a group of demonstrators before fleeing the scene. The unidentified male driver of the Ford truck rammed into several protesters, all of them women. At least one woman was injured after the vehicle rolled over her ankle. He tried to murder them, said Lyz Lenz, a local journalist and witness to the attack. These women see him coming and a bunch of people put their hands out to stop him. And he just keeps going. Police in riot gear surround the Arizona Capitol after protesters reached the front of the state Senate building in reaction to the Supreme Court decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision on Friday. (Photo: via Associated Press) Police in riot gear surround the Arizona Capitol after protesters reached the front of the state Senate building in reaction to the Supreme Court decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision on Friday. (Photo: via Associated Press) Video of a protest in Phoenix showed police shooting tear gas from the windows of the Arizona Senate building, forcing hundreds of protesters carrying signs to flee. Firing teargas right into the crowd straight from the Capitol windows https://t.co/XeZ59XVotJpic.twitter.com/NwBtpTrSCt AZ Right Wing Watch (@az_rww) June 25, 2022 Video shared on Twitter by Republican state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita from inside the building showed protesters with signs chanting outside the doors of the state Capitol and banging at the glass doors, but not attempting to enter. After being tear-gassed, protesters moved downtown and were tear-gassed again by police after a monument was allegedly vandalized. In downtown Los Angeles, journalist Tina Berg was seen on video being violently shoved to the ground by a police officer, who then told her: Im trying to protect you. Story continues Police manhandle reporter @TinaDesireeBerg, who gets up and continues to report after being thrown to the ground. pic.twitter.com/1zGFUgz9MW Samuel Braslow (@SamBraslow) June 25, 2022 During a protest in Providence, Rhode Island, on Friday, a GOP candidate allegedly assaulted his political opponent. Video appears to show Jeann Lugo an officer with the Providence Police Department, and a Republican candidate for state Senate punching Jennifer Rourke in the face. Rourke is a reproductive rights organizer who is running as a Democrat against Lugo in the state Senate election. I'm a reproductive rights organizer & State Senate candidate. Last night, after speaking at our Roe rally, my Republican opponent a police officer violently attacked me. This is what it is to be a Black woman running for office. I won't give up.pic.twitter.com/ZREDP2dvXY Jennifer Rourke (@JenRourke29) June 25, 2022 Lugo was placed on administrative leave with pay Saturday morning pending an investigation, the police department said. Rourke said she plans to press charges against Lugo. In D.C., abortion rights protesters who showed up at the fenced-off Supreme Court building to make their voices heard were also met by anti-abortion advocates, some who engaged in harassing behavior. One woman told HuffPost reporter Alanna Vagianos, between sobs, that she repeatedly asked an anti-abortion protester a man to stop following her. And outside Mississippis only abortion clinic early Saturday morning, CNN correspondent Nadia Romero pointed out several men with anti-abortion signs who had come to harass those showing up to the clinic. Men with anti-abortion signs were "confrontational" and "threatening" outside the Mississippi abortion clinic at the center of the SCOTUS ruling, @nadianewsnow reports. pic.twitter.com/LgQVG1fSqZ Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 25, 2022 Here we are, outside of the very last standing abortion clinic in the state of Mississippi, and it has not been a good morning here, Romero said. It has been confrontational, it has been very threatening. They want to be on TV? Lets put them on TV. The men can be seen on video standing just behind the camera. A police officer stands with his back to the camera. Theyve been very confrontational with us and threatening, Romero continued. Thats why you see the back here of a Jacksonville, Mississippi, police officer. We have asked them to back up and give us some space, but they have decided to stand and hover over us. Romero said police first showed up after one of the anti-abortion men backed his truck up and allegedly hit one of the clinics volunteers. More on the Supreme Court abortion ruling: This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. By Philip Pullella (Reuters) - Anti-abortion activists should be concerned with other issues that can threaten life, such as easy access to guns, poverty and rising maternity mortality rates, the Vatican's editorial director said on Saturday. In a media editorial on the United States Supreme Court's ruling to end the constitutional right to abortion, Andrea Tornielli said those who oppose abortion could not pick and choose pro-life issues. "Being for life, always, for example, means being concerned if the mortality rates of women due to motherhood increase," he wrote. He cited statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing a rise in maternity mortality rates overall and that the rate was nearly three times higher for black women. "Being for life, always, means asking how to help women welcome new life," he wrote, citing an unsourced statistic that 75% of women who have abortions live in poverty or are low-wage earners. He also cited statistics from the Harvard Review of Psychiatry showing that the United States has much lower rates of paid parental leave compared with other rich nations. "Being for life, always, also means defending it against the threat of firearms, which unfortunately have become a leading cause of death of children and adolescents in the U.S." he wrote. The Roman Catholic church teaches that abortion is murder because life begins at the moment of conception and ends with natural death. Pope Francis has compared having an abortion to "hiring a hit man" to eliminate a problematic person. But he has tried to steer the U.S. Catholic Church away from seeing abortion as the single, overarching life issue in the country's so-called culture wars. The death penalty, gun control, support for families, and immigration are also life issues, he has said. The Vatican's Academy for Life praised Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling, saying it challenged the world to reflect on life issues, but also called for social changes to help women keep their children. U.S. President Joe Biden, a lifelong Catholic, condemned the ruling, calling it a "sad day" for America and labelling the court's conservatives as "extreme". (Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Mike Harrison) Protesters gathered in Pittsburgh for the second day after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hundreds of protesters head to downtown Pittsburgh after overturning of Roe v. Wade The protest was led by an organization called Socialist Alternative Pittsburgh, who says todays discussion is focused on building social feminist policies. The group demanded to defend and extend Roe to ensure free, safe and legal abortions. The organization is also looking for universal childcare and expanded paid parental leave; living wages for everyone at $25 dollars an hour; comprehensive, consent-informed sex education in schools; and to resist anti-gay and anti-trans bills. CHANNEL 11 IS ON THE SCENE OF THE PROTEST AND ACTIVELY LOOKING TO LEARN MORE. CHECK BACK IN FOR MORE UPDATES. TRENDING NOW: 3 females shot in Pittsburghs South Side neighborhood overnight Coroner called to house fire in Uniontown Latrobe woman goes viral on TikTok after difficulty getting back to Pittsburgh International Airport VIDEO: Hundreds of protesters gather outside City-County building after overturning of Roe v. Wade DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Flash UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday denounced the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to end the federal constitutional right to abortion, saying that it is a huge blow to women's human rights and gender equality. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that established a constitutional right to abortion in the nation nearly 50 years ago. "Access to safe, legal and effective abortion is firmly rooted in international human right law and is at the core of women and girls' autonomy and ability to make their own choices about their bodies and lives, free of discrimination, violence and coercion," Bachelet said in a media statement. "This decision strips such autonomy from millions of women in the U.S., in particular those with low incomes and those belonging to racial and ethnic minorities, to the detriment of their fundamental rights," she added. According to the UN, more than 50 countries with previously restrictive laws have liberalized their abortion legislation over the past 25 years. "With today's ruling, the U.S. is regrettably moving away from this progressive trend," the UN rights chief stressed. A group of UN human rights experts on Friday also issued a joint statement, describing the U.S. Supreme Court decision as a shocking and dangerous rollback of human rights that will jeopardize women's health and lives. "What has happened in the United States today is a monumental setback for the rule of law and for gender equality," the experts, including members of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls and a number of UN Special Rapporteurs, said in the joint statement. "The intimidation and stigma that will be faced by pregnant women and girls in need of safe abortion services and abortion providers will create a nightmare scenario for those dealing with the uncertainty and trauma of an unplanned pregnancy," they stated. Friday's ruling came after the U.S. Supreme Court had considered an appeal case involving a Mississippi law banning all abortions over 15 weeks gestational age except in certain circumstances. With the ruling, more than two dozen states in the United States -- primarily in the south and midwest -- are expected to tighten abortion access. By Sabrina Valle HOUSTON (Reuters) - More than 200 people gathered in front of a federal courthouse in Houston, Texas on Friday, to voice their anger after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, eliminating the U.S. constitutional right to an abortion. Texas is one of 13 states that in past months approved so-called trigger laws that ban or severely restrict abortions once the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling is struck down. Friday's decision will ultimately restrict abortion rights in about half of the country's 50 states. Texas is a pioneer against women's reproductive rights. Last year, the Republican-controlled state was the first to enact what was then the strictest anti-abortion law in the country, inspiring other legislatures to do the same. Republicans banned the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy, illegal since September, and passed the trigger-law that completely bans abortions once the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade. It was a victory for conservatives, who have long sought to eliminate abortion access in the United States. "Abortion saved my life," said Katy Jewett, 42, who attended the protest at the Bob Casey courthouse with stage four metastatic breast cancer. "I felt relief after it." Jewett had an abortion at 33 following medical advice. The pregnancy would have stimulated her estrogen levels and accelerated the cancer, she said. Fighting a metastasis in her bones, she says she fears for other women as doctors seek to avoid legal reprimands for recommending abortions. "There are no 'good' abortions," she said. "There is just abortion." Texas trigger-law bans abortions starting from conception and enforces birth even of pregnancies resulting from rape or incest or that show severe fetal abnormalities. The law includes only narrow exceptions for pregnant people at risk of dying or suffering "substantial impairment." It also allows fines against individuals who help a person access or perform an abortion - such as Uber drivers - and subjects doctors to life in prison if they violate the law. Story continues A broad majority of Americans did not want to see Roe v. Wade overturned, according to polls. However, voter turnout in elections for state legislatures, which are now responsible for their abortion laws, is typically low in the United States. "I think people should take the power they have and go vote," said Ollie Otou-Branckaert, an 18 year-old student. "Many white old men are voting, but not people my age." A survivor of sexual assault, Sarah Ellis, 37, said she was protesting for her 10-year-old daughter's right to choose. Born and raised in Houston, Ellis dressed in costume based on the dystopian television series "The Handmaid's Tale", in which a totalitarian society named Gilead subjects fertile women to child-bearing slavery. "I read the book years ago, and I could see that we were going that way," she said. "If we don't reinstate the rights, we are going to end up in Gilead in no time." (Reporting by Sabrina Valle; Editing by Sam Holmes) In the heat of summer, dozens showed up at the Duval County Courthouse to turn up the heat in Florida in regard to the future and protection of LGBTQ+ rights. I think now is the time for everybody to put their vote forward. If you want to make a difference, you have to vote, rally attendee Jennifer Shannon said. Signs lined up at the rally touched on several hot topics. Protesters like Mike Vatter said theyre here to speak out against the Parental Rights in Education law, which critics deemed the Dont Say Gay law. In response to the controversial laws unofficial name, protestors have dubbed their rally Proud to Say Gay. People in the queer community, we cant go back to school and say, Me and my two das, or, Me and my partner or, Me and my spouse went to this great place for vacation, Vatter said. However, the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade brings forward new concerns for the future. Justice Clarence Thomas concurring opinion states the Supreme Court should reconsider and potentially overturn other rulings, specifically same-sex relations and marriage being legal. If Clarence Thomas wants to attack marriage equality for the queer community, he should really consider that his marriage to a woman of another race should be reconsidered as well. Loving v. Virginia was based on the same principles that Obergefell was based on, Vatter said. On the other side of the event stood a few opposing legal abortions, even though that was not the subject of Saturdays rally. However, they made it clear to Action News Jax that they opposed both topics at hand. We understand that people may not like our message, but its the truth of God. And Im not ashamed of the Gospel, Zax Howard exclaimed. Justice Thomas also wrote the Supreme Court should take aim at laws regarding the right to contraception such as condoms, IUDs, and Plan B. It should be noted that no other justices joined his opinion at this time. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. A Providence Police Officer was placed on administrative leave Saturday, after allegedly assaulting a woman who was among those protesting at the Rhode Island State House Friday night, the department announced. These large gatherings are in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v Wade, which came down Friday morning. The Boston Globe identified the woman who was assaulted as Jennifer Rourke, an organizer of the Providence protest and a candidate for a State Senate District 29 seat in Warwick. Rourke told the Globe the person who hit her was off-duty police officer Jeann Lugo, who is the Republican running against her. Lugo told the Globe he stepped in to protect someone that a group of agitators was attacking. There was one counter protestor. Abortion rights activists at this #RoeVsWade rally outside the Rhode Island State House asked for him to leave. A fight broke out. Police got involved. @Globe_RI pic.twitter.com/EruWAwtupz Alexa Gagosz (@AlexaGagosz) June 25, 2022 According to a tweet from the Providence Police Department, the officer in question was off-duty at the time of the assault and has served three years on the force. The leave is stated to be with pay. Update: the off duty officer has been a member of the PPD for three years https://t.co/CbbqzI2Rpr Pvd Public Safety (@PvdPublicSafety) June 25, 2022 In a tweet Saturday afternoon, Lugo announced I will not be running for any office this fall. I will not be running for any office this fall. Jeann Lugo (@JeannCLugo) June 25, 2022 Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza addressed the conflict in a tweet but said he was limited in what he could say, according to the Associated Press. Ive seen the video and its immensely disturbing, Elorza said. Those responsible will be held fully accountable. 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 In Insider's June cover story, Tan France said he's building a schoolroom in his new home for his kids and their friends. The decision to homeschool came to France and his husband after "shocking" mass shootings in the US. "How do we keep our children safe?" France said he and his husband ask each other. "Queer Eye" host Tan France told Insider's JP Mangalindan in our June cover story that he's building a schoolroom in his new home so that he can homeschool children because of the "shocking" school shootings that happen in the US. "I don't know if it's happened in my lifetime, a school shooting in England, so for me, it's completely shocking," the South Yorkshire, England native said. While France has lived in the US for almost 15 years, he said he's "still shocked that this has been allowed to keep happening." It left him and his husband Rob asking one another, "How do we keep our children safe?" France and his husband Rob have been married since 2007 and share a son named Ismail, who was born in July 2021. He said the schoolroom they want to build in their Salt Lake City home is for a community school that would also include children of family friends. The Netflix host's comments regarding school safety come in the wake of the May mass shooting that occurred in Uvalde, Texas. An 18-year-old gunman opened fire on students and teachers at Robb Elementary School, killing 19 children and two teachers. It was the deadliest school shooting since the Sandy Hook massacre 10 years ago. Tan France, left, with his husband, Rob France. Tommaso Boddi/Stringer/Getty Images In response to the Uvalde mass shooting as well as other recent mass shootings in a Buffalo, New York, supermarket in May and on a hospital campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June, the Senate passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act by a wide bipartisan margin on Thursday and the House of Representatives passed the bill on Friday. The bill, which would enact the toughest new gun restrictions since the 1990s, will next go to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. Story continues Insider's Bryan Metzger and Lauren Frias previously reported that the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the full text of which can be found here, includes multimillion-dollar investments in mental health services and school security, as well as a new federal ban on gun trafficking. It would also offer new funding supporting states and tribes that seek to enact "red flag" laws which allow authorities to confiscate guns from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others closing the so-called "boyfriend loophole," and subjecting gun purchasers under the age of 21 to new background check requirements. Click here to read France's full cover story written by JP Mangalindan, featuring exclusive photos by Martin Schoeller. Read the original article on Insider When Rachel Taylor asked the assembled crowd of about 350 attendees how they felt, the crowd didn't hold back. A collection of words and feelings eventually molded into one: "Rage." People gathered outside the Boone County Courthouse on Friday evening to rally against the United States Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, a reversal that led to the state of Missouri enacting a ban on almost all abortions. Taylor was one of four main speakers to address protesters at the rally, hosted by advocacy group CoMo for Progress. The event served as a call to action for men to stand up for abortion rights and to inform attendees on how to properly seek abortion care in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling, organizers said. More: How Columbia, state organizations are reacting to Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade CoMo for Progress planned to hold a similar rally Saturday evening. "Why do I have to beg for any man to acknowledge the pain we're going through?" Taylor asked the growing crowd Friday. "This is your responsibility, too. Taylor was followed by Chimene Schwach, candidate for Missouri state representative in District 47, and Martha Stevens, current state representative in District 46. Ale Vargas holds a sign while attending the CoMo for Progress Rally at the Boone County Courthouse Annex on Friday. Rep. Martha Stevens and candidate for representative Chimene Schwach were two of the speakers opposing the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn the 1973 landmark case of Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion. After the planned speakers, which also included organizer Melissa Cameron, CoMo for Progress invited rally attendees to stand in front of the crowd and speak. Some expressed anger, while others implored everyone to vote. The event coincided with rallies across the nation Friday. The announcement of Roe v. Wade being overturned by the nation's highest court was made shortly after 9 a.m. Friday. The final opinion allowed Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt to issue his own opinion minutes later that acted as a "trigger law," making abortion illegal in Missouri except for when it's to save the mother's life. "It was illegal to have an abortion in Missouri by 9:45 this morning," Schwach said. "We have to flee our own state to receive medical care." Story continues Rep. Martha Stevens, D-Columbia, talks Friday about the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn the 1973 landmark case of Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion. About 350 people attended a CoMo for Progress event at the Boone Courthouse Annex. The new law has wide-ranging effects, Schwach said. Women who are pregnant but have complications aren't allowed to have the choice to receive an abortion even if they're told it's not viable to carry a pregnancy to term, she said. The law will disproportionately affect people with low income and communities of color, Stevens said. The lack of proper care will also affect the infant mortality rate statewide, she said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2020 figures, Missouri's death rate among infants was 5.47 per 1,000 births. That was 24th in the U.S. More: In Columbia and need an abortion? Be prepared to travel 130 miles or more. "It's not 1872," Schwach said. "It's not 1971. It's not 1865. We all deserve equitable access to medical care." Each of the speakers had their time without any disruption. There were no counterprotesters at the courthouse Friday during the demonstration, except for one person behind the speakers with a sign. Attendees approached the counterprotester, who left shortly after. About 350 people attend the Como for Progress rally at the Boone County Courthouse Annex. The group is opposing the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn the 1973 landmark case of Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion. Stevens informed the crowd what can be done in the present to support reproductive rights. Stevens and the other speakers pointed attendees to the Missouri Abortion Fund and the Midwest Access Coalition. Supporters can donate money to assist in helping others cover travel, medical procedures, child care and other costs. The travel cost to receive an abortion is a heightened issue in Columbia; the closest center offering the procedure legally is now over 125 miles away. Those seeking an abortion in Columbia will need to travel to Granite City, Illinois, Overland Park, Kansas, or farther. "We are on the right side of this issue," Stevens said. Follow Chris Kwiecinski on Twitter @OchoK_ and contact him at CKwiecinsk@gannett.com or 573-815-1857. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia rallies detail how to get an abortion safely and legally Clinics have begun closing in some US states after a Supreme Court ruling on Friday removed American women's constitutional right to abortion. About half of states are expected to introduce new restrictions or bans after the court reversed its 50-year-old Roe v Wade decision. And 13 states have so-called trigger laws in place that will see abortion banned within 30 days. President Joe Biden described the ruling as "a tragic error". In Phoenix, Arizona, police fired tear gas after pro-choice protesters banged on the doors and windows of the state capitol. In Los Angeles, protesters briefly blocked traffic on a highway. Protests are expected to continue in cities around the country on Saturday. At an abortion clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas - a state with a so-called trigger law allowing an instant ban - the doors to the patient area shut as soon as the court's opinion was posted online. Staff made calls to tell women that their appointments were cancelled. "No matter how hard we prepare for bad news, when it finally hits, it hits hard. Having to call these patients and tell them Roe v Wade was overturned is heartbreaking," nurse Ashli Hunt told the BBC. Escorts at the clinic, who stood in the Arkansas heat day in and day out to accompany patients through the throng of protesters, held a group hug. "I thought that this country would still care about people. Would still care about women," said Miss Karen, the lead escort. After the Supreme Court decision staff in Little Rock called women to tell them their appointments were cancelled Outside, anti-abortion protesters celebrated. "You are on notice!" shouted a protester at people still parking their cars at the clinic who had not heard about the decision yet. "My suggestion is for you turn around and leave this place of sin, this place of iniquity, this evil place." In New Orleans, Louisiana - another trigger law state - the Women's Health Care Centre, one of only three abortion providers in the state, was closed on Friday and its staff had gone home. Story continues Outside the clinic, volunteer escort Linda Kocher told the BBC that rich women would still be able to access abortions in other states but "poor women will end up in a back alley" for illegal procedures. But anti-abortion campaigner Pastor Bill Shanks said it was a "day for celebration". Overall, the Supreme Court ruling is expected to mean about 36 million women of reproductive age will lose access to abortion in their states, according to research from Planned Parenthood, a healthcare organisation that provides abortions. Trigger laws in Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Alabama have already been applied Bans in Mississippi and North Dakota will come into effect after their attorney generals approve it Wyoming's ban will take effect on 29 June, Utah's ban must be certified by a legislative council Bans in Idaho, Tennessee and Texas will be applied in 30 days. The decision was met with elation by anti-abortion campaigners outside the court in Washington, but protests against the ruling were scheduled in more than 100 cities on Friday - with more expected through the weekend. Although abortion is a divisive issue in the US, a recent Pew survey found that 61% of adults say abortion should be legal all or most of the time, while 37% say it should be illegal all or most of the time. In San Antonio, Texas, anti-abortion advocate Tere Harding said she was working on a security plan in case protests targeted the crisis pregnancy centre she runs on the outskirts of the city. "Every human life needs to be protected," she told the BBC as she watched Mr Biden criticise the Supreme Court decision. "It represents that we acknowledge the humanity of the unborn." Mr Biden said the ruling put women's health and lives at risk. "It's a realisation of an extreme ideology and a tragic error by the Supreme Court," he said. He said he would work to ensure that state and local officials could not prevent women travelling to have abortions in states where the procedure is legal, and would also protect women's access to contraception and medication to end pregnancies of up to 10 weeks that is used to treat miscarriages. Friday's ruling amounts to a wholesale reversal of the Supreme Court's own legal precedent - an extremely rare move - and is likely to set up political battles that divide the nation. The governors of west coast states California, Washington and Oregon have vowed to protect patients travelling from other states for an abortion. In states where opinions on abortion are closely split - such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin - the legality of the procedure could be determined on an election-by-election basis. In others, the ruling may set off a new round of legal battles, including over whether individuals can go out of state for abortions or order abortion drugs through mail services. Meanwhile former Vice-President Mike Pence, a long-standing critic of Roe v Wade, urged anti-abortion campaigners not to stop until "the sanctity of life" was protected by law in every state. How the decision was made The landmark 1973 Roe v Wade case saw the Supreme Court rule by a vote of seven to two that a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy was protected by the US constitution. The ruling gave American women an absolute right to an abortion in the first three months (trimester) of pregnancy, but allowed for restrictions in the second trimester and for prohibitions in the third. But in the decades since, anti-abortion rulings have gradually pared back access in more than a dozen states. In its current session, the Supreme Court had been considering a case, Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization, that challenged Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks. By ruling in favour of the state, the conservative-majority court effectively ended the constitutional right to an abortion. Some protesters gathered outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh Five justices were firmly in favour: Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote a separate opinion saying that, whilst he supported the Mississippi ban, he would not have gone further. The three justices who disagreed with the majority - Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan - wrote that they had done so "with sorrow - for this court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection". The reversal of a long-standing precedent has also raised fears for other rights decided upon by the Supreme Court in the past. Justice Clarence Thomas, in his opinion, wrote: "In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell" - referencing three landmark decisions of the past on the right to contraception, the repeal of anti-sodomy laws, and the legalisation of same-sex marriage respectively. NEW YORK Thousands of protesters rallied Friday afternoon at Union Square and Washington Square Park in Manhattan Friday in opposition to the Supreme Court decision reversing Roe v. Wade, which for almost half a century had granted people a federal constitutional right to abortion. Those rallying marched several blocks south to Washington Square Park where they continued to rally while holding signs saying ABORTION = SELF DEFENSE and NO FORCED BIRTH. Marianna Bond was one of several speakers who addressed the crowd who gathered at the south end of the Lower Manhattan park. Bond, speaking through tears, said the decision will be the beginning of other legal rollbacks that affect womens bodies. We demand the right to feel safe in our own bodies. We demand to make choices based on our personal and best interest, Bond said. Veteran activist Carl Dix told the audience what was needed to fight back decisions like the one in the Supreme Court was determined, ongoing resistance and go out in the streets, which they did a few minutes later, heading west on 14th street and south on Fifth avenue In attendance for the rally was Brooklyn resident Mahayana Landowne, who stood silently dressed as blindfolded Lady Justice with red paint on her hands to symbolize blood. I feel the Supreme Court has blood on their hands for their actions yesterday and today, for easing the gun laws and for denying women the right to choose what they want to do with their bodies," she said. Story continues after gallery The protesters closed streets as they walked along 14th Street and down Fifth Avenue to Washington Square Park, chanting: "We will rise up and Abortion is a human right. The rally in Washington Square Park lasted over an hour before protesters marched out and went uptown. At 9:52, the march that left Washington Square Park over an hour and half ago made its way around much of Manhattan. They went uptown back toward Union Square Park, then past the park to Park Avenue. The march began more energized as they went Park Avenue in the northbound lane then after a few blocks, it was both northbound and southbound lanes. Story continues A group of marchers were carrying a giant white cloth banner marked by words and drawings of opposition. One of the carriers was Leslie Peterson, 25, of New York City. Peterson, an administrative assistant, said she proud to help carry the banner and take part in the march. "I am doing this for future generations because they deserve every right," Peterson said. "I hope marches like these bring national attention and I hope the Supreme Court realizes they are idiots." Then, the march went past Grand Central Station until 48th Street where they turned west toward Broadway and the Theater District and then south until ending in Bryant Park. Some marchers stepped away from the larger march to view an American flag set on fire by New York City resident Luis DeJesus on the corner of 46th Street and Park Avenue. DeJesus, 39, said he burned the flag in protest of the Supreme Court because the "United States does not represent us as a whole any more." He said the Supreme Court were the same people to "take away people's human right." The end rally in Bryant Park, which began around 10;20 p.m., saw various speakers call for future protests over the decision in the coming days. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling causes protest in New York City KYIV (Reuters) - Russia is using its reserve forces in a covert mobilisation to replenish its ranks in eastern Ukraine and there is no point in simply waiting for its offensive potential to fizzle out, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency said on Saturday. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence, told Reuters in an interview in Kyiv that he believed Ukraine could only achieve a victory against Russia through military force. "The strategy is very simple. Stabilise the situation. Receive the required amount of equipment and prepare the required amount of forces and means to start the counteroffensive to return all our territory," he said. "We shouldn't wait for a miracle that they will tire and stop wanting to fight and so on. We will win back our territory as a result of our counteroffensive," he said. He said that 330,000 personnel were involved in Russia's operations in Ukraine, a third of its entire armed forces, a figure he added also included non-combat personnel such as logistics staff. "The main part of this number is the combat element and that is more than 50% of what Russia has at the moment," he said. He said was calm about the possibility of Russia eventually openly announcing a mobilisation as it would mean President Vladimir Putin having to face awkward questions at home. "They really fear this - this is the main reason why the mobilisation is happening in a hidden way, particular by using (reservists)," he said. "The military units that took part on Feb. 24 and those same military units now are in most cases on their second and in some cases even their third group of personnel," he said. "These are not the well-trained people who were prepared for many years." (Reporting by Tom Balmforth; Editing by David Clarke) Ukrainian servicemen While Western-supplied artillery is already shifting the situation on the battlefield, the Russian military has virtually unlimited ammunition, Reznikov added. Read also: After receiving Western weapons, Ukraine's positions improve in Zaporizhzhya Oblast Russian use up to 1,000 shells in one hour, trying to suppress the morale of our troops, said Reznikov. A thousand rounds per hour, they are drawing upon a limitless resource, unfortunately. Read also: Ukraine's withdrawal from Severodonetsk may take some time, says military administration head As Ukraine has to instead go for targeted artillery strikes, even a dozen howitzers or several HIMARSs multiple launch rocket systems can deliver precise hits against the right targets, in contrast to the un-targeted wide-range saturation bombing conducted by the Russians. A boy holds his dog as his family boards an evacuation train in Pokrovsk, eastern Ukraine, on Saturday. (Efrem Lukatsky / Associated Press) Russian forces are seeking to swallow up the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the eastern Luhansk region, the governor said Saturday, while pressing their momentum following the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the charred ruins of Severodonetsk. The military said Saturday that Moscow-backed separatists were now in full control of the chemical plant that was the last Ukrainian holdout in the city. Russia also launched dozens of missiles on several areas across the country far from the heart of the eastern battles. Some of the missiles were fired from Russian long-range Tu-22 bombers deployed to Belarus for the first time, Ukraines air command said. The bombardment preceded a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, during which Putin announced that Russia planned to send the Iskander-M missile system to Belarus. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of Luhansk province, said on Facebook that Russian and Moscow-backed separatist fighters were trying to blockade Lysychansk from the south. The city lies just to the west of Severodonetsk, which has endured weeks of bombing. Capturing Lysychansk would give Russian forces control of every major settlement in the province, making a significant step in Russias aim of capturing the entire Donbas region. The Russians and allied separatists also control about half of Donetsk, the other province in the Donbas. Russias Interfax news agency quoted a spokesman for the separatist forces, Andrei Marochko, as saying Russian troops and separatist fighters had entered Lysychansk and fighting was taking place in the heart of the city. There was no immediate comment on the claim from the Ukrainian side. Lysychansk and Severodonetsk have been the focal point of a Russian offensive aimed at capturing all of the Donbas and destroying the Ukrainian military defending it the most capable and battle-hardened segment of the countrys armed forces. Story continues Russian bombardment has reduced most of Severodonetsk to rubble and cut its population from 100,000 to 10,000. Some Ukrainian troops had been holed up in the huge Azot chemical factory on the citys edge. A separatist representative, Ivan Filiponenko, said forces evacuated 800 civilians from the plant during the night, Interfax reported. After Haidai said Friday that Ukrainian forces had begun retreating from Severodonetsk, military analyst Oleg Zhdanov said some of the troops were heading for Lysychansk. But Russian moves to cut off Lysychansk will give those retreating troops little respite. Some 600 miles to the west, four Russian cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea hit a military object in Yavoriv, said Lvivs regional governor, Maksym Kozytsky. He did not give further details of the target, but Yavoriv has a sizable military base used for training fighters, including foreigners who have volunteered to fight for Ukraine. Russian missiles struck the Yavoriv base in March, killing 35 people. The Lviv region, although far from the front lines, has come under fire at various points in the war as Russias military worked to destroy fuel storage sites. About 30 Russian missiles were fired on the Zhytomyr region in central Ukraine on Saturday morning, killing one Ukrainian soldier, regional governor Vitaliy Bunechko said. In the south along the Black Sea, nine missiles fired from Crimea hit the port city of Mykolaiv, the Ukrainian military said. In the north, about 20 missiles were fired from Belarus into the Chernihiv region, it said. The neighboring country hosts Russian military units and was used as a staging ground before Russia invaded Ukraine, but Belarusian troops have not crossed the border. During his meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, with Lukashenko, Putin told him the Iskander-M missile systems would be arriving in the coming months. He noted that they can fire either ballistic or cruise missiles and carry nuclear as well as conventional warheads. Russia has launched several Iskander missiles into Ukraine during the war. A senior U.S. Defense official, speaking in Washington on condition of anonymity, on Friday called the Ukrainians withdrawal from Severodonetsk a tactical retrograde to consolidate forces into positions where they can better defend themselves. The move will reinforce Ukraines efforts to keep Russian forces pinned down in a small area, the official said. Following a botched attempt to capture Kyiv, Ukraines capital, in the early stage of the invasion that started Feb. 24, Russian forces have shifted their focus to the Donbas, where the Ukrainian forces have fought Moscow-backed separatists since 2014. After repeated Ukrainian requests to its Western allies for heavier weaponry to counter Russias edge in firepower, four medium-range American rocket launchers arrived last week, with four more on the way. The senior U.S. Defense official said Friday that more Ukrainian forces are training outside Ukraine to use the launchers and are expected back in their country with the weapons by mid-July. The official said there is no evidence Russia has intercepted any of the weapons flowing into Ukraine from the U.S. and other nations. Russia has repeatedly threatened to strike, or claimed to have hit, such shipments. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Flash The United Nations is concerned about conflict spreading in western Ethiopia and drought affecting 8 million people across the country, a UN spokesman said on Friday. Conflict in the west of sprawling Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz on the border with Sudan and The Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region have caused significant displacement, damaged infrastructure, and hampered humanitarian response, said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Overall more than 500,000 people are estimated to be displaced by conflict in western Oromia, he said. The severe drought in Ethiopia also affects some areas hit by the conflict in southern Oromia and Afar regions, he told a regular briefing. He said more than 4.5 million people received assistance in drought-affected areas. "Across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, at least 18.4 million people are already waking each day to high levels of acute food insecurity and rising malnutrition, as the region faces the impact of four consecutive failed rainy seasons, a climactic event not seen in the last 40 years," Dujarric said. "Humanitarian partners urgently need additional funding to respond to the rapidly increasing needs in the coming months." Across the conflict-torn northernmost Tigray region and its neighbors of Afar and Amhara, about 13 million people need food and other assistance, the spokesman said. "Since the convoys to the Tigray region resumed at the start of April, the United Nations and NGO (nongovernmental organization) partners have brought in more than 120,000 tons of food and other supplies and more than 1.3 million people have received food assistance," he said. "However, the pace of distribution remains limited by the availability of fuel." Dujarric said humanitarians brought approximately 987,000 liters of fuel into Tigray since April, but an estimated 2 million liters per month is required to distribute the incoming supplies. The United Nations and NGO partners, and the government, continue to supply critical food and other assistance to people affected by conflict in Amhara and Afar, he said. DENYS KARLOVSKYI SATURDAY, 25 JUNE 2022, 19:27 Ukrainian intelligence says that the command of the occupying forces of the Russian Federation is delaying the payment of "huge" payments to military personnel who take part in hostilities against Ukraine. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 25 June Quote from General Staff: "Enemy personnel are demoralised, the promised huge payments for participation in hostilities are not made under various pretexts by the command of the Russian occupation forces. The occupiers continue to suffer significant losses in battles with the Defence Forces of Ukraine. On the Donetsk front, the Russian forces main efforts are focused on maintaining the occupied borders and regrouping troops. The Russian army has not taken active action on the Kramatorsk front. They carried out shelling in the areas of the settlements of Maiaky, Pyskunivka and Siversk. In order to identify the positions of Ukrainian troops and adjust the fire, they conducted aerial reconnaissance, using the Orlan-10 UAV. On the Lysychansk front, the Russian troops fired on the areas of the settlements of Vovchoiarivka, Loskutivka, Bila Hora, Verkhnokamianka, Verkhnokamianske, Vyimka and Zolotarivka. On the Bakhmut front, Russian forces mortar and artillery shelling was recorded near the settlements of Kostiantynivka, Pokrovske, Mykolaivka, Vershyna, Berestove, Zaitseve, Klynove, Niu-York, Volodymyrivka and Ivano-Darivka. Ukrainian troops successfully repulsed all offensive and assault actions of the Russian occupying forces on the areas of the settlements of Pokrovske, Niu-York and Marinka. The occupiers withdrew." Details: In order to bind Ukrainian troops, the Russian troops carried out demonstrative actions in the area of the settlement of Vershyna. Near Pavlivka, the Russians carried out airstrikes from Ka-52 and Mi-24 helicopters. Story continues After the withdrawal of Ukrainian units, the occupiers consolidated their positions in the districts of Sievierodonetsk, Syrotyne, Voronove and Borivske. On the Sloviansk front, the Ukrainian defenders stopped the Russian assault in the area of Mazanivka and the offensive near Bohorodychne. After suffering losses, the occupying forces retreated. On the Slobozhanshchyna front, the Russians forces replenish the losses of their units and import ammunition. On the Kharkiv front, Russian troops fired on the positions of Ukrainian troops and damaged elements of civilian infrastructure. In the Pivdennyi Buh, Volyn, Polissia and Siversk areas there are no significant changes compared to the situation as of 24 June. On the Mykolaiv front, attacks on positions of Armed Forces of Ukraine from mortars, artillery systems and rocket artillery proceeded. In the Chernihiv Oblast, the Russians fired on the positions of the Armed Forces in the Khrinivka and Yanzhulivka districts from the territory of the Russian Federation. The occupiers continue to strengthen defence fortifications in border areas. Previously: As of the morning of 25 June, the Armed Forces of Ukraine had destroyed 34,700 Russian occupiers, 1,511 enemy tanks, 764 artillery systems, 184 helicopters and 217 planes. ROMAN PETRENKO - SATURDAY, 25 JUNE 2022, 08:34 Valentyn Reznichenko, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, has reported that a 60-year-old woman has been injured as a result of shelling in the Oblast. Source: Reznichenko on Telegram; Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih Military Administration, on Telegram Quote from Reznichenko: "And once again, Kryvyi Rih Oblast has come under fire. The hromadas [amalgamated territorial communities - ed.] of Shyrokivska and Zelenodolsk were hit by artillery strikes. A 60-year-old woman was injured in Zelenodolsk. A dacha was damaged. It is quiet in other districts of the Oblast at the moment." Details: Vilkul confirmed the shelling in Kryvyi Rih district and said there were no casualties. Previously: Russians fired missiles at the village of Desna in Chernihiv Oblast. (Bloomberg) -- Just days after saying Singapore is brutal and unrelentingly hard on bad behavior in the crypto industry, Sopnendu Mohanty, chief fintech officer at the citys regulator, struck a cordial tone. Most Read from Bloomberg Mohanty, in a LinkedIn post summarizing his thoughts from the Point Zero Forum in Switzerland, commended the leadership of some of the biggest firms in the sector. Leaders from the Crypto/Token space (Binance, Crypto.com, Ripple and others) are fully committed to building a secure and sustainable innovation solving real problems, and identifying real-economy opportunities, said Mohanty of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. It is heartening to see the clarity among CEOs on the need to create a responsible and compliant industry. The future is on the right path. Mohantys praise comes as the digital currency market continues to spiral downward following a broad-based selloff in digital assets and the collapse of high-profile tokens TerraUSD and Luna. Major lenders Celsius Network and Babel Finance have frozen withdrawals, and Three Arrows Capital, a major crypto hedge fund, is facing liquidity troubles that rattled investors. The total market value of cryptocurrencies, which topped $3 trillion in November, has dropped to $991 billion, according to data from CoinGecko. Bitcoin has fallen precipitously from a high near $69,000 in November, trading Saturday around $21,000. Singapore was an early proponent of blockchain technology and officials have expressed ambitions to be a global crypto hub, but the relationship with the industry soured amid issues including a slow regulatory process for license approvals and a ban on crypto advertising that surprised the sector. Story continues Binance, the largest crypto exchange, had a strong presence in Singapore and Chief Executive Officer Changpeng CZ Zhao resided on the island before the firm largely decamped in recent months to Dubai. The company is currently the target of investigations by almost every major US financial regulator -- the Department of Justice, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Securities and Exchange Commission -- and others around the world. The MAS may be picking up the pace on licenses, at least, with three in-principle approvals issued recently including to digital currency exchange Crypto.com. Ripple -- engaged in a tussle with US regulators about the XRP token but which has a sizable international footprint -- and Binance have said they plan to expand even as other entities in the sector downsize. Crypto.com, which is headquartered in Singapore, announced layoffs of about 260 staff, or 5% of its workforce earlier this month. Chief Executive Officer Kris Marszalek said the company made the difficult and necessary decisions to optimize for profitability and sustainable growth during a market downturn. While others may have hit the brakes on hiring, were doubling down, said Brooks Entwistle, Ripples managing director for APAC and MENA, in a recent email interview. In the next 12 months, were leaning into our first mover advantage and taking opportunities to be more aggressive in our hiring, growth, investments and strategic opportunities. Just this year alone, were looking to hire 300 employees, nearly half of which will be based outside the US. Still, Mohantys post wasnt entirely effusive, offering some of the caution that has also been a signature of Singapores approach to crypto. Web 3.0/Crypto is a very nascent industry, but the promises have run ahead of the technology maturity, the industry is filled with speculators and scammers, and magical soundbites with clickbait headlines are filling the space, Mohanty said. So lets not create a forced error and throw the baby out with the bathwater. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. DENYS KARLOVSKYI SATURDAY, 25 JUNE 2022, 16:51 A Russian occupier told a compatriot of his on the phone that after fighting in Kharkiv Oblast, only 6 occupiers remain out of 80 troops in his unit. Source: Interception by the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Quote: "Yesterday they went on the offensive. I looked at the plan and I said, guys, well, f**k you. Im not going with you. Youll be f**ked over. They say that the whole division was destroyed in armoured vehicles. I was already thinking of cutting and running. We dont get time off, for f**ks sake. Like, theres an offensive, what time off? Like, they dont pay the money, no one can substitute. And theyve just chucked [us] here like cannon fodder About eighty people have already f**ked off. Theres about six of us left." Details: From the occupier's conversation, it is clear that the Russian military command is deliberately leaving wounded soldiers to die on the battlefield, even if they ask to be evacuated. Background: On 15 June the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence published an intercepted telephone conversation in which an occupier explains to his wife that he may die unless they are taken out of Ukrainian territory very soon. Good afternoon, Chicago. The landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was overturned by the Supreme Court Friday, ending constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years. About half of U.S. states are expected to ban abortion following the decision, according to the abortion-rights think tank Guttmacher Institute. Twenty-two states, largely in the South and Midwest, already have total or near-total bans on the books. As millions across the nation took to the streets in protest or celebration Friday, health care and legal experts question whats next. Justice Clarence Thomas, in his concurring opinion, called for the high court to overturn cases establishing protections for contraceptions and same-sex relationships. Because any substantive due process decision is demonstrably erroneous ... we have a duty to correct the error established in those precedents, he wrote. Illinois role as a haven of abortion care in the Midwest is now magnified, writes the Tribunes Angie Leventis Lourgos. Read more below in our special edition of Daywatch. Abortion providers across Illinois have been preparing for the massive increase in patients expected to travel here for the procedure, writes Tribunes Angie Leventis Lourgos. Planned Parenthood of Illinois anticipates an additional 20,000 to 30,000 patients will be crossing state lines for abortion care here each year. Let me be clear, in Illinois abortion is and will remain legal, said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action. We expect every state that borders Illinois to quickly move to ban or severely restrict abortion access. Tens of thousands of people are now facing a terrible dilemma; flee to a state like Illinois to get an abortion, carry a pregnancy against their will or seek an illegal means to end their pregnancy. This is on top of the increasing number of patients who have already been traveling here to terminate a pregnancy in recent years, as nearby states enacted more restrictions on the procedure, including gestational limits, mandatory waiting periods and strict regulations on providers and clinics. Story continues Illinois will be ground zero in the abortion debate, said Amy Gehrke, executive director of the anti-abortion group Illinois Right to Life. The groups immediate focus will be contacting women coming to Illinois to seek abortions from out of state and connecting them with alternatives, and stopping other pro-abortion rights legislation from advancing in the Illinois General Assembly. Longer term, anti-abortion officials said they wanted to see a restoration of the states parental notice law that required parents of minors to be informed when their child sought an abortion and new laws requiring clinics providing abortions to be subject to more stringent health inspections. Referencing himself as the most pro-choice governor in the entire nation, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday called for lawmakers to return to Springfield to strengthen the states already formidable abortion rights laws. One proposal under consideration would expand the ranks of medical professionals who are allowed to perform abortions in Illinois. Some legal experts in the Chicago area say the Supreme Courts legal reasoning in overturning Roe v. Wade indicates it is willing to revisit landmark cases that legalized contraception, consensual sex between adults and same-sex marriage, writes the Tribunes John Keilman and Madeline Buckley. The Tribune in recent weeks interviewed eight women whose lives and work have been profoundly shaped by abortion. They shared their reactions to the end of federal abortion rights protections and their predictions for access to the procedure in a post-Roe future. Some recounted their own abortion experiences and the formative impact the procedure had on their lives. Some are physicians, analyzing the complexities and nuance of abortion law from a medical perspective. Others have spent years helping women navigate the many legal, logistical and financial barriers to ending a pregnancy. Washington Right-wing activist and "Stop the Steal" organizer Ali Alexander testified before a Washington, D.C., grand jury on Friday about his involvement in rallies supporting former President Donald Trump ahead of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, according to his lawyer and a statement obtained by CBS News. His testimony which lasted approximately three hours came after a grand jury subpoena in April seeking information and documents related to the post-election events which culminated in Trump's call to his supporters to march on the Capitol and protest the certification of the Electoral College votes. In the written statement, Alexander said he was "assured" that he was not a target of the investigation, but a "fact witness." Alexander obtained a permit to hold a "One Nation Under God" rally on the Capitol Grounds on Jan. 6 but says he was unable to go forward with the planned demonstration because of the violence that day. In April, Alexander said that the grand jury was investigating "Women for America First" and "Save America" rallies that preceded the breach of the Capitol. Trump spoke on the Ellipse at the latter rally. "I did not finance the Ellipse equipment. I did not ever talk with the White House about security groups," Alexander added. Alexander also testified for eight hours before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot, complying with a congressional subpoena on the same issue. During his testimony, the activist sought to persuade the committee he had "nothing to do with the violence or lawbreaking that happened on January 6," according to prepared remarks obtained by CBS News at the time. Shortly after his congressional testimony last year, Alexander sued the committee to stop it from obtaining his Verizon phone records. Before the mob of Trump supporters attacked the Capitol, Ali said in the lawsuit that he had attended the former president's rally as a "VIP guest" and later tried to assist law enforcement in deescalating the violence that erupted on Capitol grounds. He later admitted he was in some contact with members of the far-right Oath Keepers group at the time and had asked them to work as "ushers" at his planned Jan. 6 rally. Story continues Alexander has not been charged with any crime related to Jan. 6 and maintained he was not involved in any of the violence that day. A spokesperson for U.S. attorney's office in Washington, D.C. which is leading the investigation said the office does not comment beyond what is in the public record. Alexander's testimony comes amid a flurry of developments in the Justice Department's Jan. 6 probe. Earlier this week, there was law enforcement activity at locations connected to people who may have participated in efforts to use "invalid electors" to reverse President Joe Biden's 2020 victory. Federal agents issued subpoenas to individuals connected with the alleged scheme in Georgia, Virginia and Arizona, CBS News has learned. And on Wednesday, law enforcement authorities searched the home of former Trump-era Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark. Clark is believed to be central to the efforts of then-President Donald Trump and his allies to delay the certification of the 2020 election results and promote baseless claims that Joe Biden had not legitimately won the election. Alexander's statement and testimony on Friday also highlighted the divide between the House Select Committee and Justice Department investigators who want access to congressional evidence. In his statement, Alexander said he provided federal investigators with documents and referred them to his testimony before the committee, but they were unable to obtain a transcript of his interview, citing separation of powers concerns. Prosecutors revealed in a court filing late last week that they sent a letter to committee members asking for access to all transcripts and relevant evidence that may have been collected to assist in the criminal probe related to the riot. The interview transcripts, which the committee says total over 1,000, are "potentially relevant to our overall criminal investigations" and relevant to specific cases already in process, according to the letter from the Justice Department. So far, however, their overtures to Congress have been unsuccessful, in part prompting the judge overseeing the Proud Boys' seditious conspiracy case to delay the trial until the end of the year. Jeff Pegues, Ellis Kim and Zach Hudak contributed reporting Florida marks one year since Surfside condo collapse Dow Jones rallies 800 points Friday as inflation fears continue Congress passes first gun reform bill in decades SURFSIDE Family members of the 98 victims who died under the collapsed Champlain Towers South condos gathered Friday for the one-year memorial of the tragedy. Flanked by first responders, police officers, and hundreds of community members, they shared testimonies of the hardest year of their lives. Exactly 365 days ago, my house collapsed with everything and everyone inside but me, said Raquel Oliveira, who lost her husband Alfredo Loene and 5-year-old son Lorenzo Loene. "They didn't die. Their lives were interrupted. One year later: What we know about the Surfside condo collapse Surfside collapse 1 year later: New Florida regulations make condos safer, but at what cost? First lady Jill Biden speaks to the audience gathered at the former location of Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, on Friday, June 24, 2022. Hundreds attended a public memorial at the former site of the towers, which was held in honor of the 98 victims of the deadly collapse. Friday marked the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. The town of Surfside hosted Friday's memorial with the attendance of first lady Jill Biden, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. Members of the Israeli Defense Forces' National Rescue Unit, who helped in the recovery efforts, also attended the memorial held in a tent next to the rubble left. 'Treat her gently': How an Israeli military search team helped recover Surfside victims We stand by you today and always, Biden said during comments briefly interrupted by a standing ovation when she mentioned the firefighters who spent weeks working to recover your loved ones. If there is something strong enough to help us carry this burden of grief forward, something to break its gravitational pull, its love, Biden said. DeSantis recalled how he was awakened at 3 a.m. the day the building fell and slowly realized the immense scope of the disaster as he traveled to Surfside. He thanked first responders and noted that the state budget he recently signed contains $1 million for a memorial to the 98 people lost. He also announced the street facing the tower will be renamed 98 Points of Light Road, in honor of the victims. It was a massive collapse, DeSantis said. Each unit represents a remarkable life and story and we want to make sure people understand that. Story continues Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds up a sign signaling the new designation of the road by the former location of the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, on Friday, June 24, 2022. Hundreds attended a public memorial in honor of the 98 victims at the former site of the towers. Friday marked the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. The names of each of the 98 victims were read aloud during the ceremony and a dark blue net with those names now covers the wire fence guarding the hole where the beachfront condominium stood. Next to the tent, 98 light blue crosses were stuck to the sand. Surfside a year later: A 4 a.m. phone call changed a life forever Oliveira recounted the moment she received a phone call from a friend at 4 a.m. a year ago. My first question, feeling fear in my whole body, was Where is my son?, she said in tears. After that minute, my life turned into a succession of events on autopilot. Her husband and son were found two weeks after the collapse. Their bodies were decomposed, Oliveira said. Their remains were later cremated in a paper box. I still remember the smell coming out of the box. Twenty-seven days before the collapse, Raquel had celebrated Lorenzos fifth birthday in the same stone patio where the memorial was held. We cannot give up, she said. We need answers. We need justice. Surfside a year later: Rescue crews also honored The disaster was the largest non-hurricane emergency response in Florida history. It drew rescue crews from across the U.S. and beyond to help local teams dig through the pile and search for victims. They also were honored Friday for their difficult work. Your dedication and selflessness were on display for the entire world, said Levine Cava said. Thank you for your heroic efforts. Before the public ceremony, there was a private torch-lighting gathering at the time about 1:25 a.m. when the 136-unit condominium fell a year ago. The site of the former location of Champlain Towers South condo is seen in Surfside, FL., on Friday, June 24, 2022. Hundreds attended a public memorial at the former site of the towers, which was held in honor of the 98 victims of the deadly collapse. Friday marked the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. There was an effort by many victims and family members to install a memorial at the site where the building once stood, but the land is being sold for $120 million to a Dubai developer and a memorial will likely be created nearby. Surfside a year later: Martin Langesfeld lost his 26-year-old sister Nicole Nicky Langesfeld and her husband Luis Sadovnic in the collapse. At the event, he pleaded to local officials that they continue their investigation and not let the memory of their loved ones be forgotten. Flowers are seen on a chain-link fence marking the address of the former location of Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, FL., on Friday, June 24, 2022. "Please, help us in finding answers," said Langesfeld. "Pease, help us in working together with the developer who purchased this land. Let's find a way to incorporate a putting memorial on a portion of the site." Only two teenagers and a woman survived the collapse, while others escaped from the portion of the building that initially remained standing. A memorial banner is seen at Veterans Park, across the street from the former location of Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, FL., on Friday, June 24, 2022. Hundreds attended a public memorial at the former site of the towers, which was held in honor of the 98 victims of the deadly collapse. Friday marked the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. Those missing in the collapse included the 7-year-old daughter of a firefighter who helped in the search, later found dead with her mother, aunt and grandparents; a woman whose cries for help were heard in the early hours but suddenly stopped; and two sisters, 4 and 11, pulled from the rubble, who were so tiny they were buried in the same casket. The victims included local residents as well as visitors who were Orthodox Jews, Latin Americans, Israelis, Europeans and snowbirds from the Northeast. Posts memorializing the victims of the June 24 2021 Surfside condo collapse are seen at the former location of Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, FL., on Friday, June 24, 2022. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, with the probe entering a new phase this month to cut and drill into concrete and steel. Champlain Towers South had a long history of maintenance problems, and shoddy construction techniques were used in the early 1980s. Other possible factors include sea level rise caused by climate change and damage caused by saltwater intrusion. Although the investigation is expected to take years, a judge approved a compensation settlement topping $1 billion Thursday for the victims. The Associated Press contributed to this report. vpalm@pbpost.com This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: First lady Jill Biden, Gov. Ron DeSantis attend Surfside memorial By Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Charlotte Greenfield KABUL (Reuters) -Vital medical supplies reached hospitals on Saturday in the remote area of Afghanistan hit by an earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people this week, as the country's Taliban government appealed for more international aid. Authorities have called off the search for survivors in the mountainous southeastern region near the Pakistani border following's Wednesday's 6.1-magnitude quake, which also injured about 2,000 people and damaged or destroyed 10,000 homes. Aftershocks on Friday killed at least five more people in the area some 160 km (100 miles) southeast of the capital Kabul, and medical staff said rudimentary healthcare facilities were hampering their efforts to help the injured. "Those injured that were in a bad condition and needed operations, (which) we can't do here, have been sent to Kabul," said Abrar, who goes by one name, the manager of a hospital in Paktika, the worst-affected province. In Kabul, hospitals more used to treating victims of war have opened their wards to earthquake victims. Usually we admit only war related patients or patients in life threatening conditions, but in this case we decided to make an exception in order to support the Afghan people, said Stefano Sozza, the country director for Emergency Hospital, an Italian-funded surgical centre for war victims. One of the patients, a woman from Gayan district of Paktika, whose name Reuters is withholding for security reasons, said nine members of her family had died in the earthquake. "Just I remain," she said. "My legs are broken, we have nothing; we eat what the Taliban give us." The disaster is a major test for Afghanistan's hardline Taliban rulers, who have been shunned by many foreign governments due to concerns about human rights since they seized control of the country last year. Afghanistan has been cut off from much direct international assistance because of Western sanctions, deepening a humanitarian crisis in swaths of the country even before this week's earthquake. Story continues The United Nations and several other countries have rushed aid to the affected areas, with more due to arrive over the coming days, and the Taliban appealed on Saturday for further aid shipments to help quake victims. "We call on all humanitarian organizations to help the people," said Mohammad Amen Hozifa, a spokesperson for the Paktika provincial government. China's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday the nation would provide humanitarian aid worth 50 million yuan ($7.5 million) to Afghanistan including tents, towels, beds and other materials to help those affected by the earthquake. [B9N2TY01H] The UN's migration agency said on Saturday it had begun distributing thousands of emergency shelters and hygiene kits in affected areas. (Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Charlotte Greenfield in Kabul Additional reporting by Emma Farge in GenevaWriting by Alasdair PalEditing by Helen Popper) Afghanistan's Taliban rulers pledged on Saturday they would not interfere with international efforts to distribute aid to tens of thousands of people affected by this week's deadly earthquake. Even before Wednesday's quake the country was in the grip of a humanitarian crisis, with aid flows and financial assistance severely curtailed since the Taliban's return to power. The 5.9-magnitude quake struck hardest in the rugged east along the border with Pakistan, as people slept, killing over 1,000 and leaving thousands more homeless. Aid organisations have complained in the past that Taliban authorities have tried to divert aid to areas and people that supported their hardline insurgency -- or even seized goods to distribute themselves and claim the credit. But Khan Mohammad Ahmad, a senior official in hard-hit Paktika province, said international organisations helping relief efforts would not be interfered with. "Whether it is WFP, UNICEF or any other organisation... the international community or the United Nations... they will do the distribution by themselves," said Khan. "The responsible people from the Islamic Emirate are here... our members will be always with them (to help)," he added, referring to the Taliban's new name for Afghanistan. - Huge challenge - The disaster poses a huge logistical challenge for the government, which has isolated itself from much of the world by introducing hardline rule that subjugates women and girls. But the international community has been quick to respond to the latest disaster to befall the country and aid is starting to flow -- although not always where it is needed most. "What don't we need? We need everything," Said Wali told AFP in Serai, a small village close to the epicentre of the quake, around 200 kilometres (125 miles) southeast of Kabul. "We are alive, but there is no one listening to us and we have not received any aid so far." Many of the buildings in the village -- like most in the Afghan countryside, made out of mud bricks -- had been flattened in the quake. Story continues "Our beds and all our stuff are buried under our home. Our homes are destroyed... there is nothing left," he said. "Currently we need money so that we can buy our necessities -- clothes, mattresses, equipment. We also need flour and rice." - 'Courage and resilience' - Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN's top official in Afghanistan, praised Afghans for their resilience and courage after touring the area Saturday. "What signs of resolve in face of this adversity -- I would say endless adversity," he told AFP. "Endless difficulties, endless tragedy, and yet these people are so gracious, so strong. And they are willing to overcome, and they are coming together as a community and as a society." Delivering aid has been made more difficult because the quake struck areas already suffering the effects of heavy rain, causing rockfalls and mudslides that wiped out hamlets perched precariously on mountain slopes. Communications have also been hit with mobile phone towers and power lines toppled. Officials say nearly 10,000 houses were destroyed, an alarming number in an area where the average household size is more than 20 people. Even before the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan's emergency response teams were stretched to deal with the natural disasters that frequently strike the country. But with only a handful of airworthy planes and helicopters left since they returned to power, their response to the latest catastrophe is further limited. Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. Afghanistan's deadliest recent earthquake killed 5,000 in 1998 in the northeastern provinces of Takhar and Badakhshan. abh-epe/fox/ssy President Xi chairs High-level Dialogue on Global Development, vowing continued support to 2030 Agenda Xinhua) 09:00, June 25, 2022 Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs the High-level Dialogue on Global Development via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. Xi delivered an important speech titled "Forging High-quality Partnership for a New Era of Global Development". (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday chaired the High-level Dialogue on Global Development in Beijing via video link and delivered important remarks. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria, President Alberto Fernandez of Argentina, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, President Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi of Iran, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, Vice President Hamilton Mourao of Brazil, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia, Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama of Fiji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob of Malaysia, and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of Thailand attended the Dialogue. Focusing on the theme "Foster a Global Development Partnership for the New Era to Jointly Implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development", leaders of all countries had in-depth exchange of views on such major issues as strengthening international development cooperation and accelerating the implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They discussed ways to promote development cooperation and reached wide, important common understandings. President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech titled "Forging High-quality Partnership for a New Era of Global Development". President Xi Jinping pointed out that development is a timeless theme for humanity. Only through continuous development can the people's dream for a better life and social stability be realized. Over the years, developing countries have worked unremittingly to explore development paths suited to their national realities and to pursue economic and social development. Such efforts have produced remarkable outcomes. Today, emerging markets and developing countries account for half of the world economy, and notable progress has been made in science and technology, education, social development, culture and many other areas. We are meeting at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is eroding decades of gains in global development, the implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is encountering difficulties, the North-South gap keeps widening, and crises are emerging in food and energy security. At the same time, people in all countries are more keen about pursuing peace, development and cooperation, emerging markets and developing countries are more resolved to seek strength through unity, and the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is bringing more opportunities to countries around the world. President Xi Jinping stressed that this is an age rife with challenges, but it is also an age full of hope. We must get a good grasp of the overarching development trend in the world, firm up confidence, and act in unison and with great motivation to promote global development and foster a development paradigm featuring benefits for all, balance, coordination, inclusiveness, win-win cooperation and common prosperity. First, we need to jointly build international consensus on promoting development. Only when people all over the world live better lives can prosperity be sustained, security safeguarded and human rights solidly grounded. It is important that we put development front and center on the international agenda, deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and build political consensus to ensure everyone values development and all countries pursue cooperation together. Second, we need to jointly create an enabling international environment for development. Protectionist moves will boomerang; anyone attempting to form exclusive blocs will end up isolating himself; maximum sanctions serve nobody's interest, and practices of decoupling and supply disruption are neither feasible nor sustainable. It is important that we pursue development in real earnest and promote development in concert, build an open world economy, and shape a global governance system and institutional environment that are more just and equitable. Third, we need to jointly foster new drivers for global development. It is important that we promote scientific, technological and institutional innovation, speed up technology transfer and knowledge sharing, boost the development of modern industries, close the digital divide and accelerate low-carbon transition, with a view to achieving stronger, greener and healthier global development. Fourth, we need to jointly forge a global development partnership. Only by working together can we accomplish big and great things with a far-reaching impact. Developed countries need to fulfill obligations, developing countries need to deepen cooperation, and the North and the South need to work in the same direction to forge a united, equal, balanced and inclusive global development partnership. In this process, no country or individual should be left behind. It is important that we support the UN in steering and coordinating global development cooperation, and encourage business communities, social groups, the media and think tanks to take part in such cooperation. President Xi stressed that China has always been a member of the big family of developing countries. China will take pragmatic steps to give continued support to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. -China will allocate more resources for global development cooperation. We will upgrade the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund to a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. We will also increase input to the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund. Such efforts will further support cooperation under the Global Development Initiative (GDI). -China will work with all sides to advance cooperation in priority areas and mobilize resources for development to deepen global cooperation on poverty reduction and eradication, build capacity for food production and supply, and promote clean energy partnerships; step up innovation, research and development and joint production of vaccines; work on the conservation and sustainable use of land and marine ecology; and raise digital literacy and skills of the public, transform and upgrade the path to industrialization at a faster pace, and enhance connectivity in the digital era to inject new impetus into the development of all countries. -China will set up a platform for experience and knowledge sharing on international development, a global development promotion center and a global knowledge network for development, for the purpose of exchanging governance experience. We will host a global forum on youth development and take part in the launch of a global action plan on youth development, in a bid to pool as much strength as possible for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. President Xi Jinping pointed out that as an ancient Chinese adage goes, "With one heart and one mind, we can accomplish everything we aspire for." Let us firm up confidence, stride forward in pursuit of high-quality partnership, and usher in a new era of prosperity and development. Leaders attending the Dialogue delivered remarks respectively. They thanked China for initiating and hosting this High-level Dialogue on Global Development, and commended President Xi's insights into global development cooperation. The cause of international peace and development is now faced with severe challenges. The emerging markets and developing countries are a crucial force in building a more equitable and balanced international order and promoting peace, security, equality and development. They need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and work with the international community to put the issue of development front and center and build a better world that meets the needs and expectations of most developing countries. The Dialogue is most opportune and relevant. It helps parties to reach new understandings on international development cooperation, safeguard common interests of developing countries, and inject new impetus into maintaining world peace and promoting common development. The leaders applauded and supported the GDI and the Global Security Initiative proposed by China. They all agreed that development is the foundation of security and security is the prerequisite for development. They believed that China's initiatives address the concerns and meet the needs of developing countries, and are conducive to forging international consensus, mobilizing development resources and expediting the implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They expressed the hope to step up cooperation in such areas as poverty alleviation, epidemic prevention and control, food security and energy security. They also hoped to create more synergy between the GDI and regional development plans to jointly tackle poverty, inequality and development challenges. Parties raised serious concerns over the negative spillover of unilateral sanctions and the heavy toll they have taken on vulnerable developing countries. Parties stressed the need to practice true multilateralism, defend the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, uphold fairness and justice, and advance reforms of the global governance system. Emerging markets and developing countries need to better coordinate and cooperate, strive for greater representation and voice in international affairs, ensure the sound and steady operation of the international economic and financial system, work for the steady recovery and sustainable development of the world economy, and together forge a united, equal, balanced and inclusive global development partnership. The Chair's Statement was issued after the Dialogue. It fully outlined the participants' political consensus on global development and proposes measures for practical cooperation in priority areas under the GDI. Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, attended the Dialogue. Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs the High-level Dialogue on Global Development via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. Xi delivered an important speech titled "Forging High-quality Partnership for a New Era of Global Development". (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs the High-level Dialogue on Global Development via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. Xi delivered an important speech titled "Forging High-quality Partnership for a New Era of Global Development". (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs the High-level Dialogue on Global Development via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. Xi delivered an important speech titled "Forging High-quality Partnership for a New Era of Global Development". (Xinhua/Li Tao) Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs the High-level Dialogue on Global Development via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. Xi delivered an important speech titled "Forging High-quality Partnership for a New Era of Global Development". (Xinhua/Li Tao) (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) You are here: World Flash The U.S. Congress sent a gun bill to the White House on Friday. The House of Representatives voted 234-193 on Friday to pass the legislation, a day after the Senate approved the measure. The bill would enhance background checks for gun purchasers younger than 21, provide money to administer "red-flag" laws, and crack down on straw buyers. A spate of mass shootings over the past few weeks have rocked the United States and fueled public frustration with longtime political inaction over gun violence. A month ago, a gunman attacked an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 children and two teachers in a rampage that has triggered nationwide demonstrations against gun violence. At least 21,000 people have died from gun violence across the United States so far this year, according to the latest data from Gun Violence Archive. On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a New York state law that places restrictions on carrying a concealed handgun outside home. The Supreme Court decision is "harmful and disturbing," Jack Resneck Jr., president of the American Medical Association, said in a statement. "Firearm violence is a public health crisis, and easier access to weapons and fewer restrictions on who can carry them - and where they can be carried - are dangerous steps in the wrong direction. Overturning decades of reasonable firearm regulations will cost more lives," he said. Tess Holliday tells her followers to "stay mad" following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for TRESemme) Tess Holliday wants her followers to stay mad following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. On Friday, the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 decision which legalized abortions nationwide. The ruling came more than a month after a leak memo stated the court was planning on abolishing federal protections for abortion. Holliday, a body positivity advocate and model, took to Instagram in the hours following the decision to share her thoughts on the issue and how it may lead to the reversal of other federal protections as well. To everyone that's upset about Roe vs. Wade being overturned, stay mad, the mom of two began her video, which was taken from a car. They're going to do it next with gay marriage next. They're going to make it illegal. Stay mad. Get in the streets, do whatever you have to do, but stay mad. Video: Outcry at the Supreme Court after Roe ruling Many have also expressed concerned that the Roe ruling sets a precedent and that other personal liberties will now be on the chopping block, such as gay marriage, which was officially made legal nationwide by the court in 2015. President Donald Trump appointed three conservative judges during his time in office. Conservative judge Justice Clarence Thomas, in a concurring opinion to the Roe decision, said the court should now reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents which includes cases that gave gay couples the right to marry as well as for individuals to engage in same-sex intimacy. In a message alongside her video, Holliday wrote, In my pajamas on my way to pick up my antidepressants in a country that will ban Juuls before assault rifles. That cares more about upholding a false narrative of what America was founded on instead of its actual citizens. A country that disregards any life that isnt cis, white & a christian. Feed the hungry but starve us of basic dignity and human rights, affordable healthcare, & the right to choose what we do with our own bodies. If youre not terrified, if you havent been terrified, then I would take a hard look at yourself. This will affect all of us, like it or not. Story continues Hollidays followers expressed their appreciation for her passion. We need this energy now more than ever, one wrote, while another added, Stay mad, this is not OK. This should be a human right. This is going to cost so many lives. Holliday has previously spoken out about having an abortion. In May 2019, she spoke out against restrictive abortion laws in Alabama and Georgia and shared on Instagram that she had the medical procedure following the birth of her second child. If I was still down south, I might not have been able to get the abortion I wanted and needed, she wrote. My mental health couldnt handle being pregnant again and I made the best decision for ME and ultimately my family. It wasnt the easy thing to do, it was excruciating on many levels, but necessary. Do I regret it or question my choice? Not at all. She told People at the time about sharing her abortion story, I thought, I feel like it would be pretty hypocritical of me if I dont talk about it, because Im from there and Ive gone through all of this. I share so much with my followers, I always have, but I dont share everything and if Im honest, it felt like no ones business and its not. Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. New Yorkers gathered together in droves on Friday night to protest the US Supreme Court decision to strike down the landmark constitutional protection that had allowed women the rights to abortion for the last 50 years. After news broke about the ruling on Friday morning, organizers like NYC for Abortion Rights and Planned Parenthood planned for rallies in iconic Manhattan locales like Washington Square Park and Union Square respectively. In Washington Square Park, the Washington Arch seemed small amongst the throngs of people chanting, we will rise up and clutching signs touting phrases such as, my body, my choice and overturn Roe? Hell no! The scene at Washington Square Park on Friday night. (The Independent) The scene at Washington Square Park on Friday night. (The Independent) The Independent spoke to protesters throughout the park about what compelled them to show up and speak out about Roe being overturned. Lucy Trieshmann, who works for the ACLU, told me she cant be pregnant so this SCOTUS decision directly threatens my ability to live the life that I do. Her friend, Sueli Gwiazdowski, echoed Trieshmanns sentiments. Having bodily autonomy ensures that I keep surviving and thriving, they told me. Lucy Trieshmann and Sueli Gwiazdowski in Washington Square Park on Friday. (The Independent) In the same vein as Gwiazdowski, 27-year-old Jess Yu brought two signs to share her feelings on the situation. Bodily autonomy is something I care deeply about and the SCOTUS decision broke my heart, she told me. Jess Yu in Washington Square Park. (The Independent) Lucas Charles said that when he woke up this morning to the news, he started crying and screaming. It doesnt just affect women this is disgusting and Im ashamed to be in a place where this is my government , he said, showing me his poster that read: They wont stop at Roe. The poster is in reference to SCOTUS potentially reconsidering and overturning other landmark rulings, such as same-sex sex and marriage. Lucas Charles in Washington Square Park on Friday night. (The Independent) Ansel Blooms poster, which prominently featured the transgender pride flag, stuck out from under the middle of the Washington Arch. His poster simply read: I would not have survived a pregnancy. Ansel Bloom in Washington Square Park. (The Independent) The news about Roe didnt only just bring out New York locals to protest, either. Natalija Knipse, who did not disclose where she hails from, told me shes not American, but that the ruling made her angry and full of rage. Story continues Im not American and it is an abomination that my American friends still have to face this politicized decision making, she said. Natalija Knipse in Washington Square Park. (The Independent) Animals even got involved in the fight to support bodily autonomy. One furry friend, a pup named Latke but goes by Lottie, wore a poster that read: Abortion is healthcare. Latke aka Lottie the dog in Washington Square Park. (The Independent) Lotties owner told me that she speaks for all people who identify as women or carry uteruses and that she feels that its important to make your own choice, if you are a human. Amid more chanting and the crowd growing larger, a remark from one protester to another prompted me to stop and talk to them. They were telling their friends how good it felt to be among the thousands of others who showed up to support Roe and speak out against the courts decision. Its really validating to be in a space where everyone else is as f***ing pissed off as I am, 21-year-old Angel Macklin-Schwartz told me. Protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, fall as a driver careens into them during a demonstration Friday against the overturning of Roe v. Wade. (Photo: Lyz Lenz) Protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, fall as a driver careens into them during a demonstration Friday against the overturning of Roe v. Wade. (Photo: Lyz Lenz) A truck driver careened into a group of demonstrators in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday as they crossed the street during an otherwise peaceful protest of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The unidentified male driver of a Ford truck rammed into several protesters all of them women at the tail end of a procession, rolling over one womans ankle and sending her to the hospital, witnesses said. He tried to murder them, said a local journalist and witness to the attack, Lyz Lenz. These women see him coming and a bunch of people put their hands out to stop him. And he just keeps going. Multiple witnesses, including one of the victims, described the scene in interviews with HuffPost: The male driver was waiting behind several cars at a red light downtown as a throng of protesters crossed the street. He became impatient, as several witnesses said, and hit the gas, maneuvering around several cars to ram protesters. Video taken by Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker shows several women standing in front of the truck with their arms outstretched, trying to get the driver to stop. But the driver keeps pushing forward and bowls them over, injuring several of them. A truck driver plowed through multiple pro-choice protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, sending at least one woman to the hospital. Video provided by Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker shows several victims all women trying to stop the driver as he careens into them pic.twitter.com/jcGTcfcK8X Andy Campbell (@AndyBCampbell) June 25, 2022 One of the demonstrators, Alexis Russell, can be seen in the video holding a protest sign and reaching into the drivers side window as the truck rolls forward. She told HuffPost that she was trying to steer him away from the other protesters. Story continues I had a fight-or-flight response, Russell told HuffPost. He had his window down. I grabbed the back of the window to keep up with his car and tried to grab the steering wheel. At some point he grabbed my sign and ripped it, and I fell, and he proceeded to run over one of the girls. Russell said she was shaken up but otherwise uninjured. The hospitalized woman, she said, was totally distraught. City Councilwoman Ashley Vanorny confirmed that Cedar Rapids police had been called and were investigating. They reportedly interviewed the driver Friday night but no arrests were made. Several witnesses argued that the attack was motivated by anger over the protest, which was just one of many that flared up across the nation after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood on Friday. Molly Monk, a witness, told HuffPost that the man didnt give any audible indication that he was anti-abortion, but he did go out of his way to hit protesters in the street who had very visible, very clear signs that they were pro-choice. It makes me feel like the pro-life movement is a complete lie if, in order to be against people who are protesting for abortion rights, you try to murder them in my street, in my neighborhood, said Monk. It makes me very, very sad, very hurt and very angry that this is what people think pro-life means. Despite recent calls from Republican lawmakers to protect their fellow abortion opponents from harm in the wake of Fridays Supreme Court ruling, the anti-abortion movement has a long history of violence. In the last 43 years, anti-abortion activists have committed at least 11 murders, 26 attempted murders, 956 known threats of harm or death, 614 stalking incidents and four kidnappings, according to the National Abortion Federation. The supposedly pro-life movement has bombed 42 abortion clinics, set fire to 194 and made 667 bomb threats. More on the Supreme Court abortion ruling: This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Former President Trump acknowledged he was scared when he discovered he had COVID-19 given how many friends of his had died during the pandemic, he told a British documentarian filming him in the months leading up to Jan. 6. The remarks are a shift from his public comments after he was infected with the coronavirus in October 2020. After Trump left Walter Reed Hospital, where he spent 3 days being treated for COVID-19, he told people dont be afraid of it. Filmmaker Alex Holder was subpoenaed by the House committee investigating Jan. 6 and asked to turn over his interviews with Trump, his adult children and Vice President Pence. His footage touches on a variety of topics, from the attack to the fallout of Trumps COVID-19 diagnosis. At that point he was no longer the president, but when he was, he was in charge of the entire the COVID response, and hundreds of thousands of people had died. What he said to me was that the reason why he was sort of scared of COVID was essentially because he knew people who had died of COVID, basically he was referring to his friends, he was referring to people he knew personally that had got COVID and that some of them had died, Holder said. And thats why it was quite shocking to him when the doctor said to him he actually had COVID, so his way of understanding the danger of COVID came from his own personal connections to people rather than a national or global scale. Niece Mary Trump indicated in her book that Trump was scared but the family otherwise had not spoken publicly about their fear for him during that time. I believe its the first time he and members of his family admitted how sick he was and how scared they were, Holder said of his footage. Holder met with the House committee investigating the riot Thursday, where some of the questions focused on an interview he did with Ivanka Trump. In the interview with Holder, Ivanka Trump asserted about a month after the 2020 presidential election that every single vote needs to be counted and needs to be heard and that Trump has to take on this fight. Story continues That departed from a clip the committee recently showed of her videotaped deposition in which she said she accepted Attorney General William Barrs conclusion there was no widespread voting fraud. In the trailer for the Discovery+ documentary released Wednesday, Trump and his adult children are each seen sitting down for interviews. I think I treat people well, unless they dont treat me well, in which case you go to war, Trump tells filmmakers. Asked if he would be willing to talk about what happened at last years Capitol riot, Trump replies, Yep. The video is a big get for the committee, which has not been able to sit down with either Trump or Pence, and who have relied heavily on video in making their case to the public. Well, its been significant. Its a lot of video we had not been privy to, Chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told reporters Friday. We will include that in some of our hearing presentations. But you know, we had to go through it and make a decision as to what is the best place we can put it. Holder spent two hours with the committee reviewing his time with the Trump family, which kicked off in September and lasted beyond his presidency. Trump would say those who were protesting, including those who entered the building, were riled up due to voter fraud because theyre smart. That was actually a very shocking way of referring to those people as being smart, which is a very awful way of describing them, Holder said. Trumps children did not speak to him about Jan. 6. And with respect to the kids, I think their silence speaks volumes, he said. The day certainly made an impression on Holder, who arrived on the scene along with those who marched from the Capitol. Even amidst the adrenaline of the moment it was clear to him, this is a historic game changer in American politics, and it wont be the same again. The world also wont be the same again depending on how this plays out. And the impact of Jan. 6 is obviously bigger than that day because it happened by virtue of weeks of denigrating the most important aspect of democracy: voting. However, Holder also said his conversations with the former president gave him the impression Trump remains truly convinced the election was stolen from him. It doesnt matter if you tell him 200,000 times and give him every bit of evidence in the world, he said. The idea that he was putting out this information and knowing it not to be true I think dilutes the issue. Its more that he has on this point and on others as well has an irrational position and therefore trying to prove him wrong is moot. In the days since Holders subpoena was made public, some Trump aides at both the campaign and the White House said they were unaware the Trump family had even agreed to do a documentary. It pushed Holder to clarify that the Trumps had never sought nor been granted any editorial control over the piece. But in retrospect, Holder says he saw ways the Trumps may have steered them away from being observed. I thought through certain things that may have been done without my knowledge, where they sort of kept us away from the press and under wraps, noting that at times White House staff would put up partitions to keep their interviews shielded. Emily Brooks contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty Republicans have seized on the deaths of thousands of cattle in a Kansas heat wave as the latest proof of a baseless conspiracy theory that saboteurs ranging from the mega-wealthy to the government are out to destroy the national food supply. That hoax has been circulating on the right for months, but received new energy after thousands of cattle in Kansas died in a June heatwave in which temperatures topped 104 degrees. A viral video that showed what appeared to be hundreds of dead cattle was cited by as proof that someonethe Biden administration, liberal billionaires, or an unnamed elite cabalwas behind the deaths. For ranchers, the cattles deaths were not mysterious. A spokeswoman for the Kansas Livestock Association told PBS that the cows died from heat stress after a sudden 20-degree temperature spike. Rather than accept that the cattle were killed by the heatand the prospect that climate change will bring similar mass-death incidentssome Republicans became convinced that a shadowy force was behind the dead cattle. Tennessee House candidate Robby Starbuck claimed he had unnamed sources who insisted that the cows could not have been killed by the heat. They did not die of extreme heat, Starbuck tweeted. I talked to multiple ranchers since I saw this video (one from Kansas) and they all say this needs to be investigated ASAP to get to the bottom of this because theres no way heat caused 10,000+ cattle to drop dead. This is not normal. Theories about the cows deaths also proliferated on Telegram, the social media network thats become a haven for far-right figures. Jovan Hutton Pulitzer, an inventor and leading figure in the 2020 election-denial movement, boosted another users post suggesting that Bill Gates was behind the deaths. In a Telegram message, Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes speculated that the cattle deaths were part of a plot to make us so hungry that Americans would revolt, giving the government a chance to institute a state of emergency. Story continues Trump Suggests Vaccine Companies Orchestrated Revenge-Filled Conspiracy to Make Him Lose Few of the conspiracy theorists were as willing as Pulitzer or McInnes to name any culprit for the cow-deaths. Right-wing comedian Steven Crowder embraced the kind of free-floating skepticism thats become prominent on the MAGA right, tweeting Tuesday that he was a little suspicious about 2K cows just suddenly dropping dead in Kansas due to heat stress. Is anyone else a little suspicious about 2K cows just suddenly dropping dead in Kansas due to heat stress? Steven Crowder (@scrowder) June 21, 2022 The sudden cattle deaths have been incorporated into a growing narrative on the right that the countrys food supply is at risk due to a shadowy sabotage network. In April, conservatives seized on a series of fires and other incidents at food-processing plants to suggest that a mysterious group of arsonists is set on undermining the food supply. In reality, however, several of the incidents were years-old, while others didnt actually occur near the food plants. The conspiracy theories about the cow die-off have even made it to Congress. In a speech on the House floor, Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) said Americans have every right to be skeptical about the food-supply incidents, including the cattle deaths and the baby formula shortage. Cawthorn described the incidents as a seemly unexplainable series of food industry accidents being ignored by the media. Does no one care that children are starving you and your colleagues feast at Le Diplomate? Cawthorn said, referring to the French restaurant popular with Washington politicos. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Friday asked authorities in El Salvador to "immediately" extradite leaders of the international criminal gang MS-13 to be put on trial in the United States. The request is the latest chapter in Washington's increasingly complicated relationship with the government of President Nayib Bukele. Patrick Ventrell, the U.S. Charge d'Affaires to El Salvador, requested the extradition of Eliu Melgar, alias "Blue", who has been held in El Salvador since 2018 for allegedly ordering homicides and other crimes on the U.S. east coast. "The best way for the government of El Salvador to show that it is serious about a real, lasting and sustainable solution to reduce gang violence is to extradite the most dangerous leaders," Ventrell said in a press conference. In January 2021, U.S. prosecutors charged 14 leaders of MS-13 with terrorism. Authorities in El Salvador, who did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, have declined to provide details on the whereabouts of the gang members. For its part, the country's Supreme Court of Justice assured in 2021 that it would carry out an "analysis" of extradition requests. Bukele has clashed repeatedly with the Biden administration, which has sanctioned several Salvadoran officials close to the president. On Friday, El Salvador's ambassador to the United States, Milena Mayoga, posted a photo on Twitter of her with President Joe Biden. "What we ask for is a relationship based on respect, independence, and sovereignty," she wrote, not addressing the extradition request. (Reporting by Nelson Renteria; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Sam Holmes) LONDON (Reuters) - British public-sector health workers should receive an annual pay rise of 4-5% this year, a government advisory body plans to recommend, according to a report in the Guardian newspaper on Saturday. Surging consumer price inflation, which hit a 40-year high of 9.1% in May, means workers are pushing for bigger than normal pay rises, and there have been widespread strikes in Britain's privately operated rail industry over the past week. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said pay restraint in the public sector is needed to save money and reduce the risk of a longer-term inflationary spiral. Average pay excluding bonuses in the public sector in the three months to April was up by an annual 1.8%, compared with 4.8% in the private sector, official figures show. The Guardian said the National Health Service Pay Review Body - a panel that makes annual pay recommendations to the government - would recommend an increase of "somewhere between 4% and 5%". The body, which normally makes its annual recommendation in July, did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Last year it proposed a 3% pay rise, which the government accepted. It recommendations cover most staff other than doctors, dentists and senior managers in Britain's National Health Service, totalling almost 1.5 million workers. In a submission to the review body in February, the health ministry said it had a fixed budget to last until 2025, and that there were "stark trade-offs between pay and other NHS spending" such as staffing levels and medical equipment. ($1 = 0.8155 pounds) (Reporting by David Milliken; editing by John Stonestreet) Ukrainian military withdrawn from Severodonetsk to save their lives and prepare for an effective counteroffensive Read also: Ukrainian armed forces may be forced to withdraw from Severodonetsk, says Hayday She stressed the importance of not publicly leaking information about the movements of Ukrainian troops prior to an official statements by the Armed Forces. Read also: Russians concentrating main efforts on establishing full control over ruins of Severodonetsk Military operations can be partly disrupted by civilians who publicly demonstrate awareness of the course of military operations and report on them on social networks before the General Staff makes an official statement, like yesterday and the day before in Severodonetsk, she claimed. "It disrupted the Armed Forces of Ukraine from finishing what was planned. Read also: Ukrainian army repels assault towards Uglegorsk thermal power plant, fighting in Severodonetsk continues According to Maliar, these comments steal time away from the Ukrainian military that could have been used implementing their plans and maneuvers in secrecy. Everything that is allowed to talk about at the given moment is stated by official sources: the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense, she added. Read also: Severodonetsk under intense artillery fire, bombing from air, says military administration head On the morning of June 24, social media users reported that Ukrainian units had begun to retreat from the industrial zone of Severodonetsk. Journalist Yuri Butusov noted that "it feels bitter to retreat, but this decision is long overdue." Help NV continue its work reporting on the Russian invasion Head of Ukraines Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov "Ukraine will return to its borders of 1991, there will be no other scenarios and we are not considering any other scenarios, he said. Read also: Ukrainian intelligence chief says Russia only has resources for 12 months of normal war Beginning in August, certain events will occur, that will demonstrate to the whole world that the turning point begins to take place." Budanov believes that Ukraine will regain control over its currently occupied territories "in the foreseeable future." Read also: How everyday Ukrainians, state officials, and politicians overcome fatigue, and endure the long, difficult months of military action I have said it before and I'll say it again before the end of the year, active fighting will decrease virtually to nothing, he added, noting that Ukraine still needs more weapons in the meantime. We are adamant in our view. We will regain control over our territories in the foreseeable future. The intelligence chief also predicted that the war will end in disaster for Russia, saying that Putin will not succeed in his goals. Read also: Russia's war against Ukraine may end once all of Putin's tasks completed, says Kremlin spokesman This is a tragedy that he led Russia and Ukraine to, and it will end up as a catastrophe for Russia. Nothing else, he concluded. ROMAN PETRENKO SATURDAY, 25 JUNE 2022, 11:31 Ukraine's air defence shoots down about 10 missiles over Zhytomyr Oblast. Source: Vitalii Bunechko, head of Zhytomyr Oblast Military Administration Quote from Bunechko: "In the morning, during mass rocket fire on the Zhytomyr region by Russian planes from Belarus, our defenders shot down about 10 missiles, which were aimed at the infrastructure facilities of the region." Details: He asks people not to ignore air-raid sirens. Two missiles were shot down over Khmelnytskyi Oblast. The remains fell in the forest and in the village garden. No one was injured, windows in several houses were damaged. Background: On 25 June, Lviv, Zhytomyr and Chernihiv oblasts suffered a massive missile strike by the occupiers. Four enemy missiles hit the Yavoriv district, two were shot down. Flash The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that established a constitutional right to abortion in the nation nearly 50 years ago. "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," Justice Samuel Alito wrote in his majority opinion. "Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences." "It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives," the conservative suggested. The court's three liberal justices dissented, saying that with Friday's ruling, "many millions of American women" have lost a fundamental constitutional protection. The ruling came after the Supreme Court had considered an appeal case involving a Mississippi law banning all abortions over 15 weeks gestational age except in certain circumstances. Crowds on both sides of abortion rights are gathering near the U.S. Supreme Court on Capitol Hill with presence of riot police. "Protesters are allowed to peacefully demonstrate, however they must follow the officer's instructions so that everyone stays safe," the Capitol Police tweeted. With Roe falling, more than two dozen states in the United States - primarily in the south and midwest - are expected to tighten abortion access, with "trigger bans" set to take effect automatically. In a response, U.S. President Joe Biden said it's "a sad day" for the nation and the Supreme Court, which is "literally taking America back 150 years." "Now with Roe gone, let's be very clear: the health and life of women in this nation are now at risk," Biden added. Ukrainian aircraft struck at enemy forces Read also: Ukrainian air defenses down two Russian missiles fired at Odesa A Ukrainian air strike also hit a Russian ammo depot in southern Ukraine, according to the message. Meanwhile, anti-air defenses downed a Russian Su-25 close air support aircraft. Read also: US congressmen introduce bill to train Ukrainian fighter pilots on F-15, F-16 fighter jets Russian air force activity remains high, although most of their sorties are executed at long ranges, beyond the reach of Ukrainian air defenses. Read also: Ukrainian military shoots down Russian Su-25 warplane in Donetsk Oblast The enemy continues to launch cruise missiles against Ukrainian targets from ground launchers, ships, and jets. Russian UAVs conduct aerial reconnaissance along the front lines and deep into Ukrainian territory. One such UAV was shot down in Kyiv Oblast on June 24. The enemy is clearly examining our defenses, the vulnerabilities of our critical infrastructure, logistics, and Western armaments supply routes, the Air Force noted. KIGALI (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday that he feared Ukraine could face pressure to agree a peace deal with Russia that was not in its interests, due to the economic consequences of the war in Europe. "Too many countries are saying this is a European war that is unnecessary ... and so the pressure will grow to encourage - coerce, maybe - the Ukrainians to a bad peace," he told broadcasters in the Rwandan capital Kigali, where he is attending a Commonwealth summit. Johnson said the consequences of Russian President Vladimir Putin being able to get his way in Ukraine would be dangerous to international security and "a long-term economic disaster". (Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Writing by David Milliken; Editing by Pravin Char) UVALDE, Texas Nearly 300 Uvalde High School seniors received their diplomas one month to the day after a former student shot his grandmother in the face before driving to Robb Elementary School and gunning down 19 students and two teachers. Fridays ceremony, rescheduled from its original May 27 date, marked a bittersweet milestone for a Texas community reeling from the tragedy that unfolded four weeks ago. The heartache was palpable as the community gathered to celebrate the lives and accomplishments of graduating high school seniors. Grief clouded an otherwise joyous occasion that was punctuated by memories of children who will never have the opportunity to receive their diplomas or attend college. Twenty-one placards faced the crowd as the Class of 2022 stepped into adulthood. Love the people in your life while you have them because you dont know what the future holds for anyone, said valedictorian Abigail Kone. Our community has definitely learned about the unexpected. Something that should have never happened happened. Our lives have been altered. But we still stand together as a community, she said. Kone read the names of the victims and called the slain children honorary members of her graduating class. Partial view of the Uvalde High School graduation class of 2022. (Uvalde CISD Live Events via YouTube) The gunman would have been among those graduating Friday, but he had previously dropped out. His name was not mentioned, though the deadly rampage continues to haunt the small community. If I had to pick a theme for today, its healing, said Uvalde High School principal Randall Harris. Healing is what we all need. Its what you need. Its what I need. The decision to hold graduation a month after the mass shooting was met with mixed emotions. Earlier in the day, Eulalio Lalo Diaz, Uvalde County justice of the peace, beamed as he talked about his daughters graduation and plans to attend New York University. Yet his face darkened as he remembered May 24. I think its important to show that life is going to go on, he said. But its going to follow this class. Story continues It continues to follow Diaz, who was on duty the day of the rampage and tasked with identifying the victims and notifying their families. He remembers the cacophony of phones ringing inside the two classrooms where the unthinkable unfolded. They were tucked inside pockets and backpacks, ringing with frantic loved ones on the other end hoping to find their children and spouses safe. Ive worked my way through it, he said. Im not having as many nightmares. Im ready for my daughter to move on. But not all Uvalde residents could face a celebration. Javier Cazares, whose daughter, Jaclyn, was killed at the school, decided to skip his nephew's graduation ceremony. This week, he drove his older daughter, Jazmin, to Austin to testify before state lawmakers, where she tearfully pleaded for tougher gun laws. The Cazares family has joined a growing chorus of residents who want more accountability from the law enforcement officers and city officials under fire because of the response to the shooting. The grief-stricken family is still struggling. Cazares remains unable to work and frequently finds himself sitting in his daughters room. Its kind of crazy graduation falls on the 24th, he said, adding that he was ticked off by the decision to hold the ceremony so soon after the shooting. Why on this day? Everything is still so fresh. PARIS In the past, military vehicles just needed to roll; now, they must come equipped with complex communications systems, radars, lasers, jammers, and other electronic systems, turning battlefield rides into mobile power stations. European vehicle makers have been quick to jump on the business case for electric propulsion, offering products that promise to satisfy militaries needs for more efficient energy storage, quieter motors and lower thermal signatures. Last week, they showed their latest and greatest tech on the floor of the biennial Eurosatory trade conference, held outside Paris. But while the civilian vehicle world has successfully deployed hybrid and electric cars onto city streets, the defense sector, now able to take advantage of those civilian technological advances, is just getting started. Industry leaders who spoke to Defense News shared how the rhetoric around hybrid and all-electric powered vehicles, particularly tactical vehicles, has shifted in the past few years, as nations balance increasingly augmented energy needs against equally rising fuel prices, and tackle the effects of climate change within their services. Nexter has been working on hybrid technologies for about 20 years now, per Sebastien Roy, Nexters energy research and technology leader. The French company developed an initial hybrid demonstrator around 2003-2004, not in response to a specific requirement, but merely to begin evaluating the technology, Roy said in an interview at Nexters pavilion at the conference. Since then, the company has been able to take advantage of the new hybrid propulsion technologies being developed in the civil vehicle industry some of which are more compact and capable, especially when it comes to batteries. Its really those technological evolutions in the civil world that have allowed us to say, Okay, we will soon be able to integrate them into military vehicles, Roy said. The rhetoric around electric and hybrid tactical vehicles at the Parc des Expositions here was much louder than what was heard at the same show four years ago. Demonstrators were spread across the corners of the show floor, from Arquus Scarabee light armored vehicle with a fully hybrid powertrain, to FFGs bright blue Genesis 8x8 armored personnel carrier. Story continues The German company which stands for Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft developed the Genesis demonstrator purely to examine the possibilities of a hybrid system on a tank, said Michael Moller, company vice president for special technology. Engineers wanted to have the knowledge, to be a very early one on the market to know how to handle this technology, high-voltage systems, how to build it, to maintain it, he told Defense News at the companys booth at the show. The Genesis was developed five years ago, and debuted at an FFG event in 2021, he added. French company Texelis displayed a full-scale model of its MR400 4x4 armored vehicle at its booth, which features a new in-wheel, electric-hub drive developed by Texelis and U.K.-based Qinetiq. The MR400 is derived from Texelis vehicle design for the French armys VBMR Serval multi-role vehicle program, for which the company which was part of the Volvo Group until 2008 and Nexter are co-prime contractors. When the Serval design was being developed four years ago, Texelis was already thinking about integrating a hybrid propulsion system, said Sebastien Guillon, the companys export sales director. While that requirement has not yet been asked for, talks are ongoing, and Texelis is already thinking about what the configuration will be, he told Defense News at the conference. What we understood is that it should be something very quick to integrate and install onto a future Serval vehicle, he added. Meanwhile, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) introduced a fully electric version of its DURO 4x4 all-terrain tactical vehicle at the conference. The DURO-e, as it has been named, features a variable powertrain that includes a diesel engine and a pure electric powertrain that comes in either a battery-powered or fuel cell-powered version, along with capabilities including silent drive, boost, and extended silent watch, per the company. The DURO-e claims a low heat and noise signature, along with high-energy efficiency and self-sufficient energy supply. General Dynamics partnered with Austria-based Magna Powertrain Engineering Center-Steyr and Switzerland-based Phi Power AG to produce DURO-e, the company said in a press release. The original DURO was designed for the Swiss army. Rheinmetall also is evaluating hybrid and electric technologies for its future vehicles, company officials said at the show. On the sidelines of its pavilion at Eurosatory, the Rheinmetall set up a space dubbed the Technology Cube, designed to be able to discuss future vehicle requirements with current and future customers. Delegations could be seen moving in and out of the space, including senior leaders of the Hungarian army, which committed to procuring Rheinmetalls Lynx infantry fighting vehicle. The French armys hybrid future The French ministry of defense has particularly focused on finding solutions for more efficient energy storage as military vehicles are increasingly used for more electronic capabilities, such as communications systems, lasers, radars, and jammers. Former Minister of Defense Florence Parly oversaw the release of the ministrys first defense and energy strategy in 2020 , and several months ago released the first defense and climate change strategy. The recommendations in those documents include a hybrid vehicle demonstrator based on the Griffon light armored vehicle, meant to complete testing by 2025 and inform future hybrid truck requirements. Arquus, Nexter, and Thales are jointly developing the hybrid demonstrator, and the team is undergoing testing, evaluation, and integration efforts that will help the ministry of defense decide whether to launch large-scale production, according to an Arquus spokesperson. The French armys future program to build a new armored engagement support vehicle called VBAE, for Vehicule Blinde dAide a lEngagement may include a requirement for hybrid propulsion. Arquus has pitched a hybrid light armored vehicle, likely based on its Scarabee light reconnaissance vehicle, in anticipation of that requirement, the spokesperson said. The Scarabee vehicle debuted in 2018, and was developed to respond to what Arquus thought could be the VBAE requirements, and to reflect the companys vision of what a next-generation reconnaissance vehicle could look like, they noted. Nexter, which has employed hybrid propulsion on its robotic systems already, is also exploring the technology for its own submission to the VBAE program, Roy said. It expects to have a demonstrator ready around 2025. SOFRAME, a subsidiary of the French Lohr Group, revealed last year its planned submission for the VBAE program, which will also be designed to integrate a full electric or hybrid propulsion mode, according to French reports. The future Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) tank in development by France and Germany may also feature some hybrid propulsion technology. KNDS, the joint holding company that includes Germanys Krauss-Maffei Wegman and Frances Nexter, is developing the next-generation vehicle that is expected to be fielded around 2035. Arquus is a subcontractor on that program. Outstanding issues One ongoing challenge relates to the cooling system of a hybrid vehicle, which makes it difficult to integrate hybrid propulsion into military applications, Nexters Roy noted. But as this technology matures in the civilian world, Nexter imagines being able to overcome this problem in the near future. Energy storage also remains a challenge. Batteries are changing very fast, said FFGs Moller. Developing batteries that have better performance and are lighter and more easily replaceable will be key moving forward, he added. Some stakeholders noted that the market for hybrid military vehicles remains limited. The demonstrators on the Eurosatory show floor were overwhelmingly tactical vehicles, and officials may not be ready to expand their interest in hybrid technologies beyond those capabilities, industry leaders noted. Swedens Volvo has been developing hybrid and electric vehicles for nearly two decades now, primarily to serve its customers in the civilian sector. Its defense subsidiary focuses on heavy vehicles such as logistics trucks that drive over extended distances. So far, while officials are expressing interest in alternative fuel solutions, there has been little demonstrable effort to actually hybridize those types of vehicles for the military, Andreas Svenungsson, head of Volvo Defense, told Defense News at the companys booth at Eurosatory. For now, tactical vehicles appear to have the best use case scenario for hybrid or electric propulsion vehicles, due to the operational benefits of quieter motors and lower thermal signatures, he noted. But for the vehicles Volvo produces, We have not seen it [hybrid or electric propulsion] in the tenders or the requirements so far, Svenungsson said. He noted that military programs have the added considerations of maintaining a secure supply chain and steady access to fuel, that remain challenges for the hybridization of ground vehicles. But thanks to Volvos ongoing electric and hybrid propulsion efforts for civilian trucks and buses, If they want to procure this for the defense segment, we are ready, he added. It was clear to these companies that the drumbeat for hybrid military vehicles is only getting louder. Years ago, officials were talking about the possibility of hybrid vehicles, but without any real requirements, noted Texelis Guillon. Now, I think they have a clear vision, spurred by environmental targets or the need for silent mode capabilities and energy storage. It will help us, because the way we want to develop something, it should be useful for the customer, and not just be hybrid by name. A Virginia couple was located unscathed Friday, 11 days after their sailboat hit rough weather in the Atlantic Ocean and they could not be reached, officials said. Yanni Nikopoulos and Dale Jones, both 65 and from Virginia Beach, Virginia, said the vessel they planned to sail to the Azores and on to Greece was struck by lightning, thwarting the journey but leaving them unharmed, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The pair radioed Coast Guard watchstanders in Virginia to say they are alive and well and en route to the boats home port in Hampton, Virginia, the Coast Guard said in a statement Friday. The couple said they rigged a spare sail after the lightning strike, the military branch said. The boat was not in distress, it said. The couple's boat, Kyklades. (U.S. Coast Guard) The Coast Guard said Friday the vessel was located 80 miles east of the barrier island town of Chincoteague, Virginia. One of Jones daughters reported the couples situation to the Coast Guard after, she said, they reported sailing in rough weather about 460 miles east of the Virginia Coast on June 13, Terrell said Tuesday. The daughter, who was not named, told rescuers the couple decided to head home after they faced stormy seas. They were not close to the Azores of Portugal when they sailed into inclement weather. The pair had been incommunicado for days, even as the Coast Guard said it would try to reach them by maritime radio. Earlier in the week, the military branch flew an HC-130J aircraft over the area where the couple reported rough weather, but no evidence of their voyage was found, officials said. They set sail June 8 from the Fort Monroe marina in Hampton on their boat the Kyklades, the Greek word used to describe circle of islands at the heart of the civilization during the Bronze Age. The couple was married or soon-to-be wed, according to a post on Jones Facebook page about a combination bon voyage party, 65th birthday, and wedding, at the end of May. It is truly wonderful the pair will be reunited with their friends and family soon, James Cifers, operations unit watchstander in the Coast Guards Fifth District Command Center, which covers the Mid-Atlantic states, said in Fridays statement. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. Related: Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia. AP Photo/Steve Helber Gov. Youngkin is pushing for a 15-week abortion ban in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Youngkin has assembled a group of Republicans to develop a bill for legislators in Richmond. "Virginians do want fewer abortions as opposed to more abortions," he told The Washington Post on Friday. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia on Friday said he would push for a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. Youngkin, who took office earlier this year, said in a statement that the court's decision was an "appropriate" return of power "to the people and their elected representatives in the states." "Virginians do want fewer abortions as opposed to more abortions," the governor said in a meeting at The Washington Post shortly after the decision was made public. "I am not someone who is going to jump in and try to push us apart There is a place we can come together." Youngkin has tapped four Republican legislators who are all anti-abortion to help write legislation that will be presented to the rest of the legislature when it reconvenes in Richmond in January 2023. In Virginia, the GOP has a 52-48 majority in the House of Delegates while Democrats have a 21-19 edge in the Senate. However, Democratic state Sen. Joe Morrissey of Richmond in a Friday statement said he supports legal abortion "up to the moment a fetus can feel pain." If he aligns himself with Republicans on the issue, a Youngkin-led bill could potentially pass due to the tiebreaking vote of the GOP lieutenant governor, Winsome Earle-Sears. The governor in the past has called himself a pro-life governor and said that he'd back exceptions for rape and incest, along with cases where the life of the mother is endangered. During last year's gubernatorial campaign, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who unsuccessfully ran against Youngkin, sought to paint the Republican as an extremist who wanted to "ban abortion." Story continues In return, Youngkin said that the former governor, who served from 2014 to 2018, was "the most extreme pro-abortion candidate in America today." McAuliffe painted himself as a "brick wall" who would fight back against Republican attempts to restrict abortion in Virginia, a state that had been moving dramatically away from the GOP for over a decade until the party made a major comeback last year. Still, the Commonwealth is dominated by its urban and suburban corridors, from Northern Virginia to the Richmond metropolitan area and Hampton Roads; these areas are filled many college-educated voters who abandoned the GOP during former President Donald Trump's tenure in the White House. Democratic lawmakers across the state immediately blasted the court's 5-4 decision overturning Roe. Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, who represents a suburban district outside of Washington, DC, called the court "extreme." "The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is an all-out assault on women's right to an abortion our worst fears, realized handed down by an extreme and partisan Court that is violating decades of precedent," she said on Friday. And state Sen. Jennifer McClellan of Richmond said that a 15-week ban is "out of step with what a majority of Virginians want." "We're going to say no. We're going to say to the party that professes to care about parental rights, you will not insert yourself into the decision whether to become a parent in the first place," she added. Read the original article on Business Insider A sea of signs with phrases like Abortion is healthcare or My uterus doesnt belong to the state, broadcast the messages of a hundred protesters who gathered in light of the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: They did not support the decision, and they were not going away. The protest, outside the Williamsburg-James City County General District Court Friday evening, marked a pattern of nationwide outcry. The Supreme Court ended the constitutional protection for abortion Friday by overturning Roe v. Wade. The decision puts the power to regulate abortion in the hands of the states. While abortion still remains legal in Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he will push for legislation to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Hundreds protested against abortion bans on Monticello Avenue a month ago, after the Supreme Courts pending decision was leaked. . They gathered in the same place Friday. Honking cars peppered the cheers, speeches and music. While some people in cars cheered, others disapproved, telling protesters to go home or protect the babies. Newport News resident Janeen DeGrave said she came to protest the Supreme Courts decision. Its not fair. When I heard about it at first, I was outraged, DeGrave said. I was reading Governor Youngkin wants to put more pro-life policies in place, and that really just made me feel hopeless. Organizer Heather Meaney-Allen said she burst into tears when she heard the news of the decision. Meaney-Allen, who is on the leadership team for Williamsburg JCC Indivisible, an anti-Trump political advocacy group founded five years ago, felt she had to organize another protest so the community could rally together. We are now sitting here with all these crazy extremists on our Supreme Court deciding the future. And these are people that dont care if a young girl is raped, they are going to force her to carry a child to term, Meaney-Allen, 59, said through tears. That enough right there is so incredibly horrifying. And it is so cruel. Absolutely cruel. Story continues Organizers Meaney-Allen and Jeannette Potter, Del. Mike Mullin, D-Newport News, and Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District Herb Jones spoke at the rally. They shared their experiences of hearing that Roe v. Wade was overturned and warned that more changes may come as Clarence Thomas wrote in his majority opinion that the court should review the cases that impact LGBTQ+ rights and access to contraceptives. Ill tell you, it hit me like a ton of bricks this morning. Roe fell. And I thought I cant believe that were doing this again, said Potter, a long-time protester since the Equal Rights Amendment movement of 1972. Its always womens rights. Mullin asked protesters to rally behind legislators who believe health care decisions should remain in the hands of the individual. We have a generational fight today, a generational fight to protect the rights of all Americans to make their own health care decisions. Today, the Supreme Court says that this should be up to me as a legislator. And I can tell you, that that is not my job, Mullin said to the crowd. That its not for me to make the health care decisions. Ever. Community members also spoke, sharing their fears, the horror at receiving the news and calling for others to vote for change. York County resident Easter DiGangi said the courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was alarming to her as a rape survivor, and that the decision could stir memories for others as well. I was at work. I felt sick. I wanted to go home. I just wanted to like scream and yell and Im just so mad, DiGangi said. I hate it. I want to have control of my body. I have a daughter, she is 9 years old. And it makes me mad. It makes me mad for her. Looking for something fun to do today that also benefits members of our community? Well, look no further than Wheels of Courage, a classic car show hosted by Quaker Steak and Lube, 3320 Mid America Drive in Council Bluffs. Many business leaders in the area attend and support Wheels of Courage each year. Charles Norman Jr., General Manager and Partner of Edwards Nissan-Kia for the last 38 years, is one of them. We always want to be a part of the community and help in any way we can, he said. We feel it is an important thing to do and a way for us to give back to a community that gives to us as well. Charles is married and has five children and nine grandchildren, with two more on the way. Their family also includes a Japanese Chin named Gizmo, who is 14 years old. Family, as well as community, is very important to Charles. Our family is very close, he said. We spend a lot of time together. Yearly family vacations as a group and holidays are an important part of that. Charles is also an avid Minnesota Vikings fan (I guess well forgive him for that, as this writer is an avid Green Bay Packer fan!) Wheels of Courage is an annual fundraiser that benefits the Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundations Charitable Care Fund. Monies raised help MJEH cancer patients with costs associated with diagnosis and treatment, including incidental expenses such as groceries, housing, transportation and utilities. In addition to the 150-200 cars being shown and judged, the event also features both silent and live auctions, a 50-50 raffle and sales of logoed T-shirts and other paraphernalia. Please join Charles and the rest of the Council Bluffs community as we raise funds for those in need, while also having tons of fun! Without a doubt it will be time well spent. A recent newsletter from the Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Office set off an occasionally heated dispute between county law enforcement, the Board of Supervisors and potentially other county departments. The sheriffs offices April 2022 newsletter stated that clerical staff at the jail would be adjusting their work hours to match the work hours of the other approximately 220 employees in the sheriffs department. The four jail staff would go from working 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to what is called a straight eight, which is a continuous eight-hour shift from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. that includes a paid 30 minute lunch break. The Board did the math and concluded that clerical staff at the sheriffs office and at the jail have been working seven and a half hours per day, or 37.5 hours per week, but getting paid for 40 hours. We pay for hours worked, and no one is going to get paid to eat their lunch, Board Chairman Tim Wichman said at Tuesdays Board meeting. In my opinion we have two choices for all your clerical staff, in the sheriffs office and jail. They need to work 8 to 4:30 to get paid for eight hours a day. If they want to work 8 to 4, they get paid 37.5. I dont see any other way to do it. Per the county employees handbook, normal business hours for the county are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and those are the hours that office staff in the rest of the county work. The deputies association contract, however, states that employees who work a continuous shift get a paid 30 minute lunch. Per the associations contract, sheriffs office clerical staff are included. The situation predates Sheriff Andy Browns tenure, possibly going back as many as 40 years. Brown said he just wants to treat everyone in his office the same. I want to do whats best for my employees, Brown said at the Board meeting. I just was trying to make it right for four employees. We had four employees that were working 8 to 4:30 and now theyre on a straight eight like everybody else is out of the 220. Sheriffs office employees undergo different hiring procedures, different background checks and different certifications than other county employees, Brown said. Sheriffs office employees are also on call, Chief Deputy Jeff Theulen said. They have jobs specifically to duties that, if an emergency happens, I have to call them and say, You need to get back to the office right now, or Come back from the break room right now, Theulen said. Public safety is different, Brown said. Were different than your clerks that work at the treasurers office, different than recorders, different than your auditors. Thats why they fall under the sheriffs office hours of work and contract. However, County Attorney Matt Wilber, who was also in attendance of the meeting, pointed out that the four clerical staff at the jail are not covered by the deputies association contract. Jail staff, despite being grouped in with the sheriffs office staff on the organizational chart and receiving the same benefits as sheriffs office staff, are not members of the deputies association or any other union, and are thus required to follow the guidelines in the employees handbook. Wilber explained the potential pitfalls the Board faces, regardless of what their decision is. Youre either going to have the union employees at the sheriffs office that have been working 8 to 4 that are going to now be told that they have to work 8 to 430 to get the same pay, which is likely going to lead to a grievance, Wilber said. Or youre going to say, were going to just basically give special consideration to the sheriffs office, which is probably going to lead to a (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) grievance or roads department or whoever else. The four jail clerical staff are looking into the possibility of joining the deputies association, Theulen said, which could be a lengthy process. Ultimately, the Board decided that the sheriffs office staff was indeed covered by the deputies association contract and any changes would have to come through arbitration and negotiation when the contract is up for renewal, which wont be until June 30, 2023. Wichman temporarily resigned his position as chairman, handing the title to Brian Shea, so that he could make a motion that, starting July1, the jail staff need to work 40 hours a week to get paid for 40 hours a week. Lynn Grobe seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of 3-1, with Justin Schultz the lone nay vote, and Shea not voting because of his chairman pro tem status. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. For those who get caught speeding in Nebraska, the fines start out small just $10 for going 1 to 5 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Drivers who travel between 20 to 34 mph over the speed limit are fined $200, and those who are really gunning it (more than 35 mph over the limit) COLUMBUS Most people want their lawns to be green and lush during the summer, even when temperatures rise and rain stops falling. To accomplish that, many people set their sprinklers on autopilot allowing them to run every day or every other day and dont pay attention to whether the g Morocco will start issuing electronic visas for 49 Countries as of July 10, 2022, in an effort to boost the tourism sector that was hard hit by the COVID-19. The e-visa has a duration of 30 days and can be extended up to six months with multiple-entry in Morocco. Besides the 49 countries concerned by the move, the holders of resident cards from visa-exempt countries such as the Schengen Area, Switzerland, Canada, England among others and the holders of Schengen visas or U.S. Visa are also concerned by this measure. With the launch of electronic visas, foreign tourists to Morocco will be able to complete all the steps online and receive their visas by e-mail. We have been waiting for a long time for this catalyst which will give us access to more tourist emitting markets, Minister of Tourism Fatim-Zahra Ammor was quoted as saying. The visa is a key factor in the choice of a destination, she said. With the issuing of electronic visas, Morocco becomes more competitive on the international arena, said Ammor, who thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for this record achievement which was among the main requests of the trade. This action comes to reinforce the moves already undertaken by the supervisory bodies of the Ministry of Tourism, to promote the Morocco destination. After years of closure of borders, Morocco lifted the travel ban on February 7. The government has further eased travel restrictions through Operation Marhaba 2022 in May, an initiative facilitating the return of the Moroccan diaspora for the summer holidays. Morocco also removed the requirement of the PCR test, increased the number of air links, and diversified the tourism offer. Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez lauded the efforts made by Moroccan and Spanish security forces to stop a violent storming of Melilla fence, a Spanish occupied enclave in Northern Morocco. Early on Friday June 24, more than 2000 Sub-Saharan migrants marched violently with sticks, acid, bladed weapons and stones attacking Moroccan security forces as they stormed the fence. Some 130 migrants made it to Melilla, and Moroccos interior ministry said five died as they pushed through or fell from the fence. However, local authorities in Nador later on said that the death toll in the assault reached 18 dead, as several people injured during this sad event finally succumbed to their injuries. Among the 76 candidates for illegal emigration who were injured when forcing through the fence and who were rushed to the hospital services of Nador and Oujda, 13 passed away. The fence raid was so violent that 140 Moroccan security staff were injured, including five seriously. Sanchez thanked Morocco for the exemplary cooperation in fighting illegal migration paying a tribute to Moroccan and his countrys security officers. Footage on social media showed Sub-Saharan as they forced their way to the fence, triggering clashes with security forces. Sanchez expressed solidarity with security forces from both countries, who have been injured during violent clashes with Sub-Saharan migrants who attempted to illegally cross the fence. On this occasion, I would like to stress the need to maintain good relations with Morocco, a strategic ally for SpainI recall that Morocco is also facing strong migration pressure from Sub-Saharan countries, notably those in the Sahel region, said Sanchez. In the first quarter of 2022 alone, Moroccan authorities stopped 14,746 migrants from crossing illegally to Spain. During the same period, Morocco dismantled 52 migrant trafficking networks. In 2021, Morocco foiled 63,121 migration attempts to Europe and dismantled 256 trafficking networks. Is there one food that resonates across the United States? Tacos, perhaps. According to Alejandra Ramos, host of The Great American Recipe, judges often heard about someone serving tacos, but it was always with this completely different spin. We had Korean tacos. We had Mexican tacos. We had the all-American ground-beef-style tacos. All these different interpretations of this one dish. And, no matter where the recipes emerged, there were surprises. While contestants may have represented a certain area, their dishes werent site specific. One was from New England, but he didnt do typical chowder. One was from New York, but her food was Puerto Rican. More likely, officials say, the recipes were inspired by family. Executive Produce Jilly Pearce says the PBS series is really about love and family and connection. The recipes tell the story of who we are. The secret ingredient: Stories. In the casting process, producers looked at the recipes, the contestants heritage and their personalities. The goal was to find the best home cooks living in the United States. Because it was produced during the pandemic, contestants, show personnel and judges were separated from their families. Food, then, became a way for everyone to connect. Jonathan Barzilay, the chief operating officer for PBS, called it a recipe for optimism. The show really evolved as a concept during the pandemic, Pearce says. Hopefully, the audience will connect with that. Because contestants are amateurs, they had to adapt to the changes found in a television cooking setting. When somebody is used to being able to cook something for like five hours and they have to adapt to one of our competition times, thats a big challenge, Pearce says. Tiffany Derry, one of the shows judges, says contestants werent prepared for the intensity of the stovetops they were using. Theyd go, Its so hot. How did it cook so fast? It definitely was a challenge for them. Those contestants also had to adapt their recipes to work in the setting. If they needed special tools, they were able to bring them from home. It really told a story about their heritage, Pearce says. Some of those things had been in their family for years. Because the contestants werent attempting anything too complex, home chefs could easily re-create the dishes. Hopefully every viewer is going to see that with so many different cultures being represented, ingredients that they use and have in their pantry are probably different than what everybody has at home, judge Graham Elliot says. Hopefully, this will encourage them to go out and try some new things and experiment when those ingredients. To make it a bit easier, there will be a cookbook to accompany the series. If theres a challenge, its in sourcing the ingredients, says judge Leah Cohen. Find the right ones at a Mexican or Asian grocery, for example and a new world could open. I dont think we always value how great simple, delicious food is. The Great American Recipe airs on PBS. The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners will consider adopting a resolution creating an inland port authority at 10 a.m. on Monday. The resolution comes after the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corp. was notified it had qualified for the full $30 million in state funds available to help build the rail park outside of Hershey. Inland port authorities help manage logistics and distribution hubs that handle goods involved in international trade but lie away from coastal seaports. In other action, the commissioners will: Consider renewal of a lease agreement with Gordon and Mary Petersen for the Probation Offices and Reporting Center at 102 E. Third St., Suites 201, 203 and 204. Consider a mini grant application submitted by the Sheriffs Office to the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety for national speeding prevention. Consider adoption of a resolution that strips the ability of the Lincoln County Planning Commission to grant conditional use permits without a vote of the County Board. If passed, final say on conditional use permits in the county would fall to the board. Consider a contribution agreement with Dormie Network LLC for an asphalt overlay project for a portion of North Maxwell Road. Discuss controlling black tail prairie dogs in Lincoln County. Consider purchase of property located at 18610 West Highway 30, Hershey, from Greenbrier Rail Services. Recognize several Lincoln County employees. Consider authorizing the Jaycees to work with the Lincoln County Ag Society to sell alcohol at the fair event on July 21 for the special designated liquor permit that was approved at the last meeting. Authorizing the chairman to sign a special designated liquor permit submitted by La Casa Del Rios for a reception at Harbor Lights on July 16. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision allowing states to ban abortion immediately stirred alarm Friday among LGBTQ advocates, who feared that the ruling could someday allow a rollback of legal protections for gay relationships, including the right for same-sex couples to marry. In the court's majority opinion overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Justice Samuel Alito said the decision applied only to abortion. But critics of the court's conservative majority discounted that statement. And in a separate concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should review other precedents, including its 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage, a 2003 decision striking down laws criminalizing gay sex and a 1965 decision declaring that married couples have a right to use contraception. "Let's just be clear. Today is about this horrifying invasion of privacy that this court is now allowing, and when we lose one right that we have relied on and enjoyed, other rights are at risk," said Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff in the landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, who is now running as a Democrat for the Ohio House. Abortion opponents celebrated the potential for states to ban abortion after nearly 50 years of being prevented from doing so. Some also argued that the case did not have implications beyond that, noting Alito's specific statement. "And to ensure that our decision is not misunderstood or mischaracterized, we emphasize that our decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right," Alito wrote. "Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion." Still, said Paul Dupont, a spokesman for the conservative anti-abortion American Principles Project, conservatives are optimistic about the potential for future victories on cultural issues, though getting more states to ban abortion is "a huge enough battle." "If there is a thought that this could apply elsewhere, you know, they're not going to say it here, and we're just going to have to see," Dupont said. Many abortion opponents insist that overturning Roe will not affect access to birth control or LGBTQ rights. Other factors could protect those rulings too: The Obergefell decision that legalized same-sex marriage was based on equal protection, and hundreds of thousands of couples have relied on it to wed, a precedent that many courts would be loath to disturb. Still, a sharp increase in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in the U.S. and opposition to some forms of birth control from some quarters on the right have advocates concerned that those rights are vulnerable. The court's three most liberal members argued that the majority decision "breaches a core rule-of-law principle, designed to promote constancy in the law" and "places in jeopardy" other rights. At the White House, President Joe Biden pledged to do everything in his power to defend a woman's right to have an abortion in states where it will be banned. He warned that the ruling could undermine rights to contraception and gay marriage: "This is an extreme and dangerous path." Then there is Thomas' concurring opinion, which Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the pro-LGBTQ-rights Human Rights Campaign, called an invitation for "stirring up fringe organizations, fringe politicians who want to harm the LGBTQ community." "There are clearly members of the court who have an outdated notion of what America looks like today and have a fantasy of returning to their painted idealism of a 1940s, 1950s America, certainly not what it really was in the 1940s and '50s," she said. "And that is terrifying." Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, called the decision "dangerous" and warned that it carves the nation into two parts. He predicted there will be "a tsunami of radical litigation and legislation aimed at further eroding rights we have taken for granted." "Make no mistake this is just the beginning of a systematic right-wing effort to rewrite decades of bedrock legal precedent," he said. ___ Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko in Washington, Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, Julie Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, in Lindsay Whitehurst, in Salt Lake City, contributed to this report. Abortion rights proponents said abortion remains legal and accessible in Nebraska in the wake of Friday's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, and that they will work to keep it that way. A security guard at Omaha Northwest High School has been charged with possession of child pornography and child enticement after he allegedly made sexual comments to and initiated a relationship with a 16-year-old student. According to an affidavit, a 16-year-old female student at Northwest was reported missing by a parent on Feb. 17. The parent told officers that she may be with Joshua Higgs, a 29-year-old contracted school security guard. Officers were able to contact the girl via phone, at which point she advised that she was in a car with Higgs. According to the affidavit, she exited the vehicle and began to walk home after learning that she had been reported missing. In an interview conducted that night, the girl said Higgs told her not to tell law enforcement about him or his vehicle. He also allegedly told her to delete their messages. The girl told officers that the two had been messaging since the day prior and Higgs had made sexual comments and remarks about wanting to date her. The girl's parents gave police permission to search her phone, which officials say revealed multiple inappropriate messages on Snapchat and Facebook Messenger. Officials said the conversations showed Higgs making sexual comments about the girl and asking her for photos of herself in underwear, which she sent. With this information, according to the affidavit, a search warrant was obtained for Higgs' Snapchat and Facebook Messenger accounts. Police found three photos of the girl in underwear and various graphic descriptions of sex acts sent to the girl by Higgs. Higgs has been charged with three felonies: possession of child pornography, witness tampering and enticing a child via electronic communication device. At his first court appearance Thursday, Higgs' bail was set at $50,000. He must pay 10% of that, or $5,000, to be released. He is scheduled to appear in court again next month for a preliminary hearing. Shirley Lang has been praying for the past 50 years that she would live long enough to see this day. There was never a doubt in her heart that Roe v. Wade the landmark Supreme Court case that enshrined a woman's constitutional right to an abortion in 1973 would eventually be overturned, as happened Friday. The question was when? "I didn't think it would take this long," the 88-year-old Lincoln woman said. "There have been people praying all over America to undo this because it is wrong." Friday felt like a day for commemoration, longtime anti-abortion activists in Lincoln say: For the nearly 50 years of prayer and hard work, but also for those affected by abortion in the years since. Lang remembers being at the first Walk for Life outside the state Capitol in 1974, the beginning of a lifelong passion to end abortion. She remembers distinctly the words one state senator left the demonstrators with on the Capitol steps. "He said 'You are on the right side, but you're going to have to work at this for years,'" she said. Lang took the words to heart and eventually co-founded Lincoln Right to Life. "I felt like I had to do something about it," she said. Sandy Danek became involved in the fight in 1989, volunteering with Nebraska Right to Life. As a mother who'd experienced the pain of miscarriage, the battle was a personal one. "That experience caused me to want to work for the benefit of the child in the womb," she said. Like Lang, she believed this day would come because Roe "isn't good law," and the fact that prenatal technology like ultrasounds has improved in the years since. Danek eventually served as president of the Nebraska Right to Life board and now serves as executive director, a position she assumed when longtime leader Julie Schmit-Albin died of cancer in 2020. There's a certain poignancy that Schmit-Albin is not here to see this day, those who knew her say, considering the profound influence she had on the anti-abortion movement across the state. "It strikes an emotional chord with me," Danek said. "When she died, many said and I believe it that the pro-life structure in the state is due to in part what Julie did in the 32 years she was director. She was brilliant, but steady and strong." Lisa McInerney leads Lincoln's chapter of Sidewalk Advocates for Life, a group of volunteers who gather outside Planned Parenthood near 48th Street and Old Cheney Road. There are anywhere from two to four people on the sidewalk during Planned Parenthood's operating hours on Tuesdays the day on which abortions are typically performed, McInerney says. People often come to pray, but there are also trained volunteers who approach people driving up to the building to offer resources or to point them to one of Lincoln's three pregnancy care centers including one right across the street that offer free ultrasounds and supplies. Volunteers who support abortion rights are also present, escorting women into the building. Friday's decision doesn't immediately impact the availability of abortion in Nebraska, but Gov. Pete Ricketts is expected to convene the Legislature for a special session to restrict it. If that happens, McInerney said the focus of the sidewalk advocates will center on informing women who have been referred by Planned Parenthood to other states where it is legal. Lincoln's Sidewalk Advocates chapter has only been around for a few years, but anti-abortion activists have gathered and prayed outside Planned Parenthood for much longer. For years, activists met outside its former location at 37th and South streets, and Lincoln Right to Life operated a location in a house just to the south of it. When Planned Parenthood moved farther south near 48th and Old Cheney, Lincoln Right to Life followed, moving into a location near where the Women's Care Center, which offers ultrasounds and pregnancy counseling, is now. Friday's decision feels like an answer to the prayers of those people who have stood outside Planned Parenthood for years, McInerney said. "We've prayed and hoped for it for a long time," she said. Julia Lostroh went to her first Walk for Life in 1981 and has been active in the anti-abortion fight ever since. Friday's decision doesn't mean the fight is over, she said, since many states will still have legal abortion as they did before Roe made it federally legal. While it's a day of joy, for Lostroh and others, there is a sense of remembrance attached to the news. "It's not a celebration type of a thing because this is so sad that we've lived with it for 50 years," said Lostroh, a former lobbyist and now PAC chairman for Nebraska Right to Life. "I think it will be a commemoration and a new start for us as far as being able to (implement) some meaningful protections for life." Marion Miner, the director of pro-life and family policy for the Nebraska Catholic Conference, called the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in a Mississippi abortion case that led to the overturning of Roe "surreal" and "a real victory for human rights and the fulfillment of many hopes and prayers." He understands, however, that emotions are going to be high on either side of the abortion divide. "I think it's incumbent on us to recall that in the midst of our rejoicing and our resolve to act ... those people who are likely to be in shock or unsure of the future," he said. "The church is with those who are suffering, with those who are confused, with those who are alone, and people should know that." Bishop James Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln said on Twitter shortly after Friday's news he thought he would never see Roe overturned during his lifetime, but always believed the day would come. "Our Lord has given us a great gift from the love of his most sacred heart," Conley wrote. "We now have to reach out to women and families who find themselves in difficult situations and love them with the heart of Jesus." In the weeks preceding the decision, which came months after a leaked draft of the court's majority opinion, Catholic churches in Lincoln warned parishioners to be vigilant for possible attacks when the ruling was handed down. Danek voiced similar concerns, but also said there will be people who will want to "celebrate in the public square." "They see this as 50 years of very difficult work and finally the victory has been realized," she said. A victory Lang waited five decades to see. "When I stand in front of God on Judgment Day, he'll say what did you do in this country, where you were free to stop this?" she said. "And I want to be able to say I tried my best." Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @HammackLJS The Opelika Police Department is looking for a suspect who stole approximately $850 in merchandise from Salon Centric, on 3768 Pepperell Parkway. This third degree theft of property occurred on June 17, and the suspect entered the store at approximately 2:03 p.m., according to the police report. Police said surveillance video shows the suspect to be a black male wearing a black hat, a black t-shirt with white stripes on the sleeves, black pants and white sneakers. The suspect was last seen running in the direction of Harbor Freight, police said. Anyone with information on this incident or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at 334-705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. Tips can also be forwarded through Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP(7867), toll-free at 1-833-AL1-STOP, or via their Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/215stop or their website: www.215STOP.com. As expected, the voter turnout for the primary runoff on June 21 was much lower than it was for the primary election on May 24. Also, a much higher percentage of Republican ballots were cast in the runoff. In the runoff election, the races in which no candidates garnered a simple majority were narrowed to the top two candidates who received the most votes statewide, ensuring that one candidate would receive a majority. More than 121,000 citizens are registered to vote in Lee County. During last months primary election, voters in Lee County cast 20,508 ballots, for a voter turnout of 16.9%. In the primary runoff election, the voter turnout dropped to 7.3%, with Lee Countians casting 8,867 ballots. As expected, with the majority of the partisan races involving Republicans, most voters in both the primary and the primary runoff took a Republican ballot, but the percentage of Republican voters was much higher in the runoff. In the primary election in May, about 80.5% of the ballots cast, or 16,508, were Republican, while about 19.5%, or 3,990, were for Democrats. Some nonpartisan ballots and a blank ballot were cast. In the runoff election this month, about 92% of the ballots cast, or 8,867, were Republican, while about 8%, or 701, were cast for Democrats. Voters had to declare a party and choose a party ballot for the primary election, and anyone voting in the May primary was required to choose the same party for their ballot in the June runoff. Anyone who had not voted in the May primary could choose either party ballot for the runoff. There were six or seven races on the Republican runoff ballot in Lee County, depending on whether the voter lived in District 4, where a seat on the Lee County Commission was up for grabs. There was only one race on the Democratic runoff ballot, which was for the partys gubernatorial candidate in Novembers general election. Heres how voting in these races compared to their results in last months primary, according to the Countys election reports. Alabama Governor (Democrat) Malika Sanders-Fortier narrowed her deficit in Lee County against Yolanda Flowers in the runoff, but still lost in Lee County and statewide. In Mays Democratic primary in Lee County, Flowers got 1,660 votes, or 44.7% of votes cast. Sanders-Fortier got 942 votes, or 25.4% of votes cast. In Junes primary runoff in Lee County, Flowers got 413 votes, or 58.9% of votes cast, while Sanders-Fortier got 288 votes, or 41.1% of votes cast. Statewide, Flowers won the runoff with 55.1% of votes. U.S. Senator Katie Britt gained more than 20 percentage points in Lee County in the runoff against Mo Brooks, while cruising to victory statewide. In Mays Republican primary in Lee County, Britt got 8,779 votes, or 55.4% of votes cast. Brooks got 3,512 votes, or 22.2% of votes cast. Since Britt only garnered 44.7% of votes statewide, a primary runoff election was triggered for the race. In Junes Republican primary runoff in Lee County, Britt got 6232 votes, or 76.9% of votes cast. Brooks got 1,871 votes, or 23.1% of votes cast. Statewide, Britt won the runoff with 63.0% of votes. Secretary of State Jim Zeigler got more votes than Wes Allen in Lee County in May, but was soundly beaten by Allen, both in Lee County and statewide, in the primary. In Mays Republican primary in Lee County, Allen got 4,824 votes, or 35.4% of votes cast. Zeigler got 5,117 votes, or 37.6% of votes cast. In Junes Republican primary runoff in Lee County, Allen got 4,685 votes, or 61.8% of votes cast. Zeigler got 2,891 votes, or 38.2% of votes cast. Statewide, Allen won the runoff with 65.4% of votes. State Auditor Rusty Glover got the most votes in Lee County in May but did not get enough votes statewide and failed to qualify for the runoff. Lee County favored Stan Cook, its second choice in May, in the runoff, but Andrew Sorrell got more votes statewide and won the election. In Mays Republican primary in Lee County, Cooke got 3,630 votes, or 29.1% of votes cast. Sorrell got 3,985 votes, or 32.0% of votes cast. Glover got 4,851 votes, or 38.9% of votes cast, but garnered less votes statewide than Cooke and Sorrell and did not advance to the runoff election. In Junes Republican primary runoff in Lee County, Cooke got 3,564 votes, or 51.9% of votes cast. Sorrell got 3,309 votes, or 48.1% of votes cast. Statewide, Sorrell won the election with 57% of votes. Public Service Commission, Place 1 In this tight race, Lee County favored Brent Woodall by 0.1% in the primary but favored Oden, the eventual statewide winner, by 1.8% in the runoff. In Mays Republican primary in Lee County, Woodall got 3,731, or 31.9% of votes cast. Oden got 3,722 votes, or 31.8% of votes cast. In Junes Republican primary runoff in Lee County, Oden got 3,352 votes, or 50.9% of votes cast. Woodall got 3,235 votes, or 49.1% of votes cast. Statewide, Oden won the runoff with 52% of votes. Public Service Commission, Place 2 Lee County favored Robert McCollum by half a percentage point over Chip Beeker in May, but then gave Beeker a 7.5% margin of victory in Junes runoff. In Mays Republican primary in Lee County, McCollum got 4,722 votes, or 39.7% of votes cast, while Beeker got 4,661 votes, or 39.2% of votes cast. In Junes Republican primary runoff in Lee County, Beeker got 3,568 votes, or 53.8% of votes cast. McCollum got 3,062 votes, or 46.2% of votes cast. Statewide, Beeker won the election with 63% of votes. Lee County Commission, District 4 In this race, limited to ballots in Lee Countys District 4, incumbent Robert Ham beat Tony Langley by 61 votes but both advanced to a runoff because they nearly split the vote three ways with Greg Boddie, who narrowly missed the runoff. In the June runoff, Langley won by 851 votes. In Mays Republican primary, Ham got 1,695 votes, or 34.5% of votes cast, while Langley got 1,634 votes, or 33.2% of votes cast. In Junes Republican primary runoff, Ham won with 1,108 votes, or 36.1% of votes cast. Langley got 1,959 votes, or 63.9% of votes cast. Municipal elections are coming up in August for the City of Auburn, and all eight Council seats, which are held for a four-year term, are up for grabs this year. The election is slated for Aug. 23. The qualifying deadline for candidates is June 28, and the City expects more people to qualify before that date. Heres whos qualified so far: For the office of Mayor, incumbent Ron Anders Jr. is currently running unopposed. He is in his first term as mayor, and was first appointed to Council in 2012. For Ward 1, incumbent Connie Fitch-Taylor is in her first term and is currently opposed by Arthur L. Dowdell Sr. For Ward 2, incumbent Kelley Griswold is in his first term and is currently opposed by Paul West. For Ward 3, incumbent Beth Witten is currently running unopposed and is in her second term. For Ward 4, Tyler Adams and Chad Leverette have both qualified to run. Jennifer Stephens, who was sworn in this week to finish out the term of Brett Smith, says she does not plan to run for the permanent seat. For Ward 5, Sarah Jane Levine, Leah Billye Welburn V, and Henry G. Sonny Moreman III have all qualified. Incumbent Steven Dixon has not qualified as of publication. For Ward 6, incumbent Bob Parsons, who is in his first term on the council, will be opposed by Phillip Pollard. For Ward 7, Max Coblentz, and Greg Lane have both qualified. Incumbent Jay Hovey, who has unofficially won a state senate seat by one vote, has not qualified as of publication. Tommy Dawson, incumbent for Ward 8, is in his second term and is currently running unopposed. According to the City of Auburn, to be eligible to run for public office all potential candidates must file a statement of candidacy at City Hall at 144 Tichenor Ave. by June 28. Additional paperwork regarding campaign finances also has to be filled out with the state. To run for any office the candidate must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a registered voter. To run for the mayors office, candidates must have lived in Auburn for at least 90 days prior to the election. To run for a city council position, candidates must have lived in their district for at least 90 days prior to the election. Peterson and Williams Funeral Home in Opelika is celebrating its 100-year anniversary of operating as a family-run business. The funeral home was established in 1922 and is now managed by the fourth generation of the Peterson family, who serves the community and helps families through loss and tragedy. Thomas Peterson III, 48, is the current manager of the funeral home and is the fourth generation of his family to operate it. His mother, Birdie Peterson, who has worked at the funeral home since 1997, is the assistant manager as well as a funeral director and embalmer. It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and it took a lot of prayer, Peterson said. Mayor Gary Fuller said the business has remained constant in Opelika while other businesses have come and gone over the years. The owners of Peterson and Williams Funeral Home have witnessed many changes in the industry, Mayor Gary Fuller said. Through it all, Peterson and Williams mission of humbly serving familys with dignity and respect has never changed. Billy Allen, the president of the Lee County NAACP, has worked at the Peterson and Williams Funeral Home for the past two years and said the Peterson family is a pillar of the community. As a young child growing up in Opelika, they were an inspiration to me and gave me a lot of determination to make a better life for myself, Allen said. Seeing that they could do it during that time and being an African-American business gave meand others also, but me in particular being an African-American young man a lot of good examples to follow to be a successful young man. Four generations Peterson, 48, said the funeral home began in 1922 as a partnership between friends. L.C. Williams, a mortician, asked William Peterson, Thomas great grandfather, to open the business with him. William Peterson was originally from Hurtsboro, Ala. Later he moved to Tuskegee and eventually settled in Opelika around 1910. Prior to the partnership with Williams, William Peterson owned a grocery store and a restaurant in Opelika, less than 60 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed and more than 30 years before the Civil Rights movement began. Being an African American, that had to be real hard, Peterson said. My great-granddad was born in 1875, I think, so there was no question was his parents slaves or not. Theres a lot of sacrifices to be made just to get here. It had to be the grace of the Lord to help us get this far. After Williams asked if hed join with him in the funeral home business, Thomas great-grandfather decided to close the grocery store and restaurant to focus on that one thing. Over the years, the funeral home was passed along to Petersons grandfather, Thomas Sr., then to his father, Thomas Jr., and now to him. Helping people Peterson said this line of work is important because it involves helping people when they are most vulnerable, as its their last chance to see their loved ones. I enjoy it so much because youre helping somebody through the worst time of their life, he said. Peterson remembers when the tornado struck Beauregard in 2019 and killed 23 people. He oversaw funerals for nine of them, and he said that two of the bodies were not viewable. He said that was especially difficult for those families because they couldnt have closure. At the age of about 13, Peterson said his father started to teach him about the trade, and he knew he would pursue the career when he grew up. He said he used to tell his grandmother, When I get old, Im gonna go to work there and wear a suit and tie like my dad. Thats exactly what he did. After graduating from Opelika High School, he attended Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service for mortuary science. Dad put down a good blueprint for us to follow, he said. We just follow the same blueprint hes been doing since the 1970s, just treating people right, treating people fair. You cant make 100 years without treating people right, treating them fair and having respect for them. Peterson said he likes following in his fathers footsteps. He always told me and my brother, I dont care if a person has a dollar or if they have a million dollars, you ought to treat them with respect. Thats what he instilled in us, and thats what I instill into my daughter, he said. Peterson is married to Sharon, a Lee County corrections officer, and they have a 16-year-old daughter, Sincere, who plans to become a physicians assistant. In his retirement, Petersons father still lives in Opelika and comes to help out at the funeral home from time to time. Peterson said the 100-year anniversary seemed to sneak up on them, but it feels like just another year. Really, it was Gods will. Theres not too many businesses in Opelika or Auburn thats 100 years old, and were just glad to be one of them. When asked about the Supreme Courts decision on Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade, an Auburn pastor turned to Scripture. I think its a day of celebration for believers whose authority is the Word of God and not the culture, said Brian Payne, senior pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church. Psalm 139 says, You formed my inward parts. You knitted me together in my mothers womb. I praise you for Im fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful is your work. So, its the work of God to be conceived in the mothers womb, and life begins at conception. Its not just the Bible that tells us that but science tells us that and so we are celebrating this victory. Jennifer McCracken, childrens minister at Parkway Baptist Church in Auburn, also referenced the Bible when explaining her view of the decision. Ephesians 2:10 said that were a living masterpiece, she said. Were not created by accident. And Scripture tells us that God created us and he knew us even before we were born. I dont think we have the power to decide whether or not we can take an unborn childs life. She too called the ruling a victory, but one she didnt expect. Im shocked that it happened, McCracken said. I really didnt think that it was going to be overturned. To find out that it did I think is just a great win for pro-life supporters and evangelicals especially. You know, its the sanctity of life and believing that God created each one of us and for a plan and a purpose and just the value of life being recognized. Rev. Monsignor Michael L. Farmer, of St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Church in Auburn said the decision made him happy, and I think most Catholics would be happy. But we also very much understand, too, that there still needs to be ... a conversion of the heart of people about the issue and the moral issue of abortion, Farmer continued. So indeed, were happy about the decision. And we will just continue to do what we always do, and that is to understand that the overturning does not necessarily mean the overturning of peoples opinions about abortion. So that also has to continue to be prayed about. Elijah Barnes, a member of the worship team at Living Word Christian Center in Tuskegee, called the Supreme Courts ruling a wise decision. I believe every person should have a chance, and I believe that even a fetus should have a chance, Barnes said. Me being a Christian, of course, its in the Bible. It says in the Old Testament, especially it talks about that life begins upon conception. So once you have a life, thats another human life youre talking about. And for me, if human life is important to God, it should be important to every Christian and every believer. Brenda French, a Beauregard resident and a volunteer at Womens Hope Medical Clinic in Auburn, said abortion should be left up to each state, an opinion also shared by Payne and Barnes. I would think it would be fabulous for the states to have the authority to say yea or nay having abortion in their state or not, French said. Fifteen weeks you can hear the heartbeat. You can tell brain activity at 15 weeks, its even actually at 12 weeks. Theyre starting to form body parts by then. And so its important that we recognize that this is an actual baby, not just a bunch of cells. Party Gras more like Party Bras Reply Thread Link Has anyone here seen James in concert? Im going to see them and I hope theyre good live. Reply Thread Link op where are we seeing him!? Im gonna get a bedazzled cowboy hat! Reply Thread Link he has official bret michaels glow-in-dark cowboy hats, too. Reply Parent Thread Link bb, why are you trying to fit in when you were born to stand out? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I saw a TT last night where a guy was talking about how his friend was on him to get RATM tickets this year since they hadn't been able to do it in 2020. Dude said he just doesn't care anymore. Him 2 years ago was excited but him now could not fathom attending a concert. That's kind of how I feel about a lot of things now. There's an implied risk in every decision now. All this to say my husband got us tickets for Pitbull in the fall. Reply Thread Link after bret michaels, i can approve of pit bull. Reply Parent Thread Link Bret Michaels tag when @ mods Reply Thread Link At this point we owe it to op Reply Parent Thread Link It's an ongoing fight between right and wrong. Reply Parent Thread Link what is the best concert you've ever been to? Backstreet Boys Tour in 1998 where my mom was sick and my dad ended up having to take me and did not have a good time while I was having the 11 year old me time of my life. I don't go to many concerts lmao. The last big one I can remember going to was because my mother dragged me along, it was Neil Diamond, and I might have fallen asleep. Reply Thread Link I have so many concerts this year. Do wish I could add this to the list, but between VIP NKOTB (alone) and VIP Rob Zombie with my dude and then Gaga with my dad (it was his idea) I'm booked Reply Thread Link I am glad that you, at least, are celebrating, hotties. Reply Thread Link To answer the question, The Killers was my fav concert to date. Reply Parent Thread Link So Joan Jett is playing an hour or so from my house and I guess this is the tour shes on? Dang I would go for ONTD reasons (& also the groupie watching at these sorts of tours is bonkers) but I voted for the second option. Best concert experience Ive had overall: Depeche Mode, in an Atlanta amphitheater near the airport that has changed names like 20 times since the date I saw them in 2002(? It was the Exciter tour). I was on the lawn with 2 friends & my mom, & after about the 3rd song on the set list I realized we were essentially surrounded by at least 20 hot shirtless dudes who were dancing like the world was ending (which at the time it wasnt ending as fast as it is now). The dudes were all together as a group & my little group merged with theirs for a rare, carefree dancing like a fool time without fear of getting harassed or anything. It was fantastic. Reply Thread Link Lol op is not exaggerating. Can confirm amphitheater has changed names 20 times. Reply Parent Thread Link That was such a good tour! Reply Parent Thread Link Lol no matter how many times they change it I'm still going to refer to it as Lakewood Reply Parent Thread Link Okay dont hate ONTD but my favorite concert was Iggy Azalea before she was big. It was small, intimate and I was front row. She brought out TI, Gucci and some other local Atlanta rappers. Everyone was vibing and having a good time. This was before we knew all these people were problematic but obviously having big names at such a small concert was a big deal. Reply Thread Link Hahaha, I was at the Atlanta show. I don't necessarily like Poison or Bret, but he does put on a pretty good show. Lots of energy. I was there for Joan Jett and Def Leppard, definitely could have done without Motley Crue. I only started going to concerts within the past 10 years so I haven't been to many. My favorites so far have been Backstreet Boys back in 2019 (i think?) and then Def Leppard & Journey was really good as well! Reply Thread Link Stans better take notes Reply Thread Link Honestly with those no name musicians along with him that concert sounds pretty dope. I've seen Joan Jett and she was awesome. Along with Heart and Cheap Trick probably top five concerts Duran Duran is my absolute fave tho. Sorry OP. Reply Thread Link Probably the best show Ive ever seen was Rivers Cuomo doing a solo acoustic show at the Troubadour a few years ago. My favorite show beginning to end with openers was when Weezer toured with Tenacious D and Jimmy Eat World in I think 2001. Reply Thread Link what is the best concert you've ever been to? Honestly? I saw Tears for Fears last month and they were incredible. I've always been a casual fan, but I had no idea they were such talented instrumentalists too. If they ever come your way, I really do recommend seeing them. Their new album is great too. Reply Thread Link How was Garbage tho Reply Parent Thread Link Sanctions against Russia have intensified Europes search for alternative energy suppliers. One of them is Colombia whose President Duque seeks to take advantage of the countrys coal reservoirs. This is likely to aggravate already existing socio-environmental conflicts and human rights violations for inhabitants of major mining regions. European Energy Supply, without Russia? In response to Russias invasion in Ukraine, the European Union (EU) has introduced numerous sanctions. These target Russias imminently important energy sector. On April 8th, the EU Member States announced an important ban for Russian coal from August 2022 onwards. Up until then, 70% of European thermal coal imports had come from Russia. This has sparked a global search for viable alternatives. Increased imports from other major suppliers, including Australia, South Africa and the US, play an important role in this regard. Colombia is another candidate which seems willing and capable of increasing its coal sales to Europe. Prior to Russias invasion in Ukraine, Colombia had already doubled its thermal coal exports to Europe at short notice when logistical problems delayed the delivery of Russian coal on a large scale. It is thus unsurprising that Colombias President Duque publicly reported a phone call with German chancellor Olaf Scholz in which Colombia agreed to increase its coal exports to Germany as a substitute for Russia. Colombian Coal: A Suitable Replacement? Natural resource exports have sustained the Colombian economy since its colonial days. Due to rapidly increasing global commodity prices, this trend accelerated since the turn of the century. While Colombia is endowed with numerous resources of global interest, including oil, gas, gold, emeralds and more, coal plays a particularly important role. As such, Diego Mesa, Minister for Mines and Energy of the conservative Duque government currently in power, stated in March 2021 that coal mining secured 120,000 jobs, generating 85% of the central governments entire mining revenues. Related: Europe Faces Red Alert For Gas Supply As Russia Reduces Flows Coal mining is geographically concentrated in the northernmost provinces of La Guajira and Cesar. The department of La Guajira has hosted Latin Americas largest open-pit mine since the 1980s. Commonly known as Cerrejon, its owning company Glencore enjoys massive tax reductions in Colombia. However, ordinary citizens do not seem to have benefited from this resource wealth. Approximately 63% of its citizens live in poverty, and an additional 25% live in extreme poverty. While thousands of residents, particularly indigenous Wayuu, struggle to access potable water, water sources were diverted to the mine, which consumes 24 million litres of water every day. Affected communities are increasingly mobilising against this use of Colombias resource wealth, angered by how it is impacting the lives of ordinary citizens. This has fostered growing numbers of socio-environmental conflicts across Colombia. The Duque administration and its predecessors have, in the past, tended to side with transnational mining companies, arguing that natural resource revenues are needed to achieve development. Continuing to take advantage of these resources, as a result of the Ukraine crisis, is therefore likely to intensify such conflicts given its impact on Colombian citizens. For Cerrejon, practical implications are already coming to the surface: Glencore (one of the worlds largest natural resource companies) now envisages a further expansion of the mine. To this end, the Duque administration recently granted permission to divert the Bruno stream, the main tributary to the last remaining river in the Guajira desert. Openly violating previous court rulings, the consequences of this decision are potentially life-threatening, with experts fearing this move could dry up the entire river. Risk Outlook Considering that the lifting of sanctions against Russia is very unlikely without a withdrawal from Ukraine, its consequences for Colombia are highly unlikely to change in the short term. Decades of mobilisation and protest, particularly at local and regional levels in affected areas, seem to have done little to shift this use of natural resources. Tellingly, the outgoing President Duque recently announced that Colombias coal production of 2022 and 2023 had already been decided and sold. Even an electoral victory of the leftist Gustavo Petro in the upcoming second round of the presidential elections may not be enough to set off a major change in Colombias prevailing development paradigm. Although Petro claimed during the campaign he would ban new fossil fuel exploration, this leaves the current use of these resources and other contractual obligations unaffected. Furthermore, lack of support from Congress may well prevent the implementation of such alternative policies. Thus, political instability, citizen protests and unrest as a result of these socio-environmental conflicts are likely to persist in the short and medium term. By Global Risk Insights More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The EPA is considering a new label for parts of the Permian Basin that could deter or slow oil and gas drilling in certain parts of the prolific Permian Basin. According to a regulatory notice, the EPA could label parts of the Permian Basin as violating federal air quality standards for ozone. If the EPA does indeed label parts as violating the standards, state regulators would need to find a way to clean up the air qualityand they would have three years to come up with a plan to do that. Their plans could include keeping new industrial facilities from making the air quality even worse and making sure current sites have the proper technology to keep the air quality at acceptable levels. The EPA is facing a potential lawsuit from WildEarth Guardians over the matter, who brought the air quality issue to the EPA's attention last March. The possible regulatory action adds yet another element of uncertainty to the oil industry, which is already facing an unknown future while being chastised for not investing more to produce morewhether that's refining or drilling. "Creating uncertainty on permitting and inserting unnecessary regulatory barriers will only negatively impact the production necessary to meet the needs of consumers," Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, told Bloomberg. The Permian Basin is responsible for the lion's share of the oil produced in the United States. In its latest Drilling Productivity Report, the EIA forecast that the Permian Basin's July production will climb to 5.316 million bpd, out of the total 8.901 million bpd produced across the seven most prolific U.S. basins. In June, the Permian is set to produce 5.232 million bpd, according to the EIA. The next most prolific basin, the Eagle Ford, is set to produce 1.152 million bpd this month. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Though there are plenty of exciting new films coming to movie theaters this summer, timely updates of timeless stories have become something of a niche streaming specialty in 2022. From the Jane Austen-inspired Fire Island on Hulu to the most recent Cheaper by the Dozen update on Disney+, classic stories have been getting refreshed in a big way this year, and this trend is set to continue with a new Father of the Bride adaptation hitting HBO Max. Though this adaptation hits some familiar plot beats (this is the third film adaptation of the 1949 book), it has a very modern feel that helps bring out new elements of the classic story. Starring Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan, this reimagined take shifts the action to South Florida, where a Cuban American architect living in Miami finds himself grappling not only with his daughters impending nuptials but also the dissolution of his own marriage. Director Gary Gaz Alazraki says that the idea behind the story updates was to reexamine the rite of passage of a father when it comes to a daughter getting married. We wanted to ask what that moment looks like today, when you have new generations pushing back against the patriarchy in a way that challenges it. The father of the bride is suddenly not endowed with the same sort of honor he thought he would get, and we felt that (was) an interesting way to (revisit) the story again. While this latest adaptation takes on serious subjects such as the immigrant experience in America and evolving gender roles, it still manages to be lighthearted and upbeat. Were dealing with issues that even the great philosophers were dealing with, Alazraki said, adding that he wanted the story to have multiple layers, including one that specifically addressed the differences between the Cuban American couple played by Estefan and Garcia and the new in-laws, who are from Mexico, where Alazraki is himself from. We try to find the truth in it by having a team, (including) Andy Garcia and Gloria, who were the keepers of the Cuban tradition, and the (director of photography) and I were like the keepers of the Mexican traditions, Alazraki said. Finding those two voices of things that are specific to us and common to them in both cultures was a lot of fun to discover on the set. The Florida location was instrumental to the plot, especially as a hurricane becomes a major complication toward the end of the film. Even though the movie was filmed mostly in Georgia, Alazraki said Floridians will recognize several spots that were shot on location in South Florida, specifically in Coconut Grove and Star Island. JERUSALEM (AP) After barely 12 months in office, the leaders of Israel's broad-based but severely weakened coalition government threw in the towel this week, saying they would dissolve parliament and hold new elections the fifth in 3 1/2 years. Why does this keep happening? The simplest answer is that Israel is deeply and almost evenly divided over whether Benjamin Netanyahu should be prime minister. But it's also because Israel's political system consists of an ideologically diverse array of parties that have to form alliances and sometimes break them to get what they want. Here's a look at how Israel reached this point and what comes next. MULTI-PARTY POLITICS Israelis vote by party, and in the country's 74-year history no single faction has won a majority in the 120-member parliament, known as the Knesset. So after every election, any would-be prime minister must form alliances in order to cobble together a majority of at least 61 seats. That gives small parties outsized power. After nearly every election, attention focuses on one or more potential kingmakers and their particular demands. Thirteen parties were elected to parliament, for instance, in last year's election. This can result in weeks of negotiations and horse-trading among various party leaders. If no one can assemble a majority, as happened after elections in April and September 2019, the country goes back to the polls and the government remains in place as a caretaker. Still, it shouldn't be this hard. Nationalist and religious parties captured a majority of seats in the Knesset in each of the last four elections, if only they could agree with one another. That's where Netanyahu comes in. LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM To his right-wing and religious supporters, Netanyahu is the King of Israel an unapologetic nationalist and veteran statesman who can go toe-to-toe with world leaders, from Russia's Vladimir Putin to U.S. President Joe Biden, shepherding Israel through its myriad security challenges. To his opponents including the leaders of the outgoing coalition he is at best a crook and at worst a threat to democracy. They point to his ongoing corruption trial, his domineering style and his habit of stoking internal divisions for political gain. Netanyahu was Israel's longest-serving prime minister, and his Likud party came in first or a narrow second in all four elections. But he was never able to form a right-wing majority because some of his ideological allies including former aides refuse to partner with him. Take Avigdor Lieberman, for example. The West Bank settler who heads a right-wing party and was long known for his fiery anti-Arab rhetoric would seem an obvious ally. But he broke with Netanyahu in 2019 and refuses to sit in a government with him or his ultra-Orthodox allies. Lieberman even champions a bill that would bar anyone indicted on criminal charges from serving as prime minister an attempt to end Netanyahu's political career. AN UNWIELDY COALITION Last year, after election No. 4, Netanyahu's opponents succeeded in ousting him. Naftali Bennett another right-wing former Netanyahu ally and centrist Yair Lapid cobbled together a coalition of eight political parties from across the ideological spectrum from right-wing nationalists to advocates of Palestinian statehood, including a small Arab Islamist party. The factions set aside their ideological differences and worked together, for a time. The government passed a budget, weathered two coronavirus waves without imposing a lockdown, improved diplomatic ties with Arab and Muslim countries, and avoided war. Bennett, as prime minister, even tried his hand at mediating between Russia and Ukraine. But from the beginning, the government had the slimmest of majorities, and Netanyahu marshalled enormous pressure against its right-wing members, accusing them of partnering with terrorists and betraying their voters. Several right-wing members of the coalition received death threats, including Bennett. In the end, many buckled, and Bennett's Yamina party all but collapsed. The government lost its majority in April. This month, it failed to pass a law extending special legal status to Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, which most Israelis view as essential. NEW ELECTION, SAME DIVIDE Israelis are now expected to return to the polls as soon as October, where they will wearily confront a familiar choice. Netanyahu is hoping for a comeback, and the Likud and its allies are expected to win more votes than they did the last time around. Some of his right-wing opponents, weakened by their association with the coalition, could lose some or all of their seats. But it's far too early for any reliable polling, and even if Netanyahu and his allies secure more seats, they could fall short of a majority yet again. If that happens, it would be left to many of the same parties that formed the outgoing government to cobble together a new coalition, one that would face the same stressors as the last one. And if neither side has enough support to form a government? You guessed it: New elections. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. HOPEWELL, Va. (AP) All four inmates who escaped a minimum-security prison satellite camp in Virginia over the weekend are now back in custody, the U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Prisons announced Wednesday. The inmates were discovered missing from the satellite camp of the Federal Correctional Complex Petersburg in Hopewell, Virginia, around 1:45 a.m. Saturday, the bureau said in a news release Saturday. Tavaraes Lajuane Graham, Corey Branch, Lamonte Rashawn Willis and Kareem Allen Shaw left the minimum security camp around 10 p.m. Friday and it was a couple of hours before their absence was detected, Senior Inspector Kevin Connolly of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force said. Graham returned to the camp and surrendered early Sunday and Branch and Shaw surrendered Tuesday, officials said. Willis surrendered at Petersburgs medium security facility on Wednesday, officials said. Bureau officials did not release any details about the escape but said Saturday that an internal investigation has been initiated. According to the bureau's website, its minimum-security satellite camps have dormitory housing and limited or no perimeter fencing. They provide inmate labor to the main institution and to off-site work programs. The U.S. Marshals Service and the bureau continue to investigate and will relay findings to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Richmond, Connolly said in a statement. Graham, 44, was sentenced in the Eastern District of North Carolina to 10 years for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Branch, 41, was sentenced in the Eastern District of Virginia to more than 13 years for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and felon in possession of a firearm. Willis, 30, was sentenced in the Eastern District of Virginia to 18 years for possessing and concealing a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Shaw, 46, was sentenced in the Western District of Virginia to more than 16 years for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a measurable quantity of heroin. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Prominent South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh, who faces more than 70 criminal charges after police scrutinized his finances in the aftermath of the unsolved shooting deaths of his wife and son last year, is likely going to permanently lose his law license. The South Carolina Supreme Court said Murdaugh's attorneys said Tuesday they would not contest any arguments scheduled for a disbarment hearing Wednesday. As a result, the justices canceled the proceedings. The decision likely ends the legal career of a member of a prominent family that has dominated the legal scene in tiny Hampton County for nearly a century. Murdaughs father, grandfather and great-grandfather were the areas elected prosecutors for 87 years straight. Alex Murdaugh once worked for the family-founded law firm, which discreetly boasted of securing million-dollar verdicts for accidental deaths, product liability or workplace safety cases. The firm said in September that Murdaugh was stealing money. Chief Justice Don Beatty said in court papers last week that Murdaughs own admissions in civil cases and statements by his lawyers in bond hearings leave no doubt he stole money from clients and had lied to the authorities and should be disbarred. Thats even as no arrests have been made in the June 2021 killings of Murdaughs wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, at a family home in Colleton County. A statement from Beatty on Tuesday said a formal order on disbarment will be issued later. Beatty left no doubt in his order last Thursday where he falls on what should happen to Murdaughs law license. In this unique case, Respondents admissions in the public record lead to only one conclusion that Respondents egregious ethical misconduct subjects him to the most significant sanction available disbarment, Beatty wrote. The deaths of his wife and younger son prompted at least a half-dozen investigations into Murdaugh and his finances that resulted in indictments against him. Murdaugh is facing charges he stole $8.5 million from people who hired him and that he lied to police in saying he was shot by a stranger on a roadside when officials say he really asked a friend to kill him so his surviving son could collect a $10 million life insurance policy. Anything Murdaugh or his attorneys said before the state Supreme Court could have been used against him in criminal cases or additional investigations. A number of other former clients have accused him of stealing from them, leading to dozens of criminal indictments. Murdaugh signed a civil settlement saying he is responsible for taking more than $4.3 million from insurance settlements meant for the family of his housekeeper Gloria Satterfield, who Murdaugh said died after a fall in the familys home. Meanwhile, the anniversary of the June 7, 2021, deaths of Murdaugh's wife, Maggie, 52, and son, Paul, 22, passed with no arrests and no additional information from the State Law Enforcement Division. Its agents have revealed little beyond the fact that the two were shot outside their Colleton County home and Murdaugh called 911, saying he discovered the bodies. Murdaugh's lawyers continue to insist he had nothing to do with the killings, saying he was visiting his mother and ailing father when his wife and son were killed. State police also are investigating other unusual deaths around the Murdaughs and plan to exhume Satterfield's body. Murdaugh reported she was gravely injured in a fall, dying later in the hospital. But the coroners office said it was not informed of her death like it should have been for anyone who dies under unusual or suspicious circumstances. State police also are looking at an unsolved death that was ruled a hit-and-run on a Hampton County road in 2015. The 19-year-old victim's mother said she thought Paul Murdaugh could have been involved. A judge has frozen Murdaugh's assets as a number of civil lawsuits make their way through the courts, including some on behalf of the family of a 19-year-old woman killed and others on board Murdaughs boat in February 2019 when it crashed into a bridge pier. Police charged Murdaugh's late son with boating under the influence. Follow Jeffrey Collins on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. COUNCIL BLUFFS Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, gives patrons in Council Bluffs a chance to stroll through three-dimensional projections of the Dutch masters most well-known works. The brainchild of Mathieu St-Arnaud, the French-Canadian co-founder and creative director of Montreals Normal Studio, the exhibit opened Thursday at the Mid-America Center. It features more than 300 of Vincent van Goghs paintings brought to colorful, swirling life through high-resolution digital projections in a multimedia narrative of the painters life. There was this natural evolution with his work, art historian and Beyond Van Gogh consultant Fanny Curtat said. (It) begins where hes learning, himself, in the Netherlands, getting inspired by other artists, learning with other teachers, but its much, much darker tones. It wasnt until van Gogh arrived in Paris in the mid-1870s that his work blossomed. You have the brightness, the discovery of something else, a new light, Curtat said. And then he gets to the south of France, and then you have this explosion of color and really this combination of movement at the end of his life in Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris. The exhibit uses van Goghs dreams, thoughts and words, many taken from letters he exchanged with his brother Theo, a Paris art dealer who supported his brother throughout his adult life. Projections on the walls and floor warp and refocus into the flowers, cafes and landscapes of his artwork. Many people know van Gogh less for his paintings and more for the time he cut off his left ear during a fit of anger and depression. Curtat, who is working on her Ph.D. at the University of Quebec in Montreal, wants people to come away from the exhibit with a different impression of the artist. When you look at his words, you dont see this darkness, and thats really how we focused it into this dialogue, Curtat said. We created this during the pandemic, and so to have an artist that was famous for struggling in his life for mental illness issues, but also poverty to have somebody who was in an asylum cell and yet was able to paint Starry Night, there was something that just resonated really strongly in that. Curtat stressed that deep knowledge and understanding of van Goghs work is not necessary to enjoy the exhibit and take away something meaningful from the experience. You dont need to know a lot about van Gogh to come in, Curtat said. This way, itll just be a great way of discovering his work. Its incredible for kids because they get to run around and follow the brushstrokes, twirl with the petals. But, if you do know a lot about van Gogh, then its just about the fantasy of being inside the painting you know and love. So theres really no specific audience. Its really, truly for everyone. Beyond Van Gogh can be experienced at the Mid-America Center, 1 Arena Way, through Aug. 14. Adult ticket prices (16 and older) start at $39.99, and tickets for children ages 5 through 15 start at $23.99. Children ages 4 and younger can enter for free when accompanied by an adult with a ticket. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit vangoghomaha.com. When Brett Bernardini and his co-workers dragged their Shakespeare on the Green banners out of storage this year, they discovered the banners were covered in mold. For Bernardini, the new executive director of Nebraska Shakespeare, the banners were another example of something from the organizations past that must be replaced and changed. We had things, and now we dont, Bernardini said. We were something, and now were not. Who we were is not who we are now. We are embracing a culture of change. After a two-year hiatus, Shakespeare on the Green has returned to Elmwood Park this summer. The free event at the park encourages people to grab blankets, wine and even their kids and dogs to watch live performances of two William Shakespeare plays in the months of June and July. The Tempest opened on Thursday and will run through Sunday and then again on July 8, 10, 13, 14 and 16. Othello will begin on June 30 and run through July 3 and then again on July 6, 7, 9, 15 and 17. If The Tempest represents what we should all be aspiring for today, which is to appeal to our better angels, then Othello reminds us of how ugly humanity can be, Bernardini said of this summers shows. Bernardini said the organization wanted to present two plays that would be recognizable titles for audiences, especially after missing the past two years. Shakespeare on the Green was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic and in 2021 amid ongoing controversy over racial and diversity issues within Nebraska Shakespeare, the organization behind Shakespeare on the Green. Some members of the company resigned because they believed the organization had not made enough progress improving diversity, equity and inclusion. Members of the theater community had been concerned about several moves by the company. They said its social media posts were racially insensitive and that Nebraska Shakespeare staff and board didnt acknowledge the Black Lives Matter movement, among other things. In summer 2020, a few hundred actors, directors, crew and others involved in the local theater industry wrote a letter to Nebraska Shakespeare outlining concerns about its approach to diversity and demanding change. Among other things, the letter said research indicated that in the last 34 years, only 88 out of 833 actors hired for On the Green and tour programming were people of color, just 10.56%. Over that same time period, no people of color were hired as full-time Nebraska Shakespeare employees. The board responded, creating new initiatives and seeking new leadership, though many said progress was too slow. Nebraska Shakespeare now has new leadership. Tyrone Beasley, an Omaha director, actor and educator, was hired in 2021 as artistic director. Beasley left his longtime post as the artistic-associate director of outbound programming at Omahas Rose Theater to join Nebraska Shakespeare. Bernardini also joined the organization in 2021. In an interview, Bernardini said he was aware of the challenges facing the organization before he took the job. I was aware that this organization at its best had been clumsy and at its worst had been hurtful in its responses to all things Black Lives Matter and how we were not transparent or fully responsible in the way we interfaced with the greater Omaha community, Bernardini said. Bernardini said new leadership met and spoke to dozens of people who had been critical of the organization to better understand what went wrong and to find ways to improve. Things were wrong. People were hurt. People were really hurt. I cant fix it. I cant fix their hurt. None of us can take that away, Bernardini said. I do not have the superpower to heal, but I do have the capacity to acknowledge that hurt, I do have the capacity to understand how they got hurt and I have the responsibility to make sure that does not happen again. Some in the theater community have a healthy skepticism about the changes, while others said progress has been made. One former employee who spoke on the condition they not be named due to professional concerns, said they were deeply grateful to no longer work for Nebraska Shakespeare. And while they wished the company no ill will, they asked Nebraska Shakespeare to continue to hear the artists who speak up. Another employee said that while issues and challenges remain, the new leadership has been open and willing to listen to past challenges and this years cast is incredibly diverse. While work has been done to fix things, more problems have cropped up that also must be addressed, the employee said. And even if this year is not perfect, change takes time, the employee said. Theres been a lot of work done by this particular cast of people that I think their work in the community, over the last couple of years, is absolutely going to make those changes for the industry. The employee said the actors have worked tremendously hard and deserve audiences. This year, Bernardini said, he hopes audiences show up, have a good time and are aware that the new Nebraska Shakespeare exists. Are we excited? We are beyond excited, he said. More information about Shakespeare on the Green can be found on nebraskashakespeare.com. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CHARLESTON, W. Va. (AP) A Texas group that helps women pay for abortions halted its efforts Saturday while evaluating its legal risk under a strict state ban. Mississippi's only abortion clinic continued to see patients while awaiting a 10-day notice that will trigger a ban. Elected officials across the country vowed to take action to protect women's access to reproductive health care, and abortion foes promised to take the fight to new arenas. A day after the Supreme Court's bombshell ruling overturning Roe v. Wade ended the constitutional right to abortion, emotional protests and prayer vigils turned to resolve as several states enacted bans and both supporters and opponents of abortion rights mapped out their next moves. In Texas, Cathy Torres, organizing manager for Frontera Fund, a group that helps pay for abortions, said there is a lot of fear and confusion in the Rio Grande Valley near the U.S.-Mexico border, where many people are in the country without legal permission. That includes how the state's abortion law, which bans the procedure from conception, will be enforced. Under the law, people who help patients get abortions can be fined and doctors who perform them could face life in prison. We are a fund led by people of color, who will be criminalized first, Torres said, adding that abortion funds like hers that have paused operations hope to find a way to safely restart. We just really need to keep that in mind and understand the risk. Tyler Harden, Mississippi director for Planned Parenthood Southeast, said she spent Friday and Saturday making sure people with impending appointments at the states only abortion clinic which featured in the Supreme Court case but is not affiliated with Planned Parenthood know they don't have to cancel them right away. Abortions can still take place until 10 days after the state attorney general publishes a required administrative notice. Mississippi will ban the procedure except for pregnancies that endanger the womans life or those caused by rape reported to law enforcement. The Republican speaker of the Mississippi House, Philip Gunn, said during a news conference Friday that he would oppose adding an exception for incest. I believe that life begins at conception, Gunn said. Harden said she has been providing information about funds that help people travel out of state to have abortions. Many in Mississippi already were doing so even before the ruling, but that will become more difficult now that abortions have ended in neighboring states like Alabama. Right now Florida is the nearest safe haven state, but Harden said, we know that that may not be the case for too much longer. At the National Right to Life convention in Atlanta, a leader within the anti-abortion group warned attendees Saturday that the Supreme Courts decision ushers in a time of great possibility and a time of great danger. Randall OBannon, the organizations director of education and research, encouraged activists celebrate their victories but stay focused and continue working on the issue. Specifically, he called out medication taken to induce abortion. With Roe headed for the dustbin of history, and states gaining the power to limit abortions, this is where the battle is going to be played out over the next several years, O'Bannon said. The new modern menace is a chemical or medical abortion with pills ordered online and mailed directly to a womans home. Protests broke out for a second day in cities across the country, from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City to Jackson, Mississippi. In the LA demonstration, one of several in California, hundreds of people marched through downtown carrying signs with slogans like my body, my choice and abort the court. Turnout was smaller in Oklahoma City, where about 15 protesters rallied outside the Capitol. Oklahoma is one of 11 states where there are no providers offering abortions, and it passed the nation's strictest abortion law in May. I have gone through a wave of emotions in the last 24 hours. ... Its upsetting, its angry, its hard to put together everything Im feeling right now, said Marie Adams, 45, who has had two abortions for ectopic pregnancies, where a fertilized egg is unable to survive. She called the issue very personal to me. Half the population of the United States just lost a fundamental right, Adams said. We need to speak up and speak loud. Callie Pruett, who volunteered to escort patients into West Virginias only abortion clinic before it stopped offering the procedure after Fridays ruling, said she plans to work in voter registration in the hope of electing officials who support abortion rights. The executive director of Appalachians for Appalachia added that her organization also will apply for grants to help patients get access to abortion care, including out of state. We have to create networks of people who are willing to drive people to Maryland or to D.C.," Pruett said. "That kind of local action requires organization at a level that we have not seen in nearly 50 years. Fellow West Virginian Sarah MacKenzie, 25, said she's motivated to fight for abortion access by the memory of her mother, Denise Clegg, a passionate reproductive health advocate who worked for years at the state's clinic as a nurse practitioner and died unexpectedly in May. MacKenzie plans to attend protests in the capital, Charleston, and donate to a local abortion fund. She would be absolutely devastated. She was so afraid of this happening she wanted to stop it, Mackenzie said, adding, Ill do everything in my power to make sure that this gets reversed. The Supreme Court's ruling is likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. Since the decision, clinics have stopped performing abortions in Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Women considering abortions already had been dealing with the near-complete ban in Oklahoma and a prohibition after roughly six weeks in Texas. In Ohio, a ban on most abortions from the first detectable fetal heartbeat became law when a federal judge dissolved an injunction that had kept the measure on hold for nearly three years. Another law with narrow exceptions was triggered in Utah by Friday's ruling. Planned Parenthood Association of Utah filed a lawsuit against it in state court and said it would request a temporary restraining order, arguing it violates the state constitution. Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, where abortion remains legal, signed an executive order shielding people seeking or providing abortions in his state from facing legal consequences in other states. Walz also has vowed to reject requests to extradite anyone accused of committing acts related to reproductive health care that are not criminal offenses in Minnesota. My office has been and will continue to be a firewall against legislation that would reverse reproductive freedom, he said. In Fargo, North Dakota, the states sole abortion provider faces a 30-day window before it would have to shut down and plans to move across the river to Minnesota. Red River Womens Clinic owner Tammi Kromenaker said Saturday that she has secured a location in Moorhead and an online fundraiser to support the move has brought in more than half a million dollars in less than three days. Republicans sought to downplay their excitement about winning their decades-long fight to overturn Roe, aware that the ruling could energize the Democratic base, particularly suburban women. Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said she expects abortion opponents to turn out in huge numbers this fall. But Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, said Saturday he believes the issue will energize independents and he hopes to translate anger over Roes demise into votes. Any time you take half the people in Wisconsin and make them second-class citizens, Evers said, I have to believe theres going to be a reaction to that. Bauer reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press reporters Rebecca Boone in Olympia, Washington; Bob Christie in Salt Lake City; Ken Miller in Oklahoma City; Dave Kolpack in Minneapolis; Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Mississippi; Christopher Weber in Los Angeles; and Tammy Webber in Fenton, Michigan, contributed to this story. For APs full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. WASHINGTON (AP) More than a month ago, a stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicated that the Supreme Court was prepared to take the momentous step of overruling the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade from 1973 and stripping away womens constitutional protections for abortion. And that's just what the court's conservative majority ended up doing Friday in a ruling likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. When the court heard arguments in the abortion case from Mississippi in December, it was clear to observers that there was substantial support among the conservatives for overturning Roe and a second decision that had established and reaffirmed a womans right to an abortion. But even before those arguments and Friday's decision, the justices had much to say in public about abortion over the years in opinions, votes, Senate confirmation testimony and elsewhere. The vote was 6-3 to uphold Mississippis law banning most abortions after 15 weeks, but Chief Justice John Roberts didnt join his conservative colleagues in overturning Roe. He wrote that there was no need to overturn the broad precedents to rule in Mississippis favor. Alito, in the final opinion Friday, wrote that Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 decision that reaffirmed the right to abortion, were wrong had and to be overturned. Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan the diminished liberal wing of the court were in dissent. A look at some of the justices' earlier comments through the years: ROBERTS Roberts voted to uphold restrictions in two major abortion cases, in the majority in 2007 to uphold a ban on a method of abortion opponents call partial-birth abortion and in dissent in 2016 when the court struck down Texas restrictions on abortion clinics in a case called Whole Womans Health. But when a virtually identical law from Louisiana came before the court in 2020, Roberts voted against it and wrote the opinion controlling the outcome of the case and striking down the Louisiana law. The chief justice said he continues to believe that the 2016 case was wrongly decided but that the question was "whether to adhere to it in deciding the present case. At his 2005 confirmation hearing, he said overturning precedent is a jolt to the legal system, which depends in part on stability and evenhandedness. Thinking that an earlier case was wrongly decided is not enough, he said. Overturning a case requires looking "at these other factors, like settled expectations, like the legitimacy of the Court, like whether a particular precedent is workable or not, whether a precedent has been eroded by subsequent developments, Roberts said then. In the same hearing, Roberts was asked to explain his presence on a legal brief filed by the George H.W. Bush administration that said Roes conclusion that there is a right to abortion has no support in the text, structure, or history of the Constitution. Roberts responded that the brief reflected the administration's views. JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS Thomas voted to overturn Roe in 1992, in his first term on the court, when he was a dissenter in Casey. Since then, he repeatedly called for those rulings to be overturned. In 2000, he wrote in dissent when the court struck down Nebraskas ban on partial-birth abortion. Recounting the courts decision in Roe, he wrote, In 1973, this Court struck down an Act of the Texas Legislature that had been in effect since 1857, thereby rendering unconstitutional abortion statutes in dozens of States. As some of my colleagues on the Court, past and present, ably demonstrated, that decision was grievously wrong. Abortion is a unique act, in which a womans exercise of control over her own body ends, depending on ones view, human life or potential human life. Nothing in our Federal Constitution deprives the people of this country of the right to determine whether the consequences of abortion to the fetus and to society outweigh the burden of an unwanted pregnancy on the mother. Although a State may permit abortion, nothing in the Constitution dictates that a State must do so. BREYER Breyer has been the lead author of two court majorities in defense of abortion rights, in 2000 and 2016. He has never voted to sustain an abortion restriction, but he has acknowledged the controversy over abortion. Millions of Americans believe that an abortion is akin to causing the death of an innocent child," while millions of others fear that a law that forbids abortion would condemn many American women to lives that lack dignity, he wrote in the Nebraska case 21 years ago, calling those views virtually irreconcilable. Still, Breyer wrote, because the Constitution guarantees fundamental individual liberty and has to govern even when there are strong divisions in the country, "this Court, in the course of a generation, has determined and then redetermined that the Constitution offers basic protection to the womans right to choose." ALITO Alito has a long track record of votes and writings opposing abortion rights, as a jurist and, earlier, a government lawyer. Alito has voted to uphold every abortion law the court has considered since his 2006 confirmation, joining a majority to uphold the federal partial-birth abortion law and dissenting in the 2016 and 2020 cases. As a federal appeals court judge, he voted to uphold a series of Pennsylvania abortion restrictions, including requiring a woman to notify her spouse before obtaining an abortion. The Supreme Court ultimately struck down the notification rule in Casey and reaffirmed the abortion right in 1992 by a 5-4 vote. Working for the Reagan administration in 1985, Alito wrote in a memo that the government should say publicly in a pending abortion case that we disagree with Roe v. Wade." Around the same time, applying for a promotion, Alito noted he was particularly proud" of his work arguing "that the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion. SOTOMAYOR Sotomayor joined the court in 2009 with virtually no record on abortion issues, but has voted repeatedly in favor of abortion rights since then. Last September, when the court allowed Texas restrictive abortion law to take effect, Sotomayor accused her colleagues of burying their heads in the sand. She was in the majority in the Texas and Louisiana abortion clinic cases. Sotomayors displeasure with the court's recent Texas ruling was evident at a virtual appearance she made. I cant change Texas law, but you can, she said. KAGAN Kagan also has repeatedly voted in favor of abortion rights in more than 11 years as a justice. She is also arguably the most consistent voice on the court arguing for the importance of adhering to precedents and can be expected to try to persuade her colleagues not to jettison constitutional protections for abortion. Kagan was in the majority when the court struck down the Texas and Louisiana restrictions on abortion clinics. More recently, Kagan called Texas' new abortion law "patently unconstitutional and a clear, and indeed undisputed, conflict with Roe and Casey. Kagan had already grappled with the issue of abortion before becoming a justice. While working in the Clinton White House she was the co-author of a memo that urged the president for political reasons to support a late-term abortion ban proposed by Republicans in Congress, so long as it contained an exception for the health of the woman. Ultimately, President George W. Bush signed a similar late-term abortion ban without a health exception. The Supreme Court upheld it. JUSTICE NEIL GORSUCH Gorsuch has perhaps the shortest record on abortion among the nine justices. He was in the majority allowing Texas restrictive abortion law to take effect. In dissent in 2020, he would have upheld Louisianas abortion clinic restrictions. As an appeals court judge before joining the Supreme Court in 2017, Gorsuch dissented when his colleagues declined to reconsider a ruling that blocked then-Utah Gov. Gary Herbert from cutting off funding for the state branch of Planned Parenthood. But Gorsuch insisted at his Senate confirmation hearing that he was concerned about procedural issues, not the subject matter. I do not care if the case is about abortion or widgets or anything else, he said. JUSTICE BRETT KAVANAUGH Kavanaughs name was added to President Donald Trumps shortlist of Supreme Court candidates shortly after Kavanaugh sided with the administration in a 2017 case involving abortion. Trump chose him for the court the following year. As a justice, Kavanaugh dissented from the Louisiana decision and voted to allow the new Texas law to take effect, though he has taken a less absolutist stance than some of his conservative colleagues. In the Louisiana case, for example, Kavanaugh wrote that more information was needed about how the state's restrictions on clinics would affect doctors who provide abortions and seemed to suggest his vote could change knowing that information. Kavanaughs most extensive writing on abortion came while he was a judge on the federal appeals court in Washington. The Trump administration had appealed a lower court ruling ordering it to allow a pregnant 17-year-old immigrant in its custody to get an abortion. The administrations policy was to decline to help those minors get abortions while in custody. Kavanaugh was on a three-judge panel that postponed the abortion, arguing that officials should be given a limited window to transfer the minor out of government custody to the care of a sponsor. She could then obtain an abortion without the governments assistance. The full appeals court later reversed the decision and the teenager obtained an abortion. Kavanaugh called that decision out-of-step with the "many majority opinions of the Supreme Court that have repeatedly upheld reasonable regulations that do not impose an undue burden on the abortion right recognized by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade." Kavanaugh was criticized by some conservatives for not going as far as a colleague, Judge Karen Henderson, who stated unambiguously that an immigrant in the U.S. illegally has no right to an abortion. At his appeals court confirmation hearing, Kavanaugh dodged questions on his own personal beliefs on Roe. Kavanaugh voted to allow the Texas law to go into effect last September, but during oral arguments in November he appeared to have doubts about its novel structure and whether it would lead to a spate of copycat laws on abortion and other rights protected by the Constitution. JUSTICE AMY CONEY BARRETT Barretts one public vote on the Supreme Court concerning abortion was to allow the Texas fetal heartbeat law to take effect. She also cast two votes as an appeals court judge to reconsider rulings that blocked Indiana abortion restrictions. In 2016, shortly before the election that would put Trump in office, she commented about how she thought abortion law might change if Trump had the chance to appoint justices. I ... dont think the core case Roes core holding that, you know, women have a right to an abortion I dont think that would change, said Barrett, then a Notre Dame law professor. She said limits on what she called very late-term abortions and restrictions on abortion clinics would be more likely to be upheld. Barrett also has a long record of personal opposition to abortion rights, co-authoring a 1998 law review article that said abortion is always immoral. At her 2017 hearing to be an appeals court judge, Barrett said in written testimony, If I am confirmed, my views on this or any other question will have no bearing on the discharge of my duties as a judge. Although Barrett allowed the Texas law to take effect, she joined Kavanaugh during oral arguments in raising skeptical questions about its structure, asking about provisions of the law that force providers to fight lawsuits one by one and, she said, dont allow their constitutional rights to be fully aired. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The U.S. Supreme Court's decision allowing states to ban abortion stirred alarm Friday among LGBTQ advocates, who feared that the ruling could someday allow a rollback of legal protections for gay relationships, including the right for same-sex couples to marry. In the court's majority opinion overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Justice Samuel Alito said the decision applied only to abortion. But critics of the court's conservative majority gave the statement no credence. I dont buy that at all, said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of medicine at Georgetown University and faculty director of its Institute for National and Global Health Law. It really is much more extreme than the justices are making it out to be. He added: It means that you cant look to the Supreme Court as an impartial arbiter of constitutional rights because theyre acting more as culture warriors. Gostin and others pointed to a separate concurring opinion in which Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should review other precedents, including its 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage, a 2003 decision striking down laws criminalizing gay sex and a 1965 decision declaring that married couples have a right to use contraception. Today is about this horrifying invasion of privacy that this court is now allowing, and when we lose one right that we have relied on and enjoyed, other rights are at risk, said Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff in the landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, who is now running as a Democrat for the Ohio House. Abortion opponents celebrated the potential for states to ban abortion after nearly 50 years of being prevented from doing so. Some argued that the case did not have implications beyond that, noting Alito's words. And to ensure that our decision is not misunderstood or mischaracterized, we emphasize that our decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right, Alito wrote. Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion. Kristen Waggoner, legal director for the Alliance Defending Freedom, which helped defend the Mississippi abortion law at issue in the ruling, said the high court's decision makes it clear that the taking of human life is unlike any other issue. She said raising other issues shows the weakness of critics' arguments about abortion. Still, said Paul Dupont, a spokesman for the conservative anti-abortion American Principles Project, conservatives are optimistic about the potential for future victories on cultural issues, though getting more states to ban abortion is a huge enough battle. If there is a thought that this could apply elsewhere, you know, they're not going to say it here, and we're just going to have to see, Dupont said. Other factors could protect those rulings on birth control and LGBTQ rights, too. The Obergefell decision that legalized same-sex marriage was based on equal protection, and hundreds of thousands of couples have relied on it to wed, a precedent that many courts would be loath to disturb. Still, a sharp increase in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in the U.S. and opposition to specific kinds of birth control on the right have advocates concerned that those rights are vulnerable. The possibility worried some of the scores of people at a Friday evening abortion-rights rally outside the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. including Rija Nazir, a 21-year-old community organizer from Wichita for a voting-rights group. She wore a pink cowboy hat festooned with a button featuring a cowboy uterus drawing for a Vote Neigh campaign against an anti-abortion measure on the statewide ballot Aug. 2. They're going to go for LGBTQ rights first and then same-sex marriage next. Who knows? Maybe interracial marriage, birth control, Nazir said. They're not going to stop at abortion. Some abortion opponents treat some forms of contraception as forms of abortion, particularly IUDs and emergency birth control such as Plan B, also known as the morning after pill. Lawmakers in Idaho and Missouri last year discussed banning state funding for emergency contraception, and Idaho prevents public schools or universities from dispersing it. It's all interconnected, because at its base, birth control and abortion are both types of health care that help people have bodily autonomy, said Mara Gandal-Powers, director of birth control access for the National Women's Law Center, which supports abortion rights. I'm very concerned about where this is going to go. The Supreme Court's three most liberal members argued that the majority decision breaches a core rule-of-law principle, designed to promote constancy in the law" and places in jeopardy other rights. At the White House, President Joe Biden pledged to do everything in his power to defend a womans right to have an abortion in states where it will be banned. He warned that the ruling could undermine rights to contraception and gay marriage: This is an extreme and dangerous path. Then there is Thomas' concurring opinion, which Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the pro-LGBTQ-rights Human Rights Campaign, called an invitation for stirring up fringe organizations, fringe politicians who want to harm the LGBTQ community. There are clearly members of the court who have an outdated notion of what America looks like today and have a fantasy of returning to their painted idealism of a 1940s, 1950s America, certainly not what it really was in the 1940s and '50s, she said. And that is terrifying. Jason Pierceson, a University of Illinois political scientist, said he doesn't see the conservative majority stopping with abortion. They are sending signals to the conservative legal movement, which has a lot of momentum right now because of this victory, to keep going and to keep bringing cases to them over the next several years that will give them opportunities to go further, Pierceson said. Jennifer Pizer, acting chief legal officer for the LGBTQ-rights group Lambda Legal, added: "It is an extremist assault on the privacy, self-determination, dignity and equality of every person in our country. This story has been corrected to show that Lawrence Gostins title is faculty director, not director, of the Georgetown Institute. ___ Associated Press writers Jessica Gresko in Washington, Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, and Lindsay Whitehurst, in Salt Lake City, contributed to this report. Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna For APs full coverage of the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, go to https://apnews.com/hub/abortion Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. MIAMI (AP) The crash landing of a jetliner that caught fire on the runway at Miami International Airport with 126 people on board had passengers screaming and panicking, witnesses said. People were very frightened, RED Air Flight 203 passenger Mauricio Davis told the Miami Herald. People were grabbing the seats to keep from spinning around." The fire started Tuesday after the MD-82 jetliner's landing gear collapsed on arrival from the Dominican Republic, Miami-Dade Aviation Department spokesman Greg Chin said. Three passengers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries, while the others were bussed to the terminal, Chin said. Passenger Paola Garcia said she thought she was going to die. I started running and I jumped, and I thought it was going to explode, she told WSVN. The plane came to a stop on the grass beside a runway, where it was doused with chemicals to put out the fire. At least three firefighting vehicles responded. Emergency crews reached the plane in a minute and a half, according to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. What happened here is a miracle, the mayor told reporters. Airport officials said in a tweet that the collapse of the front landing gear in the nose of the aircraft appeared to cause the fire. RED Air is a low-fare airline that launched last November and only flies between Santo Domingo and Miami. The airline has four McDonnell Douglass MD-81 and MD-82 aircraft and more than 50 employees, the Herald reported. The National Transportation Safety Board posted that a team would arrive at the airport by Wednesday to investigate. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) The two Republican candidates in Alabamas U.S. Senate primary runoff on Tuesday can each boast that at one point they had Donald Trumps endorsement in the race. Trump first backed U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks in the spring of 2021. That endorsement stood for nearly a year until Trump rescinded it as the conservative firebrand languished in the polls. The former president took his time in issuing a second endorsement, supporting Katie Britt in the race only after she emerged as the top vote-getter in the states May 24 primary. In other races Tuesday, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser is facing voters amid growing concerns about crime. Runoffs in Georgia will resolve close contests in several congressional races and a secretary of state nomination, while primaries in Virginia will set up competitive congressional contests for the fall. Arkansas is holding primary runoffs for several legislative races. What to watch in Tuesdays primaries: ALABAMA The Senate runoff will decide the GOP nominee for the seat being vacated by 88-year-old Republican Sen. Richard Shelby, who announced his retirement in February 2021 after serving six terms. Two months later, Trump announced his endorsement of Brooks, rewarding the six-term congressman who had objected to the certification of the 2020 presidential election and spoke at the Stop the Steal rally that preceded the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. But Trump soured on Brooks as the primary campaign progressed, growing unhappy with his showing in the race and some of his comments urging the party to move on from the former presidents fixation on his 2020 election defeat. He pulled his endorsement last March. Britt, Shelbys former chief of staff and a former leader of a state business group, won the most votes in last months primary, capturing nearly 45% of the ballots compared to Brooks 29%. Britt had needed to earn more than 50% of the vote to win outright and avoid a runoff. Another top candidate, Mike Durant, best known as the helicopter pilot who was held captive in Somalia during the 1993 battle chronicled in the book and film Black Hawk Down, finished in third place and failed to advance to the runoff. Brooks has been backed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, both of whom campaigned with him. Britt comes into Tuesdays runoff with a fundraising advantage and a shiny new endorsement from Trump, which came a couple of weeks after the primary. The former president, who has a mixed record of success in backing winning candidates in this years midterm elections, waited to make an endorsement to help stave off the embarrassment of backing a losing candidate in a high-profile race. The winner of the GOP race will face Democrat Will Boyd in November, though Democrats have found limited success in the deep-red state in the last 20 years. GEORGIA A Democratic contest for secretary of state headlines the Tuesday runoffs in Georgia, while Republicans will settle three congressional nominations. State Rep. Bee Nguyen, backed by Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, is trying to defeat former state Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler in the secretary of states race. The winner will face Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in the fall. Raffensperger beat back a challenge in his May 24 primary from U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, who was endorsed by Trump. Trump made Raffensperger a top target for rebuffing his efforts to find enough votes to overturn Joe Bidens win in the states 2020 presidential election. In congressional runoffs, Vernon Jones, a Trump-backed candidate and former Democrat, is competing against trucking company owner Mike Collins for the Republican nomination for the 10th Congressional District seat east of Atlanta. Collins was endorsed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who also won his primary over a Trump-backed challenger. In the 6th District in Atlantas northern suburbs, emergency room physician Rich McCormick is trying to hold off Trump-backed lawyer Jake Evans. That race has revolved around accusations by each candidate that the other is insufficiently conservative. The Republican winners in the 6th and 10th are heavy favorites in the November election over their Democratic opponents. Republicans also have high hopes of knocking off 30-year Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop in southwest Georgias 2nd District. The GOP is choosing between former Army officer Jeremy Hunt and real estate developer Chris West. VIRGINIA In Virginia, voters will be picking Republican nominees to take on Democratic U.S. House incumbents in two of the most highly competitive districts in the country. In the coastal 2nd District, which includes the states most populous city, Virginia Beach, four military veterans are competing for the GOP nomination. With a big fundraising lead and the backing of the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC dedicated to electing House Republicans, state Sen. Jen Kiggans is widely seen as the front-runner. The winner will face Democrat Elaine Luria, a retired Naval commander and member of the Jan. 6 committee, in the general election. In central Virginias 7th District, six candidates are jockeying to take on Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer. WASHINGTON, D.C. Bowser, the two-term mayor of Washington, D.C., is trying to fend off challenges from a pair of Council members as the district contends with rising crime rates and homelessness concerns. Bowser has had a tumultuous second term that saw her repeatedly face off against Trump and walk a public tightrope between her own police department and a vocal coalition of activists led by Black Lives Matter. She is campaigning on the need for proven leadership and her history as one of the faces of Washingtons ongoing quest for statehood. Her primary challengers are Robert White and Trayon White, who are not related to each other. Both accuse Bowser of favoring developers as spiraling costs of living drive Black families out of the city and of mishandling public safety issues amid rising rates of violent crime, like a Sunday night shooting that left a 15-year-old boy dead and a police officer and at least two other adults wounded. The Democratic primary essentially decides the mayoral race in deeply blue Washington, D.C. Robert White has a history of successful insurgent campaigns, having unseated an entrenched incumbent for an at-large Council seat in 2016. Trayon White openly invokes the spirit of late D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, who remains a controversial but beloved figure among many Washingtonians. White was criticized in 2018 for claiming the Rothschilds, a Jewish banking dynasty and frequent subject of antisemitic conspiracy, were controlling Washingtons weather conditions. He later said he didnt realize his comment could be construed as antisemitic. Associated Press writers Jeff Amy in Atlanta, Sarah Rankin in Richmond, Va., Ashraf Khalil in Washington, and Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Ark., contributed to this report. Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union's top diplomat said on Monday he has written to all African foreign ministers to explain that the bloc's sanctions on Russia are not responsible for the looming global food crisis, and pledged to work out ways for exports of food and fertilizers to reach their continent. The EU has not banned exports of Russian food or fertilizers to non-EU nations as part of its sanctions package. Earlier this month, the chairman of the African Union, Senegals President Macky Sall, told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the fighting in Ukraine and Western sanctions had worsened food shortages, and appealed to other countries to ensure grain and fertilizer exports from Russia and Ukraine arent blocked. Russia is blockading Ukrainian exports," Josep Borrell said after a meeting of EU Foreign Affairs ministers. Not us. Russia is destroying ports, and destroying food stocks, destroying transport infrastructure." Russia's war against Ukraine has been preventing some 20 million tons of Ukrainian grain from getting to the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Asia. Borrell said it is a deliberate attempt (by Russia) to create hunger in the world," adding that the Kremlin's attempt to blame Western sanctions for the crisis was just propaganda." Sall also complained that the collateral effects of the EU decision to expel many Russian banks from the SWIFT financial messaging system will hurt African countries' ability to make payments for food imports. Borrell said he understands the concerns of African leaders about the consequences of EU sanctions. If there is a problem, we will solve it," he said. But I have to know the problem. Not the whole financial system of Russia is de-Swifted." Meanwhile, Borrell said the bloc is ready to look into whether sanctions imposed on Belarus before the war targeting exports of potash a common fertilizer ingredient can affect its distribution across the world. In addition, Borrell said the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, will send letters to all financial and economic actors to explain what they can do under the sanctions regime. Because our sanctions don't forbid them to participate on the trade on food, fertilizers with Russia and third countries," he said. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing logistical support to import the equivalent of about 16 million 8-ounce baby formula bottles from Mexico starting this weekend, as part of its efforts to ease nationwide supply shortages caused by the closure of the largest U.S. manufacturing plant. The Department of Health and Human Services is expediting the travel of trucks that will drive about 1 million pounds of Gerber Good Start Gentle infant formula from a Nestle plant to U.S. retailers, the White House said, nearly doubling the amount imported to the U.S. to date. Cargo flights from Europe and Australia already have brought baby formula into the U.S., including two new rounds of air shipments that begin this weekend. The White House has been working to make supply more available as it has faced pressure from parents over supply issues after regulators in February shuttered a Michigan plant run by Abbott that is the largest domestic manufacturer of baby formula over safety concerns. The plant reopened on June 4 after the company committed to additional sanitizing and safety protocols, but shuttered again more than a week ago after severe weather caused damage to the plant. The company said it needs time to assess damage and re-sanitize the factory after severe thunderstorms and heavy rains swept through southwestern Michigan on June 13. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration moved to ease federal import regulations to allow baby formula to be shipped to the U.S., and Biden authorized the use of the Defense Production Act to provide federal support to move formula from overseas into the U.S. Wednesday's announcement also includes air shipments of 1.65 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of Nestle NAN Supremepro 2 infant formula from Germany to Texas this weekend, and 5.5 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of Bubs infant formula in two shipments on June 26 and July 5. The White House says that by June 26, it efforts, dubbed Operation Fly Formula," will have brought 32 flights and almost 19 million 8-ounce bottle equivalents of infant formula into the U.S. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court seems poised to take on a new elections case being pressed by Republicans that could increase the power of state lawmakers over races for Congress and the presidency, as well as redistricting, and cut state courts out of the equation. The issue has arisen repeatedly in cases from North Carolina and Pennsylvania, where Democratic majorities on the states highest courts have invoked voting protections in their state constitutions to frustrate the plans of Republican-dominated legislatures. Already, four conservative Supreme Court justices have noted their interest in deciding whether state courts, finding violations of their state constitutions, can order changes to federal elections and the once-a-decade redrawing of congressional districts. The Supreme Court has never invoked what is known as the independent state legislature doctrine, although three justices advanced it in the Bush v. Gore case that settled the 2000 presidential election. The issue is almost certain to keep arising until the Court definitively resolves it, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in March. It only takes four of the nine justices to agree to hear a case. A majority of five is needed for an eventual decision. Many election law experts are alarmed by the prospect that the justices might seek to reduce state courts' powers over elections. A ruling endorsing a strong or muscular reading of the independent state legislature theory would potentially give state legislatures even more power to curtail voting rights and provide a pathway for litigation to subvert the election outcomes expressing the will of the people, law professor Richard Hasen wrote in an email. But if the justices are going to get involved, Hasen said, it does make sense for the Court to do it outside the context of an election with national implications. The court could say as early as Tuesday, or perhaps the following week, whether it will hear an appeal filed by North Carolina Republicans. The appeal challenges a state court ruling that threw out the congressional districts drawn by the General Assembly that made GOP candidates likely victors in 10 of the state's 14 congressional districts. The North Carolina Supreme Court held that the boundaries violated state constitution provisions protecting free elections and freedoms of speech and association by handicapping voters who support Democrats. The new map that eventually emerged and is being used this year gives Democrats a good chance to win six seats, and possibly a seventh in a new toss-up district. Pennsylvania's top court also selected a map that Republicans say probably will lead to the election of more Democrats, as the two parties battle for control of the U.S. House in the midterm elections in November. An appeal from Pennsylvania also is waiting, if the court for some reason passes on the North Carolina case. Nationally, the parties fought to a draw in redistricting, which leaves Republicans positioned to win control of the House even if they come up just short of winning a majority of the national vote. If the GOP does well in November, the party also could capture seats on state supreme courts, including in North Carolina, that might allow for the drawing of more slanted maps that previous courts rejected. Two court seats held by North Carolina Democrats are on the ballot this year and Republicans need to win just one to take control of the court for the first time since 2017. In their appeal to the nation's high court, North Carolina Republicans wrote that it is time for the Supreme Court to weigh in on the elections clause in the U.S. Constitution, which gives each states legislature the responsibility to determine the times, places and manner of holding congressional elections. Activist judges and allied plaintiffs have proved time and time again that they believe state courts have the ultimate say over congressional maps, no matter what the U.S. Constitution says, North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger said when the appeal was filed in March. The Supreme Court generally does not disturb state court rulings that are rooted in state law. But four Supreme Court justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Kavanaugh have said the court should step in to decide whether state courts had improperly taken powers given by the U.S. Constitution to state lawmakers. That was the argument that Thomas and two other conservative justices put forward in Bush v. Gore, although that case was decided on other grounds. If the court takes up the North Carolina case and rules in the GOPs favor, North Carolina Republicans could draw new maps for 2024 elections with less worry that the state Supreme Court would strike them down. Defenders of state court involvement argue that state lawmakers would also gain the power to pass provisions that would suppress voting, subject only to challenge in federal courts. Delegating power to election boards and secretaries of state to manage federal elections in emergencies also could be questioned legally, some scholars said. Its adoption would radically change our elections, Ethan Herenstein and Tom Wolf, both with the Brennan Centers Democracy Program at the New York University Law School, wrote earlier this month. Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has run into a roadblock in trying to deliver relief for Louisville-area motorists forced to pay more at the pump for reformulated gas. Federal regulators denied his request for a waiver to temporarily remove the requirement that costlier but cleaner-burning reformulated fuel be sold in Metro Louisville, the Democratic governor said Tuesday. Reformulated fuel costs 20-30 cents more per gallon than other kinds of gas, according to Beshear. During a time of skyrocketing gas prices, that has added to the financial strain for motorists in Kentucky's largest city and some of its suburbs. Beshear asked federal regulators to allow conventional, less costly gas to be sold in Jefferson County which includes Louisville and parts of neighboring Oldham and Bullitt counties. The governor cant unilaterally suspend the reformulated gas requirement, but instead had to petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for such a suspension. The answer weve gotten is a no, but a no for now, Beshear told reporters Tuesday. The EPA in the 1990s started requiring cities with high smog levels to sell reformulated gasoline known as RFG which is blended to burn cleaner than regular gasoline and reduce smog-forming pollutants. I get why it is in place, but our families are suffering in paying for gas, Beshear said. The EPA has verbally denied the request but will continue monitoring the situation, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet said in a statement Tuesday. EPA officials did not immediately provide comments when reached by email Tuesday. Several Republican lawmakers from the Louisville area also called for the suspension of the reformulated fuel requirement. GOP state Rep. Kevin Bratcher has referred to the requirement as a tax that people in my district and most districts around here are tired of paying. Meanwhile, Beshear said Tuesday hes among governors urging President Joe Biden to suspend the federal gas tax. Biden has said he will decide by the end of the week whether he would support a federal gasoline tax holiday, possibly saving U.S. consumers as much as 18.4 cents a gallon. That would make, we believe, a significant, immediate impact on the price of gas," Beshear said. The governor, who has touted the state's economic development gains during his term, has taken other steps to try to help Kentuckians battered by rising prices for consumer goods. He doesn't face reelection until next year, but the campaign has already gotten underway, and politicians from both parties have moved forcefully to respond to voters' anger about what they're being forced to pay at the pump. Beshear recently took action to freeze Kentucky's gas tax, an emergency step to prevent a 2-cent-per-gallon increase that would have taken effect July 1. The action is expected to save Kentuckians an estimated $35.4 million. In February, the governor took executive action to grant relief to Kentucky taxpayers hit with pandemic-related increases in their vehicle property tax bills. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. More than 1,000 people flocked to Omaha's Memorial Park on Friday to protest the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Roe v. Wade and to rally to keep abortion legal in Nebraska. They heard speeches urging them to not despair but to take action, and then they rallied for more than two hours along Dodge Street, filling the historic green bridge over Dodge and lining both sides of the street for several blocks, nearly from Happy Hollow Boulevard to Elmwood Park Road. The rally began at 5 p.m., and the crowd appeared to peak at about 6 p.m. Organizers, reporters and police estimated the crowd at least 1,000 and probably more. Passing drivers laid on their horns and many cheered, creating a raucous chorus as the protesters chanted, "My body, my choice," "Bans off our bodies" and "Keep abortion safe and legal." "We came out in droves," 26-year-old Brandy Moore said over the cacophony as she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other protesters on the pedestrian bridge. "And we are going to fight for our rights." Speakers reminded the crowd that abortion is still legal in Nebraska. They urged them to turn their emotion into action, and suggested several steps. Follow the organizations involved in Friday's rally, urged Brandi Bothe, co-chair of the Omaha Women's March. Those groups include Women's Fund of Omaha, Planned Parenthood, Omaha Women's March, I Be Black Girl, the ACLU of Nebraska and Nebraska Abortion Resources. Bothe also urged donations to organizations that provide resources and advocacy. "Contact your state senators," she said. "Call them. Email them. Write them." And, several speakers exhorted, vote for candidates who support abortion rights "Please get out and vote," pleaded Oglala-Lakota mental health therapist Grace Johnson of the Great Plains Action Society. "Tell your friends. Tell your young ones who are just turning 18. Please come out and vote." Jo Giles, executive director of the Women's Fund of Omaha, told the people to let the rage they felt Friday carry them through the summer, through a potential special session of the Nebraska Legislature, to November elections and beyond. "Let's win this fight again," Giles said. The rally in Memorial Park was just one that occurred across Nebraska and the country Friday. In Lincoln, 300 to 400 people filled the sidewalks and spilled onto Lincoln Mall across 10th Street as they listened to a handful of speakers less than five blocks from the State Capitol, according to the Lincoln Journal Star. Attendees waved signs, both printed and homemade, that expressed anger at the decision, the Supreme Court and Republican politicians, as well as support for other women. In downtown Omaha, about 60 anti-abortion supporters gathered outside of the Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse Friday evening for a rally organized by Nebraskans Embracing Life and the Pro-Life Action League. The energy of the crowd was celebratory and smiles and cheers abounded as a chant of we love babies broke out at the start of the rally. Some attendees waved American flags and others held signs with messages such as Unborn Children are Humans Too and Nebraska is a Pro-Life State. Martin Cannon, senior counsel for the Thomas More Society, a nationwide anti-abortion law firm, spoke to the crowd about the magnitude of the Supreme Courts decision. It's a very great day, Cannon said. Roe v. Wade was an act of lawlessness, we've been saying that forever. It corrupted our courts and as a country it damaged our soul. It taught millions, most of them young, that due process is not for everyone, that equal protection is not for everyone. Deanna Pierre of Bellevue said she was amazed and delighted at the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade after nearly 50 years. I know its at the state level now, but at least its not mandated nationally, Pierre said. Virgil Patlan, a retired Omaha police officer and longtime South Omaha resident, said he knows many abortion rights supporters are angry at the Supreme Courts decision, but hopes both sides can find a way to come together to support alternatives to abortion. I'm not gloating, but I'm happy, Patlan said. We've been praying for this day for a long time. At Memorial Park, people expressed a range of emotions with their voices and signs. "Today is not about defeat," Bothe told the crowd. "Today is about hope. Today is about banding together. And take a look around ... this should let every one of us know that you are not in this fight alone, we are not going anywhere, and we will not back down." Mindy Gilmore, 46, of Omaha, said she felt fury when the expected Supreme Court ruling came down Friday. She held a sign with a drawing of a brick wall between a Supreme Court and a Bible. "Build this wall," the sign read. "Fear," said her daughter, Ruth Gilmore, 20, who made the sign. "And sadness." The Gilmores, standing with a couple hundred protesters still persisting beside Dodge Street after a rainfall nearly two hours into the rally, said the crowd and the warm reception of people driving by lifted their hopes a little. "But unfortunately, we have a lot of conservative politicians in this state who often pay more attention to the people who are lining their pockets than the people who are out here making a difference in the world," Mindy Gilmore said. "And we can do all the protests we want but if people don't go out and vote for liberal candidates who support the right to abortion, then all the protests in the world aren't going to make any difference." Sara McRoberts, 39, of Omaha expressed the same sentiment about voting. She carried a sign that read, "I did not survive the plague just to go back to the dark ages." She said she joined the protest to "let Nebraskans know that this is an important issue to us, that abortion needs to stay legal in Nebraska." Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Christopher Burbach Chris Burbach covers the Douglas County Board, Planning Board and other local government bodies, as well as local neighborhood issues. Follow him on Twitter @chrisburbach. Phone: 402-444-1057. Follow Christopher Burbach 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 Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court has stripped away womens constitutional protections for abortion. It's a fundamental and deeply personal change for Americans' lives after nearly a half-century under the court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Friday's new ruling is likely to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. The ruling by the high court's conservative majority was unthinkable just a few years ago. It was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court that has been fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump. The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito. Biden vows abortion fight, assails 'extreme' court ruling WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden is vowing to try to preserve access to abortion after the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. He's calling for voters to elect more Democrats who would safeguard rights upended by the courts decision. Short of that, his options are limited. Biden assailed the ruling Friday, saying other legal precedents ensuring same-sex marriage and access to birth control could also be at risk. He says, This is an extreme and dangerous path this court is taking us on." Republicans and conservative leaders are celebrating the culmination of a decades-long campaign to undo the nationwide legalization of abortion that began with Roe v. Wade in 1973. Congress sends landmark gun violence compromise to Biden WASHINGTON (AP) The House has sent President Joe Biden the most wide-ranging gun violence bill Congress has passed in decades. The bill that passed the House on Friday is a measured compromise that at once illustrates progress on the long-intractable issue and the deep-seated partisan divide that persists. The Democratic-led chamber approved the election-year legislation with every Democrat and 14 Republicans voting yes. That caps a spurt of action prompted by voters revulsion over last months mass shootings in New York and Texas. The Senate approved it earlier by a bipartisan 65-33 margin, with 15 Republicans joining all Democrats. The White House says Biden will sign the bill Saturday morning. Some US clinics stop doing abortions as ruling takes hold Abortion bans that were put on the books in some states in the event Roe v. Wade was overturned have started automatically going into effect, while clinics elsewhere including Alabama, Texas and West Virginia have stopped performing abortions for fear of prosecution, sending women away in tears. America was convulsed with anger, joy, fear and confusion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe. The canyon-like divide across the U.S. over the right to terminate a pregnancy was on full display, with abortion rights supporters calling it a dark day in history, while abortion foes welcomed the ruling as the answer to their prayers. With Roe over, some fear rollback of LGBTQ and other rights TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The U.S. Supreme Courts decision allowing states to ban abortion is stirring alarm among LGBTQ advocates. They fear that the ruling could someday allow a rollback of legal protections for gay relationships, including the right for same-sex couples to marry. In the majority opinion issued Friday that overturns the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Justice Samuel Alito said the decision applied only to abortion. But critics discounted that statement. In a separate concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should review other precedents, including decisions legalizing same-sex marriage and striking down laws criminalizing gay sex. A protester at a Topeka, Kansas, abortion-rights rally said conservatives would not stop with abortion. How US states have banned, limited or protected abortion The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. Friday's ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. In anticipation of the decision, several states led by Democrats have taken steps to protect abortion access. The decision also sets up the potential for legal fights between the states over whether providers and those who help women obtain abortions can be sued or prosecuted. Ukrainian army leaving battered city for fortified positions KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukrainian officials say their country's forces are withdrawing from a besieged eastern city to move to stronger positions. The industrial city of Sievierodonetsk, the administrative center of the Luhansk region, has faced relentless Russian bombardment. Ukrainian troops fought the Russians in house-to-house battles before retreating to a huge chemical factory on the citys edge, where they holed up in its sprawling underground structures with civilians. Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai said Friday that the Ukrainian troops have been ordered to leave Sievierodonetsk, which has been reduced mostly to rubble and seen its population decline from an estimated 100,000 to 10,000. Juul can keep selling e-cigarettes as court blocks FDA ban A federal court has put a temporary hold on the government's order for Juul to stop selling its electronic cigarettes. Juul filed the emergency motion so it can appeal the sales ban from the Food and Drug Administration. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington granted the request later Friday. A day earlier, the FDA said Juul must stop selling its vaping device and its cartridges. The agency said Juul didn't give it enough information to evaluate the potential health risks of its e-cigarettes. In its court filing, the company disagreed, saying it provided enough. Airlines aim to shift blame for flight problems to FAA DALLAS (AP) With an eye on the upcoming July Fourth weekend, airlines are stepping up their criticism of federal officials over recent widespread flight delays and cancellations. The industry trade group Airlines for America said Friday that understaffing at the Federal Aviation Administration is crippling traffic along the East Coast. The airlines say they are doing everything they can to keep customers happy, including hiring more pilots and customer-service agents. The airlines are pushing back a week after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called them to a virtual meeting and threatened to punish carriers that fail to meet consumer-protection standards. Lightning win Game 5, deny Avs chance to take Stanley Cup DENVER (AP) The Tampa Bay Lightning spoiled Colorados party to stay in the hunt for a third straight Stanley Cup title, beating the Avalanche 3-2 on Friday night in Game 5. Ondrej Palat scored with 6:22 remaining and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 35 shots in front of a raucous crowd hoping to celebrate the Avalanches first championship in 21 years. The Cup was all shined up and in the building, too. Its heading back to Tampa for Game 6 on Sunday night, with the Lightning down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Nikita Kucherov and Jan Rutta also scored for the Lightning. Valeri Nichushkin and Cale Makar had goals for Colorado. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Abortion foes, supporters map next moves after Roe reversal CHARLESTON, W. Va. (AP) A day after the Supreme Courts bombshell ruling overturning Roe v. Wade ended the constitutional right to abortion, emotional protests and prayer vigils are turning to resolve as several states enact bans and both supporters and foes of abortion rights map out their next moves. A Texas group that helps women pay for abortions has halted its efforts while evaluating its legal risk under a ban it says will disproportionately hurt poor and minority women. Mississippis only abortion clinic is continuing to see patients while awaiting a 10-day notice that will trigger a ban. Some elected officials are vowing to protect womens access to abortion, while opponents of the procedure say their fight is far from over. Supreme Court conservatives flex muscle in sweeping rulings WASHINGTON (AP) Sweeping Supreme Court rulings on guns and abortion this past week have sent an unmistakable message. And that message is that conservative justices hold the power and aren't afraid to use it to make transformative changes in the law. It was never clearer than when the court took away a womans right to abortion that had stood for nearly 50 years. The conservative majority said no more half measures when they overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states to outlaw abortion. And the day before, they ruled for the first time that Americans the right to carry handguns in public for self-defense. The decisions are the latest and perhaps clearest manifestation of the court's control by an aggressive conservative majority. Biden signs landmark gun measure, says 'lives will be saved' WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden has signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades. The bipartisan compromise seemed unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school. The House gave final approval Friday, following Senate passage Thursday, and Biden acted just before leaving Washington for two world leader summits in Europe. The legislation will toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders and help states put in place laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged to be dangerous. Most of its $13 billion cost will help bolster mental health programs and aid schools Russia fires missiles across Ukraine, cements gains in east KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian forces are seeking to swallow up the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the eastern Luhansk region while pressing their momentum following the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the charred ruins of Sievierodonetsk. The military said Moscow-backed separatists were now in full control of the chemical plant that was the last Ukrainian holdout in the city. Russia also launched dozens of missiles Saturday on several areas across the country far from the heart of the eastern battles. Ukraine's air command says some of the missiles were fired from Russian long-range Tu-22 bombers deployed to Belarus for the first time. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that Moscow plans to supply Belarus with the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile system. 'Mitt Romney Republican' is now a potent GOP primary attack SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Mitt Romney isnt up for reelection this year, but his name is surfacing in Republican primaries throughout the nation. Candidates are using the label Mitt Romney Republican to frame opponents as insufficiently conservative and enemies of the Trump-era GOP. Candidates have employed the concept in attack ads and talking points in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In Romney's home state Utah, Republican challengers taking on incumbent congressmen are using the attack, even though Romney won overwhelmingly only four years ago. The fact that Romney remains potent attack fodder reflects his singular position in politics and ongoing divisions within the Republican Party. Pope hails families, blasts 'culture of waste' after Roe ROME (AP) Pope Francis is urging families to shun selfish decisions that are indifferent to life as he closed out a big Vatican family rally a day after the U.S. Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion.Francis didnt refer to the ruling or explicitly mention abortion in his homily Saturday. But he used the buzzwords he has throughout his papacy about the need to defend families and condemn the culture of waste that he believes is behind the societal acceptance of abortion.Francis has strongly upheld church teaching opposing abortion, equating it to hiring a hitman to solve a problem. At the same time, he has expressed sympathy for women who have had abortions and has made it easier for them to be absolved of the sin of abortion. Guns and abortion: Contradictory decisions, or consistent? They are the most fiercely polarizing issues in American life: abortion and guns. And two momentous decisions by the Supreme Court in two days have done anything but resolve them. Instead, they've fired up debate about whether the courts conservative justices are being consistent to history and the Constitution or citing them to justify political preferences, To some critics, the rulings represent an obvious and deeply damaging contradiction: How can the court justify restricting the ability of states to regulate guns while expanding the right of states to regulate abortion? To supporters, the courts conservatives are staying true to the countrys founding principles and undoing errors of the past. Guns in paradise: Ruling could undo strict Hawaii carry law HONOLULU (AP) A U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down a New York gun law could mean big changes thousands of miles away in Hawaii, which has strict restrictions on carrying firearms. In 2020, Hawaii had the nations lowest rate for gun deaths. Chris Marvin is a Hawaii resident with the gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety. He's concerned minor scuffles over things like surf spots could escalate if more people are carrying guns in public because of the high court decision. As Marvin says, Guns and aloha don't mix." Hawaii and California are among states with strict laws limiting carrying guns in public. Those laws will now need to be loosened. WHO panel: Monkeypox not a global emergency 'at this stage' LONDON (AP) The World Health Organization said the escalating monkeypox outbreak in more than 50 countries should be closely monitored but does not warrant being declared a global health emergency. In a statement, a WHO emergency committee said many aspects of the outbreak were unusual and acknowledged that monkeypox, which is endemic in some African countries, has been neglected. WHO nevertheless pointed to the emergency nature of the outbreak and said controlling its spread requires an intense response. The committee said the outbreak should be closely monitored and reviewed after a few weeks. Norway shaken by attack that kills 2 during Pride festival OSLO, Norway (AP) A gunman who opened fire in Oslos nightlife district has killed two men and left more than 20 other people injured during the LGBTQ Pride festival in Norway's capital. The Norwegian security service called the attack early Saturday an Islamist terror act and raised the country's terror alert level from moderate to extraordinary, the highest level. A suspect was arrested. Investigators identified him as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran. The security service's acting chief says the gunman had a long history of violence and threats, as well as mental health issues. A defense lawyer cautioned against speculating on on a motive but says the suspect hasnt denied carrying out the attack. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. PHOENIX (AP) Republicans in the Arizona House approved a massive expansion of the state's private school voucher program Wednesday, voting to allow any of the state's 1.1 million public school students to apply to use public money to attend private schools. The measure comes just four years after voters overwhelmingly rejected a smaller voucher expansion after an unprecedented mobilization by teachers opposed to using tax dollars for private education. The new bill still needs approval in the Senate, which backed a smaller expansion in February. Democrats fiercely opposed the bill, saying there is no testing or other mechanism to make sure children are actually learning. We are disrespecting the will of the voters, Democratic Rep. Kelli Butler of Paradise Valley said of the GOP-controlled Legislature. We are disrespecting the taxpayers who deserve and need accountability for the use of our tax dollars. Currently about 255,000 public school students qualify for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, although fewer than 12,000 take them. In addition to all current public school students, about 59,000 current private school students would be newly eligible under the new plan championed by House Majority Leader Ben Toma. Many private school students currently get state funding though a separate tax credit program, but over time many would opt for the new funding because the $7,000 average voucher exceeds the average tax credit by more than $2,500 a year, the Legislature's budget analysts said in an evaluation of the costs. Homeschooled students would also be eligible. I really do wonder often why should private schools be the exclusive domain of the wealthy, Toma said. Why shouldnt every child in Arizona have that same opportunity? Parents are the ultimate accountability, he said, and would remove their children from a school that's failing to educate them. Mesa Republican Rep. Michelle Udall was among a few House Republicans who blocked a voucher expansion last year and was opposed to an earlier version this year because it lacked testing or other accountability. She said last week that she wanted much more K-12 spending to win her support, but a separate new funding bill adding about $400 million in spending did not move Wednesday. Udall still voted for the voucher expansion. She didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. The Legislatures budget analysts said the voucher expansion would cost the state $125 million a year by 2025, and grow each year thereafter. The Legislature is not adding extra funding for that cost. Meanwhile, Republican legislative leaders will need to drastically trim the nearly $18 billion state budget deal they hammered out with GOP Gov. Doug Ducey or persuade some Democrats to vote for the proposal if they are to get it enacted. With just one-vote majorities in the House and Senate, GOP leaders need every Republican vote, and they aren't there. Some Democrats were working to get changes they needed to get on board. Still, the budget plan was moving on Wednesday, with the Senate Appropriations Committee approving the spending package after a delay the day before triggered by a disagreement with the House. The House, meanwhile, planned to debate and vote on the full plan late Wednesday even as a path through the Senate remained uncertain. The budget's overall spending is Republican Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita's concern. The Scottsdale lawmaker called the spending plan unsustainable and bloated and noted that $2.3 billion in spending is outside the normal budget process and unprecedented. That's straight up manipulation and abuse, she said. She wants some of the state's $5.3 billion cash surplus used to provide meaningful tax relief, potentially a cut in the state gasoline tax. Right now, the Biden Administration is acting more Republican than the Republican (House and Senate) leadership and the Republican governor if he signs this, Ugenti-Rita said. She noted President Joe Biden on Wednesday proposed a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax and urged states to do the same. Democratic Sen. Sean Bowie, who has said all session that he could back a Republican budget, said during the morning hearing that hes close to being able to back the plan, but it will need some specific changes. They include equalizing levels of new funding for all three state universities. Under the current plan. the University of Arizona is getting more new cash. Bowie also wants an increase in the states private school tax credit program eliminated, more school funding and for the Legislature to waive a spending cap for K-12 schools and community colleges for the coming year. I honestly do feel like were close, the Phoenix lawmaker said. Id like a little bit more I think that gets us a long way towards a bipartisan budget." Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) A new law creating a provisional ballot system in New Hampshire faces lawsuits days after it was enacted. The ACLU of New Hampshire filed a lawsuit Tuesday arguing that the law violates the right to privacy the state added to its constitution in 2018 because it would diminish the secrecy of ballots and tie voters names to the candidates for whom they voted. The bill signed into law by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu on Friday creates a new type of affidavit ballot for first-time voters who dont have required documents. Under current law, such voters fill out affidavits promising to provide documentation within 10 days, and those who dont can be investigated and charged with fraud. But the votes themselves remain valid. Under the new law, which takes effect in 2023, ballots cast by voters who fail to provide proof of their identities and residency seven days after an election would be thrown out. Municipalities would report to the secretary of state total votes, minus the unqualified affidavit ballot votes, no later than 14 days after an election. The government should not know who you cast your ballot for in a state election, said Henry Klementowicz, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of New Hampshire. Voting is one of the most important democratic things a person can do, and they deserve to do so privately and secretly. The law also faces a court challenge from the advocacy groups 603 Forward and Open Democracy Action. While provisional ballots are required by federal law, New Hampshire is exempt because it offered same-day voter registration at the time the National Voter Registration Act was enacted in 1993. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Idaho and Minnesota are the only other two states that do not issue provisional ballots. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. CAIRO (AP) Qatars emir arrived in Cairo late Friday for talks with Egypt's president, his first visit to the country following years of frayed ties and a boycott of Doha by four Arab states, including Egypt. With Qatari and Egyptian flags flowing over the tarmac, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was greeted at the airport by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, a courtesy only granted to leaders of heavyweight allies. The visit comes ahead of President Joe Bidens anticipated trip to the Middle East next month. The two leaders are expected to discuss ways to further improve bilateral relations as well as common regional and international concerns, according to a statement released by the Egyptian presidents office. The emirs visit came less than two months after his government announced that it would invest $5 billion in Egypt, another lifeline to the countrys economy which has been dealt a blow following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The announcement came during a March visit by Qatar Foreign Minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman. Egyptian-Qatari relations deteriorated in 2013, when Egypts military removed from power the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, who was backed by Qatar, and cracked down on his Muslim Brotherhood. Doha, Qatars capital, eventually became a haven for fleeing Egyptian Islamists, and the state-owed Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera Television took a decided stance against el-Sissis government. In 2017, Egypt joined Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in a boycott of Qatar in an effort to force Doha to change its policies. With a wide-ranging trade embargo, a ban on Qatar-bound flights from their airspace and a media blitz, they called on Doha to end close relations with Turkey, Iran and Islamists across the region. Qatar rejected the quartets demands, which included that it shutter its Al Jazeera news network, expel a small contingency of Turkish troops from its territory and cut ties with the Muslim Brotherhood. It also denied claims by the quartet that it supports extremists. The boycott pushed the gas-rich nation in closer alliance with Turkey and Iran while Doha also continued to strengthen ties with Washington. The rift finally ended in 2021, when Qatar signed a declaration with the four to normalize relations. Since then, ties have improved and top officials have exchanged visits. El-Sissi also met with the emir in November, on the sidelines of the climate change summit in Glasgow, and most recently in February, when they both attended the opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Photographs of the two from the events warmly shaking hands came as early signs of renewed rapport. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said he will push for a state constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights within his state's borders, as well as laws that will make it difficult for other states to investigate whether their own residents have visited Washington for abortion care. The right to this choice, this constitutional choice for the last five decades, should not depend on which party is in control of our state Legislature, said Inslee, a Democrat. Without a constitutional amendment, the state would be in danger of losing abortion rights if a Republican majority was ever elected in the Legislature, he said. Inslee made the announcement during a news conference Saturday morning. He said he will ask legislators to strengthen privacy laws and enact new laws that will bar Washington law enforcement agencies from aiding other states if they are investigating alleged violations of anti-abortion laws. The neighboring state of Idaho has enacted a near-total abortion ban that automatically takes effect 30 days after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Health care providers expect that Idaho residents seeking abortion services may travel to Washington state for the procedure. Next week I will be issuing an executive order to the Washington State Patrol not to cooperate in investigations of other states to who violate the Roe v. Wade decision, Inslee said. Access to data and privacy is very important in this fight so we are going to be very alert in privacy laws ... were not going to allow that data to get back to Texas or Missouri or Idaho. Inslee said he would make Washington a sanctuary of choice, defending the right to reproductive health care, privacy and safety of citizens, including those that come from other states. Abortion has been legal in Washington state since a 1970 statewide ballot referendum. Another ballot measure approved by voters in 1991 affirmed a womans right to choose physician-performed abortion prior to fetal viability and further expanded and protected access to abortion in the state if Roe v. Wade was overturned. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. MUNICH (AP) About 4,000 protesters gathered in Munich as the Group of Seven leading economic powers prepared Saturday to hold their annual gathering in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, which holds the G-7s rotating presidency this year. Organizers had hoped to mobilize up to 20,000 protesters in the Bavarian city and were disappointed by the low turnout at Munichs Theresienwiese park, German news agency dpa reported. Uwe Hiksch, one of the protest organizers, theorized said that potential participants might consider it inappropriate to challenge the worlds wealthiest democracies during Russias war in Ukraine. We have the impression that many people are unsettled by the war in Ukraine, Hiksch told dpa. Seven years ago, 35,000 people participated in protests when the G-7 held a summit at the same site in Bavaria. The G-7 leaders from the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan are expected to start arriving in Germany on Saturday afternoon. Their summit agenda includes issues such as Russias war on Ukraine, climate change, energy and a looming food security crisis. Russias brutal war against Ukraine is also having an impact here, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a video podcast Saturday, referring to rising prices for groceries, gas and energy. Fifteen groups critical of globalization, from the international Attac network to the environmental organization WWF, called on people to participate in demonstrations for this weekends summit. Their demands included a phase-out of fossil fuels, the preservation of animal and plant diversity, social justice and a stepped-up fight against hunger. My demands for the G-7 are that they have a clear commitment to energy transition, that is, the exit from fossil fuels, all forms of fossil fuels, by 2035 at the latest, so we can stop financing wars and conflicts, said Kilian Wolter from the environmental group Greenpeace. Earlier Saturday, during a separate protest demanding more global equality.members of the antipoverty organization Oxfam wore oversized heads of the G-7 leaders. We need concrete action to cope with multiple crises of our times, Oxfam spokesperson Tobias Hauschild told The Associated Press. That means the G-7 have to act immediately. They have to fight hunger, inequality and poverty. A total of around 18,000 police officers are deployed around the summit site and the protests. Scholz said the G-7 leaders would discuss the current situation triggered by the war in Ukraine "and at the same time ensure that we stop manmade climate change. The chancellor was set to welcome the leaders at the Elmau resort near Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Saturday evening. The G-7 summit itself will take place in Bavarias Elmau from Sunday through Tuesday. After the meeting concludes, leaders of the 30 countries in the NATO alliance will then gather for their annual summit, which is being held Wednesday through Thursday in Madrid. Grieshaber reported from Berlin, Philipp Jenne and Pietro De Cristofaro contributed from Munich. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian forces were seeking to swallow up the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the eastern Luhansk region, pressing their momentum after taking full control Saturday of the charred ruins of Sievierodonetsk and the chemical plant where hundreds of Ukrainian troops and civilians had been holed up. Russia also launched dozens of missiles on several areas across the country far from the heart of the eastern battles. Some of the missiles were fired from Russian long-range Tu-22 bombers deployed from Belarus for the first time, Ukraine's air command said. The bombardment preceded a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, during which Putin announced that Russia planned to supply Belarus with the Iskander-M missile system. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said late Saturday that Russian and Moscow-backed separatist forces now control Sievierodonetsk and the villages surrounding it. He said the attempt by Ukrainian forces to turn the Azot plant into a stubborn center of resistance had been thwarted. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk province, said Friday that Ukrainian troops were retreating from Sievierodonetsk after weeks of bombardment and house-to-house fighting. He confirmed Saturday that the city had fallen to Russian and separatist fighters, who he said were now trying to blockade Lysychansk from the south. The city lies across the river just to the west of Sievierodonetsk. Capturing Lysychansk would give Russian forces control of every major settlement in the province, a significant step toward Russias aim of capturing the entire Donbas. The Russians and separatists control about half of Donetsk, the second province in the Donbas. Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a spokesman for the separatist forces, Andrei Marochko, as saying Russian troops and separatist fighters had entered Lysychansk and that fighting was taking place in the heart of the city. There was no immediate comment on the claim from the Ukrainian side. Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk have been the focal point of a Russian offensive aimed at capturing all of the Donbas and destroying the Ukrainian military defending it the most capable and battle-hardened segment of the countrys armed forces. Russian bombardment has reduced most of Sievierodonetsk to rubble and cut its population from 100,000 to 10,000. The last remaining Ukrainian troops were holed up in underground shelters in the huge Azot chemical plant, along with hundreds of civilians. A separatist representative, Ivan Filiponenko, said earlier Saturday that its forces evacuated 800 civilians from the plant during the night, Interfax reported. Ukrainian military analyst Oleg Zhdanov said some of the troops were heading for Lysychansk. But Russian moves to cut off Lysychansk will give those retreating troops little respite. Some 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) to the west, four Russian cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea hit a military object in Yaroviv, Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said. He did not give further details of the target, but Yaroviv has a sizable military base used for training fighters, including foreigners who have volunteered to fight for Ukraine. Russian missiles struck the Yaroviv base in March, killing 35 people. The Lviv region, although far from the front lines, has come under fire at various points in the the war as Russia's military worked to destroy fuel storage sites. About 30 Russian missiles were fired on the Zhytomyr region in central Ukraine on Saturday morning, killing one Ukrainian soldier, regional governor Vitaliy Buchenko said. He said all of the strikes were aimed at military targets. In the northwest, two missiles hit a service station and auto repair center in Sarny, killing three people and wounding four, the Rivne regional governor, Vitaliy Koval, said. He posted a picture of the destruction. Sarny is located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the border with Belarus. In southern Ukraine along the Black Sea coast, nine missiles fired from Crimea hit the port city of Mykolaiv, the Ukrainian military said. In the north, about 20 missiles were fired from Belarus into the Chernihiv region, the Ukrainian military said. Ukraine's military intelligence agency said the Russian bombers' use of Belarusian airspace for the first time for Saturday's attack was directly connected to attempts by the Kremlin to drag Belarus into the war. Belarus hosts Russian military units and was used as a staging ground before Russia invaded Ukraine, but its own troops have not crossed the border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address that as a war that Moscow expected to last five days moved into its fifth month, Russia felt compelled to stage such a missile show." He said the war was at a difficult stage, when we know that the enemy will not succeed, when we understand that we can defend our country, but we dont know how long it will take, how many more attacks, losses and efforts there will be before we can see that victory is already on our horizon. During his meeting in St. Petersburg with Lukashenko, Putin told him the Iskander-M missile systems would be arriving in the coming months. He noted that they can fire either ballistic or cruise missiles and carry nuclear as well as conventional warheads. Russia has launched several Iskander missiles into Ukraine during the war. Following a botched attempt to capture Kyiv, Ukraines capital, in the early stage of the invasion that started Feb. 24, Russian forces have shifted their focus to the Donbas, where the Ukrainian forces have fought Moscow-backed separatists since 2014. A senior U.S. defense official, speaking in Washington on condition of anonymity, on Friday called the Ukrainians withdrawal from Sievierodonetsk a tactical retrograde to consolidate forces into positions where they can better defend themselves. The move will reinforce Ukraines efforts to keep Russian forces pinned down in a small area, the official said. After repeated Ukrainian requests to its Western allies for heavier weaponry to counter Russias edge in firepower, four medium-range American rocket launchers arrived this week, with four more on the way. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry released a video Saturday showing the first use of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, in Ukraine. The video gave no location or indication of the targets. The rockets can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometers). The senior U.S. defense official said Friday that more Ukrainian forces are training outside Ukraine to use the HIMARS and are expected back in their country with the weapons by mid-July. Also to be sent are 18 U.S. coastal and river patrol boats. The official said there is no evidence Russia has intercepted any of the steady flow of weapons into Ukraine from the U.S. and other nations. Russia has repeatedly threatened to strike, or actually claimed to have hit, such shipments. Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. LINCOLN Gov. Pete Ricketts and several other Nebraska officials celebrated the opening of a new office building designed to be the one-stop shop for multiple state agencies. At a press conference Friday afternoon, Ricketts cut the ribbon to officially open the new Fallbrook State Office Building in Lincoln. The building, at 425 Fallbrook Blvd., is home for 525 state employees across eight agencies, including the agriculture, natural resources and economic development departments. The building will serve as the central location for similar state agencies, boards and commissions. Ricketts said consolidating the offices will improve customer service and better utilize state resources to the benefit of Nebraska taxpayers. I hope you enjoy our facility as much as we do, said Department of Economic Development Director Tony Goins. Many of the agencies housed in the new building were previously in an old state building still occupied by the Department of Health and Human Services. Jason Jackson, director of the Department of Administrative Services, said the relocation frees up space for DHHS to consolidate its offices into a central location as well. Goins said the former economic development office was built in the 1970s, and the departments relocation has been in the works for a long time. The new building presents a professional image to its clients, both national and international, he said. Factoring in all the spaces the agencies used to occupy, Jackson said, the new building reduces the combined footprint by about 60,000 square feet. The reduced costs associated with the consolidation will save Nebraska taxpayers about $700,000 per year, he estimated. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Friday that overturned the 49-year-old constitutional right to an abortion now moves the long-controversial issue clearly into the hands of state governments. In Nebraska, that means 50 people Gov. Pete Ricketts and 49 members of the Legislature may soon determine abortion policies for the state. A majority of those people have already signaled that they wanted to ban all abortions in Nebraska if the court scrapped Roe v. Wade. Now that decision has happened, clearing the way for each state to act. But when Nebraska lawmakers take up the issue, possibly as soon as a special session this summer, they need to consider carefully just how their actions will play out in the lives of countless Nebraska women facing some of the most difficult and personal situations of their lives. That includes women maybe even children who become pregnant at a time when they are unwilling or unprepared to assume responsibility for raising a child. Or victims of rape or incest who could be forced to endure additional suffering in the form of 40 weeks of pregnancy and the travail of childbirth. Or women who develop a life-threatening health condition. Or women whose fetuses have severe deformities or diseases. No one should want to harm such women or make their lives harder. But poorly-drafted or ill-considered legislation risks doing just that. We all understand the concept of unintended consequences. For example, the so-called abortion trigger bill that fell two votes shy of passing the Nebraska Legislature this spring faced criticism that it would have inadvertently banned in vitro fertilization or hindered doctors attempting to perform life-saving operations. The bills author, Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, has indicated that a new version of the bill could address those concerns. Right now, abortion remains legal in Nebraska up until 20 weeks after fertilization. On Friday, Ricketts didnt immediately call for a special session to consider abortion legislation, but he reiterated his desire to do more to restrict the practice. Its clear that abortion will continue to be a political battle for many years, in Nebraska and elsewhere. The Supreme Court ruling, after all, didnt make abortion illegal. The court gave each state the right to ban it, or allow it, or tinker endlessly with abortion laws with state policies possibly changing after each election, based on the political winds. Here in Nebraska, we think lawmakers need to follow a measured approach. They should think, for example, about whether abortion restrictions would have a disproportionate impact on lower-income women who could not afford to travel to a less-restrictive state. They should prepare for the additional health, welfare and resource costs if pregnant women who cant care for children are required to give birth anyway. And we think Nebraska lawmakers would be cruel and inhumane to force a rape or incest victim to give birth to their attackers baby. Its hard to imagine a more divisive issue than abortion. It doesnt readily accommodate compromise or consensus. Nationally, public opinion polls suggest that most Americans would prefer to leave the matter up to women and their doctors. But far fewer people are in favor of unrestricted abortions. Those who want to ban abortion are driven by heartfelt emotional and religious motives. Many believe deeply that its a matter of saving the lives of unborn children. Those who want to keep abortion legal have a heartfelt conviction that its unfair and unjust for government to infringe on the reproductive rights of women. Many believe deeply that a woman should be the one who decides how to deal with her own unplanned pregnancy and its life-transforming consequences. We have no illusions that it will be easy to reconcile the fundamental freedom for women with the sanctity of life. But as Nebraska leaders move toward possible new abortion restrictions in the wake of Fridays Supreme Court decision, they have the opportunity to be thoughtful about the real-world ramifications for women and respectful of the diverse views of all their constituents. BLOOMINGTON One of the most conceivably contentious Central Illinois races in the primary election features two McLean County legal professionals who each have about 20 to 25 years of experience in the field. McLean County States Attorney Don Knapp and Associate Judge Amy McFarland are vying for the open circuit judge seat on the Republican ballot in the June 28 primary election. No Democratic Party candidate filed for the seat in the primary election. Knapp and McFarland launched their bids for circuit judge just hours apart from each other Nov. 2, 2021 one day after former Judge Paul Lawrence, whose seat McFarland and Knapp are seeking to fill, announced his retirement from the bench. Eleventh Circuit Judge Carla Barnes is running unopposed on the Republican ballot of the primary election to fill retired Judge Scott Drazewskis seat. Barnes, the former McLean County public defender, was sworn in as judge in February 2021. The 11th judicial circuit includes McLean, Ford, Livingston, Logan and Woodford counties. Knapp and McFarland have varied experiences and perspectives on why they are running for the judicial seat, as well as different opinions on the issues they think are most prevalent to the 11th circuit. Professional experience McFarland, 46, of Bloomington, said her time as an associate judge and managing four judges in the family division has prepared her for this next step. She has served as a McLean County associate judge since 2016 and has been the presiding judge of the McLean County Family Division since 2018. Knapp, 52, of Bloomington, said he has as broad of experience as any who has sought a circuit judge seat, qualifying him to join the bench. He has been McLean Countys states attorney since 2018. During my tenure as McLean County States Attorney, not only has my office achieved historically positive results in the courtroom, but McLean County remains the envy of the Midwest when you compare our crime rates to any similarly sized county, Knapp said in an email to The Pantagraph. Understanding what happens not just in our courtrooms but on the streets of the communities in the circuit uniquely qualifies me for the position of circuit court judge. Knapp was an assistant McLean County administrator for about a year before becoming states attorney. Before his time in administration, he served as McLean County assistant states attorney for the civil division. The county is an incredibly complicated organization which required me to be legal counsel for all manner of issues from departments with diverse objectives from the nursing home, to animal control, to the jail, to human resources, to elections, to building and zoning, and everything in between, Knapp said, adding that he has shifted his focus to the criminal division since becoming states attorney in 2018. Knapp, who started his legal career in 1996, has worked for an insurance defense firm and in State Farms Special Investigation Unit, handling insurance fraud cases and national Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act cases. He also spent 12 years as an appellate law clerk for the Third District Appellate Court in Ottawa and Peoria, where he analyzed appeals and drafted opinions on civil and criminal cases. McFarland began her legal profession in 2000 as a McLean County public defense lawyer. She also spent time litigating civil, family, estate and tax planning, and workers' compensation cases. She has spent 16 years as an attorney and the past six years as a judge. McFarland serves on the Illinois Courts COVID-19 Operations Task Force and a sub-committee of the National Judicial Task Force to Examine State Courts Response to Mental Illness through the National Center for State Courts. I think that in conjunction with the daily practice of what goes on in the courtroom, learning and being mentored from judges already in the role, has just developed and further allowed me to use my leadership skills and prepare me for the leadership required for a circuit judge, McFarland said in a recent phone interview with The Pantagraph. She pointed to her community engagement as another piece of relevant experience. Serving for the Illinois Judicial College, McFarland has taught judicial education courses in family law. She also has served in a leadership role with the nonprofit organization Project Oz, which partners with youth to build foundations that promote safety, opportunities and well-being in their lives, and she has been active with the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council and the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. Reasons for running Knapp and McFarland have differing reasons for running for circuit judge, but both have emphasized their experience and readiness for the job. The implementation of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, known as the SAFE-T Act, is a large motivator for Knapp to run for the position. Among many provisions, the new bill which was signed into law last year abolishes cash bail beginning in January. Knapp said the SAFE-T Act and the end of cash bail is the most pressing issue the 11th circuit has faced in some time. With the implementation of the SAFE-T Act and the General Assemblys decision to limit a judges discretion concerning detaining defendants, I think it is more important than ever to have judges who appropriately exercise the discretion they actually have retained, Knapp said. I think that I am uniquely positioned to properly exercise that discretion in making the decisions that keep our communities as safe as possible. McFarland pointed to mental health and substance abuse as some of the most significant challenges facing the 11th circuit. It affects every single courtroom in the state and COVID has just escalated the issues, they continue to grow, McFarland said, noting that she presides over a mental health court program where she encounters those challenges. In my courtroom, that affects a lot of children and families in the court system and its a serious issue. In response to criticism by some members of the public in letters submitted to the editor that her Republican ideologies do not lean conservative enough, McFarland said her voting record speaks for itself. My voting record shows that I have consistently polled a Republican ballot in primary elections, McFarland said. () I dont know what it means to lean one way or the other. What I know is what it means to be a judge and to serve impartially without bringing my own opinion or ideologies to the job. An Illinois State Bar Association judicial advisory poll of bar association members in the 11th circuit gave Knapp a 54 rating for meets requirements of office, while it gave McFarland a rating of 90. The poll, which received 88 responses for Knapp and 108 responses for McFarland, did not recommend Knapp for the judge seat and rather recommended McFarland. With all due respect to the Illinois State Bar Association, Ive never worried about my popularity among lawyers or judges, Knapp said, noting that his results are similar to former states attorney Charles Reynard when he successfully ran for judge in 2002. I think this poll illustrates one of the main differences between my opponent and me, Knapp said. My support from the five counties elected sheriffs and the largest police association in the circuit shows the universal support I have from those that arrest criminals. My opponent clearly has more support from those who defend criminals. When speaking of supporters, McFarland acknowledged her endorsements from 14 retired judges who have seen that I am capable of the job and have put me into leadership positions within the job that I am serving. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PHNOM PENH, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and east China's Jiangsu Province have launched the "Silk Road E-commerce", aiming to further boost bilateral trade and investment relations. In a congratulatory letter on the occasion of the "Silk Road E-commerce" on Friday, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong said Cambodia and China signed a memorandum of understanding on e-commerce cooperation in November 2017, in a bid to help promote business cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. "The Silk Road E-commerce has been marked as a newly cooperative opportunity for Cambodian small and medium sized enterprises to export Cambodian high quality agricultural products to Chinese market," he said. Namhong said the Cambodian government, especially the ministry of commerce, has considered e-commerce as a new driving force for trade development and economic growth. "With this event, Cambodia and China will continue deepening trade and investment ties and collaborating more strategically to overcome challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and to boost economic recovery," he said. Meanwhile, he also highlighted the importance of the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact, which both took effect on Jan. 1, 2022, saying that they are serving as trade and investment frameworks for Cambodia and China. Jiangsu Vice Governor Fei Gaoyun and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian were among those attending the event via video link. The "Silk Road E-commerce" is run on the JD.com system, and Jiangsu Taihu (Cambodia) International Economic Cooperation Zone Investment Co., Ltd., which is the operator of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ), is authorized to administer the platform. The SSEZ is the largest industrial park in Cambodia. According to its latest statistics, the SSEZ recorded a surge of 44 percent year-on-year in the value of imports and exports, reaching 1.15 billion U.S. dollars in the first five months of 2022. China is the largest trading partner of Cambodia, according to a Cambodian General Department of Customs and Excise report. Reaction came swiftly in Central Illinois on Friday to the news that the U.S. Supreme Court had overturned the constitutional right to abortion, with abortion opponents celebrating a long-pursued victory while advocates vowed not to be silent. We are not surprised, but we are angry, said Jill Blair, who organized a protest at the McLean County Museum of History. And we're not going to back down. Over 100 people attended the demonstration at noon Friday, hours after the ruling was announced. Some held up homemade signs; several grew emotional as they addressed the gathered crowd, with some expressing concern about what decisions might lie in the high courts future. All of our liberties are tied together, Luisa Gomez told the protesters at the museum. That means same-sex marriage is on the table. That means the Civil Rights Act is on the table. That means everything is on the table, and until we really look inside and at our neighbors and recognize that we are all tied together, we will continue to be oppressed, suppressed, marginalized, by 1% of our population. And Im not going down by 1%. For some abortion opponents, too, the day was an emotional one. This decision comes as part of a decades-long effort by activists and conservatives. As a person who supports pro-life, theres still a lot ahead, but this is an encouraging first step, said Connie Beard, chairman of the McLean County Republican Party. While abortion access has been codified in Illinois and Gov. J.B. Pritzker has initiated plans to expand access, Beard said she hopes that even in Illinois action will be taken to end unrestricted abortion for the sake of the innocent children whose lives are being lost. Pretty disturbing Carol Koos, president of the Central Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said she found the ruling pretty disturbing. Speaking on a personal level and not for the ACLU, she recalled the days before effective contraception was available and abortion was legal. When that situation changed in part because of the landmark 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade Koos said it was just amazing. As a child of the 1950s, she remembered how women were shamed for becoming pregnant outside of marriage and also punished. Koos said they were sent away, often to a womens home, and referred to as a woman of ill repute. If they did become pregnant while married, she said, theyd have to quit their jobs. Today, Koos said, the government is doing very little to help people have children. Daycare is exorbitantly expensive, she said, and American family leave policies are horrendous, in contrast with some enforced in some other countries. Koos encouraged anyone in support of abortion rights not to give up, to attend rallies and speak to their congressional representatives. Youre never too small to make a difference, she said, and if you think you are: Have you ever tried to go to sleep with a mosquito in the room? Be that mosquito that keeps them awake at night. Blair, the protest organizer, said she tells people to vote like your life depends on it, because it might. To her, Roe v. Wade meant a right to her own bodily autonomy. It means the right to make decisions about my health care, Blair said. That should be private, between myself, my husband if I decided to include him, my partner, family and doctor not the government. Taking an innocent life Beard said she echoes many Republicans appreciation for the Supreme Court decision giving individual states the power to determine the legality of abortion access. I believe personally, as well as I think the vast majority of Republicans believe, it is the right decision to make, she said. The power of the state to determine certain parts of our society structure should be maintained and controlled, and I think the Supreme Court decision returns that back to the states and rightfully so. Beard said she is hopeful the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is leading us down a path of acknowledging that unrestricted abortion is not the right path for a society to take. She said with this ruling, the Republican Party hopes to start making progress toward a more reasoned, better approach for how we deal with the needs of mother, which understandably the mother is experiencing great need in making this action, taking this step. Trying to develop ways to answer that need, I think, will be a big step to helping eventually eliminate the need for abortion. That would be my personal goal, that we can find a way in our community, in our society to eliminate the need for abortion because its taking a life. That has to be something we value. That should not be taking place; its taking an innocent life. During past trips to the annual March for Life held in Washington, D.C., Central Catholic students have demonstrated against abortion. However, Central Catholic spokesman Scott Vogel on Friday declined to speak about the ruling, instead pointing to Bishop Louis Tylkas statement from the Diocese of Peoria. Tylka said Fridays ruling is not the last word in this matter but it is a significant moment in the effort to work toward a greater respect for life, especially the lives of unborn children. From the very beginning, the Church has clearly proclaimed the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death, Tylka said. As Catholics and as Americans, we must continue to be a voice that defends life in all its stages and from all its threats so that we can truly build a culture of life in our country and in the world. Tylka also added that all people should support efforts that offer material, emotional, and spiritual support to families and to women with unplanned pregnancies, as well as the efforts to offer ongoing support and care for children. Its real Patrick Cortesi, chair of the McLean County Democrats, said he was thankful to live in Illinois, a state where we are able to protect women and their rights. He said he imagines more people will come to Illinois for reproductive care in the future. A situation like this shows the importance of voting Democrat, Cortesi said. He warned that Republicans would try to restrict Illinoisans access to reproductive care. The first thing they would do is overturn any protections weve had in place. At Fridays rally, Kathy Todt held up a protest sign stating: Freedom! Equality! Choice! I don't know what we're gonna do about this, but it's pretty bad, she said. Todt said its frightening to think that after 50 years, the country is returning to a time without Roe v. Wade. To her, the landmark ruling had meant that a woman in a situation where she doesn't feel she can have a child, she would have resources to help with that decision to end that pregnancy. Her husband, Franz Todt, noted its a fundamental freedom and there are others in the crosshairs. Weve watched this for 40 years in a slow evolution, but now its happening, Frank Todt said. Its real, his wife agreed. Brendan Denison, Mateusz Janik, Jack Alkire and Kelsey Watznauer contributed reporting. Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 100 years ago June 25, 1922: Miss Ruth Maguire, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Maguire of Wood Driver, and Forrest Quinn, son of Mrs. Mary Quinn, matron of the Withers Home of this city, were married at the First Presbyterian Church, Wood River. Quinn is a former student of Wesleyan and Normal universities and a popular member of Phi Gamma Delta. He has taken up scientific farming near Bloomington, where he and his bride will reside. 75 years ago June 25, 1947: Sixteen types of aircraft will stop briefly in Bloomington on the first leg of the annual Illinois Chamber of Commerce air tour of the state. The 32-plane flight will include Stinson, Beachcraft, Bonanza, Swift, Cessna, Ercoupe, Sterman, Funk, Cub Cruiser, Fairchild Aeronca, Chief, Howard, Spartan, Navion, Piper Cruiser and AT-6. A brief program and refreshments will be ready for the 72 pilots when they land. 50 years ago June 25, 1972: John Donavan, the man in charge of the YMCA's underwater rescue and recovery team, demonstrated safety techniques by sitting in the backseat of a car as it was lowered into the Rowe Construction Co. gravel pit. Donavon sat calmly in the back as the car filled with water; then, when the water pressure on the inside and outside of the car were equal, he took a gulp of air, climbed into the front seat of the car and swam free. 25 years ago June 25, 1997: The Clinton power plant received the poorest grades in its history as part of a biennial review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Operations, engineering and plant support were all given marks of "adequate," the lowest of three grades. Maintenance was rated "good," but no area received the highest mark of "superior." In the previous report, issued in June 1995, Clinton received assessments of "superior" in maintenance and plant support, and "good" in operations and engineering. Compiled by Pantagraph staff CHICAGO - A group of Illinois top Democrats Thursday pitched to have the state become one of the first five in the nation to hold the partys 2024 presidential primary elections. The elected officials stressed to a Democratic National Committee panel that Illinois racial, ethnic and geographic diversity, as well as strong support for unions and progressive causes, makes it an attractive state for an early primary. But they also had to defend Illinois reliably Democratic vote for president against a desire by national Democrats to showcase a competitive battleground state. They also were put on the defensive by party leaders concerned about Chicagos costly media market and that constant battles between the Chicago Teachers Union and City Hall might become side issues party presidential candidates would be forced to address. Illinois is one of 16 states, as well as Puerto Rico, seeking the early-state, pre-Super Tuesday status as Democrats redo their presidential calendar. Initial primary states would benefit from media exposure as well as campaign and media spending. Iowa, the home of the traditional first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, appears likely to lose its leadoff position due to Democrats desires to favor primary elections over caucuses. Other early states New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada are expected to keep their early positions, leaving a Midwest state a priority with DNC officials looking for regional balance. Michigan and Minnesota also are regional contenders but, unlike Illinois, are considered to be truer presidential battleground states. In addition, Democratic voters are more widely dispersed throughout Michigan compared to Minnesota and Illinois. But Illinois currently holds Democratic supermajorities in the General Assembly, while Michigan and Minnesota would need approval from its GOP-controlled legislatures to move the primary date. Illinois senior U.S. senator, Dick Durbin, told the DNCs Rules and Bylaws Committee, that the states geographic makeup offers a true substantive test for presidential contenders. Are you good at urban politics? Well find out in Chicago. How are you doing in suburban areas where the women are making the big difference? Well prove that point for you in Illinois as well. How about the middle ground? There is not much of it, but theres some of it. Weve got plenty of it in Illinois. And, when it comes to conservative and rural small town America, weve got plenty to offer, Durbin said. At the end of the Illinois primary, youll know the winners and the losers, but youll also be able to separate out the sections of the state and impact these candidates and their messages have in those areas, he said. Thats as good as you can get in the earliest primaries. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson, the state Democratic Party chair, noted the states Democratic voters are not an establishment monolith, citing Hillary Clintons narrow 2 percentage point win over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont in Illinois 2016 presidential primary. And Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, the first Latina elected to statewide office, said Illinois has twice the minority population of Michigan and blows every other state out of the water on our diversity. Were an almost exact mirror image of the nation as a whole, an exact match on race and an incredibly close match on every other measured category, she said, referring to education, age, income and religion. We look like America. We talk like America. Southern Illinois is the south. Jake Lewis, the state partys deputy director, said Chicagos media market was not cost prohibitive compared to other major cities, but that it would present candidates with a challenge that they should be forced to meet. We need to put Democratic candidates to the test early and so lets test them out in a state like Illinois. Lets make sure that they can raise the resources, they can deploy the resources, they can build the coalitions to win, he said. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers and a member of the partys Rules and Bylaws Committee, told the Illinois delegation that Chicago is a very interesting place where there are local issues that then get played out in the national campaign. She cited labor disputes between the CTU and Chicago mayors, adding that, I would have hoped that it was simply restricted to Rahm (Emanuel) and the CTU but it seems to be a continuing oration in Chicago under Lori Lightfoot. How do you ensure that this is about the presidential election as opposed to all these other issues, Weingarten asked. Lewis didnt directly address the question. Instead, he called the state absolutely union proud and said backing for the early primary date, as well as for a bid to get the partys 2024 presidential nominating convention for Chicago, were backed by the state AFL-CIO and the Chicago Federation of Labor. Illinois isnt a state where unions are on the defensive trying to stop Republican encroachment or join the race to the bottom. We are proud. We are aggressive, he said. Nobody knows better than you in this room the power unions have in Illinois and Chicago and we feel like Chicago is the capital of the Midwest and that what happens in Chicago, what happens in Illinois, radiates out to other states in the Midwest. In addition to Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, other states making pitches to the DNC panel are Iowa, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington. The Rules and Bylaws Committee is expected to make its recommendations for early-voting states in late July or early August with a full vote by the DNC expected in late summer or early fall. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 I am voting for Amy McFarland to be our next circuit judge. Ive known her for many years as a public defender, general practitioner owning her own firm, and as an associate judge. Ive also known her as a parent who is quite engaged in our community. It is significant to note she is the presiding judge in the family division, a role traditionally held by a circuit judge. In 2020, her role was expanded to preside over recovery court where she addresses participants mental health concerns. Attorneys in the 11th Judicial Circuit found her qualified and recommended to be a circuit judge. Fourteen, yes, 14 retired judges have recommended Judge McFarland and I agree with their decision. Join me in voting for Amy McFarland for our next circuit judge. I write in support of the election of Don Knapp for 11th Circuit Judge, which includes all of McLean County As a now-retired lawyer, I take a particular interest in who is elected to this position. Judges should be thoroughly knowledgeable in the law, have extensive experience, and be fair and impartial. Don Knapp is exceptionally qualified in all areas. Don Knapp is currently McLean County States Attorney. In that role he has expertly led the team of prosecutors who are helping keep our community safe. Results matter when it comes to the States Attorneys office, and Dons results have been outstanding. Unlike Cook County, where the States Attorneys policies and actions have contributed to an environment of rampant crime, Don Knapp has successfully prosecuted those who would make our streets unsafe. He is an exemplary States Attorney. Prior to joining the States Attorneys office, among his other legal experience, Don spent 12 years as a clerk for an Illinois appellate judge. Acting as clerk for an appellate judge is a very prestigious position, one that requires expertise in the law, and expert writing and legal analysis skills. Only outstanding lawyers become clerks for appellate judges. In addition to his prior experience in private practice, Dons experience as States Attorney and appellate court clerk provides him with the experience needed to understand court rules required to effectively manage a courtroom. I have the pleasure of knowing Don Knapp and can attest that he is a person of integrity, honesty, and fairness. I have no doubt he will apply the law to all litigants in a fair and balanced manner. While I may be particularly interested in who is elected, I urge all voters to take an interest in this election, and vote Don Knapp for 11th Circuit Judge. Wayne Montney, Bloomington Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Exports of yam tubers reached a record-high of US$48million last year, according to data from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) making the country the worlds largest exporter of yam. The country now controls 24 percent of the US$200million global export market, growing its export value from US$38.5million in 2018 to US$48.2million in 2021. GEPA said exports grew at an annual rate 14 percent in 2020-2021 and an average of 9 percent from 2017 and 2021. The USA alone imported US$87million worth of yam from the world in 2021. Among its top suppliers were: Jamaica, 37.4 percent; Ghana, 21.9 percent; Costa Rica, 10.8 percent; Colombia, 8.7 percent; and Brazil, 8.2 percent, GEPA said in a yam industry report. The United States of Americas imports of yam from Ghana represent 39.6 percent of the total global value of yam exported by Ghana, GEPA added. Meanwhile, globally, Jamaica is Ghanas closest competitor, ranking second in export of yam. Its total exports were valued at US$39million in 2021. Jamaica had 82.8 percent of its yam exports go to the United States market, as compared to the 39.6 percent of Ghanas exports to the same market. The leading global exporters of yam were Ghana, US$48million; Jamaica, US$39million; the United States of America, US$22million; Japan, US$21million; and China, US$20million. Growth forecast The global yam market is projected to register a compound annual growth rate of 3.5 percent between 2020 and 2025 says Mordor intelligence, a market research firm. According to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, most of the worlds production comes from West Africa which represents 94 percent with Nigeria alone producing 71 percent. However, Ghana remains the regions largest exporter of the starchy tuber. Challenges facing yam production Just like any other agricultural produce, constraints to its production include high labour demand and other inputs such as planting materials, unreliable sources of credit, pests and diseases, declining soil fertility, and unpredictable weather conditions. On commercial terms, yam production is constrained by lack of modern storage facilities, the absence of ready market and a well-coordinated national policy to boost production and export. For instance, every year there are reports of heaps of yam being left to rot across many farming communities because they lack storage facilities. We do not have storage facilities; we leave the tubers in the open and exposed to the sun, causing the yam to rot, said Barnabas Abu, a yam-farmer based at Yendi-Bimbilla in the Northern Region. He said the situation gets particularly bad during January and May, due to excessive heat within that period. Source: B&FT Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The UN Eminent Peace Ambassador to Ghana, Dr Samuel Ben Owusu has urged African Leaders to make youth development in peace a major priority. His advice is based on the fact that the youth is the bridge to a stronger and sustainable future for the Nation. He said this at a National Press conference on Observing United Nations Charter Day, 2022 in Kampala, Uganda. The press conference was attended by various African Peace Ambassadors from different nations including Amb. Sammy David from Liberia, Amb. Emmanuel Nkweke who is the World Peace Spokesman from Nigeria, Amb. Johnson Elhatt from United Arab Emirates, Amb. Livingstone Banjagala of Uganda is the Head of Missions. Speaking at the event, Dr Samuel Owusu encouraged the Nations to propel their attention into strengthening their youth and to push for the beacon of hope for all in a peaceful manner. As a strong advocate for African Youth Peace development, Amb. Samuel Owusu was of the belief that if African Leaders do not strengthen their youth, the future of the nations will perish. According to him, it is the reason he has worked tirelessly in his country by organizing peace rallies, pushing for a peaceful transition in the election, including speaking at the 2021 UN conference which focused on building the youth since his induction as a Peace Ambassador. Due to his work, Uganda is hungry for his insight and prescription on how to build forward, empower its youth, and sustain peace. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Chinese experimental electric car flew out of the third floor of its skyscraper headquarters in Shanghai, killing two test drivers. Carmaker, Nio said a member of staff and a person from a partner company died after the ET5 model fell from the testing facility. The shocking incident took place on Wednesday, June 22, at 5.20pm and the Tesla rival has launched an immediate investigation along with government officials. Authorities attended the scene but were unable to save the two people inside the car. One employee told Xin Huanghe: 'It's not a braking problem, (the driver) had hoped to put it in reverse gear, but instead put it in forward gear.' Nio said: 'Our company has collaborated with public security department to launch the investigation and analysis of the cause of the accident. Based on the analysis of the situation at the scene, we can initially confirm that this was an accident not caused by the vehicle.' 'We feel very sad about this accident and would like to express our deepest condolences to our colleague and partner employee who lost their lives. A team has been set up to help the families.' Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in a landmark ruling on Friday morning (June 24). The historic decision, arriving a month after Politico published the Supreme Court abortion draft opinion, will eliminate womens constitutional right to safe abortion procedures after existing for half a century. Sparking outrage across the country in the aftermath of the ruling, former President Barack Obama offered his thoughts on the controversial decision, stating it attacks the essential freedoms of millions of Americans. Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, Obama expressed in a statement. It relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologuesattacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans. Read Full Story .... vibe.com >>> : Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A 73-year-old businessman Emmanuel King Opare, a known member of the ruling New Patriotic Party and a 55-year-old Teacher, Elizabeth Manukure, both residents of Akuapem Mamfe in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region have been arrested over GHC58,200 recruitment fraud. The accused persons allegedly used the name of the Chief Executive Officer of the National Lottery Authority, NLA, Sammi Awuku to collect the money from six victims who are complainants in the case under the pretense of securing them enlistment into the security services. The complainants are Benjamin, 32, a pupil teacher, Freda, 32, self-employed, Lydia, 28, self-employed, Daniel, 25, unemployed all residents of Accra while the rest Emmanuel, 25, unemployed and Richard, 25, trader are residents of Koforidua. The facts of the case presented by the Prosecuting Officer, Chief Inspector Bernard before a Koforidua Circuit court are that the first accused person Emmanuel King Opare told his friend Eric Okornoo in January 2021 that he has some protocol slots to enlist people into the security services hence if he could get some people who are interested and ready to pay GHC7000 for recruitment, GHC1,200 for medicals and GHC1,500 for prospectus all totaling GHC97,00. The witness informed the victims now complainants who eventually paid the monies totaling GHC58,200 which were handed over to the first accused Emmanuel King Opare by the witness in the case together with their documents. However, Opare failed to honor his promise of enlisting them into the security services and kept fabricating excuses. The victims together with the complainants reported the case to the Railways Police station for investigation. The first accused was arrested at his hideout in Mamfe Akuapem where he mentioned the second accused Elizabeth Manukere as his accomplice. She was also arrested. She mentioned one Mr. Mensah who she claimed was working out the enlistment and hence sent GHC25,200 to him. During her caution statement, Elizabeth Manukure admitted receiving GHC4,200 from Emmanuel King Opare for each person contrary to claims of given her GHC9,700 per victim. Police investigation disclosed that Elizabeth Manukure received a total of GHC25,200 only from Opare and not GHC58,200 as claimed. That Opare pocketed GHC33,000. The accused persons have since refunded GHC11,500 and GHC4,000 respectively to the complainants. The accused persons pleaded guilty when put before Koforidua Circuit Court A presided by Kwame Polley. The defense counsel, Adu Amankwah pleaded with the court to grant the accused bail and give them three months to refund the rest of the money. The Judge scolded the accused persons for defrauding victims who could be their children and grandchildren. The Judge admitted the accused persons to a bail sum of GHC30,000 with two sureties each. The case has been adjourned to July 4, 2022, for which the court is expecting the accused persons to have refunded the rest of the money. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Contestants take part in the 21st Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign college students in the Kenya Division at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, 2022. Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round competition of the 21st Chinese proficiency contest for foreign college students. (Xinhua/Long Lei) NAIROBI, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round of a Chinese language proficiency contest for foreign college students. A total of 15 students from Confucius institutes under four Kenyan public universities participated in the contest. Dressed in elegant costumes, the young contestants impressed judges with their proficiency in spoken mandarin, traditional music, dances and martial arts. Organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, affiliated with the Ministry of Education of China, and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya in partnership with the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, the competition gathered an audience of university and high school students, faculty members and business executives. Zhao Xiyuan, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said that the Chinese language proficiency contest provided a platform for fostering China-Kenya cultural ties and friendship, adding that language and culture remain key building blocks of bilateral cooperation. Stephen Kiama, vice chancellor at the University of Nairobi, said that the Chinese language has gained traction among young Kenyans and would offer more career opportunities. Hansnick Omondi Otieno from the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi won first prize. He will head to the next round. A contestant has make-up applied ahead of the 21st Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign college students in the Kenya Division at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, 2022. Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round competition of the 21st Chinese proficiency contest for foreign college students. (Xinhua/Long Lei) A contestant takes part in the 21st Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign college students in the Kenya Division at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, 2022. Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round competition of the 21st Chinese proficiency contest for foreign college students. (Xinhua/Long Lei) A contestant takes part in the 21st Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign college students in the Kenya Division at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, 2022. Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round competition of the 21st Chinese proficiency contest for foreign college students. (Xinhua/Long Lei) A contestant takes part in the 21st Chinese language proficiency competition for foreign college students in the Kenya Division at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 24, 2022. Kenya's largest and oldest university, the University of Nairobi, on Friday held the preliminary round competition of the 21st Chinese proficiency contest for foreign college students. (Xinhua/Long Lei) The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is calling bluff of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to sue him over his conflict of interest claims. He further asked the people who are worried and begging on his behalf to stop since he is ready for any lawsuit from the Attorney-General. Mr. Dame denied an allegation of conflict of interest made against him by Mr. Ablakwa and further demanded a retraction and an apology from the MP. The Attorney-General served notice that failure on the part of the lawmaker to comply with his demand will see him seeking legal redress. However, responding to the demand of the Attorney-General on Friday, June 24, 2022 edition of Metro TVs Good Morning Ghana, Mr Ablakwa scoffed at the threat of legal suit, emphasizing that some members of the current government will go to jail for issues related to the construction. He therefore asked people who have expressed concerns for him after the ministers threat to stop begging on his behalf. The vociferous MP said I dare him to sue me. By the time well be done with this National Cathedral thing, some people will be in jail. No one should apologize for me. In a Facebook post made on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has raised several issues with the construction of a National Cathedral by the government, wrote, It is quite revealing to observe that when the National Cathedral was incorporated on July 18, 2019; the then Deputy Attorney General, Godfred Dame was registered as Secretary. During the same period, he served on the board of the Public Procurement Authority which approved David Adjayes irregular sole sourcing contract. A clear conflict of interest situation, particularly from additional evidence available to us, he added. But in a rejoinder to the MPs statement, Godred Dame described the allegations as false and dishonest, debunking the allegations of conflict of interest. Godfred Dame said, among other things, that there was no company called the National Cathedral of Ghana in existence at the time the PPA board he served on approved the contract. The minister thus demanded a retraction and apology from the Member of Parliament, failure of which he threatened to sue. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Convener of fixing the country movement, Ernest Owusu Bempah has criticized the Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa over claims he made on President Akufo-Addo's recent trip. The NDC MP, on Friday, claimed President Akufo-Addo ordered a top-of-the-range and most expensive aircraft the Airbus ACJ319, registered as D-Alex for his recent trip to Belgium and Rwanda; "at a conservative bill of 480,000.00. The 480,000 Euros which is derived from 21 hours of total flight time plus other industry charges works out to some 4.1million Ghana Cedis at current exchange rate". According to him, "after pretending he was a changed man by flying commercial on his last two trips to the US and the UK," the President "returned to his grossly insensitive and reckless ways of profligate traveling in ultra-luxurious charters." He alleges the trip is costing the country a whooping Ghc4m. This has however been debunked by a statement from the Presidency. Adding his voice, Owusu Bempah said the statement from the presidency is "a clear testament of the fact that Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been living a lie for a long while on his so-called accountability campaign". "I'm not sure whether I'm more angry or frightened for the political class, as we can see this is only the start of a concerted assault on political leadership. It is also a grim situation, with a thread of dark hopelessness underneath which is frankly more disturbing than anything else. The even more sinister element to this is that Okudzeto Ablakwa lied through his teeth" he added. Read his full statement below Earlier today (Friday 24th June 2022) the Director of Communications at the office of the President, Eugene Arhin released a statement in response to some misrepresentations and outright falsehoods on presidential travels being peddled by the member of parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The release from the Presidency, clarifying the issues and setting the records straight on the Presidents trip to Belgium is a clear testament of the fact that Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been living a lie for a long while on his so-called accountability campaign. To think that a member of parliament could engage in vile propaganda just to make the Akufo-Addo administration look bad in the eyes of the Ghanaian people beats my imagination. It has long been said in politics in this part of the world that opposition elements will always engage in desperation for political power. Today that has again been shown to be true. Eugene Arhin's response was another nail that just got driven into Ablakwa's coffin. Weirdly, despite Eugene Arhin's timely intervention, Okudzeto Ablakwa himself, when put under pressure on the issue on Asempa Fm a while ago, didn't have the curtsey and decency to do the needful, saying that he stands by his claims. I'm not sure whether I'm more angry or frightened for the political class, as we can see this is only the start of a concerted assault on political leadership. It is also a grim situation, with a thread of dark hopelessness underneath which is frankly more disturbing than anything else. The even more sinister element to this is that Okudzeto Ablakwa lied through his teeth. What Ablakwa utterly fail to grasp is that the presidency is no joke and that President Akufo-Addo's travels has brought more glory to this nation than his predecessors. Okudzeto Ablakwa succeeded in his most important task in life, getting elected as member of Parliament. If you thought he had anything else to do, or the will, the motivation, or the energy for it, you are sadly mistaken and uninformed. This is a guy who couldn't even afford three square meal before going into politics. He entered politics straight from the University and became an overnight achiever with alleged properties at Airport Hills. Such a character is questioning President Akufo-Addo's selflessness to the state? As politicians, we are setting up an entirely false choice over our political differences that, if care is not taken, could unnecessarily undermine our democratic gains. Signed: Ernest Kofi Owusu Bempah, Political Strategist and Convener of fixing the country movement Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Levels of direct mortality threat intensity across the studied region. Darker regions indicate lower levels of direct mortality threats, lighter regions indicate higher levels of direct mortality threats. Grey indicates regions outside the studied area. Credit: University of East Anglia Migratory birds are declining globally because of the way that humans have modified the landscape over recent decadesaccording to new research from the University of East Anglia. A new study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography reveals that population declines have been greatest among species that migrate to areas with more human infrastructureroads, buildings, power lines, wind turbinesas well as higher population densities and hunting levels. Habitat degradation and climate change have also played a part in driving long-term declines. The research team hope their work will help inform how best to target conservation efforts. How built infrastructure, hunting and climate change are linked to huge migratory bird declines. Credit: University of East Anglia Dr. James Gilroy, from UEA's School of Environmental Sciences, said: "We know that migratory birds are in greater decline than non-migratory species, but it's not clear why. "We wanted to find out where in their life cycles these migratory species are most exposed to human impacts." The research team identified 16 human-induced threats to migratory birds, including infrastructure associated with bird disturbance and collisions, conversion of land from natural habitat to human land use, and climate change. Advances in satellite imagery allowed the team to map each of the 16 threats across Europe, Africa and Western Asia. The team also created the first ever large-scale map of hunting pressure across the region. A total of 103 species of migrating birds were studied, including many rapidly declining species like the Turtle Dove and the Common Cuckoo, using large-scale datasets. The team calculated "threat scores" for factors such as habitat loss and climate change, across breeding locations, as well as non-breeding ranges. They then explored the relationships between these threat scores and bird population trends calculated from 1985 to 2018 by the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS). Dr. C,laire Buchan from UEA's School of Biological Sciences, said: "We found that human modification of the landscape in the birds' distribution ranges in Europe, Africa and Western Asia is associated with declining numbers of over 100 Afro-Eurasian migratory birds. "When we talk about modification of the landscape, we mean things like roads, buildings, powerlines, wind turbinesanything that isn't naturally there. "One of the biggest impacts seems to be caused by things that would kill a bird outrightfor example flying into a wind turbine, a building, being electrocuted on a powerline, hit by a vehicle or hunted. We found that exposure to these human-induced 'direct mortality' threats in the bird's wintering ranges are reflected in population decreases in breeding birds." Dr. Aldina Franco, also from UEA's School of Environmental Sciences, said: "Our findings are important because we need to understand where declining species are being most impacted by humans across their seasonal migrations. Pinpointing where birds are most exposed to these threats could help us target conservation actions." Explore further Changes in climate and land cover affecting European migratory bird populations More information: Spatially explicit risk mapping reveals direct anthropogenic impacts on migratory birds', Global Ecology and Biogeography (2022). Journal information: Global Ecology and Biogeography Spatially explicit risk mapping reveals direct anthropogenic impacts on migratory birds',(2022). CAMBRIDGE Retiring Elementary Principal Colleen Lester recalled Friday seeing the Cambridge Central School Class of 2022 running off the school buses on their first day of kindergarten in 2009. As it happened, it was also the beginning of her 13 years at CCS. I can still see a bit of the 5-year-old in all of you, she told the 64 graduating seniors at the schools 131st annual commencement exercises. Just as they were then, youre on the verge of something new and youre still pretty cute. Lester is retiring as of July 1. Her commencement address was my last official duty, she said. Take it all in, Lester told the graduates. Pan in, pan out. Keep your eyes open and youll always see something wonderful. Secondary School Principal Caroline Goss instructed the graduates to look for the pair of spectacles at their seats. These are your graduation goggles, she said, defining graduation goggles as relief and a nostalgic feeling about a stage of your life that is about to end, even if it was completely miserable. Goss recalled insisting the graduates return to the building after the senior parade a few days ago, whether they wanted to or not. It hit you then that you time here was about to close, she said. Wherever they go next, remember the fun times you had here and keep your graduation goggles handy. When you come back, youll understand why we all love this place so much. Salutatorian Molly Czub described her four years of high school as a disastrous mess of highs and lows. It feels strange to be just getting back to normal now. COVID sent everyone to remote learning partway through the classs sophomore year. At first, Czub welcomed the isolation, but then she found she was losing the line between home and school. Czub had to find the good in one of the worst times of our lives, she said. She learned that we are remarkably resilient and resourceful people. Were a lot stronger than we thought before. None of us could have imagined the struggles we encountered on the way to graduation, said Valedictorian Kordehlia Koopmann. During the pandemic, Koopman discovered a passion for photography. As light reveals the beauty of a photograph, the light in each of us reveals our possibilities, Koopmann said. I encourage you to find your purpose. Your words matter, your work matters, you matter. Along with the pandemic, the school is coming off a tumultuous two and a half years of controversy over the schools Indian nickname and emblem. A state Supreme Court decision Tuesday ordered the school to comply with a ruling from state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa to retire the Indian, making the Class of 2022 the last to receive their diplomas under the Indian profile in the high school gym. In a post on the schools website, the graduates had asked the public to refrain from causing disturbances regarding the Indian during commencement. There was spontaneous applause at a mention of the Indians near the end of the ceremony. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 State police said 35-year-old Richard Velazquez is currently on parole and monitored by the New York State Corrections and Community Supervision. He was located in the village of Ballston Spa by a parole officer on Tuesday and allegedly made a threat to do harm to the parole department by using a firearm. GLENS FALLS Holding signs saying Bans Off Our Bodies and Abort SCOTUS, a couple hundred people gathered in City Park on Friday night to protest the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, which guaranteed a right to an abortion. Local abortion rights activist Enid Mastrianni organized the event. She said before the event that although the courts decision was expected because of the leak of a draft opinion last month, women are very angry about this demotion to second-class status. Women are very, very passionate about this, and theyre very angry and this is going to be the election issue, she said. Jean Lapper, a Democrat from Queensbury challenging state Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, called it an unconscionable decision. I had to stop and my head was swirling. I wasnt sure if it was really true, she said. Lapper said she has been personally affected by the issue. Ive experienced laying in a hospital bed needing full access to reproductive health care to save my life and ultimately enable me to have a child at later date. That is what this is about, she said. She later said she was referring to a miscarriage. Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, told the crowd that she, like many, is heartbroken and she worried about the younger generation. I have a niece who goes to college in Louisiana and Im worried about what her options would be. Im worried about the young women who are in our group today, she said, pausing to say how much she loved a young girls sign that read: I am the boss of my body. Yes, you are. Yes, you are, she said. Earlier in the day, Woerner had issued a statement saying that the courts decision not only puts the legitimacy of any legal precedent into question but also fuels anti-choice legislation that has already been enacted or proposed across numerous states. Further, this ruling will have long-lasting, and possibly fatal, consequences for countless women and their families. Also speaking at the event was Democrat Matt Castelli, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, in the NY-21 Congressional District. He said in a statement earlier in the day that as a result of the decision: women will immediately be denied the freedom to decide what to do with their own bodies. This is one of the largest rollbacks of individual rights in the history of our country, allowing extremist politicians to impose their radical beliefs on the rest of us, including many states where women will be forced to give birth with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother, he said in a statement. He criticized Stefanik for voting against the Womens Health Protection Act, which would have guaranteed womens reproductive rights. Matt Putorti, who is also seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Stefanik, said earlier in the day that advocates worst fears were realized. This anti-woman decision is appalling and dangerous. The right to reproductive health care and peoples freedom to make choices about their own bodies are fundamental, he said. He said that the district must elect representatives who are committed to codifying the right to an abortion in federal law. He pointed out that Stefanik has voted to defund Planned Parenthood on numerous occasions and given campaign contributions to anti-abortion candidates throughout the country. He worried that if the Republicans take back the House and Senate, they will try to pass a nationwide ban on abortion and also try to take away other rights like the right to contraception and same-sex marriage. Mastrianni said before the rally that she is worried about the consequences from this ruling. She said it is not going to stop women from getting abortions, but means that they could be violating the law or unsafely terminating their pregnancies. Its not going to reduce the amount of abortions, she said. Mastrianni said this decision was the culmination of a process that began in 2016 when Donald Trump was elected president. Women still dont have enough political power and were about to have less, but were the majority of voters, she said. Mastrianni is also worried about the younger generation of girls. Before the event, she recalled an anecdote about a friend of her mothers who was wealthy and got pregnant while attending Vassar College. Her parents made some calls and the woman had the procedure and then went back to her studies. Rich women will always be able to get abortions, she said. A young college graduate embarking on her career is not going to be, Oh, I got pregnant at 24 years old, and Im dropping everything and becoming a single mother. Theyre not going to do that. Its not going to happen, she said. NY will protect rights Mastrianni acknowledged that not much is likely to change in New York, where abortion rights will be protected. Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Attorney General Leticia James said Friday that legal abortion is a fundamental right that women must have to protect their health and freedom. And thats why the governor and the attorney general, both Democrats, practically invited women from out of state to travel to New York if they need an abortion. Our state will always be a safe harbor for those seeking access to abortion care, Hochul said on Friday. To anyone who is working to deny abortion access, our message is clear: not here, not now, not ever. James agreed: I will work tirelessly to ensure that low-income New Yorkers and people from hostile states have access to the care they need and deserve, she said. I will always fight to protect our right to make decisions about our own bodies and expand access to this critical and lifesaving care. Glens Falls resident Samantha Durkee said it was important to come out to the event, even though her rights are protected in New York, because of what women in other states are facing. I know in Texas right now after six weeks its illegal to get an abortion and most women dont even find out until after 6 weeks that theyre pregnant, she said. Some praise decision In a statement, Stefanik called the decision historic and a victory for the sanctity of life. It will save countless innocent children. House Republicans are incredibly grateful for the pro-life movements tireless efforts for decades leading to this day to give a voice to the voiceless and protect our most vulnerable unborn babies, she said in a news release. As a new mom, I know that there is nothing more extraordinary than the miracle of life. Hearing Sams heartbeat for the first time was the greatest blessing and gift for our family. And I stand unified with my Republican colleagues in protecting and promoting the right to life, Stefanik continued. The Catholic Bishops of New York State also issued a statement saying they give thanks to God for the decision. This just decision will save countless innocent children simply waiting to be born, the statement said. The statement went on to say the Catholic Church is grateful for the millions of heroic Americans who have worked toward this outcome for nearly a half-century, praying and fasting, holding vigils, opening pregnancy care centers, educating mothers, walking with mothers, offering post-abortion counseling and marching to the Supreme Court. With the entire pro-life community, we are overjoyed with this outcome of the Court. However, we acknowledge the wide range of emotions associated with this decision. We call on all Catholics and everyone who supports the right to life for unborn children to be charitable, even as we celebrate an important historical moment and an answer to a prayer, the statement said. The diocese also said that the nation must work to build a culture of life by adopting family-friendly policies that welcome children, support mothers and cherish families. The church issued a platform that calls for equal access to quality prenatal care, family friendly policies at workplaces and affordable quality child care. It also calls for a future where boys and men are taught to respect women and where marriage between one man and one woman is promoted as a societal good geared toward the stable raising of children. The Buffalo News contributed to this report. Michael Goot is night and weekend editor of The Post-Star. Reach him at 518-742-3320. Love 1 Funny 5 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 5 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. FORT EDWARD Mark Humphreys Jr. turned 19 and graduated high school the same day. But the day meant a lot to him for another reason. His graduation cap told another story with three little words. For You Mom. Humphreys mother died this year. She tried holding on, because she really wanted to see me graduate, Humphreys said before his graduation ceremony Friday evening. He worked hard this year to make sure he graduated. Because it was the one thing she always wanted to see, said the Fort Edward student, who graduated with 22 of his classmates Friday in front of the school. Dressed in blue and white robes, his fellow graduates sang to him before they made their way to their seats in front of the school building. Interim Principal John Godfrey lauded the seniors for enduring in their studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability to push through all the challenges you have faced for the past two-and-a-half years is incredible, Godfrey said. All the time you spent in class, those extra hours you spent studying, and the tests you had to pass got you here tonight. Salutatorian Miranda Sardina admitted that speaking in front of an audience was difficult for her. Ive always been known as the quiet kid, sitting in the back of the classroom, trying to avoid eye contact with the teacher, just so I dont get called on, she said. Well, I guess Ive been called on. She thanked the people who helped the Class of 2022 get through high school. The awesome people that we are now, and the hopefully awesomer people well become in the future is all because of you, Sardina said. And yes, for today, awesomer is a word. Valedictorian Bryce Tyler pulled an airplane out of a bag and told his classmates that it was the Flying Fortress, a bomber flown in Europe during World War II. The B-17 plane helped ensure our freedom and the freedom of others, Tyler said. The aircraft and its crew members embody the traits of bravery, strength, perseverance and sacrifice. These four characteristics have been instilled in us through our time at the fort and have helped us reach this moment. The airplane symbolized the graduates journey so far and the journey still to come, he said. Families and teachers were the pilots and the students were crew members. Sadly, our high school experience was cut short in 10th grade when we came across some severe turbulence, COVID-19, he said. This pandemic left us isolated in our homes. We had to be strong during the dark months. Our way of life was completely changed. But the Class of 2022 persevered and overcame the challenges of the pandemic, he said. We began our flights descent during senior year. We were able to enjoy a few last memories together, he said. We were able to return to school full time, take off our masks, have a prom, go on a senior trip and return to sports. The time flew by and in the blink of an eye, our high school journey was over. Scott Daley, a 1990 Fort Edward graduate and Persian Gulf War veteran, told seniors to take pride in being from a small town. Please do not limit yourself based upon what is possible coming from here, Daley said. You truly can do anything you put your mind to, but you have to want it. I mean, really want it. Nothing is going to be given to you in life. You have to earn every single thing through hard work, grit and determination. Gretta Hochsprung writes features and hometown news. She can be reached at 518-742-3206 or ghochsprung@poststar.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WARRENSBURG The sun was out and there were smiles all around on the faces of eager students waiting to graduate on Friday. While the mood of the graduation ceremony at the Recreation Park in Warrensburg was jovial, some of the speeches that were given did not turn a blind eye to the more serious nationwide issues, such as the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wade. I am proud to be standing up here and to call myself a lesbian, Valedictorian Jane Boston said. As the Warrensburg Class of 2022 leading student, Boston did not pass up the opportunity to be a spokesperson for her generation, and to lead the conversation. This is not the only bill thats been passed that attacks LGBTQ-plus youth, Boston said, referring to the Roe v. Wade ruling. Alabama legislature recently voted to ban gender-affirming health care for children who identify as transgender. This prevents youth from receiving health that will better their well-being and likely save their lives, Boston said. Prior to the speeches, the approximately 45 members of the Class of 2022 were given one last piece of instruction they would receive as high school students. The small class were told to walk in line from the pavilion over to the ceremony area where they would be eventually handed their diplomas and set free to start the next chapter of their lives. The students listened attentively and for some of them, their nervousness was visible in the steps they took. The students were more relaxed when they were waiting in the pavilion. Through different conversations this reporter had with the students, some were very sure of what their next steps in life would be, while others were going to take some time off from their education. Some would be enlisting in the military. Cora-Lyne Hopkins originally wanted to be an astrochemist but said there are no jobs in the position as its too new of a field. Instead, she will be attending SUNY Adirondack, and then hopefully transferring to RIT, where she will specialize in game design. I also enjoy art and video games. Theres a high demand for those jobs, Hopkins said. Drew Wardle is a reporter for The Post-Star. You can contact him at 518-681-7343 or email him at dwardle@poststar.com. Love 2 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LAKE GEORGE Anita Preuss, a member of the Lake George Class of 2022 Honors Group, said that words couldnt paint the picture of what she and her fellow classmates went through to make it to graduation on Saturday. She said that elementary school is a great way to start the journey, and she wouldnt mind bringing something from those days to high school. Personally, I think if we still had recess and nap time in high school it would of made the journey a great deal easier, she said as her fellow graduates and attending families laughed. But Preuss said that her younger self could never have imagined what she would end up going through along the way to graduating from high school. She said that words couldnt describe what they faced during what she was told would be the best years of her life. Never did I see myself spending part of my high school career online in my bedroom, or unable to sit together at tables during lunch, Preuss said. She said that the district did a great job bringing them back to in-person learning, but fears still lingered for her. She said there was a fear of going back to school after enjoying being home so much, and a fear of interacting with people and accidentally getting a loved one sick. Preuss said that their high school years were filled with those fears and uncertainty. Another fear that presented itself to Preuss and her fellow graduates came with the news of school shootings throughout the nation. Preuss said that thinking about a student the same age as oneself not making it home one day is mentally taxing. Yet we faced these fears together and came to school despite these fears, she said. Preuss was one of 67 graduates from the Class of 2022 that the Lake George Central School District honored in a ceremony on Saturday. Members of the schools Honors Group spoke to their fellow graduates and their families about the ceremonys theme: Words cannot describe. Graduations serve as a time to celebrate accomplishments and look ahead to the future. Ryan Quirk, member of the Lake George Class of 2022 Honors Group, said that graduations are also the perfect time to look back and reflect on past memories made along the way. He said he was able to look back on the days he would spend after school practicing for Future Business Leaders of America competitions. Quirk would go on to qualify for the national competition in San Antonio, Texas. That taught me the life lesson that hard work pays off, he said. He urged his fellow classmates to take time during the ceremony to reflect on the many memories that brought them all to that gymnasium. Most of all, take a deep sigh of relief and think to yourselves: you made it, Quirk said. Not only that, you conquered it, and now you get to move on in life and take all of these wonderful memories with you. Jay Mullen is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls, Warren County and crime and courts. You can reach him at 518-742-3224 or jmullen@poststar.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ATLANTIC CITY A wanted city man was arrested Thursday morning after barricading himself inside a residence with an acquaintance, police said. Omar Butcher, 29, was arrested on an outstanding warrant and charged with obstruction and resisting arrest after it took members of the citys SWAT Team, Crisis Negotiations Team and bomb squad three hours to get Butcher and Claria Barrigher to exit the residence in the 300 block of North Tennessee Avenue, police said Saturday in a news release. Detectives Darrin Lorady and Eric Evans were conducting an investigation about 8:20 a.m. Thursday at a residence on North Tennessee when they recognized Butcher, who was wanted in a domestic violence incident that occurred May 28, opening the door to a neighboring residence. Atlantic City cracking down on shoplifters, crime ahead of NAACP convention ATLANTIC CITY There will be a greatly increased police presence and additional safety meas Butcher retreated into the house after noticing detectives and refused to open the door, police said. Lorady made contact with Barrigher via cellphone, and after three hours of negotiating, both Butcher and Barrigher exited and were taken into custody. Butcher was sent to the Atlantic County jail on his outstanding warrant but was issued a summons pending court on his other charges. Barrigher was issued a summons for obstruction and resisting arrest. Contact Selena Vazquez: 609-272-7225 svazquez@pressofac.com Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. President Xi calls for high-quality partnership for new era of global development Xinhua) 09:04, June 25, 2022 * Noting all countries need to jointly build international consensus on promoting development, Xi said it is important that we put development front and center on the international agenda, deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and build political consensus to ensure everyone values development and all countries pursue cooperation together. * It is important that we pursue development in real earnest and promote development in concert, build an open world economy, and shape a global governance system and institutional environment that are more just and equitable, said Xi. * Xi said China will take pragmatic steps to give continued support to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the High-level Dialogue on Global Development on Friday in virtual format, calling for forging high-quality partnership for new era of global development. "We must get a good grasp of the overarching development trend in the world, firm up confidence, and act in unison and with great motivation to promote global development and foster a development paradigm featuring benefits for all, balance, coordination, inclusiveness, win-win cooperation and common prosperity," said Xi. Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs the High-level Dialogue on Global Development via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. Xi delivered an important speech titled "Forging High-quality Partnership for a New Era of Global Development". (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BUILDING CONSENSUS ON PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT "We are meeting at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is eroding decades of gains in global development," Xi said, adding the implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is encountering difficulties, the North-South gap keeps widening, and crises are emerging in food and energy security. "Only when people all over the world live better lives can prosperity be sustained, security safeguarded and human rights solidly grounded," said the Chinese president. Noting all countries need to jointly build international consensus on promoting development, Xi said it is important that we put development front and center on the international agenda, deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and build political consensus to ensure everyone values development and all countries pursue cooperation together. "We need to jointly foster new drivers for global development," Xi said. He called on all sides to promote scientific, technological and institutional innovation, speed up technology transfer and knowledge sharing, boost the development of modern industries, and close the digital divide and accelerate low-carbon transition. Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs the High-level Dialogue on Global Development via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. Xi delivered an important speech titled "Forging High-quality Partnership for a New Era of Global Development". (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) FOSTERING GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP Noting some countries have politicized and marginalized the development issue, built "a small yard with high fences," imposed maximum sanctions, and stoked division and confrontation, Xi said at the same time, people in all countries are more keen about pursuing peace, development and cooperation, emerging markets and developing countries are more resolved to seek strength through unity. Xi urged jointly creating an enabling international environment for development. "Protectionist moves will boomerang; anyone attempting to form exclusive blocs will end up isolating himself; maximum sanctions serve nobody's interest, and practices of decoupling and supply disruption are neither feasible nor sustainable." It is important that we pursue development in real earnest and promote development in concert, build an open world economy, and shape a global governance system and institutional environment that are more just and equitable, said Xi. Xi also called for joint efforts to forge a global development partnership. "Developed countries need to fulfill obligations, developing countries need to deepen cooperation, and the North and the South need to work in the same direction to forge a united, equal, balanced and inclusive global development partnership." It is important that we support the UN in steering and coordinating global development cooperation, and encourage business communities, social groups, the media and think tanks to take part in such cooperation, Xi added. Chinese President Xi Jinping chairs the High-level Dialogue on Global Development via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2022. Xi delivered an important speech titled "Forging High-quality Partnership for a New Era of Global Development". (Xinhua/Li Xueren) CHINA's PLEDGE ON PROMOTING GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT Noting China has always been a member of the big family of developing countries, Xi said China will take pragmatic steps to give continued support to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At last year's UN General Assembly session, Xi put forth the Global Development Initiative (GDI). Xi said China will allocate more resources for global development cooperation, adding China will upgrade the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund to a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and add 1 billion U.S. dollars to the fund on top of the 3 billion dollars already committed. China will also increase input to the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund. "Such efforts will further support cooperation under the GDI," added Xi. The Chinese president also said China will work with all sides to advance cooperation in priority areas and mobilize resources for development to deepen global cooperation on poverty reduction and eradication, build capacity for food production and supply, and promote clean energy partnerships; step up innovation, research and development and joint production of vaccines; work on the conservation and sustainable use of land and marine ecology; and raise digital literacy and skills of the public, transform and upgrade the path to industrialization at a faster pace, and enhance digital-era connectivity to inject new impetus into the development of all countries, Xi said. In addition, Xi said China will set up a platform for experience and knowledge sharing on international development, a global development promotion center and a global knowledge network for development, for the purpose of exchanging governance experience and promoting mutual learning. "We will host a global forum on youth development and take part in the launch of a global action plan on youth development, in a bid to pool as much strength as possible for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," added Xi. (Web editor: Meng Bin, Bianji) Sisay Asmare, president of Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Processors-Exporters Association (EPOSPEA), speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde) ADDIS ABABA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian sesame producers and exporters have expressed their keen intent to further penetrate the Chinese market amid growing demand from Chinese consumers. Sisay Asmare, President of Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Processors-Exporters Association (EPOSPEA), told Xinhua recently that China has been a major destination for Ethiopia's sesame seed export in the past decade, as about 60 to 70 percent of its total sesame export goes to China. "For Ethiopia, the Chinese sesame market is a window to the global market. The Chinese market is very important to us as it is very big. This significant market is a big deal for us because what we produce, especially sesame, goes to China," he said. Between 2018 to 2021, China imported close to 282,554 tons of Ethiopia's sesame seed, making it the largest importer of the commodity, according to figures from EPOSPEA. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and security concerns in parts of Ethiopia, the East African country's sesame seed export to China was further augmented during the Ethiopian 2019/20 fiscal year which ended on Juny 7, 2020, reaching 99,015 tons, according to the association. China was also the largest importer of Ethiopia's sesame seed during the Ethiopian 2020/21 fiscal year with 92,301 tons, according to the association. "Our Humera and Wolega sesame seed brands are very well known throughout the Chinese market," he said. According to Asmare, events such as the China International Import Expo are among the prime opportunities for Ethiopian exporters to maintain their stronghold in the Chinese sesame market by forging partnership opportunities with their Chinese counterparts. "Such events are very important to us. When they are organizing these events, there are very big and interested companies; and we attended so many times and we got very good experiences," he said. Addressing a high-level virtual event that was held in April this year to promote Ethiopian sesame products in China, Ethiopia's Ambassador to China Teshome Toga Chanaka said Ethiopia is not only one of the sesame growing and exporting countries in Africa, but also has high-quality sesame seed varieties suitable for wide range applications. Sesame, an ancient oil crop adapted to tropics and subtropics around the world, is one of the major commercial grain crops produced in Ethiopia. Sesame, together with coffee, is one of Ethiopia's top export commodities. In March, the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange disclosed that the East African country generated 2.9 billion U.S. dollars from the export of agricultural products, mainly coffee, sesame seed and spices, during the first seven months of Ethiopia's 2021/2022 fiscal year. In addition to sesame seed, Ethiopia is also penetrating China's booming coffee market as the Asian country becomes its eighth largest importer of coffee over the last ten months. Figures from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority showed that China has imported 5,879.34 tons of Ethiopian coffee over the first ten months of the current fiscal year, enabling the East African nation to earn 30.4 million U.S. dollars, up by 31 percent from the same period in the last fiscal year. Sisay Asmare, president of Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Processors-Exporters Association (EPOSPEA), speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde) ATLANTIC CITY Seafood lovers from across New Jersey are at Bader Field this weekend for the first Atlantic City Seafood and Music Festival. We are right on the water here, so there is really no better place to find fresh seafood, said Marissa Davenport, 48, of Atlantic City. So for the city to put on an event like this is great because if you love seafood, no matter if you are from the area or not, youre going to come check this out. The three-day festival began Friday and runs through Sunday. More than 60 vendors, from seafood restaurants to face painters, are on the grounds of the former airfield. It was the first time in four years that Atlantic City has hosted a seafood festival. A previous event called the Atlantic City Seafood Festival moved to Ventnor in 2019, but this year the owners of Steel Pier brought something similar back to the resort city. Jay and Patti Freedman, owners of Sherris Crab Cakes, came from Tannersville, Pennsylvania, to set up shop at the Atlantic City festival. The Freedmans have a permanent business but travel by truck around the Northeast to give people a taste of what they have to offer. We are primarily in New Jersey and New York during festival season, Patti Freedman said. This isnt our first time in Atlantic City; we came to (the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival) a couple of weeks ago. We love getting the opportunity to travel to different places and give people outside of the Poconos a sample of our food. Thomas Morton, of Brick Township, Ocean County, owns the Wholly Bowls food truck, which makes a variety of burrito bowls. He came up with idea to start a food truck business during the COVID-19 pandemic. His truck can be found at events throughout Burlington, Ocean and Atlantic counties, but he loves coming to Atlantic City the most. Anytime weve come to Atlantic City, weve been treated well, Morton said. We came for the beer festival a few weeks ago, and were set to come back down for the Phish concert (Aug. 5-7) and the TidalWave Music Festival (Aug. 12-14). Its a lot of fun to be here, and we get a good reception from people about our food, so well keep coming as long as were allowed to. You can find any kind of seafood at the event, from crab cakes to lobster, but a couple of vendors have foods like cheeseburgers and chicken fingers for non-seafood fans. Brett Panaccione, of Brigantine, started his T-shirt business, Tasteful Threads, after being around his mother, who was a chef. Each shirt hes made so far features a notable food from a different state. I grew up around food, and I ate a lot of pork roll, egg and cheeses as a kid, Panaccione said. So I thought doing the T-shirts was a good way to show that youre proud of where you come from. I hope one day I can have a store down here on the Boardwalk. Aside from the different vendors, the festival has cover bands performing, pony rides and bounce houses to keep guests entertained. Guests also can ride in a hot air balloon for $25. Tickets for the festival are $11 general admission. VIP tickets are sold out. For more information, visit acseafoodandmusicfest.com. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. OCEAN CITY City attorney Dorothy McCrosson took aim at plans to run a power line across the city at 35th Street at a Friday morning hearing of the state Board of Public Utilities, arguing there are other options to bring wind power to shore. The BPU board heard oral arguments in a request for Ocean Wind 1, planned as the first large-scale offshore wind farm off the coast of New Jersey that is projected to power a half-million homes. First, the wind-generated power needs to get to shore. As attorney Greg Eisenstark said, speaking on behalf of the applicant, there are no power customers in the ocean. He added there are few practical options along the coast to bring electricity from the ocean to the power grid. As proposed, the project would bring power to the former B.L. England plant on the bank of the Great Egg Harbor Bay in Upper Township, with another landing site at the former Oyster Creek nuclear plant in Ocean County. Ocean City is not OK with the plan, and has refused permission to cross its jurisdiction. Last year, the state Legislature took the matter out of the citys hands, approving a law that allowed the BPU to approve the request. The law angered Ocean City officials when it was approved, with members of City Council describing it as overriding democratic rule. Speaking to the BPU board Friday, McCrosson questioned whether the BPU had the authority to decide the matter, and criticized the law as hastily adopted and overly broad. Whale policy hints at todays offshore wind impact study Today the federal government will take one of the most anticipated steps in the development It strips elected municipal officials of the power to decide whether Ocean Wind, a private corporation, may take municipal property rights within Ocean City, in complete disregard of the will of the governing body and its constituents, she said, adding the law has not been tested in court. In the remotely held meeting Friday, the BPU heard arguments on whether to allow the power lines to cross under land purchased with funds through the state Green Acres program, which typically protects against future development. Eisenstark said it would include about half an acre of Green Acres-protected land, adding the applicants would contribute 10 times the assessed value of the property to the Green Acres fund. There was no decision made Friday. BPU President Joseph Fiordaliso said that would come at a future meeting, the date of which has yet to be determined. McCrosson asked the board to hold off on deciding anything, or at least consider alternative routes. She pointed to an alternative that would run the power lines into the Great Egg Harbor Inlet and out to the power plant in Beesleys Point. The citys pristine beach and wetlands would not be disturbed, the streets would not be excavated, McCrosson said. Ocean City would still bear the aesthetic effects of this project, and whatever consequences they may bring. However, the island would not be defaced, and the activities of the people of the island would not be interrupted. Ocean Wind 1 draft environmental statement released by BOEM The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Friday released the Draft Environmental Impact Stat Eisenstark said the applicant does not need to offer the best plan, but rather present a reasonable plan to the BPU. As proposed, the route for the line would be drilled about 60 feet under the beach at 34th Street, then run along the streets, put in place like water lines or other utilities before crossing underneath Crook Horn Creek to enter Upper Township. Once construction is completed, the lines wont be visible. You wont see them, you wont hear them, you wont even know that theyre there, said Eisenstark. Later in the hearing, McCrosson added that residents will not be able to smell them, either, but will know they are there, and if it moves forward they will have been placed there without the consent of the local elected representatives. Eisenstark said Ocean Wind would have rather negotiated an agreement with the city but was unable to reach a deal. He argued the city declined to be a part of the process earlier, and accused McCrosson of presenting evidence in her closing arguments that should have been brought by witnesses at earlier hearings. He suggested that much of what McCrosson said should be stricken from the record, saying she was an attorney, not an expert. McCrosson responded that much of what she presented was included in a lengthy draft of an environmental impact statement, which was only made available this week. In that statement, she argued, Ocean Wind lays out plans to run a power line to the former Oyster Creek plant similar to the route rejected for the Great Egg Harbor Inlet. Government gives unions all the offshore wind jobs State and federal officials are creating a massive offshore wind energy industry with the mo She added the city could not have brought that information up earlier, because the report had only recently been made available. I believe its only 1,400 pages long, so I presume everyone has read it cover to cover, Fiordaliso deadpanned at the hearing. Ocean Wind is a joint venture between rsted and PSE&G, with a plan to place close to 100 large turbines about 15 miles offshore. New Jersey selected the project in 2019. It is set the be the first of several large-scale wind power projects for the Northeast, with the adjacent Ocean Wind 2 also moving through the permitting process. Plans call for the turbines powering homes by 2024. Gov. Phil Murphy, a wind power proponent, wants a huge increase in New Jerseys use of renewable energy. He cites the environmental impact, including the danger of rising seas and warming temperatures as fossil fuels continue to add carbon to the atmosphere, but also says the projects will mean thousands of new jobs. The proposal is deeply unpopular in Ocean City and other shore towns. Opponents cite the visual impact turbines will be visible from the beach as proposed and also say the plan will damage the environment and the commercial fishing industry. At several points during the hearing, McCrosson suggested the proposal would face a similar process in getting approvals to cross areas owned by Cape May County. Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Pro-choice activists feared this day for decades, and pro-life activists feared it would never come. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide, returning all oversight of the procedure to the states. "I have been praying for Roe v. Wade to get overturned. This is the most amazing day I've had in a very long time," said 13-year pro-life activist Ethel Hermenau, of Galloway Township, the project director for LIFENET's South Jersey Outreach chapter. Hermenau said her organization and others will now turn to lobbying for restrictions on abortion in New Jersey, particularly to end late-term abortion. Abortion remains legal in New Jersey with no explicit time limits because the Legislature passed A6260/S49 in January after an emotional debate. Gov. Phil Murphy signed it later that month. Women in New Jersey are guaranteed the right to decide when and whether to bear children, and to access contraception, abortion and other reproductive health care for completing a pregnancy, without interference by the state. Reproductive rights bill passes N.J. Legislature after emotional debate TRENTON A bill guaranteeing women self determination on reproductive issues passed both ho Hermenau said she and other activists will work to pass the "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act" bill (A305) that would stop abortion after 20 weeks' gestation. Sponsored by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, R-Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, it was introduced in January and sent to the Assembly Women and Children Committee. "Sixteen or 17 states have already passed it," Hermenau said. U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, who was elected as a Democrat but switched parties in 2019 after voting against impeaching President Donald Trump, said Friday the Supreme Court did its job. "The United States Supreme Court has the sacred responsibility of interpreting the Constitution and upholding our nations founding principles free from political interference, which is exactly what it did today, Van Drew said. He has recently said he considers himself pro-life, after being a pro-choice legislator for decades. "The integrity of the Court and its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade must be respected, and we must come together to reject the latest attempts by those who disagree with todays decision to abolish or pack the Supreme Court," Van Drew said. Van Drew also called for President Joe Biden and House Democrats to condemn calls from angry pro-choice activists for a "Night of Rage" and to protect pro-life clinics from continued violence. Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey Vice President Kaitlyn Wojtowicz said Friday her organization will lobby for legislation (A4350/S2918) to create a $20 million Reproductive Health Access Fund to help women obtain abortions. It also would force government programs and insurers to cover abortion, among other provisions. This decision goes against the will of the people: 80% of Americans believe that abortion should be legal," Wojtowicz said. "This decision wont stop us. We will rebuild and reclaim the freedom that is ours." Those on the pro-choice side celebrated New Jersey law. "Thank God we live in the State of New Jersey where Governor Murphy and legislative leaders codified Roe before this disastrous decision was released," said Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman. "In anti-choice states, however, this decision will cost some women their lives, as they'll be forced to undergo dangerous, non-medically supervised procedures to end a pregnancy." I knew it was a possibility, but I didnt think itd come to this, said Ameena Walker, of Pleasantville, as she shopped Friday at Tanger Outlets The Walk in Atlantic City. She said she was extremely disappointed by the ruling. Its kind of scary to think about what else could be implemented going forward. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Walker said the government has tried to control citizens rights. Since the pandemic started, I feel like Im in a video game simulation and I cant get out of the level," Walker said. Many Democrats and organizations expressed anger and sadness at the decision. "It is a sad day in America. This decision by an extremist faction of justices is unconscionable," said Democratic congressional candidate Tim Alexander, of Galloway Township. "The outright rejection of precedent and disregard for the Fourth and Ninth Amendments' protection of unenumerated rights is appalling." Alexander called on Congress to take action immediately to protect women's reproductive rights nationwide "and to stave off future attacks on our other rights that are now vulnerable." The New Jersey Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, also weighed in opposing the ruling, as did many other social and health groups. Todays regressive decision disregards a half century of precedent and moves our nation further away from our founding ideals of personal liberty," said a joint statement from New Jersey Education Association President Sean M. Spiller, Vice President Steve Beatty and Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson. Reproductive justice is racial justice. ... Already, Black people and other people of color lack equal access to health care, including abortion, prenatal and preventive care. Black women also experience higher rates of infant mortality and pregnancy-related deaths," according to a statement from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. "Todays callous decision will only widen these racial disparities." Suleiman said Democrats didn't fight hard enough for President Barack Obama's right to replace U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia with Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland. Scalia died Feb. 13, 2016, during Obama's last year in office. That allowed President Donald Trump to fill three seats on the court, pushing it to a conservative majority. "We've sat idly by while the far-right completely transformed the federal bench into an ultra-reactionary body," Suleiman said. "As a national party, we need to start fighting back." Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, D-Camden, Burlington, said the court is showing a dangerous lack of respect for precedent. In the past two days, the Court has denied women throughout the country the individual right to choose and struck down New Yorks concealed carry law, a common-sense policy to protect the public from senseless gun violence," Greenwald said. "These radical decisions undermine our American freedoms." Paul Monseliu, another visitor to Tanger Outlets The Walk on Friday, said the decisions on abortion and New Yorks gun laws are only making the country more divided. We need to bring the country together, said Monseliu, who said the abortion ruling would impact the less fortunate the most. The right to change your future is very important and shouldnt be decided by a bunch of conservative men and Catholic churches. Monseliu said the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade would affect how he voted in Novembers election. Hermenau and other pro-life activists plan to rally at the Statehouse Annex from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Staff Writer Selena Vazquez contributed to this report. REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BAGHDAD (AP) Iraqs Parliament swore in dozens of new lawmakers on Thursday, replacing 73 legislators loyal to powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, strengthening the power of rival Iran-backed Shiite factions in the assembly. The 73 had resigned collectively earlier this month amid a prolonged political impasse over the formation of the country's next government. The unprecedented walkout, based on a request from al-Sadr, threw Iraq into further uncertainty, reshuffling the deck following the Oct. 10 elections, which gave him the biggest bloc in Parliament. Although he emerged as a winner, al-Sadr has been locked in a power struggle with internal Shiite rivals backed by Iran and was unable to cobble together a coalition that can form a majority government. Two weeks ago, he ordered lawmakers from his parliamentary bloc to resign in a bid to break the eight-month impasse. The move threw Iraqs political landscape into disarray. According to Iraqi laws, if any seat in parliament becomes vacant, the candidate who obtains the second highest number of votes in their electoral district would replace them. In this case, it made al-Sadrs opponents from the so-called Coordination Framework, a coalition led by Iran-backed Shiite parties and their allies, the majority with around 122 seats. It puts al-Sadr out of parliament for the first time since 2005, and allows pro-Iranian factions to determine the makeup of the next government. Today, the first step has been completed, which is the replacement deputies taking the oath," said Lawmaker Muhammad Saadoun Sayhod, from the Rule of Law coalition represented in the Framework. We will now start the process of electing the president and naming the prime minister from the Coordination Framework, he said, adding he expected the formation of a new government to begin soon. There was no immediate reaction from al-Sadr to the swearing in of new lawmakers. There remain concerns the political deadlock could lead to renewed protests and street clashes between supporters of al-Sadr and their Shiite rivals. Even though Parliament is in recess, lawmakers mostly from the Framework alliance called for an extraordinary session Thursday to vote on the new lawmakers. Sixty-four lawmakers were sworn in, while nine other replacements did not attend. On Wednesday, al-Sadr accused Iranian proxies of political meddling. He also accused them of applying pressure against newly elected political independents and allies of his Sadrist bloc. He called on parliamentarians not to succumb to pressure. I call on blocs to stand bravely for the sake of reform and saving the nation, and not to give in to sectarian pressures, as they are bubbles which will disappear, he said in a statement. Munaf Al-Musawi, a political analyst and director of the Baghdad Center for Strategic Studies, said the fight for government posts will now begin. Once a government is formed, he said al-Sadr's supporters could take to the streets, leading to clashes with Shiite rivals. What comes next is more difficult, he said. With Coordination Framework and its allies now in control of Parliament, al-Sadr and his allies will pay the price for their walkout, he added. Iraqs election was held several months earlier than expected, in response to mass protests that broke out in late 2019 and saw tens of thousands rally against endemic corruption, poor services and unemployment. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Here's an update on where abortion laws stand across the Midwest. Illinois Current limit: Viability Post-Roe: Legal. In 2017, Illinois lawmakers passed and Gov. Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 40, which repealed a decades-old "trigger" provision in state statute that would have reverted Illinois to its pre-Roe law criminalizing abortion. With that, abortion will remain legal and accessible in Illinois. Indiana Current limit: 22 weeks Post-Roe: Uncertain. Indiana does not have a "trigger law" in effect, but the Republican-controlled legislature and Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb have suggested that anti-abortion legislation could be considered during a special session this summer. Iowa Current limit: 22 weeks Post-Roe: Uncertain. Iowa lawmakers in 2018 approved a ban after six weeks, but it was struck down by a state court. Abortion opponents may seek to reinstate that law. Kentucky Current limit: 22 weeks Post-Roe: A trigger law banning abortion except if the life or health of the mother is at risk would take effect. Missouri Current limit: Viability Post-Roe: A trigger law banning abortion except in the event of a medical emergency would almost immediately take effect Wisconsin Current limit: 22 weeks Post-Roe: Uncertain. Wisconsin has a 173-year-old law on the books that would nearly all abortions if Roe is overturned. Though Democratic Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said he would not enforce the ban, it has created enough uncertainty for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to stop scheduling abortions after June 25. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Illinois lawmakers reacted swiftly to Friday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. The ruling will force individual states to decide whether they will allow access to abortion. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act into law in 2019, guaranteeing unrestricted access to reproductive health care in the state. Bustos called the ruling an attack on personal freedom and a "tragic day for freedom in America." "As a mother, a grandmother and a Catholic, I am gutted by the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade," Bustos said in a news release. "Make no mistake this ruling will cost lives and livelihoods, and its impact will be felt for generations to come. "In one fell swoop, six justices stripped away the rights of millions of Americans: Survivors of rape and incest are in danger; our medical privacy and autonomy are in jeopardy; and the Supreme Court has just legalized government-mandated pregnancies." State Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna McCombie applauded the Supreme Court's decision. "I think it's fair, I think its common sense," McCombie said. "It should be local control, and we should let states decide what they want to do. It's not going to cause back-alley abortions, and it is not going to cause the extremes my (Democrat) colleagues are describing. As much as I want it to, it is not going to ban abortions. It is going to allow states to decide to put parameters around abortion." McCombie said Illinois had anticipated the Supreme Court's decision for several years, leading to legislation like the 2019 Reproductive Health Act. "States have anticipated this decision because this decision makes sense," she said. "It should be states' rights. The decision would have come regardless of who is on the Supreme Court. "This isn't a game; we are talking about the life of a mother and the life of a child. (Republicans) don't believe there should be extremes. We don't believe there should be abortion up to nine months. I don't believe a 12-year-old girl should have autonomy over her body. I think (abortion access) sets it up for sex trafficking and rape victims. We need to do what's best for the children, not the parents." State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island Halpin said he was disappointed in the ruling. "For more than 50 years, women across our country have had the assurance they can safely and affordably obtain the best reproductive health care available," Halpin said. "I have supported and will continue to support women's health care choices as a right and believe this is not the final word on this issue as Illinois and other states now deal with the ruling's consequences." U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois "I am outraged and horrified this outcome is a nightmare that robs women of their right to make their own choices about their health care and their bodies, and it paves the way for a nationwide abortion ban that Republicans have been seeking for decades," Duckworth said in a news release. "Millions of American families including my own have relied on Roe v. Wade for almost 50 years, and 70% of Americans believe it should remain the law of the land. The Supreme Court of the United States and the justices who claimed Roe was 'settled law,' but then turned around and ruled otherwise, will as Justice [Sonia] Sotomayor said 'struggle to survive the stench' of this extreme decision." Duckworth said forcing a woman to give birth, even when the mothers life could be at risk, "is not only cruel, it will also be deadly." "I refuse to let my daughters grow up in a world with fewer rights than I had," Duckworth said. "As Republicans continue their march toward a nationwide abortion ban, I will do everything in my power to ensure that Illinois remains a safe haven for all women seeking reproductive care. It is as important as ever that the Senate acts to codify Roe v. Wade into law so that every American in every state has equal access to basic, necessary health care regardless of their skin color, zip code or income." U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois Durbin, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a statement on Twitter that he would hold a hearing next month "to explore the grim reality of a post-Roe America." "Todays decision eliminates a federally protected constitutional right that has been the law for nearly half a century," Durbin said. "As a result, millions of Americans are waking up in a country where they have fewer rights than their parents and grandparents. "The bottom line: On critical, personal choices involving a womans right to make reproductive decisions about her own body, do you trust her or the government? The Supreme Court now says a womans right to privacy does not extend to the most personal, private choice she'll ever face." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. TODAY Free clothing giveaway and free lunch Broadway Outreach Center, 710-23rd Street, Rock Island will be hosting a free clothing giveaway today between noon and 1:30 p.m. With many generous donations there are men's, women's, girls, boys and baby clothes and a few blankets, sheets, books, a lots of shoes, sewing machines and some household items. Broadway is also serving a free lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m., serving taco salad, refried beans and churros. If you have any questions, please feel free to call 309-644-1176. JUNE 26 Celebrating 150 years Hamlet Perryton Presbyterian Church is celebrating 150 years on Sunday with 10:30 a.m. service and following an anniversary celebration from noon to 2 p.m., 1848 170th Ave., Reynolds. JULY 13 Yoga: Bobbi Kelley, 1 to 2:15 p.m., Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, 2664 145th Ave., Wheatland, Iowa. Join this gentle, slow flow class! Fee: $15. For information visit www.theprairieretreat.org or call 563-374-1092. The Time is Now!: Jodie Toohey, 6 to 8 p.m., Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, 2664 145th Ave., Wheatland, Iowa. Beginning writers workshop. Fee: $20. For information visit www.theprairieretreat.org or call 563-374-1092. REV. STACIE FIDLAR The Rev. Stacie Fidlar, of Rock Island, was elected June 18 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly which met online on June 5 and 12 and then in person at Augustana College in Rock Island on June 17-18. The bishop-elect has served as pastor of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Rock Island since 1999 and served as pastor of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Seneca, Ill. from 1995-1999 and as interim pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Forreston, Ill. in 1995. Fidlar earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion with Asian Studies concentration from Augustana College in Rock Island in 1991 and her Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1995. She completed the Shalem Institute Group Leaders Program in 2002 and participates in ongoing continuing education with foci on leadership, spirituality, and foundation management. Fidlar will take office on September 1, and her installation is scheduled for October 8 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockford, Ill. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will officiate the installation. Retiring Bishop Jeffrey Clements has served as bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod since 2012. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 About 100 people some of whom carried signs while others stood silently to show their support gathered Friday evening at the corner of 15th Street and 3rd Avenue in Rock Island to protest the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to strike down the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion. Among them were Jennifer Ziegler, of Rockford, Ill., and Destany Metcalf, of Rock Island. Asked why she had come to the rally, Ziegler said, An intense anger, and outrage. Furious outrage. Thats what brought me down here. Metcalf said she was experiencing a wide mix of emotions regarding the ruling. Anger, obviously, Metcalf said, adding that she was scared for her future. Am I going to be able to marry my future partner who is the same sex as me, she said. Are we going to have access to contraceptives, which is a basic right, a basic need? I just want to show the world this isnt right, Metcalf said. The high court's ruling does not outlaw abortion, but it does leave the decision to the states, some of which have moved to allow legal abortion services, while others have moved to outlaw abortions. Gregg Johnson, one of three Democratic candidates vying to be the state representative for Illinois 72nd District, said Illinois had done a phenomenal job of protecting the reproductive rights for women. But while states scramble to determine their own abortion laws, Johnson said Congress should take action to protect abortion rights at the federal level. While states that maintain abortion services likely would be willing to let anyone come for such services, the reality is it likely wont work well. The reality is not everybody is going to be able to afford to come to Illinois, Johnson said. You have rural areas where they might have to drive eight to 10 hours, so its just not realistic, he said. Im certain that some states are going to try and stop people from crossing state lines for an abortion. And lets face it, this disproportionately affects people of color, Johnson said. Anytime they take these sorts of actions it disproportionately affects people of color. Not everybody is going to have the means to go to other states. Teresa Carlton of Davenport said she showed up at the rally to support the cause for women. I sure hope that we maintain pro-choice because I think everyones body is a choice, Carlton said. I truly believe that. Do I believe in abortion? I dont. But I do believe in a womans choice, she said. I would never have an abortion because thats me, Carlton said. But thats my choice and my free will, and I dont think anyone should mess with that. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. More than 150 people stood at the corners of Ninth and Main streets near the federal courthouse in Rapid City through the rain Friday evening protesting the overturn of Roe v. Wade. The United States Supreme Court announced the reversal of the 1973 landmark case that established a womans ability to terminate a pregnancy as a constitutional right Friday morning. Protesters in Rapid City, though, couldnt believe the nation made it to that point. Were just taking so many steps back, Jordan Kitzmiller said. Weve made it this far. Were supposed to love each other and care about each other, youre supposed to have the right to choose. Thats what were about. Were supposed to be free, and as of today were losing a lot of the rights that make us free. The protest was organized by the South Dakota chapter of the National Organization for Women, which aims to take action through grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and achieve and protect the equal rights of all women and girls in social, political and economic life, according to its website. Members of NDN Collective also attended. Some protesters even stopped traffic for about three minutes on Main Street while some holding signs stood in the intersection. People yelled several chants throughout the protest that lasted through sunset, including My body, my choice, Screw the Supreme Court, and We wont go back. People also held signs that read Abort the court, Dont like abortions? Just ignore them like you do children in foster care, Youre not pro life, youre pro fetus and Welcome to 1973. There were also signs referencing coat hanger abortions. The group on the street corners, as well as those who honked in support while driving past, varied in sex, race and age. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a separate opinion from the court Friday calling on the other justices to reconsider the courts rulings on same-sex marriage, same-sex relationships and contraception cases. Kitzmiller said its gross and isnt fair that people are having their rights taken away from them. Ashley Schulz said if Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was still around, this wouldnt have happened. Kristen Pierce said she doesnt think anyone used logic on making the overturn decision. Schulz said she thinks people need to take responsibility for it getting to the point of overturn because no one has taken action. We havent been doing anything up until recently in the last, what, 10 years or so, about it, and its too late now because as everyone knows, Supreme Court rulers are there for life, she said. Anything thats happening now, you can expect it to get worse in the future. Schulz said education now is important, and the overturn decision is one of the most important political things happening in the country. Kitzmiller said if people dont know whats happening to them and dont have the resources to learn what the laws mean, they wont be able to take action. You have to be able to know whats going on around you, and if you dont give people the correct education sex education then how do you expect them to be able to make the right decisions? she said. Theres going to be unwanted children, and theres already an issue with the foster care system with children that dont have love, dont have the homes they need. Why do we want to make that problem worse? Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A 32-year-old former violent offender was arrested following a Thursday night shooting in Rapid City. The Rapid City Police Department said in a news release Friday morning that Gilbert Mesteth IV was arrested after officers responded to a report of gunshots in the 600 block of Farlow Avenue around 9:15 p.m. Thursday. On arrival and during a search, police received information that an individual involved in the shooting was in the basement of a nearby residence. Police entered and located the individual, who had a superficial injury. The person was transported to the hospital for treatment. After speaking with witnesses, officers learned the shooting occurred during an altercation in the 500 block of Monroe Street. RCPD spokesperson Brendyn Medina said alcohol was a factor amongst the involved parties. Police found Mesteth, of Rapid City, in the area. He was identified as the shooter and placed under arrest for aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a former violent offender and a parole hold before being taken to the Pennington County Jail. Mesteth's first criminal case is dated Jan. 2, 2009, when he was charged with possession of alcohol by a minor. In July the same year, he was charged with simple assault for domestic violence and possession of alcohol by a minor. In 2013, Mesteth pleaded guilty to simple assault and was sentenced to 360 days in jail with 180 suspended and 63 days credit for time served. Mesteth also has several charges of domestic violence that were dismissed by prosecutors through 2021. The incident is still under investigation. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 4 Angry 3 BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- After the earthquake disaster in Afghanistan, the Chinese government has decided to provide 50 million yuan (about 7.46 million U.S. dollars) of emergency humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks in response to a query on the progress of China's emergency humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The earthquake that struck Afghanistan Wednesday is the most serious to hit the country in more than 20 years. It has caused at least 1,500 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries, and destroyed more than 3,000 houses, Wang said. The number of casualties continues to rise. Aid provided by China will include tents, towels, folding beds and other materials urgently needed by the Afghan people, he said. The first batch of aid is scheduled to be shipped by charter flight on June 27. In the next step, China will coordinate closely with the Afghan interim government to ensure that relief supplies are delivered to those in need as soon as possible, and to help the Afghan people tide over their current difficulties, Wang said. "We firmly believe that with the concerted efforts of the Afghan interim government and people from all walks of life, and with the help of the international community, the people in the affected areas will be able to prevail over this blow at an early date, accelerate the reconstruction of their homes and resume normal production and life," he added. This is a letter current (and newly re-elected) State Representative representing District 31 Mary Fitzgerald sent to the South Dakota State Bar Association and its members on June 17. I recently learned from the South Dakota Board of Bar Examiners that the passage rate for USD Law School graduates taking the February 2022 Bar Examination was 33%, meaning that 67% of examinees failed the Bar Examination. This statistic reflects unfairly on our state, our students, and our USD Law School. Lawyers play an increasingly important role in our society, in our business sector, and in our democratic institutions; they are frequently the sole key for an average citizen to gain access to our legal and justice systems. I, more than most, understand the benefits of the USD Law School as an institution for the residents of our state; I have several immediate family members who are proud alumni. Sadly, and critically, South Dakota ranks 46 out of 50 states per capita in lawyers. The shortage of lawyers in our state detrimentally affects the ability of the average citizen to access justice and furthers the resigned and cynical belief that justice is only attainable for the rich and powerful. When lawyers are in short supply, the cost for everyone increases; its basic supply and demand economics. Our non-compensatory bar exam (which no other state in the nation follows) is one of the contributing causes to South Dakotas low Bar Exam passage rate. Most licensed attorneys (and the public) simply do not understand when the bar exam was changed in 2015 from a compensatory to a non-compensatory bar exam, the bar passage rate in South Dakota plummeted and never recovered. The Bar Exam prior to 2015 was a compensatory bar exam. A compensatory bar exam establishes a minimum passing score that is obtained by combining the scores from the multiple-choice portion (Multistate Bar Examination MBE) with the written examination. The examinee does not have to obtain a minimum score on either component of the exam. South Dakota no longer uses this method of scoring. Additionally, to make it more inequitable and further depress the scores, South Dakota does not scale the written portion of the bar exam to the MBE. The National Conference of Bar Examiners has recommended for years that the written examination portion be scaled against the multiple-choice portion of the test. See page 50 of The Testing Column by Mark A. Albanese, Ph.D. - 2014 Director of Testing and Research for the NCBE. The current bar exam has drastically reduced the number of lawyers licensed to practice in South Dakota. The rural areas of our state have been hit the hardest, with some counties having no lawyers. We have USD Law School graduates that have been denied licensure for absolutely no reason other than their inability to pass a bar exam that is unlike any other bar exam in the nation. The current bar exam continues to exclude hard-working and otherwise qualified USD law school graduates from being licensed to practice law. South Dakota House Bill 1073 intended to rectify these grave issues of inequity prospectively in accordance with SDCL 2-14-21. An ongoing and persistent low Bar Exam passage rate, which has seen little-to-no improvement since the 2015 scoring methodology change, will only further motivate the legislature to fix the problem and create positive alternatives to our unique bar exam. In accordance with the authority of our constitution Article 5 12, the legislature has the right to set the rules for the licensing of attorneys in our State. With only 33% of our law school graduates passing the Bar Exam in February 2022 it is a pressing issue worthy of immediate focus and attention. The costs to the law students and the taxpayers are high; their heavy investment both warrants and demands a higher rate of success. As our Bar Exam passage rate numbers decrease, the supply of lawyers will make access to our legal system even more difficult for the average South Dakota citizen. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. Friday's ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. In anticipation of the decision, several states led by Democrats have taken steps to protect abortion access. The decision also sets up the potential for legal fights between the states over whether providers and those who help women obtain abortions can be sued or prosecuted. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. In anticipation of the decision, several states led by Democrats have taken steps to protect abortion access. The decision also sets up the potential for legal fights between the states over whether providers and those who help women obtain abortions can be sued or prosecuted. Here is an overview of abortion legislation and the expected impact of the court's decision in every state. ___ ALABAMA Political control: Alabama has a Republican-controlled legislature and a Republican governor who want to ban or restrict access to abortions. Background: In 2019, Alabama lawmakers approved what was then the most stringent abortion ban in the country, making it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy with no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. The only exception would be when the woman's health was at serious risk. A federal judge issued an injunction, under the precedent of Roe v. Wade, blocking the state from enforcing the law. In 2018, voters agreed to amend the Alabama Constitution to say the state recognizes the "rights of unborn children" and "does not protect the right to an abortion or require the funding of abortion." Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, nothing will change immediately, but the stage would be set for a court fight and access to abortion could be curtailed. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, a vocal critic of Roe, has said his office would move to dissolve the injunction blocking enforcement of the 2019 abortion ban. Marshall said the state would also move to lift other injunctions that blocked previous attempts to implement abortion restrictions, including a ban on abortion clinics near schools and a ban on the most common method for second trimester abortions. What's next: Some Republican lawmakers have said they would like to see the state replace the 2019 ban with a slightly less stringent bill that would allow exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Proponents said the 2019 ban was deliberately strict in the hopes of sparking a court challenge to Roe. ___ ALASKA Political control: Republicans currently hold a majority of seats in the state Legislature, but the House is controlled by a bipartisan coalition composed largely of Democrats. Fifty-nine of the Legislature's 60 seats are up for election this year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican who believes life begins at conception, is seeking reelection. Background: The Alaska Supreme Court has interpreted the right to privacy in the state constitution as encompassing abortion rights. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: A decision either way by the U.S. Supreme Court is not expected to immediately affect abortion rights in Alaska, given the existing precedent in the state. What's next: Voters in the fall will be asked if they want to hold a constitutional convention, a question that comes up every 10 years. Many conservatives who want to overhaul how judges are selected and do away with the interpretation that the constitution's right to privacy clause allows for abortion rights see an opportunity in pushing for a convention. Recent efforts to advance a constitutional amendment through the Legislature have been unsuccessful. ___ ARIZONA Political control: Both legislative chambers are controlled by Republicans, who regularly pass abortion restrictions that for the past eight sessions have been quickly signed by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, an abortion opponent. Background: Arizona law allows abortion through about 22 weeks, but the Legislature passed a 15-week abortion ban in March mirroring the Mississippi law currently being contested before the U.S. Supreme Court. It will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which is expected in late June. Current restrictions include bans on abortions because of gender and a 2021 law that makes it a felony for a doctor to terminate a pregnancy because the child has a survivable genetic abnormality. Arizona also has a pre-statehood law still on the books that would ban all abortions, although it has not been enforced since Roe was decided. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the Mississippi law, the new 15-week ban would take effect as planned. If it overturns Roe, Ducey has argued in media interviews that the law he signed in late March takes precedence over the total ban that remains on the books. But the law he signed specifically says it does not overrule the total abortion ban in place for more than 100 years. Ducey is term-limited and leaves office in January. What's next: Abortion-rights supporters in Arizona have launched a long-shot bid to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. Rolled out weeks after the draft U.S. Supreme Court decision showing Roe could be overturned was leaked, backers must collect more than 356,000 signatures by July 7 to get the initiative on the November ballot. Voters would then be able to decide. Arizona interactive summary: Arizona passed a 15-week abortion ban in March mirroring the Mississippi law that ___ ARKANSAS Political control: Arkansas' legislature is controlled by Republicans who have supported dozens of abortion bans and restrictions in recent years. Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson also has supported bans on abortion with some exceptions. He's term-limited and leaves office in January. Republican nominee Sarah Sanders, press secretary to former President Donald Trump, is widely favored in the November election to succeed him. Background: Arkansas law currently bans most abortions 20 weeks into a woman's pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. The state has several other bans that have been struck down or blocked by the courts in recent years, including an outright abortion ban enacted last year that doesn't include rape or incest exceptions. That ban has been blocked by a federal judge, and the state has appealed the ruling. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the state would ban abortion under a "trigger law" it enacted in 2019 that conditions a ban on such a ruling. That ban, along with the outright ban that's been blocked by a federal judge in the state, only allows exceptions to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency. Hutchinson has said he thinks bans should include rape and incest exceptions, but he has not called on the Legislature to add those to either of the bans. What's next: Arkansas' "trigger" law banning nearly all abortions in the state takes effect if the attorney general certifies that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. The only exception in that ban is to protect the life of the mother in a medical emergency. The Legislature isn't scheduled to meet until January, but Hutchinson is considering calling a special session to take up tax relief proposals. The Republican governor has not said he plans to include any legislation related to abortion on the agenda for that session. ___ CALIFORNIA Political control: Democrats who support access to abortion control all statewide elected offices and have large majorities in the state Legislature. Background: California outlawed abortion in 1850, except when the life of the mother was in danger. The law changed in 1967 to include abortions in the case of rape, incest or if a woman's mental health were in danger. In 1969, the California Supreme Court declared the state's original abortion law to be unconstitutional but left the 1967 law in place. In 1972 one year before the Roe v. Wade decision at the U.S. Supreme Court -- California voters added a "right to privacy" to the state constitution. Since then, the state Supreme Court has interpreted that "right to privacy" as a right to access abortion, allow minors to get an abortion without their parents' permission and use public funding for abortions in the state's Medicaid program. California now requires private health insurance plans to cover abortions and does not allow them to charge things such as co-pays or deductibles for the procedure. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Abortion will still be legal in California prior to the viability of a fetus. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has vowed to make California a sanctuary for women who live in other states where abortion could be outlawed or severely restricted. It's unknown how many women would come to California for abortions should Roe v. Wade be overturned, but the number is expected to be significant. What's next: The state Legislature is considering 13 bills that would strengthen or expand access to abortion. The bills are based on a report from the Future of Abortion Council, which Newsom formed last year to study reproductive rights in California. They include proposals that would help pay for women from other states to come to California for abortions, ban enforcement of out-of-state civil judgments on California abortion providers and volunteers, and increase the number of people who can offer abortions by authorizing some nurse practitioners to perform the procedure without the supervision of a doctor. Lawmakers also plan to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would explicitly guarantee the right to an abortion and contraceptives. ___ COLORADO Political control: The Democrats who control the Colorado Legislature support access to abortion, as does the state's Democratic governor. Background: A 1967 state law legalized abortion up to 16 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion has been accessible ever since, despite repeated legislative attempts and ballot initiatives to restrict or abolish the procedure. Colorado voters have consistently rejected such initiatives, the latest in 2020 that would have banned abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy. In 2022, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a law placing the right to abortion in state statute. The law guarantees access to reproductive care before and after pregnancy and bans local governments from imposing their own restrictions. It also declares that fertilized eggs, embryos and fetuses have no independent rights. Abortion rights advocates plan a 2024 ballot initiative to add abortion rights to the state constitution and repeal a 1980s constitutional amendment that bans public funding for abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The decision won't have any immediate impact on Colorado law -- but providers are preparing for a surge of out-of-state patients in case Roe is overturned. Democratic House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar says lawmakers must consider how to invest in a health care workforce to ensure Colorado has the capacity to meet that anticipated demand. Colorado's health department reports there were 11,580 abortions in the state in 2021; of those 14% were for non-residents. More than 900 of those non-residents were from Texas, Wyoming and Nebraska. What's next: It's impossible to predict how many more patients from states surrounding Colorado will potentially seek care if Roe v. Wade is overturned. But the Texas law could induce more people to come. Oklahoma now has an early pregnancy abortion ban; Utah and Wyoming have trigger laws banning abortion if Roe is overturned; the Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights, but Republican lawmakers placed on an August primary ballot an initiative to overturn it. ___ CONNECTICUT Political control: Democrats who control the Connecticut General Assembly support access to abortion, as does the state's Democratic governor. Background: Connecticut passed a law in 1990 giving women the legal right to abortion. Having passed with strong bipartisan support, it was lauded at the time for being a rare compromise between abortion rights advocates and opponents. It affirmed a woman's unqualified right to an abortion "prior to viability of the fetus," as well as later-term abortions "necessary to preserve the life and health of the pregnant woman." It also repealed state laws predating Roe v. Wade that had made it a felony to have an abortion or to perform one and required that patients under 16 receive counseling about their options. This year, Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation to protect medical providers and patients from out-of-state legal actions. The same law allows advanced practice registered nurses, nurse-midwives or physician assistants to perform aspiration abortions in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, has vowed to challenge any attempt to nullify Connecticut's abortion rights law. "Let's not mince words. They will come for us," Tong warned abortion rights supporters during a recent news conference. "We will fight that effort tooth-and-nail. Any court, any place, Connecticut will be there and will fight." The state is already involved in major abortion cases across the country. And while Connecticut is surrounded by mostly pro-abortion states, it's still bracing for out-of-state patients seeking abortions if Roe is overturned. What's next: Connecticut's new law protecting abortion providers from other states' bans takes effect on July 1. It creates a legal cause of action for providers and others sued in another state, enabling them to recover certain legal costs. It also limits the governor's discretion to extradite someone accused of performing an abortion, as well as participation by Connecticut courts and agencies in those lawsuits. There's discussion of possibly amending the state's constitution to enshrine the right to abortion, making it more difficult to overturn, but that would be a multi-year process. ___ DELAWARE Political control: Democrats control the governor's office and both chambers of the legislature in Delaware and have taken several steps to ensure access to abortion. Background: In 2017, Delaware became the first state following the election of President Donald Trump to codify the right to an abortion. A bill signed by Gov. John Carney, a Catholic, guarantees the unfettered right to an abortion before a fetus is deemed "viable." The law defines viability as the point in a pregnancy when, in a physician's "good faith medical judgment," there is a reasonable likelihood that the fetus can survive outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures. The law also allows abortion after fetal viability if, in a doctor's "good faith medical judgment," abortion is necessary for the protection of the woman's life or health, or if there is a reasonable likelihood that the fetus cannot survive without extraordinary medical measures. The law eliminated existing code restrictions on abortions, much of which had already been declared unenforceable by Delaware's attorney general in 1973 following the Supreme Court rulings in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. In April of this year, Carney signed a bill allowing physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to prescribe abortion-inducing medications including mifepristone and misoprostol. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: "In Delaware, the privacy protections of Roe v. Wade are codified in state law, guaranteeing residents have access to legal abortion services even if Roe were to be undone at the federal level," Democratic lawmakers noted earlier this month in unveiling legislation further broadening access to abortions. The bill, which is likely to pass before the end of June, allows physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners and nurse midwifes to perform abortions before viability. It also includes various legal protections for abortion providers and patients, including out-of-state residents receiving abortions in Delaware. Those provisions include protections from civil actions in other states relating to the termination of a pregnancy, and protecting individuals from extradition to other states for criminal charges related to terminating a pregnancy. What's next: According to state health officials, 2,042 abortions were performed in Delaware in 2019, with 1,765 involving Delaware residents and 277 involving nonresidents. Delaware is not likely to see a huge influx of women traveling from out of state to get abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned, given that neighboring Maryland and New Jersey also have liberal abortion-access laws. In neighboring Pennsylvania, where Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature, future abortion access could hinge on the outcome of this year's gubernatorial contest. ___ DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Political control: The local government in the nation's capital is completely controlled by Democrats, with a Democratic mayor and the D.C. Council split between Democrats and nominal independent politicians, who are all, invariably, Democrats. Background: Abortion is legal in the District of Columbia at all stages of pregnancy, a status that was upheld in the 1971 Supreme Court case United States v. Vuitch. However, the U.S. Congress has oversight power over D.C. laws and Congress has already banned the city from using local funds to pay for abortions for women on Medicaid. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Elected officials in Washington, D.C., fear Congress could move to restrict abortion access, particularly if Republicans recapture the House of Representatives in midterm elections later this year. President Joe Biden could theoretically veto such a move, but that protection is subject to political calculations and is not guaranteed. What's next: Local officials have pledged defiance against any sort of Congressional move to restrict local abortion access. The D.C. Council is considering legislation that would declare Washington D.C. a "sanctuary city" for those coming to Washington from states where abortion is banned. According to federal data, most of the women getting abortions in Washington, D.C., already are coming from out of state. Those numbers could increase, particularly if new Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin moves to restrict abortion access in neighboring Virginia. ___ FLORIDA Political control: Republicans control both chambers of the Florida Legislature and this year passed a ban on abortions after 15 weeks, which was signed into law by the state's Republican governor. Background: Abortion was legal in Florida until the 24th week of pregnancy, though lawmakers have been tightening access in recent years with bills requiring a one-day waiting period and requiring parents of a pregnant minor to be notified before an abortion can be provided. This year, in anticipation of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling eroding or overturning Roe v. Wade, the Legislature passed a ban on abortions after the 15th week, except to save the mother's life, prevent serious injury or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. It does not allow for exemptions in cases where pregnancies were caused by rape or incest. Gov. Ron DeSantis called the legislation "the most significant protections for life that have been enacted in this state in a generation." Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, that will place Florida's 15-week ban on firm legal ground, at least under federal law. However, the legislation is already being challenged in state court on arguments that it violates a guarantee of the right to privacy under the state constitution. What's next: Florida's 15-week ban goes into effect on July 1, and by then a U.S. Supreme Court decision is expected on a similar Mississippi ban after 15 weeks. However, the state constitutional challenge of the legislation will likely still be pending. Though only about 2% of Florida's abortions take place after 15th week, abortion rights advocates have expressed concern over declining access to the procedure not only for Floridians but for residents from nearby Southern states where restrictions have historically been stricter than in Florida. ___ GEORGIA Political control: Georgia has a Republican legislature and governor who have supported abortion restrictions, but all are up for election this November. Republicans are likely to retain legislative control, but there's a possibility a Democrat could become governor. Background: Georgia lawmakers in 2019 passed a law by one vote that would ban most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, when fetal cardiac activity can be detected. The measure is unlike other "heartbeat" bills in that it also contains language designating a fetus as a person for certain state-law purposes such as income tax deductions and child support. The measure is on hold right now before the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals awaiting a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Mississippi case. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The 11th Circuit is likely to allow the six-week ban to take effect relatively quickly, having already heard oral arguments in the case, although there could be fresh legal challenges. That would ban the large majority of abortions that currently take place in Georgia about 87% according to providers. The change could happen in the middle of tightly contested races in Georgia for governor and U.S. Senate. Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and challenger for governor Stacey Abrams say they want to secure abortion rights. Republican Senate challenger Herschel Walker and incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp support restrictions. What's next: Some Republican lawmakers and candidates want Georgia to go further and ban abortion entirely, but Kemp is unlikely to call a special session before this November's general election. Lawmakers are likely to consider further action when they return for their annual session in January. The Legislature or courts will have to sort out whether the provisions designating a fetus as a person are workable. ___ HAWAII Political control: Hawaii's governor is a Democrat and Democrats control more than 90% of the seats in both the state House and Senate. Background: Hawaii legalized abortion in 1970, when it became the first state in the nation to allow the procedure at a woman's request. The state allows abortion until a fetus would be viable outside the womb. After that, it's legal if a patient's life or health is in danger. For many years, only licensed physicians could perform the procedure. Last year, the state enacted a law allowing advanced practice care nurses to carry out in-clinic abortions during the first trimester. This helps women on more rural islands who have been flying to Honolulu to obtain abortions because of doctor shortages in their communities. The law allows the nurses to prescribe medication to end a pregnancy and to perform aspiration abortion, a type of minor surgery during which a vacuum is used to empty a woman's uterus. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Existing Hawaii law would allow abortions if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade and allows states to determine their own abortion regulations. Even so, Gary Yamashiroya, a spokesperson for the state attorney general's office, said the attorney general is carefully considering measures Hawaii might take to protect and strengthen reproductive rights if Roe ends. "No matter the outcome, our state remains committed to reproductive freedom and choice," he said in an emailed statement. What's next: Political support for abortion rights is strong. Anti-abortion bills are rarely heard at the state Legislature. When they have been, they haven't made it out of committee. Gov. David Ige issued a statement supporting abortion rights when the Supreme Court's draft opinion overturning Roe leaked. "No matter what the Supreme Court decides, I will fight to ensure a woman's right to choose in the State of Hawaii," he said. The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women earlier this month said 72% of the state Senate and 53% of state House members signed a pledge supporting abortion rights. ___ IDAHO Political control: Republicans hold super-majorities in the House and Senate and oppose access to abortion, as does the state's Republican governor. Background: Following the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, Idaho passed a law generally allowing abortions in the first and second trimester up to viability at about 23 to 24 weeks. The law allows abortions after viability only to protect the mother's life or in cases of nonviable fetuses. This year, lawmakers passed a Texas-style ban prohibiting abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and authorizing family members to sue medical providers for performing an abortion. That law is on hold following a challenge by Planned Parenthood. The Idaho Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in August. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, it will trigger a 2020 Idaho law banning all abortions except in cases of reported rape or incest, or to protect the mother's life. That law would take effect 30 days after the decision. Under the law, the person performing the abortion could face a felony prosecution punishable by up to five years in prison. In cases of rape or incest, the law requires pregnant women to file a police report and provide a copy of the report to the provider prior to an abortion. If the Idaho Supreme Court upholds the state's Texas-style abortion ban and Roe v. Wade is tossed aside, a medical provider who performs an abortion in Idaho could face a lawsuit and criminal charges. What's Next: Pregnant women seeking abortions will have to travel out of state; the nearest abortion providers would be in Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado. Planned Parenthood is renting space in the town of Ontario on the Idaho-Oregon border and says it's preparing for an influx of patients seeking abortions. Some Republican lawmakers in Idaho might propose new legislation in January to outlaw abortion pills and emergency contraception. ___ ILLINOIS Political control: Illinois is overwhelmingly Democratic with laws providing greater access to abortion than most states. Democrats hold veto-proof supermajorities in the House and Senate, and the Democratic first-term governor seeking reelection this year, J.B. Pritzker, has promoted peaceful street protests to protect the constitutional right to an abortion. Background: Abortion is legal in Illinois and can only be restricted after the point of viability, when a fetus is considered able to survive outside the womb. Medical science determines viability at 24 to 26 weeks, but the Illinois law does not specify a timeframe, saying a medical professional can determine viability in each case. Abortions are also allowed after viability to protect the patient's life or health. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing the court does would affect the ability to have an abortion in Illinois. After the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the Illinois Abortion Act of 1975 legalized the procedure but enacted a "trigger law" that would reinstate the ban if Roe were overturned. That trigger law was repealed in 2017 in legislation that also required Medicaid and state employees' group health insurance to cover abortions. The 2019 Reproductive Health Act replaced the 1975 law, large parts of which were never enforced because they were found to be unconstitutional. What's next: Like other states providing access to abortions, Illinois has seen a steady influx of patients crossing the state line for abortions in recent months and those numbers are expected to increase.The state could see an additional 20,000 to 30,000 patients seeking abortions in the first year if Roe is reversed, said Brigid Leahy, vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood of Illinois. ___ INDIANA Political control: Indiana has a Republican-dominated Legislature and a Republican governor in favor of restricting abortion access. Background: Abortion in Indiana is legal up to about 20 weeks, with some provisions for medical emergencies. Before an abortion, patients must undergo an 18-hour waiting period. Medical providers must tell patients about the risks involved in abortion and must say the fetus can feel pain around 20 weeks, which is disputed. Providers must report complications related to abortion; failure to report can result in a misdemeanor, 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Federal courts have blocked several restrictions in Indiana, including an attempt to ban a common second-trimester abortion procedure and a law that would have required doctors to tell pregnant women about a disputed treatment to potentially stop a drug-induced abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: No immediate change would take effect in Indiana if Roe v. Wade is overturned or if the U.S. Supreme Court supports Mississippi's 15-week ban. But legislators unwilling to wait until the 2023 session could ask Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to call a special session this summer to start modifying the state's abortion laws. What's next: Shortly after the Supreme Court's draft decision was leaked, Republican lawmakers said they would not make any moves to change Indiana's abortion laws until the court releases its official decision. Some have expressed interest in adopting a law that bans abortions at the point when a medical practitioner can discern a fetal heartbeat. That's usually around six weeks, when many women don't even know they are pregnant. ___ IOWA Political control: Iowa's legislature is controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access and a Republican governor who agrees and is up for reelection this year. Background: Iowa allows most abortions until the 20th week of pregnancy, when they're banned except to save a patient's life or prevent a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. In 2018, the state Supreme Court declared access to abortion a "fundamental" right under the state constitution, granting stronger protections to abortion rights than the U.S. Constitution. The state's high court, now with a conservative majority, overturned that decision June 17, thus allowing a state law requiring a 24-hour waiting period to go into effect immediately. That requirement is being challenged in district court. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, nothing will change immediately in Iowa. The GOP-controlled Legislature has been working to get an amendment on the ballot in 2024 that would declare the state constitution does not grant a right to abortion, but if the high court ruling shifts power back to state government as expected, Iowa lawmakers could ban abortion without completing that lengthy process. What's next: Now that the Iowa Supreme Court has struck down its 2018 ruling, the state Legislature can convene a special session this summer and pass abortion restrictions. Republicans could still move to get the constitutional amendment on a public ballot in 2024. ___ KANSAS Political control: Kansas has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions but a Democratic governor who supports access and is up for re-election this year. Background: Under current law, Kansas does not ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy, when they're allowed only to save a patient's life or to prevent "a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function." The state Supreme Court in 2019 declared that access to abortion is a "fundamental" right under the state constitution, granting stronger protections to abortion rights than the U.S. Constitution does currently. State law, however, doesn't allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, nothing will change immediately in Kansas, and that will be true even if the court merely upholds Mississippi's ban at 15 weeks without explicitly overturning Roe. The state Supreme Court blocked enforcement of a 2015 legislative ban on a common second-trimester procedure, and abortion opponents fear a host of other rules could fall to legal challenges in the near future. The GOP-controlled Legislature responded by putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot during the Aug. 2 primary, when turnout is expected to be much lower than in a general election and will likely see a higher proportion of Republicans voting. The amendment would declare that the state constitution does not grant a right to abortion. It would allow lawmakers to restrict abortion as much as the federal courts will allow -- and to ban it if Roe is overturned. What's next: If voters approve the amendment, the Legislature would still have to approve the new restrictions, and lawmakers are out of session until January 2023. They can call themselves into special session with two-thirds majorities, but they're likely to wait until after voters decide in the November general election whether to give Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly a second term. ___ KENTUCKY Political control: Republicans have a supermajority in the Kentucky Legislature and have been restricting abortion rights since the 2016 election over the vetoes of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who supports abortion rights and will seek a second term in 2023. Background: Kentucky bans abortions after 20 weeks, but all abortion services were temporarily halted in April after the legislature imposed new restrictions and reporting requirements on the state's two abortion clinics. The clinics, both in Louisville, said they suspended abortions because state officials hadn't written guidelines on how to comply with the new law. Noncompliance could result in stiff fines, felony penalties and revocation of physician and facility licenses. Abortions resumed after a federal judge temporarily blocked key parts of the law, including a provision banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, abortion services in Kentucky would immediately become illegal under a "trigger law" enacted in 2019. The measure contains a narrow exception allowing abortion to prevent the death or permanent injury of a pregnant woman. Kentuckians will be able to vote this November on a proposed amendment declaring there is no right to an abortion in the state constitution. What's next: Abortion-rights activists say the suspension of abortion services in April foreshadowed what would happen in Kentucky and other Republican-leaning states if Roe v. Wade is overturned. It likely would end several legal challenges pending against other Kentucky abortion laws including a 2018 measure that abortion-rights supporters say would effectively ban a standard abortion method in the second trimester of pregnancy. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in March that Kentucky's Republican attorney general, Daniel Cameron, can defend the measure that was struck down by lower courts. ___ LOUISIANA Political control: Louisiana's legislature is controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access. Its Democratic and Catholic governor also opposes abortions, though he supports exceptions for victims of rape or incest. Background: Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2020 stating that "a right to abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution." Of the about 2 million people who voted, 62% approved the amendment. Abortion is legal in Louisiana through the 19th week of pregnancy. After that, it is legal only if the fetus would die anyway or if continuing the pregnancy would threaten the mother's life or health. An ultrasound and counseling are required at least 24 hours before the procedure. For medication abortion, a doctor must prescribe the drug in person; telemedicine prescriptions are not allowed. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The legislature has sent Gov. John Bel Edwards a bill that would criminalize nearly all abortions if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade or upholds Mississippi's 15-week ban. Penalties for those who perform abortions would be mandatory: up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000 to $100,000. He is expected to sign. What's next? Edwards also has a bill that would require the doctor to certify that a drug used for abortion was being prescribed for another medical reason. The bill would make it illegal to deliver abortion medication to a state resident "by mail-order, courier, or as a result of a sale made via the internet." ___ MAINE Political control: Both chambers of the Maine Legislature, which has adjourned, are controlled by Democrats. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has vowed to protect the right to an abortion, saying she will "fight with everything I have to protect reproductive rights." Background: A Republican governor in 1993 signed a Maine law affirming the right to abortion before a fetus is viable. After that, abortion is only allowed if the life or health of the mother is at risk, or if the pregnancy is no longer viable. In 2019, lawmakers eliminated a physician-only rule and Mills signed it into law, allowing nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other medical professionals to perform abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, nothing will change in Maine, and that will be true even if the court merely upholds Mississippi's ban at 15 weeks without explicitly overturning Roe. Any attempt to restrict abortions when lawmakers reconvene next year would face fierce pushback. Abortion providers, meanwhile, said there could be an influx of patients seeking abortions from states that outlaw the procedure. What's next: Any major changes are unlikely unless former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, unseats Mills and Republicans take control of both chambers of the Legislature in November. LePage, a Catholic who opposes abortion rights, has said it's up to lawmakers to address the abortion issue as they see fit. ___ MARYLAND Political control: Maryland's legislature is controlled by Democrats who expanded abortion access this year by ending a restriction that only physicians can provide them and requiring most insurance plans to cover abortion care without cost. The legislature overrode Republican Gov. Larry Hogan's veto of the bill in April. Background: The right to abortion is protected in Maryland law. The state approved legislation in 1991 to protect abortion rights if the Supreme Court should ever restrict access. Voters approved the right in 1992 with 62% of the vote. Maryland law prohibits restrictions on abortion prior to viability. Maryland does not have a gestational limit. After viability, clinicians make the determination, based on clinical standard of care. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, nothing will change immediately in Maryland law, and that will be true even if the court merely upholds Mississippi's ban at 15 weeks without explicitly overturning Roe. What's next: Maryland's new law that will enable nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants to provide abortions with training is set to take effect July 1. However, $3.5 million in state funding to provide training isn't mandated until fiscal year 2024. Hogan, who is term limited, has indicated he will not approve the money sooner. Some nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and physician assistants already have received training on medication abortion and will be able to provide those services starting next month. ___ MASSACHUSETTS Political control: The Democrats who control the Massachusetts Legislature support access to abortion, as does the state's Republican governor, although they differ on specific policies. Background: Massachusetts once had a contentious relationship with abortion, in part due to the powerful influence of the Catholic Church, which opposes abortion. In recent years, that influence has waned and Massachusetts has become a strong supporter of abortion rights. In 2018, in anticipation of a conservative tilt on the U.S. Supreme Court, the state removed an 1845 abortion ban from its books that was not enforced. Two years later, Democratic state lawmakers clashed with Republican Gov. Charlie Baker -- who says he supports abortion rights -- over an effort to codify abortion rights into state law, allow abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases where the child would not survive after birth, and lower from 18 to 16 the age at which women could seek an abortion without consent from a parent or guardian. Lawmakers passed the bill -- dubbed the Roe Act -- over Baker's veto. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Baker has vowed to fight to keep abortion legal in Massachusetts, but it is his last year in office. Both Democratic candidates for governor -- state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz and Attorney General Maura Healey -- support abortion rights. Republican candidate Geoff Diehl said he believes in "the need to protect human life wherever and whenever possible." Fellow GOP candidate Chris Doughty said he would "not seek any changes to our state's abortion laws." What's next: Absent new federal abortion laws, there's little chance Massachusetts will restrict abortion rights. As of 2017, there were 47 facilities providing abortion in Massachusetts, 19 of those were clinics, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, it's unclear how many people would travel there from states that ban or restrict abortion. The state Senate has proposed additional money to help maintain access to abortion services, including barring providers and patients from being extradited to other states to face abortion-related lawsuits. ___ MICHIGAN Political control: Both chambers of Michigan's legislature are controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict abortion access, but the state's Democratic governor supports access. Background: A dormant 1931 law bans nearly all abortions in Michigan but it hasn't been enforced since Roe v. Wade. The law made it a felony to use an instrument or administer any substance with the intent to abort a fetus unless necessary to preserve the woman's life. It has no exceptions in cases of rape and incest. Anticipating that Roe could be overturned, Planned Parenthood of Michigan filed a lawsuit challenging Michigan's ban. A state judge suspended the law in May, saying it violates the state's constitution. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel, both Democrats, hailed the decision. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The injunction granted in the Planned Parenthood case ensured that abortion would not immediately become illegal if the U.S. Supreme Court cut down Roe. Planned Parenthood of Michigan and other supporters hope the injunction indicates abortion rights in the state will be preserved. But in a statement to The Associated Press, Nessel's office said "given the ongoing lawsuits, we cannot speculate what the state of abortion rights will be in Michigan" if Roe is overturned. What's next: Whitmer also filed suit asking the state's Supreme Court to declare the 91-year-old law unconstitutional. It has not acted yet. Michigan abortion rights supporters hope to put the issue on ballots this fall. Their proposed constitutional amendment would affirm the right to make pregnancy-related decisions without interference, including about abortion and other reproductive services such as birth control. The Reproductive Freedom for All committee needs to collect about 425,000 valid voter signatures by July 11 to make the November ballot. The measure would become law if voters approved it. The issue also is expected to shape statewide elections -- Whitmer and Nessel are both up for reelection in the fall -- and legislative races. ___ MINNESOTA Political control: The Minnesota Legislature is divided; Anti-abortion Republicans control the Senate and Democrats have the House, but the majorities are slim in both chambers, so control will be up for grabs in the November elections. Most legislative Democrats support abortion rights. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has said "no abortion ban will ever become law" while he's governor. But he faces a challenge this year from Republican Scott Jensen, who opposes abortion rights. Background: Abortion is legal in Minnesota up to the point of fetal viability, around the 24th week of pregnancy. The state has some restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period with state-mandated counseling, both parents generally must be notified prior to a minor getting an abortion, and only physicians can perform abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Nothing will change immediately in Minnesota if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade because the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that the state constitution protects abortion rights. If Republicans take control of both chambers, they could put a constitutional amendment on the ballot as soon as 2024 to reverse that ruling, but it's not clear yet if they would take that path. Minnesota governors can't block constitutional amendments with vetoes. But amendments are hard to enact because they require the backing of most of the citizens voting in that election, not just those voting on the amendment. Leaving the ballot blank counts as a "no." What's next: Providers are preparing for a surge in women coming from other states to get abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said her organization has been "fortifying" its delivery systems, including telemedicine. Dr. Sarah Traxler, the group's medical director, has said demand in Minnesota is expected to rise by up to 25%. ___ MISSISSIPPI Political control: Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and leaders of the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature have been working for years to chip away at abortion access. Background: Mississippi law bans most abortions at 20 weeks. The state tried to enact a law in 2018 to ban most abortions after 15 weeks. This law is the basis for the case now at the Supreme Court, which could reshape abortion rights nationwide. A federal district judge blocked Mississippi's 15-week law from taking effect, and an appeals court agreed. The Supreme Court heard arguments in December, and the Mississippi attorney general's office argued justices should overturn Roe v. Wade, the court's 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Mississippi has one abortion clinic, and it stops offering abortions at 16 weeks. Reeves was lieutenant governor in 2018, when Mississippi tried to enact the 15-week ban, and in 2019, when the state tried to enact a six-week ban. Mississippi law does not allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Mississippi's only abortion clinic, Jackson Women's Health Organization, would close within weeks if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Mississippi enacted a law in 2007 that would prohibit most abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Abortions would still be allowed if the woman's life is endangered by the pregnancy or if the pregnancy was caused by a rape that was reported to law enforcement. Any person who knowingly performs or attempts to induce an abortion, except the pregnant woman, could be punished by up to 10 years in prison. What's next: If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the 2007 Mississippi law says the state attorney general must publish a notice in a state administrative bulletin. The state's ban on most abortions would take effect 10 days after that publication. ___ MISSOURI Political control: Both GOP Gov. Mike Parson and the Republican-led Legislature support laws against abortion. Background: Missouri law allows abortions up until 22 weeks of pregnancy. But the GOP-led Legislature passed an abortion ban in 2019, hoping that the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling would later be tossed out. Under the 2019 law, abortions would only be allowed to save the life of the mother and would not be allowed in cases of rape or incest. Performing an illegal abortion would be a felony punishable by 5 to 15 years in prison. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The 2019 abortion ban would kick in if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. The attorney general, the governor or the Legislature would need to issue an official notice if Roe is overturned for the 2019 law to take effect. The GOP-led Legislature is out of session for the year, but Parson and the attorney general have said they'll take quick action if Roe falls. What's next: If the abortion ban takes effect, many Missouri patients seeking abortions likely will travel to neighboring states, including Illinois and Kansas. A new Illinois logistics center near St. Louis helps women from out of state find travel, lodging and childcare if they need help getting to the area for an abortion, and it connects them with funding sources. The Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 declared that access to abortion is a "fundamental" right under the state constitution, granting stronger protections to abortion rights than the U.S. Constitution does. Even without the ban in Missouri, the number of Missouri patients seeking abortions in Kansas has gone up in recent years, increasing about 8% from 2020 to 2021. ___ MONTANA Political control: The Republicans who control the Montana Legislature and Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte want to limit access to abortion. Background: Abortion used to be legal in Montana up until viability, or about 24 weeks of pregnancy, but the state Legislature passed a bill in 2020 to reduce that to 20 weeks, arguing that is when the fetus can feel pain. That law, along with one that requires chemical abortions to be done with in-person medical supervision, are being challenged in court. A state judge temporarily blocked enforcement in October 2021 while the challenges move through the courts. The state has asked the Montana Supreme Court to vacate that injunction and overturn a 1999 Montana Supreme Court opinion that found the state's constitutional right to privacy guarantees a woman's access to abortion care. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The effect of overturning Roe v. Wade is unclear in Montana because of the unresolved legal challenges to the 2021 legislation. Montana does not have an abortion ban that would be triggered if Roe v. Wade is overturned, but the Legislature could seek to further restrict access in the next session. What's next: The Montana Supreme Court will issue a decision on the preliminary injunction. The Montana Legislature also passed a referendum to ask voters this November whether they support a state law to require abortion providers to give lifesaving treatment to a fetus that is born alive after a botched abortion. Opponents argue federal law already offers those protections. ___ NEBRASKA Political control: Nebraska has an officially nonpartisan legislature with a Republican majority, but not a super-majority that would let the party unilaterally pass an abortion ban. Democrats appear to have enough votes to block such a bill, but just one defector could swing the vote. Nebraska's Republican governor vehemently opposes abortion. Background: Nebraska allows most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy, although a few small towns have voted to outlaw the procedure within their borders. The state requires doctors to be physically present when patients take the first of two drugs that are used in medication abortions. Lawmakers have rejected attempts to allow abortion medications to be administered remotely, which would provide easier abortion access in rural areas. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: A ruling that lets states set their own abortion laws would trigger an immediate push by Nebraska conservatives to ban the procedure, but it's not clear whether they could do it this year. Unlike other conservative states, Nebraska doesn't have a law that would automatically outlaw abortion if the court overturns Roe v. Wade. Gov. Pete Ricketts and other top Republicans have said they'll seek a special legislative session, but it's not clear whether they have enough votes to pass anything. What's next: If Ricketts calls a special session, attention will likely shift to state Sen. Justin Wayne, an Omaha Democrat who has declined to specify where he stands on abortion. Wayne was notably absent from a vote on the issue this year; his support would give Republicans the super-majority they need to enact a ban. He has struck deals with senators from both parties in the past. If a proposed abortion ban fails during a special session or if no special session is called, the issue will likely become a factor in the November election. ___ NEVADA Political control: Nevada's governor and state attorney general are Democrats who are up for reelection this year. Democrats control the state Senate and Assembly. Background: Nevada voters enshrined the right to abortion in the state constitution in 1990. The law says a pregnancy can be terminated during the first 24 weeks, and after that to preserve the life or health of the pregnant person. It would take another statewide vote to change or repeal the law. Most Republican candidates for Congress, governor, state attorney general and other statewide posts say they oppose abortions. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: "Here in Nevada, overturning Roe would not be felt immediately," state Attorney General Aaron Ford said in a position paper released after the draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion became public. Ford noted that a federal ban on abortion would supersede state law and said it would be naive not to recognize that some people want to ban abortions or make them more difficult to obtain. But he said his office will fight "attacks on abortion rights, rights to birth control access and rights for LGTBQ people." Gov. Steve Sisolak promised in a statement to "continue to protect reproductive freedom." What's next: Anti-abortion advocates are not expected to focus on trying to repeal Nevada's abortion law. But they will seek laws affecting waiting periods, mandatory counseling or requiring parental notification or consent. Melissa Clement, executive director of Nevada Right to Life, said she believes there is strong support for parental involvement. ___ NEW HAMPSHIRE Political control: New Hampshire has a Republican governor and the GOP controls the 424-member Legislature. All face reelection this fall. Background: Any abortion restrictions New Hampshire had on the books before Roe v. Wade were not enforced after the landmark 1973 ruling, and they were repealed altogether in 1997. The state had no restrictions until January, when a ban on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy was enacted. In June, an exemption was added for cases in which the fetus has been diagnosed with "abnormalities incompatible with life." Anticipating the Supreme Court action, Democrats this year tried unsuccessfully to enshrine abortion rights into state law and the state constitution. Gov. Chris Sununu calls himself pro-choice and says he is committed to upholding Roe v. Wade, but he also has boasted "I've done more on the pro-life issue than anyone." Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, nothing will change immediately in New Hampshire. The Legislature won't return until fall, when there will be a one-day session to take up vetoed bills, and it would take a two-thirds majority vote to introduce new legislation then. What's next: The majority leader of the New Hampshire House has said the public should not expect Republicans in the Legislature to further tighten state abortion laws. But anti-abortion lawmakers who have filed bills in the past are expected to try again. ___ NEW JERSEY Political control: Democrats control both houses of the state Legislature and the governorship. Gov. Phil Murphy started his second consecutive term this year. Background: To pre-empt a possible Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade, Murphy ran for reelection on the promise that he would sign legislation to enshrine abortion rights into state law, and he fulfilled that promise in January. The measure also guaranteed the right to contraception and the right to carry a pregnancy to term. It stopped short of requiring insurance coverage for abortions, something advocates had sought. Instead, it authorizes the state Banking and Insurance Department to study the issue and possibly adopt regulations if a need is discovered. Under Murphy's predecessor, Republican Chris Christie, state funds to women's clinics, including Planned Parenthood, were slashed. Murphy restored those and has been a strong supporter of abortion rights. New Jersey doesn't have any significant restrictions on abortion, such as parental consent or a mandatory waiting period. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Officials, including the governor, have said the end of Roe would not lead to any rollback of abortion services in the state. "Instead of hoping for the best, we prepared ourselves for the worst," Murphy said in May, addressing reports of a leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling What's next: Murphy has proposed a host of new abortion-related measures, but the Legislature has not taken them up yet. One aims to let a wider range of medical providers perform the most common type of abortion. Another would create a fund so advanced practice registered nurses, physician's assistants and certified nurse midwives can provide abortion services. The source and amount of funding wasn't defined. Another proposed measure would mandate that insurance providers cover abortions without cost-sharing or out-of-pocket expenses. ___ NEW MEXICO Political control: The Democrats who control the New Mexico Legislature support access to abortion, as does the state's Democratic governor. Several conservative Democratic state senators who voted against the repeal of the abortion ban in 2019 were ousted from office in 2020 by more socially progressive primary challengers. Background: Abortion has been legal in New Mexico since the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade. In 2021, state lawmakers repealed a dormant 1969 statute that outlawed most abortion procedures as felonies, thus ensuring access to abortion if the federal court rolls back guarantees. Albuquerque is home to one of only a few independent clinics in the country that perform abortions in the third trimester without conditions. An abortion clinic in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, is just a mile from the state line with Texas and caters to patients from El Paso, western Texas and Arizona. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: There will be no immediate change in New Mexico if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade. It is unclear if Democratic lawmakers will pursue additional guarantees to abortion access when the Legislature meets again in January. Possible avenues of legislative reform include enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution, which requires approval by statewide referendum. Abortion rights activists say the state's equal rights amendment could be harnessed to guide more public funding for abortion-related programs. What's next: The state can expect to continue to see a steady influx of people seeking abortions from neighboring states with more restrictive abortion laws. It already hosts patients from Texas and Oklahoma where among the strictest abortion bans in the country were introduced this year. ___ NEW YORK Political control: The Democrats who control the New York Legislature support access to abortion, as does the state's Democratic governor. Background: Abortion has been legal in New York state since a 1970 law was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller. The law allows abortions within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy or to preserve the mother's life. The 2019 Reproductive Health Act removed abortion from the state's criminal code, codified Roe v. Wade and allowed abortions after 24 weeks if a fetus isn't viable or to protect the mother's life or health. Lawmakers have passed laws extending legal protections for people seeking and providing abortions in New York. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Roe V. Wade protections are enshrined in state law. New York is planning to give abortion providers $35 million this year to expand services and boost security in anticipation of an influx of out-of-state people seeking abortions once any ruling comes down. It's unclear how many more people from neighboring states could travel to New York to receive abortion care. New York had 252 facilities providing abortions as of 2017, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. What's next: Planned Parenthood and civil liberty groups are urging lawmakers to start the process of passing a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion care in case a future Legislature repeals the state law. ___ NORTH CAROLINA Political control: Republicans hold majorities in the state House and Senate, but the party lacks the margins to defeat a veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, a strong abortion-rights supporter. Since 2017, Cooper has vetoed a "born-alive" abortion measure and a bill prohibiting abortion based on race or a Down syndrome diagnosis. He can't seek reelection in 2024 due to term limits. Background: A 1973 North Carolina law that banned most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy is currently unenforceable after federal judges struck it down as unconstitutional in 2019 and 2021. Instead, abortions can be performed until fetal viability. A state law approved in 2015 provides for post-viability abortions only in a "medical emergency," which means the woman would die or face a "serious risk" of substantial and irreversible physical impairment without the procedure. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the 20-week ban could be restored. Legal experts say formal action would have to be taken to dismiss the earlier court rulings striking it down. State Attorney General Josh Stein is a Democrat and abortion rights supporter. Republican lawmakers could try to force action themselves. What's next: Republican General Assembly leaders have low expectations of additional abortion restrictions coming during the soon-to-end legislative session, meaning a likely intensification of electoral efforts to gain the five additional seats the GOP needs to reach veto-proof margins come 2023. Cooper and other Democrats already are making abortion rights a key campaign pitch. Abortion politics are also expected to figure in two state Supreme Court seat elections in November. Republicans would gain a majority on the court if they win at least one of them. ___ NORTH DAKOTA Political control: North Dakota has a legislature dominated by Republicans who want to ban abortion, and the GOP governor wants to see Roe v. Wade wiped off the books in favor of state's rights. Background: The state has passed some of the nation's strictest abortion laws, including one that would have banned abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can happen before a woman knows she is pregnant. The law never took effect because the state's lone abortion clinic successfully challenged it in court. One failed Republican proposal would have charged abortion providers with murder with a maximum sentence of life in prison. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, North Dakota has a trigger law that would shut down the state's sole abortion clinic in Fargo after 30 days. That 2007 state law makes it a felony to perform an abortion unless necessary to prevent the pregnant woman's death or in cases of rape or incest. Violators could be punished with a five-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine. What's next: The owner and operator of the Red River Women's Clinic in Fargo said she would explore all legal options to ensure abortion services are available in North Dakota. Should that fail, clinic leader Tammi Kromenaker plans to move across the river to Moorhead, Minnesota, where abortion has not been outlawed. Planned Parenthood says it can provide abortions in Moorhead until Kromenaker gets up and running. ___ OHIO Political control: The Ohio Legislature is controlled by Republicans who support restricting or banning abortions, and the Republican governor backs those efforts. He is up for reelection this year against a former mayor who supports abortion rights. Background: Under current law, Ohio does not ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy; after that they're allowed only to save a patient's life or when their health is seriously compromised. But the state imposes a host of other restrictions, including parental consent for minors, a required ultrasound, and in-person counseling followed by a 24-hour waiting period. Abortions are prohibited for the reason of a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis. Ohio also limits the public funding of abortions to cases of rape, incest or endangerment of the patient's life. It limits public employees' abortion-related insurance coverage and coverage through health plans offered in the Affordable Care Act health exchange to those same scenarios. Clinics providing abortions must comply with a host of regulations. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, nothing will change immediately in Ohio. Two trigger bills are on hold in the Legislature, but a key legislative leader has said he anticipates needing to write new legislation after the decision is reversed that more carefully reflects the actual ruling. That all but certainly would not happen until lawmakers return to the capital after the November election. Quicker action could take place in the courts, where several Ohio laws restricting abortions have been temporarily blocked. That includes a ban on most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat, as early as six weeks into pregnancy, which is likely to be unblocked and become effective if Roe is reversed. What's next: It is not clear what will happen next in Ohio. Activists are considering how to help Ohioans get abortions elsewhere. They may also mount a statewide ballot initiative that would embed the right to an abortion in the state constitution, though that could not happen before next year. Abortion opponents are weighing strategies for imposing a statewide abortion ban if Roe is overturned. ___ OKLAHOMA Political control: Republicans in Oklahoma have a supermajority in both chambers of the Legislature and a Republican governor up for reelection this year who has vowed to sign "every pro-life legislation that came across my desk." Background: Abortion services were halted in Oklahoma in May after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill that prohibits all abortions with few exceptions. The ban is enforced by civil lawsuits rather than criminal prosecution. Republican lawmakers have been pushing to restrict abortion in the state for decades, passing 81 different restrictions since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: A ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court would have little practical effect given that abortions are no longer being provided in Oklahoma. However, because several Oklahoma abortion laws still are facing legal challenges in lower courts, it's possible that the abortion bans in place could be temporarily lifted. Oklahoma also has a "trigger law" that would outlaw abortion immediately if Roe or Planned Parenthood v. Casey were overturned. What's next: Given the fierce opposition to abortion from the governor and Legislature, Oklahoma will continue to prohibit the practice if states are given the option to do so. Meanwhile, abortion providers who had been operating in the state are taking steps to help patients seek abortions out of state, including coordinating funding for these women and developing a referral network of therapists to help address complications before or after a woman receives an abortion. ___ OREGON Political control: The Democrats who control the Oregon Legislature support access to abortion, as does the state's Democratic governor. Background: The Oregon Legislature passed a bill legalizing abortion in 1969. In 2017, Gov. Kate Brown signed into law a bill expanding health care coverage for reproductive services, including abortions, to thousands of Oregonians, regardless of income, citizenship status or gender identity. Oregon does not have any major abortion restrictions and it is legal at all stages of pregnancy. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The Guttmacher Institute has estimated that Oregon would experience a 234% increase in women coming from out of state, especially from Idaho, if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade. In March, Oregon lawmakers approved $15 million to expand abortion availability and pay for abortions and support services such as travel and lodgings for residents and out-of-state patients. What's next: Brown said after the draft Supreme Court decision was leaked that access to abortion is a fundamental right and that she will fight to ensure access to abortion continues to be protected by state law in Oregon. Democratic state lawmakers recently formed the Reproductive Health and Access to Care Work Group of providers, clinics, community organizations and legislators that will make recommendations for the 2023 legislative session and beyond. Recommendations may include proposals to protect, strengthen, and expand equitable access to all forms of reproductive care. ___ PENNSYLVANIA Political control: Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature are hostile to abortion rights, but the state's Democratic governor is a strong supporter and has vetoed three GOP-penned bills in five years that would have added restrictions beyond the state's 24-week limit. The race for governor this year could tilt that balance. Background: Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania under decades of state law, including a 1989 law that was challenged all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. That produced the landmark Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling that affirmed the high court's 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide, but also allowed states to put certain limits on abortion access. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to protect access to abortion for the remainder of his time in office, through January. Running to replace him is the state's Democratic attorney general, Josh Shapiro, who supports abortion rights, and Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who has said he supports banning abortion altogether, with no exceptions. The Legislature is expected to remain in Republican hands next year. What's next: Legislation to outlaw abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat -- which can happen at six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant -- has passed a House committee and is awaiting a floor vote. The state Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers aiming to overturn a 1982 law that bans the use of state dollars for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. In response, Republican lawmakers are advancing a proposed amendment that would declare there is no constitutional right to an abortion in Pennsylvania or to public funding for an abortion. ___ RHODE ISLAND Political control: The Democrats who control Rhode Island's General Assembly support access to abortion, as does the Democratic governor. Background: Rhode Island's governor signed legislation in 2019 to enshrine abortion protections in case the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. The law says the state will not restrict the right to an abortion prior to fetal viability or after if necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant woman. It repealed older laws deemed unconstitutional by the courts. The Rhode Island Supreme Court upheld the 2019 law in May, just two days after the Supreme Court draft opinion was leaked suggesting that a majority of the justices were prepared to overturn Roe. Abortion opponents had argued the law violates the state constitution. In 2020, there were 2,611 abortions in Rhode Island, according to the state health department. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Rhode Island's attorney general believes the 2019 Reproductive Privacy Act will continue to protect access to abortion if Roe is overturned. Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island also said abortion will remain legal regardless of the decision because the right was codified in state law. What's next: It's possible Rhode Island may need to act to protect abortion access for non-resident patients, but that cannot be debated in the legislature until next year's legislative session. Lawmakers may consider requests for abortion coverage to be added to Rhode Island's Medicaid program and insurance coverage for state employees. ___ SOUTH CAROLINA Political control: South Carolina has a Republican governor, and its General Assembly is dominated by the GOP. However, the party doesn't quite have the two-thirds majority in either chamber needed to overcome procedural hurdles or a veto if a Democrat wins the 2022 gubernatorial election. Background: In 2021, South Carolina passed the "Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act" that requires doctors to use an ultrasound to try to detect a fetal heartbeat if they think a pregnant woman is at least eight weeks along. If they find a heartbeat, they can only perform an abortion if the woman's life is in danger, or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. The law is currently tied up in a federal lawsuit. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the 2021 law likely will go into effect. If the court's ruling is less expansive, then the state's current ban on abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy will remain while the 2021 law continues through the federal court system. What's next: The South Carolina General Assembly's regular session ended in May, but Republican leaders agreed they could return for a special session to take up more restrictive abortion bills if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Some Republicans in the Legislature have opposed a complete abortion ban, especially without exceptions for victims of rape and incest. ___ SOUTH DAKOTA Political control: Republicans hold super-majorities in both Statehouse chambers. Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is up for reelection this year and has been an ardent opponent of abortion rights. Background: Under current law, South Dakota bans abortions after the 22nd week of pregnancy. The state has only one clinic that regularly provides abortions, a Planned Parenthood facility in Sioux Falls. The legislature has worked over the years to make it more difficult for women to get abortions, passing mandatory waiting periods and requiring them to review and sign paperwork that discourages them from ending their pregnancies. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, South Dakota has a trigger law that would immediately ban abortions except if the life of the pregnant woman is at risk. What's next: Noem has said she plans to call a special session to craft laws for the new legal landscape if Roe v. Wade is overturned. She hasn't commented on specific legislation, but lawmakers have floated proposals that would make it more difficult for women to seek an abortion out of state. However, South Dakota voters rejected outright bans in 2006 and 2008, and abortion rights advocates are preparing for a similar referendum on abortion access. An outright ban on abortions could eventually be challenged through a citizen-initiated ballot measure. ___ TENNESSEE Political control: Tennessee has a Republican governor who is consistently vocal about his opposition to abortion. The GOP holds a supermajority in the state legislature and has steadily chipped away at abortion access. Background: In 2020, Tennessee passed a law banning most abortions when the fetal heartbeat can be detected at about six weeks, before many women know they're pregnant. The measure has never been enforced because it was promptly blocked by a federal court. Tennessee voters approved an amendment in 2014 declaring that the state's constitution doesn't protect or secure the right to abortion or require the funding of an abortion, and empowering state lawmakers to "enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion." State law also doesn't allow providers to dispense abortion medications through telemedicine consultations. There are six abortion providers in Tennessee. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, a so-called trigger law will go into effect that bans all abortions in Tennessee except when necessary to prevent death or "serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function." Doctors could be charged with a felony for providing an abortion under this law, which would take effect 30 days after the Supreme Court's decision is announced. What's next: It's unclear if the trigger law conflicts with the 2020 law banning most abortions at about six weeks. The state's attorney general, a Republican, has not publicly weighed in. Meanwhile, Republicans are expected to continue to have supermajority control after this year's midterm elections. Reproductive rights activists say they will direct patients seeking abortion to clinics in Illinois if Roe v. Wade is overturned, or to Florida, which would ban abortions at 15 weeks. North Carolina and Virginia could also be options for women in eastern Tennessee. ___ TEXAS Political control: The GOP has commanding majorities in the Texas Legislature and has controlled every statewide office for nearly 30 years. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is up for reelection in November and is favored to win a third term. Background: Texas has given the nation a preview of the landscape of abortion access if Roe v. Wade is overturned. A new Texas law banning most abortions after about six weeks before many women know they are pregnant took effect in September and makes no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Because of how Republicans wrote the law, which is enforceable only through lawsuits filed by private citizens against doctors or anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion, Texas has essentially outmaneuvered decades of Supreme Court precedent governing a women's constitutional right to an abortion. State data shows the number of abortions performed in Texas' roughly two dozen clinics fell by half in the five months after the law came into effect compared to the same period a year earlier. Effect of the Supreme Court ruling: Texas had more than 40 abortion clinics in 2012 before a decade of Republicans chipping away at abortion access began forcing providers to close. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, Texas would ban virtually all abortions 30 days after the ruling. Abortions would only be allowed when the patient's life is in danger or if they are at risk of "substantial impairment of a major bodily function." What's next: Many Texas women have already traveled out of state for abortions since the law took effect, but they would likely have to travel much farther if Roe v. Wade is overturned as more states outlaw abortion. Some Republican lawmakers also want to punish companies that help their Texas-based employees get abortions elsewhere, although it's unclear how much support that idea will have when the Legislature returns in 2023. ___ UTAH Political control: Utah is deeply conservative and the Legislature is controlled by a Republican supermajority. Background: The state has been restricting abortion for years, including a ban after 18 weeks passed in 2019 that's now blocked in court. The following year, lawmakers passed a "trigger law" that would outlaw nearly all abortions if Roe v. Wade was overturned. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: Utah has a law designed to go into effect if Roe v. Wade is overturned that would ban nearly all abortions. It would be enforceable after the legislative general counsel certifies the ruling to lawmakers. It does have narrow exceptions for rape and incest if those crimes are reported to law enforcement, and for serious risk to the life or health of the mother, as well as confirmed lethal birth defects. If the U.S. Supreme Court decides to uphold the Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks, Utah's 18-week ban could go into effect. What's next: If the Supreme Court tosses out Roe, Utah law makes performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. While it's aimed primarily at providers, lawmakers have acknowledged that a woman who self-administers an abortion, including through medication, could potentially face charges. ___ VERMONT Political control: The Vermont Legislature is controlled by Democrats, but Republican Gov. Phil Scott is a firm supporter of abortion rights. Background: Vermont has a 2019 law guaranteeing the right to an abortion and voters will consider a proposal in November to amend the state constitution to protect abortion rights. Also in 2019, the Vermont Legislature began the process of amending the constitution to protect abortion rights, known as the Reproductive Liberty Amendment or Proposition 5. Vermont's proposed amendment does not contain the word "abortion." Proponents say that's because it's not meant to authorize only abortion but also would guarantee other reproductive rights such as the right to get pregnant or access birth control. Opponents say vague wording could have unintended consequences that could play out for years. Lawmakers approved the proposed amendment in February, leading the way for a statewide vote. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, nothing will change immediately in Vermont. What's next: Vermont voters will cast ballots in November to decide if the state will amend its constitution to protect abortion rights. ___ VIRGINIA Political control: Virginia has a Republican governor who says he would support new state-level restrictions on abortion and a divided General Assembly. Republicans control the state House and Democrats lead the state Senate. Background: In recent years, when Democrats were in full control of state government, lawmakers rolled back abortion restrictions. They ended strict building code requirements on facilities where abortions are performed and did away with requirements that a patient seeking an abortion undergo a 24-hour waiting period and ultrasound. Advocates said the changes would make Virginia a haven for abortion access in the South. Republican victories in the November elections shook up the state's political landscape, but Senate Democrats defeated several measures that would have limited abortion access during the 2022 legislative session. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: There will be no immediate change to abortion laws in Virginia if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Some abortion providers expect to see an uptick in patients seeking care in Virginia from neighboring states with "trigger laws" that would ban abortion. What's next: The future of abortion access is Virginia is murky. Gov. Glenn Youngkin has indicated he would support an abortion ban around 20 weeks of a pregnancy, though he generally supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or to save a mother's life. He has not specified how he would proceed if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Senate Democrats say they intend to continue blocking attempts to roll back abortion access, though they control the chamber by the narrowest possible margin and have one caucus member who personally opposes abortion and says he is open to new restrictions. Republicans also have a narrow hold on the House, with several moderate members. Every seat in the General Assembly will be on the ballot in 2023. ___ WASHINGTON Political control: The Democrats who control the Washington Legislature support access to abortion, as does the state's Democratic governor. Background: Abortion has been legal in Washington state since a 1970 statewide ballot referendum. Another ballot measure approved by voters in 1991 declared a woman's right to choose physician-performed abortion prior to fetal viability and further expanded and protected access to abortion in the state if Roe v. Wade was overturned. And in 2018, the Legislature passed a measure that would require Washington insurers offering maternity care to also cover elective abortions and contraception. Earlier this year, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure that grants specific statutory authorization for physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners and other providers acting within their scope of practice to perform abortions. Supporters say the move is designed to help meet the demand from the potential influx of out-of-state patients. That same measure also prohibits legal action by Washington state against people seeking an abortion and those who aid them. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The state "will use every available tool to protect and preserve Washingtonians' fundamental right to choose, and protect the rights of anyone who wants to come here to access reproductive health care," said Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat. Data from the Washington state Department of Health from 2020 shows that of the 16,909 abortions performed in the state that year, 852 involved non-residents. The majority of those people came from neighboring states such as Idaho and Oregon. What's next: It's impossible to predict how many more non-resident patients will potentially seek care in Washington if Roe v. Wade is overturned, but the increase will likely be in the thousands, said Jennifer Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.The state has more than 30 in-person abortion clinics, though the vast majority are in western Washington along the Interstate 5 corridor. ___ WEST VIRGINIA Political control: West Virginia has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions. Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, opposes abortion access and has signed two anti-abortion laws since taking office in 2017. Background: West Virginia currently bans abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy unless a patient's life is in danger, or they face "substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function." Patients seeking abortions must wait 24 hours after undergoing legislatively mandated counseling designed to discourage abortions. A minor who wants an abortion must obtain parental permission. The use of telemedicine to administer a medication abortion is outlawed. The state also bars patients from getting abortions because they believe their child will be born with a disability. The House of Delegates this year passed a 15-week abortion ban like the Mississippi law under review by the U.S. Supreme Court, but it died in the Senate. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: It's unclear what the effect the overturning of Roe v. Wade would have on abortion access in West Virginia. The state has had a law banning abortion on the books since 1848; Under that law, providers who perform abortions can face felony charges and three to 10 years in prison, unless the abortion is conducted to save a patient's life. In 2018, West Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment to declare patients do not have the right to abortion and banning state funding for abortions. What's next: West Virginia lawmakers could introduce new legislation restricting abortion access when they return to the Capitol in January, but they could return sooner if called into a special session. West Virginia only has one clinic that performs abortions. Women's Health Center of West Virginia Executive Director Katie Quinonez said if abortion access is outlawed, the clinic will continue to provide reproductive care, such as birth control and STI diagnosis and treatment. She said the clinic will help women travel to other states for abortions through its abortion fund. ___ WISCONSIN Political control: Wisconsin has a legislature controlled by Republicans who want to ban or restrict access to abortions but a Democratic governor who supports access and is up for reelection this year. Background: Wisconsin allows most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy to save the health or life of the mother. A woman seeking an abortion must meet with a counselor and doctor before obtaining an abortion and wait at least 24 hours before having it done. Anyone under age 18 must have an adult relative over age 25 with them to obtain an abortion. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, it is presumed that a state law passed in 1849 making an abortion a felony offense would go into effect. However, Wisconsin's Democratic attorney general argues that the law is so old that it's unenforceable. The language allows a woman to legally destroy her own fetus or embryo and grants immunity if an abortion is needed to save a woman's life and is performed at a hospital. Another state law, passed in 1985, prohibits abortions performed after a fetus reaches viability -- when it could survive outside the womb -- conflicting with the 1849 ban. What's next: Republican lawmakers are expected to attempt to clarify the 1849 law to ensure there is a ban in place if Roe v. Wade is overturned, even as that issue is fought in the courts. However, lawmakers' efforts would be stymied if Democratic Gov. Tony Evers wins reelection. Wisconsin's Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has said he supports an exception in cases of rape and that a ruling on Roe could force lawmakers to consider other related reproductive issues such as contraception. Other Republicans will push for more restrictive abortion laws. ___ WYOMING Political control: Wyoming has one of the most Republican legislatures in the U.S. and a long tradition of libertarian-type if not always social or religious conservatism. That may be changing. In March, Republican Gov. Mark Gordon signed into law a bill that would ban abortion in nearly all instances should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. Background: Current Wyoming law allows abortions up to when a fetus might be able to survive on its own outside its mother's body. The law does not specify when that happens, but it is generally considered to be at around 23 weeks into pregnancy. Wyoming currently doesn't allow abortions after then except to protect the mother from substantial risk to her life or health. Wyoming Republicans have traditionally taken a hands-off approach to abortion but have proven more willing to limit the practice lately. The number of Democrats in the Legislature has dwindled from 26 in 2010 to just nine out of 90 total seats now. A 2021 law requires physicians to provide lifesaving care to any aborted fetus born alive. Effect of Supreme Court ruling: The new state law that would ban abortion if Roe were overturned only provides exceptions in cases of rape or incest or to protect the mother's life or health, not including psychological conditions. Though Wyoming has no abortion clinics, abortions still occur. Ninety-eight took place in Wyoming in 2021, according to state officials. What's next: A planned women's health clinic in Casper that would be the only one offering abortions in the state was on track to open in mid-June but an arson fire May 25 delayed those plans by around six months. Police continue to look for a suspect in the arson investigation, and have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. ___ Associated Press statehouse reporters from across the U.S. contributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The USS Montana was commissioned Saturday during a ceremony at a shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, making it the first Navy ship named after the Treasure State in more than 100 years. Today the USS Montana is tested and battle ready, Chris Jessel, executive officer of the submarine, said as more than 100 Montanans sat in the audience at Naval Station Norfolk. The $2.6 billion Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine will add the next generation of stealth, surveillance and special warfare capabilities to the Navy fleet, officials said. Gov. Greg Gianforte spoke as he stood near a banner for the submarine that read: Vigilantes of the deep, a nickname adopted by the crew in an homage to the states period of vigilante justice in the 1800s. Now more than ever, American strength on the world stage is needed, he said. Today, the worlds most powerful, advanced and capable Navy adds to its fleet one of the most sophisticated submarines ever built. Gianforte said missions conducted on the USS Montana SSN 794 will make the nation and world more secure. He hoped the submarines crew members would draw strength from the states value of resilience, talking about recent flooding that ravaged communities. I am proud, honored and humbled you will carry that resilience to all corners of the world in the service of our nation, he said, adding he knew the submarine would live up to its name. The 70-minute ceremony was held dockside with the submarine serving as a backdrop. It was christened Sept. 12, 2020, by former secretary of the interior Sally Jewell. She attended Saturdays ceremony which included a performance by a Native American drum group from Montana. Also, a C-130 from the Montana Air National Guard in Great Falls flew overhead toward the end of the ceremony. Gianforte said several of Montanas tribal nations were represented at the ceremony. Tribal communities in Montana have a long and decorated history of military service, he said. Jewell noted Mariah Gladstone, a member of the Blackfeet Tribe is serving as maid of honor. She said Gladstone gave a blessing and smudged the vessel using bird sage to bless the boat. With awe, I have witnessed the USS Montana emerge as an extraordinary element of our national defense, she said, praising all those who worked on the submarine and their families. I am confident the USS Montana will play a key role in furthering freedom around the world and also confident she will live up to the spirit of adventure and resilience of her namesake state, Jewell said. Admiral Frank Caldwell said the Montana would patrol the frontiers of the worlds oceans. This is a great day for Montana and a great day for our submarine force, he said. Bill Whitsitt, chair and director of the USS Montana Committee, a nonprofit which has raised nearly $200,000 over five years for the submarine, said Saturday the commissioning was the peak the group has been looking forward to. It was a powerful, emotional and joyful time to see the ship come to life and see the sailors a number of us have gotten to know it was truly amazing, he said. He said the committee changed its bylaws several days ago to say its mission does not end with the commissioning and plans to be the support group for the submarine for its entire 30-year life. Some speakers compared the vastness of the ocean to Montanas skies. The Montana big sky spirit will carry our vigilantes of the deep through many challenges and the missions ahead, even when its crew cannot see the sky, Erik Raven, under secretary of the Navy, said. Raven officially placed the ship into commission. May God bless and guide this warship and all who sail in her, he said. Jon Quimby, commander of the USS Montana, said the submarine has undergone sea trials and the crew has put in more than 6,000 nautical miles already. I am proud to serve with you and for you and I know we are ready to take on any challenges thrown our way, he told the crew. The 7,800-ton Virginia-class submarine was built by Newport News Shipbuilding Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics Electric Boat. Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding, said Saturday the USS Montana commissioning was particularly special as much of its construction took place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said even in the most trying of times, Montanans kept in touch virtually on the submarines progress. We felt the spirit of the whole state of Montana all the way, she said, adding the commissioning was a testament to the dedication by the shipbuilding and Navy team. Virginia-class submarines, which are nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines, will replace the Navys Los Angeles-class submarines as they are retired. The submarines incorporate dozens of new technologies that increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth and enhance their warfighting capabilities. They have 12 Tomahawk missile tubes and four torpedo tubes, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. It is the 21st Virginia-class submarine to be delivered to the Navy. The submarine has a Montana theme throughout. Passageways are named for Montana rivers, such as the Missouri, Flathead, Gallatin, Jefferson, Madison and Yellowstone. The lowest part of the boat, which has one hallway, is called Bitterroot. Berthing areas, where sailors sleep, are named for Montana places and towns such as Helena and Kalispell. The crew mess area includes a Glacier Park panorama requested by Quimby. And the crew dining area is called the Big Sky Saloon. Currently, two of the 135 crew members are from Montana, but that number fluctuates. Other Montana touches include a genuine peace pipe to be presented by Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes elder and made by a Blackfeet artist. For the past five years members of the crew have visited Montana and attended rodeos in Bigfork and parades in Kalispell. And committee members have taken the ships bell around the state. Its a replica of the bell aboard the first USS Montana and honors the state motto of oro y plata (gold and silver). Melted into it are Montana gold and silver as well as gold and silver dolphin pins worn by submariners. The first and only commissioned USS Montana was an armored cruiser added to the U.S. Navy fleet in 1908. Known as armored cruiser No. 13, it was decommissioned in 1921. It was renamed the Missoula and served in the reserve fleet until 1930. The USS Montana will remain in the shipyard for a few months, where it will have its software updated. It will then be moved to the Pacific fleet and be based in Hawaii. Saturdays ceremony included a closing prayer to the Creator by Gene Sorrell, an elder with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. "The USS Montana, I pray you become one with the water, work together for protection of our homelands," he said. Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 getty images One of the most important responsibilities of a manager is to protect employees from harm, including harassment. In a horrific case from Colorado, 17-year-old Walgreens employee Riley Whitelaw is dead and her 28-year-old co-worker Joshua Johnson has been charged with first-degree murder after Whitelaw reportedly rejected the accuseds advances for over a year, and shared her concerns about working with him to management. According to the police affidavit supporting the arrest of the accused, on June 11 at around 8 p.m., police responded to a report from Walgreens manager Justin Zunino that he found the body of employee Whitelaw in the breakroom and there was blood everywhere. Police found the deceased body of Whitelaw with significant trauma to her neck and a large amount of blood on the floor around the head of the victim with significant blood stains on the floor, cabinets and counter of the breakroom. After Whitelaw failed to return from break, Zunino reviewed surveillance video and observed the accused co-worker stacking bins in front of a surveillance camera blocking the view of the camera. In addition, Zunino observed that someone taped paper over the windows in the area of the breakroom. The restroom closed sign was in the area to keep people out, which typically does not occur till [sic] the close of business, according to the affidavit. This observation led Zunino to the breakroom where he found Whitlow. Zunino told officers that Whitlow complained to him about a year ago because the accused made advances toward her and it made her feel uncomfortable. Zunino told officers he warned the accused to keep things professional and [the accused] appeared to be receptive. Zunino told the officers that several weeks ago, Whitelaw requested to work a different schedule because [the accused] made her feel uncomfortable. When she made another request for additional hours, she was told it would require working with [the accused]. Another manager, Crystal Ishmael, told officers that three months earlier, Whitelaws boyfriend began working at Walgreens. Ishmael noticed that the accused appeared to be acting jealous. There was no indication in the affidavit she did anything with this information. A customer heard a female screaming and what sounded like stalls slamming. Police found the accused walking along the interstate with scratches on his hands and face. He admitted to officers he at one time had a crush on Whitelaw, but he didnt have a crush on her any longer because he was intimate with Ishmael (a fact the officers did not confirm in the affidavit). The accused admitted to being in the breakroom where he fell in the blood. He admitted he went home right after what happened and took off all his clothes because they were all bloody. He denied stacking the totes even though he is on surveillance video doing so. A 17-year-old teen trying to earn some income simply wanted to be left alone at her job. She deserved that. It was the managers responsibility to make that happen. Employers and managers have an affirmative duty to protect employees when they are made aware of concerns such as harassment. That appears to have not happened here. The minute that the teen mentioned to the manager concerns about the accused, the accused should have been fired or given a final written warning. Simply telling an employee to keep things professional is an insufficient response. When the teen again told the manager she didnt want to work with the accused, this was the red glaring flag that the accused was still bothering her. An immediate investigation should have been conducted and, if the accused was engaging in misconduct, he should have been terminated. The minute that the female manager observed that the accused was acting jealous, she had a duty to act as well. Employees rarely tell a manager they feel like they are being harassed. They say someone is making them uncomfortable, or bothering them, paying them unwanted attention or they are uncomfortable working with them. The employee might downplay it and ask you not to do anything. It doesnt matter if the employee asks you to keep it confidential, says she will handle it herself or says its not a big deal. Managers have a legal duty to do something and eradicate the problem, which usually means a termination. Managers should not ask the employee if she wants to file a formal complaint, if she wants to go to HR or what she wants you to do. The only response from management should be, Ill take care of this. And then take care of this. Real lives are at stake here whether violence, emotional trauma or just a miserable workplace. Employees deserve a respectful and healthy workplace, and its the job of the manager to make that happen. Hundreds of residents held their hands high in a moment of silence before erupting into chants on the steps of City Hall after marching from the Federal Court Building on Friday. "Bans off," one speaker roared from their bullhorn. "Our bodies," the crowd replied. More than 500 people chanted together, protesting against the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. The group led by Catch the Fire VCU a nonprofit organization unaffiliated with the university gathered at the Federal Court building on 701 East Broad St. at 6 p.m. The organizers led a 3-mile march across sidewalks, road medians and through lanes of traffic holding signs. Their words and voices filled the city streets. "Abortion is," one speaker yelled. "Health care," the group replied. As they reached City Hall, they were joined by a group led by organizers from a coalition of partners from Planned Parenthood, the ACLU of Virginia and Equality Virginia. People began to spill over the sidewalk into the the eastbound lanes of Broad Street, as a dozen Richmond police vehicles arrived to corral folks out of the street. Richmond's Chief of Police Gerald Smith was among them. "We just want everyone to be protected," Smith said. "We want people to protest as long as they're protected and continue to be peaceful." Rachael Deane watched from the sidewalk as a line of police officers looked toward the crowd. Deane, a mother of two children ages 3 and 7, held a sign that read, "I am a mother by choice!" "I'm really scared about the direction we're headed as a country," said Deane. "I am here because I am a woman and a mother and I have two young children and I strongly believe that access to abortion is very important for health care for everyone in this country." Stephanie Walker stood next to Deane as more people were absorbed into the crowd. Walker said having an abortion improved her life dramatically. "My husband and I were married for barely a year when I found out," said Walker. "We had no jobs, we're both in grad school. This is before the Affordable Care Act, so no health insurance ... so I had an abortion." Walker said having an abortion allowed her to finish her degree, without the burden of raising a child and going to school. She said it also allowed her and her husband to decided when they were ready to have kids. Three years later, they did. "I mean, there's so many reasons why women choose to have abortions, and it's not just people who have accidental pregnancies," said Walker. "But I could not have afforded to take care of a child. ... We would not have had the life that we have and we would not have the two children that we have." The group marched all the way to Monroe Park as they continued their refrain. "Bans off ... our bodies," they screamed. Having already spent $5.5 billion and more than four years building a natural gas pipeline through Southwest Virginia, the developers are now asking for another four years to finish the job. In a letter Friday to federal regulators, Mountain Valley Pipeline requested that it be given until Oct. 13, 2026, to complete a 303-mile pipeline that has encountered fierce opposition at every turn since it was first proposed in 2014. Court rulings striking down government-issued permits for the pipeline, prompted by lawsuits from environmentalists, made it clear that construction would not be completed by this Oct. 13, a deadline set two years ago by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Due to the ongoing litigation, Mountain Valley wrote in a letter to FERC, it is requesting an extension to allow it to work cooperatively with all affected stakeholders and permit agencies to complete construction and achieve final restoration. Despite a continual barrage of attacks from Project opponents, Mountain Valley remains committed to completing this critical infrastructure project, Matthew Eggerding, assistant general counsel for the company, wrote in the letter to FERC secretary Kimberly Bose. Although Mountain Valley is seeking another four years, spokeswomen Natalie Cox said that the joint venture of five energy companies still hopes the pipeline will be in service by late next year. Opponents say time has already run out on a flawed concept. Construction of the buried 42-inch diameter pipe has marred scenic landscapes and clogged pristine streams with muddy runoff, they say, and its environmental footprint will only deepen when it begins to deliver natural gas that will help fuel a climate change crisis. This project is a dinosaur and should go extinct in 2022, said David Sligh, conservation director of Wild Virginia. When plans were first announced for the pipeline which will run from northern West Virginia through the New River and Roanoke valleys to connect with an existing pipeline near the North Carolina line the goal was to have it completed by the winter of 2018, at a cost of $3.7 billon. The projected cost has now grown to $6.6 billon, and the expected completion date has been pushed back more than a half-dozen times. With key permits thrown out by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, construction is currently stalled, with the exception of erosion control and stabilization of the pipelines 125-foot wide right of way. Mountain Valley is in the process of seeking renewed authorizations from several government agencies. Despite the mounting problems, Mountain Valley indicated in its letter to FERC that it still has the support of its partners and investors. A deadline extension from FERC would provide necessary clarity and certainty to stakeholders and benefit the landowners, the environment, project shippers and end-users of natural gas, the letter stated. In addition, the project remains fully subscribed under binding long-term agreements. FERC first approved the pipeline in 2017, finding there was a public need for the 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas that it would transport at high pressure. Mountain Valley was given a three-year certificate, which expired Oct. 13, 2020. After lawsuits began to slow construction, the company was given another two years, which runs out in October. It asked FERC to rule on its second request to extend the deadline another four years by Aug 8. Similar delays have been approved for other natural gas projects, it said. Mountain Valley stands ready to complete the remaining construction as soon as practicable, it said in the letter. The company says construction is 94% complete, although opponents dispute that figure and contend that an overly optimistic picture is being painted for regulators and investors. Mountain Valley Pipeline does not deserve another pass to harm the communities and water resources of Appalachia, said Jessica Sims, Virginia field coordinator for Appalachian Voices, which has joined Wild Virginia and other groups in legal challenges. MVPs request for a 4-year certificate extension runs counter to May 2022 statements from a major equity holder in the project, Equitrans, which touted project completion in 2023, Sims said in a statement. No matter how much time MVP asks for, it does not change the likelihood that the project can be built legally or safely, so FERC should deny this extension request. Mountain Valley counters that geo-political forces such as the war in Ukraine have only increased an existing demand for natural gas. As our nation transitions to a lower-carbon future, natural gas infrastructure will continue to play a critical role in transporting our abundant supply of domestically produced energy, supporting our current energy needs, and helping to solidify Americas energy independence, Cox wrote in an email. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. I watched one of my favorite movies the other night, Quo Vadis. Despite the cheesy costumes and over the top acting, it has important historical value, in that it describes a critical but faded episode of inhumanity: The persecution of Christians. We know about it, we have some vague memories of the people who had to dance around the lions in the Colosseum, but the events are generally filed under news too old to care about. Except, the news too old to care about is todays headline. No lions, no Colosseum, just the massacre of Nigerian Catholics in a church on Pentecost Sunday, 2022. Nigeria is a country whose Christians have been under assault for over a decade. According to the website Genocide Watch, over 45,000 Christians have been assassinated in the last 13 years, making that country the most dangerous in Africa for members of the faith. Catholics are in particular danger, because we represent a large percentage of Christians in the country and attract most of the attention. This time, they waited until the worshippers entered St. Francis Church in Owo, Ondo State, and then started shooting at them from both inside and outside of the building. Reports state that some of the attackers were disguised as parishioners. Some have attributed the assault to random violence. But dont be misled. The history of anti-Christian violence in Nigeria is a part of the fabric of the nation, something that mirrors a similar wave of persecution that has engulfed much of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Central America. A lot of it is fueled by a particularly extreme and virulent form of Islam, such as that practiced by the Boko Haram in Nigeria and ISIS in the Middle East. Some of it is rooted in hostility toward the social justice mission of many Christian churches, such as those who evangelize against gang violence in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala. In my 25 years practicing immigration law, Ive handled a lot of asylum cases. But the ones that cause me the largest number of sleepless nights are the ones that involve religious persecution. Just this past week we were successful in obtaining asylum for a Catholic youth leader from El Salvador who had a gun held to his head as he was counseling young boys in church. He was told that if he didnt stop trying to keep the boys from joining Mara Salvatrucha, the most violent gang in that country, he would end up like Romero. That was a clear reference to the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero who was assassinated at the altar while celebrating Mass in San Salvador over 40 years ago. Ive also represented Protestant preachers whove been kidnapped, threatened and in one case orphaned (mother and father murdered) because of their ministries in Honduras and China. The most heart-wrenching case was that of a young Salvadoran woman who was raped by her boyfriend, a police officer, and became pregnant. When he demanded that she abort the child, she refused because of her Catholic beliefs, at which point he beat her so severely that she miscarried. And when she tried to report him to his fellow police officers, she was told that she should have gotten an abortion (this, in a country that sacrificed martyrs for the church). Somehow, these stories rarely make it up through the media magma, the dense layers of preferences that the people who run the newspapers and cable networks impose on the rest of us. The fact that someone thinks she was assaulted by Bill Cosby in 1975 is more interesting, they think, than the stories of missionaries being kidnapped in Haiti. People Magazine will give its cover over to the juicy details of Meghan Markles latest grievance, while the massacred bodies of churchgoers will make it to page 5 of the Washington Post. The truth is uncomfortable, but its still the truth. The vast majority of Christians persecuted for religious reasons are killed by non-Christians, including Muslims, Hindus and Chinese atheists. The statistics are quite clear on this, even though Amnesty International (which thinks that abortion is a human right) will try and avoid naming names. And Ill go even further. The last acceptable prejudice in America is anti-Catholicism. Its not persecution, but the level to which it infects our current society is insidious. Instead of cracking jokes about how misogynistic, bigoted and backwards Christians are, it might be a better idea to notice the bleeding bodies. Flowers, an attorney, is a columnist for the Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. SANTIAGO, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chilean authorities have seized 419 kilos of cocaine, the largest single cache uncovered so far this year, as the government steps up its fight against organized crime, the Interior and Public Security Ministry said on Friday. Authorities also arrested two suspects hiding the shipment in a truck that entered the South American country through its northern border with Bolivia and was headed toward the capital Santiago. According to the militarized police, the cache was valued at almost 11 million U.S. dollars. At a press conference, Interior and Public Security Minister Izkia Siches said authorities are working on a legislative agenda to provide police with better tools to improve intelligence work. "We are convinced that organized crime must be confronted with the full force of a coordinated state," Siches told reporters at the militarized police crime laboratory. The official also announced the reactivation of the advisory council against organized crime, along with the addition of new public agencies to help track illicit financial flows. " " This partial view of the Mandelbrot set, possibly the world's most famous fractal, shows step four of a zoom sequence: The central endpoint of the "seahorse tail" is also a Misiurewicz point. Wolfgang Beyer/(CC BY-SA 3.0) Fractals are a paradox. Amazingly simple, yet infinitely complex. New, but older than dirt. What are fractals? Where did they come from? Why should I care? Unconventional 20th century mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot created the term fractal from the Latin word fractus (meaning irregular or fragmented) in 1975. These irregular and fragmented shapes are all around us. At their most basic, fractals are a visual expression of a repeating pattern or formula that starts out simple and gets progressively more complex. Advertisement One of the earliest applications of fractals came about well before the term was even used. Lewis Fry Richardson was an English mathematician in the early 20th century studying the length of the English coastline. He reasoned that the length of a coastline depends on the length of the measurement tool. Measure with a yardstick, you get one number, but measure with a more detailed foot-long ruler, which takes into account more of the coastline's irregularity, and you get a larger number, and so on. Carry this to its logical conclusion and you end up with an infinitely long coastline containing a finite space, the same paradox put forward by Helge von Koch in the Koch Snowflake. This fractal involves taking a triangle and turning the central third of each segment into a triangular bump in a way that makes the fractal symmetric. Each bump is, of course, longer than the original segment, yet still contains the finite space within. Weird, but rather than converging on a particular number, the perimeter moves towards infinity. Mandelbrot saw this and used this example to explore the concept of fractal dimension, along the way proving that measuring a coastline is an exercise in approximation [source: NOVA]. If fractals have really been around all this time, why have we only been hearing about them in the past 40 years or so? South Carolina planned to file motions immediately to overturn injunctions against the states 2021 Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act after Fridays U.S. Supreme Court ruling that eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion, Gov. Henry McMaster said. South Carolina lawmakers passed the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act in 2021. McMaster signed it into law. South Carolina abortion providers quickly sought an injunction which was granted by the Fourth Circuit Judge of Appeals. The act bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which typically occurs six weeks after the mothers last menstrual period. Many women dont realize they are pregnant in the first six weeks. It does permit abortions after the six-week period if the mothers life is endangered, in the case of certain fatal fetal anomalies and if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. McMaster vowed to begin working with members of the General Assembly to determine the best solution for protecting the lives of unborn South Carolinians. Todays Supreme Court ruling is a resounding victory for the Constitution and for those who have worked for so many years to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us, McMaster said in a written statement. District 31 State Sen. Mike Reichenbach, R-Florence, praised the Supreme Courts Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling the 6-3 decision that overturned Roe V. Wade. Its one of those praise God kind of moments. In my perspective, innocent lives are now going to be saved and Gods love and creation is going to be protected, Reichenbach said in a phone interview Friday. Its an incredibly personal matter for me. Reichenbachs birth mother was pregnant at 14. People encouraged her to have an abortion, he said. Instead, she chose to continue the pregnancy and the baby was adopted. That ended up being my life, he said. Im so grateful for the opportunity for life, and Im excited that others will have that now. Reichenbach and his wife, Charisse, also adopted their son. It was a similar situation, Reichenbach said. His teenage birth mother chose his life and because of that we have a wonderful son and we were able to adopt him. I am really grateful that innocent lives are now going to be saved. Truly, Gods love and creation is going to be protected. Im overwhelmed. Reichenbach said he hopes state lawmakers will gather soon in a special session to determine the best solution to protect the lives of unborn South Carolinians. I sure hope we go back into session to address this. Every day we delay could be an additional day that we could be protecting the unborn and protecting Gods creation in the life he has created, Reichenbach said. South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick praised the Supreme Courts ruling, calling it a victory for life everywhere. The pro-life movement has been working for decades to educate and motivate folks to stand for the unborn, and well continue to do just that in this new life after Roe. Today is further proof that elections have consequences. Who we elect as president matters because judicial nominations matter. And today, the highest court in the land ruled that life in the womb matters, McKissick said. U.S. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., called the Supreme Courts decision a long-overdue constitutional correction. Flawed legal theory created Roe V. Wade and it gave unlimited legal power to five Supreme Court justices, he said. I believe it was one of the largest power grabs in the history of the Supreme Court, he said. Under the Roe theory, almost anything could be a constitutional right depending on the views of five justices on substantive due process. Elected state officials will decide the issue of life the same way the issue was handled until 1973. The decision represents a constitutional reset, Graham said. Finally, all these decades of toiling in the vineyards fighting for judges has paid off. I am glad to have done my part in this cause, he said. I also appreciate President Trumps leadership in nominating conservative justices. South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson said the Supreme Courts decision pits states against states and creates difficult barriers to abortions for women and families in states controlled by Republicans. Elections have consequences, and it will be up to voters to push back on the GOPs single-minded focus to gain control over your body by voting in November. South Carolina Democrats believe all people have the right to their own health-care choices. We will continue to fight. Florence County Democratic Party Chairman Isaac Wilson said the Supreme Court declared war on women and the right to privacy with the Dobbs V. Jackson ruling. We know that many women may be feeling a lot of things right now hurt, anger, confusion. Whatever you feel is OK. Were here with you and well never stop fighting for you, Wilson said in a statement to the Morning News. The Supreme Courts ruling creates a nasty, ugly, dirty stain on the fabric of our Nation, he said. I am outraged by the Supreme Courts decision. As a pro-choice Democrat, Ill never back down from this fight. Women must be able to make their own health-care decisions, not politicians. The Supreme Court, Wilson said, has made it easier to own a gun, gave police the ability to not read Miranda rights and overturned Roe V Wade after 50 years. Where the courts once protected the marginalized in our communities, we now need political leaders to protect us from this radical far right court. Its a devastating day in our nations history, Wilson said. The South Carolina Democratic Partys nominee for governor Joe Cunningham called Friday a dark day in American history. The four walls of a doctors office simply arent big enough for a woman, her partner, her doctor and the government. But the government has decided to force themselves in anyway, he said. Gov. McMaster and radical politicians in Columbia have already pledged to ban all abortions in South Carolina with no exceptions for rape, incest or life of the mother. The only thing standing in the way of this Draconian reality is my veto pen. As governor, I wont hesitate to use that pen to stand up for women and their right to control their own bodies. Seguin, TX (78155) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 97F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 73F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Sontos gather for an event marking Anson Lo's Mr. Stranger solo song in March, 2022, in Singapore. (PHOTOS: Anson Lo Hon Ting International Fan Club in Singapore) SINGAPORE Singapore fans of popular Hong Kong idol Anson Lo from boyband Mirror are giving back to needy families in a big way to celebrate his upcoming 27th birthday. On Sunday (26 June), Los fans or Sontos (devotees in Cantonese) from the Anson Lo Hon Ting International Fan Club in Singapore will begin a week-long food donation drive. The fan club is partnering with The Food Bank Singapore, a food charity that sources and collects over 800,000kg of food per year for 360 beneficiary organisations, such as family service centres, soup kitchens, and schools with children from low-income families. The food drive, dubbed the "Anson Lo & Sontos Global Giving", will be kickstarted by a private screening of Showbiz Spy, a 2021 movie featuring Los film debut, at The Projector where some 50 Sontos are expected to attend. It will be the largest event organised by the fan club since its formation last year, said spokesperson Gigi Chan, 40, and will be held in partnership with fan clubs in 10 other countries and territories. During the week, Sontos are encouraged to contribute non-perishable food with at least a month left before their expiry dates, such as canned food, biscuits, drinks like coffee and Milo, and staples like rice, in accordance with The Food Bank Singapore's wishlist. They can bring their donations to the private screening. Alternatively, Sontos and members of the public can contact the fan club via Instagram during the week to donate food. The drive will conclude on 2 July with a handover of the collected food items to The Food Bank Singapore, five days before Lo turns 27. When asked about the target for the drive, Chan said the fan club aims to collect as many items as possible but it is mindful of the ongoing rising food prices in Singapore. Most of us are very fortunate to live in an environment and not worry about not having enough food on our tablewe hope to help reduce food insecurities by doing our little part in this charity event, said the graphic designer. Story continues Sonto Canny Wong, who emigrated from Hong Kong to Singapore in 1993, said she will be bringing her two daughters, aged 10 and 13, to participate in the drive and show them that they can do good deeds while pursuing their interests. I think it is a great chance that we give back to society as sometimes we are so busy with work and family, and there is not much motivation for us to do so, said the 43-year-old primary school teacher, who became a Sonto last July after chancing upon Lo in the Hong Kong remake of the Japanese boys love drama Ossans Love. Wong is one of some 70 Sontos belonging to the Singapore fan club whose members are mostly aged between 30 and 50, while a handful is as young as four years old. Lilianna Mok, 5, who is one of them, plans to donate Milo, one of her favourite drinks, to the drive. Her mother, Lilian Mok, who is also a Sonto, said her young daughter loves Los recent hits and dances to King Kong, Mr Stranger and Megahit. Liliannas Cantonese vocabulary has improved a lot and she enjoys Cantonese music, added the HR specialist and Singapore permanent resident in her mid-thirties. Sontos are looking forward to meeting each other, some for the first time, during the food drive. For months, due to COVID-19 safe management measures in Singapore, they could only gather in small groups or over Zoom meetings. Despite the lack of physical interaction with fellow fans, Sontos like Michelle Tan, who is in her mid-30s, said Lo has helped her through tough times during the pandemic. The Singaporean nurse, who works in the public healthcare sector, said Los catchy music and daily Instagram interactions brought her joy and immense strength to pull through the extremely challenging days as a healthcare worker. Like many Sontos here, Tan, who is also participating in the food drive, said she wishes to fly to Hong Kong to meet her idol one day. Travelling to the city is challenging for her due to its current strict pandemic restrictions, she added. I would love to be able to fly to Hong Kong to just immerse in the vibes of turning every corner seeing him on billboards, advertisements on buses, and in malls. Of course, being able to see him in real life would be such a breathtaking moment, she quipped. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore CEDAR RAPIDS -- Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that 50 years ago established the fundamental right to abortion, Iowa lawmakers are free to dramatically reduce or outlaw the procedure in the state. The reversal of the 1973 case puts the power back into the states hands to decide the future of abortion access for its residents, meaning the rulings impact will vary state to state. According to the Guttmacher Institute, at least 26 states are certain or likely to ban abortion in the near future. In Iowa where Republican leadership has attempted for years with some success to restrict abortion access to the procedure is likely at risk. Iowa Republicans, including Gov. Kim Reynolds, heralded the ruling and vowed to continue to protect the unborn. No restrictions went into effect in Iowa with the court ruling, and abortion remains legal in the state up until 20 weeks. Planned Parenthood clinics across Iowa and the Emma Goldman Clinic in Iowa City remain open and patient care continues. However, thats not true for other states. Trigger laws in North Dakota and South Dakota, passed in anticipation of the ruling, went into effect Friday, news reports showed. Iowa GOP applauds ruling Reynolds lauded the court for upholding the enduring truth that all human beings, without exception, are created equal. By that measure, todays historic decision is clearly one such moment, Reynolds said in a statement. But the fight for life is not over. As governor, I wont rest until every unborn Iowan is protected and respected. Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Harford, echoed Reynolds, stating the court restored a fundamental truth Iowa Republicans have always known life is precious. Iowa House Republicans will continue to protect the innocent lives of unborn children," Grassley said in a statement. Reynolds and legislative leaders did not respond to messages Friday as to whether they would call a special session of the Iowa Legislature to take up a new abortion law. Republican leaders in the Legislature previously have pushed for further abortion restrictions in Iowa. In 2020, they passed a proposal which was signed into law that enacted a 24-hour waiting period before obtaining an abortion. The federal ruling also follows the Iowa Supreme Court decision last week to overturn a 2018 ruling that the states constitution had provided a fundamental right to abortion. In the 182-page ruling released June 17, Justice Edward Mansfield wrote the previous ruling "insufficiently recognizes that future human lives are at stake. It sent the case back to a lower court for reconsideration, but the decision was a dramatic reversal of precedent in Iowa. Other Republican policymakers reacted to Fridays news, praising the federal court. Im proudly and adamantly pro-life. This decision reflects the science, will save lives and rightly returns policymaking power back to the American people and their elected officials, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said in a statement. Republican Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley echoed Ernsts statement, describing the reversal as a correction of a flawed legal analysis. This ruling does not ban the practice of abortion but instead empowers the people, through their accountable elected representatives to make common sense policy decisions. It takes policymaking out of the hands of unelected judges, Grassley wrote. Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Marion said the decision will save countless lives. In Congress, I will continue to champion pro-life policies and work to support expecting mothers and their babies, Hinson said. Iowa Democrats vow to fight back To abortion providers and other supporters, the decision was a serious blow to womens reproductive freedoms. In a call with reporters, Planned Parenthood North Central States President and Chief Executive Office Sarah Stoesz described the ruling as devastating and a shattering moment for women. Politicians are now in charge of our bodies in ways that they were not yesterday, Stoesz said. Planned Parenthood, Iowas largest abortion provider, emphasized abortions are continuing in states where it remains legal to do so. Organization leaders say they are hiring more staff and funneling resources to those states in anticipation of an influx of women traveling from out of state to seek abortion. Weve been preparing for months and months to make sure that were able to care for patients, Stoesz said. ACLU of Iowa Legal Director Rita Bettis Austen said in the face of this shocking and dangerous decision, we will not give up the fight for abortion rights. Iowa Democrats vowed the fight to protect reproductive rights in Iowa is not over, stating Reynolds and Iowa Republicans will do everything in their power to outlaw abortion in our state. Iowa Democrats will continue to fight for every Iowans right to decide for themselves if, when, and with whom they want to have a family, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Ross Wilburn said during a Friday call with reporters. Today, when I woke up, I had freedom more than my mother had, said U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, Iowas lone Democrat in Congress. And in the middle of the day I now have less freedom than my mom had. This is not what America wants, Axne said. America has said clearly that womens choice womens ability to control their own health care decisions is strictly to be between themselves, their family and their doctor. According to the latest Gallup Poll, more than eight in 10 Americans believe abortion should be legal to some degree, and a majority did not want Roe v. Wade overturned. At the same time, the country remains far from unified on the extent to which abortion should be legal, according to Gallup. Democrats said Fridays ruling will not keep women from getting an abortion, but rather make abortions less safe for those without the means to travel to surrounding Midwestern states where abortion access has been upheld. So what this will do is just hinder American once again from opportunity from the decision to make their own health care decisions, from their ability to build their opportunities for their families and their careers, Axne said. She also pointed to a solo concurring opinion from Justice Clarence Thomas, stating the court should reconsider rulings protecting contraception, same-sex relationships and same-sex marriage. This is the tip of the iceberg for the Republican Party, and it starts with taking way the right that women have in this country, she said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man was sentenced Friday to more than 10 years in federal prison for selling methamphetamine out of a Morningside restaurant. William Thompson, 62, pleaded guilty in February in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 126 months in prison. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Thompson and others who worked at the Madonna Rose Cafe sold approximately 10 pounds of meth from 2019 through June 8, 2021. On four occasions, Thompson, a former co-owner of the business, sold meth out of the cafe to people who were cooperating with law enforcement. In June 2021, authorities executed a search warrant at the cafe at 4006 Morningside Ave. and seized approximately 1 pound of meth from Thompson. The cafe's current owners have posted on Facebook that Thompson has not been affiliated with the restaurant for some time, and the business is under new management with new partners and staff. SIOUX CITY Instant, divided reaction. Mere minutes passed after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade (throwing out a near half-century of legal precedent) before Siouxland legislators, faith leaders and activists offered different paths forward. Democratic candidate for House District 1 J.D. Scholten took to Twitter shortly after the Supreme Court issued its opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization calling it "dangerous." "Cant stop thinking about sisters, neighbors, nieces, daughters, etc and not having legal control of ones body," he said in a tweet. "Posting on Twitter might temporarily feel ok, but in order to protect women we need to organize!" U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, who defeated Scholten in 2020, also reacted on Twitter calling the ruling a "momentous day for the pro-life movement and pro-life Americans across our nation." "Since before I was elected to Congress, I have called for Roe v. Wade to be overturned, and after nearly fifty years, I am overjoyed that the sanctity of life has triumphed," he said. South Dakota's lone representative, Republican Dusty Johnson, tweeted: "I've never believed the Roe v. Wade decision - which was ultimately a personal privacy case - was a justification to take a human life. The unborn deserve protection." U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a member of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, said in a statement she is "proudly and adamantly pro-life" while Sen. Chuck Grassley called the high court's move a "well-reasoned" decision. Churches, clinics Bishop Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City said he is pleased with the direction of the state and federal judges. Although the recent actions of the federal and state supreme courts are good news to all who believe in the sanctity of life, there is much more work to be done, Nickless said in a statement. I ask all Catholics and all people of faith to continue to pray for an end to abortion in our state and our nation. Marion Miner, associate director of pro-life and family policy of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, agreed with Nickless. Nebraska is once again free to protect preborn babies from the lethal violence of the abortion industry, she said in a statement. She called upon Nebraska state lawmakers to enact legal protections from the moment of conception. Connie Ryan, Executive Director of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, said the ruling sets the nation down a dangerous path. She also said the court is betraying religious freedom. "The court has placed the lives and futures of Americans who are pregnant in the hands of politicians with extreme political agendas, rather than doing its job to protect the fundamental rights of Americans, she said in a statement. "True religious freedom means that anyone can seek care for themselves based on their own beliefs. The Court has forced a narrow set of religious beliefs on Americans, violating our nations commitment to individual liberties." In response, Planned Parenthood North Central States talked about the rolling back of individual liberties and rights and called the legal opinion harmful to "millions of people." "Because peoples right to access abortion is no longer guaranteed by federal law, it now depends on where you live and how much money you have to travel out of state for abortion care. Forced pregnancy is a grave violation of human rights and dignity," said Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. What's next for the states With the Supreme Court's move, abortions are now criminal acts in South Dakota. The Argus Leader reported, "South Dakota's long-pending "trigger law" banning voluntary termination of pregnancies has gone into effect." As for Nebraska: In January, Legislative Bill 933, introduced by State Sens. Joni Albrecht of Thurston and Mike Flood of Norfolk, would make it a felony for anyone to provide any medication or undertake any procedure with the intent of ending the life of an unborn child, defined as an individual living member of the species homo sapiens...from fertilization to full gestation and childbirth. The ruling is expected to disproportionately affect minority women who already face limited access to health care, according to statistics analyzed by The Associated Press. Thirteen states, mainly in the South and Midwest, already have so-called "trigger laws" on the books that were passed to limit abortion access in the event that Roe was overturned. Another half-dozen states have near-total bans or prohibitions after 6 weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. The Mississippi case in question, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, comes from then-Gov. Phil Bryant signing a 15-week abortion ban into law in March 2018 when Justices Anthony Kennedy and Ruth Bader Ginsburg were still members of a five-justice, abortion-maintaining majority. Sioux City, Iowa and beyond On June 17, the Iowa Supreme Court cleared the way for lawmakers to severely limit or even ban abortion in the state, reversing a decision by the court just four years ago that guaranteed the right to abortion under the Iowa Constitution. In the wake of the Iowa Supreme Court's decision, the Associated Press reported: "Iowa Department of Public Health data shows there were 4,058 abortions in Iowa in 2020 835 surgical abortions and 3,222 by medication. That was an increase over the previous year when 3,566 abortions were reported. Iowa averaged just under 3,500 abortions a year from 2015 to 2019." The story then noted that show Planned Parenthood performs about 95% of Iowa abortions and that surgical and medical abortions may be obtained in clinics in Des Moines and Iowa City while medication abortions are provided in other clinic locations including Sioux City, Council Bluffs and Ames. Planned Parenthood of the Heartland's Sioux City clinic shuttered its doors on June 30, 2017, after Iowa's Republican-controlled legislature approved $3 million in Medicaid funding cuts, which then-Gov. Terry Branstad signed into law before leaving office. The clinic then reopened in June 2020 with limited, in-person services such as STI testing and family planning, including birth control, IUD consultation and Depo shots (a form of injectable birth control). With the federal and state rulings, Iowa lawmakers could ban abortion in the state without completing the lengthy process of amending the state constitution. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Caitlin Yamada Education/County Reporter Follow Caitlin Yamada 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 BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- China has detailed measures to promote the development of Nansha District in the city of Guangzhou, in a bid to deepen comprehensive cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and expand the high-standard opening-up. The Nansha region will improve its technological innovation mechanism, public services and business environment, said Guo Lanfeng, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission during a briefing on Friday. By 2025, the region will seek to deepen industrial cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao and boost public services concerning business startups, education and health care, according to a guideline released by the State Council, China's cabinet. The guideline features synergetic development between the Nansha region and Hong Kong and Macao, and greater opening up in the GBA, Guo said. The guideline stated that, by 2035, major advancements will emerge in local innovation and industrial transformation systems, as well as the working and living environments, while the number of Hong Kong and Macao residents in Nansha is expected to increase significantly. While improving the region's business environment and expanding high-standard opening-up, China will make solid efforts to build Nansha into a key platform to facilitate comprehensive cooperation in the GBA, the guideline said. It added that the Nansha region will roll out measures to foster high-tech industries, support youth in business startups, improve global shipping and logistics, and facilitate regulatory convergence in the GBA. The latest move came as China has been pushing forward the development of Nansha, Macao's neighboring district Hengqin and Shenzhen's Qianhai, since an outline development plan for the GBA was unveiled in February 2019. "Hengqin focuses on serving Macao while Qianhai seeks to support Hong Kong," Guo said. He noted all the three regions aim to deepen the GBA's integration through exploration in key industries, thus expanding the development space of Hong Kong and Macao and sustaining their social and economic development. The Nansha region has gained growth impetus from the policy stimulus. In 2021, the Nansha region's GDP topped 200 billion yuan (about 30 billion U.S. dollars), with a total of 223 projects invested by the world's top 500 companies. More than 2,700 Hong Kong and Macao enterprises have settled in the district while the investment value amounted to 117 billion U.S. dollars, official data showed. The Nansha area will leverage its resources in linking domestic and international markets to enhance the GBA's advantages in international cooperation and competition, Guo added. SIOUX CITY More than 200 people stood outside the Sioux City Federal Building Friday protesting the U.S. Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Community members of all ages, political candidates and community activists spoke their thoughts on the court's opinion on a Mississippi case, Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Controlling peoples bodies during pregnancy is about enforcing white supremacy, patriarchy and ruling class power, said Karen Mackey, one of the people involved in the protest. Mackey said she was a teenager when Roe was decided 50 years ago. She said thousands of women in Sioux City, only know the right to reproductive freedom, and people must fight for that right to remain. Erin Carpenter of North Sioux City said the decision was a direct attack on women and she attended the protest on Friday to join others in using their voices to say this is not ok. We will not sit by while they continue to treat us like second-class citizens, she said. Signs stating our uterus, our choice, Stop the war on women, forced birth = violence were on display. Democratic candidate for House District 1 J.D. Scholten and Democratic candidate for U.S. House Iowa District 4 Ryan Melton both attended and spoke at the event. Scholten said there are other ways to lower the number of abortions such as universal healthcare, raising the minimum wage and investing in education. All these things Republicans down in Des Moines are not supporting, he said. This ban and making abortion illegal doesnt necessary solve the issue, it doesnt end abortions it just ends legal and safe abortions. Melton said people are asking for basic body autonomy and respect. Many of those who spoke said this decision could have consequences on other rights based on the idea of privacy, including same-sex marriage, contraception, interracial marriage. As a member of the LGBTQ community, we know theyre coming for us next, Mackey said. Theyre coming for us, they are coming for us all, we have to stand up for women, we must stand up for everyone. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, writing a concurring opinion, urged colleagues to take up other decisions including same-sex marriage. Prior to the start of the protest, a group of Pro-Life activists were outside the Woodbury County Courthouse, celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Paula Parmelee said the group of roughly 20 people was there to celebrate. We're celebrating to protect the lives of the unborn, those who have no voice, she said. She was a senior in high school in 1973 when Roe was affirmed. From a pro-life family, she said her heart was crushed. Since then, she has been a pro-life activist and has participated in the Life Runners organization since 2014. Michelle Delarm and Dorothy Arens said they are grateful and joyful for the decision. Both have volunteered for Marys Choice in Sioux City, and said they have seen women who regretted getting abortions. Marys Choice is a resource center with the mission to give men and women the knowledge, support and resources to choose life for their unborn child, according to the website. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Abortion care services in Iowa and Illinois remain legal but with the decision now left up for the states to decide, Iowa's abortion care services could be facing an uncertain future. Thats leaving residents of border communities like the Quad-Cities wondering whats next. The nearest and only clinic in Iowa to the Quad-City area offering abortion services is the Iowa City Planned Parenthood about an hour west. The other closest clinic to the Quad-Cities is about an hour and a half south located in Peoria, IL. In a news release, Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said that abortion services will remain legal in Iowa. For now. In Iowa, a woman seeking an abortion can receive one up until the 22-week mark, but the future remains uncertain in a post-Roe reality. In 2018, Iowa lawmakers approved a ban after six week but it was struck down by a state court. Opponents of abortion in the Iowa statehouse will almost certainly seek to reinstate that law. "Because people's right to access abortion is no longer guaranteed by federal law, it now depends on where you live and how much money you have to travel out of state for abortion care," Stoesz said in a statement. "Forced pregnancy is a grave violation of human rights and dignity." But On June 17th the Iowa Supreme Court reduced a level of abortion protection by ruling that the states constitution does not include a fundamental right to an abortion, reviving a law that requires women seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours after an initial appointment before getting an abortion. Legal Director for ACLU of Iowa Rita Bettis Austen said in a news statement that the impact of Roe v. Wade and the recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling could potentially lead to stricter abortion bans but that the ACLU of Iowa remains committed to working to ensure that people in Iowa are able to keep access to abortion services. Quad Cities National Organization for Women released a statement saying they are outraged at the Supreme Courts decision and that no women should have to risk her life making personal, life-altering medical decisions. During a Zoom news conference, PPH of North Central States Chief Medical Officer Doctor Sarah Traxler said they are continuing to recruit and onboard new physicians in Iowa to meet the demand of those seeking an abortion and hiring more patient navigators for those having to travel out-of-state and increasing support resources. Abortion services in Illinois will remain legal. Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois Action said they expect every state that borders Illinois to quickly move to ban or severely restrict abortion access. Welch said doors are open at all 17 Planned Parenthood locations in Illinois as they continue to expand abortion access for patients regardless of where they are forced to travel from. Tens of thousands of people are now facing a terrible dilemma, Welch said. Flee to a state like Illinois to get an abortion, carry a pregnancy against their will or seek an illegal means to end their pregnancy. In 2017, state lawmakers passed with then-Gov. Bruce Rauner signing House Bill 40 into law that repealed an old "trigger" provision in a state statute that would have reverted Illinois to pre-Roe criminalizing abortion. In 2019, Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act that codifies into state law the fundamental right to an abortion. Illinois remains one of 16 states to codify the right into law and the only Midwestern state to do so. At a news conference today, Pritzker said that Illinois will remain a safe haven for reproductive rights and that Roe v. Wade will remain law as long as Illinois continues to have a pro-choice legislature and pro-choice governor. To help address the influx of out-of-state patients, Pritzker did not specifiy what measures he would like the legislature to take up during the special session but said it would include expanding the availability of health care professionals, and allowing advanced practice clinicians and physician assistants to perform in-clinic abortions. This story will be updated. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Abortion foes, supporters map next moves after Roe reversal CHARLESTON, W. Va. (AP) A Texas group that helps women pay for abortions halted its efforts Saturday while evaluating its legal risk under a strict state ban. Mississippi's only abortion clinic continued to see patients while awaiting a 10-day notice that will trigger a ban. Elected officials across the country vowed to take action to protect women's access to reproductive health care, and abortion foes promised to take the fight to new arenas. A day after the Supreme Court's bombshell ruling overturning Roe v. Wade ended the constitutional right to abortion, emotional protests and prayer vigils turned to resolve as several states enacted bans and both supporters and opponents of abortion rights mapped out their next moves. In Texas, Cathy Torres, organizing manager for Frontera Fund, a group that helps pay for abortions, said there is a lot of fear and confusion in the Rio Grande Valley near the U.S.-Mexico border, where many people are in the country without legal permission. That includes how the state's abortion law, which bans the procedure from conception, will be enforced. Under the law, people who help patients get abortions can be fined and doctors who perform them could face life in prison. We are a fund led by people of color, who will be criminalized first, Torres said, adding that abortion funds like hers that have paused operations hope to find a way to safely restart. We just really need to keep that in mind and understand the risk. Supreme Court conservatives flex muscle in sweeping rulings WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court's sweeping rulings on guns and abortion sent an unmistakable message. Conservative justices hold the power and they are not afraid to use it to make transformative changes in the law, none more so than taking away a woman's right to abortion that had stood for nearly 50 years. No more half measures, they declared Friday in overturning Roe v. Wade and allowing states to outlaw abortion. And the day before, in ruling for the first time that Americans the right to carry handguns in public for self-defense, they said the Constitution is clear. A restless and newly constituted Court, is how Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of three liberals on the nine-member court, described her colleagues earlier in June. The abortion case in particular was a repudiation of the more incremental approach favored by Chief Justice John Roberts. The decisions in the blockbuster cases on consecutive days were the latest and perhaps clearest manifestation of how the court has evolved over the past six years a product of historical accident and Republican political brute force from an institution that leaned right, but produced some notable liberal victories, to one with an aggressive, 6-3 conservative majority. Biden signs landmark gun measure, says 'lives will be saved' WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden on Saturday signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise that seemed unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school. "Time is of the essence. Lives will be saved, he said in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Citing the families of shooting victims he has met, the president said, "Their message to us was, Do something. How many times did we hear that? Just do something. For Gods sake, just do something. Today we did. The House gave final approval Friday, following Senate passage Thursday, and Biden acted just before leaving Washington for two summits in Europe. Today we say, More than enough, Biden said. Its time, when it seems impossible to get anything done in Washington, we are doing something consequential." The legislation will toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders and help states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged to be dangerous. Russia fires missiles across Ukraine, cements gains in east KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian forces were seeking to swallow up the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the eastern Luhansk region, pressing their momentum after taking full control Saturday of the charred ruins of Sievierodonetsk and the chemical plant where hundreds of Ukrainian troops and civilians had been holed up. Russia also launched dozens of missiles on several areas across the country far from the heart of the eastern battles. Some of the missiles were fired from Russian long-range Tu-22 bombers deployed from Belarus for the first time, Ukraine's air command said. The bombardment preceded a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, during which Putin announced that Russia planned to supply Belarus with the Iskander-M missile system. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said late Saturday that Russian and Moscow-backed separatist forces now control Sievierodonetsk and the villages surrounding it. He said the attempt by Ukrainian forces to turn the Azot plant into a stubborn center of resistance had been thwarted. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk province, said Friday that Ukrainian troops were retreating from Sievierodonetsk after weeks of bombardment and house-to-house fighting. He confirmed Saturday that the city had fallen to Russian and separatist fighters, who he said were now trying to blockade Lysychansk from the south. The city lies across the river just to the west of Sievierodonetsk. 'Mitt Romney Republican' is now a potent GOP primary attack SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Mitt Romney isn't up for reelection this year. But Trump-aligned Republicans hostile toward the Utah senator have made his name a recurring theme in this year's primaries, using him as a foil and derisively branding their rivals Mitt Romney Republicans." Republicans have used the concept to frame their primary opponents as enemies of the Trump-era GOP in southeast Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The anti-tax group Club For Growth, among the most active super PACs in this year's primaries, used Mitt Romney Republican as the central premise of an attack ad in North Carolina's Senate primary. But nowhere are references to Romney Republicanism as common as they are in Utah. Despite his popularity with many residents here, candidates are repeatedly deploying Mitt Romney Republican as a campaign trail attack in the lead-up to Tuesdays Republican primary. There are two different wings in the Republican Party, Chris Herrod, a former state lawmaker running in suburban Utahs 3rd Congressional District, said in a debate last month. If youre more aligned with Mitt Romney and Spencer Cox, he added, referring to Utahs governor, then Im probably not your guy. Pope hails families, blasts 'culture of waste' after Roe ROME (AP) Pope Francis celebrated families Saturday and urged them to shun selfish decisions that are indifferent to life as he closed out a big Vatican rally a day after the U.S. Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion. Francis didnt refer to the ruling or explicitly mention abortion in his homily. But he used the buzzwords he has throughout his papacy about the need to defend families and to condemn a culture of waste that he believes is behind the societal acceptance of abortion. Let us not allow the family to be poisoned by the toxins of selfishness, individualism, today's culture of indifference and waste, and as a result lose its very DNA, which is the spirit of welcoming and service, he said. The pope, noting that some couples allow their fears and anxieties to thwart the desire to bring new lives in the world, called for them not to cling to selfish desires. You have been asked to not have other priorities, not to look back to miss your former life, your former freedom, with its deceptive illusions, he said. Guns and abortion: Contradictory decisions, or consistent? They are the most fiercely polarizing issues in American life: abortion and guns. And two momentous decisions by the Supreme Court in two days have done anything but resolve them, firing up debate about whether the courts conservative justices are being faithful and consistent to history and the Constitution or citing them to justify political preferences. To some critics, the rulings represent an obvious, deeply damaging contradiction. How can the court justify restricting the ability of states to regulate guns while expanding the right of states to regulate abortion? The hypocrisy is raging, but the harm is endless, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday after the court released its decision on abortion. To supporters, the courts conservatives are staying true to the countrys founding principles and undoing errors of the past. The court corrected a historic wrong when it voided a right to abortion that has stood for nearly 50 years, former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday. On Twitter, he said the decision returned to Americans the power to govern themselves at the state level in a manner consistent with their values and aspirations. Guns in paradise: Ruling could undo strict Hawaii carry law HONOLULU (AP) Megan Kau takes occasional weeklong hunting trips to the Hawaiian island of Lanai, where she enjoys watching the sunrise and hearing the distant rustle of deer and mouflon sheep in the tropical wilderness, a rifle ready at her side. As a gun owner, she also goes to shooting ranges several times a year. Those outings are the only times the attorney and Oahu native sees others with guns in this tourist mecca where strict laws make it harder to purchase firearms and restrict carrying loaded guns in public. Thursdays U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning New York's concealed weapon law will likely change things in Hawaii, too, where it's now highly unusual to see people carrying loaded weapons in public. Some say the change will lead to more gun violence in a state that traditionally sees very little. In 2020, Hawaii had the nation's lowest rate for gun deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Were culturally accepting, were racially accepting, Kau said. But within our culture, were fighters. We have passion. WHO panel: Monkeypox not a global emergency 'at this stage' LONDON (AP) The World Health Organization said the escalating monkeypox outbreak in more than 50 countries should be closely monitored but does not warrant being declared a global health emergency. In a statement Saturday, a WHO emergency committee said many aspects of the outbreak were unusual and acknowledged that monkeypox which is endemic in some African countries has been neglected for years. While a few members expressed differing views, the committee resolved by consensus to advise the WHO director-general that at this stage the outbreak should be determined to not constitute a global health emergency, WHO said in a statement. WHO nevertheless pointed to the emergency nature of the outbreak and said controlling its spread requires an "intense" response. The committee said the outbreak should be closely monitored and reviewed after a few weeks." But it would recommend a re-assessment before then if certain new developments emerge such as cases among sex workers; spread to other countries or within countries that have already had cases; increased severity of cases; or an increasing rate of spread. Norway shaken by attack that kills 2 during Pride festival OSLO, Norway (AP) A gunman opened fire in Oslos nightlife district early Saturday, killing two people and leaving more than 20 wounded in what the Norwegian security service called an "Islamist terror act" during the capitals annual LGBTQ Pride festival. Investigators said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, was arrested after opening fire at three locations in downtown Oslo. Police said two men, one in his 50s and and the other his 60s, died in the shootings. Ten people were treated for serious injuries, but none of them was believed to be in life-threatening condition. Eleven others had minor injuries. The Norwegian Police Security Service raised its terror alert level from "moderate" to extraordinary the highest level after the attack, which sent panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or trying to hide from the gunman. The service's acting chief, Roger Berg, called the attack an extreme Islamist terror act and said the suspect had a long history of violence and threats, as well as mental health issues. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 RENO, Nev. (AP) Counties across Nevada on Friday certified the last outstanding results of the states June 14 primary election after critics questioned the tallies by describing their own experiences at the polls and repeating conspiracy theories that nearly derailed certification in New Mexico last week. Esmeralda County, Nevadas least populated, became the last to certify its countywide results Friday night less than two hours before a midnight deadline. But it wasnt before two county commissioners and a few election workers spent more than seven hours hand-counting all 317 ballots in the courthouse in Goldfield an old mining town halfway between Las Vegas and Reno. Everything matches, Esmeralda County Commissioner Ralph Keyes said when he and Commissioner Timothy Hipp briefly reconvened to formally canvass the vote and approved it 2-0. Nevadas other 16 counties already had certified the primary results and sent their formal canvass report to the secretary state. The largest, Clark in Las Vegas and Washoe in Reno, were among those that provided their stamp of approval earlier Friday despite opposition from members of the public who made unsubstantiated claims about suspicions of fraud and manipulated voting machines. The process of counties certifying election results has historically been a routine and ministerial task, reviewing the work done by local election officials to verify the accuracy of the vote count. But these meetings have become the latest flashpoint in efforts to cast doubt on elections in the U.S. after a rural, Republican-led county in New Mexico last week initially refused to certify citing unspecified concerns about their voting equipment. In Esmeralda County, where a tie in a deadlocked election for the county commission in 2002 was broken by a draw from a deck of cards, some confusion over the tally for Nevada's unique option to vote for None of these candidates contributed to delays Friday night. District Attorney Robert Glennen told the commissioners when they convened Friday after postponing action scheduled Thursday that he found nothing in state law that either specifically permitted or prohibited them from doing a hand recount. Its a gray area. You guys do it if you want to do it, he said. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat seeking re-election in the western battleground state, hadnt decided how the state would proceed if any county refused to certify the results or missed Fridays 11:59 p.m. deadline because it had never happened before, his spokesman John Sadler said on Thursday. Sadler didn't immediately respond to requests for comment late Friday. In Reno, commissioners heard from several residents who said they objected to state law sending mail ballots to every registered voter. Some complained of receiving multiple ballots in their name or for people no longer living at their address, arguing this was proof of fraud and the election was corrupt. But there are multiple checks built into the system, including signature verification and ballot tracking to ensure that one person can only cast one ballot that is counted. Election officials said Friday they do not count more than one ballot. In Clark County, upset voters complained about a lack of transparency when ballots were tallied and problems with the state's voter rolls, including some who said their party affiliations were changed. Others talked about being directed to specific voting machines if they were registered as Republicans. Resident Charles Bossert said he received multiple ballots, but knew it was illegal to cast more than one so he only voted once. He asked commissioners to stand in the gap and do what is right. As a community, it feels like none of the votes count and democracy is dying in a lack of transparency, Bossert said. This is really a pivotal moment. County Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria reported more than half of the 288,683 ballots cast were by mail and only a fraction of 1% involved discrepancies that ranged from voters going to the wrong precinct to people changing their party affiliation after submitting a mail ballot. Helen Oseguera, a Republican candidate for county assessor, called the commissioners liars and cheaters. The audience erupted with boos after the unanimous vote to certify, and people promised court action to challenge the election. Commissioners in Nye County expressed what Chairman Frank Carbone called a little bit of concern about the process but approved the results on a 4-1 vote. Just too many issues, Vice Chairman Leo Blundo said as he cast the no vote. The 2020 election continues to dominate public discourse around voting and elections in the U.S., as Trump supporters and allies repeat claims without evidence that the presidency was stolen from Trump. At one point during the Washoe County debate, a woman in the audience chanted Biden cheated, Biden cheated! as a speaker mentioned former President Donald Trumps claims about a stolen election. One man wore a Biden is NOT my president cap while he urged commissioners not to certify. Nearly two hours after the meeting began, commissioners voted 4-1 to certify results. Even before the November 2020 election, Trump was telling his supporters that fraud was the only way he could lose, pointing mostly and without evidence to the expansion of mail-in voting during the pandemic. In the months since, the claims have been dismissed by dozens of judges, by Trumps attorney general at the time, and by a coalition of federal and state election and cybersecurity officials who called the 2020 vote the most secure in U.S. history. But the false claims prompted commissioners last week in rural Otero County, New Mexico, to initially refuse to certify results from their June 7 primary. After a showdown with the secretary of state and an order by the New Mexico Supreme Court to certify, the commissioners voted 2-1 to sign off on the election and avert a broader crisis. The delay in Nevada's Esmeralda County where Trump won 82% of the vote in 2020 occurred amid distrust by voters fueled by unfounded voting machine conspiracies that have spread in the U.S. over the past two years. Esmeralda County Clerk-Treasurer LaCinda Elgan said called the primary absolutely safe and fair. Election experts say hand-counting of ballots is not only less accurate but extremely labor-intensive, potentially delaying results by weeks if not months in larger counties. They also say its unnecessary because voting equipment is tested before and after elections to ensure ballots are read and tallied correctly. Under Nevada law, if there's a tie after a recount the winner is determined by lot a coin flip, roll of a die, draw of cards or straws. Democrat R.J. Gillum broke his 107-107 deadlock with Republican Delores Dee Honeycutt for Esmeralda County commissioner in November 2002 when each drew a jack from a deck in the courthouse in Goldfield but his was a spade, which trumped Honeycutt's diamond. This story has been corrected to show that Esmeralda County is Nevada's least-populated county, not smallest. Associated Press writers John Locher in Goldfield, Nevada, Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Christina Almeida Cassidy in Atlanta contributed to this report. Stern is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Abby Mills is not an artist. The 16-year-old, who attends Mercy High School in Omaha, doesnt take art classes there. She doesnt spend hours drawing in her free time. But once a year when the College World Series rolls into town, Mills shows off her artistic skills on the sidewalk next to the tailgaters in Lot D outside what now is Charles Schwab Field. Armed with chalk, Mills draws the logos of all eight teams that qualified for the CWS on individual sidewalk squares. The drawings are all freehand. Mills said she pulls up a photo of the teams logo on her phone and goes for it. For some teams, the logo is simply initials, such as ND for Norte Dame. For Arkansas, Mills drew a teeth-baring menacing Razorback. This year, Mills started drawing the logos at about 8:30 a.m. on Friday, June 17, and finished around noon. Her two sisters, Lily, 14, and Marly, 12, helped her color in the logos. The hardest part, she said, is drawing the logos in the heat, although her parents make sure she takes breaks. The logos still were intact Wednesday. Mills said she worries about getting tramped by fans while she draws the logos, but once theyre done, people go out of their way to avoid stepping on them. The chalk art began in 2017 when Mills and her sisters were bored at a tailgate. They used chalk to write out the names of all eight teams in the CWS. In 2019, Mills said, she started doing the team logos. I was shocked at my own artistic skills, Mills said of the results. Angie Mills, Abbys mom, said her daughter doesnt give herself enough credit. On occasion, she said, Abby will draw things for her high school or her sisters school, but its not as elaborate as what she does for the CWS. To prepare, Mills said, she has to go to multiple craft stores to make sure she has enough chalk in the right colors. This year, Mills said she watched the regionals and super regionals and cheered on teams based on their logos. Do they have pretty colors? Does she want to draw the logo? Can she actually draw the logo? Mills favorite logo to draw this year was Stanford University, which features a tree and an S. Fans love the chalk art. Sometimes they will ask Mills to stop by their tailgate spot to draw a logo near them even if their team didnt make it into the series. Some fans have asked Mills if she pours water over the logos as teams are eliminated. Normally, Mother Nature takes care of that and washes away all the logos with rain. But this year, she poured water over the Texas logo after the Longhorns were eliminated. Its the only time Ive ever done it, Mills said. I thought, Why not? because Ive been waiting to do it, and the rain normally does it for me. Angie Mills said her family has had tickets to the CWS for 40 years, but now her daughters sidewalk chalk art is how people find them every year to reconnect. I think its cool people get so much joy out of seeing it, she said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 More than 1,000 people flocked to Omaha's Memorial Park on Friday to protest the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Roe v. Wade and to rally to keep abortion legal in Nebraska. They heard speeches urging them to not despair but to take action, and then they rallied for more than two hours along Dodge Street, filling the historic green bridge over Dodge and lining both sides of the street for several blocks, nearly from Happy Hollow Boulevard to Elmwood Park Road. The rally began at 5 p.m., and the crowd appeared to peak at about 6 p.m. Organizers, reporters and police estimated the crowd at least 1,000 and probably more. Passing drivers laid on their horns and many cheered, creating a raucous chorus as the protesters chanted, "My body, my choice," "Bans off our bodies" and "Keep abortion safe and legal." "We came out in droves," 26-year-old Brandy Moore said over the cacophony as she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other protesters on the pedestrian bridge. "And we are going to fight for our rights." Speakers reminded the crowd that abortion is still legal in Nebraska. They urged them to turn their emotion into action, and suggested several steps. Follow the organizations involved in Friday's rally, urged Brandi Bothe, co-chair of the Omaha Women's March. Those groups include Women's Fund of Omaha, Planned Parenthood, Omaha Women's March, I Be Black Girl, the ACLU of Nebraska and Nebraska Abortion Resources. Bothe also urged donations to organizations that provide resources and advocacy. "Contact your state senators," she said. "Call them. Email them. Write them." And, several speakers exhorted, vote for candidates who support abortion rights "Please get out and vote," pleaded Oglala-Lakota mental health therapist Grace Johnson of the Great Plains Action Society. "Tell your friends. Tell your young ones who are just turning 18. Please come out and vote." Jo Giles, executive director of the Women's Fund of Omaha, told the people to let the rage they felt Friday carry them through the summer, through a potential special session of the Nebraska Legislature, to November elections and beyond. "Let's win this fight again," Giles said. The rally in Memorial Park was just one that occurred across Nebraska and the country Friday. In Lincoln, 300 to 400 people filled the sidewalks and spilled onto Lincoln Mall across 10th Street as they listened to a handful of speakers less than five blocks from the State Capitol, according to the Lincoln Journal Star. Attendees waved signs, both printed and homemade, that expressed anger at the decision, the Supreme Court and Republican politicians, as well as support for other women. In downtown Omaha, about 60 anti-abortion supporters gathered outside of the Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse Friday evening for a rally organized by Nebraskans Embracing Life and the Pro-Life Action League. The energy of the crowd was celebratory and smiles and cheers abounded as a chant of we love babies broke out at the start of the rally. Some attendees waved American flags and others held signs with messages such as Unborn Children are Humans Too and Nebraska is a Pro-Life State. Martin Cannon, senior counsel for the Thomas More Society, a nationwide anti-abortion law firm, spoke to the crowd about the magnitude of the Supreme Courts decision. It's a very great day, Cannon said. Roe v. Wade was an act of lawlessness, we've been saying that forever. It corrupted our courts and as a country it damaged our soul. It taught millions, most of them young, that due process is not for everyone, that equal protection is not for everyone. Deanna Pierre of Bellevue said she was amazed and delighted at the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade after nearly 50 years. I know its at the state level now, but at least its not mandated nationally, Pierre said. Virgil Patlan, a retired Omaha police officer and longtime South Omaha resident, said he knows many abortion rights supporters are angry at the Supreme Courts decision, but hopes both sides can find a way to come together to support alternatives to abortion. I'm not gloating, but I'm happy, Patlan said. We've been praying for this day for a long time. At Memorial Park, people expressed a range of emotions with their voices and signs. "Today is not about defeat," Bothe told the crowd. "Today is about hope. Today is about banding together. And take a look around ... this should let every one of us know that you are not in this fight alone, we are not going anywhere, and we will not back down." Mindy Gilmore, 46, of Omaha, said she felt fury when the expected Supreme Court ruling came down Friday. She held a sign with a drawing of a brick wall between a Supreme Court and a Bible. "Build this wall," the sign read. "Fear," said her daughter, Ruth Gilmore, 20, who made the sign. "And sadness." The Gilmores, standing with a couple hundred protesters still persisting beside Dodge Street after a rainfall nearly two hours into the rally, said the crowd and the warm reception of people driving by lifted their hopes a little. "But unfortunately, we have a lot of conservative politicians in this state who often pay more attention to the people who are lining their pockets than the people who are out here making a difference in the world," Mindy Gilmore said. "And we can do all the protests we want but if people don't go out and vote for liberal candidates who support the right to abortion, then all the protests in the world aren't going to make any difference." Sara McRoberts, 39, of Omaha expressed the same sentiment about voting. She carried a sign that read, "I did not survive the plague just to go back to the dark ages." She said she joined the protest to "let Nebraskans know that this is an important issue to us, that abortion needs to stay legal in Nebraska." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Illinois lawmakers are reacting swiftly to Friday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. The ruling will force individual states to decide whether they will allow access to abortion. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act into law in 2019, guaranteeing unrestricted access to reproductive health care in the state. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois "I am outraged and horrified this outcome is a nightmare that robs women of their right to make their own choices about their healthcare and their bodies, and it paves the way for a nationwide abortion ban that Republicans have been seeking for decades," Duckworth said in a news release. "Millions of American families including my own have relied on Roe v. Wade for almost 50 years, and 70% of Americans believe it should remain the law of the land. The Supreme Court of the United States and the Justices who claimed Roe was 'settled law,' but then turned around and ruled otherwise, will as Justice Sotomayor said 'struggle to survive the stench' of this extreme decision." Duckworth said forcing a woman to give birth, even when the mothers life could be at risk, "is not only cruel, it will also be deadly." "I refuse to let my daughters grow up in a world with fewer rights than I had," Duckworth said. "As Republicans continue their march toward a nationwide abortion ban, I will do everything in my power to ensure that Illinois remains a safe haven for all women seeking reproductive care. It is as important as ever that the Senate acts to codify Roe v. Wade into law so that every American in every state has equal access to basic, necessary healthcare regardless of their skin color, zip code or income." U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois Durbin, who is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a statement on Twitter that he would hold a hearing next month "to explore the grim reality of a post-Roe America." "Todays decision eliminates a federally protected constitutional right that has been the law for nearly half a century," Durbin said. "As a result, millions of Americans are waking up in a country where they have fewer rights than their parents and grandparents. "The bottom line: on critical, personal choices involving a womans right to make reproductive decisions about her own body, do you trust her or the government? The Supreme Court now says a womans right to privacy does not extend to the most personal, private choice she'll ever face." Bustos called the ruling an attack on personal freedom and a "tragic day for freedom in America." "As a mother, a grandmother and a Catholic, I am gutted by the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade," Bustos said in a news release. "Make no mistake this ruling will cost lives and livelihoods, and its impact will be felt for generations to come. "In one fell swoop, six justices stripped away the rights of millions of Americans: Survivors of rape and incest are in danger; our medical privacy and autonomy are in jeopardy; and the Supreme Court has just legalized government-mandated pregnancies." State Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna McCombie applauded the Supreme Court's decision. "I think it's fair, I think its common sense," McCombie said. "It should be local control and we should let states decide what they want to do. It's not going to cause back-alley abortions and it is not going to cause the extremes my (Democrat) colleagues are describing. As much as I want it to, it is not going to ban abortions. It is going to allow states to decide to put parameters around abortion." McCombie said Illinois has anticipated the Supreme Court's decision for several years, leading to legislation like the 2019 Reproductive Health Act. "States have anticipated this decision because this decision makes sense," she said. "It should be states' rights. The decision would have come regardless of who is on the Supreme Court. "This isn't a game; we are talking about the life of a mother and the life of a child. (Republicans) don't believe there should be extremes. We don't believe there should be abortion up to nine months. I don't believe a 12-year-old girl should have autonomy over her body. I think (abortion access) sets it up for sex traffiking and rape victims. We need to do what's best for the children, not the parents." State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island Halpin said he was disappointed in the ruling. "For more than 50 years, women across our country have had the assurance they can safely and affordably obtain the best reproductive health care available," Halpin said. "I have supported and will continue to support women's health care choices as a right and believe this is not the final word on this issue as Illinois and other states now deal with the ruling's consequences." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 HONG KONG, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has published an official commemorative book to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in the book's foreword that the experiences and success stories of the interviewees vividly resonate with the theme of the 25th anniversary "A New Era -- Stability, Prosperity, Opportunity." The book "not only captures Hong Kong's impressive achievements over the past two and a half decades, it also underscores everyone's eager anticipation for a brighter future, Lam said. Looking ahead, Hong Kong will capitalize on the opportunities presented by the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and spare no effort in developing the Northern Metropolis for better integration into the national development, she said. The following are some highlights in the book. INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER Laura Cha Shih May-lung, chairperson of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) and a veteran in Hong Kong's financial sector for more than three decades, has full confidence in the sector's future development. She thinks that Hong Kong can withstand all challenges and maintain its status as an international financial center as long as it continues to capitalize on its unique advantage of leveraging support from the motherland while engaging the world, integrates into the national development, deepens its connection with the mainland's financial market, and develops green and sustainable finance. "Being a relatively small economy with a population of just over 7 million, Hong Kong would not have developed into the international financial center it is now without the strong backing of the mainland's continuous development," she said. Hong Kong, while maintaining its strengths, should ride on the mainland's development and make room for favorable conditions for boosting growth, said Cha. "We will continue to deepen our mutual market access with the mainland and expand the scope of investment products on both sides. By so doing, we will be able to cater for the needs of our country, and benefit from our integration into the national development," she added. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING CENTER Sabrina Chao, president of the Baltic and International Maritime Council, said under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong retains the common law system and the legal commonality is one of the pros that enables Hong Kong's maritime industry to thrive. The strength of the mainland lies in hardware, as the speed with which facilities are constructed is beyond compare, and there are talents in new economy and technology too, she said, adding that Hong Kong, on the other hand, has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the realm of shipping. She calls for "combining the mainland's manpower resources with the experience of Hong Kong shipowners for new measures that tie in with the development of the GBA and also for the benefit of the long-term development of the industry." Hong Kong's status as an international maritime center is already shipshape, but Chao has higher ambitions. The biggest challenge that lies ahead is "green shipping." She believes that with Hong Kong's vast experience, the maritime industry can offer great ideas and suggestions, and collaborate with the GBA in promoting environmental protection and related research and development. Chao is pleased that the HKSAR government has stepped up efforts in promoting the development of the maritime industry in recent years. Coupled with the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), which expressly supports Hong Kong in enhancing its status as an international transportation center, it is believed that new policies and measures are in the pipeline to help fuel the development of the maritime sector. INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER Victor Fung, chairman of the Fung Group, and his family have been trading in Hong Kong for over a century. With a profound knowledge of Hong Kong's trade development, Fung believes that closer collaboration with other cities in the GBA will enable Hong Kong to play a vital role as the global supply chain orchestrator. Fung thinks that Hong Kong, as a member of the GBA, should ride on its global networks, international trade experience and well-developed service industry, and collaborate with other GBA cities to promote the development of digital economy of the country. He hopes that Hong Kong can give full play to its unique advantages, continue to enhance its service standard and intensify its role as the connector. For example, Hong Kong's product standard is highly recognized, and it can provide testing and accreditation services for mainland manufacturers, creating a new collaboration model which transforms Hong Kong into the key connecting platform under the country's new development pattern of "dual circulation," he said. The 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in enhancing its status as an international trade center. With its status and experience in the global financial market, Hong Kong can develop the trade finance business worldwide to become the leading trade finance hub in Asia, and integrate finance, data and technology to facilitate the digital transformation of the supply chain financing, in order to further strengthen its status as the world's international trade center, Fung noted. Unless you have a time machine, the best way to understand the era before modern medicine is to watch Republican legislators discuss abortion. In recent years, as they have proposed more and more restrictions on reproductive rights, they have had plenty of opportunities to air their shockingly primitive theories of the female body. An Idaho lawmaker suggested in 2015 that the uterus could be accessed within the digestive tract. A Texas regulator said in 2016 that abortions are performed by cutting open peoples bodiesas if the uterus, even with its ready-made exit route through the vagina, required an incision to retrieve its contents. And, of course, who could forget the Missouri congressman who claimed in 2012 that legitimate rape victims cannot get pregnant because the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of these would-be gaffes have dissuaded anti-abortion advocates from telling doctors what kind of care they can provide, and to which patients, and when. The human body as it exists outside the wombits pain, its mess, its inconvenient and unpredictable foibles and realitieshave always been beside the point of abortion bans. But in the imminent wave of destruction wrought by the dismantling of Roe, the pregnant body will be ground zero. And understanding the complex realities of a pregnant body has never been more crucial. Laws written by ideologues with no medical training, who invent imaginary procedures to dispel concerns about the hazards to womens health, will determine how quickly a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy can be treated. Coroners will paw through sewage to assess fetal remains from miscarriages. Women with wanted pregnancies will learn they are gestating a fetus with a critical anomaly and, months later, labor under coercion for hours, only to push out an infant without the necessary body parts to survive. There will be untreated infections; life-threatening spikes in blood pressure; bodies obliged to carry high-risk triplets instead of twins; and dangerous, desperate attempts at self-induced abortion, which will multiply as legislators crack down on the dissemination of abortion information. Advertisement Advertisement After decades of debates that cloaked the issue of abortion in euphemism and legalese, the issues fleshly realities are about to become central to the conversation once more. Historians agree that Roe v. Wade was decided, in part, because abortions could be dangerous and deadly when they happened underground. Legalizing abortion brought it into the fold of the medical establishment, where it was performed by trained professionals. Abortion had already been safer than childbirth, and it quickly became even more so. In the decades that followed, the discourse on abortion split. Abortion-rights advocates, pleased with what seemed like a lasting Supreme Court precedent and intent on normalizing a procedure that hundreds of thousands of U.S. women sought each year, spoke of it in the sterile terminology of health care. Anti-abortion activists, in turn, homed in on the image of an idealized fetus: On the one hand, a pristine, beatific, ten-toed entity nestled peacefully inside a uterus, provenance unimportant; on the other, sensationalized post-abortion photos of blood and gore, implying the murder of an innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Absent from both of these narratives, born as they were of an era of widespread legal abortion, were the particular indignities of forced pregnancy and childbirththe bodily ramifications abortion rights were supposed to prevent and, thus, the most urgent argument for their defense and expansion. Neither side of the abortion discourse dwelled on the physical torment of those who continued to be denied the abortions they desired, though these women were the clearest reminder of the fate that awaited many more people were Roe to fall. These patients, many of them rural women who lived hundreds of miles from the nearest abortion clinic and low-income women of color who could not pay for their abortions through Medicaid, were ignored by both anti-abortion zealots who were happy to let them suffer and reproductive rights groups who prioritized other fights en route to more sanitized, less radical messaging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as clinics shuttered across the U.S., there was no mass awakening to the physical punishment imposed on women who found themselves unable to exercise their choice. Court documents do not bleed. Committee hearings do not cramp, and tear, and cry out in pain. Women who bear unwanted pregnancies rarely approach the microphone, because to acknowledge the experience as a brutal burden would cast a shadow on the children they may continue to parent and love. Often, at mainstream abortion-rights protests, the most visible nods to the bodies of pregnant patients have come in the form of increasingly outdated coat hanger imagery, twee protest signs that ask legislators to keep your rosaries off my ovaries, and the unfulfilled, abstracted promise of my body, my choice. Sometimes, in what appeared to be an attempt to destigmatize abortion, abortion-rights leaders have underplayed (or yassified) the stakes. In 2018, one month after Brett Kavanaugh joined the Supreme Court, Ilyse Hogue, then the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, gave an interview in a shirt that read, Pro-sciutto & Pro-Choice & Pro-seccoa piece of fundraising swag promoted by the organization. Advertisement Advertisement That sort of glib, catchphrase-y approach to reproductive justice missed the point by a mile back then, and it feels even more distasteful now. But the public discourse around abortion has undergone a drastic shift in recent months, beginning with the Texas ban last fall and intensifying with Samuel Alitos leaked draft opinion that signaled the overturning of Roe. On the emboldened right, legislators are preparing to consign ever greater shares of the population into forced reproduction, especially as they do away with the exceptions for rape, incest, and patient health that have always served as shrouds of respectability for the anti-abortion movement. And among supporters of abortion rights, the flesh and blood of the issue has loomed back into view as Americans grapple with the knowledge that womens bodies will now be surrendered to the state, subject to laws that favor the contents of their organs over the life that sustains them. Advertisement Some recent essays have emphasized the finer points of the physical punishment that roughly half of U.S. states will soon impose on unwilling women who commit the de facto crime of unintentionally procreative sex. There is almost no part of the human body that does not transform in pregnancy, wrote Irin Carmon in New York magazine. One way or another, your flesh will be torn asunder, whether what you are carrying feels like an invited guest or an invader. In the Washington Post, Kate Manning suggested that we who oppose the annihilation of our bodily autonomy ought to plaster statehouses with photos of our episiotomy incisions, our Caesarean scars, our intravenous-line hematomas, our bloody postnatal sanitary pads and bloodstained bedsheets, our cracked nipples and infected breasts. And those injuries may well be the result of a delivery that goes more or less according to plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the bodyand its profound violation by anti-abortion lawsbecomes the focus, the expansive consequences of abortion bans, which stretch far beyond unexpected pregnancies, are easier to see. As one employee at a Texas abortion clinic told me, it is impossible to criminalize one pregnancy outcome without affecting the others. Or, to put it another way, health care of all sorts will be mediated in ways that give preferential treatment to a patients reproductive capacity over the life she is currently living. Advertisement Advertisement In Texas, where abortions became illegal after around six weeks of pregnancy last September, pharmacists are already refusing to dispense drugs prescribed for ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages. Multiple doctors in the state have told me about pregnant women whose water broke too early, weeks before their fetuses could survive outside their bodies. Normally, doctors would induce a miscarriage, since the pregnancy cannot be recovered. These days, they cant provide that standard care in Texas without chancing expensive lawsuits. Instead, in each case Ive heard about, doctors waited until the woman developed an infectiona great enough risk to her life to provide legal cover for a medically necessary abortion. Advertisement This exact scenario played out this month in Malta, where abortions are prohibited except when necessary to save a patients life. A pregnant U.S. tourist on a babymoon began bleeding at 16 weeks, and although all her amniotic fluid was gone and her placenta had begun to detach, Maltese doctors would not provide an abortion as long as they could detect fetal cardiac activity. They were prepared to wait until the patient was imminently dying to act. (She secured an emergency airlift to Mallorca for an abortion before she could develop an infection.) A similar sequence of events befell 31-year-old Savita Halappanavar in Ireland in 2012, several years before the country repealed its abortion ban. Denied an abortion for a nonviable fetus whose cardiac activity persisted after her water broke, Halappanavar died of sepsis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what abortion bans do to pregnant bodies, and what we should expect will transpire in jurisdictions that restrict abortion in days and weeks to come. In ideal circumstances, with full reproductive autonomy and access to health care, pregnancy is alreadyas an evolutionary biologist at Harvard put it, a decade agoa high-stakes game of tug-of-war between patient and fetus. When certain health care interventions come with a prison sentence attached, its no longer an equal match. For more on the aftermath of the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, listen to this recent episode of The Waves. A few short weeks ago, speaking at a Federalist Society event, Justice Clarence Thomas warned ominously that you cannot have a free society without stable institutions. He contended that we should be careful destroying our institutions because they dont give us what we want when we want. In hindsight his prediction that public regard for institutionshis worry that he didnt know how much longer we would have and keep those institutionsreads more like a ransom note than a lament. Advertisement What Thomas was telling us was that institutional respect is owed, blindly and without conditions. It chimed in the same key as thenAttorney General Bill Barrs promise that unless Americans stopped disrespecting the police, the police might stop showing up to protect them. That isnt how respect, or public trust, works. Those things are earned, over time. They can also be squandered, we are now learning, in the span of a few careless months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Today, for the first time in constitutional history, the United States Supreme Court, by a 63 margin, took a fundamental constitutionally protected right away from half the population, a right around which generations of women and families have ordered their lives. Make no mistake, the same court that just 24 hours earlier had determined that the decision to carry a gun on the streets is such an essential aspect of personal liberty that states may not be permitted to regulate it has now declared that decisions about abortion, miscarriage, contraception, economic survival, child-rearing, and intimate family matters are worthy of zero solicitude. None. In their view of liberty, women were worthy of zero solicitude at the founding, and remain unworthy of it today. As Mark Joseph Stern notes, women will suffer. Some will be refused treatment for miscarriages, and some will be turned away from emergency rooms. Some will be hunted down, spied on, and prosecuted for seeking health care, medication, and autonomy. The majority glibly tells us that because the harms to these people are unknowable, they are not urgentor at the very least, less urgent than the harms faced by people who would like to see more guns in public spaces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But ordinary Americans do not think these harms are trivial. On Thursday, Gallup polling showed public approval for the Supreme Court to be at a historic low25 percent. Its a precipitous drop from the prior historic low the court received in September, which sat at about 38 percent. The six justices in the majority of Dobbs will comfort themselves that this doesnt matter. They will tell themselves that they corrected a historical injustice and that they saved unborn babies. They will say that they have lifetime tenure in order to protect against the whims of the majorities. They will blame protesters and they will continue to blame the press. Even the much-vaunted centrism and pragmatism of Chief Justice John Roberts seems to have left the building. Notwithstanding the fact of his seemingly moderate concurrencein joining with a majority that could not wait to do in three years what they could do in oneit is clear that he has lost his court, and that he is surely less worried about the public regard for the institution than we had believed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The joint dissent, authored together by Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor, is elegiac in tone. It includes a shoutout to the three Republican appointees who crossed the partisan line to preserve Roe in 1992s Planned Parenthood v. Caseynot because they liked abortion but because, as they write, they chose to privilege the legitimacy of the institution over their personal wants. Breyer, Kagan, and Sotomayor wrote of the triumvirate that came before them, and of their unwillingness to harm the standing of the institution they loved: Advertisement Advertisement [T]he Court, Casey explained, could not pretend that overruling Roe had any justification beyond a present doctrinal disposition to come out differently from the Court of 1973. To reverse prior law upon a ground no firmer than a change in [the Courts] membership would invite the view that this institution is little different from the two political branches of the Government. No view, Casey thought, could do more lasting injury to this Court and to the system of law which it is our abiding mission to serve. For overruling Roe, Casey concluded, the Court would pay a terrible price. Advertisement Advertisement The dissent laments the loss of Souter, OConnor, and Kennedy as judges of wisdom. The three write, They knew that the legitimacy of the Court [is] earned over time. They also would have recognized that it can be destroyed much more quickly. Quoting Breyers recent lament that it is not often in the law that so few have so quickly changed so much, the three dissenters conclude: For all of us, in our time on this Court, that has never been more true than today. Compare this to Justice Samuel Alitos flippant dismissal of the pain soon to be heaped upon the court, the country, women, their children, and families, pain that is laid out in one meticulous amicus brief after the next: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not pretend to know how our political system or society will respond to todays decision overruling Roe and Casey. And even if we could foresee what will happen, we would have no authority to let that knowledge influence our decision. We can only do our job, which is to interpret the law, apply longstanding principles of stare decisis, and decide this case accordingly. It is one thing to take away autonomy and dignity. Its something else entirely to say that the hardship and jolt to the nation cannot be determined, and shouldnt even matter. The three dissenters take no joy in decrying the self-administered body blow the court has brought upon itself this term. There is no pleasure in seeing new fencing around the building, nor is there any delight in the protesters blocking D.C. streets or staking out justices residences. There is no mention of the fact that one of their colleagues is married to a partisan political operator who worked to support those who would have set aside the presidential election. There is simply the acceptance of that colleagues abject refusal to take responsibility for it. This may well be one of the last published opinions of Stephen Breyers storied legal career, and it reads like a rebuke to his own aspirational hopes, including in a book published only this fall, for an institution he tried to protect until the end. Breyer always understood that public acceptance and regard arent demanded, and that for the court he is departing, it may not come back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dissenters understand where to place the blame for this loss of legitimacy. Even in the notoriously collegial Supreme Court, they place it squarely, and fairly, on a majority that has spent a year proving itself unwilling to moderate tone, language, conduct, and pace in exchange for the appearance of sobriety. The stench, as Sotomayor once warned, will not dissipate just because the majority cant smell it. Advertisement Advertisement There will not be a glorious peace that settles over the land now that this issue has been sent back to the states, no matter how much Justice Brett Kavanaugh wants you to believe it. There will be infighting among states, and vicious criminal prosecutions, and joyous theological efforts to secure future harms for gay partners and families struggling with IVF and women seeking contraception. The people who suffer the most will be the poorest, the youngest, the sickestthe people whose interests dont even warrant acknowledgment by the majority opinion. Advertisement The dissenters sign off in sorrow. It is a sentiment that is surely directed at millions of women who will suffer appallingly as a result of this ruling. But it is also sorrow for an institution that was always rooted in an idea that there had to be a relationship between the public trust and judicial power. Justices are not kings. They can demand silent reverence, but it is not assured them. There have been plenty of us warning that this relationship was in jeopardy for many years, and the warnings were dismissed as efforts to undermine the court. Todays decision confirms that, if and when the public is finally ready to give up on the court, there will be nobody to blame but the six justices who gave them nothing to believe in. Read more of Slates coverage on abortion rights here. For more on the legal fight that led to the original Roe v. Wade decision, listen to the latest episode of Slow Burn. Five Supreme Court Justices this week voted to overrule the precedents set in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, and eliminate the constitutional right to an abortion. Lets look at the language that some of the recent appointees used in their confirmation hearings when asked about Roe. Brett Kavanaugh described the case as important precedent of the Supreme Court that has been reaffirmed many times, and said that Casey specifically reconsidered it, applied the stare decisis factors, and decided to reaffirm it. That makes Casey a precedent on precedent. Neil Gorsuch described it as a precedent of the U.S. Supreme Court. It was reaffirmed in Casey in 1992 and in several other cases. So a good judge will consider it as precedent of the U.S. Supreme Court worthy as treatment of precedent like any other. Others, like Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett, were more wishy-washy, saying it was (in Alitos words) entitled to respect as stare decisis. Neither chose to divulge that theyve wanted to toss this thing for the entirety of their lives. No one, at least in these public comments, lied. But, especially in the cases of Gorsuch and Kavanaughwho really needed Sen. Susan Collins vote!they sure did try to create the impression that Roe and Casey would be in safe hands with them, didnt they? What they are, in this case, are weasels. Do Democrats have a plan for what to do about the most powerful policymaking body in the country being controlled by weasels for the indefinite future? Is there one? BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Traversed by the lower Amazon River flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, the state of Para has one of the busiest port in Brazil and a wealth of mineral and agricultural resources. However, for decades, local people have been struggling to harness the natural abundance to their well-being. Lack of funds on large projects such as roads and transmission lines delayed the state's integration with markets in the country's rich south. And local residents have limited access to smaller infrastructure that more directly helps them to earn money. Aline Feitosa, a mother of four who runs a small bar in Brasil Novo in Para state, is upset about muddy roads in the city. "People didn't come to my bar because of the mud in the rainy season and the dust in the drought season." Among the country's 26 states, Para is the fifth poorest in terms of GDP per capita due in part to a chronic shortage of infrastructure. But things are changing for the better. PEOPLE-CENTERED COOPERATION In 2018 and 2021, the New Development Bank (NDB) granted loans of over 200 million U.S. dollars to build roads, bridges as well as sanitation and communication facilities in Para. In the city of Brasil Novo, local authorities managed to pave some 17 km of roads with the NDB funds and construction is expected to finish by August. The renovated roads and a well-designed drainage system will not only renew the community but also improve health condition of the residents as dust in summer used to flow into every single household and cause many to suffer from serious respiratory diseases. Promoting the welfare of the people has always been a major area of the BRICS cooperation over the past 16 years. Since its inception in 2015, the NDB has become an essential part of the BRICS mechanism tasked with promoting joint development with a people-centered philosophy. The bank has approved more than 80 projects regarding transportation, energy and other types of infrastructure with a total portfolio of some 30 billion dollars to improve people's well-being. "We should respond to people's concerns, pursue the larger interests of all countries, and steer global development to a new era to deliver benefit to all," Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum delivered on Wednesday. His appeal for a people-centered approach resonates with the group's aspirations for shared growth and with his economic philosophy, known as "Xiconomics," which has guided China's own development and promoted its global cooperation programs. Running a convenience store by an already paved road in Brasil Novo city, 38-year-old Giziany Fernandes Pereira has been enjoying public benefits brought by the project. "It's much more comfortable now as you don't get your feet dirty as soon as you leave the house. Sales increased at my store because of easier accessibility. It is a wonderful program," she said. The NDB loans have played a significant role in poverty reduction in the state, said Ruy Cabral, secretary of urban development and public construction of Para. "The NDB has been a spectacular partner for the facilities that it has provided us to date, and we hope to extend this partnership further." HIGH-QUALITY PARTNERSHIP "Standing at the crossroads of history, we should both look back at the journey we have traveled and keep in mind why we established BRICS in the first place, and look forward to a shared future of a more comprehensive, close, practical and inclusive high-quality partnership so as to jointly embark on a new journey of BRICS cooperation," Xi said in his speech at this year's BRICS summit on Thursday. Twenty-one years ago, when British economist Jim O'Neill coined the term "BRIC" -- an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India and China, it read like investment advice, pointing to promising prospects for emerging economies. With South Africa added in 2010 to become the "BRICS," the group, representing a quarter of the global GDP, 18 percent of global trade and 25 percent of the world's foreign investment, has become a vital platform for strengthening cooperation among the five countries and a vital force for improving global governance. Trade cooperation among the BRICS countries has seen remarkable progress over the years. In 2021, the total volume of trade in goods of BRICS countries reached nearly 8.55 trillion dollars, up by 33.4 percent year on year, official data shows. Meanwhile, China's trade with other BRICS countries totaled 490.42 billion dollars, a yearly jump of 39.2 percent which outpaces the overall growth of China's foreign trade over the same period. In April, a string of online sales campaigns themed "Buy BRICS" was held in the southeast Chinese coastal city of Xiamen. In a two-week shopping spree, Chinese consumers bought 270 million yuan (40 million dollars) worth of products from the other four BRICS countries, according to statistics provided by e-commerce platforms. In 2017, when China hosted the 9th BRICS Summit and other events in Xiamen, Xi suggested that BRICS partners bear in mind their long-term goals rather than narrowly look at growth rates, advance structural reforms and explore new growth drivers and paths to achieve "better quality, more resilient and sustainable growth." His suggestion has proven to be significant to the expansion of BRICS cooperation into more areas. Cooperation in the digital economy has brought tangible benefits to the populations of the BRICS countries, with further digital transformation across various industries expected in the future. Committed to developing an industrial internet and digital manufacturing, the five countries seek to build an industrial cooperation network to promote the circulation of capital, goods, talent and technology by facilitating an open and inclusive trade and investment environment. The BRICS members have ample human resources and great economic potential and occupy a pivotal position in the global industrial chain, said Rosalia Varfalovskaya, a leading researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Amid a complicated international environment, the BRICS cooperation mechanism will play an important role in dealing with external challenges and propelling global economic growth, she said. BRICS PLUS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT As part of this year's BRICS agenda, the group inaugurated a vaccine research and development center online in March. The five countries vowed to make vaccines accessible and affordable for developing countries as global public goods. The immunization gap is one of the concerns shared by BRICS countries. To solve such global challenges, the group agreed to promote the expansion of global governance into more developing nations, a move West-dominated organizations are reluctant to take. Besides vaccines, China and other BRICS countries have been providing other "public goods," such as development experience and technology, particularly to the Global South, to bolster sustainable development. For example, China is helping many African countries, such as Mozambique, to develop modern agriculture with the help of the China-developed BeiDou Navigation Satellite System and unmanned equipment. In 2017, China steered its involvement of other nations into what has become known as "BRICS Plus" by building a more comprehensive partnership with other developing countries and organizations to turn BRICS into a more influential platform for South-South cooperation. Gu Qingyang, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore, said BRICS cooperation has made remarkable progress in green development, science and technology, the digital economy and infrastructure construction. Expanding BRICS cooperation will be more conducive to rallying developing countries to tackle global challenges, Gu said. Last year, Xi launched the Global Development Initiative (GDI), calling on all countries to forge a united, equal, balanced and inclusive global development partnership. For the Chinese leader, development holds the key to solving various difficult problems facing the world. In his speech delivered at the 14th BRICS Summit on Thursday, Xi underlined the implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the building of a global community of development. He pledged to work with BRICS partners to add more substance to the GDI and contribute to more robust, greener and healthier global growth. Inclusiveness highlighted in China-proposed initiatives is what the world needs, Gu said, adding that China and other BRICS countries share a broadly similar world view with other developing countries that believe in inclusive development, multilateralism and mutual benefit. Elaborating on global cooperation for common development, South African Ambassador to China Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele said, "in order to sustain peace, there must be development." "What struck me was the message from President Xi Jinping that we should rise to the challenge as leaders, and be able to work together to deal with all these emerging challenges," Cwele said. Xi's remarks remind us of "love for our people that they should grow, develop and live a prosperous life," Cwele added. The New Jersey Sire Stakes season for two-year-olds got underway on Friday night (June 24) at The Meadowlands and it looks like trainer Linda Toscano has a good filly on her hands as her Ucandoit Blue Chip scored from just off the pace in 1:51.4 in one of three $30,000 divisions for pacers. I dont know how [winning driver] Scott [Zeron] worked out the perfect trip, said Toscano. He left enough with her to put her in play and then she managed to get cover -- just an incredible drive. The only horse in the field of 10 with a pari-mutuel start under her belt (a strong second, missing a neck in a 1:52.2 mile), Ucandoit Blue Chip was sent to the gate as the 1-9 favourite. Risky stuff for an inexperienced two-year-old, but Ucandoit proved up to the task. The way people look at it is, they knew she could go in [1]:52, said Toscano. But I didnt think shed be that short on the toteboard. I dont like to over race my two-year-olds. I like them to finish, but I did tell Scott, 'You drive her how you want, just keep in mind shes a two-year-old.' Ucandoit Blue Chip worked out a three-hole trip to the top of the stretch, followed a live tow from the pocket-sitting Devilish Dreams when that one swung to the outside for the drive then tipped off cover before going on to 1-1/4-length score. Lisa Lane, who led from the half to the top of the stretch, settled for third. Toscano is upbeat about what lies ahead for the NJSS program on the pace. Its awesome, said the Hall of Fame trainer. Thats where the money that we got from the state appropriation is really doing its job. Lazarus right now is the hot sire and Perfect Sting is the next big step. A daughter of Keystone Velocity-Molly Can Do It, Ucandoit Blue Chip, who is owned by Bill Elliot, returned $2.20 to win. In the other division for fillies, Fox Valley Adele (Lazarus N-Put On A Display) scored in 1:53.1 for driver Marcus Miller and his dad, trainer Erv, as the 8-5 public choice, while in the lone dash for colts and geldings, Lifes A Puzzle (Lazarus N-L Dees Lioness) won in 1:50.4 as the 3-5 favourite for Tim Tetrick and Jim King Jr. Ken Warkentin registered his second consecutive victory on night seven of the Meadowlands Battle of the Masterminds handicapping contest, finishing with a mythical bankroll of $368. On-track patrons who select the winning handicapper on a given night are eligible for a nightly prize of a $200 betting voucher and a $50 gas card. The winner of that drawing is then eligible for a grand prize of $10,000. Warkentin, Dave Brower, Dave Little, Jessica Otten and Edison Hatter will go at it every night through August 5. The grand prize winner will be chosen on Hambletonian Day, August 6. There were no winning tickets sold in the 20-cent Pick-6, meaning there will be a carryover of $4,971 heading into the second Pick-6 offered on the Saturday program (it begins in race nine). Those with five correct Friday collected $414.30. In the 11th race, GSY driving club drivers took on the pros, and Johnathan Ahle scored for the club pilots, guiding Midnight Lightning to victory as the 2-1 second choice. All-source handle totalled $2,765,654. Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m. (Meadowlands) BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping will attend a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will also attend the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn a constitutional right to abortion wont have any immediate impact in Virginia, where abortion remains legal up to the third trimester of pregnancy if doctors believe there is a health risk to the patient. But GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday that he wants to ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Although Democrats pledged to fight that effort, the governor potentially has the votes in the General Assembly to do it after a Democratic senator, Joe Morrissey of Richmond, announced support for restricting abortion. The high courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade also means more people seeking abortions are expected to travel to Virginia from other states, 26 of whom either had trigger laws to ban abortion if Roe was overturned or are expected to quickly enact bans or restrictions. Youngkin said he asked a group of Republican legislators to work with his administration on abortion legislation they will introduce in the session that starts in January. The Supreme Court of the United States has rightfully returned power to the people and their elected representatives in the states, he said in a statement. Im proud to be a pro-life Governor and plan to take every action I can to protect life. Youngkin said he has asked Sens. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, and Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, and Dels. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford and Margaret Ransone, R-Westmoreland to join us in an effort to bring together legislators and advocates from across the Commonwealth on this issue to find areas where we can agree and chart the most successful path forward. While House GOP leaders who control the chamber support restricting abortion, Democrats, who hold a 21-19 edge in the state Senate, pledge to defend abortion rights. This outrageous ruling does not change the law here in Virginia, said state Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond. Because of our strong state laws, abortion remains legal in Virginia. As other states face restrictions, Virginia will remain a safe haven for abortion care. We welcome everyone to make their reproductive health decisions free of government interference. But Morrissey issued a statement Friday saying he supports legal abortion only up to the moment a fetus can feel pain. If he sided with the Senates 19 Republicans next year, GOP Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears would be a tie-breaking vote to pass abortion restrictions in the legislature. Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said by email that the legislative work group would prioritize protecting life when babies begin to feel pain in the womb, including a 15-week threshold. Experts say such fetal pain laws are scientifically unfounded. There is no science and evidence backing any of this stuff. ... Theres no evidence that theres fetal pain at this point, said Terry McGovern, chair of Columbia Universitys Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health. I feel like they have completely just disregarded science and evidence. Morrissey did side with his fellow Democrats on an abortion vote a week ago. Youngkin wanted to end state funding to cover a small number of abortionspoor women pregnant with a fetus that has a gross and totally incapacitating physical deformity or with a gross and totally incapacitating mental deficiency. Morrissey and Senate Democrats blocked Youngkins attempt to cut that funding. The end of Roe means states now choose whether to ban abortion and how to restrict it. Tennessee has a trigger law to make abortion illegal soon, West Virginia has a law banning abortion, and abortion is now banned in Kentucky because of a trigger law. That means more people traveling to Virginia from other states for an abortion. The state has about 15 clinics. Whole Womans Health, a Virginia abortion provider, has already helped about 100 women travel from Texas to Virginia for an abortion after lawmakers there banned most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Whole Womans Health will continue its long and proud tradition of providing high-quality, compassionate, personal abortion care in the remaining states where pregnant peoples needs and rights are still respected and protected under law, Amy Hagstrom Miller, Whole Womans Health president and CEO, said in a statement after Fridays 6-3 ruling was released. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and other organizations had already been working to educate women that abortion would remain legal here, after a draft version of Fridays high court opinion was leaked in May. pwilson@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6061 Twitter: @patrickmwilson Staff writer Sabrina Moreno contributed to this report The U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade spurred both excited reactions and angry protests in the Roanoke and New River valleys Friday. As politicians declared their distaste or support on social media, about 200 demonstrators took to the streets in front of the Poff Federal Building in downtown Roanoke. The Friday afternoon protest was led by Womens March on Roanoke, a women-led movement organized by Roanoke Indivisible and the Blue Ridge Resistance Alliance of Virginia. A crowd gathered on short notice in downtown Roanoke to protest a decision many knew was coming. Abort the Supreme Court, read one of the many signs brandished by protesters, who drew honks of support from traffic passing by. The gathering could be heard from blocks away chanting My body; My choice, and Keep your rosaries off my ovaries. Today, we join with the majority of Americans who have repeatedly affirmed their support for safe and legal abortion in decrying the Supreme Courts reckless decision to throw away fifty years of legal precedent, the organization said in a press release.We warn us all that this post-Roe world will be very different from a pre-Roe world. Virginias GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement that his administration is committed to protecting individuals constitutional rights and ensuring Virginians are safe. The truth is, Virginians want fewer abortions, not more abortions, Youngkin said. We can build a bipartisan consensus on protecting the life of unborn children, especially when they begin to feel pain in the womb, and importantly supporting mothers and families who choose life. Several other Virginian Republican representatives agreed with the governor, including State Sen. David Sutterlein, R-Roanoke County. Elected state governments will now have the ability to pass reasonable protections for innocent human life like those found in Europe, Sutterlein said in a tweet. The Dobbs decision is a critical victory for constitutional separation of powers, but most importantly a victory for innocent human lives. U.S. Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, also voiced his support on Twitter, calling Friday a historic day for America and the long fight to protect the unborn! The Courts decision leaves the debate over this important issue to the people of the fifty states and their elected representatives. Cline said in a second tweeted statement. With its ruling today, the Supreme Court is to be commended for its decision to finally heed the Constitution on this issue and return the abortion debate to the peoples elected representatives. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, agreed with Cline, calling Roe v. Wade a constitutional error that has produced decades of tragedy. The Supreme Court got the law right today in Dobbs. The Court has returned to the individual states the ability to make their own decisions on this issue, Griffith said in a statement. Our task going forward from this decision is to carry on the hard but rewarding work of building a culture that protects, respects, and cherishes life. Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick, said hes excited by the Supreme Courts decision. I didnt think that this would happen in my lifetime, Williams said in a telephone interview. Its such a contentious issue, but I think the Supreme Court got it right. I think this is a real blessing for the Commonwealth and the unborn across the nation. There will not be a guaranteed constitutional right to murder an unborn child. It blows my mind that that was ever stretched into law into the first place. Del. Marie March, R-Floyd, said she is similarly excited about pro-life legislation. She called the Supreme Court ruling a victory. Today the unborn have been recognized for their value, their potential, and their right to a chance at life, March said in a statement. Now, each state has the responsibility to protect the unborn at home. This is why I am proud to sponsor a bill in January that will protect life at conception in the Virginia House of Delegates. This is much more than a political issue. It is a moral obligation that we have to protect the most innocent among us. Del. Chris Head, R-Botetourt, said he was absolutely thrilled to hear about the decision to overturn Roe. I am a proud pro-life delegate and have been an ardent defender of the unborn since entering the House of Delegates in 2012, Head said in a statement. I remain committed to protecting the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for all Virginians, born and unborn. But other Virginian politicians werent at all happy with the end of Roe. State Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, said the decision to overturn it was devastating. The decision creates classes of citizenship, dependent on location, Deeds said in a tweet. It cannot stand! A statement from the office of Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, said he is deeply troubled by the Supreme Courts ruling. Roe has offered consistent precedent in privacy cases for 50 years, Rasoul said. The right to an abortion has been protected by the Court for five decades. Entire generations have had access to safe abortions as a right and are now experiencing this right to privacy being ripped away from them. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said in a tweet that the ruling flies in the face of decades of precedent protecting womens rights to make fundamental personal decisions without needless government interference. Congress must act now to protect those rights, Kaine continued. Were not going to give up on this. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said the ruling reflects a Court that has increasingly issued politicized rulings that undermine the fundamental rights of Americans. This decision will take control over personal health care decisions away from individuals and give it to politicians in state legislatures across the country, Warner said in a statement. I am heartbroken for the generations of women who now have fewer rights than when they were born, many of whom will be forced into life-threatening or prohibitively expensive circumstances to access health care as a result of this radical decision. Roanoke College political science professor Todd Peppers agreed with Warner, saying Supreme Court decisions are increasingly less focused on law. As I teach my students, when you get to the Supreme Court, you just dont look at the law. The judges personalities and preferences impact decision making, Peppers said in a telephone interview. With President Trumps appointments of Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, I dont know if the handwriting was on the wall, but certainly there was a strong suspicion that the court would pick a case and continue to whittle away at Roe, or it would be overturned. Peppers said the justices decision to overturn Roe was not a surprise to him. I think many court observers realized that there was a likelihood that Roe would be overturned. The the justices are supposed to value the norm of precedent. And certainly, Roes now been precedent for 50 years, Peppers said. You want consistency in the law, but there have been instances where the court has overturned precedent, and we agreed with it. Brown v. Board of Education overturned a precedent. So, its not a shock. Several states have trigger laws that will place restrictions on or ban abortion immediately. But Peppers said hes not sure what is in store for Virginia. I wish I had a crystal ball, the professor said. If the Virginia General Assembly moves to pass restrictive laws, are these going to be the type of laws where its a complete ban, where theres exceptions for the life of the mother for rape for incest? What happens next? I dont know. I really dont. Del. Williams said he hopes Virginia will start drafting abortion legislation in January. I would be very surprised if a special session is called. But I do believe that legislation will come in the next session in January, Williams said. We as state legislators, representing the people in our communities, we will get to have a say in this issue now. I know that the majority of people support a ban on abortion, no matter what the liberal left has to say about it. But Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, said that as long as Democrats remain in the majority of the state senate, they will continue to protect womens rights. The American people need to make their voices heard at the ballot box in November and return a Democratic majority to the United States Senate and the House of Representatives to correct this historic mistake, Edwards said in a statement. Peppers said the country might anticipate an investigation into the leak of the Supreme Courts decision that occurred in May. Leaking an entire Supreme Court decision, the whole text of it, is fairly unprecedented. And it represents a real rupture of the court in terms of institutional security and confidentiality, Peppers said. The justices themselves clearly are divided ideologically. But I think there is some mistrust in the court amongst the different offices. The long term impact on overturning Roe v. Wade is interesting, but also the impact of this decision being leaked so early from the court itself. Staff writer Laurence Hammack contributed to this story. The Gering Public Schools Board of Education conducted its second evaluation of Superintendent Nicole Regan at the Monday, June 20 board meeting. Board president B.J. Peters told the Star-Herald the board discussed Regans evaluation in general terms before they voted to approve it. By statute, new superintendents are required to be evaluated twice during their first year of service, Peters said. The board conducted the first evaluation six months from Regans date of hire and then on Monday. From this point forward, the board will conduct an annual review. Vice President Brian Copsey said the board uses a Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) tool where board members and the superintendent complete an online questionnaire, which is then compiled into a report for the board to compare how the superintendent evaluates herself compared to the board members. Its called the NASB 360 evaluation tool, so the superintendent does a self-evaluation, Copsey said. Its typically on a five-point scale and it is on a range of topics. They group it like curriculum, policy, community engagement and then there is room for comments. The evaluation tool looks at eight different categories that include budget, policy, mission/vision, educational leadership, organizational leadership, community relations, professional leadership and board and superintendent relationships. Peters said the board is pleased to recognize growing opportunities for students and increased fiscal sustainability this year under Dr. Regans leadership. Copsey said Regans review was one of the best reviews he recalls. The board did not enter into closed section to address areas of concern as the evaluation was positive. Were able to see how they view themselves in certain areas and if they see areas they need to grow in then we need to help provide them support whether it be training, leadership, mentorship or policy or governance, Copsey said. A common area for growth identified is legislative issues, Copsey said. Thats always an area where we see potential growth, he said. We would like to be more engaged in legislative issues and time away from the district traveling to Lincoln. Thankfully, the last few superintendents weve had are engaged in GNSA (Greater Nebraska Schools Association) legislative group and they do make those trips to Lincoln. The board likes to review the superintendents evaluation in June ahead of its board retreat where they identify priorities for the upcoming school year. The board met Thursday for the retreat at the Wildcat Hills, where they heard a presentation from Steve Joel, a former Lincoln administrator who has helped facilitate discussion among the board about the direction and priorities for the district the past few years. The board is able to have some open discussion and strategic planning on things we want to focus on this year and pinpoint those down into three or four action plan points, Copsey said. Hes a great facilitator to do this. While the board took no action Thursday, those discussion items will be presented during the July board meeting. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Lancaster County Attorneys Office had sought review of a county court judges decision to suppress the document in Benjamin Riekers case, a rarely seen move. Rieker, 34, is accused of assaulting a 51-year-old man while working off-duty Oct. 31, 2020, at a Lincoln hospital and giving false information to an investigator looking into the allegation. Both are misdemeanors. Rieker, who resigned while under investigation, has pleaded not guilty. In September, his attorney, Carlos Monzon, filed a motion asking the judge to suppress two statements Rieker made in the investigation: an additional case investigation report he wrote about the incident, and an hourlong interview he had with an investigator with the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office. At issue was whether the so-called Garrity standard applied, referring to a 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision in a New Jersey case involving an investigation into officers allegedly fixing traffic tickets. The officers were told they could refuse to answer but would be subject to removal from office if they did. Then, the statements were used against them at trial. The Supreme Court ultimately found their statements, therefore, hadnt been made voluntarily. In Riekers case in late January, Lancaster County Court Judge Matt Acton ruled that the interview could be used against Rieker, but the additional case investigation report couldnt because he was required to complete it as part of an excessive-force investigation by internal affairs under threat of losing his job. In a ruling this week, District Court Judge Kevin McManaman reversed the ruling, saying the report could go before the jury because Rieker had neither a subjective nor an objectively reasonable belief that he would be fired if he declined to write the ACI report, the test required under Nebraska case law. Rieker had testified that he believed he would be disciplined and could be terminated if he didnt. Even if he subjectively believed he would be fired for not writing the report, that wasnt reasonable, the judge said. And therefore not enough to satisfy the test. Also, when Rieker wrote the report, an excessive-force complaint hadnt yet been made, an important distinction, McManaman said. On Oct. 31, 2020, while working off-duty as a police officer at Bryan West Campus, Rieker allegedly pushed the Lincoln man who allegedly made a threat while walking out of the ER. The man lost his balance, fell and hit his head. Rieker was put on a 30-day leave of absence as a result of an excessive-force complaint and later resigned. He had been an officer for about a year and a half. The man he is accused of assaulting, Jan Noch, later was charged and convicted of attempted second-degree assault and terroristic threats for stabbing his neighbor Nov. 26, 2021, then running to get him help. He pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing next week. Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Die-offs of Rododendron maximum have been reported in several southwestern Virginia counties since 2015, especially along or near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd and Patrick counties. R. maximum (variously called rosebay rhododendron, great laurel, great rhododendron, American rhododendron or big rhododendron) is a large shrub or small tree native to the Appalachians of eastern North America from coastal Nova Scotia to Alabama. It is typically an understory species preferring riparian sites with deep, well-drained acid soils high in organic matter. Where overstory species are sparse due to timber harvests, other site disturbances, natural mortality or (for example) the historic demise of American Chestnut, R. maximum often develops very dense populations known locally as laurel slicks or laurel hells, crowding out all other vegetation. Populations are often clonal, expanding via root sprouts and/or branches that take root as they contact the ground. Not infrequently, following disturbances R. maximum colonizes sites that are less than optimal for the species (e.g., shallower, drier sites more suitable for its close relative R. catawbiense). Healthy rhododendrons provide spectacular spring and summer flower shows, attracting tourists, nature lovers and photographers to national forests and parks in the southern Appalachians. In season, the white to pale pink blossoms of R. maximum dominate large portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwestern Virginia. Curiously, however, since the 1980s large populations of R. maximum have periodically died off (collapsed?) in the southern Appalachians (the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, the Nantahala National Forest and surrounding areas). Similar die-offs have been reported in several southwestern Virginia counties since 2015 (especially along or near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd and Patrick counties) and have become the subject of limited investigation by specialists in the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg. In 2016, we had the opportunity to participate in local field investigations with specialists from Virginia Tech, the Virginia Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service. So, whats happening to the rhododendrons? Why are large populations (areas) of these flowering beauties collapsing? Studies seeking causes of rhododendron die-off in the early 1990s and later (2006-2009) have proven largely inconclusive, as have early investigations here in Virginia. Early concerns that rhododendrons might be succumbing to some non-native insect pest or pathogen have so far and thankfully been ruled out. Some researchers and specialists have speculated that rhododendrons die off due to old age, environmental stress, and impacts from a complex of opportunistic fungal pathogens, nematodes, and insects. To be blunt, scientific proof is thin. In some places, die-off has been wrongly attributed to two fungi (Botryosphaeria and Phytophthora). Sowhat is causing the die-offs? Admittedly, without hard cause and effect science a definitive answer is perhaps unavailable. While we agree with some of the theories (speculations) advanced to date, we pose a plausible and perhaps somewhat more simplistic possibility (or probability?). Old age happens. This we know. How old is old for rhododendrons? No one knows for sure. There is apparently a singular report of 120 years, but it seems generally accepted that rhododendrons of 60 or more years of age are mature if not old aged. Much of the ecological and land use history in the southern Appalachians (and in particular Floyd and Patrick counties) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries includes land clearing for homesteads and agriculture, large scale timber harvests, the catastrophic loss of American Chestnut to chestnut blight, and farm abandonment. Such a history would have provided opportunities for R. maximum to proliferate in Floyd and Patrick counties, particularly in the 1920s, creating a large cohort of similarly aged rhododendrons a century ago. And as a result, it is reasonable to conclude that many current rhododendron populations are at least senior citizens. So, heres our take: older aged or senior citizen or geriatric rhododendrons, growing in crowded communities, sometimes in less-than-optimal locations and subjected to the environmental whims (stresses) of nature (e.g., extended droughts, periodic flooding or saturated soils, etc.) simply die natural deaths. In ecological terms, such a phenomenon is called cohort senescence (analogous to one generation of humans passing upon reaching its life expectancy?). Indeed, humans suffering the frailties of old age and accompanying physiological realities (systems not functioning as efficiently as they used to) often fall victim to secondary, contributing issues like pneumonia, heart disease or stroke. Here in southwest Virginia, aging and weakened populations (cohorts) of rhododendrons in multiple locations had their own version of a secondary contributing issue: root disease caused by species of the fungal genus Armillaria. The modus operandi of Armillaria species worldwide is to thrive on overmature, injured or stressed woody species thus playing the deadly role of pneumonia in compromised immune systems. The die-off or collapse of rhododendrons does not appear to be a complete mystery. It is more than likely a natural ecological/biological process called cohort senescence and as such can be expected to occur in more locations over time. Edward Barnard is a Forest Pathologist, who has formerly worked with the Florida Forest Service and lives in Floyd County part-time. Ralph Lutts is an Environmental Historian and Adjunct Professor with the Virginia Tech Department of History. LONDON (AP) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suffered a double blow as voters rejected his Conservative Party in two special parliamentary elections dominated by questions about his leadership and ethics. He was further wounded when the party's chairman quit after the results came out early Friday, saying Conservatives cannot carry on with business as usual, and a former party leader said the country needed "new leadership. The centrist Liberal Democrats overturned a big Conservative majority to win the rural southwest England seat of Tiverton and Honiton, while the main opposition Labour Party reclaimed Wakefield in northern England from Johnson's Tories. The contests, triggered by the resignations of Conservative lawmakers hit by sex scandals, offered voters the chance to give their verdict on the prime minister just weeks after 41% of his own MPs voted to oust him. The people of Tiverton and Honiton have spoken for Britain," said the area's newly elected Liberal Democrat lawmaker, Richard Foord. "They sent a loud and clear message: Its time for Boris Johnson to go, and go now. Defeat in either district would have been a setback for the prime ministers party. Losing both increases jitters among restive Conservatives who already worry the ebullient but erratic and divisive Johnson is no longer an electoral asset. Party chairman Oliver Dowden resigned, saying our supporters are distressed and disappointed by recent events, and I share their feelings. We cannot carry on with business as usual," said Dowden, previously a staunch Johnson loyalist. I will, as always, remain loyal to the Conservative Party," he said, without offering an endorsement of Johnson. Former Conservative leader Michael Howard, who like Johnson was a strong backer of Britain's exit from the European Union, urged the party to remove him as leader. The party, and more importantly the country, would be better off under new leadership," Howard told the BBC. The prime minister was 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) away at a Commonwealth summit in Rwanda as the drama unfolded. The electoral tests came as Britain faces the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, with Russias war in Ukraine squeezing supplies of energy and food staples at a time of soaring consumer demand while the coronavirus pandemic recedes. Im not going to pretend these are brilliant results," Johnson said at a news conference in Kigali. Weve got to listen, weve got to learn. When people are finding it tough, they send messages to politicians, and politicians have got to respond. Johnson won a big majority in a 2019 general election by keeping the Conservatives traditional voters affluent, older and concentrated in southern England and winning new ones in poorer, post-industrial northern towns where many residents felt overlooked by governments for decades. Thursdays elections brought defeat on both fronts. Rural Tiverton and Honiton has voted Conservative for generations, while Wakefield is a northern district that the Tories won in 2019 from Labour. Labour's widely expected victory in Wakefield whose previous Conservative legislator resigned after being convicted of sexual assault is a boost to a party that has been out of office nationally since 2010. Labour leader Keir Starmer said it showed the party is back on the side of working people, winning seats where we lost before, and ready for government." Pollsters had said the Tiverton and Honiton race was tight, but the Liberal Democrats overturned a 24,000-vote Conservative majority to win by more than 6,000 votes. The election was called when the districts Conservative lawmaker resigned after being caught looking at pornography in the House of Commons chamber. Even with the defeats, which erode his already shaky authority among his own lawmakers, Johnson his party holds a large majority in Parliament. But Conservatives are increasingly concerned that the qualities that led them to make Johnson their leader including a populist ability to bend the rules and get away with it may now be a liability. Ethics allegations have buffeted the prime minister for months, culminating in a scandal over parties held in government buildings while millions of others were banned from meeting friends and family during coronavirus lockdowns. Johnson was one of 83 people fined by police for attending the parties, making him the first prime minister found to have broken the law while in office. A civil servants report on the partygate scandal said Johnson must bear responsibility for failures of leadership and judgment that created a culture of rule-breaking in government. He survived a no-confidence vote by his own party this month but was left weakened after 41% of Conservative lawmakers voted to remove him. Under party rules, Johnson can't face another such vote for a year, but Friday's defeats will increase pressure to change that. These are pretty dire results, said Conservative lawmaker Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, a senior member of the committee that oversees party no-confidence votes. Serious discussions will be had in the next few days and weeks and then we will all have to make difficult decisions, he said. Johnson also faces a parliamentary ethics probe that could conclude he deliberately misled Parliament over partygate traditionally a resigning offense. Conservative lawmaker Roger Gale, a long-time Johnson critic, reiterated his calls for the prime minister to quit now. The soul of our party is at stake, he said. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Instead of enrolling children into private preschool, the Longview School District is offering a new option: a free public program to prepare 4-year-old children for schooling. Longview school officials opened registration for its free transitional kindergarten program called Kinder Bridge, as schools across the state are broadening access to families to give their kids a test-run of what kindergarten will be like. The district says it can serve 70 students across the district, and four teachers were recently hired to teach 15 to 17 students in each classroom when class starts Nov. 1. The program is open to 4-year-old children who will not turn 5 until Aug. 31. Transitional kindergarten programs serve as an option for families to introduce young children to a classroom setting before they enter fulltime kindergarten, said Megan Shea-Bates, an early learning coordinator at Broadway Learning Center. They will learn math and literacy skills; they also learn how to socialize with other kids, deal with conflict and listen to their teachers and peers. Its really going to be helping expose them to a classroom environment that they maybe have never been in before, Shea-Bates said. Nicole Rose, assistant secretary for the Washington state Department of Children, Youth and Families, said kids should understand acceptable classroom behavior before enrolling in school. Those first years in a childs life are so important, Rose said. We want kids, when they enter kindergarten, to have had that experience of socializing. How to enroll Online: www.longviewschools.com/kinderbridge. In-person: Pick up a paper application at the district office, 2715 Lilac St. and at the Broadway Learning Center, 1410 Eighth Ave. Developing reading and math skills is a bonus, said Longview Superintendent Dan Zorn. A case study on Californias transitional kindergarten program found that when it came to literacy and mathematics, students who had gone through those classes scored higher than students who were entering school for the first time at kindergarten, according to data from nonprofit policy center American Institutes for Research. That in-person learning can help retain information. In the last school year, school districts that returned to in-person learning saw some learning losses across both the Kelso and Longview districts. Zorn said the pandemic did not necessarily cause the start of the Kinder Bridge program, but showed that there was a need to serve more young students. I think it would have happened anyway, Zorn said, but theres definitely been a loss in those sorts of social skills kids need before they go into a kindergarten classroom. Local options When its time for parents to return to work or put their pre-kindergarten child in school, they essentially have three options in Cowlitz County, and only one is free to families. If they qualify, families can enroll their child in federally and state-funded programs like Head Start and Early Head Start housed at the Lower Columbia College. They can pay for private preschool, which on average costs $9,200 a year in Washington state, according to the Education Data Initiative. Or they can pay for daycare, the cost of which swallows nearly one-fifth of a Washington familys income, according to data from the Economic Policy Institute. Transitional kindergarten is a new fourth option in Longview. Like most public school programs, transitional kindergarten will be funded by a combination of state and local dollars, with options for federal grants. No one program is supposed to envelop every eligible child, said Sara Rushlo, pre-kindergarten grade manager with the regional educational service district. Between private preschool, daycare, the state-funded early learning program ECEAP or transitional kindergarten, the goal is to have a variety of options from which families can choose. Were fortunate to have what we call a mixed-delivery system here (in Washington state), Rushlo said. Growing trend Transitional kindergarten stands as a relatively new concept. Kalama and Vancouver schools recently started their own transitional kindergarten programs. In 2010, California state lawmakers passed a law establishing its own pilot transitional kindergarten program. Rushlo said she believes the first transitional kindergarten program in Washington started in Bellingham years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now about 11% of districts across the state have one, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research. In Washington state, early learning is a priority. Last year, Washington was one of only six states in the U.S. that saw higher preschool enrollment when compared to 2018, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research. Most states saw a decrease or no change. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A new variety of noxious weed has been reported in Cowlitz County for the first time. The Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Control Board announced Friday that an infestation of giant hogweed had been discovered on two properties in the Ostrander neighborhood of Kelso. The boards press release said there were fewer than 40 plants and officials have a plan to address them. Hogweed is covered with a mildly toxic sap that can cause skin burns, scarring and blistering when exposed to sunlight. The plant looks like a larger version of cow parsnip with purple blotches along its stem. Stalks of hogweed can reach 15 feet high, with clusters of white flowers and long leaves with serrated edges. Giant hogweed is designated as a Class A noxious weed in Washington and at the federal level, the highest classification for invasive plant species. Landowners are required to fully eradicate class A weeds to keep them from spreading. The noxious weed board encourages anyone who sees more hogweed plants in the county to avoid touching the plant and contact the weed control program. The Daily News, Longview, Wash. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 3 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Longview has established an official plan to make the city safer and more navigable for people walking and biking through town. The Longview City Council gave the final vote of support Thursday night for the citys bicycle and pedestrian master plan. The master plan will roll out city projects to add extensive bike lanes and pedestrian trails throughout town, put in roughly 12 miles of sidewalk to fix gaps for pedestrians and expand the number of bicycle parking spaces. The plan includes a rough timeline of 10 years to make the improvements. It ought to be looked at every time we talk about another project, Longview Public Works Director Ken Hash told the council earlier this month. The master plan sets the path to enforce the Complete Streets initiative the city approved in 2019. The national Complete Streets program is a commitment from cites and counties to create streets that are designed for use by motorists, public transit, bicycles and pedestrians, despite their age or ability. About 150 cities have adopted Complete Streets ordinances throughout the state, including Castle Rock in 2017, according to the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. The Longview City Council voted 5-1 to enact the plan Thursday with Mike Wallin voting against it. Wallin opposed new requirements the plan adds to the land use code for bicycle parking at new developments. He said he was concerned bike lanes and paths would compete for attention from state grants and the city budget. We already can already barely maintain our sidewalks, we can obviously not maintain our streets, and this adds more additional costs, Wallin said. The plan has been in the works by the citys Complete Streets advisory committee for more than a year. Longview held an open house for the plan this spring, where it received comments from 44 residents and three state agencies. The majority of the comments during the city councils public hearing on the master plan June 9 supported the approach. Many of the committee members who helped create the master plan and several other frequent bike riders spoke in favor of the plan. I dont have the money to drive. I love to ride my bike all around Longview, Longview resident Cody Wells said during the workshop. To have a bike path means Im safe. I can ride my bike. Other people will say maybe we should ride our bikes. Public comments were more mixed leading into the council vote Thursday, with several people worried funding for street repairs and maintenance would be diverted into bike lanes. Hash said the citys Transportation Benefit District will remain devoted to road repairs and the city will try to combine road improvements and bike lane expansions into grant-funded projects. The Transportation Improvement Board provided Longview $400,000 in March for projects that fit the Complete Streets model. As long as the legislators are funding the TIB, that will work a lot like a revolving fund. We spend it and then we can apply two years later to get more, Hash said. Hash cited Washington Way as a key example of the approach outlined by the master plan as bike lanes are being added to the road. Upcoming projects on Beech Street and multiple other roads have already received funding for road and bike work. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 4 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CAIRO, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday the visit of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Egypt represented the progress of the Egyptian-Qatari relations after the two countries restored diplomatic ties last year. Earlier in the day, the two leaders, as well as the delegations of the two countries, discussed a number of bilateral, regional and global issues in the Egyptian capital Cairo, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement. The Qatari emir arrived in Cairo on Friday for his first visit to Egypt since the two countries ended their diplomatic rift in January last year. During the meeting, Sisi said Tamim's visit consolidated the path of developing bilateral relations in all fields. For his part, Tamim praised Egypt's pivotal role in serving Arab causes and its efforts to strengthen Arab solidarity at all levels, as well as its domestic, regional, and global policies. The emir also expressed his country's willingness to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the future by increasing Qatari investments in Egypt. According to the statement, the two leaders agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in a number of fields, especially in the energy and agricultural sectors, as well as in investment and trade. Sisi and Tamim also stressed the need for Arab countries to unite, while vowing to strengthen bilateral coordination to deal with regional crises. Regarding the Palestinian issue, the Qatari emir praised Egypt's efforts to rebuild the Gaza Strip, underlining the importance of reviving the peace process in order to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause that guarantees legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. The two leaders also discussed prospects for cooperation to combat terrorism and extremist ideologies, emphasizing the importance of stepping up efforts by the international community to confront terrorism, the statement said. In January 2021, the Arab quartet of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the Al-Ula Declaration with Qatar, ending their all-around boycott of Doha since mid-2017. A rallying cry of mourning and celebration echoed nationwide Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned nearly 50 years of legal precedent protecting abortion rights. The courts verdict in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health stripped the 1973 ruling established in Roe v. Wade that ensured an individuals right to seek an abortion. Now, states can create bans or further restrictions on access to this care. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that advocates for abortion rights, 26 states are likely to immediately enact abortion sanctions. In Washington, the decision is unlikely to make a difference, as a 2022 state House bill codified a womans right to an abortion in state law that can continue to stand independently of Roe v. Wade. (The law) prohibits the state from taking action against someone based on a pregnancy outcome or for assisting someone who is pregnant in exercising their right to reproductive freedom, said state Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, in a statement. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee cautioned that the states legal protections could change if Republicans got the majority in the state. He said Republicans have introduced 40 bills in the past six years that would compromise access to abortion and reproductive health care. The right of choice should not depend on which party holds the majority, but thats where we find ourselves, Inslee wrote in a social media post. Inslee, along with Oregon and Californias governors, issued a multi-state commitment to serve as a haven for those seeking abortion and reproductive health services. A majority of Southwest Washington congressional candidates, on the other hand, viewed the ruling as a victory some voicing their support of a federal abortion ban. Southwest Washington residents know where I stand on honoring and protecting life, and my efforts in Congress will remain consistent, from upholding the decades-old prohibition of spending federal taxpayer money on abortions to requiring life-saving treatment for babies who survive late-term abortion attempts, said Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground. Congressional candidate Joe Kent, R-Yacolt, said that the decision occurred because of former President Donald Trump. Candidates Heidi St. John, R-Battle Ground, state Rep. Vicki Kraft, R-Vancouver, and Leslie French, R-Vancouver, also announced their support shortly after the courts ruling. During Krafts legislative career, she co-sponsored bills to end abortion in Washington. As Americans, if we do not like the laws of our state of residence, we have the freedom to move, French told The Columbian. Oliver Black of Longview whose party, American Solidarity, advocates for anti-abortion policies was pleased with the ruling yet had reservations as it related to ensuring the protection of a mothers life. A victory that reduces the fetal mortality rate but increases the maternal mortality rate is a hollow one, he told The Columbian. Medically necessary abortions, a fraction of total abortions, need to be made safe and accessible at the same time. Black and Kent are supportive of a federal abortion ban, whereas St. John said abortion is a state issue. Democrats Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Davy Ray had a melancholy reaction to the courts decision. Perez shared her outrage, noting that an assisted abortion saved her life when she experienced a miscarriage two years ago. People will die because of this, she told The Columbian. Independent congressional candidate Chris Byrd said he doesnt understand how legislation could dictate a persons decision to receive reproductive care. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said the country regressed by half a century with the help of a majority anti-abortion Supreme Court. Republicans ripped away our rights and made this generation the first generation of American women with fewer rights than their mothers, she said in a statement. Republicans are forcing women to stay pregnant and give birth when they dont want to no matter the circumstances. Murray, a chair member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, urged Americans to challenge lawmakers who push for federal abortion bans and further strikes on health care. The committee will gather on July 13 to discuss how the new restrictions will impact maternal mortality and reproductive health care. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., pointed to Supreme Court justices, such as Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, who previously said that abortion access was settled into law during their hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. They have taken a sledgehammer to the right to privacy, she said in a statement. I am hopeful that Americans will respond, as we always have when our rights are taken away, Cantwell said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Offers on Apple iPhone 12: A massive iPhone 12 price cut has been rolled out. iPhone 12 discount is a massive Rs. 24000. Offers on Apple iPhone 12: If you are planning to buy iPhone 12, today seems to be the perfect day for the same. You will be able to get the base variant of the Apple iPhone 12 with an up to Rs. 24000 discount on Flipkart. Irresistible offer? iPhone 12 price for the 64GB variant is Rs. 65,900, but with the help of 18 percent discount on the phone you can grab it for Rs. 53,999 on Flipkart. In order to make the iPhone 12 more tempting to buy, the ecommerce retailer is also offering exchange and bank offers. If you have an older phone to exchange and that too in good condition, then you will be able to save further up to Rs. 12,500 on iPhone 12. Exchange offer along with the discount offer will help you save around Rs. 24000 on the phone, making the price of the 64GB variant of iPhone 12 come down to Rs. 41,499. The bank offers provided on the phone include- 10 percent off on SBI Credit Cards, up to Rs. 1000, on orders of Rs. 5000 and above; 10 percent off on SBI Credit Card EMI transactions, up to Rs. 1500, on orders of Rs. 5000 and above; 5 percent cashback on Flipkart Axis Bank Card; and Rs. 100 off on 1st transaction through Flipkart Pay Later. The freebies you can get are BYJU'S 3 Live classes worth Rs. 999; Gaana Plus subscription for 3 months, and Hotstar for Free. Also Read: MacBook Air M2, M1 models get BIG price cut on Apple website, Plus FREE AirPods The 128GB Variant of iPhone 12 is also available with several offers. You will be able to avail 16 percent discount along with exchange offer, bank offer and freebies. It can be known that the exchange, bank offer and freebies provided on the 128GB variant of iPhone 12 are the same as that of the base variant. Also, the offers apply to all the colour options of the iPhone 12 on Flipkart. About Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 12 gets a 15.49 cm or 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. The phone runs on A14 Bionic Chip with Next Generation Neural Engine Processor. Coming to the camera specifications, iPhone 12 has double rear camera setup (12MP + 12MP) and a front camera of 12MP. On 75th Anniversary of The Diary of Anne Frank, Google Doodle honors the writer who died during the Holocaust. Check the details. Google Doodle today, Saturday, is honoring renowned Jewish German-Dutch diarist and Holocaust victim Anne Frank through a slideshow. Today is the 75th anniversary of the publication of her diary, which is widely considered one of the most important books in modern history. There are 14 slides illustrated by Doodle Art Director Thoka Maer. The slides features excerpts from Anne Frank's diary and describes what the writer and her family and friends experienced while hiding for over two years form the Nazis in Germany. The slideshow begins with a warning, "This presentation includes mentions of the Holocaust, which may be sensitive to some viewers. Anne Frank's diary text has been edited for length." What was the Holocaust? Germany, ruled by Adolf Hitler led Nazis, carried out a horrific genocide of Jews before and during World War II. Germany systematically massacred around 6 million Jews across all the territories it held during the war period. The Jews, a minority community, was targetted along with gypsies, people with disabilities and others too. Also Read: Google Workspace will NOT be Free anymore; here are top 5 alternatives Anne Frank Diary, although written between the ages of 13-15, was her personal account of the Holocaust and events of the war and it remains one of the most poignant and widely-read accounts to date, Google informed. Here is all we know about Anne Frank. Anne Frank was born on June 12, 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany, but her family soon moved to Amsterdam, Netherlands to escape the increasing discrimination and violence faced by millions of minorities at the hands of the growing Nazi party. World War II ignited when Anne was 10 years old, and soon after, Germany invaded the Netherlands, bringing the war to her familys doorstep. Jewish people were particularly targeted by the Nazi regime, experiencing imprisonment, execution, or forced relocation to inhumane concentration camps. Unable to live and practice freely and safely, millions of Jews were forced to flee their homes or go into hiding. In the spring of 1942, Annes family did just that, hiding in a secret annex in her fathers office building to avoid persecution. The Frank family, like millions of others, were forced to act quickly and leave nearly everything behind to seek protection. Among Annes few possessions was an unassuming gift she had received on her thirteenth birthday just weeks earlier: a checkered hardback notebook. It soon became her vehicle to change the world forever. Also Read: MacBook Air M2, M1 models get BIG price cut on Apple website, Plus FREE AirPods Over the following 25 months in hiding, she filled its pages with a heartfelt account of teenage life in the secret annex, from small details to her most profound dreams and fears. Hopeful that her diary entries could be published after the war, Anne consolidated her writing into one cohesive story titled Het Achterhuis (The Secret Annex). On August 4, 1944, the Frank family was located by the Nazi Secret Service, arrested, and taken to the much feared Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland where they lived in cramped, unhygienic conditions without food. A few months later, Anne and Margot Frank were transported to another horrific concentration camp called Bergen-Belsen in Germany. In addition to the brutal, intentional killings of prisoners by Nazi forces, deadly diseases spread rapidly. Eventually, Anne and Margot died due to the inhumane conditions they were forced to live in. Anne Frank was just 15 years old. Although Anne Frank did not survive the horrors of the Holocaust, her account of those years, commonly known as The Diary of Anne Frank, has since become one of the most widely read works of non-fiction ever published. Translated into upwards of 80 languages, Franks memoir is a staple in todays classrooms, utilized as a tool to educate generations of children about the Holocaust and the terrible dangers of discrimination and tyranny. An Italian company's hacking tools were used to spy on Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Android smartphones in Italy and Kazakhstan, informs Google. Check details here. In a shocking development it has been revealed that your iPhone and Android phones are at risk. As per the information a tool has been developed to spy on personal messages and contacts of the targeted devices. Alphabet Inc's Google has said in a report that an Italian company's hacking tools were used to spy on Apple Inc and Android smartphones in Italy and Kazakhstan. According to the report, Milan-based RCS Lab, whose website claims European law enforcement agencies as clients, developed tools to spy on private messages and contacts of the targeted devices. However, Google said it had taken steps to protect users of its Android operating system and alerted them about the spyware. "These vendors are enabling the proliferation of dangerous hacking tools and arming governments that would not be able to develop these capabilities in-house," Google said. According to a report by Reuters, commenting on the issue, an Apple spokesperson said the company had revoked all known accounts and certificates associated with this hacking campaign. RCS Lab said its products and services comply with European rules and help law enforcement agencies investigate crimes. Also Read: 5 million Facebook accounts in danger! This phishing scam will steal your money- how it works Reuters was further informed via an email, "RCS Lab personnel are not exposed, nor participate in any activities conducted by the relevant customers." RCS Lab further said that it condemned any abuse of its products. It can be known that the global industry making spyware for governments has been growing, with more companies developing interception tools for law enforcement. Anti-surveillance activists accuse them of aiding governments that in some cases use such tools to crack down on human rights and civil rights, said Reuters in a report. Also Read: Google Workspace will NOT be Free anymore; here are top 5 alternatives As per the report, the industry came under a global spotlight when the Israeli surveillance firm NSOs Pegasus spyware was in recent years found to have been used by multiple governments to spy on journalists, activists, and dissidents. Though not as stealthy as Pegasus, RCS Lab's tool can still be used to read messages and view passwords, said Bill Marczak, a security researcher with digital watchdog Citizen Lab. "This shows that even though these devices are ubiquitous, theres still a long way to go in securing them against these powerful attacks," he was quoted as saying by Reuters. Bryan-College Station is on track to having the hottest June ever recorded and residents are advised to keep cool in the shade this weekend as temperatures continue to rise, according to KBTX Chief Meteorologist Shel Winkley. We are running about two and a half months early on our heat. We all know its hot, we all know its humid, but be mindful to take some breaks, drink some water, and take care of yourself in the heat, Winkley said Friday afternoon. While most of us have air conditioning and have that luxury, not everybody has that luxury. So if you know of somebody, especially like the elderly, who may not have adequate air conditioning, maybe check on them and make sure they have a cool space and they are doing OK. It is also not really getting that cool overnight, so if you dont have air conditioning, your body doesnt have a chance to reset and relax with the humidity continuing overnight. Heat advisories were issued Friday until 7 p.m. in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Houston, Leon, Madison, Milam, Robertson, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker and Washington counties. Winkley said heat advisories could be issued from the National Weather Service for Saturday and Sunday. Heat advisories are issued when the heat index, which is the inherent temperature that you feel, is around 108, and the air temperature is 103 degrees or higher, Winkley said. There were some heat advisories issued earlier in the month for BCS, but we are seeing them earlier than we normally would and for an extended period of time, he said. You can issue a heat advisory, which is pretty common, and you can issue excessive heat warnings, which are when we get a heat index over 110 degrees. That is the real dangerous time to where you wouldnt want to be outside more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time, he said. Those usually happen in August or September when it is really humid. For now, we have a little bit of a drier heat as we get into the weekend. Going into Saturday and Sunday, Winkley said air temperatures are likely to stay between 101-103 degrees, and there may be a chance of rain going into next week. Depending on a feature in the Gulf [of Mexico] we will see where it moves and how much it can bring, but there is a chance for rain and there could be some pretty heavy downpours in some spots between Monday and Tuesday, he said. However, that feature hasnt developed yet so we have to wait and see but there is a chance for rain and storms. Those are needed as we head into the Fourth of July and we see all of these burn bans popping up, and if we get them, it will help cool down the air as well. Bradley Brookamp, a forecaster at National Weather Service for Houston/Galveston areas, said depending on where you live you might feel the heat differently, and the Brazos Valley was getting close to a hotter threshold, so they issued a heat advisory Friday. We put out a heat advisory for consistency, but also because we are approaching that threshold and generally, because of how hot it is, there are some concerns we have in terms of the impacts it will have on people, he said. A lot of people dont realize how extreme heat can be, usually when you hear about dangerous weather, the things that pop into your head are like a hurricane or a tornado. But heat and floods are our two major killers when it comes to dangerous weather conditions. We want to get that message out that it is going to be a fairly hot weekend. As a reminder, Brookamp urged residents not to leave young children or animals in a hot car, as the temperature inside will exceed the outside temperature. Jennifer Smith, utilities office manager for College Station Utilities, said as people are urged to stay inside they need to be mindful of ways they can conserve energy before they crank up their AC units. The best thing for people to do is to try to have their air conditioner set as high as they can. If you are used to putting it on 70, maybe putting it up a couple of degrees higher, it will help your AC unit from running all of the time, she said. When there is a heat advisory, unfortunately, no matter what you have your AC set on it is pretty much going to run all the time because it is trying to keep up with the heat outside. Residents can make sure air filters have been changed out every 30 days as this can also help conserve energy, she said. Say you like it on 73 when you are home, well if you are leaving for an extended period of time maybe bumping it up a couple of degrees would be OK, Smith said. I would not turn your AC unit off, and I would not turn it up to 85 and then get home and turn it back down to 73, because it will run nonstop trying to cool your house back down to 73. I would not encourage people to turn it off or make a significant change in temperature. To view current heat advisories across Texas, visit weather.gov. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Marketing Association of Credit Unions honored Greater Texas/Aggieland Credit Union with five marketing awards at its annual marketing conference. Greater Texas received a Gold award for its Wild Savings broadcast commercial; a Silver award in the Website Design category for its redesigned checking landing page; and a Bronze award for its McCoy Endowment public relations campaign. Its subsidiary, Aggieland Credit Union, took home a Silver award for its Aggieland bus ad and a Bronze award for its Texas A&M Parking giveaway promotion. Two of the campaigns have garnered awards and accolades from other distinguished credit union marketing associations in addition to the MAC awards. The Greater Texas Wild Savings TV commercial, produced and directed by Corte Video, has received two other marketing awards this year in addition to the MAC Gold award. Aggieland Credit Unions parking giveaway contest also was a winner, receiving top honors from the Credit Union National Association and Cornerstone League, as well as a Bronze MAC award in the Business Development category. This campaign offered a chance for A&M faculty and staff to win parking passes worth up to $500 when they opened an account or swiped their Aggieland debit card. The promotion generated more than 11,793 debit card transactions and garnered nearly 170 new checking accounts. This is the third set of marketing awards our credit union has received this year, said Howard Baker, President and CEO of Greater Texas Credit Union. These awards recognize the creative talent of our marketing team and highlight their ability to create campaigns that generate positive results for the benefit of members and the credit union. YAOUNDE, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon is overhauling its military strategy against insecurity in the mountainous region of Adamawa after renewed deadly attacks in the region, the country's defense minister Joseph Beti Assomo said on Friday. "We have taken appropriate measures and prescribed adjustments to the actions of the defence and security forces to better ensure security of people and property," Assomo said after meeting with top military officials in the region. The defense minister flew to the region following rampant cross-border criminality, kidnapping for ransom, cattle theft, and illegal exploitation of resources. He said troops were on the alert to secure the region and restore peace and stability. Fleeing rebels from the neighboring Central African Republic regularly cross over to the region to kill and abduct civilians for ransom, according to security reports. Troops were particularly in search of a serial killer who has "killed so many civilians" and continued to terrorize villagers in the region, officials told reporters in Adamawa regional chief town of Ngaoundere where the meeting took place. Following the pandemic, free summer lunches at Grand Island Public Schools remain popularand needed, say GIPS food service employees. A few years before COVID-19 hit, over 1,000 kids were being served, said Kris Spellman, Director of GIPS Nutrition Services. Now they are feeding about 600. Spellman said GIPS Nutrition Services Summer Food Services are bolstered by support from USDA and Nebraska Department of Education (NDE), who want every school to do a foodservice operation in the summer. There are a lot of kiddos out there that eat school lunch during the school year and then dont have access in the summer. The program is federally reimbursed, similar to the school lunch program, but with more stringent rules and regulations. Deb Hopkins, Head Server at Lincoln Elementary School, does headcounts in the cafeteria. The summer meal program is a guessing game, she said. We dont know what were having, Hopkins said, penciling numbers on a clipboard. Today is a good day. Weve already had 46 kids and we still have 35 minutes left to go. The free meals are not simply for GIPS students; they are for anyone in Grand Island ages 1-18. There are no questions asked, Spellman said. They just come to the door and go to the serving line, and we serve them a lunch or breakfast. Adults pay $4 for their meal, and a significant number of parents take advantage of the low-cost, nutritious meal. Some of them are familiar faces in the school, former students now a bit older, Hopkins said. They bring along their little kiddoslike Destiny, for one, Hopkins said, pointing out a young mother helping her child sip from a milk carton. She came to school here, and now shes got her little one that she brings in to eat lunch. Her brother and sister came to school here and they come in and eat lunch. Therein lies a complication, Spellman said. Because this summer the sites have been pared down (there are five) children sometimes dont have means to get to the sites. Since we only have five sites, were not able to cover the whole geographic area of Grand Island. If kiddos are at home by themselves, they might not be able to get to a site, which is really unfortunate. Spellman indicated she wished there were more GIPS buildings serving summer meals, but it wasnt plausible. We just we dont have the people to staff our sites. Weve got as many sites as we can handle. For about 25 years, Hopkins has been handling her Lincoln Elementary site while school is in or out of session. By all indications, shes doing it well. The kids giggle and laugh, and parents get together bring all their kids in here to eat all at once, Hopkins said. Look at the happy faces, all the kids. We have a lot of hungry kids. Their parents are working that need this food. It gets me right here, Hopkins said, tearing up. I go home with a happy heart knowing that I did something good to feed the kids. Grab a bite GIPS Summer Food Service Program has free meals for kids ages 1-18, and $4 meals for adults, including those not associated with GIPS. No application is needed. Elementary sites are: Dodge, Howard and Lincoln Elementary Schools. Breakfast is served Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. until June 30. Lunch is available Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. 12:30 p.m. until July 15 (no lunch served July 4). Barr Middle School and Walnut Middle School are also serving meals. Breakfast is Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. 8:15 a.m. until June 30. Lunch is Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. 12:30 p.m. until July 1. Jessica Votipka is the education reporter at the Grand Island Independent. She can be reached at 308-381-5420. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The U.S. Supreme Courts decision Friday on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization has overturned 1973s Roe v. Wade. The decision was met with support from Hall County area conservative leaders and with protests at the Adams County Courthouse, joined by Hall County Democrats. Hall County Democrats Chair Guillermo Enrique Pena Valladeres said he is left in fear of for the American public. The state should not have the final word on what family planning should be, he said. Its the domino that will take us back 50 years, not for womens rights, but for reproductive health, he said. It still feels like anybody who happens to be different is not welcome in America. The sad part is, more of the justices that judged on Roe V. Wade were implemented by Nixon, Reagan and Bush. Its the last three justices that were appointed by President Trump that formed the Supreme Court to an area of political adversity that I have not seen in a long time. He added, Its up to us to help and fight for womens rights. Abortion remains legal in the state, for now. A special session of the Nebraska Legislature is being planned for August in response to the decision, State Sen. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island told The Independent. An abortion ban that wouldve been triggered by the court overturning Roe was proposed this session in anticipation of the decision, but failed to pass. Its put us back in that same situation. Nebraska is without any statute on this whatsoever, and we need to get something in place, said Aguilar. Gov. (Pete) Ricketts is adamant he wants to go for the ban again, but weve got to come up with 33 votes to get it done. He added, There should be some serious negotiation when we get back in special session. Ricketts has said he supports a ban that doesnt include an exclusion for cases of rape or incest. In a statement issued Friday, the governor said, Roe v. Wade took away the states right to regulate abortion and cost millions of babies their lives. Todays Supreme Court decision restores the rights of the people, and as a result our future generations will have a chance at life, he said. The Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe is an answer to millions of prayers on behalf of the unborn and a victory for human life. I will be working with our legislative leaders to determine what more we can do to protect our preborn babies. Hall County Republican Chair David Plond voiced support for the U.S. Supreme Court decision, and said the party supports pro-life legislation at the state level. Were very pleased that the Court has made this decision, said Plond. Rev. Joseph Hanefeldt of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Island released a statement in celebration of the decision, calling it an historic day. Today there is new hope for the unborn in this country, he wrote. Today, the Supreme Court has taken an important step in bringing respect for all human life back to this country. He added, Let us pray for the conversion of those who believe that destroying life through abortion should ever be an option. Amanda Frasier, South Central Nebraska Right to Life president, said the Hastings-based group is very happy with the decision. Our fight isnt over. That means the decision now goes back to the state. Abortion isnt going to be illegal. Every state is going to do their own thing, she said. With Nebraska being a pro-life state, we look forward to the Legislature calling a special session to give us a case to enact a pro-life law in Nebraska that would protect more unborn babies as a result of this decision. She added, Were pro-woman, pro-baby. Abortion, of course it takes the life of a baby, but it also hurts women, as well. Subhead in copy Other reactions U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse, both Republicans, along with Rep. Adrian Smith (R-3rd), issued statements lauding the Supreme Court decision. Life is a miracle that begins at conception. While todays decision is a win for the pro-life movement, our work does not end here, said Smith of Gering. We must ensure states which are now rightfully tasked with authority over abortion have the resources needed to restore a culture that respects and values life by supporting at-risk mothers, fathers and children. Fischer of Valentine said she has always supported pro-life policies that show compassion for women and their unborn children. Todays ruling returns policy-making decisions on this issue to state and federal lawmakers, she said. Its going to take good faith and empathy to address it. Sasse of Fremont, said, Americas work of becoming a more perfect Union is never over, but today by righting a Constitutional wrong the Supreme Court took a historic step forward. Representatives of Planned Parenthood, the ACLU of Nebraska, Womens Fund of Omaha and I Be Black Girl, said they were disappointed in the 6-3 decision released Friday morning. With this decision, the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey and dismantled the federal constitutional protections for abortions that have existed for 50 years, said Scout Richters, reproductive rights counsel for the ACLU of Nebraska. Richters said the ruling allows anti-abortion politicians across the country to force women and other people who can become pregnant into lives they did not envision. In a statement, the Nebraska GOP said, The prayers of countless Americans have been answered the fight to protect life will continue as states now have the ability to take new steps to protect the most vulnerable lives among us. Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said, The majority of Nebraskans believe abortion must remain legal and that women must have the right to make their own health decisions. Republicans ... are putting womens lives at-risk for their callous political agenda, Kleeb said. We can block the ban at the ballot box by voting for our strong Democratic candidates. Jessica Votipka and Mike Brownlee of The Independent and Chris Dunker of the Lincoln Journal Star contributed to this story. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CARBONDALE Kelly Kendrick-Tyson of Johnston City spent a couple hours decorating her convertible for the Southern Illinois Pride March and Cruise. Its nice to get together and see friends I havent seen for a while, she said. Her best friend, Leah Van Ham, walked up. Kendrick-Tyson introduced her, whispering that she is straight. Van Ham, who grew up in Cambria and now lives in Makanda, said she is straight, but not narrow. She rode with Kendrick-Tyson during the cruise. While the event was organized solely as a Pride Month event, the event took a little turn after the release of the decision to reverse Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday. Tim Kee, a member of GRIS (Golden Rainbows of Illinois South) and founder of SI Pride Run, was the main speaker for the event. He said he did not want to get off script, but after yesterday he had other things to say. Yesterday, I felt very defeated. If you think this last weekend of Pride Month was a coincidence, you are wrong. It was to defeat us and make us feel less, Kee said. He added that he refuses to let younger generation feel like what the LGBTQIA community did 50 year ago was nothing. Kee talked about a time when he and now husband Rick Wade tried to adopt a baby. They were denied adoption because they were not married at the time. He said he wanted to thank people who represented the Ls and Gs and Bs and motorcycles (after a loud motorcycle went through the intersection) then continued listing each letter individually. Each one is only a letter, but when you put it together (LGBTQIA), we are a family, Kee said. Kee said the crowd Saturday was standing together in strength, including the strength of the Stonewall Uprising, Harvey Milk and Larry Kramer, and people who gave their lives like Matthew Shepherd and the 49 who died at the Pulse Nightclub in Florida. The event was led by Grand Marshalls Julie Socorro and Jodie Bailey and Southern Illinois Pride Queen Blanche DuBois. We can all show we are united and very proud of who we are. We celebrate each other even though we are not as big, Socorro said, explaining that the community has lost numbers due to lower enrollment at SIU. Im glad to see people here and see each and every individual, Bailey said. I am proud to be a trans woman. Bailey has been a successful transgender person for 38 years. She said kids today have an easier time that people of her age. Before the march and cruise began, Tara Bell, reminded everyone to drink plenty of water, as temperatures were near 90. Socorro reminded everyone not to engage with anyone who wanted to cause trouble. They were told to stay on the sidewalk and stay together. Chip Markel, candidate for 12th Congressional District in the Democratic primary, also spoke briefly and marched with the group. Members of the Unitarian Fellowship in Carbondale marched with a cooler of water. First Presbyterian Church and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) had cool water available at their churches. Several walkers stopped at each site. Kenny Bean, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, said their congregation is a point of light fellowship. That means they are open and affirming to LGBTQIA people. We are here to show our support for the march today, he said. The baseline is God created people in wonderful variety, Karen Knodt, pastor of First Christian, said. We want folks to know were welcoming. After the event, a reception was at Varsity Center for the Arts. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two Republicans are running as the partys candidate for state representative in the 117th District of Illinois House of Representatives. They are Ron Ellis of Marion and State Rep. Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis. Ellis is a certified public accountant of 36 years, an accountant four years before being certified, and serves on the Regional Office of Education 21 board, which includes Franklin, Williamson, Johnson and Massac counties. He served 12 years as Williamson County Commissioner, finishing as chairman of Williamson County Board. He also served four years on the ROE board before he was elected as commissioner. I actually have a whole lot more experience than my opponent. Hes never made a budget, Ellis said. Windhorst said his primary experience is as states attorney for Massac County. He said it gave him great insight on how the law applies, understanding issues of criminals and just explaining how new laws will impact the district. Ellis said the top issue in the state is jobs, jobs, jobs. We desperately need people to go Springfield and quit playing politics, Ellis said. We need to do what Kenny Gray, Clyde Choate, Paul Powell and C.L. McCormick did. They brought businesses here and put people back to work. He said they did their jobs by working across party lines, whether they were Democrats or Republicans. Ellis will do exactly that, he said. He said his experience working with state representatives and senators as a county commissioner gives him experience working across party lines to get jobs done for Southern Illinois. His second issue is energy. When in the state of Illinois we are being told to get ready for rolling blackouts, we have a problem, Ellis said. As an accountant, Ellis has tax clients in California. They have been facing rolling blackouts for years and get no notice of when those blackouts will be. It makes it hard for businesses to operate. Ellis said blackouts also are a problem for people with medical needs, like needing oxygen, a heart monitor or who require air conditioning or heat. The governor pledged that the state will be fueled by green energy sources by 2025. Ellis said that is not reasonable. First, many coal-fired power plants cannot switch that quickly. Ellis also said switching to renewable energy is problematic in Southern Illinois. Besides days when the sun is not shining, we dont have a lot of wind to power wind turbines. However, he said solar fields are popping up across Southern Illinois. In July, Ameren is talking about increasing bills 50%. With higher interest, gas and food what it is, how are we going to do it? Ellis asked. His third issue is Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. That department needs to be totally overhauled, Ellis said. He said they are mismanaged and case workers are overworked, in part as a result of Gov. Rauner letting the state go without a budget. What is this doing to kids? he said. Ellis and his wife Pamella have three children and 7 grandchildren, with an eighth coming in October. On the other hand, Windhorst said the top issue in the state is the loss of population, including those who move from the state and students who leave to go to college and never come back. Because of this, Windhorst said the individual tax burden in the state keeps increasing as compared to states that surround Illinois. That raises the cost of living in Illinois. He said corruption in the state government and growing crime rates are also driving people to move to other states. We need to make sure law enforcement and courts have the tools they need to do their jobs, the appropriate tools to deal with those who break the law, Windhorst said. His second issue is education, adding that he really believes education is the key to the future. We need to make sure were providing equal opportunities to students throughout the state, Windhorst said. While local decision-making is good, funding for education needs to come from the state instead of property taxes. The state has put money into evidence-based funding of education, but the issue needs to addressed. He said we need relief from high property taxes. We need to make sure we are not paying higher property taxes than Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee, Windhorst said. His third issue is addressing the states overall financial condition. We should not be spending money on programs we cant afford, like in the last budget, Windhorst said. We need to maintain a strong fiscal footing rather than increasing expenditures. Windhorst said a lot of things are going on that he would like to finish. Its been an honor to serve the people of Illinois, and I am asking for their vote for another term, Windhorst said Windhorst and his wife, Holly have two children. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two candidates are running to represent the new 118th District of the Illinois House of Representatives, State Rep. Paul Jacobs of Pomona and Aaron Smith of Marion. Dr. Paul Jacobs of Pomona is the current representative of the 115th District of the Illinois House of Representatives and an optometric physician. He works two days a week when the House is not in session. Jacobs has been in practice in Southern Illinois for 43 years, working at offices in Williamson, Jackson and Union counties. He has been committed to service as an optometric physician. He carried that commitment into his position as a state representative. The reason I decided to run was my kids were leaving Illinois, Jacobs said. He added that we need jobs in Illinois that pay wages that can support families. Smith is owner and operator of Smith Hafeli, Inc., a commercial construction company in Marion. He received a degree in education and taught history at Marion High School. He returned to college and received a masters degree in business administration and began working in construction. Smith said that experience makes him able to see both sides of the coin working for the state and working with the states. He understands the issues of the business community and knows how to put people to work. He also serves on the John A. Logan Board of Trustees and is vice chairman of the board. I have a plan. I am the only candidate with a plan on how to put people to work, keep Choate open and keep kids safe in the classroom, Smith said. Jacobs said the top issues in the state include the state's unbalanced budget. You cant entice or encourage businesses to come here if they are being loaded with taxes, Jacobs said, adding that people wont come to the state either. He said five years ago, Illinois had a budget of $35 billion. Today, Illinois has a budget of $46 billion. We dont need to make cuts. We need to quit spending, Jacobs said. The second issue facing the state and district is the Safety Act. Jacobs cosponsored a bill to repeal it. He said there are five or six good things in the 800-page bill, but some things that are not good. It includes the No Bail Bill, which will remove bail from all offenses except certain felonies. The Safety Act should be repealed or fixed, Jacobs said. The third issue is abortion. Im undoubtedly as pro-life as anyone can get, Jacobs said. Were becoming the state to go to for an abortion. He added that isnt the kind of tourists Illinois needs. Illinois taxpayers are funding 100% of abortions in the state because the federal government stopped paying a portion of the bill. It is increasing taxes over and over. Jacobs and his wife, Rhoda, have four children and 10 grandchildren. Smith said the top issues in the state are safety, education and economic development. He said the state needs to repeal the Safety Act. We also need to have armed law enforcement officers in school to protect teachers and children, Smith said. Smith said he is nearly an expert on his second issue, education. He was not only an educator himself, but both his parents and his wife are teachers. He also has two children in school. I will go to Springfield and not fight as a politician, but I will fight as a father and work on things that impact kids every day, he said. Specifically, he will fight against agenda-driven curriculum from Springfield and Chicago. His third issue is economic development. I have spent most of my adult life putting people to work, Smith said. We do business in seven states. He added that he understands what Illinois needs to be competitive because of his hard work. Smith also decidedly supports the second amendment and is anti-abortion. Smith and his wife Brittany have four children. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ADDIS ABABA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian authorities have arrested three suspects in relation to a videotaped burning alive to death of an unarmed man, an Ethiopian official said on Saturday. Ethiopia State Minister of Justice Fekadu Tsega said two Southern region special police force members and one civilian have been detained suspected of participation in the shocking murder. Tsega said the government is also on the manhunt for two Ethiopian soldiers accused of participation in the gruesome murder. The two soldiers had deserted the Ethiopian army and gone into hiding shortly after the video of the murder came out in March. There was shock in Ethiopia in March when a video of the burning to death of an ethnic Tigrayan man in the western Benishangul-Gumuz region surfaced. It isn't clear whether the atrocity is connected to a 19-month conflict between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) which controls most parts of Ethiopia's northernmost Tigray regional state, and the Ethiopian National Defense Force. AIKEN Savannah River Nuclear Solutions is hiring area residents and students from local colleges and universities near the Savannah River Site for apprenticeships involving nuclear operations, radiation control, maintenance and other positions typically requiring a technical school certificate or bachelors degree. A total of 139 apprentices have been registered across 15 occupations at SRNS. About 20% of these have already converted to full-service employees and about 10% are residents in counties typically served by Denmark Technical College (Denmark Tech) in Denmark. Were continually looking for new opportunities to expand this initiative, said Dorian Newton, program manager, Apprenticeship and Pipeline Training. Were currently assisting the president of Denmark Technical College, who has expressed a strong desire to partner with SRNS to develop an apprenticeship program that will meet the needs of their students in the area of nuclear operations. This, of course, will help achieve one our companys most pressing objectives, creating a strong employee pipeline filled with qualified candidates possessing a wide variety of skills and talent who can begin their careers at SRS ready to productively contribute while requiring a minimum of additional training. Denmark Tech is a two-year college that primarily serves residents within Bamberg, Barnwell and Allendale counties. Were mirroring a highly successful and robust program at Denmark Tech that was established at Aiken Technical College years ago. We want to pass on the benefits of that program to the students attending Denmark Tech as well, said Janessa Smith, SRNS human resources. Building this program at Denmark Tech is also highly desired because of the valuable resources DTCs students bring to our workforce. She also added that each student, when not attending classes at Denmark Tech, is scheduled to work two days each week at SRS, earning a competitive starting salary. Financially, this is an optimum situation for participating students seeking apprenticeships as nuclear operators, said Newton. They receive a paycheck from SRNS, while in many cases, much of their college-related expenses will be covered by grants through the school and other local resources, in partnership with the Lower Savannah Council of Governments, such as tuition, purchasing books and paying fees. Smith also described other advantages for Denmark Tech apprentices. Each will experience the culture found at SRS while test driving the responsibilities related to a potential career with SRNS. At the least, they will earn transferable credentials issued by the U.S. Department of Labor for graduating students of this program that are recognized by multiple organizations nationally, said Smith. Initially, SRNS and Denmark Tech will work closely to develop students for the SRS Nuclear Operators Apprentice Program. In time, this concerted effort may expand to include several apprenticeship categories. Denmark Tech officials are now accepting applications for the 2022 fall classes associated with the Nuclear Operators Certificate. Our desire is to hire everyone who completes this apprenticeship program, said Smith. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A new summer program will help six South Carolina State University students explore career options in health care fields in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. University administrators recently signed a memorandum of agreement allowing students to join the Veterans Health Administration Health Care Talent Academy. The six students will be exposed to various career opportunities through shadowing experiences this summer through the Columbia Veterans Health Care System. As an academic partner, SC State University will participate in the process of piloting the feasibility of career identification and creating a pipeline for potential employment from multiple academic programs, said Dr. Frederick M.G. Evans, SC States acting provost and vice president for academic affairs. This collaboration embraces the mission of SCSU in the preparation of students to learn, work, and succeed in a global society." Evans said applications for the summer HCTA program were open to all students in all majors who were in good academic standing at SC State. The six students selected are expected to begin their shadow experiences in June at the William Jennings Bryan Dorn Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Columbia. According to the MOA, the HCTA programs goals are to: Increase awareness, knowledge, and empathy of future health professionals toward health conditions common to veterans. Increase the diversity of the recruitment pool of future researchers, physicians, and health care clinicians and workers. Encourage student-observers of all backgrounds to consider a career in the health professions. The HCTA is an early career exposure opportunity for student-observers to understand the underlying commitment of service to Americas veterans that fuels every VA employee and the thousands of American citizens who give freely of their time and talent to VA, the MOA states. The implementation of the HCTA will allow VA to prepare the next generation of health care professionals to carry on its mission. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Operating weapon systems to defend his ship against tactical air attacks from hostile targets was among the duties of United States Navy veteran Albert Potter. He had a job he was determined to do during the biggest and deadliest war in history. Involving more than 30 countries and sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, World War II raged on for six bloody years until the Allies defeated Nazi Germany and Japan in 1945. Potter, who will turn 97 in September, served as a seaman before ultimately becoming a fire controlman in the U.S. Navy, participating in the wars Pacific campaign. I learned to grow up I went in the Navy as a seaman and I got recommended from my skipper on my ship to be sent to college to be prepared to be an officer. I had gone to college some while I was in the Navy, Potter said. A North Carolina native who has lived in Orangeburg for the past 27 years, Potter was raised in a Masonic orphanage in Oxford, North Carolina, and drafted into the military at age 18. I was 18 years old right at the beginning of World War II. Of course, everybody either went in if they were in good health or got drafted one or the other, he said, noting that his father was also a Mason who died when he was a young boy. He spent his basic training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he learned more of the discipline he had already used to in his orphanage. I was in the Navy, but it didnt make any difference when you were in basic training, it was military. Learning how to obey orders, I guess ... Basic training was more physical activity than anything else. Get up and run and march. Just learning how to live in close quarters with everybody else and get along. You knew exactly what do in every situation when you got out of basic training, Potter said. He also recalled his training at the U.S. Naval Training Center Bainbridge, a U.S. Navy training center at Port Deposit, Maryland, on the bluffs of the northeast bank of the Susquehanna River. It was active from 1942 to 1976. You went and learned some of the basics of things you did on a ship and how to handle those big guns and things like that. After that, I went to fire control school. Fire control means the fire from those big guns. You're learning more than just aiming a rifle. You had to hit a target a half a mile away, he said. Potter continued, When I went in, I spent a long time in the Navy in training and was assigned to a ship finally. I was a fire controlman. He spent his 30 months of service in the U.S. Navy aboard a few ships, but specifically recalled his time on the USS Pittsburgh, a heavy cruiser that had worked Along the East Coast and in the Caribbean before departing from Boston in 1945 for duty in the Pacific. I served on a heavy cruiser. A battleship is a big main force of the Navy. A battleship had probably 2,500 people on one ship. Big guns, torpedoes, Potter said. He continued, You slept on a bunk. The bunks were just a thing to hold a mattress on it. In the daytime, it folded up against the wall and made room for other things. You got in at night. ... One on top of the other. Thats the way you lived. You lived in close quarters. You learned how to stay out of everybody elses way and get along, I guess. Potter said he also had a little locker in which he kept everything he owned. Everybody was just alike. You had maybe two pairs of shoes, uniforms. You went to bed a certain time and got up a certain time. Everybody at the same time all the time, everywhere you went and everything you did. Of course, it was a wartime situation. We were training to be in war. Although very little of my time was actually spent in battle, you were trained to be in battle. Thats the whole purpose of the ships existence, he said. He recalled setting up operations on the ships conning tower. Youve seen a ship with a big mast going up in the middle. Right on the top of it was a little tower with a room for a couple of seats, binoculars or instruments that you could see a way out and tell where all the enemy was, where the targets were, Potter said. You had an instrument that you could measure how far out your target was from you. I was in air fire control, defending against aircraft planes attacking. I was in battle, but as far as anybody shooting and almost hitting me or anything like that, they never did, he said. I was in battle a few times, but the ship never got hit when I was on it. Potter said he was 100% grateful he survived his military service and prayed constantly. I was raised a Christian. I learned to pray when I was a child. I did it continually, he said, noting that he also learned a few lessons from his military service. Well, I learned to grow up, I reckon, more than anything else. I was raised in an orphanage. I was taught how to obey orders. I was taught to keep yourself clean. I had an advantage over a lot of the other kids that werent in an orphanage. Youd be surprised how some of them were raised, Potter said. He recalled having attended Princeton University during his time in the military, the same time at which Albert Einstein was also on campus, Potters wife Carolyn, said. After leaving the military, Potter worked for a while before going back to college. The government provided a program to send you to college. You could get so many months of college for every month you had in the military. So basically what I did when I got out is I worked for a while. ... Other people said, 'You need to go to college. You can do it. So I went to school, Potter said. They paid me, paid all my tuition and all my books and gave me $75 a month to live on. You couldnt do that now, he said. Ive had a good life Potter said he didnt mind the militarys discipline, but said the lack of privacy could be unsettling at times. I dont know that I really disliked any of it. Reason being I had been raised in a group of people. Twenty-eight boys in one cottage. You got along ... I learned to live in discipline from the very beginning, he said. He continued, I dont know that I would have any particular love as far as going back in the military is concerned. You were never lonesome. No privacy. Theres a mixture there. Theres some enjoyment of privacy, theres some enjoyment with fellowship, too. Potter, whose jobs have included working as a salesman for Goodyear, said he can say that he has lived a good and blessed life. He and Carolyn have been married for 67 years. They share two children, three granddaughters, a great-grandson and are now awaiting the birth of a great-granddaughter. I dont know of anything that I would change except be about 10 years less old than I am now. The Lord has been good. He has blessed me in every way that I can think of. I couldnt ask to be any more blessed than I am right now. Ive had a good life, he said. Contact the writer: dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5534. Follow "Good News with Gleaton" on Twitter at @DionneTandD Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Residents of Calhoun County may have an opportunity in November to vote on which form of government they want to have represent them. County Council gave 3-1 first reading last week to an ordinance calling for a public referendum before the voters to either keep the present form of council government with five council members or adopt a council-administrator form of government and continue with five council members. The current council form of government means County Council is both the legislative body and the executive body that runs the day-to-day operations of the county, according to South Carolina Association of Counties Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Joshua Rhodes. The council-administrator form of government has the council as a legislative body and an employed, professional administrator handling day-to-day functions of the county, Rhodes said. Some residents expressed concern that a change would hurt the elected officials' accountability to the voters while those for the change say operations of a county should be left to an administrator intimately involved from day to day. Rhodes said while Calhoun County has on paper operated as a council form of government, by all intents and purposes, it has functioned as a council-administrator form of government for years. Rhodes affirmed there is nothing legally wrong with how Calhoun County has operated as the current operations were approved by the body. He said the only difference the referendum change would make is to legally formalize the county's council-administrator form of government. It would spell out more specifically council's responsibilities and duties and the administrator's duties and responsibilities. The proposed change does not sit well with at least two residents of the county, as well as with Councilman John Nelson, who opposed giving the matter first reading. "I just have seen no interest in this particular change as it is currently stated," Nelson said prior to the vote. "I do believe that we have, right now on our county council, the proper balance of power." Nelson sees the change as undermining council authority. He said there are about six counties that are operating similar to Calhoun County in the state. "That is not a huge issue," said Nelson, noting he does not like to count numbers. "If it works for us and it ain't broke, I am just not sure there is a reason we need to fix it. I just can't support this resolution as it is currently stated." Rhodes confirmed there are only a handful of council forms of government left in the state. One of those has the chairman of council also serving as the administrator of the county. He said a potential positive of the council-administrator form of government is having the stability of an administrative professional in the county to run the day-to-day operations, but the con is the potential for there being a strained relationship between the administrator and council. Typically, if there is a strained relationship between the governing body and the administrator, the administrator is typically terminated under such a scenario, he said. Rhodes said a pro of the council form of government for citizens is that the citizens elect those who are running the county. He said the con is that as elections occur, they could negatively impact the citizenry's ability to affect change in the county. According to the SCAC documents, under a council form of government, council designates one of its members, such as the chairman, to act on its behalf and assign him additional administrative duties, or it may designate some other appointive employee to act in such capacity at the council's discretion. According to the SCAC, under a council-administrator form of government, the "administrator is specifically directed to inform the council of anticipated revenues and the amount of tax revenue required to meet the financial requirements of the county when he presents proposed operating and capital budgets to the council." The SCAC states that under a council-administrator form of government, "the administrator has no authority over any elected officials of the county." "Also, except for purposes of inquiries and investigations, the county council would not deal with county officers and employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the administrator except through the administrator," the SCAC continued. The council may employ the administrator for a definite term or not, at its discretion, according to the SCAC. Calhoun County Administrator John McLauchlin said he would bring the SCAC to a future meeting to provide the public the pros and cons of the different forms of government. McLauchlin said both he and county Deputy Administrator Richard Hall have worked under both types of government in Orangeburg County, and "from a practical standpoint, it just makes sense" to go to a council-administrator form. "I never will believe that it makes sense for lay people who are elected to be able to speak on behalf of the day-day operations," McLauchlin said. "Why would they expect to know that that is a liability in itself? That is what the administrator and deputy administrator are here for." McLauchlin said a council form of government puts the burden of responsibility on the council's chair and vice chair. Under the council-administrator form, the entire body would share the role of conducting any needed inquiries or investigations of county employees. Hall said under the Home Rule Act of 1976, the running of counties has transitioned from the local legislative delegation to local county councils. Hall noted that most elected officials have other jobs and are not directly engaged with the day-to-day activities of running a county. "Over the past 40 years, the professional administrator has become a thing," Hall said, noting a council-administrator form of government clarifies responsibilities and duties of the administrator and council. McLauchlin said the decision to change the council-administrator has been discussed for the past two years. The reason it has been brought up now is it needs to be approved via referendum during a general election. Rebecca Bonnette, who ran and won the Calhoun County Council District 3 seat to replace Nelson, expressed her concerns about the council-administrative form of government. "This change would effectively remove county council from dealing with county officers and employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the county administrator, unless of course in the case of an investigation," Bonnette said. "Council would only be authorized to deal with, or conduct business, through the administrator instead of going directly to the county officers or employees." "More counties do align with that form, but it seems as if it is a shift in power to the administrator and away from the elected officials representing we the people," Bonnette said. Calhoun County Council Chair James Haigler said the matter is just in first reading and there will be other opportunities to hear from the public. "We need to get the public comment," Haigler said. "We want to get that out there to see." "Sometimes we wonder why we are the only ones doing stuff differently or we are getting different results," Haigler said. "Some things may come out of this: some may be bad, some may be good. I think we need to hear it and see why we are the very few of the ones that are still there doing the old-fashioned way." Sandy Run resident Amy Hill also offered her thoughts. "One may think the county government form is outdated but I assure you they were all created in this article and title chapter at the same time," Hill said. "It is not outdated even more so than it would be for council-administrator." "I would rather put my faith in council directly ... instead of having someone interpreting information and providing information to council and you don't have direct access to verify or inquire further without going through the administrator," Hill said. McLauchlin said it is not a power trip on the part of the administrator. "I bother David and James and now it is James and Ken on everything because I am not going to crawl out on that limb not only because it is the form of government the way it is now," McLauchlin said. "We need for them (the public) to go to a county council member. Richard and I do. To make something truly happen, we can't always make things something happen on the administrative level, but if it comes from above we can." "I come from that form of government and I understand how it should work," McLauchlin said. "At the end of the day, there will not be a change. If you had a power-hungry administrator, I can see there could be a problem. But that is county council's responsibility to rein that administrator in." Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A 58-year-old Orangeburg man pleaded guilty to attempted murder in a machete attack that almost severed a womans fingers. Leonard Rivers, of 650 Whaley Street, appeared before Circuit Judge Cothran Ferrell during a recent term of court in Orangeburg County. Ferrell sentenced Rivers to 10 years in prison, provided that after he served 26 months, the sentence would be suspended to two years of probation. Ferrell gave Rivers credit for having already served 26 months at the Orangeburg County Detention Center. Rivers charge stems from a Jan. 25, 2020 machete attack on a woman in the yard of a Par Street home. Witnesses had to break up the assault. The woman suffered an eight-inch gash across her forehead and several fingers were nearly severed. In other recent guilty pleas: Iane Tiffany Montagnese, 30, of 1493 Tee Vee Road, Elloree, pleaded guilty to second-offense DUI with a blood alcohol concentration of at least .10 but less than .16. Ferrell sentenced her to one year in prison, suspended to four years of probation. At the discretion of prosecutors, charges of open container of alcohol and transporting alcohol with a broken seal were dismissed. Clarence Antwan Sumpter, 26, of 139 Brigadier Lane, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and battery. Ferrell sentenced him to one day in jail and gave him credit for time served. Dan Herman Westbury Jr., 50, of 148 Frisco Road, Neeses, pleaded guilty to grand larceny valued at more than $2,000 but less than $10,000. Ferrell sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended to two years of probation. He also ordered Westbury to complete substance abuse counseling. At the discretion of prosecutors, they dismissed Westburys charge of second-degree non-violent burglary. Tanya Lynn Mitchell, 29, of 5028 Haskell Lane, Walterboro, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and battery. Ferrell sentenced her to 130 days in jail and gave her credit for time served. Mark Michael Smith, 71, of 860 Rail Street, Bowman, pleaded guilty to breach of trust with fraudulent intent valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000. Ferrell sentenced him to 30 months in prison. At the time of Smiths guilty plea, he was already in prison for one count of non-violent second-degree burglary and two counts of grand larceny valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000. Thomas James Spires, 38, of 117 Sangria Circle, Cordova, pleaded guilty to three counts of second or subsequent failure to stop for blue lights and one count each of unlawful carrying of a pistol and first-offense possession of less than one gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base. Spires was originally charged with two counts of first-offense failure to stop for blue lights, but ended up pleading guilty to two counts of second or subsequent failure to stop for blue lights instead. He was also facing a single count of second or subsequent failure to stop for blue lights. That charge remained. Ferrell sentenced Spires to five years in prison, giving him credit for having already served 252 days in jail. As part of Spires plea agreement, prosecutors dropped the following charges: two counts each of open container of beer, first-offense driving under suspension license not suspended for driving under the influence, motor vehicle registration and licensing violation, first-offense uninsured motor vehicle fee and use of license plate other than for vehicle which issued; and one count each of second-offense DUI less than .10 blood alcohol concentration, second-offense DUS license suspended for DUI and second-offense uninsured motor vehicle fee violation. Sharon Ann Brown, 54, of 665 Fourwind Road, Holly Hill, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of a controlled substance. Circuit Judge R. Markley Dennis sentenced her to jail for 84 days, giving her credit for time served. Trans Chisolm, 38, of 42 Hagood Avenue, Denmark, pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence. Dennis sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended to one year of probation. Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Local lawmakers are worried about the long-term consequences of the U.S. Supreme Courts abortion decision, even as many statewide lawmakers are celebrating it. S.C. Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, called it a sad day for South Carolinians. He noted that S.C. has no abortion law that will go into action immediately, as the 2021 Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act is still being challenged in court. Well have to address it at the state level, apparently, Hutto said. The fetal heartbeat law would restrict abortions in pregnancies with a detectable heartbeat in all cases, aside from instances of rape, incest and danger to the health of the mother. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which allowed abortions nationwide, in a Friday ruling. Abortion law is now to be decided on the state level. South Carolina, unlike some other states, does not currently have a trigger law designed to go into effect upon the overturning of Roe. Lawmakers have said they might return to Columbia to take up the issue. Gov. Henry McMaster said he would be signing motions by the end of the day to put the Fetal Heartbeat Act into action and would immediately begin working with members of the General Assembly to determine the best solution for protecting the lives of unborn South Carolinians. McMaster called the courts ruling a resounding victory for the Constitution and for those who have worked for so many years to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us. House Democrat Leader Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, said it is likely that the Republican-controlled House will pass an abortion ban this year. Overturning Roe v. Wade will allow extremists to pass a ban without exceptions for rape, incest, or the health of the mother, he said. The current reality is grim, but Democrats will continue to fight like hell to protect a woman's right to a legal, safe abortion, his statement said. Conservatives believe that freedom and life begin at conception, and under their vision for America, it ends there as well. Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, said the Supreme Courts decision will not end abortions, but restrict access to safe procedures for marginalized communities. She worries the conservative court will roll back other recently legally protected rights. It's scary, because overturning Roe v. Wade suggests to me that the court is poised to overturn some other rights that have been granted recently, Cobb-Hunter said. Justice Clarence Thomas, one of the conservative justices who voted to overturn Roe, said the court should reconsider other rulings, such as those that protect the right to contraception and gay marriage. I just think it opens the floodgates with this radical, right-wing, conservative court to undo a lot of things that are not things to undo, a lot of rulings that granted freedom, she said. Cobb-Hunter also joined many Democratic leaders nationwide accusing Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh of misleading Congress during their confirmation hearings when testifying that Roe was well-established. Cobb-Hunter said even those opposed to Roe should be concerned that the justices flat out lied about their position on what has been known as settled law. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., commended the court for its decision in face of negative public reaction following the leaking of the courts draft decision in May. He also celebrated the abortion debate returning to the state level, where it belongs. A nation in which abortion is the first and best answer for moms in challenging circumstances is a nation that has sacrificed its moral clarity and courage, Scott said. Americas fundamental promises include the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our support for babies and their mothers re-establishes those shared values that began to erode over the last several decades. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Friday was a day for celebration and called the ruling a long overdue constitutional correction. Roe was constitutionally unsound from its inception, as the flawed legal theory behind the decision gives unlimited power to five unelected Supreme Court justices, Graham said. Democratic candidate for governor Joe Cunningham said if elected, he would veto any state abortion ban. The four walls of a doctors office simply arent big enough for a woman, her partner, her doctor and the government. But the government has decided to force themselves in anyway, he said. Holly Gatling, executive director for the pro-life organization South Carolina Citizens for Life, said her organization has been working to reduce abortion numbers in the preparation for the eventual overturning of Roe. We believe this is an absolutely great day for children waiting to be born and their mothers, Gatling said. The court has correctly decided that the right to abortion is not in the Constitution, thereby allowing the people through their elected representatives to have a choice in this important decision. Caleb Bozard is a news intern at The Times and Democrat through the sponsorship of the South Carolina Press Association Foundation. He is a student at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A new trash collection device could stop litter, limbs and other debris before it reaches the Edisto River. Several groups joined forces to have the Watergoat device installed in Orangeburgs Sunnyside Canal, which deposits water into the Edisto. Anywhere you have logs or anytime theres a limb or a cup, trash container, or what have you, and stuff that people throw down the road and then we get heavy rain, it washes it into canals and into drains and then it goes into the nearest draining area, which is rivers and other bodies of water, said John Cuttino, chairman of the Orangeburg County Soil and Water Conservation District. PalmettoPride and the Orangeburg County Soil and Water Conservation District came together to help install the Watergoat trash collecting system in the Sunnyside Canal on Wednesday. PalmettoPride provided a grant for the project. Jeff Mills, the owner of Watergoat, was there to help assist in installing the Watergoat device. It takes about one to two hours to install the Watergoat device, Mills said. Two Watergoat devices have already been installed in Berkeley and Greenville counties. Sarah Lyles, executive director of PalmettoPride, said This is the third Watergoat that has been put in in the state. Berkeley County water district has one and then Greenville County has one as well the first one of the area. Our board has approved 25 more around the state and this was the first one of this cycle today. Were doing three today. The first one is in Orangeburg and hopefully if it works we can do more. Lyles says the device has been successful. The Watergoat was very successful in our other locations. The good thing about this is weve got a vast network of rivers and streams and water and when these areas like canals and storm drains get clogged with litter and debris, it causes flooding. We also want to capture as much of the trash as possible before it gets into big, open water. The great thing about this system is that its relatively easy to maintain and its cost effective. Its just been successful everywhere its been deployed, Lyles said. The City of Orangeburg will be responsible for maintaining the Watergoat. The Sunnyside Canal is prone to collecting litter. Harold Donnelly, Soil and Water Conservation District commissioner, said the Sunnyside Canal was chosen because this specific location came into a survey that was being held and was deemed one of the locations that needed something done about the overflow of trash. Donnelly hopes to install more Watergoats throughout the county. If this is successful, were going to put in for more grants and get ready to start that process. We are going to try and get partnerships. We dont necessarily have to just do this in the city of Orangeburg. We can do it in the whole county. This is a kick-off, Donnelly said. The Watergoat device stretches vertically across the Sunnyside Canal. A net stretches down to the bottom of the canal, creating a barrier that inhibits trash from reaching other bodies of water. It goes across the canal and it collects the trash that flows through theres like a fish net that catches all of the trash. You can go over it with a canoe but you cant go over with a motorboat, Donnelly said. Donnelly believes that the Watergoat will help tremendously in collecting trash that ends up in the canal. It should be a great asset to collecting a lot of stuff thats going into the other bodies of water, Donnelly said. We need to try to do everything we can to try to minimize the litter because todays generation, they dont know what trashcans are. They just throw things out the window. It varies from fast food containers to soft drinks, to beer bottles. Its just crazy, Cuttino said. Lyles added, And none of it is going to biodegrade in any sort of timely manner. Sunnyside Canal feeds into the Edisto River near the water intake for the city of Orangeburg. One of the issues with the litter getting in the canal is that it ends up in the Edisto River, which is close to where the water intake is for the city of Orangeburg so that really affects our drinking water, said Dianne Curlee, education coordinator for the Orangeburg County Soil and Water Conservation District. There are plans to beautify the area around Sunnyside Canal in the future. The other thing is we have all these invasive species like chinaberry and Johnson grass that you dont really want around, so were going to check into getting a grant so we can kind of beautify the area. We have to go through the changes and meet with the city administrator and make sure they want it and then apply for the grant and so forth and see how much it costs. We just want to add to the ambiance of the water park. When you come to the water park and the arts center, you dont want to see weeds. You want to see flowers and butterflies and that kind of stuff. That might possibly be something to fix up as well, Cuttino said. Lauren Pringle, a 2022 Claflin University mass communications graduate, is reporting for The Times and Democrat as a Lee Enterprises-sponsored summer intern. Love 8 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0